I cursed without realizing it. I didn't want to go to the sea. That bitch Eve was insanely strong, and she'd given me trauma during my early gaming days. Not only was she powerful, but her gimmick was bullshit.
If I lost or fled in battle, she wouldn't kill us all or trigger a game over. Instead, she'd kidnap one of my female companions, NTR them, and then use them as a subordinate in the next battle. If she was this crazy in the game, I couldn't imagine how terrifying she'd be in real life.
"What's wrong, Lord?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing."
Siri looked at me with wide eyes, probably having heard my curse. I brushed it off and sank into thought. Should I go or not? Strictly speaking, I had to. If I didn't and A.A. died, Erina would try to kill me, and the High Priest of the Celestial Temple would accuse me of ignoring someone's death.
I couldn't even use the excuse of being busy with my territory. Lately, my days had been the most leisurely of my life. There were no thieves roaming around, no strange disturbances in security, no monsters, and no greedy lords targeting my land.
Moreover, since the hero had specifically summoned me, ignoring it was impossible. Heroes were the kingdom's precious assets, so I had to save them. I'd send a trustworthy proxy to manage my territory in my absence.
I groaned, clutching my head, wondering why this hero had summoned me. Was it because Erina, the elf princess, was afraid of being taken by Eve?
In the end, I had no choice. Still, it was a hero who defeated the Demon King and their party. Surely they wouldn't lose to a bunch of pirates. I forced a smile for Siri, who looked at me with concern. She smiled back, slightly.
Erina was visibly tense. She stared at her stomach, where a small life was stirring. Elves who controlled spirits were sensitive to even the slightest movements. So, Erina was certain there was a child inside her.
She stood in the corridor of the Elf Kingdom's palace. Her presence as the princess made even passersby hold their breath. Beyond the door she stood in front of was her mother, the Queen of the Kingdom. Today, she had to persuade her.
"Enter."
After a long wait, the door opened. The Queen's guards saluted after confirming Erina's face. She nodded in response and entered the room. Queen Ahildern Salryna's beauty remained unchanged over the years.
Her long golden hair, green eyes, and slightly larger breasts than Erina's revealed where her daughter's beauty came from. With a haughty expression, she dismissed the guards.
"You may leave."
Once the guards were gone, Erina knelt on the floor, following ancient tradition, and bowed to the Queen. The Queen acknowledged her with a slight nod. Only after this formal greeting did the mother-daughter conversation begin.
"I hope you've been well, Mother."
"Yes, Erina. My dear daughter, how have you been?"
"Fine, Mother."
Salryna's gaze was soft and filled with affection as she looked at Erina. She loved her daughter and would do anything for her. But her expression soon hardened.
"However, running away from the castle and neglecting your duties as a princess—what recklessness is this? Do you not understand how worried I've been because of your actions?"
"I'm sorry, Mother. I just wanted to choose my own husband."
Erina bowed her head, and Salryna's expression softened slightly. At least she'd returned unharmed, and the news of the Demon King's defeat had reached the kingdom. Such news made it easier to overlook the princess's brief rebellion. She resumed her gentle tone to soothe Erina.
"I understand your feelings. When I was young, I too thought I could only be happy if I chose my own husband. But we are royalty. We must marry someone strong to bear the strongest heirs. If we are not strong, if we do not take responsibility, who will lead our elves?"
"You're right, Mother. So, I've found a husband stronger than anyone else."
"You've found a husband?"
Salryna's lips twitched briefly before returning to normal. Who had captured Erina's heart so completely? Though she spoke of responsibility, Salryna was still Erina's mother. She couldn't bear the thought of her precious daughter marrying an unsuitable man.
"Yes, who is he, and where did you meet?"
"The hero who defeated the Demon King—A.A."
"A.A.?"
Salryna was surprised by the unexpected name. A hero who defeated the Demon King could father excellent heirs for the next generation of the Elf Kingdom. Salryna was pleased with Erina's choice.
Of course, it pained her to give away her precious daughter. But hadn't they already discussed the idea of marrying the hero who defeated the Demon King? Salryna felt a mix of regret at losing her daughter and joy at Erina's choice. She tried to hide her confusion.
"Yes, a hero who defeated the Demon King is undoubtedly strong. I have no objections. But why do you look so anxious?"
Despite her positive reaction, Salryna found Erina's anxiety strange. She fidgeted like a child hiding a mistake, unable to meet Salryna's eyes. Salryna urged her to speak.
"Tell me, I won't be angry."
