Chapter 351 – The King's and Princess's Familiar

The Sirius continued its course above the highway, and soon after crossing over a small hill, Theoreme Castle came into view. Maintaining a gentle speed, it headed straight toward Termwills.

When traveling from the Barony of Silun to Termwills, one would normally need to cross mountain paths, but with an airship, that could be ignored for a direct route. Termwills rapidly drew closer.

Avoiding flying over the city, we detoured around the outer walls toward the shipyard. Considering we would continue making modifications to the Sirius in the future, it would be best to lower it onto its pedestal again.

We descended slowly while checking the crystal panel, making fine adjustments to our position. We lowered the Sirius precisely onto the pedestal. With a slight vibration, the Sirius came to a stop.

“Hmm. Impressive work.”

Old Sigmund smiled, and I smiled back slightly and nodded.

Well then, time to prepare to disembark.

“Welcome back, Commander.”

“Congratulations on this occasion.”

“Thank you.”

Elliot and Camilla, who had stepped down into the shipyard, received congratulations one after another from the members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order. Elliot responded to them with a gentle expression.

Princess Stephania and the others descended as well. Using Levitation, she came down from the deck along with Corulis, drawing the attention of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order.

“What in the world is that…?”

“That is Her Highness Stephania’s familiar. It’s Beryl Mall, whom we encountered in the Marquisate of Broderick’s mine.”

“Corulis. Say hello to everyone.”

In response to Princess Stephania’s words, Corulis stood up on its hind legs and bowed its head. The knight order members stared wide-eyed.

“What will you do with Corulis?”

“I’ll take it to the royal castle first. I need to report to Father.”

“Understood.”

The royal castle has stables as well… We should be able to arrange a temporary environment… But since there’s also the aspect of bringing it as the Otherworld Ambassador, I should accompany them for explanation purposes as well.

“Then I’ll accompany you as well. It’s also part of my work as the Otherworld Ambassador.”

“In that case, we’ll transport the saplings.”

Grace loaded the fig saplings onto a carriage.

“See you later then, Theodore.”

Floria gave me a small wave.

“Yeah. Once we return from the royal castle, let’s decide where to plant the saplings too.”

“Mhm. I’ll be waiting.”

She smiled back and got into the carriage. Suddenly, when I glanced back at the Sirius from the carriage window, Alpha was also peeking out from the deck.

“Alpha, see you later too. If you come to the house, feel free to make yourself at home.”

When I called out like that, Alpha closed its eyes as if nodding, then turned on its heel and seemed to go to a position where it couldn’t be seen from below.

“Shall we go then?”

As for me, I headed toward the royal castle together with Alfred, Princess Stephania, and Princess Adriana. Elliot also headed to the royal castle, apparently to first report to King Melvin.

We had Corulis follow behind the carriage as we headed to the royal castle together. It drew attention, but well, there was no point worrying about it.

Upon arriving at the royal castle, we made our return report. We were shown to the guesthouse beside the training grounds, but we needed to report about Corulis as well.

King Melvin should have already received news of the Sirius’s arrival. Since I wanted to introduce Corulis too, I thought we’d wait here in front of the square.

“Oh, Theodore. You’ve returned.”

After a short while, King Melvin appeared with his escort knights.

“Yes. I’ve just returned.”

“Hmm. It’s excellent that everyone appears safe and sound. I’m also glad to hear Elliot’s wedding ceremony proceeded without issue. Rumors of the wedding in the Barony of Silun have reached my ears as well.”

“Yes. I believe this was only possible thanks to the assistance of Your Majesty and the Ambassador.”

“A most auspicious matter indeed.”

King Melvin nodded at Elliot’s words and smiled. Then he looked around, his gaze stopping on Princess Stephania and Corulis. After examining Corulis intently, King Melvin spoke.

“Now then… That must be the Beryl Mall in question… Corulis. I’ve received reports from Auria at the Adventurer Guild.”

