As we watched the heartwarming baseball practice, Wifey turned to me with a question.
"Tell me, Lord Groom... why are you so obsessed with ruling so well?"
"I... I just don't want to end up like Maro..."
I began to shake, a cold shiver running down my spine. Because Maro had been assassinated right in front of my eyes! I saw with my own eyes how fast the leadership gets rid of you the moment they think you’re useless. I didn't want to end up like that.
"I see... so my father was the cause of all this..."
"If I don’t fill everyone with happiness, then..." I trailed off, my eyes wide and bloodshot as I trembled.
"You’re being creepy! Calm down, Lord Groom!"
But it was terrifying!
That’s exactly why I kept telling everyone I was just a hired convenience store manager. By constantly repeating that I would abdicate the moment Chronos society no longer needed me, I was actively avoiding assassination.
Think about it—once I got older and my abilities started to slip, resulting in poor governance, my Intuition would probably stop working too. I really needed to give some serious thought to a mandatory retirement age of sixty.
"You're thinking about abdicating again, aren't you?"
"Yep!"
"...I don't think they'll ever let you," she muttered under her breath.
I wanted to work until I was about seventy, so what should I do after that? Maybe I could get into electrical maintenance? I wondered if the Galactic Empire or Chronos would hire me for that. After working there for a while, I’d rely on my military pension and open a cafe or maybe a town Chinese restaurant.
"There you go again with your strange fantasies... despite being one of the wealthiest men in the galaxy..."
"Wifey, we’re going to have a lot of kids, remember? (Planned, anyway.)"
"Why are your delusions so unusually detailed, Lord Groom?"
"...I'm just anxious about the future."
"Oh, enough of that! Look, just watch the Rosaria Empire's practice!"
Perhaps because the team was composed mostly of physically gifted soldiers, they had reached the level of a decent amateur neighborhood league. Still, it felt like they wouldn't quite reach the level of a top-tier Galactic Empire high school team. Maybe only Chronos was at the level of a legendary baseball powerhouse school.
In fact, the Officer Academy's Baseball Club was a famous institution. I figured the game would at least be competitive. The Galactic Empire's team was a mix of former pros and experienced high school players. Chronos was a blend of the former Officer Academy Baseball Club and the Chronos Pro Team. Plus, Isono wasn't there.
Under those conditions, Rosaria probably wouldn't be embarrassed. I certainly couldn't send a Galactic Empire Pro Team; they would crush the opposition with enough force to shatter their spirits. I knew that if the pros showed up, the whole event would turn into a nightmare.
I continued watching the practice with Wifey, enjoying the picnic-like atmosphere. Ah, if only these peaceful days could last...
Just as the thought crossed my mind, the Fairy appeared as a massive close-up on my display.
"W-What is it!?"
"We have a problem! We’re under a cyberattack!"
"Wait, what?"
For a split second, I suspected Rosaria... but their soldiers were playing baseball happily, and Charlotte was cheering them on with gusto. I hurried over to her.
"What is it, King of Chronos?"
"Apparently, we're being hit by a cyberattack."
"Where?"
"In my country."
"Then get back to the palace and get to work this instant! I’ll return immediately as well!"
She was right. Alright, Rosaria Empire was officially cleared of suspicion.
"Palace, this is Leo. I'm heading back. Send a car."
I moved out in the vehicle—or rather, the armored vehicle—that arrived shortly after.
"Fairy, issue a First-class Alert."
"Already done!"
"Okay. What’s the status?"
"I’ve temporarily cut the connections for all infrastructure and banking systems."
"Got it. Contact the relevant nations. Connect me with Polina."
"Your Majesty," Polina's voice came through. "What on earth is—"
"We're under cyberattack. Check with Latarnia. You have a secure line, don't you?"
"I understand..."
Ah, judging by her voice, she hadn't realized I knew about that line. Sorry about that.
Next, I contacted Saria-kyun through the Besties Channel. Saria answered immediately.
"Wait! I’m literally about to head out and cheer for the Ogre God Nation Team!" he snapped at me.
"Saria-kyun, we’re getting hammered by cyberattacks over here. How’s it looking on your end?"
"What? Wait, I’ll check right away! Waaah, I’m not going to make it in time to cheer!"
Sorry, buddy. Now then...
"I have to contact Shiyun..."
"Ah... I actually feel a bit sorry for you, Lord Groom," Veronica whispered.
"It’s okay... Shiyun, do you have a moment?"
I patched through to Shiyun.
"SON OF A BITCHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Ah, it sounded like the opposing team just hit a home run.
"What is it, Leo Onii-sama!?" her voice shrieked.
Her eyes were visibly bloodshot on the screen.
"Listen... we're being hit by a cyberattack. Could you notify the Taikyoku Nation?"
"ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEEEEE?! WHO IS IT?! I’LL FUCKING KILL THEMMMMMMM!"
I sniffled. The poor girl’s personality completely flips when it comes to baseball. Normally, she was such a refined princess, kind to everyone. No, really, she was.
"YOU LOT! KILL THE CULPRITS!"
"UOOOOOOOOOOH!"
Her killing intent was through the roof. She was absolutely livid. I didn't even want to look anymore!
Once we were back at the palace, we held an emergency meeting. Charlotte from Rosaria arrived shortly after.
"Fairy, launch a retaliatory attack!"
"I'm already on it! Right, Charlotte-chan?"
The Fairy addressed Charlotte.
"King of Chronos, what's going on?"
"Ah, yeah. My partner has some business with you."
"Nice to meet you! I’m the Electronic Fairy, Luna-chan!"
"...O-Oh. An AI?"
"Well, it's hard to explain, but she’s an Electronic Fairy."
"An electronic...?"
"That’s the kind of being I am! Oh, and I’m one of Leo-kun’s wives."
"That's... more or less the gist of it?"
It felt weird to call her a wife out loud, but there was no other way to explain our relationship.
"I don't quite understand," Charlotte said, "but my Jester's Instinct is whispering that this is incredibly dangerous and I should run away...?"
"As long as you aren't an enemy, you'll be perfectly safe."
I stated that with absolute certainty. The Fairy wasn't some mad dog who attacked everyone. She had only tried to kill me.
"O-Oh... I see."
"Anyway, Charlotte-chan, I need to borrow your ship's processing power."
"A-Ah, I see. You want to use the computers. Very well."
"Thank you! I love you, Charlotte-chan!"
The Fairy sounded cheerful, but her expression was one that could never be mistaken for a force of good. She was utterly, completely enraged.
What was going to happen now? Who was the culprit? Were they morons? They had just managed to piss off the one person in the universe you should never, ever make angry.
"Leo-kun, Leo-kun. The Taikyoku Nation has officially organized an assassination unit."
"I can't stop them anymore, Leo-kuuuuuun! The attackers aren't going to survive this anymoreeeee!"
I didn't understand anything anymore. The only thing I knew for certain was that the culprit was already dead.