Part 82: Chapter L-3: The Future Kings

Part L-3: The Future Kings


The Next King



“His name shall be Mathias Ferrier Adalet!” Lydie! Yes! Mathias has made up his mind to succeed the throne!

Yeah, it looks like it! Congratulations, Mathias!

Come on, we have to say that to his face! Let’s go and see Mathias, right away!

Yeah, you’re right… hey, hold up, Sue!



You’re going to be the next king! Congratulations!

Ah, you saw that? Yes, that’s right. I am your ruler!

My lord! My liege? Ah, my Majesty! Sorry, Your Majesty!

Hah, OK, I’m just kidding. I won’t actually be king until after the coronation.

What? So you’re still unemployed?

You’re still banging that drum? Hahaha! Hey, all of this gives me an idea, anyway. The crown to be used at the coronation is normally made by people selected by the next king. So… What do you say, girls? Fancy using your alchemy to make me a crown?

What! A crown, from alchemy? Is that even a thing?

I’m sure it will be fine. I’d love for you to do this. Alchemy has brought positive change to the city. I want my taking the throne to be the same.

Very well. If that’s what you want, Mathias, we’ll happily take this job!

You said it! We’ll make you a dazzling crown for your coronation!

Thanks! No need to hold back, you can really go all out!



Something like this would be perfect! Can’t have a crown without gems or gold, of course… and what would the crown of Adalet be without a nice smattering of Merveille Rouge?

You said it! Good thing we can get really good Merveille Rouge outside of Mom’s atelier…



And that’s a… Yes?


Goals and Blessings

This is quite the party! What’s up?

We heard from Sophie and Firis that you’ve decided on a goal for your alchemy.

Why didn’t you come and tell me, then? Explain yourselves!

Hahaha, sorry girls! We overheard you talking when we were inside the Starlight Plain.

Sorry from me too! We didn’t mean to eavesdrop but, you know, I guess we did!

Hahaha, that’s okay. We weren’t hiding it or anything. We were going to come and see you.

So, the new goal for our alchemy, our new dream, is…



So many people have helped us, and so we want to repay them by using our alchemy. I don’t know if it’s much of anything, but that’s our goal. What do you think?

I think it’s wonderful. A lovely goal, perfectly suited to both of you.

Me too. You’ve decided it for yourselves, and so as your teacher you have my support. …Do your very best, understand? Give up halfway through and you’ll have me to deal with!



Hey, cut it out, Firis! You don’t need to bring that up here!

Hahaha! Anyway, all of us here, including me, support your dream. I don’t think it will be an easy thing to achieve, but all the best, Lydie and Sue!

Thank you! We’ll do it, don’t worry!

Hehe! That’s our goal, then! To become alchemists who can help everyone! Yay! As for someone who immediately needs our help…


The Weight of the Crown

Mathias. We’ve made the crown.

OK. Let me take a look… Yes, good color, good sheen… This is a great crown! It stands up well compared to my dad’s crown, too. In fact, it might even be better!

Great, glad to hear it. We were pretty nervous about such an important job. Hehe. We put a lot of hard work and feelings into this. You keep it safe, Your Majesty! Keep it on your head!

I will. I’ll treasure this forever… Wow, this also means I really can’t run away!

Come on, Mathias, you’ll be fine! You’re going to make a great king!

Yes, you’re right. It’s just… ah, it’s nothing. Heheh, here’s your reward. Thank you, both of you!

3000 Coll received.

Wow, thanks! I can’t wait for the coronation!

Yeah. Me too.



A new Combination Art for Sue and Mathias “Full-Power Gunplay” is unlocked.

You know, Sue, if Mathias is taking the throne, then…

Yeah. I bet she’s happy about all this!


Mireille’s Move Out

Hahaha, you seem in a good mood, Mireille. Is it because of Mathias?

That’s right. He’s finally made the decision to become king. I’ve been working hard to make sure Mathias becomes a good king, but I’m almost done now.

He’ll be on the throne before you know it!

Yeah. I’m so relieved. I’ve done my duty as his sister! Thank goodness for that. Now he’s finally getting serious, he’ll surely make a fine ruler. Which means I can finally…

Hm? Mireille?

