Chapter 123

'The new king's coronation will be held on the street in front of the royal castle.'

—As the merchant spoke that information, the ears of all the merchants in the tavern were fixed on him.

Screech—!

An old merchant with his hood pulled down deep chuckled and said.

"Heh heh, what's the use of knowing that news now? Plenty of people already know."

It was clearly a mocking voice.

At that voice, everyone's gaze turned toward the old merchant.

The old merchant took off his robe's hood and placed the payment for his drink on the table.

Thud—.

"King Leonardo's coronation being held in front of the royal castle, where all the commoners can see, is not a rumor but the truth. And as you all know, for such a big festival, how much money you make depends on who sets up their stall first."

"Ah, Abraham Mansal?"

Abraham Mansal.

He had been, and especially recently, a thorn in the side of the merchants.

The reason Abraham was disliked by the merchants was not because he was a bad merchant. It was because he was too skilled.

How irritating must it be for someone to be skilled and yet obnoxious?

Especially after the Abraham Merchant Guild had won a large contract for military supplies with the royal family, the merchants' envy and jealousy had grown even more.

The guild was already quite large, but now, with the support of the royal family, it was as if they had been given wings.

"Yes, it is I. I came to the royal capital after a long time to see if there was any information to be had, but you're all pathetic. I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince's coronation would be held on the street in front of the royal castle four days ago. And yet now you're calling that information 'top-secret,' tsk. How about you all just go farming? You don't seem to have the talent for being merchants."

"That old man, really.... Is he trying to mock us?!"

"Now, now, don't get so angry. I've also brought some good news that will pique your interest."

At Abraham's words, 'good news that will pique your interest,' the merchants' attitude changed. Just a moment ago, the merchants had regarded Abraham as an unpleasant and unsightly person, but his promise of 'good news' clearly meant a story that would make them money.

The merchant who had raised his voice at Abraham immediately put on a merchant's smile and said to Abraham.

"Ahem. As expected of the master of the great Abraham Merchant Guild! To say you will share good news with everyone—!"

"Stop with the useless flattery and just listen quietly. To be honest, I wanted to monopolize this myself, but a high-ranking person told me to share it with several merchants, so I have no choice but to say it."

"A high-ranking person?"

"Yes. ...You know the two women who are in charge of the royal castle's internal affairs these days, right? I heard that they are His Highness Crown Prince Leonardo's wife or concubine. Otherwise, there's no way they could have acquired such immense power."

"W-wife or concubine of the Crown Prince? His Highness the Crown Prince hasn't even gotten engaged yet! How can a royal have a wife or concubine without being engaged?"

"That's why you should just know it as a rumor. Don't go around talking about it and get on the wrong side of the knights. You all know what happened last time when the head of the Doman Merchant Guild complained that the royal family was being too particular about quality and was dragged away by the knights, right? He still hasn't returned."

The merchants each nodded their heads. They all knew well what punishment the 'Doman Merchant Guild's head' had received for implicitly badmouthing the royal family.

Currently, the Plank royal family was wielding absolute power with impunity. Thanks to such a royal family, the merchants were making quite a lot of money in these tough times, but it was also true that their leashes were held by the royal family.

What was surprising was that the royal family, which wielded ruthless power, had the absolute support of the kingdom's people.

That was truly a surprising thing.

"Anyway, there's nothing good for us to gain by talking about the royal family's internal affairs. So don't worry about whether she's the crown prince's concubine or wife or whatever. Don't let the sparks fly to me as well."

"W-we will do so. So what's the good news you have for us? We just need to make money!"

As the merchant asked for the main point, the other merchants also focused more on Abraham.

At the merchants' attention, Abraham spoke as if he really didn't want to share this honey pot, yet had no choice because it was an order from a 'high-ranking person' that he couldn't fulfill alone.

"You know about the pirates that Crown Prince Leonardo recruited from Misty Port, right? And that those pirates are wiping out all the bandits in the kingdom."

"Of course, I know. I heard their performance is incredible."

"I ran into them last time when I went to Zakar Castle in the north of the kingdom. Their scale was quite considerable."

"They call themselves the 'Kingdom's Bandit Army,' I heard."

"So you all know. Anyway, what the high-ranking person instructed me to do is... for us merchants to support them, the 'Kingdom's Bandit Army'. We'll be directly bringing and supplying them with things like food, weapons, and armor."

***

Leonardo's room.

At this time, a little past noon, Leonardo was looking at documents with one hand and eating a sandwich for lunch with the other.

Opposite him was Olivia, who had come to visit Leonardo. The reason Olivia had come to see Leonardo was to give a 'report,' but it didn't seem to be just for that.

Olivia was wearing clothes that were more revealing than what she usually wore.

Seeing as she was wearing clothes she didn't normally wear, there must have been a meaning to it.

However, Leonardo didn't pay much attention to Olivia.

He only asked about the documents she had brought.

"So, you're saying you instructed the merchants to go to the Ingrid Island Pirates and provide them with necessary supplies."

