While chatting with Yuzuriha, who occasionally gazing into the distance for some reason, we arrived at today’s lodging.
Yes. Now that we’ve crossed the mountains and reached the main road, there are inns all the way to the Sakuragi Ducal Mansion. We’d been camping since leaving the Valley of the Maids, but that’s over now. Hooray.
And in this region,
the overwhelming prestige of Yuzuriha-san—the eldest direct descendant of the Sakuragi Ducal House, also known as the Slaughter War Goddess, Killing-Goddess—would be displayed in full force.
For example, when we entered the inn:
“Excuse me, we’d like a room for the night.”
“Y-Yes, right awa—WAAAHHHH!? (CRASH!)”
“A-Are you okay!? You just tumbled down the stairs!?”
“I-I-I-I’M PERFECTLY FINE, MY LADY!! M-More importantly, could you be… the War Goddess herself?! The living deity who guards the Sakuragi region, the great Yuzuriha-sama—!?”
“Stop calling me by that ridiculously exaggerated nickname!? Hey, more importantly, are you really okay?! Your elbow is bent the wrong way!?”
…Well, you get the idea. This was how things went.
The town guards, the dumpling shop owner, the innkeeper—everyone reacted as if a goddess had descended the moment they saw Yuzuriha-san.
By the time we finally got to our rooms, we were all exhausted.
“…I’m sorry, everyone. It’s my fault.”
“Not at all, Yuzuriha-san. It’s not your fault.”
“Big Brother’s right. But still, Yuzuriha-san, you’re incredibly popular.”
“Well, this town is close to the border.”
As Yuzuriha-san went on to explain:
Though peaceful now, this town was once near the front lines of wars with neighboring nations, much like Lohengrin.
And for years, Yuzuriha-san fought there as a knight.
Through desperate battles and heroic efforts, she saved countless lives.
As a result, she became something of a guardian goddess to this land.
“But honestly, I understand their feelings now.”
Yuzuriha-san continued with a bitter smile.
“In that long war, I saved hundreds—maybe even thousands—of our soldiers. And if you Margrave the enemies I crushed in battle, the lives I indirectly saved easily surpass tens of thousands. They were all so grateful.”
“Including their families, it’d easily exceed a hundred thousand.”
“Yeah. But back then, I thought it was only natural—just soldiers protecting each other. So I didn’t understand. Why were they so thankful?”
Then, for some reason, Yuzuriha-san looked at me.
“Now that I’m in their position, I finally get it.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Suzuha kun’s Big Brother, if someone ever seriously saves your life, you’ll understand. It’s instinctual—before you know it, you can’t stop thinking about them. You obsess over how to repay them, what kind of partner they’d like… until one day, you realize it’s not just gratitude anymore. It’s something far more universal.”
“That’s—”
“A secret.”
With a wink, Yuzuriha-san added:
“After all, I’ll be protecting your back until the day I save your life. When that happens, you’ll understand.”
“…………”
“Listen. You’ve saved my life countless times. So remember this: I could never, ever forget that in my entire life.”
In the end, I never learned what that emotion truly was.
But Yuzuriha-san, who told me to “remember this,” wore a smile as warm as sunlight.
So I figured—it must be something truly wonderful.
5
Ever since entering the Sakuragi Duchy…
In every town we passed through, Yuzuriha-san was met with a storm of cheers.
By the time we grew thoroughly exhausted, we finally arrived at the capital of the Sakuragi Duchy.
And at the city’s center stood the massive palace—the Sakuragi Ducal Mansion.
News of Yuzuriha-san’s return had clearly spread,
as the main gates were already open by the time we arrived, with the ducal butler bowing deeply in reverence.
Beyond the gates, rows of servants lined the path, all bowing in unison.
(For reference, the butler is the head of the mansion’s staff, overseeing all the butlers and maids—or so Yuzuriha-san explained.)
“Lady Yuzuriha, welcome home.”
“Hey, Sebastian, not in front of Suzuha kun’s Big Brother. Drop the ‘Lady.’”
“My apologies. And welcome to you as well, honored guest.”
