193 CHAPTER XV -- COMFORTING (1/2)

After the finals were over, the award ceremony began immediately.

The fourteen survivors of the tournament were lined up in the arena.

First, all the survivors of the final tournament will receive the same rings worn by Hermann, Alma and Bernold. The other three will take turns wearing it, with Shelly and Lina.

The bracelets Hermann and his friends wear are of course loyalty bracelets.

It may seem a bit extravagant, but it's a small price to pay to motivate the knights.

The people who didn't get it this time will also be motivated to get it next time.

Next, those who lost in the second round. The next time you lose in the second round, you get to have your sword turned into a magic sword for free. Show it in the shop in the imperial city, and you'll get your magic sword. And I'll give you a demon gun as an added bonus.

After making sure that everyone had their bracelets, I gave the four people who were eliminated in the second round - Van, Rob, Kell, and Nick - the magic gun and a magic sword exchange coupon that could be used at their master's shop.

Magic swords are still hard to come by, and only Bernolt is the only one in our order who has one.

I didn't want to give my master more work, but I only asked him to give me four swords.

Vernolt and Stan, who were eliminated in the semifinals. The two of you will receive swords of my own creation. You two can come to my office tomorrow.

You can't create here and now, so tomorrow .

You two didn't think you'd get that much, ”What? He was surprised to hear it aloud. Especially Stan, who was himself?　He had a look on his face .

But I was sorry that I hadn't made a sword for Alma, and that I hadn't made one for Bernold, who was doing a great job as the leader of the group.

But it didn't seem right to give it to him for no reason, so I decided to make it the prize for the top four.

The two runners-up and the winner can go to ...... and ask for anything they want, okay?

'Well, um, ......, we already get a lot of stuff from you, so .......'

That's right. I've given you some strong armor and a sword.

''Yes. ...... Bernolt, what do you think is best?''

''Well, how about a ...... medal, proof of the strongest knight of House Muldeen?''

Oh. That's nice. A badge of strength can really smoke a man's heart.

Let's get you a chest patch. All right, let's get you a chest patch. You two come back tomorrow with Bernolt and the others.

It's a prize for the winner, so I want to do something with it.

Then let's break up for today. It was a very meaningful day to see everyone's progress. We hope to hold this event again next year, so keep up your training.

Next time it'll be a more interesting fight.

Then I replenished the arena and returned to the castle.

Well.... Since it was a draw, why don't we deal with the remaining problems?

I was hoping we'd all just sit around and relax while we talked about the battle, but that's not going to happen with one of the dragons left in the house.

Okay. But what are we going to do?　Return to the mountain?　You don't want the crybaby princess to suddenly disappear and the dragons to come down from the mountain, do you?

That's right: ....... If that happens, the Empire won't be at war .

That's why it has to be done quickly.

In the meantime, humor him first.

Because if you stay mad at me and give it back, the result is the same as not giving it back.

How's that?　Have you calmed down a bit?

I spoke softly to the girl who was still hugging Belle in the corner of the room, being careful not to provoke her.

'Ugh ...... don't come here . I don't like you.

”Don't say that. Yeah. ......

If they covered your ears, you wouldn't be able to have any conversation with them. .......

I don't know what to do about this.

You've missed Miss Bell.

Bell's very gentle. And she's soft.

She totally hates me. ......

I don't know what to do. I'm afraid that if I return her, she'll take revenge on me with her dragons.

'At times like this, I think we should just feed him a good meal and give him a bath!　Isn't that what happened to me?

Is it going to be as easy as Lou: ......?

It's not like this dragon has any food problems, and I don't think he's as gullible as Lou.

In the meantime, I think it's best for you to stay out of it today, Master Leo. I need him to calm down so I can hear what he has to say.

...... Right. I'll leave it to the others today.

Bell's right, we're in a hurry.

I watched everyone leave the room.

Huh?　Is it just Leo-kun?

As everyone was heading to dinner and I was looking over the paperwork, Leena, who had taken a bath earlier, came into the room.

”Yeah. Everyone was entertaining the Dragon King. He didn't want me there because he didn't like me.

Ha-ha. It's true, Leo-kun made you cry a lot, didn't he?

You were so overbearing.

You had such a big attitude towards Hermann and his friends, you should keep it up to the end.

He's just a kid. Maybe he'll be fine by tomorrow.

So you're a kid and a dragon king. ...... Oh, it was me who abducted the former dragon king.

Huh?　Bottom line: it's my fault, isn't it?

Yeah, well, thanks for a day's work. You really helped me out. Can I get you anything?

It's not like I changed the subject because I felt a little guilty, you know?

I just thought it was more important to say thank you to Leena than to find out about the Dragon King. Yeah.

It's no big deal. It's nothing too big. But... But... let's take what we can get.

What do you want?

”Give me some time alone with you to pamper myself.

Huh?　Oh, no.

You could have told me that any time.

Don't hold that against me. No, it's because I got too wrapped up in work.

”That won't happen. Leo's pretty busy these days. It's also bad for ...... Sherry and Elsie and the others, right?

Yes. ....... Do you want to spend a little more time with everyone?

If you don't want to run out of steam, this is where you need to get your act together.

Please do so. So, I think I'll be going.

What?

Uh-huh. That's a bit unmannerly.

Grinning, I thought Leena came up to me and sat on my lap to face me in the chair.

'Is this the time for us to be alone and pampered?'

I thought you'd have a date later.

Yes. It's the only chance you'll get.

I don't think so, but ...... well, okay.

It's kind of embarrassing ......

The fact that Leena is warm and smells good after a bath makes me feel even weirder .

'Mmm. It's been a long time since we've been this close together.

Do you remember?　I had just started living in the dormitory when Shelly got mad at Belle.

Oh. You mean when Leena couldn't kiss you?