I paused for a moment to catch my breath. Because I hadn’t been pacing myself as I’d emphatically tried to explain things, I was starting to get dizzy. But I couldn’t stop just yet. I hadn’t told them everything.
“…Also, I would like to address all of you who already can read, write, and do arithmetic. Please, don’t be satisfied with just that. Because we still know nothing.”
When I gave the signal, this time Roroa came forward, opening up a map of this world.
I pointed to it.
“As you are already aware, the Demon Lord’s Domain has appeared in the north of this continent. However, I must note, we know nothing about the Demon Lord’s Domain. There’s apparently a Demon Lord… or so people say, but no one has ever actually seen him. What is the Demon Lord’s Domain, anyway? There are monsters in the Demon Lord’s Domain, but there are also monsters in the dungeons. What’s the difference between the two? Is there one? How are the Demon Lord, the demons, and the monsters in the domain connected? Is it a hierarchical relationship? Or are they hostile to one another?…We don’t know anything.
“Launching an invasion without that knowledge caused a great tragedy once in the past. If people had understood the difference in power, they wouldn’t have launched a reckless war and gotten so many people killed, I’m sure.”
I gestured for Liscia and Roroa to go back to standing behind me, then continued.
“This isn’t only true of the Demon Lord’s Domain. There are far too many things about this world that we don’t know. Magic is a good example. It’s part of our everyday lives, yet we know nothing about it. For starters, what is magic? Why can everyone use it seemingly naturally? There was no magic in the world I came from, so that’s a mystery to me. How can you produce fire out of thin air? Because there’s magicium? Well, what’s magicium, then? Is it a gas, a liquid, a solid? The three-eyed race can see bacteria and microorganisms that other races can’t see without a microscope, but even they can’t see any of this so-called magicium. How can we prove it exists?!”
I put emphasis into my words.
“As you can see, this world is full of mysteries. Don’t stop thinking just because those mysteries have always been there! Don’t believe things just because traditional stories say so! Don’t be led astray by those who hold a lot of influence! Don’t run away saying it’s the work of God, beyond human understanding! Don’t say that it must be the fault of demons! Doubt everything; study, let your opinion collide with those of others, and find the truth! Because a heart that seeks the truth is the mark of a sentient being!”
Finally, I wrapped up my speech.
“That is what I have set as our national policy. Thank you for listening.”
With those as my last words, the first Jewel Voice Broadcast of the new year came to an end.
Once I was certain that we were no longer broadcasting, I slumped down on the spot. “Whew, that was exhausting…”
“Good work,” Liscia said. “I think you came across pretty well, you know?”
“Sure did,” Roroa agreed. “You were actin’ like a real king. I’m fallin’ in love with ya all over again, darlin’!”
They might say that, but I was at my wit’s end. I had gotten used to hosting various programs, but putting on a kingly speech in front of the people still made me tense. In times of crisis, I didn’t have the luxury of thinking about it, so I could make speeches then, but it was exhausting having to wear my king persona in peacetime, too.
“Ugh, I’ve worked up a nasty sweat,” I said. “Sorry, could you get me a cup of water?”
“All right,” Liscia nodded. “Roroa, could you?”
“Aye, aye, sir.” Roroa gave a salute and then went to fetch the tray with a water jug and cups that had been left in the corner of the room. When I took a cup, Liscia poured some water for me.
Once I had finished gulping down the whole cup, I finally felt a little more relaxed. “Whew… That brought me back to life.”
“Hee hee,” Liscia laughed. “Do you think the people will understand the importance of reading, writing, and arithmetic now, maybe?” She was still holding the jug of water.
“Ha ha, it won’t be that simple,” I said. “Studying can be boring and tedious, after all. Just a little bit of encouragement like that isn’t going to keep them at it for long.”
“You mean making speeches about it isn’t going to help much?”
“If all I’m doing is talking at them, yeah,” I nodded. “But there are ways.”
“Ways?” she repeated.
“There are ways to have fun while learning naturally.”
A sudden knock came from the door. When I said “Come in,” Juna and Aisha, who was carrying some sort of large box, entered.
“We have come at your behest, Your Majesty,” Juna said formally.
“Also, the Jewel Voice Broadcast Production Department asked us to bring all of this to you, Your Majesty.”
When Aisha laid the box that looked as tall as she was down on the floor, there was a rattling from inside it.
Roroa looked at the box with curiosity. “Hey, darlin’, what’s in the box? It was rattlin’.”
“Oh, it’s probably the ‘equipment’ I asked them for.”
“Equipment? Are you going to wear it, Souma?” Liscia asked, a question mark floating over her head.
I didn’t go out onto the battlefield, both for practical reasons and because of my position, so when they’d heard the word “equipment” come out my mouth, everyone, not just Liscia, had looked at me dubiously.
I grinned back at them. “It’s not for me. Well, just you wait and see.”
“…When you have that look on your face, Souma, I just know you’re about to do something crazy.” Liscia looked at me with exasperation, and my other fiancées nodded in agreement.
“…You don’t have any faith in me, huh?” I asked.
“I may not have faith in you, but I do trust you,” Liscia said.
“Hm? What’s the difference?”
“Based on past experience, I know you’re going to make us all run around like crazy, so I have no faith in you on that account. But it feels like it will work out in the end, despite the headache, so I do trust you.”
“““I agree!””” The others all nodded and agreed with Liscia with straight faces.
Ha ha ha, they all understand me so well… Sigh…
Chapter 1: Let’s Make an Educational Program (Silvan’s Debut)
10th day, 1st month, 1,547th year, Continental Calendar — Royal Capital Parnam
It was a day when the festive mood of the New Year was beginning to settle down.
The fountain plaza in Parnam where the Jewel Voice Broadcast could be watched was still packed with people. That new king was apparently going to be broadcasting yet another new program, so the people had gathered to see it. At this point, it was a familiar sight in pretty much any city where the Jewel Voice Broadcast could be watched. The people would gather every time a new program was planned like this; the merchants would come with their carts, and it would turn into a festival-like atmosphere.
Dece, Juno, and their adventuring party were there in that festive fountain plaza.
“Wow, it’s as crowded as ever,” Juno commented. “That’s the capital for you.”
That was the opinion the baby-faced, slender, female thief let slip out as she was overwhelmed by all the people passing by. With the protection quest they had taken from the guild complete, the party had decided to come see the Jewel Voice Broadcast, since they were already in the area anyway.