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Arifureta Chapter 463
🕑 Added 2023-08-20 15:38:11 +0000 UTCMyuu’s Spring Vacation Third Part (Middle)
A lot of noises were resounding far above the sky.
How to describe it? If it had to be described plainly, it was a sailing ship that was grabbed and abducted by a black dragon……or something like that.
The machine dragon was modeled after Tio’s black dragon mode. It spread out its collapsible wings majestically. Its four thick legs were gripping the four corners of a galleon without mast to carry it on the sky.
However, the size was even greater than the actual dragon. Even just the ship part might have the total length of a hundred meter.
The ship was made from wood with a keel that drew a beautiful curve. Height-wise it was most likely equal to a three layers structure. The deck was made spaciously with width around twenty meters. The deck became two layers structure from the bow to the stern, so in actuality the height from both ends was equal to five layers.
Just like a battleship from Middle Age, there were many cannons peeking out from both sides and both ends. Especially the bow’s cannon. It was decorated to look like a dragon’s head with its jaw opened wide. It drew an imposing figure.
「Uu~nn……」
The one who was letting out such conflicted groan was Kouki who was inside the head part of that black dragon.
The internal area that had the space of ten meters to the four directions had nothing at all inside. In exchange the surrounding was very visible.
Actually this head part had its whole surfaces made from a kind of magic mirror so the outside was clearly visible. In short, it was the observation deck. It was also possible to move the long neck to some degree, so it could move to far above the torso part or conversely get closer to the ship part at the bottom.
Right now it was also being slightly lowered, so the situation at the lower deck was clearly visible.
「Even though he completely ignored my request, the work itself doesn’t cut any corner……it’s really well made. It’s so well made it’s irritating!」
Kouki was standing while crossing his arms at the center of the room. There he was muttering to himself.
His gaze was directed at below his feet, through the transparent floor and toward the deck.
There were a lot of people on the deck. They were the feudal lords of the territories where he would go sightseeing after this, along with their family or perhaps aides.
It looked like they were unable to suppress their excitement from riding a flying ship for the first time in their life. They were leaning forward while holding on the handrail to look down on the ground below. They were clapping their hands in high spirits seeing the sight of the flowing clouds from above.
There were also Moana along with Spenser and several royal guards who accompanied her as bodyguards there. They were similarly enjoying the sky travel.
Also, Donal, Linden, and Anneal were staying behind. There was no way that the leaders of the army and the blessing art users could also be absent from the capital. Anneal too, the feudal lords of the territories that Kouki’s group didn’t plan to visit were remaining behind in the capital, so she needed to be there to deal with them as the head maid. Even if she came along in this trip, it would be the territories they visited that would be in charge of entertaining Kouki’s group, so there would be nothing much for her to do.
In addition, Lilin was also staying behind. She insisted that she would absolutely come along too, but she had left the royal guards because of her own wish to be at the frontline. It would be just too convenient for her to rejoin the royal guards at this point just because of her personal feeling. Lilin was unable to say anything back when her majesty the queen pointed that out.
If that’s the case, my only chance is tonight! Lilin said that with an animalistic gaze. As for what in the world she did to Kouki at the night……
It could be easily guessed from the way Kouki’s face turned bright red just from a single sidelong glance from Lilin when she came to see them off. By the way, this morning Moana and Lilin came out together from Kouki’s room. (by Anneal-san’s info)
Getting back to the topic.
Regardless of what happened, when he was watching the cheerful atmosphere at the deck,
「Even though I thought that flying ship with Star War* design would absolutely be better」
This also wasn’t bad, he thought. No, rather he thought that this was better.
Yes, this flying ship with unconventional style was none other than one of the means of transportation that Hajime gave to Kouki for the “World tree branches’ revival plan”.
At first, Kouki made a request about designing the ship.
Kouki too was a boy, so he couldn’t stop himself from feeling buoyant that he would receive his own personal flying ship.
And, even though he wasn’t knowledgeable about manga or anime, he was familiar with most world-wide popular movies. Especially Sta* Wars. He loved it ever since he was little.
And so Kouki told Hajime with a cheerful grin, Give me Millenium Falco*.
He also said, if possible, can you also load it with X-Wi*g for just in case?
In addition, he also wanted the ship to be installed with this and that from Star *ars that at the end he meddled with Hajime’s blueprint as he pleased……
Kouki didn’t know. What would happen when a creator found their blueprint got revised outside of their knowledge.
Hajime was all-smiles. He said 「Leave it to me!」 with a smiling face and a thumb up.
Kouki went I’ll be able to ride that Falco*! With great joy. He was too joyful that he didn’t see it. The pulsing vein behind Hajime’s front bangs.
Kouki also didn’t notice just how abnormal it was that Hajime was accepting his demand without even a single complaint.
As the result, when he received the message that it was completed and excitedly went to the “Miniature Garden” that was used as dock to take a look……
A Middle Age style wooden ship was docked there. Furthermore, for some reason it also had dragon thingy attached on top of it.
It went without saying that Kouki’s eyes shrunk like a dot seeing that. My Millenium Falc*n, where……He muttered.
According to Hajime.
『I was just going to make a plain sailing ship but, I got motivated for some reason. Might as well, so I styled it like Granblu*’s airship. It’s wonderful right? You can thank me to death.』
He said. And he said it while puffing out his chest. His face was wonderfully smug, with not even the slightest bit of guilt from completely ignoring Kouki’s request could be seen from him.
It went without saying that Kouki grabbed Hajime’s collar after that. My Millenium Falc*n, WHEREEEEEE!! He yelled. Because, he didn’t know anything about Gra*blue.
By the way, unlike that airship, the dragon part was constructed with four legs grabbing the ship because those four legs were used as stair or elevator.
In other words, the dragon part could be entered. Kouki couldn’t directly manipulate magic power, so he needed to use bangle shaped remote control artifact to control the ship, or entered the steering room to directly steer the ship from there.
The core of the ship was that steering room. The appearance of that room was also made from wood, due to some kind of fixation from Hajime that he didn’t know about. There were things like wooden steering wheel, leather sofa, and other furniture there that looked aged even though they were all brand new.
