43 – Handshake

“Ah-choo…”

Livienne sneezed, scribbling with her pen.

The first princess of the Justina Kingdom, second in line to the throne, harbored a secret she could tell no one.

【The Countess in My Heart.】

【The Lady Yearns for a Second Love.】

【A Perilous Encounter Beginning at the Academy.】

She was the author of novels that had created quite a stir in the Justina Kingdom’s literary circles.

One might say she only sought sensation; any sense of theme or lesson was completely absent, and only fun filled the content, so many critics called her novels trash.

But the fact that each book sold a million copies annually, making her a star author within the kingdom, could not be denied.

In fact, a famous theater troupe had even adapted her novels into plays and performed them on stage.

“Sniffle, snort.”

She gazed at the letter.

『To Author Tia.』

『All the people of the kingdom eagerly await your next new work. We would be grateful if you would send us a letter at The Advice when the manuscript is complete.』

The Advice was a corporation that served as both a media outlet and a publishing house.

The famous Justina Monthly and Weekly magazines were creations of The Advice.

Having publicly dealt with the corrupt dealings of Count Kimonst two years prior, it could be said to be the most successful and powerful enterprise (企業) besides the Magic Tower, which received state support.

All of Livienne’s novels were published through The Advice.

Livienne used the pen name Tia, as she could not reveal her identity as a princess.

The Advice knew who Tia was, but it would be more accurate to say they had built a relationship of trust where they knew each other’s secrets but did not speak of them.

Anyway.

“Achoo…”

Livian sniffled, setting down her pen.

She was currently preparing for a new work.

The novel’s premise was as follows:

The protagonist, heir to a distinguished noble house, is one day abruptly framed by the machinations of his estranged brother, stripped of his inheritance, and driven from his family, left for dead.

Barely escaping death, the protagonist realizes the truth and resolves to kill his brother, who has taken his place as head of the family – a revenge story, that’s what it was.

The plot was somewhat prepared.

However, she hadn’t yet decided on the protagonist’s feel, and with her body feeling feverish and cold, it wasn’t the best state for writing.

“Ugh, preparing a new work is so hard…”

She collapsed onto her bed.

Perhaps she had caught a cold traipsing across the realm with her free-spirited brother in preparation for the novel. If she knew it would be like this, she would have simply stayed in the royal palace.

There hadn’t been any dramatic changes, and the contents were still a blank slate.

“Ugh, just a little lie down, and then back to writing…”

*Thump*, the door burst open.

There were only three people in this world who would dare to open a princess’s door so audaciously.

One was her father, Vymark, the person Livian respected most in the world, another was her mother, Brandia, the person she loved most.

And lastly.

“Livian!”

Her brother, Truwill, full of vigor and possessed of a gregarious nature.

Unlike some dysfunctional families located somewhere in the East, Livian and Truwill’s relationship was harmonious and good.

Normally, she would have met Truwill’s energetic greeting with a witty response, but.

“Good afternoon…”

She could only wave her hand weakly while lying down.

Looking at his sister’s condition, Truwill said with concern.

“Are you still sick?”

“Achoo, I don’t seem to be getting better. It seems I caught a bad one.”

“What did the royal physician say?”

“For now, since I’ve taken the medicine, let’s watch the progress…”

Truwill stroked Livian’s forehead.

“You have a slight fever. For the time being, rest well in your room.”

Lavienne offered a small smile.

“Yes, but what brings you here, brother?”

“Ah, a very special guest has arrived at the Royal Palace. I thought you might like to see him with me.”

“A special guest, you say…”

Lavienne clapped her hands, as if struck by a sudden realization.

“Ester Trist.”

It was a name one couldn’t help but know.

Not only had her brother been singing his praises, desperate to meet this man of incredible martial prowess, but he was also the hottest topic in the Kingdom of Justina.

Despite being a year younger than Lavienne, who had just come of age.

Having solved the Millennium Problem, he had achieved a multitude of accomplishments in a mere few months.

A prodigious genius, so unbelievable for someone of fifteen years.

