Chapter 35: Our Shared Trait

"Looks like the day has finally come… Is it really fine if just the three of us handle the welcome?"

"I believe it should be fine. We were informed in advance that they would prefer to avoid anything too extravagant on their side as well. With you, Toma-kun—the Sword King and representative of the nation—along with your attendant Hikari-san, and myself, who serves as the Saint, it should suffice."

About a month had passed since that first real battle, the "King’s War." And now, at last, Shion Ace—the leading candidate for Spear King—was arriving in this country.

Despite the outcome of the "King’s War," and the fact that such a talented individual as Shion would now be placed under our care, we had expected some sort of reaction from their side. But there had been none. The only notice we received was directly from Shion herself, requesting that the reception be kept to an absolute minimum.

Normally, even if such a request were made, we would still prepare a proper welcome befitting a guest as representatives of the nation. However, Carol and Clarisse had once again caused a magical tool to go out of control, so most of our personnel had been diverted there. They had better enjoy their pay next month—because there will be fewer zeros on it than usual.

"By the way, where is this Shion person going to stay? Do we even have a room available?"

"I believe there are guest rooms. However, I still do not fully grasp the layout of the royal castle, so I cannot say for certain."

"Since she is a woman, I am sure the ministers have arranged accommodations with that in mind."

I see—that is reassuring. Leave it to the experts… Wait a second. I feel like I just heard something pretty important.

"A woman? Who?"

"Lady Shion, of course…"

"Hey, Toma… don’t tell me you actually mistook her gender…?"

…Sorry. I absolutely did. Wait, seriously? I mean, her throat was covered, so I could not see an Adam’s apple. And sure, she was so beautiful that even dressed as a man it still came across—but still!!

"In the Yaranli Kingdom, only women can become the Spear King. So being a candidate already means she is female, apparently. I have heard they are gathered and trained from childhood."

Everyone knew that? I am the only one who did not? That just makes me look like an idiot. And mistaking a woman for a man—honestly, I would not even complain if I got punched for that.

I did think she was more beautiful than most women, but realizing my mistake now… she is on a completely different level.

"You could tell just by looking. Her entire presence was completely feminine."

"Yes, she felt dignified, but in a way distinct from a man. You could tell at a glance…"

There goes another piece of evidence proving my memory is unreliable. At this rate, I am almost glad I have forgotten most of my past life—it would not have been useful anyway.

Maybe there is some connection between how easily I forget things and everything else going on. Though, honestly, remembering something for over a decade might be the strange part.

Still, gathering candidates from childhood and giving them elite training, huh.

"That sounds far more structured than ‘whoever pulls the holy sword becomes king.’ Honestly, if another country worked like ours, that would be concerning in its own way."

"Right? A hereditary system or grooming successors would make transitions much smoother."

"Ahaha… as someone from the Church of the Sword King, I probably should not comment on that…"

After all, this country ended up the way it is because no one had been able to draw the holy sword for 500 years. Compared to that, the Yaranli Kingdom—where multiple Spear King candidates exist—might actually be far more stable. Still, since our system was established as national policy, it was not something easily changed.

Even rules whose purpose we no longer understand may once have been necessary. And just as often, what was once essential becomes obsolete with time.

"Ah—it looks like they have arrived."

At that, I raised my head to see a white carriage quietly approaching the front of the royal castle. Driving it was a girl with indigo hair—the same color as Shion’s—who, during the final moments of the "King’s War," had run toward her with tears in her eyes.

The carriage came to a stop, and upon noticing us, she gave a polite bow and opened her small mouth.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Ciel, Shion’s mother. My daughter and I will be in your care from today onward. I look forward to working with you."

Everyone froze, trying to process what she had just said—but failing to fully grasp it.

The woman before us clearly looked like a young girl. Not just our age—she looked even younger. She did not even reach my shoulder, and she was shorter than Alicia, who was already quite petite.

Still, we could not stand there stunned forever. As representatives of this country, we had to welcome them properly. Otherwise, we would not be able to enjoy the banquet prepared afterward. Food loses its flavor in an awkward atmosphere.

"Even if I look like this, I am already over 40, so please do not mind me! And if possible, please give Shion a nice room… I am perfectly fine staying in the stables!!!"

"F-Forty!? But your skin is so smooth…!"

"U-Um!! How do you keep your hair so silky!? Please teach me!!"

