How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 9: Chapter 6

About two days had passed since the celebration.

We had managed to sweep the monsters from this land, but we were going to remain until we learned the current state of the demon wave.

And so, two days later, the situation in each country became clear.

According to reports from the Black Cats, with the destruction of the monsters gathered in the Duchy of Chima, the number of monsters attacking all countries had fallen noticeably. They felt that the United Forces of the Union of Eastern Nations could handle the rest, meaning we were no longer needed here.

While we were packing up the Friedonian National Defense Forces camps to withdraw, I heard a voice.

Hey! Souma. Heading home already? Fuuga suddenly rode up to us on Durga the flying tiger.

Fuuga? I asked, surprised.

His sudden appearance made Aisha wary, but the man had Mutsumi behind him and Yuriga in front of his saddle, so he probably wasnt here to stir up trouble.

You look like youre in a hurry, Fuuga commented, looking at the soldiers busily running around. With an easy jump down from Durgas back, he helped Mutsumi and Yuriga down as well, and asked, Couldnt you have taken things a little slower?

Not an option, Im afraid. We cant be away from the country for too long. Just keeping a force this large here incurs massive expenses, and with the demon wave handled, I want to hurry back home.

The Union of Eastern Nations didnt have as many paved roads as the kingdom, so we couldnt use methods like the rhinosaurus train for shipping. We would have to take the long, slow way home, so I wanted to set off quickly.

Hakuya had told me to hurry back as soon as our business was done, for one thing. Besides, Liscia was due soon, so I had personal reasons to hurry back, as well.

Madam Mutsumi walked forward and bowed her head to me. Sir Souma, thank you very much for the reinforcements you brought us.

I already said this last night, but all we did was show up at the end to wipe out the remaining enemies. Theres no need for excessive thanks.

Even so, its a fact that you saved this country. Mutsumi raised her face and smiled. Id also like to ask you to take good care of Ichiha. Hes mature for his age, but hes weak and timid, so Im a little worried about him.

Ha ha, Im sure hell be fine. I know how mature he is from talking to him, and he seems to be on good terms with my little sister, too, so I think hell be fine.

With that, I looked in the direction of the three kids, Tomoe, Ichiha, and Yuriga, who were saying their goodbyes.

Bye now, Yuriga, said Tomoe.

Take care, Yuriga, Ichiha added.

Oh... Yeah...

Huh? Tomoe and Ichiha were acting normal, but Yuriga seemed a little quiet. She didnt have her usual strong personality.

Even so, she crossed her arms and arched her back so her chest stuck out, as if she were trying to put on a show of being the older one despite that.

Well... It wasnt so bad being with you two. It felt like Id gained a little brother and sister. You keep doing your best when you get back to the kingdom.

A little brother...? Ichiha murmured.

Could it be youre feeling lonely, Yuriga? Tomoe asked straight-out.

Yurigas face turned a bright red. Wh-Whos lonely?! Youre acting too cheeky, kid! (Pinch.)

I shaid, dont pinsh my cheeksh like that!

Yuriga, the way youre acting is like a lonely kid throwing a tantrum, you know? Ichiha pointed out.

Shove off! Ill pinch yours, too!

Ow... Lets run, Ichiha!

R-Right!

Breaking free from Yurigas hands, Tomoe took Ichihas hand and ran off.

Yuriga chased after them, shouting, Wait!

The three shouted and made a ruckus as they ran around inside the main camp. If theyd been fighting, I would have stopped it, but Tomoe seemed to be laughing and having fun, so it was probably fine.

...Hold on, was Tomoe having fun by teasing Yuriga about being so direct with her emotions?

Maybe when Tomoe grew up she was going to be the same sort of devilish beauty that Juna was. I felt like I could see hints of it already.

While I was feeling newfound worry for our beloved younger sisters future (though I questioned whether it was fair to look at it like that), Fuuga suddenly clapped his hands as if hed just remembered something.