There were also storage space and communication device, workbench and equipment to create map, etc. Things that were necessary for investigation each world were packed in there. All of them were arranged to have Middle Age style.
Even though the inside of the galleon part below was made from metal everywhere, here Hajime went out of his way lay out wooden boards, furthermore he also deliberately stained them too, creating the feeling of “a ship that had been used for a long time during the Middle Age”. It was truly pointlessly refined pointless technique and pointless fixation.
Of course, even though it had such interior it was also properly installed with convenient electrical appliances. There was also no lack of bathroom and toilet. There was even golem provided for maintaining and cleaning the inside of the ship.
Because of that even though Kouki was extremely sulky, the ship’s craftsmanship itself had nothing that could be complained about, he was convincing himself that it would be ungrateful of him to find fault with a ship this amazing but……
「Certainly it’s good to be able to easily look outside like this for an exploration ship. Besides, it’s easier for Koone and others to understand about flying in the sky through riding a ship that they’re familiar with rather than a spaceship. This type of ship is easier to approach……」
If Kouki took out Millenium *alcon in this world, it would create a situation that was truly “an encounter with the unknown”. There was no doubt that the residents of this world would become bewildered by the ship’s science fiction internal structure rather than enjoying the outside scenery.
Or perhaps, they would go How can a round lump of metal like this fly in the sky!?, and they would be trembling with fear of the ship crashing down throughout the journey.
If that happened then surely a lot of people wouldn’t be able to immerse themselves in feeling moved of flying through the sky, no doubt about it.
In other words, this appearance was spot on for usage in this desert world.
「Shit, it’s frustrating for some reason……」
He didn’t know whether Hajime had anticipated until that far ahead but, either way he couldn’t wipe away this feeling of defeat. He completely imagined the figure of Hajime pointing his finger at him while bending backward so far his back arched like a bridge like a certain pirate empress.
It was then, some noisy giggling and boisterous sound were approaching.
There were three presences going out of their way to run up the stairs inside the neck part even though the stairs were functioning like escalator. There was no door in this observation deck so the sounds echoed very clearly.
「Dum duu—mm, arriving here! Is the ultra chipper Kooneeee!!」
「And Myuuu!!」
「A-and Hinataaa……」
Koone and Myuu made their entrance with wide smile and both hands raised in banzai pose. Hinata was the only one looking shy, but she was copying the two with her cheeks flushed red looking like she was having a great time.
「You three, it looks like you are having fun.」
Kouki’s gaze softened while he chuckled smilingly.
「Naturally. Rather, is there a reason why anyone can’t have fun here!? Koone said as Koone pressed a question back instead!」
Koone once had the experience of flying in the sky on Grim Gryphon but, as expected it was different then riding on a flying ship. Kouki could see that she was enjoying this sky travel with her whole being.
In fact, she had been dragged by Myuu and Hinata this whole time until now exploring the inside of the ship.
「Especially this transparent floor! The ship below also has the same structure! It’s like we’re sliding on the sky while floating still in the air, kuuu~~~~~h, it’s unbearable! Koone never thought that a scary experience with your safety guaranteed can be this fun! It’s a new frontier for Koone!!」
It was just as Koone said, the ship at the bottom also had magic mirror as floor. Of course, it was using alloy that was made using age of god magic and boasted a solidity that couldn’t be compared with reinforced glass, so it wouldn’t break easily even in battle.
It was a convenient function for during investigation, being able to see the whole area below from the ship’s bottom. As long as one had magic power, it would be possible to also operate the floor itself like touch panel to activate zoom function or projection function.
「Certainly it was thrilling. It made my heart skipped a beat.」
「Fuh, it looks like Ku-chan and Hina-chan have been awakened to the pleasure of attraction like jet coaster, nano.」
It was totally unexpected. Actually Hinata-chan had no experience with shriek inducing attraction it seemed.
She had experience going to an amusement park itself that had been fully reserved, but at that time her height was simply insufficient for riding such attraction.
And then, after she grew tall enough that she would be able to, seeing a theme park that had no one except staffs even though it was a theme park was lightly traumatizing (it was the doing of the idiot parent Taisei papa), that after that her vacation was mostly done at resort spot abroad in the end……that was how.
By the way, Myuu too wasn’t tall enough but she had experienced such attraction. Yue-oneechan’s metamorphosis magic was excellent. Doing something like shrinking or growing someone for ten centimeters wasn’t hard.
「W-well, it’s great that you three are having fun. Ah, right right. We’re going to arrive at Arquette in around twenty minutes.」
「Already!? A distance that would took one whole day even after forcefully spurring arous in just two hours! How revolutionary! Koone’s worldly desire is boiling up to an unprecedented degree!」
Koone was greedily staring at the ship frame through the transparent surface. Certainly as a queen this was something that she would desperately want, no doubt about it.
「Fufu, it’ll be troubling if you’re surprised by just this much yeah, nano!」
「Mi-chan! What do you mean by that!?」
「The speed of papa’s ship shouldn’t be just this much nano! This ship’s speed is still limited by Kouki-oniisan even like this! So that everyone can enjoy the trip!」
Right!? Myuu asked with a crisp gaze toward Kouki.
Kouki nodded even while smiling wryly.
「Yeah, it’s like Myuu-chan said. I’m keeping the speed down a lot I guess? ……I was told that it can rival fighter jet if I seriously pour in the magic power after all.」
In other words, it was a supersonic flying ship. The driving force was using gravity control, also with barrier to deal with the wind resistance, so it stood to reason. If he wanted, this ship could even dive underwater using that barrier function.
It used Oscar’s magic submarine that Hajime saw during their travel to Tortus, specifically at their visit to the underwater ruin as reference.
「It’s amazing isn’t it! This──」
「It’s amazing. This──」
「Black Dragon ship!」
「Endeavour.」
Koone and Kouki looked at each other while grinning. A second passed and they both went 「Hm?」 and tilted their head to each other.
「Err……this ship’s name is Black Dragon isn’t it?」
「Eh? No, it’s Endeavour though……」
Koone was bewildered. She slowly looked toward Myuu.
Kouki too was drawn by that and looked at Myuu.
Myuu looked astonished.
