Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Bonus Short Stories

The Master and Servant Arent on the Same Page

It happened in the Republic of Turgis, on the south of the continent.

Near the town of Noblebeppu in the east, a young snow ape boy named Kuu Tiasei, the son of the current head of the republic, was riding on a numoth as it broke through snow and ice. He was heading to visit his childhood friend Taru the blacksmith with his servant Leporina in tow.

Lying down on the numoths back, Kuu stared idly into the sky.

There was a blue sky and white clouds. Partly because summer was approaching, today was a clear day. However, in this country, when the winter came, thick clouds would block out the sky, and frequent blizzards would impede the coming and going of the people. That meant they tended to stay cooped up inside their homes, making them even more introverted.

If only this weather would last a little longer...

Kuu was always saying being the son of the head of the republic didnt suit him, but he wanted to change the situation in this country. The winters here were too dark. He preferred things to be bright. He wanted the men and women in town to smile with good cheer. That was why he made the effort to at least smile himself, but it wasnt an issue he could fix without help.

If I just knew what to do, I could work hard to do it... he reflected.

Thinking about something, Master Kuu?

Leporinas face entered Kuus field of vision. Because he was resting his head in Leporinas lap, her face appeared upside down when she looked down at him.

Kuu and Leporina were master and servant, but they had also known each other from a young age, so they were close. They had often played together with Taru in their youth, and at those times Leporina had been like a big sister to the two of them because she was a little older. That was why it didnt feel unnatural to be resting his head in her lap.

Hm... I was thinking about how to make someoneeveryonesmile. Kuu stretched as he answered.

That would be simple... if you would just be open with your feelings. Youre always so indirect, its hard to tell if shes taking you seriously.

...Ook? Whatre you talking about? Kuu asked, getting the sense they werent talking about the same thing, which caused Leporina to tilt her head to the side.

Huh? This wasnt about Taru?

Kuu had been thinking about how to make the people of the republic smile, but Leporina hadnt been able to imagine he was thinking about something so serious, so shed misunderstood and assumed he was thinking about the girl he loved.

Kuu realized that Leporina was misunderstanding, noticed he had been thinking about something uncharacteristically serious for his ever-cheerful self, and since he was embarrassed to let Leporina know that, he decided to run with it.

Hm? Oh, youre right there. Tarus been prickly lately. She used to be a little more willing to smile.

You say that, but werent you more honest with your feelings back then, too? Leporina asked.

Huh? Im always telling her how I feel.

Im telling you that the way you do it is warped. When we were little, you gave her a crown of white flowers as a present, didnt you? That made Taru happy, didnt it? But lately youve been trying to get her jealous, making passes at furry girls like her, right? Thats having the opposite effect.

Ookee... But if dont do that, she wont even look at me lately, Kuu said sulkily.

I understand the feeling, but... Leporina sighed.

She understood quite well why the two were on different pages. Kuu played at being a joker, but he had the potential to be the next head of the republic. Taru was working to master her trade as a blacksmith so as not to be left behind by him. The more Taru devoted herself to her work, the more she neglected Kuu, and the more obstinately Kuu tried to get Tarus attention, the more stubborn he made her.

Theyre the same type of people, you could say... ultimately.

The crux of the matter was that they were both stubborn. Neither would admit defeat to the other, and their stubborn attempts to make themselves look good to the other put them at cross purposes.

Well, that is what makes room for me, though...

Leporina had always had feelings for Kuu.

Kuu was the one with the greatest potential to carve a new future for this country, and Leporina always wanted to be close by his side, watching him. It might be fair to say she yearned for him. She wouldnt get in Kuu and Tarus way, and she meant to cheer them on, so she hoped she would be allowed to stay at his side.

But Master Kuu never tries to woo me...

In order to get Taru jealous, Kuu had been making passes at beastman girls with furry ears and tails like hers. In short, he was hitting on girls who were like Taru.

Still, if that was what he was trying to do, Leporinas rabbit ears should have fit the bill, too. However, Kuu had never hit on Leporina.

Am I so unattractive... Master Kuu?

While thinking about that, Leporina had unconsciously been patting Kuu on the head.

Ookyah?! Kuu was greatly surprised by this. That was because it was disrespectful for her, in her position as his servant, to be patting her master on the head.

When Kuu looked up at her, Leporina was staring off into the distance, her mind elsewhere.

What? Leporina... Whatre you thinking?

Realizing that she had acted unconsciously, Kuu opted not to say anything. He normally enjoyed seeing how his actions messed with people, but he didnt want to embarrass her by pointing out her mistake.

Man, that spooked me...

The reason Kuu didnt hit on Leporina... was because, if he did make a pass at her, it wouldnt end as just a joke. If he did it to someone he was meeting for the first time, they would let it slide as mere banter. However, because of his close relationship with Leporina, if he made a joke of hitting on her, it would hurt her. The one he loved was Taru, but Leporina was important to him, too. That was why Kuu never tried to woo her.

So I wish shed stop unconsciously trying to tempt me...

Leporina sighed to herself. Do I need to show off my femininity more...?

