Sousetsuka

Author's note: Not Satou's POV. It's in third person after a long time.

Intermission: Hime Miko

 

"Ringrande!"

Voice of a young girl echoes in the spacious private room.

"Ringrande!"

A girl is slapping the cushion she's carrying to the sofa as if she's spitting out her black emotion inside.

"Riin, graaan, de!"

With the strength of a powerless girl, she only makes light sounds, "poof", and the waterfowl feathers don't even fly out.
She probably doesn't normally exercise, the girl runs out of breath after only swinging the cushion for a few minutes.

A muffled laugh leaked out of a boy then.

"Who!"

The girl's anger is revived along with the settling of her rough breath. That is because she had ordered the maids in this room to clear out of this room before she began acting violently.

"You're in a bad mood huh, Sera."

The one who comes out of the shadow while smiling is the girl's (Sera's) older brother, Tisrad Oyugock. The name of the one whom Sera was screaming about since earlier is of the two's older sister.

"Tisrad-niisama! Entering without making a sound is rude."
"Sorry."

The boy who is smiling kindly eludes the threatening attitude of Sera like a willow tree. He seems a bit mature for his 10 years old age.

"You were calling Rin-anesama, what's happened? Did you hear some backbiting from gossiping maids again?"

He seems to have hit the nail on the head, Sera puffs her reddening cheeks, and turns away. She normally seldom shows such childish actions, but it's not that rare in front of her brother, Tisrad.

"Humph, it's just like usual--

『Hey, hey, did you hear?　Ringrande-sama has restored the lost magic they said!』
『You've just heard that old story now?　This time she led the holy knights and exterminated the floor master of the labyrinth under the labyrinth city!　The proof is with the lightning magic sword she's obtained you know?』
『Oh my, I wonder just how many hundreds of gold coins is a magic sword from a labyrinth? She's really amazing~』

--they said. Furthermore, in the end they said, 『Compared to her, Sera-sama is normal isn't she』. Don't you think that it's none of their business?　I know that myself already!　Only the younger sister of a genius older sister knows the hardship of having a genius as an older sister!"

The boy smiles bitterly while listening to his little sister who mimics the maids voices. That is because he has just heard similar talks with the position of his sister replaced with himself from the butlers and the maids. Therefore he purposely came here to cheer his sister up who must be in the same circumstance.

He's really just cheering for his little sister. He's not a wimp who licks each other's wounds. If he is like that, in the future he won't be able to unite the foolish, sly old nobles who are spanning over this vast territory passed down from his grandfather and father.

"Sera, stop comparing yourself with nee-san. That person is special. She's a great woman who will stand alongside people who leave their marks in history like ancient king Yamato, and the wise of restoration, Ozara-sama. If you compare yourself to a huge tree, you'll only lament your shortcomings."
"Uu~, I know that, but! It's not about the theory!"

They're not words that should have been said by a mere 7 years old, but Sera, who is far smarter than other children of her age, understands what her brother is saying. Yet, her child heart cannot admit that it's right.

"If you're always angry, wrinkles will appear on your forehead you know? Don't complain to me if a boy you like in the future dislikes you for that."
"H, humph. I'll have ani-sama make me your bride if that happen, so it's fine!"

Sera rubs her forehead even while saying abusive words--although it's slightly cute--to her elder brother. Her young girl's mind seems to be growing quickly.


◇


"Baptism?"
"Yeah, the head miko of Yu Tenion will do it personally."
"Hee, that's amazing. I'm glad for you, Sera. To be baptized by the Saintess of Salvation-sama, isn't it due to father's request?"

The [Saintess of Salvation] is the second name of Yu Tenion head miko which she's gained from her role as the follower of hero, and her [Saintess] title. She rarely ever do baptism due to her old age. In fact, the one who baptized the heir of this dukedom, the boy Tisrad, and lady Ringrande, wasn't her, but the head priest. Although, since the head priest is technically higher ranked than her, it is unreasonable to complain about it.

Sera is having a smile on her whole face while being hugged by her father and older brother.

She likes being special.
Since her older sister is too excellent, most special things went to her sister after all.

After three weeks of preparation, Sera proceeds toward the Tenion temple accompanied by her older brother. Normally the rite is held in the worship room inside the castle, but in order not to be discourteous to the head miko, the baptism rite is to be held in the sanctuary inside the Tenion temple.

"You are Sera right."
"Y, yes. Head miko-sama."

Sera is ashamed for being unladylike by using loud voice since she's too nervous. The head miko gently brush Sera's head and whispers "Raise your head, being cheerful is a wonderful thing you know?" close to her ear. It's unimaginable how that gentle-looking figure fought the demon lord together with the hero.

Head miko hugs Sera on her lap until she calms down while gently brushing her hair. After confirming that Sera isn't nervous anymore, she takes her hand and leads her to the rite magic circle.

"Listen, think about your favorite person during the rite."
"Is it alright for me not to pray to the god?"
"Yes, calm your heart and think about your favorite person, that warm feeling will reach the god."

This is the head miko's method, it is not the official teaching of Tenion temple. Normally, you only have to make her stand on the magic circle, chant the baptism spell, and it's over.

"Have you imagined your favorite person?"
"Yes, head miko-sama."
"Ufufu, I wonder who's on your mind. Is it your future husband?"
"I, it's not. Sera won't be getting married."
"Ara ara, do you want to become a miko?"
"Yup, Sera, will become a miko!"

Sera speaks like a child as head miko teases her to lure it out. Of course, she doesn't notice it herself. It's as if memories of her playing around with her older sister when they were children went adrift.

"Ufufu, ■■　■■■　■■ Baptism (Initiation)"

As if responding to head miko's spell, the magic circle releases warm blue light. Little blue lights that rise from the magic circle happily dance around Sera as if blessing her. Lightly, as if a little fairies coming out of the fairytale.

One light among them disappears as if inhaled to Sera's chest, and the rite is over.

"Open your eyes. Miko of Oracle, Sera."
"Yes."

The head miko suddenly changes to dignified tone unlike the kind old woman before, and Sera replies to that with slightly transparent voice. The head miko can see the [Oracle] gift, and the [Tenion Miko] title on her.

People who receive gift from the baptism rite are extremely rare, but they do exist. However, there is no precedent of someone receiving oracle gift (from the rite) even in the long history of Tenion Temple at the duchy capital.
As a proof, everyone on the surrounding beside the head miko and Sera are hardened in their initial postures from when the rite begins as if they can't follow the situation. They need quite a bit of time before they can move again.


◇


"Sera Oyugock, will you leave the house of Oyugock and serve on Tenion's side?"
"Yes, head miko-sama."
"Then, from now on, you are just Sera. Now, stand up Sera. Tenion temple welcomes you."

After the formality dialogs are over, the girl throws away the wealth and social position of the daughter of Oyugock's house, and enters into miko apprenticeship of Tenion temple.

There was no one who objected, including the girl herself. Among the people in this duchy capital--the 200.000 of them, there are only seven, and among the more-than 700.000 people in the whole duchy, there are only nine people who have [Oracle] gifts, and in order for those gifts to be nurtured with the techniques owned by the temples in certainty, there is no choice for them but to live in.
Although it has some limit, this [Gift] has power to ask a question directly to the god. This is the only mean to receive divination about great disasters from the god.

Therefore, the training of miko of oracle are fierce.


◇


"Sera, Relena, Roza, line up here. Listen, you're safe as long as you are inside that magic circle. Do not lose your composure."

The three girls are clad in different kinds of miko clothes. Each have symbols that signify Tenion, Parion, and Garleon sewed on the clothes.

Relena, and Rouza are nine years old, one year younger than Sera. They're girls who became miko one year after Sera. The two are Sera's blood relatives, they are [Special] girls who have [Oracle] gifts since birth.

This place is a secret graveyard that's shared by the joint of seven temples in the duchy capital.
It's a secret place that only extremely few people know even among the temples.

"Kyaa."
"Oh, god."
"Kuh."

On the other side of the magic circle, several undeads are creeping out from the depth of a wide wide passage blocked with iron bars.
It's a nightmarish scene as if the door to the afterlife has opened.

"Calm down, miko apprentices"
"Now then, put these vengeful ghosts to sleep peacefully."
"Chant it, the edict of blessing!"
"""Blessing!"""

The girls strengthen their backs, and wipe their fear with the words of the guarding priests.

"■■■ Bless"
"■■◆ Bless"
"■◆■ Bless"

However, these young girls fail the most basic magic due to their extreme mental strains. Beside Sera, the two have failed their impatient chanting.

"Calm down. Relena, and Roza, you two chant again. Sera, stand by."

After several failings and rebukes from the instructor priest, they finally succeed the chanting. As if ridiculing the girls who feel relieved, the undeads from the other side of the iron bars are throwing their detached arms and feelers noisily. Bless only gives minimal damage to the undeads.

However, that's quite enough.

"■■ Purification (Turn Undead)"

After several purification magic from the high priest who is waiting nearby, the undeads finally stop moving and go back to just being corpses.

Enormous experiences from defeating countless undeads flow to the three girls and the high priest. The pain from the rapid growth assaults their bodies as if tearing it. The girls hug their bodies who's having rapid growth (level up), and writhe in agony on the floor. That pain is the proof of growth, they cannot use healing magic as it will disturb the growth.

Those girls don't know.

The priests have used forbidden spell to produce these undeads in order to quicken their growths.

From now on, they have to undergo this secret ritual for many times.

And then, the girls who have grown up receive the oracle.
The future is harsh.

Oh god.
I pray that the future of humanity and the girls, the unfortunate event--




 

<TLN: Phew, third person POV is tiring to tl...>
Previous Chapter

Intermission: Mia and the Dietary Restriction

 

Human race food are delicious. They're really delicious you know.
But, they're very dangerous.

I've learned my lesson you know.

That was recently--

"Hamburg steak is the strongest nano desu."
"Yum yum~"
"I like something that's firmer, but it doesn't shade the tastiness of hamburg steak. It's truly delicious."
"Even though it's made of grounded beef, I wonder why is this so delicious~"
"Arisa, you're eating too much you know?"
"I'm on my growth period, I can't help it."
"Nn."

Satou has made hamburg steak from beans for me, it's for my sake you know?
I was always envious whenever I saw Pochi and the others eating hamburg steak so happily.