「E-Endeavour?」
「Eh, yeah that’s right……have you never heard about Captain Cook? I got the name from that person’s exploration ship.」
「……But……this ship, has dragon nano……」
「Yeah, true. Eh? But, didn’t you hear? Nagumo told me that it’s fine if I name this ship, so……」
「B-but……papa also told Myuu that it’s a lovely name……」
「Eh? Ee?」
There Hinata raised her hand with a really conflicted face that didn’t know what to say.
「Um, Amanogawa-sama」
「What is it, Hinata-chan?」
「At the lower part of the bow, there is a magnificent engraving of “Black Dragon” written in English……」
「You’re lying right?」
Kouki controlled the neck. He stretched it until the limit that it caused the people on the deck to wonder what he was doing. Meanwhile Kouki peered at the ship’s frame, at the slightly lower part of the bow.
Certainly, there were the words Black Dragon written in English with cursive style.
Even though when he accepted the ship, he definitely remembered that spot had the word Endeavour written in English too there.
「Ah, come to think of it that guy gave me a treasure warehouse right before departure saying things about additional supply or what-not……」
「Amanogawa-sama. This is just my speculation but……」
「No, you don’t need to finish! I already realized it-」
The nerve of that idiot parent demon king. After giving permission to Kouki to name the ship, he rewrote it right before the departure.
This was just his guess but, he must have shown Myuu a picture or something of the flying ship that she would ride on her trip. Seeing that Myuu must have innocently called it 「Black Dragon」 and Hajime heard it. Then, the ship is Black Dragon, he said.
Myuu seemed to have realized it too.
「If Kouki-oniisan, prefer Endeavour then……err, we can rewrite it somehow even right now nano!」
Myuu’s gaze ran over the Black Dragon’s hull with reluctance, then she resigned herself even though she was feeling a bit dejected because Kouki had named the ship first.
Even though he hadn’t done anything bad, the feeling of guilt was crushing. Kouki’s expression was twitching.
An additional blow hit him at that timing.
「Uwaa, Kouki-sama, this is really putting off. To think that you want to prioritize your own incomprehensible naming even if it make a small child like this sad……Koone is getting disillusioned!」
「I’m not saying anything like that right!? It’s fine, Myuu-chan! This ship’s name is Black Dragon! It sounds strong and cool! And it’s easy to understand too!」
「Kouki-oniisana, you don’t need to force yourself nano. That naming’s exactly as how it looks like ain’t it. It just a name that a kid thought of after all. Lamee……that’s written all over your face nano.」
「There’s no way that’s written on my face! I’m not thinking anything like that! No, really! It’s a great name isn’t it-, Black Dragon! I can feel the powerfulness! I can’t think anything better than that! Thank you, Myuu-chan!」
「……」
Myuu’s suspecting gaze stabbed Kouki. No, Koone and Hinata were also giving him a stare that was saying 「Are you really thinking so?」.
Kouki ordered his face muscles with all his strength. Smile! Don’t make the little girls’ smiles clouded, hero! Hide your true feeling with a bright smile! He commanded. He wasn’t thinking anything like what a simplistic naming, he wasn’t!
It seemed that battle of the hero ended with victory somehow.
「Myu……if Kouki-oniisan is fine with that then」
「I’m fine, fine. Rather I prefer that name.」
「……Fuh, if Kouki-san is saying that much then it can’t be helped nano. This ship’s name is Black Dragon nano!」
「「Oo~~」」
Hinata and Koone were clapping. Myuu was also puffing out her chest happily.
The smiles of the little girls were protected. This was the hero’s victory.
「Well, Koone doesn’t understand the meaning but, Koone think that hero-sama’s naming sense also isn’t bad. It’ll surely get used next time. Koone guarantee it.」
「Thanks for the kind words.」
Koone gently patted his shoulder *pon pon*. Seeing her consoling gaze toward him, he was feeling a sense of defeat as expected. He wondered why that was.
Kouki sighed. He suddenly felt really tired. One person called out to Kouki who was like that with a worried tone.
『Kouki-sama, are you alright? You looked tired……should I take your place in operating the ship?』
「No, I’m fine Aula.」
「Aula-oneesan?」
「「Aularodde-sama?」」
Come to think of it, Myuu and the others realized that they didn’t catch sight of her at all during their exploration of the ship. Their eyes were goggling around. They couldn’t see her anywhere.
「Aa, Aula is in heaven sword mode right now.」
It seemed that she was attached on Kouki’s back waist. Kouki took out the wooden holy sword that was the size of a knife.
「Eh, Aula-oneesan, why do you turn into sword nano?」
『After all of you went playing and left me alone, the nobles of this country surrounded me all the time and my heart reached the limit. I who was sitting alone on the VIP seat couldn’t even run away and had to deal with them. After all I can’t possibly cause shame for Kouki-sama too.』
The former goddess-sama deliberately emphasized the part of them leaving her alone to play. Certainly, during the ceremony Koone left into the city with only Myuu and Hinata in tow.
It seemed that she was holding a grudge for being left alone in a place where there were only unfamiliar people.
Myuu and others looked at each other with an expression that didn’t know what to say. Or perhaps, it was the expression of children who saw a hopeless adult.
『Uu, Kouki-sama was also surrounded by the lords, while Moana and momma too──I mean, Anneal also looked busy, so no one gave me a helping hand. Why can’t anyone understand, the fear of smiling unknown people talking to you ceerfully? What if I was at a loss for words? What if I gave a strange reply and the mood froze? What if they thought of me as a boring person? Uoee, haa haa, it’s painful from simply imagining it……I want to become a shellfish……』
Kouki looked up to the ceiling in respond to the former goddess’s unsociable tendency.
The three girls were also looking like they couldn’t find anything to say.
「Err, cheer up, Aula-oneesan! No one care about such thing nano!」
『In short, you’re telling me to not mind it because from the start even an insect has more worth than me. You’re too self-conscious, pugyaaa, that’s what you mean isn’t it? Hics-』
「Aaa, word is hard nano! Myuu made her even more depressed!」
Myuu held her head in her hands. For Myuu whose communication ability was rumored to be at max level to be troubled like this, this goddess, she was formidable. Perhaps her communication ability disorder was at max level. Or perhaps it was her negative personality power that was at max level.
