“King Ashfon Astlan Lionheart, let me tell you this. What you wanted to happen isn’t simple.”
“The reason is?”
“First, you have a lot of work to take care of. Not to mention, you haven’t announced your return yet and your absence is making the people worry. Remember this, you are the King of this Kingdom.”
“I understand that. That’s why I already sent Ishtal and Edelweiss to make some preparations.”
“As long as you keep that in mind. Second, the children that you want to come over aren’t readily available at the moment as they are doing works as designated by their position. One is a child of the Beast General and the elven twins are Princesses of their Kingdom, they are busy with sovereign work.”
“Understandable. Even so, I’d like you to prepare a letter just in case they became vacant of their businesses.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“It’s a shame that I wouldn’t meet them yet. Well, moving on, twelve noon sharp, we will announce my safe come back to reassure people of our state of affairs.”
“I hope you are always this diligent with this kind of event…”
Everyone is so busy. They are so busy that Violetta deemed them to have insufficient time to make a visit.
I can’t say I have nothing to do but I feel unsatisfied.
All I have been doing is my role as Fonfon’s little sister, a cherished princess that would appear on the mass and reassure them that he is fine and well. If the citizens become even more agitated than they are now and demand a new ruler, no doubt that I will be forced to take over.
That’s actually how I feel about this whole situation. I don’t intend to be a queen. Hell, I never even dreamed to be a king back then when I was a guy.
That’s why I want to take some actual work myself.
I stand up from my chair that naturally took Violetta and Fonfon’s attention. I straighten my back and look at them directly with sharp eyes.
“Violetta, I’ve been thinking, isn’t there anything else I should do? I don’t want to sit here all day knowing that most of my friends are doing their best!”
“Oh, is that the reason why you have such serious face for a while?”
She simply smiled at me. I feel like I am being mocked!
“This is not a joke! It’s like you are making fun of me Violetta!”
“I’m sorry Asagao, it’s not like that.”
“Then what? I’ve noticed it for a while now but you are steering me away from heavy works! I can handle myself just fine too! I have grown and I have learned so much…”
“Well, that’s true. I won’t deny that you really do have grown, physically, mentally, and emotionally.”
“Then…!”
“You have overcome so much hardship because of our carelessness, me and Ashfon. However, rather than bending to your own weaknesses, you stood up again and again. And lastly, you, together with Alstroemeria, saved the world.”
“That’s…”
“It may not have been known to all of the people but to those who are in that place, in that exact time, it is undeniable that the two of you…are the true heroes.”
“We only did what’s natural! Anyone will act if they know that their world is in danger!”
“I am going to finalize this Asagao as I don’t want any more arguments, take the credit for it. You two have done enough work and now, you deserve a rest.”
“……”
I can’t believe this! Where’s my freedom to choose!?
I puff my cheeks out for a wordless protest, however, Violetta knitted her eyebrows and Fonfon just smiled at me.
Stolen story; please report.
“That won’t change anything. And besides, people wouldn’t want you acting brashly. You’ve been gone for a while too. We’ll get a little animosity from them if they knew we are working you too hard.”
“Geez, fine. I’ll do my own work then! Thanks for the meal!”
“Wai--! This is why I don’t like workaholics! Not that I am one to talk…”
I bolted up from my place and started marching out of the dining room.
I feel like I am being a little rude but what’s the harm in giving me something to do? Come to think of it, if I adhere to my age and not the outward appearance, I should be working like a functional adult in the society and yet they are forcing me to be a NEET.
Upon seeing me stomping my way out, Alstroe also said her thanks and proceeds to follow me like a dog. She pitters patter beside and looks up into my face.
“Where are we going? What are we going to do now?”
“I really don’t know even though I said I’d look for something to do. Do you want to go the backyard for the meantime? The bed of grass there is always green and there’s a lot of trees offering a comfortable shade and the breeze is blasting!”
“Okay!”
As Alstroe agreed to it, we proceeded to march down towards the grassy plains where Master and I usually train…before.
I think it’s about time. I am really relieved that Fonfon is safe now, I can let go of any burdens in my heart temporarily and visit them now that I am ready.
I’ll ask Violetta later for it.
.
.
.
Alstroe and I are currently in the grassy plains, however, we are not here to relax.
Since I received what I requested yesterday from Edelweiss, a customized spear with a single edge and curved blade with a thin shaft but sturdy. I just thought of blowing off some steam and started swinging the spear.
