I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 68: In Other Words, I’m Surrounded

Episode 68: In Other Words, I’m Surrounded

I decided to continue walking around the garden with my mother. Of course, just strolling wouldn’t count as exercise. So we walked briskly. I felt the gazes of the nobles in the garden, but who cares? I can’t let my belly get pudgy.

In other words, even royalty has it rough.

“I feel like I’m being watched more than usual today.”

“Well, of course. You’re walking quickly. And on top of that, Lagios is trotting beside you.”

“Oh, right.”

It looks almost like a puppy. But it has horns. So, it might not look like a dog to them. If they think I’m just playing around by putting fake horns on a puppy, they might just find it cute.

But then again, just being seen with an animal might make me seem like an odd child. After all, people in this world don’t keep pets.

“Should we return?”

“No need to worry. It’s always been a dream of mine to take walks with Lagios and Pii-chan like this. I’d like to take everyone else along next time, too.”

That wasn’t a lie. Since I was born into this world, I’ve longed to have pets countless times. I always dreamed of spending time with them.

Now, that dream has come true—with creatures that look exactly like the ones I imagined.

“That’s fine. But do it little by little. If you do it all at once, you’ll shock everyone around you.”

As my mother glanced over, I noticed the nobles whispering while looking our way.

Summoning Skills are rare, after all. Most people have never seen magical creatures. It might be quite a challenge to introduce them to the public.

I might even have to travel around the country to demonstrate the Summoning Skill. If I just stay cooped up in the royal castle, increasing awareness about summoning will be difficult. I should probably ask Selvus and Lala about this too.

After working up a good sweat, we returned to the room to wipe off and change. Royals who smell like sweat aren’t exactly beloved. I should have followed my mother’s example and worn exercise-friendly clothes.

I headed to the dining room, where lunch preparations were already underway. I wondered what we’d be having today. Surely cream puffs and mitarashi dango wouldn’t be served as the main dish for lunch.

Come to think of it, I wonder if Brother Gilliam already tried them. If he did, lunch might be quite lively today.

I was the first to arrive. My brothers are busy with their duties, far busier than I am. Being the head of the Summoning Guild isn’t that high up the ladder, after all.

While playing with Lagios and Pii-chan, my mother arrived.

“Oh my, Rufus, you’re early.”

“Well, I’m a guy, so getting changed doesn’t take long.”

“You sound just like Leonard. But even if you’re a boy, you have to take care of yourself. What will you do if girls stop paying attention to you?”

I hadn’t really thought about that. Even though I’m royalty, should I be polishing myself up? I wonder what His Majesty’s plans are for me. Can I pursue romance freely? Probably not. In this world, political marriages are the norm.

“Won’t His Majesty find a match for me?”

“Rufus, if you’re a man, you need to have the courage to sweep the girl you like off her feet.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

Mother, are you possibly one of those ladies who’s really into romance novels? I’m very curious about the books in her private library. Though it’s off-limits to me.

As I was pondering whether I could really pull off something like that, I heard the door open. Brother Gilliam and Brother Leonard walked in together. They seemed like they’d been discussing something.

“Are we late?”

“I was talking to Brother Gilliam about the inspection, so we’re a little late.”

“It’s fine. His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet.”

Saying this, the two of them took their seats. From the looks of it, they hadn’t tried the cream puffs or mitarashi dango yet.

Should I bring up that topic or not?

“Looks like Lagios and Pii-chan are with you today.”

“Of course. They’re my bodyguards today.”

I answered Brother Gilliam’s question while patting Lagios and Pii-chan on their heads. With these two around, not even His Majesty could easily reprimand me. They are my ultimate protectors. Truly reliable allies.

“Bodyguards……….. Rufus, did you get yourself into trouble again?”

“Brother Leonard, what do you mean by ‘again’?”

“Oh my, I wouldn’t say that’s entirely off the mark.”

“Mother, not you too!”

Mother smiled mischievously, as if teasing me. That smile was identical to the one Tia makes when she’s up to no good. I just realized—Tia’s face was modeled after Mother’s. Unconsciously done… how terrifying.

And just like that, I found myself surrounded by enemies. Truly a situation of being encircled on all sides. Well, almost. With Lagios and Pii-chan here, it’s more like being one step away from total encirclement. Having allies is wonderful.

As I ruffled Lagios and Pii-chan’s fur, His Majesty the King entered. He was wearing a radiant smile. I almost wanted to ask, “Did something good happen?”

But I already knew the reason behind that smile. It must be because of the cream puffs and mitarashi dango, right?

Ah, Brother Gilliam and Brother Leonard are tilting their heads in confusion. Mother seems to have noticed too, as she hides her face behind her fan.

They probably have no idea what kind of expression to make. And honestly, neither do I.