Chapter 5: The Abandoned Prince Becomes a Useless Human
A week has passed since I came to the Dragoon Empire.
My subordinates, who were also brought to the Empire, are employed at a clinic in the Imperial Capital under favorable conditions, with the stipulation that they only treat civilians.
They looked pleased, receiving wages commensurate with their healing magic skills, so there seems to be no need to worry.
As for me, to be frank, I’m bored.
I eat three meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – far more delicious than anything from Agaram, and when I get sleepy, I sleep soundly in a fluffy bed.
Occasionally, I read in the Imperial Castle’s library, and that’s about it.
“This is bad. At this rate, I’ll become a useless human.”
Well, I mean, that’s kind of what I want, though.
But the faint pride I have left as a civilized person won’t allow such an idle life.
“I want to do something too…”
However, unfortunately, I haven’t received permission to leave the Imperial Castle.
Because Alkalion says no.
It seems that even if I’m a prisoner of war, forcing a prince from another country to work is not acceptable.
Apparently, Alkalion wants to use me as a bargaining chip for the conquest of Agaram.
“If I must make one thing clear, my affection for my boy is genuine. It is not my true intention to use my boy, Reichel, for the conquest of Agaram; I genuinely love my boy—”
When Alkalion rattled that off with a blank expression, I was a little freaked out.
It’s not that I doubted her affection, but it seems Alkalion is the type to worry about such things.
For that reason, she apparently wants to avoid exploiting captured royalty as labor as much as possible.
I just eat delicious food and sleep in a fluffy bed.
A life of just occasionally chatting with Rosemary-san or Alkalion-sama when they come to check on me.
Let me be clear.
“…This is too perfect…”
Actually, it might already be too late; I might have already become a useless human.
Huh? What’s so perfect, you ask?
My ideal lazy life is part of it, but the best part is Rosemary-san and Alkalion-sama.
Rosemary-san, who sends me fleeting, affectionate glances, and Alkalion-sama, who hugs me tightly while patting my head.
Especially with the latter, when she hugs me, I get buried in her large breasts, and my brain just floods with pleasure.
I want to praise myself for not yet having my brain controlled by my lower body.
“…Still, the Empire is amazing…”
I casually look down at the scenery outside from the window of the guest room I’m borrowing.
The Empire’s civilization was astounding.
“…Locomotives and light bulbs powered by Magic Stones… no, they shine with magical power, so maybe ‘magic orbs’? Isn’t the civilization level a bit too high?”
It might even be at a civilization level comparable to the early Meiji era.
Their technology clearly surpasses that of neighboring countries.
It’s no wonder they aim for world conquest as a single nation, declaring war in all directions.
On the other hand, they don’t even seem to have the concept of weapons like guns or cannons.
Perhaps it’s because attack methods with destructive power, like magic, have existed since ancient times.
Since they also have the overwhelming air power of Wyverns, airplanes haven’t developed either.
It’s a distorted way of development.
But the Dragoon Empire definitely has the foundation to create such weapons.
“…If the Empire seriously started developing weapons, it’s scary to think they could actually create modern weaponry.”
“What is scary?”
“Dwaaaaaaaah!! Y-You startled me!!”
“S-Sorry. I did knock, but…”
Apparently, I was so focused on my thoughts that I didn’t notice Rosemary-san entering the room.
“N-No, I was lost in thought and didn’t notice either… More importantly, what’s up?”
“Hmph. Reichel, didn’t I tell you to stop with the polite speech?”
“Ah, sorry. It just slips out when I’m surprised.”
Over the past week, Rosemary-san and I have gotten much closer.
It’s genuinely fun talking with Rosemary-san.
And it’s a feast for the eyes to see her breasts bounce with every little movement.
Oops, I should stop staring so much.
“Um, what’s up all of a sudden?”
“Well, I was able to prepare what you mentioned, Reichel.”
“Eh!? Seriously!?”
I was overjoyed by Rosemary-san’s news.
I asked Rosemary-san, and she immediately guided me to the desired location.
“O-Ohh!!”
“But why go to the trouble of a bath? Isn’t a shower sufficient?”
