Chapter 305: The Imperial Princess
「Ugh…」
I woke up on a futon spread out over the tatami floor.
Right, last night was the big celebration after defeating Yamata-no-Orochi. We drank and partied like crazy, and I must have passed out just like that.
The sake I hadn’t had in ages was delicious, but it left me feeling a bit hungover.
「Areh? What’s this?」
As I raised myself halfway up, my hand brushed against something like a sash.
I reflexively tugged on it, pulling it closer, and…
「Ahh!」
「I-Imperial Princess-sama!」
The kimono slipped open—wait, what?! The Imperial Princess, was lying there, her flawless, jewel-like skin fully exposed.
So it’s true, they don’t wear anything under their kimonos.
「Hero-sama, calling me ‘Imperial Princess’ is so distant. Please, like last night, call me Shizuka.」
「Uh, um…」
No, no, no, even if you act all coy like that, this is…
「Last night, we shared such passionate conversations, didn’t we?」
「W-We did? I was so drunk last night, I don’t really remember…」
At that moment, Kaara slid the fusuma door open and stepped in.
「Oh, Nation’s Father, at it again? Adding yet another bride, are we?」
「No, no, that’s not what’s happening here!」
If anyone thought I’d done something to the Imperial Princess, it’d be a disaster. I swear, I didn’t do anything!
As I flailed in a panic, Kaara and Shizuka started giggling.
「W-What?! It was a joke? You scared me!」
Honestly, it didn’t feel much like a joke.
As I sighed heavily, Shizuka, lying on the futon in nothing but a thin robe, spoke.
「Oh my, it’s not a joke.」
「Indeed, Nation’s Father.」
Apparently, it wasn’t a joke.
…Wait, what does that even mean?!
※※※
Onboard a Black Cedar warship docked at the port of Ozaka, I, the King General of Silesie, concluded a Treaty of Friendship and Trade with Minamoto no Yoshie, the Great Shogun and ruler of Hinomoto.
While we were busy defeating Yamata-no-Orochi and throwing grand feasts in the imperial capital, Admiral Mearid and her crew had been repairing the Black Cedar ships and moving the fleet from Kando to Ozaka.
Afterward, Kaara’s magic completed the repairs in a flash. Magic is really convenient, though it doesn’t conjure materials from thin air.
In any case, the beautifully restored Black Cedar warships were unveiled to the public.
The people of Ozaka loved them, and the event drew countless tourists eager to catch a glimpse of the black ships, turning the whole town into one big festival.
It seems even in this harsh fantasy, the Japanese love their novelties.
「Now then, shall we proceed with the signing? Lord Yoshie, is everything in order?」
With this treaty, the port of Kando, where we first arrived, and the port of Ozaka near the imperial capital could now be used as trading hubs.
Separated by the vast expanse of the Eurasian continent, the exchanges would be gradual, but the route to the Kingdom of Silesie was officially open.
As a gesture of goodwill for the treaty, we offered them navigation charts and the shipbuilding technology behind the Black Cedar warships.
「We can build these ships in our nation?」
Lord Yoshie was astonished, first at the world map and then even more at the ship technology.
「Yes, although Black Cedar wood is unavailable here, these vessels, known as galleons, can be built with the abundant timber of Hinomoto. Their exceptional wave resistance means they can even sail halfway around the world to reach the Kingdom of Silesie.」
「How thrilling! In return, though it may be modest, we would like to offer you new land.」
「Land, you say?」
The mountainous area near the imperial capital that I had leveled into a plain was now known as Takeru-ga-Hara and remained a vast, undeveloped territory. They were offering that land to me.
Hmm, I didn’t expect them to go this far.
Since they’re giving me this opportunity, maybe I should establish a new branch of the Sawatari Company and develop industries to further this nation’s prosperity.
「But is it really okay for a foreigner like me to receive land near the capital?」
「Why not? Takeru-dono, the Great Emperor’s hero, is originally from Hinomoto, is he not? Besides, as the husband of the Imperial Princess, you are hardly an outsider.」
「H-Husband?!」
「The Imperial Princess herself told me you had sealed your bond. She is of age, after all, and it was about time. The people of our nation are delighted that the hero who defeated Yamata-no-Orochi is her chosen partner.」
Wha—
Wait, that’s what happened?!
As if everything had been prepared beforehand, Shizuka, the Great Imperial Princess, appeared on the ship’s deck adorned in dazzling wedding attire.
「As a reward for the hero who defeated Yamata-no-Orochi, you receive me.」
「Well, this is quite the delightful gift.」
「I am inexperienced, but I look forward to our time together.」
「Alright, understood.」
Behind us, Kaara smiled knowingly, muttering that this ensured a strong bond with this nation.
It seemed I’d been caught in their plans.
Well, I didn’t set this up, but maybe it’s fine.
When I first met Shizuka, I did feel some kind of destiny at play.
As we are both connected to the Great Emperor, there might be some deeper bond between us.
If people say this marriage will strengthen ties between the two nations, they’re probably right.
Besides, I still have a stockpile of wedding rings. Guess this is one of those times when it pays to be prepared.
And so, a grand wedding ceremony was held for me and Shizuka, the Great Imperial Princess.
※※※
Now that I’d acquired plenty of miso, soy sauce, and even a wife, I’d accomplished what I needed to in this nation.
Thanks to the magic circle Kaara had set up, we could travel to and from Hinomoto whenever necessary.
Boarding the Black Cedar warship, or “Black Ship” as the people of Hinomoto called it, we leisurely departed from the port of Ozaka and headed for the open sea.
「Alright, set course further east!」
When I gave the command, Kaara looked startled.
「Nation’s Father, isn’t Hinomoto at the easternmost edge of the world?」
「Probably, but I suspect the seas at the world’s eastern and western edges are connected.」
Our next goal was to circumnavigate the world, aiming for the westernmost point of the Abyss Continent.
「Admiral, continue eastward! Full speed ahead!」
At my command, Admiral Mearid steered the fleet eastward, and the crew responded with enthusiastic cheers of ‘yosoro’!
TN: “Yosoro” means “keep steady”, a Japanese special sign used in cruising a ship.
「Our next destination is a journey around the world!」
Standing at the bow of the ship as we sailed through the open sea, I gazed ahead toward uncharted waters.
We were heading for the western coast of the Abyss Continent, a place even Archbishop Nicolaus, who had been exploring the east, had yet to reach.
There were still countless lands unseen and unexplored in this grim fantasy world.
A new adventure was about to begin.