Volume 4 Chapter 14 Final Toast
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Lord Aaron, this situation has become dire. We are already encircled on three sides by the Demon Clan’s vassal armies. I believe it is time to withdraw,” Claudel said.
She needn’t have told me; I already knew. After barricading ourselves in the Imperial Capital, five days had passed since Melon and Yuuta flew west on a Flying Dragon. Yet no word had come about the chief secretary. Meanwhile, some of the border lords’ forces had begun arriving at the capital’s outskirts. Even the palace guard was said to be on the march. Quicker than expected. Perhaps proof that the empire could function politically even without Balmstra present. All the more reason we needed to prepare a retreat, before every road was cut off. If I called for reinforcements now, that would mean all-out war. Of course, I had accounted for that, too.
”Lord Aaron! A Flying Dragon has returned from Moniera!” a messenger shouted. Relief washed through me, and I let out a breath.
”Always cutting it close,” I muttered.
The dragon landed in the plaza beside the palace. I hurried to greet it. Melon, Reina—wait, was that the chief secretary herself? I rushed forward.
”Melon! The outcome!?” I called.
”Ah, Lord Aaron! Please don’t worry. We blew the Gate sky-high! I’ll report the details later,” Melon said, beaming.
”Well done! And to have brought back the chief secretary herself… Our plan was a great success!” I exclaimed.
Claudel ran up behind me, frowning.
”Lord Aaron, it’s not over yet! We must retreat to Zerlant at once!”
”Claudel! You’re safe too? Yuuta had mentioned, but still…”
”Oh, Chief Secretary Puruun! If you were safe, at least send word!” she scolded.
”Apologies, Ms. Claudel. But no need to rush the retreat,” Puruun said calmly.
”But Demon Clan troops are converging on the capital by the day—”
”It’s all right. That matter is already in his hands.”
We turned to where she pointed. A tall Demon Clan noble approached.
”You are Duke Aaron, brother to Queen Asuka? An honor. I am Balmstra, Emperor of the Apocalypse Empire. I offer you my deepest apologies for the trouble we have caused,” he said with grave dignity.
”What!? The Emperor himself? Then the chief secretary truly was with Your Majesty!”
”Yes. Thanks to Ms. Puruun and Ms. Melon, I foiled the Spirit Clan’s schemes and seized traitors within my court.”
I saw then, bound under Major Artemis’ watch, General Peacock and Lord Asunabal. I stepped forward slowly.
”Ha. Uncle. To meet again under such circumstances—truly, fate works in strange ways.”
”Damn you, Aaron… I should have forced Bear to finish you when I had the chance!” Asunabal spat, before being dragged off with Peacock.
I turned back. “Melon, where is Yuuta? And Karin? Are they safe?”
”Yes, Lord Aaron. Karin and Ms. Sharlin have already reunited with Yuuta. But the dragon was over capacity, so we first brought back the most important people. Reina and I will return at once to fetch them,” she explained.
”I see… All safe. Good. And Melon—did you tell Yuuta of your personal matter?”
”N-not yet. You urged me to, but… on the way here, my heart wasn’t ready. Next time we meet, I’ll say it properly,” she admitted.
”Good. But greater matters await us still at home. Ha… what a headache.”
”You can say that again,” she said wryly.
* * *
”No, Your Majesty! You must not go! You are at term—you must remain safely in the palace!” Beyond cried, blocking the door.
Yet Queen Asuka stood, determined, intent on traveling to Yōmo Territory.
”But Beyond! Yuuta is, at least on paper, my husband! If he is to meet with Mama Akari, then I must also be present. How could I face her otherwise? I will kneel and apologize with him, properly, as his wife!”
”Then summon Ms. Akari here to the palace instead! It is far too dangerous for you to leave now!”
”No! I am going!” Asuka declared.
At that moment, a secretary entered hurriedly.
”Your Majesty, Lady Akari has arrived.”
”What!? Mama Akari? Here? But why?”
Moments later, Akari herself stepped into the chamber.
”Mama Akari… Why are you here? Were you not waiting for Yuuta at Elder Brother Yōmo’s side?”
”If I did that, Your Majesty would surely drag yourself there despite your condition. At this time, you must put your health first,” Akari said gently.
”Ah, Ms. Akari, you truly understand Her Majesty’s nature,” Beyond sighed in admiration.
”Mama Akari, you should wish to see Yuuta first, not trouble yourself with me,” Asuka said.
”No, Your Majesty. The child you carry is Yuuta’s as well. That comes first,” Akari answered softly.
”Ha… that settles it. Akari’s the real wife,” Beyond muttered under her breath.
* * *
Puruun and Melon, with Reina piloting the dragon, flew Emperor Balmstra and his party back to the Imperial Capital ahead of us. The rest of us—myself, Karin, Sharlin, Sheena, and others—were welcomed into Duke Suicelma’s residence, where we stayed for two nights.
I listened to Karin recount what had happened since I’d been gone, and my whole body shuddered.
…Hah. No wonder Melon never wanted to talk about it. I had committed sin after sin.
