The joint summer retreat with the Holy Nation’s Saint Academy is over, and Luna and the rest of the Kingdom’s Saint Academy’s first-years have earned themselves a five-day holiday as their reward.
This is the result of scheduled days off in the curriculum, supplemented by special rest days in consideration of the retreat fatigue.
Having quickly finished breakfast and retreated to her room as usual, Luna stands before her bookshelf in thought.
(Heh, what should I read today……)
Lined up before her in a row are novels on the subject of ‘villainesses.’
Villainess Arche——her beloved read since three hundred years ago——is naturally there, and there are also plenty of series she has bought and collected since reincarnating into this era.
(Every one of them is top-notch, but……in a situation like this, it has to be the old reliable, trustworthy Arche——)
She rises up on her toes and reaches for the one she has her eye on——and then a ‘thought-wave’ arrives in her mind. She has received a <Transmission> call.
(Hmm, who could it be?)
Thinking this, she connects——and a very familiar voice echoes inside her head.
(——Saint-sama, this is Zel Zezed. Do you have a moment right now?)
(Yes, I’m fine. What is it?)
(There are a few things I would like to consult you on regarding the Holy Kingdom’s future. As they are all important matters, I was hoping we could speak in person……. If it is at all possible, would you be able to come to the Spedio domain?)
(Got it. I’ll come fly over there now.)
When Luna says this, a hint of surprise mixes into Zel’s voice.
(Now……you say?)
(Oh, is that no good? Should I wait a little longer?)
(No, no, that would be most appreciated on our end! I simply thought I had put forward rather a sudden request, and was wondering whether it might disrupt your plans, Saint-sama……)
Zel’s concern is one thing only.
He worried that his asking an unreasonable favour might throw the schedule of the Saint he holds in deep regard——that alone weighed on his mind.
(I’m fine. The Academy is closed today, and besides……I was actually just thinking it was about time I ‘got seriously started’ on the Holy Kingdom.)
(Is that so. Then I will await you at the Holy Kingdom.)
(Yeah. I’ll head over as soon as I’m ready, so just hang on a bit.)
(Yes, I’ll excuse myself then.)
<Transmission> disconnected.
“Right then, let’s get ready quickly.”
She turns away from the bookshelf and reaches for the closet——and then there is a knock on the door.
“——Luna-sama, do you have a moment?”
“Come in.”
“Excuse me.”
The door opens with a creak, and Ro enters in her maid uniform.
“Suddenly, but——I have received instructions from Carlo-sama and Trebas-sama to return to the Spedio domain during this five-day holiday.”
“Oh, does that mean……”
“Yes. The ‘declaration of independence’ announced the other day for the Spedio domain——and the ‘founding work for the Holy Kingdom’ arising from it. I have been called on to assist. I will likely be summoned back frequently going forward as well.”
Ro is a ‘universal maid’ who handles cooking, laundry, housekeeping, and cleaning without fail, as well as architecture and construction, recovery magic, gardening, escort duties, and enemy-territory infiltration——she handles all things with perfection.
A person of ultra-super-high capabilities, she is an indispensable resource in the founding work of the Holy Kingdom, and it is expected she will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
“Oh, I’m a little sorry about that……”
“I have absolutely no idea why Luna-sama would be apologizing, but……the establishment of the Holy Kingdom is an extremely joyous thing. Independence from the four great powers is the Spedio domain’s long-cherished wish. And the one who brought this about was Silver-sama and Zel-sama, the ‘legendary heroes,’ by the will of the Saint. The domain’s people are trembling with a happiness they have never felt before.”
“Now that you mention it, things did look like that.”
Crossing Luna’s mind is the sight of the domain’s people and their extraordinary frenzy when Zel proclaimed independence.
[[Everyone]: The Saint……! The Saint……! The Saint……!]
Witnessing that wild, dancing celebration is enough to drive home, like it or not, just how deeply the establishment of the Holy Kingdom is yearned for.
“This declaration of independence is nothing short of divine revelation. What little I am capable of amounts to nothing much——but I intend to devote every last part of myself to supporting the founding of the new nation. All the other domain people surely feel the same.”
