I'm accompanying the King on his roughly 10 Km return to Rombertia from his imperial visit. Ralpha and Bel wanted to accompany me as well but when I said I was going together with the King and they as expected they held back from it. Obviously I'm riding on my war horse. The King is riding on a large carriage with eight horses and the knights have surrounded it on their war horses fortifying it. The number of people was less than I thought it would be. There's only about 50 people guarding the carriage. Come to think of it, even if they're squires, they're all ex-knights aren't they. I doubt that they're all in the first knight group but I guess this is the lap of the capital so the public order must be considerably good. Since the road was neatly maintained we were able to arrive at Rombertia in about two hours.
The capital Rombertia is a huge town. There's two rivers at over 20 m in width that are so large that Keel's central river just looks like a stream flowing through the Eastern side of the town, and that river flows to the West into the ocean. The dike of the river has been properly constructed so there's something like a sandbar in between the two rivers and close to 200 m of the riverside has something like a 6 m stone wall embankment along it, so it could be said that plenty of flood control has been done. No, though I think it's done plenty well with just this.
I don't know if it's because the entirety of the town is on a bit of a plateau but there's close to 4 m between the surface of the river and the ground. There's countless gutters running through the town from there. It doesn't seem it was created with as much planning as Keel but going off the scale you could say it's plenty to call sanitary and there's the wall that surrounds the capital as well, so it looks even more splendid. This might be the ideal location to have a capital.
In the center of the town of Rombertia is where the castle is located. It's a large and beautiful castle with gold leaf on the roof tiles and three moats. I remember Osaka castle looking at it. It was almost to the point of letting out a groan over how splendid and majestic the castle of a large kingdom is with it's five layers of large castle towers. There's two outer citadels around the large castle towers as well. I can also see a large number of watch towers as well.
There was a castle in Keel as well but it was a castle that you wouldn't realize it unless you were told that was the case. It was a three story compact castle with just another stone wall and moats around it, a castle that felt a bit smaller than Marugame castle. It was at the level where if you were to say it was a large store from a distance then you would respond, "Ah, I see". However, this is the capital of Rombert Kingdom, and if I believe what father and mother said it's the great city that boasts the largest population on the Western edge of the Oladd continent. Since they say it's population is about 220,000 - 230,000 people it's got a population close to that of Tokyo and Chofu city. There's a bit more area than the city though.
We follow the winding roads and enter the castle. After waiting in an open area inside the castle walls for a short while and a person came to call for me. I take the rubber repair kit from my saddle bag and after leaving my weapon and horse in their care I followed after the person guiding me.
.............
I think this is probably a room in the area of the third outer citadel. It's been about 30 minutes since I was told to wait here. Even though it's repairing a bed I doubt I can enter the King's bedroom to do the work so I'm sure they're taking the water bed off of the bed and carrying it right now. Since I was bored I decided to reconfirm my repair kit just in case. If I were to fail here, buy the King's displeasure, and cause trouble for my older sister then I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for my entire life.
A bottle of raw rubber, check. Sulfur power, check. Charcoal, check. Additive agent, check. The small bucket I brought along just in case because it's difficult without it, no problem. I don't think I'll use them this time but I have all of the types of acid in different glass bottles properly coated with hard and raw rubber on the outside so they won't shatter. Yeah, it's alright. After this I just need a bucket filled with water for the final inspection but as expected I don't carry that around so I just asked for one.
When I was confirming my tools just like that and the King went out of his way to come here along with the servant slaves that brought the bucket and water bed. I bow on my knee and take the pose of gratitude for a retainer, with my head lowered.
"It's fine, raise your head. Since you came at my request and I'm interested in how you'll do the repairs as well."
Eh~ He's going to be watching from nearby...This is going to be really hard to do.
"Ha, then, I'll get to the repairs right away. Please show me where the cut portion is first.."
