Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

After Returning to the Country Arc 2: Kuus Stay in the Kingdom

In the middle of the 7th month, 1547th year, Continental Calendar

The roofs of the houses in the residential quarter of Parnam were uniformly orange.

If you looked down from Parnam Castle to see the center of the city, the castle walls that surrounded the city, and the small mountain near the city, it would look like a vast sea of orange.

There was a shadowy figure bouncing along on top of those orange roofs.

The figure was running as it bounded from roof to roof, but then stopped on top of one roof to wipe its sweat. It was around the time that the sun was high in the sky.

Summer had begun in earnest at this point, and the kingdom was now seeing hot day after hot day.

Man, its hot, grumbled the figure. Itd never get this hot in the republic.

It was the guest from the republic, Kuu Taisei.

It had already been two months since King Souma of Friedonia had formed a medical alliance with Turgish Head of State Gouran, and Empress Maria of the Gran Chaos Empire.

In order to see how Souma reigned and learn from it, Kuu had come to reside in Friedonia with his attendant Leporina and his childhood friend Taru.

He was staying for free at Soumas place, but because he wasnt a formal vassal, he didnt have any particular work to do, and he was spending most his time traveling around the kingdom to learn.

Kuu would submit a request to visit and learn about a place, and if Souma gave his permission, he had relatively free rein to look around inside the Kingdom. He had gone around to many places that way, and had registered as an adventurer along with Leporina, making a small amount of coin on the side by taking on quests.

Kuu crouched on the edge of the roof, looking out over the town of Parnam.

Still... I know I heard about it from Bro, but this countrys even more amazing than I expected.

There were things he had learned by coming to this country and living here.

The flashy things had caught his eye first. Initially, that was the broadcast programs of the Jewel Voice Broadcast. The idea of using the Jewel Voice Broadcast, which had only been used for official proclamations before, to provide entertainment for the citizens was amazing.

The singing program where many diverse loreleis sang, the news program where Chris Tachyon reported the events and incidents that happened in the country, the weather forecast run by one of Soumas fiances, and more... They were all new to Kuu, and drew his interest.

Of them all, the tokusatsu program called Overman Silvan was his favorite.

It was good stuff. Watching a hero fight for good and punish evil got him fired up.

Kuu was so into Silvan that, when he had watched them shooting the program in the castle, he had even gotten the autograph of Ivan Juniro, the actor who played the main character. It was incredible that, in an era like this, the son of a nations head of state would be begging an actor from another country for his autograph, though.

Now, as for the next flashy thing that caught his eye, it was religious functions.

Generally, nations that put a lot of fervor into their religious functions tended to be monotheistic, but the religious functions in this multi-racial, multi-religious state were surprisingly popular.

It seemed that ever since Souma had issued a proclamation saying that, Any religion which registers with the government will be recognized as a state religion, this country had gained a variety of state religions, and they had come to hold large religious functions to attract believers.

Furthermore, by turning those religious functions into national events, it was even possible for members of other religions and sects to participate.

The result was that, with the exception of the most fervent believers, there was an increase in the number of citizens engaging with multiple faiths, and a cooperative relationship where different religions would lend each other space for events was built.

This was because, if it was possible to hold multiple faiths, there was no need to fight to steal each others believers.

This sort of buffet-style approach to religion seemed like something that the comparatively tolerant Mother Dragon worship might allow, but Lunarian Orthodoxy with its focus on unity through the belief in one god would hate.

However, the head of Lunarian Orthodoxy within the kingdom, Bishop Souji Lester, said, Multiple religions? Eh, sure, why not?

And with that one utterance, they were gradually worked into the buffet of religions.

Souji was as impious as ever, but his loose management had the support of Orthodoxys adherents in the kingdom. For the adherents who had lived in the kingdom a long time, even if it was the center of their religion, they hadnt been happy about taking orders from the Orthodox Papal State about all sorts of things.

On that point, Souji had said, If you keep things in moderation, you can do as you like, and left them to their own devices, so it was easier on the believers.

In the kingdom now there was open religious dialogue between all faiths, and they were in an exquisite state of harmony.

If you went into town, one weekend there would be a Lunarian Orthodox festival, and the next weekend there would be a day of celebration for Mother Dragon worshipers, and then the following weekend the sea god worshipers would have a ceremony opening the seas... There was always some excuse for an event to be held.

