Illustrations

Table of Contents
Illustrations
Chapter 144 Floating Citadel
Chapter 145 Audience with Perugius
Chapter 146 Past, Curse, Summons, and Jealousy
Chapter 147 Lamentation
Chapter 148 Towards Demon Continent Once Again
Chapter 149 Search for Kishirika
Chapter 150 Audience with the Immortal Demon Lord
Chapter 151 Duel with the Immortal Demon Lord
Chapter 152 Everyday Life in the Floating Citadel
Chapter 153: Turning Point 4
Chapter 154: End and Beginning
Chapter 144 Floating Citadel
Part 1
À une demi-journée de marche de la cité magique de
Sharia, à moins d'une heure de cheval, se trouve une ruine
de la ville.
se trouve une ruine de la ville.
Ou plutôt, ce qui reste d'un château.
De grandes colonnes gisent à plat sur le sol, des ardoises
de pierre s'éparpillent.
Voilà à quoi devait ressembler le Parthénon après avoir été
détérioré.
Ce devait être un spectacle à voir autrefois.
Il donne l'impression d'être une relique de l'histoire.
"Ce qui reste du château de Scotts, une relique de l'époque
où l'humanité a combattu Laplace.
On dit que des milliers de personnes sont venues se
défendre contre l'invasion des démons. En fin de compte.
Finalement, tout cela n'a servi à rien, et le château a été
capturé."
Explique la belle fille aux cheveux tressés d'or qui se trouve
à côté de moi.
Gracieuse, vêtue de vêtements de voyage coûteux, une
figure charismatique qui saute aux yeux
même de loin.
En effet, la seule et unique Ariel Anemoi Asura.
"..."
Cette explication était-elle pour moi ?
C'est en pensant à cela que j'ai jeté un coup d'œil autour de
moi.
Luke et Sylphy ne sont pas loin derrière.
Un peu plus loin, Roxy, Zanoba, Cliff et Elinalise.
Nanahoshi devant.
Ariel regarde vers moi, il n'y a personne entre nous.
"Arielsama s'y connaît en la matière".

Il serait impoli de l'ignorer.

C'est dans cet esprit que j'ai répondu. Ariel sourit
doucement en réponse.
"Les contes populaires de cette région mentionnent
souvent ce sujet.
"Les contes populaires t'intéressent-ils ?"
"Pour développer des relations avec l'aristocratie de la
région, c'est aussi
nécessaire."
Ariel explique comme une évidence.
Mémoriser l'histoire locale afin de se lier d'amitié avec
l'aristocratie [Link] has it tough.
"Mais en venant dans un endroit comme celui-ci, pouvons-
nous vraiment atteindre Perugiussama d'ici ?
d'ici ?"
"Pour être honnête, je ne sais pas vraiment ce que nous
allons faire ensuite, mais..."
Je regarde Nanahoshi devant nous.
Elle porte un lourd sac à dos et se déplace sans être gênée
par les décombres qui nous entourent.
dirige en regardant droit devant elle.
Elle nous a dit de la suivre, mais pouvons-nous vraiment y
arriver d'ici ?
D'après ses notes, il n'y a pas de Cercle magique de
téléportation à cet endroit.
à cet endroit.
"Je crains plutôt que le fait d'être aussi nombreux à nous
suivre ne soit une
dérangeant."
En entendant ce que j'ai dit, Ariel éclate de rire.
"Rudeussama s'inquiète vraiment pour les choses les plus
étranges. Même s'il n'est pas le roi
d'un pays, il est quand même appelé [Roi], un vrai héros !
Quelques invités comme nous
ne devraient pas le déranger."
"Si vous le dites..." Je jette un coup d'œil derrière nous.
Moi, Nanahoshi, Ariel, Sylphy, Luke, Roxy, Zanoba, Cliff et
Elinalise.
9 au total.
Je me suis dit que c'était un peu trop, mais d'un point de
vue royal, ça ne devrait être
rien.
Pour la royauté, les invités viennent par dizaines, nous
autres ne pouvons pas compter pour grand-chose.
Au fait, Norn a refusé poliment à cause de son travail
scolaire.
Elle s'inquiète peut-être de sa promesse de ne pas relâcher
son entraînement à l'épée
et ses études après avoir rejoint le conseil des élèves.
Eh bien, si je l'emmène vraiment avec moi, il faudra que
j'emmène aussi Aisha. Cela
Cela fonctionne tout aussi bien.
"Perugiussama mène peut-être une vie tranquille, mais
après la campagne de Laplace
il a passé un certain temps en tant qu'invité du royaume
d'Asura, en tant qu'égal du roi Asura.
Il amenait un entourage de plusieurs dizaines ou centaines
de personnes au palais royal.
royal. Quelqu'un de sa stature ne sera pas dérangé par
seulement 9 invités."
"Ah, je vois."
La voix charismatique d'Ariel est agréable à l'oreille.
N'importe qui serait dérangé par l'arrivée inopinée
d'invités, mais en entendant cela de la part d'Ariel, peut-
être que ce n'est pas le cas.
Ariel, ce n'est peut-être pas si grave.
"... S'il s'est lassé de la vie à la cour, il s'est peut-être aussi
lassé des invités."
"Peut-être. Mais si c'est vraiment le cas, alors
Nanahoshisama ne m'autorisera probablement pas à venir.
m'autoriser à venir."
"Je ne pense pas que Nanahoshi soit le genre de personne à
s'inquiéter de ce genre de choses."
En parlant de cela, je me souviens de la façon dont Ariel a
fini par venir.
A l'époque, en entendant Nanahoshi parler de Perugius, je
n'ai pas pu contenir ma colè[Link].

