Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 305

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 305 – Grandfather’s Old Stories

“Long time no see, Warren-san.”

“It’s been a while, Ain-sama. Though you did visit the castle just the other day. You seem to have grown even more robust and dashing since then.”

“Enough with the flattery. It’s embarrassing.”

“Hahaha, I see, I see. You seem to have gained even more composure.”

“How has the capital been lately?”

“Compared to Strohm, we have more than double the number of knights stationed here. Fortunately, there hasn’t been a single incident worth mentioning.”

Truly, the king’s domain.

Not that Strohm was sloppy, but the security here was incomparable.

With a small grunt of embarrassment, Chris lightly tapped the top of her head, as if patting it, then stepped forward, one pace ahead of Ain.

Warren watched with a faint smile.

“This seems to be a favorable development as well.”

“…Huh? What?”

“No, don’t mind me. It just seemed rather convenient in many ways—”

With that, Warren cleared his throat.

“How was Tigre-dono’s demeanor?”

“Nothing particularly noteworthy, I’d say. He was calm and very much himself.”

“That’s most reassuring. He faced considerable opposition before, but lately, that impression seems to have faded.”

“Among the nobility? Or among the common folk?”

“Both, I suppose. It wasn’t discriminatory sentiment, but rather the past treatment of Olivia-sama and Ain-sama that caused it. Speaking of which, I believe Chris-dono was the same.”

Well? Warren inquired as he stepped into the audience chamber.

“No, I found satisfaction after destroying that mansion. It’s over now. I must accept it as part of Heim’s past.”

Ain’s expression sharpened at those words, and he spoke up. He recalled what he’d heard from Dill that morning.

“Warren-san. Actually, last night—”

Chris, who had already heard the news, showed no surprise but listened with a solemn expression.

Warren, however, slowly raised his white eyebrows.

“Details later. Let’s see Marco-dono’s report. But the survivors of Heim’s soldiers… That smells fishy.”

“Tigre said that there were also people trying to cut out my empty shell. Honestly, I feel like these two things are connected.”

“I share that opinion. There’s the matter of the Roundheart survivor and the vanished lady. It wouldn’t be strange if they harbored resentment toward us, Ishtalika. But if that’s the case, their objective is far too unclear.

Especially considering whether they could actually pull it off. Heim survivors would find it difficult to act.

Roundheart was a particularly sensitive topic. If that name came up during a background check, a commotion would be inevitable.

Warren’s face remained clouded. Uncharacteristically, his brow furrowed deeply, betraying his confusion.

But after several seconds, he nodded, his expression returning to normal.

“Let’s adjust our expectations. The Heim natives aren’t the perpetrators. They’re likely still in their previous positions.”

“Ah, so that means—”

“They’re quite capable of being manipulated as pawns. The ill will they harbor toward Ishtalika—or, in this case, toward Ain-sama—will likely drive them to greater efforts.”

“It remains within the realm of possibility, though.” He added this last point.

Once exploited by the Red Fox, their lingering resentment, even after the kingdom’s collapse, was now being used. A fleeting thought of pity crossed Ain’s mind, but their situation felt largely self-inflicted, making sympathy difficult.

The implication was clear: the true mastermind lay elsewhere.

“Nevertheless, rest assured. We’ve begun addressing the matter regarding the western part of the continent mentioned in Ain-sama’s recent report. We will implement stricter identity checks on those entering by ship.”

For now, they were doing everything possible within their means. Warren conveyed this through his demeanor.

As long as Warren was doing everything in his power, Ain felt reassured.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The ceremony concluded without incident.

There were no notable disturbances, which demonstrated stability in stark contrast to Strohm.

Although any disturbance at the castle would be problematic, the fake egg had left Tigre’s hands and was now in King Sylvird’s possession.

―Midnight. In the salon near King Sylvird’s bedchamber.

Without informing the other family members or close associates, the two made their way to the salon, almost like a secret rendezvous.

“You acted in accordance with Cain-sama’s behavior… Therefore, I cannot reprimand you.”

Ain relayed the matter concerning the dungeon of divine abduction near the former royal capital, close to the Demon Lord’s Castle.

“…I apologize.”

“Very well. If you regret it, I’ll forgive you. But it would be helpful if you could avoid it a second time.”

“Of course. If it becomes absolutely necessary, I will consult Grandfather first.”

“…You’re surprisingly obedient. What’s gotten into you?”

Sylvird chuckled, deepening the wrinkles around his eyes.

The dimly lit salon was bright enough by moonlight alone, reflecting off the intricately designed furniture and creating an almost fantastical glow.

“I never wanted to imagine being sent to another world and leaving everyone behind.

“It’s precisely because you have someone you love.”

Sylvird rose from the sofa where he had been seated.

“Ain, come here.”

“Yes?”

Ain rose, wondering what was going on.

Following the gesture, he headed toward the window and opened the glass door, stepping out onto the balcony.

The night wind was cold, nearly numbing his fingertips, but wrapping himself in the cloak he carried eased the chill.

“Look at the capital. Look at the castle town. Even at this hour, it bustles with life—a sight of people going about their business.”

