Kays Translations

Chapter 12: The Villainous Aristocrat Comes Face to Face with His Uncle

"Hoh, you refuse even my command?"

"...Yes."

In the audience chamber, I met Freya's gaze head-on and nodded firmly.

"H-Hey, Baronet Doraana!! This is disrespectful! Answer at once!!"

One of the influential figures tried to soothe me worriedly, but I couldn't say anything else.

Freya continued to gaze at me, silently posing her question.

"Why is that?"

"...There is a possibility that I and the people around me could be in danger."

"So, it's self-preservation."

"Yes."

"In that case, I vow in my name to protect you and your family. No one can touch those under the name of the Queen of Galdanakia. Now, speak."

"...I will remain silent."

I feel sorry for Freya, but the protection of a queen of a single nation might not be enough.

The magical two-wheeled vehicle is something many people would desire.

Not just in the Kingdom of Galdanakia, but in various other countries too. There's a high chance people from different nations would want it.

It's not just about transporting goods on a large scale; it could even enable the mass transportation of soldiers. 

Moreover, unlike horses, it can keep running as long as you infuse it with magic.

In essence, it could potentially change the way wars are fought.

I don't know if the Kingdom of Galdanakia has the power to protect me from all these dangers.

"...I see. Is it something even my protection can't handle?"

"...Most likely."

"...Understood. Ministers, step back. Eleanor, you too. From here, Kunou and I will talk alone. Guards, withdraw as well."

With Freya's words, the influential figures in the room left.

The knights, who were the guards, hesitated but reluctantly exited the room after Freya's remark, "Do you think I'd lose to a child?"

"Kunou-sama, I truly appreciate your help. Thank you very much."

Eleanor gracefully bowed and left the room.

In the audience chamber, only Freya, the queen, and I remained.

"Can we talk now?"

"..."

I hesitated, caught in a dilemma.

However, remaining silent after the queen had gone to such lengths for me wouldn't be a good idea either.

I gathered my courage and nodded, signaling to Freya that I was ready to speak.

"Please make one promise. Promise me that you will never tell anyone about this, no matter how trustworthy they may seem."

"Hmm, very well. I swear by the Goddess and the first King, I will not break my promise to you."

In this country, those were the heaviest words one could utter.

...To be honest.

I think I can trust Freya.

When she embraced me, it seemed like she genuinely cared and was grateful.

She embraced me without any suspicion, even though it was by chance that I saved her daughter.

Believing her words, I took out the modified magical two-wheeled vehicle from the magic bag.

"This is it. With this, I ran over the kidnapper."

"Ran over? What is this?"

"It's like a horseless carriage that moves without horses."

I explained the functions of the bike to Freya and described the situation when I ran over the kidnapper.

"I see. Indeed, this surpasses what my protection alone can provide."

"I'm sorry for this."

"No, the apology should come from me. You shared this with me without hiding anything; that means a lot."

Saying this, Freya gently patted my head.

"Did you create this yourself?"

"Yes."

"...Incredible. What inspired you to create something like this?"

"W-Well, I just thought it would be nice to have something like this, you know."

I certainly can't say I recreated something from memories of my past life.

"Hmm. There's someone I want to bring here. They are not exactly my close aide, but in certain situations, even I find them challenging to handle. Yet, they might be of help to you."

"Um, who is it? If Your Majesty can assure that this person will absolutely not speak about this, then I don't mind."

"I can assure you. He's a craftsman like you. He can keep secrets."

Is it going to be alright then?

I'm a bit anxious, but if Freya says so, it might be okay.

"Understood. I trust Your Majesty."

"Heh, those are reassuring words. Hey!! Someone!! Fetch Lord Andain!!"

Andain? If I remember correctly...

Upon Freya's command to her attendant waiting outside the audience chamber, a young man arrived after a while.

He was a handsome guy with black hair, wearing glasses.

"You called, Your Majesty. Unlike our idle queen here, I'm busy all day."

"Hehehe, as sharp-tongued as always. Kunou, this person is Lord Reldo von Andain. Andain, this is Kunou von Dorana."

"Dorana? So, that means..."

The handsome glasses guy stared at me intently.

For some reason, Her Majesty the Queen said this with a smug look, puffing her chest proudly.

"Yes, you two are nephew and uncle."

Just as I thought.

If I remember correctly, my mother had one brother and one sister. This handsome guy with glasses seems to be my mother's brother.

"I see. Ah, yes, the son of my elder sister. I'm glad to meet you, nephew."

"I'm also glad—"

"So, Your Majesty. You mentioned my cousin, the son of my aunt, and I've come. What do you need?"

T-This glasses guy, even though he said he's glad, he interrupted me!!

"If you act so unsociable, your adorable nephew might end up disliking you, you know?"

"Hmph."

Freya chuckled and then Reldo glanced at me and spoke a few words.

"I apologize. It's just my nature. I never meant to be disrespectful to you."

