episode_0327

* * *

After enjoying an outing with Irene for the first time in a long while.

Before long, I was spending time with a woman again.

This time, the one that came out is… … Yes. With its cute pink low twintails, it is now the best asymmetrical power that is indispensable to the Serpina Army.

“Swen Niim-!”

She was Reika Nighthart, running towards me from afar with an innocent expression.

“Gasp, ugh… … .”

“Thank you for your hard work, thank you for your hard work.”

I lightly patted Reika’s back.

It was nice that he came running from far away, saying he was happy to see me, but… … It seemed like he got tired quickly from running all the way here.

Both she and I were lacking in stamina. If we were to compete in brute force, Irene, the knight here, would easily take first place among the three of us.

“Thank you… …Swen Niim.”

She smiled brightly at me as much as she could, even though she was sweating profusely.

Only then did I properly see her.

The dress she was wearing was a very neat and elegant white one-piece dress. It was made of cool material, so it was the perfect image to wear around this time of year.

Plus, her rather large breasts were constantly jiggling as she ran here… … She was clearly wearing underwear, but I wouldn’t say they were surprisingly jiggling.

“Shall we go soon?”

At that moment, when I was about to take her and walk away.

“Okay, wait a minute-!!”

“?”

“S, Swen Niim! W, I have a question… … Hey, I, have it! ”

“Take a breath.”

“Ugh, ugh… … Ah, yes… … .”

She took out the water bottle on her waist and took a few sips of water.

“… … Last time! How was it!”

“Last time?”

“You went on a date with Irene!”

“Ah… … .”

Thinking back to that time, I suddenly felt embarrassed and scratched my cheek with an awkward expression.

“What… …It was fun.”

“And?”

“Huh?”

“What, something… … happened!”

Reika was looking at me with sparkling eyes, her fists clenched with both hands.

What’s with those girlish eyes? What kind of answer are you expecting?

I thought about telling the truth, but I was too embarrassed to do so, so I answered vaguely.

“No… …nothing happened.”

“Is that so… … ?”

I threw a joke at her, who was drooping.

“What on earth were you expecting… … ?”

“No, it’s just… … something, like… … I can’t just go ahead and leave Irene behind… … .”

“Huh?”

After a while, Reika seemed at a loss as to what to do about what I said.

“Ki, kikiki… … I kissed you… … At least, Irene, you should kiss… … !!!”

“… … Why on earth are you talking like that?”

“Well… … I, I… … am the second wife, after all… … !”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the words that I couldn’t get ahead of my first wife.

“Ah, oh, of course! It’s only possible if you marry Swen, but anyway, that’s it.”

Even though she talks nonsense like this, I still find her cute. I feel like I’ve gotten used to Reika-san at some point.

In fact, I didn’t know how I felt about whether it was right for Reika to tell me such shocking news, that Serpina was the one who kissed me first.

Anyway, it wasn’t that unpleasant or bad.

I think she did it out of consideration for me and Irene.

“Well, don’t worry too much, everything will proceed naturally without you having to work too hard.”

“Soo, as expected, right… … !! I guess these are typical words from Swen… … !”

I lightly patted Reika’s head and held her hand.

She seemed surprised… …but now she didn’t refuse and calmly took my hand.

Both she and I had lowered our emotional barriers much more than when we first met.

“Then shall we go?”

“Yes… … ! Oh, today… … Escort, please take good care of me… … !”

* * *

The first place we visited with Reika was, of course, the Nighthart Mansion.

“You’re here, Miss… … !!”

“Raina! It’s been a while… … !!”

After one meeting, I was able to hear some light news about Jinor.

“That’s right. You said Swen? You asked me last time you came. The timing is also right. I just happened to hear news about the owner that evening.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. I hope you are doing well.”

When I told her that there was a story about Reika, she answered, looking embarrassed for no reason.

“You don’t have to worry so much… … !”

If you listen to Genor’s position from a third party’s perspective, it feels more like serious agony over whether he can do well rather than worry… … There’s no need to hurt Reika’s feelings.

“What else?”

“Nothing in particular. It seems like things are going well under the new monarch.”

The new monarch… … must be Luna.

With Jinor’s level of ability, it was clear that he would have been able to secure the position of national strategist.