Le roi dragon en armure Perugius.

J'ai déjà entendu parler de ce nom.
Peu de temps après mon arrivée dans ce monde, j'ai lu un
livre sur lui.
Il y a 400 ans, un héros de la campagne de Laplace.
Il y est écrit qu'il contrôle 12 familiers, qu'il a reconstruit
l'ancien château du ciel et qu'il a défié Laplace avec ses
compagnons.
a défié Laplace avec ses compagnons.
Après que Laplace ait été scellé, en hommage à ses
exploits, la nouvelle ère est nommée
"L'ère du dragon cuirassé" en son honneur.
Le roi dragon cuirassé Perugius n'est pas devenu le chef
d'un pays.
Il s'est installé sur le Château céleste [Brise-chaos] et
voyage à travers le monde.
Bien sûr, je suis ravi de rencontrer quelqu'un de ce calibre.
Quoi qu'il en soit, un château dans le ciel !
Laputa !
Je dois m'occuper de mes recherches et de mes enfants.
Mais je veux quand même y aller.
Même si ce n'est qu'une fois.
Je suis désolé, Lucy. La curiosité de papa a pris le dessus.
Mais papa te ramènera certainement quelque chose !
Les préoccupations de Sylphy étaient à l'opposé de mon
égoïsme.
Elle demanda à Nanahoshi.
"Est-ce qu'Arielsama peut venir aussi ?"
"Ariel ? Nanahoshi avait l'air troublé.
Ariel l'a sollicitée à plusieurs reprises.

Nanahoshi exerce une grande influence sur les royaumes

d'Asura et de Ranoa,
Ariel a donc longtemps cherché à la faire entrer dans son
cercle.
Mais Nanahoshi veut éviter d'être mêlée à ce monde. Cela
ne ferait que
serait une source d'ennuis.
"Oui. Perugiussama a peut-être vécu dans l'isolement
pendant longtemps, mais son nom est toujours d'une
grande importance au sein d'Astral.
mais son nom a toujours un poids important au sein de la
cour d'Asura. Arielsama, elle... en regardant
vers l'avenir, je suis sûr qu'elle voudrait rencontrer
quelqu'un comme lui."
Ariel a des relations un peu partout.
Elle se prépare à prendre un jour le trône d'Asura.
Ce serait un combat difficile, voire impossible.
Je ne connais pas les plans d'Ariel après avoir obtenu son
diplôme dans un an.
Continuera-t-elle à se renforcer ici, ou retournera-t-elle à
Asura pour un combat à mort ?
combat à mort ?
Tant que cela ne met pas ma famille en danger, je lui
donnerais un coup de main.
Mais sa position est encore incertaine.
Pour être honnête, je ne veux pas non plus m'impliquer
dans cette histoire, mais je veux
mais je veux sincèrement apporter mon soutien à ma
femme.
Cependant, Ariel ne semble pas avoir l'intention de
ramener Sylphy au Royaume d'Asura.
Sylphy a un enfant maintenant, je doute qu'elle ait
l'intention de laisser Lucy derrière elle pour
quelque chose d'aussi risqué.
Pourtant, je doute qu'elle soit encore prête pour les adieux,
et qu'elle ait tout donné pour l'amour d'Ariel en ce moment.
Ariel en ce moment.
C'est probablement l'un de ces cas.
Dans la bataille pour le trône, les relations sont
primordiales.
En particulier, si elle peut obtenir le soutien du Roi Dragon
Armé Perugius,
héros du royaume d'Asura, son chemin vers le trône sera
certainement plus facile.

"Eh bien, j'ai été confiée à vos soins. C'est très bien,
amenez-la."
J'étais persuadé qu'elle refuserait, mais Nanahoshi a donné
son accord.
Par la suite, j'ai appris que pendant mon absence,
Nanahoshi a reçu beaucoup d'aide de la part de
Sylphy.
Elle lui apportait ses repas, l'aidait à faire ses courses,
lançait des sorts de désintoxication lorsqu'elle était malade.
quand elle était malade.
Bien qu'elle ait arrêté après la naissance de Lucy, elle
venait souvent pour les
bains.
"Vraiment ? Merci beaucoup ! Je suis sûre qu'Arielsama
serait ravie..."
Sylphy serra le poing et sourit.
Ariel et Luke se joignirent donc à la fête.
Sylphy déclara qu'Ariel était particulièrement enthousiaste.
Quelle que soit leur position, tous réagissent de la même
façon lorsqu'ils rencontrent quelqu'un d'aussi
célèbre face à face.
Moi aussi, je suis enthousiaste.
C'est une vraie affaire, un vrai héros.
J'espère qu'il est facile de s'entendre avec lui.
... En parlant de ça, je viens de me rappeler.
Il y a longtemps, j'ai rencontré un des subordonnés de
Perugius.
Juste avant le Metastasis Event.
J'ai rencontré Arumanfi de Bright.
Si je me souviens bien, il me soupçonnait d'être à l'origine
du Metastasis
Event et m'a attaqué.
Ghyslaine a réussi à le faire taire. Il n'a pas l'air d'être une
mauvaise personne, mais
mais il a essayé de me tuer une fois.

