The Princess is in a Bad Mood
The day after the conclusion of the Fourth Great Hero-Demon War was announced to the world.
A small discussion was taking place within the Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Terraria.
“I don’t want to. I won’t participate in the journey to commemorate our victory.”
The blond-haired, blue-eyed girl sitting on the leather sofa says with a sullen expression.
The First Princess of the Kingdom of Terraria– Sophia Terraria.
Chris, who was seated opposite such a person, secretly let out a sigh.
Just how in the world did this happen–
— This story goes back to the other day.
While Chris was doing some paperwork as usual, another task was unexpectedly assigned to her.
“Convince Her Royal Highness…is it?”
“Mm-hm.”
The bearded, elderly man nodded.
Chris’ superior, who had abruptly visited her, explained the details of the task.
“If I recall, you were acquainted with Sophia-sama…And as you know, after the war is over, the Hero Party should go on a journey to commemorate their victory. However, Sophia-sama is uninterested in doing so. And not only is she uninterested in it, at this rate, it might actually devolve into a situation where Sophia-sama would be the only one not to participate. And that is why I would like you to persuade her, as an acquaintance.”
“…I understand the situation, but why me? Certainly, I am acquainted with Her Royal Highness, but even so, there should be others…”
Her true opinion was that she didn’t want any more work. Due to the dissolution of the True Soldiers’ Special Ops Organization, there was a much larger pile of paperwork than usual.
“The reason you were chosen…you’ll understand when you talk to Sophia-sama.”
“Haah”, Chris sighs at her superior, who answered vaguely.
Thus, Chris met with Sophia for a discussion, but–
“I’ve finally come back to this country, but I have to go on a journey once more…don’t you find that odd?”
“Uh…well, certainly, that’s true, but…”
Sophia’s obstinate refusal to participate in the journey made Chris’ stomach hurt.
“In the first place…I thought I would finally be able to calmly talk with 28-sama…having to part from him again so soon, of course I’ll hate it…”
While she may have intended to speak to herself, everything could be heard.
This is probably the reason why I was chosen for this, Chris was convinced.
The fact that Sophia harboured a crush on 28 was something only a few people knew of, and Chris was included among them. Based on what she said, Sophia is refusing to go on the journey because she doesn’t want to be separated from 28. And so, as 28’s direct superior, Chris was selected to persuade her.
(…No wonder she’s dissatisfied.)
Although she had to play this unpleasant role, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for Sophia.
All this time– she had been enduring. This girl wasn’t allowed freedom until the war had ended, always having to travel with the Hero from one battlefield to another. It was the same for 28, but…no matter who it was, it would surely be harsh on them.
And though the war had ended, contrary to her expectations, she had to go on a journey once more to commemorate their victory. While the majority of the previous Hero Parties were comprised of those who were eager to go on that journey, each of them brimming with enthusiasm, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were exceptions.
“Come to think of it…you are 28-sama’s boss, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes, but…um, why do you ask?”
Sophia fixedly stared at Chris, who became uncomfortable.
“…28-sama told me about you. He said, ‘My boss is a beautiful, mature, stylish, and an outstandingly capable woman’.”
“O-oh? T-t-that kid said, something like that…H-heeh, hmm…”
“He also said, ‘But her personality is too outgoing, so it’s definitely too late for her to become a bride; when she’s alone, she’s too lazy to even clean up her room; and the days she cooks, corpses will turn up, so someone should marry her as soon as possible’.”
“MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS…!!”
She desperately suppresses her urge to scream.
During the war, for a change of pace, she made 28 taste a dish that she had created, but was 28 really still holding a grudge over that? Certainly, after trying it out, 28 had collapsed while foaming at the mouth, and since then, Chris’ creative cuisine became known as “The Ultimate Weapon (Dark Matter)”. The Weapons Development Department had praised it, saying “What a wonderful poison! Please teach us the formula!”, but she hadn’t added the slightest bit of poison in it. Just salt, pepper, and oil. Probably. For some reason, the lid of the detergent was open, but that was definitely an unrelated matter.
