27

“Restriction released—‘Miracle Right Arm.’”

Ains’s right arm manifested.

A pale blue, semi-transparent right hand emerged from his sleeve, and a glove slipped over it from above.

The moment the right arm appeared, the atmosphere in the hall changed completely.

Laika and Sophia had already seen it, so they were not particularly shocked. The others—Kansas, those lined up by the throne, and Darte, who had faced him moments earlier—were different.

They felt sweat trickle down their backs.

Kansas himself had witnessed it once before, but this was the first time he had seen the right arm manifested by Ains in a state of true combat readiness.

“…I remember. It feels the same as back then.”

Kansas was seized by the same sensation he had felt when he saw the Eternal Witch’s sorcery.

His gaze slid toward Lizelotte, carefully watching what she would do next.

“Come on, show me your magic. You won’t be satisfied stopping at the level of a merely competent mage, right?”

While confirming the sensation in his right arm, Ains spoke to Lizelotte, who was still overflowing with enormous magical power.

“…How truly irritating.”

Lizelotte muttered with a face as if she had bitten into something bitter, then calmed the magical power she had been consciously raising.

“Huh? Is that it? …It hasn’t even started yet.”

Ains felt completely thrown off by Lizelotte, who seemed to have lost her fighting spirit.

Ignoring Ains entirely, Lizelotte turned her face toward the aged man seated beside her.

“You understand now, Wenceslav. That one is a genuine sorcerer.”

“Indeed. That unfathomable right arm, and the words ‘restriction released.’ I am convinced.”

“And with that appearance and that vexing face, that one is—”

Kansas cut into the exchange between King Wenceslav and Lizelotte.

“My apologies for the late introduction, Lady Lizelotte. I am Kansas Brandy. It is an honor to be able to see you today.”

“…Kansas? Hoh. So you were that child from back then. It has been a long time. Are you well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

“Hmph. You have become quite humble.”

“Yes. Your lessons have served me well.”

“…I see. Then continue to live with your head lowered so that magic does not strike you. Or else you would do well to protect it with a sturdy helm.”

Lizelotte narrowed her eyes and glanced at Ains.

Ains, for his part, had been left completely deflated by her response and stood there with nothing to do.

“I will keep it firmly in mind.”

“…Very well.”

Kansas knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

After watching him with a dissatisfied expression,

“Well then, Wenceslav. My business here is finished, is it not? I shall take my leave.”

“…I appreciate your help, Lizelotte.”

“Hmph. You owe me greatly.”

With that, Lizelotte turned on her heel and left the hall.

“Uh… that’s it? It feels like everything just wrapped up.”

Ains was left behind on his own.

“For now, perhaps you should release your magic,”

Sophia said beside him, prompting Ains to dispel the right arm with a thoroughly unfulfilled expression.

With matters settled and the storm passed, a calm air returned to the hall.

“My apologies, Lord Brandy. In order to trust your report, I wished to confirm whether that Ains was truly a sorcerer.”

“So that was the case. Then Lady Lizelotte was indeed the perfect choice.”

“Mm. Though later, I am sure she will pester me with complaints over it…”

King Wenceslav let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Now then, Your Majesty.”

“Mm. Let us continue. I understand the situation. I must grant some reward to Marquis Kansas Brandy. What would be appropriate?”

Up to now, the Santia Kingdom had never properly driven off the Next-Era Luminaries. Even when they were suppressed, it had only been the low-ranking bandits led by them.

King Wenceslav considered what reward Kansas should receive.

“With your permission, Your Majesty, there is one thing I wish to ask.”

“Oh? What might that be? If it is land, your achievements fall a little short.”

Kansas shook his head, then cast a glance at Ains.

Having shown a brief surge of excitement only to have his confrontation with Lizelotte cut short midway, Ains had slumped his shoulders and was in no state to pay attention.

“Yes. For that reason, regarding the Autonomous City of the Ains Domain, I would like to act as its patron, in the form of a sister-city relationship with my Brandy Domain.”

“Hm. Even I cannot interfere there. To begin with, there is no guarantee that the Silver Snow Knights or the residents would approve. In the worst case, it could even escalate into war with your domain.”

King Wenceslav glanced at Sophia, who stood beside Ains, but she kept her eyes lowered and showed no reaction.

“That is why I am not requesting Your Majesty’s permission for the patronage itself. If the kingdom were to become directly involved, matters could become complicated, and it might turn into the worst-case scenario—Ains Domain versus the kingdom. That could invite incursions from other nations.”

“Indeed.”

“Therefore, I wish to conduct ‘negotiations’ with the Autonomous City of the Ains Domain regarding this patronage. As my reward, I ask that Your Majesty grant permission for those negotiations.”

Kansas continued firmly.

“In this way, there will be no direct involvement by the Santia Kingdom, and even in the worst case, I alone will bear the losses.”

King Wenceslav wore a troubled expression and cast his gaze toward the line of civil officials.

One portly official stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then nodded back to the king.

“Very well. I approve. As your reward this time, I grant Marquis Kansas Brandy permission to negotiate with the Autonomous City of the Ains Domain.”

“I am deeply grateful.”

The exchange between King Wenceslav and Kansas concluded, and the gathering began to break up.

“Um, so… does that mean I get to sit on the throne?”

Ains asked King Wenceslav in a dejected tone.

At that, King Wenceslav burst out laughing.

“Hahaha. You truly are a strange one. After all that, you still bring it up.”

“Yes. I cannot suppress my curiosity.”

Ains replied calmly to the equally calm-faced King Wenceslav.

“You were the greatest contributor in capturing Corbelli, after all. …Very well. But that will be for another day. There are various arrangements to be made. I will contact you later, so wait for now.”

Ains bowed his head to express his gratitude.

Darte, receiving a glance from King Wenceslav, understood that this was a royal command and quietly bowed in acceptance.

“Lord Brandy, thank you for your report and for this victory. Please take your rest.”

“Yes!”

Kansas bowed deeply once more.

Thus, the private audience—marked by no small amount of turmoil—came to an end.

The four who departed the royal castle returned to the Brandy family’s separate residence by carriage.