In the recent war, because the only nation plotting to invade had been the Principality of Amidonia, we had been able to induce them to do so under conditions that were favorable to us, and defeat them.
From Amidonia’s perspective, I was sure they’d wanted to make all of the land they occupied their own, but if they had roped in the mercenary state Zem, the Republic of Turgis, and some portion of the Union of Eastern Nations, along with the Imperial Army, there would have been nothing the kingdom could have done to avoid a total collapse.
I looked Jeanne straight in the eye and said, “With your goal of uniting all mankind to prepare for the menace of the Demon Lord’s Domain, the Empire wanted to avoid that. That’s why you demanded war subsidies from non-signatories, and for those that couldn’t pay, you tried to find a workable substitute to appease the signatories, right? In the kingdom’s case, that was a hero.”
“…I have no words,” said Jeanne.
“To be brutally honest, the Empire didn’t even expect the hero summoning to work, did it?” I asked. “Okay, this being a world with magic, you might have thought they’d summon something, but you can’t have had high expectations for something the kingdom itself didn’t think would work. Even if the summoning had failed, you would have been satisfied by the fact it was performed.”
“That’s right. But, as a result of that, you were summoned,” Jeanne said, looking troubled. “What’s more, ever since you were summoned here and given the throne by Sir Albert, you’ve worked actively to rebuild this country, even finding the money to provide war subsidies. While my sister was grateful, she also regretted forcing such a heavy burden on you when you were called here at our convenience. We truly are sorry.”
Jeanne bowed once more.
I sighed, saying, “I already told you, it’s in the past. Now that I now the situation, I don’t resent you for it. It’s not like I don’t have a lingering attachment to my old world, but… but…”
I glanced from Juna, with a tense look on her face, to Tomoe.
There was nobody left who would wait for me to come home in my old world. Since coming to this world, I had found people here who would. Whenever I returned to the castle, Liscia, Aisha, Juna, and Tomoe would be there to say, “Welcome home.” Having felt the loneliness of solitude, that was something I never wanted to lose again.
“I’ve found people here I want to protect,” I said simply. “That’s why I’m not too hung up over it. Mind you, if you feel bad enough about it that you’ll recognize my sovereignty over Van, I’m not gonna complain.”
When I said that jokingly, Jeanne raised her face quietly shook her head. “…Sadly, I, too, have a family to protect.”
Neither of us averted our gaze. We each looked the other straight in the eye.
“I see… well, we’ll have to negotiate, then,” I said.
“Yes,” Jeanne said. “Please, go easy on me when the time comes.”
With an “I’ll take my leave,” Jeanne turned her back and faded into the crowd. She vanished as quickly as she had appeared.
“The presences I felt surrounding us have vanished, too,” Juna commented. “It looks like Jeanne’s bodyguards have withdrawn.”
“She really did just come to say hello, huh…” I looked in the direction Jeanne had left. “Jeanne Euphoria… the pragmatic younger sister who supports the idealistic saint.”
If it had only been Amidonia’s crown prince, Julius, I’d have to contend with, I felt there was no way I could have lost at the negotiations. But with Jeanne mediating, I wouldn’t be able to rely too much on his weaknesses. If I tried to get too crafty and they saw through it, there was the risk that they might turn things to his advantage by pointing it out.
I’ll have to let Hakuya know he’s going to need to give his all at the negotiations, too…
I slapped my cheeks, trying to psyche myself up for it.
That evening…
“Liscia, Aisha,” I said. “I brought souvenirs for you two.”
Having returned to the castle, I gave Liscia and Aisha the gifts I’d bought for them. Liscia got that choker made of blue leather with silver foil scattered around like stars, while Aisha got the pale lipstick.
Liscia immediately put the choker around her neck, fingering the bird clasp with a satisfied smile. “Thanks, Souma. I’ll treasure it.”
The slightly shy smile wasn’t like Liscia, and I couldn’t help but stare at her, enthralled.
Whew, I was relieved that she liked it. It suited her well, and I was glad I’d bought it.
Meanwhile, Aisha…
“Ohhhh, Your Majesty! To think you would bestow a gift even on one such as me, I am awed and delighted! When you left me behind, I felt down, but this has lifted my spirits as high as the heavens!”
“W-Well, good for you… Aisha…” Juna said.
“Yes, Madam Juna! With this lipstick, I swear I will polish my femininity! Then, His Majesty will never let me leave his side… heh heh heh.”
“G-Good luck with that…”
Aisha was a little too thrilled. The happy aura beaming from her entire body seemed to be enough to seriously weird Juna out. Juna, by the way, was also wearing the hair piece I’d given her.
“Sire! Sire!” cried Aisha. “How is it? Does it look good on me?”
Aisha put on her lipstick and started acting flirty right away. If Aisha hadn’t been a dark elf, and she had been a mystic wolf like Tomoe instead, her tail would have been wagging like crazy.
When she saw how overexuberant Aisha was, Liscia traced the outline of her choker with one finger, looking to me. “Don’t you think the collar would have been a better match for Aisha?”
“…Let me go with ‘no comment’ on that one,” I said.
Chapter 3: Negotiations
20th day, 10th month, 1,546th year, Continental Calendar — Van Castle
“Now then… Here I come, sire!” Aisha cried.
“Bring it on, Aisha!” I called back.
We were in the training grounds inside Van Castle. In this space, which was open to the sky like an archery range in Japan, I stood facing a fully armed Aisha. In her usual light armor, Aisha took up a stance with her greatsword pointed towards me. I had medium-sized Little Musashibo dolls (the ones that were toy-sized were small, while the ones large enough to fit a person were large), five of those medium-sized dolls (hereafter referred to as A-E) protecting me.
In the corner of my vision, I saw the referee, Liscia, raise her right hand.
The next moment, Aisha made a big downwards swing with her greatsword. A visible shockwave flew towards me and the Little Musashibos.
I put Little Musashibo A (equipped with shields in both hands) up front, having it ready its shields. The moment the shockwave hit, there was an incredible clang, but somehow Little Musashibo A managed to hold its ground.
“It’s not done yet!” Aisha called.
There was no time for relief. Aisha turned to the side, keeping the blade of her greatsword pointed in my direction, and then thrust with all her might. Little Musashibo A tried to overlap its shield to defend, but Aisha’s blow hit with the force of a battering ram, punching through both of the shields and Little Musashibo A.
Uwah… She can punch through two thick shields…? I was nearly struck dumb by the absurd amount of power she had, but then Aisha stopped moving momentarily.
Thinking this was my chance, I sent Little Musashibo B (equipped with two swords) and Little Musashibo C (equipped with a spear) around to attack her from both sides.