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Chapter 474

Because of the unidentified artifact charged with the power of an archangel, I ended up like this—but it was temporary anyway.

It wasn’t something to worry about too much.

More importantly, just how on earth did those guys manage to obtain something like this?

They called it stabilization, but from what I could see, that artifact probably worked by forcing Elpiria’s body to a certain level of growth to suppress the backlash brought on by her power.

“Ahem… That. You’re saying it’s a side effect of the artifact? What kind of artifact rejuvenates a person like this?”

“I’m not sure. It’s my first time seeing something like this as well.”

“Heh. There must be countless old people across the continent who would go mad for such an item.”

There would be plenty of tycoons and people in power willing to do anything if it meant becoming young again.

In fact, even Duke Berli seemed faintly regretful.

“Perhaps… do you want it?”

“Ahem! Khem! Th-That’s not it. It’s just that my body’s been aching lately.”

Even so, for someone like Duke Berli, he was still relatively young.

Yet it seemed even he had some desire for rejuvenation.

“There are various restrictions on the artifact. It’ll probably become unusable in the future.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Big brother. Compared to what I imagined, your younger self is quite… a different image.”

“What?”

“Ah… th-that is, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not into men.”

“That’s enough.”

I turned my gaze toward a full-length mirror nearby.

It didn’t look that different.

It wasn’t like I was ugly.

But I’d never gone around boasting that I was particularly handsome either.

“Is my impression that different?”

“Hmm. Definitely. Compared to your original appearance, you feel a bit… softer.”

Come to think of it, my parents had said the same thing.

That my impression was quite gentle.

But the version of myself I remembered had sharper eyes.

When did I start perceiving myself that way?

Ah.

Labyrinthos.

I hadn’t been someone who lived life in a complicated or serious way.

I was more like a carefree loafer who teased my younger sister Melissa whenever I got the chance and laughed about it.

Without saying a word, I brought my hand to my face and felt around.

Even if time hadn’t passed, the memories remained.

So a slight change in my eyes was probably nothing more than a trivial detail.

“Well, people change as they live.”

In truth, it didn’t really matter either way.

I’d never had any major dissatisfaction with my current situation.

Hadn’t I experienced more than once that positive thinking brings positive outcomes?

If my impression changed a bit, and I managed to protect Cascadia and my family, then that was a profit.

I smiled leisurely.

In the first place, what did it matter?

Luna said I was handsome.

“Let’s go.”

“Hm. Well, it shouldn’t matter. Let’s.”

Thus, together with the duke, I headed toward the reception room to have an audience with Princess Bata.

As we entered the reception room, filled with a sweet fragrance, numerous maids and attendants bowed their heads toward us in unison.

One side was a ducal house, and the other was a newly established ducal house, and we were in the position of guardians.

“Welcome. Duke Berli. Guardian, Sir Leon. And Young Master Farell.”

“We greet Her Highness the Princess.”

As the eldest, Duke Berli offered his respects first, and Farell and I also knelt on one knee at the same time to show our courtesy.

“Th… then. Sir Leon?”

She looked at me awkwardly.

I could see her eyes trembling.

Ah.

Right.

My appearance.

“Th… that is, if it’s not rude to ask, why do you look like that…?”

“It’s a minor side effect, Your Highness. I believe I’ll return to normal soon.”

“Th… that’s a relief. Or is it? Is rejuvenation a good thing? Um…”

She tried to suppress her bewilderment and confusion, but it didn’t look easy.

“Ahem. In any case! The reason the royal family summoned you has already been conveyed.”

“Yes, Your Highness. We shall serve as your escort at the international conference and ensure your safety.”

If it were just a simple escort, the royal knights and royal mage corps would have sufficed.

However, there was a reason they had specifically summoned Duke Berli, a Sword Master, and Melissa.

Beyond mere protection, even that positioning itself was a form of power struggle.

Whether between friendly or hostile nations, the international conference was a place where appearing weak brought no benefit whatsoever.

Originally, Melissa should have gone, but since I was taking her place, I thought there was no need to deploy such excessive force—though I said nothing.

“Sir Leon. And you?”

“I, Leon Cascadia, will do my utmost to ensure Your Highness’s safety.”

“Truly… thank you. I heard that there was a suspicious attack on Cascadia recently. I’m relieved to hear no one was hurt.”

“Thank you.”

At my reply, she fidgeted with her hands.

Then she cautiously spoke.

“Th… Sir Leon?”

“Please give your command, Your Highness.”

“This… truly doesn’t carry any other meaning.”

“Yes?”

When I slightly raised my head to look at her, she rolled her eyes around nervously.

Then she spoke carefully.

“I know this is very rude… but… if it’s not a problem, may I hold you once?”

Perhaps realizing how absurd it sounded even as she said it, she shut her eyes tightly.

At that sight, Duke Berli chuckled quietly.

Hmm…

“I accept your command.”