That's why I taste this hamburg steak one bite at a time.
I mean, it'd be wasteful if I ate it too fast right.

"Does it suit your taste?"
"Nn."

Mou, it's the best. I'm in bliss.
I don't know how is he able to make this delicious dish from beans. It's mysterious!
The grated daikon on top of the hamburg steak is a bit bitter, but it brings out the sweetness of the carrots. Of course it matches well with rice too you know?


◇


After the meal, I dive onto Satou's lap while feeling happy. I jumped you know?
Since the best place is already taken by Tama, I endure it beside her. But, but, I think it's not fair that it's always only Tama. I wonder if it's alright if I protest.

"It was delicious~"
"I want to eat again nodesu."
"Nn, delish."

Words of gratitude are difficult. It's also embarrassing if I talk long, I wonder if it's transmitted well? It did right.

"Arisa, you're going to get fat if you eat sweet things right after meal."
"It's a dessert. Sweet things go into another belly, so it's fine."

Arisa is amazing. She's still going to eat more even after eating that much!　Even Pochi and Tama are taking a bite from Arisa!
I wonder if all human and beastkin eat this much?
No, they don't. Lulu and Satou don't eat that much.


◇


"Fish are delicious, but you have to eat meat once in a while after all."

Arisa isn't a picky eater, she can eat anything, she's a good girl.

"Sweets go into another belly don't they. Yummy, crepes. Why is sampling food this delicious I wonder."
"Nn."

These many varying tastes, it's a wonder. Satou can use cooking magic. He must be. But, I think sampling is just for one biteful. If you eat the same amount of shares as Arisa is eating, you won't be able to eat during dinner, it's true you know?

"Arisa?"

When we're changing our clothes, I call out to Arisa who hardens after she sees her own body.
I wonder what's wrong?　I'm a bit worried.

"No~ well~ it's nothing. It's child's body right~. Yes, this is because of the child's body."

What is she persuading herself for?　I wonder if she's not?　However, she looks like that.

"It's finally, finally here, sponge cake!　Hey hey, it has to be with fresh cream and strawberries after all right! Kuuh~ to be able to eat cakes even in this world, truly a bliss."

She really likes it. She does, doesn't she.
Eating half of that big cake alone.

I stop to reflect when I taste it for a mouthful, I mean, it's so delicious! It's too delicious.
Afterwards, everyone is eating greedily. I mean, it's delicious.


◇


"Everyone, get on this one by one."

Satou brings some kind of magic tool that looks like a box, or rather, a stand.
When I get on it, the needle attached on the side is spinning, round and round. I want to touch it, but since Tama was scolded for trying to touch it, I endure it. I endured it you know?

Arisa grimaces when she sees the stand. I wonder why?

"No! I've bid farewell to that devil instrument in my past life!　I've promised in my heart to never get on it again."

Arisa refuses with all her might. She hates it so much.
However, she gets on it after Satou unusually [Order] her. Arisa is saying, "Clothes! My clothes must have been heavy!", but that clothes are made of thin cotton, it's very light you know?　It's as light as a feather.

Satou tells Arisa with words that I've never heard before. I wonder what obese is?　It's on my mind.

"Arisa, snacks are forbidden until you lose 5 kilograms. I'll take off deep fried stuffs from the menu."
"Nyu! Fried stuffs are gone, for everyone~?"
"W, wait a minute nodesu! Fried stuffs are essential nano desu!"
"I feel sorry for Arisa if it's only her, so I'll change the menu to stuffs with less fat."

Fat?　The decrease of oily stuffs is to my liking.
But, Pochi and Tama look heart-broken. "Pochi~""Tamaa", they're hugging with pitiable voices. Liza is also looking at the sky as if enduring something. Is it hard I wonder?

But, it seems necessary to cure Arisa from her plumpness. Satou said so.
I think her plump stomach looks cute, is it a sickness I wonder? It's a sickness isn't it.

Let's all cooperate together to cure Arisa's plumpness.
Do your best, Arisa. I'm cheering on you, do your best.

"I hate diet~~~~"

How long does Arisa's scream continue to echo.
This is the first time I know that delicious meals can be dangerous.

Satou, you're a dangerous person aren't you.





Previous Chapter

Intermission: Tenion Head Miko [Latter Part]

 

"Head miko-sama, I'm home."

Sera enters the sanctuary while looking livelier than ever. This child always looks happy, but it's rare for her to be this cheerful.

"What's happened Sera. Did you meet your lover?"
"I, it's not like that! Chevalier-sama isn't my lover."

This child is really bad at lying.
Since I was a bit interested, I asked about that chevalier person.

"There's this chevalier-sama who helped me with the food distribution, it felt like I had met him mysteriously, it's been on my mind. Right, he's a person with similar atmosphere to head miko-sama, tender, or rather, flexible, how should I put it--"

While hearing Sera speaks fondly of her love, I've had my suspicion that this chevalier person might be Nanashi-san from the other day, even though it's unfounded. I wonder if it's because I've been thinking about Nanashi-san all the time lately.

It's not a love at old age you know?

I received an oracle from the ceremony that I did at the dawn of that time that the demon lord who was supposed to revive in the duchy capital had been annihilated. Of course I immediately sent a messenger to duke-sama, but it can't be announced publicly yet since there are other temples' honors to consider. Of course, the king had promised that he would definitely announce it, so the announcement about the annihilation of the demon lord would probably be told during the kingdom conference in the spring.

"Head miko-sama, you look really happy about something you know? Did you get a lover?"
"Ufufu, I was just engrossed with thoughts about Nanashi."

It looked like she wanted to counter, but she's still soft huh. To be so upset about my joke. Ufufu, her heart is restless like she's really in love. When the demon lord season is over, it might be a good time for me to retire from head miko position soon.

I don't think that Sera will forget her duty, but let's give her a warning to keep the relationship at healthy scope just to be sure. A miko won't be able to receive oracles if she loses her virginity. It might be cruel for a teenage girl, but she has to wait until an oracle that states the demon lord season is over descends.


◇


I met Sera's lover--it might be better to call him a candidate of one--in the duke castle. He's really popular, and surrounded by girls. Ara ara, oh Sera. If you have such face, he'll laugh at you you know?

Still, what a nice smell. It's not just sweetness from sugar. I know that it's out of stock.

However, this voice.
It's exactly like Nanashi-san though. I wonder if he's his twin brother?
His level is half of Nanashi's, and even his skills composition is different after all.  The things that are the same are his age, voice, and hair color, I guess his height is about the same too.

Since I was together with old acquaintances from Parion and Garleon temples who I had happened to meet across when I was congratulating Tisrad-sama for his wedding, I whispered him (Satou) leading words directly, but rather than getting shaken, he was perplexed instead. Looks like I was mistaken.

I might be thinking about Nanashi-san too much.
Ufufu, I shouldn't be one to make fun of Sera. I look like a maiden in love.


◇


"Good evening, head miko-sama."

He's really elusive isn't he.
How did he invade I wonder?　I didn't feel feedback from space magic, so I think it's not that.

"I've come here today to ask about the oracle regarding demon lord."
"Ara? You've annihilated it right?"
"It must have been defeated by a passing hero."

He wants to play dumb that it's not him to the end huh.

"You won't announce that the demon lord has been defeated?"
"I've told his excellency the duke directly, but the 『Annihilated』 oracle haven't come to the other temples, so we can't announce that the demon lord has been annihilated from Tenion temple alone."

Each temple is most likely questioning whether the [Each of the foretold demon lord] is annihilated, not the one in the duchy capital underground.

In other words, the demon lord season this time is not over yet--in that regards, the fact that the duchy capital is already excluded from that might be a small blessing. Thanks to Nanashi-san.

Just in case, I tell Nanashi-san about that, but he too has already expected it. He simply murmured, "So, it's like that after all." His atmosphere is like, "It's just demon lords, they can come at me no matter how many ." It's very fun to guess the invisible expression behind that mask.

Nanashi-san put the filled resurrection artifact on my neck. It's really amazing. I wonder if it's the prejudice of old age which make me thinks that the labor of nearly 20 years is fruitless.

"Thank you Nanashi-san."

However, I mustn't forget to thank you.

Although I asked him about chevalier Pendragon, he only replied, "That young noble who they call miracle chef right.", and he didn't seem to know the detail. I wonder if it's just my imagination that his "don't know" manner looks exactly like him (Satou's).

The [Indulgence] that I've prepared will become a waste if he (Satou) really is an acquaintance of Nanashi-san.

I wonder what'd happen if that third prince meets Nanashi-san?
I can't help but feel a bad premonition. I had hoped that the king didn't send such troublemaker during this difficult time.

It's not that is it.

That king shouldn't have been one to do such mistake. That unbending king should be able to predicts three moves ahead for sure.

I see, he's getting rid the nuisance the prince.
The king has predicted that the demon lord will appear on the labyrinth city. To push aside the prince to the uncertain element, the duchy capital. I have to complain directly to the king.

I don't know whether he'll accept it or not, but I will hand over the [Indulgence] to Nanashi-san in case he eliminates the third prince by mistake.

I actually wanted to give him the bell of Tenion, but I couldn't bring myself to since I was afraid I'd incur his displeasure. It's a bit unlike me isn't it.


◇


The world crisis came unexpectedly early.

Despair? I think that word is more hopeful than the scene right now.

At the duke castle seen from the sanctuary, the great monstrous fish (Tovkezeera) emerges from the huge summoning circle nearby. It's the incarnation of destruction that brought about the deaths of many countries during the time of Yamato-sama. The aerial fortress that the great demon lord employed. I can't see the status since it's too far, but I can't let out words from its overwhelming presence.

Thinking that it'd be fine as long as Nanashi-san is here might be too optimistic of me.

I collapse on the sofa without even having the margin to worry about Sera who has gone out.
Several of the monster that can destroy the duchy capital alone appear from the summoning circle and swim to the arena.

Seven great monstrous fish.

Far from just Shiga kingdom, all the countries on this continent will disappear.

Ah, wonder if I have no choice but to call the heavenly dragon even if it means destroying the kingdom. It's the friend of Yamato-sama who's living on the range of mount Fuji. There's no choice but to use the dragon summoning crown (Fellow Crown) shining on the king's head that can be used to summon the dragon just once.

It's as if seven demon lords have appeared.

