Chapter 90

These days, no one mentions the palindrome in the subtitle.

Before long, the castle was completely subdued.

The soldiers of the First Prince's faction were all restrained, and the important figures, except for the prime minister who had turned into a lump of flesh, were captured one after another.

The First Prince Claus hung his head in remorse and did not resist at all.

The Third Knight Regiment Commander, whose name I can't quite remember, was trembling and crying, drenched in his own urine.

As for the First Queen White... it was too much to bear. I guess the term "crazy" refers to someone like her.

Well, that's all water under the bridge now.

Finally, the long-standing turmoil has come to an end. I wanted to eat, take a bath, and go to bed with this sunny feeling, so I skipped my way home.

"Yukari, how about it, did I keep my promise?"

It was late at night, yet we had a lavish late-night drink. I couldn't sleep with the servants around.

Drunk, I suddenly thought of something and spoke to Yukari.

"Yes, Master did something about it."

Yukari seemed to remember the promise, and she said, echoing my past words, with a rare smile.

"You said the First Queen White was the one who brought down the Duke's family, but it was the prime minister behind it all. Realizing the existence of brainwashing magic and fearing it, the prime minister used the First Queen to plot."

"Yes, I heard from Winfield."

"I see. Then you know how the prime minister met his end?"

"...Yes, it was quite a spectacle."

"Good thing you didn't see it. You might not have been able to eat tonight's hamburger."

"Master, saying that after finishing your meal doesn't have much impact."

Indeed. But it was delicious.

"By the way, is Kyubero around?"

"Yes, here."

He was there. He's always around, no matter when or where.

"I think we've avenged our enemies. How about it?"

"This is the best possible outcome. The public now knows that the surprise attack by the vigilante suppression squad was a trap, and the man who played dirty is dead. The grudges of my late boss and the subordinates who died for me are now avenged."

"The next step is to search for the survivors. Don't worry, they won't be suppressed anymore. They'll come out soon."

"...Yes."

Kyubero stifled his sobs and cried.

I soon realized that these were not tears of regret or sadness.

"Also, tell Bisaido. If he wants, he can work for us. If we find new members, we'll be ready to hire them too."

Instantly, the sobs he had barely held back burst forth.

Kyubero cried like a man.

I thought he was quite tough, but maybe he's more sensitive than I thought.

"Um, what's left..."

I've fulfilled my obligations to Mina. The kingdom's future, entrusted to me by the duchess, should be bright for a while. So, what's left is...

"Winfield."

"Yes, Second."

This is the one.

I've been indebted to her in many ways. From A to Z, in every way possible.

But there's no need for apologies or thanks. We were just playing on the board, after all.

"Was it fun?"

"I'm sorry it was boring. I was still immature."

"Did you try your hardest to win?"

"Yeah, maybe I rushed it a bit."

Good for you. Just a few hours ago, you were crying your eyes out, and now you're objectively analyzing your mistakes.

"Second, you were amazing. You had no distractions at all. But I..."

"Stop it, stop it. You can praise me more, but do your reflection in your room."

"Okay, I'll praise you. Second, you're cool! Second, you're the best in the world! Second, I love you!"

"Haha, what a fun night."

I was feeling great, with the alcohol just right.

But as soon as the conversation ended, Winfield was sent back. I wonder what she did.

"Alright."

I regained my composure and turned my gaze to Sylvia.

Sylvia, with Eko sleeping on her lap, smiled wryly when our eyes met.

"I've finished everything that was out of character. From now on, I'm going back to being myself."

"Um, what do you mean?"

"I'll start by hunting dragons in the Meteo Dungeon. Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!?"

"Better to strike while the iron is hot. Oh, it's already today, isn't it?"

"Wait, isn't that a bit too sudden? How about a celebration or something, to relax a bit first?"

Sylvia, you've been letting your guard down a lot during the political turmoil. Alright, I'll retrain you from scratch for the upcoming title match.

"Decided. Not Meteo, but Aizorius."

"That's a high-level dungeon! No way, no way, I can't do it!"

"No discussion."

"Aw..."

Sylvia, who thought she could finally rest, looked utterly disappointed. Hmm, I felt a bit sorry for her, so I decided to give her a treat.

"How about some shopping on the way back? I promised to buy you and Eko some rewards."

"R-Really? That sounds fun!"

...Maybe I spoiled her a bit too much.

Oh well.

And so, the political turmoil we got involved in came to an end in a single night.

Or so I thought.

The next morning.

Mina visited my house in person.

"Welcome, King Mina."

"Hey, stop it! I haven't been crowned yet."

