#887 A Fated Reunion

It’s still me, Human President Ritheseus.

Having such a grandiose title can be a bit of a bother, especially with the over-the-top reactions it provokes. I guess Lord Saint prefers to stay out of worldly affairs because he finds all this pomp too much.

And here I am, smack in the middle of an over-the-top welcome.

The person I’m being set up with as a potential marriage partner is...

“...Eryngear?!”

Talk about a blast from the past.

Back when I was learning the ropes at the farm, there were these young demons who went there under similar circumstances.

Officially, they were potential high-ranking officers in the Demon King’s Army sent to the farm, which was brimming with extraordinary individuals, to learn as much as possible.

This led to an unusual situation where young humans and demons studied together.

Looking back, it was kind of like the first step towards human-demon harmony.

And Eryngear, one of those demon exchange students at the farm, is right in front of me.

A female demon.

Back then, she was a prideful elite candidate from the victorious side, but life on the farm seemed to have spurred some growth in her. By the time we graduated, she seemed to have developed into a much more approachable person.

To think I’d reunite with Eryngear under such circumstances...!

Today, she looks like a blooming maiden in her dress, a stark contrast to our days at the farm.

Though she’s technically still a maiden.

Well, this is a ball, so dressing up is part of the deal.

“Ehehe, I made it here♥”

What’s with that heart-emoji-sounding tone in her voice?!

It brings back so many memories of our farm days.

Our conversation seems to have struck a chord with the demon playing matchmaker, who excitedly chimes in.

“Are you pleased? Eryngear is my nephew’s wife’s great-grandfather’s friend’s cousin’s niece!!!”

So, she’s pretty much a stranger.

“Despite being a woman, she entered the elite ranks of the Demon King’s Army. She’s skilled, having recently defeated Lesser Dragons and conquered dungeons in a row!”

“Of course.”

If you’re trained on the farm, such feats are pretty standard.

It’s so expected that it’s not even surprising.

“If she keeps climbing the ranks, becoming one of the Heavenly Four isn’t a dream. But alas, she’s a woman! It would be far more blissful for her to support a husband at home than to reach the pinnacle of her career. And if that man happens to be the highly esteemed Human King, all the better!!!”

“Hmm, that comment is kind of annoying.”

“Right?! So, let this be an opportunity for a good relationship... huh?”

The high-spirited demon’s speech abruptly halts as if he got slapped in the face.

“There’s no room for gender in valuing effort. It’s presumptuous to dismiss Eryngear’s achievements just because she’s a woman, don’t you think?”

“Huh? Er, well...!”

“If her credentials are fitting for the Heavenly Four, then promote her. That’s only logical.”

Sure, there are other factors to consider, like ideology and behavior, but gender certainly shouldn’t be one of them.

Judging someone on something they have no control over is just wrong.

Just like that, I receive intense gazes as I speak...

“How dreamy...♥”

Of course, that’s coming from Eryngear. 

Her eyes seem to say, “I’ve fallen for you even more.” 

Could you please not?!

“...So, if she wishes, maybe marriage can wait, and she can aim for a position among the Heavenly Four, right?”

“No, that’s not it at all!”

Eryngear suddenly speaks up with overwhelming force.

“I, Eryngear, have no interest in the seat of the Heavenly Four! I wish to support Ritheseus as his wife, from the shadows and in the sunlight, aiding him in his great endeavors!!!”

Her disinterest in the highest ranks of the Demon King’s Army is also something to ponder.

“If Ritheseus takes on significant responsibilities, I want to be there to support him, to help him achieve his great deeds!!!!!”

“Eryngear, your enthusiasm is a bit... over the top, don’t you think...?”

“I want to help him!!!!!!!!!!”

Eryngear’s excitement is through the roof, like she’s facing the catch of her life, unable to contain her excitement.

...Come to think of it, she was like this when we first met.

Almost like a flashback introduction.

When Eryngear and I first met at the farm, her approach towards me was somewhat extraordinary.

First, she was fiercely hostile.

Given the recent end of the Human-Demon War, her disdain for humans was palpable, and not just towards me but to other human students as well.

However, as we attended classes together and competed, I ended up overwhelmingly winning every time.

I had hoped that might calm her down a bit, but the result was the exact opposite.

Eryngear attacked me.

At that time, Lord Saint mentioned, “Being attacked by a tsundere is the fate of a light novel protagonist.” What did that even mean? 

I still don’t understand those words to this day.

“After graduating from the farm, I’d completely lost touch with Ritheseus. I worried we might never meet again, but here’s my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I’ll definitely make sure we end up married!!!”

She seems to have made up her mind.

What should I do…? 

Ranking high on my list of restored peace post-farm life is this very lady, Eryngear...

Yet here I am, my tranquility once again disturbed!

“Long time no see, Ritheseus!”

Ah!

Did Eryngear just make a direct move on me?!

“I’ve heard about your exploits! Rising to rule the Human Kingdom, no less – truly a man worthy of my recognition!!!”

I’m not a ruler, just a societal representative.

“Even in such a mighty position, you haven’t chosen a spouse. Is there a reason, perhaps… waiting for someone special?”

She might as well have said that someone special was her.

“Reaching the pinnacle of a kingdom surely demands certain qualities in a spouse! ...Don’t you think I meet those demands?! After graduating from the farm and returning to the army, I’ve leveraged that experience to achieve various feats! And it’s not just about obvious military accomplishments, as that bald guy over there was mentioning!”

Don’t call him bald.

There are things that are true but still shouldn’t be said.

“Most of the army’s reorganization, especially with the disarmament, was led by those who returned from the farm! I’ve also been working on changing the mindset of those who still look down on humans. I’ve done all this hoping to be of help to you, Ritheseus, even from afar.”

“Uh, thanks, hahaha...!”

“Don’t you think someone like me would be invaluable at your side, Ritheseus?!”

Essentially, she was advertising herself with a “marry me and get all these benefits” angle...

Eryngear is certainly not an idle graduate from the farm and would be a genuinely competent candidate. 

She could easily join the Demon King’s Army’s elite if she stayed.

A leader’s spouse is expected to be more than capable.

That’s a fact.

Thus, as the Human President, having a capable wife would be ideal...

But...!

“I must decline.”

“What?! Why?!”

Eryngear is stunned by my firm refusal, frozen in shock.

“I don’t want to choose a wife based solely on ability. Marriage should be more than that.”

“What...?!”

“Marriage is about sharing life, in sickness and in health, together.”

That’s why a man of high ability often requires an equally capable wife.

For someone like me, entrusted with many lives, it’s an important consideration.

“But there’s something even more important! It’s whether you love the woman you’re with!”

“Ngoh?!”

Yes.

If we’re to live our lives together, isn’t the most crucial thing whether we love each other?

Whom I love!

Who I choose as my marriage partner is of utmost importance.

“So, Eryngear!”

“Y-Yes?!”

“I love you, and I want to propose right here! I wish to ask for your permission to marry you.”

“Fweeeeeeeeeeeeh…!”

Eryngear blushes and is completely stiff.

“It’s always something with you...!”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“That selective hearing of yours, too...!”

Eryngear responds with a trembling voice.

“O-Of course, I’ll marry you! But don’t get it wrong! It’s not because of politics or abilities, but because I like you! Just as you said!!”

Naturally, Eryngear’s response to the proposal is filled with her classic tsundere attitude.