It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 47

 Chapter 47 :

Christine Shreid.

More precisely, Christine Arietta Shreid I.

The First Princess and Queen of the Shreid Kingdom.  

A woman destined to ascend to the throne as the next queen.  

Her nickname is the Golden Lion, befitting her fiery temperament and impulsive nature. This personality was well-known not only within the Shreid Kingdom but also beyond its borders.  

However, that’s not what’s important right now.  

“……”  

“……”  

Karen and Ragna stared at Annerose with shocked expressions.  

No, in fact, it wasn’t just them who were stunned in this situation.  

Even the stoic knights who had come to escort Annerose broke their composed demeanor, staring at her in disbelief.  

The only one smiling calmly was a single person.  

At the center of their gazes, Annerose was quietly enjoying her tea, completely unruffled.  

A heavy silence began to settle in the reception room. Unable to bear it any longer, one of the knights stepped forward.  

“Lady Annerose, what in the world do you mean by that?”  

“Oh my, Lady Lamia. What do you mean, ‘what’?”  

“I’m referring to what you just said! Why are you trying to connect that… that boy with Her Highness Christine?”  

Forcing herself to correct the word “brat” to “boy,” the female knight named Lamia asked. Annerose, still smiling, responded.  

“Hmm, well, I think it’s quite a good idea, don’t you?”  

“Lady Annerose!”  

“Calm down, Lady Lamia. I’m not saying this impulsively. I have my reasons.”  

“……”  

“As you know, Her Highness Christine has no male suitors… And it’s also a harsh reality that uncouth individuals mock her situation behind her back.”  

“……”  

“Even so, we can’t just allow any man into Her Highness’s presence. Doing so could lead to issues with the man’s family and lineage, potentially causing problems with external influences. That’s also why, despite being a priestess, I’m able to receive her favor.”  

“……”  

As a priestess, Annerose was affiliated with the church.  

Thus, the church held significant influence over her. However, aside from the church, she had no familial ties that could exert influence over her.  

Even if her family or lineage tried to wield power through her, they would face opposition from others. Moreover, as a priestess, she had not undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, meaning she wasn’t recognized as an adult. Therefore, it was impossible for anyone to use her as a figurehead to gain power.  

“For that reason, the man chosen to be connected to Her Highness Christine’s heir must be selected carefully. And in that regard, Ragna’s qualifications are quite favorable.”  

“But… what do you mean by that? Even if what you say is true, isn’t he a member of the Steiner family? Wouldn’t that make him a potential source of external influence that we should be wary of?”  

At Lamia’s words, Ragna and Karen quickly nodded in agreement. According to Annerose, placing a man suspected of having strong external influence near Christine was something to avoid at all costs. And since Ragna was a member of the prestigious Steiner family, he was exactly the kind of person Annerose described as having strong external influence.  

If that’s the case, doesn’t her statement contradict itself?  

But upon hearing this, Annerose responded,  

“Oh my, I don’t think so.”  

“……”  

“Hehe, Lady Lamia’s thoughts have some merit. But one thing to consider is Ragna’s original status. He was, after all, just a laborer working at a lumberyard. An orphan with no memory of his origins. Do you really think the Steiner family would claim a child born from Ragna’s lineage as their own?”  

“…Ah.”  

Lamia’s expression shifted to one of realization.  

It seemed like a blind spot. Observing Lamia’s reaction, Annerose continued her explanation.  

“No matter how much they claim him as part of their family, he doesn’t share their bloodline. Even if the Steiner family had such intentions, it would be difficult for them to claim Ragna as one of their own or assert that a child born from his lineage is part of their external influence.”  

“Even so…”  

“Moreover, as is well-known, Ragna possesses the ability to control golems. And Her Highness Christine is also renowned for her exceptional golem-handling skills.  

If so, there’s a high likelihood that their child would inherit exceptional golem-handling abilities. Such a child would likely be born with the qualities of a great warrior, capable of leading knights as the kingdom’s finest. What do you think, Lady Lamia? How does my reasoning sound?”  

“……”  

At Annerose’s question, Lamia fell silent.  

At first, she thought it was an absurd idea.  

But as she listened to Annerose’s calm and reasoned explanation, she found herself gradually persuaded.  

Even so, how should she process this?  

Was it acceptable to decide on a man for Her Highness Christine so suddenly?  

Typically, the first man chosen in such a manner would rise to the position of Grand Duke upon her ascension.  