Lately, he had developed an especially strong sense of responsibility.

As he reaffirmed his determination to one day stand at the pinnacle of these people, his body trembled. He couldn’t tell whether it was a warrior’s tremor or if he had simply lost his nerve. Personally, though, Ain could only hope it was the former.

“In your case, Krone’s presence must be especially significant. That’s good. Having someone you’ve known since childhood is truly valuable.”

“Oh, is that different from Grandma?”

“…You mean me?”

After over ten seconds of silence, Sylvird nodded.

He melted the falling snow in his palm and opened his mouth.

“Well, yes. It’s fine to talk about such things occasionally.”

Sylvird spoke with a cool demeanor.

To Ain, who was watching him, it could be summed up in one word: cool.

“It was decades ago. I had a childhood friend, a girl. She was a few years older, born into nobility, clever, and had a steady, generous spirit.”

“…”

“I can’t even count how many times I got scolded. As a child, I was what you’d call a wild little rascal. She was practically my personal supervisor.”

“Huh? Grandpa got scolded?”

“Yes, she even slapped me on the head once. What a bold, impudent girl! But the moment I said that, she’d immediately argue back. I never won a single argument with her.”

Ain nodded back at Sylvird, who spoke cheerfully as if surprised that such a woman had been so close.

“But as we grew older, a distance formed between us. We became aware of the differences between men and women, and she started holding back around me. I was taken aback by the change from her previous boldness. I even went to her house unannounced once, just to surprise her and have a laugh.”

“Huh… She didn’t get angry about that?”

“She did. She said that a woman needs time to prepare and that I should at least call first. No, she hadn’t changed at all. She became more refined as she matured, but I was glad to know her essence remained the same. It was around that time. That’s when I started truly enjoying my time with her.”

This was when he was a little younger than Ain is now. He added,

“I started looking forward to the days she visited the castle. I even became vain and styled my hair more carefully than usual. She laughed when she saw me all dressed up.”

“…”

“But then one day, she fell ill. It was a contagious disease for which there was no cure at the time. My father told me to prepare myself. It was a peculiar illness that only manifested in different races and didn’t spread to others.”

Prepare yourself—prepare yourself for the death of the woman called ‘she.’

How cruel. Yet, Ain could understand the late king’s words.

“One thing was clear: what was needed to save her. The very material of the crimson gem of the earth…a dragon’s core. But back then, there was not enough of it to make medicine. I lamented this and went to the guild myself to make a request. Naturally, however, that material was never found.”

This meant the woman would die.

Ain closed his eyes at this heartbreaking tale.

“That’s why I defied Father for the first time and went to Balt alone. I believed it must be there, so I traveled near the former capital, but the result was disastrous. I was attacked by monsters and left barely breathing. Luckily, an adventurer happened to pass by and saved me.”

(Huh? Grandfather…? Wait, could I actually resemble him?)

“I was escorted back to the capital. But I wanted to ease her suffering, even if only a little. So I decided to lie. I told her that the dragon’s core she needed had been found. ‘I made medicine from it! Drink it!’ I commanded, trying to distract her.”

What he gave her was a powder of lies.

It was merely a painkiller and, of course, it couldn’t possibly have had any effect.

However,

“Fortunately, a means to alleviate those symptoms was discovered by chance. I was overjoyed, but the researcher seemed reluctant to say that it was already too late for her and that treatment wouldn’t help…”

“…”

“But I begged. I told my father, and I ordered the researchers to treat her, even if it meant spending all my allowance. The researchers obeyed and administered treatment.”

Ain swallowed hard.

“That night, as she slipped into unconsciousness as if falling asleep, I simply held her hand tightly.”

“Th-then what happened!?”

With wide eyes, Ain pressed closer to Sylvird. His expression was intense as he demanded an answer.

“Five days had passed since the treatment began. From that day on, the two of us were no longer just childhood friends.”

The implication was clear, even without words.

Though it was someone else’s story—and an old one at that—Ain gripped the fence in frustration.

The memory of that bittersweet first love made Ain’s body tremble, despite the cold.

“What sort of illness was it?”

“Living surrounded by magic tools—a side effect of our technologically advanced modern age. It was a magic stone internal magic depletion syndrome. Not an epidemic or anything like that. It was a purely fatal symptom caused by magic stones gradually losing their power.”

In other words, his childhood friend was of a different race.

Silence fell between them.

Soon, the salon door opened quietly, and a woman’s voice reached them from inside.

“—Dear? Bringing Ain-kun along, too? You’ll catch a cold.”

Upon hearing Laralua’s voice, the two exchanged glances and went back inside.

“By the way, Ain, there’s more to the story I just told you.”

“Eh… more?”

“That one and I are no longer childhood friends, but—”

Sylvird smiled.

Pat, pat. He gently stroked Ain’s head.

This affectionate and tender touch contrasted with the story and restored calm to Ain’s heart.

“I had forged a new bond with her as her fiancé.”

His smirk was exuberant. The look he shot Laralua was the answer.

Ain managed to reach the sofa and collapsed onto it as if all the strength had drained from his body.

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