Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 236

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 236 – A Year Has Passed

The King of Magic Stones, Ain, had several turning points in his life.

His story began in the Kingdom of Heim, now known as the Autonomous Region of Heim.

Born in a count’s family that produced generals, he spent several years in the count’s household and was constantly compared to his younger brother.

The great potential that lay dormant within him blossomed after he crossed over to Ishtalika with Olivia, his root.

――Excerpt from the Second Era of Ishtar Unification Chronicles Author: Leonard Forss, 38th Prime Minister

◇ ◇ ◇

This was the second anniversary of the end of the war, and the excitement surpassed that of the first anniversary last year.

The first day and the last day were particularly exciting.

Because on the first day, the voices of the royal family were heard throughout the land, and on the last day, the royal family gathered in the capital.

And then there was the tavern in the capital.

It was an upscale tavern, and they were celebrating their reunion there.

“What?! You… You got rejected when you proposed!”

“H-hey, Batz… Keep your voice down. Someone will hear you.”

Roland hastily covered Batz’s mouth when he let out a loud scream.

“R-ridiculous… My Royal Highness… How could…!”

“No. It wasn’t rejected. It was half accepted and half rejected. …And what do you mean, ‘My Royal Highness,’ Leonard?”

Leonard expressed his confusion, and Ain shook his head at Batz’s words.

Roland’s worries were unfounded, however, as none of the other customers paid any attention to Ain and the others.

“…What’s going on? Hey.”

“Actually, Krone is right. We can’t get married right away. After all, I’m the crown prince.”

In other words, there were many steps to go through before the announcement could be made.

It usually took several years, so it was impossible for Ain and Krone to get married right away.

“I see. But even if she had refused, you could have asked her again, couldn’t you?”

“Well, yes. By the way, Krone’s opinion is that we should remain lovers until the date is set.”

“But, Your Highness, just to be sure, does that mean you are engaged?”

Then Ain remembered the conversation in the ruined Augusto mansion.

Kneeling down, Krone presented the Star Crystal, and Ain accepted it along with his feelings.

After that, until the so-called marriage was decided…

“Yes. That’s how it will be. Oh… Keep it a secret, okay?”

“Ain-sama… You can’t leak such confidential information…”

Roland looked at Ain incredulously. But Ain didn’t seem to care.

“Even so, Roland. Ain’s relationship is like an open secret, isn’t it?”

“Batz. Still, we can’t be so casual about something that’s only decided among the royal family and a few upper-class people, can we?”

“Well… I understand what Leonard is saying, but…”

Batz said, gulping down the beer in his mug.

His drinking style was refreshing, and Ain and the others couldn’t help but smile.

“But hey, that’s not so bad, is it? Many of us nobles can’t do the things that so-called lovers do. If the crown prince and his assistant can do it, then it’s not so bad.”

“Yes, I agree with you, Batz.”

“Ah, me too, me too!”

Still, Ain and Krone had been rumored to be together for years.

They had been seen walking around the city together many times, and they exuded an air of intimacy that went beyond their relationship as the Crown Prince and his assistant.

“So stop being so quiet and tell us what you think.”

Then Ain turned to the person who had been silent.

“First of all, I would like to know why I was called here.”

“Come on, Duke Heim. It’s Ain, after all… It can’t be helped, can it?”

“Huh… When did you two become so close? Really.”

“Duke Heim. Batz may be a bit too casual, but we’ve discussed matters concerning the Heim territory many times. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that we’re friends now.”

Leonard spoke as if to echo Batz’s words.

He wasn’t as friendly as Batz, but he had a gentle smile on his face.

“…I’ve known this for years, but aren’t you a little too unconventional, Your Highness?”

“Not Your Highness, I’ve told you many times that you can call me Ain in situations like this.”

“…Ain. I’ve told you many times that you are too unconventional.”

“Hahahahaha! Hey, Ain! You’re getting beaten in a fight!”

Batz laughed at their exchange, and Roland and Leonard relaxed as well.

Ain was stunned by the perfect retort, and the man called Duke Heim took a sip of wine from his glass.

“Phew… And Leonard-dono, you can call me Tigre. Calling me Duke Heim is enough in public.”

“Haha, got it.”

“W-wait, Tigre! Why did you say I was unconventional?”

Seeing Tigre’s somewhat triumphant expression, Ain hastily asked him what he meant.

“Think back to your past actions. You’ve been unworthy of a crown prince… Well, I admit you’re heroic, but you’ve certainly caused His Majesty quite a bit of trouble, haven’t you?”

“U-um… Well, I guess you could say that…”

“And what about you? Talking about my former lover in front of me? Are you trying to make me feel bad?”