「In other words, Aularodde-sama is staying in sword form so that you can keep staying near Amanogawa-sama and not needing to interact with other people?」
「There is no way our country’s lords will take any careless action against the savior’s relative, so it must be very draining for her to be surrounded by unknown people for her to become like this……」
「Yeah, that seems to be the case. It doesn’t look like she’ll change from this heaven sword mode for a while.」
Apparently she did the model change while screaming HIGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH into the heaven sword mode. Furthermore perhaps because of her pointless sense of rivalry with the holy sword Ua Alto that was in necklace form, she did her best to become as small as possible that she shrieked PIGYAAAAUOOOEEEEE-.It was shriek that might even whittle off the sanity value of other people.
Myuu took the knife mode heaven sword from Kouki and hugged it tightly while spinning fully supportive words.
*Flash, flaa~sh* The heaven sword-chan was flickering while looking like it was getting healed somehow.
Looked from outside perspective, it was like a little girl was lovingly hugging a knife while talking to it.
「D-did something happen?」
Even more guests had appeared inside the observation desk when they noticed.
It was Moana, Arquette’s lord Rothko, and his son Rondo.
「Wait, is that Aula? You mustn’t Myuu-chan. Don’t hug that kind of thing! Toss it away, toss!」
『So cruel……it’s like I’m a trash……uu, uu……』
「Aa, don’t say that Moana-oneesan! Aula-oneesan is a knife right now! We need to console her a lot and tell her good girl, good girl nano!」
「Uu, if Myuu-chan say that……it can’t be helped. Come on, Aula, return to your original form. I’ll give you the reserve that is for you who’re always constantly in the slump.」
Moana said that and took out a drink to make the drinker energetic from somewhere. The bottle had the demon king’s stamp on it. *Flash? Flasshhh!* The heaven sword shined. However when Myuu moved to put it on the ground, it seemed to dislike it and stopped shining, becoming quiet.
Troublesome……
That kind of thought was written on Moana-oneesan’s face.
Her hand reached out to pull it away from Myuu, but an ivy grew out from the heaven sword and wrapped around Myuu. It seemed that it didn’t want to be pulled away. Was it feeling motherhood even from a little girl?
From outside perspective it looked like a girl was being attacked by tentacle, so Koone and Hinata also joined in with the consoling.
The Arquette father and son were watching that commotion with a dumbfounded look. Kouki approached them with a wry smile.
「Once again, long time no see, Rothko-san. And Rondo-kun too.」
「O-oo, Kouki-dono. Yes, long time no see.」
「It’s an honor to be able to meet you again, hero-sama!」
Rothko offered his hand cheerfully even while feeling a bit bewildered. Kouki also shook his hand back happily. Rondo-kun was slightly nervous, but he also looked happy as expected.
「We weren’t able to talk much during the ceremony after all. It looks like we will arrive at our territory soon, so I come here not only to give a greeting, but also to confirm the sightseeing plan.」
「Ahaha, sorry. I also couldn’t disregard the other feudal lords……」
「Please don’t let it weigh your mind. I hear that your group won’t be able to go around to all the territories in the trip this time. You had to prioritize the feudal lords who are excluded from the sightseeing trip, if not they might express their resentful complain later on!」
Rothko laughed cheerfully. He was a personage with pleasant personality just like before. His dark blue hair that was in swept back style and his trademark monocle were suiting him too.
「In any case, I’m feeling wholeheartedly happy that we can meet again like this. My wife too must be impatiently waiting for Kouki-dono’s visit right now. She should be preparing the reception so that there won’t be any problem even if Kouki-dono arrive anytime, so I hope you can look forward to it.」
「Thank you very much. I’ll look forward to it too. Is the grain-producing area doing well?」
「Yes. Originally it’s still not the time yet for the harvest, but all of us wish for Kouki-dono and everyone to be able to see the scenery of golden fields that the blessing art users are completely mobilizing to adjust the growth.」
「T-that is truly……won’t there be any problem to the farming cycle or something if you do that?」
「Haha, no need to worry. The art users are in high spirits. They all insist that there won’t be any problem for them to work day and night for around a month just to adjust the land.」
「Isn’t that nothing but trouble!?」
That was just how strong their feeling of wanting to show Arquette’s goodness to Kouki’s group even if they had to work to an excessive degree.
After all this time it wouldn’t just the savior and the former queen who came,
「……That little lady, is the demon king’s honorable daughter isn’t it? Dear me, what a lovely lady.」
Because the daughter of the other savior of Arquette──the demon king would also come.
The way Rothko looked at Myuu……how to say it, it was like he was witnessing a reality that was hard to believe, but he was doing his best to accept the reality before his eyes. That was how he looked.
「Are you implying──that you cannot believe she is that demon’s daughter?」
「I’m not implying that.」
It was an instant reply. Rothko-san’s smile was showing in full force, but it was a bit stiff. Was it just his imagination that his fingertips were shaking a little? It also looked like he was suddenly sweating though……
The region that Nagumo was in charge of reinforcing was Arquette. What in the world Rothko saw at that time? No, well, Kouki could somehow imagine it. He smiled wryly.
Rothko coughed to pull himself together.
「If possible I wish to ask you to stay in our mansion tonight so we can entertain you with dinner but……according to what I heard, Kouki-dono will look around at several territories in just one day. Is that true?」
「Yes, we’ll have to hurry up a bit because of Myuu-chan and Hinata-chan’s schedule.」
So far the schedule was one day in the capital, then the second day until the fourth day would be touring the territories, the fifth day would be spending time in the capital once more, and the sixth and seventh day would become a trip to find Foltina.
They would return to the capital at the fifth day because after reaching the Blessing Tree, there was a high possibility that Myuu and Hinata wouldn’t return again to the capital and go home directly.
It would be sad if a farewell party was held the next day after the welcoming party, that was why Bruitt and Anneal and the others were staying behind to look forward for their return at the fifth day.
「Well, this country is still in the middle of fighting, so if asked if Synclea has abundant tourist attraction and entertainment or not, I can only answer 『Unfortunately not』. It’ll make me feel bad to detain them for long here……」
「Even so isn’t this too rushed? It should be fine even if they stay a bit longer……」
Rondo’s shoulders fell in dejection while looking like he was disappointed from the bottom of his heart. His eyes kept glancing to the side was definitely because a lot of tentacles──or rather the heaven sword’s ivies had at last entwining around Myuu one after another like a monster. He was concerned seeing Koone continuously slapping down the ivies in order to stop that.
