Raiders from the Principality

Having recruited Sage Melty to our side, we were on our way back to my territory. However, as we traveled, I picked up a strange sensation.

"What is this unsettling presence?"

"What’s wrong?" Fee asked, looking at me with curiosity.

"No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions."

A massive force was approaching from the direction of the Beast Kingdom, their numbers suggesting they were intent on attacking my land. Yet, if they were truly an invasion force, one would expect them to attempt some degree of stealth. Instead, they were marching with brazen boldness.

Come to think of it, Kamil did mention he was going to gather the Elu Faction. Maybe that's why they've returned.

However, that wasn't the only group. There was another force of several people heading our way from the Holy Principality of Ames. They were only just barely registering on my Presence Detection, making them far more suspicious than the large army.

"Melty, what do you think?"

As a woman hailed as a Sage, she might have possessed a keener insight than I did. However...

"My tower... I wonder where it went."

Her mind was still entirely occupied by the fact that her tower had been sent flying. I really needed her to return to reality sooner rather than later.

"Is there trouble?" Fritz asked.

"Ah... I'm not sure. I can't quite make the call. Fritz, what’s your first thought when you see a large group from another country approaching?"

"Merchants and their guards?"

"Right. That’s the most likely scenario."

So, the people from the Holy Principality of Ames are merchants?

Given how much my territory had developed recently, it made sense that people would come seeking trade. If that was the case, I should probably introduce them to Alan, but I decided it was best to hear them out myself first. Should I have the others present for the meeting? Or maybe, considering the possibility they aren't merchants, I should verify their identity first.

"Do you mind if we take a slight detour?"

"Eh? I... I wanted to see the clothes first... but very well..." Melty replied, sounding utterly dejected.

"If they really are merchants, we might be able to buy some clothes for you right now—"

"Let's go! Let's go this instant!"

Melty suddenly found her motivation and charged forward—in the completely wrong direction.

"The merchants aren't that way, you know."

"I-I knew that. I just... slipped up for a second."

Hiding her embarrassment, Melty fell in line behind us. We continued our trek toward the group from the Holy Principality of Ames.

---

As it turned out, the group from the Holy Principality of Ames didn't look like they were here to start a war.

It was an odd sight, to say the least. At the head of the group stood a soldier lugging a Mock Refrigerator—the door of which was inexplicably wide open—accompanied by a girl with platinum-blonde hair. Behind them followed a squad of soldiers, likely acting as guards.

They probably came here looking for someone who could fix a broken Mock Refrigerator. That’s the most logical conclusion.

"Yuri-sama..." Fee whispered, her voice laced with anxiety.

"It’s all right. I’ve made sure we can counterattack at a moment's notice. Melty, I’m counting on you for Defense Magic, okay?"

"Eh? W-Wait a—"

"Fritz, you’re my guard. In an emergency—"

"I just blow them away with this, right?" Fritz said, readying his hammer.

"No, no, that’s a bit much to use against people."

"But this sword cut through a tower, didn't it? Isn't that even more dangerous?"

"We aren't the ones attacking. There’s no need to be overly intimidating."

I didn't want a business relationship built on temporary intimidation; I wanted a permanent trade partnership. To achieve that, I needed to negotiate on as equal a footing as possible.

"Fine. But if they look like they’re going to attack, I’m not holding back."

"I'll leave it to you, then."

With those words, I stepped out in front of the group from the Holy Principality of Ames.

---

"Who goes there!?"

The soldiers of the Holy Principality thrust their swords toward us. In that heartbeat, Fritz moved, his blade flashing as he struck their weapons. With a clean snap, their swords were severed in two.

"What!?"

Evidently, they never imagined a sword could be cut by another sword. The soldiers stood there, dazed, staring at their ruined weapons.

"Wait a moment. We have no intention of fighting," I called out.

The platinum-blonde girl looked at me, her face draining of color.

"Yuri Lousouth..."

"Hm? You know me?"

"You are the one who... the Muller Company in the Gessru Viscounty..."

Did she go all the way to the Gessru Territory to get that Mock Refrigerator repaired? It seems fewer people than I thought realize the Muller Company has moved to my land.

