Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Protagonist is the Villain
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"Fuck."
I couldn't help but spit out the curse. I hated the idea of going to sea. That bitch Eve was insanely strong, and she'd traumatized me back when I was a noob playing the game. Sure, she was powerful, but her gimmick was pure bullshit.
If I lost a fight or ran away, she wouldn't just kill us or game over—instead, she'd kidnap one of my female companions, NTR her, and turn her into a minion for the next battle. If she was this twisted in the game, I couldn't even imagine what kind of psycho she'd be in real life.
"What's wrong, my lord?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing."
Sieri had apparently heard me curse and was staring at me with wide eyes. I brushed it off vaguely and sank into thought. Should I go or not? Strictly speaking, I had to. If I didn't and Aei died, Erina would come after me first, and as the Southern Priest Leader of the Great Heavenly God Church, I'd get flak for ignoring someone else's death.
I couldn't even use the excuse that the territory was busy. Lately, I was living the idlest days of my life. No thieves prowling the lands, no breakdowns in public order. No monsters or greedy lords eyeing my domain.
On top of that, since the Hero had specifically named me, ignoring the summons was out of the question. Heroes were precious assets to the kingdom and had to be protected at all costs. They'd probably send a reliable proxy lord in my place.
I clutched my head in frustration, wondering why the hell this Hero asshole had picked me. Was it because naming Erina from the elf kingdom might get her eaten by Eve?
In the end, I had no choice. Still, this was the Hero's party that had defeated the Demon King—they wouldn't lose to some pirate scum, right? I flashed a grin at Sieri, who was gazing at me with a worried look. She smiled faintly back.
Erina was visibly tense. She stared down at her belly. A tiny life stirred within. Elves who handled spirits were sensitive to even the slightest movements like this. That was how Erina knew for sure there was a child in her womb.
Right now, Erina stood in the corridors of the elf kingdom's palace. Even passersby held their breath at the sight of the kingdom's princess. Beyond the door she stood before was the queen of the realm—and her own mother. Today, she had to convince her mother.
"Come in."
After quite a wait, the door opened. The queen's guards confirmed the princess's face and saluted. The princess returned the gesture before stepping inside. The elf queen, Ahildern Salina, boasted a beauty untouched by the passage of time.
Her long golden hair, green eyes, and breasts even larger than Erina's made it clear where her daughter had inherited her stunning looks. She haughtily lifted her chin and addressed the guards.
"You are dismissed."
Once the guards had left the room, Erina knelt on the floor in accordance with ancient tradition and offered her greeting to the queen. The queen gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Only after the formalities of a subject were complete did the mother-daughter conversation begin.
"Have you been well, Mother?"
"Yes, Erina. How have you been, my beloved daughter?"
"I've been fine, Mother."
Salina gazed at Erina with soft, affectionate eyes. She loved her daughter deeply and was ready to do anything for her. But soon, she hardened her expression and scolded her.
"Yet you forgot your duties as a princess and ran off from the castle—what reckless folly is this? Do you have no idea how worried your mother has been because of your actions?"
"I'm sorry, Mother. I... I just wanted to choose my own husband."
As Erina bowed her head, Salina's expression softened a bit. After all, she had returned unharmed, without a scratch. And news had arrived that the Demon King was dead. If that was all, she could overlook the princess's brief escapade. She began to soothe Erina in a gentle tone once more.
"I understand how you feel. When I was young, I thought the same—that I could only be happy if I chose my own husband. But we are royalty. Royals must bond with the strong to bear children stronger than any other. If we aren't strong, if we lack responsibility, who will lead our elves?"
"You're right, Mother. That's why... I found a husband strong enough to surpass anyone."
"You found a husband?"
Salina's lips twitched briefly before returning to normal. Who could have captured Erina's heart and made her so bold? Salina had spoken of responsibility, but she was still just a mother. She could never tolerate her precious child getting tangled with some fool.
"Tell me, who is he? Where did you meet?"
"The Hero who defeated the Demon King. Aei."
"Aei?"
Salina's face lit up with surprise at the unexpected name. A Hero who vanquished the Demon King could sire excellent children to lead the elf kingdom's next generation. She quite approved of Erina's choice.
Of course, it pained her to give her precious daughter to another. But hadn't they already discussed taking the Demon King-slaying Hero as a son-in-law? Salina felt a mix of regret at losing her daughter and joy at Erina bringing home the Hero she'd marked for the role. She suppressed the confusion welling in her chest and asked,
"Indeed, the Hero who defeated the Demon King is stronger than any other. No objections there. But why the anxious face?"
Yet Salina found it odd that Erina trembled with unease despite her positive reaction. She fidgeted like a child hiding a mistake, unable to meet Salina's eyes. Salina urged her to speak.