Cela me rend nerveux.

Non, il n'y a pas de raison que le maître soit dangereux
juste parce que son subordonné
l'était.
D'ailleurs, si Perugiussama avait détecté l'événement
Métastase et qu'il voulait
l'arrêter...
Alors il mérite d'être félicité pour avoir agi de sa propre
initiative.
Mais si j'ai été tué à l'époque...
Oubliez ça, ce qui est fait est fait.
De l'eau a coulé sous les ponts.
Pour nos premières salutations, je ne devrais pas chercher
à me battre.
Pardonner et oublier.
"Nous sommes là."
Pendant que je me préoccupais de ces choses, Nanahoshi
s'est arrêtée au centre des ruines.
des ruines.
Au milieu de nulle part.
Malgré ce que je pense, en regardant bien, sur le sol repose
une pierre de la taille d'un tabouret.
Un monument en pierre.
Le monument des "Sept Grandes Puissances".
La faible lumière qui s'en échappe laisse entrevoir les
pouvoirs terrifiants des
noms qui y sont gravés.
On dirait qu'il y en a partout, même ici.
"Et maintenant ?"
"Nous l'appelons."
Cela dit, Nanahoshi dépose ses bagages et sort une flûte en
or.
Il n'y a pas de trou pour les doigts, c'est plutôt un sifflet.
Nanahoshi la place contre ses lèvres et souffle.
Fuu !
Pas de sifflement.
Juste le son de l'air soufflé.
Peut-être un sifflet de chien ?
"Aucun son ?
s'exclame Cliff.
"Les humains ne peuvent pas l'entendre. Attends, il va
bientôt arriver."
Cela dit, Nanahoshi s'assit sur un rocher à côté d'elle.
Un son que les humains ne peuvent pas entendre.
Pourtant, il peut atteindre Perugius.
Cela devrait être impossible dans des circonstances
normales.
En d'autres termes, cette flûte est également un objet
magique.
"Cliff.
Soudain, Elinalise cria à Cliff en gardant la tête froide.
"Qu'est-ce qu'il y a ?
"Puisque nous sommes encore ici, je dois te dire ceci.
L'endroit où nous allons n'est pas un endroit où l'on peut
plaisanter. N'oublie pas de faire attention à ce que tu dis."
"... J'ai compris. Je ne suis plus un enfant".
Cliff fait la moue comme un gamin qui vient de se faire
sermonner.
Puis Elinalise se presse contre lui et lui chuchote à l'oreille.
Cliff semble s'être calmé, probablement quelques mots
doux en guise d'excuses.

excuses.
"J'ai hâte de découvrir le genre de statues qu'il y aura dans
un château dans le ciel !
Zanoba est comme d'habitude.
Une fois prêt à rendre visite à Perugius, il s'est
immédiatement mis à dire [Eh bien, apportons
de nos résultats à montrer à Perugiussama] et a mis dans
ses bagages le Ruijerd que j'ai fait
que j'avais fabriqué et d'autres figures dans ses bagages.
Je doute qu'il y ait une opportunité, mais il veut
probablement faire de la promotion, comme je l'ai fait avec
Badigadi.
comme je l'ai fait avec Badigadi.
Il est vraiment enthousiaste pour son travail.
Au fait, Ginger n'est pas là.
Zanoba lui a ordonné de protéger ma famille.
Même si Ginger voulait manifestement venir.
Pour moi, plus ils sont protégés, mieux c'est.
pas de mal.
Mais ce n'est pas non plus comme si je prenais un long
congé.
"Il ne faut pas toujours rejeter ses loisirs sur les autres.
Après tout, ce type a déjà plus de 400
ans."
"Hahaha, Badigadisama n'est-il pas encore plus vieux ? Plus
ils sont âgés, plus ils peuvent
plus ils peuvent apprécier le savoir-faire des figurines de
Shisho."
"Oh... Vraiment ?
Loin dans le ciel, quelque chose brille.
"Il est là.
Comme Nanahoshi l'a dit.
Il apparaît.
Littéralement, en un clin d'œil, il apparaît soudainement.
Des cheveux dorés, une tenue blanche boutonnée comme
un uniforme d'étudiant.
Probablement un beau visage caché derrière ce masque
jaune.
Un masque en forme de renard.
Une grande dague pend à sa taille.
"Arumanfi de l'Eclat, présent."
C'est vraiment abrupt. J'ai l'impression qu'il s'est
matérialisé au milieu de nous.
Je suppose qu'il a volé ?
À la vitesse de la lumière, il a fait tout le chemin depuis le
château dans le ciel.
Il est apparu de la même façon que lorsque la région de
Fedoa a disparu.
"..."
Arumanfi se tourne brusquement vers moi.
Se souvient-il de moi ?
J'ai peur qu'il m'attaque à nouveau.
Secrètement, j'ouvre mon œil de démon et je serre mon
bâton.
Mais Arumanfi ne semble pas se souvenir de moi.
Au lieu de moi, il se dirige vers Nanahoshi.
"...Aujourd'hui, tu as amené beaucoup de monde."
Arumanfi regarde autour de lui et dit à Nanahoshi
Nanahoshi dit [Oh] en hochant la tête.
"C'est bon, n'est-ce pas ? Tant qu'il y a moins de 12
personnes."
"Le nombre n'a pas d'importance, mais..."
Arumanfi regarde Roxy.
"Pas de course magique."

