Around the time I wrapped up my “family time” rotations, Sylphy brought me some news: The agreements made with the Holy Kingdom’s emissaries before their departure concerning a ceasefire and peace were finally bearing fruit.
I hadn’t been directly involved in those peace talks, so this was news to me, but apparently, most of the Holy Knights and soldiers who’d accompanied the emissaries had already returned home. Nearly ten representatives remained behind in Merinesburg to continue negotiations: clergymen, civil servants, and some high-ranking Holy Knights.
“So they pretty much accepted all our terms for peace?” I asked.
“That’s right,” Sylphy said, exhaling. “They agreed to pay reparations and to return the former demi-human slaves to us in phases. We’ve also secured a five-year non-aggression pact and a trade treaty that favors us. They’ll be paying us reparations over a five-year period,” she finished, looking as though a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Melty and Serafeeta, seated beside her, wore similar expressions of relief.
In reality, the Holy Kingdom never stood a chance against the rifle squad or any of the other combat forces under my influence. They must’ve determined that continuing the war simply wasn’t cost-effective. After all, the subjugation force of 10,000 they sent into Merinard had been completely annihilated at the hands of an airboard- and machine gun-equipped rifle squad working in tandem with the harpy aerial bomb squad.
My enchantments solved the only real drawback of the machine guns—their limited endurance—and I’d already developed heavy-armament golems and self-destruct golems equipped with gleaming magic jewel bombs.
Quite frankly, the difference in firepower was so immense that a little bit of magic, some miracles, or even their great chorus magic wouldn’t close the gap. Whether they fielded 20,000 or 300,000 troops, the outcome would’ve been the same: more dead bodies. Worst-case scenario, I could just annihilate them entirely with gleaming magic jewel bombs.
“But, wow, they sure have softened their stance, huh?” I mused. “I heard there’s been some internal strife kicking up in the Holy Kingdom, but is it really that bad over there?”
“We barely have any diplomatic ties with the Holy Kingdom,” Sylphy replied with a frown. “And there’s no one we can rely on for reliable intelligence. Sir Deckard might know something, but he hasn’t said much.”
“He looks like a kind old man, but he’s quite the sly weasel…” I said.
Sylphy and Melty wore stern expressions on their faces, but Serafeeta and Doriada looked fairly composed—especially Doriada.
And yeah, you might’ve noticed I stopped with the formal names. You get it, right? As for Serafeeta, well, she’s Sylphy’s mom, so I still can’t seem to shake formalities there…
“There will be fewer problems we can solve through combat going forward,” Sylphy said after a pause. “Which means we’ll need to focus on recruiting and training intermediaries and spies.”
“At the end of the day,” Doriada said, taking a carefree tone, “it’s pointless to try to think about this when we don’t have enough information, so let’s not lose sleep over it.”
“Is that really okay?” Sylphy replied with a frown, but maybe Doriada was on to something. It was a waste of time stressing over questions with no answers.
“That said, I think Doriada is right,” I concluded. “Thinking about what’s going on inside the Holy Kingdom is pointless if we don’t have anything to work with. Let’s set that aside for now and talk about the pioneer village project Melty’s been running around dealing with.”
Melty nodded. “I already sent word out to the various regions informing them to select development sites immediately. Most have already chosen their areas and started gathering former demi-human slaves for us. Preparations should be finished within a few days.”
“Okay. In that case, I’d like to head out soon and start gathering construction resources. It’d be a good idea to get as much as I can.”
“Understood. I’ll adjust your schedule.” Melty said briskly.
“Ah, in that case, can I make a request?” Serafeeta chimed in. “I’d like you to take Aqual with you when you go out to gather resources. Do you mind?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
Serafeeta was acting much more casual with me these days.
“I mean, I don’t mind,” I said carefully. “But why?”
Aqual wasn’t exactly my biggest fan, so I didn’t think there was any reason to go out of my way to work together on the field. Then it hit me—maybe this was Serafeeta’s way of nudging us to get along.
“I want her to see you as you really are, Kousuke,” she said, tilting her head again with that same soft smile.
“I guess that’s fine,” I muttered. “But…”
I glanced over at Sylphy, who nodded with a strained smile on her face.
“She’s been cooped up in the castle too long. Some fresh air will do her good. And besides, if she’s with you, she’ll be perfectly safe.”
Melty’s lips curved in a sly grin. “Isn’t it actually dangerous in a different way?”
Sylphy just shrugged, feigning innocence. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
I’d really appreciate it if the two of you stopped talking about me like I have no self-control or integrity…
I mean, considering the current situation, I couldn’t exactly deny it was a possibility… I could admit that I was easily swept up in the mood at times, but it wasn’t like I was out there chasing every woman I met. The only one I’d actually pursued was Elen.
Though I suppose that’s more than enough proof. Yeah. In terms of how this world views chastity, or I suppose marriage in general, apparently I’m the weird one.
“Kousuke’s making that face again.” Melty sighed.
“Still not used to all this?” Serafeeta smirked.
“I’m trying,” I said. “But it’s hard to shake the values you grew up with.”
Even I knew I couldn’t keep acting wishy-washy about this stuff forever. Still, I had zero intention of throwing myself at Aqual, so I wished they’d lay off the assumption.
“If that happens, then we’ll all be one big happy family,” Serafeeta said with a smile.
“Er, that’s a bit…”
I trailed off, because from Serafeeta’s point of view, she’d already decided that Ifriita and I were basically inevitable. I wasn’t going to… Okay, maybe I couldn’t deny that one completely. But Aqual? Not a chance. I could tell that she essentially saw me as her enemy.
But at the end of the day, whatever happened, happened.
Sometimes you just had to accept your fate.