A Sage Who Knows History Offers a Profound Word (20)

Looking up at Cyril Ashley, surrounded by the high-ranking Ice Spirit and the White Dragon, now a legendary being, not to mention a descendant of the 〈Thorn Witch〉 and a girl who could summon a Spirit King without incantations, the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 cleared its throat. 'Ahem, ahem.'

The throat-clearing was meant to say, Pay attention to me! But nobody was listening.

"We worked up quite an appetite, huh? Let's have lunch. We've got plenty of turnips! And carrots, too! Oh, speaking of which, did you eat the carrots I sent you the other day?"

"Yes. I gave them to the servants, and they were delighted."

"Um, Aike made all sorts of carrot dishes for me, and they were really delicious."

"Glad to hear it! I'll send you more next year, so look forward to it! I'll send them from where I'm studying abroad!"

"Focus on your studies! What do you think you're studying abroad for?"

'………….……AHEM!!'

Cyril looked suspiciously at the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉, which was clearing its throat rather insistently.

"What was that strange noise? Could the battle have damaged its functions...?"

The 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉's throat-clearing had been mistaken for a strange noise, but at least it had managed to get everyone's attention.

'Ahem. Cyril Ashley, you have done well to overcome my trial. I hereby recognize you as my contractor...'

Before the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 could finish, Cyril smoothly slipped it off his finger.

The contract mark that had appeared on Cyril's finger faded away as if dissolving in water.

Why would he go and take it off his finger right when I was saying something so moving?

As the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 fumed, Cyril placed it in his palm and said,

"〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 Sophocles. This incident has made me realize how inadequate I am. I'm still too immature to inherit the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉."

'...Hm?'

"It's only natural that you wouldn't recognize me. I'll train harder, and when I'm ready, I'll take your trial again..."

'No, um, what? Were you even listening to me?'

When the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 asked hesitantly, Cyril replied firmly,

"I'm not qualified to inherit the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 as I am now. I didn't even overcome the trial by my own strength..."

'What do you mean?! I said I recognize you!'

"But I can't accept that!"

'Y-you stubborn fool...! If I say I recognize you, then I recognize you!'

"I refuse!"

'Don't refuse!'

＊　＊　＊

(W-what should I do...? This is so like Cyril-sama, but...)

As Monica fretted over their pointless argument, which showed no sign of ending, Isaac said with a sunny smile,

"Can I give up on you two now?"

"...I gave up ages ago."

Claudia spat the words in a low voice.

The scene unfolding before them was a perfect example of how utterly pointless it was for two stubborn people to dig in their heels at each other.

Just then, something golden leaped onto Cyril's right shoulder. It was the Ice Spirit Asshel Pike, who had apparently turned into a weasel at some point.

From Cyril's shoulder, Pike glared at the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉. Frost promptly began spreading across the black ring.

"This really is the root of all evil. I think we should freeze it."

'Don't give me that, Ice Spirit! You're the root of all evil here!'

"...Me?"

The golden weasel tilted its head on Cyril's shoulder.

The white weasel—Ture—clambered onto his other shoulder and asked, "Why?" The 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 grew even more displeased and shouted at the top of its voice.

'I was supposed to be the first to make a contract with him! I'd had my eye on him since he was a child! And yet... and yet... he made a contract with someone else first... You two-timer!'

That last remark seemed to be directed at Cyril.

"Two-timer."

"A two-timer?"

The weasels repeated the word, sounding like they didn't quite understand it.

As the chorus of "two-timer" rang out from his hand and both shoulders, Cyril's eyes widened.

"Infidelity...? That's an outrageous accusation! When have I ever done anything so unfaithful?!"

'You're going to deny it?! Young people these days take contracts far too lightly! You make one after another without a second thought... At this rate, I'm practically the third wife!'

Cyril trembled all over and opened and closed his mouth.

The accusation was so dishonorable that he seemed unable to find any words at all.

Perched on Cyril's completely frozen shoulders, Pike and Ture spoke in their usual tones.

"Am I the first wife?"

"Then I'm the second wife."

The weasels didn't seem to understand what it meant at all.

Raul and even Isaac added their comments in equally relaxed tones.

