Chapter 322 Social Studies Field Trip ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Man, I’m swamped. It’s business as usual for the shop-or rather, for me-to be juggling a dozen problems at once, but lately, it’s been ridiculous. If I had to break down my current “to-do list,” it would look something like this:
* The pregnancies of Tania and the three others.
* The rollout of “Project Harvest¹.”
* A request from the Archbishop to ramp up production.
* Tutoring the King’s younger brother, Canaria Roland-sama.
* Preparing for King Ferguson’s state visit.
* Contract negotiations with Sylvaol.
* The total overhaul of Merchant Guild Tasogare².
Yeah, I’m definitely overextended. I was supposed to be just a simple magic circuit shopkeeper. How did things end up like this? The weather is finally turning towards spring and getting comfortable, yet I’m not getting any of the benefits. I’d love to just lounge in the sun for once… well, not that I’d actually do it.
”Um, Lord Harvest, is something… is something wrong?” Roland-sama asked.
Looking up at me with concern was our kingdom’s lovely young prince, Canaria Roland-sama. Today, he was doing his absolute best to keep his clever face dignified, clearly trying to maintain a majestic, kingly tone of voice.
Come to think of it, this is basically a roleplay. Maybe it’s fate that a guy like me, who plays the “mysterious shopkeeper” every day, ended up as his tutor. …Actually, definitely not. Regardless, while his earnest efforts were adorable, they wouldn’t work for today’s mission. I spoke to him in a teasing, admonishing voice.
”You’re forgetting something, aren’t you? Or rather… you’ve forgotten the plan? We’re not doing the royal act today, right, Roly?”
”Ah…! Th-that’s right, Kento-san…!” Roland-sama replied, his face lighting up.
I gave his hair a playful, messy ruffle. “Good boy,” I said, and he let out a tickled laugh. His expression, like a well-trained puppy, made me momentarily forget that he was the most high-born person in this country. While I was busy being accidentally disrespectful, I heard the two women walking ahead of us.
”…Cecile-sama, was it really a good idea to leave this to him? I’m starting to have my doubts,” Muse whispered.
”…Umu. I’m starting to feel the same, but we were the ones who asked. Besides, the things that man says aren’t wrong… probably,” Queen Cecile-sama replied.
The anxious pair were the maid, Muse, and Her Majesty, Queen Cecile-sama. Today was the day I’d finally start my lessons for Roland-sama in my strange new role as “Royal Advisor”-a title Her Majesty had basically forced on me.
Right now, we were walking through a secret passage under Muse’s lead. It was a long tunnel that stretched far beyond the castle walls. Our goal, of course, was to get outside.
After racking my brain for a lesson plan, I’d decided on a “social studies field trip³.” I mean, it’s the dream, right? A prince going undercover to explore the capital! It’s a classic trope. I wasn’t sure if we’d run into an “interesting woman” to kickstart a plot, but it was a start.
In all seriousness, I realized this was about all I could actually teach him. Roland-sama already had the best scholars in the land feeding him knowledge. He wasn’t lacking for facts.
But experience? That was a different story. The boy who’d had his eyes sparkling during Old Man Haruma’s guest lecture had apparently never even walked through his own capital. You can’t understand the lives of the people if you’ve never seen them.
Apparently, when the Queen was young, her father used to take her on similar incognito strolls. It seems the Canaria royals have a bit of a tradition for this. It might be related to the kingdom’s founding-the history of a group of comrades hunting a dragon together. For a long time, the “subjects” were likely seen more as “friends.”
Or maybe it’s just that the royals in this world are “strong.” Simply put, they aren’t as easy to assassinate as the figureheads in my old world.
Still, the political climate hadn’t allowed for this until now. But with the Canaria Kingdom finally regaining its standing, we could afford a little risk. We’d prepped at breakneck speed to make today happen.
”…Here is the exit. Please be careful; it only opens from this side unless you intend to break the door down,” Muse said.
”Got it. You’ll be there to let us back in, right?” I asked.
”Yes. I’ll have my subordinates on standby, so please don’t forget the password. That said, I’ll basically be the one responding, so don’t worry more than necessary,” Muse replied.
Muse reconfirmed the plan. She and her team would be tailing us from the shadows for security. I felt a silent ‘Don’t you dare do anything stupid’ radiating off her, but I was just glad for the backup. I certainly didn’t have the combat skills to protect a prince’s life on my own.
