Boogie-boogie!
"'Uh-oh!

　Chased by a large three-horned boar, the two bearded men with their legs chained together ran through the forest as fast as they could. Since they had made an easy path for them to run on beforehand, they were able to reach 'the place' before they were caught up. Just as I had hoped.

''Don't get your timing wrong!
I know!　One, two, three!

　At the same time as King Zardonia's words, both of them jumped over 'there' with a big jump. The moment the boar that was chasing after them stepped into 'there', it fell headfirst into the ground.

''Gugyoff!
Yes!

　They turned around and cheered at the boar that had fallen into the pit. When they ran up to it, they saw the boar at the bottom of the hole, about two meters away, pierced by a sharp wooden stake they had set up.
　They tied a rope made up of wooden tendrils to the boar's legs and the two of them dragged it up. It was quite heavy and hard work, but the two of them worked in silence, not complaining, because they would get a feast to match.
　It had been two weeks since they had been brought to the island. They had become accustomed to hunting their prey. They found lots of sharp stones on the ground, which they used to make spears out of strong branches and arrowheads to make bows and arrows.
　They laboriously scraped the trees together, made fires, and built kilns to cook the food.
　It was easy for the two kings to work together, they thought, but they didn't know there was a certain king who had been behind the scenes preparing obsidian shards and secretly setting fires with magic at just the right times. It was easy to be carefree.
　Being chased around by a giant giant tortoise and a snake, or being attacked by a blue dragon, had made them feel like they had died many times from their point of view, but maybe they were getting used to it.
　The two dragged the boar back to its base on the beach, handling it appropriately with an obsidian knife and roasting it, bone-in and all, over the kamado fire.
　The two of them had no way of knowing, but this boar was a tryboa, a demonic beast whose flesh was soft and tasty even as it was, and it was a precious boar that lived only in the southern region of the knight kingdom Restia.
　Of course, there was someone who brought them here with transference magic.

''What do you want to do this afternoon?''
Let's catch some fish. Maybe with a spear, we can catch the fish.
You said you were good at it, son.
You got it. I'm gonna give you a big one.

　We both laughed at each other as we chewed the meat on the bones. It was a scene that would not have been possible just two weeks ago.
　With their bearded faces and tattered clothes, the two men looked nothing like the king of a country. They looked like castaways whose ships had been wrecked. But they are more rugged than before, and they smile naturally.
　Perhaps it is because he has realized how wonderful it is to be alive under the harsh conditions of this island (not so much, actually, as Fuyoru is supporting him).
　As they took their spears and stepped out into the clear, shallow water, they saw something familiar on the beach. A boy relaxing in a beach chair under a parasol, sipping a tropical drink.
　He was the one who had abducted the two of us to the island, whom we would never forget.
　Their anger is instantly revived, and they run as fast as they can down the sandy beach with their eyes on the boy's king, in harmony with each other.

''Noooooooooo!　Kisa, ma'am?

　With a barking sound, they were caught in the pit again and dropped down into the sand. Just like the boar from earlier.

''To be caught in the same hands again.......you have no learning ability......?
Well, don't be so sure, Amber. I've changed a lot with that thing.
Is that so...?

　Removing his sunglasses, Winter Night in flip-flops and an aloha shirt slowly walks over to the two men struggling under the hole.

'Hey, long time no see.'
You!　How dare you bring us here!
Get down here!　I'll smash you!

　The two of them cursed at the young lord who had fallen into a strange position and showed his face. Fuyao Yao was impressed beyond dumbfounded at how often this kind of line came out under this situation.

''Oh well. I came here today to show the two of you something interesting.''
"You think it's funny?

　Suddenly, an image appeared above the pit, somewhere. A battlefield. Two armies jostling each other. One of them has red leather armor. One side has blue scale armor. They are the armies of the Kingdom of Baubahn and Zardonia.

Holy...!
'What's going on!　Why is there a fight going on!

　Their own country is fighting against the neighboring country. The two men, who had never seen it objectively before, were at a loss for words at the horrific scene.
　Soldiers being pierced by spears. Families who have lost their parents and shed tears in front of their graves. Children starving. Women falling ill and waiting to die.
　These images are interspersed in between battles, leaving the king of the two kingdoms speechless.
　They were standing on the battlefield, but they didn't want to see anything but give orders. The reality of the situation was right in front of them.
　The scene cuts to an image of two young men slashing their swords together. They were wearing armor, but at a glance the two knew who they were.

