Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 292

TN: Please read my translations only on my website since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!

Enjoy~

ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 292 – Leonard, Batz, and the Playboy (Woman) Part 2

A few minutes after they arrived at Ain’s mansion,

While Batz finished his daily report and was chatting with Marco about the knights, Leonard noticed Ain’s arrival.

“Ain-sama! I’ll be inside the mansion.”

“Yeah, I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

Accompanying Ain to the estate’s training grounds was Chris.

Though she was wearing the simple shirt and trousers she wore off duty, her elegance and beauty were unhidden and appeared captivating even to the young Leonard and Batz.

However, Leonard noticed not only the distance between her and Ain but also the gaze Chris directed at him.

“…Could something be going on?”

It seemed less suspicious and more intimate.

Was the closeness in physical distance just his imagination? Was the softening of her gaze more than a coincidence?

Each change was small, yet Leonard couldn’t help but be bothered by them.

But the reason Leonard couldn’t read any deeper into it was likely because he had little experience with women.

He was quite shy, even hiding the fact that he had a fiancée from Ain and the others.

Deciding he might be overthinking it, Leonard approached Ain, who had arrived, and knelt on one knee.

“Batz, you can keep talking with Marco-san. I’ll handle the conversation with Leonard.”

“Oh, thanks! I’ll take you up on that then…”

Though his tone lacked formality, Marco accepted his attitude.

This judgment was made not only as Ain’s friend but also because this wasn’t an official occasion.

Ain smiled at the cheerful reply and approached Leonard, who was still kneeling on the ground.

“Your Highness, I heard you had a long journey.”

“It was a bit of a change of pace, and not a bad job either. Since we’re not in front of the people, you don’t need to kneel, okay?”

“Understood. Then, if you’ll excuse me…”

Leonard stood up and paused.

Would it be acceptable to ask if something had happened with Chris during the journey?

Depending on the circumstances, it would be disrespectful.

After hesitating, he decided not to ask. However, Ain spoke up with a clever remark.

“We’re still within the estate grounds, after all. Chris is such a worrier, isn’t she?”

“She was probably here as a guard, but I agree with Christina-sama’s approach. It’s too late to act in case something happens.”

“…Even Leonard’s saying similar things… Well, never mind.”

The conversation shifted. Realizing he might be asked about it now,

“Speaking of which, Your Highness, I heard you only brought Christina-sama with you. What about Ist and Balt?”

“Hm? Well, as I mentioned earlier, it was a nice change of pace. In Balt, I even attended a party. Sylvia-sama asked me to.”

“A party?”

“A party. Chris wore a dress, which was rare for her, and we went together.

“Huh—so, in other words, she didn’t come as your bodyguard?”

If that was the case, it was quite a scandal.

When the Crown Prince brought a woman as his partner, she was definitely someone he was deeply involved with—or intended to be.

If the woman wasn’t a family member, then she was usually a concubine. For example, if he brought Krone, then everyone around him would recognize her as his fiancée.

“Leonard’s right, but between you and me, I was nervous too.”

“H-huh… nervous? What kind of party was it?”

“Well, it wasn’t so much the party itself. It’s just having Chris beside me like that, different from usual. She was wearing a dress, with different makeup and a new hairstyle. I mean, I’m not used to being around women, you know?”

Ain’s point was that he was used to being around Krone and Olivia.

They’d been physically close since childhood, but how many times had he been close enough to Chris to link arms? Probably countable on one hand.

Leonard found it endearing to see Ain display such age-appropriate boyishness.

“I see. So you were drawn to Christina-sama’s charm.”

“Huh? Is that what it comes down to?”

“Do you feel nervous when she’s beside you in her knight’s uniform? If not, then that might be it.”

“Drawn to her charm… Chris’s… N-no, I know Chris is beautiful, but… I see, so that’s what it is…”

Ain certainly wasn’t insensitive to his own feelings.

What wouldn’t leave his mind, though, was his single-minded devotion to a woman named Krone. That was precisely why he might have unconsciously denied it. But to Leonard, who understood the situation well, this turn of events didn’t seem so bad after all.

“For us subjects, it’s a joyous matter. I imagine Krone-sama has her own feelings, but I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“Krone? Um… Why Krone?”

“No, it’s nothing important. It’s just wishing happiness for Ain-sama and the future of Ishtalika.”

Unable to grasp the meaning, Ain remained silent. Leonard cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“By the way, I have a report regarding today’s interrogation.”

