2
The moment Toko-san arrived, I was summoned immediately for some reason.
“Hey, Suzuha-nii, what the hell is going on here!?”
“……Meaning?”
“Three countries we don’t even have diplomatic relations with suddenly requested to become our vassals!”
“Huh?”
Not understanding, I asked for details.
Apparently, Toko-san had been troubled by three minor nations.
Though small in territory, they were home to influential tribes or rare specialty goods, making them targets of repeated diplomatic overtures by past kings—all of which were flatly rejected. They were notoriously isolationist.
Naturally, Toko-san had sent envoys after her coronation, but the responses were just as cold.
And yet—
Recently, all three nations had suddenly proposed becoming vassals of the Drosselmeyer Kingdom.
“Uh… congratulations?”
“I mean, yes, but that’s not the point!”
“Well, even if you say so…”
“Normally, I’d assume it was either my brilliant strategy or some major event that forced their hand, but this time—nothing! No warning, no reason! The only explanation is that you did something again, right!?”
What an accusation.
Still, just to be sure, I asked for the names of the three countries.
“Huh? These sound familiar…”
“Because these are the exact countries I told you to gather intel on!”
“……Toko-san, you were planning to send me to those places?”
“Like I’d ever send you to a normal country!”
Well, she had said they lacked diplomatic ties.
Either way, I needed to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Just so we’re clear—I didn’t do anything.”
“……Really?”
“I never even went there. Oh, right.”
Since I didn’t go, I’d asked the maid Kanade to gather information instead.
I turned to Kanade, who was standing behind me.
“Hey, Kanade, do you know anything about this?”
“……My apologies. The information you requested has not yet been gathered. Preparations are still underway.”
“I see.”
“All three nations are notoriously closed-off, even among maids. To facilitate intel-gathering, I first orchestrated coups to replace their leadership with factions amenable to vassalage.”
“So this is definitely your fault, right!?”
What a revelation.
Unbeknownst to me, my request for intelligence had triggered coups in three countries.
“Sorry, Toko-san. It seems I was the catalyst.”
“W-well, I don’t mind that part… but did the maid act on her own?”
“Seems so. Of course, her actions are my responsibility.”
“Mmm, I’m actually extremely grateful since it saved me a ton of trouble… but I never expected it wasn’t your doing…! Though if it’s your maid’s work, doesn’t that still count as your fault…?”
Toko-san was pondering something incredibly rude.
The assumption that I’m always the one causing trouble is a bit unfair.
Afterward, Toko-san and I exchanged information, and I shared what I’d learned about orichalcum.
She already knew about me clearing out bandits and magical beasts in the duchy—expected of a queen with such sharp ears.
Toko-san then confirmed she would be heading to the Holy Theocracy for her coronation greetings.
“Does that mean you’ll be hauling mountains of gifts there with dozens of carriages?”
“Nope. That’d take forever. The gifts are being sent separately—only my escort is coming with me.”
“Makes sense.”
As we talked, I waited for the right moment before pulling out the cracked gemstone.
“Toko-san, take a look at this.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“A giant snake attacked us while we were in the hot springs. After we killed and butchered it, this was inside.”
“What the hell!?”
Once I explained properly, Toko-san’s jaw dropped in shock.
“The legend of Jörmungandr, the first duke of the Sakuragi family… it was real…?”
“Though it wasn’t actually that strong.”
“Ugh, shut up. Your definition of ‘strong’ is completely unreliable.”
That’s harsh.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
As I reeled from the insult, Toko-san examined the gem—peering at it, holding it up to the light, muttering incantations—before finally raising her arms in surrender.
“No good. Its magic’s drained. We’ll need to repair it first.”
“How do we do that?”
“Normal gems are one thing, but this is probably a top-tier magical artifact. Even a genius mage like me can’t fix it—you’d need a specialist in magical tools. But we don’t have anyone like that in our—wait!”
Her eyes sparkled as she turned to me.
“Hey, Suzuha-nii, want to come to the Holy Theocracy with me?”
“The Holy Theocracy?”
“Yeah! Our kingdom doesn’t have anyone skilled enough to restore something this advanced, but the Holy Theocracy definitely does! Plus, if you come with me, we’ll save a ton on escort fees! So, what do you say?”
