Chapter 75: The Imperial Diet and Meanwhile, Elsewhere 

The following morning.

Having returned to Luresia Castle, Hijiri was invited to address the Imperial Council, where he explained the situation unfolding within the Kingdom of Elde.

“…And that’s the current state of affairs. The Dragon King has been resurrected. Most likely, the next target will be the Luresia Empire, where the ‘Eye’ remains sealed.”

The moment those words left Hijiri’s lips, a heavy silence settled over the imperial assembly.

Because of the Kingdom of Elde’s failure, there was now a very real possibility that an unimaginably dangerous monster would descend upon the Luresia Empire.

Naturally, the criticism aimed at Hijiri came immediately.

“Don’t be absurd!”

“You allowed intruders to infiltrate your kingdom and break the seal! This is entirely your nation’s negligence!”

“And now you expect us to clean up your mess!?”

“If our citizens suffer because of your kingdom’s incompetence, who intends to take responsibility!?”

“We shall lodge a formal protest against the Kingdom of Elde!”

The loudest voices belonged not to the ordinary nobles, but to those occupying the highest ranks within the Empire—marquises and dukes, men whose influence carried tremendous political weight.

The rest of the assembled aristocracy merely exchanged puzzled glances.

Most of them seemed unable to fully grasp the situation.

Judging by their expressions, many were hearing about the Dragon King for the very first time.

“Enough.”

A single word from the Empress, Elzaris, silenced the entire chamber.

The Imperial Council fell so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

After a long pause, Elzaris finally spoke, her voice calm yet weighted with years of responsibility.

“…It’s been many centuries since the Dragon King laid waste to nations and devoured countless people. Humanity’s technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since those ancient days. Furthermore, only one of the seals has been broken.”

“That’s true.”

“Even so…” Elzaris continued, fixing Hijiri with a steady gaze. “I would like to hear your personal assessment. If all of humanity were to unite its strength… could we defeat the Dragon King?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Hijiri answered without the slightest hesitation.

The simplicity of his response only made it all the more chilling.

“Surely Your Majesty is familiar with the hero Fuldretch, who currently resides within our kingdom?”

“Naturally. He’s the legendary hero who journeyed alongside the Hero into the Demon Continent and accomplished countless impossible feats. I’ve heard he still lives somewhere within the Kingdom of Elde.”

“…That very Fuldretch was defeated.”

Hijiri let the statement linger before continuing.

“Saint Raphiel healed him immediately afterward… but not before the Dragon King tore one of his arms clean off.”

A wave of visible shock spread among the older nobles.

Not one of them was unfamiliar with the man known as Fuldretch.

There wasn’t a soul in the chamber who didn’t know his name.

Years ago, after learning that the legendary warrior had grown old and retired from the battlefield, the Luresia Empire had judged the Kingdom of Elde vulnerable enough to invade.

It had been an overwhelming disaster.

Just when victory had seemed within their grasp…

An elderly Fuldretch had casually appeared alone at the fortress they were besieging.

Armed with nothing.

Bereft of both sword and armor.

Yet that single old man had utterly devastated the Imperial Army, leaving behind catastrophic losses that the Empire remembered to this day.

“F-Fuldretch… defeated…?”

“I-impossible. That monster… the man known as the ‘Nightmare,’ who once annihilated an entire Imperial army while completely naked after losing both his sword and armor…”

“…Is the Dragon King truly that terrifying?”

Hijiri quietly nodded.

“The Dragon King herself shouldn’t be capable of approaching the seals. Most likely, those who come to break them will be her subordinates.”

“Hm… in that case, there’s still hope.”

“Yes. Which is why I sincerely ask that the Empire strengthen security around the seal.”

Hijiri bowed respectfully.

However…

Elzaris slowly shook her head.

“I would like to agree.”

“…But?”

“The Empire is currently at war with the Principality of Zahaba. Even our Sword Saint, Lepart, has been deployed to the front lines. We simply don’t possess the manpower to spare for guarding the seal.”

“…I see.”

Though Hijiri maintained his pleasant smile outwardly…

Inside, he was clutching his head in despair.

I never imagined the very war that’s meant to secure their future would become the obstacle…

It hadn’t even crossed his mind.

“Then…”

Hijiri straightened.

“I’ll guard it myself.”

“You?”

Elzaris blinked.

“You?”

“I may not look like much, but I’m fairly confident in my abilities. I’ll be staying in the Empire for a while anyway. During that time, I ask that you bring the war to an end.”

