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Chapter 01: The Prince Consort Is Working Away From Home

By the time a Small Flying Dragon reported the emergency from Port Valentia, Queen Aura was in her office in the Royal Palace and led an endless discussion about a vexing problem with her trusted Secretary Fabio.

“Your Highness, the numbers on the documents will not change, no matter how hard you glare at them.”

“I know that.”

It certainly was not so bad that she got the biggest number wrong, but the second biggest number differed insomuch that it could no longer be sugar-coated.

At the present time, only the immediate subordinators of Aura knew them, but anyone that was familiar with them could testify the value of the Arabic numerals. Once you were used to them, you grasped the numeric value right away.

“The provisions for the soldiers aside, I thought that at least the prices for the military goods were still lower, because of an surplus from the previous war.”

The Queen and Secretary were rather complaining than discussing when they assessed the cruel state of things.

“Excuse me. We have received an urgent Small Flying Dragon message from Port Valentia.”

“?”

That did not ring a bell with Aura, so she just cast a questioning glance at her secretary standing next to her, to which Fabio wordlessly shook his head, too.

She did not have a good feeling about it, but in her position as the Queen, she was more or less used to such “unexpected happenings”.

When Aura answered, her face showed not the slightest hint of surprise or worry.

Approximately one hour later.

The four attendees were Queen Aura, Secretary Fabio, Royal Archmage Espaldion and Zenjirou.

Except for official events that had to be attended by royalty, the only time Zenjirou came to the Royal Palace was to “work on behalf of Aura”.

The urgency of the matter already became more than clear when such a rare occasion happened.

Aura tossed the little dragonskin parchment delivered by the Small Flying Dragon onto the table, then started to address the matter without ceremony.

Normally the exchange of communication through Small Flying Dragons was conducted by sending multiple Small Flying Dragons with the same message in order to increase its reliability. Usually, the receiver also did not regard the information as legit unless three to four Small Flying Dragons arrived from the same direction in order to dismiss the probability of getting misinformation fabricated by the enemy.

Aura read in the tense expression of her trusted retainers that her intention had been understood and she continued to speak clearly with an unusual low voice for a woman.

The governor of Valentia decided that the matter was beyond his capabilities and asked for instructions. If possible, he would like us to send someone over.”

Only Zenjirou just looked blankly, showing no signs of surprise. That was no proof of his nerves, though, but rather his ignorance.

Knowing the score, Secretary Fabio went out of his way to explain the circumstances in detail in addition to his answer to the Queen.

“Yes. The four-masters all belong to major powers on the North Continent without exceptions. Even a three-master can only be obtained in the private sector by a very wealthy merchant.

She expressed her consent along with an explanation. Then she looked at the aged magician and asked a fundamental question that had bothered her the most.

At that, Zenjirou and Secretary Fabio paid attention to the addressed mage as well.

Even amongst the third-rate magicians without inherited magical power or talent for magic, were wise men with a profound knowledge. The same was true for the opposite: Some of the great mages that could use magic freely, had spent their whole life researching magic, so they were surprisingly ignorant about other things.

The aged mage wrinkled his forehead so heavily that his long eyebrows quivered, and pondered before slowly opening his mouth.

Only vaguely remembering the rough location of the kingdom, the elder magician kept his head down shamefaced.

Considering how vast and informative this world was, his memory was more than reasonable.

“Far in the north of the North Continent? Hmm, then it is no wonder that I never heard of it. But that leaves the question why they would come here all the way from the north.”

The North Continent and South Continent were not doing much of intercontinental trading. Moreover, the little bit they were doing was conducted by countries in the north of the South Continent and the countries in the south of the North Continent, of course.

Even the southern countries of the North Continent that were trading with them like that, hardly ever came all the way to the Carpa Kingdom, yet a country further in the north had specifically sent a ship with four masts here.

The Queen nodded to the words of the middle-aged secretary, then replied.

“Your Highness, I would like to add that Royalty on the North Continent do not necessarily have a ‘Bloodline Magic’. If anything, I have heard there are some royal families that never had one to begin with.”

The pointer from Espaldion made Aura obviously knit her brows.