I want to rush to the arena to support them, but I have to be here. Since Nanashi-san most likely has filled the resurrection artifact as an insurance in case his friends die.

I watch over the end of duchy capital while patting the head of apprentice miko who are frightened. There's no meaning in taking shelter underground if it can cause damage over the defense magic of the sanctuary.

That is a flash.

When the light subsides, there are figures of severed great monstrous fish. Those are also dissolved as if the sky wipes them off. No, maybe I should say that they disappear.

The sudden attack on the duchy capital disappear more abruptly than when it arrived.
It'a all too soon, no one even falls victim.

Nanashi-san, is that you I wonder.
I was convinced that was it as if I received an oracle.

Ah, Tenion-sama.
Thank you very much for sending that person to this land.





Previous Chapter

Intermission: Tenion Head Miko [First Part]

 

"Head miko-sama! It's terrible!"

Mou, what a hopeless child. To lack composure when he's going to be 40 like that, I think it's a bit problematic. Maybe I should better give him some stern advice now?
<TLN: The head miko talks like a playful woman in Japanese.>

"What's wrong, head priest. You are higher than me in the temple, so you shouldn't use 'sama' to call me."
"I'm sorry, head miko-sama. No, this isn't the time to talk about that!"
"Calm down. What's happened?"
"Miko-dono of Parion temple, and even of Garleon temple have been kidnapped by someone."

My, such thing.
Kidnapping the miko of oracle in the middle of demon lord season like this.
There are seven miko who have received oracles in this duchy capital. They are Sera and me, head miko of Urion temple and Zaikuon temple, the apprentice miko of Heraluon temple, and the two kidnapped miko.

Normally, one would have sufficed, but last month, by duke-sama's order, every temple was to undertake an oracle for hints of the demon lord revival. Yet, instead of narrowing down the possible revival location, each temple received different response. Although it's normal for the details to be different between people who receive oracles depending on their gods, this is the first time the difference is this much.

My oracle points toward the duchy capital. If possible I want it to be a miss, but it's the same place as the prediction of the location of the demon lord revival 66 years ago. There is no mistake that the demon lord will be revived here. Before, there was a hero near me, but that person has left us, and gone back to the original world. No good aren't I, wishing for something that doesn't exist.

The oracle that Sera's received points to another continent. Even though our oracles are from the same god, I wonder why do we receive different ones. For me to try guessing what the god is thinking, it's really not clergy-like at all isn't it.

Oh right, Sera!
This isn't the time to get lost in thoughts.

"Head priest, check the place where Sera is."
"Yes, head miko-sama!"

I admonish the head priest who have begun to run in a hurry to make him order other people for it. Mou, what are you doing being the gofer yourself. I ask the head priest to contact his excellency the duke if sera's whereabouts can't be confirmed. Since this child is flustered like this, he looks like he'll just collapse.


◇


Even though the priests have looked everywhere, Sera's whereabout is still unknown.
The matter about the three kidnapped miko have reached his excellency the duke too, and his knight and guard subordinates are searching the duchy capital even now. Although I haven't got the report from the bell tower, since I can see that the lights from the ships outside the harbor aren't moving, the harbor is probably blockaded. That's relieving.

However, since the opponents have defended against our detection magic, it looks like they have a powerful magician that can use advanced level magic, or a person who holds powerful artifacts. I wonder if it's that group who were spreading rumors about the end, [Wings of Liberty], that the priests had been talking about.

Sera, please come back safely.

I take the resurrection artifact that's hanging on my neck on my palm, and pour mana into it, even though I know that this is for nothing but a peace of my mind.

Not good, it's impossible to pour mana into the artifact when my heart is disarranged.

This isn't because I'm bad at using magic tools at all, but one needs delicate mana control to pour mana into an artifact. Like putting a thread to the pinhole of a needle on the ground from the top of a tower, that is how precise yet with a far off mind the work is. Having a disturbed mind is like sending wind to the hanging thread. There's no way the thread can get through the pinhole.

I'll use the forbidden mind magic to put my mind back at ease.
Tenion-sama, please give your protection to your believer.


◇


I woke up in my room that's begun sinking into darkness.

Looks like I've fainted.
It can't be helped with my age right. To faint while I was pouring mana into the resurrection artifact like this.

Fainted?
Losing consciousness in this consecration?

I can't believe it.
This place is near the sanctuary where ritual magic is held, and is filled with divinity. Even for an old woman like me, I'm just like a young woman--that's too exaggerated isn't it. Although I can move as well as a youngster, fainting in such place like this, maybe I don't have much time left.

I'm already 80 years old after all. It might be a good time to soon go on a journey to where my friends who had died earlier went.

I didn't notice it before when I was lost in such thought, but there's no shaking today is it. I'm glad that the tremors that had been assaulting the duchy capital for the past several days is gone. It was troubling to deal with nobles who came almost everyday while asking "Is it going to be alright?" you know. Though since they're donating, the head priest doesn't seem like he has any complaint. I'd like to entrust the admonishment job to the high priest soon.


◇


I wonder if I'm really going senile.
There were many assassins who had intruded upon this sanctuary before, but this is the first time one has gotten so close. Wonder if my crisis perception skill is getting rusty?

While feeling dubious with the lack of thirst of blood from the intruder, I take the initiative to greet him.

"Ara, the assassin tonight is quite excellent."

The one who appears from the shadow as if gliding on the ground is a young boy wearing a white mask. There are two wrapped clothes in his shoulder--are those people? Is he an assassin who also happens to be a kidnapper I wonder?

I could see with [Status Check], but I couldn't see his name. Since I could see the name of the two people on his shoulder, it wasn't like the skill wasn't invoked. The two are the miko of Parion and Garleon who have been kidnapped together with Sera.

His level is 70 like the hero of Saga empire, but his title is [Saint]. He can't be called anything but abnormal to have such level at his age even though he's not the summoned hero of Saga empire.

Moreover, that [Saint] title. Although there are other people who have [Saintess] title like me, there shouldn't have been anyone with [Saint] title for the last 100 years here. I wonder who. I'd have consented if he had the title of hero instead.

"Nice to meet you, Yu Tenion Head Miko-dono. I am Nanashi."
"Hey, Nanashi-san. Won't you show your face. It's hard to talk with that mask."

I endure hard not to let my voice trembles.

Hey, what about Sera?

I want to ask that.
However, my intuition as a miko has told me. That child is already no more.

"Hey, Nanashi-san. Don't you know the whereabout of our kidnapped miko, Sera."
"I knew."

Ah, as I've thought.
That child has died isn't she. I can't, it's still to early to cry, for that child's sake. As a miko, I have to ask him now.

"Was the one who deprived Sera's life the humans of 『Wings of Liberty』? or-- the demon lord. That's right isn't it, Sera has been sacrificed for the demon lord."
"That's right."

Ah, I can't hold back my tears.
Even though I have to ask for the deployment of the saga empire hero, and even though I'm not sinking in sorrow, I can't stop my tears.

"Is that so, that child wasn't able to go against her fate."

Nanashi-san takes out a handkerchief out of somewhere and wipes my tears with it. Although he's wearing a strange mask, he's a gentleman isn't he.

I talked to him about the catastrophe that would befall this land while crying. In order to pull him as a war potential before the hero arrives here. He gave indifferent replies when he heard the story about the demon lord revival. Does it not feel real to him?　Or perhaps--he has already exterminated it?--That can't be right.


◇


"Yu Tenion head miko-dono, are you able to use resurrection magic?"
"Yes, I'm able to."

I answer Nanashi-san's sudden question.
He probably wants to bring me to where the Sera's body is, and use resurrection magic, but that's impossible. This resurrection artifact hasn't been filled with enough mana to be usable.

"What, that sort of things huh."

Nanashi-san took the resurrection artifact from my chest, and began to dazzlingly pour mana into it.

It's an unbelievable sight.
Doing the precise mana filling just like that. Normally you'd need one hour just to adjust the mana before you even begin to fill it.

However, he still has the body of human after all.
The amount of mana isn't something that can be filled by a person alone. While this is happening, the 30 minutes after-death condition becomes the shackles and resurrection will be impossible.

"Excuse me for a bit."

Nanashi-san takes out a holy sword just like when he took the handkerchief earlier. It's accompanied by brilliant holy light that brighten this room as if it's daylight. Even though it's this bright, it a gentle light that doesn't hurt my eyes. I've never seen a holy sword with this much overflowing power. I can feel an order magnitude different in strength compared to the holy sword that my hero-sama wielded, Joyeuse.

But, what is it for?
I don't think that it's to hurt me. Just what on earth--

"I'll fill it up right away, so please excuse my discourtesy."

--Nanashi-san is absorbing the holy light from the holy sword as if pulsing. And then Nanashi-san pours mana into the artifact without looking agitated, like he's just breathing. Don't tell me, he's using his own body as an intermediary to transfer mana from the holy sword to the artifact?

Such absurd method doesn't exist even in fairy tales you know?

While I was taken aback by that absurdity, the mana filling on the artifact was over. Completing a process that'd have taken several years in just 10 minutes, I am speechless.

He's done so much already, I'll show him that I'll run fast to where Sera's body even if I have to whip out this old body.

As if ridiculing that determination, Nanashi-san summoned Sera's body right in front of me. He doesn't have summoning skill though?　Did he summon without the skill I wonder. Maybe he used the infinite stowing (Inventory) like the hero.
No, he said that it's only been a few seconds since the death of Sera's body. Time passes even for the hero's Inventory. Perhaps it's fixation magic?　No, that shouldn't be able to be used on living things or corpses.
Don't tell me, time magic?　Even though it's a magic that only appear in fairy tales, it's mysterious that I feel that Nanashi-san could possibly use it.

The body of Sera which has appeared in front of me is beautiful without a single wound.
Nanashi-san who has noticed that the body is naked puts a cloth on it.

Rather than that, I have to concentrate now.
It'd be a disgrace as a woman if I wasted the miracles that Nanashi-san had created.






Previous Chapter

<Author's Note: From the point of view of the worker's guild elf manager.>

Intermission: The Work of Manager-san

 

My name is Yusala Touya, an elf who was born in Bornean forest.

"Manager, the preparation is complete."

The one who calls me is the sole employee of my shop, the small Nadi. Although she wasn't even as tall as my knee when I first met her, she's grown taller than me before I knew it.
Human grows fast.

"Let's go."

