It has been translated for quite some time, so I apologize for the delay.

I have been quite busy with work, so both of my series–Riot Grasper and Science vs. Magic–will be on hiatus until I’m able to take more time out for translation.

Without further ado, enjoy the read.

Yours truly,

Bestowal

Recap: I received a gift from the Emperor.

Didn't he have some business here?

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us today."

"I’m obliged."

After exchanging greetings with Sebastian, he returned to the other side of the gate.

He has a lot of free time.

All the staff saw him off.

Those accompanying him have it hard, too.

"Luckily, Gaius-sama visited us today, so you received it personally from him."

"Y-Yeah"

No, no.

In other words, he was called here, wasn’t he?

I guess it can’t be disclosed that the Emperor moved just to bestow a present.

'That'.

"Because Michio sama might not know, I will tell you. When the Emp- Gaius sama bestows an equipment, there is one chance for a commoner to fuse the equipment with a monster card."

"Haa"

That, oh well. So, there’s one chance to fuse.

That aside, is it okay for him to use such words as 'bestow' and 'commoner'?

For anyone but the Emperor.

"No, no, it’s not like that; it’s limited only to the actual equipment bestowed by Gaius sama. In case fusion succeeds, it will be accepted as a present."

'Present', huh?

To return what was bestowed once a skill has been fused.

Which means these high heel boots that will have successfully fused…

"Would it be taken back?"

"Of course, there would be a new, enhanced bestowal if you present it. For that end, the item that can be offered is limited only to the equipment actually bestowed."

I heard tribute exchange was a thing in ancient China. When the foreigners offered a tribute, they would be bestowed property of exceeding value.

Even if he's an emperor, he can't just always be receiving.

If he is offered something, he will return something of exceeding value.

Therefore, there is a restriction on what can be presented.

Specifically, only the equipment actually bestowed–and successfully fused with a monster card–can be presented.

I presented him stockings; I wonder if it was right.

That was so bad…

"…I-I see."

N-No, it's alright. Probably.

It's definitely alright.

It doesn’t count! It does not count!

"It is a custom to give present by the 10th day from bestowal. In the meanwhile, there will be many keeping an eye on Michio sama's surroundings, so be careful."

"Those called n.o.bles pull each others' legs. Looking down on others is their job. Michio sama is close to Brocken sama and Ester sama; there will be even more people trying to pull their legs."

'It's not like I’m a n.o.ble.' I wanted to reply so, but it seemed to be expected.

Being a duke means you will have many enemies.

Just the other day, there was a coup d’état against a certain earl.

If I am looked down on, it means looking down on the Duke of Harz; I can understand that much.

I am not close to Baron Ester, though, but there is no need to especially point it out.

"It's an unpleasant world."

"Uhee"

Why is there such a thing?

Now that I think about it, wasn't it bad to complain 'It's an unpleasant world'?

It doesn’t count! It does not count!!

Well, if the deadline is in ten days, then it is fine to do nothing for ten days.

It will be settled peacefully.

"Of course, since your actions will be watched, not making a move at all will be within their expectations. In that case, your sincerity will be questioned, so be careful."

As if he had read my thoughts, Sebastian warned me.

Nah, rather than my being easy to read, it was probably what anyone would think.

"I- see."

"I- understand."

That d.a.m.n hentai! What a nuisance.

He handed it over to me on the premise that I would ultimately return it.

He didn’t give it to me; he only lent it.

Nah, It cannot be the case, can it?

But if fusion succeeds- can he see the empty skill slots on these Enamel High Heel Boots?

Or is it not the case either?

I'd do that if I were him.

Since he doesn’t have Appraisal, he must somehow know to some extent that fusion will succeed.

It's probably not like that.

The human desire is something that evolves.

He needs a stronger stimulation.

A far stronger stimulation.

Or maybe he has already obtained other boots.

Something more terrifying must be transpiring in the Imperial Palace these nights.

I think these Enamel High Heel Boots are quite amazing, though.

There exists no man who would not want to.

At least I would like to. With bare feet.

Sherry is small and light, so it will not be painful.

She will look at me with those scornful eyes, though.

Mi-Miria will be fine.

'What happened?'

Rutina will be fine, too.

It seems she will step on me with gooseb.u.mps all over her body.

