New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (3/4 chapters)

 

 

The Last Princess

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

(POV switch – Dadara Mining Kingdom’s Princess)

I believed I had done everything I could for the sake of the country, yet is this treatment not too cruel?

The Dadara Mining Kingdom was a nation that held considerable influence among the alliance of countries due to its weapon exports. In other words, it was a country that relied on the export of weapons. That alone was not enough, though. It might have appeared to be supported by three pillars: mines, craftsmen, and warriors. However, if the veins dried up, the craftsmen could not forge, and if weapons broke, the warriors could not repair them. In truth, it stood on a single pillar.

To improve that, I increased the amount of weapon exports and allocated the profits as research funds to develop new fields such as agriculture. Furthermore, I hired alchemists to conduct research on metallurgy and mining techniques.

As a result of the research, it was unfortunately discovered that most of the land within the Dadara Mining Kingdom was barren and unsuitable for farming. However, the alchemists produced results, succeeding in improving metallurgy techniques. In mining, they proposed using mages to assist with the rapid removal of hard bedrock, swift rescue in the event of cave-ins, and water provision for isolated workers when mages were present, raising survival rates. These ideas were tested and proved sufficiently viable for practical use.

With this, we succeeded in buying time against the eventual worst-case scenario in which the mines would be depleted, and the nation would decline. All that remained was to use that time to develop new industries.

Just then, an unexpected engagement was announced. Moreover, I was to marry out, not bring a husband in. The partner was the Duke Carnea. Certainly, it made sense for a marriage alliance between the Dadara Mining Kingdom, with its poor food production, and the Carnea Duchy, which could not supply its own weapons. However, this would mean the research thus far would be left unfinished.

If there had been someone else who feared for the future of the Dadara Mining Kingdom as I did, I could have handed things over without worry. Yet my father, the king, was a mediocre man content with the present, uninterested in accomplishing anything. The head blacksmith and the mine chief, both of whom had supported me, lacked the creativity to devise new ideas. The warrior chief was out of the question.

I tried to plead with my father to reconsider, but he even refused to meet with me. The blacksmith chief declared he would never forge again and fled the country. Most of the craftsmen went on strike, and the mines were shut down. Amid the national chaos, I was taken away to the Carnea Duchy for the wedding.

The Carnea Duchy could have been called my ideal. It was a country that placed agriculture at its center. While it was vulnerable to weather and the influence of demons, unlike mines, farmland did not simply run out. As long as knowledge was passed down from generation to generation, farmers could adapt to any situation. Compared to the Dadara Mining Kingdom, which held similar influence, Carnea offered far greater stability for the future. To be frank, I was envious.

That was how I arrived, yet what greeted me were pitying gazes. The closer the individuals were to the duke’s inner circle, the stronger those looks became. Even when I casually asked for the reason, they only bowed apologetically.

Why?

That question was answered the night I entered the duke’s bedchamber.

“You… you’re the bride, right? Come closer.” (Duke of Carnea)

Vile… Could any other word describe the Duke Carnea more precisely?

The information I had gathered before arriving mentioned he had a preference for untouched girls and a taste for young children. His younger brother was said to be brilliant but had dangerous thoughts, while the older brother was incompetent and uninterested in politics. However, I had heard nothing about his face being buried in fat to the point of flatness, or that he was a hairy ball of flesh. I now understood why there had been no information about the duke’s appearance. This was not something that could be made public.

Still, I had come here as a bride. Even if I resented the Dadara Mining Kingdom, there was nothing I could do.

“I… I’ll undress you myself.” (Duke Carnea)

Would my body even endure this? I wonder if I may be crushed under this mass of flesh. That may actually be preferable.

While the Duke Carnea was gently peeling off my clothes, placing his hands upon them…

*Knock, knock*

The window was being tapped. When I glanced over, I saw a small bird, no bigger than a palm. It was the kind of harmless magical creature often seen in towns, eating human food scraps. It should not have been the type to knock on things. Perhaps it was an unusually curious individual. That creature gradually increased the tempo of its tapping.

*Knock, knock-knock, knock-knock-knock, kn-kn-kn-kn-kn!*

It was striking the window hard enough that it might shatter it.

“Shut up already!” (Duke Carnea)

Unable to bear it, the Duke Carnea threw open the window. The window, which had been thrown open with great force, was quickly avoided, and the small bird flew into the room through the open space.

As I watched to see if it had wanted to enter this room…

“Apologies for the late hour. I apologize for appearing in such a form after presenting myself in that manner earlier.” (Small bird)

The bird-shaped magical creature transformed into a human-sized clay figure, resembling a haniwa.

“W-What are you?” (Princess)

“I am the Demon King of the Great Forest of Owa, Nobunaga. You are loud. Be quiet. ‘Gravity’ three times.” (Nobunaga)

The moment the haniwa pointed at me, an immense pressure was placed upon my entire body. The Duke Carnea, who had been standing in front of me, was forcefully slammed onto the floor and fell unconscious.

Could it be ‘Pressure’? But the haniwa had said ‘Gravity’.

“U-Um, could you please stop?” (Princess)

Since the one causing the noise was now unconscious, it should be fine to stop. I hadn’t been noisy.

With a simple “Ah”, the haniwa released the pressure. The immense weight disappeared.

What exactly had I been subjected to?

I checked to ensure there were no abnormal sensations in my body. Once I confirmed everything was fine, I noticed the haniwa was looking at me and tilting its head.

“Who are you?” (Nobunaga)

“I am the youngest princess of the Dadara Mining Kingdom, or rather, I suppose I should now say I am the wife of the Duke Carnea.” (Princess)

If possible, I would like to avoid both titles. I want to escape and leave my name behind.

“I see. I am the Demon King of the Great Forest of Owa, Nobunaga. Please refrain from being noisy.” (Nobunaga)

Ah, now that I think about it, this haniwa is the Demon King.

I nodded quietly.

 

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