How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 10: Chapter SS2

Book 10: Chapter SS2

Bonus Short Stories

Visiting the Doma Family

It was early spring, with my coronation and marriage to Liscia and the others gradually approaching, and I was now visiting a port town near Lagoon City with Juna.

Its been a while since Ive ridden in a traditional carriage. Its a bit hard on the backside, huh? I commented, pressing a hand to my lower back.

Juna giggled. The carriages in the capital and the rhinosaurus trains have been designed to reduce the shaking, after all.

We had flown out of the capital with Naden, but I figured it would cause an uproar if a ryuu landed in a little town like this, so wed asked her to set down in Lagoon City, and we were taking a merchants carriage from there.

Our business being what it was, Naden was waiting back at Lagoon City.

Mmm... This sure is exactly what youd expect a port town to feel like. I yawned, taking a big, deep breath of the sea breeze.

Its a town like any other youd find on the coast, Juna said. If theres one thing we can pride ourselves on, its that you can always eat fresh fish.

I love towns like this.

Hee hee, thank you. Welcome to the town where I was born. Juna extended her hand to me.

I took her hand in mine and started walking with her. In a romantic way, of course.

As we were walking, several people called out to Juna.

Oh, Juna, youre back? one lady asked.

Its been too long, maam, Juna said. Im here to visit my family for a bit.

From the way you two are holding hands, could that man be your...

Hee hee, its a secret.

It seemed, as you might expect from her hometown, a lot of people knew her here.

Well, even if some people seemed to have cottoned on to who I was, no one was prying too deeply. That probably showed just how much everyone in this town loved Juna.

We kept walking until we stood in front of a house. It had a cute red roof that made me think of a doll house. As someone used to the dense neighborhoods of the country Id come from, it seemed reasonably large, but by the standards of this world, it was a normal size.

Your father manages the Lorelei singing cafe, which has a large number of branches, doesnt he? I asked. This place is... Well, its comforting to a former peasant like me.

Hee hee, its tiny, isnt it? Juna giggled. The main branch is in Lagoon City, and this house is just for our family to live in, so its big enough.

I guess youre right. Having a house thats too big can be inconvenient.

The castle was so huge, it was a lot of trouble getting from one side of it to the other. Well, it was generally just my own room and the governmental affairs office I was going in between, and when I got busy, I slept in the office, so it felt less like I lived in a luxurious mansion and more like I was a live-in worker at a company, or something like that. But still.

Id love to live in a little town by the sea like this, I told her.

Would you? Once Prince Cian is all grown up and you can abdicate the throne to him, why dont we live here?

Ha ha ha, that could be a good idea.

If Liscia could have heard us, she would have angrily told me I was getting ahead of myself.

We reached the entrance.

Now then, sire, please, come inside, Juna told me.

As I was shown into the house, Junas family was already waiting in the living room. They greeted us warmly, though they seemed a little tense.

Wh-Why, Your Majesty! How could of you to come to our humble home, her father said nervously.

Oh, no, I should have come to pay my respects as soon as possible. I shook hands with Junas father as I apologized. Im sorry that I used my busyness as an excuse not to come sooner.

I greeted Junas mother and sat down on the sofa at her fathers invitation. Once I was seated, I bowed my head deeply one more time.

Im truly sorry. Im taking Juna... your daughter... as my bride, but it took me far too long to come pay my respects.

In the time since I had gotten engaged to Juna, I had been busy with government work, diplomatic visits, and dispatching reinforcements, so I just hadnt managed to find time to come meet her folks. I was in frequent contact with Junas guardian, Excel, at least, and I had stayed in contact with her parents by exchanging letters, but I had long wanted to come pay my respects in person, like any man ought to.

Her father hurriedly shook his head. No, no! The engagement was something Juna wanted for herself.

But... youre not worried about your daughter becoming a secondary queen? I asked.

I am, but Juna has never been one to back down on something once shes made up her mind, so I always knew shed choose her partner for herself. It seems Excels blood runs thicker in her veins than in mine. I dont know whether to call her devoted, or stubborn...

D-Dad! Juna sounded unusually flustered. Like with a parent-teacher meeting, having a relative tell someone about you had to be embarrassing.

Still, though her father was as beautiful as I would expect from someone of Excels lineage, he seemed surprisingly normal.

