Chapter 30

[Ugh… I hate this… So embarrassing… What a blunder…]

When she's done with her congratulatory toast, Chris came to my side muttering those words.

Her face was completely red.

Well, that's to be expected.

She was suddenly pushed forward by the Prince to give a stuttered speech while still being flustered, a demeanor completely unfitting of a graduate in front of public.

Putting that aside, the contents of her speech were great.

It was regarding Asura Royal Academy itself, a school that was supposedly a place where the competent and talented are able to obtain higher education. Yet, it was overrun with the culture of putting peerage above all else. Chris openly criticised that aspect of the schooling experience in the Academy.

Even though she personally entered the school through her family and parents' power, it is those that had shown their abilities that really deserved her spot. Even now, there exist people who are smarter, more passionate and would produce more results than Viola, Elizabeth and even herself.

If the Academy were to recognise the abilities of those people, enough to even give them the valedictorian position, it would greatly surpass the Ranoa Magic University and become the best educational institution in the world. Such were her words.

This speech wasn't something that the Asuran aristocrats took kindly to though. Among them were people who felt that being a noble in itself was a form of "status". In fact, several of them showed irritated faces in disapproval.

[Ughhh… I never expected that I would be giving a speech, and to ask me to do it so suddenly… There's no way I could have done it well…]

[Not really, it was good.]

Despite all that, I was moved.

I may be looking at her with the rose-tinted glasses of a doting parent… But when I think about how my little crybaby who couldn't tell apart delusions and reality became able to think in such pragmatic terms, I am moved to the verge of tears.

[Really?]

[Yup, how should I put it? You've come a long way. Honestly I thought you would be more childish and immature. Like finding out how different the Royal Academy is from how you thought and come back home crying to me levels of immaturity.]

Hearing my brutally honest opinion, Chris gave me a blank look.

She then scratched her face and slowly shook her head.

[No… I really was a kid. As Papa said, I actually grumbled a lot about it when I found out how different it was…]

[So you did huh.]

When I said that, Chris nodded and replied with a "Yeah".

[I thought, that the Asura Kingdom was a much much more amazing and wonderful place than my imagination. The scenery, and the people. Yeah… I revered everyone living here as gods.]

Upon uttering that, Chris turned her head and looked straight into my eyes.

[But they weren't gods. I was completely and utterly mistaken. My dream world was completely shattered, leaving me paralysed in panic and not knowing what to do… But then I realised immediately-]

[Yeah]

[The people living here, aren't all that different. The things we have to do are the same, the things we think about are the same. We share the same worries and painful experiences.]

Three years huh.

Time flies.

Really really quickly.

To realise the same thing she did, took me more than ten years.

Compared to that, she was more than early in this realisation.

[I knew that I had to put what Papa and Mama's taught me to use here at the Academy. With that, I somehow made it through. But during these three years, I couldn't do things that were above and beyond what I was taught. Even with what happened just now – to Viola – if it were to be Papa, I think you would have done it better and smoother than what I did. Something like reforming her? Papa would have wrapped it up nicely without putting her through such misery on a special day like today… You would have made her reflect and gotten along well with her.]

[I wonder about that.]

Saying that, I felt a little shaken in my heart.

If she was putting it like that, it means that she knew what was in it for Viola while she performed that skit just now.

Coming up with a plan, moving behind the scenes to set up the downfall of a single girl.

[I just couldn't do it…]

Those words sounded as if she had the ability to do it, but chose not to.

Maybe Chris wouldn't have to go this far, and could have settled everything before the graduation ceremony.

[Why couldn't you do it?]

[I couldn't forgive Viola, not to mention the envy I felt…]

That girl called Viola, just what exactly did she do?

I couldn't possibly know that.

From the events happening just a moment ago, I could grasp the gist of it, but not completely.

Sure, that final scene where she got dragged out was indeed pitiable.

However, Viola most probably looked down on and had inflicted pain upon many. Enough to make Chris declare that she was unforgivable. Such that it was almost natural to set up her downfall on a fine day such as this.

