Chapter 9: Do not underestimate my frailty.

When she said he was taking the steam engine abroad, I panicked so hard I practically blew snot out of my nose.

“Our country’s transportation still relies on horse-drawn carriages. Once we lay down railway lines, our industry will advance rapidly.”

“…”

“So I would like you to immediately relocate to the region with the coal mines and devote yourself to development.”

No way. Letting a cheat-tier engineer like him leave the country? That’s out of the question.

He built a steam engine all by himself at that age? What’s his IQ, seriously?

“This truly is revolutionary technology that can open the door to the future. Please, don’t say you’re leaving…”

“…”

“I’ll secure the budget however I can, so please continue your research in our country…”

I humbled myself and pleaded with Juugi like I was groveling.

If our enemy nation Yaiban triggers an industrial revolution, they might crush us with sheer national power.

A total collapse of our country with all my relatives massacred in the aftermath? No thanks!

“At the very least, I, Rishali, would never mock your research!”

With a radiant princess smile, I gently took Juugi’s hand.

This is my secret weapon, reserved for someone with a face like mine. Also known as ‘death by compliments.’

Come on, I’m cute, right? Let yourself be swayed.

Seriously, I’m begging you. Don’t take this technology to another country!

“Lady Rishali. How is it that you were able to understand the structure of the steam engine?”

“Huh? Oh, well, I just looked at it and understood.”

“But without specialized knowledge, that shouldn’t be possible…”

Juugi stared at me with suspicion in his eyes.

…Crap. Maybe understanding a steam engine at first glance was a bit too much.

This is a world where that kind of tech is basically alien.

“Of course. Lady Rishali is also a researcher.”

“Takeru?”

As I hesitated over how to explain—

Takeru cut in, smugly puffing out his chest.

“A researcher…?”

“Lady Rishali came today as part of her entomological studies. Her work has already been put into practical use.”

“What! You mean Lady Rishali conducts research herself!?”

“She’s already earned high acclaim!”

“Oooooooh!”

Takeru praised me like it was his own accomplishment.

And honestly, being praised like that doesn’t feel bad. Am I actually smart?

…No, I was just observing a middle-aged man getting his anus parasitized by a bug.

“My sincerest apologies. I, Juugi, had completely misunderstood Lady Rishali.”

“Y-yes, you’re forgiven!”

“To think you’re also a top-tier researcher… Please forgive my earlier rudeness.”

After hearing Takeru’s boasts, Juugi’s attitude completely changed.

He bowed respectfully, like a whole new person.

“It’s nothing at all. Now then, shall we continue?”

“Yes, please.”

In the research world, status and magical power don’t matter—only excellence does.

I have no worth as a princess, but if I’m a competent researcher, I’ll be respected.

“Let us continue. In the name of Rishali, I formally recognize the value of your research.”

“Th-thank you…! I am honored…”

“However, continuing your research here may cause disruptions. Besides, the technology might get ‘stolen by another country.’”

“Hmm…”

Naturally, industrial espionage exists even in this world.

The Royal Institute accepts international students from Deken, so continuing research here increases the risk of theft.

From a national interest standpoint, I want Juugi to transfer to a different lab.

“Also, the ‘burning stones’ you use in your experiments—wouldn’t having a larger supply boost your efficiency?”

“Y-yes.”

“We’ll set up a research facility in a region rich in coal. Please continue your development work there.”

If the Kingdom of Saripa gets ahead in developing the steam engine, we’ll gain massive technological superiority.

From a military standpoint too, transporting troops and supplies via train would be a game-changer.

There’s no doubt this steam engine should be our top national research priority.

Now’s not the time to be watching bugs crawl up a knight commander’s butt.

“Understood! I, Juugi, shall devote myself to this research with my life. No complaints, no matter where I’m sent.”

“Thank you so much!”

Seems my desperate persuasion worked—Juugi agreed without resistance.

Thank goodness. That’s one problem solved.

“Earlier, Lady Rishali’s idea truly impressed me. The notion of powering the steam engine itself—sheer genius.”

