Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Bonus Short Stories

Encouragement for a Hard Worker

...How does it look?

Inside Prime Minister Hakuyas work room, the girl from Malmkhitan, Yuriga Haan, was standing in front of her teacher, Hakuya. He looked at the piece of paper she had handed him, then sighed.

With your current grades... Hakuya said, returning Yurigas test paper to her. Itll be difficult for you to get into the same class at the academy as Little Sister and Sir Ichiha.

I... see.

With the academys entrance examination, which would determine their class assignments, fast approaching, Yuriga was gauging her placement with a mock exam that Hakuya had put together. Because classes at the academy were divided by their results, Tomoe and Ichiha were seen as shoo-ins for the class for students with excellent grades. For Yuriga, though, it was uncertain whether or not she would be able to get into that class with them.

Theres really no need to strain yourself to get into the same class, is there? Youll be together at the castle either way, so youll only be separated during class time.

I-Its not like I dont want to be separated from them! Yuriga turned her head to the side peevishly. ...Sir. I just cant accept Tomoe and Ichiha getting ahead of me.

Is that so? He could sort of tell that Yuriga was putting up a strong front from her tone, but he knew she would stubbornly deny it if he pointed that out, so Hakuya decided to let it slide. But if you want to raise your grades any more than this in such a short time... its going to be a lot of trouble, you know?

I am prepared for that.

...Very well. Lets increase the amount of studying youll do, Hakuya said, as he plopped his hand down on top of Yurigas head. But you mustnt push yourself too hard. If you ruin your health, Little Sister will be sad.

I-I dont really care how Tomoe feels about it, but... Okay, Yuriga responded, sounding a little like a tsundere.

After that, Yuriga studied like mad, even late into the nightto the point where Tomoe and Ichiha were worried she was straining herself too much.

Yuriga was once again sitting at her desk studying away, when a sudden knock came at the door, breaking her concentration.

Y-Yes? Yuriga called out, slightly shocked. Come in.

The door opened, and Souma and Liscia came in.

Sir Souma? And Lady Liscia, too? What brings you here so late at night?

Well, Hakuya tells us youve been studying hard, Souma responded to the suspicious Yuriga with a smile. Thats why Ive fixed you a late-night snack. You know, to help encourage you. But I felt like a man shouldnt be visiting a girls room late at night, even if she is just a child, so I had Liscia come, too.

Souma showed her a tray with a rice ball on it. That must be the midnight snack, Yuriga thought.

Standing next to him, Liscia let out an exasperated sigh. Souma always worries about the strangest things.

I mean, Fuuga entrusted us with caring for her. Id be in real trouble if any untoward rumors started going around.

Well, sure, but...

Um... Thank you for your consideration, Sir Souma, Yuriga cut in. It was going to be a bother for her if they started having a marital spat in her doorway, after all. Liscia shut her mouth and Souma smiled, bringing the tray over to Yurigas desk and leaving it there.

This takes me back, Souma commented. When I was studying at night, my grandma would bring me snacks, too. It feels a bit different from dinner, doesnt it?

You studied at night, too, Sir Souma?

Yeah. Because this worlds only source of stable light is lightmoss, studying at night isnt all that common, but in my world, it was bright even in the dead of night. Besides, the year before being summoned here I had entrance exams, too... Thats why, well, even if this is all I can do, I wanted to say, Keep it up, Yuriga.

...Right. Thank you.

Once Yuriga thanked them, Souma and Liscia left the room.

When they came out of the room, Tomoe was standing next to the door.

Patting Tomoe on the head, Souma said, I gave her the rice ball you made.

Thank you, Big Brother.

Tomoe had wanted to do something for Yuriga who was working so hard, and she turned to Souma and the others for advice. Making this late-night snack was Soumas suggestion.

And so, she made the rice ball. If Yuriga knew it was Tomoe who made it, she might be too stubborn to accept it, so Souma and Liscia, the king and queen, gave it to her instead; that way she couldnt refuse.

I want us to be in the same class, too, Yuriga, Tomoe thought as she looked at the closed door.

Those Who are Nameless Have Stories, Too

In a dark room, inside a building, within the Royal Academy, a number of people were gathered.

Everyone, tomorrow is the day that he will grace our academy with his presence.

President! Has the day come at last?! one of the individuals asked excitedly.

The young man in glasses whom they had called president gave a big nod and replied, Yes, our Monster Research Society is about to make a giant leap!

These were the students enrolled in the Monster Research Society, MonSoc for short.

As the name would indicate, this was a campus group dedicated to the research of monsters, but because of how creepy their subject of choice was, they were often looked at with disdain by other students. In the caste structure of this school, it was fair to say that they were at the very bottom. However, with the publication of one book in the royal capital, that had begun to change greatly of late.

