Chapter 4: A Four-Leaf Date
Even after that, Rest and his companions were repeatedly dispatched to hunt demon beasts... but once the monsters occupying the center of the plains were mostly cleared out, they were finally permitted to return to the royal capital.
"If you guys accomplish too much, the others won't have a chance to earn any distinction," Prince Andrew told them. "I'll contact you if anything comes up, so take a break for a while."
Having been told as much by Andrew, Rest and the others returned to the royal capital.
Because a large number of academy students were participating in the reclamation efforts, class attendance was voluntary, effectively making this an extended vacation.
Rest was a diligent student. Normally, he would have preferred to dedicate a time like this to his studies and magic training... but in the middle of it all, Viola made a loud, energetic proposal.
"Let's go on a date! That's the only option!"
This was in the parlor of House Rosemary's townhouse.
Present in the room were Rest, the Rosemary sisters, Yuri, and Celestine—in other words, the usual lineup.
"Lately, even when we all hang out together, none of us have gone out with you alone, right, Rest-kun? Once in a while, I want a date!"
"That sounds wonderful. Sister Viola, that's a brilliant idea!"
Primula clapped her hands together and smiled sweetly.
"There's actually a place I've been wanting to go with Lord Rest, too. Of course, only if you're willing, Lord Rest..."
"Ah, I don't mind at all, of course. Not in the slightest," Rest replied.
Viola and Primula were Rest's fiancées. There was no way he would dislike going on a date with them.
The problem was... the remaining two women in the room.
"Me too! I want to go on an outing with Rest too!"
"Naturally, I am included as well, isn't that right?"
Yuri energetically raised her hand, while Celestine spoke with graceful elegance, resting a hand against her cheek.
The two of them frequented the estate as if it were the most natural thing in the world, often staying overnight.
They say three women make a crowd, but with four, it was even louder. Surrounded by four young ladies, Rest felt an awkward mix of bashfulness and embarrassment.
"Um... I don't mind going out with Yuri and Celestine too, of course, but..."
Rest glanced nervously toward the Rosemary sisters.
Won't this count as cheating in my fiancées' eyes? he asked silently with his gaze.
"...Honestly, I've already given up on those two," Viola said with a sigh.
"...Me too," Primula agreed.
Viola spoke with a heavy sigh, and Primula quietly agreed.
The faces of both sisters wore a thick look of resignation.
"Setting Yuri aside... His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister both seem in favor of Celestine marrying Rest anyway, so we can't really complain."
"Besides, Mother is already trying to arrange concubines for Lord Rest... Having the two of them is far better than complete strangers."
While they were maidens of marriageable age, they were noblewomen first and foremost. They obediently followed the policies of the kingdom and their house.
The sisters' mother, Irishe Rosemary, was a formidable woman devoted to selfless service. Believing that spreading Rest's bloodline as widely as possible served the kingdom's best interests, she strongly encouraged childbearing.
"If anything, securing his inner circle with ourselves might prevent even more concubines from being added," Viola pointed out.
"Though it feels like one more person is about to join us anyway..." Primula remarked.
"Ah... Lady Urula, you mean..." Viola sighed.
The sisters exchanged glances and let out another sigh in unison.
They were referring to a noble lady not present here, yet someone who had been getting unusually close to Rest—Urula Lavender.
That she harbored romantic feelings for Rest was a fact known not just to everyone in this room, but to the entire grade level by now.
Urula, huh... She did say multiple times that she wanted to come over and visit...
Ever since the break began, letters from Urula had arrived repeatedly.
She desperately wanted to visit the Rosemary marquisate estate, or have him come over to her house... Such requests were written out at great length in her letters.
From what he had heard, Urula was living at a relative's townhouse in the royal capital.
He was amazed at how remarkably talkative she was in writing, considering how quiet she usually was in person.
"Well, shall we set her aside for now? More importantly... let us return to the topic of our dates," Celestine said, steering the conversation back on track.
Celestine smoothly brought them back to the main topic.
She seemed unusually cheerful. Her voice bounced with excitement as she elegantly crossed her legs.
"We have plenty of time... How about taking turns going out with Rest-san on different days?"
"Works for me. As for the order..."
"Me! I want to go first!" Yuri declared.
Yuri stood up with a grand whoosh.
"Remember our card game back then? I won first place, so I get to go first!"
"Ah... right. Something like that did happen..." Rest murmured.
It had been over a month ago now, but they had once held a card battle with Rest as the prize.
Back then, Yuri had won the right to do whatever she wanted with Rest... but between Urula transferring in and the reclamation of the demon realm commencing, the matter had been put on hold.
"Fine with me. Yuri can go first."
"I don't mind either... In that case, we can just follow the placement from that day, correct?"
First: Yuri Catleia
Second: Viola Rosemary
Third: Primula Rosemary
Fourth: Celestine Crocus
And so, the order for the dates was decided.
Rest's own input had been completely left in the dust, but experience had taught him that he could never win against girls when they were like this.
Besides, spending a different day on a date with each beautiful girl was practically a reward, so he accepted it without raising any particular objections.
"Alright... In that case, you guys decide where we go. I'll tag along wherever you want."
"Starting tomorrow would be a bit too sudden, so let's begin next week. I can't wait!"
Viola smiled radiantly, her cheeks flushing a rosy pink.
Primula, Yuri, and Celestine all chimed in with cheerful, excited voices, debating where to go and what to do.
"Four girls... A four-leaf clover, huh..."
Watching them chatter, Rest quietly muttered to himself, "I see..."
◇ ◇ ◇
"Alright, Rest! We've arrived at our destination!" Yuri announced.
It was the first day of the dates.
The place Yuri had led him to was a hill located a short distance away from the royal capital.
The gently sloping hill was blanketed in lush green, and under the high, open sky stretched a landscape that gave a refreshing sense of freedom.
"Isn't it amazing? I found it while I was out on a run before!"
Yuri puffed out her chest with absolute confidence.
"It really is a great view... Still, do you really run all the way out here?"
There was a considerable distance between the capital and this hill. No matter how much of an athletic paragon Yuri was, this was far beyond a casual jogging distance.
"Well, it was pretty much by chance. I try to jog through the streets of the capital every morning... but I thought I'd try a different route for once, so I took a different turn, and I ended up here."
