Episode 92: After the Ceasefire Talks
Zacharian Empire Calendar Year 152, August 25th.
Two weeks after the Ceasefire Talks.
Gordasht, the capital of the Kingdom of Naia.
In the royal family’s private office, members of Prince Alberto’s faction of the Kingdom of Naia were gathered, all wearing subtly complicated expressions.
“Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s what we’ve confirmed.”
“Could it be that Luna has overcome her androphobia…?”
It was a bolt from the blue for Alberto’s faction.
The reason Alberto’s faction had grown to its current size was largely due to Luna’s androphobia.
As long as Luna suffered from androphobia, her path to becoming queen was virtually nonexistent; they were more wary of Julia, the second in line to the throne.
But now that it was gone, in terms of potential, Luna had undoubtedly become the most likely candidate for queen.
It was only a matter of time before Luna’s faction rose to the top.
“Multiple attendants of Luna-sama have confirmed it. The Shame Crystal has already disappeared without a trace.”
A male civil official reported to Alberto.
“Impossible, damn it! What in the world is going on?!”
“Most likely, during the ten days she was missing, she found true love or something.”
Serpens, a large man with bulging eyes, said jokingly.
“Is this the time for jokes, Serpens! Marquis Hoshiros and the next head of the house, and even the pawn you prepared, were all defeated by Ortenos!”
“Well, we were completely outmaneuvered by that Ortenos brat. This time, it’s our defeat. We have to fundamentally change our strategy.”
Following the attack on Ulgool, the attack on the Ceasefire Talks was also thwarted by Sharka of House Ortenos.
Even from Serpens’ perspective, the two of the Starry Sky had the potential to surpass those above them.
The fact that those two were defeated meant that Sharka’s power could potentially rival the upper echelons of the Starry Sky.
“Tch, so what do we do?”
“Alberto-sama, it’s about time you made up your mind.”
“…About what?”
“The Rite of Demon Subjugation, of course.”
Tension filled the room.
The Rite of Demon Subjugation meant, in other words, Demon Beast extermination.
For nobles, fighting Demon Beasts meant death.
They were dangerous beings that multiple nobles could barely defeat together.
“That was supposed to be a last resort! Besides, it’s not like we can find a Demon Beast so conveniently…”
“A mature Gammacasar has been sighted in the Third Restricted Area of the Lost Grenia Corridor.”
Serpens’ words caused another stir.
“What! Are you… serious?”
“At this point, it’s almost certain that Princess Luna will inherit Alfrear. To compete, Alberto-sama has no choice but to demonstrate his power.”
Serpens spoke calmly in a cold tone.
“Damn it, why do I have to do something so dangerous! Why not just kill Luna!”
“That stage is long gone. Before the Ceasefire Talks, maybe, but now Princess Luna is protected by the Queen.”
“Ugh…!”
Alberto’s face twisted dramatically.
Why was he, who had been in a dominant position until now, in a situation where he had to risk his life to gain power?
Serpens, seeing this, judged that Alberto was not fit to be king after all, and tried to leave the room.
“Where are you going?!”
“Today is the day of the emergency Imperial Council, isn’t it? I’ll go ahead then.”
Serpens left the room with a faint wry smile.
He sighed as he walked alone down the hallway.
(To lend out even the Floating Dragon in the Jewel Box, and still this is the result, how pathetic.)
To disrupt the Ceasefire Talks and, taking advantage of the confusion, eliminate Luna and everyone from Ortenos.
That was the whole plan.
Hoshiros was supposed to be a victim attacked by assailants.
But when the lid was opened, the opposite was the result.
It seemed that only Ulgool was able to be sealed in the Jewel Box, but it was meaningless if it could not be recovered.
“You’ve done it now, Ortenos brat.”
Serpens was shaken by anger he had not felt in a long time.
◇◇◇◇
The Audience Chamber.
On that day, an emergency Imperial Council was held in Gordasht Castle.
The agenda was the hearing from Luna and the handling of House Hoshiros.
“I understand your story, Luna. Regardless of the reason you didn’t show yourself until now, the fact that the ceasefire was achieved is your accomplishment. Be proud.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Luna received words of praise from her mother, Queen Carlina, and her face blossomed.
“To think that Marquis Hoshiros was in league with the Hero of the Union who targeted Luna’s life. Claudio-dono, as the new head of the house, do you have anything to say?”
Claudio, the second son of House Hoshiros and Luna’s former fiancé, suddenly received news of his father and brother’s deaths two weeks ago, and unexpectedly became the head of House Hoshiros.
“No, I don’t. But honestly, I don’t know what’s going on either…”
Claudio was flustered by the Queen’s freezing tone.
He probably hadn’t slept properly for days; fatigue and impatience were evident in Claudio’s expression.
“Well, that’s fine. Prime Minister Gianluca, please state the judgment against House Hoshiros.”