She answers me with an energetic, "Yes!", and carries the big rucksack below her feet on her shoulder.
She presents another medium-sized rucksack below her to me while smiling.
That's my share of luggage huh.

"Laborer."
"We can't. We don't have extra money for that."

I tried to tell her that I wanted to hire a laborer to carry the luggage, but it was rejected. Since she's in charge of the shop's accounting, I can't push it too much.

It can't be helped, I put my favorite staff in the rucksack, and shoulder it.

"I've put manager's favorite dried fig in the bento, so let's do this energetically!"

Hou, it's quite rare for the economical Nadi to look out for others.
My lips gets slightly loose. Since the sharp-sighted Nadi grins when she quickly sees it, I tighten it hard.


◇


"Let's enter the mountain from around this area."

Nadi says so while showing the map to me.
We tie the horses that we rode here on trees. Just in case, I sprinkle medicines to ward monsters around them.

We're in the middle of a job from a merchant boy called Satou to deliver an item for the ashgrey ratkin people who live on an undeveloped land deep in the mountain.
Normally, I wouldn't take such annoying job, but since he's taking care a girl from my race, I couldn't decline it.
Rather than saying I cannot decline, normally I should've taken this job free of charge.
But a good-hearted person he is, he requested the job formally. Moreover, he gave three gold coins
as the payment. I wanted to tell that I didn't need the money, but Nadi quickly blocked my mouth and I was stopped.

"Manager?"
"Sorry."

I lost in thought for a bit.

"Then, please."
"Umu."

I use the secret art for walking in the forest.

"■■■　■■■　■■■■■■■ Wood Walk"

Green aura wraps Nadi and me.
It's been awhile since I use this magic.

While we're advancing through the forest in these states, branches and weeds as tall as grown man avert themselves from us.

"This magic is really amazing, no matter how many time I see it."
"Is that so."

I feel slightly embarrassed from Nadi's straight praise.
As a nihilistic grown man, I have to remain expressionless.
I guide Nadi while we continue advancing the mountain path. Since obstacles are avoiding themselves from us, it's no different than walking in a highway.

"Ah, that's the firefly lily of the valley flower!"
"We can't."

Yes, while we're using this magic, we cannot hurt creatures of the forest. Once we do, the magic won't be usable for a season.

"So it's like that, aah, even though we could get five gold coins from the alchemy shop with that flower."

I lead Nadi who keeps staring at the flower in regret by hand, and advance ahead.
I wonder if there was a big monster that passed here, I catch sights of rocks and trees that are gouged unnaturally. Did some kind of high level monster have settled down in this forest?

I was going to use magic to check it, but then I noticed that my hand was still joined with Nadi's. I want to separate our hands, but she doesn't let it go.

"Nadi?"
"Err, there, it's separated."

It's rare for the intelligent her. She's really interested with the flower before is she.
I'm worried with her condition, but I have to confirm the safety first.

"■■■　■■■　■■■■■　■■ Forest Whisper <<Natural Whisper>>"

The magic spreads through the forest.

『Did some new monster spring up in the forest?』
『Yes, a lot.』
『They're no more.』
『No more.』
『Hero.』
『Was here.』
『Night.』
『Running.』
『Flying.』
『Exterminated the great wild boar.』

The forest little echoes continue to echo.
A hero in such remote forest? There should be some rumor if it was the Saga empire hero, but maybe a hero appeared among the ashgrey ratkin?
I'm slightly interested with it, but since it doesn't seem to be a monster, there's probably no danger.


◇


We finally arrive at the ratkin settlements in the noon, but unfortunately, looks like we're not really welcomed.

The problem is I don't understand their words. Since I'm told that they saved Mia, I thought that they can speak elf language, but my expectation is off.

"How about it?"
"Yes, it's similar to weaselkin language. There are also some that are similar with elf language."

Nadi is speaking in guess while grabbing the cuff of my clothes.
Although I've heard that she's good with language, to be able to interact using unfamiliar language like this, she's truly capable.

I'd like to use the nature magic [Translate] that my granduncle used but I don't have it, it's impossible with my level.

I watch over Nadi who's negotiating.
In the worst case, we might have to push them the memento at least and go back.

The surrounding ratkin people become slightly noisier. Did Nadi make wrong expressions?
Un?　My feet is being shaken.
When I look down, the ratkin little children are coiling around the luggage that Nadi and me have put on the ground. Since their noses are twitching, are they smelling something good?

I slowly squat down while being careful as to not stimulate the surrounding and open the big rucksack.
Strong smell spread. This bundle have croquettes huh.
Apparently, the children are interested with this smell. I don't know what's so good with this oily thing, but it's also popular in the city.
Nadi probably has brought it for her lunch, but let's use these to build friendship with them.
There are 10 croquettes in the bundle. There are 18 children huh.
I break the croquettes in half, and share it with the children.

When that happen, several ratkins who look like the mothers appear from the gap between the soldiers, and each of them carries 3-4 children who keep on chewing the croquettes to behind the men.
I give the last one to the ratkin who look here so wistfully. I saw a slightly appealing glance from Nadi. I'll divide you the dried fig later, so don't get mad.

I don't know if the croquettes succeed as the go-between, but since a ratkin that seem to be the patriarch who understand Shiga kingdom language comes, the goal is complete somehow.


◇


"I see, so my brother has died."
"According to the person who was present on his last moment, it was a heroic death."

The patriarch says so as he holds the red helmet from among the memento I've handed. I can feel deep sorrow dwelling on his words.
When I was about to say thanks for saving Mia, and farewell, Nadi cuts in.

"Patriarch-san, why is only the forest around here dying?"
"I don't know the reason, but they've begun to wither since half a year ago."

I see, I understand what Nadi is trying to say. It's not enough with just thank you words.
I go out of the patriarch's straw-thatched roof tree house, and use a magic.

"■■　■……■　■　■　■■■■■ Summon Forest Maiden (Summon Dryad)"

In accordance to my spell, the spirit of this mountain forest responds.
It looks like a little girl with green hair.

"I have something to ask."
"Elf! It's been awhile."
"Mountain forest."
"Do you want to know why the mountain dies?"
"That's right."
"The reason why the mountain die is~ because a human tried to forcibly operate the ruin."

According to the Dryad's story, it looks like it's because granduncle Touya's ruin has absorbed the earth veins around here. How can that be.

"Measures."
"It's alright. The ruin has stopped anyway, and I've taken a lot of mana from a cute child."

Due to the stimulation of that mana, it looks like she's succeeded in drawing power from far away earth veins.
Even though she looks like that, she's lived for a lot longer than me.

"Thank you very much."
"It's fine~, see ya."

The dryad went to the other side of the summoning circle while saying that.
It's already been resolved.

Since I talked with the dryad in elf language, I tell the content of the conversation to the patriarch and Nadi.
I wonder if my story is difficult, Nadi somehow interprets it for the patriarch.

"Oooh, the village is saved."
"I'm glad for you patriarch-san."
"Yes, we won't have to move to a different mountain now."

The patriarch firmly grabs my hand, and says thanks many times over.
Even though I did nothing.

"Isn't it because you use magic to identify the cause, and report that it's fine already right."
"Is that so."

Now then, the job is over.
I want to go back to the city, and take a nap on the usual sofa.






Previous Chapter

8-26. Parting at Duchy Capital Night (2)

 

Satou's here. I'm reminded of my graduation when I hear the word departure. I don't make a connection between departure and final farewell, maybe because I come from a world where it doesn't even take 2-3 days to meet people on the other side of the planet. Is it a bit heavier on the other world?


◇


The result of the dark auction last night is better than I've thought.

The cast magic swords were sold at the expected prices, but the cast magic spear, and the cast magic halberd were all sold at quite high prices. The cast magic spear particularly, due to the bidding fight between a man who looked like an explorer, and another man who was wearing an elegant armor, it was sold for 270 gold coins. I wonder if the added paralysis effect from the electricity was the cause of this success. I probably shouldn't think about the cost.

Since I had gained more profit than I expected, I decided to donate 10 gold coins for the Tenion emergency food distribution and the orphanage each. Since more than this would be out of common sense, I restrained myself.

About the note book that I've won, the other half of its inside is torn in two. Furthermore, it looks like the one who's written this note book is a cautious guy, it's written in original cipher. When I was deciphering it, I acquired [Decryption] skill, so I solved it easily.

The way to make soap, the way to make glass and mirror, the way to make gum, etc....
Various technologies that look like it'll be useful for someone who has just arrived in another world are written in the note book. However, I can already make most of them, unfortunately. If only I got it earlier.

The lucky find is his curry recipe. There's also the method to create spice written. The problem is if I can find the spice or not. Since there are even ways to create soba and udon, this might be a bargain.

Unfortunately, there is no information about the owner.
I think it's the third person that hero Hayato's mentioned, since he's a shrewd guy, let's pray that he's currently enjoying the other world life.


◇


"Good evening, hero Hayato."

I visit the hero's room in Nanashi mode wearing slightly modest clothes in the night before the hero party departs from the duchy capital. Since some members of his party have good noses like Pochi and the other, I've used [Deodorant] magic.

"Nanashi huh, how did you infiltrate here?"
"With cheat."

It's a convenient word.

Right after I entered the room from the window, the earkin girls who seemed to be the hero's companions suddenly apologized. Since forgiving them like that was 'that', I was allowed to touch the girls' ears as the compensation. Un, it's quite nice.

Afterward, the hero thanked me.
He said the same thing he did when I was Satou, but when he said, 'want to feel my ears as a thank?', I involuntarily dropped my fist on the hero's head.
I thought that lady Ringrande, and princess Maryest would complain since I hit the hero, but it seems that he was usually dealt like that anyway, so everyone looked like they thought it was a matter of course. Princess Maryest even told me not to go easy on him. Is it fine hero.

When he offered some kind of item as a reward, I told him I wanted an Aerodynamic Engine in a jest since I didn't need anything particular, but the hero tried to hurriedly take out the aerodynamic engine of his ship which seemed to be called Jules Verne. Since I had planned to create the aerodynamic engine myself, I declined the rare offer. Princess Maryest looked obviously relieved, the engine was probably quite precious.

In the end, it was decided that the hero is going to give me various rare metal like mithril, and orichalcum. He got them from the inside of the labyrinth, but since he loaned them to the empire's arsenal, he didn't have any in hand.
Orichalcum makes my heart feels excited, although I'll only get it later.

