Chapter 99

Day 3 of Return:
The morning of the third day since her return.

Marylia was surrounded by knights as she held her coronation ceremony.

… The reason being, the knights had insisted, saying things like,

“It’s best to get this sort of thing done quickly!”

“It’s fine! You can travel around the provinces after becoming the King!”

“Besides, it’s thanks to your power that life in the provinces has improved, so there’s nothing to worry about, Lady Marylia!”

Marylia herself had also analyzed that even if she were to take the throne, there likely wouldn’t be any backlash from the commoners. After all, she had protected them from the Baltorian invasion, and especially in the border regions, the people had treated her with great kindness.

There would no doubt be backlash from the nobility... but at the very least, at this moment in time, the only one who could completely suppress civil unrest and guide the nation was herself. And knowing that deep down, she had already steeled herself to become monarch.

… Still, that didn’t mean she was free from worry.

“Lady Marylia. Is something troubling you?”

“Hmm, well, the very fact I’m about to become monarch is troubling enough... but yes, I’m full of worries.”

So Marylia replied to Cyril, who had approached her out of concern, tilting her head slightly.

“When I think about the resistance I’ll face from the nobles…”

… Yes.

From here on, Marylia would undoubtedly face opposition from the Fractalian nobility.

But, well, at this point, there was no turning back. So Marylia resigned herself to the role and stepped out onto the balcony of the throne room, crown upon her head, and waved to the people.

Bathed in cheers and the morning sun of autumn, Marylia felt like she had come a very long way. But even so, she renewed her resolve toward the people: “Since I’ve come this far, I’ll make this country at least somewhat better.”

… All in all, Marylia was a noble and a golem master. In other words, she was made to lead, to command others.

And as one who stood above, she had a responsibility to fulfill. As she waved to the crowd, she wore a smile composed of 40% anxiety about the weight of her duty… and 60% excitement for what was to come.

With Marylia’s coronation complete, it was finally time to deal with Baltoria.

But Marylia decided to delegate that matter, roughly.

“Well then, you’re the monarch of Baltoria now. I look forward to working with you. Let’s be good neighbors, shall we? If you ever turn into a bad one, I’ll crush you for real next time—so keep that in mind.”

“A-ahhh... y-yes, certainly...”

That very afternoon of her coronation, Marylia had already visited Baltoria. Smiling sweetly at the boy before her—who had once been the prince of Baltoria—she presented him with an unconditional surrender treaty and had him sign it on the spot!

… The greatest threat Baltoria had posed, the necromancer, had already been turned to ash, mixed with clay, molded into golem parts... and was now being sun-dried in Fractalia. One wonders how it must feel, being dried by the autumn sun and breeze.

Well, in any case, Marylia judged that Baltoria was no longer a problem.

Therefore, she left Baltoria in the hands of the one who should rightfully succeed as monarch. With the Island Golem and Iron Golems stationed in Baltoria keeping a very real watch, there was no way Baltoria could cause any more trouble. Marylia smiled kindly at the boy—no, the new monarch of Baltoria—as she looked at him.

“I’m glad your soul remained yours. If the Baltorian royal family had been entirely wiped out, figuring out who should govern would’ve been a real headache.”

“Th-the thing about souls... is that really true...?”

“Yes. You saw the people who turned to dust, didn’t you? I imagine you have some idea, don’t you? How about it?”

“... Yes, I suppose. This country... had already been dead for about a hundred years, hadn’t it.”

Marylia had already explained to the new monarch about the necromancer who had ruled Baltoria for about a century. In other words, that his father—the former monarch of Baltoria—had been killed and replaced by the necromancer's soul.

For the young boy, still clearly in his youth, it was a harsh reality to face. But as he spoke through tears, “It’s true... Father changed so suddenly. So that’s when he died…” it was clear he had the resolve.

… Well, just as Marylia was a noble, this boy had been a prince. Perhaps he had long been ready to stand at the peak of his nation. Even if he was the enemy, it was admirable.

Aside from this new monarch, the only people in Baltoria who hadn’t turned to dust—those unconnected to necromancy—were now scrambling to rebuild. “There was no succession plan!” “This position was dusted away too!” Chaos reigned.

Marylia, completely detached from it all, merely offered a “Good luck~” It was another country’s problem, after all. Her own country was a mess—she couldn’t be expected to clean up the enemy’s too!

… And so, on the fifth day since her return.

Marylia sat in the middle of a castle undergoing a grand cleanup, reading a letter Cyril had just delivered.

“... They came, after all.”

It was a letter from the nobles.

That is to say…

“A girl of low noble birth is unfit to be monarch.”

