The parliamentary hall— the tall tower known as the Sacred Tree Temple.
In the conference room of the Six Great Nobles there, I’m holding a sapling of the Sacred Tree in one hand while negotiating.
My main counterpart is a nice‑middle‑aged fellow named Alberk.
The six nobles attending the meeting all wear bitter expressions, and I can’t help but love it.
Especially the head of the Fevel family, Rembert, is raging in front of me.
I’m talking to them while looking at the sapling.
Rude attitude? Sorry, but this is enough for these guys. After all, I’m a foreign student and don’t have much love for the Republic.
“So, how much compensation are you going to give me?”
Rembert shouted.
“Don’t—don’t joke with me! Do you have any idea how much damage was done to the Fevel lands? I’ll protest to the Kingdom!”
I laughed.
“Oh, confident, huh? I’ll let His Majesty know that.”
While I was grinning, Rembert’s face turned bright red.
He can’t accept the fact that he’s been beaten.
Well, it’s not exactly a defeat.
It was just the drunken Pierre’s entourage causing a ruckus.
The Republic is trying to push it through.
The reason is that they can treat it as an internal family dispute for external optics.
“Are you saying I should take responsibility? But if that’s the case, it means the Einhorn got all the way up to the Sacred Tree, right? Is that okay?”
Alberk glared at Rembert and shut him up.
“…This incident certainly shows the Fevel family’s lawlessness. The Republic will apologize, but can you decide on compensation on your own?”
Holding the Sacred Tree sapling in one hand, I said,
“First, pay me personally. This time you cursed this foreign student, including His Highness, and that’s not without fault on your side, right? You’ll answer to your nation. As for my personal compensation, be prepared to pay appropriately.”
I put forward an amount.
Gold, magic stones, resources— basically an enormous sum.
Rembert’s eyes widened.
“W‑what! You expect me to pay all that to a single person?!”
“Of course. If you hadn’t abandoned Pierre, none of this would have happened. Besides, I have my own standing. If I act weakly, I won’t be able to face His Majesty.”
Alberk looked at the amount and said,
“…Fine. I’ll pay.”
He’s got the cash to spare, as expected of a rich man.
“But return the jewel.”
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
The jewel, a condensed magic crystal, is valuable even to the Republic.
Luxion had been destroying Republic airships and collecting them, so a decent amount was stored.
“I refuse.”
The six nobles gasped, “Huh?”
“No, it’s by the Sacred Tree’s oath. I said hand over everything inside the Einhorn. The Einhorn was recovered before we could take it back, so it’s fine to keep it, right? The drunkards handed it over, so there’s no problem.”
Rembert stood up and pointed at me.
The crest on the back of his right hand glowed.
“Don’t get cocky, kid!”
I raised the sapling.
Rembert’s crest lost its light, and I said,
“Now let’s finally end your invincibility for real, okay? Don’t think there’s only one Einhorn.”
Everyone was on edge, and I was satisfied.
There’s only one, after all.
Just a bluff.
Negotiations kept going, but the Republic— which had been almost entirely defeated— took my terms. I’d already checked with Luxion how much compensation they could muster.
Was it negotiation or intimidation?
That’s how it went.
◇
Back home after a long time.
I was taking care of Noel.
Luxion was watering the Sacred Tree sapling while observing it.
‘How ridiculous. The nobles want the Sacred Tree sapling, yet they don’t know the sapling withers because of the Sacred Tree itself.’
According to Luxion’s research, the sapling won’t grow because the Sacred Tree itself is the cause.
Apparently only one Sacred Tree is needed on this land.
…It feels wrong to think of it as a plant, but it’s not a normal tree, so who cares.
And I figured out why the nobles want the sapling.
They wanted it as a backup against the Sacred Tree’s power— basically to protect themselves from underhanded tactics like Pierre’s. A very insular reason.
They wanted the sapling, but research showed it won’t grow where the Sacred Tree stands.
No matter how much they want it, they can’t get it.
Truly absurd.