Oops, I forgot the main reason I came here.

"This is?"
"I guess you've never seen one? It's a magic tool that can change a person into a demon you know."

I took out a short horn from the Storage and threw it to the hero. It's the one from the demon that came out in Gururian city.

"What did you say?!"
"W, where did you get this!?"

The former is princess Maryest, and the later is lady Ringrande. By the look of her expression and words, apparently, lady Ringrande has heard the thing about the short horn from the duke. Since the demons have been subjugated in various cities of the duchy, there's no way that people who are related to the duke don't know.

"Did you know about it? Ringrande."
"I'm sorry, since I learned it as a young woman of the duke family, I couldn't disclose it."

What a weirdly stiff person. Although the duke probably couldn't openly declare it due to his position, I think he leaked it to her so she could tell the hero.

"Hey, onee-san. Is this short horn unusual?"
"Yes, this is the first time I've seen it. Even in the long history of Saga empire's fights with the demon, this item never appears even once."

It's a new item huh.

"I obtained it when I defeated a lower demon in another territory. Looks like it can't be used anymore, so I'll give it if you want, you know?"

While thanking me, princess Maryest timidly receives the short horn, and gets it stored in the hero's infinite stowing (Inventory). Although it might not be needed since she looks like someone with a good head, I give her a firm warning, "Handle it carefully okay."

Due to this item, I'm made to hold a magic tool that can be used to communicate with each other. Looks like he's been intending to give it to me from the beginning, the tool is quickly taken out of the hero's inventory. I don't have particular problem with it, so we decide to activate the communication together at 0 hour late at night every 10 days to keep in touch with each other. Since I only have hour hand to check on time, they give me clock magic tool.
This is something that I know later on, but the time on this clock went out of order when I put it in the Storage, so I left it to tick in the Item Box.

I'm worried if it has a tracking function, but it seems that it can't tell location beside at the time where I activate the communication. Since it's used to contact spies who infiltrate another countries, it's made to be undetectable beside at the time of communication. I want to dismantle it for a bit, but let's restrain myself.


◇


I'm unexpectedly free the day before the departure.
Since I was doing things like going around greeting my acquaintances, and buying ingredients, and flavoring--particularly sugar--little by little everyday, there is nothing left that need to be done in a hurry.

Everyone has been finished getting baptized in the Tenion temple this morning.

>[Holy Magic: Tenion Belief Skill Acquired]

This is for the sake of the revival ceremony by the head miko-san in case of emergency.
For some reason, Arisa and me were the only two who didn't get baptized. We did receive the ceremony itself, but we didn't get the [Believer of Tenion] title like everyone else.

Although it seemed that no one around me knew about it, lady Sera said, "With this, Satou-san is also a believer of Tenion.", while looking very happy.

"Satou-san, please accept this."

Lady Sera handed me an item called [Tenion's Bell]. After deciphering the item explanation, it seems to [Resonate with the big bell on Tenion temple]. Apparently, the big bell in Tenion temple rings when an emergency happens. This bell is a magic tool that can resonate with the big bell, it can sense the danger even if they're separated with the distance between the royal capital and the duchy capital.

Looks like it only acts as the receptor.

"Look, I have it too. We have a matching pair right."
"That's right."

I cannot reject lady Sera who's genuinely happy, I take it obediently.
It's probably, or rather, it's 9 out 10 that it was instigated by the head miko-san, but I still wore the bell.


◇


When we've returned to the mansion after the baptism, some visitors are waiting.
It's the next baron Muno, the little brother-kun of lady Karina. He doesn't have an appointment, but he's the young lord of my employer after all, I guess it's fine.

"Sir Pendragon, please forgive me for intruding suddenly."
"Young lord is always welcome to visit me."

I'm going to the (airship) garage in the noon, so let's finish this quickly.

"Let's hear it frankly then. Do you have any intention of marrying Karina-neesan?"
"I do not."

Oops, I should have been a bit more indirect.
The little brother-kun is angry with red face.

"Are you throwing away my big sister after you've done playing around with her! Just because you're a direct retainer of father--"
"It's a misunderstanding."

Although it's rather rude of me, I cover the words of the enraged little brother-kun with another.

"I'll say this again, it's a misunderstanding. Karina-sama and me are not in a relationship you know?"
"However, weren't you two getting along well like a couple during the banquet at Gururian city!"

The way he says it as if it's be better if we don't get along. You siscon.

"The viceroy had sent invitations for both Karina-sama, and me to attend the banquet. Since we both didn't have a partner, I went together with Karina-sama."

Thanks to that, I had to shell out some big expenses, but since I was able to see the volume and the valley, I don't have any regret. That was a good scenery.

"Orion! What are you doing exactly!"

Ah, even though I purposely didn't call his name. Lady Karina, you're heartless.
The little brother-kun's name is Orion Muno. He's the victim of baron Muno's hero hobby like me. Well, I chose it myself in my case, so victim isn't quite right.

Now then, I guess I should work out the misunderstanding.

"Karina-sama."
"What is it?"

Karina-sama replies with a slight caution.

"Do you like me?"
"Na, wha, that--"
"Aneue?" <TLN: Something like, "esteemed older sister.">
"T, there's no way that's true! Thing like me liking Satou, there is absolutely no way that can happen!"

So it's true, this type does self-destruct if openly confronted. I was slightly troubled in case she answered "Yes", but I wouldn't be this cold-hearted if she was that sweet.

"Orion-sama, as you can see, the rumor about us being lovers is groundless. Karina-sama is more suited to a young man from old and honorable lines of a great noble."
"U, umu, I'm glad that you know your place as a chevalier. Please take care of me from now on."
"Yes, likewise."

In other word, Orion-kun probably came to warn an upstart noble that he was not a match for his relative. I pray that it's not aggravated by the siscon. This Orion-kun seems to be engaged with the duke's daughter who has different mother than lady Ringrande and Sera. Since the partner is still 7 years old, the marriage is still a talk for the future.


◇


I visited the duke airship garage in the afternoon since they were going to dismantle the previously-mentioned aerodynamic engine.

When I was going to the garage, I looked for the moving person in the painting before, but I couldn't see it since the hanged paintings had changed, I wondered if they're rotating it everyday. I asked a maid-san who were taking care of other artworks, but she said that she didn't know such painting while looking at me dubiously. That reminds me, when I talked about it during the tea party back then they thought I was just boasting. I wonder if I was half-asleep and was mistaken. It's a mysterious story.

There were unusually lot of people in the garage, so I couldn't see the engine closely. It couldn't be helped, so I moved away for a bit and used [Distance View] to inspect the engine. The aerodynamic engine was like an air cooling radiator with many fins.

Looks like the fin parts are made from Air Fish's materials. It seems the fin gains buoyancy by sending magic through the air.
Since it doesn't look like how hot-air balloons work, the mechanism doesn't follow the law of physic that I know.

When I check my storage, several parasites that crippled the prince have parts that can be made into fins on them, so I dive to the labyrinth late at night, and dismantle them. Since they can't be used as is, I'll process them along the way to Bornean forest.

I had materials from the land reclamation back then, so I made an ark that could even hold the wagon.  I intend to put the aerodynamic engine in this ark. I might possibly carry it with [Magic Hand] until the completion of the aerodynamic engine.

However, I guess this is the last time I can use this place. Since it's truly convenient, I'd even like to settle down in the duchy capital.


◇


Next morning, the previous earl couple with all their employees sent us off as we departed from the duchy capital.

Lady Karina had also wanted to tag along, but since I left her with the large amount of documents and letters for Nina-san, she reluctantly agreed to go back to baron Muno territory. There are collections of recipes for Gelt-san in Muno city among the documents. Since I had sent the necessary ingredients in advance, it's probably alright.
I also entrusted cast magic swords for sir Zotor, and Hauto. Since I made it with fluid control magic that I had acquired, their structures are completely different than the ones I sold in the dark auction. The outer appearances of the swords are rounded like the ones I've made for Pochi and the others as their peculiar characteristics. I wonder if you can imagine it if I say that they look like sword-length stretched rice spoons?　I've made the sword's tip looks like a sharpened reverse R for stabbing. They have Satou Pendragon inscriptions, not Nanashi.
Also, I secretly give the maid manager, Pina, the traveling expense for their trip back. I heard remarks that young unmarried women shouldn't do like getting spared from sleeping in the barn since they were working as merchants' escorts during the long journey, so please enjoy the return trip at least.

When the ship has begun to depart, lady Sera comes to see us off. Please stop waving your hands while crying like it's a final farewell. I feel a bit embarrassed.

After spending one day and one night, we got off the ship in a town along the way that had less than 10.000 total population. From there, we're traveling on the wagon after a long time off. Along the way to Bornean forest, There's going to be another town with the same scale as this one, but beside that, there are only several villages. I'm glad that at least it's not an unexplored region.

Now, let's go, to the elven forest.




Previous Chapter

8-25. Parting at Duchy Capital Night

 

Satou's here. Infiltrating the enemy camp to save your friends and lover who have been caught. It's a classic scene in movies, but it's something that doesn't quite happen in real life. However, looks like it's common in the other world...


◇


"Hufh, it's karaage af-ter-a-long-while."
"Yay~?" "Karaage nanodesu~"

Arisa is delighted to see karaage on her own plate.
She was also prohibited to eat deep fried food for the past one week after all. I forgot Arisa's age, so the diet was too effective, thus I changed the plan to only forbid her on snacking, and overeating. Of course, I did not tell Arisa about the miscalculation. I only told her that I'd make it laxer.

Mia's shares are seasoned rice in a bamboo shoot and boiled vegetables. Even though the bamboo shoot looks like a green bamboo, it can be eaten like a normal bamboo shoot, it's a fantasy ingredient. I'd have liked if I don't have to peel it, but it wasn't quite that lenient.

"Euh?　What's this karaage?　It's not a chicken, nor a pork. I think I've eaten this before, but I can't remember~."

When Arisa is still chewing one piece of the karaage, the three beastkin girls ask for more, so I take out the [Whale] karaage from the heating magic tool and put it on the platter.

I have a lot, so eat as much as you like.

It was outside of my calculation to have that much. Considering where it comes from, it's not like I cannot hold a whale meat festival carefreely, but it'll be a waste.