"I apologize for the trouble. If you're looking for the Muller Company, they’re currently operating within my territory."

"...Eh?" The girl let out a small, stunned sound.

I walked toward the Mock Refrigerator the soldier was carrying. Because I approached so casually and boldly, the soldiers were too bewildered to stop me.

"Even so, why have you been leaving the door open? It won't stay cold like this. Did the door break? ...No, it looks fine. Is it the Magic Stone?"

I examined the Magic Stone attached to the device. Likely due to the door being left open, the stone was heavily depleted despite its pristine appearance.

"At this rate, it won't even last a month. I’ll replenish the Magic Power for you."

"Eh? Eh? Ah, yes... Wait, no, what are you—"

"Hm? Didn't you come to show me this because it was malfunctioning?"

"Not... exactly..."

"Ah, was I wrong? Well, I’ve infused it with Magic Power, so it should last a good year now."

Looking it over, I couldn't see anything else wrong with it. Why on earth were they carrying an empty Mock Refrigerator with the door open? As I pondered this, the girl spoke up timidly.

"Um... are you... a God?"

"...What are you talking about?"

I stared back at her with an amazed expression, the conversation having veered into total nonsense.

"But I heard that only a God could fix this..."

"I'm the one who made it."

The girl's expression suddenly stiffened.

"I-I must apologize for my late introduction. I... I am Marina Ames. The eldest daughter of Duke Ames."

The girl—Marina—lightly pinched her skirt with trembling fingers and performed a shallow bow.

"Ah, so you are of a ducal house. I am Yuri Lousouth. Third son of Duke Lousouth and the Lord of this region."

I gave a polite nod in return. It felt a bit late to start acting like a proper noble, but old habits die hard.

"So, why is Marina-sama here?"

It was a standard question, but the moment I asked, Marina’s face turned ghostly white.

"That... that is... I did not know a God was present..." Her face grew paler by the second. "E-Even if I was ignorant, I have committed an unforgivable sacrilege... I shall atone for this offense with my life!"

Suddenly, Marina pulled a Dagger and thrust it toward her own throat. I moved instinctively, grabbing the blade just as it was about to pierce her skin.

A searing heat spread through my palm. Red blood began to drip down the steel. They say that when pain exceeds a certain limit, you stop feeling it. I suppose that’s true. I found myself thinking about it with strange detachment.

"Yuri!?" Fritz shouted, instinctively readying his sword.

I immediately held up my other hand to stop him. "It's fine! I just made a mistake and cut my hand!"

"B-But..."

"There's no problem. See? I'm fine."

I took the knife away from Marina, feeling a wave of lightheadedness wash over me.

"W-Why...?" Marina managed to squeeze the word out, her face now a translucent shade of white.

It makes sense why she’s shocked. The person she came to 'raid' turned out to be the person she worships, and now that person has bled to save her life.

Of course, I had no idea what was actually going on in her head. To me, Marina was simply a dangerous lunatic—a woman who would suddenly try to slit her own throat for no logical reason.

The real problem was her lineage. She was the daughter of Duke Ames, the ruler of the Holy Principality. If she died in my territory, it would mean total war. Furthermore, the Kingdom would likely have my head as a way to take responsibility for the diplomatic disaster. Treating her poorly would be just as problematic. Her being here was nothing but trouble.

Fortunately, it seemed I had averted the worst-case scenario at the cost of a minor hand injury.

"Truly... I'm just glad you're safe..."

I let out a sigh of relief. The war was avoided for now. Now, how do I get rid of this dangerous person? I want to wrap her in a bow and send her back before she has another episode.

"I... to a God... such disrespect, time and again..."

"Forget it. It was my own choice."

Seriously, can she just go home? Or does she have some objective she has to complete first?

"For now, we can't keep talking out here forever. Why don't you come to my territory for the time being? You should take some time to calm down."

I said it hoping she would get the hint to calm down and then leave immediately, but my true intent failed to reach her through her fanatical haze.

"T-Thank you so much. I shall take you up on your kind offer and make myself at home."

Wait, I didn't say stay as long as you like!

Despite my internal protests, I found myself welcoming the party from the Holy Principality of Ames as my guests.