Chapter 25: The Sirius Faction and the Curse

News that the former Crown Prince—Sirius—had awakened at last from his long slumber spread through the castle in the blink of an eye.

Because Sirius was still recovering from illness, visits were restricted to members of the imperial family alone. On that day, the ones who came to his chamber were the Emperor and Empress, along with his much younger brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, the First Princess, the Second Princess, and the Second Prince were nowhere to be seen among them.

At present, Estella was fully indulging in the joy of having Sirius back after so long. She sat perched atop his knees, stuffing her cheeks with sweets, munching away contentedly.

“Estella, may I ask you something?” Sirius said gently.

“Ask whatever you wish,” she replied grandly, her mouth still full. Munch, munch.

“Since I stepped down from the position of Crown Prince, the First Princess and the others must now be locked in a struggle over the succession. That’s why they didn’t come, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes. That’s exactly it.”

By long-standing custom, the Emperor and Empress never spoke of succession disputes aloud. The younger siblings, too, wanted no part in a blood-soaked power struggle, and so none of them dared bring it up.

Yet behind their joyful smiles, Sirius sensed a shadow. And the fact that the three siblings who once adored him so deeply had not shown their faces was proof enough.

It wasn’t hard to imagine that the struggle for the throne was already raging in full force.

“So… how are the factions faring?” Sirius asked quietly.

“The nobles who once belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction scattered the moment you collapsed, flowing neatly into other factions,” Estella said matter-of-factly.

“I see… Then are there any kind-hearted nobles still remaining in my faction?”

“There are, actually.”

“That’s wonderful. Would you tell me the names of those loyal houses?”

(It’s been five years since I fell. To think there are nobles who still believed in me, half-dead as I was… surprising indeed. Still, it’s probably only a few small, rural houses clinging to a sliver of hope. Nothing more.)

In truth, Sirius hadn’t expected much. The noble world was ruthless in its struggle for survival. Had their positions been reversed, he himself would have switched allegiances without hesitation.

Estella swallowed her cookie and spoke.

“The Levian Ducal House—and the noble families under its banner.”

“…The Levian Ducal House? One of the Four Great Dukes?”

“Indeed. And because of that, the strength of the four factions—including yours—is actually balanced right now.”

“But why would a house of that caliber…?”

Lowering his gaze, Sirius sank into thought. Upon his lap sat a small silver-haired girl with long ears twitching as she enjoyed her sweets. The faint, refreshing scent of flowers clung to her, brushing softly against his nose.

“Before I began visiting you, Estella, you mentioned that Duke Levian used to come by often. Don’t tell me that’s the reason?”

“Correct,” she said smugly. “While powerful nobles were switching sides one after another, that Levian brat alone declared, ‘Estella-sama and Prince Sirius shall be protected by the Levian Ducal House and all under it.’ He said it with such insolent flair—and he’s been glaring down the rest ever since.”

“Danz Levian, head of the ducal house… I will carve the name of this great benefactor into my soul for the rest of my life. And my deepest gratitude as well to my beloved princess, Estella, who forged that bond for me.”

Sirius pulled Estella into a tight embrace.

“Wah—don’t cling to me so suddenly, you fool! You’ll spill my sweets!”

“Estella, you’re always wrapped in the scent of flowers. It really puts my heart at ease.”

“That would be thanks to grass-attribute magic. Kaka.”

So it was magic, then.

“I should go greet Duke Levian as soon as possible.”

“He can’t come right away, but in his place, I summoned the next head of the house and her fiancé. They should show their faces before long.”

“I know the heir is Selestaria, but… her fiancé?”

Sirius tilted his head.

After sleeping for five whole years, it was only natural he wouldn’t know him.

“Let’s start with the heir. Selestaria joined the Imperial Guard not long ago, and she played a major role in the recent Dragon God Cult incident.”

“Oh? That’s impressive. Joining the Guard means she must be highly skilled. I’ve only heard a brief account of the incident from Father, so that helps.”

“Next is her fiancé. His name is Al Dragals. A prodigy appointed Court Magician at the young age of eighteen.”

“A Court Magician at eighteen?! Even if the Dragals family is under Levian, that engagement must have been hard to secure.”

“Apparently, Al is head over heels for Selestaria.”

“Heh, just like me, then. I think we’ll get along.”

“He’s usually just a shut-in NEET, though. He’ll probably be friendly with you as well.”

A reclusive Court Magician… Sirius found himself intrigued.

“A shut-in Court Magician? That’s amusing—I like him already. What kind of magic does he use?”

“Dream-attribute. According to him, he restored ancient magic to make money.”

“Hahaha, that’s nonsense. Someone who only thinks about money wouldn’t catch Father’s eye. There must be more to it.”

“You catch on quickly. Al is—a Transcendent. He’s the one who defeated Crow, our most loathsome enemy, and took in a baby ancient dragon.”

“…An Transcendent. The true greatest military asset of this nation.”

“Kaka. And such a monster belongs to your faction. Be grateful.”

“I really am being saved by so many people.”

As they spoke—

A knock came at the door.

“This is Selestaria of the Imperial Guard.”

“Permission granted. Enter.”

When the door opened, there stood—

A dignified female knight clad in pure white armor… and slung over her right shoulder, still in his nightclothes, a shut-in NEET presenting his backside pathetically toward Sirius.

