第２９０堀：姉御肌の姫 (Part1)
**Chapter 290: The Big Sister-Type Princess**
**Side: Yuki**
Seriously, enough.
Isn’t the "explosion" trope a bit played out?
I shouted out my love, and suddenly I was at ground zero of an explosion.
...I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before. Was it a movie title?
Though, I don't recall it being this hazardous...
Well, at least my wives, Eoid, and Amanda-san have already evacuated, so that’s fine.
I have no idea where the old man went...
Still, an explosion in the royal castle.
Normally, something like this should never happen.
But the catalyst was Feigel-san, Cleena’s foster father and the royal court’s magic advisor.
I can’t imagine a person of such high standing making a mistake like this.
...Was this a staged performance?
Regardless, when my wives moved away from me, they immediately heightened their perimeter security, so they’ll be fine even if they’re ambushed.
In a situation like this, the worst-case scenario is everyone getting swallowed by the flames.
That would mean being cut off from information.
For now, I haven't received any word from my wives, so I’ll just stay quiet until the smoke clears.
There’s no reason to reveal my hand by moving first when the opponent hasn't shown their cards yet.
Just as I was thinking that, the old man who had been right in front of me—apparently still alive—gathered his mana. An unnatural wind blew, scattering the smoke.
"...Tch, it didn't burn."
The first voice I heard belonged to the person who had created this epicenter.
She’s smaller than average and flat-chested, but that’s what makes her cute, beloved, and my wife, Cleena.
I’ve learned that she’s scary when she’s angry, so I’ve reaffirmed that I need to be even more careful than usual when talking about her figure.
Small breasts are a status symbol. They have rarity value!!
I recalled those great words of wisdom.
And as for the old man who didn't burn and was just clicked at:
"It *did* burn, you brat!! What was that high-powered Fireball!? I thought I’d just blow it away, but I had to use all my effort just to deploy a wind shield so the damage wouldn't reach this area—that was anything but normal!!"
"Mm. That was the power of love."
"No, it shouldn't be that easy to improve."
Well, to a researcher like the old man, that answer is nothing more than the delusions of a young girl.
But in a way, it’s not entirely wrong.
If you don't have the motivation, you won't improve that quickly.
"...The power of love is great and absolute. Want to eat another one?"
Cleena gathered her mana again, aiming at the old man.
The spell formula is different from before. Is she pretending it’s fire, but it’s actually ice?
Judging by the formula, it’s more than three times stronger than the last one. I might get to see the old man get skewered.
"I was wondering what you were doing. Master Feigel, enough playing with your beloved daughter. I’d like you to bring them here already."
A voice reached us from above.
When I looked up, a woman in a dress, accompanied by a knight and a maid, was standing on a terrace overlooking the courtyard.
How pretentious, acting as if she hadn't been waiting there the whole time.
Well, I’d probably do the same thing to gather information.
They intentionally threw their own people at us, planning to pass it off as a mere "greeting" even if trouble occurred.
No, if they had thrown strangers at us, it would have naturally become a diplomatic incident.
"Guests. I apologize for letting you be dragged into the Master's games. I will have you guided inside immediately. Master, you go back to work."
"Ho ho ho, as you wish, Princess."
With that, the Princess retreated inside.
The eyes that stared at me were like a hawk’s.
...I’ve never actually stared into a hawk’s eyes, but I guess that’s what they mean by the metaphor?
So, that was Princess Inis.
Judging by the way she stopped observing halfway through and the prior information I had, it seems the proposal came from this old man, and Princess Inis reluctantly gave the okay.
Well, it’s possible she’s a fox who’s even deceiving the Academy Principal, so I shouldn't make any rash judgments here.
Either way, there’s no doubt they were probing our combat strength, so I should assume they are people who know how to get things done.
"Everyone, I’ve shown you a shameful display. Come now, Cleena, bow your head."
"...Master started it. I’m the victim."
"Regardless, there is no doubt you caused a scene together. Honestly, to involve your precious husband... you’ll be hated, you know?"
"...!? I’m sorry!!"
At the old man’s words, Cleena’s face went pale, as if it were the end of the world, and she apologized.
"It’s alright, don't worry about it. Cleena was holding back so I wouldn't get hurt, and Master, you protected me too."
That’s right. Realizing it was impossible to dissipate the blast in that instant, the old man had deployed a wind shield to protect me, too, since I hadn't evacuated.
It seems it wasn't for nothing that he sparred with Popuri—even if she was holding back.
"Ho? You noticed?"
The old man looked surprised, but his eyes were sharp.
Is he trying to read information even from a conversation like this?
"Yes. My wife uses similar magic, so it felt familiar."
"Is that so? Which one is she?"
"The blonde one over there..."
As I said that, Eris stepped forward on her own and bowed to the old man.
"Pleased to meet you, I’m Eris."
"I see. And what kind of magic do you..."
The old man tried to probe her, but Eris didn't wait for him to finish.
"The Princess called for us earlier, so let’s save the details for later. Could you guide us, please?"
"...I suppose so. We can talk later. My apologies. I spend all my time on research, and I seem to have gotten a bit carried away. Now, please follow me."
Eris’s gaze was intense; the words *'Hurry up and guide us, old man'* were practically radiating from her entire body.
Eris is truly formidable in negotiations like this.
The old man must have realized it too, as he quickly averted his eyes and began to lead the way.
As expected of Eris. She doesn't even hold back against the elderly!!
Thanks to Eris’s intensity, we entered the royal castle and were shown into a room.
Princess Inis was sitting there, drinking tea.
Normally, the members of one's entourage would be made to wait in a separate room, and only the representative—me—and Amanda-san would deal with high-ranking nobles. That was the case even with Samantha’s father, the Duke.
What are they thinking, doing this?
"Master, you’re late. I assume you were doing some unnecessary probing?"
"Well now, whatever could you mean?"