And so, people would gather where there were events, and things and money would gather where there were people. Holding religious events was tied directly into increasing economic activity.

Well, its easy to look at the flashy things, but whats really amazing is the stuff you dont see.

Kuu stood up and began bouncing along on top of the roofs again.

Beneath, he could see the people of this country going about their lives. He crossed a commercial street where the wives were out shopping, and then down a craftsmens street where the sound of hammers echoed unceasingly.

As he ran, Kuu had a thought.

The really unbelievable thing about this country is how easy it is to live in.

The kingdom as it was now still had these orange roofs, which gave it a sort of retro appearance, but beneath that, it had become incredibly livable.

The large cities had running water and sewer systems, and garbage collection had been nationalized, leading to an improvement in sanitation. Despite this being a large city, the air wasnt that bad, and the water used for daily consumption wasnt contaminated.

There was a transportation network, and many people came and went. The result was that there was a distribution network for products, their prices were stabilized, and public order was good because the military could be quickly dispatched anywhere.

If a person lived here for even a few days, living in any other country would start to feel inconvenient.

The only country that could compete with this one for livability had to be the great power of the west, the Gran Chaos Empire. The Republic of Turgis wasnt anywhere close.

Dad, we cant just stay where we are.

They had formed an equal medical alliance between the three countries, but at this rate, an incredible gap would form between them someday. In order to prevent that, Kuu would learn how Souma ruled here, and find a path of development for the republic.

For that... I need to take a good look at Bros country!

Voicing his resolve, Kuu let out a laugh.

With Leporina leading the way, Kuu came to a place with wide grounds surrounded by a brick wall with a number of buildings inside. This was apparently Gingers Vocational School.

When the two of them came to the gate, they saw a single maid inside the gate sweeping the ground with a bamboo broom. That maid was a beautiful girl whose triangular ears and fluffy tail were typical of the beastman races.

Oh! I found me a cutie! Kuu cried excitedly.

Oh... Not this again... Leporinas shoulders slumped.

Kuu was into women who had fluffy beastman parts. If they had breasts, that was even better.

That was why hed asked Tomoe, Would you be my bride? on their first meeting, and then set about trying to woo her. Hed have to hold out hope for the future in the breast department, though.

On that point, the beastman maid in front of Kuu was checking all his boxes.

Oookyakya! I wonder what kind of beastman she is. Maybe Ill go woo her right now.

...He says, despite having eyes for no one but Taru, Leporina said under her breath.

Huh? Did you say something?

No, nothing... Or rather, Ill tell Taru about this later, you know?

Urgh... I-Its fine to look, isnt it?

Kuu pouted. He was so easy to understand.

While the master and servant duo were arguing, the beastman maid who had been cleaning noticed Kuu and Leporina were there. The maid narrowed her eyes as if wary. Readying her broom in front of her chest, she approached them with determination.

What business do you have at our school?

Huh? Kuu and Leporina, who had been in the middle of an argument, looked at her with dumbstruck faces as she suddenly interrupted them.

The maid gave the two a slight bow, never taking her eyes off them. I am Sandria, a maid in service to Lord Ginger, the principal of Gingers Vocational School. Pardon me, but... what business, may I ask, do you have at this school?

There was a dangerous tone in her voice. Like she was wary of them, or she was angry. Kuu paid no mind to the atmosphere Sandria was exuding, and casually gave his name.

Hm? Im Kuu. This heres my servant Leporina.

I-Its a pleasure to meet you.

Unlike Kuu, Leporina sensed the disquieting atmosphere and gave a more hesitant greeting.

Sandria held her bamboo broom with a backhand grip and pointed the end of it at Kuus forehead. What have you come here for... is what I am asking you.

Sandrias brow was furrowed. That hostile stance got Kuu angry, too.

...Very well, the maid said. I will, at the very least, kill your master before that.

There were two beautiful women on either side of Kuu staring each other down. If it werent for the weapons, this would be a situation any man would be jealous of, but even Kuu couldnt enjoy this one.

Would both of you calm down already! Ugh, someone do something about this!

Perhaps Kuus shout reached someone, because a young man came over. Um... San? Just what kind of situation is this?

There was a skinny, frail looking young man standing behind Sandria, and his cheeks were twitching as he looked at this scene in bewilderment.

You mustnt, master! Sandria shouted, looking panicked for the first time.

