Chapter 44: Dawn and Her Royal Highness the Princess 2

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【Starry Sky】 and 【Dawn】 joined hands and took on a quest together.

When that report reached the upper echelons of the kingdom, shockwaves ran through them. They were already struggling with how to handle a Gold-rank adventurer party—one they had been warned not to meddle with—entering a royal faction. And now, on top of that, a Platinum-rank adventurer party that possessed one of the strongest beings in humanity had allied with them.

It was no longer a situation where they could afford to argue about noble factions. The succession to the throne was uncertain, but fortunately, Charlotte, who stood at the center of it all, had no ambition. Leon had also dealt with her directly and made her sign a written oath. Even if she were to harm Leon and usurp the throne, she would not be recognized as the legitimate successor.

Though Leon had steeled himself to leave things to Charlotte after his death, Charlotte herself regarded the throne as something she did not care about. She would use it only if it proved useful. Through her connection with 【Dawn】, she had matured considerably.

“How utterly troublesome…”

Leon sighed.

At long last, the punishments for those involved in the attempted assassination of the princess had been completed, and he was now busy seizing the assets of the former Second Prince’s faction. Eliminating the top did not mean everything immediately became theirs. There were many arrangements to make in order to govern the territories. Just as he had been bracing himself to continue dealing with the aftermath even after ascending the throne, this happened.

“Could they not handle it somewhere I don’t have to see?”

“Brother, that is going too far.”

“Still, I can’t help but say it. Honestly…”

His younger sister in attendance, Second Princess Charlotte, gave a wry smile. Since the attempted assassination, her value had risen rapidly due to her close ties with the Gold-rank adventurer party and her connection to the Cardinal. Many nobles had sought to ingratiate themselves with her, but Charlotte chose to maintain an ambiguous distance from all of them. This was also Leon’s instruction. A rational choice, as he wanted to treat Charlotte as an independent force not reliant on noble power.

In truth, Charlotte had gained enough strength to stand as the head of her own faction, utterly unlike the powerless royal she once was. She had been summoned today so Leon could entrust her with handling negotiations with the Adventurers’ Guild, which was another source of headaches for him.

“【Dawn】 and 【Starry Sky】 have allied. What do you think?”

“…Honestly, I can’t even imagine it. As you know, Brother, 【Dawn】 includes members who wouldn’t seem out of place in the Platinum rank.”

“【Tempest】, was it? I heard she ended a storm with a flick of her finger.”

“Yes. Lady Chloe Clearle, the count’s daughter, accompanied her, and reportedly she slew a monster capable of controlling a tornado large enough to swallow the royal capital in mere seconds. I was also present with the Saint of Holy Smite, and I saw with my own eyes that she too possesses terrifying power.”

“…………Could the kingdom stand against them?”

“…Perhaps if we had ten thousand Knight Commanders.”

“Drawing swords against a natural disaster would be folly…”

What was fortunate was that neither 【Dawn】 nor the Cardinal interfered in politics through Charlotte. While the kingdom took unilateral care in its dealings, they had not attempted to push favorable policies under the pretext of donations. As Leon had thought, if they had intended to do so, they would have done it long ago. In fact, Leon recalled that during his meeting with the Cardinal, he had not seemed particularly enthusiastic.

Charlotte truly is fortunate.

The Cardinal had said that the Saint of Holy Smite had advised him, but to think he had simply arranged protection because of Charlotte’s connection… She visited orphanages, cared for children, and used her own rewards to improve their living conditions. Like the Saint of Rewinding Heavens, she was a genuine saint with a truly pure heart. They were completely different from certain members of the clergy and saints reported from the front lines against the Demon Lord’s army.

If only the world were run solely by people like them, it would become paradise.

“Brother?”

“…I’ll leave relations with 【Starry Sky】 to you… Given who they are.”

“…Are they truly that significant?”

“You may not know. The royal family has long preserved stories of the ‘Heavenly Saint.’”

Leon produced a single book. Though old and partially damaged, it was wrapped in a fresh cover, evidence of its long and careful use.