“Th… there really is no ill intent or hidden meaning, Sir!”

“I know.”

As I approached her, she slipped her hands under my armpits and lifted me up.

With the appearance of a five-year-old, it was honestly ironic that I looked like a cute child rather than someone capable of fighting.

“Kh… kuh…!”

Her face flushed red as she carefully seated me on her lap.

Her hand touched my head.

“Ah! I-I’m sorry, Sir!”

“It’s fine, Your Highness.”

“Th-then, if it’s not rude, may I… stroke your hair a little? I know how impolite this is for a princess of a nation, but…”

“It’s fine.”

Rumors had spread that she liked cute children, and it seemed they weren’t false.

For someone in her political position, this was absolutely behavior she should avoid.

But for some reason, she seemed especially relaxed around me.

It might not simply be because I had saved her father, the king.

She must have her own reasons.

Unable to hide her delighted smile, she hugged me like a doll and stroked my head.

It wasn’t unpleasant, but it felt strange.

“Don’t laugh.”

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When I shot Duke Berli an annoyed glance, he covered his mouth slightly and chuckled.

Farell also seemed unable to hold back his laughter, burying his head as he snickered.

“It’s a good look on you, Young Master.”

“……”

If I were being honest, I wanted to get down, but what could I do when the princess liked it this much?

After all, she was the one who had generously granted me the orichalcum mine.

The princess was particularly favorable toward me in my younger form.

She didn’t openly show more than this, but her fidgeting hands revealed just how much she was holding back.

Eventually, when I got down from her, she let out a short sigh of regret.

“Th… Sir? How long will you remain like that exactly?”

“I can’t say precisely, but I expect I’ll remain like this at least for the duration of the international conference.”

When I got back, I was planning to put Melissa through some very intense training.

* * *

This international conference was being held in the Pascallia Empire, the hegemon of the central continent.

Throughout history, such conferences had been held in various kingdoms, and this time, it was the empire’s turn.

Naturally, under international agreements, no border conflicts were allowed during the conference week, so there were even commoners who liked that brief period of peace.

Regardless of what the meeting was actually about.

Otherwise, why would even the Pinas Archipelago—whose relations with the central continent were extremely poor—halt their actions and attend?

Of course, they had been absent for the past couple of times.

There were many similar conferences, but this one was on a particularly large scale.

After escorting Princess Bata to the Pascallia Empire, the moment she entered her private resting space, I summoned a couple of wraiths.

“From now on, protect Her Highness no matter what. Do not allow any harm to come to her.”

Since this was the imperial palace of Pascallia, there wasn’t much for us to do.

It was enough for Duke Berli and me to take turns guarding her.

All other security matters were to be handled by Pascallia.

Well, it was the imperial palace of Pascallia, after all.

While Duke Berli was currently at her side, I decided to look around the surroundings.

If possible, I wanted to avoid running into the imperial princess.

“My instructor has arrived! Find him quickly!”

A familiar voice echoed from afar.

Still hasn’t sorted out her feelings?

Her persistence really did suit a royal.

I quietly concealed my presence and moved as far away from the voice as possible.

Honestly, it would be easier if we were enemies.

For someone like me, who lacked experience in dealing with people, Imperial Princess Eilena felt far more difficult than fighting the archangel Uriel.

If I did this, she wouldn’t be able to find me—

“Instructor Leon.”

“……”

It felt like every hair on my body stood on end.

It wasn’t that I hadn’t noticed her approach.

In the first place, she shouldn’t have been able to see me.

Yet she came straight toward me.

“There you are.”

She smiled softly, reaching her hand into empty space—though it seemed she still couldn’t see my current form.

How did she find me?

“Instructor. Hiding is useless. Do you think I’ve been fooled just once or twice? Next time, if you’re going to hide, you’ll need to hide your scent as well.”

The human sense of smell is not that sensitive, you crazy princess.

Breaking into a cold sweat, I took a step back.

At that moment, she smiled beautifully and extended her hand behind her.

“That.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At her words, the ancient artifact in her hand began to shine.

Crack!!

At the same time, the faint invisibility magic I had cast shattered.

This interferes with the very mana in the surroundings.

If I were going to prepare, I should’ve done it more thoroughly.

I was too complacent.

Soon, my form was revealed.

Ordinary artifacts shouldn’t be able to do something like this.

When I silently looked up at her, her eyes widened.

“I even secretly took this dispel arti— from the imperial reports without Father knowing… oh my.”

Her eyes sparkled.

“Instructor, why do you look like that? Are you trying to drive me crazy?”

With that, she hugged me and lifted me up.

“Kyaa! So cute!”

Ah… well.

Since she was the imperial princess, I couldn’t just push her away roughly.

Wearing a tired expression, I offered my greetings.

“I trust you’ve been well, Your Highness.”

“So this is what you looked like as a child! This won’t do. Would you like to have tea with me?”

