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　When I woke up, I found myself in a white world.

　They say that heaven is made of pure white clouds, so I was hoping that this could be heaven. I hoped so, but there was no way I could go to heaven.

　I reconsidered this and calmly observed my surroundings.

　It turned out to be a hospital.

　White sheets, a white mattress, and a white uniform.

　The smell of disinfectant and the painful expressions on the patients’ faces gave me some clues.

“Well, it’s natural because I was so seriously injured.”

　This seems to be a military hospital owned by the Ernia Army.

　After getting this information from the nurse with the beautiful curves, she informs me that there is someone who wants to see me. Of course, I allowed her.

　The visitor was someone I wanted to see anyway.

　A few minutes later, the person knocks politely. She smiles at me.

　In her hand is a large bouquet.

　I want to say that I can’t eat flowers, but I can’t eat cake either because of the bullet in my stomach.

　If that were the case, I would rather have flowers that I can smell.

　I accepted them gratefully.

　The visitor, Princess Sicily, happily arranges the flowers in a vase.

　She looks more like a nurse than a soldier, but I don’t comment on that, instead, I ask her what happened while I was asleep.

　She nodded her head and told me the important details.

“With the death of my brother Maxis, the whole of the military has turned to us. Of course, we don’t fully trust them either, but they don’t seem to oppose the accession of my brother Reinhardt.” (Sicily)

“That’s fine. It’s fine as long as we keep the throne. They are not the kind of people who think and act on their own. They are people who follow the strong. So long as we keep winning and being the victors, they will not betray us.”

“That’s the hard part, but we can’t whine about it, can we?” (Sicily)

　The princess smiled at me. The white lilies she brought with her matched her beautiful and welcoming smile.

　After a few moments of being awed, we discussed the post-war plans.

“The list of the dead will be shown to you later. I’d like to pay my respects to the bereaved families at some point.”

“I will accompany you.” (Sicily)

“But only after everything has settled down. —By the way, does Lieutenant General Ziggurat have any surviving relatives?”

“–His wife took her own life. They had no children. However, he seems to have a nephew, and he is also in the military.” (Sicily)

“The nephew of Lieutenant General Ziggurat must be a man of character. I hope he will join our division.”

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“Yes, I’ll talk to the personnel.” (Sicily)

“And reward those who are still alive. Victor and Nine are to be Lieutenant Colonels.”

“I agree. They’ve done well.” (Sicily)

　The princess replied immediately but said that she would wait for Reinhardt to take the throne before promoting them.

　When I asked her why she showed her wisdom.

“Major Victor and Major Snipes are exceptional talents. In the near future, they will become the most valuable generals of Ernia. In other words, they will become Reinhardt’s competent vassals. I want to give him a solid reputation while I can.” (Sicily)

“It is true that if the king himself promotes them, their rank will be raised.”

“And my younger brother will get promoted too.” (Sicily)

　The princess said chuckling. After that, I asked her a few questions, and she answered them immediately. She seems to be greedily gathering information about the military and politics.

　There is no longer any trace of the unreliable princess there.

　Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but tease her

“You don’t need me anymore, princess. She can get along just fine without her ‘Shadow Court Magician’.”

　Sicily hears the words and her face paled.

“Leon-sama, don’t say that kind of joke.” (Sicily)

　Her shoulders shook and she hugs me.

　I’m frozen by the unexpected reaction.

　Perhaps because she became conscious of it, Sicily’s face was soon dyed bright red.

　The old soldier in the bed next to the hospital room in the military hospital suddenly pretended to be asleep, perhaps because he was being considerate.

　Perhaps God is telling me to kiss her, but I’m a coward by nature and I can’t do that.

　I’m afraid to hug and kiss a princess of a country.

　No, that’s just an excuse.

　It’s not that I can’t touch her because she’s a princess of a country.

　The reason I can’t touch her is that she is too pure.

　Because she is too intelligent.

　Because she is too beautiful.

　You can’t touch her because you think she can’t be compatible with a devious man like me.

　After making this self-diagnosis, I hugged her shoulders.

　I could have let her take my lips, but I didn’t want to.

　I let go of her shoulder and calmly spoke to the “maid” outside the hospital room.

