Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

After the post-war affairs settled, I decided to visit an outer palace where Eliza and her companions resided.

My purpose was to pay my respects to Emperor Conrad, who had been wounded in the battle against Dyson.

As I passed through the lush trees of the small garden, I heard the melodic notes of a zither resonating from the palace veranda.

When she saw my face, Zither’s initially bored expression brightened instantly.

「Yow」

「Gunner-san, you’ve come!」

「…Gunner-san?」

「Yes, I want to express my gratitude once again for assisting Princess Elizabeth.」

Gratitude was all well and good, but she had already witnessed my true identity.

Zither’s reaction didn’t match the deference one would expect toward a hero or a member of the Silesie royal family. 「Zither, what am I?」

「Even if you ask me, aren’t you Gunner-san?」

Areh… I’m currently dressed casually, but she’s seen me fighting as the hero. Why is Gunner-san now wielding the hero’s sword and leading the Silesie army?

I conversed with Zither for a while and realized she wasn’t joking—she genuinely didn’t recognize the connection.

Her lack of recognition stemmed from the fact that rumors were circulating about the victorious battle. She had been struggling to compose a new song in honor of Silesie’s hero. When she looked at me, the image of the hero emerged, and she decided to base her composition on that. So, the hero of Silesie was none other than me!

This girl, serving as the sole attendant to the imperial granddaughter, seemed completely oblivious and single-mindedly focused on music.

「Alright, I understand. Just stay as you are.」

「Huh?」

Zither tilted her head.

「No, I mean, just be yourself.」

「What’s this? Even if you try to hit on me, you won’t get anything.」

I’m not trying to woo anyone. I’m utterly exasperated.

Expecting a Mito Komon-style revelation like, ‘Actually, you’re the hero of Silesie!’ from the natural airhead Zither was clearly a mistake.

At this point, proclaiming myself as a hero or a king general feels embarrassing. Let’s just leave it be.

「By the way, where is Eliza?」

「She’s inside, never leaving Emperor Conrad’s bedside.」

That’s to be expected. Although Conrad survived, his frail body bears the heavy burden. I step inside to pay my respects and find Conrad lying on a wheelchair-like bed by the window.

And there, on either side, are Eliza, diligently tending to Conrad, and Archbishop Nicholas.

「Why are you here, Nicholas?」

「Because, as the saint accompanying Hero Conrad, it is my duty.」

Right, his duty.

I have no recollection of inviting you to the palace, yet somehow you managed to enter.

「Listen, Nicholas. The Outer Leaf Villa is technically part of Silesie’s harem. Are you living here too?」

「Yes. When I entered, no one explicitly told me it was off-limits.」

I can’t help but find this whole situation absurd. While the common folk hold the clergy of the Asama Church in high regard, an Archbishop isn’t an ordinary person. Apparently, the male-restricted harem allows him free passage.

If only they knew about his eccentric tendencies. Clad in opulent Archbishop’s robes, Nicholas doesn’t look entirely out of place as a fervent young priest of the Asama Church.

But allowing this to continue undermines the security of the harem. Having an unfamiliar man lurking in my castle isn’t ideal.

「Fine, I get it. You can stay, but how long do you plan to linger here?」

「If his majesty Condrad’s hero’s power vanished, his life would be in danger. Despite my appearance, I am an authority in healing magic. I believe I can be of some assistance in his recovery.」

Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. Regardless of his peculiar inclinations, Nicholas is undoubtedly a top-tier saint. In a world devoid of physicians, healing either relies on herbalists or the power of the clergy.

The fact that a man resides in the distant villa, where only Zither and Eliza come and go, does raise some concerns. However, for Eliza’s sake, I’ll turn a blind eye this time.

In a way, there’s perhaps no safer man than the homo Archbishop. I’ll allow this exception.

Nicholas declares, ‘It’s time,’ and gently administers spirit water to Conrad before commencing his healing magic. Conrad’s body, already weakened by old age, suffered further strain from the intense battle. Ordinary holy magic won’t suffice for his recovery.

Why? Because healing magic merely restores things to their original state. It can mend wounds and cure illnesses, but it cannot reverse old age. In fact, applying it to an elderly person near the end of their life might accelerate their decline.

Nicholas, however, seems to have devised a unique approach to healing.

Observing his diligent efforts, I decided to let him continue. This is beyond my expertise; I must entrust it to a specialist.

