There are times when you fight with someone and break something along the way. That happened to me sometimes at school during my elementary days. But even if you're at fault or not, you should apologize to the person whose things you broke.

***

After what happened yesterday against Prince Frelisk, he got thrown into the castle's dungeon by none other than the king himself. He gave me an apology of a king by removing his crown and lowering his head to me in public. I was surprised when I saw all of the knights serving under Prince Frelisk also lowering their head to me.

On another note, I and the King restored the destroyed part of the capital using the Kingdom's Core with me as the battery. Everything that got destroyed reverted to normal and the things that got turned into ashes were replaced.

Thankfully, I was able to send the majority of the civilians to safety during the fight. The rest of them were taken to safety by Cherry and Matt.

And lastly, about myself, I still haven’t returned back to my body yet.

Currently, I'm just an existence created by pure magical energy. Using the Divine Fragments, I can create a pseudo body that can touch, but can't be touched. Well, except for Cherry.

Today, I am with the whole family in my room.

Mom and Dad are playing with Marie along with Lou. Denise is studying a book with Matt teaching her. Jane is busy reading a novel with Lapis, and Cherry is healing my body together with Phillilia.

It's good and all, but my room isn't a living room.

[You guys… I appreciate your concern and all, but please leave my room. It's kind of crowded.]

“Don't be selfish, Key. We just want to make sure you're safe. Seeing you like a ball of light doesn't put me on ease.”

Just like mom said, I look like a ball of light. Because maintaining my humanoid form feels taxing on my consciousness of my physical body, I have to limit and maintain this form to lessen the burden.

[Even if you say that mom, I can't allow everyone to stay in one room. Moreover, it's my room! And this is my house!]

“Shut up! Your daughter's here.”

[Y-yes…]

I really can't win against mom with that glare of hers.

Well anyway, my body seems like its okay for now. Though it's healing properly with Cherry and Phillilia's magic, it seems that I won't wake up if I go back to my body.

[By the way Phillilia, thanks for helping me when I deployed the distress signal.]

I floated near Phillilia's hands and landed gently on them. Though she can't touch me, I can make her feel some warmth.

Phillilia looks at me while making an ‘It can't be helped' look.

“I had to answer the call because I have my reasons.”

Hmm… what's this? I feel like she's hiding something from me. Though she's not showing it on her face, I can feel it from her words.

[Let's talk in private later.]

I said it in a low tone so that the others wouldn't hear it.

She seems like she understood and nods in agreement.

I then switch my attention to Cherry who is carefully healing my heart (literally).

Since she's focusing so much while concentrating her holy and water magic to heal by smashed heart, I decided to float towards her chest without ruining her concentration.

[You shouldn't tire yourself too much. I can still preserve my own life.]

“Even if you say that, I can't stop right now. This is the first time I'm healing your heart that's normally impossible to restore. If it weren't for your > spell, you're already dead by now. Still, I can't say you're alive also.”

Even while talking, her focus didn't break. As expected of a genius. She really can do things I can't do.

[Well, take a break sometimes. It would trouble me if you drain yourself too much.]

“Okay, I will, but after I finish the upper section of your heart. If I'm done there, we can make it start beating again.”

… Right, my heart literally stopped and can't make a beat. I forgot about that.

The reason why I am able to leave my physical body like now is that, my soul has fused with the [Infinite] along with the Divine Fragments. Having eight of them allowed me to control my astral self from passing on the other life. If I lose my focus, I could either wander into the afterlife or go back to my body and remain unconscious until my body is restored.

And I don't like both, so I'm trying my best to maintain this formless body.

“Dear, how about you try possessing something? Is that okay?”

All of a sudden, Matt gave me a suggestion like reading my mind.

[I don't know about that. The idea never crossed my mind before.]

I left Cherry's chest and floated towards Matt.

“Well, hypothetically, if you do try to possess something, it should be something that can withstand a huge amount of power. Eight divine fragments plus the essence of [Infinity] is already dangerous to exist together in one place. Much more if we try and fuse them.”

[True. It’s possible to trigger an ether reaction if we force the powers to become one. Causing a huge explosion in the middle of the capital just because I lost focus wouldn't be a funny joke.]

Everyone in the room fell quiet when I mentioned such scenario.

“Maybe you should discuss that later when everyone's not here, Key.”

[Maybe you shouldn't have stayed here too, dad.]

Geez! He's making it sound like I'm some kind of a terrorist.