Oh, by the way! Tell me, twins. Is a golden puni statue required for living on your own?

Why would it be?! What are you planning on using it for?

Hahaha, don’t ask me. It was a gift so I’m just asking.

Well, if you don’t have a use for it you don’t need… hold on, living on your own? Who?

Hahaha, who do you think? Me, of course.



Yes! Of course I can! Just who do you think I am?

H-Huh. But why? Why now?

I’m also in line for the throne, remember? But Mathias is the one who will become king. It would get tricky if I was hanging around, so after he’s crowned I’m leaving the castle.

So that’s why… Sorry, Mireille, for ever thinking you couldn’t do it!

Hah! Just you have a look at this, then! Proof that I can handle living alone!



That’s everything you need to live alone! The bare minimum! You’ll find it all correct and proper.

A crystal shield? Cross that off. And a crystal ball, too? What for? Cross that off.

Twenty pairs of shoes? Cross! Knives, sure, but ten of them? Cross, cross!

H-Hold on! My list is getting mutilated!

Yeah, well, we’re just getting started here. Next up… what would someone even do with this? Cross!

(Kind of high maintenance, here…) Cross!



That’s right. There was far too much waste on there to start with.

And lots of things missing, too. You need cutlery, don’t you? Dishes?

Dishes, right! Hey, I know, could you make some hard-to-break ones with alchemy? I think I’ll probably break regular ones a bit too quickly…

Yes, okay. To celebrate your moving out, we’ll bring you a lovely set of dishes!



…These are going to be plain sturdy dishes, I’m afraid. Please keep that in mind.



How hard can it be to make silverware? We have the silver, the polish, and tons of high-quality distilled water and neutralizer…



There we go! Mireille should love these! Even if they aren’t as fancy as she’s probably used to…


Countdown to Coronation

Mireille, here are your hard-to-break dishes.

Wow, they’re lovely! Living on my own is going to be so much fun, I know it! But… what’s with you two? You seem a bit down?

We’re just a bit sad that you’re going to be leaving the castle, that’s all…

Hahaha, that’s what you've been thinking about? I’m not a permanent fixture, after all! One I’m living alone, I also plan to rely heavily on both of you. You’ll still see me, even if I'm not around here. So there’s no need to be sad! Not at all!

Hey, that’s right! In fact, we might see more of you than we do now!

That’s right! You’ll be sick of my face before long, I promise you!

Okay! I can’t wait! You’re welcome at our atelier anytime!

Hehe! I need to get back to my preparations, anyway. There isn’t long until the coronation.

Hehe! We can’t wait! But for now…



Now then… what comes next?

Oh, was that the door? Does Mireille already need a place to-



Ah, Your Majesty! Your Royal Highness!

Please, come in!

How many times do I have to say this? I’m not king yet! You’re just making fun of me, are you?

Of course! What’s up, though? You look like you’ve got something on your mind?

Come on, you can tell us anything. We’ll help you however we can.

Thanks for saying that. I do have something I want to ask you both: If the two of you had to live apart, starting from tomorrow, what would you say?



Why?

We’ve lived together since we were born, and that’s never going to change!

That’s right. The two of us are one. We couldn’t possibly live apart!

Yes, you’re right… I knew it! Sorry, girls, but can I ask you to do a job for me, too? The crown you made for me… Can you make another one?

What? Another crown? Not thinking of growing another head, are you?

I can’t tell you. I just really need one! Please!

OK! Anything for the future king! We’ll bring you another crown, just as great as the first one. Just wait a little while, Mathias!

Thanks. I know you can handle this, Lydie, Sue!

We already have everything we need, so we just have to do the synthesis again…



Woohoo! Now, we haven’t a moment to lose!


The Shadow Coronation

Here you go, Mathias. The second crown you ordered.

This one is really well made, too. So now…

How about you tell us why you need another one?

Hehe, I’m the next king, after all. It’s a little too soon, but I’m going to use some of that power. Girls, come with me. I want you to see this, too.

?

To the castle!



Sister. Can you please clear the room?

What? I guess so. Sure.



