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Chapter 2: For the Future
—Beginning of the 10th month, 1,547th year, Continental Calendar—
There was a little domain in the mountains of the kingdom. It was the former domain of Liscia’s father, the former king, Sir Albert. He had been the petty noble who ruled this domain, but, one day, he’d met Liscia’s mother, Lady Elisha.
At the time, the royals had been engaged in a succession crisis over who would take the throne after the death of the previous king. Even now, his personality was, in favorable terms, gentle and without a hunger for power; in less favorable terms, banal and unambitious. He avoided creating enemies where he didn’t need them. Thus, by supporting the then-young Lady Elisha with his good-natured personality, Sir Albert had unintentionally created a situation where it was hard for the other royals to turn their hatred toward Lady Elisha.
Thus, the succession crisis had ended with the elimination of all the royals but Lady Elisha, the throne going to her as the sole survivor. In recognition for his continuous support, Sir Albert had been allowed to marry Lady Elisha, thereby becoming king.
Now Sir Albert’s former lands had become part of the crown demesne, but since he had chosen to retire to them, he was essentially the lord there again.
I was now over Sir Albert’s domain, looking down from the back of Naden in her ryuu form.
The scenery was the embodiment of the countryside, in a way that made it feel like old folk songs would suit it well. There were mountains, streams, fields, and pastures, along with farmhouses dotted around.
For someone used to dealing with a murderous workload every day in the capital, it felt like time moved slower here. There was no place better for someone who wanted to live the quiet life.
“If I quit being king, living in a place like this wouldn’t be so bad,” I pondered.
“You’re way too young to be longing for the countryside.” Naden’s exasperated voice spoke straight into my mind. “I mean, you haven’t even had your coronation yet. Or our wedding. It’s a waste of time to think about what you’ll do when you quit. For one thing, with times being what they are, isn’t it going to be difficult to have an easy retirement? If there were a sudden change in the situation up north, you might not get to live to old age in the first place, you know?”
Reluctantly, I said, “I guess you have a point there.”
Naden was right. If the situation in the north—in other words, the Demon Lord’s Domain—were to change, there was no telling when this kingdom may get caught up in it. The kingdom was stable now, but if the Demon Lord’s Domain expanded any further, there would be more refugees, and the chaos from when I’d first taken the throne may well return.
The west side of the continent had Maria’s Gran Chaos Empire defending it, so I was sure they would be fine, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Union of Eastern Nations on the east side of the continent was just a loose gathering of small- to medium-sized nations. If they collapsed, it would affect our country too. That was why I had to dispatch reinforcements.
I sighed. “It’s not easy retiring, huh.”
“That’s how it goes. Besides...you have to create a good country for the children, don’t you? ‘Dad.’”
“Ahaha...”
Dad...huh. It hasn’t really hit home yet, but that’s what I’m going to be, aren’t I ?
“Oh, I want to hurry and see Liscia,” I said longingly.
“You’re going to say that while on my back?”
“If we have a child together, Naden, I’m confident I’ll feel the same way toward you.”
“Well, that’s fine then. I’ll carry you there, so just be patient.”
“Roger that.”
“That’s my line!”
Naden twisted her body and swam through the sky even faster. She swam through the wind toward Sir Albert’s mansion where Liscia was staying.
Today was the day I could finally see Liscia. Even after returning from the Republic of Turgis, my free time had been eaten up by all the accumulated work, preventing me from going.
That was why being able to see Liscia for the first time in a while made me so happy, but...at the same time, it weighed on me a little.
I have to tell her we’re going to the Union of Eastern Nations after all...
Just when I’d thought all my work was taken care of, the Empire had issued a request to send reinforcements to the Union of Eastern Nations. I wouldn’t be able to see her again for a while, and it was painful knowing I would worry her.
I’d really rather not worry Liscia while she’s pregnant.
Deliberately choosing not to tell her wasn’t an option. I was going to be organizing an army, and there was no way to hide that. That was why I wanted to give Liscia a proper explanation in advance, to minimize her anxiety. But it still weighed on me.
