Chapter 825: Chapter 374.1: Prestige ②

It was truly a hellish march.

The first time I thought “Huh?” was when we had walked about 100 meters from the Clan House. And by the time that suspicion turned into certainty, the crowd with Serene and I in the lead had already swelled to the point where we couldn’t turn back.

I have no idea what is going on. Or rather, I still don’t understand it at all. Even though I am just strolling around the Imperial Capital for the first time in a while with Serene as my escort――.

There was no way any assailant would have shown up. I would liked to see what kind of person would attack us, while we are standing at the front of such a large procession. The scale of the event was so large that it could have exceeded the size of the knight parades that were sometimes held in the Imperial Capital. It was a total disaster for the Empire. I tried going into a sweet shop, but everyone was waiting outside, and they couldn’t handle the crowds at all. It wouldn’t be surprising if some people were injured, you know.

It had been a while since I last visited Martis’ shop――Magi’s Tale, but Martis yelled at me and it was a disaster. The number of people hasn’t decreased at all so I ended up walking around the capital more than I had planned, so my feet hurt.

In the end, I gave up on thinning out the crowd and made a wide turn to return to the Clan House, but what was fortunate was that Serene, who had been the center of attention, didn’t seem to mind the swarm of people at all and remained in a good mood throughout.

As expected of a princess, she was composed. And, seeing Serene looking so exhausted, maybe the incident on Yggdra was really a serious one (Although it was a little late to think about it now).

“So a human town is so lively. And I cannot believe there is so much sweet food to eat――It seems that Yggdra has fallen behind quite a bit while protecting the World Tree.” (Serene)

“…… No, there aren’t usually this many people here, you know.” (Cry)

Until the end, I never found out why they followed Serene and me. The Imperial Capital is a big city, and Spirit People are indeed rare, but I can’t remember people following someone so blatantly.

As expected, the people following us didn’t come inside the Clan House. Looking outside from the Lounge, people are still hanging out in front of the Clan House, but oh well.

With Eva as the lead, she guides us to the conference room on the upper floors of the Clan House. In the small, windowless conference room, Gark-san and Franz-san are waiting with devilish looks on their faces.

“Indeed, indeed, yeah. With this much fuss, it doesn’t matter, if Zultan reports it to the headquarters. Indeed. Ah, indeed, Cry, that’s right. You’re right!” (Gark)

“Thanks for causing such a fuss, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka

)》 . It saved meee, sooo much trouble!” (Franz)

Franz-san tosses a stack of newspapers from various companies circulating in the Imperial Capital onto the desk. I *parapara* flip through the newspapers. The front pages of each newspaper are filled with news about the parade that has just taken place.

I don’t know where it leaked from, but some have titles like “Triumphant Return from Yggdra”. It has been a long time since I have seen a newspaper make such a big splash. It is on a scale comparable to the curse incident.

“…… Why didn’t you shut them off?” (Cry)

“A-As if I can shut them off when someone is marching around so publicly like that, you moron!!” (Franz)

Your personality…… Franz-san’s personality is falling apart. Serene next to me is also wide-eyed. By the way, Serene has a big smile on her face in the newspaper photo (Luckily I am cut off in the picture).

“Cry-san, I have just received this from Greg-san…… Here.” (Eva)

Eva places a plushie on the table.

It is a plushie model after Serene. The stitching is rough, but the character’s features are well captured. It is quite adorable. But even so, why did Greg-sama do that……

Serene blinks her eyes and picks up the plushie.

“This is…… No way, could it be me!?” (Serene)

“It seems it was made in a hurry. It is a prototype, but――Apparently, we are getting inquiries about whether they can sell it.” (Eva)

“Eh………… Well, I think it is fine.” (Cry)

“There is no way it will be fine, you moron!! What am I supposed to report to His Majesty the Emperor!!” (Franz)

“”Commander Franz (Franz-dancho

)”, ple…… Please calm down.” (Subordinate)

Franz-san is stopped by his subordinate who can’t stand to watch. His stress is making him explode…… It seems that nobles have a lot of troubles too.