Oh~ Isn't this the limited first edition water bed we sold? If I remember correctly, it's the one we sold three years ago. So it was bought by the King. Just from a glance it seems they're taking good care of it and other than the hole from a sword while it's slightly worn down from aging it's still pretty clean. It's proof that the durability was plenty. Furthermore, the hole in the middle of the water bed went straight through the pole between water rooms on both the top and bottom. There's two holes. But, if it's the pole in the center of the bed then it's useless as a bed.
..........
Just as you would expect if it was stabbed with a sword, the cut itself wasn't rough but a pretty clean cut. If it's this cut then if I remove the fluffy portions around the cut and use the same material of rubber and plaster it on then stick the same fluffy rubber board on it should be fine. After a short while the work was completed. After this I just need to dry it, put some air inside, and then stick it inside of the bucket of water to check if there's no leaks. Thinking that just as I was about to use the minimum drying spell.
An old woman entered the room. I'm sure she was quite beautiful when she was younger but since she's already in her mid-40s she's an old woman who's skin has already started to wrinkle. Although, she's still quite beautiful. Since the slaves in the surroundings were taking the retainer's pose just like with the King I followed along and did it as well. I wonder if she's the Queen? Was it Molin-san?
"Is it you? The insolent person who is repairing the bed?"
Huh? Eh? Isn't this person somehow angry? Rather, insolent person...
"Ha, No...Umm.."
I get stuck on my words not sure how to respond.
"What do you mean by insolent person!? Be careful with your words! I asked this person myself to come and do the repairs!"
Oh~ I'm saved. I'm saved but your majesty, King-san, your first person has changed to the formal form.
"Dear, after this is repaired you intend to drag in someone again right? Who is it this time? If it's just a slave then I'll look at it with a big heart, but I won't forgive a commoner or noble that's working as a maid servant in the castle. Do you intend to needlessly increase the number of heirs again!?"
Her highness the Queen has started talking on with an amazingly threatening attitude.
"Wh! I properly paid the doctor's fee to the second daughter of the Kongus family! Even if a boy is born they won't become an heir!"
You...
"It's not that sort of problem!..All of you, leave the room and close the door!"
After the Queen said that and the slaves all ran out of the room as fast as they could. I was about to as well as I stood up but the King grabbed on to my arm.
"Greed, you still haven't finished the repairs yet right? You're not allowed to leave the room! Continue with the work!"
"No, you stop the work and leave the room as well. Dear, I'll have you properly listen to me today already!!"
What do you want me to do? My arm is still being held onto by the King.
"No, don't bother with her! Now, Greed, continue with the work!"
"..I see, if you're going to go that far then I have my own thoughts on this! Someone! Call for Yulu, Becky, and Malin! Right this moment!"
The King and Queen are quarreling with me in the middle. In addition it seems like it's going to increase by several people.
"And..It's fine, Greed or whatever. Continue with the work. Ah, wait just a moment. Status Open..so you were someone of a Viscount family? That's just perfect, it's some kind of fate that you happened to be here. You, after hearing the conversation we're about to have tell us you're opinion. This is an order from the Queen of Rombert Kingdom. Is that alright!"
"yye, Yes ?"
I couldn't help but reply.
"..Molin! Do you intend to listen to the opinion of a stranger on a problem of my royal family!?"
Right.
"It's already beyond the level of a problem that we can hide at this point!! Everyone in the capital already knows about it! In the first place, it's not a secret or anything like that, already! Greed! You get to finishing up your job right now!"
What? Is this King laying his hands all over the place that much? I'm envious. I immediately got to drying and after putting the portion of the bed I repaired into the bucket of water I blew air into the cork. It's not like I'm being stingy with MP or trying to hide my magic. I just felt like if I didn't seem like I was doing my job I might get dragged into it.
I blew air into it while Identifying the Queen. Molail.Rombert. The first wife of Duke Rombert. Level 8. Her magic is pretty high all level 3-4 other than fire magic. Umu, she's the Queen. The Rombert family has a Duke, Marquis,Count, and Viscount branch to it. For each different territory it's split up as the lord and used for those purposes. I don't know how many territories they have in all though. I've heard that when it comes to counts there's over 10 of them.
