Chapter 266: Cleaning Up Josephine
In the southern part of the Ye Mountain Range, a top-secret military factory was being constructed under Sarah-chan’s supervision. It was here that they were developing the ultimate weapon to defeat the Great Demon God—the Continent Cannon. To stand a chance against a 100-meter-tall giant, they needed a weapon of equally colossal scale.
Naturally, the cannon’s size was enormous. Its caliber was 44 centimeters, and the barrel alone stretched a staggering 20 meters.
I marveled at how they had enough steel for such a structure, and even more so when Sarah-chan mentioned that they would be coating the inside of the barrel with mithril. The costs must have been astronomical, but it was necessary to ensure the strength of the weapon.
「It’s like the guns on the Yamato battleship.」
「What’s that?」
Right, they wouldn’t know anything about that in this world.
I had never seen the Yamato’s guns myself, but it was the only comparison that came to mind.
「It’s just… a really big gun.」
「Well, you’d better not be surprised just yet! Next, we need to construct a platform to support this massive barrel. I’ve already sent Natal and some dwarven engineers to start the groundwork. Once the barrel is completed, I’ll head out there myself. So much to do!」
Meanwhile, the landing site of the Great Demon God, who was crossing the ocean, had been projected to be in the Kingdom of Castilia. The Great Demon God was heading toward the Papal State of Ravenna, but its path suggested it would brush past Castilia’s capital, throwing the kingdom into chaos.
The Kingdom of Castilia, still reeling from recent defeats, couldn’t ignore the looming threat to its capital. They had no choice but to cooperate with us. At the most recent Eura Continental Alliance meeting, Revenant had been in tears, practically begging for help. It was almost pitiful.
「You’ve done incredible work, Sarah-chan. Keep it up.」
「Leave it to me! I’m going to make sure this cannon is perfect!」
「Very reliable.」
「Thanks to the big arsenal I made, we can make the Continent Cannon and save the world. Doesn’t that mean I’m a super heroine?」
I guess you are.
「Sarah-chan is a great brave that will save the country!」
「Well, you’re the one who’s going to save the world. I’m happy to be the heroine, though. So… don’t heroes usually have something to say to their heroines before the big battle?」
She teased, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Uh, wait, what? Her expectant gaze caught me off guard. Was she asking for a reward?
Knowing Sarah-chan, if I promised her anything, she might demand something like a whole kingdom.
Before I could respond, a loud booming sound, like fireworks, echoed through the factory, causing it to shake.
「What was that?! An explosion? Sarah-chan, are you okay?」
Despite the sudden commotion, Sarah-chan remained calm.
「I’m fine. But I wonder if the factory is alright.」
Just then, her second in command, Milk, burst in, looking flustered.
「Sarah-sama… Your Majesty King General, are you both unharmed?」
「Milk, forget about us. How’s the Continent Cannon?」
「There’s no need for alarm. The explosion was small and only damaged part of the factory’s outer wall. We anticipated something like this and had security in place. We should have been able to stop them before the explosion, but they forced their way through the defenses, ready to sacrifice themselves.」
「Wait, a suicide bombing?」
「Josephine faction’s remnants, no doubt.」
「Still? Josephine’s faction is still attempting sabotage?」
「That old vixen managed to seduce another fool into attacking the factory.」
「Josephine’s really something else.」
Her seductive powers were practically cult-like at this point.
「Don’t worry. We had spies in her camp, so we’ve been one step ahead of them the entire time. This suicide attack is a sign that Josephine’s running out of options. She’s on the verge of capture. After this, she won’t be able to do anything.」
「Even so, attacking a factory that’s building the weapon to save the world…」
「She doesn’t understand the full situation. From her perspective, she probably thinks we’re building a weapon to destroy her. That blast? It’s just that pathetic vixen’s last fart.」
Josephine’s desperate sabotage attempt only confirmed that her end was near. Soon, there would be nothing left of her faction, and with the Continent Cannon nearing completion, we’d have the weapon we needed to fight the Great Demon God. All that was left was to prepare for the final battle.
Also, a weasel, not a fox, is known for releasing a ‘last fart’ when cornered.
Still, considering Sarah-chan had been preparing to invade the Kingdom of Roland not long ago, planning to take Josephine down, sabotage like this was to be expected.
「I see. Regardless, I don’t like being interrupted. I’ll take care of Josephine myself.」
Sarah-chan looked at me with curiosity.
