CH 161

A moment in the morning

***---***

I, Kokubu Kento's morning is early.

It's not because I'm staying in a cafeteria and I need to start preparing early.

Meisa-chan used me as a pillow, and I woke up to the coldness of her drool.

When we go to bed at night, me, Meisa-chan, and Mart-tachi will fall asleep in the shape of a river(川).

Yeah, even though it should have been the character for river(川), in the morning Meisa-chan was hugging me while I was lying on my back.

It's like being used as a hug pillow or a large stuffed animal.

Well, Meisa-chan was like a little sister to me, so it was better to be liked than hated.

That's why it's fine for me to be hugged, but in that position, Meisa-chan's sloppy smile appeared on her face.

She didn't have a beautiful girl's smile, which was good because she had a cuteness that was easy to get along with, but drool was dripping from the corner of her half-open mouth.

That's why, it's cold, it's cold, and it woke me up.

Still, I'm her partner, so it's fine, but if it's her first night with her boyfriend, even a 100-year-old love would grow cold.

Nn? Boyfriend? First night? No, no, no good, no good, Onii-chan won't forgive that.

[ Kent-sama, are you awake? ]

[ Yeah, I woke up to the coldness of Meisa-chan's drool again this morning. ]

[ Buhahaha ... Meisa-chan loves Kent-sama after all. ]

[ Well, it's fine. So, what happened? ]

[ Yes, it seems that Havre's soldiers have entered the royal castle. ]

[ Ah, didn't the Royal Knights' fast horse make it in time ... ]

The royal castle that towered above Aldaros was easy to defend, difficult to attack, and was called impregnable.

The wide road leading to the castle was a main street lined with shops, and during the day it was crowded with people, making it impossible for an army to pass through.

Even on the main street, once you hit the water moat that surrounded the castle, there was no straight bridge to cross, and you couldn't proceed to the royal castle unless you turned left or right along the moat.

It seemed that Havre Calvine's forces passed through the main street before the city woke up and quietly entered the castle.

[ Well ... It is truly shoddy. If the royal family were barred in the royal castle as hostages, there would be no doubt that the attacking army would hesitate to attack, it's troublesome. ]

Reinhardt is constantly saying words like shoddy and troublesome, but he couldn't control the smile that welled up when he imagined actually taking down the impregnable royal castle.

[ Does the fact that Havre's soldiers have entered the royal castle mean that the Prime Minister's backroom work went well? ]

[ Regarding that, you will hear it from Fred later. ]

According to Reinhardt, basically no noble private army ever set foot inside the royal castle.

'Basically' meant that when the army of another country advanced to the capital, it was assumed that they would besiege together.(TN:In other words, the private army would JOIN WITH the royal guard in defending the inside, they would never be allowed alone inside.)

A long time ago, there was a country of humans on the southern continent, which was now a den of monsters.

[ In this situation, if they receive a message from the Royal Guard attached to Camilla, how do you think the Royal Guard in the royal castle will act? ]

[ That's right ... It's up to the King. ]

[ Come to think of it, the Royal Guards move according to the orders of the Knight Commander, right? Does the Commander of the Royal Guard act under the King's orders? ]

[ That is true in normal times, but in times of emergency, we will make our own decisions and prioritize the interests of the country. ](TN:Hard to remember, but that was actually Reinhardt/Basten/Fred's position when they were alive under Arthur. When I started translating I didn't know what the position meant AT ALL, so I may not have done a good job getting that point across. Reinhardt was the top leader over all the knights, while Basten and Fred were leaders of squads under Reinhardt.)

[ Does that mean that there are times when you disobey the King's orders? ]

[ That's right. Yes, however, such situations are rare. ]

For example, if the army marched to another country but was likely to be defeated, and the King still ordered the march, they might ignore the order and withdraw in order to protect the King.

[ Besides, disobeying the King's order means preparing to take responsibility and commit suicide. ]

[ That means that depending on whether or not the King is worthy of risking your life, the reaction of the Knight Commander will change, right? ]

[ That's right. Also, depending on how loyal you are to Resenburg, your response will probably change. ]

[ In any case, you can't move unless you see what happens when you receive information about the knights of the Royal Guard who left Lastock, right? ]

[ That's right, I guess after seeing what kind of judgment the King and Prime Minister will make, and how Camilla-jou and the Fourth Prince will react to it. ]

Alphonse was poisoned, and Diethelm was the only remaining Prince, and I thought that he would inevitably inherit the throne, but I still felt like there was still a lot of upheaval.

Around the time I finished the meeting with Reinhardt, the door quietly opened and Amanda-san came in.

Since I started sleeping with Meisa-chan, I haven't locked the door to my room, and I have told Amanda-san that it is okay for her to come check on her.

Amanda-san, who met my eyes, let out a sigh while covering her face with her right hand.