If I had just acquired it sooner, I could bring it to baron Muno territory via transporter, but the food situation in the territory has already been improved. Or I should say arranged instead I guess.

During the tea parties, the chattering noble women told me about nobles who were troubled as to where they could direct those kind of items. Thanks to that, I procured things like old rice, dried fish, and pickled vegetables in large quantities cheaply. They're currently being transported to baron Muno territory. I've hired guards to escort them due to the sheer quantities. Since they're introduced by the viscount Shimen, an influential man in the duchy capital, they must be reliable.

Let's return to the topic.
While Arisa continues chewing, she finally remembers what the meat is made from.

"I know, it's whale right!"

As expected of Arisa.

"They came out as Yamatoni, or Tatsutaage during lunch a long time ago~ but, you did well to get something like whale meat."
"Yeah, the goods arrived just at the right time."

Yes, Arisa didn't see the great monstrous fish. Therefore, she doesn't notice that great monstrous fish = whale. There's this words of wisdom that says ignorance is a bliss.

"Hamburg steak is the strongest, but whale karaage is eveen stronger nodesu!"
"Delish~"

Tama wolfs down the karaage while doing impression like a Nagoya person. I'm glad that it's to their liking.

"Master, isn't this meat something that's quite expensive?　I feel like my power swells up every time I bite it."

I wonder. I didn't experience such thing when I food-tasted it in advance for poison before, but that might be Liza's expression for the deliciousness.

"Every biteful~""The meat is pulsing nanodesu."

Un, Pochi. I understand, that you like it, but eat it calmly. Please don't say scary things like pulsing meat.
You made me remember meat-man that came out in an old game.

"It's truly delicious. Pochi, Tama, I have reserved that karaage. Be content with the karaage on the forks on both of your hands. Ah, Nana, don't eat it so off-handedly, savor the taste more. Lulu, don't be so modest, eat more."

And also Liza, calm down.

Everyone asks for second helping so much, they can't eat calmly. It might have been a mistake to take the karaage out of the heating magic tool to the large platter.

Seasoned bamboo shoot rice and whale karaage go well together, but I should prohibit it.

"Uuu, Satou."

I have to promise the sulking Mia a new sweets, but well it can't be helped. I should invent more food other than meat.

I thought of treating lady Karina and her maids too, but they were out for the promise with the little brother-kun.
We're planning to depart from the duchy capital in the morning of the day after tomorrow, so I guess I should make a bit of feast for tomorrow night.


◇


The last day of the dark auction is wrapped in bizarre enthusiasm.

The princess of the fallen kingdom is going to be exhibited today, that might be the reason. I feel like this world have poisoned me a bit as I have become someone who can plainly accept the fact that people are being sold like commodities.

This auction hall is as large as a theater hall, the first floor is filled with seats for general bidders, while the second floor has box seats-like seats for nobles. Since the agent man from before has secured one seat on the noble seating in consideration of me, this time I can bid the exhibited items relaxedly. As expected, the people who work as agents are nicely attentive. They'd make me misunderstand like I'm a VIP if they gave me such service.

The first exhibition was for my casted magic sword, and it was immediately won. I tried to offer 10 set of it in jest, but they were all sold just like that. The one who's bought it is the military accountant that has requested it. The casted magic swords have the name Nanashi inscriptions just like before. The swords are sharp-pointed one-handed swords, which are the most popular form in the duchy capital.

Actually, there aren't only these 10 casted magic swords, I have scattered another 10 to be exhibited. It's not only swords, I've also mixed in Magic Halberds among them. I've added it since there's this person who lost the bidding against the military accountant before. I also made three times more the same kind medicines as before to be exhibited here.

Since the agent is excellent, they're probably going to be sold out soon.

There's a rare item called [Gift Orb] being exhibited.

It seems like it can give the user a skill. The one being exhibited now is the [Fire Magic Skill Gift Orb]. After some fierce competition, it was sold for 200 gold coins.

According to the agent's story, Gift Orbs always gets sold at high price. They comes from the labyrinth city, and only five of them appear in the market in a year it seems. Looks like Gift Orbs that are not used for 10 years will lose their effects.

I ask the agent if there's anyone who has Chanting skill Gift Orb, but he doesn't seem to know. It'd be troublesome if he became suspicious, so I didn't ask about [Chanting] in pinpoint. I asked about 5-6 skills.

The bidding for [Aerodynamic Engine of Airship] is unexpectedly unpopular.

Calling it match-fixing would be bad, but it seemed that it was arranged for the powerful nobles who wanted this kind of item.

Of course I also didn't bid.

When I was visiting the airship garage at the duke castle, the factory manager whom I became acquainted with told me that they will be servicing a broken air power engine in a few days, so he was currently in break. It's most likely this one. I'm going to prepare for departure tomorrow, but I'll go there and ask if I can see the exposed parts of the engine.

The thing that I wanted the most [Research Book of Ancient Language] turned out to be something that went way over my expectation.

However I look at it, it looks like a half-size note book. It's probably a belonging of a transported person. I had told the agent that I would bid up to 40 gold coins, but I raised the limit until 300 gold coins. With this, I'll cry if the note contains things like self-poetries, or grudge notes.

Thanks to a guy who competed desperately, the price was raised too much. I could have easily bought it for 10 gold coins if that guy wasn't here, but he opened the bid with 114 gold coins outright.

The agent told me the bidder, so I looked at him, turned out it was an acquaintance.
The heck are you doing hero.

I had prepared myself to compete with the hero again for the next item, [An Unknown Black Plank], but since he didn't bid for it for some reason, I was able to buy [Smartphone] for 23 gold coins. I've never seen the phone, and it also has unfamiliar maker, but it's probably a smartphone. I wonder if the battery is drained, the electricity doesn't run even after I've pushed the switch.

It's probably something that the human who has [Research Book of Ancient Language] kept. I asked the agent if they could sell me the way they obtained the items. I set the upper limit of the information to be 10 gold coins.


◇



And then, the [Princess of Fallen Kingdom] is exhibited. It's a 9 years old girl who's completely white.

Tama is cuter, but this girl is quite cute too.
She's a former princess of white-haired tigerkin. That reminds me, the tigerkin kingdom was invaded by the weaselkin kingdom wasn't it.

I finally understand now.

This is the reason why several beastkin people are gathering in the sewers since a while ago, they're going to infiltrate this hall. Looks like some of them are infiltrating from the ventilation duct. There's no one who guards that place so it's fine, but the operation will be blown if anyone sees them. I secretly push back a squirrelkin girl who's broken her balance and is going to fall with [Magic Hand].

The bidding is getting heated, it's been raised until 120 gold coins. Both bidders are humans. One is a noble from the duchy capital, but the other is a noble from a kingdom I've never heard. The former is easy to understand from his lustful expression, but the latter has bloodshot eyes that are scary. Looks like he has some kind of grudges.

I feel the presence of magic, so I look over the location where it comes from, there's a man who produces a black ball. Apparently, that ball is going to erase the illumination in this room.

A voice shouts out "Fire!" with a cliché voice from the direction of east exit and come the white smoke. When the panic is building up, the light disappear, and the rescue team that has infiltrated from the sewer saves the tiger princess.

Nice~ I feel like seeing some kind of movie.

Since it seems like they'll be surrounded by the guarding soldiers, I secretly give them helps them with [Magic hand] under the cover of the darkness. Since the foreign noble from earlier had started to chant Firebolt magic, I used [Magic Hand] to make him faint with a suitable-looking jar. What a dangerous guy.

I invoked [Clairhearing] beside the tiger princess, so I could hear various things.

>[White-tigerkin Language Skill Acquired]

Oops, they're conversing in their native language huh. I allocate a bit of points to it. It'll be fine to just complement the small nuances in my brain.

『Princess Runya, I've come for you.』
『Galgaoron-sama, I believed that you would surely came to help me.』
『Gal-aniki, we should escape soon.』
『That's right, leaving aside the weaselkins, we absolutely won't be able to escape if the duke guards come.』
『Alright, let's pull back!』
『『Ou!』』

Since the voice sounds familiar, I look at them in darkness, they're faces that I know after all. It's the white tiger-kun and his follower from that time. Even though he's someone who rescues a little girl, he's also kicking sea lion-kin children huh. I intended to help their escape, but that has disappeared somehow. Do your best for the rest.

When I heard about it later, some tigerkins lost their lives to the pursuit force, but it seems that the tiger princess has safely escaped. I'm not that interested with them, but I check the map in order to avoid getting involved, they're moving through the forest toward the royal capital of Shiga kingdom, not the tigerkin country. They're probably going for the self-dominion of beastkin. Since they're going to the opposite direction to where we're going, we won't meet them again.

Actually, a human former princess was going to be exhibited after the tiger princess.

However, since the auction was suspended due to this disturbance, she was entrusted to the duke's house by the duke's recommendation. I'm not privy of the detail, but she seems to be an illegitimate princess of the kingdom where the fiance of princess Menea comes from.

Now, then, after earning abnormal amount of income, and shake off the ones tailing me, let's go on a stroll on the night town.
I have no ulterior motives, I'm just going on a stroll.

Even though I returned with candy set as souvenirs, I got accused of playing around at night for some reason.




Previous Chapter

8-24. The Hero and Satou (3)

 

Satou's here. Wedding is a joyous moment. Regardless of anyone, it's a joyous moment. My wallet might become a tiny bit desolate for the congratulatory gifts, but it's a joyous moment. That's why, please, spare me from three weddings and more in one month, Satou's here.


◇


"Even if I didn't use active skills, I didn't think that I would lose five times in a row."
"You were able to win in the end weren't you."
"That's cause I wouldn't be able to show my face in front of my companions if it was a complete defeat."

The hero who's slumping on the ground on all fours is restarting himself.

The fight was supposed to end after the first two, but we got too absorbed, we fought for many times consecutively. It was because the hero started saying, "One more fight.", when he was defeated for the second time in a row.
Thanks to it, I acquired [Foreseeing: Inter-Personal Battle] skill, but I might have gone overboard.
Maybe because he couldn't use his usual battle-related skills, the hero was full of subtle opening during the battle, so it was easy with the Foreseeing.

I peel off Arisa who's been hugging my shoulder and repeatedly poking my cheek while I'm sitting. "Ehehe~ You didn't want to let go of me so much you forgot yourself~", she said. For both our sakes, I won't tell her the truth.

