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I knocked on the door to his room that day.

“Come in.” (Adil)

A boy’s voice called from beyond the door. When I opened it and entered, Adil was sitting in a chair, resting his chin on his hand while reading a thick book. He glanced at me and looked surprised.

“Oh, Your Excellency Yuri, how do you do?” (Adil)

Adil immediately stood up and bowed.

“Your Highness Adil, I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” (Yuri)

“Yes, thanks to you… Ah, please have a seat. Though this isn’t exactly my own home.” (Adil)

“No need for formality. You’re no prisoner. You may treat this room as your own castle.” (Yuri)

With that, I sat down on the sofa.

“Thank you. I’ve been living here rather boldly, so it’s reassuring to hear you say that.” (Adil)

I had heard as much from others.

“Your Shan language has improved quite a bit.” (Yuri)

Though there was still a slight accent, considering it had only been a year, his progress was remarkable.

“Has it? I’m glad you think so.” (Adil)

“I’ve heard you’re studying Telor language as well. When we met a year ago, you only spoke Arn language. Now, you’re fluent in three languages. Your progress is truly impressive.” (Yuri)

“Well… I suppose…” (Adil)

He seemed a bit embarrassed.

“I’ve been studying a little Arn myself, but I’ve only learned basic greetings.” (Yuri)

Saying this, I greeted him in Arn.

“Greetings, may the grace of the Sand Angel be upon you.” (Yuri)

In the Kururuan Dragon Empire, the Cocolu religion, which is a monotheistic faith, teaches that the deity has two angels under their command, the Sand Angel and the Water Angel. They are depicted as male and female counterparts, with their union said to cause the growth of trees on earth. This belief likely arose from the assimilation of local polytheistic deities.

In the temples of the Cocolulu faith, female priests serve the Water Angel, and some of them also act as temple prostitutes. Interestingly, there are male priests who serve the Sand Angel, known as temple courtesans. However, since the doctrine does not permit unions between Sand Angels, these male courtesans only serve female clients.

When I once asked a Kururuan about whether male temple courtesans ever served men, he made a disgusted face and said, “Such an act is abhorrent and evil, punishable by death”. Clearly, it’s a significant taboo among devout Cocolulu followers.

“And peace be upon you, by the blessing of the Heavens.” (Adil)

Adil responded with the traditional reply.

“Now then… I’ve been to Sibyaku many times, but I haven’t dropped by your place until now. My apologies.” (Yuri)

“You must have been busy. The people here at the castle have treated me well, so there’s no need to worry.” (Adil)

Well, half the reason I came to Sibyaku was to see Lily-san, so I hadn’t exactly been that busy, but it seems best not to mention that.

“That’s good to hear. By the way, I heard you’ve expressed interest in joining our officer academy.” (Yuri)

As I said this, Adil’s expression became serious.

The officer academy was formerly known as the Knight’s Academy, now renamed the Royal Officer Academy. The building itself remains the same, but the curriculum has changed significantly. Since there’s no real need for the academy to be located in the heart of the capital, we plan to move it to the outskirts and turn the current facility into a university.

“Yes.” (Adil)

“Why do you want to join?” (Yuri)

“I think my language skills have improved to the point where I can follow lectures, so there’s no need to stay cooped up studying in my room anymore.” (Adil)

“However, I doubt you’re aiming to obtain military qualifications in this country. If you simply enjoy learning, there are more academically focused schools, like those designed for civil servants.” (Yuri)

I was referring to the Institute of Higher Learning, where Myaro had recently revamped the curriculum and faculty, and resumed lectures.

“I want to experience something I haven’t before. Is that such a bad thing?” (Adil)

I’d heard as much, but it felt like he was a completely different person. The timid, somewhat aimless youth I’d first met was nowhere to be seen. His eyes were now full of life.

“Well, as long as you don’t attend any classes related to military secrets, there shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll arrange for you to participate in the allowed courses. If you grow tired of physical training, you can always attend lectures on history and other subjects.” (Yuri)

“Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do.” (Adil)

“That’s the right choice. What I found most valuable at that academy wasn’t just learning how to fight, although that was useful. It was Eisa-sensei’s lectures that had the greatest impact.” (Yuri)

“Really? I didn’t know that.” (Adil)

Adil responded with surprise.

“Indeed. I learned many things from Eisa-sensei, not only the Telor language but also the history of various countries from ancient times to the present. I didn’t think I’d need Arn, so I didn’t study it, but I gained a deep knowledge of the Kururuan Dragon Empire’s history and culture.” (Yuri)

“I see…” (Adil)

“I heard that you’ve also been taught by Eisa-sensei, though it seems it was just for a day when you were very young.” (Yuri)

“I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t really remember.” (Adil)

“I figured as much.” (Yuri)

I first met Eisa-sensei when I was ten years old. At that time, she had just arrived in the Shaalta Kingdom, fleeing persecution. If she had taught this boy when she visited the Dragon Empire, Adil would have been at an age where it was questionable whether he could even understand the language. Most likely, it was more of a formal gesture on his parents’ part, like, “Oh, a famous scholar is visiting, let’s ask him to teach our child something as a mark of honor.” Naturally, there’s no way he’d remember.

