Volume 3 Chapter 11.4
Translator: Kureha
Editor: Weasalopes
「So, are we done with the lovey-dovey stuff?」
The Queen’s phrase cut into the situation as Haruna and Aearis were showering Hiroshi with their compassion.
「…Since when?」
「Let me see, probably around when the Princess Priestess has brought up practising physical contact, I guess?」
「So, ‘t was a while ago…」
「I didn’t even notice…」
The group ended up humiliating themselves in front of one of the highest authority figures of this country. It would have been embarrassing to look back to even if it was just their friends who saw it. But for her majesty to have seen them, it was a lethal level of embarrassment.
「Although I did not know your condition, I have done something very disrespectful to you, workshop owner. I thought the least I could do would be to give an apology. So, I came over here, but the situation has turned into something which I could not cut into. Oh well, it is not every day which I get to watch something so entertaining. It is nice to be young. Do you not agree, Doul?」
「Indeed, when I was a youngster I was very passionately in love with my current wife.」
The Queen who was in a good mood after seeing Hiroshi and Haruna’s interaction dragged in Douga into the conversation stir up the situation. Fun fact, Douga is still lovey-dovey with his wife.
「Anyway, workshop owner, well aren’t you very popular.」
「I thank ya kindness. However, I would appreciate it if ya could give me some space for now…」
「What an unkind comment to make. Man up a little, be confident enough to gather all the women who are head over heel for you.」
「 Even if ya say so, in my home town, bein’ in relationship with multiple partners are forbidden both by law and by social norm.」
「Is that so?」
Aearis questioned curiously to Hiroshi’s response. The Japanese people’s attention all went towards her, surprised to hear the youngest person in the room has made such a comment. Artiem was also surprised; even though polyamory was not part of her culture. Ortem had a very questionable norm where if both partners had a child who has moved out, it was fine for them to cheat on their formal partner as long as they don’t get caught. That was the unwritten rule which the Ortem village had.
「Is it me or did I hear something really weird.. ?」
「It is nothing out of nom, in Farlane, marrying multiple partners is not forbidden by law.」
「It, it isn’t…」
「No, but it is only accepted upon everyone in the relationship having a good understanding of the relationship. Although we forbid the family members to hold concubine, polyamory marriage is permitted.」
A different place comes with a different value system. Farlane which always had a very welcoming atmosphere seems to be very welcoming towards diversed relationship as well.
「Tis like that everywhere else?」
「Well, I guess so? I think it is harder to come across a country that forbids the polyamorous relationship. Our country is more strict on the conditions of open relationship. At least, they do not permit polyamorous marriage if the group consists of something like two males and three females.」
「So there are countries which would allow such mix as well…」
「Woldeus is like that. In their country, the concept of marriage is nothing more than a word anyway.」
To Douga’s explanation, the Japanese people were made aware of the vastness of this world.
「Well, like Doul and the magician over there, it is not unusual to see a human who only loves one partner. Most of the citizens are also in monogamous relation.」
「If tis the case, why were ya forcin’ me into one?」
「I did not mean to make fun of your norms. If a popular workshop owner like you do not take any female, it is just bothersome to me.」
「Scuse me?」
「At least in my country, Darl, there are more females than males. Looking at the reports sent in from other countries, most of them are in similar condition as well. The most recent report stated, well, I would it is around 40/60 but it is close to that ratio. However, you think that is a good balance for countries to have considering the long-term condition? There’s also the case that male has a higher chance of dying as they often take on high-risk occupations where combat is required.」
To Queen’s words, the Japanese people showed a difficult expression. They didn’t really take notice while they were in Wulls. However, now that it was mentioned to them, they did remember seeing more girls playing out on the streets compared to boys. When looking at the people working at the stalls, there were slightly more females compared to males. They originally thought that this was because males were more likely to apply for occupations which involve working outside the town. However, it was also likely that there were naturally more females among the population compared to males.