[Anyhow, I'm going downstairs since the princess has just arrived. It would be rude if I don't welcome her as the master of the house.]

While saying that, I go in front of the door while giving myself a human form projection. Since it uses a lot of magic power, I can't help but look like a glowing ghost.

At least I'm not transparent like a ghost.

As I turn the knob, I look at Marie who jumped from Mom's lap and ran towards me.

“Papa~ya?!”

But since I'm just a projection of my physical form, she just go past my leg instead of hugging it.

Bang!

Because she didn't expect something like that, she goes through my and to the door hitting her face on it. She bumped so hard it made her sit on the floor and put her on a short daze.

Everyone looked at her with a panicked expression including me. We looked and waited anxiously for how she would react.

“uhh… uh.. uuuuuwAAAAAA! PAPA~!”

I wanted to help ease the pain on her face, but I can't so mom does it in my place.

Mom immediately picks up Marie and hugs her while rubbing her back while saying some sweet words to her.

“Pain, pain go away~ go away~! Leave our Marie alone! Shhhh... Just let it all out okay?”

As expected of mom, she knows what to do.

[Uhg… I want to be the one who does that, but I'll leave her to your care for now.]

“I'll take her to our room until you're done with your meeting.”

“I'm still impressed on how you can manage to converse with us like it's normal even though you're at the brink of death. Magic sure is convenient.”

When I opened the door, mom and dad goes out first from my room and goes down the hall in a hurry.

After that, I look at Jane who is looking at me while holding her book. She seems to understand why I'm looking at her.

“I'm coming too?”

[Well, Cherry and Matt are busy. I need someone to be my marionette to face the princess.]

“I don't really understand, but I'll go.”

***

When we got to the parlor, I had the maids prepare the best coffee and tea beforehand. Not only that, I also included the chocolate chip cookies I had mom cook for me today because of her. I had my ingredients and cocoa supply from Dalseriev brought here so I also have cakes here.

To bake the cake, I had to puppet Shell using magic with the aid from mom. All heavy and quick work was done by me and Shell while the delicate ones were done by mom.

Even if I'm a spiritual projection, I can still do feats like I do with my own body. Moreover, because I don't have a physical form, I can speed up my thought process 50 times faster than a normal brain could without the burden of headache and such.

Using my current situation, I have finished planning about everything I have to do today and the next 8 months in just one night.

And now, everything that Princess Thema would try to negotiate with is within my predictions. Well, you can say everything is according to plan for at least 8 months.

Since Jane couldn't make contact with me, she sits beside me while leaving a 4 inch gap in between. It kind of feels lonely when she does that since I got used to having someone in contact with my skin. I know it can't be helped, but still…

“Key, is it really okay for me to stay here with the princess?”

Jane asks me while fidgeting on her seat.

Right, I forgot Jane isn't used to this kind of things yet. She probably still has some inferiority complex in front of a royalty.

I suppose that's normal considering the fact that she used to be a commoner before she became my fiancée.

[You can get used to it sooner or later. From now on, you'll be meeting nobles and royalties from various places. You should take pride in being a mistress of a Marquis. That said, I don't want to change the way you are now though.]

“But… isn't that contradictory?”

[If you see it like that, it can't be helped. You'll understand what I mean when the time comes.]

I want to pat Jane's head because of the puzzled face she's making. It's cute.

I just give her a heartfelt smile instead.

The door suddenly opens and a maid rushes in into the room. Judging from the look on her face, I guess the princess has arrived.

She rushes to my side and then leans and whispers something to me.

“The King is also here.”

I see… well it should be as expected. Though I have a vague idea what he came here for, it's earlier that what I predicted.

Before sending the maid off, I gave her instructions to prepare a small feast in the dining hall. It's going to take more than half of the staff to prepare it in an hour.

As the butler opens the door wide open for the royalties, Jane and I stand up and then bowed when the King and Princesses Thema and Evia entered the parlor.

[Welcome, your highness, to my humble home.]

“You may stand.”

I let the King and the princesses take their time to adjust. Though the king doesn't show it, the princesses obviously still feel awkward about meeting me. After all, they're facing a guy that got nearly killed by their brother.

After taking a seat, I signal the maids and butlers to serve some desserts.

Leaving them aside, Princess Thema and Evia looks somewhat ashamed…

[Is there something bothering you princesses?]

I asked out of concern.

