The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] Chapter 1161: Their Shared Experience

Because wasn’t this thing just a little too effective?

That was Luca Kyros’ firm conclusion the longer he stared at Minister Kordell’s suddenly hyperactive water sprite.

Of course, those currently suffering beneath what could only be described as the gaudiest get-along shirt ever conceived by man and beast alike would’ve liked to argue that even five minutes already qualified as cruel and unusual punishment. Worse, they firmly believed that a single photograph would’ve been enough to permanently ruin reputations. Particularly if someone as fashionably renowned as the great Tortie were caught wearing it.

Unfortunately for them, every complaint that entered Luca’s left ear exited just as quickly through the right.

As such, there was simply no changing the dungeon owner’s mind after he decided that the little Queen Bee and Tortie ought to share one shirt together.

The arrangement was admittedly rather unfortunate for the guardian beast.

Not only did he have to carry the tiny latecomer perched proudly atop his shell, but the lower half of the get-along shirt also draped over him, the oversized garment hanging all the way down, covering everything his face.

Now, it would’ve been better if he’d simply been allowed to hide himself entirely under it, but the golden-eyed human wouldn’t even allow that.

The guardian beast could only click his tongue at that.

The design itself was somehow even more offensive than before, looking less like cheerful flowers in a meadow and more like someone had enthusiastically recreated a crime scene using aggressively colorful wildflowers. In fact, even the abyssal bloom would’ve questioned the inspiration behind such a design, if only to make sure it hadn’t somehow been the muse.

Tortie’s expression could only be described as the physical manifestation of being miffed.

His heavy eyelids drooped lower than usual, his mouth settled into a deeply offended line, and his entire demeanor practically screamed that he’d rather be swallowed whole by a spatial rift than spend another minute wearing such an abomination.

The little Queen, meanwhile...

Couldn’t have looked prouder.

She stood atop his shell with all the confidence of someone presiding over a grand ceremony, puffing out her tiny chest while fluttering her delicate wings every so often as though inviting everyone present to admire the magnificent partnership that was them...

And their glorious get-along shirt.

Tortie genuinely contemplated flinging the tiny menace straight off his shell.

The only thing that stopped him...

Was the now not-so-shriveled little sprite.

The guardian beast’s attention inevitably drifted toward the tiny bubble who’d finally received the sacred substance it’d been desperately reaching for earlier.

And honestly...

Just look at it now.

The poor wrinkled raisin had disappeared completely.

Instead, the sprite had almost instantly regained both its shape and moisture, its once-shriveled body now looking less like a dried fruit and more like a giant bead of fresh morning dew suspended in midair. Even more astonishing was the tiny rainbow that now shimmered from within its translucent body, vibrant colors dancing beautifully across its surface before the little thing suddenly discovered even more abilities it apparently hadn’t possessed several minutes ago.

It bobbed happily through the air before splitting itself into several tiny droplets that bounced around independently, only to merge together again as though performing a carefully choreographed dance.

The even tinier humans reacted.

Princess Nina squealed.

And Princess Marin squealed right along with her.

Both little girls clapped enthusiastically at every new trick the sprite proudly demonstrated, their eyes sparkling brighter by the second.

Tortie clicked his tongue inwardly.

He should’ve been first.

After all, hadn’t he arrived before everyone else?

Unfortunately, what could he really do against humans like these?

Thankfully, as if the heavens still had a semblance of fairness, the little bubble hadn’t escaped this punishment altogether.

Unbeknownst to the guardian beast, however, this was less about punishment and more about the shared experience. After all, of everyone involved, the sprite honestly hadn’t done anything wrong for the simple reason that it couldn’t. Yet according to one blonde, with so many siblings, leaving even one out would only make it harder for everyone to grow closer.

Luca, the only child, thought it sounded like excellent advice. Meanwhile, from the side, Butler Gary quietly listened to the two sworn brothers discussing sibling dynamics and couldn’t help but decide that perhaps he really shouldn’t pick any more fights with his younger sister lest he end up in the same precarious situation wearing the admittedly indescribable thing that just had to be the artwork of their most precious Young Lord.

He couldn’t bring himself to really dislike it, of course, but it was definitely something closer to... an acquired taste, particularly fine for the likes of the Duke, whose eyes were already rather... questionable.

Anyway, enough of such opinions, as there were more important things to focus on.

Like once the Elders confirmed the sprite would survive well beyond the next hour and even the next year, and it was promptly sentenced to join Queen Lulu in timeout because, in Luca’s words,

The guardian beast honestly appreciated one thing about the arrangement.

At least they hadn’t paired him with that loud, uncultured chicken.

The humans, surprisingly enough, had shown remarkable wisdom by assigning Pan-pan to Billy instead.

Frankly, aside from not doing this silly thing altogether, that tie-up was the one that made the most sense.

The shameless goat had undoubtedly instructed every member of his tribe to raid Tortie’s precious lettuce stash.

Now, the humans, along with those close enough to said humans, would naturally insist that the vegetables belonged to them rather than Tortie...

But the guardian beast failed to see the distinction.

At that point...

Wasn’t it merely a matter of semantics?

Still...

No matter.

If he continued receiving more of that miraculous food, so tantalizingly close yet perpetually just beyond his reach, then perhaps there’d come a day when he’d finally be able to tell these people exactly what he thought of all their profoundly questionable decisions.

For now, however...

He’d simply have to rely on his favorite servant.

And, apparently...

His favorite servant’s considerably older backup.

Which, admittedly, wasn’t the worst arrangement, as they normally managed to tend to his needs.

If anything, the only thing he’d have to contend with would be this new addition to his redheaded servant’s family.

After all, annoying as the tiny bee would definitely be, she was still related to the one servant who’d always known exactly how many lettuce leaves the great Tortie deserved.

Ah...

The endless hardships of maintaining civilized relationships.