We received some joyful news as fourteen-year-olds!
Shreegan and Miss Bell’s marriage has been decided!
Way to go, Shreegan!…Especially with
that
face.
From the beginning, Miss Bell never seemed concerned about Shreegan’s face, but I never expected them to become a couple and even get married. You know, I've never seen Miss Bell smile.
Perhaps those two are more similar than we thought.
Serea is overjoyed and genuinely happy about their marriage.
"Sorry, but with this, Miss Bell will retire as a maid. From now on, it will be Your Highness who protects Lady Serea."
"Understood."
For four years, I have been drilling Your Highness’s swordsmanship without a day of rest. Now, you have become a disciple that I can be proud of."[EN-1]
"Thank you, Shreegan."
Shreegan has been promoted from squad leader to vice-captain. He is now Second-in-Command of the Royal Guard.
He won't be my escort anymore. I also have to graduate from Shreegan's protection.
"So, Your Highness, it's time for me to give you a graduation test."
Suddenly, Shreegan's tone returned to normal, and I was taken to the training grounds of the Royal Guard. I'm wearing lightweight armour that has torso, head, and handprotection. It feels somewhat like the attire of an adventurer in town.
"I'm finally retiring from being Your Highness's escort. It's time to select a new escort for you."
The members of the Royal Guard, who werebowing to me, raise their heads and start murmuring. It's a tremendous opportunity for them. [EN-2]
"It goes without saying that if you're going to be His Highness's escort, you have to be stronger than His Highness. From now on, each of you will face off against His Highness in combat."
The members of the guard exchange glances.
"No need to hold back. Don't think of him as a prince. Let's begin. Baxter!"
"Yes!"
Wait, wait, wait! I'm actually going to fight seriously? A real match?! I didn't agree to this!
Someone steps forward.
We face each other, each wielding a wooden sword as a substitute for a two-handed sword.
"Begin!"
It's a straightforward and honest sword technique, befitting a knight. But after studying Shreegan's brawling swordsmanship for four years, it's easy to anticipate!
I block his sword and kick him in the stomach!
As he staggers, I sweep his legs and make him fall, then thrust the wooden sword next to his face!
"That's it! Next, Torster!"
I catch the wooden sword that was swung at me using a reverse grip, and then I swiftly step forward, striking his chin with my left hand. He falls unconscious.
In real combat, you see, the longer the fight drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for me.
In actual combat, victory is determined in a single strike! Shreegan drilled this into me tirelessly.
"Next! Orion!"
The members of the Royal Guard, now visibly surprised, have a new look in their eyes. It's evident that they are serious. I can even sense their killing intent.
"Your Highness, do you think such a wicked sword will continue to be effective? You will pay for mocking our Royal Guard."
So, the sword technique I've been learning is considered wicked? What have you been teaching me, Shreegan?
Successive strikes come one after another. I deflect them with my sword and find an opening to tackle his legs!
I lift him up and make him fall!
Since my opponent is a member of the Royal Guard, I refrain from going for a sensitive spot and instead grab his arm, twisting it upwards.
"Aaahhh!"
"Next! Zekerand!"
Is that supposed to be a spear!? No, no, no, having a spear as an escort is not good. Is he going to follow behind Serea and me with a spear? It's way too conspicuous. I absolutely have to defeat this one.
I receive the strike of the spear-looking-thing with the guard of my wooden sword. I lower the tip and step on it, pulling it down to the ground. Inadvertently, Zekerand’sface hits the ground...
I refrain from kicking and press the wooden sword against the back of his neck, keeping him pinned to the ground. If this were a real battle, his head would be rolling.
"Next! Schwartz!"
Oh no, it's Schwartz. That's the person who caused a commotion while being Jack's escort, right? This is going to be tough.
"Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"I won't hold back."
Saying that, he casually tosses away his wooden sword.
Wait, are we going to fight without a sword?
And then Schwartz drew from his waist, a jitte! [TN-1]
"...It's a good weapon for an escort, isn't it? Did you learn it from Shreegan?"
"I'm already stronger than the vice-captain with this thing."
Oh no... Is that true? If it's true, I don't feel like I can win at all. After all, I've never defeated Shreegan even once!
I cautiously measure the distance between Schwartz and me as he assumes a low stance.
Unintentionally, I fell for his invitation and swung my sword downwards. I was careless.
He skilfully catches my sword with the hook of his jitte, then twists it around, grasping the hilt. Then, he swiftly disarms me by separating my crossed hands, making it impossible for me to hold onto the sword.
Clang, clang, clang... The wooden sword rolls away from my hand.
Of course, the tip of the jitte's rod is pressed right against my forehead.
"I surrender."
"Thank you."
Shreegan applauds with a clap, clap.
"Well done, Schwartz. Your Highness, you've been getting a bit carried away lately, so this serves as a good punishment. I'll leave it to you from now on."
"Yes. I humbly accept the responsibility."
Saying so, Schwartz bows his head to me in proper etiquette.
"Still, I never imagined His Highness to be so strong..."
"W-Well, is it really acceptable to acknowledge such a wicked sword, which is unbecoming of royalty?"
"Such cheap tricks and dishonourable techniques!They are not befitting of a prince! It's almost like street fighting!"
Shreegan's fighting swordsmanship has quite a reputation, and not a favourable one.
"Silence!"
Shreegan shouts.
"HIs Highness is merely fourteen years old. His options for defeating grown men are limited. Are you suggesting that you can only win against honourable knights who adhere to the path of righteousness? Are you planning to complain 'foul play' even if you lose to street thugs, adventurers who resort to any means necessary, assassins targeting royal lives, or when you face desperate battles on the battlefield? What's the point of the Royal Guard, the shield of the royal family, if they lose in such petty fights? Reevaluate your perspective."
