Chapter 36: The Sword King’s Path

In the end, we had no choice but to delay our meal. We were supposed to have lunch at the royal castle, but instead, we now found ourselves in a corner of the royal capital.

The reason was simple. When we welcomed Shion Ace and her mother, Ciel, at the castle, we intended to have them put down their belongings first—but…

"I only have a change of clothes and my spear. I am a defeated warrior. I am in no position to bring personal belongings."

"This girl has always been like this… At the very least, I told her to bring a few more clothes…"

"Mother, this isn’t a trip. It’s a punishment for losing. If I brought extra clothes, it would defeat the purpose. It wouldn’t even serve as a warning to others."

Apparently, she had brought almost nothing. More importantly, those words had ignited something in the women present.

In short—there was no way they could leave a naturally beautiful girl like her, someone who would shine even more with proper styling, untouched.

Alicia had recently started enjoying fashion, trying all kinds of outfits. As for Hikari, she had discovered the joy of collecting clothes and often experimented with different styles herself.

Every time I saw them, they had opinions about outfits—but honestly, it was probably because Shion already had such a perfect base. She was stunning to the point of being intimidating. More than that, though, I was slightly terrified she was about to be turned into a dress-up doll.

I’ve experienced it myself—people’s passion for their hobbies can go far beyond comprehension. It’s something you need to be wary of.

And if people like that encountered a beautiful girl with no sense of fashion…

The outcome was obvious.

"Alright! From here on, we’re gathering outfits that suit Shion!!! Are you ready?!"

"YEAHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Don’t worry about the budget—Toma’s paying for everything!!! Let’s go!!!"

"Wait—what????"

"...Ah, well… um, sorry about this."

And that’s how I ended up being dragged along as the wallet.

To be honest, I didn’t really mind. It was a decent use of money I didn’t have much need for anyway. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little conflicted.

But seeing the joyful smiles on Hikari and the others’ faces… it was incredibly satisfying, and I found myself forgiving everything far too easily. Maybe I’m just soft when it comes to them—or maybe I’m just easy.

"I’ve said it many times, but I apologize. My mother not only insisted on coming, she even told me to leave her behind. I had no choice but to bring her with me. This must have been an unplanned visit for you…"

"I think anyone would hate being separated from their family, so don’t worry about it. I also sent a letter to the staff before we came into the city to arrange separate rooms, so it should be fine."

Besides—

Ciel had been getting along well with Hikari and the others. Considering their naturally cautious personalities shaped by their pasts, that was no small thing.

If they could smile like that, then I had no complaints.

"Shia-chan, Shia-chan!! Don’t you think this outfit would suit the King? And right now, it comes with this matching dress as a set!!!"

"U-Ughhh…! I really want Toma-kun to wear it, but if we buy this, most of this month’s salary will be gone…"

"In that case, Hikari-chan, how about adding this outfit too? Buy three pieces together, and I’ll give you a nice discount!!! They’ll even match as a trio!"

"You’re quite the businesswoman, ma’am. But isn’t this high-quality fabric? Are you sure about this price?"

"It’s fine, it’s fine! Just having it known that the King used my shop will bring in plenty of customers! How about you, miss?"

"Then please pick something that would suit that tall, beautiful girl over there!!!"

Yeah… they were really having fun.

I was basically guaranteed to be turned into a dress-up doll later, but I figured I’d accept it as harmless indulgence. It’s not like I actually disliked it.

"...I must say, the distance between the king and the people in this capital is remarkably close. They approach him so freely, and he accepts them with a smile. My first impression of this city is that it’s… bright."

"Well, the king used to be a commoner. And until recently, this kingdom didn’t even have a king, so people don’t really have that ‘authority figure’ image in mind. They probably don’t feel much of a class divide."

Even so, the fact that they accepted someone who became king simply by drawing the Holy Sword showed their kindness—their willingness to lend their strength.

When I thought about what I could do as their king, one thing came to mind: that broadcast.

Apparently, it had been well received everywhere, and people had even petitioned for it to air regularly. Honestly, it was unbearably embarrassing—and Alicia, being a Saint, had turned red as well—but in the end, we gave in to their enthusiasm.

Because of that, the "King’s Battle" now aired every week at a fixed time. I’d even heard that some people had become my fans after watching it.

Just the other day, a groom holding his wedding in this very city turned out to be one of them. He even thanked me personally.

Knowing that there are people who admire you… it affects your motivation more than I expected. It makes me want to try harder.

"So that means your capital is different?"

"Yes. It is quite different from my homeland. I was born in the slums of the Yaranri Kingdom, but even the main districts lacked this level of liveliness. There were times when I felt the Spear King himself gave no thought to the nation’s direction. To be frank, I could never grow fond of that stifling atmosphere. It felt suffocating, like being trapped."

"...I don’t really know what to say to that."

There were slums in this capital too, but thanks to the Sword King Church supporting orphans and the homeless, things weren’t nearly as dire.

Despite its name, the Sword King Church wasn’t truly religious. Its teachings came from the first Sword King—not from faith in a god.