Unlike her brother, Lavienne was receiving home schooling, and the Hero-class Flame magic user who taught her magic had this to say of Ester:

-He is unmatched. Even the first Red Magic Tower Lord, regarded as the greatest mage, only began aiding the King and pacifying the Mazoku to establish the Kingdom’s foundation at the age of twenty-five.

-At fifteen, he has solved enigmas that remained unsolved for hundreds of years, deciphered ancient formulas, observed anomalies, and developed a new weapon that could turn the tide of battle, even eliminating the heinous Dargishkal. The title of genius hardly seems sufficient.

Lavienne rose from her bed.

‘Genius.’

The protagonist’s concept flashed through her mind.

“Is it alright for you to get up?”

“I want to see Sir Ester myself. It would be rude to ask him to come here, so I should go to him.”

By rank, Lavienne certainly outranked Ester.

But the name Ester carried a powerful aura that transcended status.

Geniuses were usually either utterly relentless or eccentric.

She thought it was better to go to him than to request “Come here.”

“Where is he?”

“I believe he’s resting in the gardens for a while.”

They set off to meet Ester.

*

“A well-placed strike to the nasal bone can inflict extreme pain and paralysis.”

“Indeed…”

His Royal Majesty had stepped away for a moment, leaving me to unwind in the garden while explaining a few kickboxing moves to Oscar.

Truth be told, the heel hook, connected to an Imanari roll, that brought Ian to his knees back in Daebo Village was a ground technique. Explaining all that would be a rabbit hole, so I was sticking to the basics, trying to make it as understandable as possible.

“Sir, I have a request, if I may…”

“Yes?”

“Would it be permissible for the Steel Lion Knights to study this manual with me?”

I slowly nodded.

Did knights, who cleaved through enemies with swords powered by Aura, really need these kinds of techniques? Well… he probably had his reasons.

“Perhaps a request for your tutelage as well would be too much to ask. I am prepared to compensate you…”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I am rather busy.”

My laid-back life was precious, after all.

Oscar sighed.

His disappointment was so palpable that my heart softened slightly.

“Perhaps, should I ever visit the Knight’s Order, I could offer a brief demonstration.”

“Truly!?”

I’d only offered the suggestion as a courtesy, but he beamed, delighted like a child.

“Your benevolence will be repaid. My sincerest thanks.”

I doubted I’d ever have reason to go there, but I couldn’t deny I was curious what would happen if Aura users got their hands on modern MMA. I simply gave a noncommittal nod.

“Ah, there you are.”

Two figures were approaching through the garden.

Faces no one in the Kingdom of Justina could fail to recognize.

First Prince Troil Justina, and First Princess Livian Justina.

Ranking only below the King and the Duke within the kingdom.

The appearance of the heirs apparent gave me a jolt of unexpected tension.

Though, no doubt, Nob AI was keeping my expression perfectly neutral.

“You must be Sir Aster Trist, the famed prodigy. I am Prince Troil Justina. I prefer to interact with people informally, so, unfamiliar as it may be, I hope you will simply call me Troil.”

“The honor is mine. I would be grateful if you would treat me with similar informality, Your Highness.”

My first impression of Troil was that of a gregarious, good-natured man.

To be a bit impertinent, he was tall, well-built, and blessed with golden hair. If he only had a tan, those fond of innocent love would begrudge him such good looks.

“I like your forthrightness.”

Our brother Zephyr was strikingly handsome as well, but Troil possessed a different kind of beauty compared to the men of our house.

He extended a hand.

After a perfunctory shake, Trowell burst into a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha!”

He seemed like a boisterous sort, not one for formalities.

-Hahahaha!!

Erph suddenly came to mind.

To be frank, he’d been expecting something more like ‘Trahahaha!’ or ‘Wanghahaha!’, so this normalcy was a bit of a letdown.

Such peculiar laughter seemed to be the domain of the Archmages alone.

Anyway.

“I am Livian Yustina, First Princess. It is an honor to meet the kingdom’s rising star.”

“The honor is mine.”

The Princess, who had been regarding me intently from the start, now offered her hand for a shake as well.

I took it readily.

But.

Thirty seconds had already passed since the moment our hands met.

And for some reason, the Princess did not seem inclined to release my hand.