It happened when Juna was maybe ten years old, the man reminisced. She said she was going to join the Navy with my mother. And then, while she was being trained by my mother, who was amused by the idea, she became more and more like her... He trailed off and paused. Um, are you sure youre okay? She wont run you ragged like my mother does, will she?

I would never! Junas face was red with embarrassment. ...Please, youre embarrassing me.

I wanted to see more of these rare expressions from Juna, so I said to her father, No, do tell more. We have lots of time, so tell me all your old stories about Juna.

Not you, too, sire! Juna elbowed me a bit, but I really did want to hear.

After that, Junas parents and I talked at length about her. By the way, we kept talking even after Juna left the room in utter humiliation, and I had to go to a lot of trouble to get her back into a good mood later.

Ruby Roars

Congratulations!

You make such beautiful brides!

I wish both the brides happiness!

Under clear skies, the wedding guests were scattering wheat to celebrate the new brides and groom who had just said their wedding vows in front of a priest at the church. This was supposed to be a ritual where the brides and groom were showered with wheat as a wish for fertility. However...

Out with the oni!

Out with the oni!

Ow, ow, ow! You idiots, hold back a little!

Some tough male guests were throwing the wheat overhand, directly at the groom. This was Halbert, Kaede, and Rubys wedding ceremony, and the ones throwing wheat at Halbert were his fellow Dratroopers. In order to give their blessings to Halbert, and to take out their jealousy over him being the only one to score two cute brides, they were throwing the wheat with all their might.

Out with the oni!

What is that strange shout for? Halbert shouted.

Its apparently an incantation from His Majestys world, used when driving oni out of your house, you know, Kaede, in her white shiromuku outfit, said with a peaceful look on her face.

The men were, of course, being careful not to hit Kaede or Ruby. That meant Halbert was facing the relentless assault of wheat grapeshot on his own. The wheat attack finally let up by the time it was time to throw the bouquet.

...Yeesh. That was hell, Halbert muttered.

You held up well, you know, Hal, Kaede smiled.

Come on, the ceremony isnt over, so keep yourself together! Ruby grinned.

With Kaede comforting him, and Ruby, wearing a wedding dress borrowed from his mother, rousing him to action, Halbert smiled wryly and fixed his collar.

Whew... Thats the ceremony finished, at least. Now its just the reception.

Kaede giggled. Come to think of it, Sir Glaive was crying manly tears at the ceremony. I always thought it was the brides father who was supposed to cry at times like this.

During the ceremony, Halberts father had been crying as if he was overcome with emotion. However, remembering the scene, Halbert could only shrug and smile wryly. Nah, Im sure he felt emotional seeing the two of you in your wedding dresses. Hes known you since you were little, Kaede, and because Rubys hair is red, hes been treating her like his own daughter. Im sure he didnt see me as anything more than a bonus that came with the two of you.

He has been treating me as well as a daughter, Ruby agreed. Even before officially becoming Glaives daughters-in-law, they had already been his daughters, as far as he was concerned.

Still, Im not sure he should have cried even more than your old man, Kaede, Halbert added.

Ahaha... Kaede laughed wryly.

Why not? Im envious of you for having a family like that, Ruby said. As a dragon, she had no family, just like Naden. Ruby had no blood relatives who could come attend a ceremony like this.

Halbert and Kaede seemed at a loss for what to say.

Hey, dont look at me like that. Ruby shook her head. I have family, too, now. The two of you and all of the Magna and Foxia families are my family now, and thats enough for me.

Ruby... Halbert said slowly.

There was a sudden murmuring from the crowd.

Whats that?!

Its huge! Could that be?!

Wondering what it was, the three of them looked up to the sky, and...

Huh?!

Though it must have been flying at a great height, they could clearly make out the figure of a white dragon.

Is that Lady Tiamat?! Ruby gasped.

Mother Dragons observational flight... You almost never see her out in broad daylight like this... Kaede murmured.

Normally, Mother Dragon made her observational flights at night. If she was appearing in broad daylight like this, and over the capital where both Naden and Ruby were having their weddings, that showed clear intent on her part.

Halbert hugged Ruby close and said, See, Ruby? You had a mother who would come to your wedding, after all.

Yes!

