After the succession to the throne was made, the giddy Prince Cloud, or rather the new King Regnier, began to move.
　First, he reinstated the Marquis de Coupe to the position of Prime Minister, and then he caught all the evidence of bribery and embezzlement of the kingdom's merchants who were hanging out with Waldak, and captured them all.
　He also purged the Waldac-leaning nobles who had also been drinking in the sweetness of the bribe.
　It seems that they also lowered the taxes of the people. Waldak's hoarded wealth was a ridiculous amount of money, and Cloud is said to have released it all without sparing it for the betterment of the people's lives.
　Many slaves were found in the dungeons of the mansion owned by Zabun, and I removed the 'collar of enslavement' from them all and freed them.
　For ten years, Waldak did whatever he wanted with the position of Prime Minister as a good thing, but his policy was focused on a single point: pouring his national strength into military power and preparing for war.
　Apparently, he was eager to go down in history as a hero who had defeated the Paloof Kingdom and accomplished the feat of uniting Parnier for the first time.
　In order to do so, he completely neglected the lives of his people and the maintenance of the country. It's doubtful that they would have won a war in this situation.
　As a result, Linier's national power would have been considerably reduced. It's a good thing that the war with the Paloof Kingdom was avoided. I think the other side couldn't afford to do that due to a bad harvest, so they're continuing their relationship with each other as before.

I think we can still build a more friendly relationship with the Paloof Kingdom than before. It's a lot of work, but it's very rewarding.''
How is the former king doing?
'Father has always spent time with your mother. "He has taken it upon himself to stay in his estate because he could not prevent Waldak from behaving unchallenged.

　That's what the new King of Linier, Cloud, told me in the meeting room in Brunhild.
　I've explored the city since then, but the previous king was like the 'poor king' who was tricked by the s*xually evil Queen Dacia into thinking a fake prince named Zabun was his child. He was labeled as an incompetent and useless king, but it seems that all the resentment and hatred went towards Zabun, Queen Dacia and Waldak.
　Zabun's insolence was so well known in the castle town that many people thought that if he became king, the country would be finished. However, when they found out that the foolish prince was not just abolished, but proven to be a false prince and punished for his crimes up to now, the people of the town were happy. They hated him a lot, didn't they?

''So what did you do with those three? You're still going to get the death penalty?
No, sir. I gave them a heavier sentence. Otherwise, those who lost their lives to those three men would not be able to survive.
A more serious sentence would be...
I put on the 'enslavement collar' that Zaven had and sold it to Sandra's slavers.

　That's also.........harsh.......
　Whatever it is, they sold it to a merchant who manages the mining site in Sandra. Most of the slaves who work there are criminals, and they are forced to work from morning till night. Escape was almost impossible and it was no different than a prison.

'It must be hell for Zabun, who has never labored before. But it has to be so. I don't think the people who died would be satisfied if they didn't have a taste of their own crimes.

　In a sense, you could call it an extremely cruel sentence, and in a sense, a sweet sentence. It's a living hell, but it's better to be alive. I guess it depends on how I feel about it.
　Ending his life as a criminal slave.......he has committed such a crime. I can't feel sorry for him.

''Fuyao-dono, is it time for me to go?
Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interrupted.

　Clearing his throat, the King of Belfast rises from his chair. He then looked around at the leaders of the nations present and began to take a decision on today's agenda.

''All those who do not approve the participation of the Kingdom of Linier in the Western Alliance, raise your hands.

　No hands were raised from Belfast, Leafs, Mismid, Regulus, Lamish, all representatives. Of course, I have no objection to it either.

''Then let us welcome the Kingdom of Linier as an ally of the Western Alliance.

　As everyone applauded, the new King of the Kingdom of Linie, Cloud, bowed deeply. This will bring a certain amount of aid from each country. It's just the amount of assistance that each country can provide.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that the agenda for today is finished.
I think we should call it 'getting to know each other'.
Okay, I'm going to beat you today!

　Not that again! Normally that would be once a month, but this time around there was a Riinier fiasco. Maybe it's fun to play right away, though. The King of Belfast and the King of Misguided are about to leave the conference room with him.

''Lord Winternight, are the members already in the ballroom?
'.........I've transferred it to you. I mean, you should have told me ahead of time...

　I looked at them with jaded eyes and sighed softly.

We have a match against Mismid in Belfast today. King Linie will be joining us for the game.
A match? Are you watching a swordfight?
It's baseball! Don't you know? Then I'll tell you the rules, so let's go!

　Cloud was taken away by Emperor Regulus and Emperor Liefries. Perhaps Pope Ramish was also intrigued or worried about the young king, so he followed the three of them.
　I mean, when did they decide on that match? Earlier, I was suddenly asked to transfer the members of both countries to the stadium for the game after the meeting. So I'm just a courtesy bus. Well, that's okay.
　When I told my Knights, everyone was looking forward to it. I'm sure all the guys who don't have jobs there are going to the stadium.
　A baseball game. Then let's make some popcorn. Caramelized popcorn. You could make a lot more if you made it with magic. That's enough to make me thirsty, so I'll have to make a beer server too. Hmmm? Do you think this is good for business?
　As I was heading towards the kitchen of the castle while thinking about this, I heard the sound of footsteps rushing towards me from behind. This pattern........!

'Winter Night Aaaaah!
Guffaw!

　I almost turn around and get a strong tackle on my side. That hurts more than the last time!

'Father told me! You beat the foolish prince to a pulp for the sake of the straw! Oh, boy, what a winter's night! He's the best master of straw!