Also, Moana was yelling 「Enough already! You look like a monster trying to swallow a child you know! This damn loner-」 while tearing up the ivies and throwing it away, rinse and repeat. But Myuu herself was still saying 「It’s fine nano~, Aula-oneesan is a good girl nano~」 like a mother soothing down a baby. She didn’t look particularly bothered.
Hinata was smiling wryly while observing from a step back but……she must be agreeing with just how bad this scene looked from the outside. She was secretly holding an amulet behind her back.
Kouki had also asked her to show it to him once but, wasn’t that the amulet of Fire World Mantra to obtain the assistance of Fudo Myouou and manifested flame?
……Kouki pretended to not see it.
「Sorry for this, Rondo-kun. Myuu-chan and Hinata-chan have something important to do after returning home.」
「Something important, to do?」
「Yeah. That day, Myuu-chan has to go to her school entrance ceremony, while Hinata-chan has advanced a grade and she will start in her new class.」
「I see. That’s important」
「So that’s why. In that case we really can’t detain them here-!!」
The Arquette father and son were trembling in fear. Especially Rothko. The pounding of his heart and breathing would intensify each time the topic of demon king came up. By any chance, were these people holding a serious trauma?
「Myu? Kouki-oniisan, are you talking about Myuu nano?」
「I’m talking how it’ll be hard to extend your trip here because of your elementary school’s entrance ceremony. ……I’ll get killed if you miss it.」
「A-aa……umm, sorry about Myuu’s papa nano.」
Myuu thought, If it’s my papa then he might really do it. Even Myuu saw it, when Hajime pressed Donner on Kouki while emphasizing to him the importance of making Myuu arrived home right in time.
And most of all.
She recalled her graduation ceremony from her kindergarten.
That graduation ceremony was held around ten days after Hajime and co’s graduation ceremony. Other than Hajime and Remia, Sumire and Shuu were also in attendance.
Naturally, Yue and others also wanted to participate, but it was clear to all that they would be a bother to the other families if too many of them came.
In addition, although some of them were familiar faces from when they came to pick up Myuu, their family composition was a bit different than normal, so it was possible that all of them coming would cause a problem with the mama friendship circle that Remia had built.
And so, it was decided that only those four ended up participating. However, the others didn’t say that they wouldn’t participate.
Myuu saw it. The figure of Yue-oneechan standing right behind the kindergarten principal, taking photos like crazy in a state where only Myuu could see her using perception interference that was in soul magic level.
The figure of Shia-oneechan clinging on a nearby power pole while taking secret shots of Myuu the whole time using a long distance camera with acrobatic movement as though she was doing a pole dance.
The face of Kaori-oneechan’s face peeking out secretly from the ground after using disintegration magic to dig a passage underground on her own accord.
And then, the figure of Shizuku-oneechan severing that Kaori-oneechan’s string of consciousness before retreating and leaving bulging ground on her wake as though she was using earth ninjutsu or something.
And last, was Tio-oneechan who disguised herself as playground equipment at the edge of the kindergarten in her dragon form, one that looked winsome like Dragonit* from Pocke* Monster (her size too was only as big as a panda ride that also had perception blocking added). Even Hajime and others were astonished 「So dragon transformation can also be used like that……」.
「It was awful nano. Papa was so moved that he cried rivers while taking photo. Myuu’s youkai friends came out on their own from the watering place and started celebrating……of course, everyone couldn’t see Myuu’s youkai friends though……」
Myuu was staring at far away. Even now there were ivies entwining on her body, so to the outsiders it looked like there was a little girl getting her vitality sucked by monster.
Who in the world would ever imagine that the situation inside Myuu’s school was actually in Hyakki Yakou (parade of hundred monsters) state. Her papa and onee-chans who originally would deal with that were too moved with Myuu’s graduation and too absorbed with taking photo.
And the most awful thing was,
「The celebration in the Miniature Garden was truly staggering wasn’t it……I had never seen that many deities, spirits, apparitions, and the like all gathering in one place.」
Yes, even though they were holding celebration for themselves only between friends in Wisteria, Hajime papa and Yue-oneechan were overdoing it and using “Miniature Garden” for Myuu’s kindergarten graduation celebration. Inhuman beings from fairy world and hell were all invited and told to congratulate Myuu. They had good intentions for doing that.
Could you imagine it?
Demons of hell singing a hair-rising hymn, like they were a group of devil worshippers trying to summon devil to their plane of existence. Of course, it was Myuu who they were extoling.
The deities and monsters were celebrating with cataclysm. Other apparitions were forming a line while holding present for her.
Of course, most of their presents were cursed item. Things like their body part, like claw or horn. The presents formed a mountain of special class cursed items that made Hinata’s eyes widened like saucer.
「Papa and the others definitely did something nano. Everyone’s eyes looked dead nano.」
「It’s also something absurd though that they can force deities, demons, and monsters to do that kind of thing.」
We humbly present this offering, high princess, so please we beseech you to soothe down those tyrannical husband and wife. The apparitions were all distinctly wrapped in such atmosphere. The tyrannical husband and wife also gave her a thumb up together. Myuu pressed her hands on her face seeing that.
This is overdoing it nano……she said.
「The entrance ceremony……Myuu’s scared nano.」
「I-it’ll be fine, Myuu-chan. Myuu-chan has firmly admonished them so they won’t…….maybe.」
Myuu had told that couple, that she was happy with their feeling, but please don’t act too unreasonably. After that it went without saying that at the very least all the deities, demons, and monsters were looking at Myuu like she was the savior.
「U-umm, Myuu-chan? You’re talking normally but, are you really alright being like that?」
「Aula, you’re really not doing anything strange to Myuu-chan aren’t you?」
Myuu was finally completely covered by countless writhing ivies. If a description had to be made, Myuu right now look like Tange*a from Poke*on. Or perhaps, Tatari Gami from Princes Monon*ke……
『How should I say it, it’s calming hugging her like this. She’s like the highest grade hugging pillow……』
「Don’t tell me, Myuu-chan’s peculiarity is working even on a former goddess?」
Hinata-chan was observing closely with the face of an onmyouji. Observing her overly peculiar friend who jad formed Hyakki Yakou not by binding with contract, or subduing using exorcism, but using friendship.