It will take a while for Franz-san and Gark-san to calm down. Meanwhile, Serene is curiously examining the plushie that Greg-sama has brought. She doesn’t seem to be offended. She is so generous, even though people suddenly made a plushie of her.

After about 15 minutes, Franz-san and Gark-san’s complexions finally recovered to some degree. Franz-san clears his throat to start over, then looks at Serene and asks boldly.

“”Princess Serene (Serene-kojo)”, we have discussed this internally. Zebrudia welcomes you. Honestly, it is troubling that you have come so suddenly――But the Emperor of Zebrudia would also like to speak with you. By the way, I heard from Cry Andrich that you intend to increase exchanges between Yggdra and the humans in the future. Is that true?” (Franz)

“Thank you. Human on the left wrist.” (Serene)

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“Hh――” (Franz)n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As Serene thanks him with a smile, Franz-san’s expression *pikuri* twitches. However, before he can say anything, Serene continues fluently.

“What Cry Andrich said is true. For a long time, Yggdra has placed strict restrictions on people’s entry and exit in order to protect the World Tree. However, Cry Andrich was very helpful in this matter. So, in order to further deepen the relations between the races, I have decided to gradually lift the restrictions.” (Serene)

“!? ………… So, in other words, you are going to let the human race enter Yggdra?” (Franz)

Franz-san’s expression is completely stiff. See, seeee, it is just as I told you so.

Serene nods vigorously. She is much more energetic than when she was working on the countermeasures to the World Tree’s rampage.

“You can think of it that way. Well, although, there are a few hurdles to pass――” (Serene)

“That is…… Do the residents of Yggdra agree on something like this?” (Franz)

Serene looks puzzled at what Franz-san said.

“?? Once I have made the decision, they have to agree with it, human on the left wrist.” (Serene)

“………… I-I see.” (Franz)

By the way, I know I shouldn’t butt in on a serious conversation, but I am concerned by the way Franz-san glares at me every time she mentions him being my left wrist. I know it is my own fault, but I feel like I have made a huge mistake. I will have to tell her to call him by his name properly later.

“For us, this is like a dream coming true. However, even so, the matter is serious, and many things need to be decided. ………… By the way, and I apologize for asking this, but――That man over there carelessly introduced you as the head of Yggdra. However, we were told that you are a princess. And we have yet to see Yggdra’s governing system――” (Franz)

Now that he mentions it, he is right. A princess is the daughter of an emperor. I never noticed that. Serene straightens her back and smiles slightly.

“It is only a matter of how you say it. Cry Andrich did not ask me anything――But it may be difficult for humans to understand, isn’t it. I am the guardian and queen of Yggdra, and the daughter born from the World Tree, the emperor of the world. For generations, Yggdra has been ruled by queens. I am Yggdra’s guide, and Yggdra’s subjects are objects of my protection. My subjects have the right to petition me, but they have no right to oppose me.” (Serene)

So Yggdra is a dictatorial nation…… But surprisingly, Serene is well-liked by her subjects, isn’t she. Then Gark-san glares at me and says.

“…… By the way, Cry said that you offered to hand him all authority over Yggdra. He said that you must have been tempted by the devil――But is that true?” (Gark)

I think it is a rude thing to say, but after seeing Serene he probably thinks it is okay to ask about it.

Serene’s cheek *pikuri* twitches at Gark-san’s words, but then she shrinks back in embarrassment and says.

“Th-That’s……………… At that time, I have been, a little bit, tempted by the devil. It is because it was so comfortable……” (Serene)

“See, it is just as I said. Good grief, it is troubling when you suspect me like that! Sure, it may not have been true! But it may have been true!” (Cry)

”Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)” glares at me and says with a look on his face as if he is about to bite his tongue off.

“………… Truth is stranger than fiction, huh?” (Gark)

“”Branch Manager Gark (Gark-Shibucho)”, you are not to blame. It is all this 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 fault. You are, not to blame. Neither is Zultan.” (Franz)

Says Franz-san comfortingly. It is a mystery why no one is with me.

§ § §

Thanks for reading! I also want a chibi plushie of Serene… No, I want a plushie of all Strange Grief! By the way I updated Volume 11 cover, please don’t spoil new character please If you want spoiler go look at them at the wikia page