Book 1 Chapter 755

755.

The rear mountains of Deang, the capital of Debian, where a cold wave has hit.

Here was a vast hot spring, usually open to commoners.

Normally, this place would have been crowded with people for short family trips or vacations.

However, with the civil war and the sudden cold wave, the hot spring turned into ice water, cutting off people's visits.

It was there that students from Lumern and Seirun, dispatched to Debian, had settled.

Leo was looking out the window from his room.

Outside, students gathered in the outer garden were engrossed in their respective training.

Beyond training, Lumern and Seirun students were actively interacting.

Perhaps because human culture was popular in elven society?

Seirun was particularly earnest in their interactions with Lumern students.

The number of Seirun students was significantly larger than Lumern's, most of whom were first and second-year students.

This was in contrast to Lumern, who had brought only the elite, excluding first-years.

‘Indeed. We came to find a fragment of Erebus.’

Unlike Lumern, who was prepared for the worst, Seirun seemed to view their intervention in the civil war as a form of field trip.

‘In a way, this might be what Luna wanted.’

Interacting with various races and learning about the world.

For a mage, these are crucial virtues.

Considering the elves' reclusive nature, the popularity of human culture was not necessarily a bad thing.

‘Well, the lack of moderation is definitely a problem.’

Thinking so, Leo looked towards the group of Seirun female students.

There, Abad was talking with the elf students with his characteristic troubled smile.

Abad, still considered a candidate for Lumern's best-looking man.

Even in past exchange matches like the Ruse Battle, Seirun students would often blush.

At the time, due to the elves' inherent pride, no students actively approached him, but now they were openly showing their affection.

Not just Seirun.

Abad had always been popular in exchange matches with other schools.

"It must be nice to be popular."

Leo chuckled.

Knock-knock-

"Come in."

As soon as Leo finished speaking, the door creaked open slightly.

Eiran, peeking her face in, appeared.

"E-Excuse me."

As she cautiously entered the room, Chen Xia and Chloe followed.

They were the members Eiran often hung out with when she stayed in the same dormitory as a visiting exchange student at Lumern.

"What's up? All of you."

"Eiran lost something and needs your help."

Chloe's explanation made Leo look confused.

"What did you lose?"

"I haven't heard that yet. Eiran, what did you lose?"

In response to Chloe's question, Eiran fidgeted with her fingers and said.

"It's… a very important book… I mean…"

"An important book? Is it a magic book?"

At the mention of a book, Chloe's blue eyes lit up with her characteristic intellectual curiosity.

In contrast, Chen Xia's black eyes were filled with suspicion.

"Eiran, you're not asking us to find a novel you enjoy reading, are you?"

"N-no! It is a novel… but! I wouldn't ask Lord Leo to find something like that!"

Eiran exclaimed, flustered.

"A novel? What novel?"

When Chloe looked puzzled, Chen Xia said.

"An erotic novel."

"What?"

Chloe's expression was dumbfounded, and Eiran, with a tearful face, tried to cover Chen Xia's mouth.

However, if it were Lunia, whose physical abilities were inferior to Eiran's.

Blocking Chen Xia's mouth was extremely difficult.

Eiran was instead restrained by her wrist, subdued by Chen Xia.

"His rough palm caressed my soft belly…"

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

Eiran let out a scream close to agony, drowning out Chen Xia's voice.

'Berkia and Bihard used to tease each other like that often. Beria was usually the one on the receiving end, though.'

"Chen Xia. Stop teasing her."

"Yes~"

Chen Xia readily replied to Leo's words and released Eiran's hand.

Eiran, her ears red, shivered her shoulders.

"So? What exactly do you want me to find?"

"Well… I've been doing some creative writing… My novel has disappeared."

"Disappeared? How?"

"I guess… it was confiscated…"

Seeing Eiran shifting her eyes, Leo knew who had confiscated it.

"That guy?"

"…Yes."

The "guy" Leo was referring to was Lisinas.

"Why did that guy confiscate it?"

"…"

"I won't be able to find it if I don't know."

At Leo's words, Eiran rolled her eyes and then squeezed them shut.

"It's… a story about Lord Kyle and Lady Luna…"

"What? Eiran! Did you seriously write a strange novel about Lord Kyle and Lady Luna?!"

"If you are too focused on your own desires, you will be punished by heaven."

Chloe exclaimed in horror, and as Chen Xia spoke seriously, Eiran looked tearful.

"It's not like that! It's not a strange novel, it's just a romance novel!"

Seeing that, Leo clicked his tongue.

'No matter how strange Eiran's reading tastes are, she wouldn't write that kind of novel.'

Then it must be a normal romance novel.

'Was that guy paying attention to something like that?'

Ring-! Ring-!

At that moment, the magic communication crystal in the corner of the room began to vibrate.

When Leo approached and touched the crystal, the face of a middle-aged man appeared.

[It has been a long time, are you well, Your Majesty?]

"It has been a long time."

[I am now your subject. Please refrain from using honorifics.]

It was Sis Zigmar, the captain of the Tussen Knights, who were the knights of the now-defunct Tungen Kingdom and effectively managed the Resenteng region.