In other words, he would be accepted as the queen’s consort.  

Even though the position holds little real power, its prestige is significant. The consort would participate in all major events and serve as a figurehead in various activities.  

As such, many families carefully select the most handsome and capable men from their ranks to vie for the position of Grand Duke.  

Could such a position really be decided so casually in the reception room of a noble family?  

Thus, Lamia couldn’t say anything. The others were in the same state.  

Karen, too, remained silent due to her ambiguous position. Meanwhile, Annerose quietly enjoyed her tea with her eyes closed.  

Then,  

“…I’m sorry, but could you please retract such an excessive proposal?”  

At the voice coming from directly in front of her, Annerose opened her eyes.  

She smiled at Ragna, who was trembling with a pale face but still speaking to her.  

“Hmm, I believe this is the best choice for you, Ragna… Could you explain why you’re so intent on refusing?”  

“It’s an honorable offer, and I’m overwhelmed by the undeserved fortune. However, my status is far too lowly to dare accept such a blessing.”  

“The one making that choice is none other than Her Highness Christine, the sole representative of the throne who watches over her people. In such cases, I believe accepting her grace with gratitude would be more befitting, don’t you?”  

In other words, she was telling him to obediently follow orders.  

But Ragna gritted his teeth and resisted. He couldn’t accept becoming something like the queen’s concubine. Doing so would mean he couldn’t face the descendants of the demons waiting for him or the subordinates who had died for him.  

“Your words are absolutely correct. Indeed, as you say, it would be absurd for a lowly citizen of Shreid, who has merely stumbled upon fortune, to refuse Her Highness Christine’s grace. But please, I beg you to consider my concerns.”  

“…What concerns are those?”  

“Thank you for listening. I am honored, and I apologize for my attitude in refusing Her Highness’s grace and your kindness, Lady Annerose. Even so, I’ve thought it over. Until recently, I was a person of lowly blood, a wanderer with no knowledge of my origins. If someone of such a background were to gain such overwhelming fortune and become part of the royal family, I worry about the potential harm it could bring to the royal house.”  

“…Harm? As I’ve said, your conditions are exactly what Her Highness Christine needs most right now. I believe they’re ideal for her.”  

“No, that’s not what I mean. It’s not about status it’s a more direct issue.”  

“A direct issue… You don’t mean…”  

As if something occurred to her, Annerose slightly furrowed her brow. Ragna nodded in response.  

“Yes. What troubles me is none other than the blood flowing through my veins the issue of my lineage. Who knows what problems might arise if my blood were to mix with the royal family? What if my lowly lineage leads the royal house to ruin? That’s what I fear.”  

_______

It is said that marriages between noble families are decided after examining several generations of lineage. The reason for this is to determine the presence of any deformities or hereditary diseases unique to the family.  

For this reason, families with exceptional talents are reluctant to allow their bloodline to mix with others carelessly. They also prevent their bloodline from being spread outside recklessly. This was exactly what Ragna was referring to.  

“……”  

The long-standing bloodline of the Shreid royal family. But what if Ragna’s unknown blood were to mix with it?  

No one could know what kind of bloodline he carried or what future it might bring.  

Was it a glorious future, or the prelude to ruin? That was the essence of Ragna’s argument.  

“……”  

Annerose slightly frowned at Ragna’s words.  

She hadn’t expected him to counter in this way. But even so, it didn’t matter. If he was going to argue like this, she had her own strategies.  

What came to her mind was a method of testing for diseases through blood.  

It was a simple magical procedure often conducted before marriage.  

She could have his body examined through that. Or better yet, what about having the temple priests perform a blessing? That would surely satisfy those around them.  

With that thought, Annerose opened her mouth.  

“…Is that so? Hmm, in that case…”  

“Therefore, I ask that you at least give me a chance. A chance to prove my bloodline and the power I possess.”  

Before Annerose could finish, Ragna cut her off. At his words, Annerose tilted her head slightly.  

Looking at her, Ragna gazed with serious eyes.  

…This was unexpected. Based on his behavior so far, she had thought he would try to escape somehow. With that in mind, Annerose asked,  

“A chance… What kind of chance are you referring to?”  

“Please allow me to enroll in the military academy.”  

“…The military academy?”  

“Yes. I ask for the opportunity to hone my skills at the military academy. And with those honed skills, I wish to prove that I am worthy of not tarnishing Her Highness Christine’s name.”  

“……”  

Annerose’s eyes widened slightly. Ragna, swallowing hard, watched her.  

