SHC_ARCHIVE_CHAPTER 60"Alea iacta est!"

 

C60 Chapter 60: "Alea iacta est!"

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“You sent a god out on an errand... are you sure that’s okay?”

Ah.

Utsunomiya-san’s voice from behind snapped me back to reality. Right—I’d just realized what I’d done.

Wait, no, no, he did say he’d go tell them himself, right? So it’s totally fine... right?

“Alice-nee, God said he was going himself, so it’s okay.”

“Ah—yeah, right... right?”

“I-I think it’s fine...”

The moment Igor-sama disappeared, the quiet tension that had settled over the room lifted, and the background chatter resumed all at once. Well, Kanade-kun and Regulus-kun had been wriggling around doing their thing even when Igor-sama was there, but even Utsunomiya-san had been respectfully silent—that alone showed how tense the adults were.

Now freed from that pressure, everyone looked thoroughly relieved.

Except for Rottenmeier-san, who didn’t seem to share the mood. She knelt beside the sofa I was sitting on to meet my eyes directly.

“Wakasama—about what you just said... You don’t think your life might be in danger?”

“Eh? W-wait, that’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?”

“Well, if certain families stand to lose profits or privileges, there are always those who might resort to drastic measures.”

“Wait, what!?”

“It’s not impossible. Some of the old noble houses that cling to their entrenched privileges—especially the larger ones—see commoners as no more than weeds or insects. For them, having to negotiate as equals with such ‘vermin,’ or even share the same table, is nothing short of a disgrace. That kind of thinking can easily turn into hatred.”

What the heck!?

That’s completely insane. Commoners, peasants—they’re still people. No one gets to choose where or to whom they’re born. Being born into a noble family is just dumb luck.

How can someone call themselves “special” based on something they didn’t earn?

Ugh.

Having grown up with the values of Showa and Heisei Japan, I just can’t wrap my head around this way of thinking. Trying to understand people with such twisted values is a waste of time.

“Well, it’ll work out somehow.”

“Right. If the law goes through and it’s known that Kikunoi is involved, and someone tries to target Aatan, then we can just publicly announce that Lala, Alyosha, and I are backing him. If we do that, no one would dare touch him.”

“That’s probably the best deterrent.”

Victor-san said it lightly, and Lala agreed, arms folded. Even Romanov-sensei gave a nod of approval.

One way or another, the butterfly had flapped its wings.

Even the smallest gust of wind could never be undone once it began. Whether this leads to the best outcome for Kikunoi or not, I can only hope something good comes of it.

Clasping my hands as if in prayer, I realized they were damp with sweat.

Maybe starting a company really was a rash decision. But letting the Count’s family seize the profits would be a disaster too. And I didn’t want to borrow money from them either, not if the goal was to give back to the people.

So the question now was: where would I get startup funds?

That’s the pressing issue. And if I’m going to train artisans in tsumami-zaiku, I’ll need to create a manual—break the technique down in a way that’s easy to teach and understand.

Maybe I’ll need a proper proposal too.

As I mulled this over, a pair of small soft hands began patting around my stomach through my blouse.

Before I could ask what was wrong, Regulus-kun looked up at me with a shocked expression.

“Nii-ni, is your tummy hungry!?”

“Hungry? No, I’m not.”

“But Ree’s favorite nii-ni tummy is... flat!”

“Eh?”

Confused, I tilted my head—until Utsunomiya-san let out a soft “Ah.”

“Wakasa has lost some weight recently, so Regulus-sama is alarmed that his beloved squishy tummy is getting flatter.”

“Oh, that explains why I’ve been feeling lighter lately.”

Yeah, when I first woke up in this world, I was basically pre-diabetic, with stiff shoulders and cold hands—classic “lifestyle disease” build. After half a year of walking, utterly unskilled sword and horse training, tending the garden, and getting chased by chickens, I’d gotten down to “chubby.”

Then it plateaued.

But after Lala’s walking lessons (complete with song), plus my studies in magic—working my brain again—the pounds started to drop once more.

Compared to when I first met Regulus-kun, my tummy had noticeably slimmed down. Still chubby, though.

“I’m probably going to lose a bit more.”

“More!?! Noooo! Don’t lose more!!”

Regulus-kun grabbed at my belly fat with trembling hands, and tears welled in his big round eyes.

He’s so cute, this little chickling.

Even when I gave him a sheepish grin, he must have sensed I wasn’t backing down—so he sniffled and ran over to Lala instead, clinging to her knees.

“Please tell nii-ni not to shrink!”

“Aww, so that’s your play, little chick.”

“Even Lala can’t resist a crying child,” Victor muttered with a smirk as he patted her on the shoulder.

But Lala simply smiled serenely and crouched to meet Regulus-kun’s eyes.

“I’m sorry, chickie—but shrinking is necessary. But listen, when you shrink, you grow too.”

“Grow...?”

“Yes. For every bit you shrink, you stretch. So your roundy-ness doesn’t really go away.”

“Really? Nii-ni will grow?”

He turned his big, tear-bright eyes to me, and I nodded vigorously.

If I grow vertically as I lose weight... does that mean it cancels out?

Not sure—but Regulus-kun seemed satisfied, dabbing his eyes and nose with the handkerchief he carried. Kanade-kun took it gently and wiped his nose for him.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. You know, if nii-chan doesn’t slim down, he might get sick again. You don’t want him to collapse again, do you?”

“Nuh-uh...”

“Then we gotta let him do it. He’ll grow tall anyway, right?”

Kanade-kun, you sweet dependable big brother!

My heart filled with warmth at this wholesome moment between little brother and best friend.

Just as I was basking in the joy, Kanade-kun suddenly put on a serious, grown-up expression.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Huh?”

“Gramps told me you’ve been thinking about us. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

His face was so mature and reliable—it caught me off guard.

Ah, this is what they mean by "big brother strength."

I nodded firmly.

“There is. Actually, I think you’re already helping.”

“I am? But I haven’t done anything.”

“No, you are. You’re studying magic, right? If you get good at it and use it when you’re older to help me and Regulus-kun and make Kikunoi richer, people might realize how important education is.”

“So, if I succeed, people might start sending their kids to school... is that it?”

“Exactly. Even if they don’t care about themselves, maybe they’ll care enough to give their children a chance.”

Kanade-kun thought it over for a moment, then grinned wide.

He rubbed under his nose with a finger and thumped his chest. “Leave it to me.”

Friends with real strength and warmth—that’s what truly matters.

When I threw my arms around him in a hug, he caught me easily despite my weight.

Big brothers are the best!

As I got all emotional, Regulus-kun clung to my waist, but Kanade-kun stood steady, like a rock.

“Kanade-kun, I love you!”

“Love you too, Waka-sama!”

“Ree too! Ree loves nii-ni! Let me in!”

Friendship forever!

As we basked in the pure wholesomeness, someone cleared their throat behind us. Hmm?

While we were all still tangled up in a group hug, Lala’s amused voice floated over.

“Hey, Roundy, about those startup funds…”

“Yes?”

“That grumpy, childish, state-certified hero is going to front the money. And I’ll chip in too. So will Vitya. But—”

“But?”

“We’ll provide the materials, so in return, you’ll make us those neck warmers under the Effet Papillon brand, okay? Any extra material, you can keep.”

She gave a dazzling wink, lashes fluttering like they could cut air.

No way I could cut corners now!

I was fired up with determination, ready to take on the world.

And then... the next day... the princess showed up looking sulky.

Seriously, why?

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EUN: BAHAHHAHA...REGULUS CRYING CAUSE THE SQUISHY IS DISAPPEARING  🤣 

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