Published: January 4, 2026
Keith’s shop on Raid Street.
Inside the shop, Alice was playing the harp and singing as usual.
Your Majesty was listening intently from the best seat.
Sometimes staring straight ahead, sometimes closing his eyes and swaying his body in rhythm.
Your Majesty was thoroughly enjoying Alice’s song.
Behind His Majesty, Cruise and I stood on standby.
I had mastered apophis.
Since Alice insisted on singing only in the shop and not holding private concerts at anyone’s residence, Your Majesty had come incognito to Keith’s.
Naturally, there were quite a few customers around.
Unless something serious happened, with me present, no one could harm Your Majesty.
But there was a great possibility that some inconsiderate person might spoil His Majesty’s enjoyment.
To prevent that, I took measures using apophis.
The line between medicine and poison is thin.
Medicines effective on humans are mostly poisons with weakened toxicity.
I used apophis to put all the customers inside the shop to sleep.
To avoid them snoring, I paralyzed them to some extent and took away their bodily freedom.
Everyone here was just a customer. Not a single person could resist apophis’s poison—or even pretended to resist—and they were all put to sleep by me.
As a result, His Majesty’s appreciation session proceeded quietly and successfully.
Still, I kept watch just in case, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
Suddenly, my eyes met Cruise’s, who was similarly on standby.
—As expected, sir.
He moved only his lips, speaking silently (、、、).
Since the words were simple, I understood from the shape of his lips.
He noticed.
Eunuchs serve the nobility.
Unlike ordinary servants, eunuchs are castrated and therefore can only be eunuchs, specializing in the skill of making their noble masters feel comfortable.
Among them, Cruise was even more exceptional, having served the emperor continuously.
The emperor holds far more power than ordinary nobles, and Cruise, serving him, excelled more in those skills.
If Cruise says “as expected,” then this act to ensure His Majesty’s enjoyment is indeed appropriate.
I continued commanding apophis, maintaining His Majesty’s viewing environment.
☆
During the intermission, Alice briefly retreated backstage.
I had just lifted the sleep and paralysis from all the customers, and the shop was filled with applause.
Most customers looked puzzled, but still clapped along with others.
“That’s right, Noah.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I hear the fighting with the Sahei Tribe in the south has settled down.”
“The Sahei Tribe, you say?”
I wondered briefly why such a topic came up now.
The empire is a warrior nation, with constant wars or rebellions suppressed somewhere along the borders.
Recently, in the south, there had been fighting against the Sahei Tribe, a forest-dwelling clan that refused to submit to the empire.
“We are awarding merit, and it’s been reported that a man named Jerry Eisen performed especially well.”
“Jerry... huh.”
That’s the man from the bandits.
I captured him and sent him to the army as a military service punishment, but he’s surprisingly risen quickly.
“After losing a local battle, this Jerry gathered the surviving soldiers and pushed back the enemy. It was truly a heroic effort.”
“I see.”
“He said he wants to repay you, Noah.”
“Repay me?”
“He said you gave him a new, hopeful second life. In a way, you’re like a father to him.”
“Father.”
I muttered half-robotically.
Jerry likely meant no offense, but it felt strange to be called a father by a man like him.
Besides, he’s probably twice my age.
“As expected, Noah.”
Your Majesty said with a pleased expression.
“A man who was once a bandit has become a useful soldier. Moreover, he gathered troops and moved them like his limbs—he must have generalship talent.”
Of course.
He was originally the leader of a bandit group, so I knew he had the ability to organize fighters.
“You discovered him and sent him to the right place. Noah remains impressive.”