Unusual Musings

After the meeting, they left Yuuri's makeshift office as the older men went to work, while Wolfram stayed by Yuuri.

'Haaah, sitting on a desk for hours is exhausting even if you're just sitting down!' Yuuri moaned as she stretched.

'But at least its a well-done job Yuuri, you're thorough.' Wolfram marveled in awe at her. She was never like this before, often relying on Gunther before signing anything. There are dangers in signing paperwork while illiterate but now she can translate on her own with magic!

'I have to be, because newbie monarchs are often underestimated, thinking they can cheat their way through things they want while a newly-appointed king is still naive and ignorant, and they exploit that shamelessly, so I learned how to carefully read documents for hidden meanings. And getting one over a newbie monarch means they can swindle a whole country so I had a good friend back home teach me to be savvy enough to detect attempts of subtle fraud, swindling and forgery.' Yuuri explained before grinning. 'That'll teach them a lesson that they can't swindle me!' she cackled. Wolfram shook his head in bemusement.

'Oh yeah, Yuuri, where's that golden bird brooch I gave you?' Wolfram asked in concern as he just remembered about the brooch he gave her...and she's not wearing it!

'Its in my room back home.' said Yuuri. 'Owning gold jewelry in my world is a blatant display of wealth which in turn attracts criminals to you, wanting that piece of gold for money, so I hide it. I can't wear it in there but as I have no control when Shinou-heika gets me, I can't always carry it around to wear here.' she pointed out.

'Heee...it's that dangerous to wear there?'

'Yup while here it's safer.' Yuuri sighed. 'Japan is an expensive country after all...renting an apartment space the size of that maou bedroom in Shin Makoku is about 10 silver coins already, so those strapped for cash will do anything for money.'

'WHAT?!'

Last Wolfram checked, an apartment rent here for a week's stay was 15 iron coins. For a commoner that's somewhat-affordable...and food should be extremely cheap!

'...and food for a month for one person is 3 silver, and miscellaneous expenses can cost more than the rent of an apartment. Tuition Fee for school? 5 gold a year. Our economy sucks.' Yuuri sighed. 'I can't lose that brooch or you'll get mad, so I hide it!'

Wolfram was mortified with the costs.

'You should live here permanently, your country's highway robbery!' Wolfram howled in horror. 'If I'm going to spend gold, it'd be for mansion renovations and luxurious clothes and jewelry, not a small-sized apartment and tuition fees!' he cried in freak-out.

'Oi, I haven't completed school yet and too underage to leave home! I'm only fifteen years old!' Yuuri snarked back. 'So what do nobles do for fun anyway when there's nothing to do?'

xxx

Yozak Gurrier was whistling.

He eavesdropped on the young queen during her doing paperwork.

A fifteen years old girl.

He was apprehensive at first. Young rulers are prone to becoming puppets.

To prevent that happening this time around, Shinou had assigned Celi's sons and Gunther to watch over the development of the new King and make sure she develops right.

Conrad said she was terrified and played the denial card, but will not hesitate to do the right thing however unconventional. She was afraid because this job fell on her lap and this was way over her head, a justified fear. Considering what kind of people Yuuri's parents and brother was, she grew up in a good home that taught her what's right.

But now, judging by her 'office time', she doubted all her paperwork and asked questions, and spotted things that needed Pending Investigation...and when War was brought up, she has rough ideas and asked for preparation incase 'the worst' happens. She did bring up a good point about Houseki...and gave Anissina an important job.

He'll need further observation before he throws his lot in with her.

xxx

Wolfram was more interested in Yuuri's sudden developments.

It was on his mind after he took her to town to show her around as yes nobles have activities, but its available depending on season and hunting season was way over before she first came to Shin Makoku and considering she's an unknown entity, she can't just join the Ladies' Salon, an event for noble girls and royal daughters to gather. Speaking, Yuuri should brush up on her feminine skills, not just desk work...

She matured and showed interest in ruling now, if only because she knew a lot of people are counting on her. Before she was so whiny about everything and grudgingly did anything because she was in denial about her new situation for very justified reasons as Conrad had to carefully explain her upbringing so they should be patient with her. They were in a Culture-Clash situation. They should not dump everything all at once, and slowly ease her into the job as they ensure her growth to become a good King.

