01. What Business Do You Have With A Mere Pharmacist? (1/2)

01. What business do you have with a mere pharmacist?

Shal was seized with the impulse to shut the door at the other party’s faces, but he managed to endure it. The indoors will get wet if they keep standing at the doorway so Shal let the two of them inside the house for the time being. Then, Shal closed the door and leaned his back on it, crossing his arms in front of him. It was in order to prevent the two from running away.

“What business do two Knights have at a midnight like this?”

The Knight with small stature covered with a cloak, removed his hood. What appeared was the face of a young boy with golden hair. Blonde hair is a proof of n.o.bility in this country. Shal is the exact opposite, his hair is dyed brown, as he is a commoner.

The young boy had beautiful features that are much more well-proportioned than any girl’s. His cheeks are white porcelain giving off sense of translucence, tinged with a slight blush due to the coldness. His also looks beautiful, I’m sure he will even be more popular if he wears proper clothes other than the Knight’s uniform, Shal let his thoughts wander in another direction for a brief moment.

“…You are Colonel Shal Hardeen, right?”

The voice that came out from the young boy is also higher than a boy’s.

“Returning a question with a question is the first thing you shouldn’t do, y’know? Answer the previous question, what business did you come here for?”

“We came because we want to ask for Colonel Hardeen’s a.s.sistance.”

Shal knitted his eyebrows.

“…Really. It’s the first time I heard someone address a veteran of their rank.”

“Then, you really are…?”

“You know even if you don’t ask, that is obviously right.”

Shal left the front of the door and lit up a lamp placed atop the shelf. The lamp dimly lights up.

“So, who are you guys?”

While he asked that, 「Where did I saw him before?」 Shal can vaguely recall the boy’s face. But it seems like they are not that closely related, he thought that he never exchanged words with the boy.

The boy straightened his posture.

“I am Alex L. Inferus.h.i.+a.”

“…Ah, the Crown Prince, right? It’s no wonder you seem familiar.”

Even if Shal became aware he is the Crown Prince, his att.i.tude did not change at all.

――― Of course, he’s actually shaken inside but he never showed it in outwardly.

Then the Knight who was keeping silent from behind opened his mouth, highly offended.

“Do you not intend to change your behavior even if you are aware of His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“…Not really? I am not this prince’s attendant, and aren’t I the master of this house? Why do I have to entertain uninvited visitors?”

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d…”

Alex restrained the Knight who lost his temper. Shal opened a shelf and took out two towels, handing them over by throwing them.

“You’ll catch a cold if you stay like that.”

The blunt former knight unexpectedly stated kind words. Alex blinked, but received the towel without daring to say anything.

“Thank you. Please forgive my subordinate’s rudeness.”

“I’m not so narrow-minded that I will feel offended by something of that degree. Your subordinate’s opinion was appropriate.”

“…Is that so? I see. In other words, you will not bluntly refuse or send us away.”

Even though he was easily seen-through, Shal remained silent and let the comment pa.s.s.

“Even so, you guys knew I live here, huh?”

Shal lit up another lamp and went to the kitchen, beginning to work on something.

“Well, that is…”

“I will sock that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Leon the next time I see him. Giving out my information without permission…!”

Apparently, Shal already antic.i.p.ated it even without Alex telling him. Alex appealed towards the kitchen, where they can only hear Shal’s voice.

“Leon is in a predicament at the moment. He asked me to seek for your a.s.sistance.”

“a.s.sistance? What the heck do you guys want me to do?”

“You were once called the strongest Knight, that military might… I would like you to lend it for the sake of our Inferus.h.i.+a Kingdom.”

“…I don’t know who told you those things but I am just a mere pharmacist right now. Unfortunately, I don’t intend to pick up the sword once again.”

“What? Pharmacist…?”

Alex was dumbfounded. Shal came back from the kitchen. He is holding two cups with rising steam. He then placed it on the table in front the sofa.

“Don’t stand, sit down. This talk will be long.”

“Eh, ah… That is right, please let me do so. Incidentally, this is…?”

“Tisane. This is the best for a cold body… This kind of thing is currently my job.”

Shal sat down on the chair opposite Alex as he said so. Alex is sitting on the sofa but the Guard Knight remained standing. Shal did not say anything since it is a Knight’s duty. He only handed the Tisane to him.

Alex became wide-eyed as he drank a mouthful, as if surprised.

“…Delicious.”

“Really?”

“You referred to it as tisane so I was antic.i.p.ating that it tastes awful but… it may be easy for me to drink it.”

“It’s because I made it so that it will be easy to swallow. It drew the attention of people with colds coming to visit the pharmacist’s house. It influenced my reputation.”

Shal turned his eyes towards the ceiling while saying that. There is a slight blotch on the ceiling because of the rain. Alex placed the cup on the desk.

“We have strayed from the topic, but Colonel Hardeen, will you not accept my request for a.s.sistance?”

“Yes.”

“Why? If this country is defeated, Inferus.h.i.+a will suffer the invasion of Theodora. Do you not want to protect this country?”

Theodora is the enemy country of Inferus.h.i.+a Kingdom. A country founded in the northwest desert zone, it is a historical enemy nation. After an interval of ten years, it had now become a full-scale war.

“I think my back is not big enough to carry the entire country. It’s impossible for me to have that kind of burden.”

Shal quietly answered. He sketched the map in his mind before he knew it, and pursued the subject while taking that into account. He often used that tone when persuading someone during the time he was still in active duty.