Even if my only strength is water magic, having modern knowledge should be sufficient, right?

Episode 41: The King’s State of Mind and Boss’ Choice

(The King’s Perspective)

——Lately, I’ve been thinking about Frim all the time.

She’s in a politically precarious position. While the nobles are making a fuss, I can’t take my eyes off the daily reports. She’s revered for imparting new recipes to Chef Rorai, and her life in the lower town is brutal… it’s unbearable to read about.

I wonder if not using the name I came up with is for safety reasons, or perhaps due to skepticism like “Is it really her?”… or maybe it’s because there’s a part of me included in it? She might think it’s my fault that her parents, who were my escorts, died. The Lucarim family, her ancestral home, is hostile enough to directly vent their grievances at me, and it’s common for children to lean towards their parents’ or family’s views and words. I want to treat her as well as possible for trying to help me at the risk of her life… but it’s difficult. That girl, who hasn’t contracted with spirits yet, already possesses immense power, and if she becomes hostile, I may have to kill her with my own hands someday. It’s headache-inducing to think about her future.

*Sigh…*

The sighs overlapped. I was reading the reports, but her situation was terrible. The Prime Minister had more wrinkles on his forehead than usual.

Even if I try my best to protect her, if she secretly resents me for knowing the circumstances… it would be difficult for Grandpa too. She’s not at fault at all, and it’s a joy just to see her alive, but I don’t know what she really thinks. There’s a chance she might resent me, especially considering that I’m the cause of it all. When I asked others who had tried the protection magic, they claimed to have been spoken to by ghost-like entities. One of the attendants, who initially volunteered for the experiment, ended up having to deal with a ghost-like entity for the rest of his life… I feel guilty for making him, a coward, experience such a thing.

The reports from Ael, who I ordered to monitor Frim, mention that she also has some childish aspects, indicating her behavior. Although it’s a mystery why she’s treated like a god by Chef Rorai, there have been reports of peculiarities in her use of magic. The report mentions that she has a probing side… but considering her upbringing in the rough life of the alley, it’s understandable. If it were me, I might launch attack magic at me, who is partially responsible.

Yet she risked her life to save me. With a body as light as wings…

Indeed, one might say she’s a child of those two, or perhaps it’s because of Rula’s protection, but despite her small stature for her age, her magic surpasses those who have contracted spirits… Her final explosion was truly terrifying. Everything in my field of vision was engulfed in flames separated by water, and Frim and I were thrown around like toys.

—Even though she knows I’m the king, she didn’t seem to harbor any resentment towards me.

“Don’t adopt that posture as if I’m about to say something.”

“…But I’ve heard that nobles sometimes kill commoners just for fun.”

I couldn’t bear to see her curled up on the floor like that. I don’t want to be associated with those foolish nobles who do such things.

“You don’t need to show me respect in any situation.”

“Can you write that down or something? If it’s just verbal, the other nobles around might end up killing me.”

“…Understood. Lift your head. Or maybe this is faster.”

I tried lifting her up. It’s the first time I’ve carried a child like this, but it’s surprisingly not bad.

I had Ael teach her magic for her sake. What happened in the training ground was shocking. She caused significant indentations in sturdy walls with water magic. Moreover, although she claims it’s water magic, it seems she spewed flames. Perhaps a renowned sage is possessing Frim and offering advice. Her popularity is considerable, with even assassins among her admirers, some of whom are named magic users. She single-handedly defeated six people and become a true hero awarded with medals. Moreover, rumors have it that she’s being hailed as a sage of the four attributes, and gifts are piling up like mountains.

…Ael seems more likely to follow Frim than me.

Considering Frim’s popularity, a new plan came to mind. I can’t force her future, but if this plan works out, her future might turn out well. It might even become a move that could change the fate of this country… It’s a terribly impulsive idea. Frim only had that one dress she used to treat my wounds. Her cloak and nightwear were torn in that battle, and she was about to return in some strange cleaning clothes, so I stopped her and gave her slightly better clothes before sending her back to her employer.

If things go well, she’ll come back here, but… I wonder what will happen.

—

(Return to Frim’s Perspective)

“I’m home, Boss!”

“It’s good that you’re safe… First, have some water! We’ll talk after that!”

Boss insisted on water, so I poured some. Bursa seemed very reluctant to speak. Understandable. Frim-chan was nothing but rags for a while, even though Boss had told me to return without a scratch.

I poured water for Forblin and Bursa too, but Boss ended up drinking Bursa’s share.

“Another one, please.”

“Sure.”

