10-1 The Crown Prince’s Rite

Carlos, the Crown Prince of the Albatross Royal Family, finished a sleepless night.

At last, at last this day had come.

He quietly lowered his feet from the bed, rested his elbows on his knees, and placed his chin atop his clasped hands.

And then he shouted.

“Ahhh— I don’t wanna go‼”

Yes, today was a once-in-a-lifetime day of hardship not just for the royal family, but for the one who became Crown Prince.

I, Alphonse, was suddenly summoned by the king and headed to the royal palace today.

What on earth did he want so suddenly?

Was it another matter involving the Empire?

And I wasn’t called to the audience chamber.

Even though it was still morning, normally the time for audiences.

The place I was guided to was the king’s office.

It wasn’t flashy, but felt extremely luxurious.

The walls and cabinets with doors were made of the finest wood, lavishly processed and lacquered.

There were no gaudy decorations, yet everything was top-class.

It felt far above even the chic owner’s room of an expensive super yacht.

Truly excellent taste.

Things like this often reflected the owner’s character.

“Hm, thank you for coming, Alphonse. Actually, I have a personal request for you. Since it’s private, I’ll ask you here. You know our Crown Prince, don’t you?”

“Yes, he seems rather reserved.”

I’d never spoken to him directly, but I’d never heard a single bad rumor either.

Perhaps shy—he was apparently still single.

Was that really fine for the future king of this great nation?

He should already be at the age to become a mage.

Wouldn’t he reach an age where leaving heirs becomes difficult?

Reproductive cells deteriorate over time, so even if human lifespans lengthen, childbearing age doesn’t extend proportionally.

“He’s intelligent and his command ability isn’t bad. He’s never once complained even when busy with work. If entrusted with the king’s duties someday, he’ll surely carry them out properly.”

“Uh, where’s the problem then?”

I crossed my arms and tilted my head.

“I only recently installed him as Crown Prince, and he still hasn’t completed the ‘Crown Prince’s Rite.’ He hasn’t been formally recognized by the country yet. Now that the trouble with the Empire has settled, I thought it a good opportunity. So I finally set the date. I’d like you to accompany him for the rite.”

The Crown Prince’s Rite… this country had such a custom?

I’d never heard of it.

“Sure, I don’t mind. So when is it?”

“It’s actually today. Originally it’s a trial to be done alone, so I hesitated and delayed telling you. Well, since it’s a ceremony, it doesn’t absolutely have to be alone. Some become Crown Prince while still young.”

“So what exactly does the rite involve?”

“Climb the northern mountain and retrieve a certain object.”

“And that object?”

“It’s something called ‘Off to Kamakura.’”

Huh?

Still crossing my arms, I almost fell over—my face must have looked utterly idiotic.

Being an old guy, I thought I’d already done plenty of dumb things.

Even so, I’d never made such a foolish face before.

That’s how it looked.

“W-what’s wrong?”

Even His Majesty seemed surprised by my reaction.

“N-no, it’s nothing. The Crown Prince’s Rite is important, after all. Was it… perhaps the founding king’s proposal?”

“Yes, why?”

(Your Majesty… of course it’s strange. Takeshi—)

My curiosity suddenly spiked.

The meaning sort of made sense though.

“May I bring a few others?”

“Fine, but not too many. It would hurt his dignity. If he were Emilio’s age it’d be different.”

“Understood. I’ll keep it to two or three people at most. So where is His Highness?”

“He’s preparing in his room. Probably still hasn’t gathered the resolve to depart.”

That’s why I was called.

Leaving the king’s office, I was guided to the Crown Prince.

And there he was, still sitting in his room.

Stand up, young man.

This room was rather modest.

It had furniture, but not a trace of extravagance.

All high quality though.

He gave me the impression of someone like France’s Louis XVI—plain and honest.

As someone raised valuing simplicity, I found him very likable.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, pleased to meet you. I am Alphonse von Granburst. I hear you are going for the Crown Prince’s Rite. His Majesty asked me to accompany you. I look forward to working with you.”

I placed my left palm with aligned fingers to my chest and bowed in this country’s manner.

“Nice to meet you, I am Crown Prince Carlos. Please don’t be so formal. I’ve heard much about you. I’m grateful the Explosion will accompany me. I’m more of a civil type Crown Prince. Climbing a mountain already weighs on me, and going alone to a mountain rumored to have dragons is why I’m still sitting here.”

“I see. But don’t worry too much. No one who’s gone there has failed to return, right?”

Yes.

They wouldn’t send the future king alone somewhere truly dangerous.

If anything, I was basically a lucky charm talisman.

“Well… that’s true.”

He spoke hesitantly.

But once on the throne, he’d surely be a fine king.

“I’ll go fetch someone first.”

“Ah, go ahead. Wait—what?”

I deliberately teleported away in front of him.

Better get him used to things like this now.