World Era 1919

A few more days passed after the matter with the two wizards, and he was able to return to his daily life. After a moment of reunion, he increased the time he spent with his family, and at the same time, he had to be swept up in work that had piled up for a while.

The aftereffects of forcibly delaying everything were, in reality, no joke, and amid this situation, Ian had no choice but to face the reality of being endlessly buried in work with tears in his eyes. Amid this situation, unexpected news was also delivered.

「Magnia Empire, immediate peace agreement concluded with the Republic of Promance.」

As if all the clashes so far had been a lie, an unexpected peace agreement was concluded. This fact meant that the Republic of Promance has also actively accepted it. Because of this result, Ian could not help but feel regretful.

‘If they had fallen into the swamp of war, the Magnia Empire’s national power would have been consumed quickly… What a shame.’

The end of the war was a good thing, but thinking as the monarch of a country, it could only be truly regretful. That was because it might have become something that allowed them to enjoy another wartime boom. Many people were probably feeling regretful at this fact.

‘If this is the case, is the war completely over?’

He thought that perhaps only a period of peace would continue for a while. Now that the strength of the secret faction had been drained as well, he even wondered if time might simply pass without any particular incidents. Meanwhile, he recalled the eccentric actions of the two wizards over the past few days.

‘Why are those old people trying so noisily to attract attention…’

Wizard Delko, who had belatedly learned of Sara’s existence, and Wizard Kreba as well, had been launching all kinds of offensives, as if trying to win Sara’s heart. Because of the actions of these two wizards, Sara looked quite troubled. It was probably attention she had never received even once in her life.

‘It certainly does not look like either of the two has any intention of giving up at all.’

So, just as he had thought before, he could not help but wonder whether the two of them could simply teach Sara at the same time. Ian, thinking he would put out the urgent fire of his piled-up work first and then tell them, soon raised the corners of his mouth slightly as he thought of one fact.

‘To think I would obtain a new White Crystal.’

It had truly been an unexpected great harvest. Inwardly, he had expected it. He had thought that perhaps, since they were mass-producing biological weapons, a White Crystal might exist there. Amid that fact, Ian had briefly agonized over the one he discovered.

Should he absorb it himself? Should he use it for research as he had been doing?

Amid this thinking, he decided to use it for research. For now, because he did not feel any lack in his abilities, he wondered if there was any need to absorb more. Moreover, in reality, he could absorb even something used for research later, so he decided to think of it as storing it for now.

‘Now that there are two White Crystals, the possible uses we can find will become even greater.’

He thought that perhaps they might find a way to use them in places other than biological weapons as well. Meanwhile, speaking of biological weapons, when they eliminated the secret organization, they had also been able to obtain something called a control device that could control those things.

‘I do not have to use my own mental strength to control them.’

Although it was a device that could only control them for the short time of one minute, in reality, the important thing was that such a device existed. One minute would become two minutes, someday it would become one hour, and in the end, it could develop into a method that could control them continuously.

‘This worked out well, since I was already lacking after subordinating Wizard Oran.’

Like that, he thought everything had gone well. He had taken revenge for the queen and his daughter in his own way, and the world was peaceful. Today was December 16. Now, with less than half a month left, the time to move into the new year had arrived.

‘A new year that will begin again. I hope next year passes without any particular incidents.’

He always thought this, but the affairs of the world could be said to never flow as expected. Spending this day with the thought that he hoped that would happen as much as possible, Ian soon looked at the mountains of documents piled high on his desk and floor and could not help but let out a short sigh.

‘There are so many…’

Since this was something he had done while intending to handle it himself, he had no choice but to handle it himself. Inwardly, because of this work, he once again resented the leaders of the secret organization for the fact that he could not even go see his daughter Karina.

‘I will definitely take revenge on you bastards someday.’

December 27.

Kahaha!

It was the royal garden, once again filled with the laughter of a young child. Princess Karina, who had been unable to come here after the attack incident, had appeared here once more. And the one playing with the princess was none other than Sara.

“Ah, I got caught.”

