238.2 The Battle Maiden Wants to Study Abroad
“Hm? The detailed schedule for the wedding has yet to come. I think all you need to do is memorize the wedding procession… Ah, but, you also have to embroider…”
“Ugh… Of course, I’ll do my best with the embroidery! But before that, I’m worried about the Radea territory.”
Radea was the territory of the Dragon Empress. In addition to the title of Dragon Empress, Jill also held the position of Grand Duchess of Radea.
“Did something happen with Radea? I think I gave you a report detailing the progress of the reconstruction.”
“I’ve been thinking about what kind of city Radea should be! Here, look.”
Pushing aside the maps and stationery on her desk, she pulled out a document she had made and slid it to the edge of her desk. Hades blinked as he received it.
“… ‘Radea Reconstruction Plan’… I thought you hadn’t been training outside much recently, so this is what you were working on?”
“Yes! It’s still rough and embarrassing, but… I want Your Majesty to take a look.”
“I’m getting nervous, too. Let’s see… pfft, ‘Make it a city of tasty delicacies!’ Good idea, Radea doesn’t really have a particular culture of its own.”
Jill leaned forward in agreement with Hades.
“Yes, exactly! It’s sandwiched between Leirzatz in the South and Noitral in the North, so it’s half-baked! In fact, part of it touches the border, so geographically speaking, it should be able to provide logistical support for Leirzatz and Noitral and serve as a final defense.”
“When it comes to the territory under the direct command of the Dragon Empress, there will inevitably be long periods without a leader. Making long-term plans spanning 30 or 40 years will probably be difficult.”
“Which is why I want Radea to continue developing even without a Dragon Empress!”
“Ah, so that’s what this refers to. ‘Create the strongest military academy’—in other words, creating an education system.”
“Precisely!”
Excited that he understood what she wanted to say, she nodded vigorously several times.
“Hm,” Hades commented, putting his finger under his chin and thinking for a moment.
“It’s a town on the border. During times of peace, it would a town of fine cuisine that trains soldiers. During emergencies, the trained soldiers and the stored food can be used… I think it’s a good idea.”
“Really!?”
“It’s beneficial for Noitral and Leirzatz, too. We can buy and sell food from Leirzatz, which is a thriving trade center, and attract tourists. We can share the know-how of the Dragon Knights with Noitral and send out the soldiers we’ve trained… Let’s get Duke Noitral and Duke Leirzatz to provide funding and manpower under the guise of an advanced investment. I’ll have Sister and Brother act as bridges.”
“Wow,” Jill said, her eyes widening. She hadn’t thought that far, which was a bit frustrating.
As expected, Jill and Hades saw things from different perspectives.
“Above all, I like the fact that it was your idea. Let’s work hard and make a more proper plan. Calculate the numbers, make a forecast of income and expenditure… Still, you’re amazing for thinking of something like this.”
“Yes! I want to become a great Dragon Empress as soon as possible! I want to be able to see the same world as His Majesty and devise plans. That’s the kind of Dragon Empress I aspire to be!”
Hades became serious for a moment, then muttered with a bitter smile.
“I wish you could stay a little more childish.”
“The date for our wedding has already been decided. We need to hurry.”
“I see. That’s true.”
Hades cut a piece of the cake from his plate with his fork and offered it to her.
“Here, aah.”
“Aah!”
Seeing the delighted face of Jill as she leaped at the cake offered to her, Hades rested his chin on his hand.
“You look like a little child when you do this.”
“Say that again, Your Majesty! I won’t be fooled this time!”
“Okay, aah.”
“Ah—…wait, that’s not it. We’re in the middle of a discussion!”
“So, you don’t want any cake?”
“I’ll eat it! Let’s continue after I eat!”
In the end, she ate the cake from Hades’ fork. Hades laughed,
“There’s cream on your mouth.”
“I can take care of it myself!”
“Jill is so cold…”
“Because the talk hasn’t progressed at all! When Your Majesty suddenly acts like this, I, all of a sudden…”
“All of a sudden?”
She glared at Hades while wiping her mouth, but he calmly sipped his tea. Jill cleared her throat and brought up the important subject.
“Your Majesty, are you familiar with the Grand Duchy of Leica? It’s an island nation across the bay from Radea territory.”
“Of course, it’s a country under my reign. Why are you bringing that up all of the sudden?”
Hades tilted his head, and Jill pretended not to notice as she continued speaking.
“I heard that it has educational institutions where you can learn about dragons and magic.”
“Yes, that country was founded after we lent our dragons to those who drifted from the eastern seas to fend off pirates. They pledged allegiance to the Rave Empire, so they needed to learn the language. That’s why they put so much effort into education.”
“I heard all its schools are very high quality. I’ve heard that the military academy is great, too.”
Hades placed the teacup back on the saucer. Jill also looked nervous as he stared straight into her eyes.
“I heard studying abroad is also popular there. So, Your Majesty…”
“I have a really ominous feeling about this. I don’t want to hear it.”
He discouraged her with a flawless smile, but she couldn’t give up now.
“Please listen, I’m going to the military academy of the Grand Duchy of Leica.”
“—I won’t! I don’t want to hear something like this on the day our wedding date was decided!”
“You said my plan was a good one.”
“What plan? I don’t remember any plan.”
“I’ll share the cake with you.”
“No, I’m not listening!”
Hades kicked his chair, stood up, turned his back to her, and ran off. As always, he was quick to run away when the situation wasn’t in his favor. However, Jill was also getting used to chasing after and catching Hades.
She flew to the exit of the room in one go, sprinted down the corridor, and ran after Hades.
“Your Majesty, you should be grateful that I’m sharing my cake with you!”
“You only do that whenever you want me to do something I really dislike!”
“I know Your Majesty will understand! This is a wonderful idea!”
“I’m not happy at all!”
“Hey, what are you making a fuss about, Hades?”
Hades’ brother appeared around the corner and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. The timing was impeccable. Jill’s tutor, Sufia, was next to him, frowning. She’d take anything to stop the fleeing Hades in his tracks.
“Do not let go of him, Your Highness Listeard! Your Majesty, please listen. It’ll only be for three months.”
“Noooooo—!”
“—The date for the wedding has already been decided!”
Hades, who shouted while covering his ears, froze. It seemed that he could faintly hear her words.
“I love Your Majesty!!”
She felt sorry for Listeard and Sufia for being caught up in that sudden love confession. Regardless, she needed them to be her wall.
I have to finish him off here!
Jill shouted, clenching her fist.
“I love you!”
“D-did you just say you love me!?”
Hades no longer covered his ears.
All right.
She took a deep breath.
“So, please! Let me study abroad in the Grand Duchy of Leica! To build a school in Radea!”
Hades, hearing those words clearly, collapsed to his knees with a look of despair on his face.
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***T/N: NO NOOOOT THE LDR
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