After-Story Chapter 40: Parnam Castle is Lively Today

—That night.

 

“…And so, I am engaged to Carla.”

 

In the Chamber of the Celestial Voice within the Royal Castle, Cian reported this to the person displayed on the simplified receiver, placed before the broadcast orb that had been used since ancient times.

 

“I will welcome her as my Second Royal Consort. Is that alright, Father?”

 

“Ah. You are the King now, Cian, so I leave that decision to you,” the person on the screen, former King of Friedonia Souma E. Friedonia, nodded with a smile.

 

Having entered his late thirties, Souma’s physique hadn’t changed, but perhaps because he no longer needed to worry about his appearance, or due to the environment he was currently in, his hair was slightly longer in the back, and he had a residue of unshaven stubble on his chin.

 

Seeing Souma’s appearance, Cian let out a sigh. “Seriously, Father. Are you wearing that even there?”

 

“Hm? This? Well, I’m used to it.”

 

Souma flashed the hem of the research white coat he was wearing at Cian. Since retiring as King, Souma always wore a long white coat over his shirt and trousers. While he gave Liscia and the others plausible reasons like, “It immediately shows that I am no longer the King, but a researcher,” the truth was simpler.

 

Souma’s image of a cool, mature man was that of “The Jeet Kune Do master and archaeologist in a white coat from a certain romantic comedy,” so he was simply mimicking that look. In short, it was just cosplay. Souma kept this fact a secret even from his family. Incidentally, that character also had paper cigarettes as a trademark, but since Souma disliked tobacco, he had Roroa develop and produce chocolate cigarettes for him to chew on (of course, Liscia looked at him with exasperated eyes for this).

 

Souma’s white coat was dusty and looked somewhat yellow and worn out.

 

“It’s quite dirty, isn’t it?”

 

“…Well, I wear this when I go out on fieldwork, you know.”

 

“Exploring a new continent in a lab coat is reckless.”

 

“It’s fine, Liscia and Aisha are with me as bodyguards.”

 

“If the mothers are with you… I guess it’s okay.”

 

Yes. Souma and the others were currently away in the world of the Northern Hemisphere. That was why Liscia had been wearing exploration gear when she contacted by Carla earlier in the day. In the Northern Hemisphere, which adventurous individuals were now flocking to, there were countless unexplored dungeons that spewed out monsters.

 

Currently, the pattern was one of repetition: building bases with the Seadians, who were aiming to return to their homeland, exploring the surrounding area, building new bases, connecting supply routes between the bases, and expanding the search radius. Since relics of the Old Humanity were discovered from the dungeons explored during this process, Souma, as an expert, was cooperating with the investigation. Liscia and Aisha were accompanying him as Souma’s protectors.

 

“What is the situation like in the Northern world right now?”

 

“It feels like a true wilderness. Although I stopped Mao’s function of generating dungeons, so the endless flood of monsters has ceased… the environment, which had excluded humans for many years, has created a unique ecosystem.”

 

“The Southern Continent Union meeting brought up the idea of organizing a ‘Union Army’ and stationing permanent forces in the North…”

 

“Hmm… I’m not keen on that. Communication between here and there is difficult. I worry that if we hastily create a powerful organization, they might use the authority of the Southern world as a shield to wield influence up here and become uncontrollable. We wouldn’t want something like the Te*naz popping up.”

 

“? What is that?”

 

“Hmm… something like a warlord group? Basically, I want to leave the political situation of the Northern world to the people there, and keep the South’s interaction strictly limited to trade.”

 

“So, you mean we should proceed cautiously. I will keep that in mind.”

 

As expected of a conversation between the current King and the former King, the family conversation had somehow shifted into an exchange of opinions regarding state affairs. Well, since Cian was growing into adulthood, he felt this kind of discussion flowed more smoothly with Souma than everyday conversation. In the middle of their talk, Cian suddenly sighed.

 

“…Will I really be able to manage as King?”

 

“? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

 

“Now that Carla has agreed to marry me, and Sharan has been by my side since the beginning to become my Consort… when I become conscious of the people I must protect, I start to feel anxious.”

 

“…” Souma listened silently to Cian’s weak confession.

 

“It’s not like when you inherited the throne, Father, where problems were piled high. Even with the Northern world, the countries of the world are tied together amicably and will continue to develop further. So, I know I won’t have as much trouble succeeding the throne as you did… but the title of King still feels heavy.”

 

While this was no longer an era where unforeseen disasters frequently occurred, it was the King’s duty to take responsibility when something did happen. And when Cian had to take responsibility, it would involve Carla and Sharan. That fact weighed heavily on Cian.

 

Souma, who had listened to Cian’s vulnerability, opened his mouth after a moment.

 

“I understand how you feel. In fact, constantly holding that anxiety is important for a King. As long as you bear the weight of people’s lives, you cannot allow yourself to presume that things will simply be fine.”

 

“…”

 

“I can’t tell you ‘don’t worry,’ but there’s no need to worry excessively. The people you think you are shouldering aren’t just luggage. They have their own will and are here to support you, Cian. Carla, Sharan, your siblings, and us, your parents’ team, all want to help you. You are not alone.”

 

“Even you and the others?” Cian asked.

 

Souma smiled and nodded broadly.

 

“Of course. In fact, that’s why I translated and left The Prince as the very first book out of all the Earth books, wasn’t it? Did you read it properly?”

