It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 31

 Chapter 31 :

“...Hmm, a resignation letter and a leave of absence... What?”  

“...”  

“...Wait, Annerose. Give me a moment.”  

“Yes, Lady Christine.”  

“Hmm, so... is this for real?”  

“Yes, it is. There’s a copy sent to the royal court. Would you like to see it?”  

“No, that’s fine. If you’ve confirmed it, that’s good enough.”  

“...”  

“...But why?! Why on earth?! What reason could she have to leave the White Knights?!”  

Spitting out the jam-covered spoon she was chewing, Christine erupts in anger. Annerose lets out a soft sigh.  

She had anticipated this reaction, so she isn’t particularly surprised.  

In fact, she’s grown used to it.  

“Calm down, Your Highness.”  

“Calm down?! How can I calm down, Annerose?! This isn’t just about losing a member of our kingdom’s knights it’s a member of the Union Kingdom’s White Knights! You know what that means, don’t you?!”  

The number of members in the White Knights is a measure of a kingdom’s strength.  

It’s also tied to the allocation of resources from the Uniom Kingdom’s production facilities.  

The number of knights in the White Knights determines the proportion of resources a kingdom receives.  

Thus, a single knight represents 1% of the total resources. While 1% may seem small, in terms of the vast resources involved, it equates to an amount sufficient for thousands of people.  

“What in the world is that Steiner woman thinking?! Argh... Contact her immediately! Tell her to withdraw that resignation!”  

Christine rages wildly.  

Annerose, with a calm smile, responds,  

“Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”  

“Hm?”  

“Don’t act too hastily. Karen Steiner has fought tirelessly on the front lines for Shreid. If she’s made such a decision, there must be a reason, don’t you think?”  

“Hmm, I suppose that’s true, but...”  

“For now, I suggest we hear what Karen Steiner has to say. Fortunately, I’ve already spoken with her about the details of her resignation from the White Knights.”  

“...You’ve already discussed it with her?”  

“Yes, it’s a matter concerning national interests, after all. Would you like to hear what she said?”  

“...”  

Though Christine looks slightly dissatisfied, she nods.  

Seeing this, Annerose continues with a gentle smile.  

“According to her, she submitted the resignation to personally oversee the training of Seria Bransberg, who is under her tutelage.”  

“Seria Bransberg?”  

“A girl who entered the Kingdom Academy this year. Despite being a recent enrollee, she has the potential to handle a longsword-class golem. Her talent was recognized, and she was selected for the academy’s apprenticeship program to train directly under Karen.”  

“The apprenticeship program?”  

“It’s a system where promising cadets are assigned to active knights for one-on-one training. I believe you discussed this at the Union Kingdom meeting, regarding the issue of food distribution?”  

“...Oh, right. That’s what it was. It was glossed over during the food allocation disputes. Hmm, so that’s how it connects?”  

“...”  

“Don’t look at me like that! It was resolved so easily that it slipped my mind. Anyway, what’s next? What does this have to do with anything?”  

“...According to Karen, Seria Bransberg’s potential is quite remarkable.”  

“Hmm, remarkable in what way?”  

“She believes Seria is likely to join the White Knights within a few years.”  

“...Oh?”  

At Annerose’s words, Christine’s eyes gleam. If Karen’s assessment is correct, that’s an extraordinary talent.  

“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while... But how does that connect to her resigning from the White Knights?”  

“As I mentioned, she wants to personally guide her. Seria has exceptional talent but lacks the means to control it.  

Without someone of superior skill to guide her, she’s likely to go astray.  

That’s why Karen wants to stay by her side and train her continuously.”  

“Hmm... So, she wants to personally nurture a promising talent and help her grow?”  

“Yes, exactly. It’s very much in line with Karen’s dedication to the kingdom.”  

“...Isn’t that a bit too much praise?”  

“I’m only stating the facts.”  

Christine pouts at Annerose’s response, clearly displeased that her lover is praising someone else.  

“According to Karen, training Seria Bransberg will take about two years. In that time, she believes Seria will gain the strength needed to join the White Knights.”  

“Hmm, two years? ...That’s indeed a tricky decision for you to make.”  

“Yes, it is. What do you think we should do?”  

“...”  

At Annerose’s question, Christine twirls her hair, deep in thought.  

Losing a White Knight for two years is a significant loss for the kingdom.  

It’s not something that can be easily permitted.  

But at the same time, after two years, there’s the potential to gain not only Karen but another knight capable of joining the White Knights.  

Typically, a knight’s career lasts until their late thirties.  

Karen, still in her early twenties, has nearly twenty years of service ahead of her.  

If successful, Shreid could secure two White Knights for the next two decades.  

“...When is the next ranking tournament for the White Knights?”  

“It’s held every three years, so... two years from now.”  

“I see.”  

Christine nods.  

The White Knights, the pinnacle of humanity’s martial strength.  

With resource allocation tied to the number of knights, the trials to join the White Knights are incredibly rigorous.  

New members are usually admitted through evaluations to fill vacancies.  

But this creates an incentive for knights to cling to their positions as long as possible, which could tarnish the reputation of the White Knights as the ultimate martial force.  

To address this, a tournament is held to rank the knights based on their combat prowess, using golems. During this event, knights not yet in the White Knights but recommended by their kingdoms can compete for a spot.  

If Karen is aiming for this, it avoids the need for tiresome political maneuvering with the kingdom’s schemers, as it becomes a straightforward test of skill.  

“She’s probably planning for that, isn’t she?”  

“Hmm, is her skill up to par?”  