The fact that Royalty on the North Continent could hardly ever use a “Bloodline Magic” was actually disillusioning for Aura.

“In that case, we need a really competent negotiator all the more. The question is, who will be up to that important task? Do you have anyone in mind, Your Highness?”

“Yes, if you have no objections, I am considering to appoint ‘Raffaello Márquez’ for the task.”

“Sir Raffaello, you say? His abilities make him more than suited for the task, for sure, but he is still the son of Marquis Márquez, you know?”

Two points would make his appointment problematic: The fact that the Márquez Family was feudal nobility with their own piece of land, and the fact that Valentia was under the direct control of royalty.

Of course that was not legally fixed, and even if it were, the decision of the monarch could overrule the law, so it was possible to enforce her choice, but the Nobility of the Robe was sure to react sharply then.

Still sitting orderly in her chair, the Queen crossed her arms beneath her breasts.

She confidentially explained her plan.

Although he did phrase it as a question, Secretary Fabio had already discerned Aura’s intention. He glanced at Zenjirou, who had been silent the whole time.

(Oh, I see. I was wondering why I was called in for an unofficial meeting in the palace, but that’s how they’re going to play it, eh.)

In short, it was something like a private secretary. That definitely was not the kind of position the eldest son of Marquis Márquez would take, even if temporarily.

There was only one acceptable entity for whom the eldest son of the Márquez Family, a prominent nobility in the Carpa Kingdom, would work as a private secretary: “Royalty”.

Zenjirou had accurately picked up on the course of events, but he remained silent for that very reason.

The aged magician seemed quite good-natured, but the middle-aged man with the slender face was glancing at him conspicuously for some time now, eager to spot a careless behaviour from him.

“Yes. Raffaelo Márquez will only work as a ‘assistant delegate’ under someone with a higher status. At the present time that is just us ‘Royalty’.

Even as a practitioner of the ‘Teleport’ magic, Aura would not receive any information from the Royal Palace while she was working in a detached territory.

In the first place, there would be no need to appoint an “assistant delegate” when Aura went to Valentia herself, since she had sufficient skills in politics and negotiations.

Normally, Aura never went about such a roundabout way, neither at an unofficial meeting with her trusted retainers, nor at the discussions with Zenjirou in the Inner Palace. But at an unofficial meeting with both sides combined, she had to stick to the procedure of “advancing the topic logically while convincing everyone with a detailed explanation” to some extent.

“As such, no one else but you remains, Zenjirou.”

“Me, you say? Well, if that is your command, I will not oppose it, of course, Your Highness.”

“Hmm? Do you have any qualms about it? Then do tell.”

“Okay. I am currently carrying out the task of dealing with Prince Francesco and Princess Bona from the Twin Kingdom. I was wondering what would happen to them then.”

It may be impossible to meet with them as frequently as you have, but we can only ask their understanding for it.”

“Yes, please do so.”

Still, it was nothing out of the ordinary that the same two people talked different to each other depending whether they were at work or in private. Zenjirou was not unaccustomed to this either.

“But do you not think that the nobility of the robe will oppose my appointment? Is there no one amongst them with suitable skills?”

But lately he had been in the Royal Palace a lot, because he was entertaining Prince Francesco and Princess Bona, and when he now went to a detached land on behalf of Aura, people would probably start to get suspicious of him.

“No, you do not need to worry about that. To be honest, there is someone suitable, but he is already working in a position fitting his abilities.

Frankly speaking, she was telling him that he was doing the least work here.

“I see…”

Regaining his spirit in no time, he deeply lowered his head conform to etiquette just like he had learned it while still firmly seated in his chair.

“Good. I am counting on you.”
The Queen acknowledged the loyalty of her husband with a large-hearted nod.

“Sorry!”

Her point-black apology came out of nowhere, but Zenjirou did know what she was apologizing for.

He replied with a smile like always, then said down on the couch.

Of course he was not doubting the sincerity of his wife towards him, but this matter definitely needed further explanation.

“Yes, of course I will do so.”

Compared to her usual relaxed sitting position, she had now folded her hands on her knees instead. The words “regretful” and “pious” would fit her posture best.