I wonder if this is how a husband who can’t tell his wife he’s being transferred to a position where he’ll have to live alone somewhere else feels...
That was what I thought as I stared vaguely up into the clear autumn sky.
The mansion with the blue roof up on the hill was the former king Sir Albert’s mansion.
When Naden and I touched down in front of the entrance, the first one to greet us was Carla in her maid dress. While we were away in Turgis, Carla had been serving as Liscia’s personal attendant and bodyguard. There were also people from the Black Cats and National Defense Force dispatched here, protecting Liscia and her family from the shadows as well as out in the sunlight.
Carla stood in front of us and bowed. “It’s been a while, master.”
“Long time no see,” I said easily. “Has anything changed with Liscia or her family?”
“Yes. Madam Hilde says both Liscia and the baby are healthy, but... Well, it would be better for you to hear it from her yourself.”
“That makes sense... Sorry. I’ve sort of ended up leaving Liscia entirely to you.”
“No, no. Liscia is my master’s partner, but she is also my irreplaceable friend. If I can help, nothing will make me happier. Besides...”
“Besides?”
When I pushed her to say more, Carla gave me a wonderful smile and said, “Unlike the head maid, Lady Elisha doesn’t make me wear embarrassing outfits!”
“Oh...”
While she was in the castle, the sadistic head maid, Serina, had been taking “good care” of Carla. Working under Lady Elisha, who always wore a gentle smile, surely was easier on her.
“You know, there’s a request from the production team on Overman Silvan saying they’d like you to make an appearance as Miss Dran again sometime soon...” I mused.
“Urgh... I-If you order it, I must obey,” Carla said with a truly displeased look on her face.
She seemed to have adapted to the short skirt on her maid dress (Serina’s idea), but apparently, she still couldn’t get used to Miss Dran’s sexy costume (also Serina’s idea).
“They’re apparently getting a lot of letters saying, ‘Bring back Miss Dran.’ The senders...are mostly full-grown men, I hear.”
“This entire country should fall to ruin...” she moaned.
“Don’t say that in front of the king!”
Her eyes looked quite pretty serious, but it would probably be best for Carla if I just laughed it off as a joke. It wasn’t a direct insult to me, so her slave collar hadn’t responded to it, but if anyone overheard, I would have to try her for lĂšse-majestĂ©, so I hoped she’d cut it out.
The subject seemed dangerous, so I decided to drop it there.
“Let’s get straight to the point, Carla. Show me to where Liscia is.”
“Ah! That’s right. But first, why not go pay your respects to the former king? He’s been waiting in the parlor for you to arrive.”
“Yeah, that’d be the polite thing to do, huh. Okay then, take me to see Sir Albert first.”
“Understood. This way please.”
Carla led the way into the mansion, and Naden and I tailed after her. Then, once we were shown through to the parlor, we were greeted by Sir Albert and Lady Elisha.
“Why, son-in-law,” greeted Sir Albert. “How good it is of you to come see us.”
“You must be Naden,” Lady Elisha said, smiling. “You’re just as cute as Liscia’s been telling me.”
Sir Albert took my hand, and Lady Elisha took Naden’s.
“It’s been a while,” I said. “Father, Mother. I’m glad to see you seem to be as well as ever.”
“I-I’m Naden. Nice to meechu.” Naden was tense and slurred her words.
Seeing Naden like that, Lady Elisha giggled and hugged Naden’s head tight in her ample bosom.
“Whuhwhuh?!”
Suddenly finding herself in an embrace, Naden panicked and flailed her arms. She had to be feeling shy too.
Elisha gently patted Naden on the head. “My daughter will be marrying Sir Souma too. So, Naden, if anything should happen, please rely on me as a mother. I’m happy to have gotten another cute daughter like Tomoe.”
“Your scent reminds me of Lady Tiamat.” Naden wrapped her arms around Lady Elisha’s waist. She’d been tamed in an instant.
