Well, it went about as expected. I gave the announcement, which didn't even last more than five minutes. In fact, the whole setup took more time. All of this was really just to let the attaches, journalists, representatives, etc of other countries know what happened and the aftermath. It didn't need to be long. They get what they wanted, and my people get what they want, which is a festival. And it's set to start one month from now. Should be enough time for everything to get set up and clear up schedules for the festivities. It's going to a grand victory festival, with an even more over-the-top military parade. Something even Gabiru would find perhaps too excessive, but it's going to be so worth it.
For now, I'm going back home. Enjoy as much time as possible with Shuna before I get slightly busier once the occupation begins fully.
"Wait, Lady Pendragon, I need to talk to you!"
I stopped as I heard a shout. Whoever it was was trying to catch up to me. I turned around, and it was Vesta. This is a little weird. I don't remember asking him to develop any other technology or sending a message to Gazel. Whatever it was, I just stood and waited for him to arrive.
"Lady Pendragon, there's a message from King Gazel!"
A message? Okay, it's definitely about the war. The only thing I can think of that would warrant a message is the vast land acquisition from the Eastern Empire. A possible warning of being too expansionist? Or a warning that others would think we're a little ambitious in conquering more land? A concern that we may be going down the same route as the Eastern Empire? That's what I can think of. I don't think there are any other concerns about the war itself, or at least the actual fighting. No one should raise a fuss about the weapons we used or the tactics we also used. Well, maybe what I did with Rhongomyniad? Ah, too many questions, let's just hear what Vesta has to say.
"What is it, Vesta? Is it urgent?"
"No, it's not urgent, but King Gazel would prefer a response as soon as possible. It's about his personal pegasus."
'His pegasus? What? What does his personal pegasus have to…' I was thinking about it, and when I finally remembered, my face slowly came to a steady realization. 'Dun Stallion! I forgot he did that! Oh man, I remember now! I was surprised he could do that off with Gazel's pegasus! I even kind of praised him a bit!'
"He found out his pegasus was pregnant when he noticed his pegasus's belly was getting a little too big. He had some mages use magic to see who the father is, but none of the pegasuses from his kingdom were the father, so they expanded the search and found out it was a horse from here. They want to discuss how to handle this."
"Ah, I see. Okay, I'll just get straight to the point. That's on me. That was my horse. It happened during my wedding festival."
Hold on a second, this is a good opportunity. Whatever horse is born will no doubt be very good. And, considering the future, I need some good horses to gift to my…anyway, I'll just take them.
"Tell Gazel that I'll happily take the foal that gets born. In fact, if he wants, tell him that he can send over the pegasus here, and we'll watch over her to make sure everything is fine."
"Okay, I'll relay that message."
Vesta started to run off to send the message. Man, I forgot Dun Stallion did that. I need to think of good horse names now. I need to tell Dun Stallion now.
/\\//\\//\
"Hey, Dun Stallion, come over here!"
I yelled out to Dun Stallion, who was grazing out in a field. He quickly ran over to me.
'Master, what do you require?'
I started petting him and scratching his neck.
"I'm going to give it to you straight, Dun Stallion. You're going to be a father."
Dun Stallion immediately raised his head as he looked at me. I've never seen a horse put on such an expression as what he had right now, but it was funny. He stayed as still as a statue. Seconds seemed to drag on into minutes as he stayed silent.
'Really?'
"Yup."
You know, the fact that Dun Stallion was able to get a pegasus pregnant in one attempt is a bit impressive. From what I remember, breeding farms consider a 65% conception rate to be successful. And what Dun Stallion did was basically just, well, to be crude about it, a fling. I doubt he was trying to get the pegasus pregnant, but he did. So, it is what it is.
Though I do wonder how well he could breed. Damn, imagine the money for that. He'd put racehorses to shame just in terms of the breeding fee. Not like I'd do that. I'd only have him breed when I need more horses. I know I can get some fully grown horses, but when I want to gift horses in the future, I want them to come from him.
'So, how long should I expect to see the pegasus?'
"Well, the pegasus will be brought over soon. I told Gazel that I'll happily take care of it to make sure everything is fine. Anyway, how do you feel?"
'I don't know.'
"I'd try to relate, but I have no experience in that. Well, I'll let you be, Dun Stallion."
I left the field and finally went back home. That was one big surprise for today, but it's all going to be fine.
/\\//\\//\
I stopped at the entrance to my house. I felt something off. Something different. It should only be her in the house, but for some reason, I sensed more…how do I describe it? There weren't any people in there, but there were definitely life forms, just very, very faint. Eh, probably nothing. I don't need to worry about something so small when there's the aftermath of an entire war to settle. And like always, never make a decision when you're hungry, because it'll affect your judgment. In a situation like that, hunger is the true enemy.
Hold on a second, what did I say? Eh, never mind.
I opened the door and went in, and I could smell food already. Oh, I think it's Japanese food this time. This should be nice. It's kind of weird, because I remember this one time when Shuna cracked an egg in a bowl and used chopsticks to whisk only the egg white, but leave the yolk completely alone. It was cool to watch. It became all fuzzy, but the yolk was left completely intact. I forgot what it was called, but it was very good.
Time for my feast.