第２６４堀：友の恋は応援しましょう (Part3)
To avoid that, we must ensure Amanda remains in a position where she continues to act alongside us. Therefore, we must prevent any attempts by other nations to poach her or any forced engagements arranged by nobles at all costs.
To that end, it is necessary for her to be united with Eoid and treated as a military asset of the Academy. Since both Eoid and Amanda are of illegitimate birth, there is a possibility that nobles might interfere even after they marry, but if Popuri takes them under the Academy's wing under the guise of "protection," that issue can be resolved.
Neither Eoid nor Amanda would be happy to be torn apart after marriage, and they don't have many cards to play against the nobility. Thus, having the backing of the Academy thanks to Popuri’s position as Principal would be a great relief for Amanda.
"Well, that’s assuming she wants to be with Eoid, of course."
If she has a desire to marry a nobleman, I will prioritize that. No matter how much it might make things easier for us, I have no intention of bending her will. In that case, we could use other methods or have Popuri use her authority to force the issue and have her accompany us regardless. That said, it is obvious that she is interested in Eoid. No, "interested" is an understatement—it’s more like, "he’s mine." Listening to Cleena, it’s clear she has a possessive streak toward Eoid.
...Come to think of it, I am also technically of illegitimate birth, but I don't really have that kind of possessiveness toward Yuki-san? No, wait—I can't stand other women hitting on him, and I do as I please with him in bed, so I suppose I do have a possessive streak after all? Well, Yuki-san is a broad-minded husband who lets us do as we please with our time. If I have free time, I spend it devouring books from Japan, and Ratz spends hers making toys, and so on.
Oh, wait, I’m getting sidetracked. I need to secure Amanda...
"Come to think of it, where is Amanda?"
"Hmm? Ah, I don't know what she's on about, but she's curled up over there in the corner."
Following Deryu’s gaze, I looked in that direction and, just as she said, Amanda was sitting on a garden stone in the courtyard, holding her head and curled into a ball. Wai-chan was behaving quietly in the middle of the courtyard, and with Aslin and the others, as well as Kuro-chan and his pack nearby, nothing untoward should happen.
I needed to talk to her to understand what was going on, so I approached her...
"...What do I do? What is this popularity? I only accepted the escort duty because the Principal asked me to. W-what’s going to happen to me?"
She was muttering to herself, clutching her head. I see. She seems confused by a situation she has never encountered before. It would be a nice atmosphere if Eoid were here with her in this state, but he is currently delivering a personal letter to the Duke, so perhaps I should provide some guidance.
"Amanda, is something the matter?"
"Ah, oh. Eris-san. What is going to happen to me from now on?"
Even when she looks at me like a lost puppy, I have to be firm. I’ll start by telling her the facts.
"Well, Amanda is now being called a legendary Dragon Knight. From now on, you will be treated accordingly, and there will be those who come after you—using everything from legitimate approaches to the most despicable tactics—to try and bring you into their fold."
"Eh? W-what do you mean? Does that mean I’ll be serving under a noble?"
Hmm. So she really is of illegitimate birth. She can’t even imagine the despicable tactics, let alone the legitimate ones.
"If someone gains Amanda—a card that is, in both name and reality, on par with a Holy Sword User—the name of that house will spread throughout the continent. And the fastest way to obtain you is through marriage."
"M-marriage!?"
"Yes. A 'legitimate approach' would be a straightforward marriage proposal."
"But that’s not because they like me..."
"Exactly. They want your position as a Dragon Knight. That is how nobles are. Even Samantha was prepared to marry someone whose face she didn't know before she met Yuki-san."
"...I don't want that."
"I imagine not. But there will also be those who try to force you into marriage using despicable tactics."
"D-despicable? What kind of tactics?"
"Well, if I were to use despicable tactics, I would start by seizing your parents and relatives. I could threaten them or shower them with favors—either way, you would have to marry the person I’ve prepared, or your loved ones would suffer."
"..."
"For example, a 'tragic accident'."
"...E-Eoid would surely..."
"Eoid would also be a target. Depending on the person, they might threaten him to stay away from you, or lie and say you’ve already decided to marry someone else to make him back off. It’s painfully obvious that you two are in love, so Eoid would be the first to be affected."
"T-that can't be..."
"Well, that’s actually the better outcome. Since Eoid is, for better or worse, just a childhood friend, some might just dismiss him, kill him, and show you his corpse, telling you that if you don't want anyone else to die, you’ll do as you're told."
"No!! I don't want that!!"
Amanda covered her ears with both hands and shed large tears, perhaps imagining a scene where Eoid was no longer around.
"Calm down, Amanda."
I comforted her. Though, I suppose I’m the one causing her distress. If she’s this easily shaken, she really would fall into someone’s hands quite easily. I need to get her together with Eoid as soon as possible.
"It’s alright. I told you some unpleasant things, but there is a way for everyone to be safe. We will lend you a hand. After all, we’re friends, aren't we?"
The primary reason is to increase the time I get to spend being intimate with Yuki-san, of course. The second reason is so that our family can live in peace. Wishing for my friend's happiness is about third on the list.
"W-what should I do? C-can I be with Eoid?"
Amanda looked at me as if clinging to a lifeline.
"Calm down. We can eliminate the pests. Whether you can marry Eoid depends on you, Amanda."
"Y-yes... But, this 'eliminating pests'..."
"That is..."
From there, I explained the importance of coming under the Academy's umbrella, how to deal with threats to family and friends, and that she must never handle such things alone. Regarding Eoid, I told her that since he is being trained by Yuki-san and Taiki-san, he would be fine. Yuki-san would surely set up a perfect defense, and with the Hero Taiki-san there, things would work out.
*Kufufufu...* Now, anyone who carelessly lays a hand on Amanda will be making an enemy of the Academy and Duke Huge. Honestly, I hope they try to mess with her. That would give us the justification we need to travel to other countries! Neither the Academy nor the Duke would complain, as they could use the opponent's wrongdoing as a shield to advance their diplomacy. That is why I went out of my way to show the Duke the video camera that can record. I’ll have Amanda carry it, prepare evidence that the opponent can’t argue with, and bleed them dry.
"You’ve got a wicked look on your face. Eris is starting to resemble Yuki more and more."
"...Hmm. Eris-san is the intellectual type. She’s probably closer to our husband than those of us with a 'royal mindset' like Seraria or Shera."
Fufu, say what you will. If I’m starting to look like Yuki-san, then we’re a couple of a feather. It’s fate that Yuki-san and I are married. When we return to Weed, I shall have it recorded in the history books: *Yuki and Eris were a perfectly matched couple who grew to resemble one another.*
Well then, did you enjoy seeing Eris’s growth? As expected of an elf, she’s sharp! Also, the true identities of the Ten Demon Beasts have been revealed. How was that? The two flying types will be revealed another day.
Now, the stage is set for our moves against other countries.