Kays Translations

Chapter 11: The Villainous Aristocrat Becomes a Baronet

"Hmm, undoubtedly the Goblin King. There were easily more than a hundred goblins."

After listening to my father's report, Freya placed her hand on her chin and wore a troubled expression.

Her trusted aides, standing beside her, had similar expressions.

"...Understood. Thank you for your report. You may leave now."

"Yes!!"

Father bowed to Freya and started to leave the audience chamber.

I tried to follow him out.

However...

"Oh, wait. Kunou, isn't it? You can stay; I have something to discuss with you."

"Huh?"

I froze as I was suddenly detained.

I glanced briefly at my father, but he shrugged his shoulders as if he had sensed something and left the room.

W-What? Why!?

Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of Freya and her aides, I hurriedly asked Freya why she had called me to stay, hoping to leave the audience chamber as soon as possible.

"Uh, um, Your Majesty. Have I done something disrespectful?"

"Hmm, disrespectful? Well, if I had to say, it would be staring at my chest."

"I'm truly sorry for that."

Well, it can't be helped, right? Men just love big things.

Oh, some of the young male aides among the trusted officials were nodding as if to say, "I get it. I understand, young man."

Men really do love big things, after all!!

Well, there might be people who prefer smaller things. I'm not such a small-minded person as to deny someone's preferences.

"Now, the reason I called you back is that there's a girl who seems really eager to thank you. ――You can come in now."

"Yes, Mother."

With the sound of the door clicking open, a girl with golden hair and azure eyes, just like the queen, entered the audience chamber.

...Huh?

"Elle...?"

"Yes, Kunou-sama."

The girl was Eleanor, the young lady I had saved after running over her kidnappers.

Is she the girl who wanted to thank me?

Surprised by the unexpectedly swift reunion, Freya said with a puzzled expression. 

"Oh, Eleanor. You hadn't introduced yourself by your real name?"

"I was suddenly asked by Kunou-sama's father, and I answered on the spot... So, Kunou-sama, allow me to properly introduce myself now."

Eleanor gracefully curtsied, holding the hem of her dress.

"I am Eleanor von Gardanakia, the First Princess of the Gardanakia Kingdom."

"...Huh?"

The First Princess?

"...? Kunou-sama? Kunou-sama!? Your expression is all weird!!"

"Yes!!"

N-No, this won't do. I got too surprised, and my bad habit showed up again.

But I see, that explains it.

No wonder I found Eleanor familiar. 

She's a crucial character from the story that appeared in the game.

She's one of the two daughters of Freya who gets abducted by the Demon King's forces, and eventually, she becomes a heroine who may end up marrying the protagonist.

In popularity polls, she consistently ranks high alongside Felsy and Wendy as one of the most beloved heroines.

Huh? Wait a minute.

Come to think of it, the queen falls ill due to the distress of her daughter being abducted and eventually becomes unable to return, right?

So, that abducted daughter would be...

"Kunou-sama?"

Ere, or rather, Eleanor, tilted her head quizzically.

Oh no!! I'm definitely doing something that's not in the scenario!! Can I do this? Is this okay? I won't suddenly face some consequences like dying from a backlash, right!? They won't suddenly say something like execution, right!?

"U-Um, Kunou-sama?"

"H-Hai!! Uh, um, I deeply apologize for my rudeness..."

I somehow ended up bowing deeply right there.

I'm a true Japanese through and through.

There's a deeply ingrained spirit in me that believes if you cause any trouble, just bow deeply, and everything will be resolved.

"P-Please raise your head!! I wanted to express my gratitude, so I asked Mother to call you here!!"

"...Are you going to execute me or something?"

"Where on earth did you get such a grim idea!?"

"Hoh, Kunou. Are you implying that I, the queen, would be so heartless as to execute my daughter's benefactor?"

"I would never suggest such a thing!!"

"Hehehe, I was just joking. Don't look so terrified."

"Mother!! Your jokes are terrifying!!"

That was close, I almost dug my own grave there.

Sweating bullets due to Elle's true identity being Eleanor and Freya's terrifying sense of humor, Freya suddenly stood up from her throne.

And then, steadily making her way toward me with purposeful steps.

"U-Um, Your Majesty――huh!?"

Freya embraced me.

Naturally, her soft and ample bosom gently enveloped my head.