"I won't get angry. Tell me."
"Well... Aei is a woman..."
"What?"
Salina felt a sharp pain shoot up the back of her neck. The elf princess destined to secure the kingdom's lineage—liking women? Unthinkable. But she was Erina's mother above all. She couldn't snap at her beloved daughter to stop talking nonsense.
"Erina, have you forgotten we must continue our line and rule the kingdom? How can a woman bear children? Do you intend to end the royal bloodline in your generation? If you're willing to sacrifice the kingdom's history for mere love, I cannot approve this marriage."
Salina chose her words as gently and indirectly as possible to admonish Erina. With each phrase, Erina flinched as if pricked by needles. Then, as if making excuses, she said,
"That's why... Aei is looking for a potion to become a man. So..."
"No such potion exists. And even if it did and she turned into a man, what guarantee is there of normal fertility? Erina, bring a proper man. I cannot allow marriage to a woman."
"Aei was originally a man, so..."
"Originally a man, but now a woman—quite bizarre. But she's a 'woman' now, isn't she? No telling if she can even revert. What matters is whether she can sire heirs and if she's the strongest. Those two things alone. Yet you pick a woman and break my heart? Do you think I'm opposing because I hate you? What's impossible is impossible."
"Th-then... if I were pregnant, would you allow marriage to a woman, Mother?"
"Pregnant..."
Salina felt darkness close in again. If Aei had been a man originally, there might have been relations and conception in the meantime. But realizing her daughter might be pregnant out of wedlock made her dizzy. She'd never raised such a loose child.
"Is that child the Hero Aei's?"
Erina averted her eyes slightly at the question. Salina felt her breath catch, but she regained composure. On second thought, Erina hadn't said she was pregnant. She might just be asking if she bore a child from another strong man, could she still marry Aei.
"If you're pregnant, you should marry the father. A man strong enough to earn an elf princess's favor and bed deserves that honor. Your words treat a man worthy of the world's respect as mere stud. How can you say such nonsense?"
"B-but if the man consents, isn't that fine?"
"Why do you keep assuming you're pregnant? Don't tell me..."
Salina stared at Erina in horror. Erina rubbed her belly and looked away. Salina's head throbbed painfully. Darkness clouded her vision; she could barely breathe. Leaning on the throne, she clutched her forehead and began to wail.
This was the worst day of Salina's life.
"Oh no... oh no... my daughter... my precious jewel of a daughter, how could you... oh no..."
"Mother!"
As Salina slumped against the throne on the verge of fainting, Erina rushed to her side in panic. Salina waved her off, keeping her at bay.
"Stay back! Oh... Erina, how could you do this? How could you drive a nail into your mother's heart? Do you think I'm opposing out of hatred? Do you really think I'd be happy if you just brought a child?"
A single tear fell from Salina's eye as she leaned on the throne. Erina's heart ached at the sight. Salina stroked Erina's cheek and said,
"It's not too late yet. Who is the father? Who fathered that child for you to give yourself to him?"
Erina hesitated. Should she name Lucius here? If it was Peta Lucius, Salina would surely approve and push for marriage. But if they wed and had the child, Aei would feel utterly betrayed by Erina.
Imagining Aei staring at her swollen belly during the marriage already crushed her heart. Even if it meant hammering a nail into her mother's chest, she couldn't name Lucius. Erina was certain.
"I... I don't know."
"Wh-what? What did you say?"
Salina shrieked, slumping back against the throne. Rage now choked the breath that shock had stolen moments before.
"Don't know? What nonsense is that? Did some angel appear and impregnate you?"
Erina racked her brain. How could she phrase it without suspicion? How to make Salina approve the marriage to Aei without hunting the real father?
"Well... there was a strong man in the Demon King subjugation party, so I seduced him..."
"Th-this... ugh... ah... ack...!"
Salina finally clutched her neck and collapsed. Only then did Erina realize she could just say the father died. Salina couldn't argue with that. She said to her mother, who groaned clutching her head,
"D-don't worry, Mother. That man died capturing the Demon King..."
"Be silent... I can't think straight right now, so go back to your room first."
Salina spoke to Erina in a voice thick with sorrow and fury. Erina bowed her head deeply and left the room. For a long while, Salina endured her rage leaning on the throne. Then, suddenly, she raised her head and shouted,
"Guards! Guards!"
Almost simultaneously, guards emerged from the shadows. Their sturdy golden armor exuded intimidation. Salina bellowed in fury,
"Where are those responsible for failing to properly escort the princess during her elopement?"
"In the dungeon."
"Cut off all their heads!"
And so, innocent lives were lost in the elf kingdom once again that day.