'It is a reward in Our industry.'

No, no, no.

This is the Emperor's trap.

Such a thing is impossible.

First, propose an absolutely unacceptable condition to the other party, then propose what you originally want in a conceded form and make them accept it.

Show them high heel boots–something beyond the reach of an amateur–and they will agree on bare feet.

It’s his scheme to drag me to his company.

As expected of an emperor.

d.a.m.n you, Emperor.

"Because it is so, please show me your sincerity, Michio sama"

This one here is troublesome, too.

That's why I hate them; be it the Duke or the Emperor.

It would be better if I could live how I wanted.

"Ah, and those Enamel High Heel Boots in the store, to get those"

"Michio-sama, did you not pay attention to what I said?"

Now that I have to return the high heel boots I received from the Emperor to the Emperor, I thought I could get subst.i.tute high heel boots; however, as you would expect, it doesn’t work like that.

There goes my chance to get my hands on a piece of equipment with five empty skill slots!

"Is there really no way?"

"If it were known that you purchased the same equipment as the one you were bestowed, you would certainly be criticized even if you fuse that equipment to present it."

Well, that makes sense.

"Then, can you please set that aside until I perform fusion and present it? Of course, I will buy it either way even if fusion fails."

"That's not any different."

Although the first one was no good even in my opinion, I lowered my demands in the next one; however, even that didn’t get the nod.

Isn’t proposing an unacceptable proposal first and a concession afterward supposed to work?

"Uun, this isn't possible either?"

"If you make the fact public in the store-"

"No matter how much our side denied, it would be useless. It is unrelated to truth and facts; an action that leaves a gap will be considered problematic."

It won't work, after all.

I can only hope it's not sold until I give present to the Emperor.

"It'll be fine, though, if it remains until this is over."

"No, no; I'm buying it after I make offering. Maybe after failing even."

"That’s unreasonable!"

Is it really useless?

I kinda have many secrets, and as many gaps.

"The stake that sticks up gets hammered down first*. If you exhibit ability, their att.i.tude will change immediately. If you are an Adventurer party capable of defeating a labyrinth, they will sidle up, rubbing their hands." (ED: A proverb meaning those who stand out get criticized)

"That's what's called n.o.bles."

There was nothing worthy.

Actually, I got the Enamel High Heel Boots from the Emperor.

When I returned home, Roxanne and girls were still cleaning.

In the first place, I wasn't at the lodge for a long time.

"Welcome back, Master."

"A new equipment? What sort of?"

"Is that so?"

Sherry had a complicated expression.

If it is about fusing a skill, then it is Sherry's turn.

"New equipment, desu."

"To quickly fuse a skill and present it even though you just got it, it's as if the Emperor bestowed the equipment on you."

That's correct, Rutina.

It can be said that the idea itself is partial.

"What I got is this: Enamel High Heel Boots."

"Hou, these?"

I took it out from the Item Box and handed it over to Roxanne.

"As for monster card fusion, don't worry."

"Okay"

I dispelled Sherry's needless anxiety, as well.

Because she replied "okay", she is probably fine.

"It seems good."

Roxanne looked at it for a while, and then pa.s.sed the pair of high heel boots to Sherry. Is she satisfied?

I have secured Roxanne's approval.

"Does it have the effect of strengthening magic?"

"Probably. 'Isn’t that so?' Is what I think."

Sherry also looked at the high heel boots and confirmed it. It probably is so.

Well, it must be returned, though.

"If it strengthens magic, then it is an equipment for Rutina to use."

I mean I cannot put these on myself.

I looked at everyone, but no one seemed to have any objection in particular.

"That seems so."

Finally, Roxanne answered as representative.

Sherry also, without saying anything, pa.s.sed the high heel boots to Miria.

"But it's an equipment that will soon be gone. Is it okay to rely on it?"

However, I have a concern.

Is it an unfounded worry?

Other types of equipment aside, I’m inclined to rely on magic if it becomes strong.

"It seems okay to me. It's just a matter of not losing focus regardless of the kind of battle."

"Rely on it, desu."

"If it can be used, I would like to use it."

Are my worries unfounded, after all?

'Not losing focus regardless of the kind of battle.' That's impossible in reality, though.