“No, Tigre is currently dating that orphaned waitress…”

“What!? H-how do you know that!”

Tigre suddenly stood up and looked at Ain. However, his face was slightly red.

Everyone assumed it was because he was embarrassed, not because of the alcohol.

“Lili told me. I mean, you take her with you when you go to work at Heim, don’t you?”

“…T-that woman doesn’t know the meaning of a secret!”

Tigre slumped back into his chair as if he had lost all his strength.

Ain basked in the slight satisfaction of having the last word.

In addition, Tigre’s romantic relationship with a former orphan made Ain feel warm and fulfilled.

“Haha. By the way, Tigre-dono.”

“…Hmm? What is it, Leonard-dono?”

“How are things in the Heim territory these days?”

“Ah. Heim these days… Well, yes.”

Forgetting what had just happened, Tigre put his hand to his mouth and began to think.

“Reconstruction is going well. The old capital has been abandoned, and a new city is being built, but… the port city of Roundheart… Oops, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, I don’t care about names, so you can continue.”

Tigre regretted mentioning Roundheart in front of Ain.

But when Ain said that he didn’t mind, he cleared his throat and continued.

“…So, about that port city, the reconstruction was just completed the other day. Even though it’s called a reconstruction, thanks to Ishtalika’s technology, it turned out to be even more magnificent than the former royal capital of Heim.”

As Tigre spoke, his face was somewhat self-deprecating, but he was also convinced that this was for the best.

“By the way, when the demolition was underway, Christina-dono came and leveled the site of the former Roundheart Mansion with the force of a dragon.”

“I can imagine it vividly.”

“Otherwise, as everyone knows, I travel back and forth between Ishtalika and the Heim Autonomous Region several times a month to report to Warren-dono… That’s about it.”

“Hmm, hmm. It sounds like things are running smoothly. That’s good.”

Finally, Roland nodded happily several times.

Then Tigre looked at Ain with a shy expression,

“I want to express my gratitude once again. For saving Heim from destruction… and for helping us to rebuild.

“Those responsible are in Ishtalika. So we can’t just shrug off our responsibilities.”

“But the Heim nobles and the Heim royal family’s feelings towards Ain…”

“Let’s forget about that. I can’t say that we should just forget everything, but we have to live for the future.”

“…Thank you.”

Tigre bowed his head quietly, then slowly reached into his chest.

He took out a piece of paper and handed it to Ain.

“This is the result of our latest investigation. Please take it.”

“Hmm? Investigation results?”

“…About Alma. Grint’s mother.”

“A-ah… That person. Did you find out anything?”

“A little. Take a look first.”

At these words, Leonard, Batz, and Roland stood up and gathered behind Ain.

They looked at the paper Tigre had handed him.

“I see. So she’s still alive.”

The paper contained information about Alma’s whereabouts. She seemed to be moving from place to place, and marks on the paper indicated several locations.

“It’s not that I want her to be executed or anything like that. But I still want to know what happened during the war…”

“I have already told His Majesty and Warren-dono about it. They said they would organize an investigation team.”

“Yes. Then it’s best to leave it to Warren and the others.”

What was she doing now? Ain pushed this thought to the back of his mind, stuffed the paper he had received into his chest, and took out a gold coin instead, placing it on the desk.

“I have to go now. I have some official business to attend to for the festival.”

“Y-Your Highness! This gold coin is too much…”

“It’s okay. It’s my personal money… I had a good time today. See you next time!”

“Okay! Take care, Ain!”

“See you, Ain-sama!”

He said goodbye to his friends from school and a new friend he had made.

Then Ain walked towards the entrance of the tavern, and when he stepped outside, the cool night breeze felt good on his hot body.

“Ain-sama. It seems you enjoyed your talk.”

“Yes. It’s been a while since we were all together, and Tigre seemed to be doing well.”

“Hahaha. I’m glad to hear that. Well, let’s go.”

“By the way, Marco. Even though we are in the middle of the city, there is no commotion at all.”

Ain joined Marco, who was waiting at the entrance, and they walked on together.

“I am truly grateful.”

“Huh? Come to think of it, where is Dill?”

“If you mean the captain, he went to the night market with Princess Katima…”

I see. Ain nodded in agreement.

At the same time, he was overcome by a strong feeling of guilt.

“To protect her until the festival…”

“But I’m sure the captain is enjoying himself with Princess Katima.”

“…Well, I’d like to think so.”

With a wry smile, he wondered what the two of them were doing.

Katima was probably bossing Dill around, Ain thought, but maybe that was just fine with her.

“Well, let’s get to work today.”

Ain enjoyed the conversation with his friends.

This time, accompanied by Living Armor Marco, he set out to fulfill his duties as Crown Prince.

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