Episode 86: Recovering Our Youth
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Atra Carta, the Continental Charter.
A law that broadly defines the way nobles should be and how autonomy should function.
It covers a wide range of practical matters, such as taxation and dispute mediation.
Just as religious figures have their scriptures, the Continental Charter is treated as a bible for nobles.
It is widely known among the nobility as a common understanding, and is now often brought up as a means of resolving disputes between nobles and nations.
“The conditions for a ceasefire that Ortenos proposes are the cession of the entire western region of the Elhoro River and the withdrawal of all troops belonging to the Kingdom of Naia stationed there.”
“Do you even realize how much territory the western Elhoro River encompasses? It’s about a quarter of the Hoshiros territory. There’s no way we can hand it over.”
My father and Galtano have been engaged in a war of words for some time now.
It seems my father is aiming to seize control of the western Elhoro River with this opportunity.
Since we are in a superior position, there is no reason for my father to hold back.
“It’s only a matter of handing over territory. As the loser, you should accept it willingly.”
“You sly fox, you dare spout such grand pronouncements from your secluded territory. In the first place, we have not been defeated. Bangwall was snatched away by thieves, and the north is being unjustly ravaged by barbaric mad dogs. The matter would be settled if you simply withdrew your troops.”
While overwhelmed by the clash of words between the heads of the families, I quietly remain vigilant.
“P-Please calm down, you two. Let’s be reasonable.”
“Lady Luna, why do you act so detached? Our land is being threatened, you know? If you intend to stand as the ruler of this country, shouldn’t you join our side instead of spouting platitudes?”
“Uu…”
Luna seems unable to recover from the shock she experienced earlier and has been listless.
Is this the weakness of someone who has fallen in love? I suppose I should offer her a helping hand.
“Lord Galtano, then why don’t you state your ceasefire conditions?”
“Hmph, I might be willing to give you Bangwall Fort as a special concession. However, nothing else. The Ortenos Army occupying the northern Hoshiros territory must withdraw immediately.”
The Ortenos’s achievements are mainly in the Bangwall area, led by me, and the Ronchant area, led by my grandfather.
It seems Galtano doesn’t want the north to be ravaged too much.
That’s only natural since it’s near the capital, Horoshion.
“Hmm, Evelyn, what do you think of this proposal?”
“It’s out of the question. Ortenos currently has effective control over Bangwall Fort. Urban development is progressing smoothly, and it is expected to grow into a secondary city within three years. There are no other notable cities in this area, so the area around Bangwall will inevitably become Ortenos’s domain. In summary, combined with Lord Ulgool’s achievements, the cession of the western Elhoro River region south of Fort Ronchant is reasonable.”
Evelyn speaks in one breath, understanding my intentions.
In other words, we already have Bangwall, so hand over the surrounding area as well, you bastard.
“Nonsense. Such sophistry is unacceptable. It is completely unjust.”
Galtano scoffs.
I look at Evelyn again.
“It is not unjust. According to the governance laws of the Continental Charter, the most important thing in a ceasefire is the validity of the border setting. Ceding the surrounding area is essential to mitigate geopolitical risks.”
“Tch… You, you’re a member of the Eastern Star Sect. Why are you siding with Ortenos?”
Evelyn relentlessly attacks Galtano, and even Galtano grimaces with displeasure.
“The Saint is the light that illuminates this world. Serving the land of Ortenos, where the Saint resides, is the greatest blessing for us in the Ballista Church.”
“Are you crazy…?”
It was definitely the right decision to bring Evelyn along.
I look at the lustful sister beside me, who is looking proud.
(Nice side boob.)
I’ve been so engrossed in city-building lately that I’ve been neglecting that side of things.
It’s not healthy for a noble man to not engage in regular sexual harassment.
Evelyn must have stiff shoulders, so I should give her a massage individually.
Nicoletta is also doing her job as a scribe perfectly, and she has a knack for fitting in perfectly where she’s needed.
It’s about time I rewarded her for her hard work.
Speaking of side boob, Luna has quite the pair herself.
Even if she’s feeling dejected, her body continues to grow.
Even after entering the phase where growth slows down at fifteen, I can feel her strong will to push forward.
Harassing a princess might become an international issue, but Luna is a close acquaintance to some extent, so maybe she’d let me get away with touching her thigh in the confusion.
◇◇◇◇
Around the time the sun was high in the sky.
“…Everyone, let’s take a break from the meeting and have lunch.”
When Luna takes the lead, lunch is brought in.
You might think we’re eating the enemy’s food, but there are tasters prepared.
They take a bite of each item to confirm that it is not poisoned.
Eating in enemy territory creates a strange sense of tension.
However, the Naia noble cuisine was a familiar taste and quite delicious.
Since we were originally the same country, it’s not surprising that we have the same food culture.
“Father, I’ll be excusing myself for a moment.”
I felt a slight urge to urinate, so I decided to leave my seat.
I leave the venue and decide to take a stroll through the garden.
The garden has been maintained in the style of a noble’s garden, so it must have been hastily prepared since this place was chosen as the venue.
Since the church ruins themselves are located next to the Elhoro River, the sound of the babbling stream is pleasant.
I look around and find a suitable thicket, where I pull down my trousers and pants and relieve myself.
“Fwaah.”
I let out a yawn without thinking, feeling relaxed.
The shivering sensation after urinating comes over me.
I must have been a little too relaxed.
Immediately after that, I heard footsteps behind me.
(This is bad… someone’s coming!)
I hurriedly tried to pull up my trousers, but I lost my balance and fell backward.
“Lord Sharka…?”
“Whoa!”
A bell-like girl’s voice called out from above.