The hero is talking about something to princess Maryest, but then she goes back ahead of us toward the underground passage. Since the white crocodile has become a landmark, she probably won't lose her way.

"Geez, even though you didn't move that fast, you foresaw all of my attacks--and so, are you a transported, or a reincarnated person? You used a unique skill of continuous movement earlier right?"

The hero asks with confidence.

"No,--"
"Ah, it's not like the matches' result is annulled y'know."

I wanted to deny since it was a groundless claim, but the hero held back my hand.
That's right, there's no other people here anyway, I guess I should exchange information with each other. The hero probably sent princess Maryest back first since he wanted to do that.

I told him about how I wasn't sure if I was a transported or a reincarnated person myself, the possibility that the memory just before and after I got transported to this world was missing, and various details about how I met Arisa and the others. Of course I didn't talk about my unique skills, the matter about meteor shower, and level.

"Satou, do you know about a kingdom called Rumooku?"
"Yes, I have an acquaintance from that kingdom."
"Is that so, you might have been summoned by that kingdom."

From the hero's story, the empire sent an earskin spy who had infiltrated there and confirmed that the kingdom summoned 7-8 other worlders.

The third person who should have been dead was also under the spy's care.
After he was saved, he did intelligence works with the spy for several months, but when the spy was going to take him along to the Saga empire, he went missing. They've confirmed that he didn't have special power when they were together, so the empire didn't even deploy something like a pursuit team. He also ran away right after he was summoned, what a self-reliance guy.

We've exchanged various information, but excluding trivial things, most of it are the things I've said earlier. Of course it's not like there's no benefit to this. After Arisa slightly pesters the hero, he's going to give us advanced magic books, with the exception of forbidden and tactical magic that are matters of national defense. Since they're made by manual writings, it'll take at least half a year at the soonest.
Moreover, he's also going to arrange a pass to Saga empire, and a written guarantee of Saga empire embassy for us.

These looks useful for when we're sightseeing on Saga empire in the future.

Oh right, I make him to promise with [Hero's Vow] to keep the matter about me being an other worlder a secret. I don't know how much I can trust him, but since other worlders are seemingly decent enough, it probably won't become a big problem. Also, the hero seems to be convinced from my stories that I am the eighth person from Rumooku kingdom.

"There is this the absurd beautiful girl before, and there's this boy, these two have made me realize that there are still strong people out there. Just level isn't everything huh."

My ears hurt from the hero's words.
However, seeing how the words don't seem to have any sarcasm, he doesn't seem to think that that was me. However, beautiful girl he said, I didn't disguise myself as a woman in particular, and I didn't show my face either, so where did that [Beautiful] came from.

"Beautiful girl?"
"Yeah, it was a monstrous fellow who mowed down the great fish that appeared in the duchy capital's sky with a single beam, and toyed around with an upper demon like it was a child. Since she had a violet hair, she was probably a reincarnated person."
"Oh my, that's really amazing huh."

Arisa, your prim and proper way of speaking is disturbed y'know.

Apparently, the hero suspects that the masked hero is Arisa. The violet hair certainly matches, and Arisa is hiding her unique skill from the hero. So it's not strange if the hero thinks that she has a unique skill that lets her change into adult form. It can't be helped if he misunderstands.
It seems that he doesn't think that I'm Nanashi at all. I'm really glad that I changed my way of talking. Yup, let's decide that it's a good thing.

Just in case, I try confirming something with the hero, it seems that a reincarnated person doesn't always have violet hair, but a reincarnated person who has violet hair is sure to have unique skills.

Arisa turns her face to me with a swoosh. Even though she moves like Pochi, it feels more like a horror rather than looking cute.
She speaks only with her lips without voice, "It's you right?", as she asks, I nod.

"Was it, by any chance, your favorite type?"
"I couldn't see her face, but she was 15 years old. If she was five years younger, it might've been dangerous."

Spare me from BL!

Let's stop using that masked hero way of speaking in the future.
Arisa is shaking a little. She's probably enduring from laughing out loud, but it'll expose me to the hero, so please do stop it.
Later, when we're practicing at night, Arisa bursts out laughing until she runs out of breath after she hears about the details of the beautiful girl. I'll make better upright clothes later. I promise so in my heart.
Later, I'm almost made to wear woman's clothes, but that alone, I refuse firmly.

"Putting love things aside, I want to meet her once again. I forgot to say thanks to that fellow for saving my life, and protecting the reputation of hero. My principle is to give back debt as soon as possible after all."

Well now? He certainly said, "I won't say thanks" though. Was that about me reducing the demon's health?

He also wanted to apologize for the rudeness of his companions. Did the hero's companions do anything rude to me?　I don't remember any, but I can just ask about it when I'm back to the masked hero mode.

Since the hero party are going to stay until the duke's grandson's marriage, I guess I'll go once until then.


◇


"Beautiful~""Nanodesu!"
"White dress."
"Wonderful right~ white dress are better than kimono for wedding after all~"
"Master, I wish to reproduce the flower decorations that are on the bride."
"Quite a gorgeous parade this is."
"She looks very happy. I want to be like that bride."

After the wedding of the duke's grandson, lady Ringrande's little brother, is over, they're debuting to the commoners on a parade. Since the parade is going to pass through the road exactly in front of the mansion we're staying, everyone is lined up while watching the parade.
Lady Karina is attending the wedding with her little brother, so she's not here. I feel that the little brother has been accompanying lady Karina quite often recently. He's probably a siscon.

Pochi and Tama are in high tensions, I guess they're charmed by the wedding dress even though they're still kids. Tama has climbed on top of my head, and Pochi is flaying around her arm while grasping my sleeves. Mia is copying Tama, but since it's dangerous, I catch her midway, and let her getting carried by me on my back. Liza is the only calm one, but she's intensely watching the bride, so it's not like she's not interested.

"Chevalier-sama, a messenger of viscount Shimen has come."
"Ah, I'll go soon."

I am guided by the mansion maid to meet the visitor. I've checked on the map earlier, the visitor is Natarina-san from the scroll workshop. The ordered scrolls have most likely been completed.

"Then, these are the requested items."

I fully paid the scrolls I ordered at the beginning that had been completed faster than scheduled.

"I gratefully accept. Right, the variation of Magick Sword we've talked about before is complete."
"Is that true? It hasn't even been three days since we talked you know?"

It's a new magic that comes upon me when I was watching Claiomh Solais' movements. Fighting while magick swords are flying independently. There's already an auto-moving magic, [Nature Magic: Dancing Blade], so it was easier to make than expected.

I ordered several more original magic, and magic that aren't available in scrolls for sale. Of course, I pay the advance payment in cash.
I'm told that they can only make 3-5 scrolls in a month, so it's going to be close to when I'm about to return from Bornean forest, and thus we're going to hire a trusted trading company to transport them.

Since I can visit them alone anytime with Sky Drive, it's fine.


◇


I'm providing the dishes for the wedding reception tonight. I somehow feel like a servant of the duke, but it's not all bad.

"Heya, Sir Pendragon, I've made the rounds in hurry to come and eat your dishes."
"You too eh earl Houen, I'm also crazy with the shrimp tempura."
"Marquis Lloyd, the red pickled gingers are surely easier to eat than the tempura."

Just like that, I was able to talk freely with relatively upper ranked nobles. I don't intend to be successful as a noble, but it's a good thing to have someone to rely on if anything happens. The demerits are the troublesome adults who occasionally asks me to marry girls of primary and middle school ages. Most of them pulled back when I said that I had a fiancee, but sometimes there are persistent ones that were troubling.

Several nobles show their consent to invest and send exchange students to Muno city, so consul Nina can probably feel relieved.
However, even though I've refused Nina-san's letter, I end up going by her plan. It's mysterious.

"Chevalier-sama, what are today's snacks?　I'm looking forward to it."
"Even though Muno roll is delicious, crepes is the best."
"To celebrate Tisrad-sama's occassion, I have prepared a special dish."
"My, I look forward to it."
"Yes, it's something to look forward to."

Recently, I've made more beautiful women acquaintances, not only girls. It's sad that most of them are married, but there's no problem to enjoy the love (bad) from afar right.
The sweets today is a lulu fruits and strawberries hall cake. I was finally able to bake sponge cake the other day, so I've made an extraordinarily big hall cake for this wedding.

I feel that this is a culture hazard, but when I see the dishes on Gugurian and duchy capital, it's probably only a matter of time for the dishes I make, so I present it without worry. Arisa didn't stop me too, but it must be because she had lost to her appetite. However, it might have been better if I hold back with the mayonaise and the fresh cream. I'm afraid that a lot of people might become plump.

I treated everyone in the mansion with the strawberry cake trial-runs, but it became a grand outbreak that does not only involve the youth tropes, but also Lulu and the maids. In the end, I baked the cake until everyone was satisfied. One person probably ate one hall cake I wonder. In addition, Arisa and me got only one slice. Diet is a severe and drawn-out fight.

"Aah, the bitterness from the cake that I couldn't eat myself won't disappear~ It was hard for an unmarried woman past thirty to celebrate her own birthday with a convenient store cake."

A, Arisa, please stop with the realistic sob story. I'll let you eat as much as you want when the diet is over, please endure it firmly for now.

"Pay attention everyone! To commemorate the wedding of Tisrad-sama and Miniem-sama, proudly coming from baron Muno territory, Sir Pendragon the miracle chef presents the lost dish from the era of ancestor king Yamato-sama! The entrance of the wedding cake!"

I'm already accustomed to being called miracle chef. They will probably forget about it soon after I leave the duchy capital.

The maids carry the four columns of the cake from the carriage. The cake is deliberately wrapped with cloth on the outside to instill special feeling. Of course it was Arisa's idea.

"Well then, the bride and groom will cut the cake together!"

Even though the the people here are awfully excited, Arisa is strangely depressed.

"Ah, even in this world, I'm on the side of the people who congratulate these wedding couple huh."
"Mou, oh Arisa, didn't you say that you'd get master to do it in 10 years."
"T, that's right. Alright, I'll polish myself hard to become a woman!"

Lulu cheers her up until she's revived, but you shouldn't rouse her that far. So maiden-like.

Unrelated with Arisa's determination, fireworks color the sky while matching the couple cut the cake. It's a grand fireworks magic by fire and light magicians groups lead by viscount Shimen.