A scent like the holy mother dragon...? Was it the smell of motherhood, or something like that? As a ryuu, Naden had no relatives. Ruby was the only friend she had left from her homeland now too. If Lady Elisha could be her mother in this country, nothing would make me happier. It’s a happy thing to have someone who will indulge you like a child after all.
While I watched the two of them with a smile, Sir Albert began speaking.
“Son-in-law, we will take care of Madam Naden here, so please go be with Liscia. She is on the terrace in the courtyard, eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
“Thank you. I’ll do just that.”
I gave my regards to the them both, then left Naden behind and exited the parlor. Then, with guidance from Carla, I headed to the terrace facing out on the courtyard.
On the sunlit white terrace, there was a table with tea already prepared, and a lone woman was seated at it. The woman had her back to me, and she was watching the trees sway in the autumn wind.
When I gave Carla the sign indicating she’d taken me far enough, she bowed then turned on her heel and returned to the mansion.
I silently approached the table, taking a seat where I could get a glimpse of her face. The woman turned to me and smiled softly.
“It feels like it’s been such a long time, Souma.”
“Yeah, I feel like we haven’t met in forever. I wanted to see you, Liscia.”
“Hehe! Me too.” Liscia’s smile was like a flower blooming.
This was my fiancĂ©e, who I hadn’t seen in over a month since going to the Republic of Turgis. Seeing her for the first time in a long while, Liscia looked far more like an adult than she had before.
While my heart was racing at the sight of her, I opened my mouth, feeling like I had to say something. “Your hair... Has it grown?”
“Yeah. I haven’t cut it recently after all.”
Liscia’s hair, which she had cut short when issuing the ultimatum to Georg, was now about halfway back to the length it had been when I’d first met her.
“Will you grow it out to the length it was before?” I asked.
“I’m still deciding. I’m fond of the shorter hairstyle now. Which do you think looks better on me, Souma?”
“I like both.”
“Geez, you’re so indecisive.”
“So long as you don’t become a skinhead, or do anything else too extreme with your hair, I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“I won’t do that with my hair.”
Liscia and I looked at one another and smiled. We had a good laugh, then I scratched my head hard.
“Why’d I start off talking about your hair? There’re a ton of things I want to ask and tell you, but...I can’t find the right words.”
“Go through them in order,” she directed. “You have time to relax today, right?”
“Yeah. That’s right... Well, first...” I turned back to face her, bowing my head to Liscia with her swollen belly. “Thank you for making a new member of my family, Liscia.”
“Hehe! You mean our family, don’t you?” Liscia said, correcting me with a gentle smile. “With this, I’m a bona fide member of your family now.”
“I’ve thought of you as family all this time, but...I feel it even more strongly now.”
Blood ties. Soul ties. It seemed like putting it into words cheapened it, but I felt certain there was a firm bond between Liscia and I now.
Liscia giggled. “So now Aisha, Juna, and Roroa need to become part of the family too.”
“They’re all waiting for this child to be born,” I said, placing my hand on Liscia’s belly. “Before, we held a family meeting, and decided that when a child was born, no matter who it was to, we would have them call all the queens, primary or secondary, their mother. So, we’ll raise all the children together. I’m sure Aisha and Naden, being from long-lived races, will have theirs later than everyone else after all.”
Liscia laughed happily. “So our children will suddenly have five mothers!”
The children would grow up surrounded by mothers, including Liscia, who had a lot of personality. Who would influence them, and how would they grow...? I was a little worried, but also looking forward to it.
From there we updated each other on recent happenings and had a generally aimless conversation. Liscia spoke gleefully of her days of rest here.
“Lately, you know, I’ve been learning to cook from Mother.”
“You, Liscia? Why?”
“I want the baby to be able to eat my homemade cooking of course. Besides, you can cook, right? It wouldn’t do for me to be less able to cook than their father.”
To think Liscia, who spent every spare moment joining the guards for training, would take learning how to be a proper bride seriously... It was moving, somehow.
“So? How are the results so far?” I asked.
“I baked those snacks over there.” She gestured to a large plate on the table filled with scones and cookies.
