Reward

We were granted an audience with Emperor Lionel of the Raverio Empire as soon as we returned.

Of course, we had an audience with him before we left as part of the official delegation, so it wasn't unusual to have another one upon our return.

"Kehma Golen. Your achievements during this study abroad—placing third in the Demonlands's fighting tournament—are commendable. Well done."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I was confused as to why I was the only one among the others who received such praise. I glanced at Haku-san.

Ah… yes. That smile meant she was angry. I wonder what I did to upset her.

"Well then, let me grant you a reward. What would you like? If you have a request, speak up. Oh, should I make Golen independent from the Tsuia territory and establish it as the Golen territory?"

Wait. Please wait. That's beyond what I can handle.

However, I had prepared a wish in case I ever had the chance to ask the emperor for a favor. This was the perfect opportunity.

"… If I may be so bold… I am a follower of Beddhism and have been collecting [Divine Bedding]. May I ask for your assistance in this matter?"

"I see, very well. I will grant you the right to rent the [Divine Bedding] owned by the empire. When you speak to the administrators, I will instruct them to lend it to you as needed. As for payment, you will pay the administrators each time."

Huh?

… I guess it really doesn't hurt to ask, does it?

Suppressing a grin, I was taken aback by the unexpected result.

Thank you, Rokuko. It was a good thing I prepared a list of questions and answers based on Rokuko's advice.

"The empire owns two divine bedding items: the mattress and the pillow. The Kukkoro family manages the mattress, and the Tsuia family manages the pillow."

"I am aware, Your Majesty."

"Very well. I will write a note for you later."

With that, my audience came to an end.

… Wait, seriously? This is basically like getting two more of the divine bedding set items, right?

So, what's left… a nightcap and underwear… that's it?

I already have six (or five, if you exclude the alarm clock) in my possession…?

"Good job, Kehma. How was the audience?"

"Eh? Ah, it was good."

We returned to our guest room while staying at the castle, and Rokuko greeted us. Rokuko was supposed to have been assigned to a different room, but it's safe to say that she was just waiting for her friends in their room.

Niku and Ichika were together in yet another room.

"Ah, to tell you exactly what happened… During this study abroad, I gained access to three of the 'Divine Bedding' items… I know it might not make sense, but I can't make sense of it myself either."

"Really? I'm glad my word to Lionel yesterday paid off."

Eh?

"Wait, Rokuko-san? You talked to the emperor about it?"

"Well, yeah. Since you're collecting [Divine Bedding] set, I thought it would be perfect."

"No like—I appreciate it! I'm really happy about it actually!"

"No but he asked me if there was any reward that you might want, so I just answered?"

Wait, who's at fault here? Who started the whole thing?

… No, calm down, me. If I think about it, no one is losing out, so no one's at fault.

Yeah. Emperor Lionel gets off without any expense by just granting me the right to use the divine beddings, the administrators of the divine beddings get paid every time they lend them out, and I can use the divine beddings whenever I want by just applying for it and paying the fee. That's a good thing.

I was wary because too many good things were happening, but maybe sometimes—just sometimes—things like this can happen.

"… What's wrong, Kehma?"

"… Nothing, good job Rokuko. Thanks… Ah, by the way, I—"

"I… what?"

"I… l-love you."

… …

I feel like I just said something out of character. And I said it in a way that made it sound like I was confessing. I can't look at Rokuko's face…!

But I have to see her reaction, there's no way I can't look!

"———…!!"

Ah, she's red. Like an apple, even.

"Kehma… wait. Wait."

"Wh-what?"

"… If you say something like that with that face, I won't be able to hold back… it's no good…"

As she said that, she brought her face closer to mine. Ah, wait—

— Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking on the door makes us both jump apart.

… Our lips barely grazed each other. That was close. What on earth was I trying to do in a castle that's completely Haku-san's territory…!?

"Rokuko-chaaan. May I come in?"

""—Huh!?""

It was Haku-san. Haku-san's voice. Also, this was the guest room prepared for me. I'll say it again: the room assigned to Rokuko was not this one. But Haku-san was looking for Rokuko in this room? And the fact that Haku-san was asking for Rokuko's permission to enter instead of mine meant that she knew Rokuko was in my room.

Could it be that we were being monitored? Then the thing that just happened…!?

"R-Rokuko, what should we do?"

"… Th-there's nothing we can do, Kehma. Leave Haku-neesama to me."

When Rokuko responded to Haku-san's knock to tell her to come on in, Haku-san opened the door and entered. She was smiling very nicely.

"Oh, Kehma-san is here too? What a coincidence."

"Haha… Well, then, I'll excuse myself."

"Where are you going? This is your room, isn't it?"

If she knew, then why did she call it a coincidence?

"By the way, Kehma-san… What were you doing with Rokuko-chan?"

"Nothing, I just got back a moment ago…"

Fortunately, the color had drained from my face just before, so I couldn't be caught red-faced. For now, I send a pleading look to Rokuko for help.

"Ane-sama, could come here for a moment?"

"Hm? What is it, Rokuko-chan?"

"Over here."

Rokuko beckons Haku-san with her hand. Haku-san was pulled in and sat next to Rokuko.

"Can you pet my head?"

"… Um…?"

"Please? Come on, Ane-sama… Mmm."

Rokuko leaned against Haku-san's ample chest with a soft thud.

Haku-san shivered slightly and reached out to pet Rokuko's head… Petting her again, and again, and again…

"Ah, Rokuko-chan, I was lonely… I'm glad you came back safely from your study abroad…"

"Fufu, Kehma protected me."

"…"

"Thanks to Kehma's efforts, I was able to return safely… Sister, you stopped petting?"

"U-uh… That's wonderful, isn't it…?"

"I want you to praise Kehma too, sister…?"

While being petted, Rokuko looked up at her with pleading eyes. When did she learn this technique…!?

"… Kehma-san, you protected Rokuko-chan well."

"Huh? Oh, right. I just did what was expected of me."

With a bitter smile, Haku-san praised me as Rokuko requested.

Well, in reality, Rokuko was touring around quite freely with Aidi, but I won't say anything unnecessary. I'll leave it to Rokuko.

"I'm happy that you acknowledge Kehma in the Demonlands, sister."

"Eh, well, that's—"

"Or is that not the case?"

"Hmph…!"

Rokuko gently teased Haku-san by just barely touching her body.

Wait a minute. When did you learn these techniques, Rokuko-san? In the Demonlands? It has to be, right? What were you doing when I wasn't looking…!?

Anyway, it seems I'll be able to return to Golen alive and safe. Thank you, Rokuko.