“Do you think you can make it a reality?”

“Yes. The blueprint is already completed in my mind. Thank you for the brilliant idea, Lady Rishali.”

Looks like Juugi hadn’t even thought of steam locomotives yet.

Inventions always feel obvious once they’re made, but the inspiration is never easy—that’s why they’re called inventions.

“I’ll begin the research immediately… Oh, wait, the move comes first. Ugh, what a waste of time.”

“Actually, before the move, there’s something else I’d like you to work on first.”

“Before the move?”

Maybe because he’d just realized the concept of steam locomotives, Juugi’s face was flushed with excitement.

Seeing that, I cleared my throat to ground his attention.

“Burning coal is bound to have harmful effects on the surroundings. We already know the black smoke is dangerous.”

“Y-yes.”

“For your own health too, I believe we should conduct research on protective measures against the smoke.”

“You may be right, but—”

“Cough!”

Just then, I coughed hard—and a splatter of bright red blood hit the floor.

“Eh.”

“At the very least, we must develop masks. …Oh no.”

“W-wait, Lady Rishali, are you alrigh──”

“COUGH COUGH COUGH GAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

“EHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?”

---

Mmmgh... Looks like I’ve hit my limit.

This room is filled with black smoke—basically coal dust—thick enough to choke on.

There’s no way I wouldn’t be coughing up blood in a place like this.

“Kukuku… Do not underestimate… my frailty… desu wa… GABABABAA!”

“Lady Rishaliii!?”

Ah, crap. Coughed up a little too much there.

My consciousness starts to fade, the world swaying like a drunken dance.

“I can protect my anus… but not my lungs…”

“L-Lady Rishaliii!?”

Dazed from anemia, I was murmuring nonsense.

“Get her to the infirmary, guards!”

“Please hang in there, Lady Rishaliii!”

---

“So, that’s why… It’s an absolutely outrageous invention, and I’d like a budget for it, desu wa.”

“You serious?”

After spending a night at the national hospital and making a full recovery—

I went to report to my royal dad about Juugi.

“You’re telling me you can move a vehicle carrying hundreds of people—without magic? Is that even possible?”

“It is possible, and that’s exactly why it’s insane, desu wa. Plus, I pretty much already have the blueprint in my head.”

“Seriously…?”

My dad only half-believed me.

In a world where everything is built on magic, the idea of a machine working without it must sound absurd.

He probably thinks it's some sketchy pseudoscience.

“It’ll absolutely be useful, desu wa!”

“…Rejected. It’s just too fishy.”

Though my royal papa tends to spoil me, as a king he’s harsh when it comes to politics—he wouldn’t nod along so easily.

…Yeah, I get it. Brand-new tech is never easy to sell.

“Didn’t my last research project rake in huge profits?”

“Yeah, it did. Good work on that. And make sure to apologize to Paulik later.”

“Then can’t we just dump all those profits into this budget?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Rejected.”

This old man is a just and honorable king in most respects…

Which is exactly why he never indulges the princess’s whims.

How do I convince him?

“This research should be our top priority, desu wa!”

“We can’t dump tax money into something no one understands. No one would support that.”

“But I do understand. If we can develop this technology, we might even be able to stand up to the Deken Empire, desu wa!”

“You know how many research proposals out there claim they’ll change the world?”

Just words won’t be enough to show this king the value of the idea.

A claim like accomplishing something even magic can’t, through non-magical technology—it sounds like a total pipe dream.

If I just had one more person who could say, “This tech is incredible,” maybe I’d have a chance…

“I’ll do anything within my power, desu wa.”

“And just what would you be able to do?”

“Fatherrrrr…”

At this point, I’m ready to toss aside my pride and beg if I have to.

If that man takes his knowledge to another country, we could be destroyed.

And the only one who understands how dangerous that possibility is… is me.

“Ah, right. That reminds me—there is something I want to ask of you.”

“Something you want to ask?”

“Yeah.”

