Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 108. The Maximum Speed of a Shuttlecock at Its Peak Is 330 km/h (10)
Hisperon dashed east and west, vanquishing the villains. In the final act, some demon-like tyrant who’d seized power through a coup in a remote kingdom appeared. Hisperon cleaved him in two with a sickening crunch and killed him, then rescued the beautiful golden-haired princess held captive.
The beautiful princess ardently proposed to Hisperon, but he rejected her too, saying that young and weak people were waiting for him, and departed toward a new battlefield.
And the grand finale—all the characters took the stage in a magnificent chorus, singing hymns to Astiages.
I was so moved that I wept and clapped enthusiastically.
“Astiages, Astiages, may you endure eternal.”
“Princess Vishnabel of Astiages, you haven’t forgotten that you are the Princess of Kisomalos, have you?”
“How could I forget that, Chief Chamberlain?”
“Then stop crying. It’s embarrassing.”
But still, isn’t my heart overflowing? I want to give flowers to the performers, but do we have any?
I looked around the Banquet Hall and spotted flowers arranged abundantly in vases on each table. I quickly plucked some and hastily bundled them with a handkerchief, then threw them onto the stage to Hisperon.
“Please accept these, Hisperon!”
“Oh, ah. Thank you, little guest.”
Once I threw the flowers, the servants of the Estate began throwing them too, and the stage became decorated with blossoms. I’m worried about the cleanup, but fortunately those who threw them will handle it.
After the curtain call and applause ended, the Theater Troupe began clearing the stage, and the Orchestra we hired resumed playing.
As I savored the whirlwind performance, Hisperon, whose face had turned as red as a roasted sweet potato, said something strange.
“Is this some new form of torture?”
“Pardon?”
“I thought I would die of embarrassment.”
“Why?”
Isn’t it pleasant to hear praise for one’s deeds? I’m always criticized, so I’d think praise would feel good.
“You really are… I don’t know what to say.”
While I was crying and clapping, Nanakda and Croa, who had been watching me from a distance, approached. Nanakda tried to say something, sighed, tried again, sighed again, then offered his assessment of my character.
“You really are… well… quite a person.”
“That’s right. Pisha is truly someone of exceptional caliber.”
“I’m starting to think I might not be able to handle this.”
“I can handle it. Why don’t you step aside?”
“I said I couldn’t, not that I didn’t know.”
After bickering a few times, they’ve become quite close. Children really do grow through fighting, don’t they? Shirley and Croa used to fight constantly too. They still do.
“Oh, right. You’re leaving the day after tomorrow?”
Yes, that’s correct, isn’t it? There’s nothing more to see here. I came this time to confirm that Astiages wouldn’t interfere in the alliance between Kisomalos and Media. Since the Emperor said our affairs were off-limits, I’ll just return quietly.
When I asked if there was anything else to see, Nanakda said the two of them had somewhere to go.
“The two of you?”
“Yeah.”
“When you say two, Choco and the Chief Chamberlain will be coming too, won’t they?”
“I mean without her.”
Nanakda pointed to Croa. Croa smiled beautifully without batting an eye.
“I don’t like that.”
“If I say don’t come, then don’t come.”
“But I’m coming with you anyway.”
“As Prince of Astiages, I command it!”
“But I’m the next King of Media, you know?”
Oh, so our Croa has studied well. Though Media is a vassal state, the next king outranks an imperial prince. Besides, Nanakda is far removed from the throne, so I can’t treat Croa carelessly.
“Then let’s wager our freedom of movement!”
“Agreed!”
Hmm, are they betting me as the trophy? I’m not entirely pleased they didn’t ask my consent, but since watching them play is amusing, I’ll forgive them.
“Since I brought it up first, you choose the competition. I’m being generous.”
“Hmm….”
Croa pondered while roller-skating with a smooth whirring sound, then executed a graceful turn and decided on the competition.
“Let’s settle this with a game of chess.”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Why that reaction?”
But aren’t you better at physical activities? You lose at chess to me and Shirley every day. When I pointed this out, Croa protested indignantly.