In Zenjirou’s opinion, the matter did not really call for standing on ceremony to such an extent, but decided to keep that to himself and voice a question instead.

That had not been an impromptu question. He had come up with it when he ruminated on the matter by himself after the meeting.

“You.”

In light of her reply, Zenjirou looked convinced and sighed once.

Despite that, you talk about being short-handed and still want to send a certain capable someone with so much status that he was your former marriage candidate, and me, the only other grown-up royalty, there at the same time.”

“Indeed. Actually, when I received the news, I initially thought that I have to go to Valentia myself to take control.”

The unexpected remark of his wife lead Zenjirou into making an unwitting retort.

“Of course reality is different. As such, my second idea was to send you.”

“Well, at least I get now that you’re attaching quite the importance to this matter. So, why couldn’t we bring the self-proclaimed princess into the palace?”

Zenjirou, do you know who is in control of Valentia?”

“Ehm.. The ‘Duke of Valentia’, if I remember correctly. Right now, that’s you?”

“Indeed. Everyone tends to believe that all the pieces of land that are usually called ’Royal Domains’ are under the direct control of Royalty, but as a matter of fact, only the capital and a few small resorts are established as property of the crown. All the other ‘Royal Domains’ have a title of nobility on their own, which is just succeeded by royalty. The fundamental difference to a common feudal lord title is that the appointment of a successor is not done by the titular himself, but instead by the current ruler.”

Needless to say, it did not have to be a close relative, appointing oneself was allowed, too. Due to that, it kind of became a rule that the monarch himself succeeded the titles of important domains such as Valentia.

Since he tilted his head puzzled, Aura explained it carefully.

The domains are quite self-governing. To the point that the kingdom cannot meddle with them as long as they fulfil their obligation to the country, namely paying taxes.”

“Oh, you mean, it will fall within the country’s remit when the ’self-proclaimed princess’ comes to the capital, but if she stays in Valentia, it will fall within your remit?”

“Yes. For a normal domain it would be treachery to build a friendship with a foreign country without the country’s permission, no matter how much self-governing they are, but we royalty are excluded from that.

“I see now.”

It was generally not really laudable when the monarch prioritized his own benefit over the one of the country, but at times it was inevitable.

A monarch needed to flourish the country, but at the same time grant the royal family enough power to suppress the enriched nobility.

“Yes. And not just in view, it is almost certain.

“Mh? What are the odds for it being a whim? Maybe they didn’t come especially for Valentia, but rather dropped by after their trip to a harbour in the north of the South Continent.”

“No. We might not be allies with the countries in our north, but we keep at least a friendly relationship of neutrality.

“I see.”

“If they deliberately came here, there is plenty of room for negotiations. And if they have drifted here due to some accident, we have already won.

In that case, they inevitably need people from our country to repair their ship. And that will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study the state-of-the-art ship of the North Continent.”

“In short, you’re primarily after the blueprints of their large ship?”

Although the fire of royal ambition was flickering in the eyes of his wife, Zenjirou inclined his head and took the wind out of her sails.

The advance in technology was not so half-hearted that you could copy a new technology right away, even if you had access to the finished product.

A skill to make equally sized wheels on both sides. A skill to make a straight and round axletree. A skill to make axle holders that kept the axletree in place but also let it rotate without restraint. Along with various other skills, one built a carriage.

“Yes, you do have a point. But we have master shipwrights on our own and I would like to believe that the technology is not so advanced that it will be impossible to analyse and imitate it.”

“Okay. All right, then. But once I go over there, we won’t get in touch so easily anymore. So I want to write down a list about stuff like an order of priority or negotiating range. May I?”

“Thanks. I’ll write the numbers with Kanji instead of Arabic numerals, too, just in case.”
It should technically be next to impossible that a third party or even the negotiating partner caught a glimpse of the memo, but better safe than sorry. There existed a tiny chance that the Arabic numerals could be read, because they were gradually gaining currency, starting with the civil servants in the Royal Palace, but anything else would be written in Japanese and obviously enough, no one in this world could read that.

“…What do I favour in this case?”

After that Zenjirou and Aura huddled together and had a long discussion, which resulted in a list of ten copy papers that outlined an order of priority about what Aura wanted from the “self-proclaimed princess”, and the allowed negotiation range for Zenjirou.