"That is correct. You asked me to think of a way to support those 'righteous bandits,' Your Highness, so I came up with such a plan. I have already spoken to the merchants and told them to be ready to proceed at any time. Recently, they are called the 'Kingdom's Bandit Army'."

"Hmm, yes."

"However, Your Highness. We will need to allocate an additional budget to entrust that task to the merchants. But if we support the Ingrid Island Pirates and drive out the bandits from the kingdom even a day faster, I believe it will be beneficial for the kingdom as a whole."

"An investment, you mean. An investment for the future."

"An investment... yes. I believe there will be other additional benefits if you support the 'Kingdom's Bandit Army,' Your Highness—."

"If Ronak's army eliminates the bandits, the merchants can pioneer new routes, right? Routes that were too dangerous to travel until now because of the bandits, but are much faster."

At how easily Leonardo understood what she was trying to say, Olivia gave an imperceptible smile.

'...Did he read through all those thick documents in just a few minutes? He's truly a man who is easy to talk to. There's never been a man like him.'

Although she thought this, it was actually possible because Leonardo had already seen the content of his meeting with Olivia on his cheat sheet—the Future Diary.

Of course, even without the Future Diary, if he had had a lot of time, Leonardo would have checked Olivia's documents well with his own abilities.

But being able to check Olivia's report in just a few minutes was definitely thanks to the diary.

Tap, tap—.

Leonardo neatly arranged the documents and handed them back to Olivia.

"I think you can proceed as you think, Lady Olivia. You can use the money from the coronation budget to pay the merchants. The coronation will be simple this time anyway."

At those words, Olivia felt something again.

Because she had also intended to use the coronation budget.

'As expected... we think so much alike.'

Olivia almost smiled at the strange feeling.

"Is there anything else? Anything else to report?"

"There is not, Your Highness. Thank you for your time."

"I should be the one thanking you. For working so hard."

Leonardo smiled lightly and gestured towards the door. It was a gesture to leave.

There was no way Olivia wouldn't know the meaning, so she also bowed her head slightly and headed towards the door.

'...I deliberately dressed up because I thought I could be with His Highness for quite a long time. If I had known the report would end so quickly, I wouldn't have bothered dressing up.'

Thinking with a bit of disappointment, Olivia headed towards the door.

"Head Maid, are the preparations for His Highness's coronation going well? If there is anything you need to discuss with me or need help with, I can help."

As if there was still a chance to show herself a little more to Leonardo, she asked Elly.

But.

"Thank you for your offer, but it's alright. I have prepared to the best of my ability."

“……”

"Well then."

Elly opened the door for her. At that, Olivia had no choice but to leave.

'I do feel a little sorry for older sister Olivia....'

Elly knew Olivia's personality well and had become quite close to her.

That's why, as a 'colleague,' she wanted to help Olivia stay with Leonardo for a long time.

But, Elly couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with Olivia being with Leonardo for a long time.

Elly, who had subtly driven Olivia out.

She felt a sense of relief that Olivia had disappeared from Leonardo's sight.

However, she was still in a state of tension due to practical problems.

'The coronation is in a week... the preparations will go well, right? They really have to go well.'

Elly was as nervous as when she had prepared a meal for Leonardo for the first time, no, several times more nervous than that.

***

Time passed quickly, and the day of Leonardo's coronation arrived.

The square in front of the royal castle, where the coronation would take place, had a festive atmosphere, to say the least.

—Come on, come on, sugared fruit so good you'd die for it! There are only 100, so hurry up and get in line!

—A wooden doll of Knight Commander Jereuth for just 10 coppers! The one on horseback is 30 coppers!!

—You can't watch the coronation without one of these! Buy a kingdom flag, quick! Small, medium, large, and extra-large are available!!

—The very food that Crown Prince Leonardo is said to enjoy! Bread, meat, and vegetables eaten together! Watch the coronation while eating the same food as the king!!

Not long ago, the citizens of the royal capital had been anxious and sad about the fact that the former king Philip had died.

But that atmosphere was gone now. Just as most facts are forgotten in a week, the citizens of the royal capital were celebrating the birth of a new king—and a young king who was ruling benevolently for them at that.

As if they couldn't miss this special festival opportunity, merchants were trying hard to sell whatever they could, and the merchants who sold all their goods before the coronation even started were screaming with happiness.

Snort—!

A horse ridden by a junior knight snorted. The horse seemed to be excited by the festive atmosphere as well.

The knight was on patrol to prepare for any potential problems.

'When they said they would hold the coronation outside the royal castle, where all the citizens could see, instead of inside, I wondered what they were thinking... but seeing it like this, it's quite nice. It's good to see people happy. As expected, His Highness had a reason for trusting the Head Maid. She was more capable than she looked.'

Whether the Head Maid intended this festival or not, only she would know.

In any case, her choice seemed to have a good influence on the kingdom.

'That aside... it seems about time to start.'

Just as the junior knight was thinking that.

Creeeak—!

The royal castle gate slowly opened. At that, the knight hurriedly moved his horse to the side, and soldiers began to march out in lines through the open gate.

