Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 232

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 232 – Epilogue of Childhood Part 2

Ain eventually returned to Ishtalika. However, the details of his return had not been explained to the people of the royal capital.

For example, the fact that Ain went out of control and that Arche and the others were here meant that it was best to keep this information under wraps for the time being.

In other words, the only information that had reached the people of the royal capital was that Ain had returned from Heim.

Although there were still many questions about what happened in Heim, the return of the hero Ain was undoubtedly more important to the average citizen of the royal capital than such details.

“Your Majesty… you were noticed, weren’t you?”

“There was no choice. I’m here, and Katima, Lloyd… and…”

“Yes. I’m here too, so there’s nothing to be done.”

The people of the royal capital were not informed by the castle. They became aware of the arrival of some members of the royal family, such as Sylvird and Laralua, at the harbor.

They wondered if the Crown Prince, Ain, was finally returning home.

“It’s El and Al-nya…!”

As everyone waited at the harbor, Katima, who was in a wheelchair, noticed the twins.

The twins were moving through the sea as if they owned it, leading the Leviathan. The spray that rose from time to time reflected the light like a celebratory cannon.

◇ ◇ ◇

Wow!

“I-it’s amazing…”

Ain moved from the Leviathan to a small boat. When Ain appeared, the people of the royal capital showed a tremendous reaction.

“It was amazing when I went to investigate Magna, but this is even more…”

“Fufu… You’re a hero, so it’s only natural, right?”

It was added that this hero had also gone to Heim and ended the war this time…

“I know what you’re trying to say, but isn’t Krone being a little too calm?”

“I think I would have been a little more surprised before.”

That’s right. Krone also received the same cheers. And yet she was strangely calm, and her attitude a contrast to Ain’s.

“But compared to how I felt when I was waiting for Ain, everything else seems like a minor detail now.”

“…I see.”

After all, it seemed that Krone was not to be underestimated either.

Then Ain took a deep breath, steeled himself, and said, “Krone. Shall we go?”

“…Yes.”

He extended his hand to Krone and took hers.

The soft, warm feeling went to Ain, and that alone made him want to float away.

On the other hand, Krone let out a rare, shy smile, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

“Hey, are you blushing?”

“Fufu. What would you do if I blushed?”

But Krone was Krone through and through.

Even when she tried to hide her embarrassment, she did so gracefully, instead asking Ain what he would do.

“I’m not going to do anything. I just thought you were cute.”

“…Oh, come on.”

They exchange some lighthearted banter, and Ain slowly pulled Krone’s hand.

The two of them were going to walk down the ramp and head for the harbor―or so they thought, but…

“But just pulling your hand… doesn’t seem like a triumphant return, does it?”

“Eh…? Kyaa… A-Ain…?!”

“If you’re scared, I can put you down, okay?”

“I… if you put me down, it will be as if I rejected Ain, and people will laugh at you.”

Krone, who was being carried in the so-called princess carry, replied while burying her face in Ain’s chest.

Although it was a line that seemed to be concerned for Ain, it goes without saying that Krone was happy. As proof, the area around her ears, which was visible from time to time, was bright red.

“My goodness. You’re a wonderful assistant to take care of the Crown Prince’s heart.”

“You know that, don’t you? Geez…”

When Ain spoke to Krone as if in a daze, Krone, trying to hide her embarrassment, gently pinched Ain’s clothes.

Then she murmured “idiot” at his chest and relaxed her whole body, leaving everything to Ain.

◇ ◇ ◇

“As soon as you get back, you’re all lovey-dovey-nya!”

“Can’t you cut us some slack today? But… W-why are you in a wheelchair?”

“…A lot of things happened-nya!”

The first to speak to Ain was Katima. When she saw Ain holding Krone, she spoke to him in a teasing way, but instead, she was hit back by Ain.

“A-a lot of things?”

But even if she said a lot of things, there was no way for Ain to know, so she lowered the Krone and looked away in the direction of Sylvird and the others.

“Grandfather, I’m back.”

“…So you ignored my words and went off on your own and ended up going berserk?”

“I have no words to say. It was the result of overestimating my own strength.”

Ain apologized sincerely. He knew that he had caused a lot of trouble.

That’s why, even though he had defeated the Red Fox and the story had a happy ending, he had no intention of letting it end there.

“However, Krone was also the one who got out of control.”

“Yes. I understand that.”

“I believe in rewarding the good and punishing the bad. Therefore, I will punish both of you.”