"A-A single turn? You got here just from that?"
No matter how you looked at it, this wasn't a spot you could stumble upon just from taking one wrong turn.
In the first place, why had she ended up outside the royal capital? Hadn't she noticed when she scaled the city walls?
"Well, it is a great view... though the wind is a bit strong."
Strong gusts had been whipping against them for a while now. With autumn fast approaching, it went past refreshing and bordered on chilly.
"Yeah, we should have come during a warmer season. The weather's nice, but the wind is cold."
"True enough... In that case, [Force Field]."
Rest cast his spell.
A transparent dome enclosed the two of them, shutting out the cold air from outside.
[Force Field] was an advanced defensive spell. Compared to [Wind Wall] or [Earth Wall], it consumed a substantial amount of mana, but in exchange, it covered every direction evenly.
Completely stopping the air flow would lead to suffocation, so he limited its effect to merely suppressing the influx of cold air.
"Oh? It's not cold anymore!" Yuri exclaimed.
"That should fix the problem. Let's take it easy."
"Yeah, good idea! I made a boxed lunch for us, so let me unpack it!"
Yuri pulled a rather massive lunch box out of the bag she was carrying.
"I woke up early this morning to make it! Despite how I look, I'm actually pretty good at cooking!"
"Is that so...? How should I put it... that's surprising..."
He didn't associate her with cooking at all.
If anything, he had the impression she was more likely to fail and start a fire in the kitchen.
"Here, dig in! It's my proudest creation!"
"Whoa... It's so brown..."
When Yuri opened the oversized lunch box, a sea of brown side dishes was revealed inside.
Grilled meat, Salisbury steak, fried chicken, pork cutlets, yakitori skewers... It was packed exclusively with meats, completely lacking colorful vegetables like parsley or cherry tomatoes.
On top of that, the portion size was massive. There was enough for five people, let alone two, stuffed so tightly the lunch box looked ready to burst from the inside.
"How to put it... This looks like it'll build up a lot of stamina..."
"You're always pushing yourself hard, Rest! So I packed it full of things that'll give you plenty of nutrition!"
"Well, sure, it's definitely nutritious... though a bit unbalanced."
"I've got sandwiches over here too. Eat some of these as well."
She pulled out sandwiches from another lunch box.
They were egg salad and BLT sandwiches. Seeing the vegetables tucked between the slices of bread gave him a tiny bit of relief.
"Go ahead, there's plenty, so don't hold back!"
"...Thanks for the food," Rest said.
Though the menu looked heavy enough to cause indigestion, it genuinely looked appetizing. Rest reached for the food.
"...It's delicious."
The meat was tender, deeply infused with rich flavor.
She must have simmered it over time. It was far more elaborate than it looked.
"I learned from Primula and the chefs at House Rosemary's estate. They even praised me, saying I have a real knack for it!"
"Huh, that's impressive."
"With this, I could make a fine wife, couldn't I?"
"Mgh... cough, cough!"
He nearly choked. As he coughed, Yuri handed him a cup of tea.
"If you eat that fast, it's gonna go down the wrong pipe! Don't panic, there's plenty, so relax!"
"No, it's not like I was in a rush... Never mind."
He decided to clear away extraneous thoughts and focus on eating.
He had thought it was a lot, but Rest was still a teenage boy. And Yuri, despite her slender frame, was a heavy eater, so they devoured the contents of the lunch box in no time.
"Ah, that was great... Thanks for the meal."
"You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"I'm completely stuffed... Now I'm starting to get sleepy."
The sky was blue, surrounded by rolling green hills and open plains.
Lying down to take a nap here would surely feel amazing.
"Heh, that's according to plan too."
Yuri patted her lap with a beam. The corners of her mouth curled up happily as she gestured with her other hand, beckoning him over.
"I've even prepared a pillow for you! Feel free to use it!"
"...Are you serious?"
It certainly would be a top-grade pillow. After all, it was a lap pillow from the sheltered daughter of a marquisate.
While Rest was debating whether he should refuse, Yuri flashed a mischievous grin.
"I won the card game. I have the right to do whatever I want with you."
"Ngh..."
"Would you prefer a different favor? Like, getting into bed together..."
"Alright! I surrender!"
Rest threw his hands up in immediate surrender, deciding to accept the lap pillow.
"Good boy. Obedient, as expected."
"...Who gave you those kind of ideas? Honestly."
Grumbling under his breath, Rest lay down, resting his head on Yuri's thighs.
Before his eyes, the vast blue sky stretched out, clouds of various shapes floating across it. With the barrier blocking the chill outside, a gentle breeze carried the pleasant scent of greenery.
"Phew..."
"How is it, Rest?"
"...It feels very nice, yes."
"Why are you talking so formally?"
"No reason... just felt like it..."
It was a great pillow—soft, yet with a firm, supple core.
A faint, floral scent drifted from Yuri's body, feeling wonderfully comforting.
It doesn't smell like perfume. Is it soap...?
...
"Are you falling asleep, Rest?"
"...Yeah... I'm sleeping..."
"I see. Good night."
"...Mm."
Without resisting the temptation of drowsiness, he closed his heavy eyelids. His consciousness drifted away as if sinking to the bottom of the sea, making him feel as though he were floating on top of a soft cloud.
"...Zzz... Zzz..."
A few minutes later, Rest was breathing peacefully in deep sleep.
Yuri gently stroked Rest's hair, and for a short while, a tranquil moment passed.
"GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!"
"SHREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIEK!"
"Whoa!?"
However... his peaceful slumber lasted for only a brief moment.
Suddenly, the roars of monsters echoed through the air, causing Rest to jump up like a coiled spring.
"W-What is that!?"
"Ah, Rest. You woke up."
"Yuri... what happened!?"
"Well, those things down there... making a huge racket."
"Those things... demon beasts?"
Looking down from the hill, he saw two demon beasts locked in combat.
"A-A habu snake and a mongoose...?"
The two fighting beasts were a massive snake and a shaggy four-legged beast.
Both were as large as elephants, clashing fiercely against each other in a brutal struggle.
"They suddenly appeared earlier and started fighting. I've never seen demon beasts like those before."
