Side: Yuki
Well, even though things are developing rapidly, it's not really a problematic situation. In fact, considering future developments, this might be the best possible outcome.
'Don't let waste be wasted.'
'Always weigh the pros and cons.'
'Make sure you can gain something no matter which side you take.'
That's my policy.
I was a bit surprised, but I figured it's just one of those things. For now, I need to explain things to my wives and get our stories straight.
Especially Rurua.
If I don't hold her close, she might just charge out and commit suicide. After all, the root cause was Rithea, and given her personality, as the former top of Rithea, she must be feeling unbearable guilt right now.
* * *
"Looks like everyone's here."
When I entered the meeting room, everyone was already assembled.
I made my way to an empty seat.
"Ria, sit next to me."
"Yes."
"Rurua, come here."
"Eh?"
I beckoned Rurua over.
During these meetings, there's usually a rotation or a scramble for the seats next to me. Because of that, Rurua was sitting quite far away today. Incidentally, I set up a special folding chair for Ria right beside me.
Everyone glared at Ria's treatment, but under the pretense of being my attendant, they couldn't complain—especially since they were the ones who pushed for me to take her along.
"What is it?"
Rurua came over and tilted her head.
"Sit here."
I patted my lap.
"Eh?"
"Today, Rurua's seat is on my lap."
"Is that really okay!?"
"Yeah."
"Yay! I love you, Danna-sama!!"
She dove in from the front, overjoyed. Her large breasts were squashed against me. Yeah, incredible volume as always.
"Now then, Dear... What exactly are you trying to do in the middle of this emergency?"
Ah, Seraria's brow is twitching.
Considering what's about to happen, I can't leave Rurua sitting alone. It's too terrifying.
"I object! I also desire a spot on Onii-san's lap!"
"Me too, me too!"
Ratz and Riel started it, and everyone else followed suit with boos, except for Eris and Derieu, who knew the situation.
"First of all..."
I grabbed Rurua's chest firmly and spun her around on the spot so she was facing forward.
"Ahhn... please be gentler."
"Don't 'ahhn' me. If you want lap time, I'll give you all you want later. Rurua, listen carefully. What I'm about to say will be very painful. But you have me, your husband, and everyone else here. So stay calm and listen. Got it?"
"...Yes?"
She doesn't understand yet.
Of course she doesn't.
But perhaps sensing something in my tone and actions, everyone else's expressions turned solemn. It was a bit awkward holding Rurua like that, but I relayed the information I heard from Liliana to everyone.
* That Liliana was ousted as Demon King.
* That she fled to Weed.
* That Elju's assassination was used against her.
* That the capture of the two Four Heavenly Kings contributed.
* That the three-nation alliance hastened the demons' attack on Roumel.
* And the main cause... is me.
By the time I finished, everyone's faces had gone pale.
"I see. This is very bad. If Roumel falls... Wait, hey!! Hold Rurua tighter!"
At Seraria's near-scream, I immediately pulled Rurua into a strong embrace. I was just in time; she had been about to pull away from me, but her hips, which had started to lift, settled back onto me, and I felt her familiar weight return.
"Let go of me!! Danna-sama has done nothing wrong. This fault is mine, for failing to control Rithea!!"
"Rurua, calm down!!"
"Rurua, compose yourself!!"
"Because of me, Roumel will... so many lives... AHHHH!!"
Seraria and Kaya, who were nearby, hurried over to help hold Rurua down. She was on the verge of a breakdown.
Can't blame her... she thinks she's the reason an entire country might fall.
"Rurua. Listen. Like I said, you have me. You have everyone. You might even be carrying our child. So calm down."
"I...!!"
"No one is blaming you. This was bound to happen eventually. It's okay. I'll fix this. So don't cry over this."
"That's right. Rurua, calm down. We've overcome things before, haven't we? And you might be carrying our husband's child. If you're like this, it'll make it harder for the baby."
"D-Danna-sama... child?"