I was more worried about Noel.
“…You’re weakening.”
‘Your limits are approaching.’
Then Marie showed up at the house.
“Ah— Leon‑san, I have something to talk about?”
Marie’s voice was shaky, unlike usual. I went to the entrance and found a boy wrapped in bandages, looking painful.
He bowed his head slightly.
He’s the boy Pierre beat up— the owner of Noel.
“Um, I heard you’re looking after Noel!”
I led him inside.
When he entered, Noel lifted his face from the crib.
He’d been waiting for his owner.
“Noel!”
The boy approached, crying, and reached out to Noel.
Noel licked his hand a bit, pressing his nose to sniff his master’s scent.
‘His nose should be almost useless by now. I wonder if he can even see.’
Luxion said, and I replied,
“Stupid. As long as he knows you’re there, that’s enough. He realized his owner’s there, and that’s fine.”
The boy kept crying.
“Sorry. Sorry, Noel.”
It was an emotional reunion.
We left the house to talk outside.
◇
Outside we talked.
Marie’s bruise on her neck had disappeared.
Pierre’s crest was gone— it vanished when his protection was removed.
“Bro, uh…”
Marie handed me various things.
Evidence of connections to the organization Pierre dealt with, and items showing what they were handling.
“Whoa, our bargaining chips just increased.”
Marie still looked scared of me.
“I… I’m sorry for this time, I tried hard… Please forgive me, brother!”
Seeing Marie kneel in the courtyard, I was annoyed.
“…You idiot. I already forgave you ages ago.”
“What!?”
She lifted her face, dirt on her forehead.
“Didn’t you notice? When Pierre caused all that trouble, I was pulling strings behind the scenes too. I just sent him to Luxion for research.”
‘That’s the kind of nausea you get. You thought a curse of that level could transfer me? Foolish. Without Master’s orders, I’d have annihilated you.’
Marie’s eyes welled up.
“No! I tried so hard!”
I placed my hand on her head.
“Yeah, you did good. I’ll put this to good use. By the way, I’ve already told the Kingdom to ease the pressure on you lot.”
“What!?”
I explained to the now‑cheerful Marie.
“The queen replied. She’ll make sure you have a minimum standard of living. A chef and a few staff will come with the next envoy.”
Then I pulled an envelope full of Alzel Republic banknotes from my coat and handed it to Marie.
“Pocket money. Use it for living expenses. Even with eight of you, it should cover some luxuries.”
Marie tucked the thick envelope into her chest, tears of joy streaming.
She clung to my leg.
“Brooo!”
“Shut up, get off me! I’m only helping because I was reflecting. If I hadn’t done anything, things would’ve stayed the same. Remember, if you cause trouble again, the allowance gets confiscated!”
Marie clasped her hands and thanked the sun.
“Glad we tried! The gods haven’t abandoned me yet!”
…Or maybe?
Just being reborn in this world makes me think that.
Marie looked at me as if recalling something.
“Huh? By the way, you beat up Pierre, right? Was that okay? It’ll ruin the event.”
I shook my head.
“You’re dense. Did you see the protagonist and Emile? It’d be weird if they weren’t together, and it’s a friendly event. If you really need it, I can fund it, or just don’t worry about it. Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if they already had a physical relationship. That sugary vibe makes me sad.”
I’m only exchanging emails with my two fiancées, yet…
Marie thought it over and seemed to agree it wasn’t necessary.
“Yeah! We smashed that bastard, that’s more important!”
“Right!”
We laughed together when a boy carrying Noel walked out.
—Noel had already passed away.
◇
The boy’s name was Jan.
He came from the countryside and studied hard at the academy.
He brought Noel because he had no family.
In the end, Noel was probably waiting for Jan, and either relaxed or felt safe enough to pass away.
As we talked, night fell.
Jan was holding a box with Noel’s cremated bones.
“So, what now?”
When I asked about his plans, Jan shook his head.
“I don’t know. I have to repay my scholarship. I’ll probably have to work.”
