The Conference

Ah, she got to see her right away.

Seeing Carla walking through the castle corridor with her white mantle fluttering behind her, Ria called out to her.

"Hey. Where are you headed?"

"Yes. I was thinking of reviewing the knights' training until Hime-sama's preparations are complete."

Carla answered coolly, but that perfect beauty had collapsed in Ria's arms not long ago.

Just thinking about it made Ria's chest tighten. Wicked desire was overflowing from a part she didn't have.

"In that case, would it be alright if I came along?"

"Of course, please do."

With a perfect smile, Carla responded.

And so the two stood side by side, watching the knights' training.

From time to time, knights would seek advice, and Carla would answer.

They would nod as if in a feverish dream, then return to their training.

Carla wore a faint smile. Exposed to her gaze, the training took on an intense fervor.

Strangely, no one directed lustful gazes at her. Perhaps they thought falling in love with a goddess would be insolent?

Well, if they were thinking about such things during training, their superiors would surely reprimand them.

Even Carla must eat and use the restroom like anyone else.

… Actually, that's fine too.

While Ria entertained such insolent thoughts, she stood dignified beside Carla.

One knight stood before her.

"If I may, Your Highness?"

He stood at attention. He seemed like a serious martial artist.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I've heard that Your Highness uses a katana as her weapon. In truth, I also use a katana, so if it pleases you, I would appreciate some instruction."

There was indeed a katana at the knight's waist.

"Oh?"

That alone put Ria in a good mood. As requested, she stepped onto the training grounds.

When she drew her blade, she could focus on nothing else. That was the kind of creature Ria was.

She taught him the basic forms, and when they actually crossed blades, he showed considerable skill.

"You're quite strong."

Carla called out to Ria upon her return.

"You already know that from when we actually fought."

"Watching from the side and experiencing it firsthand are different."

Perhaps that was true.

Just as Carla had seemed cold when merely looked at, yet had warmth when touched.

But what was this?

The moment she released her katana, all she could think about was her again.

This was that.

This was probably that emotion.

The emotion called love.

"Now then, let's get right to business, shall we?"

Clap! Guinevere clapped her hands and began to speak. No unnecessary preamble needed—that was the declaration that the meeting had begun.

Present were the cabinet ministers who directly participated in national governance, along with Ria's group. Though calling them a group, it was only Gig and Maal standing in attendance as representatives of the ogres and beastkin. The others were spending their time elsewhere.

Perhaps she should have brought Serge, but she couldn't very well introduce a child as a strategist.

"First, the purpose of this conference is to unite the forces of the continent's northwest and survive the coming Millennium. Is that acceptable?"

Ria nodded.

"Exactly. In the process, we will destroy or subjugate Cordova and reform its government."

"What do you mean by reform?"

"First, revision of its laws. That country is far too harsh on criminals."

What Ria meant by Cordova's legal harshness was essentially its rigidity.

Precedent-worship had become rampant, leaving no room for considering extenuating circumstances. Furthermore, charges of treason were handed out freely, and commoners had no right to complain about the government.

Their thought control was like a socialist state. Being a despotic nation made it even worse.

Perhaps she should have brought Serge after all, Ria thought. With all his reading, he might have various ideas to offer. She would speak with him privately later.

"Also, though not limited to Cordova, discrimination against demi-humans should be eliminated. Though that might be a bit difficult."

The beastkin population in this region, though not precisely known, might actually exceed that of humans.

It was strange that this hadn't formed into a nation until now, but the prevalence of hunting and gathering lifestyles might be the cause. In the first place, even in her previous world, there was a theory that large settlements formed because population concentration was necessary for agriculture.

"Demi-human discrimination, is it… There are issues of territorial separation, but we don't particularly exclude them here either."

However, there were surrounding countries that clearly distinguished demi-humans.

Since their ecologies were different, there were perfectly natural reasons why coexistence was difficult. There were also foolish examples of powerful individuals driving them out due to personal distaste.

"However, conflicts will inevitably arise over food and territorial rights."

The Minister of State was nodding.

