Edgar And Princess Nobara

The Royal Capital was dyed red by the evening glow.

The narrow shop was packed with people.

Liricia and Teti were there.

And Edgar was holding hands with a small little girl.

When I entered the shop, Liricia came over to my side.

“I have returned safely, Master—please take this.”

She handed me the Philosopher’s Stone, so I accepted it, put it away in my magic bag, and replied.

“Welcome back. How did it go?”

“It went well. I was surprised that such a method even existed.”

“That is interesting… though it looks like I won’t be able to be present for it.”

“Yes, and Cordelia-san absolutely refused to let go of the Philosopher’s Stone, so it was quite a struggle to get it back. She even started throwing a tantrum like a child…”

Liricia smiled wryly, as if recalling the scene.

I, too, could only give a bitter smile as I imagined an old woman yelling, “No, no!” while throwing a fit.

If anything, it was downright creepy.

“What on earth is that old woman doing… well, I’m just glad you managed to get it back safely.”

“Yes, I did my best. —And this here is Princess Nobara of the Yamata Kingdom.”

Liricia introduced the tiny little girl holding Edgar’s hand.

Princess Nobara puffed out her flat chest and wore an arrogant smile. Her glossy black bob-cut hair swayed.

“I am Princess Nobara of the Mikawari Corps of the Yamata Kingdom. —So thou art Alec, the one who saved me, yes? Very well, I grant thee praise.”

“Well, thanks. You just recovered, so don’t overdo it, okay?”

“I know that well—hmph. Azuma, carry me. On your back.”

Princess Nobara motioned up and down with her hands, signaling him to crouch.

—Apparently, Azuma was Edgar’s real name.

“Yes, as you command.”

Edgar crouched down and turned his back to Princess Nobara.

The princess wrapped her small arms around Edgar’s neck and climbed on.

Supporting the little girl with one hand, Edgar stood up.

—Taking care of a princess sure looks like hard work.

That was what I thought, but Edgar’s eyes softened with obvious happiness.

Curious about what came next, I asked Edgar.

“So what are you going to do after this, Edgar? Are you going to live together with the princess?”

“Nope. I’m escorting the princess starting tomorrow. I’ll be back soon, so if anything happens to the kids while I’m gone, I’m counting on you.”

“You’ll be back soon? Isn’t it an island to the east of the continent? Won’t you have to take a ship?”

“Well, it’s kind of like my wind magic—I can instantly move to anywhere I can see.”

Edgar said it casually.

I cried out in surprise.

“What kind of broken magic is that!? Ah, so that’s how you instantly got behind enemies and all that—”

“That part’s impossible. Right after activation there’s a stiffness delay, so using it in combat would just get me killed. And it takes thirty seconds before I can use it again.”

“I see. So it’s purely for travel… If it’s within visible range, does that mean you can go farther by jumping from a mountaintop?”

“Exactly. You really get it, Alec-san. I jump to the top of a high mountain, and from there I can fly several hundred kilometers in one go.”

“I’m jealous…”

I really wanted to learn magic that made traveling that easy.

Swaying his body as if soothing the princess on his back, Edgar spoke lightly.

“If you trained, you could probably do it too, Alec-san. It’s sort of like physical techniques using mana… ah, but with just Holy Wave, that’d be impossible.”

“What a shame. About how many days until you’re back?”

“Let’s see. Going there takes four days including the ship ride, one day to deliver the princess and search for the jewel I was told about, and coming back is lighter so one or two days. About a week total.”

“A week to go back and forth across the continent—that’s beyond just ‘competent’… but you’re still a wanted man, right? Is there anything we can help with?”

I asked with genuine concern.

Edgar was a capable guy. I didn’t want to lose him.

But Edgar put on an easy smile and said calmly.

“It’s fine. Once the princess returns, that’ll be lifted.”

“I see… then I’m counting on you for the Jewel of Light.”

“Got it. Leave it to me.”

Edgar smiled cheerfully.

It was a brightness that somehow didn’t feel like his usual self.

Just then, a crowd noisily poured into the shop.

Five children in their early to mid teens.

It was Edgar’s party.

At the front, a tanned explorer girl came in energetically.

“We’re back from the mission!”

“Hey there!”

“It’s done!”

“Good evening, Alec-san!”

“That was a pain to carry, huh?”

A boy with an axe on his back and a lightly equipped swordsman boy entered.

Behind them were a healer girl and a boy wearing glasses.

Edgar nodded.

“Good work. How’d it go?”

“Smooth sailing. A D-rank boar was nothing.”

The swordsman boy answered casually.

Princess Nobara, riding on Edgar’s back, frowned.

“What is this? Who are these brats?”

“Oh, they’re my party members—everyone, this is Princess Nobara, the one I told you about before, so be nice.”

The children gathered around Edgar.

“Nice to meet you.”

“She’s so cute!”

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m Yuma!”

“I’m Chaana!”

The children chatted away cheerfully.

Ten people in such a narrow shop was way too many.

As I headed for the counter, I spoke up.

“Alright then, a celebration. This is about all I can give you, but…”

I grabbed as many as I could—about eight bottles of Puchi Eli—from behind the counter and handed them to Edgar.

“Are you sure?”

“The princess just recovered, right? It’d be bad if her condition worsened. Take them with you.”

“Thanks—then, see you later.”

Edgar sniffed happily and put the Puchi Eli into his waist pouch.

Then he left the shop.

The children also bowed their heads and called out their goodbyes as they left.

After the storm passed, a quiet calm settled over the shop.

—In any case, I was glad Edgar’s long-held dream had finally come true.

He looked happier than I had ever seen him before.

Smiling myself, feeling strangely happy, I looked at Liricia and Teti.

“Alright then, let’s close up the shop.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Yeah!”

And after quickly closing the shop, we returned to the mansion to have dinner.