I am not amused by this supposedly 25 year old man of a protagonist playing a juvenile prank on a kind benefactor like Zirconia. Maybe he really is 12 years old, mentally. I know in the romance department he acts like a prepubescent boy half his age.
Man, I sympathize with Zirconia, the country is doing nothing to prepare for the possibility of invasion, at least start some production, recruitment and training. The kingdom will be caught with its pants down with a shocked pikachu face if Valvert decides to break the armistice without waiting the remaining years after refitting their army with enough iron weaponry and armor.
Meanwhile, I've only grown to like Valetta's character more. She's smart, strong and without hesitation true to her feelings; one could even say "faithful" despite not actually being in a relationship with the dense airhead Kazura. She has now fended off attempted rape by bandits and a number of unwanted romantic advances by Alondo all by herself, without Kazura around or even him finding out about any of it, if I remember correctly. She's honestly too good for him.
Marie finally asks for help. Even though he promised not to tell, I actually want Isaac to blab about it because Marie's problem is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the abusive Alondo and their traitorous father. An investigation could honestly end up saving the kingdom.