This may be obvious, but it is hard to say that the census done in Darl and Farlane are accurate. This is only natural as the authority members are only aware of one half to two-thirds of the population. However, it is hard to believe that only one of the sexes is more dominant within that one half to one third which wasn’t recorded. So, even if a portion of the country’s population was missed during the census, it is unlikely that the ratio between male and female will change significantly.
「So, since that is the case, how about you try exploring the female body with me? It will be very useful when it comes to doing it with the song muse, the princess priestess and that elf girl?」
「As if I could do somethin’ that terrifyin’!!」
「Oh, how disappointing. Oh well, I am a little intimidated by the song muse’s glare. I also do not want something like this reaching to Worm. I acted so crudely before so I shall quietly step back from this one.」
She said such thing jokingly and gave a seductive look towards Haruna.
「In that case, song muse, would you like to learn how to seduce a man with me?」
「… I shall kindly decline your offer.」
「I guarantee that I would not do something which would ruin your innocence?」
「I feel like I won’t be able to say that proudly after that so…」
「What a stiff minded crowd.」
To Haruna who was dense in many aspects, the Queen seemed to be very disappointed. She has tried to flirt with Tatsuya next. However, he glared back so she gave back and shrugged quietly.
「Anyways, this is ‘nough proof that her majesty is Alvan.」
「Oh, how forgetful am I? That is what I wanted to ask you in the first place.」
To Hiroshi’s comment, the Queen brought the conversation back to what she has initially wanted to ask.
「Workshop owner, at what point did you realise that I was Alvan? It was only once which Alvan and yourself have personally met.」
「I realised dat the Queen was Alvan when we met earlier today. But I knew that Alvan was female ‘ight from the beginnin’」
「And what is your proof?」
「Tis hard to call it proof but I can tell if a person has feminine or masculine physique just by lookin’ at em. No matter how they dress emselves up, females just terrify me.」
「… You surely are hopeless.」
To Hiroshi’s explanation, the Queen gave a worn-out response. It was then, Artiem who has been trying to say something finally brought up a strange question.
「Um, may I ask something?」
「Yes, what is it?」
「Who is Alvan?」
To Artiem’s simple question, everyone fell silent. Seeing everyone else’s reaction, she realised that she has asked a question which she wasn’t supposed to. The person who broke such silence was Alvan herself.
「Oh, Elf, I remember hearing that for some time, you have been living in the Vast Southern Forest. I guess it is natural for you to not know about the affairs which have been happening in Darl.」
「Tis only been ‘bout two months since she’s moved out o’ the forest…」
「I guess it makes sense that she wouldn’t know about a thief that’s been rampaging around Darl.」
「So Alvan is a thief?」
「Alvan was a thief that targeted corrupted nobilities and great merchants.」
To Tatsuya’s blunt description, the thief herself gave a bitter smile.
「It is the truth, but could you please change the wording a little?」
「Even when you say that…」
「Anyways, you get what’s been happening. Since the culprit herself has admitted being guilty, they wouldn’t be able to talk themselves out of the situation. At least, that’s usually the case.」
「I can’t believe you have done something so reckless.」
「Oh well, even if I have made a mistake, I have plenty of escape routes which I have prepared for.」
Hearing the Queen admit it so confidently, everyone in the group decided that it was pointless to say anything at this point. The fact that this Queen is quite a character has been obvious from the beginning. Making any comment will only make the conversation flow in a loop.
「By the way, there is something which has been on my mind…」
「… Um, I feel like you are about to say something unbelievable, so I really don’t want to hear it. But what would it be?」
「In kind of fictional works which males tend to find pleasure in, I often see a thief like me end up getting caught by some pervert. Those pervert ends up doing whatever they want with the female. Why do those female always listen to their kidnapper?」
「I don’t really know how to answer that question …」
As they have expected, she has asked an unbelievable question. It was more questionable that the Queen knew about smut fiction which was targeted towards the male audience.
