Watching the two identical girls get dressed with the help of maids, Ryuji, already bathed, walked out effortlessly and even stretched lazily.
If he wanted, both Ran and Mira could have continued and young girls' bodies are relatively resilient but there was serious business to attend to. Mira still needed to make official appearances.
After all, following the attack, Japan had made concessions to Keith on many clauses, so the princess needed to make statements on various matters.
Although nominally these matters required the princess's review, expecting her to fully understand the nuances of diplomacy, underlying rules, and the laws of both sides was clearly impossible. The princess only needed to know if the terms were favorable, whether they were at a disadvantage in other aspects, and choose the country's direction.
The specific administrative duties clearly wouldn't fall on her shoulders.
This was the situation in most small governments. But if the princess truly wanted to get involved, she could. After all legally, she was supreme, and the family's assets were vast.
As long as you operated within this country, you had to follow their laws and system. The more embedded you were in this system, the more you needed to pledge loyalty to the princess.
That was the situation in Mira's country. As long as she didn't go crazy and carry out any reforms, this peaceful small country could likely remain tranquil for centuries.
But...
In reality, the princess didn't have many choices. Clinging to the coattails of a superpower was the only viable path for such a small country.
"Ah, what a satisfying day," Ryuji remarked contentedly, stretching as he exited the bedroom.
Keith, standing nearby, looked at Ryuji with eyes full of murderous intent.
The princess, upon returning to the hotel, had a threesome with Ryuji and the Ran he brought! What did they take their queen for?!
"I hope you won't go too far."
Keith's voice was ice-cold. Although he couldn't decide whom the queen would marry, this situation essentially blocked a path for certain families to rise in status. Because once the queen married, the actual power dynamics of the Vespanian kingdom shifted, changing the political landscape.
The sudden appearance of Ryuji, while they had no grounds to protest, yet from every angle, it would be better if the princess married into one of the kingdom's promising local families or a foreign elite, rather than someone like Ryuji, whose family tree showed no trace of aristocracy for three generations.
"I understand where your anger comes from, but the truth is, the world you see isn't the world you think it is. You probably think it's unsuitable for the princess to marry a commoner, right?"
Ryuji understood people like him, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the chance to slap their faces with reality.
"But have you considered the possibility that I'm someone who can bring substantial benefits to your princess?"
Ryuji flopped onto a chair casually. He didn't know if there were surveillance cameras here, nor did he care.
"Apologies. While your skills are indeed rare, such individuals aren't unheard of in this world. Our national instructor, Daisuke Jigen, and his companions are capable of similar feats. Moreover, anyone can make grand claims. While I won't question Her Highness's choice excessively, you must understand, Mr. Ryuji, that many in our country will be dissatisfied with this arrangement."
Keith truly didn't care much whom the princess married. His family had intermarried with the royal family for generations, so one missed alliance didn't matter much. But for other families, it was different.
Ryuji's presence would cause significant upheaval in their domestic politics. Had it been any ordinary Vespanian citizen, the scrutiny would have been far less intense.
"Ha... Anyway, you'll understand once we return."
Ryuji stretched lazily. Mira had been so cooperative and had given so much that Ryuji planned to make an exception and revive her mother for several more years.
Of course, it would be done one year at a time, to maintain a sense of urgency.
After all, Mira knew reviving others cost him his own lifespan. If he extended his mother-in-law's life year by year, would Mira be moved?
And later, if he resurrected her brother too, to continue the Vespanian bloodline, wouldn't Mira be so grateful she'd agree to anything he said?
Although his initial plan for this world was simply to pursue girls like Shampoo and the girls he'd left hanging, he intended to use this place as one of his branch bases. He'd be returning frequently, which inevitably meant more... outrageous things to do in the future.
So...
He couldn't help but smile.
"Hehehe... Just wait and see. In fact, you'll find out tonight when we return to the Kingdom of Vespania."
"Is that so?"
Keith was taken aback, then let out a light laugh.
"I hope so."