His name was Ginger Camus. Despite his youth, he was the principal of Gingers Vocational School.

Ginger had just come over to invite Sandria to have lunch with him, but hed panicked when seeing the situation near the gate.

Sandria had a broom with a knife on the end pointed at a young boy who looked like a monkey beastman, and a girl who looked like a rabbit beastman had her bow drawn and aimed at Sandria. Ginger had been taken aback by the dangerous scene, but...

S-Stop, please! he yelled.

The next moment, his body was moving. Ginger interposed himself between Sandria and the archer so as to block the line of fire, and even in his terror, he managed to spread his arms and shout at Kuu and Leporina, This is a school sanctioned by His Majesty King Souma! Please, stop with this violent affront to it!

Like. I. Keep. On. Saying. This is all a misunderstanding...

Master?!

Cutting off Kuu, Sandria threw aside her broom-sword, embraced Ginger, and spun them around to change their positions. She ended up exposing her back to Leporina who was still taking aim with her bow.

Wait, San?! Thats dangerous! Ginger shouted.

I will protect you, even if it costs me my life, master.

There was Ginger who was worried for Sandria, and Sandria who was risking her life to protect him. It was a scene that showed at a glance what their feelings for each other were like.

Having been shown that scene, Kuu awkwardly scratched his cheek as he said to them, Uhhh... Sorry to stop you when youre all fired up, but we arent here to attack the place. Hey, Leporina. Im free now, so how long are you going to keep holding that bow?

Huh...? Ah! Yes, sir!

Leporina had been so focused on her task that only now did she realize Kuu had been released. She hurriedly lowered her bow and returned the arrow to her quiver.

With a laugh, Kuu turned to Ginger and Sandria and said, Sorry to make a scene. Im Kuu Taisei. Im from the Republic of Turgis, but Im currently freeloading at my bro Soumas place. Well, think of me as something like his little brother. Bunny ears here is my servant, Leporina.

N-Nice to meet you. Oh, and sorry for the trouble. Leporina bowed her head.

Ginger managed to pry Sandria off of him somehow, and stood in front of Kuu. Youre an acquaintance of His Majestys, then. I am Ginger Camus, the one tasked with managing this school. This is my secretary, Sandria.

I am Sandria. Sandria lifted the hem of her skirt a little and curtsied.

Her discomposure from earlier seemed like a lie, and she wore a look on her face like nothing had happened. However, she must have felt embarrassed inside, because her cheeks were just a little red.

Still, the only one here who would notice that was Ginger, who had been together with her for a long time.

Kuu smiled and shook Gingers hand. Nice to meet you, Ginger. Youve got a good subordinate there who cares for her master.

Yes. She is a reliable partner.

Guess I cant take her for myself, huh. Her looks are just my type, though.

Whats wrong, dumb master? Taru asked Kuu, who had a slightly odd look on his face while they were eating.

When Kuu had explained to Ginger and Sandria that he had come to invite Taru to lunch, theyd suggested they all go together, and the five had gone to the cafeteria inside Gingers Vocational School.

Kuu laughed awkwardly and said to Taru, Well, you know... A lot happened, and glanced at Leporina who was standing next to him.

Kuu, Taru, and Ginger were seated at the table, while Leporina and Sandria were acting as servers. It had ended up with them in positions like it was a meeting, but Kuu and Ginger were able to have a rousing conversation about their respective circumstances.

I see, Ginger said. Youre the son of the head of the Republic of Turgis. Even though she didnt know any better, San... our Sandria... was awfully rude to you.

When Ginger bowed his head, Kuu laughed.

Dont worry about it. Its partly my fault for showing up without an appointment.

The dumb master was just being dumb. Theres no need for you to bow your head to him, Sir Ginger, Taru said with a cool look on her face.

Some days later...

All right, Leporina, lets go study in the Department of Dungeonology today. I hear we can see a dungeon relic provided by the House of Maxwell.

I-I get it, so please stop pulling. Geez.

At Gingers Vocational School, there was Kuu, who had been attending with enthusiasm since receiving clearance from Souma, and Leporina, who he was dragging around with him, but who didnt seem to mind that, and...

Oh, dumb master, youre so dumb.

There was Taru, watching the two of them from a distance, with the corners of her mouth turned ever so slightly upwards.

What would they study in this country, and what would that bring about in the Republic of Turgis?

That, we would not learn for a while yet.