Yo! Melissa here!
Man, what a shocker.
It was officially announced at the Harvest Festival that Claire, Ren, and I would become Chronos Consorts.
Veronica-chan is already the first wife, but it looks like we’re the “Chronos Consorts.”
I mean, seriously, what a surprise. Like, a real shock.
I’m actually getting married, huh? It still hasn't sunk in yet.
…Or so I was thinking, when I was suddenly drafted for evacuation duty! I haven't even done my martial arts demonstration yet!
Speaking of the demo... I’d been feeling a bit down about it. It’s not like I can help losing to Leo. That guy is barely human. I mean, he’s at the level where a massive predator would take one look at him and beg for mercy.
I asked Ren about it, since she has those wild instincts.
She just gave me a big smile and said, “My Lord felt like he’d stepped one foot outside humanity from the moment we met. Like a bear? A lion? An alpha wolf? Maybe an elephant? He completely stopped being human right around the end of the Zork War.”
Apparently, she thought his Beast Race blood was manifesting as a genetic throwback. She thought he was pretty docile for a male, but he really bared his fangs during the Zork War. From a Beast Race perspective, that was perfectly “fine.” But then she watched him grow as a male after they got engaged...
“Ah... this isn't the Beast Race,” she realized. And then she thought, “I don't mind rolling over and showing him my belly anymore.”
Beast culture is weird.
Anyway, with my husband being the strongest, Rikochi has really been standing out among the girls lately. We've sparred a few times, and she’s tough. She’s from the same place as my biological mother—the one who vanished. Maybe her style fits me better than the Tachibana swordsmanship... No, forget it.
My techniques are my bond with my old man and my brothers. Even if I'm not entirely sure we're actually related by blood.
Katori-sensei told me, “There isn't much difference between you and Riko.” Is that true? My swordsmanship still feels murky. Hazy. Maybe this is what they call a slump.
At least the marriage side of things is going well. They say it’ll take a year to prepare. It’s going to be a huge event for Chronos. So, I grabbed Isono, Nakajima, and the rest of the guys for a little chat.
“Hey, guys. Why did you always call me ugly?”
“Well, that’s...”
I’d mostly forgiven them, but I needed to know why. I wasn't mad anymore, I just wanted the truth. I wanted an answer.
“W-Wait! It’s not what you think!” Isono shouted. “It’s not like that! We... well... we thought you were... erotic!”
That came out of left field.
“Wait, you mean I’m ‘just the right amount of ugly’?!” I knew about that! It was that weird thing boys liked!
“N-No! Not like that! You’re just erotic! Like, how do I put it? You aren't a pure idol, or a gravure idol, or some sexy video star! We just didn't have the words for it! But you—you’re erotic!”
“Can I punch him? I already got the okay from his two wives.”
“No, listen! We didn't get it ourselves! You just have this weird sex appeal! You!”
“Huh?”
I felt like I’d heard that theory before. But they were actually serious.
“The girls in the Ugly Contest are erotic! Yeah! Erotic! You’re the kind of demonic woman who wreaks havoc on the hearts of teenage boys! Our vocabulary just couldn't keep up, damn it!”
Isono was bawling.
“What kind of excuse is that!?” I thought. Well, I forgave him. Mostly. I still wanted to smack that look off his face.
As a woman, it was a bit confusing... but it kind of made me feel better. At least no one in Chronos looks down on me. Being called “Madam” at the palace—even before the wedding—felt pretty good. Maybe even really good.
Maybe I should start using “Watakushi” like a proper wife? Nah, not happening yet.
Anyway, I was given guards and sent to handle the evacuation. It’s easier being the one in charge of the crowds. My katana was a Newly Crafted Sword by a Living National Treasure. My old man said it was an heirloom, but this was actually more valuable. We were just viscounts; we didn't have legendary blades lying around.
It even had a dedicated maintenance team. I was supposed to show it off during the festival. I’d been shocked by how easily it cut during practice. Apparently, it was developed with a university to slice through the exoskeleton of a Battleship-type Zork. They even made a Special Sheath Resin because an Iai Slash would cut right through a normal sheath and your fingers. I thought they were lying! Even with Iai, the blade doesn't fully touch the sheath! But... maybe they were right.
I headed out to evacuate people, already dressed in my hakama and martial arts uniform.
“Humanoid Heavy Machinery approaching!”
One of them smashed through the ceiling, the Flag of Proone painted on its side. Probably a modified police vehicle.
“Madam!”
“Stay back.”
I performed an Iai Slash. The blade flashed—was that static electricity? I didn't know.
My strike hit the machine’s arm. It sliced clean through. The arm collapsed under its own weight. I could do this! No muscle assistance needed.
They say you’re only a pro in the Kamishiro Squad once you can take down one of these. But they're allowed pulse rifles and grenades! Only Leo and Rikochi have done it with melee weapons. Leo’s a monster who raids the cockpit, and Rikochi has her combat suit. I had neither.
I couldn't help but grin. This was fun! Incredible! I could fight exactly how I wanted.
I slashed its leg, severing the cables inside the armor. The machine toppled. I saw the Chronosian pilot in the cockpit. He was looking at me like I was a monster.
Good. This was getting exciting!
“D-Die!”
The machine aimed a handgun with its remaining arm. It was the size of a missile. I sheathed my blade.
The trigger was pulled.
“Ahahaha!”
I could see the bullet perfectly. I sliced it. Once, twice! Dodged and hit it again from the side! The bullet fell to the ground in pieces. Then I took the machine's wrist. It was finished.
“Secure the pilot!”
“Understood!”
The watching Chronosians erupted.
“Madam Melissa is amazing!”
“The Imperial Army is insane!”
“No wonder the Zorks and Ghouls couldn't win...”
I raised my hand.
“Yeah!”
I felt like I’d grown just a little bit more.