Even Sirius couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“That’s quite a bold entrance. I don’t dislike it.”

“Kakakaka!! You’re just the same as ever!!”

“I apologize, Your Highness. He started spouting nonsense about being ‘too worn out to move,’ so I forcibly brought him here. Go on—say something!”

“………………”

“Hey!! Now’s not the time to sulk!!”

Pounded on the backside like a drum, Al finally opened his mouth.

“…Uh, hi. Not sure why, but I got hauled in.”

“Hurry up and introduce yourself! Letting royalty speak first is the height of disrespect!!”

“Al Dragals. I’m reluctantly serving as a Court Magician.”

“I’m Sirius, First Prince. No longer Crown Prince, but it’s a pleasure.”

“No, the pleasure’s mine.”

Sirius then asked about the fluffy creature perched on Al’s back.

“Could that adorable little one be a baby ancient dragon?”

Selestaria answered in his stead.

“Yes. This is Haku. He’s been taken in by this sleepyhead here and lives happily as a state-certified familiar.”

“Haku… a fine name.”

Hearing his name, Haku fluttered over to Sirius.

“Looks like he’s taken a liking to you.”

“And he’s using my head as a platform, no less.”

Haku plopped his rear onto Estella’s head and began licking Sirius’s face enthusiastically.

“Pii!”

“H-Haku!! That’s disrespectful!”

“Hahaha. It’s fine—he’s adorable.”

Al finally slid down from Selestaria’s shoulder.

“That’s rare. Haku doesn’t usually warm up to someone that fast.”

Living with Haku for a while had revealed one thing: he was keenly sensitive to human malice. Though friendly by nature, he always batted away hands with his wings if he sensed ill intent. He chose carefully whom he truly accepted.

“Your Highness, if there’s anything I can do, let me know. I’ll do the bare minimum. We should be going now.”

Haku hopped back onto Al’s head.

“Huh? You’re leaving already? You just got here!”

“Mm. Going home.”

“H-Hey—wait!! I’m so sorry, Your Highness! We’ll come greet you properly another time!”

The foolishly affectionate couple left the room.

Sirius murmured to himself.

“They swept through like a storm. Still… would you say that was a good first impression?”

“A tremendous success. Al never speaks like that to someone he’s just met.”

“That’s a relief. Well then—shall we take a bath together?”

Sirius lifted Estella effortlessly.

“Wah—don’t lift me so suddenly! …And I can bathe by myself, you know.”

“I still can’t reach my back.”

“Then I’ll keep you company.”

“Haha. You’re as easy as ever, Estella.”

“You absolute fool…”

◇◇◇

On their way back after greeting the First Prince—

Selestaria’s eyes widened.

“…Wait. You can’t use magic?”

“Yeah. After that battle, it gradually faded, and now it’s completely gone.”

“And you’re so calm about it…?”

“I can still use magic to reinforce my body, at least.”

“So only your dream-attribute magic is completely sealed?”

“Exactly.”

“Do you have any idea why?”

“Ninety percent certain it was Crow. Dark attribute excels at curses.”

“Crow… he really is something else.”

The magic-obsessed Al continued smoothly.

“Curses are spells with a clear upper limit. You can’t just throw them around casually. It’s hard to put into words, but if the curse transferred to me, then someone else must have been freed from it.”

Selestaria stopped walking.

She knew exactly one person connected to Crow who had recently returned from the brink.

“…Prince Sirius?”

“Correct. Crow likely intended to curse him and kill him slowly. Dragging it out damages the hearts of those around him more than killing him instantly—especially the Emperor.”

“Ugh… that sounds like him.”

“But Estella’s potions and the ancient Luxion bloodline protected Sirius from the curse for five years. That’s why the First Prince is alive today.”

Selestaria grabbed Al’s hand.

“Then—we should go back and tell them right now! That it was Crow, that Sirius is alive thanks to Estella, Luxion blood, and you!!”

“No. Not yet. If he learns the curse moved to my body, he’ll blame himself. I don’t want my friend Estella’s fiancé to bear that guilt—especially while he’s still recovering.”

“…You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll tell him someday. As a member of the First Prince’s faction, I count as proper military strength. The fact that I can’t use magic anymore has to be revealed at the right time.”

They resumed walking.

“Still… it’s amazing you’re living so normally, Al. The so-called genius First Prince was on the brink of death for five years.”

“Well, I sleep a lot. That helps. Also, I cast nightmare magic on Crow, so his own power’s probably weakened.”

“The first part makes no sense, but the second does.”

“Anyway, don’t worry about me. I’ll manage somehow. More importantly—we need to deal with Haku’s food expenses.”

Haku ate three times as much as Al at every meal. Where it all went in that tiny body was a mystery.

“Huh? What about your Court Magician salary?”

“I send eighty percent home, and the remaining twenty percent goes to bonuses for the servants at my second estate. So, I’m proud to say my wallet is experiencing a full-on ice age this month.”

“…Wow. Then Levian will cover Haku’s share.”

“Thanks. I was thinking of earning some pocket money as an adventurer, but that won’t be necessary.”

When registering Haku as a familiar, Al had also registered as an adventurer.

For the record, he was currently Rank E.

“That makes you a kept NEET, then.”

“And even my prized dream attribute is sealed.”

“Hehehe…”

(But you know… that’s exactly what I like about you, Al.)