Chapter 203: Chapter 204: Well-Behaved Cats Like the Kitchen Stove! (9)

Cecily Barjudas.Cecily von Regdoll became a hero who prevented a war between two dimensions.This was an unprecedented achievement, both historically and mythically.

“Long live the great lady, Cecily!”“Long live the adorable Miss Cecily!”“Miss Cecily is my idol, my light! Let’s all praise Miss Cecily!”

People were busy chanting Cecily’s name and showering her with praise. However, Nebula was not pleased with their attitude.

Shout louder to lift the mood, you fools! Until you die from shouting or break your hands from clapping!

Nebula was one of the older transcendents. Naturally, she knew a great deal about wars between different worlds.Once a war breaks out, they fight for ten years, which equates to a hundred years in the mortal world. It was common to fight until the opponent’s world was completely destroyed.

The Demiurges whose territories disappeared were destined to fade away as their very 「Existence」 became tenuous.After all, the power of transcendents was rooted in the territory they possessed.Of course, this happened maybe once in a thousand years, and transcendents generally refrained from invading each other’s worlds.

However, Judas, who had become a new Demiurge, was quite capricious and unpredictable.This posed a disaster for Nebula in many ways.In the midst of this, Cecily, Judas’s daughter, stopped the war, making her a great benefactor to Nebula.Naturally, Nebula didn’t show it much because she had to maintain her dignity.

To think she stopped that terrible Judas. It seems the rumors about Judas cherishing his daughters are true. Then, wouldn’t it be beneficial in many ways to be friendly with that Cecily?

Nebula was preparing for the next step after stopping the war.

That child seemed to like this territory. Apparently, she enjoys being a noble. Then we can certainly get along well.

Nebula, the Demiurge of Domination, knew well from her long life what actions would benefit her territory, 「Steg Maia」.

“Long live Miss Cecily!”“Miss Cecily is the best! All hail Cecily Barjudas!”“Oh, yes!”“Hmph, I merely did what was necessary. Isn’t appreciating and cherishing beauty a fundamental trait of nobility?”

Cecily declared proudly.The crowd didn’t dare contradict her, instead nodding in agreement and echoing phrases like “Indeed!” and “Absolutely right!”Cecily quite enjoyed the praise from these people. She also genuinely admired this palace city.If this beautiful and noble palace had been destroyed, she wouldn’t have received such adoration. She felt satisfied with her decision to stop her father and prevent the war.Cecily believed that had she not intervened, her father Judas would have surely reduced this place to ruins.

Clap- Clap-

At that moment, Grand Duke Nebula clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Miss Cecily. I can see that your love for 「Steg Maia」 rivals my own, as the ruler of this land. So, I’d like to offer a small token of appreciation for your sentiment.”“A token? Are you going to present me with a fan?”

Cecily was familiar with the custom of gifting fans to noble ladies as a gesture of gratitude. But Nebula shook her head.

“It’s something more substantial than that.”“If it’s bigger than a fan, could it be an electric fan?”“…An electric fan?”“If not that, then surely it must be an air conditioner!”

Nebula was baffled by Cecily’s words. What on earth were electric fans and air conditioners? Nebula cleared her throat with an Ahem- Ahem- to dispel the confusion and said.

“Cecily, I’m considering appointing you as an honorary duchess of 「Steg Maia」.”

What’s an honorary duchess?The meaning was unclear to Cecily, but the people around her were astounded.They had anticipated Grand Duke Nebula giving Cecily some sort of gift, but they hadn’t expected something this significant.

“An honorary duchess!”“It’s a title that hasn’t even been bestowed upon the 25 consorts!”“This is only the second time in Steg Maia’s history that an honorary duchess has been appointed!”

As the crowd expressed their astonishment, Nebula kindly explained.

“Being an honorary duchess means you’ll have authority equal to mine in 「Steg Maia」. Miss Cecily, you could say you’ve become nobility among nobility.”“…Oh, that’s truly amazing!”

Cecily cupped her cheeks in shock. Nobility among nobility. Wasn’t this the dream she had longed for so deeply?However, her joy was short-lived.She had realized today that being noble doesn’t always bring happiness. Nobles sometimes had to be cruel enough to whip even their friends.Cecily despised that notion.

“I can’t bring myself to whip a friend, no matter how noble I am. If that’s what being noble requires, I… I’ll forfeit my nobility!”

Her cry was impassioned and loud.Everyone was startled, but Nebula chuckled Huhu- as if she had heard an amusing tale.

“The honorary duchess of 「Steg Maia」 has the authority to modify the noble’s code of conduct. If you disapprove of nobles whipping their servants, you can change that rule.”

Indeed.The honorary duchesses of Steg Maia had the power to influence and spread their actions and ideas to all the nobles of the world.In essence, Cecily had become a living embodiment of the rules.Realizing this, Cecily exclaimed.

“Then from this day forward, I forbid all nobles of the world from using whips!”

Once again, people were greatly taken aback by this declaration.Some even expressed disappointment.

“How are we supposed to discipline disobedient servants then?”“My maid Marjorina actually enjoys being whipped…”“If we can’t control the lower classes with whips, the world will descend into chaos…!”

It was a radical rule in many ways, and it was clear that the world would be turned upside down.In truth, these concerns weren’t for Cecily to worry about. However, Cecily was also someone who could propose solutions.

“From now on, instead of whipping, servants will be punished by being made to read books on ‘Nymph Declaration of Rights’! It’s a humane and rational punishment method, so it’s for the best.”

Cecily had often heard about the ‘Nymph Declaration of Rights’ from the mansion’s butler, Sifnoi. It had been a very boring and tedious experience.It seemed others felt the same way, as the servants who had been excited at the prospect of no more whipping now frowned deeply.