“L-let’s get back to the main topic, Your Royal Highness!”
She didn’t have the leisure to get caught up with Sophia’s dissatisfaction. After all, Chris’ desk still had a mountain of paperwork piled on it. Chris had to try and persuade her as simply as possible.
“The journey to commemorate your victory is also an important event traditionally. Naturally, while you will be greeting representatives from each country, more than that, the people themselves are looking forward to your arrival as the Hero Party. With the arrival of the Hero Party, the people can actually feel that the war is over…So please, Your Royal Highness, won’t you participate as well?”
“…Mmgh.”
Sophia made a dissatisfied face, but perhaps because she thought that Chris’ words had a point, she didn’t reject it outright. She was probably aware of her status as a princess, and thinking of the people, she couldn’t say anything selfish.
“…What will 28-sama be doing, from now on?”
“‘What’, you ask…it’s not something that concerns you, Your Royal Highness.”
“That isn’t so!”
Sophia says, standing up.
“Hero-sama and the others may not have noticed it, but I know! During the war, just how many times we were saved by that personage…If it wasn’t for 28-sama, we would have been dead by now. It is only natural that I think of wanting to repay 28-sama in some way!”
“…Is that why you invited him to become your knight?”
“That is so. If he becomes a knight by my side, 28-sama will be recognized as a person of the ‘Front’, both in name and in reality…It is only proper for that personage, as he is someone who should be admired far more. And clearly, that is why it should be fine for him to accompany us on the journey to commemorate our victory…”
Sophia, from the bottom of her heart, wished for 28 to be rewarded.
“But in that case, he doesn’t have to be by your side. For instance, you could have invited him to join a knight order–”
After saying that, Chris realized.
Oh crap– I’ve said something insensitive.
“That is, umm…I-if it is possible, I would like him to be near me…”
As Sophia says while blushing, Chris made a face as if she had chewed on a bitter bug.
This girl. To sum it up, rather than simply wanting to thank 28, she just wanted to be near him.
Though the person in question intended to hide her crush on 28, her actions were clear proof that the saying, “Love is blind”, was unmistakably true.
(That kid…I don’t think he’ll fall for this.)
Just how did 28 slip past the approaches of such a lovely young maiden? He probably didn’t think anything of it, huh…Chris thought.
“Umm…Will 28-sama, continue to live as a person of the ‘Back’ forever?”
Sophia asks with a meek expression.
“I have heard that 28-sama was taken in by the ‘Back’ at an awfully young age. With the Demon King now defeated, would it not be quite unfair to confine that personage to the world of the ‘Back’ any longer?”
“…I also had similar thoughts regarding that.”
Or rather– that matter had already been settled with the person himself several days ago.
28…rather, Tweight was going to attend the Bildarz Academy in the Royal Capital. However, if Sophia was to be informed of this– something troublesome could occur, so it would be better to keep this hidden from her, if possible.
“– That’s right! What if he enrolled in the academy!?”
At that moment, Sophia cheerfully announces.
“It’s perfect! This year, the Bildarz Academy will increase its admission quota because of the Hero Effect, and if worst comes to worst, I can just do something about it with my power…!”
Sophia says with sparkling eyes.
Chris inquired, filled with trepidation.
“H-hypothetically, if 28 were to attend the academy, what do you intend to do, Your Royal Highness?”
“Naturally– I will attend the academy together with him! Just as he had taken care of me in various ways during the war, it is now my turn to repay the favour in its entirety!”
As Sophia tells her excitedly, Chris holds her head.
Just having a keen intuition wasn’t enough to describe it; 28 was going to attend that very academy.
If Sophia were to learn of this, she will definitely not participate in the journey to commemorate their victory. Instead, she would try to enjoy life at the academy together with 28.
After much consideration, Chris decided– to tell a lie.
“A-as of now, 28 is currently thinking about continuing to work as my subordinate. S-so regrettably, it doesn’t seem like what you imagined will happen, Your Royal Highness…”
“You mean to say…that 28-sama will continue to belong to the ‘Back’ for the time being?”
