Volume 6 - CH 7.4

Bonus Short Stories 

Tomoe, Holding Down the Fort 

It happened at around the time that Souma and the others were in the Star Dragon Mountain Range confronting the storm. 

Tomoe, who had been left behind in a town bordering the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State because it was too dangerous to bring her along, was looking towards the Star Dragon Mountain Range in the northwest and praying everyone would be okay. 

“Big Brother. Big Sister,” she prayed. “Everyone... Please, come back safely.” 

Inugami, who had been entrusted with the task of guarding her, was concerned. “Little Sister...” 

Today, ever since a large black cloud had been sighted over the Star Dragon Mountain Range, Tomoe had been looking out her window towards the Star Dragon Mountain Range and praying for everyone’s safety. Praying was the only thing she could do, so she was doing it with all her heart. 

Unable to bear the sight any long, Inugami tried to cheer her up. 

“It’s okay. His Majesty and the princess have Madam Aisha, Officer Halbert, and young Miss Carla, the foremost fighters of our kingdom, with them. If you add Madam Naden, the dragon, on top of that, no matter what might happen, I’m sure those fighters will be able to protect the two of them.” 

Inugami said that to encourage her, but Tomoe looked down. 

“I understand that. I do, but... I worry. I think Aisha would lay down her life for Big Brother, but that makes me worry she’ll get hurt...” 

Inugami fell silent. 

Because Souma had gone and made all of his bodyguards people they were close to, Tomoe must be worrying about what would happen if any of them were to suffer a life-threatening injury. It was easier to imagine the worst when it involved someone you knew, after all. 

It would be easy to tell her things are okay... but even if it would be easy to say, without any basis for saying it, it wouldn’t be enough to reassure her. It would be better to redirect her attention. 

Inugami placed a hand on Tomoe’s shoulder. “It’s not good for your health to worry so much. Rather than imagine an unpleasant future, why not talk about what you’ll be doing after this? You can talk with me.” 

“What I’ll be doing after this...?” Tomoe asked, looking up. 

Tomoe had taken an interest, so Inugami continued in a bright tone of voice. “Yes. His Majesty said his trips abroad would continue. He said quite clearly that he would be bringing you along, too. What do you think the next country you’ll visit is?” 

“You mean somewhere other than the Star Dragon Mountain Range, right?” 

Tomoe started trying to predict the next country. A good sign. 

“We have good relations with the Empire, and they’re too far away, right? So it’ll be one of the neighboring countries...” 

“Well, what neighbors does the Kingdom of Friedonia have?” 

“We have five. The Union of Eastern Nations, the Republic of Turgis, the Mercenary State Zem, the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State, and the Nine-Headed Dragon Union across the sea.” 

Thanks to taking lessons from Hakuya, Tomoe was now able to rattle those names off so smoothly that it was hard to think of her as a child. 

“Which of those seem like places you wouldn’t go to?” Inugami asked. 

“I think with the trouble involved in crossing the sea, and with the dispute over fishing rights, it probably won’t be the Nine-Headed Dragon Union. It’s in the opposite direction of the city we’re staying in, too. Other than that, the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State just tried to make Big Brother into their holy king the other day, so I don’t think he’d want to go there.” 

“I have to concur,” Inugami nodded. “In addition, the Union of Eastern Nations is a collection of small to medium sized states, and the negotiations for His Majesty to visit each of them individually would be difficult. Also, many of the requests for marriage that have been flooding the castle are coming from those countries, so he would likely hesitate to visit them.” 

“In that case... will it be the Republic of Turgis or the Mercenary State Zem?” Tomoe guessed. 

Although there had been issues with the eternally neutral Zem during the war with Amidonia, they weren’t openly hostile. As for the Republic, it wasn’t entirely clear whether they were hostile or not. 

Tomoe asked, “Do you know about Zem and the republic, Mr. Inugami?” 

“Because the republic is a closed off country, I know that their five major races control the country through a council, but... that’s about it. However, when it comes to Zem, I have heard things from the mercenaries.” 