"That may be an issue for the future, but what we're dealing with now is the immediate Millennium. As for the food problem, I believe the spread of agriculture is necessary. However, both beastkin and ogres fundamentally love meat…"

This time, Maal and Gig nodded behind her.

"Well, I have a way to manage the food problem. What I want are the dwarves' metallurgical techniques and magic stones produced from labyrinths. If we have those, frankly, I'm confident we won't lose to Cordova."

There seemed to be a plan to mass-produce the golem that Guinevere had ridden.

Cordova's military was famous for its heavy infantry with magic-enhanced equipment and its cavalry with great mobility and striking power. However, when considering the progression of wars and subsequent occupation, the real threat wasn't there.

"To defeat Cordova, the question is how to dismantle their engineers and logistics."

Cordova's greatest strength was that the nation itself was specialized for war.

Maintaining domestic highways, building fortifications, transporting equipment and provisions, moving armies.

That very function was the threat.

"So I don't think we can overthrow Cordova without forming a grand alliance."

The Foreign Minister and Intelligence Chief explained: there were countries that clearly regarded Cordova as an enemy, but also countries trying to survive by aligning with Cordova.

But what both sides had in common was their fear of Cordova.

Even those aligning with Cordova were only doing so out of fear. If possible, they'd want Cordova to fall or have its power diminished.

"And so, the standard-bearer to rally this anti-Cordova grand coalition… is you!"

Guinevere pointed sharply at Ria.

"Me?"

"You're～ Casalia's～ princess～. A princess of～ Cordova's～ main house～"

Guinevere twirled her finger in circles with a strange lilt to her voice.

"If it's under you～ other countries will gather～"

Then she stopped abruptly.

"Do you have the resolve for that?"

When asked that, Ria was perplexed.

To become a standard-bearer for something. She had experienced that before.

Above all, all the ogre tribes were under Ria's command. Those warriors would die for Ria.

She had no objection to racing across battlefields with them. But wasn't it arrogant to bear the burden of citizens from countries she didn't even know?

"Get the title of Archduke from your royal father in Casalia and create an Archduchy. Then oppose Cordova. What do you think?"

So that was Guinevere's strategy.

"I don't know anything about governing a nation…"

"Leave that to me. I'll serve as regent. In reality, it would be like Manesh becoming an Archduchy."

But wouldn't that mean Manesh as a country would cease to exist?

"So I would like you to adopt my son. That would preserve Manesh's legitimacy."

Ah, so that was it.

"And I'd like you to choose a consort from among our nobility… but let me ask you frankly. Is it true that you're homosexual?"

To ask so frankly. As expected, the ministers' faces tensed with nervousness.

Though Ria had some thoughts about this queen's audacity, there was no point in lying here.

With an exaggerated sigh and a shrug of her shoulders, Ria answered.

"It's true. From birth until now, I have never once felt that kind of emotion toward a man."

At Ria's declaration, the cabinet members turned astonished faces toward her.

Normally, one would conceal such things. Well, there were reasonably famous male homosexual nobles, but they wouldn't answer so resolutely.

"Not even a beautiful boy who looks like a beautiful girl?"

"Impossible. There were many beautiful boys in Casalia's court, but even so, the only ones I found appealing were women."

At her declaration of being a hardcore homosexual, the ministers drew back.

Ria was interested in what Carla thought, but she stood behind the queen with a face as if nothing had happened.

"Well, if it's politically necessary, I don't mind living in the same residence, but don't expect anything at night. Rather, if that's the case, give me a bride."

At such frank words, the innocent courtiers' faces reddened.

The leadership of this country had a relatively young age demographic, so there seemed to be some who couldn't let it pass.

"A bride, huh… That might work."

The queen said something outrageous.

"Among our high-ranking nobles' daughters, still unmarried, and beautiful of course…"

Her gaze turned behind her.

"Carla, would you like to try?"

At that moment, the assembly hall erupted.

"N-no, absolutely not!" "Anyone but Carla-dono!" "Carla-sama belongs to everyone!" "Rather, Your Majesty should be the one to marry her!"

