Chapter 63

"Anyway, it's impressive that you've returned with the A-rank title as planned, Ryuya."

To get the situation back on track after it had become a chaotic mess.

Has the king also regained his composure?

In the royal presence, Noem and I requested an audience. Reslazer stood alongside us as a witness.

Although Abinion was present, he seemed uninterested in the humans' discussion and had disappeared.

Well, there were guards and attendants around, as befitting a place where the king resides, but the atmosphere was like that.

"Originally, the attempt to achieve A-rank was to match your status to marry my daughter Reslazer, but you've accomplished it splendidly."

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

No, no, I haven't forgotten.

Indeed, that was the plan.

"I didn't lose sight of the goal and turn the test into a story of friendship and unity halfway through."

"That's a good thing if you made many friends."

The king looked at me with a distant gaze.

"However, Ryuya, it's even more surprising that a motion for S-rank promotion has been proposed. If this goes through, Ryuya will leap to S-rank adventurer. What else could we call this but a remarkable achievement!"

"It's not just me being discussed for S-rank, you know?"

Noem is also being considered, right?

"That's even more impressive. Two S-rank adventurers from our country at the same time!"

Since returning, the constant excitement around me must be because S-rank adventurers are such extraordinary beings...

...It's hard to stay calm when everyone is so excited.

"Originally, the A-rank promotion was sought to add luster to your marriage into the Reslazer family, but S-rank is not only acceptable but highly welcome. Since S-rank is a title given to national heroes, it's a given that marriage to the royal family is the predetermined path!"

"Hmm, hmm."

"There's no one who would object to the two of you getting married. If there were, they'd be publicly declaring themselves politically incompetent, unable to understand the value of S-rank adventurers. Skills or lack thereof are trivial issues."

The king said this with satisfaction.

He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the perfect situation.

"Since Noem is also being considered for S-rank, it would be great if he could form some connection with the royal palace. However, if you both marry Reslazer, there should be no problem. As the wife of a princess's husband, you would be on par with the royal family."

"Is that okay?"

"Having two S-rank adventurers supporting Reslazer might be seen as giving her too much power, but she is destined to be queen. She should have as much power as possible."

That's right.

Reslazer is the king's daughter.

However, her mother is a low-ranking concubine, and her place in the line of succession is at the bottom, with less than a 1% chance.

But her determination to protect the country during the recent demon attack was highly praised, and she was chosen as the successor.

The other candidates had fled the country out of self-preservation, making her selection even more justified.

"If the two of you, as S-rank adventurers, support Reslazer, her reign will be solid. Please take good care of my daughter."

"Wait, hold on. That future scenario is a bit premature, isn't it?"

"What? Are you refusing to marry Reslazer? Is this a case of breaking an engagement, which is so popular nowadays!?"

No, that's not it...

"I'm talking about our S-rank promotion!"

As Bistemario the councilor said, what's about to start is a motion to consider our promotion to S-rank.

This is important, so I'll say it again: a 'motion'.

In other words, 'We're going to discuss whether to make this person S-rank!'

The result could be 'No, it's not possible'...

"S-rank is not a done deal yet. It's not good to get your hopes up too high...!"

"What do you mean? There's no need to worry."

"Really?"

"I've already put in my full effort. If you two achieve S-rank, our country will increase the annual aid to the adventurer's guild by five times."

"Five times!?"

That's a bit too generous, isn't it!?

Will the finances hold up!?

"There's no need to worry. We'll just redirect the full amount of the church donations. Since we no longer rely on their support, strengthening ties with adventurers is a natural move, and it's not a completely meaningless investment."

"I see... The recent incident has strained relations with the church."

Still, if the church donations are redirected, and the guild's aid is increased five times...

How much have they been receiving all this time?

Isn't that our tax money!?

"Rulbrum, which we saved from a crisis, will also support your S-rank promotion. The guild council won't be able to reject such a strong push. Your S-rank promotion is almost certain. Sit back and wait for the good news."

The calm king seemed confident that things would go as he planned.

In other words, he was certain that Noem and I would become S-rank adventurers.

"Well, that's enough about the report of your journey. It's time for the young ones to have some private time, isn't it? Reslazer, you may leave with Ryuya."

At this, Reslazer's cheeks turned red.

"Father, please don't tease us so much?"

"It's fine, fine. You must have been lonely without your beloved husband. Enjoy tonight. There's no need to worry about appearances before the formal wedding. For the royal family, producing an heir is a priority, so the sooner, the better."

"Father!!"

"Hehehehe..."

The king laughed heartily at his daughter's outburst, looking completely at ease.

"Of course, you shouldn't leave Noem out. Ryuya, let me give you some advice as a senior with multiple wives. Love must be given equally."

"I'll keep that in mind...!"

I thought, 'This is none of your business!'

Anyway, everything seemed to be going smoothly, but as they say, trouble always finds a way to appear.

The door to the audience chamber creaked open without permission...

And a woman barged in without hesitation.

"There you are, Father!"

Who is that woman?

I've met her before, but I couldn't recall her name, so I had to think hard.

...Oh, right.

She's the princess of this country.

Isn't she Princess Isabellera, the first princess?

She wore an extravagant dress and had a look that said, 'I'm important,' but her beautiful face was twisted with anger and frustration.

"What is it, Isabellera? As you can see, I'm in the middle of a conversation. I didn't raise a daughter to disrupt the king's duties. Your lack of tact is worrying when it comes to finding you a suitable husband."

"It's about that! Suddenly, there are many marriage proposals for me from other countries! What's going on!?"

The intruding princess ignored us and confronted the king.

"All from other countries' nobility! And they're all princes or future leaders! Does this mean you want to send me away from the country!?"

"Of course, if the other party is a leader, it's natural for you to marry into their family."

"I refuse! I am destined to become the Queen of Centakilian! My spouse should come to me!"

"Are you still saying this, even now..."

The king's expression changed from the one he had with us to one of exasperation.

"My legitimate successor is Reslazer. She is the future Queen of Centakilian. How many times do I have to say this?"

"No matter how many times you say it, I won't accept it!"

"Then accept it."

Indeed.

"Even if you're no longer a candidate for the throne, I haven't lost my parental affection for you. I want you to have a happy life, which is why I'm looking for a suitable marriage. As a princess, you need a match of equal status, so it's natural for foreign nobility to be considered."

"What about Reslazer, who is also a queen?"

"Reslazer values ability over status, so her partner should be chosen based on that. I am a good father and respect my children's individuality."

Hmm, I don't accept that.

The eldest daughter, who came to protest, continued to argue.

"Father... at least, at least, can you arrange for me to marry into a ducal family in our country? I don't want to leave this country!"

"If I marry you into a ducal family, they'll use their power to interfere with Reslazer, won't they?"

"Of course!"

A duke is the highest rank among the nobility, right?

The princess, using her future husband's power to make a comeback, clearly hasn't given up on the throne.

"That's why I don't want to keep you in the country. If you insist, I'll only marry you into a lower noble family, like a viscount or below. Be prepared for that."

"Such a thing!?"

"The marriage proposals I've selected from other countries all have the wealth and power to ensure you a life of luxury. Marry without hesitation."

The king seemed serious and was ruthlessly pushing away any potential successors other than Reslazer.

...Oh, right, what happened to Prince Zemnant, who caused so much trouble during the promotion test?

Since he's a prince of this country, the king here would have to decide his fate.

I'm curious, but since his downfall is certain, there's no need to ask.