MasekiGurume Side Story 1 Part 2 (3375 words)
Krone and Graf [After]
クローネ＆グラーフ[後]
「I apologize for the inconvenience. It seems that there has been a change in plans」
Warren's arrival was delayed. He has arrived, but he's just looking around for another job and is running late.
Therefore, Graf and the others waited for about half an hour after completing the necessary procedures.
「Don’t mind it. We're the ones making the urgent request」
「That's right. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to meet him」
「I appreciate your kind words. I'm sure he'll be here soon.......」
「Is there a problem?」
Graf, who dislike the lack of conversation, decided to ask the civilian what was going on.
「Well, you know.......I think it's okay to tell you. The royal family of Ishtalica is here on a visit. It seems that they are here due to the influence of the sea crystal, which is an important transaction for us as well」
「That is.....I'm afraid its going to take some time」
Graff had no idea that royalty would be there.
Even Warren was a big deal to him, but hearing that it was royalty made him even more uncomfortable.
「Oops. I was just saying that, but it seems they're already here」
Then Graf looked in the direction he saw.
An elderly man and a female knight with beautiful blond hair were both coming towards him.
Even Graf couldn't help but be nervous when he thought that he was dealing with someone who was close to the head of the great power of Ishtalica.
「I am sorry to keep you waiting. My name is Warren, Warren Lark, and I am the Prime Minister. You are Grand Duke Augusto, Is it?」
「It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Graf Augusto. I gave up my seat to my son a few days ago, and now I'm just a retired person」
「Excuse me for my rudeness. There is a part of the story that I couldn't get information on right away, so thank you for your long journey. Is this Graf's-dono granddaughter?」
Briefly introducing himself, Warren looked at Krone who was by his side and asked.
「My name is Krone August. Thank you very much for accepting our abrupt visit」
Krone also gave a brief introduction and then bowed lightly.
She followed the simple greetings of her grandfather.
「No, no, that's fine. I would like to have a few talks too......Oops, Chris-dono, I'm sorry」
「My name is Christina Wernstein. I am the Vice Commander of the Knight Order. I am also the guardian of the Second Princess and her son, Ainz-sama.」
Finally, Chris introduced herself. Even from Krone's point of view, she was so beautiful that she thought she was on par with Olivia. After that, she heard that she would also be guarding Olivia and Ainz, which made her a little jealous.
The fact that the vice commander of the Knight Order is guarding Olivia and Ainz in person is also surprising.
She really feels that she must be of such high status after all.
「Well, well. So, you're the vice commander of the famous Knight Order of Ishtalica」
「I am honoured by your compliment. I will be accompanying you today as your escort」
「Now that the greetings are over, may I ask you a few questions?」
Then Warren's face changed.
As the Prime Minister of the great nation of Ishtalica, he had to find out what Graf aims were.
「I understand. I look forward to working with you」
「Let me check your status card first. Of course, we'll present ours too」
When told to do so, Graf and Krone presented their cards.
As Warren, he wanted to see it with his two own eyes not just by the reports.
「Yes, thank you. I will present our status cards as well」
Warren and Chris then present their cards.
Graf and Krone looked at them. Graf didn't show his surprise, but Krone couldn't hide her surprise when he saw Chris's status. Warren can see her face.
「Ha-ha-ha. Miss Krone, were you surprised by Chris's-dono status?」
「I apologize for my impudence. I saw with my own eyes the strength of the great nation Ishtalica, and I could not hide my surprise」
Graf and Krone were both surprised by the same thing. Chris's high status was the first thing that caught their attention, but it was his job and skills. It was impressive that his job was Holy Knight and his skill was Holy Swordsmanship, something they had never seen before.
A skill so powerful that when Glint was born into the Round heart family, it became the talk of the country. The fact that she had already sublimated it into a job, and that she held a powerful skill that could be recognized by its name; the holy swordsmanship.
She thought that she was indeed the Vice Commander of the Knight Order of Ishtalica.