"O-Oh, um, it's okay. I'm not bothered by it, really."

"I see. That's good to know. By the way, Your Majesty, is that a magical device over there?"

"Yes. It's a creation of Kunou's. It's called the magical two-wheeled vehicle."

"This, made by you?"

Reldo looked at me with surprise.

Then, without saying a word, he approached the magical two-wheeled vehicle and started examining it, revving the engine.

"Hmm... I see. You're using a rotating axis utilizing magnetic repulsion, aren't you?"

"Eh? You understand?"

"It's a bit different, but I've been trying to create something similar myself."

"Something similar...?"

"Generating steam using fire magic and water magic, then utilizing it for machinery. If I were to name it... it would be a steam engine."

"Huh?"

S-Steam engine!? That's amazing!!

No, no, wait a minute.

The **Fantasista Stories** I was playing was set in a medieval European-style world.

Steam engines weren't even part of the scenarios.

Such an idea shouldn't even exist.

Could it be... is Reldo, too, a reincarnated person from Earth like me?

"Hm? Is there something on my glasses?"

"N-No, nothing at all. That's amazing."

"No, it's still in the conceptual stage. From my perspective, this magical two-wheeled vehicle you made is more astonishing. It might have less power, but it's far easier to handle than a steam engine, which theoretically requires immense magical power. This could revolutionize the transportation of goods."

Well, I think when the steam engine is completed, that will probably be the revolution.

When it comes to transporting goods, trains are the best choice.

Once the steam engine is finished, it shouldn't take too long until steam locomotives are developed.

"Have you made anything else?"

"Y-Yes. Um, there's a magical device for drying hair and one for washing clothes."

"Hmm... You create good things. Much healthier than me, who often makes tools for killing." 

"Gulp."

A tool for killing.

Those words made me stiffen for just a moment.

"What kind of tool is it?"

"...Curious, are you?"

"N-No, not really..."

"Then it's better if you don't know. You should create things that help people. Making dirty things is the job of adults."

Reldo gently smiled while pushing up his glasses with his middle finger.

Ah, his smiling face looks just like mother’s.

"Will you be in the capital for a while?"

"No, I'll be heading back to my territory right away. My family is waiting for me."

"I see. I wished we could talk a bit more, but I can't stop you then."

Reldo sighed disappointedly, and Freya smirked.

"Heh. Don't rush. We'll see each other again in three years."

"Huh?"

"...Ah, yes, that's right. When you turn thirteen, it's a tradition for noble mentors and their apprentices to attend the academy in the Kingdom of Galdanakia. We'll meet again in three years."

Huh? Is that a tradition?

Wait, I see!!

In the game, Aslan dies early due to the Goblin King's trap, so Kunou becomes the lord at a young age.

As a result, the in-game Knou couldn't attend the academy.

...The scenario has completely changed.

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

"Hmm, Kunou-kun."

"What is it, Uncle?"

"..."

"Uncle?"

"...No, sorry. Uncle. I think it sounds nice. Before you return to your territory, come to the Andain estate. Her Majesty—your grandmother, will be pleased."

"Understood."

I bowed to Freya and Reldo, then stored the magical two-wheeled vehicle in my magic bag before leaving the audience chamber.

◆

After Knou left,

Freya sat on the throne and asked Reldo a question.

"Reldo."

"...Yes?"

"Is it possible to mass-produce that magical two-wheeled vehicle?"

It was a question as the queen.

Reldo took off his glasses, wiping the lenses with a handkerchief as he answered.

"Whether it's possible or not, it is."

"In that case—"

"However, I have no intention of doing it."

"...I see. Even if it's a royal command?"

"Even if it's a royal command. You know the nature of the Andains, don't you?"

The Andain Viscount Family possesses a lineage magic specialized in craftsmanship, a unique ability within the Kingdom of Galdanakia.

They are an ancient and prestigious lineage that has existed since the founding of the kingdom.

Over the course of their long history, they have made significant contributions to the kingdom. Their achievements are so substantial that they could have rightfully held the titles of Counts or even Dukes.

So why have they settled as Viscounts, a rather ambiguous position within the nobility?

The answer is quite simple.

The Andain Viscount Family creates what they want to create and refuses to make what they don't want to. They are, in essence, a difficult family to deal with.

"Have you forgotten that, by a secret agreement with the royal family, the head of the Andain family is obligated to create and present items for the royal family?"

"We have been presenting magic swords annually. The specific items to be presented are within our discretion. That was the nature of the secret pact with the previous king."

"...I see. I had suspected as much."

Freya let out a sigh.

"...I, too, wanted to ride that magic-powered two-wheeled vehicle."

"Is that your true desire? If you ask, Kuno-kun might lend it to you, right?"

"A king of a nation bowing to a subject? Impossible."

"It's your odd pride that makes your husband run away, you know."

"Disrespectful!! You! That's disrespectful!!"

Freya's enraged shout echoed through the audience chamber.

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