Yuri spoke nonchalantly, stroking the lap where Rest's head had rested just moments ago.
"SHREEEIK!"
Under their watchful eyes, the two beasts continued their battle. The snake lunged at the beast, trying to constrict its opponent with its long body.
"GROOOAR!"
However... the quadrupedal beast sank its fangs into the snake's head first, biting cleanly through it with a squelch despite the snake's thrashing coils.
"A battle between demon beasts... Looks like it's over," Rest observed.
It would be fine if the victor simply left... but after killing the giant serpent, the four-legged beast turned its gaze toward the hill and locked eyes with Rest.
"Geh..."
"GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!"
Having spotted a new target, the monster roared and came charging up the hill.
"Ah, damn it... Right in the middle of my day off...!" Rest cursed.
What was supposed to be a relaxing picnic had turned into yet another battle against demon beasts.
Rest prepared to intercept it, but Yuri held out a hand to stop him.
"Hold on, Rest! Let me take care of this!"
"Yuri?"
"Alright, here I go!"
Before he could stop her, Yuri kicked off the ground.
Leaping high into the air, she delivered a flying kick to the monster like a masked superhero.
"GROOOAR...!"
Taking a devastating blow directly to the forehead, the demon beast tumbled down the hill.
Yet hostility still gleamed in its eyes as it swung its sharp claws toward Yuri.
"Hahaha! Like that's gonna hit me! Finishing move!"
Dodging the attack with splendid agility, Yuri leaped up and brought down an axe-kick aimed squarely at the monster's cervical vertebrae.
"Gu... ah..."
With a sickening crunch, the beast collapsed and moved no more.
"All right, Rest! It's over—"
"[Wind Cutter]!"
Just as Yuri was about to declare victory, Rest immediately fired off a spell.
"Shree..."
A high-speed blade of wind sliced off the head of the giant serpent that was creeping up to strike Yuri from behind.
Even though its head had been crushed earlier by the four-legged beast, the giant snake had amazingly still been alive, taking advantage of the distraction to attack Yuri.
"Never lower your guard. That was close."
"Ah, damn it! How careless of me. Looks like you saved me again, Rest!"
Despite suffering a lapse in awareness, Yuri walked back over, laughing happily for some reason.
"You really are dependable, Rest! That's the man I set my sights on!"
"Thanks for that... You're as high-maintenance as ever..."
As Yuri affectionately linked her arm with his, Rest shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.
◇ ◇ ◇
Day two of the dates. Today's companion was Viola.
Even though they lived under the same roof, Viola insisted on meeting up outside. As Rest waited at the meeting spot, Viola appeared before him in a stylish one-piece dress meant for going out.
"Ta-da!"
Viola twirled around, fluttering the hem of her skirt, and spread her arms wide.
"It looks great on you. Truly lovely," Rest complimented immediately, sensing what she expected.
Sensing what she wanted to hear, Rest offered words of praise without delay.
"Thank you. Those clothes suit you as well, Rest-kun."
"These are the clothes you two picked out for me before. Where are you taking me today?"
"A very special place! One of the girls in my class recommended a wonderful shop to me."
"I'm looking forward to it then. Lead the way."
When Rest offered his arm, Viola happily entwined her hand with his.
Escorting her as they walked through the streets of the capital, they arrived at a small cafe.
He had been to coffee shops many times before... but what was so different about this one?
"You'll see once we go inside," Viola said with a mischievous grin.
Led inside by her hand, Rest immediately realized the cafe's concept.
"Meow~"
"This place is...!"
As soon as they stepped inside, tiny creatures greeted them.
Cats. The cafe was filled with numerous cats, and customers were happily doting on them.
"A cat cafe...!"
"It just opened recently. I've been wanting to come here for a while!" Viola said with a bright, excited voice.
Viola spoke with an excited tone. Evidently, she was a cat person.
"Surprising, isn't it? Having so many cats roaming freely inside a shop like this."
"I'm definitely surprised... Yeah, really."
He had never imagined a cat cafe would exist in another world.
Just who had created this shop?
This is blatantly a Japanese idea... Is it possible there's another reincarnator besides me...?
"Supposedly, this shop was modeled after a cafe in the Geisel Empire. The people of the Empire come up with interesting ideas, don't they?"
"The Empire..."
A neighboring country, an ally, and a former enemy.
Rest had never been there nor met anyone from the Empire... What kind of country was it?
"Welcome~ Please take any available seat~"
"Over here is open. Let's sit."
Prompted by the waitress, the two of them sat side by side on a carpet spread across the floor.
There were plenty of cats in the cafe... but they were either napping or watching from a distance, making no move to approach.
"They're not coming over... Should we go over and pet them?"
"No, Rest-kun! Cats are cautious creatures!" Viola admonished him in a hushed voice.
Viola quietly chided Rest.
"Let's just sit like this and wait for them to get used to us."
"...Got it."
As they sat and waited as Viola suggested... one of the cats trotted right up to them.
"Meow."
...!
A white cat climbed onto Rest's lap. Stretching its body out, it settled down comfortably and went to sleep.
"Well now..."
"You're lucky! Having one jump onto your lap right away."
"Y-Yeah... I guess so..."
Rest gulped softly. He hadn't had much interaction with cats before... but seeing it relaxing on his lap like this, he couldn't help but feel it was adorable.
"Mrow~"
"H-How cute... I'm jealous..."
"It really is cute..."
Feeling the warmth of the cat, Rest reflected deeply.
I kind of feel like I'm being used as a cushion... but what is this fun feeling of being dragged around at its pace?
Perhaps being at the mercy of a cat shared something in common with being led around by girls.
For Rest, who was prone to being pushed around by girls, falling for cats might just be fate.
"Ah, one came to me too!"
A tabby cat curled up right beside Viola. When she timidly reached out her hand, the tabby merely cracked open one eye without resisting.
"It's so warm... fluffy... and tiny..." Viola murmured, her face softening as she stroked the tabby.
As she petted the tabby cat, a gentle smile softened her face.
"What a wonderful cafe, Rest-kun... I am genuinely moved...!"
"That much, huh...? Well, it is a lovely place."
"Thank you for waiting. Here are your drinks."