If it were me who attended the Royal Academy, saw Viola's actions up close and were to be harmed by her… I might have also not forgiven her and done something similar as Chris.

No… If it were me, perhaps I may not have escaped from her trap and got expelled?

In either case, making Viola turn over a new leaf would never have crossed my mind.

[So you felt envy?]

[Eh? Uummmmm, y-yeah… You see, Viola – if she were to properly put in the effort, she had the potential to really become the top student. In etiquette, dressing, art appreciation, calculations and allocating resources to the upper limits of efficiency, she was top class in all these even during lessons. Yet for the subjects she was weaker in, she never puts in effort and cheats to get the top spot… Even obtaining the valedictorian position through cheating…]

Somehow it started sounding like she was making excuses halfway through.

She must be hiding something.

Could it be a relationship with a guy? No no, it can't be.

But all around Chris were handsome guys… That random guy Edward who looked like he was an exquisitely carved piece of artwork might have something to do with it.

No, calm down.

As a father, I should say something sincere at this point in time.

[Well… It might be strange coming from me, but I think it's true that Papa had changed the hearts of many. Blue Mama, Red Mama, Zanobsan and even Cliff-san… Many people had said that they changed after meeting Papa. However, it wasn't like they changed their way of thinking because Papa took actions to change them.]

After all is said and done, the reason why they changed, even I have no idea. Somehow, they realised their shortcomings on their own. My existence might have became the spark that sent them on their way, but that's all there is to it.

Even if forced at gunpoint, I would never say that I was responsible for the change in them. Because they only changed because they themselves felt that they needed to change.

[Certainly, it might not have worked for Viola. But, it may be that due to this incident, she might have a change of heart? Aren't there anyone around you that changed over time like that?]

[Hmm? I wonder?]

As she muttered that, Chris slowly turned her head to peek behind herself. Standing there was the figure of a lone girl.

If I am not wrong, she was the child named Elizabeth.

The girl that acted exceedingly triumphant when she turned the tables on Viola. That girl is now having a friendly chatter with the students around her with a carefree expression.

Viola did say that Elizabeth was "Chris' enemy".

In other words, it's that.

[The solution to pay off that Elizabeth's debt was impressive. Did you come up with that?]

[Huh? Uhhh… That idea was a suggestion from Aishneesan. So it wasn't necessarily me that came up with it?]

Ah… As expected.

I thought that this would be the case.

I realised it while hearing the plan, but for something that Chris came up with, it was a tad bit too sophisticated.

[But it was you that executed it wasn't it?]

[Well… Yep. That's, that's exactly it.]

Chris made an awkward face, but then immediately shook her head.

[However Papa, just so that I could do that, I needed the help of various different people. Really, so many of them… Not only that, while I was in school… Things that I managed to do by myself amount to almost nothing. As expected, I am still a kid… maybe more suitably, I am still naive.]

[Certainly, it may be that you are naive. Even so, that girl called Elizabeth, at the very end, came to your aid. Why do you think that is the case?]

[… Because she hated Viola more than she hated me.]

[Haha, that could be one of the reasons. But, you becoming cordial and helping her pay off her debts could be one of the reasons too isn't it?]

Well, I actually do not know the exact reason. No matter what transpired, Elizabeth ended up becoming an essential piece of the puzzle in the fight against Viola.

Not knowing the full details, I can't say for sure, but from her position, she probably could have easily orchestrated the downfall of both Viola and Chris at the same time.

That is because, her debts were already fully settled.

Yet, she stayed as Chris' ally till the end.

That was the result.

[Chris. You may feel that your abilities are inadequate now and that is fine. No matter how far one goes, he cannot possibly do something perfectly alone. Receiving help when one is in need, and providing help when others are in need, such is the continuous repetition of this cycle that is life.]

[…]

[In these three years, you have become capable of doing that.]

Chris saved the students who suffered under Viola's tyranny.