“Oh good, I’m glad.”
Knowing that this nation-building she is about to undertake is welcomed by everyone, Luna’s heart turns all the more forward-facing.
“Now, to return to what I was saying——what will you do, Luna-sama? You are more than welcome to come with me to the Spedio domain, or to take it easy and rest here. Carlo-sama and Trebas-sama said to ‘leave it to her own wishes.'”
“Hmm……I only just came back a little while ago, so I think I’ll pass this time.”
“Understood. Then I’ll excuse myself.”
Ro makes a graceful bow and moves to leave the room——and Luna quickly puts up a hand.
“——Oh, hold on! You have that ‘protective charm’ I gave you yesterday, right? You’re keeping it on you?”
“Yes, of course. You instructed me to ‘keep it on my person at all times.'”
Ro says this and produces a red drawstring pouch from inside her clothing.
“I know I mentioned this before, but you absolutely, positively cannot open that, okay? If you look inside a protective charm, the divine energy escapes somewhere, and it loses its effect. Alright?”
A lopsided drawstring pouch, assembled by the Saint using every last scrap of her meager sewing ability. Inside it sits a flat, coin-shaped stone imbued with the ‘highest-tier defensive magic.’
If anyone were to look inside, the natural and entirely reasonable question of ‘why does Luna have something like this?’ would arise, and things would become exceedingly inconvenient.
To prevent that, she has been drumming the ‘strictly no opening’ rule in, at length.
At her mistress’s instruction, the lady’s maid gives a nod.
“Of course. No matter what happens, I would never dream of opening this drawstring pouch.”
Ro takes pride in her work as a lady’s maid, and anything that goes against that creed——anything that goes against her mistress’s instructions——she will absolutely not do.
“Good, that’s a relief then.”
“Yes. Then, if you’ll truly excuse me this time.”
“Mm, take care.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Ro gives one more bow and takes her leave from the dormitory.
“Now then……I need to hurry and get ready too.”
After quickly getting herself together, Luna puts on the plate armor with <Conversion> and heads to her housemate, who is flopped on the bed with her belly on display.
“——Tama, I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll be back by dinner, so be a good girl and look after the place while I’m gone, alright?”
“……Whhuff……”
Tama answers with a look of obvious sleepiness, giving a wide yawn.
Luna gives her head a gentle pat——then opens <Otherworld Gate> and flies to the Spedio domain.
Flying from the dormitory to the Spedio domain, Luna——
(Oh, wow……)
——is struck speechless by the sight of her home, which has changed dramatically.
And no wonder——for in her line of sight, indeed in every corner of the domain, large-scale construction work is underway.
“Hey, can someone bring some wood over here!”
“Everyone——we’re about to move some heavy stone materials, so please be careful! <Psychokinesis>!”
“Right, the rice is done! Any hungry people come eat up!”
The domain people are all working together, pressing ahead at a rapid pace with the Holy Kingdom’s founding work——wooden watchtowers, new houses, foundations for a future castle, and more.
(Th-this is something else……)
As Luna looks around with wide eyes——an old friend comes walking toward her from ahead.
“——Good morning, and welcome.”
“Oh, Zel, good morning.”
They exchange morning greetings, and Luna immediately poses a question.
“Hey, what is all this?”
“The foundational construction work to develop from a ‘domain’ into a ‘nation.’ To start, and as the top-priority matter of securing national defense, we are building wooden watchtowers at key points near the borders——while simultaneously working on housing for new settlers, and advancing the construction of the Holy Castle that will serve as our base of operations.”
“Ohh, that all sounds very official!”
“You flatter me.”
Having received words of praise from his mistress, Zel’s heart overflowed with happiness.
“Standing and talking won’t do——please come this way. I’ll show you to my log house.”
“Yes, please.”
Following behind Zel and walking through the Holy Kingdom——
“Hmm……? Oh, it’s Silver-sama! Everyone, Silver-sama has come to visit!”
“Silver-sama and Zel-sama together……goodness, what a magnificent sight……!”
