Chapter 38

"Reslaser! This dog scum!"

Among those present, the one who was most enraged was the first prince.

Wasn't it Zemnant?

With a demonic expression, he lunged at Reslaser.

"Is this your doing! Did you scheme to trap us with your despicable plans! Born from a dog's womb, you have no sense of your lowly status, and you dared to dream of becoming the queen! Ahh!"

He was about to grab Reslaser, but I stepped in to stop him.

Since he had been grabbed by the collar once before, he was indeed taken aback.

With his target of attack lost, the prince turned to his father again.

"Father! Please come to your senses! A commoner like Reslaser, born from a dog, cannot handle the role of king! A king must be of noble blood! Father, and the mother who came from the great southern kingdom of Rubrum, I, Zemnant, am the most suitable to be king!"

"That just makes me even more determined not to choose you."

The prince was met with a cold and stern declaration.

"To call the people dogs as if it's the most natural thing is typical of a delusional noble. If we entrust the country to someone like that, it will surely be destroyed."

"But, that...!?"

"And now, thinking back, it might have been a mistake to bring a bride from another country."

The king then looked at the prince, princess, and the other prince in turn.

"Zemnant, Isabellera, Lucelche, each of you has the blood of another country's royal family. While that is noble, it also means that half of you are outsiders from the perspective of our country. You have other places to return to, so you can easily escape if things get dangerous."

"That...!?"

"Compared to Reslaser, whose parents were both born in this country, she is a true native. The people would find it easier to accept someone like her."

Reslaser actually stood at the forefront with me and fought against the demons.

Her bravery will eventually be known throughout the country through the soldiers who were there.

People will choose between those who fled and those who fought.

"Therefore, my successor will be Reslaser. No changes. I don't want anyone to bring up this topic again."

"Please wait, Father."

An objection was raised even as he said "don't bring it up."

However, no one dismissed his words.

If it had been the first prince, who had been noisy all along, they would have ignored him without hesitation, but it was the second prince, who had been silent until now, who spoke for the first time.

"May I say a word?"

"I see, Lucelche hasn't said anything yet. Very well, you may speak."

He allowed the second prince to speak, thinking it was only fair to give him a chance to defend himself.

The second prince looked around with narrow eyes and began humbly.

"I will fully comply with Father's decision. There is no way Father, who is praised as a wise king, could be wrong."

"Lucelche, is that really okay!? The throne will be taken by that dog woman!"

The first prince, who refused to give up, continued to protest.

He seemed about to be dismissed.

"Originally, my right to the throne was lower. Even if Reslaser replaces my brother or sister as king, it won't affect me at all."

"You loser dog, aaaaaah!!"

"Please be quiet, brother. The fact is that Reslaser has achieved great success in the battle against the demons and is gaining immense popularity. It seems the people are looking for a hero."

Did I imagine it, or did a hint of contempt appear on the second prince's lips as he said this?

"Furthermore, is marrying Ruya, the other hero who defeated the demons, part of the plan to make Reslaser queen?"

"No, it's more like a fortunate coincidence."

"Is that so? When two heroes become a couple and ascend the throne, it's the most exciting event for the people. I thought it was a measure to enhance her status, given that she has no power base."

What's with this second prince?

Compared to the other heirs, he seems to have some foresight...

"Indeed, that's a valid point. 'Use whatever you can' is also a part of politics. When they get married, we'll make sure to highlight that aspect."

"King!?"

The conversation is moving forward on its own!

"However, Father, isn't there a problem with making Ruya the queen's husband?"

"What do you mean?"

"To clarify this, I would like to ask him directly."

I don't mind.

It's not like I need permission for everything.

"Ruya, your reputation has spread throughout the capital, and there's no one who doesn't know about you. I heard various things about you as soon as I returned. ...There is one thing that made me doubt my ears."

"What is it?"

"That you are 'Skill-less.'"

...

Is this going to come up here too?

Being 'Skill-less' is like a curse that follows me everywhere, casting a shadow.

"Indeed, I am 'Skill-less.' That's what was said during the blessing ceremony."

"That's not good. If the husband of Reslaser, who is chosen for her abilities and achievements, is 'Skill-less,' it will diminish her prestige!"

He dramatically expressed his shock.

"Wait! That's a trivial issue for Ruya!"

Reslaser, who fiercely stepped in to defend me.

"Whether he has a skill or not, the fact that this person defeated the demons is undeniable, and that is the most important fact! Defeating the demons is a clear proof of being the strongest human! I am truly proud to marry such a person as Ruya!"

"Will you explain that to everyone you meet? People tend to focus on the easy-to-understand aspects rather than the facts. A queen with a 'Skill-less' husband will only be seen as a disgrace to the country."

The second prince's argument is probably correct.

In the end, in this world, skills are the most valuable. With a skill, you can hold any important position, and without a skill, you can't be given any position.

"Then what should we do? Let me make it clear: I would rather not become queen than cancel my marriage to Ruya. ...Is that your goal? To make me resign by targeting Ruya?"

"Of course not! On the contrary, it's out of kindness to remove any uncertainties for Reslaser to become queen."

What's the real intention?

The second prince's true feelings are hard to read.

"Of course, everyone already knows that Ruya is a hero. Even if he is 'Skill-less,' few people would nitpick about it. However, we should be extra cautious and eliminate any room for nitpicking..."

What exactly does that mean?

"Ruya, what is your adventurer rank?"

"Huh?"

Adventurers are ranked based on their achievements in quests, from F to A, with higher ranks indicating better adventurers.

I checked my rank on my guild card.

"...D."

"D!? Isn't that the rank given to a newly qualified adventurer!? I was hoping for at least a higher rank to compensate for the lack of a skill!!"

This guy is really theatrical.

What can I do? The guild master, Rondait, said that the highest rank he could give me on his own was D. Even if I wanted to rank up for defeating the demons, it would require approval from various parties, and we haven't even received a response yet.

"Is it true that the adventurer guild has kept Ruya at such a low rank?"

The king, who was listening, also complained.

"Indeed, as Lucelche says, it's not fitting for the king's daughter's husband to be a D-rank adventurer. Given his abilities, he should be an S-rank or A-rank. I'll issue an imperial decree to make Ruya an S-rank immediately!"

"King!?"

"Adventurers have their own industry rules. Even with a royal decree, it's not possible to arbitrarily give a high rank. However, that's why adventurer ranks have meaning."

Even the king cannot bend the rules of adventurers.

If Ruya can overcome these rules and achieve a high rank, it will prove his true strength.

Even if he is 'Skill-less,' a shining high rank will erase any contempt.

"Ah, that's a great idea! Those who focus on skills will have no choice but to be silent when they see an S-rank guild card!"

"An A-rank would be fine too."

"How about it, Ruya? Want to boost your rank dramatically!?"

I'm taken aback, but as an adventurer, I would welcome a chance to improve my rank.

"I'll do my best if there's a chance."

"Then, it would be better to announce the marriage after you achieve a suitable rank. That way, we can silence any criticism."

The second prince added.

It sounds like a heartfelt advice, but it also seems like a clever deception.

By saying this, he ensures that Ruya and Reslaser cannot get married until Ruya becomes an S-rank or A-rank.

And if they can't get married, Reslaser will refuse to become queen, as she said herself.

In other words, this means delaying Reslaser's succession as the heir until Ruya becomes at least an A-rank adventurer, buying more time.

This must be a great relief for those who are vying for the throne.

"Well, Lucelche, you've really thought things through for Reslaser. I thought you would be furious at being removed from the line of succession."

"Nothing of the sort. I always think about the country."

He was a very unsettling person.