Then they heard a roar from the direction of the castle. It must have been Naden. Not wanting to be outdone, while still in human form, Ruby unleashed a dragons roar towards her mother in the sky. Had her two daughters voices reached her? Madam Tiamats voice echoed back like the song of a whale.

The Secret XXXXXX Fortitude Enhancement Plan

Hm... Well need this... and a little more of this, Serina murmured.

It was a day with Soumas coronation and wedding fast approaching. In the study at Ponchos mansion, the castles head maid, Serina, seemed to be looking over some documents. As she did, Komain, who was passing by with some laundry, cocked her head to the side.

Serina? What are you doing?

Oh, I was making sure well have enough of the ingredients well be using for the dishes we serve at our reception, Serina said nonchalantly.

The fact that Soumas coronation and wedding were close also meant that Poncho, Serina, and Komains wedding and reception, which would be held at the same time, were close, too.

Komain laid the dried laundry on the sofa and took a peek at the documents Serina was looking at. Its almost time for the wedding, yeah. Are we short on anything?

No, I was simply checking to be certain. We do expect a good number of people to be in attendance, after all. As the House of Ishizuka Panacotta, it would be a disaster if we were to be short of food during our reception.

Ohh... You have a point there. Komain winced a little as she agreed.

This was Poncho, who had first acted as the Minister for the Food Crisis, resolving the food crisis which tormented people both in the kingdom and the principality. He now acted as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, working to spread knowledge of delicious ingredients and how to cook them. He was even worshiped by some as the God of Food, Lord Ishizuka, by some of the people.

There were high expectations for the food at his wedding, and the guests would no doubt be arriving hungry. Poncho was also an emergent noble, and members of the knights and nobility would be in attendance. Not only that, he had invited his wholesalers and suppliers as well, so they expected that many people who were more concerned with their appetites than their appearances would be coming.

If your family hadnt stepped in to help, Im sure it would have been chaos, Komain put in.

The servants for the event would be Serinas family. Having been able to secure a large group of specialists in the service industry had really saved the three of them.

Serina smiled slightly. If theyve been of service, nothing would make me happier.

Hee hee, are you feeling a little embarrassed, Serina?

Not in the least. Serina turned away peevishly, making Komain chuckle.

This was the same Serina who loved to toy with Liscia and Carla, but she wasnt used to being teased herself. Serina cleared her throat a little, then showed Komain one page from the document.

I do not think there will be any shortages, but we should acquire large quantities of the ingredients used in any dishes we expect to be popular. I suspect many people will eat Napolitan spaghetti as a main course, not a side, so it might be best if we were to buy more pasta.

You have a point... Oh?

Komain was looking through the papers when she stopped on an item at the bottom of the list of ingredients to add. There were a small number of items there that seemed unlikely to be needed for cooking.

Mead...? she read slowly and looked up.

Serina quickly looked away. From that reaction, it seemed these were items Serina had ordered personally, with her own intentions.

You like mead, Serina? Komain asked.

No... I dont mind it, but Im not especially fond of it, either.

Huh? Then why are you ordering it?

Thats... for Sir Poncho to drink...

Serina was being evasive, so Komain looked at her dubiously.

Does Poncho like mead?

...I couldnt say. I am not aware whether he does or not.

Huh? Youre ordering it even though you dont know if he likes it or not?

Well, I intend to force him to drink it, either way.

Huh? Komain had no idea what Serina was up to. Um... What exactly are you doing...?

This isnt solely for my sake. I am doing it for yours, as well.

Huh?

Its nothing. Now, let us get back to work. Serina clapped her hands.

Komain wasnt satisfied with her answers, but she remembered she had left the laundry out, so, even as she cocked her head to the side in confusion, she gathered up the laundry and left the room.

Left alone in the room, Serina looked down at the list Komain had left. Thinking of the purpose of the mead...

You will be taking both of us as wives. Youll need it, wont you, dear? Serina covered her mouth with the list to cover her girlish smile.

Incidentally, though Serina did not know this, the word honeymoon in Soumas original world came from a tradition where the groom would drink mead for the first month after marriage, in order to increase his sexual fortitude, while the newlywed couple stayed cooped up in the home and worked hard at procreating. It seemed this familys honeymoon would be an intense one.

The Drill Princess Wants Out

While Soumas marriage was in progress, the third princess of the Gran Chaos Empire, Trill, stood in front of Souma and the others, her hands together on her chest and her head lowered.