It was clear that it was Zinor’s contribution that allowed him to use the first wizard in the right place without difficulty and defeat the Karelian and Roland armies one after another.

After that, I had a light tea time with her for the first time in a long time.

It was called ‘light tea time’, but I was able to spend the whole evening soaking up the sugar by eating the cookies and cakes she kept making.

Although she didn’t really like sweet food, I wanted to please her mood as she was using a familiar kitchen after a long time.

In this way, Reika and the maids were able to have a fun time together.

Even after eating, I was able to end my date with her by leisurely meditating together.

“I’m so happy that I can close my eyes and feel mana with Swen again… … Hehe… … .”

“I like it too.”

“I want to hurry and go back to Eingart Castle, and live in peace with Irene, Swen… … The three of us. In order to do that, I have to work harder… … !”

It must have been unfamiliar to her that she was using magic to kill soldiers, but surprisingly, Reika showed no sign of difficulty and adjusted to us.

Peace on the continent… … is that it?

For a moment, my heart was complicated by the fact that it would be Luna, not Serpina, who would one day bring that peace… … But for now, I shouldn’t show it and focus solely on Reika.

Yes, I was able to enjoy a different kind of relaxation when I was with Irene.

Whatever it was, it was a very precious time for me.

* * *

During the rest of my vacation, I spent my time leisurely, just as Serpina had told me.

He called both Reika and Airen and had them eat something delicious together, or he walked quietly around the downtown area of Valhalla alone to check on the situation in the city.

Fortunately, the public sentiment of the people was improving day by day.

Even though Yuuri had squandered the territory’s assets in his later years, the speed at which he was able to win over the people’s hearts was so fast that it was easily overturned the expectation that many people would still miss the Aishus Army, given that he had ruled this castle for so long.

Well, from my perspective, it was nice not having to see Serpina being demonized and getting cursed at by everyone for no reason.

Anyway, Serpina didn’t call me even once during the vacation, so I was able to literally rest well.

It had been a long time since I had spent such leisurely time, since I had first been reincarnated into this world and had spent time at a tavern before meeting Lunalien.

And so, finally, a week had passed.

“Swen. Your expression has improved a lot. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your consideration, I was able to get some good rest for the first time in a while. I will work hard to repay you.”

“There’s no need to work hard or do anything. I don’t expect anything more from you because you’ve already done everything for me.”

“How can you say such a thing, my lord? Please do not forget that the prophecy of the heart for you is still valid.”

“Hahaha, right. Seeing you flattering me, it looks like you’ve definitely found your composure again.”

Serpina covered her mouth and laughed as if it was funny, then looked down at me and said.

“Then let’s get straight to the point.”

“Yes, please tell me anything.”

“The diplomatic envoy has arrived.”

“… … Yes?”

A diplomatic envoy?

Did our military have someone to send a diplomatic messenger?

It may be a little strange to say this now, but the Serpina Army was practically an enemy of all people. Naturally, no country would enter into an agreement with us, to the point where we would be lucky if we were not criticized from outside, let alone diplomatically.

“Where are you from?”

“It’s Hesna.”

Hesna County.

It was the southern nation that had a new border, this time by destroying the Aesir army and taking the castle of Lacline.

“When did you receive the offer?”

“A week has passed.”

If it’s a week, does that mean the messenger came to visit me right after I got my vacation?

In that case, I wanted to just call her, but I thought that this was Serpina’s own consideration, so I didn’t want to say anything for no reason.

Serpina also seemed to have noticed my thoughts, and shook her head and smiled.

“The envoys were resting while receiving the best treatment. Don’t worry, rest is not a bad suggestion for them after coming a long way.”

Although they are said to be on the same border, it is quite a long way to get from the central continent to the southern continent.

You can only get there by crossing a great river and climbing a high mountain range.

There was a reason why the Southern Continent was able to maintain its own order without being caught up in the war across the continent.

“What are the requirements?”

“It’s an alliance.”

“Alliance?”

Everything is good, so what are you going to give me?

At that moment, I was thinking that from our perspective, there was no reason for us to hold their hands.

“They said that if you accept it, they will recognize you as the emperor.”

“… … Yes?”

Looking at my dumbfounded face after hearing such an unexpected story, Serpina smiled slightly and said casually.

“That is, he said that he would come under Yeo-ui and become a vassal state.”