Though it had been terminated after Souma had been entrusted with the throne, the Elfrieden Kingdom had previously had a mercenary contract with Zem. That was why Zemish mercenaries had been in the kingdom. 

“It seems that they are a meritocracy... or rather, it seems might makes right there.” 

“M-Might does?” Tomoe stammered. 

“Yes. It seems that even the right to rule can be claimed by martial prowess. Once every year, the country comes together to hold a big martial arts tournament, and they do everything possible to grant one wish to the winner. If the winner wishes to be king, they will be given the right to challenge the current king, and if they should emerge victorious, they become king themselves. That is why Zem’s king is always the most powerful warrior in the country.” 

“Um, does that work for the country? Having someone be king just because they’re strong...” 

“The bureaucracy that handles internal affairs is independent of the king, so it is probably all right. The king takes responsibility for military matters, so even if the king’s talents are entirely martial in nature, they should be able to manage as a king. It seems the citizens find it reassuring, too. Because they claim neutrality, their country won’t attack other countries, and if they are attacked themselves, they’ll have the strongest possible king to defend them. It’s a sort of charisma, I suppose.” 

“Wow... There sure are a lot of ways to run a country.” Tomoe let out an impressed sigh and smiled. “There are so many different countries in the world. Could this be what my teacher” (Hakuya) “meant when he said to broaden my horizons?” 

“Perhaps.” 

“I want to learn more about all the other countries. By learning more, I think I can learn to love this country that Big Brother and the others rule even more.” 

“Heh... I will accompany you anywhere you wish, Little Sister.” 

With that, Inugami patted Tomoe on the head, and... 

“Ah! Pardon me!” 

He hurriedly drew back his hand. Seeing Tomoe so enthused, he had patted her head despite himself, but that was clearly not proper for him to be doing to the adopted sister of his liege. 

Tomoe had a blank look on her face, but she quickly shook her head when she saw Inugami bowing to her. “Oh, no! Don’t worry about it! I didn’t mind!” 

“But...” 

“Um... It kind of reminded me of Dad. It brought back fond memories.” 

Tomoe’s father had passed away soon after her little brother was born. That must be why Inugami, who was of a similar race, reminded her of him. 

Tomoe took Inugami’s hand. “So... I want you to keep teaching me, praising me, and patting me on the head.” 

“Little Sister... understood.” 

When Tomoe asked for that with upturned eyes, Inugami couldn’t deny her. 

Incidentally, Inugami wasn’t the only member of the Black Cats present, and his compatriots would continue to bring up the indescribable expression he made at his point over drinks for a good long time. 

Naden and the Royal Capital 

My name is Naden Delal. 

I am a black ryuu from the Star Dragon Mountain Range, and just the other day, I formed a dragon knight contract with King Souma of Friedonia, and then came to this country to become his bride. 

Mind you, even if it is a dragon knight contract, Souma’s a king, and I’m a ryuu, so we’re kind of an exception to the norm. 

Now, the night we returned to Parnam Castle, Souma called me into the governmental affairs office. 

“Hey, Naden, they gave you an education on how to act like a proper lady in the Star Dragon Mountain Range, right?” 

“Yeah,” I said. “Lady Tiamat taught me everything I’d need to know so that I would be ready to become a knight’s wife.” 

“Judging from how well you dance, the level of education in the Star Dragon Mountain Range seems to be high. I don’t think you need any new lessons on how to become a queen.” 

According to Souma, unlike a primary queen, a secondary queen gave up the right of her children to inherit the throne in exchange for not being restrained by all the strict rules of etiquette. If she always supported the primary queens in public, and maintained a certain base level of etiquette, that was apparently enough. 

Because a woman could become a secondary queen regardless of her social status, and because, as long as she reported she was going, she could head out to the castle town with relative freedom, many women aspired to become secondary queens. 

Souma scratched his cheek as he said, “Well, even if you’ll be a secondary queen, you’re still royalty, so normally you’d need a guard when you went outside, but... I doubt there’s going to be much that poses a risk to a ryuu. If you take on ryuu form, no one can lay a hand on you, and if it really gets risky, you can fly away.” 