They look like they want to say something but can't. So instead, the king speaks for them.

“It bothers them to be treated warmly by the man that had a fight with their brother. It might be a bit odd to ask your this, dear Magus, but do you not hold a grudge against the royal family?”

So that's what it is huh. Though it's within my range of prediction, actually experiencing it does feel awkward.

About his question, well, I don't really have time to think about grudges. My problem with the gods is beyond that.

[If holding a grudge is the question here, I don't have any of those.]

“Will you care to explain why?”

Before I continued, I look at Thema who refuses to look straight into my eyes. Rather than ashamed, she looks like she's afraid of me instead.

[You might not believe it, but what happened yesterday is something that cannot be prevented from happening. If I had to I would have resorted also to violence if I wasn't going anywhere in taking the sacred treasure, Bottomless Scabbard, peacefully from the prince.]

That said, I make a projection of the scabbard on my hand along with the sword.

[The reason why I sought for political power are these. I am in a journey to collect the five sacred treasures that are made from the power of the fallen god, Lithius.]

Their expressions became a mix of surprise and confusion. But I'm not yet finished explaining so I continued.

[These treasures contain fragments of [Infinite] power which gives the treasure it's ability. I haven't discovered how the Immortal Sword of Giants work yet, but I already figured out how the Bottomless Scabbard works instead. And just like how Prince Frelisk used it, it absorbs and converts magic into swords.]

“Please wait a minute. You're explaining things too fast that I can't understand it.”

Because the king pleaded with a confused expression, it made me bite my lip and shut up. I then look at Jane with my eyes asking if he was right.

“Y-yes, you we're talking too fast. We can't understand you.”

She said while smiling wryly.

[My apologies, I just had everything planned already so I inadvertently let everything in one go.]

And also, I don't breathe so I can speak continuously without pause. My spirit form sure is unreliable in some ways.

Since the king didn't look like he'll give me an answer yet, I continued to talk.

[If I have to put everything in one question, would you side with or against me? Depending on your answer, I might be inclined to let you pay the bill.]

“C-can this wait? I have something important to tell you. This is the reason why we came here.”

Surprisingly, Thema stands up to get my attention. Well, she did, and she looks like she has something important to say.

“My brother, prince Frelisk did something unforgivable to you. There’s no amount of gold or a treasure valuable enough to compensate the damage he has done just so that our kingdom would be spared of your wrath. But as the second princess of Valeshtyre Kingdom, I will offer my life and loyalty to you. Do what you want to me. Just spare my foolish brother.”

So, she’s selling herself to me then.

Well, this is also within the doors of possibility. But actually doing something like accepting it or rejecting it is a tough choice for me. I've calculated and deduced every possible outcome to what will happen for the next 8 months, but I was too stupid to realize that the future isn't something I can see or predict.

Leaving the future aside, I should answer Thema now. Her honest and desperate look is hurting my heart. Oh wait, I don't have one.

Before I answer her, I look at the king who has been quiet after Thema's sudden proposal. I'm guessing they didn’t talk about this beforehand.

“King Valeshtyre, your daughter's offer is quite appealing yet dangerous or her life. As a father, would you permit such thing in front if you?”

“I….”

“Father, please don't stop me from doing this! I'm doing this to save your name and the kingdom-!

“Okay princess, you can shut up now.”

With a flick of my pseudo-hand, Thema gets forced to close her mouth and sit down.

The king is at a loss for words so I had to make Thema shut up to give him time to think properly. Looking at how unsurprised he is for me to do that, I guess he got used to it.

“Please forgive my daughter’s rudeness.”

“I have a proposition to make, but you have to choose between them.”

Before I say anything, I let Jane go to my office to get some papers, ink and quill-pen.

I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now and I never considered it important until now. Being a politician and all, the fact that I'm the enemy of the gods is bad for my public image and could affect my family If it could go out in public.

“As you currently know, I have a power beyond mortal comprehension. Though my body is currently in critical condition, I am able to converse with you in this temporary form. Normally, one would sell their souls to the demon god to obtain immense power, yet it's still not close to mine. Do you understand me?”

Asking him that, he gives me a nod to reply. I'm making sure I'm explaining things within his level of understanding. I use some complicated words sometimes. Jane made me aware of that.

“Because of this power, each god is sending their forces to kill me to take my power. Despite being gods, they still seek my power. Do you know why?”

King Valeshtyre looks down and I give him a moment to think about it. Realizing the real reason behind my question, he looks at me with a shocked expression.