”Now, Roland…” Queen Cecile-sama placed a hand on her brother’s shoulder, her face deadly serious. “If this man tries to make you do anything foolish, you must call for help immediately. Do you understand?”
”Y-yes, Sister… but, what counts as ‘foolish’?” Roland-sama asked.
”Foolish is foolish! Don’t let him sweet-talk you. If something feels wrong, you have my permission to resist,” Cecile-sama told him.
Wow, I really am “trusted,” aren’t I? Her Majesty ignored my dry look and pulled Roland-sama into a tight hug, patting his back as if he were heading off to a final battle.
”Well then, shall we? Or rather-let’s get moving, Roly,” I said.
”Right!” Roland-sama chirped.
He adjusted the black wig hiding his golden hair. He was dressed in commoner’s gear-civilian specs, as I like to call them. His face was still a bit too handsome to truly blend in, but he looked like any other kid. I beckoned to the boy, whose heart was clearly pounding with the thrill of the unknown, and we stepped out into the town.
”Just don’t let him teach you any bad habits!” the Queen’s voice echoed behind us.
We ignored her and climbed a set of stairs that led into a modest house in the northwest district of the capital. The capital, Canarias⁴, is split by a massive central thoroughfare; the east is all nobles and wealthy merchants. The west is for the common folk, though the northwest is close enough to the castle that it’s still relatively well-off. I wondered how long this “safe house” had been part of the royal secret network.
”U-um! Kento-san!” Roland-sama called out.
”Yeah? What’s up?”
”So… where are you taking me first?!”
Roland-sama was vibrating with excitement. He was so earnest it was actually kind of cute-I could definitely see the family resemblance to Cecile-sama. It made me wish I could have met the late King and Queen; they must have been quite the pair.
”Haha, don’t rush. I’ve got a route planned. First… let’s head to the park with the best view of the capital. Old Man Haruma says the parks in Ferguson are huge, but Canarias is nothing to sneeze at, you know?”
”Yes! The one by the main street! I’ve always wanted to go there!” Roland-sama said, his eyes sparkling. He gave a quiet, determined fist pump.
Looking at the capital from the castle spires is one thing, but seeing it from the ground is a whole different ballgame. We slipped out the back door, and Roland-sama’s boots hit the cobblestones of the capital for the very first time. He let out a soft, breathless “Whoa…!” that made me feel a surge of excitement too.
We stuck to the pre-planned route. With every corner we turned, the horizon opened up more, and Roland-sama’s grin got wider. He was practically skipping, his pace getting faster and faster.
”Easy there, Roly. You’re gonna trip on the stones if you keep floating like that,” I warned.
”Right! S-sorry! I’ll be careful!”
He spun around to slow himself down, trying to stay behind me, but his restraint lasted only until the park gate came into view.
”Whoa…! It’s amazing! Kento-san, look! The capital is right there!”
He ran to the stone railing, leaning over to take it all in. The park sat on a mid-city slope, giving us a perfect vantage point over the southern districts. It was an exhilarating sight.
The distant city gates, the bustling main street, the endless rows of houses… Roland-sama’s eyes raced across the crowds of people moving below. Watching his back, I felt a spark of anticipation myself. I couldn’t wait to show this sheltered kid what the world was really like.
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Summary:
Kento takes Prince Roland on an undercover ‘social studies field trip’ outside the royal castle. Disguised in commoner clothes and a wig, Roland experiences the city streets for the first time. The chapter emphasizes Roland’s excitement and Kento’s protective yet casual mentorship.
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Trivia:
- Kento’s shop name is rarely mentioned, but his role as a magic circuit dealer is his core identity.
- The four pregnant women include Tania.
- The secret passage leading out of the castle requires a password for re-entry.
- Canaria royals historically have a habit of walking among commoners incognito
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Character Insight:
Kento feels the weight of his increasing political responsibilities but finds a paternal satisfaction in guiding Roland. Roland shows a mix of royal training and genuine childhood wonder.
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Behind the Scenes:
The ‘interesting woman’ comment is a meta-reference by Kento to common isekai and shoujo tropes where high-ranking men are intrigued by commoner women who defy them.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Haruma – A kindly old man with a full beard and a bald head.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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