The Real Reward

Author: Unicoon
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8138gc/36/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The day after the vampire subjugation, Romulus Castle.
Many nobles, ministers, and knights had gathered in the audience chamber.

King Zenon sat on the throne, a mild smile on his face.
Where his gaze fell, three girls were on their knees.
Charlotte, Olivia, and Natasha.

“Charlotte, Olivia, Natasha. Your service in this vampire subjugation was admirable.”

In a solemn air, King Zenon’s voice rang out.

“Thanks to you, peace has returned to the town of Romulus. On behalf of the country, I convey our gratitude.”

He rose from the throne and walked up to the three of them.

“You did well, Charlotte. Olivia and Natasha, I thank you for helping my daughter as well.”

“Father…”

Charlotte lifted her face; faint tears stood in her eyes.
She wiped them at once, however, and tightened her expression.

“I report that the great charge entrusted by Your Majesty has been fulfilled. It is thanks to Natasha and Olivia here, and to Ulrika.”

Unstinting praise and applause were sent to Charlotte’s fine bearing.
King Zenon nodded, looking satisfied.

“Charlotte. You’ve truly grown. By the way…”

King Zenon peered around.

“Where is Ulrika?”

“Um…”

Charlotte lowered her face, reluctant to say it.
Olivia and Natasha quietly looked aside as well.

“Ulrika is… sleeping in…”

The audience chamber went dead quiet.

“S… sleeping in…?”

“Yes… we tried to wake her many times… but she showed no sign of getting up at all…”

King Zenon’s shoulders trembled in small jerks; he hung his head.
The next instant he raised a great voice.

“Ha ha ha! Sleeping in? On the day she’s to receive a reward, she sleeps in? Unbelievable! As expected of Ulrika!!”

King Zenon clutched his stomach and twisted, roaring with laughter, unconcerned with being seen.
After laughing a while, he finally recovered his composure.

“Haa… it’s been a while since I laughed like that.”

“Father… you laughed too much…”

“Sorry, sorry. Now then, Charlotte. Or should I call you Angel of the Sun?”

“Father! Don’t tease me!!”

“It’s a good name, isn’t it. Proof of the people’s gratitude.”

Charlotte’s face went bright red.
The name Angel of the Sun had reached the royal castle as well, firmly.

“Charlotte, Olivia, Natasha. I mean to grant you a reward. Do you have any wish?”

To King Zenon’s question, the three answered at once.

“””None!”””

“…What? You don’t want a reward?”

“We’ve already received a reward. From Natasha and Olivia, and from Ulrika.”

From Charlotte to Natasha, then to Olivia.
The three met one another’s eyes in turn.
Then all three nodded big.

“Training together, the four of us. Planning together. Fighting together. Deepening our bonds that way—there is no greater reward!”

“Yes! I’ve become very close with Lady Charlotte and with Sasha. There is no greater reward!!”

“I’m the same! And I’ve become close with Ulrika too! We’ve already received reward enough!!”

The three who had stood looked at King Zenon with straight eyes.
At the beautiful sight of them, applause rose of its own accord.

“I see… understood!”

King Zenon nodded hard.

“Then I will not prepare a reward. But that I am grateful is unchanged.”

“Yes. We understand.”

“Mm. I thank you from the heart! And all three of you truly did well!!”

“””Yes!!”””

And so, with Lady Ulrika absent, the vampire subjugation came to a close.