"Haa ... This morning, too, I'm sorry, Kent."

"I'm used to it, so it's okay."

After flipping up the futon and showing Meisa-chan, Amanda-san let out another big sigh and then took a deep breath to yell.

But, Amanda-san had a loud voice, so if she yelled at her, she might annoy the neighbors, so I raised my hand to stop her.

When Amanda-san looked at me with a puzzled look, I started by stroking Meisa-chan's head.

Then Meisa-chan's smile deepened, and then she hugged me tightly and rubbed her face against me like a cat.

Next, when I stroked her behind her ears, she started to shake her head and groan because it tickled.

It didn't look like she was going to wake up yet, so I poked her cheeks with a 'Puni puni', her eyebrows wrinkled, and after her mouth tightened, she finally slightly opened her eyes.

As I poked her cheeks, her eyes, which had been vague, began to focus, Meisa-chan's body trembled, and when she saw Amanda-san's face beside me, her face turned bright red.

"Really ... Since when did you fall in love with Kent so much?"

"Is that so? Meisa-chan."

"I, It's different ... I'm not ... It's different."

She couldn't come up with a good excuse because she was still half asleep, so when we saw Meisa-chan's mouth starting to pout, Amanda-san and I both smiled.

"Hey, hey, change your clothes quickly, Meisa, wash Kent's pajamas before breakfast."

"I'm counting on you, Meisa-chan."

"Uuu ... Understood."

Meline-san, who came to help with the preparations, also joined us for breakfast.

Yesterday, I went to the chairman first, so today I visited starting with Manon's room.

Peeking into the room from the shadow space, Manon in pajamas was arranging her clothes on the bed, twisting her head at various combinations.

Then, the door opened and her brother Hamill appeared.

"Nee-chan, food ... Wait, what are you doing?"

"Hey, knock first, okay."

"Maybe, he's coming this morning, too?"

"Yes, say hello properly."

"I don't want to ... Why is that guy ..."

"Hamill, Kent will be your ... B, b, brother-in-law."

"Hmph, I don't approve of that kind of guy ... Wait, Nee-chan, you don't need a bra ... Fuugya."

"This mouth? Is it this mouth that says stupid things?"

Oh, Manon grabbed the edge of Hamill's mouth by moving so quickly it seemed as if she had teleported.

"Hefh, heffh ... I'f foffy!"(Yes, yess ... I'm sorry!)

"If you say something unnecessary next time, I'll cut you off ..."

"I fof if, I ufferfaff ..."(I got it, I understand ...)

Manon began to change her clothes after kicking out the teary-eyed Hamill.

When Manon finished changing her clothes and started combing her hair in front of the mirror, I called out to her.

"Manon, can I come in?"

"Kent? Y, yeah, wa, wait a minute ... Okay, it's fine."

I put out a shield of darkness in front of Manon who hastily finished combing her hair.

"Good morning, Manon, you look cute today as well."

"Hauu ... Thank you, Kent."

I gently hugged her.

"Kent, are you busy today?"

"Today, I'm only bringing the Japanese officials with me, but I get the feeling that if I go to Japan, it'll be troublesome ..."

"Tayama just passed away yesterday."

"Yeah, I'm also worried about Oda-sensei, who has returned to Japan."

"Then, can you come back for lunch?"

"Will Manon go to the clinic again today?"

"Yeah, I'm going to continue doing that for the time being."

"Then, I'll contact you if it looks like I'll be able to come back."

"Yes, I'll be waiting."

After another hug, I walked down the stairs with Manon and greeted Noela-san and Hamill before diving into the shadows.

I headed for the chairman's room, but today she had already changed her clothes and was sitting on the bed waiting.

"Yuika, can I come in?"

"Please ... Good morning, Kento."

The chairman invited me to sit next to her by tapping on her bed.

"Good morning, Yuika, you look cute today too."

"Ehh, th, thank you ..."

I sat next to the chairman, who blushed slightly, and gave her a soft hug.

Yeah, shouldn't I just push her down like this.

"You went to Manon first this morning, didn't you."

"Ehh, how did you know?'

"Because If you come to me first, you won't say I'm cute, right?"

"Ehh ... N, no, because yesterday, you were changing clothes ..."

"You think Yuika is scary ... or something?"

"No way! Yuika is so cute! You're too cute for me."

"Really ...?"

"Really."

The chairman closed her slightly moist eyes.

This, it's okay to push her down.

But, when I hugged her, I heard a noise.

"Be quiet! I can't hear them."

"Shh! Your voice is loud, they can hear you."

Yes, I can hear you, the onlookers on the other side of the door.

The chairman was red to her ears.

It was really cute, but it was really awkward.

"Umm ... Do you want to continue?"

"Idiot ... Kento's ecchi."

