CH 59

“Antonio, you really went through a lot! Is this your younger sister?”

“It’s nice to meet you, Princess.”

A girl who looked a couple of years younger than Antonio bowed her head.

“Thank you so much for helping my brother. Princess, you are truly… our benefactor.”

“Oh, we’re just helping each other.” Tatiana clapped her hands. “I also received help from Antonio. I’m the one who should be thankful.”

“Princess…….”

Antonio’s sister looked at Tatiana with a tearful face.

“I will continue to work hard in the future, I really will.”

Antonio bit his lip and gathered his resolve.

Meanwhile, Lakius, watching the cheerful scene, thought…….

‘……I feel like I’m getting more and more competition. ’

He felt strangely unwell. He promised himself he wouldn’t do that.

Even though he had promised himself not to act childish and to become someone who was worthy of Tatiana.

He felt pathetic for being so restless.

‘But… Tati is Tati.’

She was the only one who remembered the little advice and smiled, saying, “It was thanks to you.”

There was only Tatiana.

“…….”

It felt as if he was falling into a gaping pit.

Tatiana’s kindness was like sunlight evenly scattered on everything. He knew he shouldn’t be greedier….

But at that moment.

‘Huh?’

Lakius spotted a familiar name among the displayed comic legends.

﹤Great King Theodore﹥

“Wait, this person…”

The founding king of the Carolingians, and the only king to hold the title of Great King.

According to legend, he arrived in the former capital of Carolingian guided by the stars and established the Kingdom of Carolingian. At that time, the land of Carolingian was often invaded by demons, but Theodore the Great drove them out after a long battle.

And the book displayed next to it…

﹤Alexander III﹥

Lakius’s pupils trembled.

‘Grandfather.’

Alexander III.

Lakius’s maternal grandfather, and the last king of Carolingian.

Alexander III had died defending Carolingian from the demons.

However, in anticipation of the future in case he perished, he sent his only daughter to become the Empress of the Descartes Empire.

To ensure that the memory of Carolingian protecting humanity from the demons could be preserved.

The national marriage ceremony was held as proof of that memory.

Thus, it was hoped that Emperor Descartes would also ensure the safety of the Carolingian people…….

“Laki, why are you… Ah.”

Just then, Tatiana, who had been walking near him, stopped.

“…….All these legends were selected by you, right?” Lakius asked in a hushed voice.

“Yes, that’s right,” Tatiana nodded solemnly.

“In that case, King Theodore, and my maternal grandfather…….”

“I chose them.”

“…….”

Lakius bit his lip until it bled.

This time, Tatiana released a total of five volumes of legends.

He already knew that it included the three heroes, Tatiana’s guardians.

As for the rest, he had roughly guessed that the list would consist of the most famous people in the history of the Empire.

‘Actually, from Tati’s point of view, she didn’t even have to include a Carolingian hero.’

It couldn’t have gone down too well with the current imperial family.

Nevertheless…….

“Actually, the Empire doesn’t know much about the Carolingians, does it?”

They only knew that it was the birthplace of the former empress and a nation that was destroyed by demons.

For generations, Carolingian royalty loved their people dearly.

When the demons invaded, the king and the people of the kingdom fought together and perished to protect their nation.

But nobody paid any attention to that fact.

More precisely, the Descartes Empire intentionally erased that history.

The Carolingian kingdom who fought to the end against the demons, and an empire that entrusted the protection of humanity to three heroes.

That in itself is a stark difference.

“Even if it’s like this….I hope the people of the empire could at least understand a little bit about the sacrifice of the Carolingians.” Tatiana gave a bashful smile. “The reason the demons couldn’t invade the empire is all thanks to them.”

“……..Tati.”

“Even if we can’t repay that debt, we should at least know about it.”

It was the first time. No one had ever shown Carolingian this much respect, this much admiration.

Tatiana cautiously observed Lakius’s reaction.

“That’s why I chose the heroes of Carolingian… Did I do something unnecessary?”

“No.” Lakius shook his head. “I’m really…… grateful.”

He wanted to say it clearly, without hesitation.

But his throat kept tightening. Maybe that’s why.

The voice that he struggled to push out of his mouth was slightly subdued.

“For not forgetting the people of Carolingian.”

“No, what makes you say that?” Tatiana shot back, narrowing her eyes. “Just by meeting you, I have more than enough reason to be grateful to the Carolingians.”

“…….”

“You’re my best friend.”

“Miss!”

Just then, Nora approached them.

“There’s a lot of people here. When you’re done, should we head back to the townhouse?”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Tatiana, with a nod of her head, reached out and held Lakius’s hand as if it were natural.

“On the way back, let’s eat something delicious. Since you gave me advice, I’ll treat you this time.”

Warmth radiated from her tiny hand. Lachias unconsciously squeezed the hand he held.

‘…….That’s why.’

For a moment, he felt like he was going to cry.

Lakius smiled more deliberately.

‘This is why I can’t help but like you so much.’

***

‘Wow, time flies.’

That was my impression lately.

After all, when I first brought Antonio here, it was early spring. Now, it had already become autumn, with leaves turning red and yellow.

They say that time passes slowly for children, but that must be a lie.

‘Whatever.’

I hummed and checked the current state of my business once again.

The comic book series and stickers were gaining popularity day by day. I added that the series had been designated as recommended reading for children.

Parents preferred those series because of their educational value. Kids also appreciated the fact that the books were fun to read, instead of being boring.

Based on that, six more volumes of the series were published as sequels.

In truth, I had advised Antonio to take it easy a few times. But every time he saw the amount deposited into his account, Antonio’s eyes lit up…

‘Even though we’re currently receiving various supports from the Duke, I want to provide for my younger sister when I become an adult.’

……With words like that, so motivated, what could I say?

I told him to do whatever he wanted.

In any case, recently the children of the empire had developed a new hobby.

It was collecting stickers related to the series.

‘Especially the stickers featuring the three heroes are popular. Some kids even offered money to get them, right?’

So, I intentionally controlled the number of stickers available. The harder they are to obtain, the more people desire them, isn’t that how it works?

And when they got the full range of stickers, I gave them a sticker book to keep them in as a freebie.

‘That worked well.’

The children were truly obsessed with the stickers……….

Around winter this year, along with a special edition of the series, I planned to release new sticker sets.

I thought I would sell them as New Year’s gifts for the children.

Other than that, the delivery of sticky notes went smoothly, and my bank account was gradually accumulating money.

Some of it I kept in the wallet that Kirios had given me as a gift as emergency funds…….

“Hohoho,” I let out a sinister laugh. ’Well, with this much, I have more than enough for my independence fund, right?’

I guess I didn’t have to worry about that anymore.

However.

‘……I hope there won’t be a need for independence.’

I shook my head to dismiss my thoughts.

‘Oh, I’m thinking unnecessary things again.’

I leaped off the sofa where I had been sitting. To change my mood, I decided to go and watch Lakius’s training.

After grabbing some water, a quick snack, and a towel, I slipped outside at a brisk walk.

The training grounds where Lakius took his swordsmanship lessons were behind the townhouse.

‘Ah.’

My eyes widened.

I could see Siegfried and Lakius in the distance. They must be in the middle of a duel.

Lakius was breathing heavily as he pointed his wooden sword at Siegfried.

However, his red eyes, glaring at Siegfried, shone brightly.

“……Phew.”

Lakius breathed in a short, sharp breath, then shot out at Siegfried.

‘Wow.’

My eyes widened in surprise.

No wonder, I couldn’t even keep up with Lakius’s movements properly!