“I think you’re right, but... what are you trying to get at?” I wasn’t sure why he was being so roundabout about this. 

Souma smiled wryly and told me, “I’ll be heading to the Republic of Turgis soon, but you can’t come with us because it’s so cold there, right, Naden? So, while I’m gone, your schedule’s going to be empty.” 

He was right—ryuus, dragons, and dragonewts didn’t stand up well to the cold. If I insisted against my better judgment on accompanying him to a land of freezing cold like Turgis, it might ruin my health and cause trouble for Souma. That was why I couldn’t accompany Souma on his trip to the Republic of Turgis. It frustrated me to not be able to help. 

“Don’t make that face.” Souma rose from his chair and patted me on the head. “I have a request for you. Something only you can handle. Once we come back from the republic, I want to have a meeting with you about it.” 

“Souma...” 

“That’s why, well, I wanted to say it would be good for you to look around the capital to your heart’s content until then. The security inside the capital is solid, after all. I like the way you’re free and uninhibited. I don’t want to tie you down to the castle.” Souma smiled. “So you can go around the castle town freely. That’s what I wanted to tell you.” 

“Souma... Um, thanks.” 

Souma was thinking about my needs. I was grateful for that. 

“Ha ha...” he chuckled. “Oh, also, take care of Liscia for me, too.” 

“Yeah, she was looking a bit under the weather.” 

She’d said it was exhaustion catching up with her, but I was a little worried. 

“Roger that. I’ll look after Liscia.” I pounded my chest with one hand as I promised him that.

“Though, even if he tells me I can come and go freely...” 

Some days after Souma and the others had left for the Republic of Turgis, I went down to the castle town. 

As for Liscia, who’d been feeling unwell, she might not have made a full recovery yet, but she’d stabilized. She had no fever, and had an appetite. But, to stay on the safe side, she would be taking it easy and letting her body relax for a while. There would be a good doctor coming to see her tomorrow, so there was nothing for me to do. 

That being the case, I’d come down to the castle town, but I had no idea what to do. It was an unfamiliar land to me, after all. I could see the castle from anywhere in town, so there was no risk of me getting lost, but where was I going to go? While I was thinking that... 

“Hm?” 

Suddenly, I felt a tug on my skirt, and when I looked down there was a little girl who only came up to my waist, crying and clinging to the hem of my skirt. 

Once I saw the girl to the fountain plaza where her friend was, I ended up playing with them, too, and I was covered in mud by the time I got back to the castle. 

When she heard about it, I was summoned by Liscia, who gave me an earful. 

“Naden... you played around too much,” she scolded. 

“Yeah...” 

It had been maybe fifteen minutes since I’d been made to sit in front of the bed Liscia was sitting in. 

“Take more care about the way people see you, even if you’re a secondary queen, show some understanding of your position, and, really, should a woman be going and getting covered in mud like that to begin with...?” It seemed to me, from the lecture I’d gotten, that she was plenty healthy. 

“Naden,” Liscia said and looked straight at me. 

W-Was I in for more? I tensed myself, expecting that, but Liscia put on a smile. 

“Have you taken a liking to this country?” 

I smiled and gave her a firm answer. “Yup!” 

Poncho Becomes a Governor 

It happened just before Souma departed for the Star Dragon Mountain Range. 

On this day, Souma summoned the Kingdom of Friedonia’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Poncho, to the governmental affairs office. 

When Poncho entered the room, Souma was seated in his chair, and for some reason the head maid Serina was standing in the corner of the room. 

The presence of Serina, who stood there with a composed look on her face, seemed to catch his attention, but Poncho first addressed the provisional king. 

“I-I have come at your behest, yes.” 

“It’s good to have you here,” Souma answered. “I have a job for you.” 

“A job, is it?” 

Souma unfurled a map of the country on top of the desk. “You know we built the new city, Venetinova, as a key point for the distribution of goods, right? In consideration of the city’s importance, I decided that, instead of a magistrate, I would create a new ‘governor’ post and have that person manage the city. I plan to entrust it to Weist, who distinguished himself during the war, but it seems he’s preoccupied with the procedures for changing his domain. That’s why, for the time being, I need someone else to serve as the governor in his place. I want you to do the job, Poncho.” 

