kscans

Chapter 26 - The Neighboring Forest and the Little Person, Part One

"The reply came, Chihiro."

About half a month had passed since then. According to the reply that finally arrived from the neighboring country of Flawers, she was free to do as she pleased within the wilderness area. Of course, this was under the watch of their soldiers. It seemed that records of Frontier royalty occasionally visiting the forest existed in the neighboring country as well, and they had expressed a formal welcome.

"So it’s okay?"

"...Diplomatically, yes. We don’t know what they’re thinking on the inside."

Romel wore a troubled expression.

Flawers to the east was a country known as the land of technology. It had many mountainous regions and few plains. In turn, it was a country that produced a large amount of ore. Due to its geography, it had little greenery and much of its land was desolate, so agriculture did not fare well, and it relied on imports from other countries for most of its food supply.

The leading source of those imports was Frontier.

In other words, it was as if Frontier held the lifeline of its people in its hands. That was why His Majesty the King had said they would not likely try anything reckless. Still, his worries seemed endless. He gave Chihiro all sorts of detailed warnings, and though she grew tired of them, she was thrilled about the journey to a place she did not know.

So, the land of technology. I hope we can stop by a town somewhere. It’s my first time in a country other than Frontier.

To grant Chihiro’s wish, a small itinerary was arranged, including an inspection of the surrounding towns after visiting the forest in the wilderness, for a stay of about five days, excluding the travel time to and from. Perhaps because the forest was sustained by the faint magic flowing from Frontier, there were small farming villages around the wilderness. As they were also a friendly nation with a technology sharing agreement, it was said that Frontier would provide agricultural technology support to those villages. In return, it seemed Flawers provided priority support with tools. Frontier had few mines. It imported parts for carriages, water wheels, and all sorts of tools from Flawers. It seemed to be a good relationship where they complemented each other’s deficiencies.

"That said, please do not let your guard down. If a single child were to be abducted, they would likely claim no involvement."

If they were welcoming her as a state guest, that would be one thing, but if she visited for an inspection on her own and was abducted on her own, it would be outside their scope of responsibility. It was possible they might use that to plot something untoward. That was what Dolphen said.

"On the other hand, if we were to be treated as state guests, we would have to inspect many towns and participate in ceremonial events. The stay would become incredibly long. We want to avoid that," Romel said, and Chihiro agreed.

Once her business was done, she wanted to do a little sightseeing and then head straight back.

《In short, it will be fine as long as my children are around the king.》

At Queen Merda’s words, everyone smiled wryly.

In the end, the problems surrounding Chihiro were solved by the escort of the child honeybees. All that was left was to peacefully complete the journey, and it would be perfect.

But no matter how smoothly the preparations went, there was always someone who would fly off in an unexpected direction.

"Why only Chihiro? Am I not the next king? Should it not be I who goes?"

Raising his voice in protest was Wilfe. Hearing that Chihiro was going to inspect the neighboring country, he had appealed directly to His Majesty the King, saying that he wanted to go as well.

"This is not for play. Chihiro is going for her work as the Golden King. As the next in line, you are aware of the story of the Golden King, are you not?"

Wilfe recalled the history of Frontier he was currently studying. The Golden King who founded Frontier. It was said that he became the master of the Forest Masters and used his great power to create this prosperous country. He then became the first king, and those with the same golden hair and golden eyes as him began to be born into the royal bloodline. Those with golden hair and golden eyes possessed golden magic, were able to communicate with the Forest Masters, and could command them. This was called the Golden King. It was said they were born only very rarely, but Wilfe had also heard that in this generation, it was Chihiro.

Next to the pensive Wilfe, his attendant smiled wryly.

"His Highness has not yet studied the part about the pilgrimage. I have explained it to him, but he seems unable to accept it."

As the attendant hesitated, Romel, who was standing by the king’s side, turned a sharp gaze on him.

"There is nothing to accept or not accept. It is enough to understand that the Golden King is the absolute authority in Frontier. Not even His Majesty the King can give them orders. To do so would mean the ruin of the country."

"The ruin of the country?" Wilfe’s eyes widened in shock.

Giving a magnanimous nod, the king looked at his son with a sincere gaze.

"That is correct. The Golden King and the King of the Palace are completely different. The Golden King is not the king who rules a country, but the king who rules the world. They cannot be an evil person. They are one who can watch over the world wisely, intelligently, and calmly. That is the Golden King. One who all Forest Masters revere as their lord. The Golden King travels to visit the forests in order to form that pact."

"This is not the kind of playful trip you are imagining. Do you understand?"

Romel, knowing that Chihiro was thrilled as if it were a trip, deliberately emphasized that it was not for play here. In reality, it was not for play, but such a small child had to do it. If she could enjoy it, all the better. Romel did not want to dampen Chihiro’s enthusiasm.

"If you understand, then you may leave. Be sure to apply yourself diligently to become the King of Frontier."

Seeing Wilfe off with a gentle smile, the moment the door closed, the king muttered resentfully.

"If I could go with her, I would be the one to go."

"You endured that well. I commend you for it."

With that, Romel patted the king’s head.

For a moment, the king was dazed, but the movement of the hand was pleasant.

"It feels nice even as an adult."

"Yes. I have recently learned that myself."

Chihiro would pat the always-tired Romel’s head with words of appreciation.

‘You're working so hard. That’s amazing.’

‘Are you tired? Are you okay?’

‘Thank you for everything.’

Being praised and patted on every occasion, Romel had become completely smitten with the little person. This was a share of that.

People are creatures who can only give back what they have received. Romel was spreading the kindness he had received to those around him.

And by receiving kindness from Romel in this way, the king would surely want to be kind to someone else too.

And so the little person’s kindness gradually permeated the royal palace.

"Well then, shall we go?"

A few days later, Chihiro departed for the neighboring country of Flawers in a carriage. Inside the carriage were Chihiro and Dolphen. Adoris was there as well, and in the spaces between them were Pochiko-san and five other honeybees. Adoris was in charge of meals. Considering the possibility of camping overnight, they had prepared equipment for that as well. The king and Romel had wanted to attach more luggage and attendants, but Chihiro, with her modern sensibilities, had refused, saying that a large group would only create inconvenience.

Adoris murmured as he looked with admiration at the honeybees sitting quietly in the carriage.

"They’re quite cute once you get used to them."

"Right? Ah, so soothing."

A very satisfied little person, hugging the fluffy Pochiko-san. Dolphen and the others, their faces softening at the sight, found honeybees clambering onto their laps. The cute honeybees tilted their heads and looked up.

《Will you pet us? Will you?》

The eyes say more than words.

I think I'm hearing things. What is this? This cute creature. Is it tempting me? Am I being tempted?

Dolphen and Adoris exchanged glances, their eyes fixed and intense. After a small nod to each other, the two began to pet the honeybees that had climbed onto them. Their faces were spectacularly failing to hide their doting expressions.

Hehehe, cute is a universal language.

Outside the carriage were ten escort knights.

Unaware that the knights riding alongside them were watching from the window, the honeybees created a soothing space inside the carriage. The knights riding alongside smiled wryly, but decided in their hearts that they too would pet the honeybees during a break.

Cuteness is justice. No objections will be accepted.

Unaware of the unanimous opinion, the little person’s journey began. Surrounded by cuteness, the little person is full of energy again today.