Chapter 163 – The Kingdom's Policy

“Theodore-kun, well done!”

“You did it! Such an amazing response!”

“I never thought we’d get to perform for so many people!”

Just as we were seeing off the last of the audience members, Irmhild and the others came running over with bright smiles.

Well, “running over” might be an understatement – it felt more like being mobbed by all three of them at once. They were clearly still riding the high from the concert’s great success.

“Ah, yeah. Your performance was incredible.”

I was somewhat flustered by the sudden embrace but managed to maintain my composure as I replied. Without proper mental preparation, these situations tend to make me panic.

“Thank you! We’re going to go change now!”

Since they were still in their stage costumes – dresses – it would be problematic to stay like that. They ran off toward the dressing room.

With the concert’s success, we were moving straight into the afterparty. We’d handle the remaining cleanup moderately and save the rest for tomorrow, planning to make noise all night in the theater’s entrance hall.

“Theo, should we start bringing out the food now?”

“Yeah. Once everything’s ready, let’s start setting it out from one end.”

In the entrance hall, besides Grace and the others, shrine maidens who had come to help, Guild staff, and the Golems under my command were running around setting up tables and chairs, bringing out food, and preparing the afterparty venue.

Once the venue was roughly set up and Irmhild’s group had returned, the afterparty began. But as expected, people seemed to be gathering around the shaved ice and carbonated drinks. Everyone really likes rare things, huh.

Flagia, Irmhild’s mother, also took a bite of shaved ice and made a surprised expression.

“Be careful not to eat too much shaved ice or you’ll get cold.”

I gave the warning just in case. Lavigne was eating a mountain of shaved ice from a bowl, but she’s originally adapted for cold regions, so she’s an exception.

“Yes, Theodore-san.”

Flagia smiled back at me.

“I imagine the sudden invitation must have been confusing.”

“Not at all. I was happy to see my daughter so full of life.”

The resemblance I sensed in Flagia’s smile… well, they are mother and daughter, so she looks quite similar to Irmhild. That gentle atmosphere and all.

“How are you feeling health-wise?”

“Well… since my daughter returned, I’ve been having more good days than bad.”

They say illness stems from the mind… and that seemed particularly true for Flagia.

Just as Claudia had told me, her complexion seemed better than when I’d seen her before. Being a Lamia, she’s naturally sturdier than humans, so perhaps reuniting with Irmhild had restored her vitality.

“Ah… I’d like to borrow your hand for a moment. There’s a Technique that can strengthen Vitality by transferring Magical Power.”

“Y-yes.”

Flagia hesitantly extended her hand.

Even though her health was improving, using Circulating Ki wouldn’t be wasteful. Taking Flagia’s hand, I used circulation to reinforce her life force. After organizing the flow, I sent Magical Power from my side to strengthen her.

When I released her hand, Flagia blinked her eyes and repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hand.

“If you ever feel unwell again, please tell me immediately. I think I can help.”

“Th-thank you. Human Magicians are truly amazing people.”

“Theodore is a bit of a special case.”

Sheila, who had moved to Flagia’s personal protection, added this, and whether they heard it or not, the Forestbird members nodded thoughtfully. Hmm.

Flagia seemed to find the surrounding reactions amusing and chuckled quietly.

Various faces had gathered for the afterparty… King Melvin, Auria, and Penelope were happily discussing something. When they noticed me, they broke into smiles and approached.

“Oh, Theodore! This concert was a great success!”

“Let me offer my congratulations as well.”

“It was a wonderful concert.”

“Thank you. Irmhild’s group and Alfred worked very hard, so they deserve much of the credit.”

I personally felt it gave us sufficient momentum for the theater’s future prospects.

Alfred – having removed his disguise – seemed to be happily talking with Ophelia about something. Yeah. I shouldn’t interrupt that.

“It seems to have been good inspiration for the orphanage children too. Some said they wanted to work at the theater in the future, or play instruments and sing like that.”

Penelope laughed. That’s right. There are many jobs around the theater – ticket tearing and guidance, concession stand clerks, cleaning, operating lights and control panels, replenishing Magic Stones with Magical Power for maintenance, and so on… Having specialized, trustworthy staff would definitely help me too.

Holding concerts like a boys’ choir might be good for the theater’s philosophy.

“If there are interested people, having them experience working at the theater might be good. As for singing and performing… I’d be happy if many people showed interest.”

“That sounds wonderful. I’ll let Director Sandra know.”

“Then I shall donate some instruments to the orphanage.”

King Melvin laughed before his expression turned serious.

“But you know. This doesn’t mean problems won’t arise going forward.”

“Yes.”

It’s good that everyone shows understanding toward them. However, precisely because of that, certain disadvantages emerge. I’m aware of that.

That’s exactly why we had them receive bouquets at the concert’s end – to clearly establish the Guild and Temple’s stance toward friendly Monsters.

“I’ve also heard about their usual work at the Guild. As for me, I believe that having our kingdom protect those individuals would be beneficial for our kingdom as well.”

So that’s what he was discussing with Auria. The circumstances around the Adventurer Guild’s establishment – it’s similar to stories of kingdoms that developed by valuing adventurers.

By taking the position of national protection, we could attract friendly Monsters from surrounding nations and in turn benefit the country. It’s quite a legitimate give-and-take.

“Since Cursed Songs and Cursed Melodies can enable healing techniques and Vitality reinforcement, after all.”

Monsters who can use Cursed Songs and Cursed Melodies – I think they could have active roles not just singing at the theater like this, but also in medical fields.

Monsters often excel in particular skills. Actively creating opportunities for them to shine… I do think that would be effective.

“Such realities rarely reach my ears. This occasion has been truly meaningful. Since the Knight Order will host another dinner party, I shall announce the policy then.”

Ah, that dinner party. It’s an annual tradition, right?

Probably the discussion about rewards for our companions will happen then too.

“Understood. I’ll definitely attend the dinner party.”

“Good. Then I shall return to the Royal Castle with that one shortly.”

Saying this, King Melvin smiled wryly. The “that one” King Melvin referred to was Rosemary. This time too, with Mildred’s supervision, she had obtained the opportunity to go out in disguise. Right now she was drinking carbonated drinks while peering curiously into her glass, or eating shaved ice while nodding thoughtfully about something… Well, since I’ll probably visit the northern Tower again, I’ll have opportunities to hear her thoughts then.

“I see. So King Verdgar was considering such things…”

When I told Claudia about my earlier conversation with King Melvin, she nodded quietly. Irmhild and Flagia themselves were happily talking side by side. With Flagia patting Irmhild’s head, it was quite a harmonious scene.

Claudia watched this scene with gently narrowed eyes.

“I was a bit anxious, but… I’m glad I brought her along. Thank you, Theodore.”

“Personally, I’d like to eventually invite both your parents together.”

“Yes. But… let’s save that discussion for another time. Let’s talk about various things once things have settled down. For now… well, I’m interested in the cards you made.”

Claudia tilted her head slightly and smiled.

By cards, she means playing cards.

Since I made several sets and brought them, we can split into groups and play.

Well then… where to begin. For large group play, the standard would be something like Daifugō (Great Poverty)… but terms like “revolution” might cause some controversy given the era’s background. I’ll gradually replace those terms as I spread the rules.