“Me, manage such an important city?!” 

“It’s because it’s an important city. That, and also because the city has taken in a large number of former refugees as citizens. If I made the mistake of leaving it to a prideful noble, there’s the risk they would cause unneeded friction. I want someone with a mild personality, and one who has ample support from the populace.” 

“B-But... I lack the experience...” Poncho looked uncertain. 

But Souma smiled wryly and gave him his seal of approval. “It should be fine. I’ve asked Serina to serve as your assistant. Besides, Komain, who was formerly the assistant leader of the refugees, is in Venetinova, too. You know her, right?” 

“Y-Yes... Yes. We met a number of times while I was distributing food support...” 

Komain was the young woman who had been the assistant leader of the refugee camp, and she was the one who’d brought together the former refugees who’d chosen to cast aside their homelands to become citizens of the kingdom. Her personality was never timid, even when dealing with men, and that made her popular. With her help, the citizens would easily accept Poncho. 

“You can consult with the two of them while you work,” Souma said. “I’m counting on you.” 

Now that the provisional king had told him that, Poncho was unable to say he didn’t want to do it. “Y-Yes. I understand. I’ll be counting on your support, too, Madam Serina.” 

“If it is my master’s order, it would seem I have no choice,” Serina said with a composed look on her face, then bowed. “I will support you to the best of my abilities.” 

The fact of the matter was, when Souma had told Serina, “I want you to go to Venetinova as Poncho’s assistant,” she had accepted immediately. It seemed she didn’t want to be unable to eat Poncho’s food while he was away from the castle. Knowing that fact, all Souma could do was smile wryly. 

“Well, do your best. Oh, also, I think all the marriage proposals that have been coming to the castle for you will start to go to that city, so good luck sorting through all of those.” 

“C-Come again?” The sudden mention of marriage proposals made Poncho’s eyes go wide and his voice to sound funny. “Th-There’ve been proposals for me?” 

“Yeah. So, you know one of the reasons for my trip abroad is to provide an excuse to decline all the requests to meet young women with an eye to marriage that have been swamping the castle, right? Well, we’ve had a number of the same sort of requests for you. For the sake of the castle, I’d like to have you go elsewhere, too.” 

“Th-Then, the reason I was chosen to be magistrate of Venetinova was also...” 

“That’s part of it, too. I’ve given you Serina as an assistant, so do your best.” 

Having been told that, all Poncho could do was stand there, as if in a daze.

Some days later, in the office in the governor’s mansion in Venetinova... 

“Now then, I’ll make a roster of the refugees who’ve joined us,” said Komain. 

“Please do that, yes.” 

Poncho watched as the girl who had formerly been the assistant leader of the refugees left the room, papers in hand. This was the last thing he had needed to give his approval for as governor today. 

“Your government duties for the day are finished, but there are still things that need doing,” his assistant, Serina, said. 

Poncho, who understood what Serina meant, hesitantly asked, “...So, how many will there be today? Yes?” 

“Five people. A relatively low number,” Serina said plainly, causing Poncho’s shoulders to slump. 

Whenever his duties were finished, it was time to meet prospective marriage candidates. The daughters of nobles and powerful merchants who wanted to marry him were apparently already standing by in the waiting room. It was a regular work day, so he was getting off with just five, but on his days off, he was swamped with so many applicants that they had to form a line. 

That was Poncho, the man revered as Lord Ishizuka the God of Food, for you. He was so popular that he couldn’t rest even on his days off. If he would just marry one of them already, things might settle down a little, but unfortunately, even with all these offers coming in, not one came to fruition. 

“I’m sorry to put you through this too, Madam Serina,” he said. 

“This is an order from my master, so don’t let it bother you.” 

Serina accompanied Poncho to all of these marriage meetings. That was because Souma had asked her to keep a close eye on him and make sure Poncho didn’t fall for a woman or a House that had ulterior motives. 

Serina had a cool look on her face as she spoke, and Poncho acted very obliged to her. 

“I’m truly grateful to you, Madam Serina, yes.” 