“I heard from Carlo-san and Trebas-san——this Spedio domain is apparently a ‘holy site’ with a deep connection to the Saint?”
“Was it really!? Oh, how proud that makes us!”
The domain people who notice Silver and Zel, taking care not to be disrespectful, offer their prayers to the legendary heroes from a respectful distance.
A little while after——they arrive at Zel’s dedicated log house, built right next door to Silver’s dedicated lodgings.
“It is a humble place, but please, make yourself comfortable.”
The moment the door is opened, the natural scent of wood drifts pleasantly through the air.
Shown into the living room, Luna looks around with interest.
It is a space of a desk, chairs, and shelves——only the necessary minimum of furnishings, and everything meticulously in its place. Free from ornamentation and waste——a room that could only be Zel’s.
“Heh, it feels like ‘Zel’s house.'”
“Does it?”
“Yes, it feels very nice in a way that’s hard to explain. ——For now, let me sort out the ‘Saint identity security.'”
So saying, Luna closes all four curtains fully, and seals every window and door airtight with magical energy.
Having blocked all lines of sight from outside and sealed off entry routes, she deploys <Unknowable Domain> to cut off all connection to the outside world.
“That should do.”
With information security measures fully in place, Luna removes the massive plate armor and settles with a gentle thud into a chair——and then notices something interesting on the long table before her.
(Hmm, this somehow……feels like a ‘strategy meeting.’ Kind of cool……)
What is laid out on the table is a large world map, made from tanned magical beast hide.
(The Holy Kingdom is here, where we are now. East of here is the Kingdom of Elgia, where the Kingdom’s Saint Academy is. North is the Albas Empire, where the Great Reincarnation Festival was. South is the Grandize Holy Nation, where we had the summer retreat. I’ve never been to the Spirit Nation of Yoon in the west.)
As she looks over the world map carefully, a cup and saucer are placed on the table with a quiet clink.
“Saint-sama, I have brewed some coffee.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Catching sight of the jet-black liquid, she shifts her gaze to the table——and spots her target.
(There it is, there it is.)
Before her hand can reach it, Zel’s extends smoothly.
“If I recall correctly, you don’t do well with bitter things? The sugar is here, and I’ll bring the milk right away.”
“Ahaha, you remembered.”
Luna scratches her cheek and smiles with a hint of bashfulness.
After that, accompanied by the cheerful sounds of plop-plop and pour, the ‘Deluxe Luna Special’——a beverage that constitutes an insult to the very concept of coffee——is completed and quenches her thirst.
“Phew……your coffee is delicious, Zel.”
“Thank you very much.”
And with that settled, Zel pulls a chair swiftly and takes a seat opposite Luna.
“Once again——Saint-sama, thank you sincerely for making the journey here today.”
“Don’t worry about it, <Otherworld Gate> gets me here in an instant.”
With the brief greetings concluded, they get to the matter at hand.
“Without further delay——there are ‘three’ things I would like to discuss today. As they are all important matters relating to the Holy Kingdom’s future, I would be grateful for your attention.”
“Got it.”
“First——Saint-sama, did you read this morning’s newspaper?”
“Yes.”
The moment Luna nods, Zel’s eyes waver in astonishment.
“……Just now, what did you say……?”
“Should I say it again? I read the newspaper.”
The Saint says this and puts on an impressively smug face.
“Th-that can’t be……!?”
“Heh heh heh, surprised? You were surprised, weren’t you? Even I grow, you know.”
Three hundred years ago——Luna, born and raised in a poor farming family, had a side to her that was out of touch with current affairs, and the members of the Saint’s party had encouraged her to read the newspaper.
At the time she was too occupied with fierce battles against the demons to establish the new habit——but since reincarnating into the modern era and having time to spare, she has made a point of reading the newspaper every single day without fail.
“As expected of the Saint-sama, what a remarkable rate of growth……! This Zel’s heart is full to overflowing with astonishment and emotion!”
“Heh heh, impressive, isn’t it? You can praise me more if you like.”
The mistress, having received lavish admiration from her loyal retainer, puffs up her chest with delight.
Zel has always been very indulgent with Luna.
