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Chapter 223 – Sandwiched Between The Devil And The Witch
“Thanks to Kosuke-san and Grande, it looks like the negotiations with the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom are coming to a successful conclusion. However, there are some areas that I would like to hear more details about, so I will ask you to help me.”
Melty, sitting beside me on her usual wicker couch, says this to me with a smile. I couldn’t say no to her request with such a good-humored smile on her face.
“I don’t mind if you make plans in advance. But please ask Grande when she feels up to it. I don’t want to force her to do something she doesn’t want to do.”
“Yes, I understand.”
That night after the audience, or rather meeting with the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom, Melty seemed to be in a very good mood during the relaxing time after dinner. I was happy if my and Grande’s actions helped to improve her mood.
“Nevertheless, it was an unexpected connection that came about unexpectedly. The Dragonis Mountain Kingdom is going to fully support us. I am sure there will be other countries that will respond to this move. Depending on the moves of the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom, a coalition of anti-Holy Kingdom countries may be formed to the west of the Holy Kingdom. Depending on what happens, we may be able to achieve peace with the Holy Kingdom more easily than we thought.”
Sylphy, who was sitting on the opposite side of the table from Melty across from me, was also in a really good mood. For Sylphy, who was planning to meet with the Holy Kingdom in the near future, it must have been like having a reassuring ally in the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom, a country that the Holy Kingdom and the Empire both look up to.
“As an outsider, I’m not sure what to tell you, but don’t let them catch you off guard. No matter how friendly they are to us, or rather to Grande and me, they are a kingdom with a long history. They would not do anything that would cause them to suffer losses alone, and if necessary, they would even abandon the kingdom of Merinard. For them, all they need is to ensure the safety of Grande and me.”
I remember hearing something to the effect that true friendship is never fostered between nations or something like that. Not true friendship, but a true ally, right? Well, I understand the nuance.
No matter how friendly they may seem, as long as they are a nation, their actions are driven by the nation’s interests. In other words, yesterday’s friend could turn into today’s enemy if their interests as a nation conflict.
In that sense, it is my presence and Grande’s that could be the spark of a conflict between the Kingdom of Merinard and the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom. We are the bridge between the two countries, but at the same time, we are the spark that causes them to fight.
Now, because of my and Grande’s―or rather, my support for the Liberation Army, the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom has expressed its full support for the Liberation Army and the new Merinard Kingdom. This is probably out of respect for me and Grande’s will to stand by me.
However, if they were to reverse their course and take Grande into their hands, even by force, we would immediately go to war with each other. Well, I don’t really think we would lose in a fight. If their flying dragons or cavalry attacked us, our 12.7mm-caliber heavy machine guns would open a lot of fire.
The resources of iron, steel, and leather are in great abundance thanks to the weapons we confiscated from the Holy Kingdom’s army the other day, so I am secretly mass producing weapons and ammunition in preparation for the coming time. I’m also working on the mass production of 12.7mm caliber heavy machine guns. Although the current 7.62mm caliber light machine gun is overkill, it is doubtful how much use a 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun will be when mass-produced.
“We are aware of that. It is not healthy for a nation to be so dependent on others, and we should be moderate in our reliance on them.”
“Thanks to Kosuke-san, we have no shortage of food, money, and materials. We will mainly ask for diplomatic help. Eventually, we will have to correct our dependence on Kosuke-san.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true.”
Without the benefits brought by my power, it is obvious that the current Merinard Kingdom would not be able to stand on its feet. It is also unhealthy for a nation to be in a state where food, funds, and materials to run the nation are provided by a single person. Such a state of affairs should be corrected as soon as possible.
“But. If that happens, there will be nothing for me to do, and I will be bored.”
“Is that so? I don’t think you have time to be bored…”
“I guess so.”
Melty’s grinning gaze from the right and Sylphy’s staring gaze at me from the left. Oh… if this is the case, have I stepped on a landmine?
“Your Highness Princess Driada wanted to talk to you… what do you want to do, Kosuke-san?”
“I hear you and Mother have been getting along very well lately? Mother is always talking about Kosuke and wants to know how he’s doing, isn’t that right?”
“Oh, uh… yeah. That’s the thing.”
I turn my gaze to the ceiling, feeling their eyes on my cheeks. It is rather difficult to be asked what you want to do. As for me… I’d like to say that I don’t want to add any more mates, but in terms of this world’s view of marriage, you know.
“Maybe it’s my will that matters?”
“Yes. However, the only person who has clearly expressed a desire to be in a relationship with Kosuke-san is Her Highness Princess Driada.”