Sis. You’ve always looked out for me, haven’t you? Supported me, from the shadows. I’ve only made it this far thanks to you.

Mathias? What is this?

That’s why I need you to help me rule.



That’s why I want you to take this.



No! I’ll be the king. I want you to be, well… the power behind the throne? Sister. Will you continue to support me, even once I come to power? I’m sure that’s the best for the future of Adalet, too.

…Let me confirm one thing with you. You’ve given this a lot of careful thought, I take it?

Yes. I think this is the best way forward.

I see. In which case, it can’t be helped. Looks like I’ll be holding your hand forever, hah! King Mathias. I accept the role of… what are we calling this, the king in shadow? A shadow must always be a shadow, however. You’ll have to do all of your own duties properly. Understand?

Of course. Lydie, Sue, you’re up! We’re going to hold a shadow coronation, right now! You two have to bear witness. We need you two to watch over us as we make a vow the world can never know about!

OK, we can do that. We won’t blink once!

Yes! We’ll burn it into our memories!

OK. Here we go!



Hahaha, yeah. Being watched is a little embarrassing, though…

Uwah! That really suits you, both of you!

King Mathias! Queen Mireille! Lead our country into a better future!

Yes! We promise to do so!

Indeed we do. You first, Mathias.

As ruler, I promise to create a land in which all the people can live safe and happy lives.

As ruler, I promise to create a land in which all the people can live safe and happy lives.

In this moment, I, Mathias Ferrier Adalet, as the king…

In this moment, I, Mireille Ferrier Adalet, as the king in shadow…



Wow! We bore witness to something incredible, didn’t we!

Yeah! The scoop of the century! It’s not like we can tell anyone about it, though…

That’s the way it has to be, girls. There have never been two people wearing the crown. You understand too, Mathias?

Haha, of course I do. I do, but… It’s a minor problem, really, compared to what it will do for our nation.

Some days later…

Right, that’s another job done! Next…


The Ruler in Shadow

That goes without saying! I’m the ruler in shadows now, which means work work work! Our king needs a lot of support, after all. I’m going to be working the rest of my life!

Hahaha! You seem pretty happy about it, though…

When he said he needed my help, to be honest, I was overjoyed. And impressed, too. I’d never considered that we might rule the kingdom together. Mathias has proven he can think outside the box. He’s going to make a great king, you’ll see. So I’m going to support him fully from behind! He’s my brother, after all!

Hehe… With both of you working on this, I’m sure you’ll make an amazing kingdom!

You can count on it! I’ll do everything I can as the shadow ruler! This will be a country where every child can chase their dreams, just like you two!

Keep up the good work, then, Mireille! Ah, you’re so cool, so beautiful!

We’re right behind you too, Mireille! Ah, you’re so talented, so elegant!



Hahaha!

Enough! You can’t go around picking on adults!

Hehehe, sorry about that! We’ll see you again soon, Mireille!

See you! Bye-bye!

…Curse their cuteness! I can’t be angry after seeing two lovely smiles like that. But after all… It’s our job to protect those smiles, too. Isn’t that right, Mathias?

…


The King’s Day Job

We need to include this in our report to the king in shadow!

Hey, don’t. Don’t do that! I’ll be stripped of the position in an instant!

Hahaha, we were just joking. Kind of!

Sue’s right. If you don’t keep it together as king, we’ll be letting Mireille know!

This is odd… I’m starting to feel like I’ve walked myself into even more trouble!

Haha, no you’re not!

I can’t fool you, can I. No, I made this decision. I’m not going to start regretting it now. But I gotta say… Looking back, I guess this all turned out because of you two. Seeing you work together so hard, I have to admit, it’s pretty inspiring. I like it.

Mathias…! Thank you!

Hehe, just you wait and see. My sister and I are going to make this country even greater!

Yeah, I can’t wait! Just make sure you never look unemployed again, OK?

Uwah! You dare speak to your monarch like that? Off with her head!

Such abuse of power! The only thing I want to see you cutting are our taxes, you creep!

Hey, I’m no creep! Right, for that, I’m going to double your taxes!



We really are looking forward to everything you’ll do!



Hmm… so this is the best sword Mathias can come up with, huh…