Chapter 295: From the Northern Country
On the palace terrace, Miya-san, Meya-san, and Neya-san—now well-acclimated to the royal residence—had gathered around me. The three were eagerly feeding me bites of a dessert made of shiratama dumplings, cream, and anmitsu.
Apparently, there was a Japanese sweets craze sweeping Colette’s kitchen, and the treats had been getting fancier by the day. The chilled shiratama and cream were delicious, though…
「Could you just let me eat it myself for once… mmph!」
The cool, sweet cream was a nice touch, but with the three ladies in maid uniforms now fully entrenched in our household, their constant attention felt a bit smothering. Even the slave girls around here don’t get this clingy.
「So, Hero-sama, don’t you ever feel like finding a lover?」
「Or think about marriage?」
Those were Miya-san and Meya-san flanking me on either side. Talk about forward…
It was a rather blatant marriage proposal. Given that they’d come to Silesie to find husbands, I understood their approach, but it was way too awkward.
Honestly, they’d probably lost out to Pudding—who’s now married to Barland—precisely because they’re this bad at courting.
As I was musing, Neya-san suddenly hugged me from the front. She was so forceful that the table rattled with a loud clatter. What on earth?!
「Forget marriage and romance—let’s just make a baby right now!」
「What?! No way!」
She shook her long, elegant black hair as she straddled me, which made me tumble out of my chair in a panic. I was tempted to ask if she thought she was Ria or something.
If it were Ria, she’d be joking, but Neya-san isn’t that type at all! It’s like she’s adapted a little too well to our household.
「Neya-san, why are you in such a rush…?」
「Of course, I’m anxious! Miya-san and Meya-san can take their time—they’re still young, but I’m already twenty-five. If I let this chance slip, I won’t have any left!」
Come on, you’re still young.
I just couldn’t grasp why, in this world of fantasy realism, she felt such intense marriage pressure at twenty-five. Medical advances were still limited, so infant mortality was slightly high, but the wealthy could afford treatment with recovery potions, so the average lifespan wasn’t that short.
「F-fakah… *cough, cough*!」
From the next table, where she was working on her fourth helping of shiratama cream anmitsu, Jill-san had leaned forward and was now coughing as she tried to say something.
I’d gotten used to her showing up whenever there was dessert, but she should decide whether she’s here to eat or talk. Colette quickly passed her some tea, which she sipped before finally speaking up.
「…I understand how you feel, Neya-dono.」
「You do?」
「I’m twenty-seven… so, yes.」
「Ah, that’s understandable!」
「Indeed. My family’s a military clan, so I’m under constant pressure from my parents—both spoken and unspoken—to marry and secure an heir soon.」
「That’s it exactly! And yet they never introduce anyone suitable…」
「Exactly!」
「Right? It’s terrible!」
The two of them held each other’s hands with teary-eyed understanding.
It must be a big deal if Jill-san would stop eating sweets to talk about it.
「So there you have it, Takeru. Stop being so mean and just go ahead and marry Neya-dono already. It’s not like it’ll cost you anything.」
「I wasn’t trying to be mean…」
But frankly, it does wear me down a little. Apparently, now I’m seen as cruel if I don’t marry.
「Look! We even have permission slips for marriage!」
Neya-san took a marriage license from the front of her maid uniform. If she has one, I can only assume Miya-san and Meya-san also have theirs.
「So the harem council is just handing these out now, are they…」
「Ano, Takeru-sama, I was given one as well.」
From across the table, Cecily timidly pulled out her own marriage permit, her cheeks flushed. They’re closing in on me from all sides, again.
If I don’t put a stop to this soon, it’ll wear me out. We were still bickering over this on the palace terrace when—
A young female knight sprinted over from the castle, leaning in to whisper something to Jill-san. Jill-san’s face changed dramatically as she listened, setting aside her dish of shiratama cream anmitsu.
If Jill-san’s stopping her meal, it must be serious.
「What’s going on?」
「It seems that foxy lady Josephine has arrived with an envoy from the Northern Demon Kingdom.」
※※※
In the throne room, I was greeted by Josephine, the famed seductress known to ruin nobles and royals alike, now back in Silesie with a young, silver-haired demon envoy from the Northern Demon Kingdom.
This handsome silver-haired youth was, I assumed, her latest victim.
Josephine, the beastkin vixen, famed for toppling nations, had caused us endless trouble as our adversary. Yet, I’d always recognized her skill.
Exiled alone to the harsh North, she’d somehow returned with an envoy in no time. Her talent for ensnaring men was practically magical.
「Sorry to interrupt, but could you go ahead and take off these shackles? I was promised freedom once I’d made contact with the Northern Demon Kingdom.」
「Ah… Mearid, unshackle her.」
Escorting Josephine was Admiral Mearid, former pirate captain of the Northern Fleet and a seasoned warrior with a prominent scar across her cheek. It spoke to Josephine’s danger level that Mearid herself had to keep her restrained.
If we’d used male guards, she would’ve escaped in under five minutes.
Even shackled, Josephine produced a fan from her ample bosom and unfurled it, flashing a dazzling smile as if nothing were amiss.