Ohh, Yuriga just reminded me. Hey, Souma.

What is it?

I wanted to ask, can I leave Yuriga with you in the kingdom?

Huh?! Yuriga and I cried out in simultaneous surprise.

What was this guy saying, out of nowhere?

Wh-What are you saying so suddenly, Big Brother?! Yuriga exclaimed. Sending me to the kingdom...!

It seemed Yuriga shared my opinion...

Wait, even Yuriga, the one most affected, was only hearing this now?

Seriously, what was he thinking?

What are your intentions? I asked slowly.

You were talking about sticking your pipsqueak and the pipsqueak whos going to be my brother-in-law in school, right? When I heard that, it made me want to put Yuriga in a large school, too. We dont have those sorts of facilities in Malmkhitan, you see.

Big Brother! I can read, write, and do arithmetic! If you say you want me to study more at this point, I would rather it be at your side learning to become a commander who can help you!

Fuuga put a hand down on her head. Your potential as a commander isnt bad. But thats all it is, and youll reach your limits quickly if you only learn to be a warrior. Fortunately, your head isnt half bad, either. If you amass knowledge and become a wise general, or an internal administrator, I think you can be a great success.

B-But...

Besides, Im going to be getting busy. Ill be welcoming Mutsumi as my bride, after all. Even if you stayed in Malmkhitan, I wouldnt have the same time for you as before. So, why not go to the Kingdom of Friedonia with your fighting buddies? Come back to me someday as someone who can help realize my dream.

Yuriga glanced toward Tomoe and Ichiha.

She must have been wondering whether to stay with Fuuga, who she would have less time with, or go to the kingdom and attend school with Tomoe and Ichiha.

Yuriga thought about it in silence for a while, but ultimately she nodded. I understand. I will learn in the kingdom, and make sure I become a person who can help you!

Then she clenched her fists in determination.

Wait, hold on! Why were they moving this discussion along without any input from us?!

I havent said well take her yet, you realize? I pointed out.

Well, do me a favor, Fuuga said, throwing his arm around my shoulder.

This position... it was scary because, with Fuugas strength, he could easily strangle me to death.

Even Fuuga was unlikely to do anything to me with the strongest warriors in the kingdom all here, mind you, but...

I mean, he wouldnt, right?

It was a bit scary, so I wanted him to let go.

When I looked, Aisha had her hand on the hilt of her greatsword, and Juna already had a throwing knife in hand ready to go, while Nadens hair was standing on end.

They were expressing that if he did anything funny, they would slash, or throw at, or shock him.

Fuuga whispered in my ear, Well, obviously... this isnt just about Yuriga studying.

I whispered back, Shes your precious sister, right? What are you thinking, leaving her with us?

Im doing it because shes my precious sister. Fuuga gave a crooked smile that showed off his fang-like teeth. Theres about to be a lot of movement in my country. Internally, I plan to exterminate the hostile races remaining in Malmkhitan, while externally I intend to head into the Demon Lords Domain with support from the countries of the Union of Eastern Nations. In that process, I expect things to get wild, if only temporarily.

...Youre serious about that.

Of course. I dont say things Im not prepared to make a reality.

With the understanding that the demons were only deep inside the Demon Lords Domain, he would march in there with only the people from his own country. Was he truly trying to carry out what he had spoken of that day?

Then Fuuga suddenly smiled. Theres a risk of my relatives being targeted at that point. Mutsumi has the wits and power to defend herself, but Yuriga is still little. There could be people whod try to abduct her to use as a hostage. When I consider the worst outcomes, I think it would be best to leave her far away, in the Kingdom of Friedonia.

I see... Does Madam Mutsumi know about this?

Sure. Mutsumi agreed with me.

When I looked in Madam Mutsumis direction, she gave me a slight nod.

Take care of my sister-in-law, Yuriga. Was that what it was supposed to mean?