Especially to Zenjirou, who was bad at ad-libbing and quick to get worried. Ever since his days as a salaryman, he had spent a lot of time for these kind of preparations.

Putting his ball pen onto the table, Zenjirou stretched oneself luxuriously while still sitting down.

“Zenjirou.”

“Forgive me. In the end, I caused you trouble for the sake of the country again.”

This was technically nothing new, but Aura still felt the need to apologize.

“Ah, yeah.”

(Huh? Now that I think about it, I always shrug it off as inevitable, but isn’t my situation getting worse and worse?)

Although he was now more often in the Royal Palace during the day for some duties, he always had the time to go back to the Inner Palace for dinner and on one of five days, he could laze around in the Inner Palace.

But because of that, he could have some quality time with his beloved wife in the wired Inner Palace after the end of work.

For a short period of time, it definitely was not something infeasible, but if he were to utter the word “inevitable” now, he sensed that it would affect his future.

“Hmm, I know your position puts you in bind, but it seems to be especially bad this time. Before I noticed it, it had progressed so far that I could no longer refuse. I was really surprised.”

And in the next moment, she realized her own line of thinking and turned red from shame.

If her husband had been someone else than Zenjirou, Aura would have taken the easy way out and brought the “self-proclaimed princess” into the Capital to deal with her.

Even though she did not believe that the decision itself had been wrong, it did mean that she had unconsciously regarded Zenjirou as “a pawn that obeyed her unconditionally”.

Aura reflected on herself self-aware at heart, then straightened out her expression and faced her husband anew.

I could say now that I will never let something like this happen again, but that will be impossible, so I will at least discuss things with you first from now wherever possible.

“Ah, well, okay.”

One of the reasons why Aura was so quick to rely on him was definitely the fact that he would not accept a reward.

“Something I want, eh…Hmm.”

On the one hand he had been too busy to spent the money, on the other hand he never cooked by himself because he was too busy. Most of his meals had been prepackaged dishes or taken at a restaurant. The only bicycle he owned had been second-hand, too. Except these expenses, he spent no money on hobbies, so he was able to save up as much as three million yen.

Troubled like that, Zenjirou asked Aura instead.

Upon his question, the Queen looked up to the ceiling and mused for a bit.

Then she answered smoothly like that.

“Hmm, money, eh. To be honest, I don’t think it’s all that wise to have money at my own disposal in my position.”

The reward came with such a risk and he was not really keen on it, to begin with. Or at least, it was not something he would immediately jump at for now.

“Anything else?”

The dragon bone brush was, like its name implied, a brush made out of the bones of a dragon. It was a kind of dip pen and the ink was sponged up into slits that were carved into the bone. The design was similar to the glass pens in Japan.

An educated person of this world could apply the four basic arithmetic operations by using numerous of these calculation stones, but Zenjirou did not know how exactly.

“A brush or stone, huh. Hmm, not really my thing.”

These presents had undoubtedly a great value as perfect pieces of art, too, but Zenjirou was neither a collector, nor an art enthusiast, so they merely left a “oh, cool” impression on him.

Just in case, he asked yet another question, though.

“The permission to marry, I guess.

In such cases, you can overrule the gap in class or inconveniences to the royal family, through military or civil exploits.”

When her husband immediately interjected to remind her, Aura unwittingly showed a wry smile.

And by that I do not mean a woman that will be your wife, but rather someone, who brings her beauty to market, like a dancer or singer.”

“Nope.”

Obviously enough, Zenjirou, too, was a healthy young man in body and soul, so he was sometimes driven by the urge to have a woman besides his wife.

The Queen smiled wryly when her husband was as obstinate as ever about this topic.

While scratching his head with his right hand, Zenjirou replied to her question with a sulky face.

His answer made Aura widen her eyes a bit in surprise.

She did not expect his next answer, though.

“No. Instead of an interest, it’s more of a harmless choice from all of them.”

As such, Aura unwittingly heaved a sigh.

Apparently her unpretentious husband was duteously trying to fulfil the “obligation” of accepting a material reward. Moreover, he was being extremely careful that it influenced his standing as little as possible.