Hikari and Alicia seemed eager to ask all sorts of questions about Ciel’s youthful appearance. Watching them, I could not help but think—yes, they are definitely girls.

I have learned the hard way not to interrupt women when they get excited about beauty. My mother drilled that into me thoroughly.

They say those who interfere in someone’s romance deserve to be kicked by a horse—but my mother used to say that men who interfere with women’s sense of beauty might get socially destroyed by them. Watching those two now, I could not even laugh it off as a joke.

"Mother!! That is embarrassing—please stop!!!"

"Oh my, Shion. It is important to properly greet people, you know?"

"I know that!! But could you at least listen to me sometimes!? You are always so airheaded!!!"

At last, perhaps having reached her limit, Shion Ace burst out of the carriage.

She pulled Ciel over beside her, cleared her throat, and reset the situation. Though the earlier atmosphere had not completely faded—Ciel still wore a beaming smile, as if she found the whole thing delightful.

"Ahem… Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Shion, formerly a candidate for Spear King. As I have come to Swordria, I have relinquished both my candidacy and the name ‘Ace,’ and have come here with nothing but myself. You may treat me as a tool if you wish. That was the agreement."

"Thank you for your courtesy. I am Toma Swordria, who only became king of this nation two months ago. I am sure I will have my shortcomings, so I would appreciate it if you could point them out strictly. Since you were trained to become a ruler, I imagine you know quite a lot…"

"Wait… you are saying you did not receive such training? No—surely you did not just happen to draw the holy sword two months ago?"

Shion stared at me in disbelief—but that was exactly what happened.

In this country, since no one knows who will become the Sword King, basic education is mandatory at the Church of the Sword King in each village—but that is all.

That is also why the ministers have recently been pushing to establish a royal lineage. Without elite training from a young age, it is difficult to develop the mindset needed to lead. I am simply an unusual case.

"I had assumed that, even if you had not drawn the holy sword until recently, you had still received specialized education beforehand…"

"Before becoming Sword King, I was just the son of a tavern owner in a rural village. I do feel bad for my mother, but when I sent her a letter, she replied, ‘Do not worry about us—just do what you need to do.’"

"I see… It seems your mother understands the importance of a king."

"I did not expect her to sum it up in one sentence, though. I thought she would try to stop me a bit more."

Of course, I did not mention that most of her letter was actually about taking good care of Hikari.

She treated Hikari almost like a daughter. And perhaps because of that, Hikari’s way of speaking has started to resemble my mother’s.

She did love me too, of course—but maybe the difference between a son and a daughter played a part. She was a bit more hands-off with me.

"Well, either way, I think things are fine back home. Right now, I have more than enough to deal with here. Besides, my mother could easily take down a rampaging drunk at the tavern, so I am not worried."

"You truly trust your mother. It may not be my place to say, but… I envy that."

"Come on, Shion. Your mother seems like a wonderful person too—she is already getting along with those two over there."

"She is so carefree it worries me… I feel like I have to keep an eye on her, or she will get into trouble somewhere."

I understood what she meant. Ciel’s gentle, almost absent-minded aura made it seem like she lacked any sense of caution.

But that was probably why people were drawn to her. She had that kind of presence that made others want to protect her.

For a moment, I wondered—was that her survival strategy? Whether it was just intuition or some warning from the holy sword, I could not tell. But for some reason, I felt like it was something I should not forget.

"In any case, I believe we can build a good relationship. Once again, I would like to apologize for my rude remarks the other day."

She bowed deeply—truly sincere.

Bringing her mother all the way to another country, even making her a retainer… She must care deeply for her.

"I should be the one apologizing as well. I provoked you just as much. I am sorry for the disrespect I showed."

I bowed in return. Perhaps not something a king should do—but no one was watching.

We both had things we could not compromise on. And the fact that she was willing to risk her life for them—that alone earned my respect.

Maybe that is why we are alike.

"...It seems I misjudged you. To think I spoke so harshly to someone like you… I feel like I want to crawl into a hole."

"Same here. So let us just drop the formalities. Come on, we have prepared a welcoming meal—let’s go. Food is best when it is hot."

"Agreed. I rarely get the chance to eat warm meals, so I am looking forward to it. But first…"

Her gaze shifted from me to the three chatting women nearby.

They say three women together are noisy—but add a discussion about beauty, and the intensity rises to another level.

…First, we would have to get them to stop talking and guide them toward the dining hall.