“Since you were honest with me, I’ll forgive you for trying to use me.”

“Lady Shuria…!”

“And I’ll go to Veltraum too.”

“Are, are you serious?”

Elkin’s face brightened like a sky cleared of dark clouds. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Actually, I was quite interested myself.”

“This is wonderful! You won’t regret it, Lady Shuria! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Elkin grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously. He looked absolutely delighted.

However, an ominous feeling crept into a corner of my heart.

‘…Will Az even allow me to go to Veltraum?’

He had forbidden me from going to the commercial district, saying it was dangerous.

Somehow, convincing Az seemed like it would be much harder than wandering around Veltraum.

Still, well, it’ll work out somehow. I thought positively.

“Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty.”

The Finance Minister who finished his report left the office. Aspeiran checked the time and asked Kiara,

“Kiara, what’s the next schedule?”

“There is a military meeting scheduled at 4 o’clock. You have about 42 minutes until then.”

“I see.”

Aspeiran nodded. Kiara knew well what would follow.

Sure enough, Aspeiran rose from his seat.

“Then I’ll go for a short walk.”

Kiara bowed her head. Canis tried to follow Aspeiran but was held back by Kiara.

Aspeiran glanced at him coldly and spoke.

“I’ll go alone.”

“But, the guard…”

Ignoring Canis’ abandoned puppy eyes, Aspeiran moved on.

It was 3:19 now. Then… the Magic Tower?

Despite saying he would go for a walk, Aspeiran immediately cast a teleportation spell. He arrived at the Magic Tower laboratory in the blink of an eye.

At the sudden appearance of her lord, the Tower Master Romie pouted.

“Oh my, Your Majesty. You came again today. Barging in like this every time without prior notice, I think it would be good to put an extra layer of heart protection magic on myself.”

“If you’re startled enough to have a heart attack at my visit, you must have quite the dirty laundry, huh?”

“Who in the world doesn’t have any?”

At the cheeky answer, Aspeiran clicked his tongue. He took his attention off Romie and walked to the door engraved with a puppy pattern.

Opening the door while magic absorbed the noise, he saw a round back of the head sitting on the sofa, intensely concentrating. A lively tune flowed from the flute she was playing.

A soft smile seeped into the corners of Aspeiran’s mouth. He approached her, muffling his footsteps so as not to disturb Shuria.

Glancing, he saw elephant mice dancing in the small forest beyond the iron bars. Their movements matching Shuria’s playing were quite rhythmical.

Aspeiran leaned against the sofa. The refreshingly bouncy melody sounded just like her laughter. No outstanding performance could make him as delighted as Shuria’s flute playing.

The performance that seemed to last forever ended with Shuria’s “Euk” sound. Shuria muttered while scratching her forehead.

“3 minutes 23 seconds… It’s only 3 seconds, but still an improvement.”

“Yeah, you’re doing well.”

Aspeiran suddenly interjected. Shuria leapt up from her seat.

But this time, the unfortunate event of punching the lord did not occur.

“Your Majesty!”

Her face, pale as if all strength had drained, bloomed brightly. Aspeiran took a few chocolates from the snack box on the floor and handed them to Shuria.

“You’ve been working hard every day, so you’re improving quickly. At this rate, you’ll soon establish a kingdom of monsters.”

“Then I’ll dedicate that kingdom to you, Your Majesty!”

Her giggling face was admirable. Aspeiran tucked her side hair behind her ear and sat on the sofa.

Shuria, who had already devoured three chocolates, chattered away.

“It’s amazing that you came right on time, Your Majesty. I was just wanting to see you.”

“Me?”

She wanted to see him – it made him feel much better.

Aspeiran leaned towards Shuria with his arm resting on the back of the sofa.

“Why?”

“Well, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Oh?”

Whatever her request, he could grant anything for her. Aspeiran readily said,

“Tell me. I’ll give and do anything for you.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Shuria’s eyes sparkled. She covered her mouth with one fist and glanced up at Aspeiran.

“Then, you know, can I accompany the Veltraum expedition?”

…Except for this.

The relaxed strength in Aspeiran’s eyes tensed up.

“That’s nonsense. No.”

“I don’t want to go on a lighthearted trip. As a monster breeder…”

“No, whatever the reason. Veltraum is a place that even normal knights struggle with. I absolutely cannot allow it.”

“If I were going to fight monsters, it would certainly be dangerous. But I’m saying I’ll go along with the exploration. I’ll just look around near the gate…”

“No.”

As the third ‘no’ came out, Shuria shut her mouth tight. Her eyes glinted with gold as if she would never back down.

Aspeiran was a little intrigued by what kind of rebuttal would come back this time. But unexpectedly, Shuria bowed her head deeply.

“…I understand.”

Did she really accept it?

An unsettled feeling swirled at his feet, but it was time to go back now. Aspeiran had no choice but to get up from his seat.

“I’ll get going now. Take care of yourself, eat well, and dress warmly as the weather is getting chilly again.”

“Okay~.”

Shuria’s answering voice was as lively as usual. Aspeiran dismissed his suspicion and turned around.

But he did not know. That Shuria was the type to definitely do what she set her mind to. That her eyes were flashing with determination even now.

And so, the next day, Aspeiran was confronted with Shuria’s attack without any chance to defend himself.

