Chapter 219

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Bestowal

Recap: I received a gift from the Emperor.

The Emperor pushed the Enamel High Heel Boots to me, and quickly turned around. Eh? Didn’t he have some business here?

“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us today.” “I’m obliged.”

After exchanging greetings with Sebastian, he returned to the other side of the gate. Apparently, he came here just to pass me these Enamel High Heel Boots. He has a lot of free time.

All the staff saw him off. Those accompanying him have it hard, too.

“Luckily, Gaius-sama visited us today, so you received it personally from him.” “Y-Yeah”

No, no. He definitely came here today just for that, didn’t he? In other words, he was called here, wasn’t he?

I guess it can’t be disclosed that the Emperor moved just to bestow a present. Even more so to bestow ‘that’. ‘That’.

“Because Michio sama might not know, I will tell you. When the Emp- Gaius sama bestows an equipment, there is one chance for a commoner to fuse the equipment with a monster card.” “Haa”

That, oh well. So, there’s one chance to fuse. I wonder which one. That aside, is it okay for him to use such words as ‘bestow’ and ‘commoner’? For anyone but the Emperor.

“No, no, it’s not like that; it’s limited only to the actual equipment bestowed by Gaius sama. In case fusion succeeds, it will be accepted as a present.”

‘Present’, huh? As you would expect of an emperor. To return what was bestowed once a skill has been fused. What’s yours is mine. Which means these high heel boots that will have successfully fused…

“Would it be taken back?” “Of course, there would be a new, enhanced bestowal if you present it. For that end, the item that can be offered is limited only to the equipment actually bestowed.”

I heard tribute exchange was a thing in ancient China. When the foreigners offered a tribute, they would be bestowed property of exceeding value. Is it something like that? Even if he’s an emperor, he can’t just always be receiving.

If he is offered something, he will return something of exceeding value. If he will return something of more value than what he is presented, then there must be many people trying to give presents. Therefore, there is a restriction on what can be presented. Specifically, only the equipment actually bestowed–and successfully fused with a monster card–can be presented.

I presented him stockings; I wonder if it was right. I wonder if it was allowed. That was so bad…

“…I-I see.”

N-No, it’s alright. Probably. The Emperor was pleased, after all. It’s definitely alright. It doesn’t count! It does not count!

“It is a custom to give present by the 10th day from bestowal. In the meanwhile, there will be many keeping an eye on Michio sama’s surroundings, so be careful.” “Haa” “Those called nobles pull each others’ legs. Looking down on others is their job. Michio sama is close to Brocken sama and Ester sama; there will be even more people trying to pull their legs.”

‘It’s not like I’m a noble.’ I wanted to reply so, but it seemed to be expected. By Brocken, he meant the Duke of Harz. Being a duke means you will have many enemies. Just the other day, there was a coup d’état against a certain earl.

If I am looked down on, it mean

“It’s an unpleasant world.” “Because of the beings called nobles. Therefore, be careful with your actions for a while, Michio sama. “Uhee”

Why is there such a thing? However, because it may be untactful to criticise nobles, I cannot publicly complain either. Now that I think about it, wasn’t it bad to complain ‘It’s an unpleasant world’? It doesn’t count! It does not count!!

Well, if the deadline is in ten days, then it is fine to do nothing for ten days. If I don’t give a present, then there will probably be no problem either. It will be settled peacefully.

“Of course, since your actions will be watched, not making a move at all will be within their expectations. In that case, your sincerity will be questioned, so be careful.”\nAs if he had read my thoughts, Sebastian warned me. Am I really that easy to read? Nah, rather than my being easy to read, it was probably what anyone would think.

“I- see.” “In the past, some people performed monster card fusion in public to avoid unnecessary suspicions. Please understand that the situation requires that level of care.” “I- understand.”

That damn hentai! What a nuisance. Come to think of it, it would be impossible for someone who got off from being stepped on by high heel boots to concede high heel boots to someone else. He handed it over to me on the premise that I would ultimately return it. He didn’t give it to me; he only lent it.

Nah, It cannot be the case, can it? These high heel boots would not be returned if fusion failed. But if fusion succeeds- can he see the empty skill slots on these Enamel High Heel Boots?

Or is it not the case either? If he could appraise it and returning it was presumed, then he would choose the one with five empty skill slots. I’d do that if I were him.

Since he doesn’t have Appraisal, he must somehow know to some extent that fusion will succeed. There will be no end to it if I’m bent on doubting him. It’s probably not like that.

The human desire is something that evolves. I am sure that hentai has lost interest in the stimulation derived from the high heel boots. He needs a stronger stimulation. A far stronger stimulation.

Or maybe he has already obtained other boots. Otherwise, he would not let go of these ones. Something more terrifying must be transpiring in the Imperial Palace these nights.

I think these Enamel High Heel Boots are quite amazing, though. Getting stepped on by these… There exists no man who would not want to.

At least I would like to. With bare feet. If it’s Roxanne, she will step on me gently. Sherry is small and light, so it will not be painful. She will look at me with those scornful eyes, though.

Mi-Miria will be fine. Vesta is large, so I will definitely get crushed. ‘What happened?’

Rutina will be fine, too. ‘To think Master was such a terrible pervert.’ It seems she will step on me with goosebumps all over her body. ‘It is a reward in Our industry.’

No, no, no. Wait, don’t be hasty. This is the Emperor’s trap. Such a thing is impossible.

