The feeling of freedom

“Er… I’m sorry, but… I don’t know your name” said Tristan, a bit embarrassed.

“Oh, right, I haven’t introduced myself yet.” Natsuo smiled. “I’m Himura Natsuo, leader of Rockstar Isekai. They’re Olive and Gregory.”

“Understood. I’m Tristan of Blueweald.” Tristan introduced himself, even though they already knew his name.

“Hehe, now you’re one of us!” Gregory wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Maybe you can give me some advice, since you’re so good!”

“Oh, well… Don’t count on me too much.” Tristan looked away, anxious because of the physical contact.

“You’re too modest!” Gregory chuckled.

Suddenly, Eleanor thought of something.

“I don’t want to seem strange, but… Will Tristan wear the same clothes as Gregory?” she asked.

Natsuo burst out laughing.

“No, don’t worry. He’s our prince, he can’t wear revealing clothes” he replied.

Lady Eleanor let out a sigh of relief. She couldn’t imagine Tristan dressed like this.

“It’s up to the fans to imagine what’s behind his shirt” Natsuo added jokingly.

“What?” Eleanor reddened up to the tip of her ears. “Well, I kinda can imagine my friend doing something like this…”

Tristan tapped Natsuo’s shoulder with his finger.

“I’m not a prince, I’m the son of a duke” he said.

“Yeah, I know. I meant that your public image will be that of a pure and elegant prince.”

Tristan bent his head to one side, confused. “I still don’t understand.”

Natsuo sighed. “Don’t worry, it’s not important.”

At that moment, Basil reached them in the basement and told them that Lord Edward had another request for them.

The group followed him to the duke’s office. Edward seemed to have calmed down a bit.

“I’m sorry for what happened today, I hope you’ll listen to my new request anyway” he said.

“Yeah, as long as you pay us” replied Natsuo.

“Me and the Anti-Silence Unit would like to ask for your help to defeat War, the red Vassal of Silence. Of course there will be a reward, from the Blueweald family and from the Anti-Silence Unit.”

Natsuo exchanged a knowing glance with the others.

“Yeah, we accept the job.”

Lord Edward seemed to be relieved by his answer. He thought they wouldn’t accept after all the things they saw.

“I have another request” he said.

“Huh? What is it?” asked Natsuo.

Lord Edward placed on the desk a bag, presumably full of money.

“Can you take Tristan with you on the mission? I’ll pay you, and if this is not enough, I’ll give you even more.”

Tristan, who was behind everyone, lowered his gaze. His father would have paid any sum of money to get rid of him. How to blame him: carrying around a dead weight like him was certainly not pleasant. Maybe he shouldn’t have accepted to join Rockstar Isekai. They all expected a lot from him, but he didn’t live up to their expectations.

“Are you serious?” asked Natsuo, bewildered.

“I should have imagined this wasn’t enough…” Edward mumbled.

“That’s not what I meant” said Natsuo. “I don’t want money to take Tristan with me. He’s worth much more than any treasure.”

Tristan looked up, flattered. Did he really think that of someone like him? Natsuo’s kindness was endless.

Lord Edward glanced at him, skeptical.

“So, you’ll take him with you in exchange for anything?”

“Yeah, and there’s even more: he’s our new member. He accepted to join Rockstar Isekai of his own free will.”

Everyone turned to Tristan, expecting him to say something. He looked around, gripped by anxiety.

He didn’t know what to say. His father was there, right in front of him, and if he did the wrong move it would have been the end… He fixed his eyes on the ground, his hands trembling. What was he supposed to do?

He was drowning in his negativity again and couldn’t find a way back.

Suddenly, Tristan felt someone’s hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw that it was Olive, who was smiling at him. Gregory did the same on the other shoulder.

Tristan glanced at Natsuo, who nodded at him. His confident expression gave him strength.

In that moment, he realised that it was different from the past: he wasn’t alone anymore. There were three people ready to support him during the hard times and, even if he did the wrong move, they would be there to reassure him.

Tristan made eye contact with his father.

“Father, I chose to follow Natsuo and Rockstar Isekai because they’re able to do what you’ve always failed at: showing me love. Now I found my place. Unlike the Blueweald family, Rockstar Isekai needs me and appreciates me.”

Hearing those words, Lord Edward wrinkled his nose. Where did he get all that determination from?

“Oh? I thought you wanted to get rid of him, why are you so annoyed now that he’s leaving?” Natsuo provoked him.

“Tsk, I don’t care. Maybe if he comes with you, he will die and do me two favors: bring honour to the family with a respectable death and disappear forever.”

Olive put a hand in front of her mouth, flabbergasted.

“We’ll talk about it again when you will get dementia and I’ll be the one healing you” replied Tristan.

Natsuo turned to him, surprised. He smirked amusedly.

“Well, then, let’s not waste any more time here: it’s time to get things ready for the mission” he said, then turned to Edward. “I’ll make sure to send you a signed poster when Tristan becomes famous, so you don’t miss him too much.”

“And even a free concert ticket, on the first row” added Olive.

Gregory grinned. “You’re going to kick yourself, a**hole” he said, then flipped him off.

Tristan’s eyes widened. He never thought he would see something like this in front of his eyes. It was funnier than he would have expected.

The group left the room, leaving a shocked Lord Edward behind.

As soon as they stepped out, Tristan couldn’t help but laugh. He had never felt so free in his life like in that moment.