After that, Boss would be faced with a decision, and I just hoped he’d stay in a good mood like this. I reported everything that happened: being detained for a long time because of people from the country, being instructed by someone from the main Druggen family, fighting assassins, using the dress and blowing up buildings in battle, causing Bursa’s dagger to rust because the building it were in got blown away… I reported everything, even the things that might anger him. Forblin praised how amazing I was from the side, and Dugga became even happier.

“It seems they found out my name. It’s Fleemis Tanana Raym Lucarim.”

“Fleemis.”

“It’s Fleemis. But I go by Frim.”

“Lucarim!!? And Tanana and Raym!?”

This is where it begins. My future depends on what Boss decides. Forblin promised to protect me no matter what happens here, but it’s still scary. It’s too much of a big deal for Boss. It could even become such a big disaster that it would determine Boss’ future—whether for better or for worse.

“―――Is someone trying to deceive us?”

Boss, who had been happily nibbling on meat while listening to the report, suddenly looked serious.

“It comes with documents from King Obeiros and Prime Minister Regeria… So, Dugga. I have a proposal for you. It’s an important matter.”

“Forblin, is it a terrible matter?”

It’s a crucial matter that also affects Boss’ future, not just mine. Bursa was bowing his head in silence.

“No? It’s actually the best news for you. I’d be happy if you accept the proposal.”

“…What is it?”

“Dugga, how about becoming a knight?”

Forblin is a hearty person, but he’s not suited for recruiting. He just blurted out the entire proposal without any preamble.

“―――…Is this a joke?”

“No, depending on you, you could become a baron right away. How about it? Want to become a knight? Or maybe even a vassal?”

“Forblin, I have no idea what you’re talking about… Bursa, Frim, explain in detail.”

Yeah, I heard the story first, and I think it’s a pretty big deal. Boss, who clawed his way up from the slums after being driven out of noble society, is becoming a baron. What a remarkable rise to success.

The reason behind this is that I “have the blood of a prestigious water family” and have become “extremely famous,” so there’s a desire to “use me as a banner.”

The current head of the Lucarim family, my actual home, has gathered people from the diminished water noble families for the succession to the throne. The current head of the Lucarim family has been supporting the late king’s brother and hasn’t been on the winning side. The throne was bestowed upon Chaltoru, and many from the current Lucarim family want to defect.

And so, my parents had the bloodline to become the standard-bearers because they were descendants of the four prestigious water families. The former prominent water families were the four: “Lucarim,” “Tanana,” “Raym,” and “Levias.” While there are many families that use water magic, even if they are not considered prestigious, these four families have been the prestigious lineage of water magic for generations.

My father was born from the marriage between the youngest son of the Lucarim family and the daughter of the Tanana family, and my mother had some blood ties to the Levias and Raym families, but her grandfather from the Levias family was in conflict with the Raym family. I don’t know the details, but apparently, both of them didn’t get along with their families and chose to become knights freely.

My father was working as a guard for King Chaltoru due to a demotion or rather a transfer, and even though they weren’t married during the succession to the throne, I was born.

Frim-chan was purebred. Even though she was struggling for food in the slums.

I feel sorry for my parents whom I’ve never seen, but I think, “Noble society is too complicated.” Anyway, it seems like there’s something about Frim-chan that attracts people to her. There have been rumors about exploiting the Lucarim heiress, but officially, my existence hasn’t been announced yet. Without any backing, if I were to appear in noble society, I could easily be killed by the main Lucarim family.

―――So, the king decided to increase an unavoidable force.

However, if we were to establish power all of a sudden, we lack both people and money… That’s where Boss comes in. There are enough people with magical abilities in this gambling den, and there’s enough savings from doing business with nobles. If Boss supports me, he can become a noble, and I can become the palanquin to establish power. I would also receive a title myself… and establish a major force under the king’s command. I wish I could have quietly run a shop instead…

“―――…Can I decide what to do?”

“Of course!”

If we go through with it, Boss will bet all the money he’s saved on me. If things go well, both status and honor will belong to Boss Dugga. The country ordered the boss to support Frim, but I don’t want him to become a “guy who kills his former subordinate’s boss” like Pakis. Forblin suggested becoming a knight, but how to support me is up to Boss. Whether it’s just financial support or full-fledged assistance.

“The fate of Dugga rests on us now! Isn’t it great that we’ve come this far?!”

Forblin says it loudly, but Boss has a serious expression. If Boss hadn’t done anything… If we hadn’t accumulated enough power to be called a force like this, this kind of crazy plan wouldn’t have been possible. I also think it’s strange to have an anti-social organization as subordinates, but if I become the leader, I can make them stop their ruthless behavior.

“It’s regrettable for Frim, but I think Dugga should refuse.”

… Bursa, who had remained silent, seemed to oppose it.