"Eh, pourquoi ?"

Roxy ressemble à un chat sur lequel on aurait versé de
l'eau.
"Dans le Château céleste, les races magiques ne sont pas
autorisées.
"C'est bien ça."

Roxy s'enfonce, ses épaules s'affaissent.

Pérouse s'est battu contre la race magique pendant la
campagne de Laplace.
Il n'y a rien à faire si certains préjugés à l'égard de la race
magique subsistent.
"Quoi qu'il en soit ?"
"Pérugiussama est gentil, mais il déteste la race magique."
J'ai oublié que cette région n'a pas beaucoup de préjugés
contre la race magique.
La race magique, mais la haine à leur égard est toujours
aussi profonde.
Perugius est peut-être un personnage de légende, mais il
est aussi un témoin de la guerre.
Peut-être que comme Ruijerd, il a des souvenirs de ces
batailles qui ne peuvent être effacés.
Mais il n'y a que Roxy qui est laissée de côté, je me sens
mal pour elle.
"Non, ce n'est pas grave. Dans ce cas, je vais rester à la
maison. J'avais un peu peur de rencontrer
de rencontrer Perugius... sama aussi. J'ai encore du travail
à faire à l'école, alors c'est aussi bien...".
aussi bien".
Ses épaules se sont affaissées, un refus plat.
Mais en regardant bien, je vois quelques regrets
persistants.
Elle se tourne vers moi avec un sourire forcé.
"Rudi, je m'occupe de la maison.
"D'accord. Je ferai en sorte de ramener quelques
cadeaux..."
"Ne t'inquiète pas, un baiser suffira."

Ce que je fais immédiatement.

Dix secondes, le coeur de Roxy s'emballe, mon ATOMIC
BAZOOKA s'engage,
[1]
son ogive nucléaire chargée, feu !
"Merci."
"Non, le plaisir est pour moi."
Encore un peu contrariée, mais le visage rouge, Roxy
s'éloigne avec un léger sourire.
Je la couvrirai d'affection à mon retour.
"C'est fait ?"
Arumanfi s'approche de nous alors que Roxy et moi faisons
nos adieux.
Il me tend quelque chose qui ressemble à un bâton.
Je me retourne pour regarder, on dirait que tout le monde
en tient un semblable.
"Tiens ça."
Je le prends et suis ses instructions.
Un bâton doré d'environ 20 cm de long, sur lequel sont
gravés des motifs complexes.
sa surface.
Des cristaux magiques sont imbriqués en haut et en bas.
Un autre objet magique ?
"Et maintenant ?"
"Ne bougez pas. Perugiussama va utiliser la magie de
téléportation pour vous amener au
Château céleste."
Ah, la magie de téléportation, c'est donc un objet magique
pour cela.
Cela existe donc aussi.
Comme c'est pratique.
Eh ? Je croyais que les humains ne pouvaient pas être
invoqués... ?

Non, c'est de la téléportation.

Quelle est la différence ?
Utiliser ce bâton pour se téléporter au Château céleste,
c'est comme ça que ça marche ?
"Ah, et le retour ?"
"Le chemin du retour, quelque chose de similaire".
répond Arumanfi.
Dans ce cas, c'est possible.
Si je dois rentrer à pied, Lucy aura déjà grandi.
Cela me rassure.
"Tout le monde l'a ? Accrochez-vous bien."
Nanahoshi acquiesce après avoir vérifié tout le monde et
confirme avec Arumanfi.
"Un instant."
Arumanfi acquiesce et disparaît dans la lumière.
Je suppose qu'il rapporte à Perugius que les préparatifs
sont prêts.
"... C'est assez excitant."
"En effet.
Ariel et Sylphy plaisantent.
C'est plutôt excitant.
Un sourire en coin de Luke.
Disons, avec la téléportation.
En cas d'échec, où se retrouverait-on ?
C'est un peu effrayant.
Même quelqu'un d'aussi puissant que Perugius peut faire
une erreur. Après tout, il n'est
n'est qu'un humain.
"...Oh ?"
Alors que j'étais en train de réfléchir, je ressens soudain de
la chaleur provenant du bâton.
J'ai l'impression que ma paume est aspirée par cette
chaleur.
Que se passe-t-il si je lâche le bâton maintenant ?
Est-ce que ça va échouer ?
Mais pour que cela arrive tout d'un coup, certaines
personnes lâcheraient prise par instinct
c'est vrai...
"Eh ?"
Je regarde autour de moi.
Tout le monde est parti.
Non, j'ai saisi le moment où Sylphy a disparu.
Il ne reste plus que Roxy et moi.
Eh ?
Ils sont partis sans moi ?
C'est à ce moment-là que ma conscience est tombée dans
le bâton.

