Reina’s Feelings and Height’s Resolve
“Height Duekhardt-sama. Your profession is… ‘Farmer’…”
When I heard the Archbishop’s voice in the cathedral, I thought it was a lie. For Height’s ‘Profession’ to be ‘Farmer’…
I met Height when I was about to turn five.
Back then, I was undefeated wherever I went, and honestly, I thought I might be the strongest among those my age. Then one day, I heard a rumor.
That there was a boy, the same age as me, strong enough to overwhelm knights.
Honestly, I thought it was a lie. But if it were true, I wanted to meet him.
Just as I was thinking that, before I could say anything, Father told me with a complicated expression.
“Reina. Next week, you will have an arranged meeting with the eldest son of the Dukeheart House. If the rumors are true, he is a talent the royal family would want to secure.”
And then, a week later. Height, seen from a distance, looked like an ordinary child no matter how you looked at him. Honestly, I thought he looked weak. If he was weaker than me, I even considered rejecting the arranged meeting.
But, during his fight with Sieg, Height transformed.
Moving faster than a flash of light, he darted freely even through the air, attempting to land a visibly heavy blow precisely on Sieg’s neck.
That movement, that weight, that speed. Sieg later said that if he hadn’t been wearing armor and if Height’s weapon had been a real sword, he might have been seriously injured.
In fact, I had a match with him afterward, but the result was a complete defeat.
The match itself seemed somewhat close, but Height’s movements were far duller and slower than when he fought Sieg, and it was clear he was holding back.
A strong person of the same age, who had the leeway to hold back against me. The day I met Height and crossed swords with him, I thought that I would surely spend my life with this person.
That’s why I wanted to become strong enough to stand by Height’s side. Strong enough to lend him a hand if he ever weakened.
◇
When I heard that Height had obtained ‘Farmer,’ a bottom-tier profession, I couldn’t believe it. But what was even more unbelievable was the relieved expression Height showed after being told he was a ‘Farmer.’
The Kingdom of Hermenia is a kingdom of profession supremacy.
Since nobles claim to be superior to commoners by reliably obtaining excellent ‘Professions,’ it’s unacceptable for a noble to acquire a weak profession.
That’s why I was relieved to have obtained ‘Dragon Knight Princess,’ a profession befitting a princess of this country.
However, what Height obtained was ‘Farmer.’
And things were strange after that too.
Even when Marquis Dukeheart declared Height disowned, Height had a blank, uncomprehending look on his face, as if he didn’t understand what was happening.
It was as if Height believed ‘Farmer’ was a strong profession, not inferior to ‘Dragon Knight Princess.’
And until yesterday, Height was far stronger than me.
He never once showed me the full power he used when fighting Sieg. Of course, that was because I was weak.
But, I think to myself. If it’s Height…
Certainly, ‘Farmer’ is generally considered a weak ‘Profession.’
But just as even among ‘Swordsmen,’ individuals have different aptitudes and strengths, there must be strong ‘Farmers’ and weak ‘Farmers.’
Among those who obtained the ‘Farmer’ profession, has there ever been anyone in history with as much talent as Height?
At least, I don’t know of any.
That’s why I was curious. How would Height make use of the ‘Farmer’ profession?
However, I am a princess of Hermenia.
If I were to say words defending ‘Farmer’ in public, it could shake the politics of this country, so I had no choice but to remain silent.
But, even so…
No, that’s a little different, perhaps.
In the end, I had fallen for Height ever since that day he held back against me and I lost. So, being told ‘the engagement is broken’ now is incredibly troubling for me.
I slipped out of the commemorative party for those who had completed their ‘Profession’ obtainment and followed after Height.
I somehow know where he went.
After all, we’ve known each other for over ten years. Height and I have been fiancés for over ten years.
◇
The moment it was revealed my profession was ‘Farmer,’ I was disowned by my family, and my engagement with Reina was broken. …This is painful.
I knew this country valued ‘Professions’ highly, but I never thought ‘Farmer’ would be looked down upon so much. Algeo, you bastard, the meat and vegetables you eat every day are all grown by ‘Farmers’!
If anything, even the materials for clothes are often made by farmers. And ‘Farmer’ is the most common profession for soldiers too.
‘Farmer,’ the overwhelming majority.
Among all professions, its performance is quite excellent, and if you consider that it has no level cap, it’s undoubtedly the strongest profession.
Why the hell~~!!
I don’t have a penny, and I have no place to live. What should I do?
I do have an adventurer’s license, so I guess I’ll have to somehow make a living with that starting tomorrow? But the shock of the engagement with Reina being broken has completely drained my motivation.
No, but maybe Reina would be happier marrying some other, more cheerful guy than a piece of crap like me.
The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became.
“Height!! I knew you’d be here!!”
…I’m so shocked about Reina that I’m even hearing auditory hallucinations of her voice. How unmanly of me… Huh?
As I lay sulking on my back, Reina straddled me and brought her face close.
The warmth of human skin and a considerable weight pressed down on my stomach.
A face so beautiful it was startling. …Is she real? No, she’s definitely real. Which means…
“Did you come looking for me?”
“Yes! …I have duties as a princess, so I can’t stay long… but still, there’s something I absolutely must ask of you, Height, so I came here!”
“Something you must ask?”
What could it be? There’s not much I can do right now, but…
“Please, come for me again as your fiancée!”
“Come for you?”
“Yes! …I don’t want to do something irresponsible like abandoning my status as a princess. But, even so, I absolutely want to marry you, Height!”
My pulse quickened at those words. Reina, sitting on my stomach, could probably hear my racing heart. Or maybe not.
Reina was blushing so much her ears turned bright red. Cute.
“…S-so. That’s why, I want you to grow as a man, Height. And then, I want you to choose me as your bride again…”
Her voice trailed off, but Reina. Reina…
I was filled with all sorts of emotions.
What was I so dejected about? Reina has done so much for me. In my previous life, and in this one, I’ve never had someone show me such open affection.
That fact made me happy, and a bit bashful. More than anything, it was like the scales had fallen from my eyes—so that was an option!
Because my goal is to be the ‘strongest’ in this world.
If I’m the strongest, it should be natural to be able to make the woman I love mine, even by force if necessary.
“…I don’t know how many years it’ll take, but I’ll come for you within three years.”
“Yes! I’ll be waiting!”
Reina smiled shyly, then trotted away from me.
I received a boost of energy, and my motivation surged.
My ultimate goal is to be the world’s strongest. But before that, for now—I guess I’ll go and restore my engagement with Reina!!