The Holy Land of Mary Geoise

"Cover Story: Momonosuke, Part 2: 'Teacher, I think there's someone down there!!!'"

"Blech!" With something lodged in his throat, Momonosuke retched violently. Once he caught his breath, he cried, "Kin'emon! Kanjuro! Where are you?" The shout startled the little Moss Head squatting above him. He shuddered and yanked up his pants. After peering down, he went pale and turned to shout at Koushirou outside the door—

"..."

The atmosphere turned awkward. Noah's eye twitched as he looked at Shiya. "Who exactly is this guy?"

Apparently, his earlier guess had been wrong.

"Galleo VI, king of the Lotte Kingdom..."

Looking embarrassed, Shiya buried her face in Noah's chest and whispered, "He's a complete idiot. You don't need to pay him any attention..."

Noah blinked.

The king of the Lotte Kingdom?

Wasn't he the man who, when Cipher Pol No. 9 had taken Noah away, hadn't minded in the slightest that someone had stolen his goddess? He had even joined Shiya's father in rallying support and trying to get Noah released.

He owed this man!

Noah immediately seized Galleo VI's right hand and shook it vigorously, thanking him again and again. The king grew bashful, laughed, and scratched his head.

"No need to thank me! I did it because it was the right thing to do. Besides, how could I sit by while Shiya's sweetheart was thrown in prison and she was left in tears?"

That logic...

Wouldn't a normal man have welcomed his rival's imprisonment and seized the chance to win her over?

He really was an idiot through and through.

But this palace was where the Marines had arranged to pick up the Paja Kingdom's delegation. Why was the neighboring king here too?

"I was hoping to catch a ride and go to Mary Geoise with Shiya!"

In answer