Book

Issei and the prince returned to the castle with the necessary potions, many of which were for increasing resistance. Issei wondered what the potions were for, but he didn't dare ask and waited for further orders from the king.

<Welcome back, thank you, Issei. Josuke, have you been good?>

The prince tilted his head and rolled his eyes, annoyed at being treated like a child.

<The library needs cleaning. Normally, I would have servants to do it, but they're all busy right now. And in a few hours, some important people will be arriving looking for some books.>

Issei, who had bowed when he arrived, raised his head and accepted the task. The two headed to the castle's large library, Josuke huffing.

Issei immediately set to work: removing books, cleaning the shelves, and putting them back where they belonged.

<That book doesn't belong there. Can you read?>

Even though Issei was a knight, he wasn't stupid. As long as his family had money, they'd managed to teach him to read and write. So he had no excuse.

I actually know how to read, unlike many knights.

<That cookbook shouldn't be here.>

Issei checked the contents of the book and saw that it was just a normal cookbook, nothing special. He put it aside and continued working.

<Prince, I don't mean to be a spoilsport, but you could help me a little. Maybe with the lower shelves.>

Josuke snorted, picked up some books, and began reading them instead of tidying them up. Issei gave up on the idea of ​​having help and continued the cleaning alone.

Josuke, however, for the first time seemed very attentive to doing something. Issei, curious to know what he was reading, stopped cleaning for a moment.

<What are you reading?>

<A book about dragons.>

It wasn't the first time the prince had taken up something dragon-related.

<You really like dragons, don't you?>

The prince nodded and continued reading. Issei felt ignored and continued the cleaning work alone.

Once finished, the knight picked up the cookbook and returned it to the kitchen, to the recipe shelf. Excited, Issei returned to the king.

<Your Majesty, we've cleaned out the castle library.>

The king smiled and placed a hand on Issei's shoulder. He broke out in a cold sweat. He had only been in the castle for a short time and hadn't yet gotten used to the king being a very conversational person.

The king then told him that, for now, he could rest while lunch was prepared.

Issei then headed to his room, ready to relax. But Prince Josuke clutched at his clothes, as if to remind him of his existence. Issei's contented look turned to one of pain.
Even if he could "rest," he had to do so with the mischievous prince by his side.

In the prince's room, the two played cards. Issei had never played before, so the prince tried to explain the rules of the game. But after several attempts, he gave up.
The prince didn't have the patience to teach.

At that moment, Issei had an idea.

Why don't I teach him something? Maybe I can show him some techniques.

Issei asked if he could see the wooden sword hanging on the wall, and the prince nodded. The knight picked it up and called out the names of some techniques, then showed them off.

Thud!
Bang!
Crash!

Issei, swinging his sword, smashed through the cabinet behind him, knocking over a vase, and even breaking the sword.
Silence fell in the room. The chandelier on the ceiling swayed slightly.

<Oops. Was this sword important?>

Issei asked with a bitter laugh. He knew he was in trouble. The prince, however, remained calm, as if nothing important had happened.

<Don't worry, that wooden sword is just there for show. It was made of terrible wood and had no sentimental value.>

Issei relaxed, then heard screams coming from outside the room. The knight stood at attention, clutched his half-broken sword, and slowly walked out of the room. The screams were coming from the library.

Issei ran downstairs and found all the shelves in disarray. All his hard work had been destroyed. His jaw dropped.

<What's going on?>

The king was with some very angry individuals. When he saw Issei, he ran toward him.

<The book my clients need is missing. You, who cleaned out the library, saw it? It was a book for the production of special antidotes.>

Special antidotes?

Issei thought about what it could be, but nothing came to mind. He hadn't read about special antidotes anywhere, just ordinary antidotes. Then Issei's eyes lit up.

<Are these special antidotes supposed to be put in food?>

The king nodded.

<Do you know where it could be?>

Issei knew exactly where that book was. Meanwhile, however, the individuals were still dismantling the shelves. Issei stopped them.

<Wait, the book you're looking for is in the kitchen!>

<In the kitchen?!>

They all said in unison and turned to him.
Issei was a little embarrassed: he had placed a book of antidotes in the kitchen, unaware of its true contents.

When they reached the kitchen, those interested rushed to the cookbook shelves. The cooks, who were preparing lunch at the same time, found themselves under attack.

<There it is! Why on earth did you put such an important book in the kitchen?! Incompetents!>

The king, however important he was, said nothing. These were not ordinary people, but individuals who could take everything away from even the king.
They were very important figures in the economic sector. Economic politicians, capable of finding any tiny reason to take away people's homes and other assets if they were in a bad mood.

Therefore, to avoid trouble, the king decided to keep quiet and let them do their thing.

When the dust settled, the politicians left, leaving Issei alone with the king.

<Damn, why did you put that book in the kitchen?>

<Your Majesty, I'm deeply sorry about the incident. I won't make excuses, but please spare me!>

The king sighed.

<No, no, no... I already told you I'd spare you. Don't worry, these things happen. But can you tell me how that book ended up there?>

Issei, who had completely collapsed on the floor, clutching the king's feet, raised his head.

<I was cleaning when I came across that book, and the prince pointed out that it was a cookbook. I didn't know it was a book of special antidotes. I'm extremely sorry.>

The king sighed again.

<So it's all my son's fault. I'll have to scold him properly. Now get settled, lunch will be ready soon.>