Side: Sheila Quo Gartz (7th Princess)
"Milady. Are you truly alright with this? No matter how you look at it, this is being treated either as a hostage or merely as a plaything."
My attendant, Killue, says this out of concern for me.
"There is no 'alright' or 'not alright' If we do not offer something appropriate in return, our nation will lose face."
Yes—this is necessary to preserve our country's dignity.
Even though Roshure was exploited internally by the demon race, they were the first to lower their heads and pay reparations.
To stubbornly refuse would mark us as incompetent and narrow-minded in the eyes of other nations. To accept without giving back would make us look like we are only capable of prey on an ally's weakness. Such are the vulnerabilities of a great power.
However, returning a payment of money for reparations would negate the meaning of the reparations themselves. Therefore, a return gift that can be interpreted as a formal expression of gratitude to Roshure is required.
But now, with the Demon King moving actively, we cannot afford to hand over weapons or armor worthy of such a sum. If not goods, then people—but we cannot afford to lose high-quality personnel either.
Thus, it is best to send someone "useless."
That someone... is me—the 7th Princess, little more than decoration.
I am someone who can be disposed of. As an aside, I was also told by my older brother to investigate where the compensation money came from. He said that even if I die, they could use that as a reason to investigate.
My elder sister, the 2nd Princess, opposed this and even offered to go in my place—but that was impossible, and in the end, I was chosen.
The 2nd Princess is the pillar of the army's morale.
While my brother, the 3rd Prince, controls the military, my sister is a paragon of valor with a "Fortress Defense" capable of blocking a strike from an Ogre Tempest. She is the wielder of the Legendary Shield, the symbol of Gartz. She is not someone who can be handed over to Roshure so easily.
"But still...!"
"It's alright. Onee-sama made sure to warn them thoroughly. They shouldn't be able to treat me as disposable."
"...Lowelle-sama did?"
"Yes. Do you understand how much damage it would cause the nation to anger someone who can wield that ancestral shield?"
"The Fourth Prince might try something underhanded..."
"Perhaps. But no matter how clever he is as a strategist, he wouldn't act recklessly."
My elder brother, the 4th Prince, is more of a thinker than a fighter. He is an incredible strategist, but I sometimes feel he might stray from the righteous path.
"I understand your worry, Killue. But Brother, Sister—everyone is moving for the sake of the country. There hasn't been any assassination or family feud, as you know."
"Yes, I know. That's precisely why sending you as a return gift to Roshure is..."
"This, too, is for the country. Didn't everyone tell me not to overdo it? It's fine. I'm not going there to start a war."
As I spoke firmly, Killue's shoulders slumped.
"...I understand. But, Milady... Sheila-sama, you are so brilliant. To be treated like this..."
"It can't be helped. No matter how you look at it, I am just a small child. My siblings know the truth, but if they tried to elevate me, the rest of the hierarchy would fall apart."
I looked into the mirror in the provided room.
There stood a small girl with silver hair and rabbit ears. I might barely be 140cm tall—actually, for this age, I'm on the larger side. My chest is large enough to grasp firmly, and my waist is curved; I should be more than capable of inciting a man's desire.
"But why has the King of Roshure not introduced your partner yet? They aren't looking down on us, are they?"
Killue seems incensed by the fact that we have been left half-ignored in the capital of Roshure.
"Why? Is there some dissatisfaction with the Princess of Gartz, Sheila-sama?"
"No. Remember, Onii-sama told us to act as a spy and probe their internal affairs?"
"Ah, I see... so the other side has noticed that as well..."
"Precisely. Furthermore, the royalty of Roshure consists only of women at the moment. There are many branch family Dukes, but they cannot easily add me to those lines."
"Because it wouldn't be an equal match, and they'd be afraid of internal secrets being leaked?"
"Yes. They're likely searching for someone suitable for me—someone who won't suffer even if investigated."
Personally, it would be easier for me to move if my partner were of lower status, but it seems it won't be that simple.
* * *
After spending a few days like that, the King himself led us out of the capital, saying he would introduce us to our partner.
A partner for whom the King of Roshure himself would travel? No, is this just an act to satisfy us? But to leave the capital just for that...