"A spirit as the first wife... If Luis-san, the devoted husband, heard that logic, he'd probably die of indignation."

"This is a problem. My first wife would end up being Wirdianu."

By now, nobody was taking the situation seriously.

The only ones taking it seriously were Cyril, who was involved, and the earnest Monica.

"C-Cyril-sama isn't, um, cheating or anything... That's not... The contract is a master-and-servant contract... It's, it's different from marriage..."

Monica tried desperately to explain, but the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 was shouting so loudly that her words didn't reach it at all.

As Monica's eyes welled up because no one would listen to her, Isaac said with an awkward smile,

"Sophocles accepted Cyril from the start. He's just sulking because he's jealous of those two. What a troublesome old man."

"...Jealous?"

Monica rolled the unfamiliar word around on her tongue, considering it.

Jealousy. Sophocles envied Pike and Ture.

"Um, the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 does recognize Cyril-sama, right?"

"That's right. But they're both so stubborn and obstinate that this is what we've ended up with."

As he said that, Isaac glanced toward Cyril and the others.

Cyril was speaking earnestly to the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 in his palm.

"〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 Sophocles, I have no intention of ranking my contract partners or treating them differently. Everyone will be treated equally..."

'Hmph! Men who want a harem all say that!'

At the weighty words of a sage who had witnessed history, Cyril's blue eyes flashed as he growled under his breath.

"Pike, you can freeze it."

"Understood."

'You said you wouldn't rank us! Weren't you going to treat us equally?!'

The situation was rapidly descending into utter chaos.

Raul pulled a turnip from his robe pocket and muttered as he crunched into it,

"Hmm, I think everything would be fine if we all ate vegetables together, but the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 can't eat vegetables."

Raul was the only one who thought that would solve everything, but nobody corrected him.

That was because Cyril, who usually did the correcting, was completely occupied with the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉.

Isaac leaned over and asked Claudia in a low voice,

"As the wife of the mediator, do you have any advice for mediating this situation?"

"...Why not send in a fourth wife?"

With that, Claudia glanced at Monica.

Isaac narrowed his eyes slightly and silently dismissed Claudia's suggestion before turning to Monica.

"Monica, will you cheer me on? I'm going to try really hard now."

"Y-yes! Aike, do your best!"

"Of course. I'll live up to your expectations, my master."

Isaac smiled and stepped forward.

Then he spoke to the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉, which was covered in frost in Cyril's palm.

"〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 Sophocles, you meant what you said about recognizing Cyril, didn't you?"

'Oh! Pie maker... You came to save...'

"You meant it, didn't you?"

Isaac smiled beautifully, applying just the right amount of pressure. The 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 groaned, 'I-I did.'

Once he'd confirmed that, Isaac fixed his gaze on Cyril.

"Cyril, you said you were declining the contract with the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉, didn't you?"

"Yes. As I am now, I'm far too... immature and lacking in ability."

"When you get worked up, your field of vision narrows. Look up and take a look around you, Cyril Ashley."

Isaac looked from Monica to Raul and Claudia, then to the weasels on Cyril's shoulders.

As Cyril looked around at their prompting, Isaac spoke in a gentle voice.

"Your little sister, a Sage, an Ice Spirit, a White Dragon... You mustn't forget that all these people went to such lengths for your sake. If this incident made you realize your shortcomings, all you have to do is work to improve. You can do that... can't you?"

Cyril looked at Isaac as if he were at a loss for words.

Isaac lifted the frost-covered ring from Cyril's hand and wiped the frost away with a handkerchief.

"Everyone here is rooting for you. They want you to make a contract with the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉."

At Isaac's words, Monica and Raul nodded silently.

Claudia looked as if she couldn't care less, but Isaac pretended not to notice and continued,

"Will you live up to our expectations?"

Cyril opened his mouth, then pressed his lips together tightly.

He looked as if he'd swallowed his anxiety and shame over his failure and steeled himself.

"...I humbly accept."

Isaac smiled and slipped the 〈Knowledge Keeper's Key〉 back onto the middle finger of Cyril's right hand.

Cyril looked down at the pitch-black ring and murmured,

"I'm counting on you, Sophocles."

'………………Indeed!'