“Yes. First, House Hoshiros will receive a reduction in fief, second, they must accept an inspection by the Naia Royal Family. Finally, third, all children of Hoshiros under the age of twenty will be educated in Gordasht.”
Prime Minister Gianluca stated the judgment sternly.
The first two were as they sounded.
The third meant, in essence, to offer hostages.
The crime committed by Claudio’s father and brother was equivalent to inviting foreign aggression, and originally a heavy punishment such as the dissolution of the noble house would be imposed.
However, it was difficult to dissolve a noble house as prominent as Hoshiros.
If the response was too harsh, the noble houses might band together and plot a rebellion against the royal family, so this response was the result of considering the balance.
Incidentally, Claudio himself was eighteen years old, so he was forced to be detained in Gordasht.
“But it’s also true that we sealed Ulgool! Please forgive the reduction in fief! Hoshiros has already been forced to cede the western part of the Elhoro River to Ortenos. If we are further reduced, we will not be able to survive!”
Claudio raised his voice.
Now that he was the head of the noble house, he could not simply accept it.
“Oh my, it’s not right for you to say that after bringing the Hero of the Union into our country, Claudio-dono. Besides, even if you say you sealed Ulgool, where is the proof? In the end, if it was recovered by Ortenos, it’s meaningless.”
A female noble in her thirties with purple curly hair and high-leg shorts.
The female noble came forward, sneering at Claudio.
“What, Painley-kou… ! Why are you here…?”
Beatrice La Painley.
The head of House Painley in the southern part of Hoshiros territory.
A mysterious presence who did not belong to either faction in the royal succession issue.
Claudio did not understand why Beatrice, who was supposed to be holed up in her territory, was here.
“Carlina-sama, we, House Painley, will support Luna-sama here as the successor to the Queen’s throne.”
Beatrice suddenly declared in front of Queen Carlina and Luna.
The two accepted it calmly without any particular surprise, but the surroundings suddenly became noisy.
“To add to that, we would like to state here that we were not involved in the attack on the Ceasefire Talks the other day. We have no facts such as inviting or harboring Heroes like Hoshiros.”
Claudio sensed Beatrice’s intention.
In short, she was selling favors to Luna in order to prevent future inspections and other things due to Hoshiros’ involvement.
Was the reason Luna disappeared for ten days for that persuasion?
“Damn it…! We have no facts of inviting Heroes either! My father and brother were probably framed by someone…”
“Claudio-dono, stop doing unsightly things.”
This time, a voice came from a different direction.
The owner of the voice was Alberto, who had been acting as if he didn’t care since earlier.
“Seriously, to ask a Hero to assassinate Luna, who is a member of the royal family? Luna and I are competing for the throne, but as a member of the same royal family, I cannot condone such barbarity.”
Alberto put on an empty show of condemnation.
At this time, Claudio completely understood.
This was cutting off the lizard’s tail.
He knew that his father and brother were in Alberto’s faction.
It was Alberto and the others who invited the Hero.
However, Claudio had no means to prove it.
“Marquis Hoshiros, no matter what you say, the judgment will not change. If you continue to argue, I will have no choice but to impose a heavier penalty. Now, is there anything else?”
“…No.”
Claudio had no choice but to accept the judgment.
“Also, Luna has overcome her androphobia.”
The central nobles stirred at Carlina’s words.
Some showed joy, while others seemed to betray their anxiety.
Those in the central nobility who sided with Alberto’s faction would be forced to make a choice.
“Those who understand the meaning of this should take action immediately. If you don’t understand even after I’ve said this much, I will assume you are colluding with other countries, so be prepared for that.”
Queen Carlina concluded, and the Imperial Council ended.
Alberto watched the series of events with a bitter expression.
◇◇◇◇
“Luna, has your expression changed a little?”
After the meeting, Luna was spoken to by Carlina.
Luna was surprised by this rare occurrence.
“Do you think so?”
“Yes, you used to look downcast and insecure, but now you have a bright expression, as if you’ve been relieved of something. Did you have a good encounter?”
“That is… I will refrain from answering for now.”
Luna’s face flushed as if she remembered something.
There are hardly any precedents for a complete cure of androphobia at Luna’s age.
Following the morals of the nobility, it is natural to think that Luna has found someone good.
“I see, well, that’s fine. If you have a man in mind, tell me sooner rather than later.”
“…Yes.”
The Queen did not know who Luna’s beloved was, but she was satisfied for the time being that Luna’s body was able to bear children, and left the scene.
She never dreamed that her daughter’s partner was from the enemy House Ortenos…
“Luna-sama!”
The next one to call Luna’s name was a man’s voice, and Luna was disheartened.
The owner of the voice was the young Claudio at the center of the controversy.
“Is it true that you have overcome your androphobia!?”