Deuxième partie
Quand je suis revenu à moi, je me suis retrouvé à voler
dans un monde complètement blanc.
Rien du tout, un espace complètement blanc.
Je me sens voler vers quelque chose au loin.
Comme un poisson accroché à une canne à pêche
électrique.
Un peu plus loin devant moi, je vois Sylphy qui se dirige
vers le même endroit.
C'est donc à ça que ressemble une invocation.
En parlant de ça, cet espace.
J'ai l'impression d'être déjà venu ici.
Ah, quand était-ce ?
Ah oui, Hitogami.
C'est un peu vague, mais ça ressemble à ce qui se passe
quand Hitogami apparaît dans mes
rêves.
La seule exception, c'est que mon corps n'est pas celui de
ma vie précédente.
Comme dans un marathon, je continue à voler dans cette
direction.
Puis, une lumière apparaît devant moi.
La lumière dessine un cercle magique sophistiqué qui
m'aspire.

Troisième partie
Reprenant mes esprits, je me tiens debout.
"Ha !
Comme si je me réveillais d'un rêve.
Ai-je perdu connaissance ?
Non, pas du tout.
Je volais vraiment dans un espace de néant.
"C'est donc... La magie de téléportation de Pérouse."
Quelle étrange sensation !
Mais j'ai déjà vécu quelque chose de similaire.
Lors de l'Evénement métastase.
A l'époque, j'avais l'impression de voler dans les airs.
Il y a une différence par rapport à l'époque.
Un sentiment d'assurance.
Si l'événement de métastase est le fait de sauter d'une
voiture en pleine vitesse, alors c'est comme
un taxi.
Un sentiment de sécurité.
"... Cela me semble familier."
Sylphy murmure doucement.
Ah, elle aussi l'a ressenti.
"Oui.
Je regarde autour de moi en répondant.

Ariel, Luke, Zanoba, Cliff, Elinalise, et Nanahoshi.

Tout le monde, sauf Nanahoshi et Elinalise, a l'air perplexe.
Quoi qu'il en soit, tout le monde est arrivé à bon port.
"Quel cercle magique incroyablement grand..."
Cliff se parle à lui-même.
Je remarque enfin ce qui m'entoure.
Nous sommes au-dessus d'un cercle magique géant.
Environ 10 mètres de rayon.
Il est taillé dans un sol de marbre, et l'eau y coule à flots.
Une faible lumière jaillit de l'eau. Une sorte de magie.
L'eau mise à part, j'ai déjà vu ces lumières auparavant,
exactement comme lorsque nous nous sommes téléportés
au Begaritt.
téléportés sur le continent de Begaritto.
En d'autres termes, un autre type de cercle magique de
téléportation.
Ce bâton et ce cercle magique d'eau. On dirait que la
magie de téléportation
nécessite toutes sortes de préparations.
"Wow...
J'ai détourné mon attention, loin derrière le cercle
magique...
Un gigantesque château.
Plus haut qu'un gratte-ciel de 50 étages.
Il est large aussi, mais il n'est pas mince, il est bien
charpenté et solide.
Un peu comme un décor de cinéma, sans avoir besoin
d'entrer pour vérifier.
Même en me souvenant de ma vie passée, je ne me
souviens pas d'un bâtiment de cette taille.
Comme la construction d'un château au sommet du dôme
de Tokyo.

C'est ça, le château dans le ciel ?

Même si je l'ai déjà vu depuis le sol... C'est fou ce qu'il est
immense en réalité.
Non, bien sûr, si l'on considère sa présence de loin.
" Incroyable, il est encore plus grand que le palais d'Asura !
"
En entendant la voix de Sylphy, j'ai regardé vers le bas.
Devant le château se trouve un jardin tout aussi grand.
Des arbres de toutes sortes et des fleurs de toutes les
couleurs étaient plantés partout comme un labyrinthe.
Devant le jardin, une petite rivière brille sous le soleil.
Même de loin, il est facile de voir à quel point le jardin est
soigné.
"RRudi... Regarde derrière toi."
"Oh ?"
Je me retourne comme me l'a demandé Sylphy.
En dehors du cercle magique, derrière une barrière dorée.
Une mer de nuages s'étend dans toutes les directions.
"Nuages..."
Dans ma vie passée, j'ai pris l'avion une fois à l'école
primaire.
Ce qui se trouve devant nous ressemble à cela.
Mais le voir de mes propres yeux, sans fenêtre, c'est une
première pour moi.
première pour moi aussi.
Pourquoi l'observation des nuages d'en haut est-elle une
expérience si émouvante ?
C'est sans doute pour cela que les alpinistes grimpent sur
les montagnes.
"..."
Cliff et Luke sont restés bouche bée.