Still admiring the Asura Royal Academy, yet not getting tainted by its atmosphere. She did what she thought was right through her will alone.

The result of that was her becoming the most adored among the graduating students.

Maybe "most" is the doing of my rose-tinted glasses of a doting parent.

Even so…

[You are already a splendid adult. Graduate with your chest held high.]

Hearing that, Chris' expression broke down and she was about to cry.

Like long ago, she would run to me crying for a hug. Expecting that, I held out my arms.

A few seconds passed in silence… And Chris with tears building up in her eyes bit by bit, immediately wiped off the tears.

[Yes.]

So she nodded.

It was an excellent reply, I was happy that she became able to give such a resolute answer.

But, where should I put my now extended arms…

—

After that, my wives who were silently listening from behind came forward and talked to Chris for awhile.

It was about her life in these three years of school..

While there were many tough times, there were also many happy moments. They talked about her friends and things that occurred in between merrily.

Hearing the story of how the first bullied girl was saved, Eris had no other expression but her classic look of satisfaction.

At first, Sylphy was unaware of how Chris was talking about the management of factions. When she came to realise what she heard, her face was full of shock.

Roxy was really pleased when the topic came to how Chris followed her teachings and learned how to manage factions from the royalty of foreign countries.

As the conversation came to an end, the wives left our side saying "Now then, we are going to make the rounds with the greetings.". Just as I was thinking how it's not good for me to have Chris all to myself…

Suddenly, I realised that there was a girl behind Chris.

Just as I thought,Is that a ghost!? I realised it was a girl I had seen before.

If I recall correctly, she was the one that wiped Chris' mouth before all hell broke loose.

She has a timid aura around her, hesitating and wondering whether to cut into the conversation between Chris and I.

[Hello, young lady. I'm Rudeus Greyrat.]

And so I started talking to her with a face full of smiles. She is Chris' friend after all. If her friend had the impression that her father was a dark and gloomy person, it reflects badly on Chris as well. As much as I can, I want to play the part of a fun and sociable father.

I meant to be sociable… So why did she tremble and hide behind Chris?

Strange…

From this past ten odd years, I should have gotten good at smiling…

I even practiced smiling in front of the mirror every other day…

[Ah! Papa, I'll introduce her to you!]

Said Chris as she noticed the girl's presence.

She spun her body around and brought the girl to her front.

[This is Bell! She's my best friend, and will be taking on the role of a civil official under the Feudal lord in the Fittoa Region!]

[P-Pleased to meet you...]

The girl named Bell was fidgeting from her desire to hide behind Chris. Lacking enough power, she couldn't do that and was restlessly letting her eyes wander around while putting her head down.

[Bell is actually… A huge fan of Papa!]

[Wha! Wai- Chris, stop! Why did you tell him that…!]

[Why not? You even said that you absolutely want to talk to him if you ever meet him…]

It seems like Bell is my fan.

Perhaps due to me being famous within the Asura Kingdom, kids like her appear once or twice every year.

Though, they had almost always been boys who were into magic related fields. Girls like her were quite rare.

Now I feel a somewhat embarrassed.

[U-Umm… My name is Bell… Your paper regarding lightning magic, I read it… To be able to create a new form of magic in this day and age, you're amazing…! I t-totally respect you!]

[Ah, yes. Thank you very much.]

A paper about lightning magic.

I recall writing such a paper.

No, it wasn't me who wrote it.

It was just something I wrote when trying out note taking, to which Roxy said, "This is amazing!" and then proceeded to edit it and published it as a book.

So to be honest, about more than half of the materials were something written by Roxy.

Although I had an intense desire to take all the credit and show off in front of Chris…

[… That turned out really good right?]

[Yes!]

[Well, more than half of it was something written by my Shishou after all.]

[Shisho! You're talking about Roxy-sensei right! I have also read her paper, "Fundamental Elements of Magic Usage in Close Combat" Is she also here today?]

[She's not someone that would skip her own daughter's graduation ceremony. Look, she's over there!]

[Where? I can't seem see her?]

