The fact that Sonken-san and Soso-san had come to see me meant that the morning battle with Saracrim was over.
In other words, I would finally meet Saracrim… but…
「Um… Is everyone coming together?」
Saracrim had a throne built in the large hall originally used for meetings and basically did not leave it, apparently taking lunch there as well.
So we were heading to that large hall… beside me were the three representatives, and behind them were Kan’u-san, Sonsaku-san, and Wendy and the others.
Since I was an envoy this time, I thought Wendy and the others were voluntarily holding back… Well, it did not matter to Shiro, so having her next to me was reassuring.
「Of course. I am curious about the drifter’s cooking.」
「I heard from Chouhi-san that you made an amazing dish. I am very curious.」 ‘Purun.’
「Likewise. Know that it is only natural.」
It seemed certain that they would come together.
Well, there was no inconvenience, so it was fine… but the tension increased a bit.
「Hey, shorty. You are strong, right?」
「Hmm? Reasonably.」
「Reasonably… huh. I feel like I cannot win even before fighting… So, do you not intend to fight Saracrim?」
「Hmm? Hmm, I have no such plan.」
「Is that so. I was wondering what would happen, but it is a pity. Know that.」
No, no, no. That was why I had prepared delicious soup and tribute jewelry this time.
Although it was bad for Gigoshoku, I would prioritize our purpose.
「But, but, it would be interesting if Shiro-san defeated Saracrim. Since Shiro-san seems to be envoy-dono’s slave, if she defeats Saracrim, will envoy-dono become King?」 ‘Purunru.’
「Hmm. That might be good.」
「I do not want to… Being King is nothing but trouble…」
I absolutely did not want to become King.
Besides, Shiro would not fight.
Since it would end without fighting, such an ‘if’ would not occur.
「Eh, do you dislike being King? You could make us obey you?」 ‘Pururun.’
「I dislike it… Besides, since you are all from the Republic, you do not need a King, do you?」
「Not necessarily. Know that I have considered that establishing one King and having us bear the King’s children would strengthen the bonds of the three kingdoms.」
「Ah, you mentioned that before. It was unfair to have Kings established from each country, and I refused because I preferred one partner, but Sonsaku agreed. She also wanted to bear such a King’s child.」
Um… That meant he was like a stud, right? Sonsaku-san agreed with that?
From her appearance, she seemed like the class president type, very reliable…
Well, if common sense differed by country, even a reliable person like a class president could have different impressions due to differing norms…
「Of course. If he is a King standing above us, he must be able to handle three, four, or five partners with ease. Saracrim is strong, but since she is a woman, she cannot be King.」
「You are as usual… Who is your ideal type again?」
「That is, of course, His Majesty Zetsurin! That person is truly a hero! Truly an Emperor! A great man who has many wives and satisfies them all every night! Ah… I wished I had met him while he was alive…」
So her type was Zetsurin…
They say heroes love beauty, so did she like men like heroes?
Or was it that?
Like how serious girls are attracted to bad boys like delinquents…?
「Fufun! Then Master is fit to be King! Because Master every night—」
「Oops, Wendy!? There is dust on your shoulder!」
「Wendy, that was dangerousssu! Phew! I will not say what, but it was a close call!」
No, it was really dangerous…
Why was she proudly starting to boast with an “Ahem” feeling?
I did not want to become King, and before that, I wanted to avoid fighting.
「…Wendy. What do you mean by talking about increasing master’s women againssu…」
「Hah! I inadvertently saw a future where Master became King… I am sorry.」
Sorte and Renge stopped her well.
I would clean their tails nicely later!
※
The large hall… As the name suggested, it was a very spacious room.
A carpet spread from the entrance, leading to the throne, and Saracrim was there… but a child?
My first impression was that she looked like a child no matter how I looked.
Her long, bright red hair reached the floor, she wore a princess-like dress, crossed her short legs, and sat back arrogantly.
She seemed like a child the same size as Shiro or slightly smaller, but I felt some kind of pressure that was clearly not that of a child.
Thinking such things, I knelt and bowed my head so as not to be rude by lagging behind Ryuubi-san and the others in paying respects.
「Umu! Welcome! Raise your face!」
Her way of speaking was also childlike.
Her voice was high-pitched, as if she had not yet gone through puberty, and even when I raised my face, I felt a youthfulness that made her seem nothing but a child.
She looked like a child who would be delighted if I gave her a lollipop.
Well, this indescribable pressure might mean that, like Origol, she looked young due to her race but was actually an adult.
In any case, I must not let my guard down based on appearance and must show proper respect.
「So? What did you bring today?」
「Hah! First, this. It is something I made with Alchemy. Please accept it if you like.」
Saying that, I took out a piece of jewelry depicting a red dragon.
It was about the size of a large bath towel, made entirely of gems in a pixel-art style depicting a red dragon and the sky.
I displayed it by hanging it on something like a coat rack.
「Ooh! Is it not beautiful! Are they all gems? What is that red one?」
「This is something called a dragon in another world. Although it is different from the dragons of this world, I depicted a red dragon.」
「Heeee! A red dragon! You have good taste! I will gratefully accept it! Sonken, bring it closer.」
Eh? Sonken-san responded reluctantly, looking annoyed, but it seemed to be a very good impression.
Since she was in a good mood, if I served that soup now, it would almost certainly be a success… or so I hoped.