“Uh, I don’t mind…?”
I glanced at Suzuha and the others for their thoughts.
“Sounds good to me, brother. More productive than training the ducal soldiers here.”
“Kanade agrees. We can exchange intel with the maids already infiltrating the Holy Theocracy.”
“Unyuu!”
Seemed like everyone was on board.
Except for Yuzuriha-san, who muttered:
“W-well, I think Suzuha-kun’s older brother should stay here… That way, he can keep training with me…”
“Ohhh? So while I was gone, you’ve been having all sorts of fun with Suzuha-nii, huh? Private hot springs, training sessions—what else?”
“Guh—”
“Would it kill you to indulge your best friend just once?”
“……Fine. With agonizing reluctance… I’ll agree with Toko!”
You don’t have to sound that miserable about it.
In any case,
it was decided—we would accompany Toko-san to the Holy Theocracy.
3 (Toko’s Perspective)
Late at night, in the main residence of House Sakuragi.
A symbol of the duchy itself, the manor boasted a royal guest suite—as if flaunting its deep ties to the crown.
Built some eight hundred years ago, this room was the epitome of extravagance, meticulously crafted to welcome kings. Though understated in appearance (owing to most monarchs’ disdain for gaudy decor), its flawless elegance made every inch worthy of national treasure status.
And yet—Queen Toko was not staying there.
The reason was simple:
The head butler, Sebastian, had screwed her over.
“—Seriously, that butler has zero respect for me! I’m the queen!”
Pouting furiously, Toko vented in the second most prestigious guest room—the highest available to non-royalty.
Yuzuriha could only offer a wry smile.
“Well, it is Sebastian.”
“His excuse was that he ‘accidentally’ gave Suzuha-nii’s group the royal suite, so I had to take this one—as if! That cold, brilliant, sadistic butler would never make such a mistake! If he were that incompetent, he’d have been executed a hundred times for lèse-majesté!”
After the serpent hunt, the room assigned to Suzuha’s group had been upgraded—
so blatantly luxurious that Suzuha-nii had repeatedly questioned it, but Sebastian had insisted.
The implication was clear:
—As the Sakuragi head butler, he recognized Suzuha’s brother as someone of higher standing.
“You’re not really mad about the room itself, are you?”
Toko nodded.
“Obviously. —The finest guest room in House Sakuragi surpasses even the duke’s own chambers. It disregards all constraints—time, cost, everything—to embody perfection. Thus, it’s reserved only for those deemed superior to the duke himself.”
“Exactly.”
By that logic, only the royal family should qualify—hence the common misconception. But in truth, it was open to anyone the Sakuragi recognized as superior. For example… a margrave who had slain the legendary serpent.
“Even if I am a reigning queen, a stunningly beautiful genius mage with a perfect figure—I’m not delusional enough to think I outrank Suzuha-nii. Besides, he saved my life and my kingdom. I’d gladly give him the best room.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“The problem is he didn’t explain! No ‘oopsie,’ no ‘my bad’—just brushed it off like it was nothing!”
Toko says that, but in reality the explanation was less “difficult” and more “utterly impossible.”
Because explaining it would mean openly admitting that [Suzuha’s brother outranks the current Queen]—something the Sakuragi Ducal House would never dare acknowledge.
Since they can’t possibly pick a direct fight with the royal family, their only option is to feign a misunderstanding and brush it off.
Both of them know that. But still, Toko can’t help but think:”At least act a little more apologetic about how poorly you handled this, you jerk!”
And yet, as Toko muses:
“With this, even the Sakuragi Ducal House’s last stronghold has fallen. Suzuha-nii might as well have conquered the entire family, huh?”
“Sebastian is the most cautious person in our household. And Father has been saved multiple times from making reckless investments because of him, so he’s in no position to argue.”
“And yet, even someone like that ended up impressed by Suzuha-nii… Seriously, Suzuha-nii is just on another level.”
Toko sighs.
Even if Suzuha’s brother unintentionally flexes his overwhelming competence, couldn’t he at least try to hold back a little?
If he doesn’t, people like the Sakuragi Ducal House’s butler will—
Unwittingly become yet another devoted follower of Suzuha’s brother.
*
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