The day after Prince Lethers returned safely to his kingdom, I visited the Minister’s Office. It was time to wrap things up and truly gain my freedom.
However, the Lord Herness I saw after such a long time looked quite gaunt, as if he had lost 5 kg. It seemed he had his share of hardships as well.
“Good job, Yuren,” he said.
“I think I worked hard too,” I replied.
But no matter how I thought about it, I felt my efforts didn’t measure up to his. I had made a game, learned martial arts, fought the prince, and even hunted down assassins.
Okay, the last bit was handled by the folks in the game shop, but I could still claim some credit for indirectly training them.
At my words, Lord Herness raised an eyebrow.
“Shouldn’t you speak humbly here?”
“I have so much to be humble about, it’s hard to be modest.”
Lord Herness rested his chin on his hand, seemingly contemplating everything I’d done. There truly had been a lot… even now, my right arm still ached from the prince’s ultimate move.
“True, I admit you’ve done a lot. That last ambush gave me quite a scare. On behalf of the Minister’s Office, I thank you, Yuren.”
It seemed Lord Herness had some conscience left; he acknowledged my efforts with gratitude. Hm, a national minister with some sense of conscience after all.
“What were those guys up to?” I asked about the assassins who had ambushed Prince Lethers.
From what I heard, the people in the game shop caught them and then the imperial guards called by Mineva took them away for questioning, but I still hadn’t heard their exact identities.
“Mineva,” Pink Curie spoke up while looking over the investigation report next to Lord Herness.
“They’re extremists from ‘Kasia,’ close to the borders of the Kingdom of Ra. They claim coexistence with Ra is absolutely impossible, but they’re not organized enough to pull off something like this.”
Due to the remnants of the millennial war, there were still many people in border areas harboring unnecessary hatred toward the enemy nation. I couldn’t completely blame them for their feelings. The pain of loss gnaws at you as long as you live.
But the bigger problem wasn’t them. The issue was that their hatred was being exploited.
“Someone’s pulling the strings behind this.”
“Probably.”
It was fortunate that Prince Lethers sustained no injuries and was quickly subdued; if he had gotten seriously hurt, all my hard work would have been for nothing.
Maybe I should treat those shaved-head gamers to a round later.
“Let us investigate further; you needn’t involve yourself any longer.”
“That’s good to hear.”
I was overjoyed to know I could finally sit back and relax. At last, freedom!
…But is this really the end?
Aren’t they giving me anything?
“Before we go, we should discuss your reward; what do you want?”
“What I want?”
As I rolled my eyes, realizing he was finally mentioning compensation, Lord Herness was ready to talk rewards. Yes, this is how it should be!
“Her Majesty the Empress has granted you a reward for saving the pride of the Zers Empire, along with a medal and permission to request any compensation you desire.”
In other words, I’d been handed a blank check usually reserved for the heroes of the Zers Empire.
Her Majesty is quite generous.
Yes! This is how patriotism should feel!
“Go on, tell me; if it’s something the Minister’s Office can give, we’ll do our best to make it happen.”
“Most people ask for a ‘fief.’ Of course, other requests are possible, but please keep that in mind.”
Mineva provided additional details as I began to contemplate what I would ask for.
So they couldn’t go beyond ‘fief,’ urging me to stick to that realm. Just obtaining a fief was an enormous power. I wouldn’t be forced to buy a plot here and there anymore; a whole village of land would be mine.
“Then…”
As I began to relay the compensation ideas I had thought out with Sylvia and the geniuses of the Edward Consortium to Lord Herness and Mineva, both responded positively, indicating they were actually hoping for something more modest.
Heh, could it be that simple?
The day I receive my reward would surely be exciting!
*
After wrapping everything up, I stepped out in front of the Minister’s Office. It was the moment when the long and winding Legend Fighter project truly came to an end.
“FREEDOM!!!”
In the middle of the street, I reveled in my freedom, shouting it out loud. Ah, freedom is such a wonderful thing.