If she approved of what Fuuga was doing here, that meant she knew he was about to embark on a huge gamble. Even knowing she faced danger herself, she was choosing to follow Fuuga down his path of conquest. I saw something that overlapped with Liscia in her eyes.

Youve found a good wife, I said. Dont do too much to make her sad, okay?

I cant make any promises, but Ill do my best. Ill definitely protect Mutsumi. I have to show her my world, like I promised to.

Theyd talked about that, huh...

I see. Like Liscia had bet on me, Madam Mutsumi had done the same with Fuuga.

They had bet their own futures.

I let out a sigh of admiration for them as I said to Fuuga, I understand the situation, but are you sure this is all right? You havent considered that I might take Yuriga hostage?

Youd never lay a hand on Yuriga. With the eyes of a large predator, Fuuga smirked. I dont really understand you. Youre not strong, yet you have many followers. You have tens of thousands of men at your command, yet you are not trying to do anything.

I was silent.

Even if you outnumbered me five-to-one, I dont think I could lose. But if it came to a fight, I feel like it would become a quagmire. Like it would turn into an annoying battle. Thats my prediction. I think, if possible, Id rather not fight you. You feel something similar about me, dont you?

...Well, yeah, I nodded. In my case, its not if possible, though. I absolutely dont want to fight you.

If he was going to be so open about it, I couldnt dodge the issue.

Fuuga slapped his belly as if to say, I knew it! Its an honor to have the king of a great country so wary of me. So, given that you dont want to oppose me, you would never lay a hand on Yuriga and incur my wrath. If anything, youd go out of your way to defend her properly, wouldnt you?

He was right, so I couldnt deny it.

If we took Yuriga into our care in the kingdom, I was sure Id monitor her to keep her from learning anything confidential, but I would give her maximum protection.

So? What do we gain holding onto Yuriga for you? I asked.

Ill owe you one.

If the need arises, you wont hesitate to back out on any obligation or duty, will you?

I said it nastily, but Fuuga responded with a jolly laugh.

I wont deny it. But Yuriga is my only remaining relative with the exception of Mutsumi, whos becoming my wife. I wouldnt go out of my way to start trouble with the country where shes staying.

I dont know if I should believe that...

This being Fuuga, I couldnt be overconfident. Still, it was probably true that I could expect her to be a somewhat effective deterrent. It was a card it was better to have than not, that was all, but it was not bad to have something prepared to deal with Fuuga, no matter how insignificant.

...Okay, I said. Well take Yuriga in.

Ha ha ha, its a big help. Fuuga released the arm around my shoulder.

When Fuuga moved away, Aisha, Juna, and Naden stood down, too. I was glad wed ended that without a clash.

Putting a hand on top of Yurigas head, Fuuga said, Everythings sorted out. Go to the kingdom and study hard.

I will! Ill do my best, Big Brother! Yuriga said with spirit.

With another smirk, Fuuga approached me again and said in a quiet voice, I know I said youd never lay a hand on Yuriga, but if you want to lay a hand on her sexually, I dont mind, you know?

Huh?! What are you saying?!

Yuriga was what, thirteen? There was no way I was touching that.

However, Fuuga laughed in amusement. No, no, Im not saying youd do it right now. I expect to leave Yuriga with you until she graduates school. Im sure several years from now shell be beautiful, so maybe youre going to want to have a go at her?

As if! I snapped.

Well, if you do, Ill see to it that you marry her properly. That would make you my brother-in-law. Ill see to it you pay me respect as your older brother.

...I want no part of that.

Being Fuugas brother-in-law? Count me out. Id be in for as much trouble as Azai Nagamasa had with Nobunaga.

Then Fuuga slapped me in the back. Well, anyway, Im leaving Yuriga in your hands.

Ow... Fine.

I figured the brother-in-law talk was just a joke, but it was scary that I didnt know how serious he was about it.

And so, having had a troublesome present thrust upon us at the last moment, we set out on our return to the kingdom where Liscia was waiting.