Miracle Summoner

To be honest, Rozen's temper these days was much better than it used to be.

If it had been the past, and this old man dared to spout nonsense in front of him, Rozen wouldn't have cared whether the other party was a king—he would've fired back on the spot.

Of course, even now, though Rozen wasn't as impulsive anymore, he wasn't about to be steamrolled in person either.

So…

"My apologies,"

Rozen looked up at Lucas, who was relying on his height and build to look down on him with arrogance. Rozen smiled unfazed and calmly said:

"Compared to Your Majesty, I really am shorter and skinnier, and not particularly impressive. But don't be fooled by appearances—my muscles are all in my brain. You just don't know about this type of muscle."

As soon as he said that…

"Pfft!"

"Hehe."

La Folia and Polifonia couldn't help but chuckle.

Lucas was stunned for a moment, then caught on quickly.

"You dare say I'm all brawn and no brains!?"

Lucas was instantly furious.

Compared to Your Majesty, my muscles are all in my brain?

Wasn't that just saying Lucas had no brain muscle at all?

Naturally, Rozen didn't admit to anything.

"How could I?" Rozen spread his hands and said, "Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare speak ill of Your Majesty. Unless the person I'm talking about was a commoner—then I might dare run my mouth a bit. Wouldn't you agree?"

Those words again made La Folia and Polifonia laugh.

Lucas was briefly uncomprehending—until he realized.

This guy was clearly implying that Lucas was the one running his mouth just because of his status.

"Insulting me in such a roundabout way!?" Lucas's fury boiled over as he shouted, "You bastard! I never speak arrogantly just because of my status!"

"Is that so?" Rozen no longer feigned innocence. Raising an eyebrow, he smiled and said, "Then when Your Majesty and I are meeting for the first time, and I've done nothing to offend you, why would you insult me right off the bat? Is that the etiquette of Aldegyr?"

"Ugh…" Lucas was momentarily speechless.

It was clear being verbally overturned by Rozen made Lucas very unwilling to accept it.

This king harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Rozen, glaring at him even when he had no retort—his expression like he'd suffered some great injustice.

"As expected, I don't like you. I really don't like you!"

A whole king actually shouted like a sulking child.

This behavior stunned Nagisa, Avrora, and Kanase Kanon.

But La Folia and Polifonia seemed completely used to it.

"Alright, even if there are no outsiders here, don't embarrass yourself in front of Kanon," Polifonia gently advised. "No matter how much you deny it, this is someone La Folia has acknowledged."

"Exactly." La Folia said readily, "Besides, Nichiyo is excellent. His power is already recognized worldwide. If Your Majesty continues to deny that, it may come off as petty, and would only disgrace the Aldegyr royal family."

"Bah." Lucas sneered and grumbled, "He's only flaunting borrowed strength from defeating a mere Primogenitor. Compared to our vast magical secrets, Demon powers are nothing more than paper tigers—easily torn apart!"

"Oh really?" Polifonia said with surprised curiosity. "But I recall when the news came that the Duke of the Ardeal principality had been eliminated by the Divine Child of the Minamiya House, didn't you praise him loudly and even said he was worthy of having defeated the Third and Fourth Primogenitors? You even suggested the knights take him as a model and that if any of them could reach even half of his power, they'd be granted the title of Court Magus Knight."

Clearly, Vatler's death had been something this king had openly celebrated.

After all, Vatler was the ruler of the Ardeal principality, a country long at odds with Aldegyr for centuries of warfare. They were historic enemies.

With such an enemy slain, Lucas would naturally be overjoyed.

But now, Lucas clearly didn't want to admit it.

"W-Was there something like that? I don't remember,"

Lucas averted his gaze like he was feeling guilty and even whistled innocently.

The sight was utterly shameless.

The girls were speechless. Rozen's lips twitched.

He'd originally thought this guy was a potential hidden threat—but it turns out he was just a oversized teddy?

Rozen suddenly felt drained.

Watching him, La Folia seemed more and more pleased—genuinely delighted.

"I've heard all about what you've done, Nichiyo. You've done wonderfully," La Folia praised without reservation. "To single-handedly force the Sanctuary Treaty army to retreat and defeat the Duke of Ardeal right there on the spot—you protected our family and eliminated our enemy. Truly, you are the man I chose."

La Folia's bold, direct words made all the girls blush.

"I still don't acknowledge him! Absolutely not!" Lucas kept grumbling like a child.

"Just as the rumors say—strong and wise," Polifonia said with a soft laugh. "Please forgive my husband's rudeness. No—feel free to ignore him."

She said it quite bluntly, leaving Lucas looking a bit deflated.

Rozen now understood.

So this king's hostility stemmed from jealousy that his wife and daughter both admired another man?

(...What is this?)

Rozen was at a loss for words.

In the end, he could only change the subject.

"So, may I ask what business brings the Aldegyr royal family here today?"

Rozen repeated the question.

But it wasn't anyone present who answered.

"I invited them."

As that voice sounded, space rippled—and two girls emerged.

"Natsuki-nee?"

Rozen was surprised.

"Minamiya-sensei!"

Nagisa, Kanon, and Avrora all turned toward them as well.

The newcomer was none other than Natsuki, accompanied by Astarte.

Under everyone's gaze, Natsuki spoke as if she had always been there:

"After all, I am Kanon's nominal guardian and protector. With world leaders gathered here on Itogami Island, it seemed like a good opportunity for her family to see her."

She explained, then looked at Rozen.

"And Nichiyo, you may need to accompany them to Aldegyr."

Her words shocked everyone.

Even Rozen.

"Go to Aldegyr?"

Rozen stood frozen, stunned.