"We've been traveling for ten days already. What are they thinking? This far out, it's nothing but the countryside... Wait, are they planning to imprison us!?"
"That won't happen. I am a royal 'return gift,' not a prisoner. If they imprisoned me, the fact that I couldn't be contacted would be discovered immediately, and at worst, the alliance would be scrapped and lead to war."
"But why such a distant place...?"
"I don't know. But if there's a problem, I can simply refuse."
Yes, if it were a crude attempt to discard a nuisance by marrying me off to a local lord, I could change things with a single word.
Is the King underestimating me because I'm a child, or has he simply not thought it through...?
"Now then, Sheila-sama, thank you for waiting. My apologies for the cramped quarters for your attendant as well."
As I was thinking, the person who had been handling us from the capital arrived. It seems we have arrived.
"What is this place!? Is this not just a village!? What are you thinking!?"
Killue shouted in indignation. However, no matter how you look at it, it is just a village. It looks newly built, but... this is, by any standard...
BOOOOOOM!!
The sound of an impact echoed from a distance. Killue immediately took a defensive stance by my side.
"You aren't planning to get rid of us, are you!?"
She drew a knife from her waist. I can fight to a degree, but Killue is exceptional. Her level is 45; normally, her skill would be enough to command an entire army. If they wanted to kill us, it would be impossible for the people around here.
"W-Wait a moment. That wasn't an attack. That was just the King and his daughter playing around."
""Huh?""
As we stood there in shock, the King of Roshure arrived accompanied by a beautiful woman.
"Ho, ho... it seems you've polished your skills again. But to think you'd reach this level. So, you're welcoming us 'outside'? Is this not the dungeon city?"
"...Sigh. Just follow me for now. It's inappropriate to talk about various matters here. My husband should be able to join us by the time we reach the conference area."
Saying that, she walked toward what appeared to be a dungeon entrance and spoke with the guards there.
"You said 'his daughter'? If it isn't Aria-sama, then that person is..."
"Yes. Our Goddess of War. Seraria-sama."
"...Which means this is the dungeon that the late Elju-sama supposedly ruled?"
"Yes, exactly as you say, Sheila-sama. I don't know the full details, but it seems Seraria-sama became engaged to someone who played a major role in the recent turmoil."
"...I see. So that personage is my partner."
* * *
After that, we toured the dungeon, staying a short distance away from the King, the Princess, and the ministers.
...What on earth is this?
Everything is too different... It's so different that words fail me.
The thing I must report is not the source of the reparations, but this dungeon itself.
"...We must thank the King of Roshure."
"...Yes."
Killue could only nod vacantly, her consciousness not yet fully returned.
We have been assigned a room to rest in, but even this room shows a fundamental difference in technology. I don't know if it's magic, but water and hot water come out easily, and the bath is all-you-can-use.
...Even though it's night, there is "electricity"?
With a simple press of a button, magic lights up the room brilliantly. If we could somehow bring this technology back to Gartz, the profit would be astronomical, and the lives of the people would definitely improve.
But why did the King of Roshure bring us to such a treasure trove?
Seraria-sama renounced her right to the throne for this reckless engagement. She followed her husband to this dungeon. But the profits of this dungeon eventually flow back to Roshure.
Why would he assign me as a concubine and share these interests...? For the nation of Roshure, that should be an enormous loss.
"...Thinking about it now won't provide any answers. Tomorrow I meet the man who is to be my husband. I will ask him many things then."
"S... Sheila-sama!!"
"Ah, Killue? You've come back to your senses. What is it?"
"T-T-That!!"
Killue was pointing at...
"—So you are the 7th Princess who has come to marry Yuki-san?"
Along with a faint light, a very beautiful woman descended.
"Y-Yes. I am the 7th Princess, Sheila. And you are...?"
For some reason, I couldn't help but feel that the woman before me was far more noble than I.
"Oh, pardon my late introduction. I am Lilyshe."
"""!!"""
We were unable to hurl insults at the woman claiming to be a Goddess. Somehow, I simply understood that what she was saying was the truth.