“It’s no use acting like turtle withdrawing. My intuition is the best on the continent.”

　The maid outside the hospital room clicked her tongue loudly and said softly.

“Leon-sama is the strongest court magician in the world, but he is the biggest yellowbelly in the world.” (Chloe)

　When,

　Chloe was right, so I didn’t argue with her at all and asked her to take care of the red-faced princess.

　When Chloe received the order, she mumbled to Sicily.

“It’s not new that Leon-sama is acting like a cowardly chicken, but in the not too distant future, Leon-sama will mature. I think he will mature like Her Highness.” (Chloe)

　Chloe coaxed Sicily and pulled her from the bed.

　By the way, that prediction came true.

　When it comes to romance, Chloe could be called the “Shadow Love Advisor”.

　One month after the War of Succession, the coronation of Reinhardt takes place.

　He could have gone to the Holy Church to complete the inauguration ceremony after defeating Maxis, but now that Maxis was dead, he concluded that there was no need to rush and decided to take his time to prepare.

　The cathedral of the Holy Church was to be renovated, and important figures from within Ernia and the surrounding countries were to be invited.

　The Libra Division was given the responsibility of guarding the inauguration ceremony.

　Victor was in charge of the security around the capital, while Nine was in charge of the security inside the capital, and they were busy moving around every day.

“Even if promotion is set in stone, it is not worth anything unless we get overtime pay.” (Nine)

　That’s right, and that’s absolutely true, so I decided to consider their salary.

　The maid Chloe then said,

“How generous.” (Chloe)

　But

“It wouldn’t even hurt my wallet.” (Leon)

　She was shocked by my reply.

“The Wage Thief has always been quite understanding, haven’t you?” (Chloe)

　Giggling and laughing, Chloe invites me and Sicily to the city.

“About His Highness’s inauguration. Let’s go buy new clothes.” (Chloe)

“Isn’t the formal wear for military personnel the military uniform?”

“That’s fine during the inauguration, but not for the evening party after that. You’ll have to buy formal wear.” (Chloe)

　I replied that I’m going to be a “wallflower”, but just she said,

“You have to dress properly to become a flower. Besides, Her Highness will also need a new dress. Please choose one together.” (Chloe)

　Was then abducted.

　We then went to the tailor shop “True Love”, where we will be dressed up by Samus, the transgender owner.

“Oh, this is also quite a good fit.” (Samus)

“It matches his eyes.” (Chloe)

“This is also good. Leon-san quite the firm buttocks, so it looks good.” (Samus) “That’s right.” (Samus)

　Samus and Chloe squealed and picked out my formal attire, but I specified a suitable one and shut down any further discussion.

　It was still more fun to look at Sicily’s dress, so I went upstairs where the women’s clothing samples were kept.

　Sicily was there, looking through her papers.

　As usual, she was a workaholic.

　I looked around the store nostalgically.

　This is the store I used to direct the princess for the first time.

　Where I had her dress tailored to sell her to the media as an up-and-coming Princess General.

　At that time, Samus made a wonderful dress.

　As I reminisced the past, Sicily finishes reading her paperwork.

　Then she looked at my face and smiled.

“Pardon me. I had to rush a decision.” (Sicily)

“It’s no different than when I first met you. You were quite diligent and innocent.”

“Thank you. But a year has passed since then. I’ve matured. It’s also a good time to get a new dress.” (Sicily)

“You can do it any day.”

　Indirectly I admired her beauty.

“But it’s not only your body that has matured. Your mind has matured as well.”

“Is that so? I’m not aware of it.” (Sicily)

“It shows in your abilities. The way you led that battle the other day, you’re a great strategist.”

“You’re overestimating me. And even if I did, it would only be because of Leon-sama.” (Sicily)

“Not only did you give good commands, but your self-judgment was excellent as well.”

　She shook her head slowly.

“That’s because I have you behind me, Leon-sama. I was able to act boldly because I knew that if I made a mistake, Leon-sama would make up for it.” (Sicily)

“…………”

“In addition, for the past year, I have been able to closely observe the leadership of Leon-sama. The world’s strongest strategist and the world’s best court magician was my teacher. It was only natural that I could do this. (Sicily)

“Praising you is hard.”

“What a pity.” (Sicily)

　Sicily smiled slightly.