She seemed to have no intention of accepting refusal, her eyes shining intensely.

However, I had a valid excuse.

“I apologize. I am currently in the position of escorting Princess Bata…”

At my words, she puffed out her cheeks.

“You’re trying to distance yourself from me again. Do you remember what I said long ago?”

Long ago?

Ah… about obtaining the one you love as consort through a political marriage.

“I might really turn completely black, you know.”

For a moment, it felt like the color drained from her eyes.

Just then—

“Your Highness. He has a prior engagement with me.”

At the sudden voice, she pouted and looked toward the intruders.

The head of House Mielephon, Catsey.

And the Sword Saint Osberg.

The two of them also looked startled upon seeing my appearance, but like seasoned nobles, they didn’t show it.

“Not even for a moment?”

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be more important to consider Sir Leon’s will rather than mine?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Looking as though she might burst into tears, she set me down and bowed her head.

“Instructor… I’m sorry. But next time, let’s definitely have tea together.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Yes…”

Leaving her behind as she turned away looking like she might cry at any moment, I let out a sigh of relief.

“The strongest on the continent, yet worse than a soldier when it comes to dealing with people. Heh heh.”

The Sword Saint chuckled at me.

“So, how did you end up like that… kid?”

At that moment—

Duchess Catsey suddenly lifted me up.

It was an action unbefitting someone as composed as her.

“Duchess?”

“Don’t forget that I helped you.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Then I should receive some repayment. My children have all grown up, so I haven’t had the chance to see something like this.”

At her words, the Sword Saint burst into laughter.

“Well, Isna recently started acting up again after being quiet for a while…”

Even so, calling your granddaughter that is a bit harsh, isn’t it?

Considering her behavior, though, that was probably a softened expression.

Despite his words, the Sword Saint’s expression looked quite relaxed.

It must be relief over his granddaughter putting down the heavy burden of the Moon Watchers.

“Father. Even so, calling your precious granddaughter that…”

“Haha. I’m sorry. But that much is a cute kind of madness. Honestly, I feel more at ease seeing Isna act like that.”

“I feel the same. When she seemed normal, it was actually more worrying.”

Soon, Duchess Catsey carried me as she began walking.

“I’ll be a bit rude while we’re on the way. If you wander around the imperial palace in that form, you’ll get picked on here and there.”

“By the way… where are we going?”

“Since it’s an international conference, the leaders of many kingdoms have gathered. If an incident occurs in a place like this, it would be troublesome, so all those attending as escorts gather to coordinate beforehand.”

It seemed that Duchess Catsey and the Sword Saint were responsible for escorting the Emperor of Pascallia.

“Ah, and by the way, it’ll be quite a battle of pride, so try not to get too carried away.”

At her words, I nodded.

This appearance seemed to invite goodwill in subtle ways.

In that case, who would pick a fight?

“Get lost, you milk-smelling brat. This isn’t a place for a kid like you.”

Words have a way of coming true.

To think I’d be picked on before even entering the gathering place for escorts.

Even with Duchess Catsey and the Sword Saint present?

Though I had stepped down from her arms, this smelled strongly of intent.

Just because my appearance shrank didn’t mean my personality or strength had gone anywhere.

The man blocking my path made a threatening expression.

“Unless you want to get taught a lesson and cry your way out of here.”

At his words, Duchess Catsey simply watched as if enjoying the spectacle.

I let out a sigh and extended my small, childlike hand toward him, beckoning him to lower his head as if I had something to say.

At my gesture, he snorted and bent his knees.

“What is it, you brat—”

Thud!!

In an instant, there was a flash, and his body toppled sideways.

Unable to even react, his pupils rolled back, the whites of his eyes showing as he collapsed with a thump, completely unconscious.

The only witnesses were the Sword Saint and Duchess Catsey.

Everyone else was inside the meeting hall.

There wouldn’t be any unnecessary commotion.

“Picking fights when you’re nothing special. If you wanted to provoke the Bata Kingdom, you’d have been better off going after Duke Berli instead of me.”

After kicking the fallen man aside with a thud, I lightly pushed open the door and saw numerous men and women gathered inside.

Most of them were people who possessed both power and authority, so absurd situations like this rarely occurred.

“What is that?”

“A child?”

“Why is a toddler who can barely speak here…?”

“Hey. Quiet. Mielephon has arrived.”

Amid the murmurs, I walked in indifferently and climbed onto a chair.

“So… now that everyone’s here, shall we begin the preliminary discussion?”

“Uh… uh?”

“What the…”

“No way. That kid is an escort?”

“Looks like Bata Kingdom… Is their king out of his mind?”

At my words, everyone wore dumbfounded expressions.

I knew full well that seeing a five-year-old child stride in, sit down confidently, cross his legs, and tell them to start the meeting wasn’t an easy sight to accept.

Perhaps because of that—

I found the situation oddly entertaining to watch unfold.

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