More indulgent than a grandfather with a firstborn grandchild, and three hundred years on, that tendency has grown all the more pronounced.
“As Luna-sama has already read the newspaper, you will likely be aware——but this morning, the four major powers have each put forward their position and stance on ‘the Spedio domain’s independence.'”
“Come to think of it, all sorts of things were written.”
As Luna tries to recall, Zel takes four newspaper clippings from the desk drawer.
The Kingdom Gazette, the Empire Times, the Holy Nation News, the Spirit Nation Daily——the central newspapers of each of the four great powers.
“These are the statements of opinion from each nation.”
Zel places each newspaper article on the world map spread across the long table——at the positions of each of the four great powers, to the north, south, east, and west.
Kingdom of Elgia — Kingdom Gazette: The Spedio domain is a territory inherently belonging to our nation, and a one-sided declaration of independence is simply out of the question. We seek an urgent meeting with Silver-dono.
Albas Empire — Empire Times: The Spedio domain has long been a territory in the possession of the Albas Empire, and we cannot recognize a unilateral declaration of independence. However, we consider it possible that a discrepancy in historical understanding may exist between our nation and the Holy Kingdom. We first seek dialogue with Silver Glorious=El=Bloodfallenheart-dono, who serves as representative.
Grandize Holy Nation — Holy Nation News: The Spedio domain is a sacred site in the possession of the divine, and the self-righteous and arrogant declaration of independence recently issued is entirely unacceptable. This declaration can only be called an act of violence, one that undermines the peace and order of the surrounding world, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. The international community would be well advised to respond to this in solidarity.
Spirit Nation of Yoon — Spirit Nation Daily: The Spedio domain is a territory under the Spirit King’s sole authority. Independence is not recognized. However, if the Saint is truly she of three hundred years ago, this does not apply.
Looking at the four articles laid out on the table, Luna and Zel exchange opinions.
“The Kingdom of Elgia……says ‘out of the question’ in strong terms, but they’re asking for a meeting. It feels a bit noncommittal——like they can’t quite make up their minds.”
“Most likely, they have been unable to unify opinion within their government. That nation was at odds between the royal family and the nobility three hundred years ago as well, and I imagine the situation is probably much the same today.”
“I see.”
They move to the Empire Times next.
“The Albas Empire……looks like it has the most room for negotiation of the four powers. And it’s the only one that uses my full name, which I personally find rather impressive.”
“The Empire has undergone exceptional development under the reign of the thirty-third Emperor, Adrinus Odo Albas. As this statement of opinion shows, he is extremely sharp and capable, and is likely a man of considerable breadth of character……. My personal view is that I have a feeling we might be able to get along well with the Empire.”
“Yes, I somehow feel the same.”
They pick up the Holy Nation News next.
“The Grandize Holy Nation……is pushing back quite hard.”
“The Holy Nation has long had a strong ‘anti-Saint’ color to it, so this fierce reaction is within the range of what we expected.”
“Well, indirectly or not, they did try to kill me……so cooperation with them seems difficult. (And more than anything, the Holy Nation has Sofia-san, the ’embodiment of the villainess’……. If I can help it, I’d rather not go near them.)”
As Luna is thinking this, Zel rises from his chair with a loud clatter.
“S-Saint-sama……what did you just say……?”
“Hm? Oh, the Holy Nation has the embodiment of the villainess——”
“——I don’t believe that was what you said.”
“Oh? ……Right, yes. The Holy Nation tried to kill me——”
“What did you say!?”
Zel raises his voice and releases a tremendous surge of magical power.
“W-whoa, whoa, Zel, calm down……!”
“How am I to be calm about this! Plotting the assassination of the Saint is a foolishness deserving ten thousand deaths! What an outrage, what a desecration, I will not forgive them……those Holy Nation vermin……!”
The loyal man shakes with fury, every feather on his body standing on end.
“E-easy now, easy. Here, calm down? Oh, I know! I’ll give you my Deluxe Luna Special! Sugar gives you a gentle and kind feeling, you know?”
Luna says this and holds out her extremely sweet coffee——but.
Zel quietly shakes his head, and with the most serious expression she has ever seen on him, puts forward a certain proposal.