“Y-yes…T-this is also 28’s own wish. 28, umm, doesn’t seem very interested in the surface world.”
“…Is that so?”
28 himself chose that path in order to avoid scrutiny.
However, possibly due to Chris’ strained behaviour, which couldn’t hide her inner turmoil– Sophia intensely stared at her with eyes that were devoid of light.
“If that was a lie, I won’t forgive you, you know?”
“Hiih!?”
“If that was a lie, I won’t forgive you, you know?”
She said it twice.
In response to the demanding pressure, Chris vigorously shook her head.
“…I understand. I shall participate in the journey to commemorate our victory. I’m sure that 28-sama will also be busy, while he belongs to the ‘Back’…I shall repay him another time.”
After letting out a sigh, Sophia left the room.
Then, she encountered a brown-haired boy.
“Sophia?”
“Ah…H-Hero-sama!”
A man who was now known by all the people in the world– the Hero Shion Veil was there. He had a handsome, refreshing appearance and a friendly aura. At first glance, it was clear that he was the type of person who was well-liked by everyone.
When he saw Sophia’s face, Shion gave her a gentle smile.
“Great timing. I was just over there, talking with Alan and the others about our plans for the journey. For now, I was planning to meet all the people who looked after us during the war, but did you want to go somewhere, Sophia?”
“Uh, well…I’ll give it some thought.”
“Roger that. Alan and Witch are over there, so you can wait there if you want. I’m going to ask the Prime Minister about the budget for the journey.”
Sophia bowed to Chris, before heading to the place that Shion had indicated.
After watching Sophia move away from them, Shion looked at Chris and spoke.
“You’re from the army, right?”
“…Yes.”
Unlike Sophia, Shion doesn’t know much about Chris.
In the first place, Shion himself isn’t aware of the existence of the “Back”, and so he doesn’t have a full understanding of Chris’ position in the army.
But Shion suddenly gave a deep bow.
“Thank you for all your help during the war!”
Seeing the unthinkably humble attitude coming from the great hero who defeated the Demon King, Chris’s eyes turn round as she responded.
“Thank you for your kind words. However, we weren’t the only ones who were helped. Hero-sama, thank you very much for defeating the Demon King.”
Chris also gives a similarly deep bow.
“Even though you are lauded as a great hero, Hero-sama, you even treat a soldier like me with humility, don’t you?”
“…It’s not that I’m being humble or anything.”
Shion says, slightly averting his gaze.
“I…understand that I am but a poster boy.”
After saying that, Shion walked away.
Chris watched Shion’s back as he headed for the Prime Minister.
“…This world just doesn’t turn as one wishes, does it?”
Is this world truly approaching an era of peace?
Looking at all the problems that have piled up, it doesn’t seem likely. Surely, just because the war is over, it doesn’t mean that there is less that has to be done.
For the time being, it seems that these busy days will continue. Chris lets out a sigh.
But for now– she decided to start working on the paperwork that had piled up on her desk.
Translator’s Note:
The word used for “Front”, 表 (Omote) is also used for “surface” when Chris says “…surface world”.
The Hero’s title, when referred to as Hero is 勇者 (Yuusha), which means hero or literally, brave person. When Chris refers to him as great hero is英雄 (Eiyuu), which also means hero. There seems to be a difference in connotation, where 勇者 (Yuusha) is used to refer to a hero who is in the midst of trying to do/accomplish something, while 英雄 (Eiyuu) is used to refer to a hero who has already done/accomplished something. In case you didn’t know, 英雄 (Eiyuu) is the term used in the title of this series, 影の英雄の日常譚 (Kage no Eiyuu no Nichijou Tan) or The Shadow Hero’s Everyday Life. The last word in the title, 譚 (Tan) simply means tale or story.
Source:
Translator’s Comments:
It’s quite late, but here’s the Side Story for Volume 1 of the Light Novel version. With this, I think I’ve translated most, if not all of what I want to translate from this series, at least for now. I still plan on at least summarizing some differences between the Web Novels and the Light Novels.
Series Page | Next Arc (Prologue) ->
Mines of Mordoth 