Along with some hurried footsteps another woman rushed into the room. I identified her and she was Yulusufol.Rombert. The second wife of Duke Rombert. I lowered my head with the rubber cork still in my mouth. After a short while another one, Marinen.Rombert. The first wife of Count Rombert. After that yet another one came in, Rebecca.Rombert. First wife of Marquis Rombert. They're all exceptional beauties.
The King, his four wives, and a young man with a rubber cork in his mouth. There's no other sound in the room than me blowing air. The three who came later can't seem to grasp the situation. They're paying attention to me as if I'm the culprit of some sort of calamity. The King and first wife are also looking at me along with them.
I continue breathing as I blow air into the rubber pipe of the cork. It's should be about good. I put the cut portion into the bucket. There's no leaks in the air. It's OK.
I take it out of the bucket and after sticking a rod into the rubber cork to let the air out, I quickly wipe off and dried the surface. I politely folded up the empty water bed and after cleaning up my tools and,
"The repairs are completed. Now then, I'll take my leave.."
Said that. I wonder if they'll just let me go on feeling?
"I won't allow that. I just said it right. Now, listen from over there."
After all. I once again take the retainer's bow and remained silent.
"Now then, Greed. Do you know how many children his majesty the King has created?"
And Molin asked me. I don't know.
"No. Your highness the Queen. I'm from the countryside and I just left Bakuddo in Marquis Webdos territory the other day therefore, I only know of your eldest son, his highness Duke Ronbald, the crown prince Richard, your second son, his highness William the Marquis Rondol, and your eldest daughter her highness Biagitte who's already married to the eldest son of Duke Baguwel."
Well that sort of stuff is common sense so even I know of it.
"Ho~ So you were from Bakuddo..So that's why..Well it's fine. The correct answer is 8 people."
Molin said it. Well if he has four wives and each one gives birth to two then that sounds about right. It's less than my mother after all.
"Ha..I'm amazed at my own ignorance."
"It's fine. And, what do you think about this number?"
What do I think..It's not unusual right. Since they're royalty it's not like they wouldn't have to worry about their children dying in infancy, so it's not a low number but it's also not a high number right?
"Ha, since they are the heirs that will rule the future of the large Kingdom of Robert, in order to continue with the reign of peace and bring relief to the next generation, I believe it is a good number.."
"That's right. If it was just that then I'm sure it would be quite easy to relax. The number just now was the children of legitimate birth. The illegitimate children just of the ones that we know were born is 65 children."
Wha!? 6...5? I couldn't help but be dumbfounded unable to believe her words.
"..That is..Um..While I'm very sorry to say..that is a bit..umm..."
After seeing that I wasn't blocked on speaking Molin said.
"You don't need to be afraid. Speak honestly, I just ordered you to do so."
That tone of voice was severe.
"I..thin..think it's..a bit too many.."
"It's already fine! I'll be careful not to make any more children than this! Isn't that fine!"
The King interrupted. He..help me. Please let me leave before a hole opens in my stomach.
"Dear! We haven't finished talking yet!! Greed, among those 65, 59 of them we're born in just over the last year. And after that there's 34 people pregnant with illegitimate children. What do you think about this matter?"
Huh...In other words..Hey! What in the world is that!
"I...I see..He must have given it his bes..No, his majesty must be in good health.."
"As if he could have that many children if there was a problem with his health! Respond seriously!"
Sc..scary~
"A, no ma, no matter how you put it I think that's too many.."
I couldn't help but say it.
"Hey, Greed, you..there's things you mustn't say.."
The King put his hand to forehead and is looking up. I..I mean.. No matter how you put it 93 children in around two years, you...There's no way you can explain that..
Hn? In around two years? Somehow it seems like a coincidence...
"That's right! It's beyond the level of common sense!! Yulu! Becky! Marin! I'm sure there's things you all want to say as well right! Say them!"
"Your majesty! My patient has already reached it's limit as well!"