「What are you planning?」
「Don’t worry about it. I’ve already made preparations.」
I said with a smile. The truth was, I had taken measures mostly to prevent Sarah-chan from going on a rampage. Left to her own devices, she’d probably storm into Roland and bring me Josephine’s head on a platter.
「Hero-sama, I heard some commotion outside. Were you unharmed?」
It was Neneka who appeared, my twelfth wife.
「Neneka herself came in person?」
She now oversaw a continent-wide intelligence network and rarely showed up in person, as she was also responsible for safeguarding the inner palace.
「There was black smoke rising near the entrance of the factory. It was a sloppy attempt at sabotage, but I’m more concerned with how the culprits obtained explosives. I’ll look into it later.」
「Yes, that’s definitely something we need to investigate. I’m counting on you.」
I responded. Since I was the one who introduced gunpowder to this world, the problem wasn’t entirely unrelated to me. Managing the flow of weapons and ensuring public safety would need to be a priority moving forward.
「The attackers seem to be remnants of the former Countess Josephine’s faction, but rest assured, we’ve already laid plans to capture their leader.」
「So, Josephine was hiding in the Kingdom of Roland.」
「Indeed. Given the location, it seems we’ll need to trouble you with her capture, Hero-sama.」
「That’s fine. She’s a cornered rat now, and I’ve been meaning to settle things with Josephine anyway. Lead the way.」
As I was speaking with Neneka, Sarah-chan interrupted,
「I’m coming too!」
「No, Sarah-chan. You need to focus on finishing the cannon.」
I said firmly. That was equally important. Besides, if I took Sarah-chan along, she might just shoot Josephine in the head and be done with it.
「That curvy, seductive hag is no match for me!」
「Are you talking about Neneka? She’s my wife, you know.」
I reminded her. It wasn’t fair to insult her like that. Besides, Neneka was still in her twenties—hardly an ‘old hag’.
Neneka, unfazed by Sarah-chan’s jab, simply chuckled.
「Hero-sama prefers women who are more… seasoned. Isn’t that right, my dear?」
「Is that true, Takeru?!」
「Neneka, don’t say things like that in front of Sarah-chan.」
「My apologies.」
Neneka replied with a sly smile.
It was true that I had a preference, and yes, Neneka’s shapely figure was a pleasant sight. But that was hardly the kind of thing to discuss openly.
Neneka had come herself instead of sending an underling, and I could tell she wanted to be doted on a little. Her teasing of Sarah-chan seemed like a playful jab.
Sarah-chan, on the other hand, seemed frustrated, and I couldn’t help but smile. She was still just a girl in many ways, stretching on tiptoe as if trying to grow taller.
「Don’t worry, Sarah-chan. I’ll take care of this with Neneka.」
「Takeru, I’ll grow into a curvy bombshell too! Just wait!」
Sarah-chan declared, lifting her small chest as if to prove a point.
I could wait, but it would probably take another ten years for her to reach Neneka’s level of allure.
※※※
「How dare you walk in here.」
Josephine, who had been issued a bounty by the Kingdom of Roland, was hiding in none other than the royal harem of Roland. While the kingdom had launched a nationwide manhunt for her, it turns out she hadn’t fled the country as expected but had instead stayed right in the heart of the kingdom’s power structure.
「Silesie’s Hero-dono, I deeply apologize for this!」
Cried King Crawford of Roland, bowing his head in shame.
Without King Crawford’s permission, we wouldn’t have been able to enter the royal harem. Given the friendship between Silesie and Roland, it’s understandable why he would take such measures to shelter her. But now that Silesie had become the largest power in the world, Roland could no longer afford to harbor someone like Josephine.
「Your Majesty Crawford, please raise your head. It’s understandable you couldn’t resist Josephine. She’s managed to manipulate many of our own counts and marquises.」
「I have no excuse. I knew well that Countess Josephine was a great criminal of Silesie, but… please, spare her life. Just her life!」
His infatuation was astounding. What had that fox of a woman done to King Crawford?
Despite the king of a whole nation groveling before her, Josephine lounged arrogantly on a plush sofa, her soft body draped lazily over it. Her audacity was almost admirable.
As someone who’s also been in a position of power, I could understand how people like King Crawford, despite their authority, still have weaknesses and insecurities. Perhaps it’s that commanding confidence of hers that pulls them in.