「Chris-dono is the vice commander, so her status is outstanding. Well, for the time being, the inquiry about your status has been successfully completed. Next, I'd like to ask you a question, and I'm sorry if it's too long, so I'll ask you straightforwardly. I would like to know why you decided to come to Ishtalica」
Here it comes, Graf thought.
Although he had explained to her in advance that he wanted hide her, but he had not explained it directly to her, so he had expected this to happen.
「Let me answer that」
There was a certain amount of tension, but I couldn't help but answer.
Should I say that I genuinely wanted Ainz to protect Krone, or should I muddle my words? It was hard to decide.
「....Krone. Show them your left arms」
First, I decided to show him the Star Crystal that Ainz had given to her.
I don't know how much it's worth in Ishtalica, but if it is, I'll explain its value in Hyme.
「Here it is」
Krone then pointed the star crystal bracelet she wore on her left arm to Warren.
「I'm sorry......but what's wrong about this "flower"?」
「Yes. It's the most precious thing I have received for Ain....Ainz-sama」
「Hmm. I hadn't heard about this one either. I had no idea that the Star Crystal was a flower. I wonder if Chris-dono heard about it?」
「No, I didn't hear about it. Ainz-sama only said that he gave her a flower that he made himself」
「Sorry to interrupt. What would be the value of the Star Crystal here in Ishtalica?」
I interrupted him and asked him about the Star Crystal value.
Graf felt that he had done something wrong, but he had to make a hard decision because of the problem of how to involve it in the future conversation.
「It's probably worth as much as in Hyme. After all, it costs the same amount of money to detoxify the Blue Fire Rose in Ishtalica」
Chris explained.
As for Graf, he was relieved to hear that. He had thought that an expensive gift would have made a stronger impression than a cheap one.
「Miss Krone was attracted to Ainz-sama personality and received the Star Crystal. She felt a sense of fondness for him and wanted to see him again, so she set out for Ishtalica. Is that right?」
Warren made the first move as if he could see through Graf's thoughts.
There was no mistaking about what he said, so he had no choice but to nod his heads honestly.
「Yes, I'm pretty sure.」
「I see. Then.....Please tell us about the Round heart family」
Graf thought that the most troublesome question came to him.
If he got this answer wrong, he might have to reject him.
Thinking about this made him more nervous.
「Do you mind if I answer?」
Then Krone opened her mouth. To be honest, Graf wanted her to be quiet, but she had already asked if she could answer, so he couldn't stop the flow.
「Yes, Miss Krone is welcome to answer. But, if it is Miss Krone, let's change the question. What do you think of Ainz-sama?」
「Roundheart is a prominent family in the military. It is one of the most important families in the army of Hyme. I heard that they were disappointed with his when Ainz-sama was born」
「.......Please continue」
「Since then, many rumors have circulated about Ainz-sama. Lack of courtesy, jealousy of his brother, a failure of General Rogus, and many others」
Hearing what she hadn't heard, Chris clenched her hands tightly and tried to maintain her self-control.
「Then, at a party held at my home, I met Ainz-sama」
「How did you come to know Ainz-sama could not attend?」
「I was struck by Ainz-sama's wonderful consideration to Her Highness the Second Princess, and I was curious to know what kind of person he was. So, I volunteered to show Ainz-sama around」
Warren nodded his head slightly, and Krone continued her explanation.
Although Graf seemed to be maintaining his composure beside her, but inside, he wasn't calm at all.
「While I was showing him around the gardens of Augusto's mansion, I saw Ainz-sama's personality. Contrary to the rumors I had heard, he seemed to be a wonderful person who cared for me as well」
Chris was a little irritated when se heard the rumors about Ainz behaviour. But now that Ainz personality was being praised, hr mood had returned to normal.
「.....That's only the beginning」
Warren was momentarily distracted by Krone's sudden change of subject.
