Jonah's Kind Lie

“Um… I’d like to visit Duke Lanberg’s territory.”

Jonah tugged on Patricia’s sleeve and whispered that.

“What do you mean by that?”

Patricia looked down at the small Jonah and asked.

The reason he brought this up was surely because he intended to defeat Taromati, the ‘Apostasy’, with ancient magic.

Given Jonah’s ability, it would be easy for him to defeat even a Demon King army commander. Patricia understood that.

Even so, Patricia hesitated to nod in agreement.

This whole matter was nothing more than the two princes trying to use Jonah for their own schemes.

She already felt bad for dragging him into such a ridiculous situation, and in the end she couldn’t let him clean up the Empire’s mess.

“Ah… p-please don’t misunderstand. Originally I’m traveling because I want to see various places around the world. It’s just that, by chance (….), Duke Lanberg’s territory happens to be one of the destinations.”

Of course, this was a lie from Jonah.

The purpose of his journey was to sear the world’s legends into his eyes and touch them, and there was nothing in Lanberg’s domain that could be called a legend.

Still, there were two reasons Jonah asked to go to Lanberg’s territory.

One was that he couldn’t forgive the two princes who plotted to put Patricia, someone precious to him, in danger.

Jonah, at the mere age of seven, had learned the scripts of the western realms and ancient scripts, and possessed the intellect and talent to master even ancient magic. He saw through the two princes’ shallow schemes.

The other was that he had grown curious about the person of Duke Lanberg.

Although she was one of the Five Great Ducal Houses, Duke Lanberg had shown no fear toward the three royals including Patricia, and had displayed a pride—of having stood against commanders of the Demon King’s army.

He was simply drawn to what sort of place the Lanberg domain, governed by such a woman, would be like.

Besides… She was the most angered by calling Jonah a “frail boy” and making him go to war. Surely she was that kind of person.

“S-so that’s why I’ll go to Duke Lanberg’s territory. Leaving the capital and going without being able to repay Miss Patricia, who has done so much for me, would be, um, terribly—wait!?”

“Don’t apologize. Besides, if that’s the case, I think an escort will be necessary.”

“Huh…?”

Patricia ruffled Jonah’s hair roughly and gave a meaningful smile.

In other words, she was saying she would accompany Jonah and go to the Lanberg lands together.

Furthermore.

“Hmm… it’s useless to whisper secrets between the two of you. Don’t underestimate these ears of mine.”

Titancia, who had been at the meeting as Quylindra’s attendant, twitched her long ears and also stepped forward.

It was because she had understood Jonah’s gentle intention—he had defeated Zarichu of Hunger and saved her dear childhood friend.

Of course, beyond that, she herself wanted to spend more time with Jonah.

“Mother.”

“Ufufu, go. And do help little Jonah.”

“Mm, of course.”

Quylindra also agreed for her to accompany them, and there was no reason to refuse.

Jonah’s chest swelled with joy and gratitude toward the two who had offered to accompany him for his sake.

And so.

“…I thought I said I can’t take care of him.”

“Of course, we don’t intend to take care of him either. It’s just that, by chance (….), we’re headed to the same place.”

Patricia said with a cool expression from her horse to the Duke of Lanberg, who was grumbling from inside the carriage.

Duke Lanberg had intended to return to her territory as soon as the meeting ended, but Jonah, Patricia, and Titancia had followed along as if nothing had happened.

Marguerite had been sad about the sudden trip to Lanberg’s lands, but the moment Jonah whispered something to her she cheered up and repeatedly made sure of things.

Surely, once this matter was resolved, a reward would await Marguerite.

“Sigh… then Princess Patricia and Lady Quylindra’s attendant who came along of their own accord will have to take care of themselves. I won’t be responsible.”

She sighed, said that, and for some reason opened the carriage door and reached out her hand.

Jonah and the other two exchanged glances and tilted their heads, wondering what she meant.

“You can’t just leave such a little boy sitting on horseback forever, can you?”

It seemed she was concerned for Jonah and intended to have him ride in the carriage.

Just as he had thought, she was kind.

“I-is that… really okay…?”

“Don’t let the child be shy over something trivial.”

“Wah wah wah wah!?”

Duke Lanberg leaned forward, as if to snatch him, took Jonah from the horse Patricia was riding, and set him in the front seat.

“Um… thank you.”

“…It’s fine.”

After giving Jonah a quick sideways glance as he bowed politely, Duke Lanberg turned away and waved her hand dismissively.

Yet from the way she kept secretly glancing his way, it seemed she didn’t dislike Jonah.

“Hmm… I was planning to have him ride my horse next.”

“Heh heh, well, don’t say that.”

Patricia smiled wryly at Titancia, who pouted.

Watching the two from the carriage window, Jonah also broke into a smile.