#748 Remorse and Report

Yup, it’s me.

I saw something odd while working in the fields on the farm.

It was Bloody Mary, getting a real tongue-lashing.

She was the only one there, sitting formally, entirely in mode.

And it was Veil doing the lecturing.

“Shouldn’t you be a bit more discerning, Mary?”

“I’m sorry...!”

Getting lectured by Veil? That’s new.

Who’d have thought that Veil, usually the mischievous one and more often on the receiving end of scolding, would be the one lecturing?

And I thought Bloody Mary was more sensible?

Intrigued, I called out.

“Um... what happened exactly?”

“She raided the demon race’s stronghold.”

“Raided?!”

The demon race’s stronghold... could it be the Demon Capital?! If that’s true, it would’ve been disastrous, wouldn’t it?

“‘nyway, I rushed to the scene, so everything’s fine now. They even worship me as their savior.”

“I suppose that makes sense...!”

Upon closer look, a sign hung from Bloody Mary’s neck with a rope, reading: I did something bad in the Demon Capital.

“But why did you attack the Demon Capital? Did the demons offend you in some way?”

“No! I was just there to make a request!!!”

A request?

“I tried to force my way through a bit, and then Veil came and beat me up! Isn’t she cruel?! I was trying to keep things peaceful!!”

“But you weren’t being peaceful from the moment you threatened to use force.”

To be rebuked by Veil... that’s not a scene you see every day.

I thought about pretending I hadn’t seen anything and walking away, but I didn’t feel good about leaving them alone, so I decided to intervene.

But first, I need to hear the whole story.

“So... what were you trying to request?”

“Oh, you’re gonna intervene, Master? You really are the problem solver of this world!”

“Don’t push me into strange roles!”

Who’s the one who’s going to swoop in and solve everything?!

Regardless, I need to hear the full story from Bloody Mary. Take two.

“I was trying to get the Demon King to approve of Batemy’s marriage...!!!”

“Why?”

A lot of things don’t make sense.

Batemy, as in the demoness Batemy who makes clothes on our farm?

I hadn’t heard anything about her getting married... Wait, she has someone like that?!

Not only was the news of her marriage a surprise, but why would Bloody Mary be involved... huh?! What’s the connection between Bloody Mary and Batemy?!

Are they close?! This is the first I’ve heard of it!

And why go to the Demon King to ask for permission for the marriage?! 

It’s not like he has to give his approval for every marriage; the people involved should decide, shouldn’t they?

The Demon King probably said, “Just do as you please...!”

“Batemy was worried about quitting her job if she got married.”

“Huh? Really?”

“The other party seems to be of noble descent. If you get involved with someone like that, you probably won’t be able to keep your current job, no? Dunno, I’ve heard being a noble’s wife is serious business too.”

I can’t say I know much about it either, but I do have that impression.

I was utterly oblivious to the fact that Batemy was dealing with such concerns!

Was I seriously so clueless while working on my farm?! I should’ve been the first to notice this!

What a shock!

“I should’ve been the one to proactively help her out! Where’s Batemy right now?!”

“She’s still in the capital. I think she’s under some pressure from above.”

Her superior, as in... Mrs. Astres?!

That person can be merciless, even going as far as to unleash a somersault kick on the person they’re reprimanding!

Despite being a mother of two, her kick remains as strong as ever!

And usually, it seems to be someone like Batemy who ends up as her target!

“Honestly, humans can be so cruel. That girl was just dragged along by me.”

“Mary?!”

You’re the root of all this evil?!

Don’t shift the blame! Even if you didn’t intend for it to happen, it’s pretty evident that bringing a dragon into the capital would cause a big commotion!

That’s definitely grounds for a somersault punishment from the Demon Queen!

Or is it?

“What on earth were you planning, dragging us all into this? We wouldn’t have ended up in such a mess if you hadn’t interfered, so why?!”

If a dragon flies into the capital, it’s bound to stir things up.

What was Mary’s motive for doing that despite knowing this?

“I wanted her to make me a wedding dress!!!”

...

Wow.

“That girl’s skilled at making dresses, right? So I figured she was the only one who could make a dress for my wedding with Ardheg! I am the Gwynn Dragon, after all! I have to look my best, don’t I?”

“You meddled in her love life just for that?”

“Well, if I do her a favor first, it’ll be easier to ask her to do something for me later, won’t it?”

Please, just pay her and ask her to do it.

That’s what most people would do.

“But that respectable Demon King would’ve approved their marriage even without your intimidation, sis Mary. You sure you weren’t just sticking your snout where it shouldn’t be?”

A cool-headed retort from Veil.

Turns out she can keep a rampant dragon in check...!

“If anything, making things more complicated might make Batemy resent you. She might not even agree to your request at all.”

“What?! Then I’ll just have to force her to comply!”

“I’ll have to stop you there.” 

This time, Veil is the voice of reason.

What’s gotten into you, Veil?!

***

After all this, Batemy finally returns from the Demon Capital.

She’s covered in wounds.

“What happened to you?! You’re covered in injuries!”

I don’t even need to ask.

The terrifying Mrs. Astres likely unleashed a barrage of somersault kicks under the guise of punishment.

But Batemy is smiling despite everything.

“Batemy!”

“Ahaha! So sorry for leaving without a word! What a blunder! Ahahahahaha!!!”

“Are you really okay?!”

There’s something unsettling about someone laughing so cheerily while being covered in injuries!

Are you okay, Batemy?

Especially mentally?!

“I’m absolutely fine! Ah, my heart is always bright and clear!!!”

Were you somersaulted?!

How many somersaults did you take that messed up your mentality like this?!

“Don’t worry! Even if you’re covered in wounds, once you have a bowl of my gonkotsu ramen, you’ll recover in no time!!”

“Don’t start acting rashly now, Veil!”

Weren’t you supposed to be the voice of reason this time?!

“Oh, actually, because of that incident, our marriage has been officially decided! I came back late due to the paperwork and all. So sorry!!!”

“Oh, really?”

Uhh... congratulations?

For Batemy, it’s about finally progressing in a relationship that couldn’t be advanced due to work and position considerations.

It’s like the saying, “after a storm comes a calm.”

“That means it’s thanks to me! As a token of gratitude, sew me a gorgeous wedding dress...!”

“Ahahaha, oh Lady Bloody Mary, have you ever heard of the term ‘hindsight-based opinion’?”

Batemy, swung between joy and pain, isn’t daunted, even if her opponent is a dragon.

“Haa, now that I’m relieved, I’m starting to feel hungry. Lady Veil, may I have a bowl of your ramen? Extra rich gonkotsu, please.”

“Seriously?! Woohoo! 80% concentrated gonkotsu, coming right up!!!”

She truly is unflappable!

Batemy and Veil, stop! That’s a lethal dose for non-dragons!

The other day, with Zoth Syra and Teacher Carp, I was reminded of how men can only be overwhelmed by the aggressiveness of women when it comes to marriage.

...Yes, it was just the other day with Zoth Syra and the others.

Celebrations happening one after the other, or rather, happy events, are piling up...

...Oh.

I’ve just come up with a great idea.