'Akeem!'
Frost!

　The sons of each other have swords and are killing each other. They seem to be evenly matched in their abilities and are looking for a deciding factor.

'Why is my son on the battlefield!
Apparently, they both think it was the other country that kidnapped their father. Well, they love you.
You....!　The devil!
Shame on you!

　The two kings of the two countries turn their anger on the boy king who smiles.

'Those two hate each other and are fighting each other. For the same reason you two do, don't you?'
'No!　Those two are just mistaken!　It's really you who is to blame!
What's the point? Who was the one who has been telling us to destroy each other all this time?　That's good, isn't it? Maybe this will settle it. Oh?

　The two princes looked at their opponents and held their swords at the ready.
　They ran at each other and flashed their swords at each other as they passed each other.
　Without cutting or tying, they ripped each other's bellies open, and a horrendous amount of blood flowed.
　They fall to their knees and both fall to their spots. The blood spread on the ground and dyed the area with fresh blood.

''Nonsense.......Akeem.......!
Frost...!　How could this happen!
A friendly firefight. I guess it didn't work out, huh?

　When the two kings heard that sullen Winter Night's voice, they turned their hateful, burning eyes to him.

''You!　It's all your fault!　I want my son back!
I'll kill you!　Why did my son have to die!
'What?　I saved you two from dying because I took you away," he said. You should thank me for that.
What are you...

　As they were about to retort, the boy king slapped a killing spirit on them. It was more frightening than any hint of death I've ever experienced on this island. My mouth is parched and my body stops moving like a frog staring at a snake.

'Don't be so selfish. It's a war you guys started. Didn't you ever think that this might happen to you sooner or later?　You think you can't die because you're the king?　How many times have you come to this island and almost died?　It's easy, people die.

　We see the people of Dauburn and Zardonia starving on the screen. Next on the screen are the two kings who have eaten an extravagant feast and left their food uneaten.
　Like a slide, we see the exhausted soldiers trudging home, and the two kings, cursing and resenting their opponents.
　The comparison made it clear to the kings of the two countries how foolish they had been.

"Is it all our fault...?
Frost..........

　The king of the two kingdoms falls to his knees and is crushed at the bottom of the pit. With sobs, tears come out of his eyes and words of regret are spat out of his mouth.
　The grief of having lost a precious child because of his petty willpower, and the sense of loss. I feel guilt for the people who have been dragged into a selfish battle and made them suffer.
　All kinds of emotions surged in like a tidal wave, clawing at their hearts.
　And that's where their consciousness is abruptly cut off.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


Are you sorry?
"Perhaps.

　Speaking to Amber next to me, I secretly activated 【Sleep Cloud】 towards the two of them.
　The two of them easily let go of their consciousness with a corollary and easily fall asleep.

''Well, both of them seemed to regret it tremendously, but...''

　Snapping my fingers and releasing the [Invisible], two young men appear in front of the pit. It's Akeem, the prince of Dauburn, and Frost, the prince of Zardonia.

''I was wondering why you let them play like that, but I guess that's what happened...''
I can't believe your father cried.

　They look down at their father, who is lying in a hole with a mysterious look on his face.
　The footage I played earlier is all fake. I had the two of them perform and go toe-to-toe with each other. With a blood bag in their stomachs. The other footage was made up from the memories of the townspeople.

“It was a bit forceful, but I think we understood the other side in a way. If they're still going to continue fighting each other, we're out of luck. It may be cold, but I think both sides should just destroy each other on their own. I'll leave the rest to you to decide.
'I will not let that happen. Dowburn will never make a stupid mistake again.
'You are right. If push comes to shove, I will have your father imprisoned but deposed and bring peace to Zardonia.

　They turn their determined eyes to me. Well, I'm not worried about these two. If they don't get along with each other, they'll lose their connection with the princesses of Arendt.

Let's see. Then let's finish up.

　I looked down at the two kings who were sleeping soundly with tears, snot and drool on their sad faces, and I snapped my arms.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


M...?

