The Saint announcement in the capital ended safely; two weeks passed.
And clear changes arrived in my daily life.
”…… Alice. What’s this?”
While my right arm recovered and I spent rare leisurely time with Mashiro and the others, Alice — summoned by Morina — returned with two boxes.
On the table, both held envelopes too numerous to grip in two hands.
“First, this box contains marriage proposals addressed to you, Lord Ouga.”
“Marriage proposal!? Ouga, you’re getting married!? No, don’t get married~!”
“I’m your fiancée too, technically……”
Mashiro, misreading something, glomped onto me.
Beside her, the already-engaged Karen smiled wryly.
“Mostly love-calls from baron and viscount daughters. Many new-noble houses too.”
Reina picked a few envelopes and checked the senders.
She, as Floné’s former apprentice, had varied connections; the noble registry might be in her head.
The reaction is broadly as expected — nothing interesting.
“Right. They want a connection with one of the four ducal houses.”
“Counts are still observing. They can’t easily approach a different faction so suddenly.”
“Karen is my fiancée from a ducal house. With no chance at first-wife seat, they hesitate.”
Among the four ducal houses, the only one who could surpass Karen for first wife is a princess of royal blood.
“So, what will you do? As your big sister, I want you to choose your partner carefully……”
“All declined from the start.”
“Oh, really?”
“Naturally. With Floné’s fight coming, I don’t want extra entanglements. Not an opponent I can beat while distracted.”
She knew I’d say so — playing innocent.
But understanding her reason, I played along.
“And from front, back, left, right…… four people fill my space. No room for anyone else.”
Mashiro, who’d been pressing her head against my stomach, looked up.
“O-Ouga! Th-that means……!”
“All right, Alice. The other box?”
“Letters of encouragement, Lord Ouga.”
“Muu……!”
I cut off Mashiro’s pursuit by turning to Alice.
Sorry, Mashiro. Not yet.
When I tell, I want to do so at my timing. A once-in-a-lifetime matter — all the more.
“Encouragement? For me?”
“Yes. Lord Ouga’s exploits are finally being accurately conveyed to the people! Since the [Saint] announcement, what was once mere rumor is rapidly spreading as truth! Finally, those who understand your greatness appear — my joy knows no bounds!”
Her excited mode returned — relieving that Alice is recovering.
She’d been very low when my right arm got injured.
Good. A relief.
“All contents have been screened by us.”
The box was packed.
Paper and envelopes aren’t cheap. That they prepared these specifically to support me means I bear quite the expectation.
“Hmm…… what’s written……”
The topmost letter — a worn paper smelling faintly of soil.
“To Mister Ouga Veret,
Thanks to Lord Ouga, our island became peaceful.
Thank you.
I want to become someone strong and cool like Lord Ouga.
My home is poor, and I want to make my hardworking mom and dad’s lives easier soon.
If I become strong, please let me work for Lord Ouga.
Please do your best to defeat strong enemies.
I’m rooting for you.
Roni Riderly”
The back showed a stamp confirming Lamdarb Kingdom origin.
So my saving Lamdarb from Floné made me popular with young children too.
…… Hard to be evil……!
If this pure-hearted child knew my real self — that I was slacking inside — what would they think……
The admiration would warp, walking a twisted life.
N-no…… I won’t stop……! I decided to do whatever I want……!
I glanced at the scroll in my room.
One: live without bending one’s convictions.
Yes…… that’s the evil-style I aim for.
I’m grateful for the letter and happy. But staying true to the Ouga Veret this child admires is a different matter.
…… I’ll just pray they grow up earnest and good.
Returning to my original stance, I took the next letter to clear unwanted guilt.
◇ Episode was long, so cut in half. Next part posted day after tomorrow. ◇