During the previous winter break, when Leo inherited the Resenteng region, Sis Zigmar naturally followed Leo, who was of Tungen royal blood.

Nodding at Sis Zigmar's request not to use honorifics, Leo asked.

"Is the coronation preparation going well?"

[Yes. It is being prepared steadily. When you come here after Lumern's summer vacation ends, Your Majesty will become the rightful owner of Resenteng.]

"That's fast."

[Fast?]

Sis's expression became serious.

[Originally, you should have ascended the throne and declared the New Archi Kingdom last winter break! It's far too late!]

Seeing Sis with a genuinely resentful expression, Leo clicked his tongue.

Chen Xia, who had been listening to their conversation, said.

"Wow, so after summer vacation ends, do we have to call you 'Lord Leo' as 'Your Majesty'?"

"Hmm… A king. It feels like it will be very awkward."

"That's amazing! Lord Leo! Ugh… If you become king, will it be harder to talk to you easily?"

Chloe tilted her head, and Eiran wore a worried expression.

Seeing them, Leo showed a indifferent expression.

"It's probably not something the next emperor of Shan, the next master of the Northern Magic Tower, and the next speaker of the El Salvacia Parliament should say."

The Resenteng region was indeed good land.

However, even so, Shan, the ruler of the East, and the Magic Towers, of which there were only five on the continent.

And compared to the three people who would become the highest authorities in El Salvacia, a vast region of elven influence, the newly founded Archi Kingdom was considered small.

Sis, seeing the three young ladies through the crystal, smiled brightly.

[Oh. These are Your Majesty's friends.]

"Hello, Crimson Wave, Sir Sis. It's an honor to meet you."

Chloe spoke as the representative.

The captain of the Tussen Knights, renowned even in the western continent, and a knight hero whose name was recorded in the Hero Records.

"I've heard a lot about you, Sir Sis. It's an honor to meet you."

Eiran also bowed her head.

Although he had a middle-aged appearance due to his aura power, Sis was of an age that could be called old.

The reason for the Tungen Kingdom's fall was the war with Tartaros.

Sis, who defended the Resenteng region even amidst the nation's demise, had achieved a great many accomplishments.

His achievements deserved respect, regardless of race.

[Rather, I am honored. To be able to speak with such beautiful and promising hero candidates.]

Sis chuckled with delight.

[This meeting brings me great relief.]

"Relief?"

Chen Xia looked puzzled.

It was difficult to understand why a hero they were meeting for the first time would feel relieved looking at them.

"Why?"

To Chen Xia's question, Sis smiled faintly.

[Your Majesty is someone who will soon ascend to the throne of the Archi Kingdom.]

"That's right."

[To solidify the new kingdom, the issue of succession is crucial.]

Leo clicked his tongue.

The faces of the three girls changed subtly.

[I recommended those who would be suitable as the mistress of Archi, though they were lacking… but Your Majesty showed no interest. I consulted with Princess Reina, your mother, but she merely smiled and said you would handle it well. It is the futile worry of an old man, but I cannot help but worry about the heir.]

Sis smiled brightly.

[But seeing so many beautiful friends, it was a groundless worry!]

"Let's keep embarrassing conversations between us."

[Oh, indeed. Forgive me! I was being a fool in front of the ladies.]

"…"

"…"

Chen Xia and Chloe's eyes flickered wildly.

"Um… that…"

At that moment, Eiran carefully asked.

"Can half-bloods… also become heirs?"

Leo looked at Eiran with disbelief, and Chen Xia and Chloe, who had turned away, opened and closed their mouths.

[Oh! If the heir of Ersar were to bear Your Majesty's heir, it would be a great blessing for our kingdom!]

"Ah, no! It's just curiosity! I was just curious because I don't know much about human culture! I'm not saying I'll bear one!"

"Drag her out."

"Lord Leo! Don't misunderstand! It's just curiosity! I didn't have any strange thoughts!"

"Don't make the situation worse and get out!"

"I told you to stop reading strange novels, didn't I?"

Eiran was dragged out screaming, held by both arms by Chloe and Chen Xia.

Leo scratched his head.

[It seems I was indeed worrying unnecessarily. Well, he is at an age of strong vitality…]

"Let's stop that conversation and tell me why you contacted me."

At Leo's words, Sis's expression became serious.

[Recently, strange incidents have been occurring all over Retin.]

"Strange incidents?"

[Yes. The hot springs are cooling down.]

Retin.

The most developed city in the Resenteng region, it was the former capital of Tungen and would also be the capital of the newly founded kingdom, Archi.

It was famous for its hot springs and was a tourist city.

"…"

At the mention of the hot springs cooling down, Leo's face became serious.

"Are they not freezing? Or anything like a sudden cold wave."

The Resenteng region is a cold region, being close to the northern continent.

[There has been no significant change in the weather. However, according to mages' diagnoses, the geothermal heat deep underground is rapidly cooling.]

Hearing Sis's report, Leo fell into thought.

Something came to mind at the words "geothermal heat cooling rapidly."

"I will go soon."

[Yes? Your Majesty does not need to come in the middle of your studies. I merely reported it as a strange incident…]

"No."

Leo stood up.

"I think I need to check it out."