「And, I brought lunch, so? Well then, let me eat it right away!」
「Y-Yes!」
「Every time, every time, the food is not delicious at all. I hope it is not disappointing… Wha… What is that!?」
I took out the stockpot, and when I opened the lid, light leaked from within first.
Saracrim exclaimed in astonishment.
「It is glowing!? Is there such cuisine! Amazing, amazing, amazi-ing!」
Good, good. A good impression.
She was not disgusted; her eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
「Then, let me serve it on a plate—」
「Soso. Bring it as it is. A little bit is not enough.」
「Eh? Ah, understood…」
As it is? How did she intend to drink it?
Soso-san lightly carried only the stockpot to Saracrim… Was a plate not needed?
Perhaps she had her own special plate.
「Hmmm! It smells good! It is the best smell among all the previous ones! This can be expected…!」
Saying that, Saracrim lifted the stockpot… Wait, she lifted it!?
With her small body, she effortlessly lifted the pot and began drinking the soup directly from it.
I heard Shiro and Shion whispering “Envious…” from right behind me, but I was more shocked by the sight of little Saracrim lifting the heavy pot with ease.
Then, immediately, ‘Clang’… She put the pot down, and a brief silence fell.
I was so tense wondering what her impression would be that I could hear my own heart pounding in the quietness—but.
「It tastes bad.」
Saracrim’s low, displeased voice sent a chill down my spine.
The pressure I had felt earlier changed into something more unpleasant, and cold sweat poured out as if I were being intimidated by her gaze alone.
This sensation… I felt like I had experienced it somewhere… But the intimidation was so strong I could not concentrate on remembering, and I could not take my eyes off Saracrim.
「It smelled so delicious, but it does not taste good at all. What is this… It is the worst. It would have been better if it had no smell. I feel deceived.」
Her voice had changed from the cheerful tone earlier to one of undisguised displeasure.
I sensed everyone behind me preparing for something, but I could not look away from Saracrim in front of me.
And Saracrim kicked the stockpot placed before the throne—
「Take this away quickly.」
‘Crash’… The pot rolled down the steps at the foot of the throne, making a loud noise.
Naturally, since the soup was still inside, it all spilled out and soaked into the carpet.
—At that moment, the pressure I had been feeling from Saracrim in front of me was now also coming from right behind me… but the level was different.
Although I knew it was not directed at me, I felt a chill as if my body were being swallowed by a torrent and freezing, and paradoxically, a stinging heat as if I were being burned.
Reflexively, I could not even turn around, and continued to face forward in tension, not knowing who it was from.
Then, the one who started walking forward step by step was Shiro… and Shion was being dragged along, hugging Shiro’s stomach.
It seemed she was trying to stop her, but even if she looked at me with teary eyes, I could not stop her either!?
Because she was incredibly angry!
However, was this not bad!? Not only in terms of fighting, but diplomatically as well, was this not bad!?
「Shiro, wait.」
「Hmm…」
Th-that voice was Wendy-san!
As expected of Wendy-san! She was reliable, having truly mastered my stomach!
「Can you do it?」
「Hmm.」
「Certainly?」
「Hmm.」
「I see… Then. Go ahead.」
Wendy-san!?
Ah, this was bad.
Wendy-san was just as furious!
Wait, wait, wait, hold on!
「Sh-Shiro?」
「Lord. I will beat her to a pulp.」
「Ah, yes… Um, please do not overdo it.」
「Hmm. It is fine.」
It was impossible! Impossible!
I could not stop her!
Shiro was smiling. Only her mouth.
Her eyes were burning with anger…
「Hey, m’lord, this is bad! That King, despite her appearance, is incredibly strong!? No matter how strong Shiro-san is, it is uncertain if she will be unharmed!」
Yes. Well, even in normal times, that pressure was immense.
She lightly handled Sonken-san, Soso-san, and Kan’u-san, so of course she was strong.
「Well, I am leaving the timing of the retreat to Shiro. Since Shiro says she is fine, I just have to believe she will not overdo it.」
It was not because I could not stop Shiro because she was angry!
It was because I knew Shiro had judged it was fine and would not overdo it!
「Hmm. Shion. Let go of my hand.」
「Hyai! Awawawa.」
「Shion. Leave lord to Sorte and the others.」
「O-of course! But can she win? That person… is probably terrifyingly strong, you know?」
「Hmm. I will send her flying.」
「Wow… She will send her flying. Shiro-san is scarier now! Yes, understood! Leave it to me! I will protect m’lord with my life!」
You did not need to risk your life, but please take care of it!
「If you were not going to do it, we could have done it ourselves… Shiro. Go ahead.」
「Beat her to a pulpssu!」
「Leave my liege and Wendy to me.」
「Hmm. I leave it to you.」
Shiro advanced toward Saracrim without making a sound.
Saracrim, who had been complaining to Sonken-san nearby while still displeased, seemed to notice Shiro approaching, but she did not look particularly flustered.
「What is it. You look ready to fight. Fine? I will play with you. Low-life—」
「Hmm.」
Before she could finish speaking, Shiro responded. At the same time, Sonken-san, panicking, jumped down from near the high throne without caring for her appearance, and a ‘Gokin’ sound was heard.
Almost simultaneously with that sound, the ceiling broke.
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