Jill’s eyes widened.  Then, she discreetly moved her mouth.

“……What did Rave-sama say?”
“He says everything is fine.  Any actions we take would be for correcting order.  However…”

If something went wrong, Rave would lose his divinity.  Hades was without a doubt worried. Jill tightened her arms around him in their embrace.

“Understood.  It’ll be fine.  I am here too.  Let’s stop the dragons together.”
“……Even if you say, ‘stop them,’ there are too many.”

“Please leave those little ones to me.  No matter the number, I’ll punch them into submission!  After all, I married in from a family specialized in exterminating dragons!”

Hades smiled a bit at that.

“You, this is about… Lutiya.  You didn’t consider his circumstances and are upset?”
“Just a bit, but I’m all right.  I am still recharging, and I’ll do something about it once I’m done.  Is there anything else, Your Majesty?”
“Yeah… some random old guy selfishly shielded me and now I’m grossed out.”

As Jill blinked in confusion, Roger cried out from behind her.

“Are you talking about me!?  That’s just horrible!”
“…… That… don’t you just feel uncomfortable at being protected?  Did you properly thank him?”
“…I’ll do it later.”
“Please do so.  Honestly, Your Majesty, you really are just hopeless. …It’s cute though.”
“I’m not cute.  I’m still mad.  You abandoned me because of work, and introduced me as your brother.”
“……Yes, we’ll discuss work life balance in the future.”
“Understood.  We’ll talk about it later. …Where is my ‘have a good day’ kiss?”
“We can’t.  Not in front of my students.”

Jill tapped her index finger against Hades’ delicate lips and gently told him off.  He stared at her in surprise, but then a smile loosened his lips.

“I believe it’s too late for that, though.  Well, I suppose it’s fine.  Something to look forward to later, then.”

Hades stood up, just like always, with those words.  Jill, feeling relieved, released him.

“If I discover anything, I’ll let you know right away.  Do your best, Jill-sensei.”

His words were still tinged with sarcasm, but his eyes and tone were gentle.  He had accepted Jill’s decision.  That alone was enough to give her endless strength.

“Leave it to me, Your Majesty.”

Hades gave her a faint, wry, smile and then teleported away, as if turning on his heels.  The way his golden eyes gleamed with magical power when he lowered them, and even his profile, both were, like always, beautiful enough to steal one’s gaze.

Jill tightens her expression to keep a smile from spreading across her face before turning to face everyone else.

“Alright, now then, let’s begin the operation— What is it?”

Roger, pushed forward by all the students who were pulling away, spoke up.

“It’s… nothing… but you really are husband and wife… that was a surprise…”
“Didn’t I tell you?  I’m the Dragon Empress.  That said, I’m also Jill-sensei.”

What Lutiya was thinking and why he had decided to help Maynard, Jill still didn’t know.  Yet, without any foul play, he had accepted an overwhelmingly disadvantageous match and seized victory.  To think that a child like him had been dragged into such a worthless scheme.

“—We’ll get Lutiya back.  That child is my student.”

The next morning, newspapers reporting breaking news were scattered throughout the city. 

Lutiya Theos Rave, the ringleader who destroyed the military academy, was captured.
A public interrogation will be held at the harbor.
Depending on the outcome, it may become the signal fire for a counterattack against the Rave Empire.
Those who wish to resist and those who do not, gather at the harbor.
Come for the sake of witnessing the truth with your own eyes.

---

Read more than 10 posts ahead and support Faux on Patreon for only $2~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>