「Fufu, allow me to introduce you properly. This is His Highness Prince Albee Crowcassus Greengand, heir to the Northern Demon Kingdom.」
「The crown prince came himself!」
Josephine certainly deserved praise for bringing someone of his rank. The young man’s aura was understated but elegant, fit for high nobility. And here we were, suddenly at a top-level meeting.
「I am honored to meet you, Hero of Silesie, Sawatari Takeru-dono.」
「An honor to be known to Your Highness.」
「Call me Albee. Those close to me do. My royal emblem as heir is this green Kingstone, the sword Greengand. Surely your high demons here can attest to its authenticity.」
With that, the young silver-haired demon unsheathed a sword that gleamed with emerald brilliance.
「Indeed, I’ve heard the royal family of the Northern Demon Kingdom wear equipment made from the rare green Kingstone, Greengand, as their proof of legitimacy. Judging by this lightness and brilliance, this appears to be the real thing.」
「I’ve never seen Greengand before either. But the intense magic power radiating from this sword lives up to the legend.」
Oracle and Kaara, who’d joined for this meeting, confirmed that Albee, the young man before us, was indeed of royal blood. Greengand, it turns out, is a mineral even more precious than mithril in lightness and harder than orichalcum.
It seems this green Kingstone, surpassing even the royal gold alloy I used against the Great Demon God, is no small treasure, and its bearer is certainly no imposter.
「I didn’t come here just because of that human woman. For some time, I’ve been looking for a way to connect with the Hero, Sawatari Takeru-dono.」
「Ara, Your Highness. And after you were so sweet last night in bed, now you’re playing hard to get?」
「Q-quiet, you!」
Josephine’s teasing turned the young prince beet red. Clearly, he had been ensnared.
Even seasoned noblemen are no match for Josephine’s tricks, so it’s no surprise that eighteen-year-old Albee fell for her charms. For Josephine, winning him over was child’s play.
「Now then, could we get back to what you were saying, Your Highness?」
If the Northern Demon Kingdom wishes to establish diplomacy, we’d gladly welcome it.
「Yes, of course. Ahem… I wish to restore the glory of Crowcassus, the Northern Demon Kingdom!」
When I asked how that involved me, Albee began a tale of old. Some 1,500 years ago, the frozen land of Crowcassus, now part of the Northern Demon Kingdom, had once been a prosperous place known as the Green Kingdom, Greengand.
「The Green Kingdom Greengand developed into a powerful nation, utilizing magic power from magic element well—what you call miasma holes.」
「Impressive. So, you had such technology at your disposal.」
Harnessing the highly concentrated miasma in the North could transform that icy wasteland into green fields.
「This green Kingstone Greengand is one of the relics from that era.」
「I see…」
Knowing the current state of the Northern Demon Kingdom, I could guess what happened next. At some point, a controlled miasma hole likely went haywire and exploded, releasing chaos from below and transforming the Northern Demon Kingdom into a land where enormous creatures of chaos roam freely.
This is typically what happens when humans or demons foolishly attempt to use an unmanageable miasma hole.
「My father, old and spineless, has shut himself away in Crowcassus Schloss, the Glacial Castle. But I am different! I will restore the glory of the Green Kingdom Greengand, as it was 1,500 years ago!」
Kaara leaned in, whispering that Albee’s father, King Heinrich, had said the exact same thing when he was crown prince. For 1,500 years, each young demon king has tried to rebuild their city, only for it to be destroyed by some colossal creatures of chaos. Yet they persist, over and over.
Most likely, the creatures of chaos aren’t even trying to destroy their cities.
It’s just that the place is a place of chaos so there’s nothing can be done.
「That’s why I need you, Sawatari Takeru-dono!」
Suddenly, the young prince seized my shoulder, startling me.
「What… what is it, Prince Albee?」
「I’ve heard that Takeru-dono possesses the strength to wield a sword gifted by the Mother of Chaos herself and even fend off the Great Demon God! Please, could you somehow negotiate with the Mother of Chaos to halt chaos from spreading in the Arctic Circle and save my kingdom?」
「That’s quite a request…」
「I’m not asking for it free of charge. If you can stop the chaos, I’ll give you anything within my power. All of the treasures in my kingdom, the Greengand, symbol of our realm—even if it’s not enough, I, as the next Demon King, will kneel before you and make my country a vassal of the Kingdom of Silesie… So, please, I beg you!」
I couldn’t help but feel he was placing all his hopes on someone else, but even so, this young crown prince was doing what he could for his country, and I seemed like his last hope.
He came all this way to Silesie to bow his head and plead for help.
It’s fortunate—or perhaps unlucky—for him that the Mother of Chaos happens to be lounging in my palace garden. Maybe this is fate.
「All right… I’ll try asking her. But even if things don’t work out, please move forward with formalizing diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Silesie and joining the Continental Alliance as a nation of Eura.」
「Of course! I heard Takeru-dono wishes to bridge the divide between humans and demons. It’s a wonderful idea. Humans and demons must help each other; I’ve long considered this myself!」
He was awfully quick to say what I wanted to hear, but fair enough.
As reluctant as I am, I’ll give this a shot and ask the Mother of Chaos for help.
