Drifted Into a Reversed World ~ The One Method for Me, a Japanese Guy, to Survive in a World Where Men and Fertility Are Scarce ~ - 29

Chapter 29: The Queen

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

“Should I get in this?”

“Yeah. If you ride in this for about an hour, we should reach the Royal Capital. It’s a bit of a stretch, but please bear with it.”

Waiting beyond the arch of the checkpoint was a single carriage. One could tell at a glance that the body was of superior make, and it was pulled by a white horse with a lustrous coat. It was high-quality enough that even Sota, a commoner, could discern its excellence. When he stepped up and looked inside, he found plush seats and a glittering interior. He received the impression that it was like a luxury suite shrunk down to a smaller scale.

“Whoa, incredible.”

“There isn’t much, but there is wine and food inside. Please eat and drink as you like.”

“Is it really okay for me to get this kind of royal treatment…?”

“In a sense, you are an existence as precious as royalty. If anything, I feel we’ve truly put you through hard times until now.”

Honestly, for Sota, this treatment was more than he deserved. Though he felt overwhelmed, Sota’s inner child raced at the sight of the luxurious carriage, the likes of which he had only ever seen in movies.

“Aren’t you going to ride with me, Firis-san?”

“No. It is regrettable, but for a man and a woman to enter such a private space is a bit much, as you might expect…”

“I see… That’s a shame.”

One might think, “Then what about what happened last night?”, but they were naturally keeping their stories straight. That said, since it was consensual, it wasn’t as if anyone could find fault with it, but for Firis, it would be quite problematic in many ways if it became known that she alone had been intimate with a man. As the two of them let a slight air of lingering regret bleed out, Elraine’s voice flew in as if to scold them.

“Sota-sama, Firis-sama, we have no time. We wish to arrive by sunset, so let us hurry.”

“…I suppose so. Sota, that is how it is.”

“Understood. Just one more hour of patience, then.”

“Ah… wait. I forgot to mention one thing, but please keep the window curtains tightly closed.”

“The curtains?”

“It would be troublesome if you were spotted by ‘man-hunters.’ Besides, if you were to be seen in the middle of the Royal Capital, Sota, it would cause quite a stir.”

“Understood.”

“Also, Sota, please change into these clothes while we are moving.”

Saying that, Elraine handed him a set of clothing. The fabric felt far more premium than what he was currently wearing and looked expensive at a glance. These had likely been arranged along with the carriage.

“Thank you, Elraine-san.”

“N-No. Well then, Sota-sama. Please bear with us for a while longer until we enter the Royal Capital.”

◆◆◆◆◆

Kingdom of Vedna — The Royal Capital

The Kingdom of Vedna was said to be the largest within the continent, possessing fertile lands and stable national power. Even though they engaged in daily conflicts with the Aidia Empire and monsters, the Royal Capital itself was thick with the color of tranquility.

Not only did robust fortresses protect the capital in double layers, but the protection of the Great Spirit Ashius rained down upon the entire city. Taking this city, which had built a reputation for being an iron wall, was something even the Empress of the Aidia Empire, Elenoa, would likely never consider as an option.

Towering in the center of the capital was the white royal castle, Castle Vedna, looking as if it were swearing an oath of chastity toward men. It was tall, massive, noble, and yet sturdy. There was even an anecdote that its walls, which would not allow even a half-hearted attack to pass, had repelled the wicked spear of the Demon Gandar.

“Haa… I wonder if she is alright.”

A voluptuous, yet deeper than the deep sea sigh. The woman seated upon the crown jewel that was the castle’s magnificent throne was tinged with the color of sorrow. Her appearance suggested she was in her mid-to-late thirties. Her stunning sky-blue hair fell in gentle waves down to her waist. If one were to describe this woman in a single word, “huge” would be unavoidable. Standing over two meters tall by visual estimate, her excess fat was somewhat conspicuous compared to toned women like Firis or Ronia.

The woman, who had one foot firmly planted in the line of what could be called obese, was nonetheless beautiful. Or rather… Regarding the appearance of the woman once called the “Treasure of the Gertia Continent,” it would be more appropriate to evaluate her as: “She has put on weight, but she still manages to maintain her beauty.”

The Queen of the Kingdom of Vedna, Mamula. The throne, into which her massive buttocks sank, was a little cramped for her to sit in. However, this very throne, passed down through the royal line, was a precious item that only the Queen of this country was permitted to sit upon. While there was a famous anecdote that the Empire’s throne was carved from the claws of a Divine Dragon, this one was said to have been created from the tears of a Spirit King.

In any case, Mamula sat limply in that grand chair, like half-melted ice. The source of the Queen’s sorrow was the safety of her right-hand woman, Firis. Quite a bit of time had passed since she received the report that Firis had disappeared in the Great Forest. Mamula, who was naturally more of a worrier than most, had been on edge from the moment she received the report of Firis’s disappearance until now.

As Mamula let out another heavy sigh, her breasts, which were larger than a human head, swayed.

“Your Majesty. With all due respect, we have received the report of Firis-sama’s survival, and a messenger has arrived stating that she has now returned to the Royal Capital. While your display of heartache over the safety of a single soldier is indeed fitting for a Queen, worrying so much will affect your health.”

“But I cannot be at peace until I see that girl’s energetic face with my own eyes… Haa… Firis… I wonder if she has been eating properly… I am so worried…”

The advice of the Royal Guard was like pouring water on hot stones. Just as Mamula was about to let out yet another sigh—

“Your Majesty! General Firis has entered the castle!”

“…! Bring her here at once!”

“Yes!”

The return of the hero was announced.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー