kscans

Chapter 283 - ?? "What a Stupid, Scummy, Hopeless, Perverted Master."

"Ah, that was a lovely bath. Hot springs are wonderful things."

Lydia-chan, wearing a yukata with a happy glow on her face, returned to the living room.

"That's good to hear. Why the yukata?"

I asked Lydia-chan, who was sitting on the sofa and accepting a glass of milk from Mia.

"I received some bath salts from Yoshino-sama. She said if I put this magic powder in, even the water at home turns into a hot spring."

Hmm, I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I should take her to a real hot spring sometime. But Arc would definitely refuse.

"Did you buy the yukata?"

"Mia bought it for me. Oh, she got some for you and Kaede-sama as well."

I wonder which size Mia bought for me.

"Thank you."

Kaede-chan said with a smile.

"Thanks. Well, I suppose it's fine since I get to see Kaede-chan in a yukata."

"You saw me in one plenty of times during our trip around Japan, didn't you."

During our honeymoon when we traveled the country, we stayed in hotels, but about half the time we were in hot spring inns.

"I saw it, but it's always a nice sight. You're cute in it."

I hugged Kaede-chan.

"Yes, yes..."

Kaede-chan started fiddling with her phone, her face expressionless.

"Hasn't she been a little cold lately?"

I asked Lydia-chan and Mia.

"Could it be due to the excessive physical contact? You are like that almost every day."

"Could it be because you are Eleanor-sama?"

Hmm, maybe I should try to seem more 'rare.'

"What about you two? Isn't Arc shy? Wait. Speaking of which, where is Arc?"

"Unlike you two, we haven't finished with ours. Arc is in the bath."

We haven't finished either. Kaede-chan is just hooked on social games right now because of Satsuki-san's influence.

"He's in the bath... perfect timing. Let's talk about the future."

I was in my Eleanor-san form specifically to have this conversation. Because I am the Supreme Advisor, after all.

"Yes. What did His Majesty say?"

I was actually summoned by His Majesty today. The Frontier King, of course.

"His Majesty has decided that it wouldn't be a problem for Arc to become king. He said the succession can happen anytime. He told us to discuss the timing and all that over here."

"At last..."

At last, your reign begins.

"Um, about that discussion, Arc-sama is not present..."

Mia pointed out the obvious.

"He's busy with various things, so this is our kindness, deciding what we can on our own."

"R, Right...?"

"Supreme Advisor Assistant, this is the important part. Arc isn't stupid by any means, but he's not the type who can do things on his own."

He is, fundamentally, mentally weak. That's precisely why we, whose minds are made of diamond, are needed. You may call me the Diamond Witch.

"I understand that."

"And that is why we will support him properly. Now that you understand, please bring me a beer."

"I'll have a Cassis."

"Oh, Mia, ice cream for me."

Kaede-chan and Lydia-chan jumped on the bandwagon.

"...As you wish."

Mia headed to the kitchen, a troubled look on her face.

"Once the succession happens, what's the plan for relations with this world?"

I continued the conversation.

"I believe we should deepen our exchange. At the very least, Arc agrees that we should permit the import and export of goods to some extent."

That part is true. It would be better than constantly relying on aid and selling off land. I've been to their world quite a few times, and there are many things, starting with food, that would sell well in this world.

"Here you are."

Mia returned with a beer, a chuhai, and ice cream, so I drank my beer. As I thought, drinking beer seems to sharpen the mind.

"We will definitely need a point of contact for that kind of exchange."

"There is the problem of who to appoint as a diplomat. It would be best to avoid having Arc or myself negotiate directly."

Exactly.

"I suppose it is time for this Golden Witch, a master of negotiation, to take the stage."

"I think that's an excellent idea!"

"How is senpai strong in negotiations..."

You just keep playing your game, Kaede-chan.

"She is well-known. She doesn't listen to a word anyone says. You never know what she's thinking. I believe she is a true Negotiation Professional."

That's right, that's right. Although I get the feeling that wasn't entirely a compliment.

"An Invincible Person... ah, since Arc-chan isn't here, there's no one to call them out. Two people who don't listen to anyone and whose thoughts are a mystery are pushing things forward, so everything is heading in a completely bizarre direction."

Kaede-chan, you're making it hard for Mia to keep a straight face.

"Not a problem. This Supreme Advisor will ensure we get a high price."

"I'm counting on you. With that decided, let's nail down the specific schedule and our negotiation approach."

Lydia-chan took out a tablet and began writing various things. This girl has really gotten used to our world.

"Man, that was a great bath. It's amazing that a bathtub can turn into a hot spring. It makes me want to go to Noboribetsu."

A cheerful Arc returned from the bath. He was also in a yukata and looked extremely cute. The problem was not knowing which version of him this was. I assume it's the one with the 'extra part'...

"Arc, there's ice cream in the fridge."

Lydia-chan said this as she hid the tablet behind the sofa.

"Okay... huh? What did you just hide?"

"I didn't hide anything. Now, go get your ice cream."

"Ehh... I bet you're up to no good."

"Are you doubting your wife!? How cruel..."

You're the cruel one, kid.

"Arc, the hot spring was nice, right? We were just discussing maybe going to a real one sometime."

What a brilliant save. I truly am a genius.

"I think that's a good idea, but then why did you hide it?"

Right...

"Because it's for a Double Affair Trip?"

"Your brain is always scrambled, isn't it. I'll give you back the Water of Life, so why don't you try dying once. It might fix you."

No, it won't.

"I know it's hard to believe. But I'm sorry. I'm in love with Lydia-chan..."

Man, he's such a kid... A kid who hasn't changed at all since the first time we met... He just looks like a middle schooler in a yukata.

"You too, Arc, but Lydia-chan, you haven't grown at all, have you."

I'm not attracted to them in the slightest. I wish they would take a page out of Yoshino-san's book.

"How rude! I've grown three centimeters taller and wider!"

Since she said that, I took a good look at Lydia-chan, but I couldn't see any difference at all. Then I took a good look at Arc, and it was the same story.

"That's within the margin of error. You're just a Middle School Couple."

"You're fired. I'll grant you a promotion to a Territorial Noble in some faraway land. Go hunt monsters or something there."

You don't have the authority to do that.

"Shall I establish a kingdom there and then destroy yours?"

"Don't worry. Even if you established a kingdom, it would be destroyed in less than a year. After all, the only person who would follow you is Nanaka, right?"

Hmm... she's probably the only one who would follow me. Yoshino-san is a definite no, and I have a feeling even Kaede-chan might not come along. In the end, she's a stupid, scummy, hopeless pervert, but it seems my only true underling... no, my only true companion... is Nanapon.