I've brought Mr. Merce.

Oh, thank you.

Aqua 102, a five-colored golem maid, arrived with Melze.

"Oh, you must be Melze. I am Ernst Lubs von Richt-Shawlo.

"I'm Ernst Lubs von Richt-Schawlo. My name is Melze.

Yes. Pleased to meet you, aunt.

Oh, aunt. ......

"As my grandfather's daughter, you're my father's sister. That makes you my aunt.

Yes, that may be so, but I'm afraid I'm too ...... afraid.

Emperor Ernst II saw this and sighed.

"......After all, being a member of the imperial family seems to be a heavy burden for you."

"......"

"As for today, I wanted to meet you and apologize for my grandfather rather than my predecessor's ......."

Ernst II said he felt responsible for the irresponsible way he had meddled with the common people and even fathered a child, without officially recognizing the child and merely giving him a piece of evidence.

"......I'm sure you went through a lot of hardships. It is probably too late to apologize now, but here it is."

Emperor Ernst II bowed his head toward M?rze.

"Your Majesty?　Oh, no!　Raise your head, please!"

Panicked, Merzhe became confused.

"Your Majesty, please ...... look at her, she's a bit confused."

"......mm."

One of the knights of the Kingsguard remonstrated, and Ernst II finally raised his head.

"It's an informal occasion, and I'm only addressing my aunt. There is nothing wrong with that.

"That may be so, but ......"

"I think you should be ashamed of yourself for not being able to apologize for your mistakes.

These words reminded Jin of what the female emperor had once said, "I want to be a sovereign who does not hesitate to bow when I have to.

* * * *

When the atmosphere had calmed down, Emperor Ernst II opened his mouth again.

Meltze, you have several options. One is to become a vassal and hold a fiefdom in the provinces.

Jin, who is listening to the conversation from the side, thinks that he doesn't like either one of them.

And in fact, Mertze also looked uncomfortable.

"The other is to live without the Czarist family. ...... but that doesn't mean you can be completely free of them."

"...... I, still ......"

"Oh, of course, I'm not asking you to come to a conclusion right now. You can think about it for six months or a year.

"Oh, yes."

Mertze was a little taken aback by the unexpected proposal.

"...... But you have to understand that I can't let you live alone like before."

Ernst II explained that there would always be people who would try to take advantage of her, whether she wanted to or not.

"Yes. ......"

"And now, would you be willing to let Count Nido take custody of you ......?"

If that's the case, yes, I'd be happy to take care of you.

I see. I was going to ask Viscount Jóhir, who was the first to inform me of this ......, but it is more convenient to leave it with Count Nidó, who is able to visit from time to time.

"I am honored."

The Count of Nidot's residence was much closer to the palace than that of Viscount Jocher.

Then Emperor Ernst II turns to Melze.

"Now, Merce, I want you to stay with the Nido family for a while, to see and learn about the world of the nobility and the world at large. Then choose your path according to your own judgment."

"......, yes. Thank you for ......."

"Mm-hmm."

Thus, Meltze officially took up residence in the Nido household.

* * * *

Well...

Ernst II turns to Jin and Erza.

"Jin-dono, Erza-dono. Thank you very much for your help in rescuing Merce, treating him, and retrieving the Dagger of Evidence, as well as apprehending the criminals. I thank you."

"No, I did what I could."

Ernst II laughed when Jin said this.

"Yes, you did. In a way that only Jin-dono can do.

"......"

"I would like to thank Jin-dono and Erza-dono as individuals, rather than ...... from the Imperial Kingdom. Would you accept it?

Uh, ......

"Yes, I would be very grateful."

Erza replied on behalf of Jin, who hesitated for a moment.

"I see. I'm glad to hear that. Here is the inventory.

The knight of the Kingsguard standing next to Ernst II presented the inventory.

Jin accepted it and examined its contents.

"100 kilos of mithril silver, 10 kilos of adamantite, 10 kilos of gold, 5 0 kilograms ......?

"Mm. <

You are right. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

"Mmm, this tea is delicious. The pastries are excellent.

Thank you very much.

Now that the main business was done, His Majesty the Emperor and the others were enjoying the tea.

The finest sencha tea from Penglai Island and yokan (bean jelly) made by Perid 102.

The ingredients of yokan, such as azuki beans, agar and sugar, are all produced in Horai Island.

Like tea, it has a high content of free magic element (ether), which gives it a different taste.

Incidentally, Saki is still studying how the free ether content increases the flavor.

"So, ......, I should tell you about this too. Please ...... explain."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ernst II gave the order and one of the Kingsguard opened his mouth.

"I have interrogated the kidnappers and thieves captured by Jin-sama, and I would like to give you a brief report on what we have learned.

This was something Jin wanted to know.

"First, all three of them are members of a social thought group called the . We have learned that their headquarters is located in the southern part of the Kingdom of Cerroa.

The south?

Yes. The exact location has not yet been disclosed. ...... and ......."

The explanation from the knight of the Kingsguard continues: .......