“…Hah.”

The Empress let out a short laugh.

Then another.

Before long, rich, hearty laughter echoed throughout the council chamber.

“Hahaha! You certainly ask for the impossible!”

Her smile gradually softened.

“Very well.”

Then her expression became serious once more.

“However… I have one condition.”

“…A condition?”

Hijiri instinctively tensed.

The woman before him was no ordinary monarch.

She was the extraordinary ruler who had rebuilt the once-doomed Luresia Empire in only a few short years after its crushing defeat against the Kingdom of Elde.

A woman renowned throughout the continent as one of history’s greatest sovereigns.

What kind of impossible demand is she about to make…?

Instead…

Elzaris hesitated ever so slightly before speaking.

“…Would you tell me the name… of the young man who was accompanying the Saint?”

“…Huh?”

“N-no, it’s nothing particularly important,” she hurriedly replied, her usually composed demeanor wavering just a little. “I neglected to thank him properly for the wonderful meal he prepared yesterday. It would hardly be appropriate to offer my gratitude without even knowing his name.”

“…Ah!?”

Lightning struck Hijiri’s brain.

Being hopelessly obsessed with romance, he recognized the expression on Elzaris’s face immediately.

That’s the face of a girl who’s fallen in love.

“His name is Eight Tsurugi… Eight Kenjo Tsurugi. He operates a diner for adventurers in Papel Village, a remote settlement on the frontier of the Kingdom of Elde.”

“…Eight…”

Elzaris quietly repeated the name to herself, savoring each syllable.

“I see…”

A faint smile naturally formed on her lips.

“So that young man is called Eight… A wonderful name.”

“Incidentally,” Hijiri added with a completely straight face, “he’s surrounded by women—including the Saint herself, a beautiful widow, and even a little girl—but he doesn’t currently have a girlfriend. So if you were thinking of joining the race, it’s definitely not too late.”

“I-I see! That’s excellent news—”

The words escaped before Elzaris could stop them.

Realizing what she’d just admitted, she immediately turned scarlet.

“—N-no! That isn’t what I meant! What are you making me say!? Besides… I’m already twenty-five. I’m practically past the proper marriage age! Wh-why are you making me say such embarrassing things!?”

“He likes older women too, so you’ll be perfectly fine!”

Chaos erupted throughout the council chamber.

“Isn’t the age difference a little too great…?”

“Perhaps… but Her Majesty has devoted her entire life to this Empire. If anyone deserves to find happiness with the one she loves, it’s her.”

“And besides… if that chef were to settle in the Empire…”

“…Wouldn’t we all be able to eat those incredible dishes again?”

Much to Hijiri’s surprise…

The nobles were overwhelmingly supportive.

After all, everyone who had attended the banquet the previous evening had developed an exceptionally favorable opinion of Eight.

Within the Luresia Empire, there existed one quality valued even above talent itself.

Courage.

And in that regard…

Eight had displayed a level of nerve that perfectly matched the ideals admired by the people of the Empire.

Naturally he had.

He was the man who had casually eaten Death Pig and Devilfish—foods that even the Empress herself had hesitated to touch.

(This just keeps getting more and more interestinggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg!!!!)

Only one person in the room…

Hijiri…

Was screaming with pure excitement inside his own mind.

◇ ◆ ◇

“It’s the sea!! Let’s go swimming!! Luka, everyone, follow me!!”

“Yaaaaaaay!!”

With the spirit of a saint leading her faithful into battle, Raphiel charged toward the ocean, the children racing after her in a laughing procession that looked almost like Joan of Arc leading an army.

“Grandpa! I’m going to build a Demon King’s Castle on this beach!”

“Your Majesty, Demon King! You mustn’t play in ways that inconvenience the other beachgoers!”

“Don’t worry about it! It’ll be fine!”

Eve enthusiastically began piling up sand in an ambitious attempt to construct a magnificent sandcastle modeled after the Demon King’s Castle, while the old butler hurried after her, desperately trying to stop the inevitable chaos before it began.

And then—

“Eight, could you put some oil on me?”

The voice came from behind.

Turning around…

I found myself face-to-face with the beautiful widow.

She was wearing an astonishingly daring swimsuit that left very little to the imagination, and she was smiling as she casually held out a bottle of tanning oil toward me, clearly expecting me to apply it for her.

W-What am I supposed to do now!?