Homemade by Liscia, huh? They didn’t look bad, so they probably tasted good.
I took a cookie and chucked it in my mouth. “Let’s see... Nom.”
There was a hard sensation as a sweet taste spread through my mouth. She’d put in too much sugar. That, and she’d probably kneaded the batter as hard as she could. Also, the butter had fully melted, making them hard when baked.
I looked at Liscia, sweating hard. “Errrrm... I’d love to say it was good, but...considering you want to feed them to our child...I can’t lie to you.”
“I know that. I can tell when I’ve messed up at least.” Liscia smiled wryly, but her fist was clenched tight. “This is what I can do now. But someday, I’m sure I’ll be able to make them more delicious.”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Yeah... But the thing is, Carla started learning at the same time, and she’s improving so much faster. I thought we were the same, so I’m having a hard time accepting it.”
“Well, I mean, Carla does have Excel’s blood in her.”
Carla’s mother, Accela, was Excel’s daughter. She was also related to Juna, who was like a walking mass of big sister power, so maybe she had a strong latent ability for domestic tasks.
Liscia sighed. “By that same token, Mother is good at cooking too...”
“Maybe you were influenced too much by Georg, your teacher in the Army?”
“Urkh... I can’t deny that.”
We kept having an aimless conversation like that. Talking about nothing... It was incredibly fun.
Then, suddenly, Liscia put on a serious expression. “Souma. You didn’t come here today just to see me, now did you?”
My heart skipped a beat as she hit the nail on the head.
“...You could tell?”
“Yes, I could tell. This is you. While we were talking, it felt like you were hiding something that was hard to say.”
“...”
“Did you find a new candidate to be queen?” Liscia stared at me, and I shook my head hard.
“No, no! It’s just, well... It looks like we’ll be sending troops north.”
“By ‘north,’ you mean to the Union of Eastern Nations?”
“Yeah. It seems like attacks from the Demon Lord’s Domain are on the rise. If the Union of Eastern Nations falls, this country will be affected too. In line with our pact with the Empire, we have to dispatch reinforcements.”
When I perfectly relayed the content of my earlier talk with the Empire, Liscia put on a worried face. “Will you be going with the troops?”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “So...it’ll be a while before we can see each other again.”
“Why? This is different from when you were fighting the forces of Amidonia.” Her tone didn’t blame me, but I could tell she didn’t want me to go. “Back then, you had just been given the throne, and the troops wouldn’t have trusted you if you hadn’t led them yourself. But now everyone sees you as king. Can’t you leave this to a commander like Sir Ludwin?”
“To prepare for unanticipated events, I want to bring powerful fighters like Aisha and Naden,” I said. “It’s better if I’m there to lead them. There’s also the fact that I want to see the situation in the north for myself too.”
The detail about Julius would only cause her to worry, so I could probably omit it.
I stood up, walked behind Liscia, and gently embraced her. “It pains me not being able to be by your side when you’re about to give birth, but today, when I saw you with the baby so large in your belly, it made me even more sure I had to go north. I want to leave my children the best country I can after all.”
“Souma...” Liscia closed her eyes as I kept hugging her tight.
There was a quiet moment between us, then eventually Liscia lightly laid her hand on my arm and smiled.
“I understand. But make sure you come back.”
“Yeah. If things get dangerous, I’ll come running back. I can’t die without seeing my child’s face after all.”
She chuckled. “Make sure you do. I’ll be waiting for you with these kids.”
“Yeah!” I nodded firmly, but then got caught on the wording of what Liscia had just said. “...Huh? These kids?”
When I parroted those words back, Liscia had a blank look on her face and said, “What? Didn’t Hilde tell you? I’m pregnant with twins.”
“Huh...? Whahhhhhhhhh?!”
What a shocking fact! I was suddenly going to be a father to twins!
Now that she mentioned it, Liscia was looking awfully big for where she was in the pregnancy. But still, twins, huh...
The feeling that I had to come back home safely grew even stronger.