"...Yes."
An awkward silence flowed between them.
The mages surrounding them also just watched the two, as if overwhelmed by their silence, even killing their breathing sounds.
Nairan felt driven by the desire to see that real thing immediately, but somehow managed to endure.
In this case, there seemed to be something that should take priority.
"I'd like to see it, but for now rather than that..."
Celeste seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"First I feel we must report to His Majesty. Somehow."
"Yes. I believe you should."
"Then, regarding this matter..."
Celeste was about to say keep it confidential until the King's instructions, but noticing this, Nairan became serious and said:
"Regis Celeste. No, Your Excellency Royal Father.
In such cases, simply command 'Keep this confidential.'
His Majesty granted you the rank of Regis and position of Royal Father precisely for times like this.
I believe you need to become accustomed to exercising noble authority."
Nairan's advice stabbed heavily into Celeste's chest.
Though he'd received the highest noble rank, he had no real sense or deep feeling about it.
No wonder—having been born and lived as a general citizen, not upper class, in modern society without a class system, the 'Japanese Amashiro' only thought of nobility as celebrities or rich people when hearing such titles.
Since coming to this world, he'd merely wanted to reunite with the Rashion family—his 'beloved family'—and give them their favorite treats, such a simple wish, yet somehow the situation had gradually expanded and he'd been dragged into state governance.
...There was probably no going back now.
However, since that 'beloved family' was this country's royal family, and therefore he'd received the grand rank of 'Regis Basi - Regis of Royal Family,' wasn't what he should do already decided?
- Devote himself for the beloved royal family.
Then, he'd steel his resolve.
"Understood.
Then, I shall speak anew."
Celeste thought he never expected to utilize the period drama speech he'd been playing around with Rashion in this form.
"In the name of Royal Father, Regis Celeste, I command you.
What occurred here today shall remain confidential until His Majesty the King orders otherwise.
Everyone, understood?"
"Y-yes!"
Having said it as pompously as possible, Celeste thought 'How was that, wasn't I cool?', but somehow the expressions of the mages responding in unison were... strange.
"Um, Regis Celeste?"
"Yes?"
Nairan's face seemed to be suppressing laughter.
"You needn't be quite so formal... pfft."
Celeste's face turned bright red.
Thinking about it, it was natural.
It wasn't even a formal occasion, yet he'd gotten carried away alone...
"Oh my? Your face color suddenly turned red... are you feeling unwell?"
"Not at all! I wish to hurry and report to His Majesty, so I'll take my leave!"
Celeste glossed over it and crossed through a gate.
While thinking he wished he had fur on his face too.
Returning to the room assigned as a gate base, Celeste waited for his reddened face to return to normal, then rang the bell to summon the room's attendant and instructed him to convey a request for audience with the King.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
It was still daytime so he should be working, and even aside from that, there were proper procedures to follow to meet the King.
'...I really should follow proper procedures from now on.'
After waiting a bit, orders came to visit that private room. Since there were watching eyes in the formal audience chamber or office, most royal family business was handled in that room.
Having been told by Norgaar, he thought of walking there, but now he had to carry this 'guitar that became real.' It wasn't heavy, but he couldn't let it be seen yet.
"That Norgaar will complain again if he's there."
Thinking this, he opened a gate connecting to the private chamber.
"Again?! I told you to restrain yourself... what's that?"
As expected, about to complain, seeing the guitar Celeste held, Norgaar was surprised—watching him, Celeste laughed internally 'see?' and bowed to Rashion.
"May Your Majesty be in good spirits—"
"What foolishness is this again... hm?
No, really, what is that? I've never seen anything like it."
"Well, you see—"
Celeste explained to the Rashion brothers what had happened at the Magic Ministry today.
That he'd learned he could enlarge and reduce objects, that enlargement/reduction couldn't be used simultaneously with duplication, that once altered things couldn't be reversed.
Listening to these, Celeste noticed Rashion's tail tip twitching left and right and was impressed he was listening with such keen interest. Even becoming an Antero beastman able to speak, previous life habits apparently remained—it felt heartwarming.
...He'd already seen Canisade-type Garundel's and Marc Mengen's tails expressing emotions, but as a cat person, understanding Felinoid tails made him happier.
And that tail puffed up to what seemed twice its size.
"Father? What did you just say?"
"This."
To Rashion's disbelieving question about the explanation that he could make miniatures real, Celeste presented both the miniature guitar from his pocket and the guitar he'd just made real.