“Talk is cheap.” Serina turned away, then glanced sideways at Poncho. “I’d like to see you show your sincerity.” 

“I understand, yes.” With a wry smile, Poncho pulled a certain something out of his desk drawer. When he placed that long, black thing on his desk, Serina looked at it intently. 

“Is this... seaweed, perhaps?” 

“This is a seaside city, after all. I managed to acquire some good quality kombu. Tonight I’ll use the broth from this and eggs to make the dish called ‘chawanmushi’ that His Majesty taught me, yes.” 

“Chawanmushi... What sort of dish might that be?” Her tone was level, but there was a sparkle in Serina’s eyes, and it was clear she was intrigued. 

“It’s soft like pudding, but it has a taste as deep as the sea, I’m told.” 

“Ooh... Let’s get these meetings out of the way quickly, Sir Poncho.” 

Serina took Poncho’s arm with an entranced look on her face. With Serina, whose head was no doubt full of chawanmushi, rushing him, Poncho left the office with a strained smile. 

Incidentally, with Serina getting worked up, the bar was about to be raised for Poncho’s meetings with prospective partners, but... that is a story for another time. 

(To be continued in volume 7.) 

Juna and Roroa Demand Answers 

This happened the night that I temporarily returned from the Star Dragon Mountain Range to the Kingdom of Friedonia to consult with the others on whether to form a dragon knight contract, which was essentially an engagement, with Naden. 

When I introduced Naden to Liscia, Juna, and Roroa, the ones who had remained in the kingdom, Liscia took Naden away (for some reason, she said they’d be taking a bath together), and I found myself being pulled away, with Roroa and Juna each holding one arm, and dragged to Roroa’s room. 

Roroa’s room was filled with lots of girlish little things. 

They sat me down in a chair in that room, and Roroa sat down across from me at a small table. Juna wore a broad smile as she stood at Roroa’s side. 

Some days later, Hal and Kaede accompanied the king south to the Republic of Turgis. 

However, I ended up staying behind and watching the home front at the House of Magna. Dragons and ryuus were weak against the cold, and I would just be in the way if I accompanied the to the frigid lands of the republic. 

And so, for the time being, I was enjoying the first family I had ever had. 

“What do you think, Father Glaive?” I asked, giving him a shoulder rub. 

“U-Ungh... Not bad.” 

Glaive had a gruff face, and he could be curt, but his ears were turning red, so I could easily tell he felt embarrassed. I’d thought he was a dapper old man, but he had a pretty cute side to him, too. 

“Ruby, dear, I’m going to be getting dinner ready,” said Lady Elba. “Could you help?” 

“Yes, Mother Elba!” 

And I cheerily went over to the kitchen. 

The What-If Known as Discarded Setting Elements 

*Note: This story has nothing to do with the main story. Sorry.

“...There sure are a lot of them,” Liscia said. “Far more than predicted.” 

“That’s just how serious the principality is.” 

As Liscia and I stood on the walls of Altomura, we could see the advancing forces of the Principality of Amidonia coming our way. The 30,000 soldiers of the principality’s army, which had moved into Elfrieden to take advantage of discord between the three dukes and me, were advancing from the south towards the fertile grain-producing region of Altomura. 

We had only just put down the three dukes, and our main force, the Forbidden Army, was in the middle of absorbing the Army in the Carmine Duchy and being reorganized as the National Defense Force. The newly reorganized National Defense Force wouldn’t be coming here, and would instead launch a counter-invasion to the north and take the capital of the principality, Van. 

That was why Altomura had only the local garrison of five hundred soldiers and a force of two thousand marines under the command of Admiral Excel of the Navy. We had to stop the principality’s force of 30,000 with only 2,500 soldiers, and to buy time until the main force could begin their counter-invasion. 

“It’s going to be a hard battle,” Liscia said. 

“We knew that. That’s why we brought that thing, isn’t it?” 