Wha?! Th-This sensation!! I-It can't be!! It's the legendary pa-fu pa-fu!! Is this the fabled pa-fu pa-fu everyone talks about?!

The overwhelming softness made my mind go blank.

Despite the murderous envy emanating from the trusted officials, I was too lost in the happiness of the moment to care.

"Thank you. Thanks to you, my daughter was saved. I am truly grateful."

"M-Mother!! This is highly inappropriate!!"

"Hmm? Ah, don't worry. I won't take away my daughter's beloved. I just wanted to express my gratitude as a mother, that's all."

"W-What? B-Beloved? I-It's not like that... mumble mumble... W-Wait, Kunou-sama!?"

"Hmm? Oh, my apologies."

Finally released from Freya's soft embrace, it took me a moment to fully grasp what had just happened.

"Heh, heh, heh. My apologies, I might have hugged you a bit too tightly."

"N-No, I-I'm fine."

Man, this must be what they mean by adult allure.

And Freya, even though she has this beauty queen vibe, she looks incredibly cute when she smiles.

"What's the matter? Is there something on my face?"

Freya's gentle smile made my heart skip a beat involuntarily.

No, it's true that I like older women!! But the other party is the queen of this country, and moreover, she has two daughters, you know!? 

Calm down, me!!

"N-No, it's, um, nothing."

"I see. Well then, I must reward the one who saved my daughter."

"No, there's no need for a reward... I just did what anyone would do, right?"

"Heh, you're humble, unlike Aslan. I don't dislike that about you. However, don't hold back. If we don't reward the one who saved my daughter, my capacity as a queen will be doubted. ――Hey, bring the letter."

Freya instructed one of her trusted aides to bring a piece of paper. 

She received it and read its contents aloud.

"Kunou Dorana. I hereby grant you the title of Baronet. This is a royal decree, and anyone who opposes it will be punished."

"...Huh? B-Baronet?"

"What, not satisfied? However, your accomplishments aren't enough to grant a higher title. It will come with a monetary reward, though."

"N-No, no, it's not like that!!"

When it comes to a baronet, it's one rank above a knight and one rank below a baron. 

Although not a noble, it's a position far above commoners. 

Even though it's a title that lasts only one generation, it's not inherited from parents. 

In other words, I became independent while still a child. 

Well, I guess I should be happy since I can do more things now, but still, if someone suddenly said, 'Well, you're a noble now,' I'd be shocked!!

And what's more, you can't refuse it. 

They said they'll punish anyone who opposes it, no matter the reason. I can't refuse even if I disagree!!

"U-understood, I humbly accept this task."

"Yes, indeed. Strive as my vassal from now on."

No, let's think of this differently.

A baronet can receive a decent amount of money from the royal family every year.

Let's consider it as funds to reproduce useful items from my past life. Yeah, that's better.

"By the way, Kunou."

"Yes, what is it?"

"How did you deal with Kerbek... the kidnapper?"

"..."

"Kunou? What's with that strange expression you sometimes make? Are you mocking me?"

"It's just a bad habit..."

I glanced briefly at Eleanor.

However, Eleanor vigorously shook her head. 

It indicated that she hadn't told anyone about the modified magical two-wheeled vehicle, just as we had promised.

"Kerbek was Eleanor's bodyguard. He was skilled with a sword and proficient in hereditary magic, capable of using transference magic to dodge attacks. How did you deal with Kerbek?"

"..."

"I even bestowed you a title. Be honest and answer."

"I see."

Freya was implying a threat, saying, "I granted you a title, so silence is not an option, okay?"

What kind of gratitude is this for saving her daughter!!

There must be some hidden agenda behind this!!

She's beautiful, cute, and well-endowed, but deep down, she's clearly a queen who knows how to control a nation.

I've completely lost any escape route.

"…I-I..."

"I-I?" 

"I will remain silent!!"

But I can't mention the bike.

Revealing the existence of the bike would surely astonish everyone present, but as of now, I'm the only one who knows how it works and can replicate it.

If the harm only came to me, it might be manageable, but I absolutely don't want anything to happen to Felsy, Wendy, or my mother.

No matter what, I will remain silent!!

"...Oh?"

Freya shoots me a cold, sharp look.

The influential figures are also saying things like, "Disrespectful to Her Majesty!" but what do I care?

My family matters more to me than trying to please the queen!

I stare back into Freya's eyes, simply sitting there, keeping my mouth shut.

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