“Damn it, read the Nymph Declaration of Rights? I’d rather be whipped!”“Aargh!”

# # #

Descending to the basement, we found a prison shrouded in pitch-black darkness.It was secured with a very solid and sturdy lock.

“It won’t open without my authority. Wait. I’ll retrieve the key.”

Nebula stated confidently, but to me, the lock seemed rather inconsequential.

Swish-

As I extended my hand, all the locks fell to the floor with a Clank-

sound.Nebula was taken aback by this turn of events.

“You possess more skills than I’ve heard? If you can open my locks, surely you could open that detestable Epar’s treasure box too?”

I wondered what the goddess Epar’s treasure box could be.It was an intriguing name, but there was no time to ponder such things now.

Creeak-

As the prison door swung open, a woman with wildly grown blonde hair leapt out and embraced Cariote.

“Cariote!”“…M-Mom!”

The reunion of mother and daughter was truly touching.They clung to each other tightly, as if trying to meld into one being.

Suddenly, I found myself curious about Lady Leone’s imprisonment. As if reading my thoughts, Nebula explained.

“Lady Leone also objected to whipping people and constantly nitpicked about trivial matters with me. I can’t tolerate it any longer, so Leone von Regdoll, I’m exiling you from my territory.”

By banishing Lady Leone, Nebula relinquished her authority over her. It meant she had become a free soul.I decided to claim that soul.

“Lady Leone, I’m not sure if I should address you as mother-in-law, but I will escort you to 「Abyss Land」. Though it’s a rather dreadful place.”

I said this, but relocating an enemy to Abyss Land was merely a formality.There was no need for her to reside there, as I could now resurrect her in the mortal world. However, Lady Leone declined to be resurrected.

“Abyss Land… I’ve heard of it. I think I’d prefer to live there and occasionally visit the mortal world to see my daughter and granddaughter.”

What an unusual preference.Well, although 「Abyss Land」 was teeming with all sorts of villains, it did have some cultural facilities and its own society in certain areas.And as my mother-in-law, she would receive appropriate treatment even in that realm.

Lady Leone now shifted her gaze from Cariote to Cecily.

“You must be Cecily, who was in the room next to mine.”

“……!”

Cecily, who typically displayed a confident and arrogant attitude, suddenly became shy like a timid girl in Lady Leone’s presence.

“Why is she behaving like this?”

I felt puzzled watching Cecily hide behind my thigh. Perhaps she was experiencing mixed emotions about meeting her maternal grandmother?

“Mom, this is my daughter.”

Swish-At that moment, Cariote grasped Cecily’s side and hoisted her into the air. It resembled the way one might present a newborn lion cub to the denizens of the jungle.Cecily squirmed, seemingly embarrassed.

“P-Put me down…!”“Alright.”

Thud-The instant her feet touched the ground, Cecily turned her attention to her friend Melody.Melody was clinging tightly to Florian, who was slated to become Grand Duke Nebula’s 25th husband, but it turned out they were father and daughter.

“Dad! I missed you so much! I’m sorry for getting angry and saying I wouldn’t tell you! Melody was caught by bad people and couldn’t come home!”

Melody wept loudly.It was surprising to see her cry so bitterly.Soon after, Florian brought his palms together in front of Melody’s face.

“Ta-da.”

When he opened his hands, a bird as small as a chick appeared inside. Its color was a very deep blue, which was quite peculiar.Well, it was a bird folded from blue paper, after all.

“I tried to find a real bluebird, but couldn’t. I’m sorry.”

Florian scratched his nose awkwardly.Witnessing this, the noble women swooned, uttering phrases like “So dreamy.” or “Hnnng…” Some even fainted.The world truly is unfair, I must say.Soon after, Melody exclaimed, gazing at the paper bluebird.

“Melody thinks this is perfect! Dad, let’s go home now!”

Melody grasped Florian’s hand.However, Nebula flinched and shook her head.

“Florian, you can’t leave my side. I can let everyone else go, but you must remain with me. I’ll give you anything within my power! Please don’t go!”

“Now, hold on.”

I voiced a small protest towards Nebula. She had agreed to do everything I wanted, but now she was changing her words.Was she suggesting she wanted to go to war again?But Nebula’s feelings seemed genuine.She showed no signs of backing down.

Florian glanced back and forth between Nebula and his daughter Melody. Then he sighed Hoo- and shook his head.

“It still won’t work. I’ve finally reunited with my daughter. Nebula, I still can’t accept your feelings.”

“Th-That…”

Nebula was visibly crestfallen.Right at that moment, Melody shouted.

“Dad is lying! Dad likes this lady! Melody can tell! Dad has the face of someone who’s not telling the truth right now!”

“Wh-What?”

Nebula was greatly surprised.Florian also appeared slightly flustered.Soon after, Melody continued.

“Melody thinks it’s okay for Dad to remarry! Melody doesn’t even know who Mom is because she abandoned Melody! Melody thinks it’s fine if this lady becomes Mom!”

“I-Is that so? You’d be happy for me to become your mother? Florian, you kept refusing, saying you were waiting for your daughter. But now your daughter is saying this!”

“……”

A slight blush crept across Florian’s handsome face as he hesitated.Then finally, as if resigning himself, he sighed Hoo-.

“If Melody says so…”

A thunderous cheer erupted Waaah-.Florian had become Nebula’s 25th husband.It seemed like a positive outcome.No.Was it really a good thing?…25th husband.It was a form of marriage that I couldn’t comprehend with my conservative sense of propriety, but everyone appeared happy, so I remained silent.

It was still summer, no, soon to be autumn.