　King Dauburn woke up to find himself in bed. Wrapped up in the soft down comforter as usual, he woke up to the chirping of birds.
　As usual...?　Huh?　Didn't he usually wake up to a bed on the beach, a cloak duvet, and the sound of the tide?
　As his thoughts became clearer and clearer, King Dowburn kicked off the duvet and jumped up.

"This is......... This is my room........right?

　It's a questionable form. Definitely his own room in King Dowburn's castle, no doubt. However, not knowing why he was back, King Dowburn scurried around.

''Was that a dream........?''

　His solitary eyes flashed to the one on the side table next to the bed.

''This...!

　I pick up the chattering thing. It is an open shackle and a chain that was ripped off in the middle. I'm sure it was attached to my right leg.
　I'm sure that the sunburn was clearly visible on my right ankle as I rolled up my nightgown. It's not a dream, after all, the days on that island are not a dream. Then..........

''Akeem........!

　King Dauburn called out his son's name and fell to his knees and wept.
　He was startled to see his son, who should have been dead, stunned by the opening of the door.

"Ah, father. "Ah, father, you're awake.
'Akeem...?　Uh, uh, oh, Akeem!　Whoa, whoa, you're alive!
What is it, bushes and sticks? You make it sound like I shouldn't be alive, don't you?
No, no!　I don't think so!　I'm so glad you're alive!　I'm glad........I'm glad.......!

　King Dauburn clings to his son and cries again. Prince Akeem takes it gently and explains what happened to the country during the two weeks the King was missing. He is only acting in the king's absence. Now that the king has returned, all authority will be restored.

'I asked for a temporary truce in case Zardonia attacked you in your father's absence.　Now that your father has returned, some of the nobles are crying out for war to begin.

　Prince Akeem asks to see what the king is doing. Hearing those words, King Dauburn fell silent and was thinking about something, but when he finally looked up, he opened his heavy mouth to his son.

He looked up and opened his mouth to his son. Well, I think we should go to the mediation first.
"Well I understand. Then I'll tell everyone that.

　King Dauburn nodded at the prince's words, and there was a wry smile on his face.




　A few days later.

　The Lesaria Plains on the border of the Kingdom of Dauburn and Zardonia was a land that had relatively little change due to climate. Even so, it was also a land where the aftermath of scorching heat and extreme cold would strike if one stepped into the country on the other side for a few kilometers.
　In a single camp set up there, Dauburn, Zardonia, and the principals of both countries were meeting their faces. Among them were Prince Akeem and Prince Frost.
　Eventually, their respective kings emerged from both camps. They sat down on chairs at the front table in silence.
　They stared at each other for a while, and then King Dauburn spoke up first.

''Ha, you're a reluctant survivor, you glacial bastard.
You'll never get rid of that mouth on your own, you desert idiot.

　The kings cursed at each other and the two sides were in a pissed off and sour mood as the kings cursed at each other.
　With a clatter, both kings stood up from their chairs and continued to glare at each other beside the table.
　

P..............
Kukkuk....

　A voice as if to endure something leaked out, and the chief ministers around them nodded their heads.

''Hahaha!　You're alive, you bastard!
Click!　You, too!　You're a dead man!

　They began to laugh out loud, as if it was funny from the bottom of their stomachs. The vassals around them were exclaiming with their mouths hanging open at the sudden turn of events and the unbelievable scene.

'I've dreamed of that island many times since then!　No, it was hell!
Me too!　How could we have survived each other!

　They poke and prod each other's bodies while talking to each other, and for all intents and purposes, they look like friends who have known each other for a long time. The people around them are looking at each other, wondering if these are the two people who were once called "dog and monkey". I can't believe my own eyes.

The reason I'm here is because I have one thing to report.
Me too. You too?

　They grinned and told their vassals lined up in the camp what they had been thinking about all this time, waking up from that nightmare.

I will hand over the throne to my son Akeem," they said. This negotiation will be conducted by the new king, Akeem.
I give my throne to Frost. You will decide the fate of this Zardaniah.

　The two kings announce the abdication of both of them. There are radiant faces, men who are no longer kings and who were once kings.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


So what happened?
'Dauburn has been crowned king by Prince Akeem and Zardonia by Prince Frost, who has succeeded to the throne. The two countries have joined hands with each other, and from now on they're going to begin their relationship as friends.