Looking at me, my father paused for a few seconds… then gave me a wicked, smirking grin.

…What the hell is this bastard planning?

“What is it?”

“Convince your sister, Lululu, to start attending social functions.”

“Ugh, it’s a big sis issue?”

So that was it—Dad’s request was to persuade my selfish sister, Lululu.

First Princess Lululu has recently become fiercely rebellious and continues to boycott high society.

“Because Lululu refuses to attend social events, the marriage talks aren’t progressing. The other party is starting to get frustrated.”

“That certainly is a problem.”

“They’re a marquis family, after all. Even if we’re royalty, they have their pride.”

Unlike me, Lululu is self-centered by nature.

She often sneaks out of the royal palace and has even gotten into brawls with commoners out in the city.

Because of her wild behavior, there was concern that “marrying her off to Deken would offend them,” so we ended up looking for a partner within our own kingdom.

“Convincing Sister Lululu, huh...”

“She hasn’t been listening to me at all lately. Way too defiant.”

“Maybe you should reflect on why that is.”

To be fair, my sister, First Princess Lululu, is definitely spoiled. She’s picky with her food and outright refuses to eat anything she doesn’t like.

Still, I think one big reason she’s so cold toward Father is his total lack of delicacy.

Just the other day, he gave his opinion on her dress and even tried to pick out her underwear—so she threw him out.

A dad commenting on his daughter’s underwear? That’s way too creepy.

“Lululu’s not getting any younger. She really needs to get married soon.”

“Indeed. Sister is cutting it pretty close age-wise.”

“She’s already nineteen, right? It’s getting serious.”

“It really is.”

The fact is, things are getting dicey for Sister Lululu.

In this world, the general marrying age is considered to be under twenty. Most noble girls start getting marriage proposals around twelve or thirteen, and things usually settle by eighteen.

Even I, at fifteen, have started having meetings with potential fiancées from Deken’s noble families.

...By the way, my most recent “fiancée” was a ten-year-old kid. We hit it off talking about bugs and went bug-catching. Father got really mad about that.

“Rishali’s doing great in high society. She’s incredibly sought-after. I’m not worried at all.”

“That’s thanks to your fine upbringing, Father.”

“You’re so obedient. I just don’t get how Lululu turned out like that.”

“She’s a free spirit, after all.”

“Even if she’s a princess, that kind of rudeness is unacceptable.”

Apparently, the other party is furious about Lululu’s repeated boycotts.

There’s even a chance they’ll call off the engagement soon.

“Even for royalty, no one wants to support someone who does nothing.”

“You’re pretty strict, Father.”

Even if she’s a princess, there will still be suitors after the ideal age.

But once she hits thirty or forty, it’ll get much tougher.

He probably wants to finalize any promising marriage talks while there’s still time.

“The other side is nearly at their limit. We had them come all the way here, and she’s already skipped three meals with them.”

“That’s pretty bad.”

“It’s all Lululu’s fault, so I had no choice but to apologize.”

By the way, in Saripa, the only princesses are my sister and me.

After I was born, Father wasn’t able to have any more children, it seems.

He once lamented, “No matter how hard I thrust, no more kids are coming out,” so I guess that’s the situation.

“Please, Rishali. If you can convince your sister, I’ll pull some budget from my personal funds.”

“Oh, seriously?”

“Can’t offer a huge amount, but how about it?”

Research funding from Father’s own pocket, huh?

I don’t know how much he’s willing to give, but it’s better than nothing.

“...So if I really convince Sister Lululu, I get the money, right?”

“Of course. I’m a man of my word.”

For the sake of Saripa’s industrial revolution, I’ll step up here.

The only issue is whether I can actually convince that stubborn girl.

Sister Lululu really does have a stubborn streak.

“She might listen if it’s from her beloved little sister, Rishali.”

“Let’s hope so.”

That said, it’s true that I’m more trusted than this clueless father.

And Lululu’s always doted on me quite a bit.

It’s for her own future, too—so I’ll give this negotiation a shot.