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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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There was a mountain of work to do. Since the Fourth Castle had fallen into rebel hands, we had to purge it of any remaining sympathizers.
Administrators, officials, wealthy merchants… anyone suspected of collaborating with the rebels was arrested.
Those deemed to have actively aided the rebellion were imprisoned, with some facing public execution in the square.
The traitorous mage mercenaries were rounded up and sent back to the capital to face the Emperor’s judgment.
And then there were the supplies. Mountains of them, overflowing from the warehouses and spilling into the streets.
It was the result of receiving several days’ worth of backlogged deliveries all at once.
We had to sort through it all, separating perishable goods from non-perishables, prioritizing consumption, and even renting additional storage space.
“Well, this is nice.”
Of course, that wasn’t my job.
That was for Pelaine and Kane to handle.
Which meant I, along with the other Imperial University mages, had some time to relax.
The suppression force had experienced a sudden influx of troops and territory. We needed time to regroup and reassess.
I should learn how to ride a horse.
I was, technically, a knight directly under the Emperor’s command. It was rather embarrassing that I couldn’t even ride.
I couldn’t keep clinging to Trie or Pelaine during battles.
I needed to find some time for lessons.
Where’s Trie?
She should be free as well. Perhaps she was at the training grounds.
I left the quarters and walked through the bustling streets.
The Fourth Castle, previously subdued by the war, had come alive.
We had sold off the surplus supplies to the residents, injecting much-needed capital into the local economy.
The other castles, still under rebel control and suffering from the Empire’s blockade, wouldn’t have seen a market day in months.
This economic activity was a powerful weapon in winning over the hearts and minds of the people.
As I walked through the marketplace—
“Hm?”
I spotted a familiar head of silver hair, the distinctive tuft sticking up at the crown.
It was Erica.
“What are you doing here, Erica?”
“Mmm, Schlussh?”
“….”
She was devouring a donut, crumbs clinging to her cheeks.
I instinctively reached for my handkerchief to wipe her face, but stopped when I realized it was Emilia’s. I couldn’t contaminate such a precious artifact.
I brushed the crumbs from her cheek with my thumb and licked it clean.
Chocolate.
A welcome taste of sweetness. It made me miss Choco Pies.
“I told you to stay near the quarters.”
“Why? What gives you the right to restrict my freedom?”
“There might be rebel remnants lurking around, looking to kidnap you.”
“Hic…!”
“Are you eager to have your freedom restricted now?”
“….”
Erica’s defiant words died in her throat. It was frustrating that she didn’t appreciate my efforts to protect her.
“When you leave the quarters, make sure you log your departure and take an escort. There are suppression force personnel stationed at the quarters at all times.”
“Fine…”
“What’s that you’re eating?”
“Can’t you see? It’s a donut.”
I tilted my head, puzzled.
Even with the abundance of supplies, we shouldn’t have the resources to make something as extravagant as a chocolate-covered donut. And even if we did, it would be exorbitantly expensive.
“How much was it?”
“They’re not usually for sale… I just asked them to make some.”
“How much will they charge?”
“About a thousand Tirions each, I think…”
As expected, the price was outrageous. But I couldn’t blame them.
Sugar was a precious commodity.
“Erica, do you even have that kind of money?”
“What do you take me for? I’m the eldest daughter of House Lichtenburg!”
“And how, pray tell, do you plan to pay for it?”
“With a check, of course.”
“Sigh…”
I couldn’t help but sigh.
This idiot.
“What, what? A Lichtenburg check is as good as gold! No one has ever refused to accept one!”
“Erica, have you read the suppression force’s proclamation to the people of the South?”
“Yes, I have.”
“We promised not to requisition supplies. Paying with a check is essentially the same thing.”
“Oh…”
Even a Lichtenburg check, as trustworthy as it was, would be seen as requisitioning if we weren’t paying with actual currency.
We had just begun to gain the trust of the people. We couldn’t jeopardize that with such a trivial matter.
“Uh… what do I do? I already ate six…”
Erica’s eyes widened as the realization hit her.
Six donuts? That was three months of Emilia’s salary.
“Come on, let’s go. Back to the quarters. You can come back out later, with an escort.”
“Wha—?”
I pulled out my wallet and paid the shopkeeper. Erica fidgeted nervously beside me.
I took her arm and led her back towards the quarters.
“Thank you…”
“….”
It was nothing.
It was a pittance compared to what I had received from her mother.
