The Clever Magic Carpet

Zen and his companions emerged from the East Wing and strolled through the Royal Garden.

The garden was vast and featured well-manicured bushes that created a labyrinthine effect. It used to be Zen's playground when he was younger, and he would often play pranks on his servants, causing them to search for him throughout the day. Eventually, his mother caught wind of his mischievous behavior and pinched his ears as punishment.

"Mn?"

Zen was strolling when he noticed someone he recognized in an open field filled with a variety of beautiful and exotic flowers. It was a woman, and she sat inside a stone temple with two female attendants standing behind her. 

He turned around, smiled, and asked: "Mind if I stop by for a moment?"

"Eh?" Randel was taken back. He looked around and realized. He hurriedly replied, "Please, take your time, Your Highness."

"Alright, you all can go first and wait for me at the palace gate. I'll greet my mom. It won't take long." Zen said as he walked away.

Randel was surprised at the mention of "mom." He looked in the distance and realized, 'That's the Queen?!'

As Zen walked away, Randel turned to Mitsuhide and Kiki and asked, "Is it okay not to greet the Queen?" 

"It's fine," Mitsuhide replied, explaining: "The Queen isn't fond of meeting many people. That's why Zen didn't invite us to meet her." 

"The Queen is a reclusive person. Basically, people can only see her at several important events," Kiki added. 

Randel thought, 'Heh... like mother, like son. They are both low-key people.'

Meanwhile, on Zen's side...

"Mom, I heard from the doctor that you haven't been feeling well lately. So, why are you here instead of resting?" Zen asked as he sat in front of his mother, who seemed to be displaying odd behavior.

The woman in front of him was none other than his mother, Esmeralda E. Fiore, who was also the Queen of this kingdom. 

Despite her condition, she still looked stunning with her fair skin, green hair tied in a bob with collarbone-length bangs, green eyes, and pale lipstick. She was adorned in her intricately-decorated royal gown, which was complemented by a bronze breastplate.

Zen was always aware of his mother's appearance, as she always looked her best, being the queen of the kingdom. However, he was more concerned about her well-being, and couldn't understand why she wasn't resting after hearing about her illness from the doctor.

"It's just a flu. Everyone is exaggerating about it," Esmeralda said, sighing softly.

"Well, they'd be damned if they neglected the Queen's health," Zen replied matter-of-factly. He grabbed a snack from the table and popped it into his mouth. "Though, you shouldn't underestimate the flu, Mom. People can even die from laughing, let alone the flu. Should I lend you my personal doctor to examine you? He's a genius; there's no disease he can't cure."

Esmeralda shook her head. "I already saw a doctor, and it's just a mild flu. I don't need to bother your genius doctor."

"If you say so," Zen shrugged. He looked at his mother curiously and asked, "But why are you here? It's rare to see you out of the palace."

His mother spent most of her days in the palace, tending to her private garden, reading magazines, and writing novels in secret. She only ventured out when absolutely necessary.

She was the definition of NEET in Zen's previous life.

Esmeralda took a sip of her tea before answering, "I came here to sunbathe and take a walk with Hisui."

"Hisui is here?" Zen exclaimed.

He activated his sensor magic to check the surroundings and found Hisui playing with a maid not far from his location.

Hisui is currently just two years old. She's adorable and innocent, in contrast to the Hisui he saw in the future Grand Magic Games.

Zen and Hisui aren't that close. He's too busy with his work to spend much time with her, and they rarely see each other even though they live in the same building. This is true for other family members as well.

Historically, Zen only sees Hisui whenever he has free time to visit his mother. Moreover, despite frequent visits, Zen doubts she would remember his face.

"Would you like to see her?" Esmeralda asked with a smile.

"Nah, maybe later." Zen waved his hand casually. "I'm going on a mission from Father, and I can't stay here for too long."

"A direct mission from the King? It's rare..." Esmeralda's eyes widened in surprise.

"Is it a secret mission?"

"No, it's not," Zen revealed his mission to his mother, including his deal with his father.

After Esmeralda heard about the mission, she raised her eyebrows and said, "Sakuramori? Wasn't that the place you wanted to visit some time ago, but the parliament didn't approve it?"

"Yes, that's the place!" Zen answered, still chewing. He swallowed and sneered, "And now they're begging me to go there. Isn't that funny?"

Esmeralda chuckled and said, "That means they recognize your strength."

"I guess so." Zen agreed.

The parliament may not be fond of Zen, but they have to acknowledge his reliability in times of crisis. He is a strong person who can handle difficult situations.

