"Well, it's a relief that the mutant known as the Calamity is gone. Now, Ms. Sara and the others don’t have to move."

"Yes, it’s truly great that the royal capital wasn’t destroyed by the Calamity."

Yeah, I’m really glad I managed to deal with it before it reached the capital. No matter how sturdy the city walls are, they wouldn’t have been able to stop that massive Calamity from getting in.

"…Lord Masayoshi, do you have any idea who that man in the black mask might be?"

"………………"

Just like with the dragon, I gathered information about the Calamity from Mr. Darga and Ms. Gina. They’ve probably figured it out by now.

"…By the way, what would happen if the person who defeated the Calamity came forward?"

"The entire country would likely move to enshrine him. After all, it’s the Calamity that no one could defeat for 300 years, not even the Great Mage. Invitations to meals and soirées from royalty and high-ranking nobles would flood in daily, and there would likely be people investigating his background or challengers trying to test their strength against him."

"I don’t have the slightest clue about such a person!"

No way am I living that kind of life! Why would I want to deal with all that hassle after coming to another world? Nobles’ soirées, random challengers showing up? Please, no!

"…Well, that’s actually preferable for us as well. Hypo-thetically speaking, if Lord Masayoshi had defeated the Calamity, your visits to this mansion would decrease. That would mean we couldn’t enjoy the wonderful dishes and sweets you always bring."

"Exactly! Missing out on those one-of-a-kind meals and desserts is something we must avoid at all costs!"

…Looks like I’ve managed to spoil them quite a bit with various Japanese dishes and desserts. I understand Ms. Sara and Ms. Gina being excited about the desserts, but I didn’t expect even Mr. Darga to be this into the food and sweets.

"But are you sure about this, Master Masayoshi? If I recall, there was an enormous bounty on that Calamity. Not to mention, the materials from that Calamity could be sold for an unimaginable fortune.

While there may be some inconveniences, you would receive the highest honors and status, allowing you to live a luxurious and carefree life. Hypo-thetically, if that’s what you wanted, it wouldn’t be a bad path."

I already have billions in savings, so I don’t need any more money. Since I’m not planning to settle down in this world permanently, I don’t need honor or status either.

"…Well, hypothetically speaking, even if I were the one who defeated the Calamity, that’s not what I’d want. Spending time like this, enjoying delicious food with Ms. Sara and the others, is much more fun for me."

"!! Thank you so much. I also enjoy talking with you like this, Master Masayoshi! Since you’ve treated us so much, I’ll make sure to return the favor someday."

"No, no, you’ve always been a great help to me."

"…What do you think, Captain?"

"…The princess’s feelings are easy to read, but Lord Masayoshi’s reactions are harder to gauge. He seems to have affection, but it hasn’t developed into love yet."

"…I’m surprised you’re so observant. I thought you were oblivious to matters of romance, Captain."

"…I already have a wife and daughter, you know. Besides, it would be better for the princess to marry someone like Lord Masayoshi rather than being forced into a political marriage with some arrogant noble or a foreigner. Fortunately, Lord Masayoshi doesn’t seem to have any prejudice against elves."

"…You’re right. Lady Sara would undoubtedly be happier that way. Plus, that would mean we’d continue enjoying delicious food."

"…By the way, Gina, what about you? Don’t you have someone in mind?"

"…I can’t hear anything."

"Uh, is something wrong?"

For some reason, Mr. Darga and Ms. Gina are whispering to each other. They always seem to get along well, being in the same unit.

"Oh, it’s nothing important. We were just wondering if Gina might meet a good man."

"Captain!!"

"Someone as amazing as Ms. Gina would surely have plenty of admirers."

She’s beautiful, an excellent mage, and an elite guard for the Third Princess. If you can overlook her obsession with the Great Mage, she should be quite popular.

"Master Masayoshi…"

"Hey, Gina, why are you getting all flustered around Lord Masayoshi?!"

"Hmph… I’m so jealous."

No, I wasn’t trying to flirt. I was just stating facts.

"You know, if the man who defeated the Calamity were to step forward, the king might try to marry him to the princess."

"Marriage!?"

Ms. Sara and I getting married!? No, no, that’s impossible!

But then again, in Japan’s Edo period, didn’t they arrange political marriages by offering daughters to powerful warriors?

"The man who defeated the Calamity, a hero with overwhelming power comparable to the legendary Great Mage… The king would undoubtedly want to bring him into the royal family. Since the princess has two older brothers and is lower in the line of succession, the king might strongly push for her to marry the hero, Lord Masayoshi."

"Marrying Lady Sara? Amazing! Master Masayoshi, let’s announce it immediately!"

"No, no, this is just hypothetical! Besides, Ms. Sara wouldn’t want to be forced into such a marriage, right?!"

"Master Masayoshi… marrying… Master Masayoshi… marrying… Master Masayoshi… marrying…"

Oh no, Ms. Sara is muttering to herself with a distant look in her eyes. What should I do about this situation?!

Beeeeeeeep!!

In the middle of the chaos, a sudden, piercing sound echoed throughout the room.