Yulu's drooping eyes raised up.
"Today of all days is!"
Becky's face flushed.
"I'll let you say me everything!"
Marin's determined looking eyes went triangle-shaped.
Oh~ how frightening.
After that it was terrible. All four of the Queens were criticizing their husband the King one after another. I just hung my head down and didn't say anything. They were speaking ill of him for around 20 minutes. How if that's okay for a King, or isn't that the reason why maid servants are hired to work in the castle, or about the elasticity of the water bed and how it started after that came, or about possibility of him getting a disease, or that the doctor's fee has exceeded 1,000,0000,000 Z and it's putting pressure on the treasure, or recently how the people are calling him the sex crazed King or Pink King or bad names like that, or how they said he won't lay a hand on the Queens because they have no charm and they find it mortifying...
However, I guess as expected after saying all of that, I don't know if they were able to completely say everything they wanted to but the verbal abuse gradually stopped. They might have just gotten tired though. Well, I was just quietly watching so I'm able to calmly think. There's no springs in this world. That's why even for a King, while I'm sure they're of the highest quality, he just slept on futons on top of a wooden bed.
While he was in the middle of his life like that he suddenly got his hands on the water bed, which is comfortable to lay on, durable, and made of rubber so it can handle pro-wrestling play. Even if you just normally lay down they usually transform to match your figure a bit. Regardless of whether you're on the top or bottom, or even if you move a bit intensely it won't go to the level of bouncing, there's something close to a rebound. I'm sure it was more comfortable.
In other words, it's my fault.
And at the same I remembered something important.
The average wallet in this world is made pretty big since they only hold coins. They're large like both thighs of military pants and having deep pockets to fit that wallet is normal. And since I was young in my past life, there's something that I always made sure to keep in my wallet. Even when I went out during the time I was enrolled in Self-Defense College I had it in my wallet. After I married as expected I stopped doing it though. However, as expected right now, I don't have just one, but I have a pack of 10 in it. Just in case I ever need to enter live combat. Since the enemy will never think about the circumstances on my side. Since I gave one pack as a sample in Keel and another pack to those idiots at the end, I still have 8 packs remaining. I have 80 cartridges. Though I'm only carrying one magazine of 10 shots with me.
Ah, bro...I'm going to be saved by brother again... I might really never able to hold my head high to Farne again in my whole life.
"Your majesty, and your highness-es, it's presumptuous of this humble retainer, but I have a good idea."
After I said that and everyone looked at me. Yulu raised her voice.
"You, weren't you a rubber artisan? A commoner or Free Person will be charged with disrespect for interrupting a conversation between royalty?"
She said that seeming worried about me. She's a charming beauty with drooping eyes. However, what about it was a pleasant talk? Also, I was being called Greed. Though I guess after all she wouldn't know a Viscount family from the countryside.
"It's fine, that person is a member of a Viscount family. In the first place I ordered him to speak his opinion. Since I've given you permission, speak your idea."
Molin said that to me. I take a breath and after resolving myself I open my mouth. This is the critical moment.
"Ha, first off, about the matter this time, but after listening to everyone's conversation just now, there is something that I thought. It's true that his majesty is energetic. However, as the King of a country... it's not like he's gotten so absorbed into it that he's abandoned his obligations right?"
"Obviously. Even with this I'm the King after all. I'm properly taking care of my job. In the first place, whether it be the flood control, petitions, or resolving the conflicts between lords these past few years, I've actually raised the efficiency in getting things done!"
Even if you say that to me.
"..It's true that almost all of the problems have been resolved."
Molin said that. Is that so?