[Well that's because she's small, she's hidden in the crowd. She's definitely there. I can tell.]

[Umm… Is it okay if you introduce me to her later…]

[Of course.]

I see, this girl understands Roxy's greatness.

As expected of my daughter, her choice in friends are excellent.

This girl named Bell, I shall commit her to my memory.

Graduates from the Asura Royal Academy are the cream of the crop. But at the same time, many of them have low social status. There may be times where they have no other choice but to leave the Asura Kingdom. Yes, just like how Lilysan was before.

When that happens, our company will welcome her with open arms.

[Chris!]

As I was talking to Bell, there was another person who was approaching us. He has a considerably handsome voice. He probably sounds cooler than he looks.

Just as I thought that, the one who appeared in front of me was Edward who had annulled his engagement earlier with Lady Viola in the chaos just now.

[You're so cruel! Didn't you promise to introduce Lord Rudeus to me?]

It seems like he wants to become friendly with me.

Perhaps due to the nice atmosphere exuded from the conversation between Chris and I, I am relatively popular today.

It seems like the older I get, the happier I am to be popular with the young people.

[Eh, Ed!? Didn't I tell you to wait!?]

[You say that now… But in the end you always sweep it under the rug don't you!]

[I won't do that today! Please, just a moment, just give me a little while more, okay?]

As I was feeling the joy of being popular with the kids, they suddenly started flirting.

The conversation itself is normal, but they seemed to be really close.

I have no issues with flirting or whatever, but doing it in front of your parents is a little…

While it is indeed a heart-warming scene, Papa would still prefer it if you introduce him to me first.

[What am I going to do with you, Chris… Looking at the situation, you hadn't even talked about that matter yet right?]

[That's~ why~ I~ said~ there is a thing called a proper order to doing things!]

["That matter"?]

The moment those words slipped out from my mouth, both Chris and Edward snapped their bodies to face me. Seeing at how anxious Chris looked, this "matter" is probably something considerably important.

[That's why I said… Ahー! Gosh…]

Chris waved her hands as if all that she prepared up to this moment was wasted.

I don't know what it is about, but well, it is probably something that requires my approval. That's why it needed some lead up to it, and she most likely wanted to bring it up mid-conversation. In other words, she was setting up the mood.

It is similar to how I would say "You look prettier today" to compliment Eris, "I like Eris's hands. They are the hands of a hard worker." while I hold her hands. Ultimately leading to "Can I grope your boobs?" and getting a yes from her.

[Errmmm, I actually wanted to bring this up properly after the party ends.]

[Okay.]

Chris then coughed, cleared her throat like how Roxy did, and straightened her back to reset the mood. With a deep breath, like a proper lady… No, "like" would be rude to her.

With the disposition of a proper lady, she turned to face me.

In response, I also straightened my back.

[I desire to stay in the Asura Kingdom after I graduate from the academy.]

Ah… So it's that.

I see.

[Papa may not approve of this. But living here for three years, I have become attached to the Asura Kingdom.]

Papa will never do something like disapprove of it.

Of course, I would have preferred if you came back to Ranoa and stay with us all the way.

I wanted you to stay as the small and cute Chris.

However, that is not a wish that can be granted.

It can't be granted.

People will grow.

Growth means change.

People will slowly change as they meet new people, and face new situations.

Though, changes are not limited to good ones.

As I see it, it is possible that the change is in a bad direction.

I might have an angry outburst saying that she cannot stay here and forcibly take her back.

But that should not be the way.

That is because a bad change may not always lead to a bad result.

There are people who only grew and matured because life took the worst turn for them.

That was the case for me.

It was only because I was a vile, degenerate neet in my previous life that I could obtain what I have in my current life.

Leaving aside whether I am a good person now, I would personally like to believe that I had became more upstanding compared to my previous life.

Staying here and living in the Asura Kingdom might be a bad influence to Chris. She may also grow in a way that I wouldn't want her to.

Despite all that, I am fine with it.

Chris' life is her own to lead.

If it was where she wanted to go, how she decided she wanted to change, then I am in no position to prevent her from doing that.

But as a parent, there is something that I have to guarantee is the truth. That is whether it was really Chris who chose this path from the bottom of her heart, I had to personally confirm this myself. As we know, it has been three years since I met Chris.

I am aware that she is no longer the same Chris that fantasizes about and worships the Asura Kingdom, this is just in case.

[Didn't you like it here since you were young?]

[Yes. But as I said earlier, my "like" in the past was merely towards the country in my delusions. But now, after spending three years here, I experienced the real Asura Kingdom, interacted with real Asurans and came to like it in the true sense of the word. The people who are living here, the climate, the culture…]

[The culture? Even though there are so many people who were like Viola just now?]

[Of course, there are bad places and bad people here. In fact, even more than other countries. But Her Majesty Ariel, the citizens of this country are all working hard to make this country a better place… I want to live here, work here and if possible, be able to assist them in some way.]

[Assist them huh… How would you plan to do that?]

[As a civil official, I have gained the right to serve in the palace. I would be working under Luke-sama for the time being… Well, I would merely be an apprentice at the start.]

Wait a moment, Luke-kun?

I haven't heard anything about this.

[Ah, I stopped Luke-sama from sharing this matter to you, because I wanted to be the one to tell you this.]

[Ahh… I see.]

About this, I shall talk to Luke about it another time.

I see, working under Luke huh.

He's a close aide of Ariel and is the de facto Prime Minister. Working under him would mean being placed in the center of the government even as an apprentice.

Seems like a career where she would end up as an advisor to Ariel or other Royalty in the future.

This is completely like an elite course straight into the upper echelons of the society. I don't have any complaints about her workplace, and if things go well, she can do what she's passionate about. In her own way, she has constructed a solid life plan.

That Chris, building a proper plan for her life…

Just that would have been more than enough for me.

But one last time, let's hear her determination.

[It will definitely be very tough. Can you handle it?]

[Yes!]

With the most serious face in her life, she replied so.

I see, an instant reply.

That's a little worrying.

Waiting in line for her would definitely be something that is unimaginably challenging for her.

Even more so than what she experienced here in these three years.

These thoughts reminds me of the time that I worried about Chris before she came to the Asura Kingdom.

But it's good that she is so passionate.

This passion can make all sorts of things possible.

Just like how in these three years, Chris has become able to reply me with such resolve.

[Rudeus-sama.]

A voice came from behind me.

Turning back, a person of peerless beauty appeared.

She was older than me, and you would think that she'd have had aged considerably, but her enchanting appearance is seemingly timeless, almost even more attractive now.

Does she have Long-Eared tribe blood running in her veins?

Nah, unlike the Long-Eared tribe, she probably had some method of maintaining her looks fitting of her age.

It was Ariel.

As usual, she has Isolte and Doga by her side.

While Isolte was dressed in her easy-to-move-in formal attire and sword by her side, Doga was in his movement-limiting full plate armor.

Behind that mask hides his face that is far too gentle, I somehow knew that he is definitely smiling at me.

Looking carefully, Luke was also behind Ariel.

And behind him, were a group of students looking in this direction at a distance.

The students were indecisive about whether to approach and talk to us. Keeping their distance, there was an air of restlessness .

[I have heard of the circumstances.]

Well, you probably didn't just "hear" it, but already knew about it in advance.

With that, you chose the best timing to appear in front of us.

[I understand Rudeus-sama's concerns, but from this academy, Chris has gained skills that are more than enough for her to handle living within the Asura Kingdom. Her "results" just now is proof of that. Isn't that so, Luke?]

[Indeed. Christina is suited to live in the Asura Kingdom.]

That's fine, but it's not what I'm worried about.

In any case, if these two people who are spending most of their days deep in the heart of the Asura Kingdom says so, it is probably okay.

I pray that it is not mere lip service.

[...]

Hah….

Even so, that Chris is… I see…

[Papa… what do you think?]

