“M-Marry me!?”

Wait, what is Ms. Sara suddenly saying!? First of all, you can't get married unless you're over 18. No, wait, this is another world—maybe there are no age restrictions!? No, no, that's not even the issue here!

“P-Please calm down, Ms. Sara! You're not in a rational state right now. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, so it's not something to decide on impulse. You need to take your time and think it through when you're calmer!”

This is what they call the suspension bridge effect. Right now, Ms. Sara isn’t in a normal state of mind. If she had prepared herself for death and then was saved at the last moment, it’s natural that she might develop feelings in the heat of the moment.

But marriage isn’t something you decide on impulse! …No, even in a rational state, marriage would still be too much. We should at least start by dating—no, wait! This isn't the time for that kind of thinking. I'm getting confused too.

“This isn’t just a momentary feeling! I’ve admired you for a long time, Master Masayoshi! Not as a princess of this country, but as a woman, I want to marry you!”

“As a woman…? F-First, could you please let go of me!?”

Just a moment ago, she had her arms around my waist, but now she’s clinging to my neck. That means her face is right next to mine. This is a really dangerous situation.

“No! I won’t let go until you say you’ll marry me!”

“Ms. Sara, you're acting completely out of character right now!”

Where did the usual mature and composed Ms. Sara go!?

“…Ahem. I apologize for interrupting, but may I have a word?”

“Ah, Your Majesty! P-Please wait a moment!”

“Marry meeee!!”

The whole situation is pure chaos! I wish I could use teleportation magic like Ande and escape…

“…I sincerely apologize for showing you such an embarrassing scene.”

“…No, I’m just relieved that you've calmed down.”

After waiting for a while, Ms. Sara finally settled down. Now, the three of us—Ms. Sara, the king, and I—are having a conversation a bit away from the others.

Meanwhile, the defeated Bartom Kingdom’s camp was in shambles. Screams filled the air, and some soldiers fled in panic. Considering what they just witnessed in my battle with Ande, I can’t blame them for wanting to run.

Some members of the royal family also tried to escape, but the collars they wore before the duel tightened, knocking them unconscious. The collars on our side were released, except for the ones controlled by the king of the opposing nation.

“Ahem. Masayoshi-dono, first of all, I truly thank you for your victory in this duel. Thanks to you, our country has won, and our lives have been spared. You have my gratitude.”

“No, I simply made my own decision.”

“Your tone is quite different from before. And to think that behind that black mask was such a young man…”

“Ah, this is my normal self. Earlier, I was just speaking that way to seem stronger.”

The battle is over now, so there’s no need to act tough anymore. My mask had broken, revealing my face, but at this point, it doesn’t really matter. Unlike in my original world, here, I shouldn't have to worry about my identity being exposed… probably.

“I see. We will now return to the royal capital with the captured Bartom royal family. What will you do?”

“Uh, I plan to head back as well.”

Ande said he would visit the Great Mage’s house in the Ruined Forest to pay his respects. If he goes there, he might use that black vortex and end up in my world. I have to prevent that.

“I understand. As you mentioned earlier, we will grant the official reward to Pazia, but aside from that, you are our savior and a hero. Also, that enormous corpse—it was the Calamity, wasn't it? You were the one who defeated it, weren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Normally, we would publicly honor the one who vanquished such a calamity, but since you haven't come forward, I assume you wish to avoid attention, even at the cost of a reward?”

“That’s right. I don’t need fame, so please leave it as it is.”

“Understood. I owe you a great debt, Masayoshi-dono. If you ever need anything, just say the word. I swear upon the name of Edva Edwards that I will help you to the best of my ability!”

“Thank you.”

Wow, I just got a favor from an entire country. I’ll be sure to cash it in if I ever need it.

“…Now, about my daughter, Sara.”

“Master Masayoshi…”

“………………”

Honestly, this was the bigger issue. I had just been proposed to by Ms. Sara, the third princess of this country.

No, saying it like that makes it sound like a bad thing, but that’s absolutely not the case! If anything, I want to throw my hands in the air and celebrate!

There’s no way I wouldn’t be happy about receiving a proposal from such a kind and beautiful woman. If this were my original world, I would’ve accepted without a second thought.

But this is another world. Can I really marry Ms. Sara while traveling between this world and my own? Or should I abandon everything—my mother, my friends, my life in Japan—and live in this world instead? Or… do I refuse the proposal of such a wonderful woman?

What the hell am I supposed to do!?