I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 142: In Other Words, Super Pissed

Episode 142: In Other Words, Super Pissed 

The royal castle was coming into view. It hadn’t even been a month since we left. Yet, it felt oddly nostalgic. I wonder if Selvus and Lala are doing well. 

In front of the castle gates, rows of knights and magicians stood in formation. Around them were nobles and merchants who had been granted access to the castle. 

Our carriage moved slowly through the crowd. Seeing this sight again, I was reminded of my status as a member of the royal family. Sometimes, I still felt like a commoner at heart. 

That was something I needed to work on. If I didn’t learn to carry myself properly, the nobles would eventually look down on me. I had to start adjusting now. 

When we stepped out of the carriage at the royal station, we were met by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen—our mother. 

…Huh? Why did this scene fill me with unease? The King was supposed to be busy. He normally wouldn’t come all the way out here so easily. 

If only Mother had come to greet us, that would have made more sense. But her smile… it didn’t look like a real smile. 

It seemed Brother Leonard noticed as well. Standing next to him, I could see the slight twitch in his cheeks. Though he kept a smile on his face for the sake of appearances. 

“We have returned, Your Majesty, Your Highness.” 

“We have returned.” 

Leonard and I bowed in unison. The two of them smiled warmly in response. 

“You’ve done well. I’ve received detailed reports of your accomplishments through letters. Both of you have served admirably. As a king, and as a father, I could not be prouder.” 

“Indeed. You’ve worked hard. And as a mother, I’m pleased. That said… didn’t you get a little too carried away?” 

A dark aura seemed to emanate from behind her. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who felt it—both Brother Leonard and even His Majesty flinched. 

With her ever-smiling face, Mother led us inside the castle. 

I had hoped to head straight to my room. But that was clearly not an option. After sending the King off to attend to his work, Mother took us to a private royal salon. Of course, we had no say in the matter. 

The salon was one of the most beautiful in the entire castle. Yet I couldn’t appreciate it at the moment. 

On the table, sweets were already prepared. And Mother’s attendants were pouring tea into delicate cups. 

There were also several letters spread out on the table. Those must have been our reports. Probably. 

Brother Leonard and I sat stiffly. We were trembling as we stared at the scene before us. Mother continued to smile—like a saint. A terrifying saint. 

“Now then, do you two have anything you’d like to say to me?” 

“We’re sorry!” “We’re sorry!” 

If things seemed dangerous, apologize first—that appeared to be our unspoken mutual understanding. As expected of brothers, we acted the same way. 

Mother nodded in approval as she observed us. It seemed we had made the right choice. Phew. 

“Very well. I’m glad to see you two understand. Now, would you kindly explain the details of these letters to me?” 

“Of course!” “Ask us anything!” 

And so, Mother’s interrogation began. 

As the conversation progressed, her expression gradually grew more and more grim. But we couldn’t lie. We had no choice but to tell her everything. 

“Sigh. How in the world did you manage to cause so many problems in such a short period of time?” 

“For that, I sincerely apologize.” 

“It was my first official duty, and I may have gotten a little carried away.” 

“A little?” 

“………Okay, a lot.” 

Terrifying! How did Brother Gilliam manage to leave just a letter behind and escape to Liberia? I could never do that. 

Mother pressed her fingers to her forehead and shook her head from side to side. I felt overwhelmingly guilty. 

“By the way, where is Gilliam?” 

“Ah, um, we did tell him to come back with us properly, didn’t we? Right, Rufus?” 

“Yes, that’s correct. No mistake about it. But Brother Gilliam absolutely refused to nod in agreement.” 

“Oh…?” 

The temperature in the room seemed to plummet all at once. 

Why? This wasn’t our fault. 

Mother appeared unsure of where to direct her anger. But please, not at us. 

“Rufus, I hear that Gilliam has already finished his work for the next month?” 

“That’s what I heard. In fact, he even said he’d finish the work for the next two months as well.” 

“Oh my, is that so? I never thought he was capable of that much. Oh, I just had the most wonderful idea.” 

That sinister smile. Was it really a *wonderful* idea? I couldn’t ask, but I was definitely worried. More importantly, I had to make sure I didn’t get caught up in this any further. 

Brother Gilliam, please forgive your helpless little brothers! 

“Rufus, you didn’t say something unnecessary, did you?” 

“Well, I had no choice but to answer when she asked, right?” 

As we whispered to each other, Mother continued nodding to herself again and again. 

What exactly was she plotting?!