As I watch the healing process, Eliza sidles up to me, tugging at my sleeve. She wants to say something. I bend down, tilting my head to listen. And then, in a hushed tone, Eliza whispers:

「Takeru-sama, I sincerely appreciate your exceptional consideration. How can I ever thank you for what you did for grandfather?」

「Eliza, I’ve told you there’s no need for formal gratitude…」

Despite being just eight years old, Eliza stiffens up easily. She desperately tries to act mature beyond her years—a sign of her resilience.

While it’s commendable that she expresses gratitude so politely, I find it slightly unsettling.

She is the granddaughter of the Germania Emperor, the last remaining bloodline. Eventually, she’ll be reluctantly crowned as the Empress of Germania.

Children don’t get to choose where they’re born or the environment they grow up in. But precisely because of that, I wish Eliza could experience a somewhat ordinary childhood away from the burdens of Germania.

Mimicking adults is something anyone can do once they reach adulthood. In this harsh world, where fifteen-year-olds are considered grown-ups, a child’s time to be a child is fleeting.

I wish Eliza would cut loose just half as much as Zither, who looks like a little girl even though she’s already an adult. But I guess she doesn’t feel safe in someone else’s place.

「…..you’re treating me like a child.」

「Yes, because you are one. You’re still a child so leave those kinds of things to adults. A child deserves to be protected. If you really want to thank me, just say ‘Thank you’ and take it easy.」

I pull Eliza’s small shoulders close, my fingers brushing her platinum-blond hair with a hint of blue. Her smile, though forced, reveals a deep loneliness. Instinctively, I lean down to comfort her.

And then, Eliza rests her head against my chest, stifling her sobs.

In the past, I might not have understood why she was crying, but now, having dealt with children, I can read the atmosphere. Despite her young age, Eliza has been carrying a heavy burden. She’s still just a child.

「Takeru-sama…」

「Enough. Stay like this for a while. Cry all you want.」

I say it half-jokingly, and Eliza’s tense shoulders relax. I feel relieved too. She must be somewhat reassured.

In this foreign land, where she has no one else to rely on, Eliza faces many worries. She’s not as carefree as Zither.

Perhaps, while I’m here in the royal castle, I should introduce her to someone closer to her age. The maids are too mature, so perhaps a slave girl would be suitable.

Eliza is intelligent; she should be able to relate to a slightly older girl as an equal.

「I won’t cry out loud because grandfather is sleeping but….may I borrow your chest a little longer?」

「Of course, feel free to use it. Even though it’s not the most reliable, it can serve as a makeshift handkerchief.」

I say this preemptively, knowing Eliza’s concern about staining my clothes. She’s so uptight—why does she have to be so formal all the time?

Eliza has lived in the imperial palace since she was a child, forced to conform to the behavior expected of an imperial granddaughter. She’s only eight years old—equivalent to second or third grade in my old world. It’s a pity.

I wonder what I was like at her age. Probably running around carefree, with a runny nose, playing without a care in the world.

I hope Eliza can relax a bit and enjoy her childhood while she still can. But it seems she’s always on edge.

As I sigh, a melodious tune begins playing behind us. Zither strums delicate strings, weaving a gentle melody.

「What’s your intention, Zither?」

「I thought the atmosphere was nice, so I’m setting the mood. It’s all part of my duties as a court musician.」

She says it with a goofy smile, swaying her hips as she plays. I can’t help but smile wryly. Eliza, unable to contain herself, starts chuckling in my arms. Unable to resist, I joined in.

Zither may be an airhead, but she’s doing her job well. Despite looking younger than me, she possesses a rare talent as a court musician.

Her natural brightness brings solace to Eliza.

※※※

「Trouble desu, Louise-san is missing.」

Sharon rushes over to me in a panic.

Louise, one of my direct knights, has been assigned a room in the royal castle, but she isn’t always there.

She’s become quite the leader, serving as the overall commander of the expanded volunteer corps. Consequently, she often ventures outside for her duties.

After recovering from accumulated fatigue and the injuries inflicted by the dragon maid, Louise must have felt invigorated and dashed off somewhere.

「Regarding Louise, she might have gone to the volunteer camp or on a patrol of the royal domain.」

「But she left this note and her equipment in her room.」

I read the note and hurried to Louise’s quarters.