“Ah, that strange—though that’s rude—the person with the unique personality?”

Leonard’s eyes opened wide at the words.

“Oh? Did Your Highness know her?”

“I passed her at the guild before and thought she was difficult to talk to.”

“You’re right. Batz was fine, but I had a hard time.”

Leonard then recounted the bitter memory from just moments ago.

He was acutely aware that, without Batz, he would have suffered even more today, and that emotion colored his expression.

Hearing this, Ain returned a wry smile and said,

“It can’t be helped. Everyone has their compatibility issues. I’m not great with her either, so I’m in the same boat as you, Leonard.”

Ain’s kindness remained unchanged, and Leonard conveyed his gratitude.

Leonard wasn’t entirely convinced, but he bowed deeply at the generous words.

“Well, Warren-san’s already working on countermeasures. It’d be easier if they got caught quickly, though.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

“But it won’t be that simple. This continent is just too damn big—that’s the flaw in the plan.”

Just as their conversation finally paused, Batz, who had been talking with Marco, approached.

“Batz. Don’t say things that make it sound like you’re backing down.”

“No, no, Leonard. Look, there are tons of criminals out there. But if they escape to remote areas, it gets pretty troublesome, you know?”

“B-but…”

“Leonard-dono, while the wording is inappropriate, Batz-dono isn’t entirely wrong.”

“Even Marco-sama…”

Marco, who approached next, also spoke with a hint of resentment.

Then, he cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and said something that made it seem like he found it utterly distasteful.

“I am skilled at sensing a presence, but it becomes troublesome when they focus solely on escaping. For example, it’s particularly difficult to detect an unfamiliar opponent if they’re wearing equipment made from magical artifacts or monster materials. That is precisely why Batz-dono called it troublesome.”

“I see. If that’s what you say, Marco-sama…”

“Hey, Leonard? Why won’t you trust me?”

Leonard grinned defiantly, as if the incident at Baron Alberro’s mansion had been hushed up.

“It’s your daily conduct. If you could just tone down the sloppiness a bit, I might believe you.”

“Sigh… Ever since you met Ain, you’ve become so energetic.”

“That’s only natural. How could anyone look gloomy in Ain-sama’s presence?”

“Indeed. On that point, Leonard-dono is absolutely correct.”

Chris had the most loyal, dog-like qualities compared to anyone. But Marco and Leonard weren’t far behind.

Though their approaches differed, they shared the conviction that no lord surpassed Ain.

“Well, whatever. So, Ain, what’s your schedule like until next week’s festival?”

“It’s packed to the point where I want to cover my eyes. I need to discuss matters with Warren-san and the others, address the local specialty products that have been stuck at my location, discuss distribution routes with other cities, work on ordinances, and visit the guild and Baron Alberro’s family. I have to go everywhere.”

“So, Your Highness? Are those things you must do?”

“…Aren’t you working a bit too hard? You’re the Crown Prince, aren’t you? You shouldn’t have to struggle that much.”

“I am the Crown Prince, but I’m also a lord now. So it can’t be helped, and it’s fine. Leonard, didn’t you hear how tough it was when Duke Fols was handling Strohm’s affairs?”

“That… yes. I heard it was a city full of challenges.”

It was a matter of perspective, but the gist was correct.

Ain didn’t find it troublesome either. He felt challenged by the prospect of making this city prosper.

Ain smiled contentedly, stretched, and made a proposal to the two of them.

“Why don’t you grab a bite to eat while you’re here? Too bad Roland isn’t around.”

Leonard quickly glanced at Marco’s face.

Marco immediately nodded back, readily agreeing.

“Thank you. We’ll gladly take you up on that.”

“It seems he’s got his hands full right now, too. New battleship? Or something like that. I heard he’s designing it, but apparently, it’s just a pipe dream since there’s no usable material.”

“Huh… What kind of ship?”

“He wants it to fly through the sky. It would be awesome if it worked, but it’s still a crazy idea.”

But Roland was a genius, too.

All three of them actually shared the feeling that he just might pull it off.

They exchange glances and laugh, then start walking after Ain.

“Ain, are you busy during the festival? I thought maybe we could hang out if you had time, but from the look of things earlier, it seems impossible.”

“Hmm… Sorry, but it’s tough. I doubt I’ll get a chance to breathe until the festival ends.”

That’s why it was important to talk today.

Since Marco understood that, along with the other three, he replied to Leonard right away.

May the festival end quietly. That single wish summed up everything.

If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!