While that was all going on, Kouki’s bangle started flickering. *Pii, pii-* there was also alarm sound ringing.
Airship Endeavour or rather Black Dragon had the auto pilot function where the owner could simply set up the direction, distance, and speed. The airship had arrived to the destination, so it was informing him of that.
In other words,
「It looks like we’ve arrived at Arquette.」
The first sightseeing spot, the place where the legends of the hero and the demon king were engraved could be seen below.
.
.
.
.
.
After that.
Kouki and co who arrived at Arquette slowly approached in low altitude. Then it hovered near the highway in a slight distance away from the territory capital. It was to prevent the people of the city from panicking.
But, apparently the majestic appearance of the black dragon and also the unknown existence that was a flying ship only served as the sign of the hero’s arrival for the people of Arquette.
Rothko suggested sending out his aide as a messenger and disembarked from the ship only after the welcoming preparation was finished, but in reality they didn’t need to wait that long. The wife of Lord Arquette, Syla showed a splendid and swift response.
She personally led the upper echelons of Arquette along with some members of vigilante corps until the Black Dragon──BD’s side to welcome them.
Naturally she was surprised finding that not only her husband and so were on board of BD too, but there were also the other feudal lords and their relatives coming along too. But she wasn’t overly shaken and performed a beautiful curtesy before speaking out words of welcome to everyone without hesitation.
Apparently she had been preparing welcoming for dozens of guests from the start, thinking that something like this might possibly happen.
「She is a capable wife.」
「I’m honored.」
Kouki secretly whispered his praise into Rothko’s ear. Rothko replied back with a composed expression. But the bottom of his nose was twitching. He wasn’t hiding his pride.
Madam Syla was riding at the front on her own arous. She was keeping Myuu and Hinata who were also riding the same arous company while heading toward the city. She was smiling radiantly however her behavior was truly respectful.
Running right beside them was the arous of the vigilance corps’ leader that was also carrying Koone. Young Rondo who was riding on the same arous was doing his best to talk with her. As the one who would be the next lord, it was arranged for him to keep the queen company.
To that, Oh? Myuu and Hinata noticed. Their gazes met with Rondo.
By the way, Rondo still hadn’t managed to have a proper greeting with Myuu and Hinata. Because Koone was too absorbed with Myuu and Hinata, there was still no opening for that.
Rondo noticed their gazes and hurriedly straightened his posture.
「My deepest apologies for my late greeting! I am Rothko Arquette’s eldest son, Rondo Arquette! Please don’t hesitate to ask me for anything during your stay here! It is truly my honor!」
He had the same deep blue hair that was swept back like his father. His sharp eyes that he inherited from his mother were gallant. He was truly an intelligent looking handsome boy (he just turned eleven recently).
If he acted with every courtesy like that while looking extremely earnest, even though there was slight nervousness in his expression, most girls his age would go kyah kyah in his presence but……
「Nice to meet you nano! Rondo-kun!」
「It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Rondo-sama.」
Myuu’s innocent and radiant smile that was blasting cheerfulness in full force, and Hinata’s elegant smile almost made him to be the one who went kyah kyah instead. His cheeks reddened.
「Oooh? Rondo, are you captivated by the two of them? Fufufuh, you must not you knowww? No matter how cute Mi-chan and Hi-chan are, if you lay your hand on them」
「Wha-, w-wha-, what are you saying, Koone-sama! For me, umm, to lose my heart to woman that thoughtlessly is just……」
Rondo-kun denied it in panic. He was desperate. Really desperate. He was gesturing with his hands energetically to tell Koone that it was just a misunderstanding.
「Ee? Reallyyy? It looks like you’re ogling though? That’s how it look like to Koone. Yes」 Koone replied like that. There was a hint of teasing in Koone’s eyes.
Arquette was the closest territory to the capital, and these two were also close in age. It could be guessed that there was a relationship of friendship between them to some degree, but there was something more here.
「Hina-chan」
「Yes, Myuu-chan」
The two little girls looked at each other for a second. They had guessed everything. They grinned widely. Because, they were girls. They loved talking about love interests. Especially if it was about feeling of love that was directed toward a nearby friend.
「The two of you are really close isn’t it nano?」
「What’s going on hereee~~?」(TN: Here Hinata is talking like Happy from Fairy Tail when teasing about vague love relationship)
Myuu and Hinata teased with grinning smile. Rondo boy’s face instantly boiled red. He was shaken and flapping his arms up and down pointlessly.
「W-what are you two saying! This one and Koone-sama are──」
「We are just friends! Koone declare it that the two of us are just friends and nothing more!」
Rondo boy froze. He looked like someone who had just gotten slashed through by a master of katana.
He was trembling while agreeing 「Yes……it’s an honor, to be thought as friend by……her majesty……」 with extremely feeble voice. The way his smile didn’t crumble, it was just as expected from someone who would become a feudal lord in the future.
Myuu and Hinata looked at each other once more. They thought of the same thing, Aa, this decisiveness. Ku-chan, she understand. At the same time they also thought like this, we’ve really done it now……
「B-but but, at least──」
「Myuu-chan, this kind of matter is delicate, so perhaps it will be better to change the topic──」
Myuu desperately tried to give a follow up, but Hinata suggested Retreating here is for the best! But, everything was already too late.
Somehow, Arquette husband and wife, and the vigilante corps members too, and also the feudal lords of other territories as well as Spenser and the royal guards he was leading too, they were all lowering their voice and pricked up their ears. Meanwhile Koone’s cheeks reddened slightly.
「In the first place, Koone has this gentleman who Koone is pining for……」
She sent a brief sidelong glance. The target of that glance was obvious. Everyone’s gaze was drawn by that and moved toward Kouki.
Kouki said 「Ah, butterflies」 and looking toward the far distance. There weren’t any butterflies nearby by the way.