“She has the surname of Wichita. Does that mean she’s a descendant of Catholica Wichita?” (Adil)

Catholica Wichita was, essentially, the founder of the Catholic. It was a name that appears in red letters in world history textbooks as a monumental figure.

“No, not at all. Catholic Wichita left no heirs. However, the Wichita Household was a noble one even at the time, so Catholic adopted one of his disciples in his later years to carry on the family name. That disciple was incredibly intelligent, just like Catholic, and since then, the Wichita Household has upheld a tradition of having brilliant adopted heirs. Eisa-sensei is also adopted and has no blood connection to the previous head of the household.” (Yuri)

Eisa-sensei was abandoned as an infant and left at an orphanage. At the age of five, she surprised a pastor by memorizing and reciting religious verses, so the pastor, impressed, pulled her out of the miserable life she was destined for and sent her to the Wichita Household as a student. From there, Eisa’s talents blossomed. At just 17, she passed the most difficult clerical exam, the Astrasean, where the average age of successful candidates was over thirty.

Those who pass the Seane exam usually become bishops, so at the young age of seventeen, Eisa-sensei became a bishop in some remote area. But after about a year,s he grew thoroughly disillusioned and, despite her youth, declared…

“I didn’t study to climb the ranks! I studied because I love learning!” (Eisa)

With that resolve, she began various behind-the-scenes efforts and eventually became the abbess of a convent in Vaticanus, where she published several academic papers, ultimately being promoted to the position of Grand Chamberlain. This was her final post in Vaticanus.

Her duties mostly involved ceremonial tasks, such as changing the shroud of Jesus’ body (essentially, a corpse) three times a year. The rest of the time, she could focus entirely on her research, enjoying both the power and access to materials that the position granted. For Eisa-sensei, it was the ideal job. Her research trip to the Kururuan Dragon Empire, where she supposedly taught the young Adil something, likely occurred during one of those breaks between one of the three annual ceremonies.

“I see. Eisa-sensei has also been very helpful to me. It was she who introduced me to Sher.”

“Ah, Sher Marmaset. I’ve heard of her. I believe she’ll be back soon. She’s been keen on starting a language school, hasn’t she?” (Yuri)

“Yes, that’s right… About the language school, there won’t be any issues, will there?” (Adil)

“Because she’s a Marmaset, you mean?” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (Adil)

After spending a year in the capital, it seems Adil had come to understand the situation well enough.

“Don’t worry. It won’t be a problem. Marmaset may be a notable household name, but Sher is from a branch family. If all she’s doing is teaching languages, it could even be beneficial to the nation.” (Yuri)

That is, of course, as long as it’s just languages. If she starts secretly promoting hatred against the Hou Household or the royal family, or organizing subversive gatherings, then it would become a serious issue.

But that’s easy to deal with. We could simply place some of our own agents among the students to investigate from within. If it turns out there’s a problem, we’ll arrest and punish Sher. By then, if the school has grown large enough, we can remove Sher and still keep the institution intact. Either way, it’s a win for us.

“It’s good to hear that.” (Adil)

Adil said in a voice that sounded genuinely relieved.

“It’s great that you’re adjusting well here, but this makes me worry about when the time comes for you to return. You know you’ll have to go back someday.” (Yuri)

“That… may be true.” (Adil)

Adil showed a downcast expression. It seemed like the idea of returning didn’t appeal to him. He was young and had probably already grown attached to his new life here.

“Not ‘may be,’ it’s something you should think of as an inevitable reality that will happen in the near future.” (Yuri)

“What do you mean by that…? The negotiations are still at a standstill, aren’t they? Does that mean the talks are close to being resolved?” (Adil)

This was the main reason I had come here today. I had planned to make a decision after talking to him, but after seeing how much he had grown, I decided to tell him straight away.

“The negotiations have been settled from the start. The agreement has always been that you could be returned whenever your father wishes.” (Yuri)

When I said that, Adil looked puzzled.

“Huh? What do you mean by that?” (Adil)

“Exactly what it sounds like.” (Yuri)

“So… does that mean my father sees me as a burden and wants to keep me out of the way?” (Adil)

Adil asked, but he didn’t seem particularly hurt by the idea. Even if his father disliked him, it probably didn’t matter to him deep down. He had the confidence that, even if he were disinherited and left to fend for himself, he could make his own way in life.

“That’s not it. You understand that the reason the Dragon Empire joined the last war was to give you, their future Dragon Emperor, a chance to bask in the glory of victory, right?” (Yuri)

“Yes, I understand that.” (Adil)

“The imperial family of the Dragon Empire believes that a king must have a heroic tale, much like a newborn must be bathed. That’s why I proposed creating such a heroic tale for you. After all, it would be absurd for a war to be started just to create such a story.” (Yuri)

“A heroic tale? What’s so heroic about me being held captive here?” (Adil)

Well, it’s natural for him to think that.

“When the time comes, you will escape from this country on your own, embark on a journey, and make your way back to your homeland. Over there, I’m sure they’ll have minstrels ready to sing epic songs of your daring escape.” (Yuri)

When I said that, Adil was left speechless.

