Volume 4 Chapter 3 The Heir Problem
"Zeke, what are you going to do about the succession?"
Chippy—her human form, that is—asks me while I fish by the lake.
"What do you mean... it's still fine, right?"
Honestly, I think marriage can wait.
The country was just established, after all.
"That's not acceptable. What if big brother dies tomorrow? Who will succeed you?"
"Well... if things go as they should, it would be Cino. She's way more suited to be queen than I am."
I leave politics to Cino and the ministers.
In the end, all I can do is either heal or destroy.
The country runs smoothly because Cino is good at managing people.
Without her, things would fall apart.
Conversely, if I were gone, the country would probably be just fine.
"Big brother, that's wrong. You are absolutely essential to this country; you're a crucial figure."
"Yep. The citizens all adore you, you know."
"Uh-huh," Cino and Chippy nod in agreement.
...Weren't they just arguing a moment ago?
"In any case, human lifespans are finite. You will eventually die, big brother. Therefore, you need children to ensure the country's continuity."
Cino leans in closer, her hand brushing against mine.
"I'm always ready."
She gazes up at me, her eyes glistening.
"No way!"
"By the way, today is a red day of offense."
"What does that even mean!?"
Cino rubs her cheek against my arm.
"Kyaa!"
A sudden gust of wind kicks up.
Splash!
Cino tumbles straight into the lake.
"Cino! Hey, Chippy, that's too much!"
"Hmph. There's no way that girl would fall from something like this."
"That's right."
A massive water dragon rises from the lake, ripples spreading as it emerges.
Cino sits proudly on top, her soaked hair clinging to her face.
Her eyes gleam with fury.
"...You really did it now, reptile."
"Hah! What's that flat chest saying?"
Click!
Chippy's body glows.
Boom!
She transforms into a Behemoth.
"Today, I'll make you cry."
And just like that, the two of them start a kaiju battle.
I take Haku and Sia and make a swift retreat.
"Hey, big brother, don't you dare let go!"
"...I want to have it."
The younger girls giggle at me.
"What are they even saying?"
Chippy is my precious partner.
Cino is my precious sister.
Honestly, I don't like the idea of marriage.
I can't look at them like that.
But... an heir, huh?
I glance back.
Behind me, the land trembles as spells explode across the battlefield.
The lake swirls into chaos.
"I don't really care about an heir. They're both important family members."
Haku lets out a sigh.
"Big brother, you have to tell them that directly."
"...No, no."
"Is that so?"
""That's right.""
I'll tell them next time.
For now, I need to get them back to the Demon Lord's capital—
And mediate their fight.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)