He still blamed himself for allowing the princess to lose her virginity in just one day. Ryuji understood this self-reproach and the resentment directed at him. After all, he'd openly had a threesome with the princess right in front of Keith. Putting himself in Keith's shoes, he'd be displeased too. That's why he wasn't too bothered by Keith's attitude and had offered an explanation.
Otherwise, Ryuji would have just punched him already.
Explain? Explain what? Go ahead and nuke me if you dare! Today, I would show you what spatial jumping really means!
The subsequent events were rather mundane. Ryuji returned home to prepare three days' worth of food for the girls in the basement, then followed Mira onto the flight back to Vespania. Also aboard was Kogoro Mouri, who had come upon hearing that Ran was there. Conan, however, was sent to Dr. Agasa's house and didn't join them.
Ryuji felt it would be too cruel to let Conan in on the news at this point, so he avoided it.
Besides, with Conan's sharpness, he'd probably figure it out on his own.
Misato stayed behind at home. The letter of appreciation from the Vespanian princess was a significant help, allowing her direct entry into the police system. She needed to stay and investigate records for any anomalies.
Meanwhile, Ryuji was headed to Vespania to handle the coup.
The flight was long. With Keith present, Ryuji didn't tease Ran or Mira, letting the two girls whisper to each other while he sat meditating and training.
The power of blood qi was still deep and boundless; mastering qi required constant practice.
His system, aside from quantifying things and granting powers through special methods, offered no ability to "add points" to his attributes. This frustrated him to no end. Otherwise, he wouldn't bother with this grueling training and he'd just find a way to farm points.
Time passes unnoticed during meditation. When Ryuji opened his eyes, the plane had landed. Walking behind the two radiant girls, looking at the relatively prosperous Kingdom of Vespania, Ryuji couldn't help but comment.
"Honestly, it's quite a challenge to have a young girl ruling a kingdom like this."
Keith, standing nearby, responded.
"Since you recognize that, please don't add to our troubles."
Though Keith's words were harsh, he didn't intend to sever the relationship between Ryuji and Mira. He just wanted to find an opportunity to teach Ryuji a lesson, to prevent him from causing trouble in Vespania based on his status alone.
Vespania was prosperous but also fragile. It couldn't withstand recklessness.
The man was acting for his homeland, without personal malice.
"Of course. But... as I said earlier, I'd show you why Princess Mira finds me indispensable, right?"
Ryuji chuckled lightly and got into the car.
The car soon arrived at the Vespanian palace. The palace wasn't far from the airport, and the moment Ryuji entered, he spotted a man who looked decidedly untrustworthy.
A middle-aged man radiating intense malice toward him.
Ryuji immediately gripped the greatsword on his back. Since they'd taken a Vespania's plane this time, he was able to bring the sword along.
Mira also stopped in her tracks, looked at the man, and addressed him. Seeing Ryuji step forward with his hand on the sword hilt, she spoke out sternly.
"Uncle! This is the last time I'll call you 'uncle'! Why did you kill my mother and brother? Was it for your pointless ambition?"
Mira's sudden outburst left the man momentarily stunned, but he did not panic. He merely smiled faintly as he looked at the serious-faced Mira.
Observing Mira, who was protected by guards, and Count Keith, responsible for royal security, Mira's uncle shook his head.
"I didn't want to make this ugly. And, Mira, you're too foolish. If you knew I was the mastermind, you shouldn't have returned or you should have gone straight to the military base. After all..."
Mira's uncle burst into laughter. Keith's expression was grim. He also knew Mira's uncle was the murderer, but the princess should have discussed this with him first! Not acted so rashly!
He immediately moved to step in front of Ryuji and Mira to block any bullets, but Ryuji pulled him back, casually drew the greatsword from his back, and calmly watched the clown before him.
"This place is full of my people!"
The duke or Mira's uncle, whose name Ryuji couldn't remember, roared. In the next instant, the guards who were supposed to welcome the princess swiftly raised their guns, aiming at the group.
"You're finished, Mira! I was going to give you a dignified end, but unfortunately, you refused."
He sneered and raised his hand, ready to order Mira's death.
Originally, he hadn't planned to move this quickly. Even he knew he couldn't wipe everyone out at once, as Mira's mother had been highly respected.
But if Mira was seeking death herself...