Ain and Krone listened intently. Sylvird’s words made sense, and it would be bad to let things slide.

That’s why they waited for Sylvird’s punishment…

“The punishment I will give you both is that you will make Ishtalika more prosperous than under my reign! You fools!”

“Grandfather! That’s no punishment…”

“Your Majesty…?”

Just as the two were about to object to Sylvird’s words, Sylvird enveloped them both in his embrace.

“You’ve come back! You fools!”

“…I’m sorry for worrying you, Grandfather.”

“Your Majesty…”

It seemed that Sylvird was crying. The fact that a single tear rolled down Ain’s neck was proof of that.

He wrapped his arms around them for a few seconds, then suddenly turned and started to walk away. The two were confused by his silent departure, but…

“I’m sorry, both of you. …That person is still the king, so there are some things that must be kept secret.”

Then Laralua stepped forward in his place.

“Ain-kun, welcome back. …Krone-san, thank you for risking your life for Ain-kun.”

Laralua hugged Ain and then went on to hug Krone. She probably tried to hold back her tears as well because her eyes were moist.

“The king and I will return to the castle first. You two should go home as well―Olivia is waiting for you at the castle.”

“Ah… G-Grandmother!”

They hadn’t spoken yet. Ain was also worried that Olivia was not here.

He tried to stop Laralua, but Krone gave him a sign by holding his hand tightly.

“…You should also consider their feelings.”

“…I understand. I’ll hold back until we get back to the castle.”

“Yes. Oh, I’m sorry. It seems like my grandfather and the others are waiting for me over there, so I’m going to go get scolded, okay?”

“Then I’ll go with you…”

“No, this is my responsibility, okay?”

While she tried to stop Ain, Krone ran to Graff and the others at a fast pace.

As for Ain, he wanted to apologize to them because he was the one who caused the problem, but…

“Let’s meet another time.”

He decided to follow Krone’s words and change the subject.

When he was left alone, a man came to Ain.

“Ain-sama!”

There was no way he would forget the voice. It was the voice of the man who had been following him for a long time and who risked his life for Ain.

“Dill! You’re safe… you’re safe, and… H-huh…?”

But Dill’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

Ain looked around in confusion, but he couldn’t find Dill at all.

“I’m here, Ain-sama!”

“…Eeehh?!”

There was a Cait Sith with a mane like a lion.

He wore a knight’s uniform that was familiar to Ain, and he carried a sword at his waist. But no matter how he looked, he was a Cait Sith.

“D-did the Glacier family have a secret method to reincarnate into other races…?”

“Hahaha… it’s a long story, but I was saved by Katima-sama and became a Cait Sith, or rather…”

What was he talking about?

Not understanding what he meant, Ain looked at the useless cat. But the cat just crossed her arms proudly.

It’s useless. Ain thought to himself and looked back at Dill.

“But! Thanks to Katima-sama, I was able to live!”

“Oh, yes. I appreciate that, but I was just annoyed by Katima-san’s… I mean, the useless cat’s attitude.”

Dill smiled awkwardly and searched for words.

“There are a lot of things I want to talk about, but I can’t talk all by myself…”

“By the way… where is Chris? What is Chris doing…!”

“Please be at ease. Chris-sama is resting in the castle. I think she will wake up soon… Varra-dono said so.”

At long last. Finally, Ain could confirm that Chris was safe. Thinking of Chris, who was supposed to meet him in the capital of Heim, Ain felt a deep sense of relief.

“Ain-sama. This time, because of our… no, because of my lack of power, I made you endure so much…”

“…Lloyd-san, you did a great job. I put you through a lot, so I’d like to apologize to you…”

“No, that’s unnecessary…! By the way, where are Arche-sama and the others…?”

“Ah, the four of them are resting inside Leviathan. They said they would come to the castle later, so can I leave them in your hands?”

“Mm…please leave them to me!”

Then Lloyd gave a quick greeting and contacted the four people to welcome them.

“I’m sorry, but Father is as busy as ever…”

“No, no. I’m glad to hear he’s doing well. Well then…”

“Ain! It seems that Grandfather and the others are on their way to the castle as well, so let’s go!”

They must have finished talking to some extent. When Krone returned, she suggested that they go to the castle. Ain nodded obediently to catch up with Sylvird and the others who had already left.

Then Ain turned his eyes to the royal capital, where the cheering continued, and spoke loudly.

“…I’m back. Ishtalika!”

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