Idle Talk: Troublesome Prince
Milimos completed his mission and returned.
I received the report in my audience chamber as the king of Nonette, Chollex.
"So, what about Milimos and Alektem?"
"It seems Milimos handed over the equipment the Imperial soldiers had to the research department and went to the well to wash off the dirt from the journey."
Upon hearing the words spoken by my younger brother, who is also the prime minister, Duke Sazdi Avkoro, I blinked my eyes.
"Instead of meeting me, are they going to the research department and taking a bath?"
"Normally, audience meetings are granted in the order of application, so it takes time. Milimos probably thought of making good use of that waiting time and is acting like this."
"Doesn't Milimos know that if the prince requests to meet the king, he can interrupt the order?"
"Hahaha. It's because our youngest brother doesn't need an education to become king, and he has been busy training in magic and combat skills. He wouldn't know about the customs in the castle."
I couldn't help but groan at the mercilessness unique to a younger brother.
"Well, fine. Since Duke Avkoro brought up this matter, it must be Milimos' turn for an audience."
"That's correct, Your Majesty. Shall I invite them in?"
"Of course. Now, let them in and let me see them after completing their mission and growing."
With pride in my heart, I gave permission, and the door to the audience chamber opened.
Leading the way was my own child, Milimos.
Following behind him was Alektem, famous in the army as a fierce warrior appointed as his guardian.
As both of them advanced to the center of the room, they paid their respects to their subjects.
Although Milimos is technically a prince, it is not incorrect for him to show respect to his subjects because of his rank as a marshal.
While considering such evaluations, I was lightly pushed by Sazdi.
I understand. I should speak as the king when necessary.
"Both of you, raise your heads. Now, give a report on your mission."
Upon my command, Milimos and Alektem raised their heads.
Hmm, Milimos. It seems your masculinity has improved in the time I haven't seen you.
It appears that the journey was difficult enough to bring changes to your appearance.
"I present the results of the mission to King Cholex."
I feel a sense of maturity in his voice.
Hmm, hmm. It's delightful to see that he is growing well.
While feeling touched, I listen to Millimos' report.
They departed from the country of Nonette, passed through the country of Mendashium, traveled through the territory of the Magic Empire Magistri-Prumbul, and arrived at a town near the Holy Knight State of Mudou Beniornatal, where the battle took place.
Although there were no particular issues in the story, an unexpected development came up from this point.
"While collecting imperial equipment, I encountered a knight who died protecting Princess Parbera of the Holy Knight State of Mudou Beniornatal. As a token of gratitude for honoring the deceased knight, Alektem, I received this bag containing a dagger and coins."
I couldn't believe my ears upon hearing the report, and I instinctively turned to Alektem, who quietly nodded in response.
It seems that it is indeed true.
Then, Sasudi, who had been quiet until now, spoke as the prime minister.
"Marshal Millimos, may I see that dagger, please?"
"Of course, please take a look. The emblem of the Holy Knight State of Mudou Beniornatal is engraved in the middle of the hilt."
One of the escort knights receives the dagger from Millimos and brings it over here.
Upon examining it together with Sasudi, the emblem of the knight royal family of the Holy Knight State was certainly engraved.
I almost found myself at a loss, but I regained the king's dignity just in time.
"Millimos, what do you think about this dagger?"
"? I'm sorry, I don't quite understand your question. It's a good item, so I'm thinking of using it for everyday purposes."
With this response, it became apparent that Millimos didn't understand the value of the dagger.
It's a natural reaction for a knight or commoner, but it is not acceptable for a member of the royal family.
I consider whether I should explain everything from scratch, but then I remember that Millimos is only twelve years old.
Should I keep this information from them, or should I inform them? I need to discuss it with Sasudi and Alektem.
"...I see. Then, let's return the confirmed dagger. Now, continue with your report."
Following my words, Millimos starts talking about the retrieval of the imperial equipment.
It was shocking to hear that they killed several thieves on the way back, but it was not as surprising as the dagger with the emblem of the Holy Knight State of Mudou Beniornatal.
"――If we can analyze and replicate the armaments entrusted to the research department, it will contribute to the improvement of Nounette's national defense. I can assert that we will be able to easily repel Mendacium when they attack next."
"Yes. I will personally instruct the research department to proceed with the analysis. Milimos, you have done well in your first mission. You may step down. Ah, Alectem, stay here as I have something to discuss."
Milimos appeared surprised by the decision to leave Alectem behind.