Meanwhile, the waitress arrived and placed their beverages on the table.
"Would you also like some cat treats? They are one silver coin."
"I'll take them! Please bring some!" Viola replied instantly.
The waitress bowed saying, "Right away," stepped back briefly, and returned with a plate piled with cat biscuits.
"Meow~"
"Mew, mew~"
The moment they had treats in hand, the cats that had kept their distance swarmed over.
Talk about opportunistic! Moments ago they had acted completely indifferent, but now they were scratching at their knees demanding treats.
"Alright, alright, here you go."
"Hahaha, you leave us no choice."
Rest and Viola handed out the biscuits one by one to the cats.
The cats crunched on the treats with their tiny mouths, even licking their fingers.
"Ah, this really is the best... So heaven was a place like this all along...!"
Viola let out an overwhelmed sigh of bliss.
Surrounded by cats, her face wore an expression of pure ecstasy.
"Rest-kun, let's just live here! We can move in together!"
"No, we definitely can't do that. Come back to reality."
Did cats possess some magical power that drove people to extremes...? Viola's eyes sparkled as she started saying bizarre things.
"Since you love cats so much, how come you don't keep one at the Marquis Rosemary estate?"
"Ah... I wanted to welcome one, but Father can't handle them. Whenever cats are near, his skin gets itchy and he can't stop sneezing. Even healing magic doesn't fix it..."
"Huh... I see."
It was probably a cat allergy.
Allergies were a matter of constitution. It wasn't an illness, so healing magic had little effect.
"In the future, when we build our own estate, let's get a cat."
"Hahaha, sure, of course."
"Primula seems to prefer dogs, so let's welcome both... Ah, but maybe we shouldn't rush. It might be better to wait a few years."
"Hmm...? Why?"
When Rest asked, Viola smiled warmly.
"Because caring for babies and cats at the same time would be tough, right? I'll hold off on cats until the children grow bigger."
"N-Ngh...!?"
"Meow!?"
Rest nearly collapsed where he sat.
Startled, the white cat resting on Rest's lap scurried off in a hurry.
"Ah-ah, look what you did. You startled it, so it ran away."
"Y-You're the one who startled me... What are you suddenly talking about...?"
"Well, we are going to have children, aren't we? Or am I mistaken?"
...
She wasn't mistaken. She wasn't... but Rest was nowhere near experienced enough to state that out loud so blatantly.
"W-Well... how should I say this... I will consider it favorably..."
"I'll hold you to that then! Yes, yes, good boy."
Still smiling radiantly, Viola stroked the back of the cat that had climbed onto her lap.
"Will it be a girl, I wonder? I think an energetic boy would be cute too... What do you think, Rest-kun?"
"...You're talking about cats, right?"
"My, I wonder."
Viola giggled playfully, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
"Either way, let's make them happier than anyone else in the world. Together."
"...Yes."
To Viola's proposal, Rest nodded while blushing bright red.
◇ ◇ ◇
Day three of the dates. Rest's partner for today was Primula.
"Well then, I look forward to spending the day with you," Primula said softly.
"Same here. Lead the way," Rest replied with a gentle smile.
The day after going on a date with Viola, it was now time for my date with Primula.
Arm in arm with Primula, Rest headed out into the royal capital once more.
"So... where would you like to go today, Primula?" he asked.
"You'll find out soon enough. It's a surprise until we arrive," she answered playfully.
Speaking with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Primula walked beside him with buoyant, excited steps.
She was usually quiet and reserved, often hiding in her older sister's shadow... but seeing her like this, she was simply a charming girl her age.
"Is this...?" Rest muttered, pausing in front of the building.
After walking for about ten minutes, she had brought him to a familiar location.
The Iwood Royal Museum. It was a facility where works of art and historical heritage managed by the royal family were displayed. Located right near the academy, he had passed by it several times, but this was his first time actually stepping inside.
"They're holding a special exhibition here right now," Primula explained enthusiastically. "National treasures and magic items that are usually kept locked away are open to the public. I really wanted to come see them together with you, Lord Rest."
"Ah, I see. Magic items do sound quite intriguing," he noted.
Precious artifacts were stored and exhibited inside the Royal Museum, and to prevent theft or damage, admission was granted only to a select few.
As a daughter of Marquis Rosemary and a viscount, Primula and Rest would have no trouble gaining entry.
People were trickling in and out of the white three-story building, every one of them well-dressed gentlemen and ladies. Rest and Primula presented their identification cards at the entrance, paid the admission fee, and were allowed inside.
"Whoa..." Rest gasped.
"Wow...!" Primula squeaked, her eyes sparkling.
Stepping into the hall, both of them let out exclamations of awe in unison.
Displayed right in the center of the entrance hall was a massive taxidermy specimen. It was a magnificent dragon clad in shimmering blue scales.
"Could this be... the Blue Thunder Dragon of Bearolf Iwood?" Rest asked.
"Yes, precisely! I'd heard rumors about it, but to think it would be put on display like this... It's incredible...!" she chimed in, thrilled.
The Blue Thunder Dragon of Bearolf Iwood was the legendary dragon said to have been slain by Bearolf Iwood, the younger brother of the founding king.
As one of the Five Dragon Generals—the founding king's right-hand commanders—Bearolf fought the dragon for seven days and seven nights before finally defeating it, establishing the current royal capital on that very land.
"This taxidermy specimen is a national treasure normally forbidden from public view, you know?" Primula rattled off eagerly. "It can only be seen during special ceremonies or exhibitions. True to its name, the Blue Thunder Dragon controlled lightning, and a single bolt fired from its mouth was said to have wiped out hundreds of soldiers at once..."
"O-Oh, wow..." Rest mumbled, taken aback by her enthusiasm.
"In the past, descendants of this dragon actually attacked the royal capital trying to reclaim the specimen, but the Knight Commander and Director General of Court Mages at the time..." she continued seamlessly.
Gazing up at the taxidermied dragon, Primula explained the history with pure delight.
He knew she loved studying and reading, but it turned out she was quite the intellectual geek when it came to history and lore.
"I see... That's a fascinating story, but maybe we shouldn't block the way talking here," he suggested gently.
"Ah, I'm so sorry! I got carried away..." Primula apologized, suddenly realizing the gap in their energy.
