“I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me, Shin,” Marquis Rutland said as he took his seat. I suppose I did my best, even if I do say so myself. I defeated the Undead Queen, who was immune to physical attacks, with a Magic Sword.
It’s a shame I lost my left arm, but I suppose I can just get a prosthetic. More importantly, I wonder if I can receive a medal. Or perhaps a reward, or maybe some magic items…
“I will give you Rufina as a bride.”
That, and the words that followed… Marquis Rutland, Rufina’s father, delivered a shocking statement that sent me to hell.
“Father, there’s no need for your concern. Mikael and I have already completed our marriage ceremony.”
The second shocking statement. I wonder if there’s a world below hell. I was so stunned I couldn’t keep up with the conversation. When did they get engaged? And what was the Marquis even talking about? If it were just shock, that would be one thing, but an intense killing intent now engulfed the dining table.
“What do you mean, Mikael!”
Our pleasant meal was over. As expected of Pushirila, her reaction was swift. And I wasn’t about to be outdone. Before she even finished speaking, an unforgiving heart attack struck me. It had been a while since I’d felt this bad. I tried to respond with Godspeed-level full-power CPR, but Christine’s cold gaze pierced me.
Alana was extending her claws, and Orietta, from who knows where, had pulled out a Hammer larger than her body. Sophia, meanwhile, was starting to glow a platinum color all over.
Ah, today, I will die here. Goodbye to everyone who has supported me. And you, in the black robe! Don’t eat your meal so elegantly.
“Pushirira. I’m inviting everyone to the ceremony. I’ll be waiting with anticipation.”
It was like pouring fuel on the fire. Pushirira, now a burning inferno, kicked the heavy table upwards. It flew towards the ceiling, scattering expensive food before crashing down.
I have no idea what she was talking about. How can I resolve this intense misunderstanding? No, I don’t think I can resolve it anymore…
Ten seconds of silence. I was too busy with CPR to even catch my breath, let alone find the chance to explain. Then, the Angel of Death, the messenger from hell, Pushirira, approached, stepping over the broken table. She transformed her right arm into that of a Lycanthrope.
“What do you mean, Mikael…”
Saying the same thing twice. It must be important. But this time, her words were chilling. What could I say when she was strangling me with her clawed hand? It made it impossible to speak.
I thought I was being lifted, but then I plunged downwards. I was slammed onto the table, scattering Rufina’s food in the process.
“What do you mean, Rufina!”
This time, she was furious. Saying it three times because it’s important, right? Won’t I be given a chance to explain? I need a glimmer of hope.
“There’s nothing to explain. I just declared our engagement ceremony in front of everyone.”
My Lycanthrope right arm tensed. The reason I’m the strongest isn’t my strength, but my speed. When I’m pushed this far, I’m just flailing on the table like a carp on a cutting board.
“I want to hear your explanation!”
Finally. Are you finally going to listen to my side of the story? But first, stop strangling me. And stop giving me heart attacks.
When Pushirira loosened her grip on my neck, Christine’s heart attack also stopped. This combination attack will kill me. When I’m doing CPR, my speed decreases, so dealing with both simultaneously is extremely difficult.
“Gah, gah. Please let me speak.”
I look pathetic. Slammed onto the table, smeared with food and wine… and I’m the Captain.
“I-I don’t know anything about an engagement. This is the first I’m hearing about it. And you said it was in front of everyone, didn’t you? Pushirira, did you hear it too?”
I’m sure question marks were tap-dancing in everyone’s minds. When? Just now? If everyone heard it, was it when Rufina took off her robe? That was nice. I saw something good. Next time I see it…
“What did you just say!”
She glared at Rufina, then slammed me onto the table again. It was Rufina who said it… Violence is wrong.
“Earlier, I pledged my lifelong loyalty and respect to the Captain in front of everyone. Everyone heard it. And you affirmed it too.”
She did say that. Loyalty and respect. And I affirmed it. With a “Mm-hmm.” …How did that turn into an engagement?! That’s a ridiculous leap in logic.
“…That sounds like fraud.”
Exactly. Christine, you tell her. Say, “I’m the one marrying Mikael.” Give Rufina the heart attack instead.
Pushirira’s sharp claws retracted, and her arm returned to its human form, finally freeing me. Alana and Orietta put away their dangerous items, and Sophia’s glow also faded.
Two hours later. Rufina sat with her legs crossed, drinking wine, while I was made to kneel on the floor and receive a lecture. Rufina for saying misleading things, and me for carelessly affirming them.
The White Lily Corps took turns unleashing torrents of abuse on me, sometimes grabbing me by the chest. I had a very fulfilling and intense two hours since morning.
Why is there a difference between Rufina’s lecture and mine? …Teacher! Isn’t this discrimination!?
After two hours, everyone’s anger subsided, Rufina grudgingly conceded, and my legs had completely lost sensation when Marquis Rutland threw another bomb into the fire.
“It can’t end like this. …Perhaps.”
Why would you want to start a barbecue next to a fire that’s just starting to die down? I accepted Alana’s help and sat back in my chair.
“The Captain is not a subject of this Empire. Have you considered what would happen if someone from another country attacked a Marquis’s house in the Imperial Capital?”
In that case, I intended to flee. I originally planned to take Rufina back and escape. I only defeated the Undead Queen “incidentally” while protecting her.
“A summons has arrived bearing the name of His Majesty the Emperor. If Mikael becomes part of our household, it will be resolved as a domestic dispute, but if he is an outsider, he will be considered a criminal. To protect him, it would be best to take him into our home. Rufina doesn’t seem entirely opposed to it either.”
Didn’t the Emperor get involved this quickly? The Marquis must have snitched. I have two choices. Become a son-in-law or a criminal. I do have the option to flee, but can I choose that?
“What do you mean by ‘perhaps’?”
“Hmm, if this were a summons under the name of the Knight Order, he would undoubtedly be a criminal. However, I doubt His Majesty the Emperor would summon a criminal. That in itself presents another option.”
So, I won’t know the reason for the summons until I go there. Son-in-law, criminal, or take a chance on the Emperor’s other idea? The choices have increased, but which is the right one?
“What about running away?”
“Running from the Ashtal Empire? In that case, I would have to pursue you. I wouldn’t want to create more work for myself.”
You definitely snitched, didn’t you? You probably want to chase me and absorb the White Lily Corps along with me. I’m not giving Christine to you.
“Understood. I would like some time to think and change.”
“By all means. I await your enjoyable answer.”
In this situation, one would expect a “correct” answer, not an “enjoyable” one. If I were to run away with Rufina, even at night, I’d be worried sick. Priscilla, Christine, Sophia, Alana, and Orietta would feel the same.
For now, I’m going to take a bath.
