Audience

After being shown to a slightly smaller room and having a moment to catch our breath, we were granted an audience with the Mikado.

If I acted super arrogant, it'd probably cause a diplomatic incident and cancel out all the credit we've earned this time.

Alright, let's go with the plan of not bowing our head.

"Ah, Nerune-san, please allow me to escort you. Here, take my arm."

"I'm not exactly wearing uncomfortable shoes, you know~? Well~, whatever, fine~"

Nerune grabbed Wataru's arm. Seeing that, Rokuko started glancing at me.

… Yeah, yeah, I get it. Here, take my arm.

"Hm."

"Hehe."

When I copied Wataru and held out my arm, Rokuko immediately grabbed on. Geez, she really loves this kind of thing.

"… Did you see that, Nerune-san? They totally look like a married couple, don't they?"

"I think it's wonderful how close you two are~"

"We should be like that too someday!"

"Hm~ That depends on the reward~"

Wataru, enough of that. Can we just get moving already?

And so, after taking a breath, we escorted the ladies to the audience chamber.

It was a large hall with a temple-like atmosphere. At the far end, there was a platform three steps high. On top of it, on a tatami mat, sat a wooden chair like a throne, and waiting there was a young blonde white woman dressed in Japanese-style clothing.

… It was Japanese-style, not actual traditional clothing. The collar was weirdly puffed out, the sleeves started at the elbows, leaving her upper arms exposed. Also, she wore a crown adorned with golden decorations like a solar halo.

It felt like the kind of vaguely Japanese outfit you'd see in a video game. The kind of thing that would definitely make kimono purists angry. It had a distinct cosplay vibe.

She looked at us and gave a big, bright smile.

"Wataru-dono! It's been a while, hasn't it~?"

"It has, Mikado-san. Ah, Kehma-san, this is Mikado-san. Mikado Nihonsky. She's the Nth-generation Mikado of this country and a descendant of the hero who founded Wakoku."

"…'Mikado' is her name? Not her title?"

"Ah, it's a name passed down by the rulers of Wakoku. I'm the 21st Mikado."

So yeah, she's definitely someone important.

… We didn't bow or anything, but she was clearly waiting for us like this. I wondered if we were okay not greeting her properly. Then I remembered—no, if I'm trying to cause a diplomatic mess, then not greeting her is the better choice.

"Ahem. Now then, you've done well to defeat the Yamata-no-Orochi and crush the dark organization [Three-legged Crow Yatakuro]. As a reward, I shall give Wataru-dono the right to become my husband."

"Ah, no thank you. I already have a girlfriend. This is my girlfriend, Nerune-san."

Saying that, Wataru pushed Nerune forward a bit.

… Wait, did he bring Nerune along expecting this would happen?

"Ah, hello~ I'm Nerune Gamma~"

"Hmm, Nerune, was it? Then I grant you the right to become Wataru-dono's concubine. Well, Wataru-dono? As my consort, you'd have a grand royal wedding—"

"Oh my~? Wataru-san~? I'd be a concubine~?"

"She's my wife, and I'm strictly monogamous!! Oh, and actually, I was planning to have Kehma-san here officiate the wedding!"

Then he suddenly tossed the conversation over to me.

Alright, time to greet them with the most pompous, arrogant introduction I can manage.

"I'm Kehma, village chief of Golen. What are you doing sitting up so high?"

"And I am his wife, Rokuko Golen Raverio Labyriheart."

"HUHAAAAAH!! M-my deepest apologies! It is an honor to meet you—!"

!? She got down from the chair and prostrated herself!?

The moment we gave our introductions, she dropped into a dogeza so fast we froze up.

She at least didn't step off the tatami, but still, that was some sudden prostrating…!

By the way, Rokuko, didn't you say an absurdly long name just now?

"Uh, wait, what?"

"Oh my. Whatever is the matter?"

"T-the weather's lovely today… Ah, my apologies for speaking from such a lofty seat. I'll step down at once."

Still rubbing her forehead against the floor, she slid her way off the platform.

… That looked painful.

"Hey, Rokuko? Was it something in your greeting that caused this?"

"Hmm? What is it, Kehma? I just introduced myself as your wife."

"… Ah, yeah. Wife. Right… But setting that aside, wasn't your name really long?"

"I had Misha update my guild card, and that's how it was written on it. It'd be rude not to introduce myself properly, right?"

When did she even get it updated…? Probably while I was asleep. Well, that's fine.

"Golen". That part was fine—it's our village name and now my last name too.

"Labyriheart". Also fine—it's technically Rokuko's original family name.

But "Raverio"—! That's the name of a nation, you can't go around claiming that one!!

No doubt that's what triggered this dogeza. That's some overwhelming imperial pressure right there.

"… Um, sorry, both of you. Could you please allow Mikado-san to raise her head?"

"Hm? What do you think, Kehma?"

"Uh… O-on your face, I mean, raise your head?"

"Y-YES——!!"

With that shout, Mikado-san slowly lifted her head… though it looked like she was checking my reaction more than Rokuko's.

Wait, me? Why me?

"Ah, Kehma-san. The truth is, Mikado-san here is a follower of Beddhism."

"Wha—!? I told you not to tell him that! I told you not to say that, Wataru-dono!!"

"And also, she can't afford to offend the village chief of Golen, who can provide her country with rice."

"You weren't supposed to say that either, Wataru-dono~~~!!"

Oh. So that's why it was directed at me…

No wonder Wataru had no issue bringing me along despite me being all geared up to cause a diplomatic disaster.