"This is..."
Touching the miniature, then touching the real guitar in hand, Rashion understood.
Even without having seen plastic, he could tell it was completely different material from the wooden real thing.
Moreover, unlike the miniature which was just a plastic lump, the real guitar's body was hollow for resonance.
"Can such a thing... be possible?"
"I don't understand either.
Why could I do such a thing..."
Even Celeste, the person who did it, didn't know why he could do such a thing.
To verify, he didn't know why it worked, and felt afraid of what might happen if he erred.
"Dad, when you enlarged that.
Did you say or think anything different from usual?"
"Hm?
No, usually I don't chant anything particular...
Today so the mages would understand, while saying enlarge or reduce..."
"When you enlarged that too?"
"Hm? No, this has a set real size...
I said become 'real' size...
Oh? What's wrong, you two?"
Seeing Norgaar looking dumbfounded and Rashion holding his forehead with a pained expression, Celeste asked suspiciously, but—
"That's it!"
"What is?!"
"'Real' size!"
"No way...
...No, such a thing...
.........Possible?
...........Maybe possible...
How vague are my ability activation keywords?"
To Norgaar retorting with an exasperated face, Celeste wanted to object that couldn't be it, but thinking himself, that seemed the only answer.
"Father... please, absolutely...?
Think dangerous keywords through thoroughly in advance, confirm safety, then speak, okay?
Okay? Understand? This is a royal command!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"...Someone, please do something about these idiot father and son..."
That was Norgaar's honest impression.
"However, you've awakened to another amazing ability."
After the commotion, once the atmosphere calmed, the three could finally talk seriously.
"Right. Even things I can't obtain the real version of on Earth, as long as I can prepare a model, I can materialize them here...
No, I was too surprised earlier to notice, but thinking about it, isn't this a terrifying ability?"
Just the duplication ability alone could influence this country's politics.
Yet now he'd awakened to an ability to bring Earth's advanced technological products to this world.
What faces would the nobles, starting with the ministers, make if they knew this—
"I think we need to control information for now...
But the mages saw it, so it's already too late."
"Ah, then I commanded confidentiality earlier using Royal Father authority."
"Oh? You noticed well?"
Norgaar said with a face that seemed to say 'surprisingly.'
"I heard from Lady Nairan.
That I should get used to noble authority."
"Ah, her then.
I appreciate her thoughtful response.
But she's right.
Granting Father the rank of Regis and position of Royal Father was for authority to exercise at such times and..."
"To suppress nobles who give me trouble with rank?"
"Exactly.
Though I couldn't predict you'd exercise that authority so soon."
"Well yeah."
Celeste had vaguely realized it too.
Though he'd somehow overcome that clash with the ministers, in the court and the noble society he hadn't yet encountered, there should be plenty of nobles and power holders who found it disagreeable that an outsider suddenly appeared, became a royal family member, and obtained both Regis—the highest noble rank—and the position of Royal Father, honorary though it was.
That he as an otherworlder would work hard for this royal family also meant he must clash with and overcome such resentful nobles. At that time, he couldn't always rely on the King's power.
If he wanted to protect his children as a father.
"Changing topics, but this is good timing.
Father, let's prepare a mansion for you in the royal capital."
"Suddenly?"
"Not suddenly.
If Dad's going to act as a noble of this country, you'll need at least a mansion."
"No, I have a home on Earth for living...
Can't I stay at the royal palace... no, that won't work, will it?"
"Of course not.
You'll need a place for social gatherings and various consultations, but you're not planning to do that in the royal palace?"
Even the brazen Celeste thought that wouldn't do.
"Even so, preparing a proper mansion takes time.
Until then, Father will stay at the royal palace."
"No, wait.
A mansion requires budget to build or purchase, right?"
"Of course."
"Don't. I can't cause you trouble.
Though a retainer, having a house built with state budget or royal family assets is unthinkable."
Rashion indeed thought so too.
No matter how much he'd been recognized as a royal family member, if such special treatment was granted to Celeste who wasn't Antero, the nobles would surely resist such excessive favoritism.
That said, what could Celeste, who had no assets in this world yet, do without royal family assistance?
"But, Father?"
"Don't worry.
No, really, what a coincidence.
I awakened to a perfectly suited ability at just such a time."
"...?"
At the smirking Celeste, Norgaar felt uneasy wondering what he was scheming again.