“Why don’t you choose me a dress at least? At the evening party, the big wigs of each country will be attending, but rather than that, I will wear a dress that can entertain Leon’s eyes.”

“Are you serious?” (Sicily)

“I am quite serious.”

　Sicily quickly holds my arm.

　She did it like a lover would, so blushing was inevitable, but I managed to keep calm.

(…Hmm, her chest sure has grown.)

　It seems certain that we will have new formal wear.

　Then, we both took our time choosing a dress for her.

　Chloe and Samus entered the fray, making fun of me and trying to get Sicily to wear a sensual dress, but I shrugged off all their tricks and chose a pure white dress for her.

　It has the color of a beautiful white butterfly.

　It was simple and unadorned, but that was why it looked so good on Sicily.

　It looked great against her silver hair.

　Sicily liked the dress at first sight and hugged it tightly.

“I will cherish it for the rest of my life.” (Sicily)

　I smiled in return.

　Admiring that smile, I looked forward to the day she put on that dress.

　One day before the inauguration ceremony.

　The inauguration ceremony is a national ceremony, so the officials are busy going up and down the ranks, but I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands.

　I’m not really good at this kind of paperwork, so I’ve been leaving it to Sicily and Chloe.

　They didn’t expect me to be able to help them either.

“Please relax as much as you want Leon-sama.” (Chloe & Sicily)

　That’s all they said.

“What I should have is a boss who understands what I am thinking of.”

　I chuckled to myself, but some of my superiors found this ironic.

　There is my boss at the court library, another workplace of mine.

　He then says with a vein pulsing on his bald head.

“You come to work after a long absence and all you do is read books again!?” (Chief Librarian)

“No way. I’m reading a book and doing advanced calculations about which shelf to put it on.”

“It’s an old saying that you can’t do advanced calculations with your head in the clouds.” (Chief Librarian)

“Oops, my bad.”

　His lips began twitching as he crossed his arms

　The boss sighed in dismay and said, “The work for today. I’d have better chances getting help from a cat.” I asked him why he was so busy, which was a more effective reminder than yelling at me.

“It’s because His Majesty the King is being replaced. Once he is replaced, there will be a demand for old documents. People from the Ministry of the Interior come to me every day to ask me about things they need for the inauguration.” (Chief Librarian)

“Those are important.”

“Don’t say it like someone else’s problem.” (Chief Librarian)

“Let me help.”

　When I raised my lethargic body, I head to the library, as I headed for the archives, I noticed that my boss had a ring on his finger.

“Where did you steal that?”

“Pardon me! This is my wedding ring!” (Chief Librarian)

“Oh, yes, it’s on the ring finger of your left hand.”

“It is one year worth of salary.” (Chief Librarian)

“You’re really going to stand out at the Holy Church.”

“Sort of.”

　My boss sounded uninterested, but I was the opposite. I asked him about the ring.

　As I asked questions incessantly, he seemed to notice my weirdness.

“What a terrible person. I’ve been wearing this ring and other things since you were assigned to this library.” (Chief Librarian)

“I didn’t notice it.”

“Why are you interested?” (Chief Librarian)

“It seems to have just been recent.”

“Since you don’t have a wife, do you need an engagement ring?” (Chief Librarian)

“Well, maybe.”

“Hmm, do Salary Thieves even fall in love?” (Chief Librarian)

“Stealing salaries may be the same as stealing people’s hearts.”

“Hmm, riiight.” (Chief Librarian)

　The boss snorted like that, but then told me how he and his wife had gotten to know each other.

　Surprisingly, he and his wife were married at work.

　He told me that he had fallen for his wife, who was his senior at the time, by pursuing her passionately.

　My boss talked enthusiastically about those days. His cheeks would occasionally blush and he would get caught up in his encounters with her, which made me feel uncomfortable, but I could still feel his love for her. Just listening to him made me think that “marriage” was not a bad thing.

　I listened to my boss talk about his youth and asked him about the price of a ring that he would send to a woman.

　My boss put his hand on his chin.

“The market price for engagement rings is about three months worth, but if it’s a gift, it’s a month’s salary.” (Chief Librarian)

　He said.

　It was not a bad idea, so I asked my boss where he had bought the ring and decided to buy it there.