"Then, Crown Princess Mina."

"Ugh! No titles, please. We're friends, after all."

Mina, blushing just at the word "friends." If she's embarrassed, she shouldn't say it.

"You said it. But since you did, I'll say it too. Don't come so early in the morning, it's annoying. Consider your position. I can't ignore you even if I want to."

"Hey, that's mean! I was thinking of asking what you wanted as a thank-you gift."

"Good to see you, Mina. My friend!"

"You're in a good mood, aren't you..."

"Claus's punishment?"

"Yes..."

Mina came not only to discuss my reward but also to seek advice. I feel a bit cheated.

"That's not my problem. The death penalty is fine. Or maybe a lynching."

"But Mother opposes it."

Hmm, the Second Queen Flon. Indeed, she seems overly kind.

"Winfield, what do you think?"

"Me? I think the death penalty. And for the deputy commander too."

"Deputy commander?"

"The deputy commander of the Second Knight Regiment, Garam. I heard he was killed instantly by Second."

"Oh, that guy."

Personally, I don't think that guy needs the death penalty. He did a great job breaking Sylvia and Eko's spirits. But Claus just doesn't sit well with me.

"The issue is that the brother was being used by the prime minister. It seems he was always acting for the kingdom's benefit..."

"So, in other words, he was a fool and was used, leading to this situation?"

"Um, yes, that's a concise way to put it."

"Then he's hopeless."

"But Mother..."

I see. Mina, you were right to be called a "mom's boy" at the Royal Magic Academy.

"Mina, you decide. If you don't make your own decision, it's no different from your mother being the king."

"...You're right."

Ah, no good.

"How about making him your slave?"

"I considered it. I thought it was a good idea. But Minister Hailai and Captain Memphis say it would be a disgrace to the country for a prince to become a slave."

"Haha! A disgrace to the country? Come on, after the empire ravaged us so much, it's a laughing stock to other countries now."

"Very blunt."

"But it's the truth."

"Ha... politics is so complicated."

...What a surprise...

"Don't worry. We'll keep an eye on you to make sure you don't become a tyrant. Do as you please. If you make a mistake, reflect on it and try again."

"Second..."

"Also, make sure to hold the winter title match. And hand over all the magic books from the First to the Fourth Form of the four major attributes."

"That's your real intention, isn't it?"

"That's also my real intention."

Mina laughed in exasperation and muttered, "You're hopeless." I guess that means it's okay. Great, now I can teach all my family members all the attributes of magic. I'll get the Fifth Form magic books myself, so no problem.

There were many other things I wanted, but I decided to compromise this time. I didn't work hard just for this. It's more like a lucky break.

"...Understood. I'll do as I see fit."

Mina declared with a determined look, as if she had grasped something from my appropriate and reasonable advice.

Ah, that's good. If the Castor Kingdom can continue in a decent form and the title matches can be held, that's fine.

"Lastly, I'll inform you of your treatment."

Then, Mina suddenly became serious and said this. It seemed to be an important matter.

"The Castor Kingdom recognizes you as the Special Envoy of the Castor Kingdom to Jipangu and agrees to it."

"Uh-huh."

"Um, in other words, you can continue living in the Castor Kingdom. This ridiculously large land will be recognized as the Jipangu embassy, and we will provide various conveniences."

"Wow."

It seems a bit far-fetched, but they must have thought hard about my treatment to avoid any problems. Yes, I think it's a very favorable situation.

I felt a bit odd saying thanks, so I solemnly accepted the document, following Mina's lead. By the way, I have no idea what this document is.

...And so.

The political turmoil ended. I became an ambassador of a non-existent country.

＊ ＊ ＊

"..."

Melson Marbell, the daughter of Emperor Gold Marbell, shuddered.

When called by her father, she saw something beyond her imagination.

"This is the pendant of Bal Moro. It's the same as the one I gave him."

"Father, you mean... this is the remains of Bal Moro?"

"There can be no doubt. Hahaha."

"This is no laughing matter! Such a... such a..."

Melson turned away from the discolored lump of flesh.

It was hard to believe that this was a human corpse. However, if it was true, just thinking about it made her shudder in fear.

"Understand this. The enemy is someone who sends minced meat to the emperor. You must never be lenient."

"..."

"The Holy Kingdom was defeated by this one man. Melson, never think of fighting and winning. If you do, you'll end up like this. Learn from my back. Learn from my good points and my bad points, and make them your own."

"...Yes, Father."

Thank you for reading.

Next time, it's a side story that, despite being a side story, is rumored to be more interesting than the main plot.