“I see… what about the two of you? I’m not sure I should even ask.”
After all, I’m the one who makes the final decision after asking both of them for their opinions. I guess I just want to use it as an excuse to myself to ask them because they told me so. Isn’t that too cowardly?
“Hmmmmmmm…”
“Kosuke-san is really reluctant to have female relations, isn’t he?”
“The ethical view of marriage that you have developed since you were a child is not something that can be easily overturned.”
I was looking up at the ceiling and worrying, and two people were discussing something beside me, but I was too busy worrying to hear what they were talking about.
Well, what the heck? I’ve had my hands full with not only Sylphy but also Isla, the Harpies, Ellen, Melty, and Grande, so now that there are two more people… Oh no, there were Amalie-san and Bertha-san, too. That makes four people. There are nearly 20 people in the group, so I don’t think it’s too much to ask for four more people. But that’s not the point, is it?
“For the time being, let’s start with socializing. Whatever the case may be, my feelings for them have not caught up with theirs, let alone theirs for me. First of all, I’d like to talk and spend time together to deepen our relationship.”
“That makes sense. Her Highness Princess Driada and Seraphita-sama have plenty of time to spend with each other.”
“And Mother, too, well, I suppose.”
“How about that? What about me having that kind of relationship with Seraphita-san?”
“I don’t think it’s a rare occurrence for a long-lived species. I never thought that I would have to go through such an experience, though.”
Sylphie looked very complicated.
“The mother and daughter also have similar tastes.”
“I don’t think it’s that kind of thing… or rather, I have a suspicion that it has something to do with my abilities.”
“Ability?”
“Yeah, actually…”
I explained to them about achievement and the ability toward the opposite sex. The two people who heard this story tilted their heads in the same way.
“It doesn’t matter, does it? You didn’t really test whether this ability to attack the opposite sex really works like charm magic, did you?”
“Eh, well, that’s true. I have no way of verifying that.”
There is no way to turn off the achievement, so there is no way to know for sure. It’s been increasing for some time, and I don’t see any kind of numerical value in terms of likelihood.
“There is nothing to be concerned about. Even if Kosuke’s ability works in that way, it means that Kosuke becomes more attractive. Your ability is a part of you, so it doesn’t matter, does it?”
“If you say that, then you can’t walk under the sun, like the Yama tribe, can you?”
“Yama tribe?”
Yama… Enma?
“The Yama tribe are the night demons. They are also called the Dream Demons. They are a tribe of only women. However, they are a very difficult race to deal with because their magic power is released as enchantment magic even if they don’t do anything.”
“That’s really difficult… but I don’t think I’ve ever met them.”
They are probably a succubus-like race. There was a winged race that had bat-like wings, but they didn’t make me feel particularly strange, so I’m sure they’re something else.
“No, I’m sure you have met them before. Kosuke said you didn’t react in any way when people showed you their real faces, stared into their eyes, or boldly showed you their skin, so you said it wasn’t funny or, on the contrary, reassuring.”
“I see… I’m almost immune to any kind of magic, after all.”
Apparently, it wasn’t a separate thing. Come to think of it, I think there were people who would stare into my eyes and wear thin. I was so dazed by the way they looked at me, but they didn’t say anything to me, especially from their side, so I went through with it.
I wonder if it is because I am too used to charm magic that automatically emanates from me that makes me unable to communicate with them.
“I digress, but what I mean is that, like the night demons, that is part of Kosuke’s charm, so there is no need to be concerned about that.”
“I see…?”
“Don’t think about how powerful you are or anything like that, just take it head on and give us your answer. Unlike the Adol case, this one is something that Sylphy can support.”
“It’s a completely different story than offering you as a stud horse, you know.”
Saying that, Sylphy looks as if she is about to click her tongue.
“It can’t be helped if you bring up the difference in life expectancy, though… I’m sorry to say that in the end, I’m putting it all on Kosuke’s shoulders…”
What is that hand stroking my breastplate while saying it’s distressing? Before long, they’re in close proximity, or rather in close contact, huh? Sylphy-san? Not only Melty but Sylphy too?
“Oh, it really pains me to say it, and more than that, it’s sorely regrettable.”
“I bet they’ll be ahead of us in less than a year.”
“Humans are short-lived, but they are easy to conceive.”
“Calm down, calm down, both of you.”
My arms were already held tightly by Sylphy and Melty from both sides. There was no way I could shake them off. Not only psychologically but physically as well.
“OK, OK, calm down, both of you. Let’s talk first. It’s okay. We can talk, we can talk, don’t give up, don’t give up―Uwaaah!”
Help me, Grande!