"Right? I'm sure there's no King who has worked as hard as me in recent years. I'm carrying a lot of stress. You all lower nobles are fine just adequately eating and dancing with other nobles though! Listen well, I'm tired! Isn't fine for me to have a bit of an outlet! Hey! Molin. The floor control construction in the Reida region has ended perfectly right!? Who is that thanks to! Yulu. Investigating the terrain of Sanglal is over as well right!? That place has been on hold since the time of my grandfather!? I finished taking care of that without even taking three years! Becky. I managed to negotiate an extension to our anti-war pact with Guranan Empire in a way advantageous to us right!? That's something that the previous generation, my grandfather had shelved!? I resolved it! Marin. The problem of debt since 300 years ago between your family Count Faruelgaz and Marquis Rodail, that, I coordinated it so both sides would come to an understanding right! I even made a law after all. I used my head quite a bit when making that law so the next era wouldn't make the same mistake! Thanks to that I've even been thanked by the other lords! If I had just been throwing down my obligations in order to indulge in pleasure then I'd be fine with no matter how you criticize me! But, it's something saying it myself, but I've putting quite a bit of effort into it right? Isn't it to the point where I would be called the forefather that restored the kingdom! I inherited the throne when I was 35 years old. I'm 48 right now. I did this much in just 13 years, no I've done even more right! Eh? Who is it thanks to that you all can eat and dance. Speak! Try saying it!"
After the King yelled all that in one breath he was breathing with his shoulders. That's amazing~ If it's all that then I'm sure it wouldn't be strange for him to name himself the forefather of the restoration. However, separate from that, he's still given birth to too many kids.
""Yo..Your majesty the King.""
The younger wives Becky and Marin said that while prostrating themselves but the older two were different.
"That's only obvious for you to be doing! Becky, Marin. Stand up! Dear, it's true you're making achievements in politics. However, this and that are completely different. Understand that!"
Molin is pretty harsh.
"That's right. Your majesty. I understand that you're carrying a lot of stress and I won't stop you from laying a hand on women. It's fine. However, this number of illegitimate children is abnormal. Won't it reach triple digits after just one? And do you think we're just dancing? That's our battlefield. We gain information from other lords while dancing and we're reporting all of that in detail. If possible we also include our own opinions. And so you can focus on the political end of things, I'm acting as an adviser to the military affairs front. Close to these past 10 years, Marin and I are the ones who've always been inspecting the conflicts, and between watching the progress of the knight groups, and updating their equipment, there's a lot of troublesome jobs. Molail-sama has the imperial court under her grasp and ensures that all of the nobles are bowing their heads. Isn't Becky acting as an adviser to you in the office work? It's not just the achievement of your majesty alone."
Yulu may seem like an obedient, pretty old lady with drooping eyes but she says some pretty severe stuff.
"Since Molin is my legal wife it's only obvious she'd hold a grasp on the imperial court right? And Yulu, you made it up to a company leader in the first knight group at 24...You, I was in the first knight group until I was 35 but I finally made it as a platoon leader at 28. Office work is Becky's specialty because she was educated thoroughly at Marquis Rokkmolt's place, and even Marin was known as Fireball {Cannon Ball} one of the top five in the knight group at Faruelgaz's place...You're just doing what's obvious for the right person in the right place right?"
Aaa, that's something you're not supposed to say. By the way, so Queen Yulu was a young company commander in the first knight group? She's the senior of my older sister. So that's why this person is level 12, a head above the rest.
"Oh, right person in the right place. It's a good expression right. It's only obvious that you're doing the job of a King because it's the right person in the right place! It's just as Yulu said! Three digits! No matter what I won't forgive three digits! That Greed over there even said it was too many didn't he! In the first place without even using contraception..just how much are you lacking in common sense! Did you not know that we're lowering our heads to the other parties parents every time! Becky and Marin were even lowering their heads to the parents of commoners because they said they're still young!!"
Molin is criticizing him.. Oh my..After all.
"Haven't we said countless times to use the bowels of a pig!"
Becky retorted as well.
"That's right, and if that's not the case then at least outside.."
Marin continued to say.
"But, it feels better to let it out inside.."
Hey! Old man! I can't listen to anymore of this..Now then.
