Chapter 18: The Great Forest of Another World : Empress Eleanova

"Now, please change your clothes to this one, ... sorry for the simplicity of it."

　Before getting on the horse that was waiting for her, Elrain said this with her gaze swimming slightly, and handed Sota a kanto clothes.

"Thank you ... for this. It's very helpful. I was also embarrassed to be dressed like this."

　Sota exhaled in relief and flashed his original friendly smile.

　Elrain choked and coughed at the smile, which was so friendly and showed not the slightest sign of alarm.

"Darn it!　Gohon!　Well, that area over there, behind the big tree, should be good for a change of clothes. I'll be responsible for keeping an eye on the women, so please feel free to change."

"Thank you very much. I'm going to go now."

"..."

"... Oh my God. that's smile ...."

　Someone muttered that, and everyone thought so.

　Men hate women.

　It's common knowledge in the world, and the more you hear from people who say they've had conversations with men, the more that common knowledge takes on an outline. There are some reports of men being nice to them, but it's not something to raise eyebrows about.

　Women know that common sense.

　They know this, but they still like men and want to treat their bodies well. Creative obscenity stories about making love and having a lovemaking session with a man are popular, but everyone understands that it is an interdimensional fantasy.

　However, when Sota appeared in front of Elrain and the others, he did not look at them in a wicked way, but rather smiled. The women were puzzled and excited, because Sota, despite being so dangerously dressed, he showed the friendliness of a small dog who is used to people.

　Compared to the men of this world, Sota's personal space is too narrow.

　It is common knowledge in the kingdom that when you talk to a man, you should first take ten steps back.

However,he walked up to Elrain and accepted her robe and passed her at a distance that almost touched the shoulders of the women soldiers.

　This would be similar to a situation where an otaku from the lowest caste in class falls in love with a girl from a higher caste who treats everyone with equal respect.

　Sota has already gained an idol status because of this, or rather, because he has attracted the love of all the girls with just that one conversation and body language.

(No, no, don't get carried away, don't get carried away. Calm down, calm down. ...)

　Only one person, Elrein, who is a bundle of reason, is resisting to suppress her faint feelings for Sota.

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"So, what have you got to report?"

　- - Adair Empire. Throne Room.

　On the throne, which is said to have been carved from the claw of a divine dragon that appeared a hundred years ago, sits the new emperor of the Adair Empire - Empress Eleanova. Eleanova, who is not much older than the fingers of her hands, sits on the throne, or rather, she is too small to be seated on the throne.

　At her side, smoking the aroma of grape wine ...-style grape juice in a glass in her right hand, is an oddly aged woman who looks like she has a sharp mind.

　With a chestnut-coloured bob cut over her ears, she responds solemnly to Eleanova question in a voice devoid of emotion.

"Yes. The unit that said they found the man with the true black eyes.."

"Hm"

"He was successfully captured along with General Phyllis..."

...

"We are now receiving reports that he and General Phyllis have escaped from ...."

"Where ......?"

　At that moment, Eleanova brow wrinkles up.

　She was in a good mood. When she received the report that she had found and captured the Man with the True Black Eyes, her objective, she kissed Bedi several times - the stuffed bear Eleanova is holding under her arm - and hummed.

　It was -.

"Missed ...?"

　The voice of a pretty soprano, typical of her age, was low and muffled.

　The chestnut-haired woman chimed in inorganically and continued her report in a matter-of-fact manner.

"Apparently, in view of the passage of time, it will be impossible to capture them again. Probably by now they have been discovered by the kingdom and are on their way to the royal capital."

"... Who is in charge of the battalion?"

"Liliana. We have received reports that she has not been behaving very well."

"Liliana?　Didn't you leave Ronia with her?　Where's Ronia?"

"I haven't received a detailed report. What should be done with them?"

"Decapitate Liliana head. Then all the women under her command will go to work in the mines for the next ten years.""

"Understood"

"Good. No matter how many women you destroy, they will all grow back. The atonement for making a fool of me."

"What about ... Ronia?"

"Call her. She's not like the rest of the trash out there, she's good. But of course, she will be punished.

"As you wish."

　The woman bows deeply.

　Eleanova gulped down her grape juice and jumped down from her throne.

"Where are you going?　Your Majesty."

"Prepare yourself."

"For what, ...?"

"For a great diplomatic deal. You, too, come. Now my mistress is going to the kingdom."

　"Eleanova smiled wryly as she said this."

　It was an innocent smile, as if a prank befitting her age and appearance came to mind.