In this world of magic, differences in physical stature didn’t necessarily translate to differences in combat ability, so the military included many women. Liscia and Aisha were prime examples. Because women had long served in defense of the state, the gender gap here was far smaller than in Souma’s original world. (It was one reason many of the most influential houses in the Kingdom of Friedonia were run by women.)
So when a hero program for boys became popular, it was only natural for calls to arise for a heroine program for girls. And once Queen Roroa’s enthusiasm for selling merchandise got involved, there was no stopping it from going into production.
Thus, the first heroine program, They Are Honey Bunny: Pure MAX!!!, was born.
After hearing this explanation, Lombard nodded.
“I-I see. There are plenty of women out there who can fight. My own wife, Yomi, is one of them. So of course boys aren’t the only ones who can aspire to be heroes.”
“Yeah. If there’s a battle, I’ll protect you, Lord Lom.”
Yomi, an accomplished mage, held up her very real and not merely ornamental magic wand.
Lombard was a capable fighter, but if Yomi started slinging spells at him from a distance, he’d be hard-pressed to win. He gave a wry smile and nodded.
Margarita, watching the exchange, laughed.
“Ah ha ha! That’s the spirit. Even in the Amidonian military, which was full of sweaty guys, I bet Madam Yomi could’ve risen through the ranks and had men serving under her.”
“I’m not into sweaty guys... I prefer softer men, like Lord Lom.”
“Hee hee! She really does love you, doesn’t she?”
“Yes.” Lombard nodded. “She’s a far better wife than I’ve ever deserved.”
The four people enjoying this peaceful conversation had, just a few years earlier, stood on opposite sides of a massive war that decided the fate of the world. The flow of time was a strange thing.
At this point, Ivan interjected. “What would you like to do? Shooting looks finished, so why don’t we go talk to the performers for a bit?”
“Ohh!” Lombard exclaimed. “I couldn’t have asked for more. I’d very much like that.”
“Got it. In that case... Siena, Nanna, can we have a moment?”
When Ivan called out, Honey and Bunny turned towards him.
“Oh, Big Brother.”
“Hey, if it isn’t Ivan. What’s up?”
The two hurried over, and Ivan introduced them to Lombard and Yomi.
“This is my little sister, Siena, and this is Nanna, who also works as a singer.”
“I am Siena Juniro.”
“I’m Nanna Kamizuki—no, Nanna Juniro. Nice to meet you!”
Siena gave a graceful bow, while Nanna’s greeting was casual, like she was chatting with an old friend. Nanna hailed from a wandering tribe that had eventually settled in a fishing village, and the rough edge to her speech hadn’t faded. Siena had played Pure Bunny earlier, while Nanna was Pure Honey.
Yomi blinked at Nanna.
“I understand why his sister Siena shares the Juniro name, but...you’re part of the House of Juniro too?”
“Ahh... Yeah. She’s my wife,” Ivan explained, looking a little embarrassed.
“And Ivan’s my husband!” Nanna added with a wide grin.
The two had first met when Nanna was singing the main theme for Charge! Silvan. Her voice was so powerful she’d even been invited to boost morale (and magical power) during the kaiju hunt in the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago—making her a perfect fit for a hero show.
When the heroine program Honey Bunny went into production, the lively Nanna—who’d sung the theme song for a hero show—was tapped to play one half of the lead duo alongside Siena, who, like Ivan, needed no special effects thanks to her own illusion magic.
Because Ivan was involved in the production of Honey Bunny, he naturally ended up spending more time with Nanna.
Back then, voices around him had been growing louder, urging that it was high time he settle down and produce an heir for the House of Juniro. Nanna volunteered for the position. She’d apparently heard from Siena, her close friend, that Ivan was having a hard time. And so...
“I like Ivan, and Siena, and Mr. Moltov too. If you’ll feed me lots of chicken, I don’t mind being your wife!”
...she said, as if it were no big deal.
According to her, she liked fish but had grown tired of eating it constantly, and so preferred chicken even more.
Ivan had always seen Nanna as something like a little sister, but when she made her offer, he made up his mind. Later, he even opened a large chicken farm in her name. Instead of an engagement ring, she received an engagement farm.
When Nanna married Ivan, she transitioned from a lorelei to a singer, and now she’d added a career as an actress playing a transforming heroine.
At that moment, Phantom Thief Todoashikan walked up behind them, wiping sweat from his brow.
“Huff... Huff... Hey there, Sir Ivan. I thought you were going to be showing some guests around today?” he asked in his smooth baritone voice.
“Yeah, Morse,” Ivan replied with a nod. “These are our guests.”
“Ohh, so they are. Hello, I am Morse Butchy.”
“Huh? Oh...! Uh, hi. I am Lombard Remus.”
Lombard was momentarily taken aback as Phantom Thief Todoashikan—or rather Morse Butchy of the walrus race—extended his hand. He quickly regained his composure and shook it.
“Um... You were playing the, uh, monster earlier, weren’t you, Sir Morse?”
“Yes. I am primarily a singer by trade, but my voice has a dignified tone to it, so I was chosen to play the role of an enemy commander in the new transforming heroine show. My appearance has been received as more comical than scary. They said that if I’m fighting girls, a slightly silly looking enemy works better.”
“I-Is that right...?”
The walrus-faced Morse stroked his whiskers with a jovial smile.
It was true; he did seem quite affable when smiling like this.