I sighed.
“…Pierre’s gone. Get back to school.”
“I’d like to, but the scholarship’s been cut. If I go back now I’ll be held back, and I have no living expenses.”
I placed money on the table.
“What?”
“It’s money we took from Pierre’s family. Take it. Consider it compensation for the injury.”
“But—”
Jan looked down.
“Finding Noel was fate. Graduating will let me earn more, right?”
“Yes, that’s how it works. Alumni earn more.”
I forced it on him.
“Then go back to school.”
Jan looked at me,
“The nobles of Holfart are kind, huh?”
“It’s not them. It’s me being especially kind. Marie— and the other foreign students. Especially the five handsome ones: good looks, but idiots. Watch out.”
Jan thanked me and left, clutching the box with Noel’s bones tightly… He’ll probably go back home once.
Alone, Luxion spoke to me.
‘…You’re getting lonely, huh?’
Looking at the crib, I agreed.
“Yeah.”
Noel’s gone. A bit lonely, but I’ll keep working.
◇
Holfart Kingdom palace.
In the office, Roland, with dark circles under his eyes, was crushing a letter from Leon.
‘How are you, Your Majesty?
Are you ill? Let us know if anything comes up.
Anyway, it looks like things are shaping up nicely.
I’ll send the details to the official you dispatched and have a negotiator sent over.
Now’s a good time to squeeze them. Busy times ahead (lol)
—From a servant who thinks you’re too good for them’
“What the hell! How did this letter arrive so fast! We just sent people over, they’ve barely arrived!”
Before I knew it, the dispute with Alzel was settled, and things seemed to be smoothing out.
Roland slumped at his desk, worried.
“I want that guy executed.”
Mireille opposed him.
Mireille had received another letter from Leon.
She read it shyly, then turned serious at the word “execution”.
“This is unacceptable. To judge a knight for showing the kingdom’s pride?”
“It’s his supervisor’s fault! He started the trouble and solved it himself! He stole my elegant moments…”
Mireille was exasperated.
“From now on, officials will haggle over terms. We’ll need a proper negotiator. Have you decided who to send?”
Roland looked up.
“No one… I’ll send him. The academy’s on summer break soon enough.”
◇
Holfart Kingdom academy.
Under the watch of Angelica and Libya, Claire projected a video into the air.
The viewers were Leon’s friends bound by a contract‑like chain.
More than a Sacred Tree oath, they were tied by a true contract.
Daniel trembled.
‘—So that’s that. Come for tourism over summer. The Alzel Republic has a lot of fun.’
Raymond was stunned.
“No, why do we need to launch an airship because we have a lot of luggage? We have plans for the summer already!”
When the video cut, Daniel was angry too.
“We finally got her to her family’s place! Going to Alzel and back will eat up most of our summer vacation!”
Other male students complained as well.
Libya looked apologetic.
“Um, first let’s talk about the reward.”
When Libya announced the reward, the boys perked up.
Daniel talked to Raymond.
“Lots, right?”
“The round‑trip magic stones and supplies are on Leon’s tab. The reward isn’t bad. With this, we could pay off our debts.”
Angelica summed it up.
“Leon got compensation from Alzel. No lies about the reward. Long voyages need seasoned crew, no matter how good the ship is.”
Even the best ships are dangerous without trained crew.
So Leon leaned on his friends.
He needed them to transport the massive resources he got as Alzel’s reparations.
Libya was amazed at the boys’ sudden motivation.
“Just a moment ago they had no drive.”
Angelica shrugged.
“People work for pay. Let’s get them to try hard. More airships mean safer trips.”
Claire chirped happily.
‘It’ll get busy. We need to prepare! I’ve got a new airship ready.’
Libya placed a hand on her chest.
“Leon‑san, will you be surprised?”
Angelica smiled.
“Of course.”
Seeing the two, Daniel and Raymond scowled.
“…I’m getting pissed at Leon.”
“Funny, I feel the same. Maybe we’ll get a treat over there.”