To King Souma, and all his queens, congratulations. In place of my elder sister, Empress Maria, I pray for your great happiness and the continued friendship and development of our two nations.

This was a day of celebration, so she wasnt in her usual outfit for working on machinery but instead a dress befitting a princess of the Empire. Because of that, her impressive portions, which contrasted with her short stature and were normally covered up by a blacksmiths apron, stood out all the more. Basically, she stuck out in all the right places. Like they say, clothes make the man. Or the woman, in this case. Dressed like this, she looked the part of a princess for sure.

When Trills remarks were finished, Souma stood up.

Thank you, Madam Trill. We, too, would like to continue our friendship with the Empire. Please, communicate that to Madam Maria.

I most assuredly will.

With her respects paid, Trill retreated to the seats for foreign guests. She sat and maintained her composed expression, but internally she was impatient.

Urgh, I want to get out of here, fast!

Trill had been thinking that the entire ceremony. It wasnt that she didnt respect Souma and his queens, and it wasnt that she didnt care about relations between the kingdom and the Empire either. It was because the kingdom and the Empire were engaged in a joint research project together that Trill had been able to come to this country where the people who were the object of her admiration, the House of Maxwell, were. She was grateful to Souma for proposing the idea, and that was why she was attending this ceremony.

However, while this ceremony was happening, the sole heir of the House of Maxwell, Genia, was getting married to Ludwin. Trill called Genia her big sister out of respect, and she wanted more than anything to be at her wedding.

I have complicated feelings about it being a wedding to Lord Arcs, who wants to monopolize Big Sister, but Merula and Taru will both be attending, and Id hate to be the only one left out. Maybe I should just slip out...? But if I did that, who knows what Big Sister Jeanne would say later...

Jeanne, who was Marias younger sister and Trills elder sister, had acridly told her not to let loose once she went to the kingdom. Because of the joint development project for the drill, there was probably no chance she would be suddenly hauled back to the Empire, but if she went too far, she would likely be forbidden further contact with Genia. The reasoning being that, as long as she was in the kingdom, she could give orders to others for the joint development project.

I would hate that! Not being able to meet with Big Sister Genia!

While she was looking around furtively, wondering what was happening with Genia, Trill noticed something. She saw Kuu, who was sitting next to her, give Leporina, who was sitting across from him, an order. Leporina made an unpleasant face, but got up and left the room immediately.

Umm... Sir Kuu? Trill whispered. Where did Leporina go?

Kuu smirked. Ookyakya! Oh, shes making a little trip to Genia and Lord Arcss wedding. I ordered her to go snatch the bouquet when the bride throws it.

Big Sister Genias bouquet?! Trills eyes went wide. Thats not fair! I want it, too!

Ookya? No, no, youre not going to be getting married anytime soon, right? Me, Taru, and Leporina will probably be next, so its a perfect fit.

Thats not! ...the issue here. Her voice rose for an instant, but Trill returned to a whisper and continued. Then give me the bouquet after shes caught it. You only need to be the ones who caught the bouquet. After that, you should be done with it.

Thats, well... I guess youre right. What Kuu wanted was the superstition, not the flowers themselves.

Right? Trill pursued. If the bouquet is just going to wither, Ill make it into dried or pressed flowers and keep it as a family treasure.

A family treasure...? Kuu repeated. Could the wedding bouquet of the kingdoms foremost researcher really become a family treasure for the imperial royal family? He looked a bit exasperated. Youre, uh... not much better than me, huh.

Trill had managed to make Kuu, who was always recklessly causing trouble for Taru and Leporina, this exasperated. In a way, she might be someone really special.

Well, when the wedding ceremonys over, Im planning to slip out, though, Kuu added.

Huh?! No fair! I want out, too!

Hm? You want me to carry you on my back? Its fast if we cut across the rooftops.

...No, I think Ill call a carriage.

This was a conversation that took place in one corner of Soumas wedding ceremony.

Kuu Joins In

And Im here.

Having slipped out once the coronation and wedding at the castle were over and all that remained was the party, Kuu was now landing at the site of Ludwin and Genias wedding.

He was landing because he had taken a shortcut across the rooftops between the castle and here. In the same formal attire hed worn for the coronation, at that.

Ah! Its Master Kuu! Leporina cried.