I couldn’t say that out loud, of course.
I had finally managed to bridge the gap between us. I couldn’t risk reigniting her animosity.
“You can let go of my arm now. I’ll go back. You don’t have to treat me like a child…”
“Honestly, you remind me of one.”
“What?!”
“You need to be more aware of your position, Erica.”
“I know. I’m the daughter of House Lichtenburg…”
“And you’re also the mage who single-handedly captured a castle with a single rune. Losing you would be a devastating blow to the entire continent. Please keep that in mind.”
“Oh…”
She should be proud.
She had elevated magic from a tactical weapon to a strategic one. Her rune was far more sophisticated than the crude, scattershot spell I had used in Whist Forest.
If it had been activated, the Fourth Castle would have been reduced to ashes, only the stone walls remaining.
It was a precision strike, focusing all its power within the castle walls.
“Y-you’re right! I practically captured this castle myself!”
“….”
Her confidence soared.
I just hoped she wouldn’t brag about it too loudly. At least not until we were safely back in the capital.
“….”
“….”
An awkward silence fell between us.
I expected her to continue boasting, but she had become quiet, glancing at me nervously.
“Sch-Schlus.”
“Hm?”
“About the escort… I don’t think I need one.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… if you’re with me, I don’t really need one, do I?”
“I was planning to drop you off at the quarters and then head to the training grounds.”
“….”
Erica’s face flushed crimson.
She had assumed I wanted to spend my free time strolling around with her.
I might have some free time, but not that much.
“We’re here, Erica.”
“…I’m not going in.”
“What?”
“I’m coming with you. I don’t have anything else to do… I’ll just… tag along today.”
“Suit yourself.”
I hadn’t planned on being her escort, but if she insisted on following me, I would ensure her safety.
It would be boring for her, though.
I was just going to learn how to ride a horse from Trie and discuss future plans with Pelaine.
“I’m warning you, it will be incredibly dull.”
“I doubt that. I’ve never been bored when I’m with you.”
“….”
Had I become her personal entertainment?
I suppose it was true that wherever I went, chaos seemed to follow. And if it didn’t, I usually created it myself.
“So, what are you doing at the training grounds?”
“I have a meeting, and I was hoping to get some riding lessons from Trie.”
“Riding lessons? Is that where you learn?”
“I assume so.”
Erica pointed towards a makeshift riding arena.
Several knights were practicing their horsemanship. One of them, in particular, seemed to be struggling…
Neigh!
“Whoa! Whoa! Stop it! Stop bucking!”
“Isn’t that Ainz?”
“I think so…”
It was Ainz.
He was practically doing a rodeo on a wildly bucking horse.
I winced, imagining the bruising he would have.
“You keep grabbing his ears! Hold the reins! The reins!”
“Isn’t that Trie?”
“I think so…”
It seemed Trie already had a student. I hadn’t realized they were close enough for her to be giving him riding lessons.
I had planned on monopolizing her time, but it seemed my lesson would be cut short.
“Useless idiot.”
“Hm?”
I was joking, of course.
Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve that monumental counterattack, the one that had turned the tide of the war.
“Trie!”
“Oh, Master! What brings you here?”
“I’d like to learn how to ride a horse.”
“Really? Ainz, you’re done.”
“What?!”
“Master wants a lesson. You’ve been at it for two hours with no progress. You’re hopeless. Give Schlus the horse.”
“Hey!”
That was a bit harsh. I had thought they were getting along.
“Or, how about this?”
“…?”
I felt a hand grip my shoulder. The clinking of armor. The familiar weight. And the androgynous voice… I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Pelaine.
“Trie can focus on Ainz. I’ll teach you, Schlus.”
“But you’re the Commander-in-Chief. Shouldn’t you be busy?”
“Hee hee. They kicked me out. Apparently, I’m terrible with paperwork…”
“….”
So even the brilliant tactician had a weakness for numbers and bureaucracy.
“No, I should teach Ainz. You teach Schlus.”
“But you were already teaching Ainz, weren’t you?”
“Schlus is a key asset. He needs a skilled rider like me to teach him.”
“I’m a more skilled rider. I train every day.”
“I’m his swordsmanship instructor!”
“What does that have to do with riding?”
“This is ridiculous! Schlus, you decide!”
“Yes, Schlus, who do you want to learn from?”
“What…?”
I was completely lost.
Why were they suddenly arguing?
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[Your Text Here]
Both obv
Both are having crush 🥰. But he is not known