Due to the subjugation of the Taboo dragon.
The people, adventurer, and knights hold a feast.
People dancing and drinking.
Praising the light hero who subjugates the Taboo dragon.
Lucy is mad because I didn't get a recognition but...
I said it's alright...
I don't want it... I don't want many people praising me.
So it's alright to give all the credit to Sakurai-kun and Great Sage-sama.
While me and my party drinking...
"Takatsuki-kun, you will be going back to this city called Makkaren, right? Is it okay for me to go with you?" (Aya)
How many times have I heard this...
I guess she's a bit drunk hah...
"Of course—" (Makoto)
before I could answer her questions.
"Obviously! We are a party!" (Lucy)
Lucy said it before me.
So I just reassured her again.
"Looking forward to working with you, Sa-san." (Makoto)
"Takki-dono~, I am also in that party, right~?" (Fujiwara)
"Goshujin-sama, Goshujin-sama, it is rare to see you drunk." (Nina)
According to Nina-san, Fuji-yan was really worried while staying back on his own.
"Oi oi, Fuji-yan, we are partners." (Makoto)
"Ooh! Partners! That sounds nice!" (Fujiwara)
"You really get along well as always." (Aya)
Sa-san laughs.
"By the way, how did the Light Hero-sama defeat the Taboo Dragon? You saw that up-close right, Makoto?" (Lucy)
"Yeah, his sword shone, and then the monster was minced up in an instant." (Makoto)
"Be a bit more detailed…" (Lucy)
"Ah, this pasta is tasty." (Aya)
"S-Sasaki-sama, that's a big plate. You should be taking your share into your own plate to eat." (Nina)
When we were getting decently lively.
The big shot of the Sun Country from before shouted in a loud voice.
"Adventurer of Makkaren, Takatsuki Makoto. Be honored, Princess Noel has words of gratitude to express to you. You are allowed to come forth!"
The adventurers of the Labyrinth City all turned over here at the same time.
Eeh…this really cools down the alcohol in my system…
"The Makkaren Adventurer, Takatsuki Makoto, don't make Princess Noel wait!"
You don't need to call me by my full name each time. I hear you.
"Do I have to go?" (Makoto)
I feel like don't going because of this envoy.
"Of course, you have to!" (Lucy)
"Takatsuki-sama, you must not make a careless mistake." (Nina)
"Do your best~." (Aya)
Sa-san who is gulping down roast beef waves her hand at me.
How should I put this I felt betrayed right now...
I walk with heavy steps towards the place where the knight order and the noble-like bunch are gathered.
I feel like the tables and food are completely different from those of the Hero Bar.
Intricately designed tables, extravagant-looking bottles of wine, and exquisite dishes lined up.
Can I grab a few? All of them look delicious.
"Hey there, Takatsuki-kun." (Sakurai)
"Aah, Sakurai-kun. I was called here for some reason." (Makoto)
"I was talking about Takatsuki-kun to Princess Noel, and she said she would love to have a talk with you." (Sakurai)
So it was your fault...
Well, it can't be helped.
I was brought in front of an elegant woman.
At her side, there's the old man that has been managing this event for a while now.
If I remember correctly, the prime minister counselor?
"You are Takatsuki Makoto, huh. Hmph, that's no attire to have in front of a princess."
"…"
What is this old man saying after calling me here all of a sudden?
Do you think I want to be here?
"What's your profession?"
"…Apprentice mage." (Makoto)
I am a Spirit User, but even if I have the Skill, it isn't accepted as a profession.
So, I speak out the profession that's written in my Soul Book.
"Apprentice, you say?! You are not one of the comrades that came with the heroes from the parallel world?! To think a lowly commoner like you is—"
Well...
This is a different reaction compared to the other people.
I interact before.
"Robert, I called him. Stand back."
At the very least the princess is not haughty.
I heard that she is one of the most influential people from the biggest country of this continent, but she is a lot more straightforward of a person than I imagined
"Yes, my apologies."
The old man named Robert reluctantly takes a step back.
"Nice to meet you, Makoto-sama. I am the Sun Princess, Noel Highland. Your help in the subjugation of the Taboo Dragons was a great achievement." (Noel)
Her clear voice is like a musical instrument and it passed through my ears pleasantly.
She has beautiful blonde hair and big blue eyes.
A princess drawn in paintings was right in front of me.