“Hmph-hmph. You just don’t get it, Rosemary-san.”
That’s right.
Actually, the Imperial Capital has running water, and the Imperial Castle even has hot water.
The water pressure is a bit weak, but there are showers.
However, as a Japanese person, I really want to soak in a bath up to my shoulders.
So, when I asked Alkalion-sama, she agreed in a second and started remodeling the Imperial Castle to build a large bathhouse.
I was surprised they finished the construction in the overwhelmingly fast time of one week.
I try my best to convey the wonders of a bath to Rosemary-san.
“Baths are great. They’re the best.”
“Specifically, how are they good?”
I’m stumped by her direct question.
“Um, well, it’s like, it makes you feel good. Relaxing, you know.”
“So, it’s a matter of feeling?”
“Hmm, it’s hard to explain verbally… But it really is effective. When I selfishly had a bath built on the front lines, it was popular with the soldiers and boosted their morale. Well, it was a simple one made by digging a hole with earth magic, filling it with water from water magic, and heating it with fire magic, though.”
“Hmph, is that so? …Perhaps I’ll try making one on the front lines next time.”
“Ah, uh, um, Rosemary-san. Could you pretend you didn’t hear that?”
Oh crap.
I might have just given some pretty important information to an enemy, even if we’re in the middle of a war.
It’s not about the countries, but it’s not good if the Imperial army boosts its morale with baths and causes casualties among the Kingdom’s soldiers.
Just as I thought that, Rosemary-san told me something.
“Are you worried about Agaram? If so, there’s no need. We announced that we captured you, and we’ve temporarily entered a ceasefire with the Kingdom.”
“Oh, really?”
“Indeed. Even those who drove you to the battlefield, Reichel, probably decided that letting captured royalty die would look bad.”
“I see, so we’re not at war.”
“It’s only a ceasefire, though. The Kingdom is demanding your return, Reichel, but considering how the Kingdom treated you, Mother will never agree.”
“Treated me? I just lost a power struggle, and I’m alive, so isn’t that fine?”
I’ve already told Rosemary-san and Alkalion-sama about what happened in the Royal Capital.
When I told Alkalion-sama that story, she had her usual blank expression, but there was a mysterious intensity about her that was a little scary.
Well, that’s enough small talk for now.
“More importantly, let’s get in right away!!”
I took off my clothes and tried to get into the bath immediately.
However, Rosemary-san, her face red all the way to her ears, stopped me.
“Wh-Wh-Don’t suddenly start undressing!!”
“Ah, sorry. But you’ve already seen me naked, so it’s fine, right?”
“Th-That was on the battlefield…”
Rosemary-san has seen me completely naked on the battlefield.
Because I let my guard down and got hit by a Wyvern’s flamethrower, and all my clothes burned off.
I treated Rosemary-san in that state and was captured right after, so she’s seen me naked.
So, I have no shame left.
“I-I’ll leave right away, so please wait until then to undress!!”
“――That’s right. From here on, it’s time for me and my boy, as husband and wife. Rosemary-san, please step out for a bit.”
“Wh-M-Mother!?”
Alkalion-sama had come to the bathhouse at some point.
She seemed fully intent on taking a bath, with towels, a change of clothes, and everything properly prepared.
“N-No, you can’t!! Two undressed people of the opposite sex alone in a closed room like this!!”
“There’s no problem if it’s two people who love each other. My boy thinks so too, right?”
“――Yes!!”
“Reichel!! What are you nodding and smiling about!! Ugh, I’ll get in too!! I’ll watch to make sure you two don’t do anything improper!!”
……Huh?
Somehow, it’s turned into a situation where I’m taking a bath with Rosemary-san and Alkalion-sama.
Isn’t this the best?
―――――――――――――――――――――
Afterword
A Trivial Short Story
Author: “A bath with two beautiful women, huh. Guilty.”
Rei: “But I haven’t even done anything yet!?”
If you thought “The Empire is aweshome!,” “Alkalion’s intrusion, lol,” or “Guilty without question,” please leave your thoughts, bookmarks, ★ ratings, and reviews.