CH 4

A small, fat man walked up to us, smiling and laughing. When my father noticed this, he looked up and the old man called out to my father.

“Mr. Roen, what a coincidence that you’re here.”

“Oh, it’s Brao. My son is five years old this year, and he’s here to receive his skills.”

“…… I’d like you to watch how you talk to me, okay? I see, that’s the boy. One more thing, it’s a coincidence that my son will also turn five this year. “

He glared at me, making no secret of his disgust at my father’s light-hearted tone, but after looking at me, he quickly calmed down and introduced me to the wide-eyed child beside him.

“That’s my boy, Ryuuze.”

When the old man named Brao says this, Ryuuze sniffs and opens his mouth to look down at us.

“My name is Ryuuze. It’s a good idea to flatter me while you can, because one day I’m going to replace my father as the ruler of this land, you know? What’s your name?”

“…… Lars.”

“What a dull name. Well, you’d better pray that you get some good skills! Oh, this one’s cute.”

As I was thinking about how annoying this guy is, Ryuuze confronted a girl with a stuffed bear. I tried to pat her on the head, but she quickly avoided my hand. 

“…… No ……”

“What do you mean, “no”? I’m the son of a lord! This guy ……!”

“Ah …….”

In a fit of rage, Ryuuze grabs the stuffed bear and steps back. When the girl reaches for it, he pulls back and teases her so that she can’t take it.

“Uu …… uuh …… give it back ……”

“No! It’s your punishment for disobeying me!”

“Hey, Brao, stop him.”

“Hmm, for disobeying the lord …… a noble. We’ll have to remind her. Roen, you should watch your mouth, too, okay?”

“……”

What is it? My father’s face looks sad and pained, just like that time. Did you have something to do with this Brao a long time ago ……?

“Uhhhh. ……”

“Hahahaha! She really started crying, you weak little thing!”

Oops, I should worry about her, rather than dad for now. I quickly took the stuffed bear from Ryuuze.

“Stop it! You’re an asshole for making a girl cry.”

“What? Are you going against me too?”

“It’s not talking about disobeying you or anything, right? Don’t lords help people in need? Okay, I’ll give it back.”

“……! …… Thank you ……”

After being a little surprised, the girl smiled and thanked me. When I was blushing thinking about this, Ryuuze also turned red and grabbed me.

“You’re getting cocky!”

“Ow!? You started it ……!”

I clenched my fist to return the favor, annoyed by the blow to my head.

“Hey, Roen! You don’t seem to be able to discipline your son! Do you know what will happen if you hit Ryuuze?”

At that moment, however, old man Brao said something like that and I was yanked away by my father.

“No, Lars.”

“But, Dad, he’s the one!”

“Sorry, stop it ……”

“Eh …….”

I was stunned to see my father holding me back with a very sad face, and I lowered my fist. Seeing this as an opportunity, Ryuuze opened his mouth.

“Heh, I’m going to beat you to a pulp ……!”

“Damn ……”

I wondered if he had some kind of weakness in him. I can’t fight back in front of my frustrated father …… As I was wondering what to do, the doorway was opened and a person who looked like a priest raised his voice.

“Everyone, preparations is complete! Please move to the sanctuary!”

“It’s time. Ryuuze, don’t bother with that guy. Let’s go get our skills first.”

“…… Yes. Looks like you got lucky!”

He said a common throwaway line and stumbled out the same way he did when Ryuuze and the old man came. When I looked at my father, he took a breath, looked at me, and said.

“…… I’m sorry, Lars. He’s Lord Brao, an old friend of mine. As you can see, if he doesn’t like something, you don’t know what he’ll do, so don’t mess with him. What’s more, he rarely goes out, so I doubt we’ll see each other anywhere but here.”

“…… Okay, Dad.”

I nodded to my father, who smiled weakly and patted me on the head. Just then, the girl’s guardian came back.

“Ahhh, I’m sorry, Luciel! I was so nervous that my stomach hurt and I couldn’t get out of the bathroom!”

“…… Pui.”

“Huh!? You’re in a bad mood!? What’s wrong?”

A light-weight man, who I assumed was the father, was impatiently calling out to the girl, who turned away, so I decided to tell him for her.

“Earlier, the lord’s son was bullying her. I think that’s why.”

“Oh, and you are? I see, so that’s what happened. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you. I just can’t stand the condition of my stomach.”

“…… You don’t have to keep saying that ……”

“Haha, I’m sorry …… and, isn’t it Mr. Roen …… then this is Mr. Roen’s …… then, this is where we part.”

The two of them hurriedly left the place after saying that. I wonder what’s this uncomfortable feeling ……? When I thought about it, I took a closer look and saw that everyone around me was chatting peacefully, but no one was talking to my dad.

(What’s this about?)

I feel like I’m being neglected by my dad, and it’s kind of not funny. But then.

“Bye bye …… thank you.”

The girl …… waved at me. She was smiling, so I was relieved that it was worth saving her.

…… But I may have to look into the matter of my dad soon. There must be a reason why my father, who is always so kind, is being avoided. With this in mind, we headed for the sanctuary.

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“Hahahahaha! As expected of my son, you’ve got some good skills!”

“Of course, father!”

When we arrived, we could hear the foolish laughter of the lord and his son. They had already finished the ceremony and were sitting in chairs at the end of the room. I thought they were going to leave right away, but apparently, the priest was going to congratulate them at the end, so they had to wait until then.

Some of them had already finished, and there were no disappointed looking children, so it seemed that they had received what they wanted or what they deserved.

“……. Nn”

“Oh ……! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Everything is in God’s hands. Good for you.”

The Luciel from earlier seemed to have got a pretty good skill, and his father bowed his head in unison to thank him. The priest, who was a little taken aback by the desperation of the situation and had a soft face, made Luciel and the others step back.

“Who’s next?”

“Oh, yes. That’s us!”

“Please!”

It was finally my turn, and I stood in front of the priest, excited beyond my age …… Well, my physical age is five, so please forgive me.

“Then put your hand on this plate.”

“Yes, sir. Is it like this?”

“Yes, that’s fine …… “Our Father, who watches over us from heaven, share your power with the newborn”.”

As the priest recited the incantation, the gold plate began to glow —

Ahhhh, I used up my leftover machine (writing pool): ……

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“You’re wasting a valuable bullet ……”

I mean, who knows who else might be reading this at this time!?

“There’s just no end, there”

Ugh ……