「K-Koone-tan, as I thought, you’re really serious……」
Ignoring the onee-chan who was making a complicated expression, when it came to Rondo boy who was as though he got rejected in this place where there were only big shots gathering,
「What is important…………is a heart that never give up!! Isn’t that right-, hero-sama!!」
「Eh, ah, yeah……you’re right.」
The figure of a boy standing against the hero with the heart that he learned from the hero, could be seen there. For some reason 「Oo……」 voices of admiration rose from the feudal lords.
Rothko and Syla, and everyone of Arquette’s vigilante corps were looking apologetic, or perhaps conflicted. They were sending their gaze toward Kouki looking like they didn’t know what to say.
Kouki smiled vaguely. He didn’t know what kind of face to make for this kind of time.
It was the same when it came to Myuu and Koone, just why was the love rival of the boys their age was this daunting. It was truly a thick wall to surpass.
By the way, actually in the elementary school that Hinata went to, there was also a boy who was harboring feeling toward Hinata. There was another young lady who harbored feeling toward that boy and regarded Hinata as rival or something, every time she would pick a fight with Hinata but……that would be another story.
Anyway, the demon king, the hero, the abyss lord. For the boys who had to surpass such outrageous obstacle in order to realize their love, was it “a heart that never give up”, or perhaps “a heart that graciously accepted defeat” that they truly needed?
What would happen with the future of these boys. Only god would know the answer to that.
Now then, like that a serious blow was dealt into the heart of the next lord as soon as the group arrived. Even so the Arquette sightseeing began.
Myuu and others received extremely passionate welcome from the citizens.
It was to a degree that they thought whether this was a reenactment of the parade at the first day. Of course the scale was the tiny version but, the enthusiasm level wasn’t that different.
The voices of gratitude toward Kouki were unceasing. Their mouths were yelling the tale of his heroism. They even said that they would turn it into book too with tale that got glorified even more like there was no tomorrow. Kouki looked like he was going to faint hearing that.
At that time, Moana and Koone didn’t see the whole picture of what kind of fight Kouki had actually gone through, so they restrained Kouki who was uncomfortable with his past getting watched using Aula’s Tangel* form. While Kouki was restrained, Moana used artifact to replay the past and a sudden movie screening was held.
The figure of Kouki who was wounded all over and unable to even maintain his consciousness, but continuing to swing his sword using only his instinct to protect even then moved not only the populace, but also Moana, Koone, Spenser and others, and also the feudal lords from other territories. There were loud crying breaking out everywhere while Kouki was blushing red inside the writhing tentacles.
Also,
「No way……impossible, nano! Kouki-oniisan is looking like a real hero!!」
「Gufuh. That really stabbed deeply, Myuu-chan.」
Kouki was suddenly stabbed.
「Myuu see now. Myuu understand why papa’s attitude changed nano. Kouki-oniisan」
「W-what?」
「You have become man, nano.」
「That’s a line that I don’t want to hear from a grade school girl there.」
Myuu patted his shoulder while looking at him with a warm gaze. Kouki’s eyes looked dead from receiving that treatment.
Amidst the swaying golden heads of the grain, Myuu was humming 「Ran, ra~rara, ranranran♪」 to play at “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”. Rothko was extremely moved by that famous melody and adopted it as his territory’s song.
Then it became noon, so they ate not only local specialty but also home cooking to their heart’s content.
Although Kouki was getting a small mental damage by himself, Myuu and others were enjoying the sightseeing in Arquette very much.
Like that the last place they visited was very far north from Arquette.
「So this is where papa fought, Rothko-san!」
A grand grassland was spreading far and wide. Short grasses were swaying with rustling sound from the wind. It had a different kind of beauty from the golden swaying grain heads.
It was the place where Hajime once fought against ten thousand “Dark Beings” that they visited because of Myuu’s request. The trace of battlefield was completely gone from view. This place too wasn’t that far away from the capital, so it had been fixed with the assistance of Kaori and others. Perhaps the remains of the “Dark Beings” got disintegrated or something.
In any case, Myuu who turned around smilingly was replied by Rothko with a smile too──
「*Inhale-inhale-exhale-*. Indeed that is tru──Haa Haa, true. I’m still seeing the sight of that day even now in my dream. Your father was truly──ueppuh, worthy for the title demon king Gufuh-」
「Rothko-san!?」
Sweats that dripped like river, unfocused eyes, pale white face, shaking body.
Also, other than Kouki’s group, Spenser and his men, and the group of feudal lords from other territories, there was only Rothko here. Rothko himself gave the strict command to Syla, Rondo, and of course the members of vigilante corps who wanted to come with him to stay behind.
Don’t come no matter what! There’s only hell ahead from here! He said.
Although, Rothko could only command the people of Arquette. The other feudal lords had the same rank like him so there was no need for them to obey.
And so, they obeyed their curiosity and ignored Rothko’s warning. While slightly misunderstanding him 「It’s not admirable of you to monopolize demon king-dono’s gallant figure for yourself, Arquette!! I can understand your feeling though!」.
「Aa~, Myuu-chan. I’m just guessing but, you know, Nagumo’s battle is always nasty after all.」
「Ah, aa~」
It seemed that Myuu realized. Myuu looked deeply apologetic toward Rothko-san who was definitely traumatized.
「Umm, Rothko-san. If it’s painful then Myuu don’t need to see papa──」
「Don’t say that! These life of ours were saved by your great father……saved……Hih」
「Rothko-san!」
「Myuu-chan, press this talisman on his forehead!」
「Hina-chan, thanks! Teei-」
*Slap-*, Myuu jumped and stuck the talisman on Rothko’s forehead. Rothko-san’s hyperventilation calmed down. His eyes were also focusing.
「Oo, this is amazing. I’m feeling very calm. Thank you very much.」
Kouki thought, Rothko-san, with that talisman stuck on your forehead, you look like a Jiangshi……
Even though Rothko-san looked like it was somewhat difficult for him to look at the front, he coughed and pulled himself together.
「Cough. As the one saved, I can’t possibly deny Myuu-sama’s feeling of wanting to watch your dear father’s great achievement. It was unexpected that you are able to see a glimpse of the past but, if this is your wish, then please don’t be reserved.」
「But……」
「Mi-chan, it’s fine. He can just avert his eyes if he can’t bear it anymore, and most of all Koone want to watch it! Koone want to ascertain the moment when demon king-sama and Yue-oneesama and others saved each territory with Koone’s own eyes!」
Koone had at least read the report. Who went to which territory and with what way they saved it.