We turned around to look at the shining, metallic silver of a massive mechanical dragon. Created by the pride of our kingdom, the overscientist Genia Maxwell, this was Mechadra. It was a weapon with armor that was impervious to cannons, and it had a built in Type-10 which deflected magic attacks, but no functions that would make it move. It had been a white elephant, with no purpose but to maybe act as a giant scarecrow. However, my ability, Living Poltergeists, was able to move it. 

“Your Majesty, things are ready on my end,” Aisha called. 

“The marines are ready to go anytime,” Juna added. 

The greatest warrior in the kingdom, Aisha, and the songstress who was also the commander of the marines, Juna, came along. They both reported in like that. If we sent Mechadra out, it was guaranteed to sow confusion in the principality’s ranks. In that time, Aisha and the marines would sally from the back gate, then make a big loop around to cut off the enemy’s supply lines from the rear. 

I nodded to the two of them. “Okay. Well, let’s get started.” 

““Yes, sir!”” 

Watching Aisha and Juna run off, I tried to get into Mechadra’s “cockpit.” That was when it happened. Suddenly... 

“Souma!” Liscia shouted my name and got me to stop. 

I turned back to look, and Liscia threw herself at me and hugged me. 

“L-Liscia?” 

After I caught her, stumbling slightly, Liscia said in a strained voice, “Um, listen... I’m sorry. For getting you caught in a battle like this.” 

There were tears in her eyes. Her moistened eyes were bleary with the guilt of having torn me from my homeland, but still having made me fight on behalf of this country. She must have had it eating at her all this time. 

I didn’t want Liscia to look at me like that, so I put a hand on top of her head. “Don’t make that face. I’m the king now, and there are things I must do.” 

Liscia kept acting worried. “But if anything were to happen to you... I... Eek!” 

I hugged her tight. As I embraced her body, which despite all her strength was quite delicate, I gently patted the back of her head. 

“It’s okay. Mechadra and I won’t lose.” 

“Souma...” 

“So, wait for me. I’ll send them packing, and then I’ll come right back to your side.” 

“...Right!” 

I released Liscia and got in the cockpit. Then, as I sat in my seat, I pressed my hands to the sides of the cockpit, transferring one of my consciousnesses into Mechadra. 

In the next instant, Mechadra began to move like it had a will of its own, and let out a mechanical roar. 

Okay... Let’s go, Mechadra. 

“This is Souma Kazuya in Mechadra, launching.” 

? ? ? 

“...Wait, huh?” 

When I opened my eyes, I was in the governmental affairs office in Parnam. 

In front of me was a mountain of paperwork to look through. Yep... the usual. 

It looked like I’d dozed off while doing paperwork. I felt like I’d been watching a pretty realistic dream for a rather long time, but... I couldn’t remember the details. 

Well, that’s just how dreams are. 

When I stretched, Liscia, who had been doing paperwork with me, looked over at me with a mystified look on her face. 

“Are you okay? If you’re tired, you should rest, you know?” 

Liscia was showing concern for my well-being, but I told her with a forced smile, “No, it’s nothing. I just dozed off and had a weird dream.”

Explanation: This is what the story looks like if all limiters have been removed, and Souma’s abilities, Mechadra’s functions, and the reactions of surrounding countries to both are addressed. In the early stages of writing Realist Hero, I considered letting Souma really let loose with his abilities, but it seemed more difficult to set this work apart from others that way, and it also seemed contrary to what the readers wanted, so I scrapped the idea. 

Liscia in Recovery 

I am Liscia Elfrieden. The candidate to become Souma’s First Primary Queen. 

With the matter of the Star Dragon Mountain Range sorted, we had all come back to the kingdom yesterday, but I must have been exhausted from all the moving around I’d done, because my health gave out. The symptoms were the dizziness and the lethargy I had felt affecting my whole body as I was disembarking from the gondola. Also, my appetite was a little weaker than usual. 

Because it was probably just a cold, I was resting and recuperating in my own bed. There were always people rushing around the castle, but today was quiet. I was sure they must have been trying not to make too much noise around this room because I wasn’t feeling well. 

“It feels like... time’s stopped,” I murmured. 

Ever since Souma arrived, the days had gone by blindingly fast, so it might have been a while since I’d felt so relaxed. Souma always had some sort of work, and since I had started helping him, it had been quite a while since I’d had time where I didn’t have to do anything. It was good to be able to relax, but... 

