As I started to leave, Kunelle also stood up. “All right! Case closed! Well then, I guess I’ll head home too, huh?”
“What? No, Kunelle, you stay here and help out, okay?” No way was she coming with me. “Everyone says peace with the South will be easier achieved with you around. You’re practically indispensable now.”
I placed my hands on her shoulders as she tried to rise from her seat, forcing her back down.
“Hey, you’re so strong! Well, I guess I have no choice if you’re the one asking me.”
“Please. If possible, I want you to watch over the lands of Ide and Titee. I want you, knowing the world as it was a thousand years ago, to see the difference. And really, you’re good at this sort of thing, right?”
I pleaded earnestly with her despite her displeasure. To be honest, whether Kunelle was in Viaysia or not would drastically change Rouge’s fate going forward. After all, Kunelle Chronicle Shulz Regia Ingrid was the foremost expert in all of human history when it came to handling nations. Voices proving that fact could be heard in the garden.
“Wow! It’s Her Highness the Missing Princess!”
“Wow! Seeing the hero of the mainland and the hero of the Allied Nations side by side makes for quite the sight.”
“The legendary revolutionary really doesn’t age, does she? She’s smaller than me...”
Kunelle waved and smiled politely back at the people who knew of her deeds from the Jewelculi. Frankly, she was the kind of figure destined for the history books of future millennia. In the past, she’d successfully led a revolutionary coup in a situation similar to that of the current Northern Alliance, founding a nation that prospered for a thousand years. Furthermore, she’d fostered cooperation to promote independent autonomy across various regions and still reigned as the head of the Ingrid Trading Company, exerting immense influence worldwide. I’d even heard that in some places she was revered as a goddess. But based on first impressions, I didn’t get that vibe at all.
“Uh, well...I did found a country back in the day. It’s not that I’m good at it, more that I’m used to it. I guess...”
“Without you, Rouge and the others will probably get hit with a coup or something. Please.” There were signs pointing to that scenario just from overhearing a brief conversation in the throne room earlier. There was no need for Future Sight—I could sense it with my Responsiveness skill.
“Well, yeah, that will happen. Honestly, without Ide, this country is wide open. If I were them, I’d whip up a faction dissatisfied with the Jewelculi privileges and take over in a flash.”
“I want you to prevent that. You can do that, right, Kunelle?”
“I could but... Ah, I guess since you’ve saved me three times already, it’s hard to refuse.” She was being surprisingly stubborn about this one thing.
As I stared at her, her eyes began to tear up and she cried out, “Ugh, seriously! I should be lounging on my fluffy bed back in my villa in Regia right now! I was looking forward to those wonderful days sewing clothes only when I felt like it! Why did you find me out there?! This is a curse, I tell you!”
I recalled that day with a wry smile. When that great duel had ended a week ago, we’d been stranded in the deserted royal capital. Even if it had been Ide’s wish, his sudden disappearance was dangerous, even for a powerful nation like Viaysia. I didn’t want to see Ide’s hard-won country swallowed whole by the Southern Alliance, so I’d decided to help Rouge.
First, I’d used my remaining MP to observe the Southern Alliance’s situation with Layered Dimension. Conveniently, I’d also spotted that Kunelle had been caught up in the turmoil while en route to the western nation of Regia. Misfortune had piled upon misfortune, and she was in mortal danger. I’d rushed to her aid, then invited her to the castle with great courtesy. She called it kidnapping, but that wasn’t true. We’d talked properly and she’d come of her own free will. As thanks for saving her multiple times, I’d asked her to advise us on stabilizing the country.
From there, Kunelle’s work had truly been proof of her profession. Utilizing my Dimension and Connection, I’d gathered the scattered people and, with Kunelle’s skill, perfectly stitched the Kingdom of Viaysia back together when it had been on the verge of disintegrating.
If not for Kunelle, things wouldn’t have been where they were now. And there was no doubt she was exactly the kind of talent Viaysia needed going forward. Determined not to let this connection slip away, I pressed on.
“Honestly, it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t feel bad taking on work. You’re really easy to ask.”
“Huh? What? Oh, no way. The image of me you have in your mind is way too much...”
“Please, I’m begging you. I’ll do anything to repay you!”
“Anything, you say? I have a really bad feeling about this! It’s definitely a trap! Ah, I seriously want to run away! I want to run, but it’s you asking me, so I can’t!”
“Why don’t you just accept it, Kunelle? There’s absolutely no escaping my Dimension magic.” Interrupting with a little skit, I kept holding her down.
“Ah! This exchange... It feels like we did it a thousand years ago too! All right, then. Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll do it, okay?! This is a big favor to you!” In the end, she never truly resisted, reluctantly nodding in agreement.
It was precisely because I knew she wasn’t truly reluctant that I could be so bold. I was deeply grateful for Kunelle’s kindness.
Just as our contract was settled, Rouge joined the conversation with a warm smile. “You two really get along well, don’t you? Well then, Lady Kunelle, I look forward to working with you starting tomorrow. Having advice from someone with a legend rivaling even the professor’s is worth a hundred men.”
Rouge offered her hand and Kunelle responded with a resigned look. “Yeah. For now, just play it cool as the face. I’ll handle things behind the scenes.”
“All right, now I can leave with peace of mind,” I said. “Oh, but Rouge, if by any chance you think Kunelle might be up to something bad, let me know right away. I’ll come flying over.” I was just playing it safe.