"Everyone, I feel that everyone is just a little bit too excited.. you should return your tone of voice. Now then, I just stated that I have a good idea, there's no way you could have already forgotten right...That's fine. First, please let me confirm two points. The first thing to confirm is with Queens. You're not opposed to his majesty the king laying his hands on women right?"
I calmly said that as the only one with a composed expression.
"..I think it can't be helped. I'm sure there's a lot of stress and there's a lot of things that his majesty must decide on alone, so I think that letting loose a bit is fine. However, that and creating children is a different problem!"
Molin said while glaring at the King. The other two are nodding as well. The King is awkwardly facing a different direction.
"Then, as long as it doesn't involve any conception then he has your permission right?"
"I guess so. However, it's no good to impregnate the other party. It looks far too bad for our reputation. If it was just around 10 or so we wouldn't think that much. The current situation was gone to another a level and is even about to reach beyond the heavens."
She continues drawing closer to the King while saying that. If I let it go like this it'll be a repeat of just a moment ago.
"Then, the next confirmation. Your majesty, I was born in the countryside but it isn't difficult for me to imagine your majesty's exhausting amount of work. However, even though I'm incompetent I also understand the feelings of the Queens. Also, while I am inexperience in terms of age but as a man the same as your majesty I feel I understand your feelings. There, I would like to introduce this product to you. Since even I'm on the end of the nobility..it's a product I'm normally carrying around in order to prevent the undesired conception of a woman."
While saying that I took the rubber bag out of my wallet and showed it. Obviously they would have no idea what this thing is.
"Just a moment ago I stated that I was born in Bakuddo village on Marquis Webdos territory. I believe you already know but Bakuddo is the area where rubber products are produced. Along with a strong elasticity, it stretches and contracts well. It's just a fragment of the properties of rubber but this product can display all of those properties. This is a product used as a replacement for the bowel's of a pig. Please try taking it in your hand. There's 10 of them inside of the bag but up until now the bag has been sealed so there's no problem with the quality. Also, in order to improve the comfort and sliding it's covered in lotion. The lotion was made from a natural material of marine plant so, you could say it's a manufactured food product, even if it gets stuck to your body, you lick it, or swallow it there's no harm at all."
After hearing my statement Yulu looked at me with great interest and said.
"You, so you're a member of the Greed family of Bakuddo..Is Miluhaia your older sister?"
"Ha, Miluhaia is my older sister. Right now she's serving his majesty in the first knight group."
"I see. Then I'm sure there's no problem with this product. Morail-sama, please take it."
After Yulu took the rubber bag from me and she handed it to Molin. After taking the bag in her hand and timidly inspecting it Molin tried to tear the seal on the bag all at once but it seems she was having trouble tearing it. Since Marin pulled the sword (I wonder if only royalty and their guards are allowed weapons in the imperial court during times of peace) out from her waist and was about to cut it I stopped her and said.
"Your highness Marinen. If you just tear a bit of the edge on the corner of the bag then you can push the contents outside. After you break the seal then it's best to store the remaining bags in ice water without letting water get inside...If you carefully push them out they'll come out one at a time so...Yes, that's the real form of this product, the product name is "Saya". It's a new product from Bakuddo, the producer of rubber. The way to use it is the same as the bowel's of a pig but that "Saya" is normally rolled up so it's not unreasonable that the shape will feel different.."
After this was the same as the time with Haritaid at "Ritton" the brothel in Keel. I just need to watch as she timidly touches the condom and checks the sensation of it.
"..Now then, right now it's just that one bag, but at the inn I'm staying in Baldukk I still have six more bags like that. If I write a letter to my older brother then I'm sure I could get even more by the end of the year. Well, I'm well aware that you can't suddenly trust what I'm saying. However, how about trying the usage of it with the her highness-es tonight even..Since the bed is already repaired."
After that, I brought up several points to be cautious (To be careful not to let any air in when putting it on. Once you use to get rid of it and not re-use them.) about when using them before leaving. If he likes them then I'm sure he'll get into contact with me. There's no way he wouldn't like them though.
Eh? There should be one more bag? I know. I can count numbers.
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