“Vasily Vul Barbarossa. A sage who has existed on this continent since ancient times and bestowed countless forms of wisdom upon the world. She appeared here at least a thousand years ago.”

“…Someone of that stature became an adventurer?”

“She was the one who created the Adventurers’ Guild in the first place. She was its first Guildmaster and a great figure who established the organization that now fights the world’s threats.”

『Never defy the Dark Elf.』

A saying passed down through the royal family. Long before this land became a kingdom, she had brought wisdom here. In this land ravaged by poverty and plunder, she aided their ancestor, then a minor lord. It was said she introduced grains that turned fields golden, root vegetables that grew even in winter, and hardy tubers. She resolved food shortages, established educational institutions, and even helped their ancestor build the kingdom into a proper civilization.

The academy Charlotte and Leon attended listed her as one of its founders. Naturally, this was knowledge reserved for great noble heirs and royalty.

“I should go myself, but since you already have a connection, there’s no reason not to use it.”

“But is it truly appropriate for someone as inexperienced as me to go? To put it bluntly, I’m little more than an add-on to 【Dawn】. It may look like I’m currying favor. Could that not worsen relations with the royal house?”

“They understand your position. You were a princess not treated as befits royalty, yet you’ve rapidly raised your standing and secured your base. By attending events with me, it’s clear you are no longer ignored. If anything, it’s fitting that you—who have ties through 【Dawn】—should go.”

Charlotte still showed naivety in political thought, having had little interaction with nobles and insufficient education. Ordinarily, she would be far too inexperienced to handle someone who could influence the fate of the nation…

As long as one does not act rudely before the ‘Heavenly Saint,’ there will be no issue. Charlotte’s good relationship with 【Dawn】 means she won’t make a fatal mistake. It may feel like I’m pressuring her, but this too is a good experience for her future.

Having heard enough about Vasily, Leon judged it acceptable. She was an individual of absolute power who had poured her wisdom and experience into humanity. Her social contributions far outweighed any violence, and as the first Guildmaster and a figure of authority across nations, she conducted herself without issue. She was in a different league from ordinary adventurers.

Unless Leon were a cruel prince committing atrocities, he believed he had done what he could. If that was not enough, so be it. Knowing there were countless beings even royalty could not defy, he was adept at reconciling himself to that truth.

“It need only be a greeting, not support or alliance. I ask for nothing more.”

“…Understood. I will see it done.”

“Yes. Don’t overthink it.”

Charlotte bowed and left the room. He had brought her into his faction on a whim. She was his sister. Half-blood or not, family was family. His younger brother had clear ambition and harbored hostility, declaring he would surpass Leon and become king based on dubious information. Compared to that, Charlotte understood her position well.

She knew her place, yet did what she could within it. Her ties to a declining noble daughter were not a bad move either. From Leon’s perspective, she was competent enough to keep close. The sister he had helped on a whim had strengthened ties with the Adventurers’ Guild and the Church, solidifying the kingdom’s standing. The nobles were in a panic. That was how untouchable Gold-rank adventurers were.

“One should not cast aside human bonds.”

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“I see, a formal greeting to 【Starry Sky】.”

“Yes. I wonder if someone as inexperienced as I should go…”

“I’ll speak to Vasily-san on your behalf. We’re still in discussions ourselves.”

“Is that so? Brother said you had already allied.”

“The broad framework is settled, but the finer contractual details are proving difficult.”

Marianne smiled wryly.

“If all goes well, we can arrange a meeting as soon as tomorrow. Since many are related, it’s a bit different from a typical joint party.”

“Princess Astrea has an elder sister, does she not?”

“That’s right. I have an older sister and I’ve called my younger sister from the village as well.”

“…Then perhaps we should consider relations with the elf village too.”

“Do as you like. If you want an introduction to my sister, I can arrange that.”

“Please. …Haah, there’s so much to do.”

“Better than being sidelined. This is your path.”

“Haha. True enough.”