In this world, power often trumps wealth and status. Yet, some people fail to realize this because they have enjoyed peace and prosperity for too long. They remain ignorant until they face a real threat.

Sakuramori's rebellion has been a rude awakening for many, especially Duke Randolf. He did not expect karma to catch up with him so quickly.

Despite having several strong retainers, they were no match for the powerful wizards of the dark guild. In the end, Duke Randolf had no choice but to turn to Zen, whom he once considered an enemy.

"I have to get going, Mom. I can't make Kiki and Mitsuhide wait for too long." Zen said as he stood up, about to leave.

"Mm," Esmeralda nodded and said, "Please be careful! And on your way back, can you buy me a Sorcerer Magazine this month, please?" 

"Sure~" Zen replied with a smile.

.***

The Crocus is a city that is divided into two main areas, namely the Inner Gate and the Outer Gate.

The Inner Gate is covered by a massive wall and is a more exclusive area, although it is not restricted to the nobles only. Many nobles have built their houses in this area. Due to this, the security measures in the Inner Gate are extremely stringent, and people are subject to strict inspections before they can enter.

On the other hand, the Outer Gate is open to everyone. This area is even more vibrant than the Inner Gate, as many local and foreign merchants have come together to form a large and prosperous commercial street.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Outer Gate, a group of small children were playing near the fountain. One of the boys was holding a balloon, but he lost his grip and it flew away. As he looked up to see where it went, he noticed something else floating in the sky.

"Look! Something's floating up there!" The boy exclaimed.

Immediately, he called out to his friends and pointed upwards. The other children stopped playing and followed his gaze to see what he had discovered.

"What's that?" One of the children asked.

"It's a flying carpet! My mom once told me she saw a blue carpet flying over the capital," Another replied.

"Ah, I saw a person on a flying carpet!" The third child said.

"I also want to ride a flying carpet~" The fourth child exclaimed enviously.

...

Some adults also noticed the flying carpet, but they quickly dismissed it. Unlike children, they had seen and experienced a lot in their lives. Although the flying carpet's appearance was unusual, it was not an uncommon sight that required them to stop what they were doing and stare at it in wonder. 

At most, people thought it was a newly invented magical item used for transportation. After all, in a world full of magic, nothing is impossible.

As they soared on the flying magic carpet, Zen and his companions sat together, admiring the spectacular view of the Crocus. 

Randel was in awe and couldn't contain his amazement. "This is incredible! I had no idea that the capital had a magic carpet like this. I wish I had one too, so I could avoid buying train tickets every time I travel," he exclaimed.

Zen replied with an awkward expression, "Well, you might get lucky and get one."

Speaking of luck, Zen seems to be quite lucky. Too lucky, in fact...

In the previous world, he stumbled upon an ancient lamp in his backyard shed. This lamp brought him to this world. 

And in this world, while exploring the royal family's treasury, he found a magic carpet among the treasures.

According to Zen's father, the magic carpet was a gift from the Guild Master of the Treasure Hunter Guild.

Around a century ago, a prince from the royal family traveled to various parts of Fiore and eventually reached a town that was apparently the headquarters of the Treasure Hunter Guild.

The prince is a friendly and easygoing person. He quickly managed to strike a bond with the members of the Treasure Hunter Guild, including their Guild Master.

When it was time for the prince to leave, the Guild Master of the Treasure Hunter Guild presented him with a magic carpet as a symbol of their friendship.

The Guild Master claimed that this magic carpet was found in the Forgotten Desert, floating in a cave. After his guild members captured it, it remained motionless and became an ordinary carpet. 

The prince, however, was not bothered by this. Even if it was just an ordinary carpet, he would still accept it happily. To him, the most important thing was not the gift but the intention and sincerity behind it.

For a hundred years, the magic carpet remained motionless and useless in the treasury until Zen arrived.

At that time, ten-year-old Zen received a congratulation from his father after winning the Junior Knight Cup. As a reward, he was allowed to choose one magic item from the royal treasury.

Although his initial intention was to choose a new sword, a carpet suddenly flew towards him and affectionately wrapped around his body. In the end, he chose the magic carpet over the sword.

Later, he discovered that the magic carpet was quite intelligent. Although it sometimes disappeared, it always returned whenever Zen called for it or needed it.

The origin of this magic carpet is unknown, but he is glad that it chose him.

Zen smiled and spoke softly to the magic carpet, saying, "Blue, let's fly towards the west!" 

Upon hearing Zen's command, Blue, the magic carpet, accelerated its flight and gradually disappeared from above Crocus.