There, neatly arranged on the bed, lay the ‘Orichalcum Greatsword’ and ‘Orichalcum Armor’ that I had bestowed upon her.

Louise’s note was remarkably succinct.

It simply stated that, as someone defeated in battle, she no longer deemed herself worthy of being my knight. She intended to return the Orichalcum gears. It was too brief to discern her true intentions.

「Sharon, do you know where Louise might have gone?」

Sharon shakes her head.

Louise couldn’t have gone far. With soldiers monitoring the comings and goings in the capital and scouts patrolling for security, any unusual movements should have been detected.

「Fetch Neneka for me.」

I’m clueless about Louise’s likely destination. Only our spies can track her down.

Despite our long association, I realize how little I truly know about Louise. It’s disconcerting.

※※※

Louise’s whereabouts became clear soon after.

She hadn’t gone far—just back to her family home.

The Carlson family, a longstanding martial lineage since the founding of Silesie, held a prominent position. They produced knights and generals, and their lineage also included generations of royal swordsmanship instructors.

When people spoke of Silesien Royal School, they referred to the Carlson-style swordsmanship. Louise’s family estate boasted an impressive dojo for this purpose.

「Indeed, Louise is a true ojousama.」

I look up to see an impressive two-story building. It’s about as grand as the Sawatari Company headquarters. Adjacent to it is a large open space, which appears to be the training ground for the swordsmanship dojo. When we hear ‘swordsmanship dojo’, we might imagine a traditional Japanese wooden hall, but the Western style has its own unique characteristics.

The open area, surrounded by stone walls, features large logs driven into the ground. Here, young trainees swing their swords toward these logs, honing their skills.

In this spacious field, nearly a hundred youths raise their voices, practicing swordplay against standing wooden targets. The grounds also include stables and a riding arena. A training apparatus called the ‘Quintain’ consisting of a wooden post with a shield attached, allows riders to strike it while galloping past.

On the opposite side of the Quintain, a sandbag hangs. If the striking speed is too slow, the sandbag rotates and swings back, providing an interesting challenge.

The training isn’t limited to swordsmanship alone; they also practice authentic mounted combat and archery. It resembles a comprehensive training center for aspiring knights.

Given the Carlson tradition, many of Silesie’s soldiers and officers hail from the Carlson lineage. The training facilities are bustling with students from various backgrounds.

However, I notice that there’s no direct sparring among the students. Perhaps due to the use of real iron swords (albeit blunted for practice), engaging in personal combat would be risky.

I wonder if bamboo swords and kendo gear could be used for safer sparring. But wait, wasn’t that not my original purpose for coming here today?

「Your Highness, King General, I welcome you.」

「Ehto….」

As I, a suspicious looking man, wandered around the dojo, a dignified looking middle-aged instructor who had been coaching the young trainees until now came to me.

With red hair tied back and a neatly trimmed red beard, he stands confidently, leaning a practice sword against the ground.

His simple black attire sets him apart from the white-clad students, yet there’s no mistaking his authority. This man is likely the master of the dojo.

「Jerome Carlson, at your service. My daughter has been under your care.」

「Ah, Louise’s father, I presume.」

Jerome, the swordsmanship instructor, bows deeply. He is not only the official swordsmanship instructor for the Silesien royal family but also holds the hereditary title of Viscount—a noble lineage despite their lack of a specific territory. It seems he recognizes my face from before.

「Your Excellency… my daughter has secluded herself in her room since returning home.」

「Should I go to her room?」

「Allow me to guide you.」

「Apologies, Master Jerome, for interrupting your training.」

With Jerome’s guidance, I entered the inner chamber of the Carlson family estate.

The building, while spacious, resembles an ordinary residence. It lacks a sense of lived-in comfort—almost too vast and minimalist. Despite their minor noble status due to the absence of a fief, it’s surprisingly modest for a family of their standing.

「Louise, his excellency king general has arrived!」

Before the door to Louise’s room, Jerome knocks and calls out in his deep voice. We hear a faint noise from inside, but the door remains closed.

Is she avoiding us?

Louise suddenly returned home, but what could she have wanted?

「Hmm, is it appropriate to enter without permission?」

「Your Excellency, if I may… I’m also uncertain about my daughter’s intentions.」

Jerome and I exchange glances, sharing a wry smile.

Even her own father doesn’t know, so there’s no way I can fathom what Louise is thinking.