"Gufuu ... I'm sorry, I was joking."

It's no good. The chairman who is blushing and sulking has too much destructive power.

Isn't it okay if I just throw away all the troublesome work.

"Kento, you're going to pick up the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, right?"

"Uu ... That's right. But, that's at ten o'clock in Japan time, so it's still okay."

"In Japan, there may be people who say various things to Kento, but you don't have to worry about it. We know that Kento is doing his best."

"Yeah, understood. Thank you, Yuika."

I wondered if the chairman is worried about me being slammed again in Japan.

But, regardless of whether I'm put down or praised, what I do won't change, and as long as the chairman and the others understand me, I'm fine.

"Well then, I'm going. I have to report to Klaus-san."

"That's right. Have a nice day."

"Yeah, I'm off."

I hugged her again, then dove into the shadows and moved to Beatriche's place this time.

Beatriche had just finished breakfast with Klaus-san and the others.

I visited the dining room where the Feudal Lord family was relaxing.

"Good morning. I'm sorry that my classmate caused a commotion yesterday."

Usually, Beatriche would come up to me and kiss me, but this morning I bowed my head and started off with a greeting.

"Good morning. It's true that there's been a bit of a commotion, but Kent, it's already been a month since your comrades came to Volzard. Even if they foolishly get killed by a monster, you shouldn't apologize or feel responsible."

"That's right. Kent-san will become a person of Volzard, rather, it's okay to get angry if they don't cause trouble."

"Yes, I appreciate you saying that. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."

Marianne-san had a big smile on her face, and Klaus-san had a bitter expression.

At that point, I stood up from my seat and hugged Beatriche, who walked over to me.

I'm sorry, I was aiming for this timing. But, it's kind of fun, so I'll continue.

"Father-in-law, I am planning to bring three officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Japan today. They will be stationed here and will support my classmates while preparing for future exchanges with Volzard. Also, I'm late in reporting this, but yesterday, I brought a psychological counselor with me. We plan to have him stay in the temporary dormitory like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff."

"I see, I heard about that psychological counselor from Beatriche. The staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also be welcomed. If you have any problems or requests, do not hesitate to tell me. Mutual understanding is essential for smooth exchanges from here on."

"Yes, my best regards."

When I lowered my head, Klaus-san showed a sour expression again.

"That's why ... Kent, what side do you belong to?"

"Ehh ...?"

"You're going to be a Volzard person, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Even if I return to Japan for the sake of the friendship between Japan and Volzard, I intend to base my life in Volzard."

"Then, you are not the one who asks, but the one who is asked."

"Ah ... That's right."

"Well, you probably won't be able to change it all of a sudden, but in order to make your position clearer, try to be conscious of it on a regular basis."

"Yes, I understand. Father-in-law."

"Tch, you've always been conscious of unnecessary things, when you first came to Volzard, you were much cuter ..."

Marianne-san spoke to Klaus-san, who was lashing out in dissatisfaction, while holding back her laughter.

"Ara, ara, if you complain about such a cute son-in-law you will be punished. After all, he is also the savior of Riche's life."

"That's right, Father, he's going to be my precious husband."

"Hee, hee, is that so ... Huh, Kent, remember it well. In another 20 years, you'll be in the same position I am now ... No, you'll have to work harder because you have more wives. It serves you right."

"No, no, I never thought that spending time with my future wives was a hassle, so there's no need to worry."

It was no use trying to get me involved, and forcing the criticism to me.

"Well, according to the rumors, I heard that you were made to sit on the floor in front of three people and was interrogated a little bit ..."

"Guu, I, I wonder if such a thing happened ... I don't remember very well."

"So, when will the Princess of Barshania come to Volzard?"

"No, that's after the internal conflict in Resenburg has been settled ..."

"It's nice to meet your future wives every morning, but it's not good for Volzard to neglect the princess of a country ..."

"Gufuu, I understand. I will make sure to show up at Seraphima's place as well."

"Oh, come to think of it, did you greet Yuika's parents yet?"

"Guhou, well, not yet ..."

"I see ... Kent, let's do our best again today."

"Yes ..."

Damniiiiit, Klaus-san's triumphant smile pisses me off.

I was told to bring the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials to Klaus-san's office in the guild.

Takagi-san, the counselor, would also be guided so that they could register together.

I was annoyed to go home after losing, so I tried to show off to Klaus-san, gave Beatriche a long kiss, and then dove into the shadow space.

The destination was Chowsk, the border town of Barshania.

Now that I thought about it, I didn't visit them at all after I delivered the rebar.

For the time being, the Kobold Corps were watching the movement of the Barshanian army, but Fred, who was in charge of reconnaissance, was now attached to the former First Prince's faction.

Even though I no longer had to worry about them invading Resenburg, did I leave them alone a little too long?