And in front of the girl was a boy with his lower half exposed, sitting on his butt.
“Kyaa…! W-What are you doing!”
The girl puts her hands to her mouth and screams.
The girl who came was none other than Luna.
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A little later, Luna and I were sitting on a bench in the garden.
I feel like she’s become a little more distant than when we first met.
She vehemently opposed the ceasefire, and I showed her my bare bottom, so it’s only natural.
“I’m sorry, Lady Luna… I showed you something unpleasant.”
“N-No, I’m the one who should apologize. I thought I hadn’t told you where the restroom was, so I hurried after you, but…”
(As a result, I encountered an exhibitionist.)
Luna said, looking down without meeting my eyes.
Since it was an abandoned church, I assumed there wouldn’t be a restroom.
I was completely caught off guard.
“We both had a misfortune. Let’s forget about it.”
“It’s alright, I don’t mind…”
“…”
“…”
An awkward atmosphere flows between Luna and me.
“Um, thank you for helping me earlier.”
“I didn’t do much, so don’t worry about it.”
Luna is probably referring to the ceasefire negotiations.
All I did was deflect the issue.
“I’ve been nothing but a hindrance since earlier. The Marquis of Hoshiros is right… I’m not qualified to be queen.”
“…What do you mean?”
Luna seems to be concerned about not being able to make a good impression at the ceasefire talks.
She also seems to have some deeper worries.
She must have something she wants to talk about.
“…Lord Sharka, would you listen to my story for a bit?”
Luna began to speak haltingly.
About the time her beloved aunt and cousin were poisoned.
About how Barbat tried to take her as his own, and the Seal of Chastity was engraved upon her.
About how Alberto has taken away her support, putting her in a difficult position.
“My happy times only exist in the past. No matter how much I wish for it, I can’t get them back. I’m just an empty vessel now. A doll who has lost her function as a woman and can’t even fulfill her innate mission.”
“…”
Looking at Luna’s expression, which looked like she was about to cry, I felt a pang in my chest.
“But, I got to know Lord Sharka. At first, I thought you were a scary person, and for the sake of Naia, I intended to sacrifice myself to send you a letter. But as I exchanged letters with you, I realized that I was enjoying myself. I wondered if I would get a reply soon, every single day… It’s silly, isn’t it?”
“…That’s not true. I felt the same way.”
It’s true that I’m attracted to Luna now.
But it’s somehow superficial, only on the surface.
Unlike with Elmia, I don’t feel that deep connection of Magical Power.
It’s quite a strange sensation, but this must be the effect of Luna’s chastity belt.
“Hehe, it’s just that Lord Sharka is so kind, I couldn’t help but wonder… could this be love?”
(It is love.)
I think.
Her expression is that of a maiden in love, after all.
Even if she’s suppressed by the chastity belt, seeing Luna smiling like a flower beside me, I know those feelings aren’t a lie.
“I’ve always longed for it. To one day have a beloved man, to love each other deeply, and to receive a child from that man… but that can’t be. Because I—don’t know love.”
“…”
The old man inside me screams.
How can a young maiden of fifteen not know love?
For a noblewoman to have her affections suppressed is probably quite stressful.
It would be as clear as day if you imagined that tomboy princess Elmia wearing a chastity belt.
“Lord Sharka brought me back to reality, and I finally woke up. All my feelings were just illusions… please, forget about me.”
Luna says so and stands up from her seat.
(Huh, am I about to get dumped?)
It seems my opposition to the ceasefire really hit her hard.
No, that’s no good.
I don’t want to end our relationship with just this exchange.
“…I’m sorry, I’ll go back now.”
“Wait, Luna.”
I grab Luna’s hand as she tries to leave.
“P-Please… let go.”
“Luna, I’ll bring back your youth.”
“Eh?”
“I don’t have a method in mind right now. But I’ll definitely make Luna a woman. So, believe in me and wait.”
I declare to Luna.
It would be nice if I had the intelligence to come up with something right away, but unfortunately, my brain is that of an average person.
It might be meddling, but as someone who’s lived a bit longer, I have to teach Luna that “love is power.”
I returned to the venue, leaving Luna standing there in a daze.
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Even after the afternoon session started and the discussions resumed, I was still racking my brain.
(What should I do? I can’t think of anything.)
Judging from Luna’s reaction earlier, she seems to have Androphobia even with me.
Physical contact might be counterproductive.
(Do I have no choice but to slowly build a dialogue…?)
While I was thinking about that in the afternoon, an incident occurred.
My sonar picked up a reaction, and my eyes widened.
“…Father.”
“What’s wrong?”
“A massive Magical Power reaction is approaching from the north at high speed.”
“…An enemy attack?”
“No, I think this reaction is probably okay… it’s coming.”
My Detection Magic can discern the size of Magical Power.
I only know one being with this much Magical Power.
“Well, hello there, everyone. Sorry for being late.”
A cheerful, husky male voice echoed through the venue.
No one present noticed the man’s appearance.
Before anyone knew it, a well-built middle-aged man with white hair was standing at the entrance of the venue.
His aura was extraordinary—the air of a seasoned warrior.
I knew that person well.
“…Grandfather.”
“Yo, Sharka, it’s been a while. You did better than expected in your First Campaign. I’m truly proud as a noble of Ortenos.”
Ulgool de Ortenos.
The previous Marquis Ortenos and my grandfather.
The ‘War God’ hailed as the strongest in Ortenos.
He flashes a friendly smile, but I can’t let my guard down.
There’s always a reason why Grandfather arrives late.
And there’s another reason why I can’t let my guard down.
“By the way, you guys—you’re not thinking about anything soft like a ceasefire, are you?”
My grandfather always—emanates the stench of blood.