Ariel aussi, les yeux écarquillés, regardant vers le ciel

ouvert.
Un paysage à couper le souffle.
On n'y peut rien.
Pas d'avions dans ce monde, pas d'idée d'escalade non
plus.
Aucune chance de vivre une telle scène.
Soudain, Sylphy m'attrape par l'ourlet.
« Beurk… Je ne suis pas très douée en hauteur.»
Je baisse les yeux, les jambes de Sylphy ont lâché.
Si tu le savais, pourquoi es-tu venue en premier lieu ?
Une travailleuse si acharnée.
Eh bien, si elle ne pouvait plus marcher, alors je peux la
porter.
« Sky Castle [Chaos Breaker], est-ce que tout le monde
apprécie la vue ?»
Soudain, une voix inconnue retentit derrière nous.
Je me retourne précipitamment, une silhouette féminine se
tient devant nous.
Comme une statue, juste à l'extérieur du cercle magique.
Ses cheveux blonds, presque blancs, tombent sur ses
épaules, portant un masque d'oiseau blanc.
Je ne sais pas si elle est humaine ou non, mais sa silhouette
semble féminine.
Elle porte une robe blanche semblable à une robe et tient
un bâton magique.
Le bâton porte une pierre magique, opaque et sombre.
Sans aucun doute, une pierre particulièrement coûteuse.
À mon avis, tout n'est pas une question d'argent, mais c'est
certainement quelque chose de cher.
Encore plus cher que mon précieux bâton.
Ce qui est exceptionnel chez elle, ce ne sont ni sa robe ni
son bâton.
Mais ce qu'il y a derrière elle.
Étonnamment, dans son dos poussent une paire d'ailes
d'un noir de jais.
« Une Race Céleste... ?»
Cette paire d'ailes dégage une présence écrasante.
Malgré cela, sa personne est d'un calme étrange, cachant
sa présence.
Une femelle qui dégage une étrange sensation.
Elle baisse rapidement la tête après que nous ayons
échangé un regard. « C'est un honneur pour tout le monde
d'être venu.»

Quelle politesse !

Même quelqu'un d'aussi ignorant en étiquette que moi peut

dire que ses mouvements sont bien rodés.

« Je suis le premier familier de Perugiussama, Sylvaril du

Vide. Permettez-moi de vous guider vers le Château Céleste
[Brise-Chaos].»

« Chevalier gardien de la Seconde Princesse du Royaume

d'Asura, Luke Notos Greyrat, à votre service. C'est un
honneur d'être en votre présence. Je serai sous votre
garde.»

Luke lui rend son salut.

Il se tient devant Ariel, adressant un sourire doux à la
femme nommée Sylvaril.

Sylvaril n'est ni particulièrement grande ni particulièrement

petite, mais elle devrait être à portée de ses coups.

Non, non.

Ce n'est pas ce qu'il veut dire, c'est juste une question de

courtoisie.

« Voici la deuxième princesse du royaume d'Asura, Ariel

Anemoi Asura.»

Après la présentation de Luke, tenant sa jupe, Ariel fait la

révérence.

Un geste que je maîtrise déjà.

Ce n'est pas quelque chose que je pourrais apprendre.

Ensuite, chacun de nous se présente.

Cliff et Zanoba se saluèrent avec grâce.

C'est peut-être moi qui suis la moins au courant des bonnes

manières parmi les personnes présentes.
« Oh, tout le monde, c'est un honneur.»

Bien que ses pensées soient opaques, ses actions ont été
courtoises envers nous.

Finalement, Nanahoshi lui répond avec désinvolture.

« Ça fait un bail, Sylvarilsan.»

« Em, toi aussi, Nanahoshisama… tu te sens bien ?»

« Juste un léger inconfort.»

Ils ont eu une brève conversation.

Mais ils semblent à l'aise l'un avec l'autre, donc ça devrait

aller.

« Alors, par ici, s'il vous plaît. » Sylvaril se retourne et

avance sans bruit.
La tête presque immobile. Les jambes recouvertes de sa
robe, elle
se déplace comme un fantôme.
Nanahoshi la suit sans la moindre inquiétude.
Nous échangeons un regard et la suivons.

