It was about time the family had to go back to their country because the new semester was starting.
āā¦Hey, William? By combining an ice magic stone and a wind magic stone⦠freeze-drying would be possible, donāt you think?ā
Even so, Emma didnāt seem like she would stop anytime soon.
āNee-sama, itās about time we return⦠was what Iāve been thinking recently, butā¦ā
āWilliam, isnāt it fine if we stay in Imperial Japan for a little while longer?ā
George unexpectedly took sides with the rash Emma this time.
āItās okay, Emma. You can do anything you want.ā
Leonard nodded as if it were a matter of course.
āā¦Yeah, of course. After all, the two of you seem to enjoy going out to hunt monsters every single day.ā
William always saw his older brother and father mingle with the samurais happily and join in on their monster hunting. They liked to make excuses like how they got to see many monsters that rarely appeared in the Kingdom, but it was obvious that they just found hunting here more fun than studying or interacting with nobles in the royal capital.
āMother too⦠help me persuade themā¦ā
āHm? William, Mother went out earlier to Edo Castleās kitchen, you know? She said that there were some dishes she would like to try cooking with Imperial Japanās ingredients. More than that, if we want to freeze-dry something⦠corn soup and miso soup are a must, right?ā
āā¦Youāre right. Iām going to get some misoā¦ā
While everyone in the family went wild with their hobbies and enjoyed Imperial Japan to the fullest, only William lived the same life he had in Palace or the royal capital, that was being Emmaās faithful errand boy.
āI guess⦠we wonāt be in time for the academyā¦ā
William looked up at the cloudless blue sky and whispered.
ā ā ā
~At the same time, in the royal capital~
The social season was nearing its end, and the Empireās nobles visiting the Kingdom became visibly irritated and impatient. Even at the royal banquet, they didnāt bother to correct their attitude and finally spoke their minds after they ran out of patience.
āYour Majesty, should you not be giving us an introduction soon?ā
Without even glancing at the luxurious meal, the chief delegate of the Empireās Royal Family asked the Kingdomās King.
āWhat are you talking about?ā
I have no idea what you could possibly be referring to at all.Ā The King played dumb to the Empireās chief delegateās question.
āā¦Huh?! Itās about the Holy Maiden! I am sure you are aware of such an existence, am I right? In this royal capital⦠from the commoners to the nobles, is there anyone who has never heard of her rumors?!ā
He was exposed to the rumors about the Holy Maiden everywhere he went. As soon as he arrived at the Kingdom, he heard the sailors talking about it at the port. It was also a hot conversation topic in the companies he visited for business discussions and various parties he attended. Even when he stopped by a tailor shop to mend his clothes, the people there also mentioned the rumors several times.
āI have no clue about the things you speak of⦠If the Holy Maiden has appeared, the church would surely have contacted the Empire long ago, right? And our side would, of course, already be informed about it, too. Edward, have you ever received a message from the church about the birth of the Holy Maiden?ā
The King laughed at the agitated Empireās chief delegate and looked at his son, Prince Edward.
āNo, I have not received such a message from the church either.ā
The Prince also feigned ignorance while looking at the chief delegate with a cold gaze.
āThen why are there rumors of a Holy Maiden in the royal capital? A Holy Maiden can be made a Saint if you file an appeal and will thus be a rightful servant of the Empireās existing Royal Family. I am entrusted to judge whether or not she is qualified for that title.ā
āWhatās the use of bringing up something from hundreds of years ago? Strictly speaking, the Kingdomās church is independent of the Empireās church. Even if, by any chance, the Kingdom has a Holy Maiden, it does not concern you!ā
Upon hearing the chief delegateās words, the prince raised his voice, something one wouldnāt often hear from the āicebergā prince.
ā¦
T/L: Hi, everyone. Iām sad to let you all know that Lumist (editor-san) will no longer be working on TFR because of her upcoming exams. Team FT is very thankful towards Lumist for her outstanding work and contribution to this novel. But no worries! A new editor-san will be joining us soon. Let us all wish good luck to Lumist for their exam and welcome the new editor wholeheartedly!