"Yes. The child has no sin. And neither do you. We'll handle everything, so you just keep yourself together."
"Am I... allowed to live?"
"Of course. You're going to be a mother, aren't you?"
"Y-Yes. I'll give birth to Danna-sama's child and be... a good mother."
"That's right. You have to be a good mother along with us. So you mustn't die over something like this."
"Th... thank you..."
With that, Rurua slumps against me and loses consciousness.
"...Looks like she fainted. After a night shift, this chaos, and the pressure of possibly losing a nation... honestly, it's impressive she held out this long."
"Onii-san, you foresaw this, didn't you?"
"Will Rurua-sama be alright?"
Sheila peered at Rurua with concern. Everyone else was staring at her with the same expression.
"For now, she should be fine. Dear, you're planning to stay with Rurua, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. We'll handle the rest, so just give us instructions. In exchange, make sure Rurua doesn't die."
"Of course. Taking care of my wives is my principle."
Everyone nodded in unison. While still cradling Rurua, I continued.
"Now, let's list the current problems. And the actions we must take."
As I spoke, everyone quickly took their seats.
"First, regarding Rankus's advance. We'll intercept them as originally planned. Any objections?"
Everyone nodded.
We had already discussed this thoroughly.
Total annihilation.
"Next, the possibility of demon infiltration. We've already reinforced security, right?"
"Yes, preparations are complete."
"We'll be watching with everything we've got."
Tori and Riel spoke up. There wasn't much else we could do on that front.
"What about the notification to the kings?"
"Yes, the information has been sent, and they are responding."
"However, regarding the Demon Race matter, don't we need to disclose the information from our side?"
"Right. I want to hold a meeting with the various nations in two hours. Get the kings together somehow."
""Yes!""
Sheila and Narjia-san answered firmly. They'll be busier with Rurua out of the picture, but they were full of motivation.
"Milly, Kaya, are the preparations to notify the residents ready?"
"Completed."
"...We can inform them by tomorrow."
No problems there, either.
"Ratz, how about the stores?
"No issues. I've left it to the managers of each store."
"Good."
Finally...
"Seraria."
"The preparations are already made."
"Good. Have Kiyu take command and depart tomorrow. With the remaining troops, form one unit for Roumel and another unit for an offensive."
"Two units?"
"Yeah. The Roumel unit is for support, but they'll likely follow the army of another country—probably Rithea or Gartz. Most likely Rithea."
"That makes sense. The Rankus army should be moving through Gartz territory right now. There's the post-war bandit issue to consider, so if we're sending reinforcements, Rithea is the only choice. And what about the other army?"
I responded to Seraria's question with a grin.
"Rithea might be the root cause, but the demons who exploited that to attack aren't exactly innocent."
"Naturally. Rurua did nothing wrong. If anything, those hardliners are the real culprits."
"Yeah. So, I'm going to crush the ones who made Rurua cry."
"How? Surely you don't mean just us going? We could do it, but that wouldn't change the fact that demons would remain enemies of humanity, you know?"
True. If we secretly took their heads, the enemy would be paralyzed. But that wouldn't be a fundamental solution. History would just repeat itself; the only difference would be whether the Demon King was killed by a Hero or an assassin. Or in this case, a husband and his wives.
However, I had a brilliant move.
A method where the royalty could publicly declare the majority of the Demon Race innocent and purge the hardliners.
"If I say 'the stage for Elju's revival is ready,' do you understand?"
"...No way. I see, that's perfect."
Seraria and I exchanged a wicked smile. Seeing that, the others had varied reactions.
Sheila, Eris, Ratz, Milly, Tori, and Killue seemed to guess what I meant, and their faces froze.
Derieu, Riel, Kaya, and Narjia-san didn't quite get it and tilted their heads.
Labyris, who sees right through me, was smiling just like Seraria and I.
Elju, the subject herself, just tilted her head in confusion.
—Now then. You made my wife suffer.
Hardliners, I hope you're prepared.
