Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 4 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 2===

Although she said it was just a simple dish, the female boss’ dishes that were placed on the table were all made carefully.

For Miu, who was experiencing Sherfield’s local cuisine for the first time, each dish had a refreshing taste.

“How is the taste?”

The thoughtful female boss asked. Miu immediately nodded without hesitation.

“Yes, every dish is very tasty.”

“It really is delicious. Preparing that many dishes in such a short period of time, but the main point is that every dish is extremely tasty, it really isn’t that simple.”

Haruka was also full of praise.

Waving her knife around, Miu glanced at Akatsuki. Akatsuki, who was taking in a big mouthful of meat, revealed a joyful expression. Miu thought to herself that although she had often cook, her dishes had never had this taste. It looked like it should be the female boss’s special flavor formed by her character and her culinary skills. Besides the color, smell and taste, each dish had a sense of intimacy and warmth.

……This is the taste from a mother.

A taste that she would not be able to imitate.

Miu accidently blurted out her true feelings:

“Being able to enjoy such delicious dishes every day, auntie’s family must be very lucky. It really makes one jealous.”

“Really? Thank you, this was the most enjoyable compliment I’ve heard.”

Then she seriously faced Akatsuki.

“……I did not imagine that it would actually turn into this kind of situation.”

“Yes. When I came back, the two sides were at a explosive state.”

Akatsuki replied.

“Is there no information from the People’s Council?”

“Our side only knew about the information of the surveillance forces being wiped out, but this military action did not notify the militia and the council. Listy-sama currently believes that they cannot confirm if it was done by the demon race, they do not have an active attitude for participating in the war. If it was not for the three country military alliance agreement, I believe she had never planned to send forces out.”

The female boss stared at the empty sky.

“Only because Disdia’s attitude for revenge was extremely unyielding, Sherfield was forced to take action. In addition, the surveillance forces included part of Sherfield’s soldiers. Listy-sama could not just observe the situation, as it may lead to discontent within the country.”

So that was what happened, Akatsuki muttered.

“How did the council view this incident?”

“The council’s position was to remain neutral, but it is still sincerely looking forward to determine whether the situation of the surveillance forces being attacked is related to the demon race.”

The female boss’s expression was very bitter.

“After all, this was the peace you and Listy-sama had earned through your hard work. We have already shed too much blood, how can we easily destroy the hard-won peace.”

It really was too much.

“This short period of peace came at the expense of many precious lives.”

The female boss had a sorrowful tone. Miu and the others were suddenly moved, and gently put down the cutlery. Every word she had spoken was sincere and meaningful. Once she thought that there were humans with similar ideas as herself, Miu could not help but be moved.

……If only everybody was just like her……

War would probably never happen again.

Then she saw the female boss lift her head and look at Akatsuki.

“Since you are standing on the demon race’s side, does this mean that the event of being attacked is unrelated to the demon race?”

“At least the demon race currently targeted by the joint forces are innocent.”

Akatsuki replied.

“Currently the three country leaders have decided to temporarily retreat until an impartial third country re-investigates, then they will decide. This means that……the demon race temporarily gained a chance to breath.”

“I see……”

The female boss nodded with a strict expression, then she suddenly revealed a wry smile.

“But to stop the war and join the demon race’s forces, your method of doing things is too extreme.”

“I don’t think so.”

Akatsuki casually replied.

“I only do not like to leave things half-finished.”

“The moment you come back, you turn to this act. Listy-sama must be very angry?”

“Haha. If I could concede, I would, but when I need to be stubborn, I will also be stubborn till the end. For her position, being angry is natural.”

But once that remark had been said……

“——Actually, she worked really hard.”

The female boss quietly said.

“The recent work of transferring power to the People’s Council is gradually on track. The scope we, the committee members, are involved with has gradually increased.”

Saying up till here, the female boss could not help but sigh.

“Seeing that the elections are about to be held, I could not imagine……”

“Sorry, the election is……?”

Miu curiously asked.