Hakuya, the prime minister of this country, had worked with Ichiha Chima, an exchange student from the Duchy of Chima in the Union of Eastern Nations, to make major waves in the field of monster research. Their result: The Monster Encyclopedia. Before now, the research of monsters had been taboo. But because of the direct connections to national defense and the economy, this book, which included drawings by Ichiha that even a layman could understand, became an overnight bestseller (but not really, because it was mostly being lent out, not sold).

That was how I ended up explaining the ghosts of my old world to Roroa. Because my tastes were a tad eccentric, I may have gotten riled up and given her some wrong information, too. The result of all this was some simple costumes for the jiangshi, tengu, wolf man, wolf woman, among others. But in addition to those costumes, Roroas company also sold an encyclopedia of Earths youkai, which was well-received. That caused a ghost story boom in the castle, and...

Souma! Would you stop trying to turn the royal capital into a den of demons?!

In the end, I ended up getting another lecture from Liscia.

The Ghost Festival (The Republic Teams Perspective)

Ookyakya! This is getting exciting! Kuu was enjoying himself as he looked around at all the hustle and bustle of the festival.

The trio of Kuu, Taru, and Leporina had come to the first Parnaam Ghost Festival, which was being sponsored by Souma, as regular attendees. Leporina, who was wearing a short black dress with bat wings growing out of the back of it spun around in front of Kuu.

Hey, hey, Master Kuu, does this suit me?

She was wearing a devil girl costume. The thin dress accentuated her figure, making Kuu avert his eyes awkwardly.

W-Well... I guess its okay? Thump! Ow!

He turned around in the direction of the blow to his head, and there, wearing a pointy witchs hat and black cape, looking a little dissatisfied, was Taru.

Wh-Whats the big idea, Taru?!

You dont understand how women feel, Master Kuu. You have to look at her properly.

You can say that all you want, but Leporinas...

Not just your bodyguard anymore? Taru asked him with unswerving eyes. Kuu was speechless.

A little before Soumas wedding ceremony, Kuu had gotten engaged to his childhood friends Taru and Leporina. Basically, that meant that this Ghost Festival was his first festival date with his two fiances. Up until now, because of his feelings for Taru, even if he noticed his own affection for Leporina, he had done his best not to look at her as a woman. But now that he had accepted her as a fiance with Tarus blessing, he had to see her as a woman.

I tried to ignore her all this time... Can you blame me for being confused?

Leporina smiled, as if she could see right through what Kuu was thinking. I get it, Master Kuu. Youre feeling shy, right?

D-Dont be stupid. Why would I feel that way towards you...?

Hee hee, you can look more, you know? I dressed up to get you to compliment me, after all, Leporina said, striking a pose.

Oh, yeah? Bring it on! In that case, Im gonna look!

Kuu stared hard at Leporina. She had the beauty of a model, with her arms and legs being long and slender, but the rest of her body sticking out in all the right places...

Take that!

Ow! Again, Taru?!

Taking another smack upside the head, Kuus eyes watered a little as he protested the abuse, but Taru held her staff tight as she looked away peevishly.

When you only look at Leporina... it kind of makes me mad.

Isnt that kind of unreasonable?!

...I dressed up today, too.

You dressed up, huh? Kuu said as he rubbed his head. Yeah, I think you look cute, too, of course. You usually dress like a boy, but today youre dressed up as a girl, even if its as a witch. Theres no way you wouldnt look cute.

There was a moment of surprise, then, ...Thanks.

Taru remained expressionless, but there was something not unpleasant about her expression as she thanked him. When she saw the look on Tarus face, Leprinas cheeks puffed up with dissatisfaction.

Murgh... How is it you can be so forthcoming with praise for Taru? You didnt even hesitate.

Kuu let out his trademark monkey-like laugh. Hey, Ive been trying to woo her for way longer. How could I be embarrassed about it now?

Whaaaa, is that how it works?

Yeah. Complimenting you, on the other hand... I feel like youre going to give me a smug look, so it feels complicated doing it.

Wait, what does that mean?!

...I kind of get where youre coming from.

Even you, Taru?!

The unexpected betrayal from Taru left Leporina the one on the verge of tears this time. But seeing Leporina with tears in her eyes, Kuu and Taru both agreed that it was kind of unfair how cute she looked.

They looked at one another, then each offered a hand to Leporina.

Come on, dont mope forever. Lets go, Leporina.

We dont get to have a festival every day. Weve got to enjoy it.

Looking at the hands shed been offered, Leporina wiped her tears and smiled.

Okay! I wouldnt want you leaving me behind, after all!

With that said, she grasped both their hands firmly.

The relationship between the three childhood friends seemed unchanged, and yet maybe a little different... Well, that was about how it was.