Melon’s child. The Queen’s child. Driving Akari to flee into Sir Aaron’s arms. Hurting Karin, throwing Puruun into chaos. Each one was unforgivable. Even Sheena, who had once looked for every chance to pull me into something indecent, recoiled after hearing the truth and never approached me again. Gods, how was I supposed to face any of them?
The Flying Dragon returned from the Imperial Capital, and there Melon stood before me.
No—I couldn’t even meet her eyes.
”So Karin told you everything, Yuuta?” Melon said, lowering herself into the seat across from me. “I must look like a fool. I couldn’t even bring myself to speak.”
”Melon…” My throat closed up.
”But you know, Yuuta,” she continued, her voice softer now, “at first, I wanted to complain. To apologize for not being able to bear a child. But when I saw you safe before me, it all seemed… so small. And listen—I’ve been formally recognized by Mama Akari as the fourth wife. So… even if not right away, someday, I want you to love me again.”
”Melon, I’m so sorry! I’ll do everything I can until you’re truly satisfied,” I said, bowing my head.
She smiled faintly. “Good. Do that. But I wonder—will the Queen and Mama Akari feel the same way?”
”Ugh… I suppose all I can do is bow my head in sincerity.”
* * *
The next day, we flew back to the Imperial Capital. But Sir Aaron and his men had already withdrawn. After parting with my younger sister Reina, we received His Majesty’s permission to travel by Flying Dragon to the border of Sir Yōmo’s territory, where we rejoined Sir Aaron’s party. That night, Sir Yōmo himself hosted a grand banquet.
Sir Aaron, Ms. Claudel, and Puruun were naturally honored, but even I, Melon, Karin, and Ms. Sharlin were seated at the head table, where Sir Yōmo personally offered words of gratitude.
”What a relief, what a blessing!” Sir Yōmo cried, flushed from drink, pouring wine into every cup himself. “Mr. Balmstra has returned, our channel with the Empire restored, and war averted. All thanks to you!”
When the banquet reached a lull, Sir Yōmo had a servant bring forth a magical communication device, complete with some sort of speaker. When had he managed to invent that?
”Ladies and gentlemen, though they couldn’t be here in person, tonight’s special guest will join us,” he said, flicking the switch.
’Waaah! Waaaah!’
The shrill cry of a newborn burst from the speaker, and the hall froze.
”Huh? Isn’t that Asuka?” Sir Yōmo asked, puzzled.
”A… a baby. The Queen’s baby… born!” Karin cried, jumping to her feet.
A familiar voice answered from the other end.
”Ah, is that you, Karin?”
”Mother!? Are you in the Royal Palace right now?”
”Yes, darling. Yuuta, you’re there, aren’t you? Just now, the Queen gave birth. Your daughter. Both mother and child are healthy!” Akari’s voice rang with joy.
”Akari… I—I’m so sorry!” I stammered.
”What nonsense, Yuuta. Stand tall. You’re the father of the girl who may one day be queen!”
”No, I… I still need to apologize properly to you, to Her Majesty…”
Sir Aaron came and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Yuuta. Tonight, let it be. Responsibility and penance can wait. For now, let us celebrate your child’s birth, our kingdom’s safety, and peace itself.”
The hall erupted into applause. Karin seized a wine bottle, stood before me, and poured into my cup with a grin.
”Father, drink! Tonight we celebrate. My little sister has been born!” she said, her face glowing with joy.
I turned to Melon beside me, and though she smiled, there was something lonely in her eyes. Just as I searched for words, Puruun came forward, resting a gentle hand on Melon’s head.
”Come on, Melon. Life’s long. You’ve still got plenty of chances. And me? I’ve still got a few blossoms left to bloom. Let’s keep going together, alright?”
”Big sister…” Melon’s eyes softened. “Yes. You’re right. So Yuuta—both of us sisters are entrusting you with our future. For a long, long time to come.”
Notes:
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Melon – Puruun’s younger sister who is close with Ms. Akari and wants Yuuta and Ms. Akari to be together and have children.
• Reina – Lizardman lieutenant from the Apocalypse Empire who was part of the gate research team. She is trying to find her missing sister Sheena. She infiltrated Zerlant to gather intelligence but ended up helping Melon and the others escape, making her a traitor to the Apocalypse Empire.
• Asunabal – The uncle of the queen, a former Duke in exile.
• Artemis – A commander of the Emperor’s direct guard. Initially acts as a lecherous and aggressive antagonist, but later reveals his loyalty to the Emperor. He has a wife and children in the imperial capital and is afraid of his wife.
• Duke Suicelma – Important noble and military leader who was recently captured by the spirit clan during their attack on his capital. He first appeared in Volume 3, Chapter 18. The protagonists aim to rescue him, believing his capture is connected to the spirit clan’s plans involving the gate.
• Sheena – A Lizardman from the Apocalypse Empire, specifically a junior researcher in the teleportation research team of the empire’s army. She is the 47th resident (hence ‘No. 47’) of the secret underground facility in Nevada, where she has been living for several years after accidentally being transported to this world through a failed gate experiment. Yuuta’s saffle too.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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