Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Youre awfully noisy. What exactly is it?

The soldier raised his voice.

A... a wedding gift has arrived from Lady Roroa of the Kingdom of Friedonia!

Wha?! Julius and Tia gulped in unison at what they were seeing.

They were led not to the entrance of the castle, but to the south gate of the walls of Lasta.

When they passed through to the other side, there was a long luggage train that continued up into the hills. There were a variety of carts in the luggage train, some drawn by horses, others by large mounts like rhinosauruses.

There were many adventurers guarding it, too, making it more like a merchant caravan or fleet.

As Julius stared at it in dumb disbelief, the thin, gray-haired gentleman who had been riding in the lead carriage walked over.

I presume you must be Lord Julius Lastania and his wife, Tia. The man stood in front of her, offering a reverent bow.

Yes, but... hm? Julius said. Ive seen you somewhere before.

Yes. My name is Sebastian Silverdeer. Previously, I managed an apparel store in the princely capital of Van known as The Silver Deer. I have maintained close ties with Princess Roroa since those days.

Julius was puzzled. An apparel store? Ive never been to such a place...

If he was an acquaintance of Roroas, had they passed by one another in the castle, perhaps?

Julius stared hard at Sebastians face. The man seemed like he was mild-mannered, but not one to be underestimated. Julius had a feeling hed met him somewhere before, a long time ago.

Not at an apparel store, but somewhere more savage...

The Silver Deer... wait, Silverdeer?! No, you couldnt be the Silver Deer, could you?!

Hmm, theres a name that takes me back. Sebastian had a peaceful look on his face as he basked in the nostalgia. They used to call me that.

Another two weeks later, in the governmental affairs office in Parnam Castle, as Roroa and Sebastian watched, Souma went through the wedding present Julius had sent.

The reason he was looking through it was because what Julius had sent was a sheaf of papers.

When he finished reading, Souma let out a sigh, and laid the papers down on top of his desk.

I have to hand it to Julius. Not only did he know what I want, he had this prepared in advance, too. Hes frighteningly perceptive.

Darlin. What was my brothers weddin gift? Roroa asked.

Souma crossed his arms. This is a report on the situation in Malmkhitan compiled by people working under Julius.

Thats the place where that Fuuga fella youre so worried abouts from, yeah?

Souma nodded, stood up, and walked over to the map of the continent hanging on the wall. Then he looked at Malmkhitan in the Union of Eastern Nations.

It seems that Fuuga and Madam Mutsumis wedding was just held in Malmkhitan. Simultaneously, they succeeded in eliminating the remaining anti-Fuuga elements within Malmkhitan. In short, Fuuga has shored up the home front inside Malmkhitan.

Souma put his hand on top of Malmkhitan on the map. The territory was still small enough that his hand spilled out of it, but just like his fingers were now spilling out, so too would Fuugas ambition spill out from inside the country.

Now his eyes will turn to the outside in earnest, Souma said.

Fuuga had talked about this. First he would secure the country, then once that was finished, he would request aid from other countries in the Union of Eastern Nations to invade the Demon Lords Domain.

That plan was finally going to be put into motion.

Going forward, Souma was going to be less and less able to ignore Fuugas actions.

He returned to the desk and put a hand down on the papers. This is an independent report based on Juliuss independent investigation into Malmkhitan. Ive sent the Black Cats to engage in intelligence operations of our own, but because the Union of Eastern Nations is a group of countries, making contact is difficult, putting some heavy limits on their activities. However, because Lastania belongs to the Union of Eastern Nations, it seems a fair bit of information is making its way to Julius.

So, my brother was tellin ya about that? Roroa asked.

Yeah. For instance, its hard for the Black Cats to investigate what negotiations Fuuga might make with other states inside the Union of Eastern Nations. Julius says this isnt a one-off thing; hell be sending regular updates. As our wedding gift.

Souma wanted information on Fuuga, no matter what. Even if it had cost him more than the goods he had asked Roroa to send.

That hed understood that, and sent this back as a wedding present, showed that Julius was not a man to be underestimated.

This wedding present is worth a fortune, Souma said.