Genjitsushugisha no Oukokukaizouki - Volume 18 - Chapter SS

Bonus Short Stories

The Nine-Headed Dragon Queen Is Very Busy

As total war between the Maritime Alliance and the Great Tiger Empire drew close, people across the world grew tense and fearful of the coming conflict. But amidst this turmoil, the people of the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom were relaxed.

Their country was separated from the continent by the sea, so the Great Tiger Empire was unlikely to invade them anytime soon. And even if they were attacked, the Empire’s unfamiliarity with the ocean would deter their ability to pull off a landing. That was the general assumption, at least. But while the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom was adept at sea battles, they had virtually no experience fighting far inland. They also lacked any commanders who could lead such a campaign, so Fuuga didn’t view them as a threat and was content to ignore them until the war with the Kingdom of Friedonia was over.

While the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom was distant from the final battle shaping up on the continent, their queen, Shabon, was still incredibly busy. Even now, she was fighting with the mound of paperwork before her...

This country’s culture was a mix of Tang China and Edo Japan, so the documents were left on the thick tatami mats, forming a circle around a low writing desk. She also wrote with a writing brush, so looking into this room, one may have thought she was a writer.

“I have a report,” Kishun announced from beside Shabon.

He was her husband but generally acted as her subordinate at work.

“Sir Kuu, head of the Republic, has ordered additional lion-dog guns...”

“He cannot have them,” Shabon firmly rejected without raising her head. “Our production is already near its limit, correct?”

“It is as you say.” Kishun nodded profusely. “It would be impossible to raise the pace any further.”

Currently, the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago was awash with firearm orders from the other countries of the Maritime Alliance.

One of the items was the lion-dog gun cannon—a miniature, portable cannon (like a hand cannon or a crouching tiger cannon). It had been a minor weapon used in naval battles in which magic use was limited. However, the development of the magic canceler by the Kingdom of Friedonia changed the status quo. The magic canceler created zones on land in which magic couldn’t be used; thus, gunpowder weapons suddenly took the spotlight. With an inevitable battle between the Maritime Alliance and the Great Tiger Empire, their allies had ordered even more lion-dog guns to bolster their war potential.

“We are turning a profit, but it is hard to be completely pleased with the situation...” Shabon sighed. She laid down her brush and rested her cheek on the palm of her hand. “While it is good that the Kingdom of Friedonia and the Republic of Turgis have provided us with iron, which we tend to run short of, we cannot do anything about the number of craftsmen. It is not simple to train more, so we cannot lower quality to increase their output either.”

Kishun nodded in agreement. “Yes, you’re right. Especially when people’s lives and the war’s outcome could be affected.”

“Very well. We have already sent the amount ordered in advance, so we must ask the other alliance members to compromise with each other.”

“Understood.” Kishun bowed, then switched gears and continued reading the report. “Next, we have a letter from Queen Yuriga of the Kingdom of Friedonia. There is something she wishes to borrow from our country.”

“Yuriga? What does she want?”

“Well...”

Kishun named what Yuriga had requested, and Shabon gave him a blank stare.

“She wants that? At a time like this? Why?”

“She only writes that it is for a strategy of hers. However, the letter also bears King Souma’s signature, so in all likelihood...”

“The Kingdom of Friedonia has something in mind for it, then.”

“Indeed.”

Shabon thought about it briefly, then nodded. “Very well. Kishun, where is it being kept?”

“We are touring the island with it as an emblem of your rule and a symbol of stability.”

“Please have it recalled and sent to the Kingdom of Friedonia.”

“Understood.”

“Now then...”

Having listened to all the reports and handled all of the paperwork for now, Shabon was about to move on to the next thing...

“M-Mother...” came a hesitant voice from the doorway.

Shabon and Kishun turned to see their daughter, Princess Sharan, poking her head out from behind the sliding door panel.

“Sharan? What is it?”

Sharan was as introverted as Shabon had once been. It was unusual for her to come to the office during work hours, so they were surprised to see her.

“Um, I wanted to ask you, Mother.”

Sharan’s eyes wandered as she spoke. Shabon turned to face her daughter.

“What is it?” she asked with a smile.

Seeming to find her resolve, Sharan said, “Um...I heard Fweedonia is in danger.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Will Lord Cian and Lady Kazuha be okay...?”

Sharan was too young to understand war, but even she sensed that it threatened Cian and Kazuha and that they might not meet again.

“You love both of them, don’t you, Sharan?”

“Yes.”

Shabon remained kneeling as she approached Sharan.

“It’ll be okay,” Shabon said as she hugged her. “You’ll see them again soon. I’ll make sure it happens.”

“Really...?”

“Yes. Just leave it to your mother.”

With that, Shabon lifted Sharan up into her arms and turned to address Kishun.

“Move the plan into its next phase. For the sake of Sharan and her husband-to-be.”

It was thought that Queen Shabon would have no influence on the war’s outcome, but it would not be long before she sent something that would push Fuuga into a corner.