I was the High King of the Keilland Region. Yes, I was the High King.
The matter of the formal apology from the Angel Race had been left in a state of total ambiguity ever since Zahazaha-dono, the dragon who claimed this region as his territory, had arrived on the scene. That was a relief. A massive relief. The dragon was incredibly understanding!
"Well, it’s more that I was swept up in Lady Tiselle’s pace as well..." Zahazaha admitted.
I had heard rumors from the merchants arriving from outside. Something about the Six Dragon God Kingdom.
"Exactly that," he continued. "Participating in that project has actually made the rest of my kind look at me with a certain level of respect, so it hasn't been all bad."
The dragon’s name was Zahazaha. Together with his wife, Hyfryniars, he had long watched over the area surrounding the Royal Capital as his territory.
"I’ve already explained the situation here to my wife, so there won't be any trouble between us," he assured me.
"I’m grateful for that. You’re truly reliable. Incredibly so. As expected of a dragon!"
If anyone could keep Lady Tiselle in check, it had to be a dragon.
"No, that’s impossible," he said flatly. "Completely and utterly impossible. Her father is simply too extraordinary."
"By her father, you mean the husband of the Annihilation Angel, don't you?"
"...Ah, so that is your perception of him."
"Is it not correct?"
"It is a fact, but she isn't his only wife."
"His only wife? Ah... well, I suppose that makes sense. It isn't unusual for those with great wealth or power to have multiple spouses."
"Don't tell anyone you heard this from me," Zahazaha prefaced.
According to him, Lady Tiselle’s father had a dragon named Hakuren as one of his wives—a dragon renowned as the most violent in the world. What was that supposed to mean? Was Lady Tiselle’s father some kind of monster?
"He’s something very similar. That’s why trying to suppress Lady Tiselle, one of that man's daughters, is an exercise in futility."
"Wait, is there really nothing that can be done?"
"Well, if we were to try, we’d have no choice but to speak to the father himself... Do you want to try telling him?"
"...Is he terrifying?"
"No, he’s normal. He’s an almost terrifyingly ordinary man."
"Then—"
"Think rationally. I told you that in terms of evaluation, he is essentially a monster. How could an ordinary man have Lady Hakuren and the Angel Race as his wives?"
"..."
"And just to let you know, he has even more wives than that."
"..."
"Even the Demon King pays his respects to him."
"The Demon King? You mean the ruler of the nation that the great human powers have formed a coalition to fight with every ounce of their strength?"
"The very same."
"..."
"Umm... in that case, how exactly can we avoid this apology from the Angel Race?"
"You'll likely just have to keep telling Lady Tiselle it’s unnecessary."
"You can't be serious."
"Stay strong. I’ll help you out as much as I can."
I did my best after that. I desperately and repeatedly told Lady Tiselle that an apology from the Angel Race was unnecessary. I wouldn't accept any "buts" or "howevers." It was ancient history. An apology that wasn't wanted was nothing but an act of violence. Besides, actions spoke louder than words. What mattered was making sure no trouble was caused for the people around us from now on. And I promised that we would refrain from our ancestral grumbling. Yes, we were at fault for that too—getting all worked up over stories from the past. We had to let go of the past and move toward a new future. I asserted this with everything I had. The other Territory Kings backed me up as well. I couldn't thank them enough.
Despite everything that had happened, the Keilland Region had truly become one thanks to Lady Tiselle. The future looked bright.
By the way, regarding the next Unified King Deciding Match—how about we hold it sometime next year? No, no, I’ve simply realized how lacking my own strength is. Don't be modest! I’m sure everyone is itching for a fight. I’ll be sitting the next one out, but I’ll be rooting for you all to do your best!
...
The Keilland Region was now split right down the middle between "me" and "everyone else." Why!
The country’s name was finalized: the Keilland Region United Kingdom. Development was progressing rapidly across the lands. The merchants arriving from outside were quite intimidating, but Lady Tiselle and Instructor Erika-teze had apparently negotiated with them in advance, so the trade deals weren't turning out poorly. Even the quality of the food was improving. It was a novel sensation to find that meals actually tasted delicious. I still occasionally felt the urge to move my body in a real fight, but... there was no one left to fight. Maybe I should start a rebellion against the Keilland Region United Kingdom?
"The King leading a rebellion against his own country? I don't follow your logic," the civil official replied. He was the type who could see exactly where things were going, and his expression clearly said, "This is why I told you to just lose."
"Regardless, if you tried that now, you wouldn't just be crushed—the people would despise you. We finally have peace, after all."
Guh...
"What about the General? How about you? Don't you want to fight?" This General was the former escort who had taken command to defeat Lady Tiselle’s giant Golem. I had promoted him specifically for that feat. Surely he would agree with me.
"Ah, no. I prefer peace as well," he said.
"What?"
"As things stand, Lady Tiselle, Lady Erika-teze, and Lady Isree are the ones doing the fighting for us."
"And did you win?"
"Total defeat every time."
"I thought so. Even I can't beat them." Shouldn't those women just be the Kings instead?
"Our King is the High King," he stated firmly.
Dammit.
"Oh, come to think of it, Lady Tiselle said she had something she wanted to discuss with you."
Say that sooner!
Hello. I am the human known as the Conqueror King. Ruler of the Jidoen Kingdom. Yes, the Conqueror King. The High King of the Keilland Region United Kingdom? Hahaha, what are you talking about? I am the Conqueror King.
That "me" was currently on a voyage across the sea. My destination was a place called Village Five in the Demon Kingdom. Apparently, that was where Lady Tiselle’s father resided.
...
How did it turn out like this? I’m certain I resisted. In the first place, it’s absurd for the King of a newly unified nation to go on such a long journey. Even I know that much. A King is supposed to stay in his capital and act as the foundation of the state. However, my discussion with Lady Tiselle had led to this. She insisted that for the long-term stability of the Keilland Region United Kingdom, it was absolutely essential for me to pay my respects to her father.
Maybe she was right. He was someone even the Demon King treated with caution. But wasn't it far too distant? When I voiced that concern, the suggestion of riding there on the back of a dragon was raised, so I hurriedly begged to go by ship instead.
...
One more time. Why did it turn out like this? I knew the answer. It was mostly the fault of the Angel Race. Oops, no grumbling. Ah... I wonder if this ship will wreck somewhere. I’d love to live out my days leisurely on an uninhabited island.
Territory King A: "What should we do about the country’s name?"
Territory King B: "I want to include something that shows we aren't hostile to the Angel Race."
Territory King C: "Not hostile? What kind of name would that even be?"
Territory King D: "The Kingdom Permitted by the Angel Race."
Territory King E: "If Lady Tiselle is here, would that be safe?"
Territory King F: "Wait, wait. We’d definitely get scolded by the Angel Race for that. What would we do if they actually showed up?"
Territory King G: "How about something straightforward like the Garlet Kingdom Tiselle Unified Territory?"
Territory King H: "Then the High King would just be the Unified Territory King."
Territory King I: "In that case, what would we, the Territory Kings, be called?"
Territory King J: "This is a hassle. Isn't the Keilland Region Kingdom fine?"
Territory King K: "I want 'United' or 'Union' in there somewhere."
Territory King L: "Then let’s go with the Keilland Region United Kingdom."
Territory King N: "Decided!"