Carla-sama was quite popular. Perhaps that was understandable for the nation's savior and saint. Unexpectedly, the queen didn't seem to have much popularity.

Even so, was this sort of mutual obstruction why Carla had remained unmarried until now? For Ria, she couldn't help but say GJ.

"That's right! To think that Carla-sama would be with a man…" "… Man?" "She's not… a man, right?" "…"

Why go silent there, courtiers?

"… Isn't this acceptable?" "Yeah, if it were a man it'd be different, but with Her Highness…" "This is practically a reward!" "It's happening!"

Oi oi, the conversation was rapidly converging on something incredible.

The Prime Minister cleared his throat and reported to the queen.

"And so, we ministers do not oppose Hime-sama's proposal, but…"

All eyes in the room gathered on Carla.

The saint's expression was the same as always, her face not reddening even slightly. She spoke with a faint smile.

"As Your Highness desires."

It was a stage of politics and diplomacy.

First, envoys were dispatched to make maximum use of Casalia's authority.

Naturally, someone at the cabinet minister level would become the ambassador, and Carlos would accompany them. To convey the detailed story of what happened since leaving on her journey to Ria's royal father.

Lulu would also accompany them. To explain the various circumstances to Agatha.

In addition, representatives from the ogres would travel with them, but Gig was exempted from this. The actual problem was that he simply didn't understand political discussions. They would pick up someone from the ogre territory along the way.

Similarly, adult beastkin would also be picked up along the way.

It would be best if Ria herself went, but she had a mountain of work to do—getting acquainted with domestic nobility, negotiating with foreign ambassadors, and other duties that required showing her face.

"Take care of yourselves. Carlos, if you lay a hand on Lulu, I'll kill you."

"I swear on my honor as a knight."

Carlos declared while trembling.

And so the two departed from Manesh.

"Feeling lonely?"

Shizuna called out from behind Ria. Come to think of it, those two had been with her from the very beginning of their journey.

When Ria turned around, she was smiling faintly.

"I am lonely. So, will you comfort me?"

Embraced as if being gently enveloped, Shizuna's face turned red.

Ria and her companions moved into a residence in the castle owned by Carla, but opportunities to see her there were few.

Carla, as captain of the queen's personal guard and serving in a secretarial role, was busy. She normally lived in the inner palace, and Ria herself often traveled around the country.

Time apart from Serge also increased. He was contributing to the development of the queen's magical weapons. There were many cases where he received magic instruction from Guinevere herself.

Irina was also away from Ria, learning the basics of swordsmanship from the knights. And she wouldn't leave Maal's side.

Thus, the ones constantly with Ria were Shizuna and Gig, but…

Ria and Shizuna shared a bedroom.

Shizuna's nominal title was Ria's guard, but in reality, she was her mistress.

She participated in the knights' training and showed her skill, so there were few scornful gazes directed at her, but being thought of as someone's lover was embarrassing.

Shizuna was innocent after all.

Meeting Ria, she had learned what it was to be in love with someone, but she wasn't inherently inclined toward same-sex love.

Considerate of her feelings, Ria didn't seek her every night.

When she had a little time, she would kiss her cheek, whisper sweet words, and fall asleep.

Peaceful days continued.

Since Carla and Ria didn't share a bed, Shizuna was relieved. Carla held the position of primary wife, but that was due to matters of status, so it couldn't be helped.

That she was the one who actually slept in Ria's arms—even while feeling inferior to Carla's beauty, Shizuna consoled herself with this.

When Carla had settled into the position of Ria's wife, Ria had said to her:

"Since we're not a real couple, if you find a man you truly love, it's fine to leave me."

"That won't happen."

Carla declared with her usual gentle smile.

One evening on such a day.

Ria had secretly slipped out of the castle and was wandering the town below.

She had no particular purpose. Her purpose would come to her.

A bat flew through the darkness of night.

Standing in a small alley was a maiden with flaxen hair wearing a hood.

"It's hard for me to enter the castle, you know. Could you loosen that barrier a little?"

Asuka began the conversation with such a complaint.

"Cordova is making a move."

The upheaval had begun.