“Saint-sama, how about this?”
“H-how about what?”
Receiving the full force of Zel’s direct gaze, Luna involuntarily reverts to formal speech.
“As a ‘commemoration of the founding of the Holy Kingdom,’ how about we destroy the Holy Nation? It would be a fine opportunity to demonstrate our power to the other nations.”
“N-no no no……that would completely ruin a joyful celebration! Let’s hold back on drastic moves like that and do things more peacefully! Right?”
“……Is that so. If that is what you say, Saint-sama……”
Persuaded by Luna, Zel reluctantly accepts.
He has, from the start, a strong distrust of humanity.
Immediately after the Saint’s execution, he had even considered wiping out mankind——but, holding that this would be contrary to the wishes of his deceased mistress, he had sheathed his blade in the past.
Against the still simmering Zel and his ominous magical energy, Luna turns to the last newspaper article——the Spirit Nation Daily——to change the air.
“Y-Yoon Spirit Nation has a very ‘none of my business’ feel to it!”
“……Well, that nation is distinctive in its very origins. As long as we do not make a move on them, they will not bite on their own. For the time being, the best approach would be to treat each other as nonexistent.”
Zel, having managed just barely to rein in his anger, gives a brief summary.
“To organize the current situation: the Kingdom, whose government cannot get its act together; the Empire, with room for negotiation; the Holy Nation, still aggressive; and the Spirit Nation, watching and waiting as always. For our Holy Kingdom, I humbly suggest that moving to establish contact with the Empire would be the best course of action.”
“Yes, I think that’s the right call too.”
“Thank you.”
With their future direction settled, they move to the second topic.
“Now then, Saint-sama——in the matter of founding the Holy Kingdom, we will need to determine the positions of each member.”
“Oh, I was thinking about that too.”
Luna nods, and the assigning of positions begins.
“First, Saint-sama as the ‘Sole Monarch’——the apex of the Holy Kingdom.”
“Sole Monarch?”
“Yes. I did also consider titles such as ‘Queen’ or ‘Empress’——but I felt that only a position without equal would befit the Saint-sama, and so devised the title of Sole Monarch. ……What do you think?”
“Sole Monarch……yes, that might be quite cool! Then I’ll take the post——Sole Monarch, accepted!”
“Congratulations.”
Warm applause is offered by Zel, and Luna smiles with pleasure.
“And next——as the Sole Monarch’s representative, Silver is of course confirmed.”
“What about you, Zel?”
“I believe something along the lines of Minister of Defense would suit me best——if I might receive the appointment, Your Majesty the Sole Monarch?”
“Heh, of course. Then Zel, you are officially appointed Minister of Defense!”
“Thank you.”
The Holy Kingdom operates as a monarchy with the Saint at its head, and all powers of appointment——as well as every last authority of decision——rests with Luna.
A nation where a single word from her (the scatterbrain) decides all things. A genuinely frightening nation.
The earliest possible establishment of a council or board of directors is urgently required——a distribution of power.
“Then……Carlo-dono, the former lord of the Spedio domain, would be suited to Minister of General Affairs, and his wife Trebas-dono to Deputy Minister of General Affairs. It would be best to entrust those positions to both of them.”
“Oh, are both of them taking official posts?”
“Yes. As the Spedio couple were the lords of this land, in order to advance the smooth governance of the domain’s people, it would be wise to grant them positions of some standing.”
“I see……then the positions of Father and Mother are decided too! (Zel really does think things through……)”
Luna’s internal ‘Zel intelligence points’ shoot up significantly.
“And one more thing——let us decide on the standing of the Saint-sama herself: of Luna Spedio, in this world.”
“Me?”
“Yes. As the next head of the Spedio family, Luna-sama——it would be more natural for you to hold some sort of position.”
Receiving Zel’s concise explanation, Luna nods with an understanding expression.
“True……. But what would be a good one?”
“All according to the Saint-sama’s will.”
“I see, well in that case——’chief strategist,’ I think.”
“……Chief……strategist……?”
In an instant, Zel’s mind goes completely blank.