Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

「Haa, haa…」

Princess Knight Eleonora’s assault was anything but ordinary. It was almost acrobatic, if you will.

Even I, who had been dubbed the ‘no soft king’ (though that’s just a rumor), struggled to withstand simultaneous attacks from up to three opponents. But this time, I was utterly exhausted.

The abyss of Eleonora’s desires seemed bottomless.

I had become entangled in it, sinking deeper and deeper, both physically and mentally drained.

Gasping for breath, I lay down on the bed. I wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon.

After the battle, Eleonora pushed herself even further, and now she slept soundly, completely spent.

Honestly, this reckless momentum of war was troublesome.

I adjusted the disheveled quilt up to her exposed chest and gently stroked Eleonora’s silky golden hair, smoother than the finest silk.

「Takeru…」 「Oh, you’re awake.」

She mumbled something and drifted back to sleep with just a slight movement. Probably talking in her dreams.

Truly, Eleonora was a fierce and unconventional princess knight. An ordinary man would never stand a chance against this spirited steed. But oddly enough, I felt proud.

Despite the chaos of our mismatched actions, she was beautiful, and she was my cherished wife.

Seeing her sleep so peacefully, I lightly kissed Eleonora’s lips—rosy petals—before rising from the white-canopied bed.

My throat was parched.

I needed to fetch a drink for Eleonora too.

As I headed toward the door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. I always sensed the presence beyond that door.

「Kaara?」

「Yes, nation’s father.」

「Good, so someone ensured no one would disturb us.」

We had only recently taken the castle. Chaos reigned within its walls. It wasn’t a time for complacency.

「No…ano」

「No?」

As the door creaked open, two figures appeared: a young girl with bluish-gold hair and a red-haired female knight.

「Eliza aside, but Louise too?」

「My apologies, Takeru. Princess Elizabeth thought it prudent for her education to observe your condition.」

「Did Eliza suggest this?」

「Forgive me. She believed it would be instructive for Louise as well. While they’re here, they should keep an eye on you.」

「And who decided that?」

「…Sherry-aneesama advised not to let you out of their sight.」

Ah, I had assumed it was Ria. But it seemed Sherry was also involved. What a tangled web—Sherry influenced by Ria, and now Elizabeth influenced by Sherry. A negative spiral indeed.

「Nation’s father, here’s some water.」

「Thank you. Ah, but Kaara, keep an eye on them too.」

The water Kaara poured from the pitcher was refreshingly cool. It soaked through my parched insides.

「But even if it’s for educational purposes, Louise is about to become your wife. It’s hard to decline.」

「True. But for Eliza, it’s still too early.」

I said this, and Eliza hesitantly raised her hand.

「Um, well, it’s okay. I couldn’t see much—it was too far.」

「Not seeing much doesn’t necessarily make it okay.」

I felt embarrassed that even a mere voice could inquire about such matters. I’d have to be more cautious from now on.

「By the way, when you say ‘not much’, did you catch a glimpse?」

「I saw Eleonora-sama leaping around naked, all sparkly. And you, Takeru-sama, looked terribly distressed.」

I nearly choked on my water. Eliza had seen that? She’d observed Eleonora’s shimmering hair and… well, it was an oddly poetic description. But now wasn’t the time for poetic musings.

「Listen, Eliza. You’re still too young to witness the intimate moments between men and women.」

What nonsense am I spouting? I wondered, but I knew I had to be cautious. Some aspects of married life were not meant for children’s eyes.

I reminded Eliza of this.

「Understood.」

「If you understand, then that’s good.」

※

On the balcony of the imperial capital, dignitaries from the legitimate Germania Empire stood in rows. The celebration marked the recapture of Northmark, the capital, by the legitimate Germania Imperial Army under the old Emperor Conrad’s command.

To my left stood General Mainz, the savior of the nation, and Gemon, the former rebel leader turned infantry commander. On the same side, Knight Princess Eleonora, who had valiantly led her forces from the Duchy of Lanct, stood alongside Seneschal Kato, her loyal attendant.

And on the right side are me, the volunteer army officers who are reinforcements from the Kingdom of Silesie, and the bureaucrats sent by Lyle-sensei.

These individuals would support Emperor Conrad, who sat at the center, along with his granddaughter, Princess Eliza. And though she served no practical purpose, the court musician, Zither, was also present.

Fist Slave Emperor Dyson’s forces had executed the former Germania Empire’s top bureaucrat, Minister Biden, as a blood offering.

However, since they largely retained the existing Germania bureaucrats for governance, internal affairs were not as chaotic as one might expect. They managed to keep things running, more or less.

The ceremony began with the resounding beat of drums as Archbishop Nicholas, who had reclaimed his position as the Archbishop of Northmark, stepped forward. In this world, it was customary for the divine authority of the Asama Church to endorse any change in power.

「Rassessé, rassessé!」

Echoed through the grand hall before the imperial castle. The crowd, mostly followers of the radical Neo Homotestant church, shivered with anticipation. But why did their rallying cry sound like something straight out of a Japanese festival?

The upper echelons of the Asama Church had reprimanded the Neo Homotestants for their extreme activities. Yet, considering the chaos that had befallen the fallen capital, they forgave Nicholas without questioning his sins, allowing him to remain as Archbishop of Northmark. Still, their leniency troubled me—Nicholas escaped demotion altogether, and that felt like a grave oversight.

Though I longed to march up to the Asama Church’s central temple and voice my grievances, practicality prevailed. The security of the capital, coupled with the unwavering support of the Germanian populace for the radical Neo Homotestants, left us no choice but to acknowledge them.