　Sue clings to my neck as I push her down. No, it wasn't me who hit him, it was Cloud.

'I mean, it's true that I didn't want to give Suu to the idiot prince, but a master is...'
"Father says that Fuyu gave you his approval. Or can't we just use straw...?

　Mmm. You look like you're about to cry.... This must be one of the nine brides Dr. Babylon mentioned, including Sue........
　There are already 5 of them and I feel like it's too late for that. And they all said they didn't mind. Sigh... I'm just going through the motions, I guess.
　Sue is cute and cheerful, and she's not badly intelligent. She can be a bit selfish, but it's acceptable. When he grows up, he'll probably be a beautiful woman.
　Right now I can only think of her as a younger sister, but I have a feeling that she'll start thinking like everyone else sooner or later. No, you will, I promise. It's the same as with Yumina.

''U........''

　No! If I'm silent, I seriously think Sue is going to cry!

Like everyone else, I'm not getting married until I'm eighteen, but that's okay?
Of course I don't mind! Thanks, Winter Night!

　Once again Sue jumps on my neck and hugs me with her little hands.
　I pick up Sue and we head to the kitchen to make popcorn.




　As a result, the popcorn and beer sales sold out. The popcorn came in two flavors, caramel and simple salt, and at first many people bought the salt flavor, but soon more people bought the caramel flavor. Popcorn itself was a thing in this world, but caramel seemed to be a rarity. It's not that the sugar itself isn't there, though. It's weird.
　We provided wooden cups for the beer, but we decided to take 30% off the price if you got your own mug or something. I could have used a paper cup, but it might have been trash or something. If it's a wooden cup, you can take it home with you and use it as it is and it won't go to waste. You can have another cup.
　This makes me want to sell hot dogs and hamburgers....
　As I was thinking about this, there was Olva-san standing in front of me holding popcorn, smiling and waving his hands and tail. I think his sense of smell in business is extraordinary........
　Well, he's a straightforward merchant, and he doesn't earn badly, so I can trust him. I'm not a Miss Mid's henchman, so I'm in a free position.
　I'll talk to Mr. Orba later about the business, but for now, I'll watch the game. I went to the VIP section, which is a transparent box set up high up behind the back netting, where King Liefries, Emperor Regulus, King Regnier and Pope Ramish were watching the game while eating popcorn.
　The knight commander class of each country was on guard around them. The Knight Commander of the Regulus Empire, Ship-Eyed Gaspar-san, was holding a 'flaming spear' that he won at the previous party's bingo tournament. Well, most importantly, it's just a spear because the magic is disabled around this VIP seat, so it's just a spear.

''How's that, baseball?''
Oh, King Brunhild! No, it's funny! Someday, when our country can afford it, I hope our people see a game like this!

　Excitedly, Prince Cloud...King Cloud's eyes light up.

'So, who's winning?'
Mismid won 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The beastman's physical abilities are extraordinary. An ordinary three-base hit could be turned into a running home run.
'But even Belfast are competitive. That pitcher has a good breaking ball. If he comes on, it's going to be hard for Mismid to score any more runs.

　The Emperor and the Emperor explained the situation to me. As for Belfast, I'd like a point. Beside the three men were engrossed in the game, Pope Ramish was eating a plopped caramel popcorn.

'Um, Winter Night-sama,'
The Master told me not to...
No, no, I can't call the One who is the messenger of the "One". By the way, can you make this food called caramel in your country?
It's easy to make. It's easy to make. I will give you a piece of paper with instructions on how to make it, so please give it to the cook in the castle. Oh, I have some candy that I made in the kitchen earlier, would you like to have one?

　I handed him some caramels wrapped in paper that I took out of "storage. When he threw one of them into his mouth, His Holiness the Pope fidgeted with his mouth with a surprised expression.

''Delicious...! This is going to be great for the kids. I wish I could give them out to all the kids in the orphanage.
'Oh, that's good. Well, I'll write down how to make this too. I hope the kids are happy with it...

　And there, I felt the three gazes of the three people looking at me from behind the pope's back. Don't look so greedy.
　I give the caramel to Emperor Regulus and the others as well. I quickly threw them into my mouth and made them squirm with a smile. I'm already doing that, so I give one to everyone standing guard outside the box as well. I know you've been glancing at them, you know.
　The game was 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, Belfast attacking, one out, runner on first. If we get a shot, we could win the game in reverse.
　And then, with a flurry of activity, someone came into the VIP section. For a moment, everyone in security was tense, but since it was our butler, Mr. Lime, who is our family order, we quickly let our guard down. Or rather, it's rare. This is the first time I've ever seen Lime-san come so quickly.

Is something wrong?
I just got this from Belfast, at the Gate Mirror, and it was sent to me.

　He's breathing heavily. He must have been in a lot of hurry. I unfold the piece of paper Lime gave me and look through it. Huh!

Oh, my God!

　I used The Gate and tried to jump to the Belfast Bench in one fell swoop, but I forgot that my magic was disabled here. I hurriedly moved out of my seat and out of range, and once again used "The Gate" to transition to the Belfast bench.
　His Majesty the King, who was staring at the game field with his brother Duke Ortlinde beside him like a baseball coach, suddenly appeared and freaked out at me.

''Whoa, Fuyu-dono, it's you. What, you came to cheer me on?
'There's more to it than that! I'm born!
Huh? Are you born? What?

　You're so slow! His Royal Highness beside him is more than the King who is uncomprehending and scowling, "Ah! He raised his voice.

'He says His Majesty's child is on the way! I just got a call from Belfast that I've just gone into labor!
Wha....?

　Too late!