At Princess Karina’s action of suddenly grabbing her leg, Sara deliberately acted exaggeratedly as if she had been caught, and at that, Princess Karina burst into even more kihaha! laughter. It was quite familiar and natural.

In reality, when Sara had stayed at the orphanage, she had often taken charge of playing with the young children in place of the director and teachers. Until only half a year ago, taking care of the children had been her job, and playing with them was easier than expected. Of course, her feelings could not help but differ because of who the other party was.

‘To think that gentleman was the king of the Polia Kingdom. Thinking about it now, I acted far too rudely.’

Now she could know who that person was. Naturally, at first, she could not help but wonder why such a person had taken her in. But it did not take long before she could understand. She had been born with a talent that could make her a wizard unlike any other in the world.

She had only later learned that the giant-like person she had met before was that great wizard, and she had also learned that the bald person she saw afterward was a wizard as well. And because both of those people had continuously given her gifts and persuaded her, saying they wanted to take her as their disciple, she had recently had no choice but to feel flustered.

‘Is it all right for such good fortune to come to me?’

To think she would become a wizard. In a way, was this not an incredible opportunity like no other in the world? At the same time, she was afraid. Of the current situation? No, she was terribly afraid that the current situation might disappear like a lie.

She did not want to return to her old beggar-like life where she could not dress properly or eat properly. The time she had spent inside this royal palace was more splendid and abundant than any time Sara had ever lived. The royal family members treated her so well, and the palace attendants and maids always treated her with courtesy.

‘I do not want to go back to that kind of world ever again.’

For now, to do that, she had to truly become a wizard. The problem was whom she should learn magic from. Both of them were treating her too well. Of course, she was a little more concerned about the person named Wizard Kreba, whom she had met first, but the person named Delko also treated her so well that she did not know what to do with herself.

“Woong?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. Princess, shall we go over there and play?”

Only then did Sara remember again that she had been playing with the princess, and immediately pointed at a tree on one side as she spoke. At that, perhaps understanding, Karina nodded. When Sara moved as she was, Karina began running again. They moved as if it were a running race, and Sara deliberately moved at a similar speed.

“Tag.”

After grabbing the tree, Sara shouted in a small voice, and Princess Karina also touched the tree in the same way. It was certainly not because she knew what it meant, but because she was copying what Sara did. Queen Adrina and Consort Helena were watching this sight from one side of the garden.

“That child Sara plays with her well.”

“They said she grew up in an orphanage. That must be why she is used to playing with children.”

“So that is why she plays with her so well. In any case, I was surprised. To think that child had the talent of a wizard.”

“I was too. At first, I wondered what child His Majesty had sent over, but to think she was a girl with the talent of a wizard.”

Because both women had received education as princesses, they knew very well how rare and remarkable it was to have the talent of a wizard. Since His Majesty had suddenly found and sent over such a being, they inwardly wondered whether he had known and gone there.

“At first, when His Majesty brought that child here, I thought she might be his hidden daughter.”

“Hohoho, I thought so too.”

Since he was currently twenty-eight years old, even if he had had a child in his late teens, it would not be strange for him to have a child around that age. But they knew that was not the case. They had already examined the materials related to that child’s birth. She was one hundred percent the child of another family.

“His Majesty is amazing too. How did he know and find a child with the talent of a wizard?”

“I know. More importantly, we can feel at ease now, right?”

“Of course. There are preparations that cannot be compared to before.”

Just as Consort Helena said, defensive forces were currently deployed around the garden. Even on top of the tall spires, a great number of anti-air guns capable of anti-aircraft fire had been installed, and they were prepared to attack any enemy that came flying through the sky.

Furthermore, Camyu, Holy Knight Midran, and Hans were stationed in this garden. Since it was such a place, one could know just how remarkable the security was. To break through a place like this would be close to impossible with ordinary military power.

“His Majesty must still be busy, right?”

“He probably is. Since he has to deal with work he could not do for a while, it seems even one body is not enough.”

“I wonder where he was and what he was doing during that time. For now, it does seem certain that he went abroad.”