'Hey Yuuri, about what you said earlier...' Wolfram recalled something. 'About the Houseki.'

'Ah, that? Last time Adalbert used that on you and your men, you guys clearly hurt a lot and how much, I have no idea but your state back then worried me.' that was why she had the idea? Wolfram never knew she thought of how it affected him and his men...he was what first came to mind when she wanted defense against houseki?!

Something within him warmed up. A warmth of...happiness? That Yuuri cares for him. They're engaged, but still...

'I have no idea how much it hurts you guys yet Adalbert seems fine...it seems training for tolerance is possible, considering he can touch the stupid stone with no ill effect and even use its powers. It takes years to gain resistance to it to the point it no longer affected him, making him a formidable opponent. He discovered such a possibility and we have yet to prove my hypothesis unless we catch and ask him, but sadly we have no such ability. Moreover, are the people willing to go as far as he did, is the question which is why I want our military equipped with Maseki for a counter. We have no time for Houseki Tolerance Training and that's the sad truth.'

'I see...' Wolfram then took a deep breath. 'And if you wanna know how much it hurt...' Yuuri stiffened, as if, bracing herself... 'Let's just say words can't do it justice.' said Wolfram, making a face at the memory. 'But it affects our maryoku to cause that level of pain.'

'Oh...' Yuuri deflated. 'But how long did it wear off?'

'It depends on how strong we are in maryoku to wash the houryoku off.' said Wolfram. 'Mine's a few minutes, while some of my men took hours, and one took three days.'

'W-wow...' Yuuri shuddered. 'Hey Wolfram, in theory how much does Maseki cost?'

'It depends on size like any jewel, really.' said Wolfram. 'The cheapest is about the size of that stone Weller gave you that costs 500 silver. The most expensive being 10000 gold the size of a head.'

'We can afford charm-sized maseki then, assuming we have money left from giving all our men latest equipment and buying tools...I'm gonna talk to the adults later tonight about the costs and I hope we can make it, not to mention getting approval from other feudal lords...otherwise we're banking our hopes on a freaking mythical sword of all things. It'll show the world that we're THAT desperate. Its also a sign of weakness, not victory. If anyone goes past the, 'hey, the mazoku have an ultimate weapon' and studied our military and resources through spying, they'll see what I feel and make fun of us. So hopefully we can walk the talk!'

xxx

'...her majesty brought up a good point.' said Gwendal as after a long talk that dinner, Yuuri went to bed with Wolfram.

'We can make the costs using the National Treasury. But barely.' Gunther told Gwendal, Conrad and Yozak who was posing as a maid. 'After that, no more projects at least until next year's tax time. But I never dreamed that relying on Morgif is also a sign of weakness.' he said fretfully in dismay. 'He was supposed to be a symbol of victory!'

'Well to be fair Sir von Kleist, we ARE desperate.' Yozak snorted. 'Her majesty has no idea we barely survived war last time and nobody told her about the war. Our numbers are very thin in the ranks now. To avoid war, Assassination may be our best bet. Assassinating the competents and patrons...and sabotaging supplies.'

'Let's do both.' said Conrad. 'Discreetly of course. By causing a large number of setbacks, that should buy us time this year or two if we're lucky.'

'Right...so boat trip for Van de Via tomorrow?'

'Yes. You be our shadow incase we get in trouble.' said Conrad. 'Yuuri and I will go tomorrow as uncle and niece under false names. Well, we DO have that relationship because her father made me her godfather...'

xxx

Bedroom...

After Yuuri took out her closet out of her magic just to put them in a suitcase, she changed into her sleep wear.

'H-hey! Put a shirt on!' Yuuri squeaked, red-faced, utterly stunned and VERY AFFECTED at the sight of her shirtless fiancee. Sure when they dressed for bed, there's a screen between them. She wore a nightgown just to fit in the culture here and here he is, shirtless with just bottoms?! 'Aren't you cold?! It's still spring and we're by the ocean!'