Excitedly breathing in the air of freedom, I made my way to the Edward Consortium’s inn, where my luggage was stashed.
What should I do first?
Should I wander around the Harmon Game Store to check out the new games that have come out during my absence?
Or perhaps I should invite Jiren for some lamb sausage and beer?
As I entertained these delightful fantasies, I arrived at the inn, only to find Julia waiting for me.
“Hahaha! You’re here, Yuren! Let’s go!”
Julia was all dolled up and immediately grabbed my arm.
Caught off guard by her sudden advance, I blurted out, “Where to?”
“Where? On a ‘date,’ of course! You didn’t forget, did you?”
“Ah…”
Only then did I recall the promise I made to Julia when we were building Legend Fighter. We had clearly agreed to go on a date in Zephia.
Seeing my expression, Julia, usually cheerful, now looked at me coldly.
“…Hahaha, I’ll let it slide this time, let’s go.”
“Okay…”
Under the terrifying pressure from Julia, I simply lowered my head and followed her.
Freedom and leisure were important, but more than anything, my life was at stake.
*
Half-forced, I trailed behind Julia on the streets of Zephia. Julia was dressed unlike her usual self, fully put together.
Normally, Julia enjoyed wearing brown leather clothes like a guy, but this time was different.
She wore a luxurious yellow dress reminiscent of sunflowers, and perhaps due to a hint of makeup, her lips looked peachy pink.
As I glanced at her, I said, “Did you buy new clothes, Julia?”
“I-I did! U-Um, how do I look?”
At my compliment, Julia blushed and gazed at me.
Her usual confident image was replaced by a bashfully shy expression, and upon seeing her like this, I turned my gaze elsewhere.
“Um… you look nice…”
“…Is that all?”
Julia looked a bit downcast at my rather nonchalant response.
But then, she noticed my face turning red and seemed to catch on to my reaction.
“Yuren, are you feeling shy?”
“Shut up…”
Julia’s dress revealed her cleavage. From Yuren’s viewpoint, who was a head taller, everything was clearly visible.
My childhood friend’s newfound femininity made my heart race wildly.
“Hahaha! It’s fine! Just look at me properly.”
Julia had bought this dress at a clothing store with Karen, spending a fortune for the occasion.
She had known for a long time that Yuren was particularly weak when it came to her chest.
Julia deliberately pressed against Yuren’s chest, playfully courting him, but Yuren, unable to withstand it, shouted first, deflecting the subject.
“Th-That aside, have you thought about where we’re going?!”
“I haven’t!”
“What?!”
At Julia’s bold response, Yuren struggled to clarify his thoughts.
What is this? She suggested a date yet has no plan at all?
“I haven’t, I just thought we were going on a date!”
“Isn’t it obvious? I don’t know much about Zephia. You should lead me.”
But Julia had her own reasons too. Unlike Yuren, who made frequent trips for work, Julia only knew about the Zephia Coliseum.
Yuren should have been the one to guide her.
“Alright, I’ll show you around Zephia for today! Where do you want to go?”
“Um… I want to visit the most famous place in Zephia!”
Julia said, her expectations for a romantic date at the most famous spot shining through.
After thinking hard about her suggestion, Yuren finally said, “The most famous place, huh… got it, let’s go to the most famous place!”
“Yay♡ Lead the way!”
Naturally, Yuren took Julia’s hand.
The casual skinship felt nice to Julia, bringing back fond memories of their childhood together.
It would be delightful to have a date at a romantic spot in Zephia, and then at night…
As she indulged in such dreams, Julia walked alongside Yuren through the streets of Zephia.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the current most famous spot in Zephia, which was bustling with people.
“Yuren… what is this place?”
“This is the recently most famous spot in Zephia: the [Harmon Game Store]!”
This place was like a shrine to gaming.
Countless crystal balls lined the street, showcasing all manner of game-related merchandise.
The street was packed with citizens and tourists eager to buy games.
Thus, Yuren led Julia to the most famous spot in Zephia: the [Harmon Game Store].