“As long as there are members of the Fractalian royal bloodline, the throne should go to them.”

“If noble opinions are ignored, the nobles of each domain will secede.”

—Such were their complaints.

Naturally, among the list of co-signers was the name of Marylia’s own family, the House of Odeil. Apparently, they too were not pleased with Marylia becoming monarch. Likely due to pressure from other nobles… and perhaps because they understood:

Even if Marylia, who was of their blood, became monarch, it wouldn’t benefit them in the slightest.

“This is outrageous! We should cut them all off! Execute them! They deserve death!”

“Uuugh, your straightforwardness is charming, really... but let’s hold off on executions, shall we~?”

Well, fortunately or unfortunately, Marylia didn’t need to be angry—Cyril and the other knights were already furious on her behalf.

“There is no one more fitting for the throne than you, Lady Marylia! Has there ever been a monarch so loved and trusted by the people!? No, never!”

“I appreciate the sentiment, truly. But I do think the nobles are in a tough spot. We should try to understand them too.”

“Lady Marylia, you are too kind! They are not! Execute them!”

“Yes, yes, let’s calm down, shall we~?”

… The only reason the knights were able to stay rational despite their fury was because Marylia was there. If she weren’t, they likely would’ve gone on a rampage, with all the vigor they had shown back when they became pirates...

“Well, to the nobles who cozied up to the previous royal family and reaped all the benefits, someone like me suddenly becoming the King must be... quite a problem, I imagine.”

Marylia accepted the nobles’ complaints as “Well, fair enough!” After all, they had their own principles and interests.

“Let’s just ignore them! Look, some nobles didn’t sign! Let’s give them land and—”

“Hmm, but replacing everyone currently governing the domains isn’t exactly realistic. The royal castle itself is short-staffed thanks to the drug problem and the Baltorian invasion. If governance stalls due to noble resentment, the ones who’ll suffer aren’t me—it’s the people. So absolutely not.”

Moved by Marylia’s words, the knights wept:

“Such compassion...!”

“If only the nobles had half her wisdom...!”

… And the knights understood too. After all, at least half of them were from noble families themselves. They knew how vital the nobility was to the country. That’s why they couldn’t just execute or disregard them.

“Well, can’t be helped. Let’s arrange a meeting.”

Marylia clapped her hands and turned to Jade nearby, ordering, “Fetch me some paper and a pen, please.” Jade promptly brought her fine letter paper, a feathered pen, and an ink pot.

“Let’s gather the nobles and have a little chat. Hmm...”

As she thought, a sheet of memo paper was smoothly offered to her. Marylia praised Jade, “You really are excellent,” and immediately began organizing her thoughts on the page. Beside her, Cyril seethed with rivalry toward the golem, but Marylia didn’t notice and focused on her memo.

The nobles’ demands. The current state of Fractalia. The nation Marylia hoped to create…

If she considered it all carefully... there just might be a solution that worked.

“... I thought I’d come back, but I guess not much has changed.”

“Huh?”

“Just talking to myself~”

Chuckling to herself, Marylia continued writing summons to each region’s nobles, calling them to the royal castle.

… And so, on the tenth day since her return.

“A year and a half—something like that. I don’t plan to make you wait that long. So please, just give me a little more time.”

That’s what Marylia said to the assembled nobles right from the start.

“... A year and a half?”

“Yes. The same amount of time I spent in banishment. In that time, I’ll rebuild this country.”

The nobles, summoned to the royal castle, stirred at her words. Whispers like “How bold...” “What arrogance...” reached Marylia’s ears, but she ignored them and went on.

“After that, I plan to return the throne and crown to the Fractalian royal bloodline. How about that~?”

This was the conclusion Marylia had come to in order to silence the nobles and still act for Fractalia’s sake.

“To remain on the throne only for a set period, then retire.”

That way, she could do what she wanted in the meantime. And if she were to be monarch for only a very short time, the nobles might accept it.

“A-ah... if that’s the case. Well, if it’s just a figurehead for a short time, I suppose even those of the royal bloodline would accept it.”

The nobles looked a bit deflated... but—

“And after that, I’ll take up a role overseeing this nation.”

“Eh?”

Marylia would retire. Retire, but... still do what she wanted.

“If this country starts to rot, I’ll destroy it at once. I’ll establish an organization for that purpose.”

“... Eh?”

The nobles turned pale.

Because they knew Marylia was the “Hero who saved the nation.”

… They knew she had destroyed Baltoria. And they knew just how much of a mess Baltoria was in now.

In other words—

If Marylia were ever to truly resolve herself… this country could be destroyed by her alone.

What do you think about this chapter?