…This was his best option.  

It was the best way to escape this situation.  

Rather than being bound and unable to act, it was better to gain some freedom to move.  

Though it was humiliating, Ragna was pleading for this opportunity.  

But the one holding the reins was still Annerose.  

He had already made too many mistakes, even by his own assessment.  

And the girl before him, whether intentionally or not, had noticed those mistakes and was trying to bind him.  

That girl, Annerose a frail maiden who hadn’t even undergone her coming-of-age ceremony.  

If he chose to, he could tear her apart in an instant.  

But he couldn’t. In this situation, doing so would mean his end. He would likely meet his death at the blades of the knights before he could act.  

“Hmm…”  

Annerose appeared to be pondering something.  

Ragna watched her with anxious eyes, praying that his words had gotten through and that she would grant his request.  

Feeling his throat burn with every passing second, Ragna waited. Then, Annerose slowly nodded and spoke.  

“…Very well. It’s not a bad proposal.”  

“……”  

“It may indeed have been hasty deciding on a suitor for Her Highness, that is. Perhaps I was too eager without even consulting her intentions. I apologize to you, Ragna.”  

“……”  

At that moment, it wasn’t just Ragna who let out a sigh of relief. Karen, standing nearby, and even Lamia and the knights at the entrance exhaled as well.  

The collective sigh was so loud that everyone in the reception room was startled, looking at each other.  

Amidst this, Annerose continued to sip her tea with a quiet smile.  

But her eyes glinted with cunning, as if she had seen through something.  

____

The meeting between Annerose and Ragna concluded after about ten more minutes of conversation.  

In terms of time, it was less than an hour.  

Yet those who participated in the discussion felt as if they had endured hours of exhaustion.  

Those who hadn’t participated could only look on in confusion.  

On the way back to the palace, Annerose sat in her ornate carriage, lightly smiling. She thought of the boy named Ragna she had just met.  

As expected?  

Or perhaps more than expected. But one thing was certain.  

The failure of this matchmaking was entirely due to the boy named Ragna.  

And that boy had the ability to cause repeated matchmaking failures.  

At first, she wondered if he was using some strange potion or substance. But as the conversation continued, she dismissed that thought. Instead, another idea emerged.  

Could he possibly use magic?  

“…The possibility is low.”  

Those who possess mana cannot use magic.  

That was common knowledge in this world. In that sense, Annerose’s thought was unconventional. Yet, she couldn’t help but consider the possibility.  

If that were true, he was someone who needed to be secured at all costs. To probe his intentions, she had persistently questioned Ragna and Karen, even bringing up Christine to shake them.  

The result was… gray.  

“No, perhaps a gray that’s nearly black.”  

Muttering with a pleased expression, Annerose twirled her hair. It was hard to make a definitive judgment, but the meeting wasn’t fruitless.  

What had been mere suspicion now had a clearer outline. All that remained was to uncover his true identity.  

But before that, there was something to address: how to utilize the now-revealed Ragna.  

Pairing him with Christine… from Annerose’s perspective, that wasn’t the best option. But if no other use could be found, it wouldn’t be a bad choice.  

With that, Annerose began to devise ways to make use of Ragna. Then, something occurred to her, and she chuckled softly.  

“Hehe, to think he’d ask to enroll in the military academy himself.”  

It was one of the options she had considered for handling Ragna but had deliberately avoided out of pity.  

However, if she hadn’t pitied him, Ragna might not have revealed a glimpse of his true self.  

Reflecting on the workings of fate, Annerose decided to set aside thoughts of Ragna for now.  

His situation could be considered and decided upon later.  

After all, he had declared his intention to enroll in the military academy, meaning he couldn’t easily leave the kingdom.  

Thus, there was no harm in delaying decisions about him. And there was a more pressing issue to address.  

Namely, how to explain to Christine the discussion about Ragna.  

“……”  

This wasn’t something she could hide. The knights present during the conversation could let it slip at any moment, and it would eventually reach Christine’s ears. In that case, it was better to preemptively address it.  

The question was how to approach it. She would undoubtedly be furious and cause a scene. How could she be calmed? With that thought, Annerose let out a small sigh.  

A week later, Ragna’s enrollment in the military academy was finalized. Four days after the decision, Ragna officially set off for the academy from the Steiner family’s estate, alongside Seria, whose enrollment had also been decided.  

It was a day in the deepening autumn weather.  

_____________________________________

Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id