The butler was a dashing silver-haired gentleman with a slicked-back hairstyle and a neatly trimmed mustache—the epitome of dignified elegance.
So this is the butler of an ancient ducal house… I couldn’t help but be impressed.
Honestly, he carried himself with more nobility than most actual nobles. Absolutely.
＊
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
The parlor we were led to was far cozier than one would expect of a ducal mansion.
For comparison, the Lohengrin Castle’s parlor was extravagantly spacious, as if ready to host hundreds of guests at once. The decor hadn’t changed since the previous lord’s time, and I always thought it was a bit too gaudy.
In contrast, the ducal mansion’s parlor wasn’t particularly large.
The furnishings were understated yet refined, made from the finest materials with delicate craftsmanship. It was tasteful and welcoming.
Somehow, the room itself seemed to embrace guests with warmth.
“What do you think? Do you like it?”
“Yes. Very much.”
When I shared my thoughts on how different it was from Lohengrin Castle, Yuzuriha-san chuckled.
“The previous Lohengrin Margrave had terrible taste. Once things settle, you should replace the castle’s artwork—but I see you have a good eye.”
“Huh?”
“This parlor is reserved only for the most esteemed guests.”
“…What?”
“As you said, this is the ducal mansion. We have grand halls for a thousand guests, guest suites fit for royalty, and conference rooms for dignitaries.”
“Right…”
“Yet out of all those rooms, this one is by far the smallest, the most understated—and the highest in quality. Only those who aren’t fooled by superficial extravagance are ever invited here.”
“Wait—”
“It’s rarely used. After all, this parlor is reserved for those the Sakuragi Ducal House considers family—or those we desperately wish to be close to. Even royalty hasn’t been invited here since the king two generations ago.”
“…Uh, is it really okay for me to be here?”
“Of course. Inviting a noble here is tantamount to declaring the Sakuragi Duchy’s full support for them—but we’ve already publicly pledged to be your guardian. Besides, you may have forgotten, but you’re my lifesaver. What kind of noble would I be if I couldn’t offer you the highest hospitality?”
“You really don’t have to go that far!?”
“You’d say that, but this is a matter of my pride. Just accept it.”
I had no rebuttal.
“…Then I’ll humbly accept your kindness.”
“Good. That’s how it should be.”
Yuzuriha-san smiled brightly as I thanked her.
She really is so cool, I thought—
“Unyu!”
“What’s wrong, Unyu-chan?”
“Unyu! Unyu!”
Unyu-chan, perched atop Kanade the maid’s head, was gesturing wildly about something—though I couldn’t tell what.
“Important. Need confirmation,”
Kanade replied, seemingly understanding.
“Kanade, what’s she saying?”
“Unyu-chan asks: Can we expect a good dinner?”
“That’s what this is about!?”
“Very important. Kanade also curious.”
“Big Brother. I’m curious too.”
“…Uh, Yuzuriha-san, I’m really sorry.”
“Haha, it’s fine. Like I said—no need for restraint here. Besides, our staff is excellent. I’m sure they’ve prepared a feast.”
“Unyuu~!”
“Big Brother, I’d like seafood.”
“Kanade too. Been in mountains too long. Want delicious fish.”
“…Yuzuriha-san, really sorry. When we get back to Lohengrin, I’ll make sure to lecture them properly…!”
“I-Is that so…? I don’t mind, but… go easy on them…”
Once we’re back, they’re both getting nothing but konnyaku for a month.
That was my solemn vow.
As it turned out, dinner that night defied—
no, exceeded—all expectations.
“His Lordship has already inquired about the Margrave’s dining preferences.”
With those words, the head butler guided us to a grand hall capable of seating hundreds for a banquet.
On the tables, packed tightly together, were—barrels filled to the brim with sushi.
As the head butler turned back toward us, the maids from the dining room lined up neatly behind him.
“—It is a sushi feast, my lord.”
With a clap of his hands, the head butler gestured grandly, and in perfect unison, the maids performed a graceful curtsy.
“[……!!]”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Suzuha and the others trembling with speechless joy.
Once again, I was struck by the sheer grandeur of a ducal household—down to every last servant.
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