It was the day of the coronation of the new emperor of the Helium Empire. The people of the capital took to the streets to celebrate the emperor’s coronation, and festivals were held everywhere.

Nobles gathered to witness his coronation, decorating a page in history. Delina sat in a prominent position, looking at the platform and waiting for one person.

“Emperor Ashd of the Helium Empire is coming!”

Soon, someone announced the emperor’s arrival, and Ashd appeared. Wearing the emperor’s crown, he stood on the platform, and people cheered. Delina also stood there, looking at Ashd, who stood tall in front of many people.

“Wow!”

Dressed in imperial attire, including the crown, Ashd presented a majestic emperor. Delina, gazing at Ashd, trembled with overwhelming emotions.

The square, once filled with people’s cheers and shouts, was now serene. Laughter and smiles of the people replaced the earlier commotion.

Delina looked at Ashd and then glanced at four other individuals. Those who would lead the empire with Emperor Ashd were gathered in one place. Delina’s face lit up with a bright smile as she looked at their dependable figures.

And at that moment, a window appeared before Delina.

“What’s this? We spent so much time together, and you suddenly do this?”

Still, Delina, who had developed an affection for the window over the years, spoke as if talking to a friend and chuckled. In fact, Delina had vaguely felt it for a few days now. Every time she opened the window, it seemed to blink as if it would disappear soon.

Moreover, since the original goal was to achieve peace in the Helium Empire, it was within the expected range for her abilities to disappear after achieving the goal.

“It was a talkative and quirky ability, but… still, thank you. Thanks to it, I could come this far.”

Delina watched the disappearing window and raised her finger.

“But before you go, I’ll use you once more.”

As Delina used her ability, iridescent papers and flower petals began to flutter around people. People looked in awe at the spectacle. Then someone shouted.

“Look over there, near Emperor Ashd…!”

Around Ashd, star-like lights sparkled, floating around him. As if celebrating his coronation, the lights illuminated Ashd’s surroundings.

“Long live Emperor Ashd!”

As the situation unfolded, people began to shout loudly in Ashd’s direction. Everyone focused on Ashd, but some knew who had created this unbelievable phenomenon. They looked at Delina. Meeting their gaze, Delina smiled brightly.

After the coronation, people returned to their respective places. Delina, too, was riding in a carriage with Belion to return to the Grand Duchy. As if the fervor of the coronation hadn’t subsided yet, Delina, looking out the window at the capital, turned her head.

“Wasn’t today’s coronation truly impressive?”

“…”

“Surely… Ashd will become a great emperor. And the other children will serve Ashd dutifully.”

“That’s right.”

Belion also agreed with Delina’s words. Then Delina raised the corners of her mouth.

“Then, you should be more pleased, shouldn’t you? The children sponsored by His Majesty have grown so splendidly.”

“I am pleased; this is my way of showing it.”

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

Despite wearing a mask and seemingly having a range of expressions, Belion remained stoic. Delina, who had been chuckling, hesitated before speaking.

“Uh, Your Majesty. I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

“Well… I’m going to retire as a jester now.”

“…”

“Due to some circumstances. I can no longer use the jester’s skills. So, I’m thinking of retiring now.”

“Does that mean the skills used during the coronation were the last?”

“Yes. In essence, that performance was my final act as a jester.”

Belion quickly responded to Delina’s jester retirement story.

“Do as you wish.”

“Yes. Actually, Your Majesty, I thought you might say that. Um, but… if I retire as a jester, our sponsorship relationship will practically end, won’t it?”

Since Delina was receiving sponsorship from the Grand Duchy as a jester, naturally, retiring as a jester would sever their relationship. Belion’s response this time was swift as well.

“It doesn’t matter. If you want, you can stay as long as you want.”

“…Yes.”

“Whether you retire or not, to me, you are the only jester, and that won’t change in the future.”

Despite sounding like a casual remark, Belion’s eyes were very earnest. Delina raised the corners of her mouth.

“It seems I might not be able to escape from being a jester until I die.”

“Of course.”

“Yes. Well, as long as I can continue to stay in the Grand Duchy, anything is fine.”

Somewhere along the line, Delina felt that she and Belion had moved beyond the relationship of a sponsor and a sponsored performer. However, she didn’t reveal that thought, suspecting it might be her solitary idea. But hearing Belion’s response, a smile kept appearing on her lips.