"Th-That is... A.A. is a woman..."
"What?"
Salryna felt a tightness in her neck. The princess, who should ensure the kingdom's lineage, loved a woman? It was unacceptable. But she was Erina's mother. She couldn't bring herself to scold her beloved daughter for such nonsense.
"Erina, have you forgotten our duty to continue the royal line? How can a woman bear children? Do you intend to end the royal lineage with your generation? If you're sacrificing the kingdom's history for mere love, I cannot approve this marriage."
Salryna spoke as gently and tactfully as possible. With each word, Erina flinched as if pricked by a needle. She tried to explain.
"So, A.A. is looking for a potion to become a man..."
"Such a potion doesn't exist. Even if it did, there's no guarantee of normal reproductive function. Erina, bring me a proper man. I cannot allow a marriage to a woman."
"A.A. was originally a man, so..."
"Originally a man but now a woman? How peculiar. But she's a woman now, isn't she? And there's no guarantee she'll return to being a man. I care only about two things: can she continue the line, and is she strong enough? How can you choose a woman and cause me such pain? Do you think I oppose this marriage because I hate you? What's impossible is impossible."
"Then... if I'm already pregnant, will you allow the marriage, Mother?"
"Pregnant..."
Salryna felt dizzy again. If A.A. was originally a man, it was possible Erina had conceived during that time. But the thought of her daughter being pregnant out of wedlock was staggering. She'd never raised Erina to be so reckless.
"Is the child A.A.'s?"
Erina averted her eyes. Salryna felt her breath catch, but she regained her composure. Erina hadn't actually said she was pregnant. Perhaps she was asking if she could marry A.A. after bearing a child with another strong man.
"If you're pregnant, you should marry the child's father. A man strong enough to father an elf princess's child deserves that honor. Your words suggest using him as a mere stud. How dare you speak so recklessly?"
"But if he agrees, isn't it okay?"
"Why keep speaking as if you're already pregnant? Surely..."
Salryna stared at Erina in shock. Erina rubbed her stomach and avoided her gaze. Salryna felt a stabbing pain in her head. Her vision darkened, and she struggled to breathe. She leaned against the throne, clutching her forehead and wailing.
It was the worst day of Salryna's life.
"Oh... Oh... My daughter... My precious daughter... What have you done... Oh..."
"Mother!"
As Salryna slumped against the throne, on the verge of fainting, Erina approached her in panic. Salryna waved her away.
"Stay back! Oh... Erina, how could you do this? How could you drive a wedge into your mother's heart? Do you think I'd be happy if you just brought a child? Do you think I oppose this marriage because I hate you? What's done is done."
A tear rolled down Salryna's cheek as she leaned against the throne. Erina's heart ached at the sight. Salryna stroked Erina's cheek.
"It's not too late. Who is the father? Who is he that you gave yourself to?"
Erina hesitated. Should she name Lucius of the Peta family? If she did, Salryna would surely marry her to him. If that happened, A.A. would feel betrayed.
The thought of A.A. seeing her pregnant and married to Lucius was unbearable. Even if it meant driving a wedge into her mother's heart, she couldn't name Lucius. Erina was certain.
"I... don't know."
"What? What do you mean?"
Salryna shouted, leaning against the throne. Her breath, caught by shock, was now choked by anger.
"You don't know? Are you saying an angel appeared and gave you a child?"
Erina tried to think quickly. How could she speak without raising suspicion? How could she make Salryna approve the marriage to A.A. without searching for the father?
"Th-There was a strong man among the Demon King's hunters... I seduced him..."
"I... I... I... Ugh... Ah... Ugh... Gasp...!"
Salryna finally collapsed, clutching her neck. Only then did Erina realize she could have just said he was dead. If the father was dead, Salryna would have no choice. Erina spoke to Salryna, who groaned, clutching her head.
"D-Don't worry, Mother. He died hunting the Demon King..."
"Be quiet... I can't think straight right now. Go back to your room."
Salryna's voice was filled with sorrow and anger. Erina bowed her head and left the room. After a long silence, Salryna suddenly raised her head and shouted.
"Guards! Guards!"
The guards emerged from the shadows, their golden armor imposing. Salryna's voice was furious.
"Where are the guards responsible for the princess's escape?"
"They're in the dungeon."
"Behead them all!"
And so, another innocent life was lost in the Elf Kingdom that day.
---
**Character Names:**
Lucius Peta
Siri
Eve
A.A.
Robin
Karin
Erina
Ira
Sonia
Elsie
Salryna
Sonia