As the soldiers began to come out of the gate, people's attention turned that way.

Some even cheered for those they knew.

—Ram! Over here, over here! Look over here!

—Big brother!!

—Brother! Brother! Broootheeer!

—Wow, Hans! You look cool!

Generally, the people of the kingdom didn't particularly like the existence of 'soldiers.'

Because they were an armed group that existed to protect the power of those in authority.

But Leonardo's army was different. Most of them were their family, friends, or lovers.

Not only that, but they were the army of Crown Prince Leonardo—now to be king—who cared for them. How could they hate them?

—Ooh... to think soldiers are wearing such fine armor!

—It's the first time I've seen soldiers look so robust.

—It's different from when we were soldiers.

—In my day, it was unimaginable for soldiers to wear helmets....

The elderly. Those who usually stayed at home doing chores and waiting to die also came out of their homes today to watch the coronation.

What was most surprising to those elderly people was the soldiers' armament and complexion. Most citizens had seen the knights and soldiers patrolling around the royal capital, so they knew about the changes in the soldiers early on, but to the elderly who were seeing the soldiers for the first time, it was a surprising sight.

Hundreds of soldiers crossed the central square to create a space.

In a slightly more solemn atmosphere, a group of people began to come out of the royal castle.

Thump— Thump— Thump— Thump—!

The sound of drums that made one's heart pound, as if signaling the start of a campaign, could be heard from somewhere.

Riding out with that drumbeat behind him was the masked crown prince, riding a huge black horse.

The black horse, which looked strong and fierce at a glance, was Kartum.

And, knights in heavy armor on warhorses followed.

Finally, a young girl—Elly, and a woman with a cold beauty whose thoughts were impossible to read—Olivia.

With those two in the lead, officials including Heinshtangl walked out.

Elly was holding a golden crown placed on a luxurious red cushion.

Leonardo slowly rode Kartum to the space created by the soldiers.

As he got off his horse, Elly politely offered him the cushion with the crown on it.

"T-traditionally, the duke, the head of the nobles, places the crown on the new ki-king as a sign of recognition. B-but now there are no nobles... and I th-thought that there was no one worthy of placing the crown on Your Highness. So I hoped Your Highness would decide! Who will place the crown on you...!"

In a solemn and quiet atmosphere, a still-young girl speaks, trying her best. It was a line she had practiced countless times for Leonardo's coronation, but because the attention of everyone was a burden, Elly's voice trembled, and she couldn't even say what she wanted to properly.

'...Why am I trembling like this, for goodness sake. I don't want to be a burden to His Highness.'

Contrary to Elly's worries, the crowd watching the coronation didn't particularly care that her voice was trembling.

All they cared about was the new king wearing the crown.

The crowd watching the coronation thought that Leonardo's right-hand man and hero, Jereuth, would place the crown on Leonardo.

Because his fame, achievements, popularity, and everything else were incredible.

But Elly, Olivia, Heinshtangl, and even Grondar, who was watching Leonardo from a distance holding various snacks, wanted the honor of placing the crown on Leonardo.

—…….

In the brief silence that followed, everyone desired the honor of placing a hand on Leonardo's head.

Soon, Leonardo moved.

Swoosh—.

Leonardo took the crown that Elly was offering.

And then, he silently placed the crown on his own head.

A king who crowns himself.

An act as if to say, 「"The only one who can crown me is me."」

—...Ah.

In the silence, someone's gasp was heard.

That was the king the people of the kingdom wanted.

A strong king.

One who could overcome the difficult times after the war with the demons.

One who could be trusted no matter what crisis came.

Just as Leonardo had shown as the 'crown prince' until now, a 'strong king' who did not tolerate injustice and cherished the people of the kingdom.

The masked king, Leonardo, did not say directly that he would become such a king.

But the people of the kingdom thought so—

—Waaaaaaah!!!!

The crowd erupted in an inexplicable excitement.

The weather was still chilly.

But the sunlight felt not just warm, but hot, to everyone present here, and to everyone in the kingdom.

***

After Leonardo's coronation.

A new king was born, but nothing much had changed inside or outside the royal castle.

Everyone just did their own thing. Daily life had not changed.

But there was one man whose life had changed too much.

It was the junior knight in charge of the recruit training, 'Max'.

***

The office of the 3rd Knight Order's Vice Commander Hagen.

Max asked back to Hagen, who was calmly telling him the thunderous news.

"S-s-s-so... Vice Commander Hagen's words are... H-H-His Highness Leonardo will be enlisting as the next recruit... is what I understood... c-correct?"

"That's right. He will be enlisting as a new recruit next week."

While in charge of recruit training, Max had experienced many things.

How many incidents and accidents must there have been while turning countless greenhorns into 'soldiers' until now?

But even for Max, the fact that the king was coming in as a new recruit was something he couldn't possibly take calmly.

Max certainly had considerable loyalty to Leonardo.

His heart had even warmed while watching Leonardo's coronation.

Even so, Max couldn't help but have such thoughts.

'Why, why is this trial being given to me... Wh-what did I do wrong?'