Not only the newlyweds, couples that are on this wedding hall are joining their shoulders together while gazing ecstatically at the fleeting lights of the large flowers that illuminate the sky.

Pestered by Pochi and Tama who have seen this fireworks, that night I show them various fireworks in the garden of the mansion.

Not long after that, I make a set of firework magic tools.





Previous Chapter

8-23. The Hero and Satou (2)

 

Satou's here. When I played fighting games, at first I was having fun with special attacks, but then I got gradually charmed with reading and creating combos.
Although as expected, I didn't think that the day where I would move like a fighting game character myself would come.


◇


"I'm coming for you, my honey!"

Hero Hayato opens the door and enters. Tama who's curling up on my lap is surprised and thrusts her claws on my lap. It's bit painful. Pochi, and Mia who are both on my sides harden.

Intruding the peaceful picture book reading time like this, what a troubling hero.

"What...the hell."

And, also, why are you in shock, hero Hayato.

Just what is he surprised about.

There's nothing particularly strange. Pochi had just pestered me to read her a picture book. I'm sitting down on a large sofa, and enjoying the afternoon in carefree after a long while. I'm wearing a refreshing tank-top and short-pants, but since this is a private room, there's nothing wrong about it.

Lulu, and Nana relaxing on the carpet below are wearing one piece that don't, although thin, expose their bodies. Liza was listening to me reading the picture book while calmly standing like meditating with her eyes closed. I can sense slight anger on her eyes. Liza unexpectedly likes to hear picture book reading after all. Is she angry because it's been disturbed?

Mia is scared of Hayato's eyes, she's slipping behind my chair, it's ticklish.

"Oh my, hero-sama, entering a room without even knocking like this, that's a bad manner you know?"

Even though Arisa is saying that in prim and proper manner, she's doing it while caressing my leg, it's a bit laughable. Geez, please stop with the sexual harassment while you're pretending to listen to the picture book.

"Let's fight Satou! You have angered me!"

The hero who screams with a face that looks as if it's crying blood gets pinned down by lady Ringrande and her group from behind.

Good grief, I don't understand what he's going on about.


◇


I change my clothes to easy-to-move knight clothes so as to keep me off from being impolite to princess Maryest, and go out. I don't intend to fight the hero in the least, but I cannot not go to where the hero and his companions are waiting.

"Are you really going to fight?"
"Of course not."

Lulu asked worryingly, I replied lightly.
Even if I fight, it'll only expose my true power, there's no advantage to it.

"You've come at last Satou!"

The hero who is being swarmed by big-breasted maid-san from the main building while shouldering Arondight is on the arbor of the courtyard.

"Let's have a fair fight!"
"I refuse."

The hero challenged me to a fight while pointing Arondight straight here, I flatly refused while smiling.
It seems the hero didn't expect that he'd be refused, he looked befuddled. I'd like to ask him for an hour why he thought that I wouldn't refuse.

After all, even if we fight, there are only disadvantages for me right?

"Let's hear your reason."
"There's nothing for me to gain in the fight."
"Hee, you don't say that it's because you can't win huh."

The hero asked, and princess Maryest retorted.

"Of course, there's also the fact that there's no odds of me winning, but even if, by any chance, I win, there is no benefit for me. It's useless to fight right?"
"To cross swords with the hero, it's a very rare honor even in the empire you know?"

You really want me to fight the hero don't you?

"Please pass that honor to the knights, and people who fight in battle tournaments instead."
"You don't think that you will lose to Hayato either right?"
"Maryest-sama, that's an unreasonable thing to say. He's the hero-sama see?　There is no way I can win against an existence that can match the demon lord."

I don't think I would definitely win against a veteran warrior in a straight swordsmanship fight, although it'd be a different story if it was an anything-goes fight. In fact, I had been ripped apart like getting checkmated in a chess match when I fought against elder Dohar, even if I was hiding my ability.

"Really? You're not harboring admiration, envy, jealousy, and also fear even when you're in front of an absolute strong. Am I wrong?"

I guess so.

"Oy Mary. Don't hinder my fight with difficult talks."
"Oh my, I'm sorry. This child's reaction is quite unusual, so I just inadvertently."

Now then, going back to the main problem, what should I do.

Come to think of it, Arisa sure is quiet.

"Gufufufu, 『Please don't fight for me』, what a delicious situation."

What are you saying in whisper.

"Alright, then let's do it like this. You're betting princess Arisa. As for me, I will grant you anything I can do."

Something big comes out.
Then, I'd like his ship.

"The dimensional warship, his holy sword, and his holy armor are the properties of the empire, so those are off-limits."

Princess Maryest firmly tells me as if she's read my mind. I've heard from baron Muno's long talk that the hero appears with a holy sword when he's summoned, I wonder if that's not true?

I can collect information as Nanashi, so I don't particularly need to do it as Satou. That's right, let's make him an insurance for the time where I alone am not sufficient. I can't cope if demon lords appear in two different locations at the same time after all.
Moreover, if I have some connection to Saga empire, I can take shelter there if I lose my place in Shiga kingdom.


◇


In the end, it's going to be with the hero and observers.

There were three conditions I gave him.

First, we're going to have the duel in a place where no one is watching.
Second, the hero is not going to use unique skills, or active battle skills.
Third, if Arisa's ownership is transferred to him, he has to give priority to Arisa's will when he's successfully released her from the geass.

However, since Maryest showed her disapproval, one person from each side was given permission to observe. Lady Ringrande wanted to come along too, but since various problems would arise if she saw the fight, she was prevented to.
I should have also followed the second condition by not using battle skills, but since Arisa insists that it's not fair, they let me use them.

The four of us have come to an abandoned arena under the duchy capital.
I know this place from an acquaintance who lives in the underground passages, it seems to be a place where dark martial art tournament was being held until 100 years ago.

Princess Maryest uses light magic to illuminate the room.
It's 10 meters high, and there are around 20 meters wide in radius. Since that also includes audience seats, the actual fighting location is smaller.

I asked Arisa about her true intention before we got here, and she said that I should deepen my friendship with the hero without going overboard, and exchange information. I felt that the distance between Arisa and the hero was quite enough already, but I wasn't moved even though I was entreated, yet when Arisa was being secretive like this, she would only get worse, so I accepted her reasoning.
<TLN: This is a jumbled mess even in the original raw, basically Satou doesn't believe that's all there is to Arisa's intention, but he's not going to press further since it'll only get worse if he does when she's like that.>

The [Don't go overboard] part is difficult since the opponent is the hero, but since it's not a serious fight, it'll probably be fine as long as I don't use weapons from my storage, don't hit him with intermediate magic, and don't use my bare hands to block his sword.

"Looks like it's fine to have a somewhat showy fight if it's here."

I've changed to white leather armor before we come here.

"I'll properly stop before hitting, so don't worry."
"Yes, I trust you."

Even though I replied out of courtesy, who would believe you when you have that carnivorous expression.

"Here-sama, this is not a serious battle you know. You lose if your opponent dies. I will go after Satou-sama if that happen."
"Umu, I'm good at holding back, leave it to me."

Arisa gives him a stern warning, but it's questionable if he really understands when he's fawning over her like that.

"There are three matches, winning two matches means victory."

Princess Maryest tells the victory condition.

"It's forbidden to lose on purpose alright!"
"But of course, my honey. Let's build a white house in the imperial capital when we get married. We'll keep a big dog at the garden."

Arisa was probably speaking to me, but Hayato who misunderstood had begun to talk about something. His taste is unexpectedly girlish.

"You really~ must not hold back okay!　Please remember that, not only me, Lulu would also be gone!"

Arisa reminds me again in low voice.
I don't understand what kind of reasoning is that, but even if she doesn't mention Lulu, I don't have any intention of handing Arisa over. If Arisa truly wish for it, then I'll send her off with a smile, but if that's not the case, then she should be beside me.

"It's alright."

I nod to Arisa who looks really anxious. However, she's someone who doesn't have confidence in strange places.


◇


The hero is prohibited to use not only unique skills, but also active skills huh. I guess I should turn off the menu to make this fair. Even if I turn OFF the menu, the last setting of companion column seems to be kept anyway, alright then.

I turn OFF the menu after a long while.

The view is wide.

I'm with the fairy sword, Hayato's with a holy sword. I want to tell the hero to restrain himself, but he replies back saying that it's easier to stop before hitting with a sword that he's used to, I don't answer back.

"On your positions, the match begins when this coin touches the ground!"

Arisa flips a coin above.

I've learned various things after the fight with the demon lord.

The eyes movements.

The position of the center of gravity of the body.

The slight change in silhouettes reflecting from the movement of muscles.

And also the breathing--

I dive under Arondight's tip, and thrust the fairy sword toward his heart.

The match is concluded before the the sounds from the coin that's hitting the ground stops.

"First match, Satou's victory♪"

Oy, umpire.


"What are you doing Hayato! Even though he didn't move that fast, you let him win on purpose, you're being rude to your opponent."

Princess Maryest is scolding Hayato from the outfield, but it doesn't seem like it reaches his ears.

"This is surprising, was that really a level 30 movements?"

More than the hero, I'm surprised at my own movements myself. My body feels lighter than usual. As if I've switched something on, I feel that informations are entering me vividly to the point of being surprising.

The trajectory and timing of the hero's Arondight's blow were in accordance with my expectation. I've understood Hayato's habit after seeing his fight with the yellow-skinned demon, but more than that, I can predict his movement as if reading the future.

In order to confirm that sensation, I fight on the second match.

I avoid the horizontal slash by swaying back at minimum.

The sword is coming back abnormally fast, I block it with the guard on the reverse side of my hand that holds my sword.

When I show an opening for a very little bit, the hero kicks toward my side abdomen

I predict it, handle it, and purposely receive the attack while breaking the opponent's balance.

It feels like when I fought a strong player in a fighting game. I want to fight with elder Dohar again. I should be able to fight decently without feeling like I'm being led by the nose this time.

More, and more.

The tip of the sword swing for a bit before it's swung, the subtle difference in the gripping power of the sword's handle, there are information everywhere.

I relish every corner of my body during the fight with the hero.

And--

The fun time is over all too soon.


>[Foreseeing: Anti-Personnel Battle Skill Acquired]

>Title [Sword Dancer] Acquired






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