#890 Problems Piling Up

With my courtesy visit neatly wrapped up, I, Ritheseus, am heading back to the Human Kingdom.

Ultimately, the matter of whom I should marry fell in favor of Eryngear.

The decisive factor, as expected, is Lady Shaymiri’s position.

She’s the daughter of the lord of the Demon Isle, an independent territory until just a few years ago.

Now affiliated with the Demon Kingdom, her status as the lord’s daughter meant she was naturally expected to inherit her position in her father’s feudal realm.

Would she be my wife or the heiress to the Demon Isle?

Faced with these two incompatible choices, Lady Shaymiri tearfully chose her duty as the heiress to the Demon Isle.

It was her birthright, after all. It can’t be helped.

Thus, my marriage situation settled with Eryngear as my sole spouse... until the Demon King, at our parting, decided to stir the pot with some unsolicited advice...

—“If someone of your valor were to take multiple wives, I’d always be available for consultation.”

I certainly won’t be consulting him. 

Dabbling in polygamy would just make everything utterly unmanageable.

Even Lord Saint advised, “Automatically generating a harem is a basic feature of a light novel protagonist,” but I’m not buying into that!!!

Anyway, I’m off to report the outcomes of my courtesy visit to the cabinet ministers of the Human Republic!

There, thanks to establishing a friendly relationship with the Demon King and making a significant impression on the people of the Demon Capital—especially after knocking Rogodias off his feet—the bond between our two nations has undoubtedly strengthened with my marriage to Eryngear.

I expected everyone to be thrilled and full of praise for how well things had turned out, but...

***

“...What recklessness.”

Those were the first words I was greeted with upon reporting to the council back in the Human Kingdom.

“Your Majesty, Mr. President, that decision was far too reckless!”

“Indeed! Why would you give the demons an opening like that?”

I was shocked, not because of a single dissenting voice, but because almost all the ministers attending the meeting expressed their opposition.

“To marry a demon into the royal family of the Human Kingdom is to give them a pretext to interfere in our internal affairs!”

“And what if this demon bride were to bear children? Are we to worship a ruler with mixed demon blood?!”

“Selecting a queen is a matter of national importance. It’s utterly regrettable that not a word of consultation was had with us, the senior ministers.”

“After I had so casually recommended my own daughter...!!!”

Complaints exploded one after another, and the conversation became unmanageable. 

Many of their arguments were completely off-base.

They still seem to think the president is the same as a king.

Thus, they naturally assumed that my son would become the next president.

No matter how many times I’ve explained that the president is elected, they refuse to understand.

The ministers overseeing the matter are all middle-aged men with an average age of fifty.

Perhaps they have already passed the period in which they could embrace new concepts.

“This marriage is a disastrous move. Can’t we somehow annul it?”

“But haven’t we already made a pact with the Demon King? If we go back on our word now, we risk provoking their wrath and a potential invasion...!”

“That Demon King, always pretending to release us only to dominate us. Sending a demon bride here must be part of his scheme to infiltrate our royal lineage with demon blood.”

“If this were to happen, we should have accompanied you to ensure nothing went amiss with such a young president...!”

“No one dared to raise their hand! Who would want to venture into the heart of enemy territory?”

“There’s no point crying over spilled milk.”

“Right, we need to think about what comes next. At any rate, we must encourage the president to take a second wife promptly!”

“Of course, a pure-blooded human one!”

“It wouldn’t hurt to take a third or fourth wife, either, but make sure the heir comes from one of them. The first wife must not bear any offspring.”

“The best course of action would be not to lay a finger on the demon wife! Perhaps setting her up in a remote palace and keeping her there would suffice!”

“Maintaining appearances of courteous treatment should keep the Demon King from complaining!!!”

“Meanwhile, we must ensure a pure and untainted successor!!!”

“Then, for the second wife, my daughter would be perfect! A wise woman who knows her place beside a man and serves her country!”

“Nonsense! My daughter’s beauty is unparalleled across all three nations! Far more fitting for the president than any demoness!!!”

In the end, the clamor is all about marrying off their daughters to me.

They probably think doing so will grant them power.

Perhaps they don’t understand the concept of a presidential system, not because they can’t, but because they refuse to.

They dream of marrying their daughters into royalty, securing a position of power for themselves as the king’s in-laws. 

They know no other way to rise in the world, so they absolutely resist any change to the system. 

A fish that can only live in water will refuse to leave it, much like them. 

But the world will never change if we always cater to such people.

“What if we quietly dispose of the demon wife? A little poison, spread out over several days...”

Wham!!!

With a loud crash, the council table split into two halves.

A clean break, thanks to my fist slamming down on it—a table slam if you will.

The cabinet ministers, stunned by the sudden turn of events, lost their ability to speak or even breathe.

“...I will excuse myself. Continue without me.”

“B-But... without His Majesty’s approval, we can’t decide on anything...”

“Report the summary of the discussion to me later.”

“That would hinder the smooth progress of our meeting. To proceed first and report later is...!”

“That’s out of the question.”

A minister, caught by my glare, let out an “Eek” of fear.

Without another word, I left the council room. 

And the castle.

Where I headed next was...

***

“Waaaaaaaaaaaah! Help me, Walkina!!!”

“What the—suddenly showing up and clinging to me like this?! Stop it, you’ll give people the wrong idea!!”

I had gone to see my old friend Walkina. 

Growing up as neighbors and serving under our feudal lords, we had a certain camaraderie.

Then, we were both selected as exchange students on the farm, and our relationship grew even closer.

Sharing meals (unbelievably delicious ones), waking up and sleeping at the same time, we became best friends through shared hardships at the farm.

After graduating and returning to our homes, we’d drifted apart, but...

“Help me! Please, help! The ministers are driving me insaneeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

“...This is the first time we’ve seen each other face to face since your inauguration, huh? You’ve really worn yourself out since then...”

Yeah!

Everyone from the farm came to celebrate at that time! 

Whoever could make it!

They all said, “If there’s anything we can help with, just let us know!”

Some explaining going on...

“...So, you’re saying the old guys helping with politics are so antiquated they’re actually harmful?”

“I didn’t put it quite that harshly...!”

“Stripped of niceties, that’s the gist, right?”

Walkina always had a way of being blunt.

But if we don’t do something soon, reality won’t be so accommodating.

I’m on the lookout for anyone willing to join me in pushing forward with reforms!

By now, you’ve probably guessed the reason for my visit, haven’t you, Walkina!

“Are you asking me to join the presidential office? No thanks.”

Why?!

Why dismiss the idea so quickly?!

“Because I’m already married to Sire’s daughter. The flag for the next lordship has been hoisted. It’s a critical time for me to support my father-in-law and prepare for my future role.”

Don’t say thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!

If you don’t help me now, the entire country’s future looks bleak!

Wouldn’t that be bad for a future feudal lord?!

“You’re using the fate of the nation as a bargaining chip...?! You’ve become quite the tactician since becoming president. ...Well, fine.”

Huh? Really?!

“My father-in-law still has plenty of years left in him, and it’s not like the lordship is going to be vacant tomorrow. Gaining some experience and building connections in the capital might indeed be worthwhile.”

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss!!!

This is the foothold we needed for reform. 

Walkina, who studied at the farm with me and shares progressive ideas, will surely become an invaluable ally!

Considering Eryngear is also coming as my bride, thinking of it as gaining another ally makes sense!

But quality and quantity of personnel are both crucial. 

Just reaching out to old friends for help won’t be enough to counter those with outdated mindsets.

I need to think of another strategy...!