　As I answer Yumina, I lean back to take a break.
　We're finally getting a break over there. I thought it would be a bit earlier. It's not easy for people to be honest when they get older.
　The two countries have become friends, but I'm not sure the two previous kings feel the same way. "Stop associating with Brunhild! He said that they didn't even say "I'm sorry," so he's aware that it's a personal grudge.

'What happened to the princesses of Arendt?
'Yeah, things are going well there too. There should be an announcement of the engagement of King Akeem of Dauburn to Princess Letitia of the Holy Kingdom of Arendt and King Frost of Zardonia to Princess Ariati soon.
'Oh!　Good for you!

　Lou looks up from her papers and is happy as if it's her own thing.
　I can't be as happy as she is. I'm happy for her and I'm glad for her, but it's all in the hands of that princess' grandfather, the Holy King. I feel like I'm dancing in the palm of my hand.
　It's not an engagement gift, but I ordered the fire and ice spirits to undo the climate change that was the curse of those two countries. This should slowly transform the land into a more pleasant place to live over the next few decades.
　Hilda giggles and puts down the pen in her hand.

'It's good to have one thing to worry about gone, isn't it? The world has finally settled down, and I still don't want war.
Well. I still have a lot of things to do, but...

　The wards of the world that have been left torn, the problem of giant beasts, the reconstruction of villages and towns that have been crushed by mutant species, and now a stack of papers that have been placed in front of you with a don....
　I take one of them and read the contents.

'Who is this Earl of Darewyn?'
Oh, it's me. I'm the Earl of the Regulus Empire. Let's see, this is the house where my great-grandfather's sister married.
How do you know each other as a house?
Not so much now. But with the blood of the Imperial family in your veins, your claim to the throne is a low one.
It should be this way...

　A piece of paper marked "The Earl of Darewyn" is placed in a ranked box. This is a sorting system to be used as a guide when deciding on the seating arrangements at a wedding.
　After all, three of the fiancées are princesses of a country. Naturally, there are many people who should be invited, including their relatives and senior ministers. I'm currently confirming that with the three princesses, Yumina, Lou and Hilda.
　If I'm going to be clear, so are Su and Sakura, but Su is of the same clan as Yumina, and Sakura is the bastard son of the Demon King, so they don't have much to do with each other.
　For my part, I don't want to rank them, but in the opinion of the public, Yumina is the first queen, Lou is the second queen, and Hilda is the third queen.
　The fourth will be Sue, the fifth will be Leanne, the sixth will be Sakura, followed by Linse, Else and Yae in the order of seven, eight and nine.
　The order of Linse and the others seems to be the order in which I was confessed to. Apparently the order of Linse and the others is the order in which I was confessed.
　It's only a documented or official order, and it's the opinion of everyone, including me, that there are nine equals.
　It's a bother, isn't it? This is why we have to be so careful about how we select our guests.
　But it must be hard for Yae's family and Else and Linse's uncle's family to be thrown into such a royal and noble group. By the way, wasn't Else and her uncle an aristocrat-phobic person?　It's going to knock you down, isn't it?

Well, this Marquis de Paulon, he's a...
Oh, this is Restia's Minister of Finance. He's been in my family since my father's time.
So, this way...

　At the moment I heard Hilda's words and was about to put the paper in a different box than before, sister Hanakoi suddenly appeared right beside me.

''Fuyao-kun!''
What?

　This guy, who is still a godsend, has already stopped hiding in front of Yumina and the others, and he's transitioning without a care in the world. You'll be surprised, so stop shifting so close to him!

'Hey, Hanakoi!　I've told you over and over again not to just show up out of nowhere...!
'I'm way past that!　Come here for a minute!

　Taking my arm from where I was sitting, Hanakoi sister makes me stand up. Eh?　Oh, for God's sake, what?　Still in trouble?

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Where do you think you're taking me?
'It's the God Realm!　Youmina, I need to borrow you for a moment, Winter Nights!　It's a family decision meeting now!
'Er, ah, yes. Take care of yourself....

　At the power of sister Hanakoi, Yumina flinched and gave a small nod as she flinched.
　Huh!　What is a family 'decision' meeting?　Without fully understanding, I was abducted by Hanakoi's sister to the divine world.
　Oh my god.