Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord

Dee, Arb, and Row drew their swords and took their stances. The villagers clung to the ballista, looking down at the Apcaluru.

In the tense atmosphere, the Apcaluru stepped closer by about a step, emerging up to their shoulders from the water of the canals and moats.

Yesterday, the Apcaluru were cute children, but this time, their ages and genders were all mixed. That said, none looked like they were over forty.

Mostly young men and women, along with children.

They all had beautiful blue hair, and many were good-looking. Well, their lower bodies were like fish, so it’s hard to say much about that.

As I observed them, a man in his late thirties looked up and spoke.

“...Boy over there. I would like to speak with you.”

He looked me straight in the face as he said this.

His eyes were fierce—an Ojicaruru. I decided to bring Dee along. Without a bodyguard, facing him would be scary.

As I was calling someone who could be a bodyguard, for some reason, Bell, who was supposed to be a merchant, approached.

“The Apcaluru trade with some merchants. I don’t know where they get their goods, but many rare materials are involved, and among merchants, dealing with the Apcaluru often leads to big business opportunities…”

Bell’s eyes sparkled. Her enthusiasm was intense. Well, I was also interested in those rare materials, so maybe letting Bell handle the negotiations wouldn’t be a bad idea.

With that thought, I agreed to let her accompany us.

We lowered the drawbridge, opened the gate, and stepped outside. The Apcaluru peeked out from the moats and canals, looking at us.

It was an unsettling sight—like severed heads rolling around.

Then the man from before appeared right beside the bridge.

“...My daughter was taken care of.”

“Daughter? Ah, the child from yesterday.”

So, he had told his father, “I received food at someone else’s house.” I understood.

As I nodded in understanding, the man gave a shallow nod and narrowed his eyes.

“...I heard the boy defeated an armored lizard.”

“Well, something like that.”

I answered resignedly, and then the Apcaluru suddenly started murmuring anxiously.

“No way, such a child...”

“A powerful magician?”

“But indeed, strong ones follow him.”

They exchanged these whispers quietly. Dee and Ort seemed to sense the strength from the atmosphere.

Watching how things unfolded, the Ojicaruru spoke with a grim expression.

“...I acknowledge it, hero. I consent to your marriage with Radapriora.”

“Huh? Marriage?”

At that sudden declaration, my eyes nearly popped out.

What is he saying, Ojicaruru? And who is Radapriora? The girl from yesterday? She’s not here today.

I was in a mini panic.

Staring intently at the Ojicaruru’s face, he scowled and spoke.

“Are you dissatisfied? Radapriora is my only daughter, Radavesta’s. She is beautiful and will shine like a jewel in the future.”

“That’s great, but where is this Radapriora?”

I asked, and Radavesta furrowed her brow deeply and pointed diagonally behind herself. Looking carefully, I saw Radapriora from yesterday among the Apcaluru in the distance.

She was talking to other small children and pointing at the fortifications.

No, Priora-chan is just playing with what looks like her friends.

Where did this marriage talk even come from? I thought, looking at Radavesta, who glared back at me.

“...Our Radapriora tribe has lived without connections to humans until now. But recently, armored lizards have taken our river as their territory. Therefore, I seek a strong man as Radapriora’s husband.”

“Oh?”

I nodded somewhat.

In other words, scary demonic beasts have increased recently, and they want to ally with a strong human to secure safety. As a condition for the alliance, they offer the clan leader’s daughter in marriage.

Sounds like a political marriage from the Warring States period.

Well, even nobles do that often, but I didn’t expect to get such an offer. Naturally.

“Then we will live near the husband. Is this water territory the husband’s?”