First, propose an absolutely unacceptable condition to the other party, then propose what you originally want in a conceded form and make them accept it. It’s the technique scammers often use. Show them high heel boots–something beyond the reach of an amateur–and they will agree on bare feet. It’s his scheme to drag me to his company.

As expected of an emperor. Damn you, Emperor.

“Because it is so, please show me your sincerity, Michio sama”

This one here is troublesome, too. It is going to be troublesome in more than one ways. That’s why I hate them; be it the Duke or the Emperor. It would be better if I could live how I wanted.

“Ah, and those Enamel High Heel Boots in the store, to get those” “Michio-sama, did you not pay attention to what I said?”

Now that I have to return the high heel boots I received from the Emperor to the Emperor, I thought I could get substitute high heel boots; however, as you would expect, it doesn’t work like that. There goes my chance to get my hands on a piece of equipment with five empty skill slots!

“Is there really no way?” “If it were known that you purchased the same equipment as the one you were bestowed, you would certainly be criticized even if you fused that equipment to present it.”

Well, that makes sense.

“Then, can you please set that aside until I perform fusion and present it? Of course, I will buy it either way even if fusion fails.” “That’s not any different.”

Although the first one was no good even in my opinion, I lowered my demands in the next one; however, even that didn’t get the nod. Strange. Isn’t proposing an unacceptable proposal first and a concession afterward supposed to work?

“Uun, this isn’t possible either?” “If I withdrew it from the store, those who want to thwart it would know.” “If you make the fact public there in the store-” “No matter how much our side denied, it would be useless. It is unrelated to truth and facts; an action that leaves a gap will be considered problematic.”

It won’t work, after all. Is it really that difficult to obtain Enamel High Heel Boots with five empty skill slots? I can only hope it’s not sold until I give present to the Emperor.

“It’ll be fine, though, if it remains until this is over.” “That’s no good either. You should not buy an identical item until the hype dies down–for about half a year.” “No, no; I’m buying it after I make offering. Maybe after failing even.” “The enemies don’t need facts; they want to pull legs. Facts don’t matter to them.” “That’s unreasonable!”\nIs it really useless? So, this is how nobles pull each others’ legs. I kinda have many secrets, and as many gaps.

“The stake that sticks up gets hammered down first*. If you exhibit ability, their attitude will change immediately. If you are an Adventurer party capable of defeating a labyrinth, they will sidle up, rubbing their hands.” (ED: A proverb meaning those who stand out get criticized) “That’s troublesome if so.” “That’s what’s called nobles.”

There was nothing worthy. Without getting anything, I ran away from the lodge, scuttling. Actually, I got the Enamel High Heel Boots from the Emperor.

When I returned home, Roxanne and girls were still cleaning. In the first place, I wasn’t at the lodge for a long time.

“Welcome back, Master.” “Ah, carry on; just hear me out. It’s a little complicated, though. I got my hands on a new equipment. However, apparently, I must quickly fuse a skill and present it. Therefore, the time to use it is short.” “A new equipment? What sort of?” “Is that so?”

Sherry had a complicated expression. If it is about fusing a skill, then it is Sherry’s turn.

“New equipment, desu.” “I think it’s alright even if it’s for a short period.” “To quickly fuse a skill and present it even though you just got it, it’s as if the Emperor bestowed the equipment on you.”

That’s correct, Rutina. ‘As expected,’ I should say, but it’s not like that. It can be said that the idea itself is partial.

“What I got is this: Enamel High Heel Boots.” “Hou, these?”

I took it out from the Item Box and handed it over to Roxanne.

“As for monster card fusion, don’t worry.” “Okay”

I dispelled Sherry’s needless anxiety, as well. Whether or not her anxiety was dispelled, that is another matter. Because she replied “okay”, she is probably fine.

“It seems good.”

Roxanne looked at it for a while, and then passed the pair of high heel boots to Sherry. Is she satisfied? I have secured Roxanne’s approval.

“Does it have the effect of strengthening magic?” “Probably. ‘Isn’t that so?’ Is what I think.”

Sherry also looked at the high heel boots and confirmed it. It probably is so. That’s why the Emperor sent this. Well, it must be returned, though.

“If it strengthens magic, then it is an equipment for Rutina to use.”

I mean I cannot put these on myself. I looked at everyone, but no one seemed to have any objection in particular.

“That seems so.”

Finally, Roxanne answered as representative. Sherry also, without saying anything, passed the high heel boots to Miria.

“But it’s an equipment that will soon be gone. Is it okay to rely on it?”

However, I have a concern. Is it okay to get accustomed to battling inside labyrinth and strategizing on the assumption that we have Enamel High Heel Boots? Is it an unfounded worry? Other types of equipment aside, I’m inclined to rely on magic if it becomes strong.

“It seems okay to me. It’s just a matter of not losing focus regardless of the kind of battle.” “There is a possibility, certainly, but it is wasteful to not use a rare equipment. It is better to get stronger, using the equipment.” “Rely on it, desu.” “I think it’s alright.” “If it can be used, I would like to use it.”

Are my worries unfounded, after all? ‘Not losing focus regardless of the kind of battle.’ That’s impossible in reality, though.

This work will be serialized as manga in 『Monthly Shounen Ace』. Serialization starts next month; Today (3/25), the prologue is out as a preview of release in the May edition. Roxanne is so cute in the next issue; please look forward to it.\n