　Of course, I had to finish my work before I could buy the ring.

　After a short time of sorting out the documents for the Ministry of the Interior together, we headed for the jewelry store right on time.

　I thought my boss was going to say something sarcastic.

“Well, do your best.” (Chief Librarian)

　But he was supportive.

　He didn’t push me to work overtime.

　I thanked my balding father from the bottom of my heart for doing the overtime for me.

~3^rd Person Perspective~

　The king’s inauguration ceremony begins.

　Ernia’s great nobles, minor nobles, officials, large merchants, military men, large landowners, and people from all walks of life who run this country are gathered here. Everyone was dressed in fine attire, and none of them were dressed like some court magician.

　Chloe was dismayed to see Leon showing up in a military uniform that hadn’t been ironed, but it was typical of him, so she didn’t pay any attention.

　Leon, the court magician, was somewhat uncomfortable.

　He had been looking at the inside of the sorcerer’s robe.

　His behavior was so suspicious that he had been approached several times by the guards in the hall.

　Each time, he was released after giving his first name and affiliation.

　She wondered what he was doing. She was observing him, but then she felt a stirring in the hall, she switched the focus of her thoughts.

　The star of the ceremony had arrived.

　His Royal Highness, Prince Reinhardt von Ernia, a young man in glittering robes, had arrived.

　He will now be elevated from His Highness to His Majesty. He will be crowned by the Pope of the Holy Church and take over the throne.

　Chloe was deeply moved to see the boy she had known since she was a child become king.

　His mother, the Third Lady Cecilia, seemed to feel the same way, and her eyes welled up.

　His older sister, Chloe master, was also overcome with emotion as she became the regent of the Kingdom of Ernia.

　Sicily loved her brother Reinhardt more than anyone, and it was she who had put him on the throne in the first place.

　She must have been in a whirlpool of emotions, and her emotions must have been so high that she wanted to break down in tears, but as the regent, she was resolute.

　She stared resolutely at the Pope as he finished crowning the prince.

　The old Pope placed the crown on the prince’s head with trembling hands.

　At that moment, the throne would pass.

　From the reign of Wallace von Ernia.

　It became the reign of Reinhardt von Ernia.

　The retainers and invited guests who witnessed this historic moment shouted with joy.

　The crowd and the invited guests shouted loud and clear.

　Applause filled the entirety of the cathedral.

　In this way, a new king was born, but what kind of king will this new king be?

　What kind of country do the young king and his regent desire?

　Everyone in the hall waited for the king to make his statement, but Chloe was more interested in Leon’s words than the familiar words of Reinhardt.

　The court magician wiped away his sweat as he busily moved around the edge of the hall.

　The other day, it was the first time for a normal citizen to be hailed a hero who struck down a large army and killed a devil, but Chloe knew why Leon, who should not be walking at all, was moving.

　It was the ring in his pocket, but Chloe was more interested in how Leon would clumsily give it to Sicily than the new king’s speech.

　Chloe went to Leon’s side and helped him.

　She told him that after the inauguration, she had prepared a time and space for him to be alone with the princess.

　The bravest man on the battlefield, the most powerful court magician, smiled shyly and thanked Chloe for her thoughtfulness.

~Leon’s Perspective~

　The inauguration ceremony was over, and the new king was born.

　At the same time, Sicily was officially named regent.

　The former king, Wallace, passed away a week after his inauguration as if he stayed only to witness his son’s inauguration.

　A grand kingdom-wide funeral was to be held, but the Astorian army attacked as if to take advantage of the succession of Ernia and the appointment of a young king.

　They prepared a huge army of 100,000 troops and invaded the borders of the Kingdom of Ernia.

　However, the large army was forced to retreat after only a week.

　This was because the borders were guarded by a certain man.

　That man’s name was…

　Leon von Almarsh.

　A Colonel of the Kingdom of Ernia,

　A Court Librarian,

　He is also the first military commander under the Kingdom’s Regent.

　He has many titles, but in the history books of Ernia, he will be described as.

　“The Shadow Court Magician.”

　and–. [That’s it for the part of this series. As far as I know, the author wants to write side stories. They are still uploading more side stories so I can’t say this series is done but only time will tell.]

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