“So what you're trying to say is that, they'll do anything to get your power? But why?”

“Those gods are greedy bastards. They want my power to extend their influence in the mortal realm. However, I have a plan to drag them down here in the mortal realm. But before I go to that, let me make a contract.”

While I let Jane put the Ink and paper on the table, I enchant the pen to allow myself to control it without actually touching it.

“Like I said before, you must choose between the two. You either spread the information about me being antagonistic to your people to save your own kingdom from the gods' wrath, or associate yourself with me and help me kill the gods. Your daughter's proposal is out of the question.”

Of course, I'm not planning to marry Thema. She doesn't like me at all, why would I force her. ...Why is she glaring daggers at me though? Oh right, I sealed her mouth and body.

“Sorry about that.”

“…”

She's ignoring me after I unbound her. She's confusing me.

On the other hand, why is Jane covering her mouth while looking surprised at Thema? A Woman’s telepathy?

“Ok.”

“Ooof!”

Because the King suddenly said ‘ok‘, I nearly got a heart attack. ..I have no heart.

“I have decided. I will take up your offer, in one condition .”

Now that's some audacity there. Well, I can pretty much do anything so that'll be easy to do probably.

“As king, it is my duty to insure my Kingdom and my kingdom's people’s safety. In times of great adversity, the king must decide the best option to save his people.”

Truly a wise King he is. Making me look like the enemy shouldn't be a problem. He probably understand that I'm not a man capable of committing genocide and thus deemed me a trustworthy man. From now on we'll be enemies in public and political view.

“Then-“

“However, as my pride as King, I cannot allow to make a deal without offering something in return.”

… Wait a minute. Is he trying to do something I tried to dodge just now?

“I will offer Thema's hand in marriage to you.”

I tried my best to make him pick the first choice, but he chose the second one, with a bonus no less.

“B-but, didn't I just say ‘no' about thus forced marriage?!”

“But it's a tradition to mix the blood of two Kings or Lords when they make an allegiance. Surely, you know that much as a noble.”

This old man, he's smiling like he just won the lottery.

“Don't tell me, you'll turn down a woman that's as beautiful as her. You'll make her lose confidence and hurt her feelings.”

“Uhg!”

“F-Father!”

Damn, he knows to hit where it hurts. He’s dragging my chivalrous spirit on the line here. Maybe there's still a way to get around this.

“Y-Your Highness, I think that your daughter, princess Thema would be wasted on a man like me. I already have 3 fiancées and adding one more would get me labeled as a full-time philanderer. Surely enough, you don't want your daughter to be together with such a man!”

As I try to explain my excuse, he's just looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“What are you talking about? Marquises can have up to five wives. It's not even weird for them to add more as mistresses. With such a fine young and powerful man like you as a husband or lover, no woman would ever complain. Even my Queens agree that you should marry Thema.”

That kind of compliment is like an anchor. Heavy and can get me stuck to one place. The way he looks up to me is kind of higher than the clouds. My pride is being played! I'm losing!

As I glare daggers at him, he just laughs at me like he has already won.

“You have no problems marrying him, right?”

“As long as our kingdom is safe, m-marrying him should-n't be a problem…”

But in one fell swoop, he did.

With my pride getting toyed with, I can't help but admit defeat.

“F-fine. If it's tradition, I yield.”

With a surprised expression, Jane looks at me like she want to complain. I'll hear that one later.

“Then I suppose we should seal this deal with a wedding ceremony.”

“Not like I can do anything about it.”

“Well hold the ceremony next month.”

“…what?”

Did he just set the date immediately? He's too fast.

Next month, I'll be marrying Cherry and Matilda. And next month after that will be will be with Jane. That's according to tradition.

“I know you'll be marrying the daughters of the two powerhouses, but I am the King. I can bend the rules even for a bit. Marrying all four of them will not be a problem.”

“B-but-“

“No ‘buts', as my pride as a father, I can't allow my daughter to be married last. It would be a total embarrassment if I allow my daughter, a princess, to be beaten to the competition against those two powerhouses.”

I know he's being a father and all right now, but why do I sense some spirit of rivalry from him? Does he have a history with the White Knight and Grand Magus?

Well anyway, I'm totally on the losing side in this argument. I can't beat this old man in the game of prides. His age isn't just for show.

“You already have three arrows on your knee. Adding one more shouldn't be a problem.”