So she says, but a hot shirtless guy in front of a teenage girl was a VERY UNFAIR weaponized attack on a poor girl's hormonal psyche.

Wolfram smirked. As a soldier training was fierce, but the rewards are well worth it.

One of those rewards, was THIS as Yuuri damn near tripped while turning around so quick and scampered to their bed and buried herself in the blankets.

'You'll see this a lot often as we're engaged, Yuuri.' he snorted as he went to bed and crawled under the sheets to further tease her by grabbing her and pulling her close.

'Eek!'

'You have the right to see the goods so don't be shy~'

'You gotta be kidding me!'

xxx

Next morning...

Yuuri woke up to Wolfram's chest in front of her face and his chin on her head.

She slowly teleported away from him, red-faced. 'Oi, wake up now, breakfast is in ten minutes.' she said, embarrassed. Wolfram opened one eye to see that she's still red-faced.

Jeez, just how are girls in her country brought up, if they're very affected by a shirtless male?

Besides, under that formless gown that didn't show her shape, Wolfram could feel how trim she was last night. Slender arms and legs, all trimmed muscle, and a very flat stomach with trim waist - something all girls strive for using corsets to have tiny waists, yet Yuuri was naturally flat and trim there au natural. She also has a modest size when his cousin can smother his face by now if she was as bold as his mom.

Somehow, he finds what Yuuri naturally was attractive.

She never conforms nor forces herself to reach standards just to fit in society and just being herself.

He asked her why she never did when most girls would try their darndest to achieve standards of female form when he was done teasing her last night that also doubled as courting.

'Huh? That's something pervert men decide!' Yuuri gasped out, affronted. 'They fantasize all women should be hourglass figures with big breasts and hips, subtly made that known without who wants it done being known so girls thinking it's standards do it unknowingly playing into hands of a couple perverts! I should just be myself, and I say screw them! I'll be who I want to be!'

'You're very slim with nice legs though.'

'Having a specific national diet and doing gymnastics and ballet all your life can do that to your legs.'

So her strong, trim legs were a result of those two sports he knew nothing about...and what national diet?

Come to think of it, at dinner...

Yuuri took out a wooden jar after asking a maid for hot water instead of cold for drinks that dinner...then with a scoop, took out green powder from said jar, with Conrad recognizing it as tea.

Aren't tea supposed to be brownish in color? Her tea is green! That, and she had been specific back in Shin Makoku...bread the size of a hand, and taking bites out of small plates she requested for. There's always a bowl of soup, small plates for meat, vegetables, and that yellow fluffy thing. She eats that every. single. day when there's luxury fare around her. Every single meal time, her meal is always in such a format!

Could that be the national diet she's talking about?

After breakfast that morning...

'Alright Yuuri, let's dye your hair. It has to be in human colors.' said Conrad as Gunther showed her a booklet on human hair and eye coloring, all of which were dull, subdued colors.

'What dull colors...don't tell me only mazoku can have vibrant coloring?!' she asked with a deadpan stare at the booklet.

'Exactly.'

'Sheesh...fiiiine.' with a snap of her fingers, her hair and eyes were a satisfyingly dull brown.

'Oh my! Skilled usage of magic already!' Gunther marveled.

"She learns quick when before it's the spirit of the Maou possessing her to use magic." Gwendal thought, astounded. 'Is that a real change, or...'

'Illusions.' Yuuri explained. 'I put a magic field on my hair and eyes that will make anyone who looks at me see what I want them to see. It's impossible to change what we are biologically unless we have the genetics for that.' she said. 'I do know I have brown coloring in my blood because of mom but due to what I am, it just won't darn work because this double-black biology stops the changes so I have no choice but use illusions!' she whined about that too.

'Mm.'

'That could bypass our need for dying our hair and using contacts all the time when venturing into human lands.' Gunther looked thoughtful. Hair dye and contact lenses were things Conrad brought from another world. A technology they adopted for themselves for infiltration missions...and others.

'Well, it's the mazoku pride in your blood Yuuri.' said Wolfram. 'No double-black worth their salt would want to be anything else when black is an auspicious color, a symbol of a mazoku's powerful inborn maryoku.'

