Bonus Short Stories
Souma and Maria Watch
We were having a relaxed get-together after the first conference where Maria and I t face-to-face.
It looks like everyones having a good ti.
Yes. Everyone does seem to be enjoying themselves.
As the two of us talked, I was watching my companions. They had each found soone they could get along with and were engaged in pleasant conversation.
Maria chuckled. I had expected talks with another nation to be more tense. During this sort of get-together, you would expect us all to be trying to get a feel for the other sides intentions, you know? But everyones acting as they normally would.
Well, our countries have amicable relations, so it would be weird for our subordinates to be fighting when were not... It looks like our second-in-commands are getting along, too.
I smiled wryly as I caught a glimpse of Hakuya and Jeanne out of the corner of my eye. Jeanne seed to be enjoying herself, and Hakuya gave off a much softer impression than he usually did, too. Maria must have noticed it as well, because she was smiling softly.
I guess I should have expected your subordinates would be like this. You approach everyone without prejudice. They must have learned from watching you, Sir Souma. Thats how they can be so open with everyone.
It was a little embarrassing being given such a direct complent.
I could say the sa of the Empire. Because their leader is so soft and fuzzy, her subordinates are kind, too.
Oh, my? ? Soft and fuzzy?
Maria made a show of puffing up her cheeks in mock anger. Even though I knew she was a year older than Juna, it still made her look like a cute little girl.
I shrugged. Having t and talked with you, I can say youre pretty soft and fuzzy.
Thats quite a thing to say. I am an empress you know.
My apologies, Your Imperial Majesty, I said jokingly.
Yes. Very good, she said in a self-important tone. I knew she hated to wield her power in this way, so she was just ssing around, too.
Then both of us broke out laughing.
Ha ha ha, I dont know what it is, but even though I know youre supposed to be important, I cant help but laugh when you act like that.
Hee hee! Its because Im not good at being important. When I do it in front of you, its just an act.
Like youre playing empress?
Yes, thats a good way of putting it.
After wed had a good laugh, Maria smiled. Its so peaceful here.
Hm? Whats this about, all of a sudden?
If we could laugh like this with people we had just t, we wouldnt need a frawork like the Mankind Declaration...
She said that like wed be better off without it. That was probably how she really felt, too. Marias Mankind Declaration existed to force the signing nations to band together in the face of the Demon Lords Domain. She had taken the heavy burden of leading them upon herself. But if there was a way for countries to work together without compulsion, nothing could be better than that. After all, it would relieve the huge weight on her shoulders.
So he can make a face like that, too. He might be an interesting individual.
Aisha wanted to tell this story to Souma.
Naden and Krahe Talk
During the get-together, Soumas second secondary queen, Naden, was talking with Krahe, a commander from the Empire.
So then and Souma took care of the storm that attacked the Star Dragon Mountain Range.
I see, I see. Thats just lovely.
No, it was more like Naden was telling the story of how she t Souma, and Krahe was enthusiastically nodding along and prodding her to keep going.
Was it a natural storm? he asked.
No way. There was this weird thing inside the clouds that was causing it.
The Lurker in the Clouds... I like it! It sounds exciting! So, what happened? Did the lurker have a terrifying and dignified form, like so sort of demon lord?
Oh... It was a cube. Like a tallic one.
A tallic cube... huh? Krahe looked blatantly disappointed. The Cube in the Tempest... Its strange, Ill give it that, but it lacks impact. Now, if there was a massive, bat-winged devil, or a three-headed dragon, then wed have sothing to be excited about.
Whats the Thousand Year Dragon King got to do with this? was the joke Souma would have made if he were listening.
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