Noticing the temperature difference between her passion and Rest's composure, her face flushed crimson.
Embarrassed, she cupped her cheeks in both hands and cast her eyes downward.
"No, really, I'm learning a lot. I'd love it if you taught me more about the other displays," he reassured her warmly.
It was his genuine feeling. In truth, watching Primula speak so passionately was thoroughly enjoyable.
To some people, an intense infodump might come across as overwhelming, but when a gorgeous girl talked passionately about what she loved, it only made her look adorable. Life really was unfair like that.
"R-Really?" she asked, glancing up with hopeful eyes.
"Yeah. But standing right at the entrance gets in the way of others behind us, so let's head further inside first."
"You're right... My apologies," she murmured timidly.
Linking arms with Primula once more, Rest escorted her as they followed the visitor route deeper into the museum.
"This staff is 'Ramius's Magic Wand,'" Primula pointed out as they paused before a glass display. "It was crafted one hundred and fifty years ago by Sage Ramius Lahit of the Council of Sages. Supposedly, it has the power to greatly amplify ice-attribute magic."
"Huh, interesting," Rest murmured.
"And that stone over there is the 'Luzeroot Magic Stone,'" she continued, guiding his gaze. "It was extracted from the body of a demon ape that once ravaged the southern part of the kingdom. It contains extraordinarily pure magic power, but since no practical use was ever found for it, it ended up locked away in the royal treasury."
"Oh, really?"
"Ah, look, the Sword of Cheval is over there!" Primula gasped, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "That's the blade wielded by Sir Cheval Dello, the Sword Saint and one of the Five Dragon Generals who fought alongside the founding king! Sir Cheval possessed zero magic power, yet through unmatched sword skill alone, he was hailed as the strongest in the kingdom. Rumors even say he was born of demon lineage!"
"Oho, I see," Rest replied, nodding along.
Primula's cheeks were flushed with excitement as she rattled off historical trivia.
The exhibits were certainly interesting... but to be honest, watching Primula speak with such passion was far more enjoyable.
Seeing her, usually so quiet and demure, completely absorbed in something felt like discovering a brand-new side to her character.
...I have to admit, I feel pretty lucky. You don't get to see this side of Primula very often...
"Ah... I'm so sorry!" Primula suddenly squeaked, blushing furiously. "I got excited all by myself... You must be bored out of your mind, aren't you?"
"No, quite the opposite. I'm actually having a wonderful time," Rest answered honestly.
Seeing her flustered state, Rest offered her his heartfelt thoughts.
"I've always been interested in magic items myself, so having you explain everything is really helpful. Please, tell me more."
"R-Really? In that case...!"
Smiling shyly with delight, Primula tugged on Rest's arm.
Pulled along by Primula, who was in far higher spirits than usual, Rest offered no resistance and followed right behind her.
"Over here is... Ah!" she gasped, stopping in her tracks.
"Hm?"
As they moved deeper into the Royal Museum, an object that looked intimately familiar was on display.
"Subnock...!" Primula breathed.
It was the remains of Demon Beast Subnock, the lord of monsters that had once ruled the plains east of the royal capital. The torso pierced by Amaterasu was gone, leaving only its taxidermied head on display.
Its lifeless eyes seemed filled with resentment, and vicious fangs peeked out from its slightly parted jaw.
"The former ruler of the plains who once wreaked such havoc... once it comes to this, it's truly over for it," Rest remarked quietly.
"T-To think you fought against such a terrifying monster... Lord Rest..." Primula whispered, pulling his arm tight against her chest.
Primula pulled Rest's arm, hugging it tightly against her bosom.
Her soft curves pressed against his upper arm... but before he could register the sensation, she looked up at him with eyes brimming with a mix of anger and anxiety.
"Please, don't ever do anything so dangerous again..." she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly. "Sister Viola and I worry about you so much...!"
"...I'll do my best," Rest answered evasively.
Rest turned his gaze away into empty space, avoiding Primula's piercing eyes.
Although he gave her a promise... to be frank, he didn't feel confident he could keep it.
Rest was a noble. If the king issued a decree, he would have to march onto dangerous battlefields.
...Even setting duty aside, if I have to throw myself into danger to protect Primula and the others, I'll do it without hesitation. That's a given.
"Lord Rest..." Primula pouted.
Sensing his hesitation, she sulked, puffing her cheeks and giving his arm a gentle pinch.
"Ow, that hurts, Primula," he winced.
"...You promised, alright?" she pressed firmly.
"...Yes."
Yielding to her pressure, Rest gave a nod.
Having someone who cared about him and worried for his safety to this extent was a true blessing.
Savoring the warmth of his fortunate circumstances, Rest turned away from the head of Subnock.
"It looks like we've reached the exit..." Primula said, her brows furrowing regretfully. "I wish we could stay longer."
She knitted her eyebrows in disappointment.
Through this outing, it had become abundantly clear that Primula was a total magic item nerd.
"Yeah, that was really fun," he offered with a smile.
"Yes, I enjoyed myself very much."
"If another event like this comes up, let's come together again."
"Yes...!"
When he proposed a next time, the gloom hanging over Primula's face instantly vanished, replaced by a radiant smile.
Glad to see her happy, Rest breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well then, since we still have time, how about we grab a bite to—"
Rest began to suggest, but mid-sentence, an object displayed in the far corner of the venue caught his eye.
"What is that...?" he asked.
"I wonder what it could be?" Primula murmured, her curiosity piqued as well.
Piqued by curiosity, Primula led Rest by the hand over to the exhibit.
Standing in a corner of the museum was an object resembling a stone monument. Carved into the thick slab of stone was the horrifying image of a creepy monster, alongside the name of its creator.
"Could this be... the Cursed Sculpture of Austorya?!" Primula gasped in shock.
She let out a sharp cry of astonishment.
Her eyes went wide as she gripped Rest's arm tightly, her complexion turning pale.
"Do you know what it is, Primula?" Rest asked.
"Yes... It's a stone slab said to have been carved by Austorya Zamas, who was hailed as a genius artist," she explained, her voice trembling. "I had heard that the royal family managed it as a cursed magic item, but... I never imagined something like this would be put on display."