「To be honest, my feelings for him when I first met him were more, so to speak, love at first sight. The first time we met, he smiled at me with a gentle expression like the second princess, and after that, I got to know his personality, and gradually my feelings of fondness for him increased. And from the time I received the Star Crystal at the end, there was never a time when I didn't think of him」
Warren thought that Krone was a very determined girl.
She was able to talk about what she was thinking honestly in front of his own eyes, and she was able to balance the conversation so that the other person would not feel uncomfortable, and she was able to talk with care and intonation.
「.......Graf-dono. Your granddaughter seems to be a young lady with a bright future」
「I'm embarrassed to say it, but she's a bit of a tomboy at times」
「——She is smart. She had courage. And she's good-looking. Hmm, I see.....」
Warren mumbled something to himself, which only Chris, who was standing next to him, could hear.
「I understand the story. I also understand what Miss Krone thinks」
「I'm glad for you to understand my thoughts」
「Miss Krone. I still have a few questions I would like to ask Graf-dono. Why don't you go to the pier and look at the sea? The sea here in the port city of Magna is beautiful and soothing to look at」
When Krone and Graf heard this, neither of them understood the intention of the words.
However, they understood that there were circumstances in which they wanted to remove Krone, so they agreed to do so without hesitation.
「Thanks for that. I hope you have fun, Krone. If it's Warren-dono who said this, I'm sure it won't be dangerous」
「Of course. If you fall into the sea, Chris will surely notice the sound, and there are knights everywhere today, so there is no problem with security」
He was also told that no monster would appear in this port, which was a relief for Graf.
So, he decided to let Krone go.
「——!」
「Chris-dono, I'll ask you later」
After Warren said that she should go to the pier, Chris, who had sensed something, turned a surprised face to Warren.
She may or may not have agreed with Warren when he said he'd talk to her later, but she didn't say anything else, though her face looked unhappy.
「Well then, it's time for the adults to talk」
Another battle is about to begin. This time, Graf was determined not to fall behind.
＊＊＊
「I don't know what he means for suddenly asking me to check out the pier......」
No matter how she thought about it, Krone couldn't figure out why he had to kept her away.
Nevertheless, she could feel that this sea was so beautiful that just looking at it was soothing.
「Seeing such a beautiful sea. It's my first time」
It had been a while since she had been on a ship, and she was glad to walk outside on her own feet for the first time in a long time.
Krone used to think that Hyme was a special city, but that idea has completely changed since arriving in this port city of Magna.
「They gave him a princess from such an amazing country and then they do something like that to her. Round heart, he was a fool. But..... I can't say it out loud」
Krone, who had not been told the details of the secret agreement, did not understand why Olivia had come to marry in Hyme in the first place.
Originally, the plan was to somehow prepare a ship and hire adventurers as escorts to cross from Euro to Ishtalica.
It was just a coincidence that she heard about a ship from Ishtalica dealing transaction in Euro and then she was allowed on the ship.
「....Nice weather. The wind feels good」
As she walked along the pier, she looked out at the beautiful sea and felt the breeze.
Her clothes were a little dirty, but she thought of somewhere to sit, so she found a crate and decided to take a rest there.
Then she saw him.
「A, Ainz....?」
There was no mistaking. His hair was as beautiful as Olivia's, and his face, while gentle, seemed to have taken on a slightly more masculine appearance. His body had grown a lot, but he was definitely the Ainz she had wanted to meet.
This Ainz was taking a nap.
「Fufu.....I see why. Warren-sama」
Krone understood why he had sent her to the pier. He had sent her to get to Ainz.
She also understood why Chris had been looking at Warren as if she wanted to say something.
She was probably still wary of Krone, which was natural.
But that reason is not important now. She's going to be with the man she wanted to see.
「Oh my. he's wearing a jewel on his arms」
Krone took Ainz's hand and looked at the red jewel in his hand.
A gift from a woman? She was not at peace when she thought about it, but she decided to accept that he was royalty and would at least wear jewellery.