Kuu and Leporina, like Kuu and Taru, were also at cross purposes because of how much they cared for one another.

The numoth pressed on, carrying along two people who werent on the same page.

Liscia Writes a Letter

Dear Souma, how are you? I hear youve headed for a cold place, so Im worried youll ruin your health. The weather here continues to be...

Wait, this is way too formal! Liscia crumpled everything she had written so far into a ball and tossed it on the floor.

This was Liscias room in Parnam Castle, but the floor was scattered with similarly crumpled papers. She was wasting a large volume of paper that, while as a noble she could easily obtain it, was still a valuable commodity, but it was forgivable for today, at least.

She was writing a letter to convey something important to her fianc, Souma. But, unable to put it into words properly, Liscia was clutching her head.

Souma was on a diplomatic voyage to the frigid Republic of Turgis in the south. Liscia had honestly wanted to accompany him, but because her health had worsened of late, she had ended up holding down the fort this time. Then she had been examined by Hilde, the best female doctor in the kingdom.

Princess, about the reason for your feeling unwell. Youre... Hilde had leaned in and whispered her diagnosis in Liscias ear.

Upon hearing the word, Liscias face had gone white with shock, and then a feeling of euphoria had welled up from the bottom of her stomach. Finally, after calming down, shed started to grow more and more uncertain.

Those around her had been sent into a frenzy of activity by the diagnosis, but Liscia herself was now under orders to get rest, and she had nothing to do.

For now, she was taking up her feather pen to inform Souma of the news, but she was finding herself unable to discover a way of wording it that she liked.

Then there was a knock at the door.

Yes, come in! Liscia called.

Naden, a fellow fiance who was also staying behind, entered the room. Liscia, are you all... Wait, its kind of a mess in here, huh?

She sounded exasperated, looking at the disastrous state of this room with all the failed letters scattered across its floor.

Ahaha... Liscia laughed awkwardly. I was writing a letter to Souma to let him know about my diagnosis, but... its not been going well.

I understand how you feel, but if you overwork yourself, arent you going to end up feeling sick again?

Im feeling comparatively relaxed at the moment.

Good grief... Naden picked up one of the discarded papers and looked over it. Theres only one thing you need to tell him, right? Why not just write that?

But when I consider how Souma will feel when he reads it... I really cant write just that one thing.

Well, fair enough. Im sure hes going to be really surprised. Naden sat down on Liscias bed. So surprised he might come flying right back here. Not that Souma can fly.

Thats no good! Souma wont get many chances to take his time looking around another country, so I need to write to make sure he does his duty in this letter.

Do you think warning him in a letter will be enough to make Souma listen?

Liscia shook her head in response to Nadens question. Souma was family-oriented, and when a member of his family was involved, his field of vision narrowed. If he was informed of this diagnosis, she suspected hed rush back to the country. Writing that he shouldnt do that in her letter was probably not going to stop him.

Ill need to write to Aisha first, Liscia decided. She would write a letter to Aisha and have her restrain Souma.

As Liscia turned back to her desk, Naden shrugged.

I think we can rest easy with that.

...Can we really?

Huh?

The hand holding Liscias feather pen stopped as she thought about it. Aisha does pretty much anything Souma tells her to. She can hold him down with force, but if Souma seriously orders her to let go, I think she will. Hmm... In order to stop that overprotective Souma, Ill need to convince him Im right with logic.

Y-You will?

Seeing Liscia come up with a multilayered plan to keep Souma from returning, Naden found it a little off-putting. In her heart of hearts, Liscia surely wanted Souma to come back home quickly, but she was firmly ordering him not to for his own good.

Who are you calling overprotective? Youre being pretty overprotective yourself here, Liscia.

Ultimately, they were a like-minded husband and wife... No, a like-minded fianc and fiance.

Naden was exasperated internally, but Liscia went on mumbling without noticing that.

Maybe I shouldnt be in the castle, after all. If he knows he cant see me immediately by returning to the castle, I think that should keep Soumas desire to return home under control. Then something seemed to occur to Liscia, and she clapped her hands. Ive decided. Im leaving the castle.

Huh?! Whatre you saying when youre supposed to be sick?! Naden exclaimed.

However, Liscia grinned. I know why Im feeling unwell now. Itll settle down in a little while. Besides, I said Id be leaving the castle, but only to rest in the countryside where the air is fresher. My fathers former domain, now part of the crown demesne, just so happens to be that sort of place, too.

Oh! Youre just going to rest, huh...

Nadens relief made Liscia giggle.

Its a good opportunity, so Ill have Mother teach me all sorts of things while Im there. From here on... Im going to need that knowledge. With that said, Liscia turned back to the desk. Now that thats settled, I need to let Souma know. If I write, You cant see me even if you come back now, he wont force his way back here, Im sure. Oh! Ill have to tell Aisha not to let him come back, either.

Watching Liscias feather pen dance happily across the page, Naden was filled with exasperation. ...Oh, just do whatever you want.

Unable to put up with any more of this, Naden left the room.