“That’s because Shirley and Pisha are exceptionally strong! I do well against other people!”
“You lose to the Emperor too.”
“That’s a different matter!”
“You lose to the Chief Chamberlain as well.”
“….”
“Never mind, forget it. Croa, do whatever you want.”
If I kept talking, they’d get upset again. I told them both to do as they pleased and set up the board. I arranged a chess set on the table and requested the orchestra play a composition befitting duelists.
“You chose this? No taking it back?”
“Hmph, don’t cry later!”
Croa seized a pawn with confidence and advanced it two squares with flair.
Thirty-eight moves later, Nanakda spoke hesitantly.
“Um, so….”
“….”
“Checkmate?”
“….”
How do you lose everything except your bishop and king in just thirty-eight moves? Actually, Croa, you’re the impressive one here. When I offered praise, Croa lowered their head in acceptance of defeat.
“I’ve lost. Go wherever you wish.”
“I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
“Yes, I should hurry back for your sake.”
So Nanakda does read the room when things get truly dangerous. When they’re angry, they really do look terrifying.
I decided to comfort Croa with Nanakda and enjoy the rest of the banquet. We played, ate, and danced so enthusiastically that the entire day passed, and only when the servants insisted on cleaning did the party finally end.
“Yaaay! That was so much fun!”
“Right, we had an amazing time. This is the most enjoyable banquet I’ve ever attended.”
Nanakda seemed to have enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and Hisperon also added their thoughts.
“For me as well, this is the first time I’ve truly enjoyed a banquet without reservation.”
That makes sense. Every other time, they were either exploited for propaganda or ignored, so they must have been constantly anxious. I arranged everything with such considerations in mind. When I suggested they should praise me even more, Nanakda made an absurd sound and Hisperon laughed heartily.
“Truly, I’m grateful. In so many ways.”
“You could praise me even more loudly!”
“I’m not joking. I really mean it. I wish there were an opportunity to repay this kindness.”
“Then marry me!”
“That’s not possible.”
Tsk. If the boy hero would marry me, that would be the greatest gift of all. It would be an incredible gift for Kisomalos too.
“Perhaps you should say that to Nanakda someday.”
“Oh my. I’m already bound by a marriage alliance with Croa.”
“It’s not over until it’s completely over.”
Interesting—Hisperon is saying the same thing as Nanakda. Did Nanakda learn that from Hisperon, or did Hisperon learn it from Nanakda?
In any case, I have another outing scheduled for tomorrow. I should head back and get some proper rest.

✦ ✦ ✦
The next day, after hastily preparing and heading out, Croa saw me off with a ghostly expression, and the Chief Chamberlain, Nanakda, and I rode in a car driven by Choco to somewhere. They said it would take some time, and we ended up leaving the outskirts and arriving at a lake.
“This is near the Villa where I spent my childhood with the Empress Mother. It’s my favorite place.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“It’s not maintained at all now, but it still feels more like home than the Main Imperial Palace.”
Ah, I understand that feeling. I lived in the Empress Palace as a child, so whenever I go in that direction, I feel oddly sentimental.
As I engaged in the conversation with all my empathetic abilities, Nanakda pulled a small square box from his pocket. With that velvet sheen, it looked just like the ring case I’d given to Croa.
“This. I said I’d give it to you.”
“Huh?”
Since Nanakda threw the object, I caught it in bewilderment, and when I opened the case, there was a round pink sapphire inside.
Ah, so this is it. The jewel he’d collected like a crow, saying it was for me.
“When you grow up, make it into a necklace or a tiara, whichever you prefer.”
“Thank you so much.”
But should I really accept this? Isn’t it too large a gift just to receive casually? Though I’m hardly one to talk after unleashing healing divine punishment on Hisperon.
“Next time, I’ll bring something far better than the Media Kingdom.”
“Hmm?”
“If you prepare something better and come, choose me.”
“Hmm…”
I’ll need to calculate the estimates when the time comes.
When I answered seriously, Nanakda clicked his teeth and pinched my cheek.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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