In Chowsk, it seemed that the peddlers had been released, and a line of caravans could be seen heading into the desert.

Meanwhile, the Barshanian forces began to move.

That said, they seemed to be moving towards the center of Barshania, not towards the desert.

[ Kent-sama, it looks like that is a unit led by the First Prince. ]

"Huh? Aren't their units heading towards the desert?"

[ That's true, but it looks like an engineering corps rather than an attack unit. ]

"What is an engineering corps?"

[ Simply put, it is the military unit in charge of civil engineering. ]

"I see ..."

Certainly, as Reinhardt said, the troops heading to the desert were carrying tools such as shovels and pickaxes rather than swords and spears.

"Isn't that a considerable number of people?"

[ That's right. At a quick glance, it seems there are more than 2,000 people. ]

"Is this ... a desert reclamation unit?"

[ Perhaps, that might be so. ]

At the very end of the engineering corps marching in unison, there was Seraphima riding on a camel-like donkey-like animal, and her escort female knight.

"Reinhardt, what is that animal called?"

[ That's a Belft, it's an animal that's strong in the desert. As you can see, they have large hooves and are characterized by their difficulty in burrowing into the sand. ]

It's true that they had big hooves, longer legs, and shorter torsos than horses.

There was something like a bump around the base of the neck, but it was probably a bag to store water.

After crossing the bridge, the engineering corps headed upstream along the river.

Beyond the bridge over the waterway dug to surround the cultivated farmland, there was a construction site further ahead.

The current cultivated farmland spread out in a fan shape around the bridge, but it seemed that a new waterway had been constructed to double the radius.

It seemed that the idea was to dig a waterway, plant a sand control forest, and turn the inside into farmland all at once.

Upon arriving at the site, Seraphima opened the blueprints and gave instructions to the men who seemed to be the commanders, and the construction began.

The engineering unit seemed to have not only earth-attribute magicians, but also wind-attribute, and water-attribute magicians.

The waterway was shaped by well-coordinated movements, such as those who used magic, those who finished the walls using their strengthened bodies, and those who were in charge of surveying.

[ Hou, this is splendidly organized. ]

"They're digging quite wide and deep."

[ Probably, they're considering passing a ship to transport agricultural products. ]

"I see ... they've thought about that."

Seraphima wore pants with a tight hem and a long jacket with a hood, perhaps to avoid sand and direct sunlight, and watched the progress from the already completed riverwall.

I called out to her from a distance so that she wouldn't be surprised and I wouldn't be attacked by the escort female knight.

"Good morning. Seraphima-san."

"Ah ... Kent-sama, good morning."

Seraphima, with her eyes, restrained the female knight who was placing her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"I don't mind if you come here ..."

Before I could finish my words, Seraphima rushed over with a lightness like fluff blown by the wind and hugged me.

"It's really cruel to leave your bride alone for four days."

"Umm ... I'm sorry. Or rather, isn't that a little bad."

The construction was completely stopped. Not only that, but I was pierced by gazes containing murderous intent from the surroundings.

"It's okay. I've already announced my engagement to Kent-sama to the people. Everyone here is also aware of it."

"Eeeehhhh ... But, I feel like there is no celebratory mood at all ..."

"Ufufufu, it's just Kent-sama's imagination."

Smiling, Seraphima put her arms around my neck again and kissed me on the cheek.

The surroundings were enveloped in voices of resentment, like the groans of the dead who fell to the depths of hell.

Yeah, I'm seriously worried about being cursed to death.

"Kent-sama, can you take it easy today?"

"I'm sorry, I have a lot of work today."

"Haa ... It can't be helped. It's normal for a competent gentleman to be relied upon."

"So, I thought I'd leave one of my genus so that I can be in contact with Seraphima-san and come anytime."

"Speaking of genus, are they Skeletons and Kobolds?"

"Yeah, Come, Hirt."

"Wafuu, Goshujin-sama, did you call me?"

Hirt jumped out of the shadows and was wagging its tail at my feet.

When I petted it, it wagged its tail even more violently.

"I can instantly travel to places where my genus are, even if I have never been there before, and they can come back to me immediately. I'll let Hirt stay by your side, so please contact me when you need something."

"Ko, Kobold spoke ..."

"I'm Hirt, nice to meet you."

"I'm Seraphima. It's nice to meet you as well, my best regards for the future."

Seraphima was also timid at first and stroked Hirt, but she was immediately fascinated by the fluffy texture.

"I'd like to watch the construction a little more, but I have to go soon, so I'll come to see you again."

"Yes, please come any time."

I hugged her again and dove into the world of shadows, but the moans of resentment once again dominated the surroundings.

Wouldn't this be worse for Volzard than leaving Seraphima alone?

Well, it's already too late. Now, let's head to Japan.