“...But I’m bored.” 

I always joined the castle guards in their training with Aisha when I had spare time, but I couldn’t do that in my condition. Well, I considered reading a book, but all I had in this room were manuals on military tactics and strategy. If I read these now, I was sure to lose my lunch. It hurt to admit it myself, but I sure had a bland room. The only girly thing in this room was a doll Souma had made as part of his hobby, so I felt pretty pathetic. (Souma had way too much girl power.) 

While I was sitting there with nothing to do, there was a knock at the door. 

“Come in,” I called out, and Roroa came in with Aisha, who was carrying some large, covered object. 

“Heya, Big Sister Cia, how’s your health holdin’ up?” 

“Pardon us... Oof.” Aisha laid her large parcel down on the floor. 

I blinked. “My health is stabilizing, but... what is that thing?” 

Roroa laughed mischievously. 

“I figured you’d be gettin’ bored, so we went and borrowed this from Darlin’. Right, Big Sister Ai?” 

“Yep. Ta-dah.” 

Aisha pulled back the cover to reveal a simple Jewel Voice Broadcast receiver. When Roroa pressed the switch on it, they were right in the middle of a singing program. 

“Went and had one of the royal family’s units adjusted to receive public broadcasts,” Roroa said with a smugly confident look. “This oughta help kill some boredom while ya can’t go out, don’tcha think?” 

“Ngh...” I murmured. 

It looked like, at some point, I had fallen asleep holding Naden’s book. 

By the time I woke up, the sun was already down. But it was still bright inside the room. That was because the lanterns were lit. Probably one of the maids had done that for me while I was asleep. 

When I sat up, there was a knock at the door. 

“How are you? Liscia.” 

The one who came in after that knock was Souma. In his hands he held a tray with a small pot on it. Carla was behind him, too, carrying a soup dish and more. 

“I heard you had no appetite, but I thought you should at least eat something,” Souma told me. “I imposed on the kitchen staff to have this made.” 

With that said, Souma lifted the lid on the pot to show me what was inside. 

“Ta-dah. Grandma’s special recipe for sick days, ‘Tamatama Udon.’” 

“Tamatama Udon?” 

“You simmer onions in the broth until they’re soft, then add in udon noodles, like the ones Poncho made for me. Once it’s boiled to the point it’s soft and easy to digest, you drop in an egg. There’s ginger in it, too, so it’ll warm you up, and it’s highly nutritious.” 

The steam wafted off of the soup broth before my eyes. I still didn’t have much of an appetite, but it seemed I was hungry. It made me want to eat really badly. 

“Thanks, I’ll have some,” I said. 

“Only as much as you can handle, okay? I’m sure Aisha will eat the leftovers.” 

“Hee hee! Maybe I’ll eat it all and make Aisha sad... Yep, this is good.” 

Souma and Carla smiled as they watched me eat the udon. I could feel everyone’s kindness... 

It’s a secret, but I thought, You know, this isn’t so bad, every once in a while. 

But I couldn’t have everyone worrying about me forever. Souma and the rest would be heading off for the Republic, but it sounded like Hilde the doctor would be coming soon. I’d need her to give me a thorough examination. 

The Former King and Queen are Enjoying the Slow Life 

The Kingdom of Friedonia had a domain in the mountains that was under the direct control of the royal family. 

It was the former domain of the previous king, Albert, from his days as a nobleman, and now it served as the place of retirement for the former royal couple. 

It was pastoral, and the people there worked the fields and dairy barns by day, and then, though they only had sound, they enjoyed the Jewel Voice Broadcast’s music and other programs while drinking at night. It was a relaxed lifestyle. This was the sticks, but the people were peaceful and it was a surprisingly easy area to live in. 

“La, la, la,” Albert sang. 

In that tranquil place, at Albert’s manor, the former king was currently pruning the trees in his garden while singing to himself. Though Albert was remembered by the people as a good man and a mediocre king, there was actually one talent in which he excelled: horticulture. 