“Wait, what? You want me to pick up a sword and escape from this country myself?” (Adil)

“Of course, I wouldn’t have you do anything so dangerous. In fact, we can’t have you doing that. It’s just for appearances. In reality, you’ll likely be escorted back, perhaps by ship.” (Yuri)

“Oh, I see… that makes sense…” (Adil)

Adil seemed to calm down a bit, now understanding the plan.

“But wouldn’t that damage this country’s reputation?” (Adil)

“It might, but it’s not a big deal. In fact, we would likely praise your boldness and courage.” (Yuri)

Wars often start due to misunderstandings between nations. If Adil were to successfully ascend to the throne, he’d rule for several decades since he’s still young. If he develops a friendly disposition toward us during his time here, we’d gain a stable ally. Compared to that massive advantage, a little bit of damage to our reputation is insignificant.

Furthermore, diplomacy rarely goes smoothly when one side feels inferior. It’s better if they feel they’ve managed a small victory—’Yes, we lost the war, but our proud crown prince is such a great hero that your country couldn’t hold him!’ That’s the kind of petty revenge that keeps things balanced.

“Emperor Aknar III was worried that his heir, you, would grow up spoiled by Empress Medea’s overindulgence. It might upset you to hear this, but he couldn’t bring himself to reprimand her, perhaps out of affection. Naturally, the Empress knows nothing about this scheme. If she did, she would be furious and do everything in her power to bring you back.” (Yuri)

“Yes, she would absolutely do that.” (Adil)

“That’s why the Emperor finds it convenient for you to grow up isolated here. Of course, it’s not a matter of allowing you to be abused or put in danger, so he made sure to place people to look out for you. The officials from your country who came with you serve that role. If you hadn’t taken the initiative to push yourself, they would have subtly orchestrated trials for you to overcome.” (Yuri)

When I said that, Adil let out a dry laugh.

“I see… Haha, so that’s how it is.” (Adil)

“This is a matter that should have remained secret, but I told you because I see you as a mature individual. Treating you like some clueless child would be disrespectful to the person you are now. So, I’d like you to keep this between us and not mention it to the officials keeping watch over you.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Adil)

“I apologize for treating you like a child without any will of your own. I’m sure it upset you.” (Yuri)

The reason I decided to confide in Adil like this is because he would eventually find out anyway. Since he isn’t actually going on a grand adventure, it would be impossible to keep it hidden from him forever. A year ago, when he was still like an innocent child, it wouldn’t have mattered. But now, he’s different.

If I had continued to keep it a secret, he’d eventually see that as deceptive. And given that I want to maintain a good relationship with him, it was better to reveal the truth myself before he found out on his own.

“No, I’m not upset.” (Adil)

“Glad to hear it. Well, the reality is that we’ll need to send you back to your country at least once. It’s a legal obligation, written into a secret treaty. As a matter of national responsibility, we have to fulfill it. After that, if you truly don’t want to become emperor, you’re free to run away or disappear once you’re back. It’s your choice. Though it would cause us some trouble.” (Yuri)

“Trouble? What kind of trouble?” (Adil)

“Your homeland might lash out, filled with frustration. They’d demand to search our country or insist we return you if we were hiding you. That’s about the extent of it. But don’t worry too much about it. We’ve been using you for our own purposes too, after all.” (Yuri)

We, of course, would be in quite a mess if he didn’t settle into his role as a prince. But it would be absurd to try to force him onto the throne through threats. In any case, in this day and age, anyone who can speak three languages fluently isn’t likely to struggle for food. While it may be difficult for someone of his status to rise within government or the military, he’d have plenty of opportunities if he joined a merchant guild or similar group.

For someone with a set of skills like his, being an emperor is hardly an appealing job. He’d always be at the center of annoying power struggles, and if he ever exposed his incompetence or behaved unethically, he’d be talked about behind his back by his retainers. If a rebellion were to break out, he could even lose his life. He’d also be expected to make life-and-death decisions during wars. For any person with a sense of responsibility, such a role would be an immense burden.

Fools in the world tend to think that being a king means being above the law and having the freedom to do whatever you want for a lifetime, but in reality, the hardships far outweigh the privileges. Moreover, there’s not much in life that can only be experienced as a king. Most pleasures available during any given era can be enjoyed without being royalty, as long as you’re moderately capable and don’t find work burdensome.

Adil doesn’t appear to be the kind of person who craves power, nor does he seem excessively greedy. A year ago, it might have been different, but now, it seems like he’d be happier leading a life free of the responsibilities of a crown prince.

“Well, this isn’t something that’s happening immediately. It depends on the situation, but they may not come for you until you’re about 20 years old. In your spare time, you might want to think about your future.” (Yuri)

“Yes, I will.” (Adil)

“This conversation has gone on for a while. I should be going now.” (Yuri)

With that, I rose from the sofa.

“School life comes with its difficulties, but there will be good times too. I hope you come to like this country.” (Yuri)

For him, this might be something of a delayed moratorium. It was a time of reprieve. Every person’s life should have such a period. It was during such times that people come to understand who they truly were.

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