I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace (WN)

Chapter 2440 - Spreading Aftermath ㉜

The discussion to set a general direction ended with an agreement: the Hamilton Marquisdom would take charge of matters concerning the golden ripples, while the Archlesia Empire would support the construction of the Teleportation under the banner of western regional development. With that finally settled, Baron Ritch and Marie at last, one could almost say finally, returned home.

[…..Somehow, it feels like it’s been ages since we were last here.]

[I feel the same…… Anyway, Marie, you must also be exhausted. Take your time and rest today. There are plenty of things we still need to discuss, but that can wait until tomorrow.]

[That would be great. I’m really at my limit……]

Both Baron Ritch and Marie wore utterly worn-out expressions. For impoverished frontier nobles like them…… finding themselves caught up in a situation on a national, perhaps even global, scale had clearly taken a heavy toll.

Even so, with people like Chris, Marquis Hamilton, and Eris, individuals far more experienced and capable than the two of them, promising their cooperation, a faint glimmer of hope could be seen in the future.

[……At this rate, Father might even get promoted in rank, don’t you think?]

[Despite having accomplished nothing? Well, Her Majesty could attach whatever reason she wished if she felt like doing it…… but honestly, I’d rather she didn’t. A higher rank means more responsibilities, and I really don’t have the time or the leeway for that. Besides, there’s no real advantage in promoting me. If anything, formally granting you a title seems far more likely.]

[That is something I truly wish to avoid. My head already feels like it’s going to explode. I don’t want an even more demanding position. No, seriously……]

[Hahaha…… well, for now, let’s just focus on getting some rest.]

After exchanging these weary words, Baron Ritch and Marie parted ways and headed toward their respective rooms.

Once Marie finally reached her own room, she took out the clothes and accessories Kaito had given her, and as if to confirm they were truly real, she stared at them with an indescribable expression on her face.

She couldn’t believe things had turned out like this. Her mind felt unsteady, still floating in a dreamlike, unreal haze, unable to settle.

Right as she was lost in thought, her room door was knocked on, and her older sister, the third daughter, stepped inside.

[Marie, are you alright? You look completely exhausted……]

[If you’re asking whether I’m alright, then the answer is no. This has turned into something unbelievable…… Look, Sister, these clothes and accessories……]

[Wow…… In the blink of an eye, Marie’s become the richest person in the entire house. Beautiful, high-class clothes, gorgeous accessories, all of them things anyone would dream of owning. And yet…… strangely enough, I don’t feel even a little jealous. If anything, I’m overflowing with relief that it’s not me.]

The outfit, something even the eldest sister likely didn’t own, and the obviously expensive accessories were indeed objects a noblewoman would naturally long for…… but given Marie’s current situation, they did not inspire envy in the slightest.

[Sister, maybe you should brace yourself too. You might get approached with some political marriage offer.]

[Can you not…… I was planning to become a librarian in a small town……]

[If our territory develops, we might even get a library, you know?]

[……Are things really turning out that big?]

[According to Her Majesty the Emperor and Eris-sama, the western region might undergo rapid development from here on out……]

[If that happens, Marie, you might end up being remembered as one who restored Ritch Barony.]

[Ahaha, my name might end up in the history books then…… haha…… If only…… if only this were all just a joke……]

She tried to laugh off her sister’s teasing words, but Marie’s expression stiffened, because it wasn’t impossible. It could genuinely happen.

Still, Marie was a woman who had grown up hardy in a poor frontier barony, and she was quick to adapt. After a moment, she shook her head to reset her thoughts and forced a smile back onto her face.

[……But well, we shouldn’t just dwell on the negatives, right!? Sure, there are tough parts, but these are luxury clothes I’ve always dreamed of! And they’re not even hand-me-downs from you or my other sisters.]

[Fufu, that’s true. But Miyama Kaito-sama really is amazing, isn’t he? Just from a glance, anyone can tell these clothes are extremely high-end, and he just gave them to you without hesitation, didn’t he?]

[He didn’t even show the slightest reaction to the price. If anything, it was like he was buying something cheap. I really realized how different rich people are. According to Phantasmal King-sama, clothes and accessories of this level were genuinely just small purchases for him……]

[Maybe he took a liking to you, and hoped to make a good impression by giving her a gift?]

[No, no, I’m not beautiful or anything. Someone like Kaito-sama could have his pick from countless far prettier girls, you know?]

[Which is exactly why he might prefer someone with a gentle, natural cuteness! Besides, you’re definitely beautiful…… after all, you take after me the most among us sisters!]

[Fufufu, I see……]

Drawn in by the cheerful words of the third daughter, Marie, too, let a bright, delighted smile slip out. Sure, things had turned into something outrageous, and there were probably plenty of stomach-aching troubles waiting for her from here on out…… but honestly, she was happy about the clothes and accessories, and in the end, the time she spent shopping with Kaito and visiting a café had been fun as well. And so, she kept a smile on her face, thinking positively that there had been good things mixed in after all.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [W- Well, as expected of a charge-type, that was some truly fearsome stomachache. But at least she’s worked through all the flags she’d been carrying, so it feels like things have settled down a bit…… There’s still Cornelia’s flags ahead though……]