The meeting proceeded in a warm atmosphere. As expected of Master. To think royalty would personally arrange formalities for a greeting… I was moved to witness political maneuvering up close. Of course, I didn’t really understand it.

“With three High Elf princesses gathering in the capital, should we increase facilities for elves?”

“No need. Elves who willingly leave the village are already interested in the outside. It’s better to show things as they are.”

“Hm… I see.”

“Yes. The Crown Prince understands that, surely.”

Show them as they are, huh.

I’d seen elves as they were. They were fundamentally disdainful of humans. An elf like Astrea was rare. It was amusing that High Elf royalty had more understanding of the outside world.

But wait. Astrea had been extremely prickly when we first met. Which meant her younger sister might be prickly too…? She probably used wind and a bow. Would she slash my skin with wind and threaten me? Just being looked down on by a beautiful face like that would be incredible…! Sorry, Astrea, but I’d appreciate it if she’d insult me.

For the past week, my hardcore masochistic urges had gone unsatisfied. I’d just been getting off inside my own head.It was about time I got properly attacked. Of course, this was just a fetish of mine. I wouldn’t force it, but still. Being insulted only by Dark Marianne had its limits. Even Seraphine-san’s recent medical check hadn’t included a direct hit. If possible, I’d wanted the new priestess to see me writhing too!

Seraphine-san thrust in the staff. I writhed and gasped. Seeing the staff pulled out slick and bloodied made me shudder and feel an uncontrollable pleasure at the same time. Because it was medical treatment, my lower half had to be exposed. When cold air hit me in front of others… It felt good.

『Human karma is indeed sinful…』

Marianne… I thought so too. Humans shouldn’t live solely by desire.

『To live by desire alone is to be like demons.』

Exactly. Humans are human because we have reason. Monsters are unforgivable! Let’s blast them with Marianne-san’s magic!

『Yes. We’ll start with Finn-san.』

Wait, me!?!?!

“Perhaps Arianrod-san is the concern. After all, she is… Finn-san’s childhood friend…”

“…Just who is Finn-dono?”

“A disciple of 【Starry Sky】, childhood friend of the Hero, acquainted with a High Elf princess, a sword saint from the eastern nations, and a saint—plus a Gold-rank adventurer. Sounds fitting for a hero.”

Oh, my stock was rising. But I was too weak to carry Master’s name. I didn’t want praise like that. To me, Master’s name was something I’d protect with my life.

“If Aria says anything, I’ll handle it. I won’t cause trouble for Her Highness.”

“…Y-you’ll protect me?”

“Of course. I’m the shield, after all.”

“Whoa…”

Guard by day, pierced by night. That reliable back now shrank pitifully. I wanted to meet a woman who could be excited by making a man submit, by using a grown man writhing in pain as a chair.

“Grr… Finn-san is mine…”

“You’ve stopped even trying to hide it lately.”

“Can you stay calm when so many suddenly show up!? Your Highness! If you try to steal a march, I won’t forgive you!”

“A-ah. …You’re surprisingly cute.”

“Didn’t you know? Marianne is cute.”

“C-cute…? E-ehhehe, is that so?”

Hug and kiss! She’s so cute, making that face… I’ll eat you up, you know?

『Disgusting…』

Aaaah!! There was more feeling in that than usual!

『However, it’s not bad. Stay as you are.』

Really? Should I stick to this route? Even I knew it was gross… W-well, if Dark Marianne says so… Mwah mwah! Dark Marianne is too cute. My little kitten… you can depend on me. Only I can heal the saint…

『Silence.』

Waaah!! That’s mean! You said it was fine!! So unreasonable…!! U-ugh… it feels good…♡

“…………”

“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Why that face?”

“No… I was thinking I had intended to face someone this blatant head-on.”

“…………Well, we’ve been pretty stressed lately.”

“P-Princess Astrea…”

“Hehe… It’s a good thing you didn’t try to take him, Your Highness.”

At Astrea’s smile, Her Highness’s face turned pale.

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T/N: This novel doesn’t need an enemy character because MC is his own biggest enemy.