"A cursed magic item...?"
"Master Austorya created numerous paintings and sculptures, and was known as a prominent artist representing our kingdom," she recounted. "However, in his final years, he was plagued by nightmares and began producing only eerie, unsettling works. This slab is one of them—it's said that anyone who touches it suffers nightmares and loses their mind..."
"Ugh... Why on earth would they exhibit such a dangerous item?" Rest grimaced in disgust.
Rest was thoroughly creeped out. Shouldn't something that ominous be locked away forever in a place where no one could ever lay eyes on it?
"It certainly is a sinister carving... It looks like something straight out of a nightmare..."
Carved into the slab was an eldritch monster. It looked like a cross between a dragon, a lizard, and an octopus, possessing a grotesque, blasphemous form.
Just staring at it filled one's chest with anxiety, yet for some reason, one couldn't tear their eyes away... It was that kind of disturbing monument.
"Lord Rest, shall we get going...?" Primula asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, let's..."
Just as the two of them turned to step away from the slab—
"Wha...?!"
His vision snapped. Pitch-black darkness expanded right in front of Rest's eyes.
The darkness gaped open like a maw, transforming into a colossal beast resembling a dragon, lizard, and octopus, lunging straight at him.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
"[Star Eater]!"
Shielding Primula behind him, Rest instinctively cast his spell.
The black celestial orb formed in his palm swallowed the darkness shaped like a monster, obliterating it in an instant.
"...!"
"Lord Rest? What's wrong?" Primula asked, looking at him with concern.
Before he realized it, Rest was back inside the Royal Museum.
Primula stood right beside him, and nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. There was no monster, nor was there any dark star.
"No... It's nothing. Just a lightheaded moment," he lied softly.
"Are you alright? Should we sit down somewhere and rest?"
"No, let's leave right away. I feel like it's better if we don't linger here."
Taking Primula with him, Rest stepped away from the stone slab and exited the museum without delay.
"—, ..."
Immediately after the two departed, the stone slab of nightmares cracked all over and shattered into fine dust.
◇ ◇ ◇
"I am the final partner, it seems. I look forward to our time together, Rest-san," Celestine greeted smoothly.
"Y-Yeah, same here..." Rest stammered in reply.
Day four of the dates. My partner was Celestine.
Uncharacteristically nervous, Rest stood facing Celestine.
...I've gotten used to Viola and Primula. Yuri isn't the type to make me nervous to begin with. But Celestine is another story...
Celestine was the daughter of a duke—a highborn lady carrying royal blood in her veins.
Her gorgeous, aristocratic aura was even more pronounced than Viola's or Primula's, to the point where simply standing beside her felt overwhelming.
...Not to mention how she's dressed today...
Celestine was attired in a breathtaking gown, decked out with elegant jewelry and her hair exquisitely styled. She looked fully armed and ready for a high-society banquet.
Incidentally, Rest was also wearing a formal tuxedo. He hadn't been told where they were going, only instructed in advance to wear formal attire.
"We are on a date today, right? What's with these formal clothes... and why are we starting in the evening?" he asked.
It was currently five in the afternoon, the sun already dipping low toward the horizon.
Celestine had specified the time herself. Where could she possibly be taking him at dusk?
"Hahaha... I have heard all about it, Rest-san," Celestine giggled playfully. "You went on a picnic with Yuri-san, visited a cafe with Viola-san, and toured a museum with Primula-san, didn't you?"
"Ah, yeah."
"In that case... I shall escort you to a social gathering place for gentlemen and ladies, and teach you how high nobility amuse themselves."
Celestine smiled captivatingly, resting a delicate hand against her cheek. It was a simple gesture, yet astonishingly graceful and alluring.
...That bastard Rodel... what an absolute idiot for throwing this away...
Swallowing hard at her intoxicating smile, Rest couldn't help but think of the foolish prince who had been her former fiancé.
...To let go of a beauty like Celestine makes him the biggest fool alive. If he had actually cherished her, he could have been happy for the rest of his life...
"Now then, shall we step into the carriage? You will offer me your arm, won't you?" she asked, extending her gloved hand.
"A-Ah, yes... Of course," Rest replied, reaching out to escort her.
Rest proffered his hand to Celestine, helping her step up into the carriage.
The carriage carrying the two rattled along until finally pulling up to a venue Rest had never visited before.
It was a palace-like structure with pure white walls and a grand roof. Illumined by magic item lights, a prominent sign illuminated the entrance, reading 'CASINO' in bold lettering.
"I had no idea..." Rest muttered under his breath. "So this world has casinos too..."
He let out a quiet murmur of surprise.
Having never had an interest in gambling even in his previous life, Rest was unaware, but in the modern world, the oldest recorded casinos dated back to the early seventeenth century. Long before then, gaming halls where the upper classes enjoyed gambling had existed around the globe.
Considering this world already possessed batting cages and bowling alleys, the existence of a casino was hardly surprising.
"This is a state-run casino managed directly by the royal family," Celestine explained smoothly. "It was established roughly twenty years ago by Her Majesty the Queen Dowager to regulate public morals and gambling."
"To regulate morals? Why build a casino for that?" he asked, puzzled.
"In the past, strict bans were placed on gambling, but prohibition only drove it underground, making matters far worse. Nobles ran into debt and sold off their estates and titles, throwing the kingdom into turmoil."
"So by making gambling state-sanctioned, the kingdom keeps it under official management..."
It occurred to him that back in Japan in his past life, horse racing and pachinko existed under state sanction for the exact same underlying logic.
"Now then, shall we step inside?" she invited with a graceful gesture.
"...Yeah," Rest agreed.
Guided by Celestine, Rest entered the grand entrance hall of the building, feeling a prickle of tension.
"Well, well... Lady Celestine. Welcome! It is a true honor to have you with us," a middle-aged, white-haired man in a sleek tuxedo stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
A middle-aged man with silver hair dressed in a refined tuxedo appeared, bowing low with deep reverence.
Leaning close to Rest's ear, Celestine whispered softly, "He is the manager of the establishment."
"It has been some time, My Lady. May I ask if the young gentleman beside you is a friend?" the manager asked politely.
"Yes, he is a very dear boyfriend of mine," she replied without hesitation.
"My word... In that case, please enjoy your evening to the fullest," the manager bowed once more.
Though the manager cast an appraising glance at him, Rest maintained a firm, unreadable composure and acknowledged him with a polite nod.
"Whoa...!"
Stepping further into the building, a breathtakingly glamorous world unfolded across the expansive hall.
Crowds of impeccably dressed gentlemen and ladies were gathered throughout, indulging in various games of chance.
Some were sipping fine wine, others were focused on cards, while groups chatted warmly amongst themselves.
The atmosphere hung heavy with the scents of wealth and expensive liquor, yet it lacked the crude coarseness of a common tavern. It was an environment Rest had never experienced before.
"My, is that... Lady Celestine Crocus?" a noble nearby whispered.
"The Duke's daughter? Who is that young man beside her?" another murmured.
"Didn't her engagement with Prince Rodel just fall through? Could he be her new fiancé?"
Noticing their entrance, the surrounding gentlemen and ladies widened their eyes in surprise.
The patrons gathered here were exclusively high nobility, and it seemed not a single soul was unacquainted with Celestine.
"Ugh..." Rest gritted his teeth slightly under the weight of their gazes.
"Straighten your spine and hold your head high, Rest-san," Celestine advised gently, leaning in close.
Seeing him feeling intimidated by the stares, she offered him quiet words of encouragement.
"You are my partner tonight. Please carry yourself with confidence."
"...Right," Rest replied, exhaling slowly.
Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest.
If he acted pathetic or timid, it would bring embarrassment to Celestine by his side.
Telling himself that he belonged by her side, he looked back at the surrounding onlookers with a resolute, challenging gaze.
"Now then, Rest-san, what game shall we play? Poker again today?" she asked pleasantly.
"I've had enough of poker for now..." Rest said. "Rather than that, I'm actually curious about that table over there."
What caught Rest's attention was a game he had often seen in videos of foreign casinos—one where a ball was dropped into a spinning wheel, and players bet on red, black, or specific numbers.
"Ah, roulette," Celestine remarked with a smile. "I happen to be quite good at it."
When Celestine signaled to a nearby staff member, a tray of casino chips was promptly delivered to her. Since she didn't seem to pay on the spot, was this what they called running a tab?
"Do you know the rules?" she asked.
"Roughly. You just guess red or black, or specific numbers, right?"
"Besides colors and individual numbers, you can also bet on low numbers, high numbers, even, odd, as well as dozens and columns."
"Huh... It's more complex than I thought..." Rest admitted.
Receiving a quick lesson from Celestine, Rest took a seat at the table.
Five other gentlemen and ladies were already seated at the table, glaring intently at the betting area where chips were placed.
"Place your bets," the dealer announced in a measured voice.
The dealer launched the ball into the spinning roulette wheel. The game had begun.
"Let's start by betting on a color. Red," Rest decided, placing a small chip.
"In that case, I shall bet on high numbers," Celestine declared.
Both Rest and Celestine placed even-money bets. The difference was the stakes—Rest bet pocket change, while Celestine casually threw down a massive stack of high-value chips.
"No more bets," the dealer called out.
Shortly after betting was closed, the ball bounced into a pocket and came to a stop.
"Red twenty-one," the dealer announced.
"Oh, I won," Rest blinked in surprise.
"As did I. That doubles our chips," Celestine smiled serenely.
Both Rest and Celestine had won. Their wagered chips returned to them doubled.
A modest pile gathered in front of Rest, while a mountainous stack of chips accumulated before Celestine.
"I see... So this is gambling. I can feel the dopamine rushing..."
The thrill when a prediction hit the mark; the ecstasy of watching money double in an instant.
He could understand just a tiny bit of how people became obsessed and destroyed their lives over this.
...Even so, that doesn't mean I can forgive scum who run up debts and spend their kids' tuition money...
He was reminded of his father from his past life—the piece of trash who squandered the tuition money his son worked part-time jobs to earn on gambling, and when confronted, flew into a rage and stabbed him to death.
"Rest-san?" Celestine peered into his face with concern.
"Ah, sorry. It's nothing," he offered her a quick reassuring smile.
He offered a reassuring smile to Celestine as she peered into his face.
While people who lost their minds to gambling were a problem, he had no intention of condemning casual play within allowance limits.
Since Celestine had gone out of her way to bring him here, he should simply enjoy himself.
"Black next," Rest said.
"Then I shall bet on low numbers and even numbers respectively," Celestine matched.
As expected, Celestine continued to bet lavishly. Seeing her like this, she truly was wealthy, and her playstyle was remarkably dynamic.
"I will cover all wager fees, so please feel free to bet far more aggressively," she offered softly.
"No... I'm good. I don't think gambling suits me," Rest declined with a wry laugh.
Coming to the gaming floor had confirmed it—Rest was definitely not a gambler at heart.
Whether it was his own money or not, he was not the type of person who could casually watch huge sums swing on pure chance or fleeting impulse.
...I'm just a small-timer who gets worked up over arcade medal games, after all... Keeping it small is just right for me.
Winning some and losing some, Rest leaned slightly toward losing, but Celestine lived up to her word and posted win after win.
Even though roulette was a game of pure luck where victory was never guaranteed, perhaps she possessed innate fortune. Her chips were visibly multiplying.
...She's insanely lucky... Is this what they call heroine armor...?
"...Let us sit this round out," Celestine murmured suddenly.
"Hm? Is something wrong?" Rest asked.
Though she had been betting without pause, the moment the dealer spun the ball, Celestine pulled her hands back from the board.
"It is just a hunch... but I feel as though no one will win this round," she replied softly.
"...?"
"No more bets," the dealer announced.
The betting was closed. The ball spun around and dropped... right into the green pocket labeled '00'.
"Ah!"
"Gah... All chips house-cleared?!"
Groans and sighs of despair erupted from players all across the table.
Landing on green '00' meant total defeat for the players; all wagered chips were swept away by the house.
"How did you know? Duke's daughter intuition?" Rest whispered, impressed.
"What kind of power is that supposed to be?" she giggled softly. "I simply felt as though the dealer's eyes changed color."
"Hmm?"
"A look like a predator hunting its prey. I sensed something akin to intent to kill."