Noticing Kuus arrival, Leporina and Taru rushed over.

Hey, Leporina, Kuu said. Did you catch the bouquet like I told you to?

I did, but... it was pretty embarrassing. The other women glared at me.

Youre making her act recklessly, like always, Taru complained with exasperation, holding the bouquet Leporina had caught.

However, Kuu laughed it off without seeming to care. Hey, wheres the harm? Im sure that bouquet wanted to go to the next bride, too.

Then Leporina should hold it, too. Taru offered her the bouquet, but Leporina hurriedly shook her head.

No, no, you should hold on to it, as the first wife.

Well be getting married at the same time, so that doesnt make a difference.

Seeing Taru and Leporina trying to push the bouquet off on one another, Kuu sighed. Then how about you split it?

That feels kind of bad.

O-Okay... Kuu faltered. Thinking about it, it seemed a little ominous to split up the symbol of two loving peoples happiness, so they were right to firmly object.

Leporina came back to her senses and said, Wait, Master Kuu, shouldnt you go pay your respects to the bride and groom first?

Huh?! Whoops! Youve got a point there.

Kuu quickly brought Taru and Leporina with him and headed over to where Ludwin and Genia were. It seemed they were speaking to Genias fellow researcher, Merula.

Lord Arcsno, I guess from today on, its Lord Maxwell-Arcs, huh?and Genia, congratulations.

Ludwin wore a soft smile. Why, Sir Kuu. How good of you to come. A visit from the son of the head of the republic is too great an honor for a single humble servant of His Majesty, like myself.

Ookyakya! No need to be so stiff. Genias been taking good care of our Taru, so youre like family, even if we are from different countries.

Hee hee! You have a point. Tarus always good to me, too, Genia giggled. People like us always put logic and reason first, but Tarie always delivers parts that meet our demands. Nothing could make us more grateful.

No... Master Kuu tells me the development of the drill will benefit the republic, so Im happy to be a part of that, Taru said with a little smile.

Ludwin, who was watching the two of them warmly, asked Kuu, You were at the castle, right? How did His Majesty and the others look?

Oh, it was real austere and impressive, Kuu said. Bro did great during the coronation, and his brides looked pretty in their wedding dresses.

Im glad. Ludwin smiled. I see. It was unfortunate, as the former Captain of the Royal Guard, that I couldnt be there to help.

Hey, dont sweat it. It was Young Miss Roroa... or is it Queen Roroa now? Anyway, it was Queen Roroas idea to have weddings all around the city. Having a wedding with your cute wife here is helping support Bro. Think of it as a perk of the job.

...Yes. I do think Im fortunate.

Ookyakya! Youre not afraid to say it, huh? Kuu laid a hand down on Ludwins shoulder. Well, anyway, congrats. When we get married, well send an invite to the House of Maxwell-Arcs, so be sure you come, okay?

Sir Kuu, your marriage will be in the republic, right? I am a vassal of another country, you realize?

Like I care. Im inviting Bro, too, so come with him as a bodyguard.

...Very well. Ill be looking forward to it.

The women beside them were talking, too.

Id like to raise the revolving speed of the drill, Merula, said Genia.

Even if we increase the efficiency of the enchantment, there are currently limits on how much stress we can put on the revolving parts.

Its not just power; it needs to release heat, too.

They had started discussing the drill at some point. If Trill had been here, instead of still in the castle as the imperial ambassador, the discussion would have been even more lively. Unable to join in the conversation, Leporina, who was a girl, but not a researcher girl, was left standing on the sidelines.

Research girls from three countries, all standing together. This is a happy sight in its own right, Id say, Ludwin put in.

If only theyd chosen a sexier topic than a drill, sure. Kuu shrugged.

Hee hee! Well, thats fine, isnt it? Leporina said, hugging Kuu from behind.

Hey, what are you hugging me for? he objected.

I have nowhere else to be, so give me some attention. I have Tarus permission.

It seemed Leporina had gotten more forward in her approach to Kuu after receiving the okay from Taru. Kuu acted unhappy, but scratched his cheek like he wasnt entirely unwelcoming of this turn of events.

Stop hugging me from behind, he said.

Hm? Why? she asked.

Youre taller than me, so it makes me look pathetic.

Pfft! Ahaha! Leporina burst out laughing.

It seemed this was to be a wedding of many smiles.