“The election is to decide the new representative of Sherfield. Sherfield took great damages during the war against the demon race. As the last member of royalty, that person has decided to bear all the responsibility.”

Akatsuki replaced the female boss to reply.

“In short, it is to abolish the Royalty system, allow Sherfield to become a democratic country where the citizens elect representatives to manage the national policies.”

Ousawa Akatsuki thought back to the past.

What he thought back to was a moment after they recovered the capital Erdia from the demon race’s grasp.

At that time, Sherfield’s king had decided to enter the world, causing the country to be in turmoil. The citizens were all suffering from the threat of war. As the remaining survivor from the royal family, Listy regretted the actions of her father, and began to seriously consider what she could do for the country.

The gentle Sherfield princess finally made two decisions. One was to defeat the demon king Galious, the other was to democratize Sherfield. The people who decide the fate of Sherfield shouldn’t be the king, but the citizens. In order to create a democratic country, Listy brought Akatsuki, Zechs and Loutier to establish the system, creating the People’s Council and the militia ——which were not loyal to the royalty, but a political organization and military that belonged to the people. Currently, the final decision for policies resided at Listy’s hands, but all the policies would have to pass through the People’s Council.

The only area that the People’s Council could not interfere with was matters related to the previous war.

“That person once said, the battle was because of a wrong decision from the royal family.”

“S…So the goal of her becoming the successor of the throne is……”

Akatsuki nodded, confirming Miu’s prediction.

“Besides an armed coup d’etat, only royalty members are able to abolish the monarchy. But it just so happens that the country’s people all love Listy very much……”

That is also saying……

“The purpose of that person taking the throne was to deal with the mess that the royal family had left to their people. As Sherfield’s last queen, it is a responsibility she must take.”

“This……”

After learning the ins and outs of the matter, Miu was dumbfounded.

Miu had abandoned the responsibility of the demon king’s daughter. Of course, this was a decision she was forced to make.

After all, the demon king was dead now, and the demon king’s daughter would only become a source of unrest. That was why Galious had decided to entrust Miu to Akatsuki; and Akatsuki believed that the most appropriate solution was to take Miu away from Alayzard, and return to his own world. Even after they had left Alayzard, Disdia still sent pursuers, attempting to harm Miu. If she had decided to stay in this world, the consequences could have been disastrous.

However, the reason did not change the fact that Miu, as the demon king’s daughter, ran away from her responsibilities. They were both the leaders of their countries. Listy decided to face the responsibility and up till now, continued to fight restlessly. The gap between the two was clear to see.

Ignoring the transfixed Miu, Haruka quietly asked.

“Ousawa Akatsuki, do you really not have any regrets? Even knowing how much effort Queen Listy has given for the country, you still want to have a duel with her?”

“To prevent the battle between humans and the demon race, and promoting a peaceful coexistence between the two sides, I have no other choice.”

Akatsuki replied.

“Also, this is not only for the demon race. For the sake of that person, I must stop this war.”

Is it not?

“To prevent her, who absolutely hates wars, from being forced to go down this path, I must stop the war, and stop the tears from her that will flow down because of a war.”

“……”

Facing Akatsuki’s passionate speech, everyone fell into silence.

In Miu’s heart, there was a bit of self-loathing.

……Really now, what was I thinking in the end……

Even though she knew she shouldn’t have this thought, once Miu heard that Akatsuki was willing to fight for Listy, she felt a bit bitter. Including the sense of self-loathing, it made Miu feel even more painful.

“——If you say so, then what do you plan to do?”

Haruka asked a question towards Akatsuki.

“I think you should also know right? In order to reach a peaceful agreement, the battle happening in three days must be won. But in case you win, and the impartial third-country investigation results prove that the attack was unrelated to the demon race, humans and the demon race will successfully sign a peace treaty……At that moment, Sherfield will definitely be in a dilemma.”

“Are you referring to the domestic and foreign hostile forces that disagree with the peace treaty? Of course I understand this.”

Akatsuki gave off a hmmph, then revealed a confident smile.

“Disdia’s fourth prince isn’t a simple character to deal with, but I have my own plan.”