“Your Majesty, Lady Shuria has come to see you.”

“Shuria?”

Aspeiran tilted his head at the attendant’s voice from outside. What brings her at this hour?

Whatever the reason, Shuria’s visit was always welcome. Aspeiran readily answered.

“Let her in.”

As soon as permission was granted, Shuria strode in majestically. She had a bundle of papers tucked under one arm and a wooden easel slung over the other shoulder.

Shuria bowed vigorously at the waist.

“Greetings to you, Your Majesty!”

“What’s the matter? And what’s that?”

“Presentation materials!”

“Presentation? Of what?”

Shuria did not answer. Instead, she set up the easel on the floor and spread the bundle of papers on top of it.

Then she took out the pointing stick that had been tucked into her waist along with her flute, and the preparation for the unidentified presentation was perfectly completed.

Shuria asked Kiara, who had her eyes opened slightly wider.

“Kiara, how much time is left until His Majesty’s next schedule?”

“Ah… You have to go into a meeting in 15 minutes.”

“Then I’ll do it for just 10 minutes for now.”

Nodding her head, Shuria stood facing Aspeiran directly.

Aspeiran crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly. What adorable thing was she up to now?

But the moment Shuria opened her lips, Aspeiran’s composure and curiosity were completely shattered.

“Now, I will explain ‘100 reasons why I have to go to Veltraum’.”

“…What?”

“First, I am a monster breeder. Therefore-”

Bang.

Shuria’s words were cut off by the sound of Aspeiran slamming the desk.

He warned in a heavy voice.

“Shuria, I do not go back on my word.”

“…”

“You can’t go to Veltraum. Go back.”

Aspeiran’s high-pressure gaze.

Shuria’s eyes froze coldly in front of it. After a long silence, she opened her mouth.

“-Therefore, I need to know about monsters better than anyone else.”

“Shuria!”

Even at Aspeiran’s shout, Shuria did not back down. Rather, she approached Aspeiran with steady steps.

“You said no because it’s dangerous, right?”

“…”

“If the monster breeder was someone other than me, would Your Majesty have still not allowed them to go to Veltraum for the same reason?”

Aspeiran’s mouth snapped shut.

Shuria’s words… were right.

If someone other than Shuria had been in the position of monster breeder, Aspeiran would have readily allowed them to go to Veltraum.

Because it was natural for a monster breeder to get close to Veltraum. He would have even praised them for actively taking the initiative.

But Shuria… he didn’t want to send her. He absolutely could not tolerate her being exposed to even a shred of danger.

As if reading Aspeiran’s mind, Shuria calmly conveyed her opinion.

“I think it’s a great honor that you personally worry about me, Your Majesty. But I don’t want to shy away from what I should rightfully do.”

“…”

“You allow others to do what you won’t allow me… It makes me feel guilty, wondering if I have failed to earn your trust.”

“You…”

Seeing Shuria express her hurt feelings with a dejected face made his heart ache.

Aspeiran carefully reached out towards Shuria’s face. But suddenly, Shuria raised her head. Her eyes were twinkling brightly.

“So, from now on, I’m going to keep trying to persuade you, Your Majesty. Even if I can’t earn your trust right away, I can at least convey my sincerity. I’ve prepared 100 reasons for now, so I’ll tell you whenever you have time!”

…?

The conclusion is a bit, strange…?

Shuria, who had captivated Aspeiran’s soul, began to recite the ‘100 reasons why she had to go to Veltraum’ right then and there. And she finished presenting up to the 15th reason 5 minutes before the meeting time and left.

As mentioned earlier, Shuria was the type to definitely do what she set her mind to.

Thus, Shuria really did seek out Aspeiran at every opportunity after that and drilled the ‘100 reasons why she had to go to Veltraum’ into his ears.

For example, when Aspeiran suggested a banquet to appease Shuria.

“24th. There are limitations to gaining knowledge about Veltraum only through books!”

Or when he visited the farm to train the moonlight wolf dog.

“Thir-ty! Se-cond! To wild monsters! Ahh! My ability! Eek! Cutie! Let’s go a bit slower!”

Or even when Aspeiran got off work at 10 PM.

“It’s a wonderful night, Your Majesty! Good work today as well. Now then, the 56th reason is…”

When the reasons passed the 70s, Aspeiran keenly realized that Shuria would never back down.

When she finished all 100 reasons, Shuria would probably bring 100 more reasons.

Now it was time to make a decision.

The next day, to Shuria who came to whisper the lucky 77th reason, Aspeiran raised both hands.

“Okay, I got it. You win.”

“77th… What?”

“You win. I really can’t beat you. I allow it. You can go to Veltraum.”

…Allowed!

Joy gradually filled the round, golden eyes that had been wide open. Shuria spun around on the spot, shouting with delight.

“Thank you, Your Majesty! I promise, I’ll be careful and come back without a single injury!”

“You don’t need to tell me you’ll come back.”

It was a bolt from the blue, like at a wedding. Shuria’s body stiffened like a wooden doll.

“Are, are you going to cast me out completely…?”

“No.”

Aspeiran ruffled his bangs as if he had a headache. But his voice was quite refreshed.

“I’ll go with you.”

Now it was Shuria’s turn to have her soul drift far away.

Oh, Elkin. You know what?

His Majesty cherishes me more than I thought…