※※※
「To think… the Mother of Chaos herself actually resides in this very place?!」
Prince Albee’s eyes went wide with disbelief.
「I understand the surprise.」
「No, I can see it… this is the real thing!」
The next Demon King could recognize the Mother of Chaos on sight, it seemed. Even though I brought him here, I don’t fully grasp why a tentacled manifestation of the Mother of Chaos is lounging in my garden either.
Incidentally, she’s reclining on a poolside deck chair in an open-air bath.
「Kaara, why does it smell like sulfur?」
「We sourced mineral deposits from a hot spring area and added them to the water. After trying various things, this setup seemed to be her favorite.」
I’d instructed everyone to handle the Mother of Chaos carefully, as angering her could bring about the end of this harsh fantasy world.
In the steamy bath, tentacle oneesan lay on a reclining chair, sporting a pink bikini on her upper half.
I recall the struggle it took to get her to wear a bra, yet now she’d gotten accustomed to undergarments and seemed to prefer wearing them. One of her tentacles snaked out, taking hold of a tropical juice from a table, and she sipped it through a straw. Why the tropical vibe in a hot spring?
「Yes… this indescribably strange appearance can only belong to the Mother of Chaos herself. Please, calm the otherworldly chaos overtaking the Northern Demon Kingdom. I’ll do whatever you wish!」
True to his role as the future Demon King, Prince Albee quickly adapted to the situation, kneeling before tentacle oneesan and bowing his head.
「Ehto…」
I couldn’t shake a sense of dread. Should I ask her too?
Reluctantly, I knelt beside Prince Albee, who looked at me with pleading eyes.
「…Mother of Chaos, would you please help the Northern Demon Kingdom?」
I won’t do anything for it, though.
Just as I muttered that, Oracle suddenly raised her voice.
「T-This is… Eternal Life Mushroom!」
It was hard to tell what she meant, but Oracle was staring at something that looked like a horsetail plant growing at the Mother of Chaos’s feet, or rather, something that resembled a small chimney.
So, this is a mushroom? A white stalk with sparkling smoke billowing from its tip.
「Hey, Kaara. What exactly is this?」
Kaara, trembling like a newborn fawn, collapsed on the spot, her hands shaking as she replied.
「If… if this is indeed an Eternal Life Mushroom, it would be the first one discovered in a thousand years.」
「A rare plant, then?」
「Legend has it that inhaling the silver smoke from this slender mushroom can extend one’s lifespan by nearly double!」
「Wow, that’s one incredible find.」
I thought the Mother of Chaos could do anything, but it seems she’s capable of producing quite the legendary item.
「This isn’t just rare! A single one of these would be worth an entire small country!」
I get why they’re so shocked. There’s probably no reason behind why it suddenly sprouted here—other than chaos itself.
「Could it be that this Eternal Life Mushroom is a gift of gratitude for our hospitality?」
When I said that, Prince Albee’s eyes sparkled with joy.
「Then… perhaps she will save our Northern Demon Kingdom as well?」
「I can’t be sure, but she seems to be having fun, so maybe she’ll help.」
「Unbelievable! Takeru-dono, can you understand the feelings of the Mother of Chaos?」
「Well, ‘understand’ might be stretching it…」
Though the Mother of Chaos is also revered by demons as the Goddess of Abundance, she’s not an inherently malevolent deity. After spending so much time around this tentacle oneesan, I’ve started to pick up on her patterns, somewhat.
Her incomprehensibly vast power can sometimes cause destruction, but it isn’t out of malice. The Mother of Chaos simply reacts to stimuli in her own way.
Generally, she tries to respond to goodwill with goodwill. If we ask sincerely enough, she might halt the chaos in the Northern Demon Kingdom.
…Or so I thought. Foolishly.
「Whoa!」
Suddenly, tentacle oneesan pounced on me.
「Tell me, Hero-sama… do you ever feel like you’d like a lover?」
「Mmph!」
Out of nowhere, she pressed a tentacle into my mouth while asking such a bizarre question.
「Or maybe… that you’d like to get married?」
「Gah!」
What the heck! Finally, the tentacle withdrew from my mouth.
The deadpan lines tentacle oneesan was saying—wait, had she overheard Miya-san and the others talking earlier and decided to imitate them?
「It seems that the Mother of Chaos wishes to marry Takeru.」
「What? Wait a minute!」
Marriage, all of a sudden? What does that even mean? I get that the Mother of Chaos’s actions defy understanding, but this must just be mimicry.
「With the Mother of Chaos, there’s no choice, so best of luck to you, Nation’s Father.」
Kaara said, raising a fist in triumph.
Even though I was hoping for help, Oracle, Kaara, and the others took their leave from the bath.
「Hero-dono, I apologize, but this is for the good of my country. I’ll reward you however you like. Farewell!」
Prince Albee also fled, leaving me alone with tentacle oneesan.
What is going on here? This makes no sense!
「Why don’t we just skip the whole love and marriage part for now—and get straight to making a baby?」
「You… you’re joking, right?」
Tentacle oneesan loomed over me, silver hair flowing wildly, and didn’t look like she was joking at all.