"I am Takatsuki Makoto. Thank you very much. But Sakurai-kun defeated the Taboo Dragons on his own." (Makoto)
I really don't want to be tied by them...
It's a death flag for me.
"That's not true. It is thanks to Takatsuki-kun that there wasn't a single casualty." (Sakurai)
Looks like my shinigami doesn't want me to leave a peaceful adventurer life huh...
"Oh my, you two get along well." (Noel)
We don't...
but I will just let it be.
"I will be giving you our thanks officially eventually. This time around, it is only for greetings." (Noel)
She speaks like a true Noble.
"Uhm... I am honored to be able to speak with you. (?)" (Makoto)
No good... I'm not really good at this...
And she's giving me an aura that I must get along with her.
Sakurai-kun! Save me!
I glanced at my classmate.
"Princess Noel, he is a skilled mage. How about inviting him to the kingdom as a guest?" (Sakurai)
No! That's not what I was asking, Shinigami-kun.
Read the mood!
"It is rare for Ryousuke-sama to say that. But he is a citizen of the Water Country of Rozes. We would get scolded by Sofia-sama, you know? Isn't that right, Sofia-sama?" (Noel)
ehh, now that she mentions it, she is indeed here.
I glanced for a bit, and there was the princess of Rozes, the Water Oracle, Princess Sofia standing there.
The truth is I don't really have a grudge against her anymore...
Thanks to her I met Noah-sama.
"Yes, he is part of our country. Nice to meet you, Takatsuki Makoto. Thanks for your hard work on this occasion." (Sofia)
"…"
I didn't do it for you though...
This girl, has she forgotten about me?
Well, there's no way a princess would remember the face of each person she has met only once.
"How insolent! You are in the presence of Princess Sofia! Kneel!"
The knight at her side shouted at me.
Aah, it is that guy.
Who pushed me away, when I was just asking the princess to become a believer of their goddess?
and...
Was it wrong to be standing in front of the princess?
I glance at Princess Noel.
"Today is a formality free day", is what Princess Noel says with a smile.
Wow... She's really a princess
compared to the Princess on her side who doesn't show a single smile.
As she continues.
"It is okay, Takatsuki Makoto. I've heard you are an exemplar mage. I will grant you the divine protection of our Goddess. We will welcome you as a mage of our honorable Water Country." (Sofia)
Huh? What is this woman saying?
It's getting on my nerves.
"Be grateful for the generosity of Princess Sofia! I will be wringing you out from today on."
Added this haughty knight who keeps adding fire to my nerves.
…It is starting to piss me off now.
My anger from 2 years ago is coming back up.
"No thanks." (Makoto)
"…What?"
The knight of Princess Sofia draws nearer.
"You bastard, do you understand your own standing?"
You must control it Makoto...
The one you fighting against is noble.
Nothing good will come if you fight against them.
"Takatsuki Makoto, what is it you are unsatisfied about?" (Sofia)
When I heard her saying that...
"2 years ago, when I desperately pleaded to become a believer of the Water Goddess, you didn't even spare me a glance, and yet, this time around you are telling me to become your ally? That's quite shameless there." (Makoto)
Ahh, I can't control myself anymore hahh... Looks like I still have a grudge against her.
I will be executed now?
She's a noble after all.
But it doesn't mean I will wagging my tail to become their subordinate.
"…Could you possibly be…" (Sofia)
Ohh? Looks like she remembers me.
"You bastard! What a way to speak to Princess Sofia! Don't think you can stay in Rozes!"
The knight by her side was threatening me blatantly.
"Then, I will leave. There's no way in hell I would work for the sake of a bunch like you." (Makoto)
Aah, I said it.
(Oh my, Makoto, you are quite quick tempered, huh.) (Noah)
I lack the experience, Noah-sama, and I tried to control myself at the very least you know?
They just pushed me to my limits.
"Oh, Takatsuki-sama. If you don't have a place to go to, you are always welcome in Highland, you know." (Noel)
Princess Noel proposes with a smile.
Princess Sofia at the side is making a displeased expression.
"Takatsuki-kun…if you are troubled by anything, please tell me anytime." (Sakurai)
"Yeah…thanks, Sakurai-kun." (Makoto)
I lowered my head lightly to Princess Noel and Sakurai-kun.
And without meeting eyes with Princess Sofia and the knight at her side, I left the place.
Hmm, did I raise my death flag there? (AN: It's a different flag that you raise.)
Well, I will wait patiently for now...