Its purpose was simple: support the weak and provide them with the education needed to stand on their own.

A considerable budget was allocated to it every year. We had even discussed it in a recent meeting, but just thinking about it gave me a headache. I’d rather forget.

"Please don’t worry about it. In that country, a single Spear King has ruled for many years. No one tries to change anything. No one opposes the strongest Spear King—no one even thinks to. The people don’t even feel like they’re being ruled. Unlike this country, that place is like a cage."

As she said that, Shion watched the three girls picking out clothes with quiet resignation in her eyes.

There was no burning passion, nor deep despair—just the look of someone who had grown used to accepting things as they were.

She had probably lived like that all this time.

I was curious about why she had aimed to become a Spear King candidate, and about that story of a single ruler dominating everything—but more than anything, I didn’t like seeing that expression on her. It didn’t suit her.

"? What’s wrong, Sword King?"

I hate seeing people I care about look sad. But even when it’s someone I don’t know well, I still dislike gloomy expressions.

Maybe that’s just who I am. It hasn’t changed since my previous life, so I’ve accepted it.

It’s the same reason I used to drag Hikari outside every day after she lost her parents.

"Oh? On a date, Your Majesty?"

"Something like that. Everyone’s picking outfits for a stunning beauty, so I’m just helping out. Anyway, can I get two candied apples?"

"Only two? Won’t Lady Alicia complain later?"

"Well, they’re busy choosing clothes right now. If I bring them over, Hikari will probably scold me for getting in the way. I’ll come back later."

"In that case, just a moment… There you go."

I bought two candied apples from a stall I’d frequented since my first visit to the capital, then returned to Shion.

No one here would say it’d ruin our appetite. My stomach was trained enough to handle this much before dinner.

If it weren’t, I wouldn’t survive the knights’ training.

"Here—this is the first thing I ever ate when I came to the capital. I wanted you to try it too."

"Candied… apple? It’s my first time seeing one. But… is this really alright? I don’t have this country’s currency, so I can’t pay…"

"If I were worried about that, I wouldn’t have bought it in the first place. I don’t like wasting money."

Which meant that, to me, this wasn’t a waste.

From experience, I knew that something sweet worked best for girls with sad expressions.

I practically pressed the candied apple into her hand, then sat beside her and started eating my own.

Just like the first time—the crisp crack of the sugar coating, followed by the sweetness and flavor of the apple—it was perfect. So well-balanced, I felt like I could eat endless amounts.

Watching me, Shion hesitantly took a bite—careful not to look unrefined—and her eyes widened.

"This is… incredible. I’ve never tasted anything like it. I don’t know how to describe it, but… are all sweets this delicious?"

"Most sweets are sweet and tasty. Alicia loves them so much she sometimes eats too much and ends up regretting it."

Alicia, true to her girlish nature, adored sweets.

I knew it well—we often ate together. I also knew the look of regret she wore afterward.

I didn’t really mind, but she cared about gaining weight. Of course, I wouldn’t allow extreme dieting, so lately she’d been jogging every morning. Hikari and I joined her, and honestly, it was impressive.

"I don’t know what things were like in your old country—and I won’t ask if you don’t want to talk about it. But from now on, this is where you’ll live. And I’m the king of this country."

I didn’t know what had led to all of this.

But I had become the Sword King and received its benefits.

So I had to give something back.

Seeing the smiles of the people in front of me made me genuinely happy.

And I wanted Shion and the others to be part of those smiles too.

"I may not be perfect. There are things I can’t do. But I still have to move forward—and for that, I need strength. And I want your help to gain that strength."

"I am no longer a Spear King candidate. I belong to you now. Use me as you wish."

"I don’t like that way of thinking—suppressing your own heart. It’s selfish of me, but still."

The heart matters.

I believe a genuine smile has the power to make people happy.

I can say that with certainty—because I’ve been saved by those smiles many times.

"I want you to smile too. I won’t tell you to forget the past or simply move on. But at least—right now, in this moment—I want you to smile."

"...I’ve thought this since we first met, but you’re quite selfish, aren’t you?"

She smiled wryly, and I returned it with a grin.

"I am the king, after all. Selfish, greedy—and I want a dream-like future where everyone can smile. That’s why I keep trying."

No one gets to say that future doesn’t exist.

Even if it sounds like a fantasy—even if people laugh—

It’s a dream I gained because of this position.

A future where everyone is smiling—and I’m there among them.

That’s the dream I’m chasing.

"...In that case, perhaps a king like you isn’t so bad. In a country like this, my mother might truly be able to live happily."

She really was a kind person, always thinking of her mother.

That’s exactly why I didn’t want to see her look so down.

Even if it was meddlesome, I couldn’t help but care.

"From here on, I look forward to working with you, Lord Toma… Not as a defeated warrior, but for my own desires, I will lend you my strength."

Finishing her candied apple, she extended her hand.

It was a gesture of agreement—a relationship different from any I had before.

"Yeah. I’m counting on you. I’ll be relying on your strength a lot."

Without hesitation, I took her hand.

What began as the worst possible first meeting ended like this—

With reconciliation, and a decision to move forward together.