Chapter 5: The Abandoned Prince Becomes a Failure of a Person

It had been a week since I arrived in the Dragoon Empire.

Meanwhile, the subordinates who were brought to the empire along with me were hired in the capital's clinic under favorable conditions, with the condition that their healing magic would be limited to civilians.

They seemed content, receiving decent pay that matched their healing abilities, so there seemed to be no need for concern.

As for me, I was frankly bored.

I indulged in meals far superior to those of Agaram, enjoyed three delicious meals a day, and slept soundly on a plush bed whenever I felt tired.

Occasionally, I'd spend some time reading in the imperial library.

"This won't do. If I keep this up, I'll become a failure of a person."

Well, I mean, it's not entirely unwelcome.

But, there's still a faint trace of civilized pride within me that refuses to tolerate an idle life.

"I should find something to do as well..."

However, unfortunately, I haven't received permission to leave the Imperial City.

Because Alcarion said no.

No matter how much I'm called a prisoner, it seems it's not allowed to make the prince of another country work.

It seems that Alcarion wants to use me as a negotiating card for the conquest of Agaram.

"If I may make one thing clear, my affection for you, boya, is genuine. Using you, Reichel, for the conquest of Agaram is not my intention, and I genuinely love you, boya—" (TN: "Boya", previously translated as "my boy" which is the direct English translation).

When Alcarion rattled off impassively, I was a bit scared.

It's not like I doubted her affection, but it seemed Alcarion was the type to be concerned about such things.

So, it seems he wants to avoid making royal prisoners into laborers as much as possible.

I just eat delicious food and sleep in a soft bed.

Occasionally, I chat with Rosemary and Alcarion when they come to check on me.

Let me be clear."

"......It's too good......"

Actually, it might be too late, and I might have become a useless person.

Huh? What's so great? 

The ideal lazy life is one thing, but the best part is Rosemary and Alcarion.

Rosemary, who sends me occasional friendly glances, and Alcarion, who hugs me tightly and strokes my head.

Especially with the latter, when she hugs me, my brain oozes with joy as it gets buried in her big breasts.

I still want to praise myself for not being completely controlled by my lower body.

"......But still, the Empire is amazing......"

I suddenly look down at the scenery outside from the window of the guest room I'm borrowing.

The civilization of the Empire was tremendous.

"......Steam locomotives powered by magic stones and light bulbs......or rather, glowing with magic, right? Isn't the level of civilization a bit too high?"

It might have a civilization level similar to the early Meiji period.

Clearly, its technology surpasses that of surrounding countries.

It's not surprising that they aim for world conquest and declare war in all directions.

On the other hand, they don't even have the concept of weapons like guns or cannons.

Perhaps it's because they've had attack methods with the destructive power of magic since ancient times.

Also, with the overwhelming aerial power of wyverns, aircrafts haven't developed.

It's a distorted way of development.

However, the foundation for creating such weapons definitely exists in the Dragoon Empire.

"...If the Empire seriously started developing weapons, they could probably create modern weapons and it's terrifying."

"What's terrifying about it?"

"Gaaahhhh!! I-I was surprised!!"

"S-Sorry. I did knock..."

It seems that I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice Rosemary entering the room.

"N-No, I was lost in thought too... More importantly, what's up?"

"Hmm. Reichel, didn't I tell you to stop using honorifics?"

"Oh, sorry. I just blurted it out when I got surprised."

Over the past week, the distance between Rosemary and me has significantly narrowed.

Talking with Rosemary is just fun.

And it's visually pleasing to see her breasts bouncing with every movement.

...I should probably stop staring too much.

"Um, what's all this about suddenly?"

"Well, I managed to prepare what you asked for."

"Huh!? Really!?"

I rejoiced at Rosemary's news.

I asked Rosemary to guide me to the desired location right away.

"Wow!"

"But why bother with a bath? Isn't a shower enough?"

"Hehe. You don't get it, do you, Rosemary?"

That's right.

Actually, the capital city has water supply, and even the Imperial Palace has hot water.

There is a shower, although the water pressure is a bit weak.

But as a Japanese person, I still wanted to soak up to my shoulders in the bath.

So, when I asked Alcarion, she immediately agreed and started remodeling the Imperial Palace, creating a large bathing facility.

I was surprised at how quickly the construction was completed, in just one week.

I did my best to convey the greatness of baths to Rosemary.

"Baths are great. The best."

"What specifically makes them great?"

I stumbled at that straightforward question.

"Um, well, you know. It just feels good. Like, it's relaxing."

"So it's more about the mood?"
"Hmm, it might be difficult to explain verbally... But the effects are real, you know. My selfish request to have baths built at the front lines actually boosted morale among the soldiers and received positive feedback. Well, it's a simple setup, just digging holes with earth magic, pumping water with water magic, and heating it with fire magic."

"I see. ...Maybe we should try making one at the front lines next time."

"Uh, um, Rosemary. Can you, uh, pretend you didn't hear that just now?"

Uh-oh.

I might have accidentally shared quite important information with a potential adversary during wartime.

Regardless of nations, it wouldn't be desirable for the morale of the Imperial Army to rise due to baths, potentially causing harm to the soldiers of the opposing kingdom.

But then Rosemary informed me of something.

"Are you worried about Agaram? If that's the case, you don't need to worry. We publicly announced capturing you as a prisoner, and there's currently a ceasefire with the kingdom."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. Even those who sent you to the battlefield probably decided it would be disgraceful to abandon a captured royal prisoner."

"I see, so there's no war going on?"

"It's technically a ceasefire. The kingdom is demanding your return, but considering how they treated you, Mother will never agree."

"Treated me? I mean, I just lost a power struggle, right? Isn't it good that I'm alive?"

I've already talked to Rosemary and Alcarion about the events in the capital city.

When I told Alcarion about it, she maintained her usual expressionless demeanor, but there was an inexplicable intensity that made me slightly uneasy.

Anyway, enough small talk.

"Let's get in already!!"

I started undressing immediately, eager to get into the bath.

However, Rosemary blushed furiously and stopped me.

"D-Don't just start undressing suddenly!!"

"Oh, sorry. But you've already seen me naked, so what's the big deal?"

"T-That was in the battlefield..."

Rosemary has seen me naked on the battlefield.

I let my guard down and ended up taking a blast of fire from the wyvern, which incinerated my clothes.

In that state, I treated Rosemary and got captured, so she's seen me naked.

So, I no longer feel embarrassed about it.

"I-I'll leave soon, so can you  undress later?!"

"That's right. From here on, it's just boya and me, our private time. Rosemary, could you step outside for a bit?"

"M-Mother!?"

Alcarion had somehow appeared in the bathing area.

She seemed fully intent on taking a bath, with towels and changes of clothes neatly prepared.

"I-I can't allow that!! Two people, a man and a woman, undressing and being alone in a closed room like this!!"

"It's not a problem if it's two people who love each other. Don't you think so too, my boy?"

"Yes!!"

"Reichel!! Why are you smiling and nodding?! Fine, I'll join in too!! I'll keep an eye on you two to make sure nothing suspicious happens!!"

...Huh?

Somehow, it seems like Rosemary, Alcarion, and I are going to take a bath together.

Isn't that just great?

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