Although, in the end it was just hearsay. Even though only fact should be put inside the report, the reports from all the territories were influenced by excitement and emotion. They were slightly lacking in accuracy.
Originally it would be impossible for that kind of report to be written, but the reinforcement was just that miraculous.
In that case, as expected she didn’t want to let go of the chance of being able to watch the past directly, both as an individual and as a queen.
「Fumu, it’s selfish but we of the royal guards also wish to be allowed to bear witness of the battles of Kouki-dono’s sworn friend.」
「True. I too am aware that demon king-sama isn’t a common person but, I’ve never directly seen him fighting so I’m interested.」
Spenser and the royal guards and even Moana were looking excited.
「It will be a shame for the lifetime if Myuu-sama obtain the impression that we are avoiding your father. We are truly, truly thankful to him.」
「Rothko-san……」
Rothko took a deep breath. He must be sorting his feeling. He fell on his knee and matched the height of Myuu’s gaze in respect.
「If it’s possible, I wished to express my feeling of gratitude directly. That time, I was pathetically shaken to the extreme that I behaved extremely rudely after all……I’ve been regretting it all this time.」
After all, in front of the extremely great pressure and overwhelming might, the first thing he did was begging for his life.
It was truly deplorable that he was begging for his life toward someone who came to help his territory as reinforcement. Hajime who felt like things were in vain actually went back without saying anything after finishing what he came to do.
「That’s why, Myuu-sama, please convey these words to your father, the people of Arquette will be grateful to you for generations to come. Also I apologize for my impoliteness from the bottomof my heart. Please allow me to offer the greatest hospitality in the event you come visiting.」
「Myu! Myuu will absolutely tell papa!」
It seemed that hearing Rothko’s heartfelt gratitude and apology became the last push.
Myuu ws convinced and turned her gaze to Kouki.
Kouki nodded and took out a memo sized silver case from his “treasure warehouse”. He opened the lid and a silver ball the size of a marble flew out soundlessly from inside.
With speed like bullet, it instantly spread out to a wide range. Together with Kouki’s 「Playback」 chant, the inside of the space that was surrounded by the sphere started projecting the past replay.
Yes, it was projected.
The sight that was completely far away in a different direction from the battle that Moana and others imagined, the unreal hell.
The air was red, as though bloody wind was whirling about. The ground was turned up, there were countless craters, the word collapse was more fitting than the word roughed up to describe the state of the place. Right now, the beautiful green grassland that was visible in reality was painted out with scorched ground and corpses. The gently sloping hills had been blown away to smithereens.
It wasn’t even a fight. The “Dark Beings” were running away every which way while screaming in pandemonium. Explosive sound that pierced the eardrum and flame blast were decorating the area unceasingly.
Fantastic beasts were flying around in the midst of that. Gryphons, large ravens, huge animals like chimera that were crowned with the name of death god were letting out terrifying roars!!
『KA-KA-KA-KA-KA-KA-KA-』
『IaA゛A゛A゛A゛A゛A゛A゛』
『WAR! LOVE IT! CONFLICT-, BANZAI!!』
『FOR, THE DEMON KING!! PRESENT YOUR HEAD!!!』
『GE-GE-GE-GE-GE-GE-!!』
『KILL! KILLL!!』
『RAIN OF BLOOD!! MOREEEE-, RAIN OF BLOODDD!!』
At the middle of it, was the demon king’s figure, scattering crimson sparks everywhere while shouldering the rocket & missile launcher “Agni Orkan” while his other hand was making a sweeping motion with the super large galting railgun “Metzelei Disaster”, with countless cross shaped “Cross Velt” orbiting around him like satellites.
He was standing on the top of a mountain that was formed from piled up corpses of “Dark Being”……
His expression couldn’t be seen. He wasn’t screaming or anything. But, the fearless smile on his lips! His mouth that looked like it was splitting into crescent mouth shape!!
Suddenly, as though he noticed the presence of Kouki and others from across time, his face was slowly moving toward their direction……
Kouki quietly turned off the past viewing.
Fuuuh He let out his breath and looked up to the sky. Is this the feeling that make adult want to smoke I wonder? He thought.
「Rothko-san! Rothko-san! Hang in there!!」
When he looked to the right, he saw Mr. Rothko fainting on his feet while Hinata-chan was desperately nursing him.
When he looked to the left,
「Koone-tan! It’s fine, Onee-chan is here! It’s fine, it’s fine-」
「Uu」
The figure of Koone tightly clinging on her big sister’s chest was there. The complexion of that big sister also looked bad.
Even Spenser and his men who were all tough and veteran warriors were frozen. Cold sweat were trickling down like waterfall over their body. They looked like a frog that got glared at by a snake.
Of course, the other feudal lords also weren’t safe. Those who could go 「What the hell is that, what the hell is that!?」 or 「Ooo, Foltina-sama, I beg you to save us mankind!」 or 「The woman who saved my territory……is that being’s wife!? How!?」 in panic were still those who were in a better state. The majority could only trembling wordlessly while holding their head. They were legit spooked out.
As expected, the demon king in his serious battle mode apparently was too great of a stimulation for ordinary people. Rothko telling his wife, son, and other people to stay behind was an excellent decision.
Amidst those, when Kouki suddenly looked forward,
「Papa, so cool……」
There was one little girl looking entranced.
She glanced back. Her eyes were telling him 「Why did you stop it? Come on continue」more eloquently than any word could. But, when she realized the disastrous state behind her, Myuu’s expression became a bit troubled but also a bit dissatisfied.
「Well, it’s fine if it’s just Myuu and the Onee-chans who understand papa’s charm nano.」
She muttered such thing that sounded a bit yandere-ish to herself.
AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
It’s fine, the spring vacation part is going to end at the next chapter.
……If the subtitle changed to another form, please just laugh it off as 「As expected huh, Shirakome」.
※I forgot Tio among the Onee-chans in the graduation ceremony so I added it. Thank you to the reader who pointed that out!
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