Just as his hand went up, Ryuji moved.
The greatsword tore through the air. In an instant, streams of water shot out from the nearby fountains, forming icicles mid-air that pinned all the guards' hands to the ground.
Not only that, but the sword energy Ryuji released also severed the duke's arm in a flash.
Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief. Ryuji smiled faintly, slung the greatsword over his shoulder, and asked Mira,
"Do you want to spare his life?"
"No, don't kill him now. I want him to die in disgrace. But, Ryuji... can you... let my brother and mother see this too?"
Mira clasped her hands together, looking at Ryuji with pleading eyes, her expression full of anticipation.
Ryuji chuckled softly, there was no way he'd ever refuse a girl in a moment like this.
"Of course. No problem."
Golden light shimmered around Mira, and in the next instant, Queen Sakura and Mira's late brother appeared beside her. Tears streamed down Mira's face as she buried herself in her mother's embrace, then turned to Ryuji and gave him a tearful nod of gratitude.
Everyone present was stunned by what they saw. Ryuji smiled faintly, flames rising and wrapping around the massive sword resting on his shoulder, the air trembling with heat. Across from him, the treacherous uncle's expression twisted in sheer horror.
"This... this is impossible! It's a trick! An illusion! You're all illusions!"
He screamed madly at the sight of his sister's sorrowful gaze and his nephew's hateful eyes. His body convulsed as he writhed on the ground, blood spurting from the stump of his severed arm.
The resurrected prince stared at his uncle and then at the inhumanly powerful man beside him, accepting the situation with surprising speed. So he looked at his uncle and echoed his sister's sentiment.
"How utterly disgraceful, Uncle."
Ryuji chuckled. After all, technically, this man was now his uncle too.
"Well, it looks like I can't kill you just yet," he said with a sigh. "But sometimes, letting people live in despair is a punishment in itself."
With a hint of regret, he swung the greatsword in his hand. The next moment, the phantom of a giant dragon soared from the blade. A massive wave of fire instantly swept across the palace's front square and gardens, forming a colossal firestorm.
The violent force blasted away and incinerated everything in the square. In an instant, the flowers, plants, and trees turned to ash, while the flagpoles and railings showed clear signs of melting!
The uncle who had schemed for the throne stared dumbfounded at the scene.
In fact, no one could remain calm witnessing this. Even Mira and Queen Sakura, who already knew Ryuji was no ordinary man, couldn't help but gasp, their mouths agape in shock. The sheer destructive force he unleashed was beyond imagination.
After doing all this, Ryuji patted Keith on the shoulder.
"So, what do you think, Mr. Keith?"
Keith snapped out of his daze, looking at Ryuji with the expression of someone seeing a monster, his eyes now filled with respect and a hint of fear.
"Of course. Your power is… beyond question, sir."
Ryuji chuckled lightly and whispered in the man's ear.
"By the way, my abilities can likely be passed down through bloodlines. So..."
Ryuji didn't have any particular plan; he just wanted to get to know a few more noble ladies of Vespania. Although, "the Harem Kingdom" might not sound very nice, but it sure sounded fun.
"Ryuji!"
Ran and Mira angrily pulled Ryuji back to their side. Even though he pretended to whisper, but everyone present could hear him!
Was he planning to cheat on us already?!
"Let's... let's not discuss that, Mr. Ryuji. Our family… doesn't have any eligible daughters, unfortunately."
Keith forced a wry smile and gave a meaningful look to the security chief beside him. The man immediately nodded, understanding they needed to control the narrative: this would be reported as the deranged Duke Gerard attacking Princess Mira with incendiary bombs.
As for the guards present...
They participated in a coup. Was there any reason to keep them?
If this had happened outside, with other witnesses, it might have been hard to conceal. But within the palace grounds...
As long as Ryuji didn't suddenly burn the whole palace down, they could keep it under wraps!
Meanwhile, the forgotten Kogoro Mouri scratched his head. If he remembered correctly, wasn't he hired to investigate the queen's death?
"Seems like there's nothing for me to do. Will I still get paid?"
His focus was, as always, a little different.
~~~~~~~~~~
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