“Zenjirou, there is no need to take others into consideration when accepting a reward. I will properly refuse you if you should ever wish for something that goes against the country. You just have to be honest to your desire, okay?

This time, Zenjirou looked up to the ceiling and mused.

Ah, but now that I think about it, there were a couple of things I wanted back then.”

For example, a wristwatch.

One day, he really had wanted to own a wristwatch from a higher price level.

Half a year after joining the company, Zenjirou had bought a second-hand hybrid car, but that had simply been a compromise. The car he had “wanted” and perceived as “cool” had been a different one. Instead he had compromised on the hybrid car for its overwhelmingly better gas consumption and second-hand price.

The only other thing he could think of was a season ticket for the junior league team, whose fan club he had belonged to.

Anyway, Zenjirou had racked his brain, but still could not come up with anything helpful.

Saying so, he raised his two palms towards the ceiling as if surrendering, and shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated manner.

“Hmm… Is there really nothing? You can put aside whether it is actually feasible or not for now. Just name something for the sake of it.”

He previously had discussed with Aura if it was possible to connect to the internet, even if only for a short time, by combining the “Time Reversal” and “World Bridge” magic, but that had turned out to be impossible.

In actual fact, Zenjirou had not been convinced by her explanation. On an intuitive level, he somehow got the feeling that it was possible nevertheless.

“…..”

Both of them no longer knew what to say next. This happened every time. Whenever this topic came up, they were both at a loss for words at the end for sure.

“Well, you know, I’ll be away from the Royal Palace, or rather from the Capital for the first time now, so I might find something interesting over there.”

Though no matter how much you will like it, I will not cede the title of ’Duke of Valentia’ to you.”

“Ahaha. No worries, I’m not that unreasonable.”

“You’re such a worrywart.”
Before long, the royal couple was laughing frolicsome together.

A few days later.

Like always, the sunlight brightened up the room and they were sitting on couches across each other while enjoying some tea and dried fruits to their talking.

“Oh, rumour has it that you were going to leave the capital. So it’s true then, Your Majesty Zenjirou.”

“To be honest, I am surprised about the suddenness. But I pray for your safe return.”

Although Prince Francesco had been surprised, he was not concerned, whereas Princess Bona looked just as concerned as she was surprised.

For Prince Francesco, Zenjirou’s absence only meant the loss of a “playfellow he got along with”. In Princess Bona’s case, though, it truly was a matter of life and death, because she lost the person, who “sympathized and cooperated with her the most” in regards to her chaperone duty towards Prince Francesco.

And the one to be directly affected by that was Princess Bona. Consequently, the one to help her out the most had been Zenjirou.

Zenjirou felt hesitation dwell up within him for a moment upon receiving the pleading look of the young princess, but he was not so thoughtless as to act on that emotion.

Continuing to put on a friendly face, he coped with it reasonable. Still, no matter how reasonable he might be, it would be all for nothing, if the other party did not accept it.

Prince Francesco, as cool as a cucumber, spoke to the royalty of another country as if a child pestering its father when he left on a trip.

That behaviour of his was nothing new, but Princess Bona still turned pale. She must be rather sincere or sensitive.

Her state of mind could by no means be favourable, though, since she had to be attentive around the clock.

Hmm, Valentia is a seaport city after all. It may not be much of a business, but perhaps they are selling beautiful pearls or good-looking corals. If I can get my hands on them, I will bring it along for you.”

“Really!? Please do so! Phew, I’m really looking forward to it!”

As a first-rate practitioner of the Bestowal Magic as well as a first-rate jewellery craftsman, it was only natural that Prince Francesco would be fascinated with unfamiliar jewellery.

“Prince Francesco! Even if this is an informal meeting, please refrain from using such a casual manner of speaking!”

“A- Allow me to extend my sincere gratitude as well, Your Majesty Zenjirou.

Prince Francesco would surely produce a masterpiece from them.”

“Yes, I would like to see it once it is completed. That goes for Prince Francesco’s work, of course, but for yours as well, Princess Bona.”