Partie 4
Sylvaril avance droit dans le jardin.
Devant une immense porte.
Plutôt que des portes, elles ressemblent davantage à l'Arc
de Triomphe.
Debout devant, Zanoba s'exclame avec une admiration
étouffée :
« Waouh, quel soulagement !»
Bien que ne s'intéressant qu'à des figures, Zanoba
reconnaît l'art quand il en voit. Peut-être y a-t-il des points
communs.
Je n'ai pas pu déterminer si ces gravures étaient bonnes ou
mauvaises. Mais si Zanoba le dit, alors elles doivent être
tout à fait remarquables.
Après tout, quelque chose qui n'est pas une figure a réussi
à lui couper le souffle.
En y prêtant plus d'attention maintenant qu'il en a parlé, je
me suis rendu compte qu'ils étaient vraiment magnifiques.
Une porte comme l'Arc de Triomphe, même l'intérieur est
recouvert de reliefs complexes.
Quoi qu'il en soit, avec tous ces motifs délicats, on ne peut
s'empêcher de
lever les yeux.
En marchant et en regardant, j'ai entendu Sylvaril expliquer
de face.
« Cet arc est fabriqué à la main par le Roi Dragon Noir
Maxwell. Maxwellsama
est spécialisé dans ce type d'artisanat et de construction
magique. » extant
work is also available within the palace of Holy Milis
Kingdom"
"Ohhhhhh!"

Zanoba crie soudain.

Sylvaril se retourne, confus.

« Il y a un problème ?»

« Eh bien ! Où est Maxwellsama en ce moment ?»

Zanoba fixe un coin avec excitation. Il tremble.

Qu'est-ce qu'il y a là-bas ?

Mais je n'ai vraiment aucune idée de ce qu'il regarde.

« Le Roi Dragon Noir Maxwellsama erre à travers le monde.

S'il est encore en vie, il erre probablement encore quelque
part.»

« C'est vrai, une personne tellement incroyable… et

pourtant… et pourtant… »

Zanoba ne peut contenir son excitation.

Eh bien, Zanoba n'a jamais pu contenir son excitation.

« On peut continuer ?»

« Oh, oh oui. Je suis vraiment désolé. C'était trop beau pour

le laisser passer. » « Vraiment ? Une fois entré dans le
château, il y a plein d’autres œuvres remarquables. Nous
serons heureux de vous satisfaire.»

Terminant d’une voix douce, Sylvaril avance.

Elle sourit probablement sous ce masque.

Au même moment, Zanoba se précipite à mes côtés.

Il approche sa bouche de mon oreille et me demande

doucement :

« Shisho, tu as vu ?»

« Hein ?»

« Énorme découverte ! Heureusement que nous sommes

venus. Je dois vraiment remercier Nanahoshi pour ça.»

Une énorme découverte ?

On dirait que Zanoba et moi sommes attentifs

différemment.
« Je suis désolé. Je n’ai pas compris ce que tu as découvert.
Pourras-tu me l’expliquer correctement quand nous aurons
le temps ?»

Zanoba a l’air visiblement déçu de m’entendre dire ça.

« Quoi ? Shisho n’a rien remarqué ? » Zanoba recule de

quelques pas.
Désolé ! Je ne suis pas aussi doué que toi pour évaluer ce
genre de choses.
« Mm ? »
En passant la porte, j'ai remarqué des particules blanches
provenant de Sylphy
devant moi.
« Hein ? »
Sylvaril s'arrête et se retourne pour nous regarder, Sylphy
et moi.
Bien que cachée derrière son masque, je sens l'humeur
changer soudainement.
Peut-être que c'est nous.
« Y a-t-il un problème ? »
je demande à Sylvaril avec hésitation.
La dernière fois, Arumanfi a attaqué brusquement.
Je ne veux pas que cela se reproduise.
Si c'est possible, j'espère vraiment que nous pourrons en
parler et éviter un
malentendu.
Même si ce n'est pas le cas et qu'il se passe vraiment
quelque chose de grave, nous devrions au moins
battre en retraite au plus vite. J'ai quelques questions à
poser à Perugius, mais je préfère rentrer chez moi plutôt
que de chercher la bagarre.

« Non. Ce n'est rien de particulier. Il y a pas mal de gens

comme toi sur Terre. »
« Vraiment ? »
Qu'entend-elle par « des gens comme nous » ?
Ça me rend nerveux.
Ne me dis pas qu'on serait piégés dès qu'on entrerait dans
le château ?
Je devrais garder mon œil de démon ouvert.
« Cependant, puis-je vous demander quelque chose à tous
les deux ? »
« Allez-y. »
« Hitogami, as-tu déjà entendu ce nom ? »
J'ai fait de mon mieux pour ne pas réagir.
Hitogami.
Entendre cela me rappelle soudain Orsted.
La dernière fois, Orsted a posé la même question. Quand
j'ai répondu, il a failli me tuer.
Je ne veux pas que cela se reproduise.
J'ai hésité.
Si je réponds honnêtement, ça pourrait être source de
problèmes si elle se montre hostile.
En effet, Hitogami m'a joué des tours et il m'a
aidé.
Je n'avais jamais prévu d'être son subordonné, mais je
réalise aussi que je deviens ce
genre de personne.
« Non, pas du tout.»
Sylphy secoue la tête tandis que j'hésite.

« Alors, quand tu entends ce nom, ressens-tu une colère

indicible ou une
intention meurtrière ?»
Sylphy secoue la tête en silence.
Moi aussi.
Mais je devine le sens de cette question.
Orsted dégage ce genre de sentiment.
Pour savoir de telles choses, peut-être qu'Orsted et
Perugius sont rivaux ?
Je n'en suis pas sûr.
« Dans ce cas, tout va bien.»
Sur ce, Sylvaril se remet à marcher.