Maryoku, Yuuri thought, an inborn trait in the soul of a mazoku wherein you are born with a specific level of strength. There's no changing it by increase in power. All you can do is train to refine control and casting of magic. It's like that anime with magic circuits. Mazoku with great power take pride in being purebloods, marrying only those with great power in hopes of stronger descendants.

Not only that, the stronger you are, the slower you physically age. To the point that they are actually five times older than they look, while those with no maryoku like Conrad, can only live a thousand years while those with powerful magic live longer than that, depending on the strength of their magic.

That was what Gunther taught her and he who appeared old enough to be a friggin' uncle, was already 800 years old. Gwendal was almost 260, but stress made him have a lot of wrinkles, making him look older than he should.

And her fiancee?

80 and looks 15.

Wow.

For Yuuri, she must make a choice one day like all half-bloods do. To embrace which bloodline come adult age of 16 solely for half-bloods only. When a choice is made, the half that wasn't chosen, will be taken over by the chosen half. Technically becoming purebloods themselves. Technically. But the reminder that they were half, was their hair and eye color. A symbol of their heritage.

But for Yuuri and mazoku with hair color close to black, their children are always born with magic, lineage-be-damned. There were rare examples but they do exist. Especially her, the Maou who was a very unique case.

Sighing, she and Conrad went to do last-minute packing, before leaving.

'A boat trip huh? Never rode a ship in my life before, this is exciting!' Yuuri giggled. 'I only ever rode bullet trains for commute!'

'Well, where you're in it's mostly a landlocked area easily gotten to by bullet trains.' Conrad smiled. 'For such travel modes to exist...I once proposed such technology but building the rails all around our country alone will require a century's worth of gold coins.' Conrad shuddered at the idea of spending so much. 'Not feasible. The council nearly vomited blood when we computed the costs. As far as I could go, it was deluxe yachts and cruise ships, as well as battleships from the time of 18th century.'

'Seriously?!'

'Yes. Thanks to what I brought here from earth, the humans just had another excuse to resent us mazoku...if only they knew I got that technology from humans from another world!' Conrad snorted. 'The irony!'

'What about the fuel?' Yuuri asked. 'I doubt there's gas or coal here!'

'I used Hydroelectric Energy so that ship never runs out. Ecological, no?' Conrad beamed. 'Earth may have nice things, but at the cost of too much pollution in turn. I have to avoid that.'

'Heee...by the way, I never saw nor met this Miss Anissina...'

'She got the proposal from me because Gwendal absolutely refused to see her.' Conrad snickered. 'She was overjoyed by the huge project, and went home to Karbelnikoff Province to get working.'

'I see, so Gwendal's mostly relaxing now yes?'

'He reckons its the calm before the storm.'

'Poor guy.'

'Indeed.'

xxx

Upon getting to their ship...

'...weren't we supposed to be on some cheap ship to go incognito?' Yuuri croaked out as she and Conrad stared, wide-eyed. Behind them, Yozak mentally snickered. 'What part of this, is incognito to you?' she blurted incredulously.

Conrad and Yuuri gaped as the name of the ship on their tickets, was Hildeyard...and before them is a medieval luxury liner equivalent. By this world's human standards as mazoku still have the latest tech courtesy of Earth.

'Gunther messed up...so much for inconspiciousness.' Conrad sighed in resignated weariness. 'This is a high-class passenger ship for the rich!'

'That dummy, does he think that I, a middle-class commoner in upbringing who became a king, can't survive on normal ships?! I can be more than fine on even a rowboat as long as it doesn't have a hole! He spoils me too much!'

'We'll discuss that after this job.' Conrad reassured her. 'Let's go in anyway. What's done is done. We should find other reasons WHY he picked this ship instead of what we planned on.' and they went in, carrying their luggage.

'...my bag is so heavy, what did Gunther put in my suitcase, rocks and bricks?' Yuuri wheezed as she had trouble lifting hers. 'I only packed five dresses and two shoes so I have room for souvenirs in this big lug!' she gasped out as after Conrad got her suitcase off the carriage, it was suddenly too heavy for her!

Conrad frowned as he lifted her suitcase.

'I think its more than that...we better go to our room quickly...'