“Karen, known as the ‘Horizontal Flash,’ is a renowned swordmaster. Her horizontal slashing technique is said to be unmatched in Shreid. Barring any surprises, her return to the White Knights should be a given.”  

“Oh, right. The Steiner family’s hereditary martial art... I remember now.”  

“...”  

“It’s a joke! Don’t look at me like that, Annerose. It makes my heart ache.”  

“...So, what’s your decision? I haven’t set a deadline, but it’s been two weeks since I asked her to wait for a response. She must be getting anxious.”  

“Hmm...”  

Twirling her hair, Christine mulls over the issue.  

She weighs the potential losses over the next two years against the gains that could come afterward.  

A leader who blindly trusts in the future lacks the qualifications to lead.  

As Shreid’s current leader, Christine must base her decision on possibilities, not optimism.  

In that sense, banking on gaining two White Knights in two years is a gamble.  

“...Annerose, what’s your opinion?”  

“I don’t think it’s my place to speak on this...”  

“You know that’s not what I’m asking. I don’t want a decision I want to know what you think of the situation.”  

“...I see. If you put it that way... I think it’s a matter of weighing what we might lose over the next two years against what we could gain afterward.”  

“Hmm, and what might we lose?”  

“The resources lost due to Karen’s absence, the potential weakening of your position, and some political instability.”  

“Hmm, and after two years?”  

“The loyalty of knights you’ve supported and helped grow. Specifically, the backing of two White Knights, which would strengthen your position.”  

“Hmm, so in two years, my position could be rock-solid.”  

“...If both of them can join the White Knights, that is.”  

Annerose’s cautious reply.  

But Christine nods decisively.  

“Alright, then I approve.”  

“Are you sure?”  

“What, you expected this, didn’t you? My position isn’t so fragile that losing one White Knight will make me cry. The real issue is the stagnation we’re facing now.”  

For an organization that has built a solid foundation and grown, the biggest question is: what’s next?  

Ironically, the larger the organization, the harder it is to take risks or pursue new opportunities, leading to stalled growth.  

For Christine, who has already defeated her rivals, worrying about minor popularity contests isn’t the priority. What she needs is a decisive move to solidify her position.  

“If adding one more White Knight can cement my position, it’s a worthwhile investment, don’t you think?”  

At Christine’s confident question, Annerose smiles and nods quietly.  

“Well, it seems we’re done talking business. Shall we get to the main event?”  

“Um, we need to contact Karen Steiner...”  

“That can wait. It’s been two months since we last saw each other. Can’t you spare some time for me? I’ve been desperately holding back my longing for you these past two months.”  

“...Don’t tell me you rushed back just for this?”  

“Hmm, it’s hard to deny that.”  

Christine answers with a grin. Annerose responds with a quiet smile and begins to remove her knitted cardigan, revealing the black priestess robe underneath.  

Christine helps Annerose out of her robe, then gently kisses her. A soft kiss between two women, filled with the faint scent of tea and the sweetness of jam.  

“Oh, I almost forgot something.”  

“What now? Don’t ruin the mood...”  

“Sorry, I got caught up with Karen’s matter... It’s related to her. It seems she discovered a boy capable of piloting a golem at her post.”  

“Hmm, a male knight?”  

“Yes. Apparently, he’s stateless and suffering from amnesia, with no memories of his past. She plans to bring him back with her. What should we do?”  

“What do you mean, what? It’s obvious, isn’t it? Send him to a suitable family for marriage or enroll him in the academy. But more importantly, this is the priority.”  

“Um, Lady Christine?”  

“I’ve been holding back for a long time, you know? I’m at my limit.”  

With that, Christine strokes Annerose’s hair, then swiftly lifts her into her arms.  

As a priestess who hasn’t undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, Annerose lacks the physical strength of other women and can’t resist.  

In the end, she sighs and yields to Christine’s touch.  

Seeing this, Christine flashes a triumphant smile and leads her to the bed.  

Amidst this, Annerose thinks about the boy she just mentioned to Christine.  

From what was written, he seems to have lived in quite unfortunate circumstances.  

With no family, he was wandering the Dark Forest like a beggar until he was rescued by Karen.  

By chance, it was discovered that he has the ability to pilot a golem.  

He’s probably a boy from a nearby slash-and-burn village.  

It’s a common story villages destroyed by monster attacks, leaving children to wander as beggars.  

If that’s the case, sending such a boy to the battlefield feels a bit cruel.  

‘Hmm, no choice then. It’s probably best to find a good family to sponsor him and arrange a marriage.’  

Children born to male knights have a high chance of inheriting exceptional golem-piloting talent.  

As a result, male knights are considered prime marriage candidates, unlike other men.  

Those who marry into other families are guaranteed a stable life.  

With this in mind, Annerose concludes it’s likely the best option.  

‘Well, Karen’s letter didn’t specify what to do with him anyway.’  

Indeed, Karen’s letter made no mention of how to handle the boy.  

Thus, due to Karen’s small oversight, Annerose’s kindness, and Christine’s indifference, the “beggar boy capable of piloting a golem” is destined to be sent to meet daughters of other families for an arranged marriage.  

As they reach the bed, Annerose recalls the boy’s name from the letter.  

It was an unusual name, with a distinctive ring to it.  

A unique name no longer used. Yes, it was definitely...  

...Ragna.  

And Ragna would learn of this decision a few days later.  

It happened after Ragna, Seria, and Karen arrived at the capital via a teleportation circle, exactly one week after the princess’s return.  

It was an autumn day, about two months after Ragna’s revival in this world.  

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id