Prompted by her quiet whisper, Rest carefully observed the dealer's eyes.
On the surface, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The dealer maintained a stoic poker face while launching the ball into the wheel.
"..."
However... as the rounds continued, Rest finally picked up on it.
...Is this guy cheating using magic...?
Rest realized the truth.
Every now and then, the dealer infused a tiny trace of mana into the ball, manipulating which pocket it would drop into.
The mana signature was incredibly faint—so subtle that anyone other than Rest would have missed it entirely.
...He probably only manipulates the ball at crucial moments to guarantee player losses... And Celestine read that shift purely from his facial expression.
"Place your bets," the dealer announced once again.
Once more, the dealer prepared to launch the ball, lacing it with mana.
"Heh..." Rest smirked softly.
At that exact instant, Rest flicked a microscopic burst of his own mana directly into the ball.
It was as delicate a quantity as the dealer's. Neither Celestine beside him nor any of the other patrons noticed what he had done.
"Single number seven. All in," Rest declared calmly, pushing every last one of his chips onto Red 7.
He wagered his entire stack on a single pocket.
"I shall do the same," Celestine matched instantly.
Without a moment's hesitation, Celestine wagered her vast fortune of chips on the exact same spot. Though Rest had explained nothing, she wore a serene, supremely confident smile.
"Celestine...!" Rest gasped.
"I have already decided to bet everything on you," she whispered, gazing straight into his eyes. "My entire life."
"...!"
Her sudden, passionate declaration caught him off guard, but his objective remained unchanged.
Rest exerted precise control over the ball. The dealer tried frantically to regain command of his mana flow, but Rest's spell manipulation precision was leagues ahead.
...He might be decent, but I'm aiming to become Director General of Court Mages. Like hell I'm gonna lose a mana contest to a casino dealer!
"Ngh...!"
The composure the dealer had maintained cracked, sweat breaking out on his brow.
Finally, the ball bouncing along the spinning wheel settled into a pocket.
"Ah!"
"It landed...!"
Shouts of astonishment erupted from the surrounding patrons.
The ball was nestled snugly inside Red 7. A direct hit.
"...!"
"Hmph..." Rest offered a small smirk.
"Ufufu..." Celestine giggled musically.
The dealer glared at them with venomous resentment, but Rest snorted in amusement while Celestine met his gaze with a graceful smile.
He might have wanted to claim cheating, but the house had engaged in foul play first.
Furthermore, with a highborn ducal lady like Celestine standing right there, the dealer had no choice but to begrudgingly pay out.
"What was the payout for guessing a single number again?" Rest asked, turning to Celestine.
"A straight-up bet pays thirty-six to one, Rest-san," she replied brightly.
"Ah... I see," Rest nodded.
No wonder the dealer looked pale as a ghost, drowning in utter despair.
It was a overwhelming victory. They had raked in a mind-boggling fortune in a single spin.
"So this is gambling. That was far more entertaining than I expected," Rest declared.
Glancing at the dealer who had resorted to cheating only to be soundly outmaneuvered, Rest flashed a rare, triumphant smirk.
"Even so... I was quite surprised, Rest-san. I had no idea you could get so passionate,"
Seated across from him in the carriage on their return journey, Celestine spoke up.
"Passionate...? Me?" Rest blinked.
"Yes. You did something on that final spin, didn't you? Although I couldn't tell exactly what you did."
Celestine curled the corner of her lips in amusement.
"Getting so worked up like that... You are surprisingly stubborn when it comes to losing."
"Ah... Yeah. Maybe you're right," Rest let out a soft, dry laugh.
To be honest, he was surprised at himself. Even if the dealer was cheating, he hadn't expected himself to get so invested as to turn the tables with counter-magic just to win.
...I see... So I really hate losing...
He hadn't wanted to lose—not to the dealer, but to the act of gambling itself.
In his past life, his father had drowned in alcohol and gambling, going so far as to stab his own son.
That was ultimately his father's own fault, of course... but Rest refused to suffer defeat at the hands of the very vice that had corrupted him.
That underlying desire to strike a blow back was what had driven him to make that final grand wager.
"It is wonderful. I find that side of you far more charming than someone who is merely submissive," Celestine praised softly.
"Thank you... Even if it's flattery, I appreciate it," he smiled.
"I have no recollection of flattering you," she countered smoothly. "However, tonight was a grand success."
"A grand success? Well, we certainly won, but..."
"It served as an excellent public introduction. I am certain we caught the eyes of many prominent figures tonight."
"Ah..." Rest gasped as realization dawned on him.
He understood what Celestine was implying.
The casino was a high-society gathering place for nobility. Numerous influential figures of the Kingdom of Iwood were present.
Countless nobles had witnessed the two of them standing intimately side by side.
A new man accompanying the ducal lady who had just broken her engagement with Prince Rodel... Rumors would undoubtedly spread like wildfire through high society in no time.
"Could it be... that was your true reason for bringing me to the casino...?" he asked.
"My, I wonder? I shall leave that to your imagination," she giggled, smiling like a refined lily.
Celestine smiled with the quiet elegance of a lily. Gazing at her smile, which combined delicate beauty with unyielding shrewdness, Rest thought to himself, I really stand no chance against her.
"Thanks to you, my spending money has increased significantly... If you would like, allow me to treat you to dinner."
"Ah... about the money I borrowed for betting..."
"There is no need to repay it. After all, you multiplied it manifold for me."
"I see... Maybe I'll buy presents for everyone with my winnings..."
He wondered if spending gambling winnings on gifts for girls was the right move, but perhaps he could pick out accessories for Viola, Primula, and Yuri.
"My, what a lovely idea. I assume I shall receive one as well?" she teased with a gentle smile.
"...Of course. With pleasure."
She certainly knew how to take advantage of an opportunity. He really couldn't beat her.
Thus, taking advantage of his weekend leisure, Rest thoroughly enjoyed dates with four beautiful girls.
Going out with highborn young ladies, deepening their bonds... He had spent a boisterous yet delightful time.
However... that was merely a calm before the storm—a brief, quiet lull.
A few days after his date with Celestine...
Marquis Eiger and Rodel Iwood raised an army, bringing down the curtain to signal the outbreak of civil war.
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