Since Sara had come from the Nubea Kingdom, it was certainly true that he had traveled around various countries, including the Nubea Kingdom. But since he did not speak about his other schedule, they could not know. However, if there was one thing they guessed, it was that the exposure of many places belonging to the secret organization this time was His Majesty’s work.

“Let us not ask any more before he tells us.”

“That would be best, wouldn’t it?”

“More than that, I intend to trust His Majesty no matter what he does now.”

“Me too. Because I know how much His Majesty can do for his family, he feels even more reliable.”

The two knew how actively the Polia Kingdom’s intelligence bureau had moved across the continent for this matter. To think he had carried out such a retaliatory operation because someone had touched his family. Inwardly, they thought the words calling him a continentally mad king were also right. Of course, to them, he felt like a dependable and trustworthy husband and king.

“More importantly, this year will soon pass.”

“That is true. So many things happened this year too.”

“Now that the war on the Magnia Empire side has ended as well, there surely will not be any major incidents.”

“Right? There have been many ominous things happening over the past few years, so we cannot feel fully at ease, but somehow, I feel next year will pass smoothly.”

“More importantly, how should we prepare for the final party of this year?”

“Wouldn’t something bright and splendid be good? Our kingdom’s soldiers are also returning now after finishing all colonial subjugation operations, so the atmosphere is one of everything being wrapped up.”

“That does not sound bad.”

Amid the conversation between the two women, the atmosphere of the Polia royal castle was extremely peaceful. And amid this situation, time passed before they knew it, and one year was passing by.

January, World Era 1919.

This year could be called the year that marked ten years since Ian, the king of the Polia Kingdom, had formally ascended the throne. Ten years could be said to be enough time for many things to change. In particular, the situation of the Polia Kingdom could be said to have achieved development at a level where it would not be strange to call it the greatest boom period in history.

Last year’s crop conditions were not bad. The yields of all agricultural products were good enough to say that they had certainly performed above average. On top of that, economic growth based on industrial power was also high. Although there had been the obstacle of the Dairam people, that had already been settled long ago.

The issue of the Rat Religion that appeared afterward was also being quickly resolved. Whatever the case, last year’s growth rate had achieved a level where it would not be strange to call it historic. Amid this situation, the state of the sea was the same.

The Polia Kingdom was a country made up of islands, and naturally, its development and utilization of the sea could be said to be extremely high. Many transport ships were traveling along the various sea routes that existed to the east, west, north, and south.

In the midst of this, countless fishing boats could be said to be lowering nets and catching fish in the fishing zones located here and there. In the past, the Moria Empire’s gangster-like fishing boats had often intruded, but now, without such things, they were carrying out fishing activities just fine.

Last year’s results could also be said to have brought in the greatest amount of fish resources in history, to the point that an oddly large number of fish were being caught from the sea. Amid these results, in one fishing zone ninety kilometers away from the mainland, a fishing boat was hauling up the net they had lowered and preparing sorting work.

Because it was a fairly large fishing boat, the net being raised with the use of even a steam crane was filled to the brim with fish.

“Lower it now!”

“We’re going to sort them quickly, so everyone get ready!”

Following these shouts, the rope was released before long, and fish immediately began pouring onto the deck in great quantities. Splash—! The types of fish that poured out were truly varied. Now the fishermen had to sort these things and separate out what would make money.

At least seven men were about to move to begin this work. Just then, they discovered what they saw and could not help but be startled. In their line of sight, a woman who looked human was lying there.

Why had a woman come out of the net? For a moment, they wondered if perhaps she had fallen into the sea and been brought up while caught in the net, but they soon realized that was not the case. In an instant, the lower half of a gigantic fish appeared.

“A-A mermaid?”

“My goodness, it’s a mermaid, isn’t it?”

“I-Is it real?”

“It must be real, right? In a world where Krakens appear, there’s no way mermaids wouldn’t exist.”

“What do we do?”

Along with the murmuring voices of the fishermen, the mermaid slowly opened her eyes. With that sight, the mermaid’s mouth suddenly opened. They could see sharp teeth inside it. And what soon came out was a powerful high-frequency sound that forced them to cover their ears.

“Kiaaaaaa—!”

In an instant, the fishing boat had no choice but to become a scene of chaos.