“Th- Thank you so much!”
Princess Bona realized what he meant and lowered her head with such vigour that the silver dust sprinkled on her auburn hair scattered around.

Zenjirou departed to Valentia a few days after that.

Queen Aura did have enough magical power to use “Teleport” numerous times on a single day, but her magical power was considered a trump card for the Carpa Kingdom. They could not risk that she was out of magical power, even if only for a day, in case something happened.
Therefore, she could only sent one person per day to Valentia with her “Teleport” magic.

“Are you ready, Zenjirou? If so, I will ‘leap’ you now.”

“Wait a sec. I’ll check one last time. Flashlight… check. Pocket knife… check. Distilled alcohol as a present…”

General daily necessities like a change of clothes could just be obtained in Valentia and anything that could not be bought such as his official royal attire was already taken along by the personnel that “leaped” before him.

“…Okay, everything’s there. I didn’t forget anything.”

Right now, he was clad in his third official attire.

And he definitely should not wear the backpack on his back while dressed like this. It would wrinkle the clothes, which were similar to Japanese clothes, for one, and it would look unbecoming, too.

The Queen, wearing a red dress, looked her husband, who stood in front of her with the backpack in one hand, in the eyes again and slowly began to speak.

He may lack initiative, but he is very capable in executing orders.”

He had been one of the two marriage candidates for Queen Aura.

“Okay. I’ll just be a figurehead and leave all the detail work to Sir Raffaelo.”

“Yes, do that. You are royalty while he is a vassal. Make the most of him.”

Even during his time at the company, Zenjirou never got the chance to have a “subordinate” at his command. Therefore, ordering someone around was uncharted territory for him, but like Aura had said, he was “royalty” now, so he could no longer talk his way out of it by claiming it to have “troubles” with it.

“Another familiar face you will see is Ines from the waiting maids in the Inner Palace. Your residence in Valentia will have maids, too, but they will likely not measure up to your standards.

Next up, Aura advised him cautionary.

It might go without saying for a citizen of Modern Earth, but Zenjirou was not thick-skinned enough, so that he could relax while an attendant stood wordless at attention in the same room.

The discomfort would not be unbearable if it only concerned the maids, but he also had to live in an environment without his electrical appliances for the first time.

“Just stick to Ines in any event. You will be fine if you leave all your private requests to her. Otherwise put, she will tell you if something really is out of the question.

Forget about selfishness, Zenjirou never demanded more than what was absolutely necessary. Although Aura knew that it would be rude to bring it up, she had to say it just in case.

“Okay. I’ll behave as well-mannered as possible.”

This time for sure, he would completely be separated from the culture of Modern Earth and plunged into the “life in a different world”. Zenjirou was positive that she was just that worried about him.

The instruction memo was written at the behest of Zenjirou and listed an order of priority in detail about what Aura wanted from the “self-proclaimed princess” and what he was allowed to promise in return.

“Yeah, no worries. I got it here. And I remembered everything just in case.”

“…..”

At a loss for words, the two of them just gazed at each other wordlessly. They had said everything that needed to be said. All that was left was to use the “Teleport” magic to send him to Valentia. But neither of them mentioned that and they simply remained silent.

“…Aura.”

Aura discerned what her husband was up to from that alone, so she abandoned herself to his arms and flopped onto his chest.

The kiss lasted for some time while they remained in a tight caress with both arms put around each other’s back.

“Mh, Uhn, Mm…”

Unlike their usual casual intimacy, they now were connected in a heartfelt embrace and shared a passionate kiss. Then they slowly let go of each other in a natural way.

Picking up the dropped backpack at his feet, Zenjirou finally said so to Aura with a resolved expression.

Aura gently removed his left hand from her shoulder with her own right hand without wiping the smile off her face, then held up the palm of her right hand in front of his chest.

After answering like that, she closed her eyes and concentrated her energy. At the same time, her entire body started to emit an overwhelming magical power.

Zenjirou unwittingly closed his eyes, too, and waited.

“Send my chosen person to the place I envision. As compensation, I make…”

And in the next moment, he felt a bit drowsy, so he shook his head and opened his eyes reflexively.

Instead of Queen Aura,

he saw unfamiliar men kneeling down on one knee.


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