I changed into my training gear which usually consists of a loose shirt with a black tank-top under it. A short pants buckled with a leather belt fashioned with leather shoes that are light and easy to move. Finally, the arm wraps made of dragon fiber give to me by Master.
“Sei!”
I exclaimed as I thrust the spear and proceeded to sweep below. I shifted my center gravity and try to fall back to flip my body, however, it doesn’t go as I expected because I stumble backward instead. I am practicing my familiarity with the spear but as I keep swinging, my hands are reflexively returning to a sword stance.
Even applying my acrobatic skills that I honed through training is not used to the feeling of handling a spear. I knew from the beginning that something wouldn’t quite fit and it is more depressing without any mentors to teach me the proper way.
Hasu thought me some of the basic movements with the spear but I am practicing the spear now in order to assimilate it with Calm Dragon Tempest. Short swords are easy to handle because of my size and not to mention, they are light, however, the spear I am using right now is a little lighter but the reach and size is something I cannot comprehend.
By the way, Alstroe immediately goes under a tree and sits. She started meditating and even up until now, she is motionless since I started training.
“This is really hard to grasp…”
I muttered to myself.
Other than being a powerhouse of divine power which I cannot potentially use for myself, my only assets in a battle are my barrier, divine counter, regeneration, and my swordsmanship that I need to continuously hone.
By that, I need to learn more fighting skills!
“Go fight, me!”
I started spinning the spear and twirl it in my hand. I started swinging it diagonally and turning around and spins with it as the momentum takes me.
With every spin, the spear spun faster. I think this is where the spear becomes a lethal weapon because it can land critical strikes. I stop the spear from spinning and tried to counter it’s spinning velocity, however, the spear’s body…
BONK!
Hits my shin and as it spinning velocity dies down, it hits my head!
I crouch down from the pain while holding my head with my right hand and my shin with my left hand. I tried really hard not to utter a single cry of pain and bit my lips in desperation hoping that Alstroe won’t notice it.
I can feel that my eyes are getting a little bit teary but I still endure it until my regeneration fixes this dumbness of mine.
I slowly turn my gaze to Alstroe just to see her puffing her cheeks that becomes reddish from stopping her laughter…
This is so embarrassing!
“Oh my, are you alright?”
My body stiffens as voice suddenly entered my ears. I slowly turn my head to my left and there, standing from the huge walkway from the castle is Shouko Murayama. She is not wearing her traditional Shrine Priestess clothes but rather, a long one piece with a silky overcoat.
She approaches me with a smile.
“D-did you saw it?”
“Fufufu, it was quite a sight.”
“Uwaaah…”
I grovel further to the ground upon learning that there’s a second witness of my failure, but, I didn’t lose all hope as I found someone who can teach me about the spear! Shouko is Hasu’s lover and sibling, after all, I bet she knows something!
“Don’t look at me like that, I only know how to use the bow and some exorcism. I apologize for not meeting your expectation.”
An immediate shutdown.
“However, I can give you some pointers that Shouta keeps talking about with me.”
“Oh, what could that be?”
“Imagine if you cut the spear by its shaft, closest to the blade, it doesn’t look any different from a dagger tied to a stick.”
“That’s a little…hard to comprehend…”
“Well, it’s just a dagger in a long stick. The only difference is that you have a longer reach with the spear rather than the dagger, no?”
“Yeah…I’m sorry, I still don’t get it.”
It’s kind of confusing…
Rather than a pointer, ain’t that a wordplay?
I am not dunce or anything but that is something a normal person wouldn’t understand.
“Well, take your time.”
“I’ve been taking my time too much now. Stupid Violetta won’t let me do anything! I feel a dissatisfied with what I am doing now…I feel kind of useless.”
“It doesn’t mean they are saying that you are useless. Actually, no one said that you are. Look at me, I want to do something too, even when the crisis struck us, I wanted to do something, however, my capabilities are limited…and now, I am bound to this place because I was told not to do any work.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be! I am not aiming to make you feel down! It’s just that, thinking that Hasu and Ichirou are out there to retrieve my soul back and I am just sitting here doing nothing…”
“……”
“I feel so powerless. Not only that, I can also tell that…Ichirou’s soul that is residing inside me to fill the gap is slowly being consumed by my own…”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t know. But if I don’t have my soul return to me, it is possible that Ichirou’s soul will reside inside me permanently as a part of me.”
“And…Ichirou will…”
“Let’s not think of something negative. For now, won’t you let me watch you practice, Asagao?”
“D-Don’t laugh too much okay?!”
“I promise.”