Albert was especially good at making beautiful flowers bloom and neatly trimming the branches of the trees. This was because, in his days as an impoverished noble, he had done the gardening for the manor himself. Because it had partly been a hobby for him, his skill at it had quickly increased. The truth was, even after he’d married Elisha and joined the royal family, he had still occasionally helped maintain the castle’s inner gardens. 

In particular, Albert was skilled at pruning the trees so that their branches took on the shape of animals (topiary). The leaves and branches he was pruning now were going to look like a swan cleaning its wings. There were still some minute details for him to work on, but it was already high enough quality work that it felt like it had a sense of motion to it. Then... 

“Al, would you take a break and join me for tea?” his wife called. 

The former queen, Elisha, was on the terrace adjoining the gardens, a maid standing at her side with tea already prepared. 

Albert wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled at her. “Ohh, Elisha. I’ll be right there.” 

And so, the two quietly enjoyed afternoon tea on the terrace. The afternoon went by slowly around them. Elisha enjoyed looking at the gardens as she sipped her tea. 

“The number of flowers and animals has certainly increased. It’s like we’re living in a storybook.” 

“A-Ahahaha... Maybe I got carried away and made too many after our son-in-law praised me for them,” Albert said with an embarrassed laugh. 

Albert’s horticultural skills were wonderful, and the current provisional king, Souma, viewed them with deference. Because of that, Souma paid for Albert’s gardening expenses out of his own pocket money. He’d built a greenhouse in the garden, and whenever he came across unusual flowers, he would send them to Albert to see if they could be cultivated in this country. Because of that, the current garden was filled with flowers and animal-shaped trees of all colors. 

When she saw how bashful Albert was, Elisha giggled. “Oh, what’s the harm? This garden is very popular, after all.” 

There was a sudden pattering of footsteps. It looked like the children from the nearby village had come to play. 

“Kiiiing! Queeeen! Hello.” 

“““Hello!””” 

The children greeted them with flawless smiles. 

“Hey, hey, queen,” one of the children said. “Can we explore the garden again?” 

“Hee hee! You can.” 

Having gotten her approval, the children cried out, “Yay!” throwing their hands up in the air and running off toward the garden. 

This garden, overflowing with its many-colored flowers and animal-shaped trees, was an alluring place for children to explore, and they often came here to play. Albert and Elisha didn’t really mind this, but the children’s parents, who were aware of their status, were very humble about it, and they always sent fresh vegetables as a token of appreciation for letting their children play. 

“It does me good to see them so energetic, but we’re not king and queen, or anything else for that matter, anymore,” Albert said, feeling troubled as he touched his mustache. 

“Oh, what’s the harm?” Elisha said. “Let them call us what they want.” 

“I understand that, but it makes me feel like I’m doing a disservice to our son-in-law and Liscia, who work so hard in the castle.” 

“Hee hee! Those kids wouldn’t mind it at all.” Having said that, Elisha watched the children frolicking in the garden. “To think we can spend our days in peace like this... I never imagined it.” 

“Indeed. The first half of our lives was especially difficult, after all.” 

The two of them had supported one another in order to make it through the succession war that had followed the death of the king before Albert. At the time, the two of them probably could never have imagined that a peaceful life like this would come. 

Smiling, Elisha placed her hand on top of Albert’s. “But that’s why I’m glad I chose you. Because the me of this world chose you, we’re able to live out our days in peace like this.” 

“Elisha... It was your power that made it possible for me to entrust the throne to our son-in-law. Thanks to that, I’m able to take it easy and muddle around in the garden, and to spend time with the people I love.” 

“I love you, Al.” 

“I love you, too, Elisha.” 

The maid could only smile wryly as he watched this well-aged couple giving off a lovey dovey aura. 

Then another maid came up to the two of them and handed a letter to Albert. “Master Albert, a letter from Liscia addressed to the two of you.” 

“Hmm. From Liscia? Is she doing well?” 

Accepting the letter, the two of them looked through it. And then... 

“Oh, dear,” said Albert. 

“Oh, me. Oh, my,” said Elisha. 

Its contents made the two of them smile in satisfaction.