However, perhaps not considering it a matter of great concern, Milimos bowed deeply once and then stood up, walking out through the door.
At this point, I also dismissed the escort knights from the audience chamber.
Now, the preparations for the confidential conversation were complete.
I must discuss the matter of the dagger that Milimos received with Sasudi and Alectem.
"That troublesome dagger. I assume both of you understand?"
When I asked to confirm, both of them nodded in response.
"Anyone who possesses a dagger bearing the crest of the Knight King will inevitably have an audience with the Knight King, regardless of the purpose. This fact is equivalent to having the backing of the Holy Knight Kingdom. Even if the intention is not present between the giver and the recipient, it is bound to cause confusion."
Sasudi criticized, but it seemed that Alectem had a different opinion.
"Princess Palbera presented the dagger according to the customs of the battlefield. If we were to reject it thoughtlessly, it could be seen as challenging the 'righteous act' proclaimed by the Knight Kingdom, which would have dire consequences."
"You could have returned it to the knight who came to aid the princess, couldn't you?"
"Just in case, I asked Milimos-sama to leave the room. There was no opportunity for such a thing."
Sasudi, who controls the management of the country, and Alectem, a military-raised individual.
Given their different positions, it was expected that their opinions would clash.
"Both of you, stop. The past cannot be undone. We should now consider whether to inform Milimos about the troublesome nature of that dagger."
"There is no need to inform him. Let's keep it silent."
"Milimos-sama is wise. I believe it would be safer to inform him."
The two of them clashed even here.
"Both of you, explain the reasons for your thoughts."
I appointed Sasudi to speak first.
"If we make use of that dagger, Milimos could become the next king of the kingdom of Nonette. After all, the Holy Knight Kingdom is one of the two major powers that divide the continent. It holds the same value as having a strong backing."
"If Milimos becomes aware of the power of the dagger, will he try to become the next king?"
"I can't assert that there is no possibility."
Sasudi felt that his response was the most appropriate, but it seemed different to Alextem.
"Hahaha! Milimos-sama wants to become the next king, you say? That's hilarious!"
"What's so funny?"
"The Prime Minister laughed because he doesn't know Milimos-sama's temperament. That person has no interest in the throne, let alone finding any value in it."
"...As a prince, he doesn't want to become a king?"
"It may be hard to believe, but once he started using magic without being taught, awakened to divine arts when told to learn swordsmanship instead of magic, became a marshal and obtained equipment from the empire, he became intimate with the princess of the Holy Knight Kingdom. That's Milimos-sama for you. He's not someone who can be measured by us simpletons!"
"If we follow that argument, if we tell him to become king, what is Milimos expected to become?"
"He might create a third giant country following the Holy Knight Kingdom and the Magic Empire. He might even achieve the unification of the continent."
It was a grandiose statement, but Alextem seemed to have taken a liking to Milimos during their journey.
Sasudi, a born and bred military man, seemed undecided on how to treat Milimos due to Alextem's excessive evaluation.
Now, as the king, I must decide whether to let Milimos know the meaning of the dagger or not.
"I understand both of your opinions. And I have decided to let Milimos know the meaning of the dagger. It will be done by Alextem."
"My lord, are you serious!?"
Perhaps it was a great surprise, as Sasudi, even in the middle of work, called me by the title of 'my lord'.
Well then, I, as his brother rather than the king, should speak my words as well.
"Hey, Sasudi. As Alektem says, we cannot predict the movements of Milimos. If you make careless moves without knowing the meaning of that dagger, it may cause a disturbance beyond our imagination."
"If I were to be told, wouldn't that disturbance be avoided?"
"Sasudi is a clever child. If you were aware that the dagger is a kind of dangerous object, you wouldn't recklessly show it off. In fact, on the way back from our journey, you were said to have wrapped it in a rag to conceal it, so that those around us wouldn't notice the splendid craftsmanship of the dagger."
"Well, maybe that's true..."
"I'll tell you this, any further questions or answers are unnecessary. As the king, I have decided what needs to be conveyed."
"I apologize, Your Majesty. As you wish."
Sasudi seemed to have understood and I felt relieved.
I gestured to Alektem, indicating that he should inform Milimos about the matter of the dagger.
"Then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
Alektem bowed and left the audience chamber.
While watching his departing figure, I ordered Sasudi to prepare for the next audience, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Milimos.
Despite not receiving much attention as the youngest child, how could he surpass his siblings and grow the most?
And he's only twelve years old. He still has so much potential.
Truly a troublesome prince, I couldn't help but shrug my shoulders.