 

“Yes, well. I’m not sure if I fully comprehend it, though.”

 

“That’s fine. I left it there to be a reference for you when you’re struggling with a decision.”

 

Saying that, Souma gave Cian a look of concern.

 

“Cian. Should I tell you the passage in The Prince that I found most helpful when I was King?”

 

“!? I would definitely like to hear it.”

 

“It’s a passage in ‘Chapter 22: Concerning the Secretaries Whom Princes Have About Them.’ Machiavelli said, ‘There are three kinds of intelligence: one which comprehends by itself; another that understands what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor through others; the first is the most excellent, the second excellent, and the third useless.'”

 

“…I see.”

 

Cian had thoroughly read The Prince (Souma’s Notes) due to his anxiety over his premature enthronement. Therefore, he instantly understood the meaning of the passage Souma quoted.

 

“‘When the King addresses a problem, if he can solve everything by himself, he is a wise ruler, but even if he cannot solve it by himself, he can still be considered a wise ruler if he accepts the opinions of his excellent vassals. Conversely, the monarch who has no means of solving problems himself and does not accept the opinions of his excellent vassals is deservedly branded as incompetent’… Is that right?”

 

“That’s right. Listen to the advice of your excellent vassals and distance yourself from the sweet flatteries of sycophants who simply agree with you. If you can at least do that, any ordinary man will appear to be a wise ruler. Look at me, for example. Even without charisma like Fuuga or Mother Maria, the people probably think I was a wise ruler because I kept famous ministers like the Black Minister Hakuya, the White Strategist Julius, the Red Ogre Hal, and the Wise Wolf Princess Tomoe-chan at my side.”

 

“No, that’s… no, you’re right.”

 

Cian was about to say, “No, Father, you were definitely a wise ruler,” but he stopped himself, knowing full well that Souma would just deny it by saying, “No, no, that’s not true.” Souma had a low self-evaluation as a king. Having seen the rare heroes and charisma of Maria and Fuuga, he convinced himself that he was ordinary and had only received a passing grade as a monarch.

 

Incidentally, Souma was the only one who thought this way; his family and vassals, as well as the citizens and rulers of other nations, all acknowledged the high quality of Souma’s governance. Souma was the only one who didn’t quite grasp how difficult it was to simply “keep excellent vassals nearby” and still be viewed as a wise ruler by the people.

 

“You make it sound easy… but it’s quite difficult, isn’t it? Precisely because they are excellent vassals, they will say things that are hard to hear, forcing you to face your own inadequacies.”

 

When Cian said this with a sigh, Souma laughed cheerfully.

 

“Well, most kings have royal pride, I guess. I didn’t.”

 

“I… well, I don’t either. I wasn’t even keen on inheriting the throne.”

 

“In that case, Cian, you possess the quality needed to become a good King. We, your family, guarantee it.”

 

“I feel like that’s just family bias… but still, thank you, Father.”

 

Cian’s strained expression softened. He seemed okay now.

 

◇ ◇ ◇

 

 

Souma E. Elfrieden, former King of Friedonia, formerly Souma Kazuya. After his retirement as King, he continued to be a researcher of Old Humanity Studies, contributing to the development of world civilization levels. Because he left the Royal Family and became a private citizen by status, his later years were not recorded publicly, but it is said that he continued his research even in old age and passed away in his sleep, surrounded by his many wives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

 

…However, although it is an unfounded rumor, there is also a story that Souma, after enjoying his life as a single human being, used the technology discovered in the Northern world to rejuvenate with his wives, became a High Human, and departed into space to learn about the situation of his former star. Just as there was a survival theory about his former rival, Fuuga Haan, survival theories often circulate about political leaders. Whether he reached his homeland… the truth of that may only be known by the Mother Dragon, who possesses knowledge that transcends human wisdom.

 

◇ ◇ ◇

 

“By the way, Father. Are you coming home for the New Year’s holidays?”

 

Now that everyone was scattered and engaged in their various activities, the Souma family only assembled together for the Summer Memorial Service and New Year’s Day. While the sheer size of the family made it difficult to gather, no relatives had become estranged. Cian definitely wanted Souma, the pivot of the family, to return home.

 

Souma scratched his cheek on the screen.

 

“Ah, about that… I’m heading back soon, without waiting for the end of the year.”

 

“? Did something happen?”

 

“No, it’s just that… just the other day, Aisha’s pregnancy was confirmed.”

 

“…I’m sorry?”

 

For a moment, Cian didn’t understand what he had been told. Souma continued to the stunned Cian.

 

“It means you’ll have another younger brother or sister next year, Cian.”

 

“Eh?! EHHHHHHHHH!?”

 

Cian’s surprised shout echoed through the room. Marin and Maron, attendant apprentices who happened to be passing by, heard Cian’s scream and immediately began to panic:

 

“The King is screaming!? Is it an emergency!?”

 

Those who heard them told others, “It’s an emergency!” causing Carla and Sharan to become flustered, and Kazuha to grab her rapier and run around asking, “Where are the intruders!?” The entire castle descended into chaos until Tomoe and Ichiha, who understood the situation, managed to calm things down.

 

And when the turmoil finally subsided, the news of former Queen Aisha’s pregnancy was announced by Cian, and this time, a festive uproar began.

 

Parnam Castle is lively today.