Death’s Blade Arc
Chapter 1
Mmm~ A revitalizing afternoon starts with a cup of afternoon tea. Champs Castle1 is also exceptionally beautiful and sunny today.
And the master of the castle is sitting right across from me, having tea with me.
I watched her lift her teacup and take an elegant sip.
“Mm. As expected, the tea Fei’er brews is the best.”
I gave a shy smile. “You’re teasing me again.”
“Actually, I should be the one brewing tea for you, to express my gratitude. It’s all thanks to you that the transmigrator was set on the right path. I heard ‘he’ even took first place in the Magic Academy’s Graduation Festival?”
“There’s no need for such politeness between us. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d have that much of an impact, either.”
I’m telling the truth. As a boy, when I first put on a maid outfit to go to Lian Qi’s side, I had no confidence at all.
“You are the Saintess, after all. I just knew that if I left this matter to you, it would go according to plan.”
“Er… hearing you say it like that, it sounds like the Saintess’s role is just… to incite the Hero to challenge the Demon King.”
I secretly rejoiced that Lian Qi wasn’t a boy. Otherwise, wouldn’t I have had to throw myself into the bargain? I’m a boy! tlnote
“Actually, my situation is even more miserable than yours. Isn’t a princess’s role always to be a hostage, waiting to be rescued?” she said, taking a sip of tea.
“Our situations really are precarious,” I said with a helpless laugh.
However, Tristina has now gone from being a princess to being a Queen.
…
Speaking of which, today is the day I report back.
“Fei’er, since the transmigrator is on the right path, what are your plans next?” Tristina asked me.
“I feel like my mission isn’t over yet. After all, that great demon lord still hasn’t been defeated,” I replied with a smile.
“So you’ll continue to stay by the transmigrator’s side?”
“Mhm. I’m worried about her,” I said firmly, with a smile.
“Your relationship seems to be quite good, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all!”
Tristina still doesn’t know that Lian Qi is actually a girl. She hasn’t misunderstood our relationship, has she?
“Fei’er, you’re also fifteen this year. I’ve known you for so long, but I’ve never heard you say you like any boy.”
“That’s because I’m still young.”
“You haven’t had your first awakening of love, so you don’t have feelings for boys?”
“…Haha.”
I gave an awkward laugh. Because I’m a boy, too, so of course I don’t have feelings for them.
Just as Tristina said, even before I knew I was a boy, I never seemed to have any feelings for boys. Is it really just my nature, deep down in my bones?
“How come ‘he’ didn’t come with you today, the transmigrator?”
“Because she has to attend the graduation ceremony,” I answered.
Tristina nodded in understanding.
“Actually, I invited you here today mainly because I have an important matter to discuss with you.”
“Hm? What important matter?”
She said to me, “…I have to go on blind dates.”
I was astonished!
“What!? Blind dates?”
Tristina let out a light sigh. “Honestly, it’s a historical problem left over from when Father was alive. You probably remember, right? He was extremely worried about my marriage. Proposal letters from neighboring countries fell like confetti.”
“How could I not remember?” I gave a bitter smile. Back then, she ran away from home countless times to avoid those dates. Sometimes she would hide at my place, and sometimes I would be the one to go find her.
“Things quieted down for a while after Father passed away, but now they’re cropping up again.”
“But you’re only 17 this year.”
Tristina rubbed her forehead, exasperated, and handed a stack of papers to me.
“Take a look. This is the list of the four suitors.”
Oh? I’m quite curious what kind of people Tristina’s blind dates are.
I skimmed through it. It’s terrifying. It’s basically a lineup of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Suitors.”
“Er, Prince Number One?”
“Yes. I’ve replaced all their names with numbers. It’s easier to remember.”
I flipped through the list as I spoke. “This Prince Number One is a master swordsman? He even studied under ‘Sword Saint’ Reinhardt. He looks very talented.”
“But, according to the intelligence I gathered, he maintains a very unclear relationship with a princess from a neighboring country named Snow White. It seems he even saved her life once.”
“…A player.”2 I pushed Prince Number One’s file far away in disgust.
“What about this Prince Number Two? He won his country’s ‘Strongest Under the Heavens Martial Arts Tournament.’ Wow, he tore a Mastiff Beast apart with his bare hands. Impressive. He loves fitness. Looking at his well-tempered physique, he seems like a very disciplined person.”
“But, according to the intelligence I gathered, he’s never been able to forget the woman who saved him when his ship sank.”
“…Also a player. He clearly has someone else in his heart, but he still comes on a blind date. How outrageous.”
I tossed Prince Number Two’s file far away and flipped to the next one—
“Prince Number Three just looks like a little shota. He shouldn’t have any black marks, right?”
“Unfortunately, he’s a pervert. According to the intelligence I gathered, he has a foot fetish and likes to collect girls’ shoes.”
…Hearing that, my feet couldn’t help but tingle. I quickly hid Prince Number Three’s file where I would never have to see it again.
“Th-Then this last one, Prince Number Four, looks decent and honest.”
“But he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. According to the intelligence I gathered, he kidnapped a village girl’s father and is holding him hostage, forcing the girl to live with him in exchange for her father.”
I can’t believe the last one…
“Your intelligence is amazing…” I couldn’t help but comment.
Tristina held her head, distressed. “Fei’er, tell me, how can I possibly end up with any one of them?”
It’s true. These men are all terrible. The quality of princes these days is really hit-or-miss.
“A true Prince Charming only appears in fairy tales. Fei’er, what can I do? I’m at my wit’s end, too. In the past, I could run away from home, but I’m a Queen now. I don’t even know where to hide.”
“Mm. The only way is to find excuses to turn them all down, one by one.”
“But the problem is… they’ve all arrived.”
“They’ve… all arrived?”
“Yes. The four of them are in the castle right now, having tea together.”
“…This is a problem.” I said weakly.
Tristina reached across the table and grabbed my hands tightly.
“Fei’er, I don’t want to get married yet. My future happiness cannot be buried by these men. Only you can help me. Please, think of a way to make them back off!”
How could I possibly refuse Tristina when she’s begging me? Besides, I could never hand my good sister over to a group like that. It’s time for me to step up for her.
“I understand.” I nodded and said firmly, “I will protect your future happiness.”