Or maybe I was starting to be corrupted myself. From behind her hair, Josephine’s fox ears poked out.
Despite being a half-beastkin, a race often looked down upon in Silesien high society, she had risen to power on sheer merit. Her pride and composure, even in the face of two kings, made me think it might be a waste to simply kill her.
「They say you’re known as the ‘Shadow Queen’ of this harem, Josephine?」
「Fufu, that’s right. But it seems my time is up. I’ve lost to you again, haven’t I?」
「Yes, it’s my victory. I don’t know what kind of trickery you used to ensnare King Crawford, but with the fate of the world at stake, I can’t let you interfere.」
「Would you like to experience my tricks firsthand?」
「I’ll pass. I’m not so easily swayed by your charms. And don’t think you can poison me like last time.」
I was already occupied enough with keeping my wives happy. Besides, Neneka was waiting for me, so her attempts at seduction were pointless.
「So, what’s your plan? Kill me?」
「I should be asking you that. Staying here instead of fleeing… It’s almost as if you’re ready to die. Are you tired of running?」
「I have no intention of dying. But I’d rather face death than live in humiliation.」
Proud to the end.
「Then, I’m going to take you into custody. But I won’t kill you.」
「And what will you do with me if not kill me?」
「First, I’ll send you north.」
「The north?」
「To the Arctic.」
「You think sending me to freeze in some desolate place will scare me? If you plan to torture me, I’ll bite my tongue and die here.」
「You misunderstand. I’m not planning to imprison you. I’m giving you a mission.」
「A mission? What are you talking about?」
Josephine blinked in confusion, clearly struggling to follow what I was saying. I sighed—guess I’d need to break it down for her.
「Josephine, I actually admire your talents. You seduced Count Highend to climb the ranks, then manipulated Marquis Pipin and even his son before becoming the Roland king’s favorite. It’d be a waste to kill you. Instead, I want you to put your skills to use against the northern demons.」
「Northern? You’ve got to be kidding. You really think I’ll help you?」
「Whether you accept the mission or not is up to you. But I’m exiling you from the human territories of the Eura Continent—this is non-negotiable. However, I’d like to offer you a chance. If you succeed in persuading the northern demon tribes to join the International Alliance, I’ll pardon your crimes. You’re clever enough to seduce the Demon King or his noblemen and bring them over to our side, aren’t you?」
We had already managed to form alliances with the barbarian tribes to the east. The northern demon territories were the last major threat. Josephine could prove useful there.
That region, being so close to otherworldly realms, is unpredictable, and sending people there isn’t a simple task. To be frank, I also wouldn’t lose any sleep if something happened to her there—but I kept that part to myself.
Josephine covered her mouth with a fan and eyed me skeptically.
「You’re not worried I’ll sway the Demon King to become an enemy again?」
「The Demon King has been stuck in his castle, helpless against otherworldly invasions. If he tries anything, my fleet will annihilate him. So go ahead if you like. But if you successfully negotiate and integrate the northern demons into the International Alliance, your sins will be forgiven, and your exile lifted. It’s not a bad deal, is it?」
I could tell she was weighing her options. Josephine is a woman who values her own comfort above all else. As long as she could maintain a luxurious lifestyle, it didn’t matter to her where that was. I figured she’d agree, seeing this as an opportunity to avoid harsher consequences.
「Very well. Demon King or not, I’ve never met a man I couldn’t seduce.」
「I’m counting on you. Mearid, the former pirate, will be transporting you to the Arctic. I’ve arranged for an all-female crew, so don’t even think about escaping.」
「You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you? Seems I have no other choice if I want to live… but don’t forget your promise.」
「I won’t. Just make sure you complete your mission.」
With that, the matter was settled.
I watched as Josephine was led away, leaving the royal harem behind.
「We could have just end things here.」
「No, not in another nation’s harem. Besides, we’ve come all the way to the Roland capital. Let’s take a break and stay the night.」
It wasn’t often I got to enjoy time off, and since we were already here, I figured why not take advantage of the opportunity?
「A mini-vacation, then.」
「I’m so happy we get to go out just the two of us!」
Neneka had been working tirelessly for the Silesie Kingdom, and I figured it was time for her to have a well-deserved rest.
With the difficult task behind us, we decided to leisurely stroll through the ancient streets of Roland’s capital and rejuvenate in each other’s company.