We had contacted Auria via communication device and asked the Guild to prepare for Beryl Mall’s reception as well.

“Yes, Father. Though it was my judgment on site, I agreed to become Beryl Mall’s master and take responsibility, for the purpose of cooperating with Sir Theodore.”

When King Melvin’s gaze turned toward it, Corulis straightened its upper body and bowed its head. Seeing this, King Melvin gave a wry smile.

“It matters not. As long as it’s not evil, I’ve no intention of interfering with familiar selection. Moreover, it aligns with the policy Verdgar advocates. It would be appropriate as a task undertaken by the Otherworld Ambassador as well, and there should be no reason to object to synchronization. I hear it wishes to establish the old mine as its feeding ground and have access to the labyrinth.”

“Yes. Regarding that matter, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Hmm. Speak.”

Princess Stephania nodded, took a deep breath, and began.

“I would like your permission to accompany Corulis to the old mine until it becomes accustomed to the environment and completes its learning to a certain extent.”

Hearing these words, King Melvin widened his eyes slightly but showed a thoughtful expression.

“Hmm. Indeed… Unlike lamias, this is a matter preceding humanization. With monsters accessing labyrinths, unforeseen circumstances must be considered. Having its master accompany and control it would allow it to learn how to respond to detailed situations. Certainly, that would be meaningful.”

“Eventually, I’m thinking beyond just using the old mine as a feeding ground – to trade materials with the Guild in exchange for money, use that to purchase ore, and even rescue other adventurers we’re likely to encounter in the old mine…”

…I see. That might be efficient without waste.

If it’s a familiar, it shouldn’t be impossible. Cooperation from the Adventurer Guild is also confirmed since we’ve received a response from Auria.

“From me as well, I ask that you please consider Her Highness’s intentions.”

“I would also like to make the same request.”

“From me as well. I had some opportunity to interact with Corulis on the ship, but I didn’t sense any evil in it.”

Princess Adriana and Alfred, and then Elliot too, sided with Princess Stephania.

“In that case, I’ll accompany them to the old mine as well. Though I fought Corulis once, I believe there are no monsters in the old mine that could pose a threat.”

When I said this, King Melvin nodded quietly.

“–Very well. I know you harbor admiration for adventure, but I shall believe it’s not driven by personal motives.”

When King Melvin answered like that, the expressions of Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana brightened.

“Yes, I intend to maintain the distinction between public and private matters.”

“Hmm… Well… As for descending into labyrinths and such, that’s something that would reflect back on me as well. I won’t complain about that, but fundamentally, as royalty overseeing Termwills, I don’t consider it wasteful to descend into labyrinths and deepen your understanding of that land. Go and see with your own eyes what supports this nation’s foundation, and upon whose actions and what kind of deeds it stands.”

Saying this, King Melvin grinned.

Go see the reality of the Boundary Labyrinth and adventurers. It’s similar to the educational approach Father took with Daryl… But the first part of his words suggests that King Melvin might have descended into labyrinths in his youth as well.

“At any rate, you must be tired from your long journey. First, rest and recover from your travels. As for Corulis… Whether to keep it in the stables, or have it dig a burrow at the edge of the training grounds… Well, there’s time. You can decide at your leisure.”

For today at least, it was settled that Corulis would stay in the stables. King Melvin looked at Corulis and chuckled softly, then turned and returned to the King’s Tower.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Princess Stephania expressed her gratitude to everyone.

“Not at all. I bear some responsibility for Corulis as well, and I want things to go smoothly.”

For King Melvin too, regarding Corulis, it would help disseminate his policy, and our objectives align in some aspects.

“I’d like you to bring Corulis to the workshop later. I want to take measurements for making magic tools.”

“Understood.”

That would probably be tomorrow or later, I suppose.

For today, I’ll leave Corulis to Princess Stephania and Alfred, and as King Melvin said, return home to rest from the journey’s fatigue. We still have things to do, like deciding the location for the saplings Floria is protecting.