Chris is looking at me with resolved eyes.

Looking at her, thoughts of the past flooded my mind.

Long, long ago.

When it hadn't even been ten years since I've came to this world.

I met a single individual.

He was extremely resourceful and efficient, and was always having fun watching me move behind the scenes trying to do something. He had an enormous ambition smoldering within, setting his sights at taking his fight to the inner Asura Kingdom. In the end, due to the occurrence of the Metastasis Event, his ambition was left unfulfilled.

Chris now, in her figure or maybe her aura, resembles that person somehow.

That person that I can never meet again.

She resembles Philip Boreas Greyrat.

If you think about it, it's only natural.

Eris is Philip's daughter.

And Chris is Eris' daughter.

The blood runs deep in their veins.

Having my mind filled with those thoughts, the answer materialised within me.

Nah, my answer was there since the beginning , it's just that I needed that one extra push.

[Ariel-sama, Luke-sama.]

[Yes.]

[Please take care of my daughter.]

Those words left my mouth as I was raising my head, coming into view were the radiance of the warm smiles of both of them.

[Of course.]

When I once again turned to face Chris, she was looking at me with a face full of surprise and expectations.

[Chris. Do your best.]

[Yay! I love you Papa!]

After doing a guts pose, she came running into my arms.

When talking about something serious, I would like her to maintain her serious attitude till the end… but well it's fine.

My arms which had lost their destination could finally arrive at Chris' back, their promised land.

Moreover, to be able to embrace Chris, this may be the last time.

[Cough!]

Just as I was getting drunk on the touch and warmth of my daughter, I heard someone clearing his throat from beside Ariel. Shifting my eyes there, I see an insanely handsome guy. Well, isn't this Edward-kun?

[Chris, it looks like you are finished with that matter. Won't you introduce me soon?]

[Ahh, yeah! That's right, sorry sorry]

After separating herself from me, she went right next to Edward.

Edward, with his natural faked smile, a.k.a archaic smile, approached me.

At the same time, Chris referred to him with her hand.

[Papa, this is Prince Edward. He is my classmate, and had helped me many times when I was in school. Also, umm…]

[I am Edward Anemoi Asura. Pleased to make your acquaintance.]

Our handsome-kun had given a perfect greeting.

I have to return a greeting somehow.

I may be considerably used to Luke, but dear me, I still get nervous when it comes to a young handsome guy.

For the time being, he's a prince and towards a youngster, I should properly use honorifics and give a greeting appropriate towards royalty.

[My name is Rudeus Greyrat. Prince Edward, it is an honor to meet you.]

[I should be the one who's honored to see you! I have always been wanting to meet Lord Rudeus!]

Like Bell just now, and Edward too, it seems like there are many students who are interested in me this year.

Goodness me, I am gonna be overwhelmed!

[Hoh, that's flattering. But, topics about me shouldn't be that common in the Asura Kingdom.]

[I heard it from Chris. Lord Rudeus is an amazing person. While listening to stories of you, how should I put it, it felt like I one-sidedly had memories spending time with you.]

Having a carefree smile plastered on his face, Edward started to talk about stories about me that he heard from Chris.

Stories like how:

My eyes were sparkling when talking to Roxy about magic I never miss out on physical training like swordsmen even though I am a magician I was lazing about together with Leo in front of the fireplace on off days I often lose consciousness after getting beaten into a pulp by ErisIt's a little embarrassing.

Oh Chris, you didn't need to tell him about these!

When I stared at Chris with these thoughts in mind, she averted her eyes while whistling.

Seeing that, I decided to start my counter-attack.

I am going to make that Chris embarrassed.

[I see. So, what is your relationship with Chris?]

It was meant to get back at her.

A statement to make Chris blush in embarrassment.

But Edward, after a moment of dumbfoundedness suddenly switched into an extremely serious face and said…

He actually said it…

[With Chris, I would like to date her with the intention of marriage.]

It went without saying that my smiling face instantly froze over.