Now alone in the room again, Liscia quickly began writing.

Im pregnant.

Junos Ridiculous Story

Come to think of it, there was that time rumors started spreading about Mr. Little Musashibo as the kigurumi adventurer, Juno said all of a sudden.

Juno and I were now meeting once a week for an hour or two to talk. We had been doing that ever since the first time.

I had brought a glass table and chairs out onto the terrace of the governmental affairs office in Parnam Castle, and I was talking to Juno over a light meal from Ishizukas Place.

Also, the drinks were juice and tea, no alcohol. If we got drunk, there would be a security issue, not to mention the issue of whether Juno could get home properly. It was like a late night tea party.

Their companions had all either drunk themselves silly or were away, so Juna got help from the inns staff to carry Souma to the room where they were staying. The inn staff concurred with her assumption, saying, The heat probably just got to him, so she decided to let him lie down and cool off for now.

Thanking the staff as they left, Juna let Souma rest his head in her lap with a cool cloth on his forehead as she fanned his face.

While she looked at Soumas unconscious face, Juna lowered her eyes apologetically. Is it because... I took too long to find my resolve, perhaps?

The truth was, Juna had been ready to enter the bath as soon as Souma did. However, when the time had come to do so, shed suddenly gotten embarrassed.

It... It was embarrassing for me, too... she murmured.

Juna had boldly acted as if her feelings were I dont mind being seen naked if its by you, but she was a young maiden, and seeing him naked and being seen naked herself had left her heart racing the whole time.

Because shed hesitated, Soumas time in the bath had lasted longer than hers, making him get dizzy from the heat.

The truth is... I dont have that much extra composure from being the older one, sire, Juna thought as she looked down at Souma with his eyes closed.

Souma and his other fiances tended to look up to Juna like a big sister, but in some ways, she was trying to act more mature than she was. When she sensed that was the ideal vision of her that people held, she couldnt help but try to be that.

Lately, Souma had started to understand that aspect of her, so he had started to talk with her like they were the same age whenever they were alone, like they had been just now, but...

The fact of the matter is, Aisha and Naden should both be older than me.

While those two members of the long-lived races were stubborn about not revealing their true ages, they most likely had lived far longer than Juna and the rest. She was a little dissatisfied that, despite that, they treated her like she was older than them. Yes, that had to do with Junas high mental age, but...

Juna removed the cloth from Soumas forehead and patted him there.

Oh, but being able to hear His Majestys complaints may be one perk of that position.

Juna recalled what Souma had said in the bath.

He had said hed learned too much about Kuu and the others before learning about the republic. If a time ever came when he needed to become hostile to the republic, he was worried he wouldnt be able to give the order to fight. Even as everyone else had been letting loose at the party, Souma had been thinking about his duties as king. Worrying without letting anyone else know.

Back then, too... you were worrying about things.

She recalled that night in which war with the corrupt nobles and the Principality of Amidonia had been drawing near. Juna had, at Liscias request, sung a lullaby for a sleepless Souma.

You havent changed since then. I like that.

There must have been many times since then that he had been forced to make a decision as king. The reason Souma was now at a loss for what to do was because, even after those decisions, he had not lost his natural kindness.

He was king, yet unable to fully become king. That was who Souma was.

That might be a weakness, and it was only in front of Juna that Souma could expose that weakness well. In front of his other fiances, he always ended up trying to be tough.

I think you would do a fine job of indulging a young boy whos trying to put up a strong front, Liscia had said back then.

When Souma was in front of Juna, he was willing to show a comparatively weaker side of himself. It made a sweet sense of superiority over the other fiances spread through her chest. Feeling that, she thought, Sorry, everyone.

Its okay, sire, she murmured. I will hide your weakness.

She spoke the same words she had spoken that time, with an awareness of her own feelings which hadnt changed since that time... no, which had grown even stronger since then. And then...

...Juna-san? It looked like Souma had awoken.

Oh! You were awake?

Juna explained that he had passed out in the hot springs, and she had carried him here with the help of the inns staff.

When he found out she had gotten a good look at various parts of him while he was out cold, Souma put on an embarrassed, forced smile. They were enjoying a quiet moment together after that, when...

By the way, have Aisha and the others come back? Souma suddenly asked.

Internally, Juna was a bit miffed. Geez... Here we finally have some time alone together, and hes thinking about other people.

She wanted to fill Soumas thoughts with nothing but her. So that...

So that we can do things like this. Juna pressed her lips to Soumas.

His surprised eyes only saw Juna. Satisfied, Juna let out a mischievous giggle. Her smile held enough power to entrance anyone who saw it.

Shall we keep the fact we took a bath together our little secret for a while? Juna asked charmingly, and Souma could no longer look away from her.

Guardians of the God of Food

As a result of Serina recruiting people who seemed like they might be useful this way, Poncho still had yet to find a fiance, but the castles maid force was gaining personnel and expanding.

Furthermore, though this is a digression, this ambitious woman would, in future, meet the son of a great noble while working in the palace, and retire after getting married to him, but... that is a story for another time.