Chapter 81

In the southern part of the Aldia Kingdom, far beyond the coast, lay the island.

In ancient times, during the age of myths, there was a battle between the God of Light and the God of Darkness. The island where the defeated God of Darkness fell was called the "Island of Darkness" by people, and the country of Relirex, ruled by the demon race, was born there. (According to Emilia)

"That's why I, the princess of the Relirex Kingdom, am here."

Emilia sat down and politely told us about her country.

"What is it, Shirogane? You look like you want to say something."

After explaining with a satisfied look, she now looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

"Well, um..."

I was at a loss for words, as Emilia looked at me with a somewhat challenging look.

(I can't tell her that I'm Mary, not Shirogane. After all, she's the princess of the kingdom.)

"Emilia, she's Mary. Also, don't glare at her; she's scared, you know."

The queen, as if reading my thoughts, corrected her for me.

"Hmph! To us, anyone related to Shirogane is suspicious. You should understand that much."

I was relieved that Emilia was less guarded, but I still couldn't understand why she was so harsh to me, a complete stranger.

"Don't worry, Mary. In the past, the king of the Relirex Kingdom, who was called the Demon King, was thoroughly defeated by the hero of the Aldia Kingdom, the Knight of Shirogane. As a result, the royal family has been wary of people associated with Shirogane, calling them the 'White Devil of Aldia.' Additionally, the weakened Demon King was forced to sign a non-aggression treaty with the Aldia Kingdom, leading to peace."

"Is that so..."

(I can't help but think our kingdom was quite opportunistic.)

I tried to suppress a laugh at the thought of our hero being called something similar to a character from a robot anime, but I couldn't tell Emilia that I was actually wearing a full suit of Shirogane armor.

"Forgive my rudeness, but it seems that you and the queen are quite close."

Magilka, trying to change the subject, asked a question I had been wondering about.

"She was a classmate who came to study abroad when I was a student. Even after becoming the queen, she still drops by unexpectedly, which is quite troublesome."

The queen sighed and looked at the pouting Emilia.

"Mm... My surroundings are full of boring people, so I'm often bored. This country, on the other hand, is full of interesting things. It's a good way to pass the time."

"A classmate, huh? But..."

Magilka hesitated, looking at the two of them. I also looked at the queen and Emilia again, and they clearly looked like mother and daughter.

Our eyes met.

"Hmph, what? Do you think we don't look alike, Shirogane? Oh, right, you're Mary. We demons have long lifespans, and our growth can be controlled to some extent by magic."

"Then why do you stay young? Why not match the queen?"

The intellectually curious Magilka asked Emilia, who was explaining.

"Hmm? Of course! I want to show off my youthful appearance to this old lady forever..."

Emilia confidently revealed this, but was cut off by a powerful silent aura from beside her. It was not the kind of aura a queen would emit, but rather similar to the killing intent released by her father, Ferdid, when he was enraged.

"Ahaha... Just a joke, a joke. I'd be trembling if I were hit by the killing intent of the 'Dancing Spear Maiden.' Anyway, to me, I'm still young compared to other demons. This form fits me, so please, put away your killing intent."

Emilia, sweating profusely and avoiding eye contact with the queen, trembled and apologized.

The 'Dancing Spear Maiden' was a well-known nickname among both nobles and commoners, known for her spear skills. Her strikes were like light, and her movements were as beautiful as a dance.

Her name was 'Iliya,' now known as 'Iliya Nesta Darford' after becoming the queen.

(I see, I can understand why the king can't go against her.)

"Well, let's leave it at that. How about the preparations for the school festival?"

The terrifying aura disappeared as if it had never been there, and the queen looked at us with a smile.

"Yes, thanks to Mary's advice, everything is going smoothly. It's hard to believe it's our first time, but everyone is benefiting from her clear vision."

"Hey, Magilka, that's an exaggeration."

"That's good to hear. I was surprised when Reiforce said he would take the lead in organizing the school festival. He usually had little interest in such events, but suddenly became very proactive. I wonder what happened."

The queen narrowed her eyes and looked at me. I froze, unable to meet her gaze.

"Hmm? What's this 'school festival'? I've never heard of it."

Emilia, who seemed to have forgotten the previous incident, asked with interest. After Magilka explained, Emilia's eyes sparkled.

"That sounds so interesting! I want to go, I want to participate!"

"I'm sorry, but only students can participate."

Magilka politely declined Emilia's enthusiastic request.

(Just the queen's visit is a big deal, and if a princess from another country comes, I'll be in a panic.)

"Then, I want to at least observe."

"Emilia, you're the princess of Relirex. You need to get permission from the Demon King and then from the king of Aldia."

"Aww, if I talk to Father, he'll just lock me up with all sorts of preparations and formalities. I don't want a boring observation. So, I'll go without telling anyone."

Emilia countered the queen's reasonable advice with a very selfish reason.

"That's not going to happen. You need to understand your position."

"Uuuu, I don't want to! I want to go, I want to go to the school festival!"

Emilia puffed her cheeks and started thrashing her arms and legs like a spoiled child. Despite probably being the oldest person in the room, she displayed a perfect childlike behavior.

"No means no."

Emilia, under the queen's pressure, was on the verge of tears.

"Iliya, you're so mean! Poop on you! Wahhh!"

Emilia, resorting to a child's level of defiance, stood up and ran out, crying and flying away. I hadn't noticed, but her dress had an open back, from which bat-like wings emerged, allowing her to fly away.

(What a noisy princess.)

"Your Highness!"

The royal guards, alarmed by the flying object in the garden, hurried over.

"It's just the noisy princess returning. There's no need to chase her."

The guards, with a look of "here we go again," bowed respectfully and returned to their posts.

"What a noisy tea party. Anyway, Mary, Magilka."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Called by the queen, I quickly straightened up.

"I'm looking forward to the school festival."

(Queen, that's something you should say to the prince, not to me.)

I couldn't say that, so I just smiled and nodded.

Thus, the noisy tea party came to an end.

On the way back, Magilka had a worried look on her face in the palace corridor.

"What's wrong, Magilka?"

"Well, I just have a feeling that Emilia won't stay quiet."

"Well, it's okay. Despite her childish behavior, she's still a princess and won't do anything reckless... I hope."

I was losing confidence as I said it. I didn't know Emilia well since it was our first meeting, but her behavior during the tea party made me worry.

"I hope everything goes smoothly."

As I stood there, Magilka inadvertently said something I shouldn't have heard.

(Gah, don't set up flags like that!)

I mentally groaned as I left the palace.

This novel will be published by GC Novels. It is currently in the process of being made into a book. Pre-orders are apparently available at bookstores and Amazon, so please look forward to it.