She didn’t think anything of it before, but it’s different since she met Sharka.
He just seemed like an insensitive and inconsiderate man.
“…What if it is?”
“S-So, is that person… me, perhaps?”
Claudio said with a flushed face.
“Huh?”
Luna didn’t understand the meaning and made a sound she had never made before.
“It’s okay, I understand Luna-sama well. It’s a bit of a difficult situation right now, but I’ll definitely make up for it. When the ceasefire ends, I will definitely destroy Ortenos and avenge my father and brother. …So, please wait for me.”
With that, Claudio left.
Luna hugged her arms as if embracing herself.
She had goosebumps.
(Disgusting…)
Luna knew that Claudio had feelings for her.
Now, she felt an indescribable aversion to being courted by any man other than Sharka.
(Lord Sharka…)
Luna calmed herself by imagining the boy she loved.
When she stroked her lower abdomen, she could feel that the “connection” from that time remained.
And that it was growing inside Luna as well…
(I want to see him…)
To do that, she must first solve the problems facing the Kingdom of Naia.
That is the responsibility of being born into royalty, and it is the minimum she must fulfill.
After that—if Luna becomes Queen, she should know what to do.
Luna von Naia is—in love.
◇◇◇◇
Two weeks since the Ceasefire Talks.
I had finally returned to Ortenatris.
After parting with Luna, I first returned to Bangwall.
My father returned to Ortenatris first, and his replacement came to Bangwall as if to replace him.
“I’ll leave Bangwall to you. Listen carefully to what Evelyn says.”
“Got it! I’ll show you that I can protect Sharka-senpai’s castle!”
“…”
The person my father sent was a young man from the same school, under the same master.
He was from a baronial family located between Ortenos and Nevilim, but it didn’t have the same name value as the Nevilim baronial family.
Because it is a small noble family, it is quite an honor to be able to temporarily take over my achievements in this way.
Basically, Evelyn should be handling things, so he should be able to manage without any problems.
Although I have some concerns about his abilities, it’s much better than having someone sent from Nevilim, Erschein, or even Lanecki.
I did all sorts of handovers in the remaining days before returning, and after a month and a half, I returned to Ortenatris.
“Fwaah.”
I lay down on my bed in my room and yawned.
Ortenatris Castle has more maids than Bangwall.
And it looks more gorgeous.
It probably wasn’t very healthy to have grimy muscle men wandering around the castle.
“Nicoletta, what’s the schedule for tomorrow?”
“Camilla-sama will be coming to the castle tomorrow, so first there will be greetings, then a tea party at noon, and a dinner party.”
“Ugh, Mother?”
“Lord Sharka, I don’t think you should react like that.”
Nicoletta criticized my reaction.
Even if she says that, my mother is quite intense.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she has one foot in the door of being a toxic parent.
She’s a person whose love is quite heavy.
“…What else?”
“The noble meeting has been postponed for three days due to the Ceasefire Talks this month, so you are scheduled to participate in that.”
“A meeting, huh?”
Now that you mention it, I had completely forgotten that there was such a thing.
I’ve done a lot of things in Bangwall.
The first thing that will be discussed is how to treat me.
My father has also told me to become the head of the family, but I wonder what to do.
As I was sinking into the sea of thought, there was a knock.
A maid entered the room.
“Ah, Lord Sharka… Um, Elmia-sama has called for you.”
Ah, that’s right, I promised Elmia that I would go to her bedroom every day.
Crap, I forgot.
“How does Elmia seem?”
“Well… that.”
The maid averted her eyes awkwardly.
She seems quite angry.
I jumped out of bed and headed to Elmia’s place.
Chapter 2 End
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Important Notice from the Author
To my beloved readers, I have a very important announcement to make now!
Finally――――
My work “I Already Know My Magical Power Is Unreasonably High! All That’s Left Is to Get a Lovely Bride…”――――
――――The book version has been decided!!
Uooooooo! (Self)
This is thanks to 1% of my daily actions and 99% of the support of all the readers!
I am truly grateful!
There is not much information, but I have written a long update in the recent situation notes.
–P.S. (2025.03.21 18:06)
Kakuyomu-sama has warned me that the previous story, “Episode 91: Intense Love “, violates the rules and needs to be corrected.
I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to Kakuyomu-sama and all readers.
Therefore, “Episode 91: Intense Love ” will be changed to the morning-chuu version around 22:00 on March 23rd (the title may also be changed).
After that, “Episode 91: Intense Love ” will be released only to supporters in the recent situation notes to protect minors.
Since there were many voices saying “Why don’t you post it on Nocturne?”, I will consider this response.
I apologize again for this response.
I will revise it while maintaining the ingredients as much as possible.
However, thanks to your favorable reviews, I would like to continue this route, so I would appreciate your continued support.
Salsa’s Waist