「Good grief. Your head will hurt from napping here, doesn't it?」
Would it be indecent when viewed by our surroundings? For an unmarried woman to lend her knees or would she be punished for disrespect? Ainz is a royalty after all.
After thinking about it, Krone decided to put Ainz's head on her lap, because she felt uneasy that he was sleeping on this hard surface.
「It's been a long time since we've seen each other, but you're asleep. Here you go, sleepyhead」
She lightly poked Ainz's cheek with her finger. He seemed to be tickled and moved his face a little, but there was no sign of Ainz waking up.
「So you're a royalty huh, Ainz......Oh? It's a good thing that you're a royalty, by the way」
Talking to herself, Krone stroked Ainz's hair a little and decided to lend him a knee until he woke up.
＊＊＊
「Warren-dono? Good grief......Shouldn't we be a little more vigilant?」
「I've given him the Red Jewel of the Earth to make sure nothing happens to him. I'm afraid I've been too honest in front of you, Graf-dono」
「No, I suppose it's only natural since he's a royalty. As for me, I have no complaints about it」
「But, Chris-dono? I didn't expect Miss Krone to be so close to him......that she would lend him her lap」
We could see from where Warren and the others were that Krone had just lent her knee to Ainz.
「I didn't expect her to do something like that.......The earth's red jewel does not react at all. That's why I know it's purely from a goodwill」
「In my own way, I understood Miss Krone and sent her to be with him. Isn't this a charming scene, Graf-dono?」
「It's certainly charming. I never thought I'd see Krone like that」
Warren and Chris decided, that today was special.
Normally, she won't let a royal family show that kind of appearance, but Ainz hadn't announced his face yet.
「So, Warren-dono. You still have questions for me right.....」
「Oh, that's right. There are other things too that I would like to ask you later with the others. But there is only one thing I wanted to tell you here. From now on, Graf-dono may need to prepare himself to cut ties with Hyme. Can you understand that?」
Warren's words were heavy.
For he asked, "Can you abandon your homeland?"
But Graf's mind had been made up before they left Euro.
「My motherland is certainly an important place that cannot be easily abandoned. However, I'm not a nobleman, and I thought of my family......and my granddaughter, Krone, first, not my country or the royal family that I served. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one」
「That's not a bad answer. I'm glad to hear that, Graf-dono. By the way, I believe you have one more grandchild, and what about your sons?」
「The reason why Krone had to cross the sea in such a hurry was because of the offer of marriage from the Hyme royal family. And if the whole family had moved to Ishtalica was known, there was a possibility that the Hyme would cause trouble for Ishtalica again」
Warren smiles when he hears those words.
「Considering Miss Krone's feelings, I will take her to the side of Ainz-sama. And with Miss Krone as a link, we can also protect the Augusto family in Hyme. It's really killing two birds with one stone」
「.....I'm impressed. As expected of Ishtalica's Prime Minister」
As for Graf, he could respect Krone's feelings, and he also calculated that if Krone got along well with Ainz, even if something bad happen, Ishtalica would not treat the Augusto family badly.
「As for us, we don't have any good feelings toward Hyme. In the midst of all this, Prince Tigre, the third prince of the Hyme royal family, had made an unofficial proposal of marriage to Miss Krone. I thought that this would be interesting. Especially when you look at the two of them on the pier while thinking about it.......」
Warren smiled his mischievous smile. Graf, who understood the feeling very well, relaxed a little, knowing that he had seen it all coming.
「The third prince is physiologically unpleasant, as Krone said」
「Ha ha ha! That's good.」
「What a delightful story, right, Warren-dono」
Finally, Chris smiled along with him.
「I forgot to tell you this, Graf-dono」
Warren wear a different, gentler look on his face than he has before.
「Welcome to Ishtalica. We at Ishtalica welcome you, Graf-dono and your company」
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Thx for the ss chapter~
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