"W-Why has Lilyshe-sama appeared before me?"
"Well, I thought I would help Yuki-san out a bit."
"Yuki? You've mentioned him, but..."
"Yes, your future husband."
"Lilyshe-sama is helping this 'Yuki-san'? Is meeting me part of that help?"
"It is. I am certain that man will save this continent. But it will be very difficult for him alone. Therefore, I shall grant you my blessing. You, too, shall become the support that helps him save the continent."
"I... am to be a support for saving the continent?"
"...That is up to you."
With those words, she vanished, and a faint light enveloped us.
When it faded, my status window opened on its own... and there, the 『Divine Blessing of Lilyshe』 had been added.
"...Was she... the real one?"
"...It seems so. This means the man I am to marry... is a messenger of the Gods."
"A messenger...!?"
This journey is full of nothing but unexpected events.
A man the Gods believed would save the continent—and Lilyshe-sama gave me and Killue her blessing specifically to support him. A blessing far superior to that of the Saintess of Rithea. A diving blessing engraved with the name of the Goddess Lilyshe-sama herself.
...I'm starting to look forward to tomorrow.
My husband, recognized by a Goddess.
Oh, but what should I do?
I want to contact Gartz and provide large-scale support, but I must hear my husband's policies first.
* * *
Side: Rurua
"I'm back~"
Lilyshe-sama has returned.
We are currently in a state of utter panic. We received blessing named after Lilyshe-sama so that Yuki-san's—my husband's—children can be born safely, and while I am happy, for me, this is a huge problem!!
Danna-sama, Seraria-sama, and Ratz-san are all holding their heads in their hands, understanding exactly why.
"Alright~ it looks like Lilyshe has finally bestowed her blessing upon the Seventh Princess."
"It was a piece of cake~ My blessing includes safe childbirth, automatic recovery, no breech births, overall status increase, and silent casting for basic recovery magic. Very convenient~"
Yes, under the orders of Luna...-sama, a higher god than Lilyshe-sama, we've given blessing not only to us but also to the Seventh Princess of Gartz.
"'Alright' my ass!! This recent conflict involved exploiting Elju as a Saint, you know!! You can't just go handing out the blessing of Lilyshe, which could tilt the power of Rithea to people of other nations!!"
Exactly... This makes it impossible for Rithea to maintain any dignity.
If it were only those gathered under Yuki-san, there would be no problem—no, there is a problem. Even just having people with "Status Appraisal" skills like Labyris finding out would cause an uproar.
"Ehh? Hey, that girl over there is Rurua, right? She's Rithea's Saint, isn't she? Then there's no problem, right?"
"Of course there's a problem!! If things were that simple, wars wouldn’t happen in the first place!!"
"Isn't that your side's problem? Figure it out yourselves."
"Then at least consult us before doing it!!"
"It's fine, isn't it? There's the bonus of being able to have children safely. Right, Aslin, Filia?"
Luna-sama spoke to Aslin and the others, who had just finished their bath. Since those two love Onii-san, of course...
"Yes!!"
"Nii-sama!! Now there is nothing to worry about!!"
The two of them are already in a state of high excitement.
This is hard to deny... No wonder my husband hates this. It's far too troublesome.
"Can't you do something about that ridiculously casual attitude of yours!?"
"Come on, in your homeland these days, if someone suddenly says 'I'm a god,' people would only suspect you're crazy, right?"
"Of course they would. In my case, it was a recruitment pitch!!"
"Now, now, Yuki-san. I'll be helping out from now on as well. It'll be no problem at all."
"See? Lilyshe is going to help. It's direct from a Goddess; aren't you happy?"
"Y-You Useless Goddess!!"
As my husband screamed, I felt like I was about to lose consciousness.
"A-Ahahaha... Lilyshe-sama helping us from now on... W-What am I supposed to say to Arshtelle-sama back home...?"
"...Rurua, please calm down. I sympathize, but first, we must somehow get the 7th Princess, whom she gave blessing to, onto our side—or rather, make sure she becomes Onii-san's wife."
Later, when this report was sent via Call, Arshtelle-sama apparently fainted in her office.
...It's only natural.
