NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 151
Of course, the princess must have recognized me from the very start and treated me that way right from the beginning.
As soon as I said that, she came rushing into my arms, tears streaming down her face, proving my point.
So it seems I’ve been in a half-dead state for over ten years now.
Huh.
So that means I’m already over 30 years old.
…Ah, my youth, which has flown away in its entirety.
Perhaps now she’s feeling a bit satisfied, as the princess has gradually pulled away from me.
Maybe it was an action she couldn’t control herself; it would be better to give her some time to gather her thoughts, filled with embarrassment.
“…You’ve finally regained your memory, Tanton.”
But still, our strong princess.
She fought through her embarrassment and started speaking in her usual voice.
“Yes.”
“That means you’ve also been to Lintpia, right?”
As I nodded in response to her words, the princess gave a slight sad smile.
“…Since Tanton died, the world has truly changed. My sister’s rampage caused a downpour of snow, and humans became disappointed and hateful toward the Divine Race. That’s why I ended up living in Rondan, in the outer regions. My mother told me to do that.”
Demeter’s judgment was wise.
To incite hatred against outsiders just because of the profession of Hunter; they wouldn’t have left the half-divine princess alone, would they?
No matter how overwhelming her vitality was compared to any other being, she wouldn’t have been able to withstand a continuous onslaught of violence.
“Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness. Without you, the Empire would have already fallen.”
“No, Tanton. It’s thanks to your sacrifices—before you lost your memory and after.”
The princess said this and, for some reason, blushed slightly.
My sacrifice.
I had only done what I was supposed to do.
I wasn’t being humble.
It wasn’t that anyone in such a situation would have done the same.
At least I thought that if I hadn’t acted in that situation, I would’ve been left with deep regret.
Rather, it was impressive that the princess had gone on without complaints even after such an unnecessary burden suddenly fell onto her.
“Tanton, I have a favor to ask. Will you listen?”
“Sure, let me hear it.”
“…Couldn’t you just agree to it without asking?”
“It might be a request I can’t handle, that’s why.”
“Then I won’t say it.”
What’s this?
Why is she acting so childish all of a sudden?
Now I want to hear it even more since she’s being like that.
Well, I mean, I was planning to grant any request anyway.
After all, the princess had been through so much.
She probably hadn’t received praise or rewards from anyone, so it felt right for me to give her something, right?
So, pretending to ponder, I smiled brightly and said.
“Alright. I will grant any request that I can.”
Upon hearing my words, the princess approached me with a somewhat joyful smile.
What’s this? Is she about to ask for a hug again like before?
And before I even realized it, it happened in the blink of an eye.
“…?!”
The princess threw her arms around my neck.
Since she had already tensed her arms, there was little I could do to pull away.
Her face was getting closer.
I felt something soft brush against me.
For a moment, I was so flustered that I thought, “Aren’t my lips sort of the property of everyone by now?”
But the princess pulled her lips away and wore a delighted expression.
“…From that day on, I’ve thought only of you. You saved me, almost to the point of death, even committing a serious crime in the process, all while being willing to sacrifice yourself for the Empire. From that, I felt a vitality different from mere life.”
Ah.
Wait a second.
While being willing is one thing,
This is an accident.
“I thought you wouldn’t regain your memory, so I was trying to subtly woo you, but since you’ve remembered, I won’t be ambiguous anymore.”
The princess pointed at me with a mischievous smile.
“Leydan Tanton, it’s the royal command. You must become my husband.”
Hmm.
Yeah.
Things have really gone haywire.
#
Yeah, well.
It’s become so normal for my head to swell and feel like it’s about to explode every time such things happen.
Right now, it’s fine since they aren’t manifesting directly in this world, but I have no clue what to do when they start roaming these streets later.
For now, since it seemed the princess was done with her business, she pushed me out, and I started to think it was time to get my tasks underway.
Just loading up on combat power wouldn’t cut it—otherwise, Napoleon wouldn’t have lost the war against Russia.
The most important thing is strategizing; the next most important thing is the presence of knights.
Leaving the death of knights aside.
Since Demeter has also joined this war, that part is pretty much settled.
As long as we can save them before they die, that’s what matters.
So, I decided to go find Sintol first.
#
So, what you’re saying is, you want me to make weapons for all the knights from now on?
“Yes. Please.”
“Get lost, you punk. You expect me to mass-produce for you when I’ve got a million unqualified people piling in? Go find another blacksmith.”
Ugh, it really isn’t easy.
Honestly, I barely got my own weapon after begging and pleading for it.
Maybe this is unavoidable.
I suppose there’s no option but to try asking one more time and come up with other plans.
“Can you not? All our forces are gathered to take down the Giant of the Snow Mountain.”
“Not needed. That cursed Giant of the Snow Mountain is going to die soon anyway, so what’s the point?”
True.
I can understand Sintol’s position.
War inevitably incurs casualties on both sides.
By the time one reaches Sintol’s age, they would prefer to live a relatively peaceful life rather than endure such losses.
In that sense, telling me to go find another blacksmith is reasonable.
But it had to be Sintol’s weapon.
Currently, Sintol was the only blacksmith capable of making weapons on the level of what can come out of the armory.
At this rate, I might as well have to think about how to manipulate the armory to produce weapons.
“Hey, old man!”
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.
Sintol frowned immediately upon seeing the owner of the voice.
“Another damn punk has shown up.”
“No, I asked you to do me a favor! Why does your answer differ between the front and back?!”
“Shut it. I told you to handle it yourself; when did I say I’d do it?”
“Isn’t that the same thing?!”
The voice belonged to none other than the God of War.
Huh.
How did he know to come here?
When I sent him a questioning look, he simply gave a thumbs-up and smiled.
“Come on, just do it once. Are we really having this kind of talk?”
“Our relationship is as frozen as the ice itself.”
“If you keep this up, I won’t see you again?! I’ve helped make many weapons for you….”
“Shush, you’re noisy. Alright, if you want me to make those stupid things, then fine.”
Wow.
It’s true that nothing beats sheer persistence.
As the God of War pouted at Sintol like a child, Sintol wore a long-suffering expression and agreed to fulfill my request.
However, there was a surprising twist to all of this.
“You two need to fish out some awareness while you’re at it.”
Sintol said that while hurriedly placing the equipment he had been moving onto the table.
Now I see, he was gathering iron and materials to make the weapons.
Could it be that while he verbally declined, he secretly planned to make them for me?
How do I deal with this tsundere old man?
“Old man, you should fix that gruff way of speaking. Why do you smile at me but act so tight with everyone else?”
“When you’re done here, get lost. I’m busy.”
Sintol’s tone grew increasingly annoyed, forcing both the God of War and me to retreat.
Staying any longer felt like it would hurt even more than taking a hit.
Once we got outside the blacksmith workshop, the God of War suddenly broke out laughing.
As I looked at him in confusion, he suddenly patted my shoulder and leaned his face close.
When I raised an eyebrow at him, he beamed a content expression.
“So, you regained your memory?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then I can finally say this.”
The God of War handed me something with a smile.
It looked like some kind of note.
Taking a rough glance at it, I realized it was a letter.
“Thanks for the headbutt back there. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve caught a lot more outsiders.”
“…?”
Headbutt?
The only person I’d knocked out like that was the Deputy Director of Lintpia.
Huh.
Wait a second…!
“I have to deal with supplies now, so I’m off!”
The God of War quickly dashed away after saying his piece.
As I stared at his retreating figure, I found myself feeling somewhat nostalgic.
I unfolded the note the God of War handed me.
<Please take good care of my daughter.>
Hmm.
I get the intention, but…
It’s like pouring lava on a burning house.