He went and said all that... Somehow, I feel bad for them. [EN-3]
"We’re here!"
Jack and Silvia arrived in the capital to attend Shreegan and Bell's wedding. We went to the carriage station to greet our long-lost friends. Schwartz, who recently became our guard, is also with us.
"Hey, long time no see! Did you gather the data?"
"...You're asking about that right away. Here you go, I looked into what you asked of me."
Saying that, Jack hands me a bundle of papers. I notice Schwartz standing behind us, scratching his head.
"Oh, Schwartz, it's been a while. I apologise for causing you so much trouble last time."
"Oh no, let's forget about that. I'm glad to see you doing well."
Wow! Jack easily apologised to a person accompanying us... Back then, he caused a lot of trouble and acted all high and mighty.
"People can grow, huh?”
"Did you say something?"
Jack glares at me for a bit, then laughs.
"Schwartz has become my exclusive guard, replacing Shreegan. You’ll be seeing him all the time from now on."
"I'm looking forward to working with you."
Schwartz bows his head, and Jack returns the gesture.
"Likewise. Well, that's great. I'm sure our mentor is relieved to finally be free from babysitting duty. He became the vice-captain of the Royal Guard, right?"
"Sorry for being babysat."
Since the annual "Shreegan Boot Camp" became a tradition, Jack has been calling Shreegan his mentor. It's been a while since I’ve had this kind of interaction with Jack.
While I am flipping through the pages Jack gave me, he says,“It's data from four hundred cattle farms. It was just as you said.”
"...What will this data be useful for?"
Silvia, who was happily embracing Serea during their reunion, looks puzzled.
"It will serve as the foundation for revolutionary medical technology."
"Medical technology?"
"Yes, if things go well, it could lead to the eradication of smallpox!"
“Indeed, there really haven't been any major smallpox outbreaks in my territory, now that you mention it."
Smallpox. It was once a devastating epidemic that wiped out entire villages. The mortality rate of those infected with smallpox exceeded 50%.
It is a highly contagious disease, but the spread of the infection has been eliminated thanks to the strict isolation measures and thorough alcohol disinfection implemented in the hospitals we oversee. However, there are still people suffering from smallpox in rural areas.
To verify the truth of Serea's statement that "those who have had cowpox do not get smallpox," we need reliable data. There is no guarantee that the diseases Serea is familiar with are the same as those in our world.
That's why I thought of turning this into solid data and having Spruce examine it. It is valuable data that can only be obtained from Jack Wiles’ family territory, which is renowned for its thriving livestock industry and being a major producer of dairy products.
"However, Master and Bell getting married... It's unexpected. They never seemed like that kind of couple to me."
"It felt like Shreegan had feelings for Bell, but when he mustered the courage to propose, she apparently accepted without hesitation."
"People can’t ignore their desires..."
"Ah, desires, huh..."
The two of us nod in agreement, contemplating the complexities of human relationships.
"What does that mean?"
"It's just a guy thing!"
Silvia asks us, and we quickly stop our conversation in a fluster.
Serea has a cheerful smile on her face.
I've been caught pitching a tent by Serea several times already... It's embarrassing.
By the way, Silvia's chest seems to have gotten bigger again...
"Shin."
"Hm?"
"I win this round too."
Jack smirks and raises his thumb.
I'll punch you.Seriously.
In the evening of that day, Shreegan and Bell's wedding ceremony took place at the church.
It's the same church where we secretly had our midnight wedding.
...I saw Bell's smile for the first time.
Rather than thinking it’s cute, it was scary. Her expression didn't change at all. Is this what they call a business smile? Serea was delighted, though.
Shreegan also had a beaming smile, but when I realised how many people were present in the church, including myself...Let's keep it a secret that the prince is here
Dressed in a white suit and a wedding dress, they exchange vows and kiss while standing in front of the priest. Then, they call us over.
"We would be honoured if you could sign as witnesses for the marriage."
It's the same marriage registration document as the time we got married. Shreegan and Miss Bell signed as witnesses for our marriage, and now the roles are reversed. It's deeply moving, and I'm very happy about it.
Shreegan and Bell write their names on the thick registration document, and in the same line, Serea and I write our names.
"It's a bit unusual to have underage witnesses..."
The priest doesn't seem pleased, but when Shreegan, with his face, secretly whispers to the priest ‘Is there any dissatisfaction with the prince and princess of the kingdom?’, he falls silent.
I flip through the pages a bit nervously.
It's already been four years. Our young handwriting with our names written on it. It's embarrassing, and both Serea and I blush.
"Be happy, Bell."
Serea offers a bouquet of flowers, and Bell accepts it with a broad smile.
"I can’t compare to my lady, though."
Miss Bell never changes.
As they exit the church, they are greeted by the Royal Guard, the maids of the Colette family, and others. Additionally, a group of strangely suspicious-looking individuals shower them with petals. Their circle of friends is truly mysterious.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
After the ceremony, it's time for the customary bouquet toss. Bell turns around and throws the bouquet skilfully, landing it right in Silvia's hands. Bell is truly impressive with her refined skills. Well done, Bell.
Jack and Silvia are surrounded by blessings and are beaming with happiness.
As for us... we don't need that. We're already married, after all. We don't need a bouquet.
It's not like I feel envious or anything.
Definitely not.
[TN-1] A jitte is a weapon that was used by Shreegan in an earlier chapter, but as a refresher you can look at itHere
[EN-1] No! Rest days are important! Your muscles won’t have time to repair themselves. Gah!!!
[EN-2] I’d immediately eliminate all of the murmur-ers from escorting me. Such poor discipline, tsk tsk. (I kid)
