Volume 6 Chapter 35 Takumi-Kun Also Works Hard On Domestic Affairs
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been about two weeks since my return to McGaref. Anne, back from her trip to the Gonan Kingdom, now sat with us as we convened the Council. Today’s chair was Mafat. In the seat once held by the assassinated Noshisshi sat Kanare.
”First, congratulations, Councilor Nas. The speed with which you seized the former Northern Kingdom territories was nothing short of impressive,” one councilor said.
”Yes, thank you,” I replied.
Coming from someone I disliked, the words were still a form of congratulation, and I chose to accept them. After all, I needed that man’s church to provide me a certificate proving vengeance had been fulfilled—whether for Eil-Eil and Ms. Natalie’s souls, or the countless dead said to be heard in the underworld.
The whole process reeked of fraud, yet if lies were exposed so easily in this world, then clearly its rules still exceeded my understanding.
”How was it, Anne? The Gonan Kingdom?” I asked.
”Ah, a success,” she said. “Caravans full of trade goods now go back and forth. They’ve long suffered a chronic shortage of magic stones, and McGaref is a great producer. Supply and demand balance perfectly.”
”Yes, food and slaves arrive in steady streams too,” another added.
Indeed, magic stones were McGaref’s specialty. Not only did we command five dungeons, but we also had Chinatsu—our efficient, tireless reaper. If Haruka was a tank, Chinatsu was a scooter. Her main skill, Weapon Enhancement, was weak by conventional standards, but it allowed relentless fighting that few warriors could match.
Even if she formed a party, the others would end up little more than stone gatherers. Today, as always, she had charged deep into the lower levels—into places where simply stepping inside meant gambling with your life.
Meanwhile, food was our main import. Lesta and Seron still struggled with hunger, though Seron’s naturally fertile land only lacked manpower. Lesta, on the other hand, depended on Haruka smashing mountains and tearing open tunnels to connect villages.
Two people boring through mountains should have been absurd, but I had long given up questioning the impossible. By next year, food supplies should stabilize. The excess population was already being resettled in Southern McGaref, and with trade routes opening, prosperity would accelerate.
We were also importing slaves, both for labor and to bolster our military. What we needed most was soldiers. Caravans bought them at the towns near the tunnel mouths, then immediately set them to work building roads. Captured prisoners were sorted, with the strong absorbed into the army. Such painful measures were the bricks of our wealth and power.
”And Quvar? What’s their situation?” Anne asked.
”For now, quiet,” Kanare answered. “It seems the Northern territories have tied up their movements.”
So even Sheryl’s forced servitude had yielded unexpected dividends. Dalcur’s Ironclad Knights already held positions in the northern region. Quvar surely knew.
They had no witches, but Neige ranked among the top magic-users. The eastern front was already in ceasefire. With their rear vulnerable, they could not risk direct confrontation with McGaref. Time—the one thing we desperately needed for rearmament—was suddenly ours.
And with it, I began weaving my plan: infiltrating Quvar’s provincial cities, undermining their economy with reckless use of my Discount 99% skill—careful never to strangle myself in the process. Kidnapping nobles, binding them into servitude, then purchasing territory and armies.
The finale would be a three-front assault. Capture the emperor if possible; if not, assassinate both him and his heirs. Then have Sheryl, once crowned, sell me the empire. My quiet design was nothing less than the lawful absorption of the Quvarian Empire.
Information poured in not just from Sheryl but also from the Merchant Guild Kinvale’s branch network, with Merina selecting ripe targets among guilds and nobles. A grand war was something I meant to avoid if possible.
The Council had already agreed to the overarching goal of seizing Quvar. Gandolf, ever pleased, even requested that McGaref become the Imperial Capital. If that came to pass… would that make me emperor? One of the Four Great Kingdoms—wouldn’t that mean I was one of the Four Emperors?
”For now, trade expansion and military build-up,” the chair concluded. “Ah, and the Autonomous Government Chancellor and Quvar’s envoys—how noble of them to commit suicide.”
”Yes, a tragic thing,” someone murmured. “But surely, God’s will.”
There it was again: another move sealing my fate. I had already accepted it. Better to face it head-on than run. Fortunately, Quvar’s culture of cutting off tails meant they would not care much. Those envoys were already discarded tails.
The meeting progressed smoothly.
”Tomorrow, I’ll travel to Seron,” I said. “It should take about a week round-trip.”
”We’ll have the certificate ready,” Mafat replied.
”So, you’ve resolved to marry Princess Nyx? And what of Guildmaster Shiori of Kinvale?”
”She has agreed, as have the other women close to me.”
”Then no doubt all will accept your decision, Takumi.”
Yes. I had chosen my first wife—Princess Nyx. A marriage of politics, stabilizing Seron and Lesta alike. Her name would be restored from her alias, Merina. Over these two weeks, I had spoken with everyone, earned their consent.
But in return, I now had to shoulder the duty I had postponed again and again. The burden of responsibility pressed heavily, one I could no longer delay.
After finishing the council, I set out for home with my escort, Aria, at my side. I used to walk the streets, but now, to cut down even a fraction of the risk of assassination, we traveled by carriage.
”Takkun… if it gets too hard, lean on me. Let your feelings out,” she said softly.
”Aria, you look pale. Please, try to smile,” I answered.
Even as I spoke, I knew she mirrored me—her sorrow a reflection of my own. I hated it. But Ms. Natalie and Eil-Eil had long since accepted the role they were forced into. If they could kill their hearts, then I had to do the same.
”Thank you. Then tomorrow, in the carriage, I’ll lean on you plenty,” I said.
She smiled faintly. “Of course. Ask me for anything. After all, I’m your bodyguard… and your maid who eases that burden.”
We kissed deeply inside the carriage. We clung to each other, steadying our hearts. Each jolt and rattle of the wheels shifted us, so our lips met again and again, from different angles, until we were lost in the taste of each other. Only when our mouths were wet and spent did the carriage come to a stop—at my building near the slave market. The same place where I had once taken Scaya’s innocence.
”You kept me waiting, Takumi-kun,” Shion greeted me.
”I’m sorry, Shion-chan. It’s a cruel duty,” I said.
”I’m the healer. I only have to mend them at the end, don’t I? I’m used to this. So I’ll wait.” Her voice was calm, steady.
We entered the building. I sent Shion and Aria ahead to another chamber where Nyx already waited. Alone, I stepped into the appointed room. The place where I had broken Scaya had been for training. This one… was for torture.
”Welcome, Takumi-sama,” Mori-Mori bowed.
”Tonight, let us begin the revenge.”
Inside, standing under dim light, were Ms. Natalie and Eil-Eil—completely naked, collars around their throats, shackles on their wrists. They smiled at me with faces that didn’t belong in such a place.
And so, they waited.
Notes:
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Anne – Grandmother of the councilor representing the Market in McGaref.
• Natalie – A famous courtesan and former noblewoman; platinum blonde, busty, and elegant; known as Natalie Barklem, daughter of the Duke of Lesta Kingdom.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Haruka – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Dalcur – Mercenary leader; defects to the protagonist’s clan; physically imposing, known as ‘The Strong’.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Merchant Guild Kinvale – Largest drugstore in McGaref, managed by Nasselle. Regular shopping destination for Takumi with 5% discount.
• Nyx – The First Princess of Celon Dukedom, who escapes to McGaref; next in line to the throne after the Queen’s expected death.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Shion-chan – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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