「There is no reason for them to actually obey these kidnappers. On top of that, the world is wide. If they put themselves out more, they could find a truly wonderful partner somewhere. Also, I do not understand the mindset of a woman who wants to be played around by those filthy males who most likely carry some type of disease.」
「Um, your majesty, we do have an underaged person in this room so if you could, can you try to keep those type of conversation to the minimum?」
「Oh my, I am terribly sorry. It was very intrusive of me.」
To Queen who was about to start a conversation which the high school boys may enjoy, Tatsuya successfully got the Queen to stop talking. Then he glared at Mio and Makoto who clicked their tongue after he stopped the Queen. To the weird conversation which the Queen brought up, Haruna stood on the spot uncomfortably, blushing bright red. Aearis, on the other hand, sat on the spot calmly with a smile. Nobody knew if she really understood what they were just talking about. Regardless, Artiem was completely clueless.
「Either way, we did fulfil the promise of having lunch with Mr Hero.」
「That was a promise… ?」
「I’m purty sure she rejected that offer…」
「Who cares. Anyways, we must discuss the plans for the immediate future.」
The Queen brought the conversation to an end with a cheerful tone and a questionable statement.
「In general, all of your requests tie into the matters relating to the main temple of Igreos temple.」
「Yes, that’s right.」
「That will be the case for myself and Artiem-sama as well.」
「My side also has some queries regarding the temple’s affair. We would have to make you guys wait as I would have to adjust the schedule with my team. However, I should be able to leave Darl in two days at earliest, five at the latest. I apologise for coming in uninvited but I will like to accompany you all.」
The Queen freely started to organise the time. Saying things which could lead to something much bigger carelessly. This was a questionable behaviour coming from the nation’s most respected Queen. However, nobody would be able to stop her.
「Also, while we are at it, I would like to make a quick detour over to the underground tunnel which the workshop owner has discovered. It will delay the time which we will reach the destination, but is everyone fine with that?」
「We don’t have any problem with that decision but why are you interested in the tunnel?」
「That is because I see the importance of making a connection with the people of the continent. Are there any objections?」
She clearly stated that this was an important matter as the Queen of Darl. She must gain as much information about her country as possible. Especially when there is a possibility of an organization beyond her control moving around her country. Since they have made contact with the royal family, it was likely that they wanted to form some type of partnership with the country.
However, everyone was concerned at the idea of the Queen herself going to investigate the matter.
「I git that tis an important matter for ya. However, don’t ya think tis a little risky for her majesty herself to directly go to the tunnel?」
「If I was to hire someone to investigate and they go missing, I would be out of solution. If it is on the way to our destination, we might as well take a look. I am less likely to leave behind evidence anyway. Regardless, I heard that these people of the continent are generally friendly.」
「Welp, ya not wrong ‘bout that…」
「This Queens is way too easy-going…」
「I am keeping this country in order as a woman. I cannot just sit around waiting for something to happen.」
To Hiroshi and Tatsuya who were exhausted by the Queen’s attitude, she responded with a wide grin. The Queen truly was a troublesome person. It was understandable why people were tired of dealing with her.
「Well, it is getting late. If I do not go back now, Sergio will be yapping at me.」
「Yes, I agree. We have settled on the important matter for now.」
「Indeed,」
Wrapping up the conversation, the Queen was about to leave when she remembered one more thing which she wanted to ask.
「Oh my, I completely forgot, song muse.」
「Yes? Was there something which you would like to ask me?」
「Dentlis has not given up his hope. I have tried to warn him, but it seems to have backfired. I deeply apologise for my powerlessness.」
「Oh~ he does seem like a stubborn type…」
「If the situation continues, he might cause some trouble to the workshop owner. But could you please try and turn him down as well as you can?」
To the very likely situation, Hiroshi, Haruna and Mio gave a bitter smile. The Japanese people had a very third-party view on the Darl’s affair which they must help resolve and how long the process might take.
The concern towards the group’s productivity is becoming more and more concerning…
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