Today, Archbishop Nicholas, resplendent in opulent vestments, delivered a safe and celebratory speech on behalf of the Emperor’s triumphant return to the capital.

「To the Emperor belongs what is imperial, and to the gods, what is divine! May Asama’s blessings rain upon the legitimate Germania Empire, which promises just governance and salvation for its people!」

With the resounding echo of Asama’s blessing, Nicholas concluded his address. Now came the familiar Nicholas chant. If he continued down this gentle path, it would make my life easier, but…

Next, at the center of the balcony, appeared Emperor Conrad, seated in a wheelchair. The crowd buzzed with anticipation—after all, Conrad hadn’t made a public appearance in a decade, having languished in illness.

Germania’s Crown Prince, the Golden Lion Emperor Freed.

Following him was the Fist Slave Emperor Dyson, who had seized power through a coup, and the despotic pseudo-emperor Guillan.

Conrad, once instrumental in legitimizing various Germanian regimes, had become a shadow—rumors even suggested he might already be dead. But now, the legendary hero who steered Germania toward world empirehood—the founding father, Emperor Conrad—rose from his wheelchair.

「Whoaahhhh!」

The crowd erupted in surprise.

「Citizens of Germania.」

Echoed the voice of the Germanian Emperor, resonating across the palace balcony after a decade’s silence. The fervor in the square was immense, yet it was the solemnity of his tone that hushed the crowd.

「First, I must humbly apologize to the people of Germania. My indulgence toward my wayward son, Freed, led our prosperous empire into an unprecedented crisis. His foolish actions paved the way for the collapse of our realm and the rise of false emperors like Dyson.」

「All of this began with my failure in choosing a successor. However, I deeply thank the Goddess of Creation, Asama, for granting me the opportunity to redeem my grave sin before being called to the heavens!」

「Eliza, come here…」

Emperor Conrad gently beckoned his granddaughter and lifted her with strength.

Hey hey, old man, take it easy.

「Ladies and gentlemen! I hereby declare the abdication of the imperial throne in favor of my last remaining granddaughter, Elizabeth Germania Germanicus. Though she is but eight years old, there is no cause for concern. Now, come forth, our new hero!」

Wait, me?

As I stepped forward, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.

「You all know him well. He is the hero who saved both me and my granddaughter—Sawatari Takeru, the King General of the Silesie Kingdom. Though hailed as Silesie’s hero, today, on this momentous day, he becomes Germania’s hero as well.」

Conrad swayed slightly, and I hurriedly caught Eliza, who had been cradled in his arms.

「Citizens of Germania, alongside Elizabeth’s ascension, I also intend to appoint Hero Sawatari Takeru as the Grand Governor of the Germania Empire. He inherits my once-unrivaled strength, and I trust him to safeguard my granddaughter, Eliza. Will you accept this role, our new hero of Germania?」

Well, I knew I was meant to be Eliza’s guardian, but…

Glancing behind me, I caught General Mainz grinning.

Ah, I see. The old general truly excels at theatricality.

Well, fine. After coming this far, I won’t hesitate.

「Old hero Conrad, I accept this honor!」

As I responded, cheers echoed through the square.

Naturally, the chant resounded: ‘Hail the world’s mightiest hero! Long live the Germania Empire!’

Ah, the simplicity of the Germanian populace—strength above all else, it seems.

「Takeru-sama, please take care of me.」

Eliza whispered in my ear as I held her close.

Indeed, burdening the small shoulders of a girl like Eliza with the weight of this vast empire would be too much.

「Yeah, I’ll take care of you.」

I replied. I intended to keep my promise. Having made this commitment before the public, I was ready to oversee not only Silesie but also the affairs of Germania.

「Citizens of Germania! Though our empire bears deep scars, and my aged self will soon depart for the heavens, rest assured. Where some fall, others rise. Behold the radiant sight of a young hero and the fledgling emperor who stands by his side.」

Emperor Conrad, dignified and frail, stretched his arms toward the sky, summoning his last reserves of strength.

「Now, what are you doing, people of Germania? Celebrate! Dance! Today is a day of joy. The trials of Germania are over, and a new era of glory begins on this very day…」

He painted the rise and fall of the Germania Empire—the hope that emerged from adversity.

And so, the legendary ruler Conrad Germania Germanicus, who forged a world empire, concluded his final speech.

Amid thunderous applause, the celebration commenced: Eliza’s ascension as the new empress and my appointment as Grand Governor.

The tumultuous hearts of the people settled once more under the bloodline of the Germanicus family—a fortunate turn of events.

Though the Silesie officials’ involvement in Germania’s reconstruction could be misconstrued as meddling in another nation’s affairs, Conrad’s trust in me as Eliza’s guardian quelled any objections.

Oddly enough, a moment from the ceremony had been misinterpreted, leading to rumors of an engagement between Eliza and me. But that was a tale for another time—I’d let it be, considering how well things had come together.

「Ah, at least it’s over for now.」

「Takeru, it’s far from over.」

Eleonora’s retort snapped me back to reality.

「Eliza-sama, might we borrow the inner chambers of the imperial palace?」

「You again…」

Young Empress Eliza smiled graciously. ‘Feel free to use the finest chambers.’ she granted.

Princess Knight Eleonora, ever respectful, knelt before the new empress. Then, with surprising agility, she tackled me and hoisted me up.

「Hey, Eleonora!」

「Come now, Takeru. Eliza-sama has given her permission. And today, let’s make it five times!」

Oh dear, staying in Germania means facing this daily.

I really need to strategize—otherwise, I might not survive!