How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 16: Chapter SS2

Maria Visits the Senior Queens (Roroa Version)

Hello, everyone. Im the Maria who can only be described as unemployed right now. Now that I was going to get married to Souma, I wanted to chat with my senior wives more so that we could live together happily. This afternoon, I was called on by Third Primary Queen Roroa, who had a request for me.

When I arrived in a workroom for bureaucrats in the finance ministry, Roroa noticed me and started speaking in a coaxing voice.

Hey, hey, Big Sis Mari. Ive gotta lil favor to ask ya.

Big Sis Mari?! Id never been called that before.

Roroa put her hands together in a pleading gesture, resting them against her right cheek and tilting her head to the side. It was a calculatingly cute pose.

Settin our positions aside, I like havin older people to think of me as their honorary lil sister. Im already callin the others Big Sis Cia, Big Sis Ai, and Big Sis Juna, so that makes you Big Sis Mari.

Oh, I see... Huh? What about Naden?

As a member of a long-lived race, Naden was likely older than her, as well as all the other queens.

Nya ha ha... Roroa let out a wry laugh. Ysee, with the way she looks, itd be strange for me to go callin her my big sis. Even Tomoe and Ichiha are lookin older than her at this point.

Sorry, Naden... I cant refute what shes saying.

Well, that aside, your cute little sis has got a favor to ask ya.

The little sister things already a done deal, I see.

Our countrys gonna be comin together with your old country in some kinda two countries, one nation deal, right? So, theres been talk of unitin our broadcast programmin too, while were at it.

Ohh, that would be convenient, yes.

Each country had a limited number of broadcast jewels, which meant a limited amount of broadcasts. With our two countries working together, we would be able to afford larger budgets. There were only benefits to it, but...

Theres close to a half-day difference in time zones between our countries.

Well, theres nothin we can do about that. We could each make half the content and show the same things twicein the morning and noon in each country. Well find workarounds.

So for music programs, itd be like having multiple performances. That sounds reasonable.

Roroa was always quick with ideas like this. As a large nation, we could make most things work in the Empire, and there wasnt much call for creativity. That led to a lot of the bureaucrats becoming inflexible. They couldnt have come up with ideas like hers.

So, now on to the main ask. You were a lorelei in the Empire, right, Big Sis Mari?

Hm? Yes. I tried it out once, and a lot of people asked me to continue.

Mm-hm, I hear you were pretty popular. So, as our first program in the new unified lineup, I was hopin to do a Parnam Music Festival headed by a dream team of Big Sis Juna, our Prima Loreleithe pride of the Kingdom of Friedoniaand you, the Empires Singin and Dancin Empress.

A music program? And one where Id be collaborating with Juna? I thought. Im no longer the empress, you realize?

Ya dont have to be an empress anymore, but thats no reason to give up bein a lorelei, is it? Big Sis Junas still out there workin hard despite bein married and havin two children. If the people hear that you and Big Sis Junawho they all loveare puttin on a music show together, peoplell talk. Im sure those with a nose for profit like Lucys folks at the Evans Companyll be eager to put up the funds as a way of advertisin their businesses.

Wed be doing this for the money, would we?

I knew Roroa had a strong sense for finance. But I had to question her fixation on making money; especially when shed be using family members like me or Juna in order to do it...

You want to help the weak, dont ya, Big Sis Mari?

Perhaps picking up on my hesitance, Roroa dropped her goofy smile and put on a serious face. It was undoubtedly the face of a queen.

The important thing with moneys where ya make it and who ya use it for. If youre just makin money for moneys sake, thats exploitative. If ya give cash to people without them earnin it, youll make em decadent. Yave gotta earn it, use it, spread it around, and keep that virtuous cycle goin as long as you can. Dont ya think?

You have a point...

My ears burned a little with embarrassment. Still, being the idealist that I was, it made me grateful for someone who would shove reality in my face. That was true of both Souma and Roroa.

Okay...Ill do it.

Ya will? Whew, youre a lifesaver.

The friendly smile returned to Roroas lips. She really made use of a lot of different expressions. But I wouldnt lose to her on that front. I had the smile Id cultivated in my time as empress.

But youll be diverting the profits to my charity work, wont you?

Huh? Uh, I was hopin to use some of em to fund the next event...

Roroa averted her eyes. I wasnt going to let that fly.

Youll be making money off of me. Youll let me decide how its used, wont you?

I smiled at her. Roroa finally caved.

Aw, fine! I get it! This time itll be a charity event!

Hee hee, thank you.

I may have found myself a good backer.