Partie 5
Le Château Céleste [Chaos Breaker].
Malgré son nom, le seul mot qui puisse le décrire
correctement est « éblouissant ».
Je n'arrive pas à imaginer comment une structure aussi
immense a pu être construite.
Cependant, malgré sa taille, chaque recoin a été décoré de
statues exquises, et chaque statue a été réalisée
méticuleusement par des maîtres artisans.
Et pas seulement à l'extérieur.
L'intérieur est recouvert d'une moquette brodée d'or, des
peintures tapissent les murs, et chaque côté est décoré
d'œuvres d'art et de sculptures coûteuses.
Zanoba parle sans arrêt, regardant ceci et cela : [Cette
sculpture est
évidemment issue de l'école de Ganon. Serait-ce du maître
lui-même ?] [La
statue originale du cavalier ? De la voir en personne, quel
honneur !] Il a l'air vraiment
heureux.
Au début, Sylvaril et Ariel auraient répondu, mais ils ont
vite été lassés par lui et se sont contentés de sourire d'un
air las.
D'habitude, il y aurait une deuxième personne gênante.
Pourtant, quand je regarde Cliff, il a l'air terriblement tendu.
Ses yeux sont écarquillés, mais il garde la bouche fermée à
moins qu'on ne lui demande.
Sinon.
Elinalise est à côté de lui, lui tenant la main comme une
mère et le faisant avancer.
Bon, ce n'est pas grave. Si ces deux-là commencent à
bavarder, ce sera plutôt bruyant.
« La salle d'audience est juste devant nous.»
Au bout du couloir, Sylvaril s'arrête devant deux portes.

Une lourde porte, parsemée d'argent, avec un dragon peint

de chaque côté.
En tout, il nous a fallu près d'une heure pour arriver ici
depuis le cercle magique.
Un endroit aussi grand est un peu pénible aussi.
Un segway serait bien.
« Bien que Perugius soit généreux, veuillez respecter les
règles de bienséance.»
Cela dit, Sylvaril pose une main sur la porte.
On ne frappe pas ?
« Excusez-nous, mais nous sommes encore en tenue de
voyage ! Ce ne serait pas inapproprié ?»
demande Ariel précipitamment.
Maintenant qu'elle le mentionne, n'amènent-ils pas
généralement les invités à la salle de réception en premier
dans ces situations ?
Enfiler une tenue de soirée appropriée et tout préparer
avant les premières salutations.
Je me souviens avoir fait cela lors de ma rencontre avec le
roi Shirone.
Mais je n'avais pas de tenue de soirée, alors j'ai fini par
porter mes vieilles robes élimées comme d'habitude.
Oh non, je n'y avais jamais pensé auparavant, c'était donc
un public.
J'aurais dû apporter une tenue de soirée.
« Perugiussama ne se soucie pas du code vestimentaire. Au
contraire, il déteste vraiment les formalités démodées du
Royaume d'Asura. À mon avis, plutôt que de changer
intentionnellement, garde ce que tu portes, et tu feras
meilleure impression auprès du maître.»
En entendant cela, Ariel se tut.
Il s'est peut-être passé quelque chose à ce moment-là.
Genre, la raison pour laquelle Perugius est parti pour le
Château Céleste, c'est parce qu'il a été harcelé par le Roi
Asura, ou quelque chose comme ça.
« Bon, pouvons-nous au moins poser nos manteaux et nos
bagages ?»
« Je comprends, venez par ici, s'il vous plaît.»
Entendant ce qui s'apparente à une supplication de la part
d'Ariel, Sylvaril consent et hoche la tête.
S'éloignant de la grande porte, elle ouvre une pièce sur le
côté.
À peu près de la taille de ma chambre.
Comparé au reste du château, c'est relativement petit et
simple, mais même la
table, l'armoire et les portants à vêtements sont des objets
de grande qualité.
« Merci beaucoup.»
« Perugiussama attend. Dépêchez-vous.»
Sur ce, Sylvaril ferma la porte.
Confirmant cela, Ariel enlève son pardessus.
Luke s'approcha immédiatement pour le lui prendre, et
Sylphy sortit un
peigne et commença à peigner les cheveux d'Ariel. Au
même moment, Zanoba range son pardessus dans le
portant et en enfile un nouveau. Elinalise s'affaire à
inspecter les cheveux et la tenue de Cliff. Je dépoussière
ma tenue et redresse ma chemise. Rien de formel… Ce que
l'on porte n'est pas important, la sincérité l'est. Une tenue
décontractée ne signifie pas qu'on peut porter n'importe
quoi. Au fait, Nanahoshi ne fait rien. Tout au plus, elle a
juste lissé sa frange. Disons qu'aujourd'hui, elle est aussi en
uniforme. Déteste-t-elle vraiment tant les vêtements de ce
monde ?
« C'est prêt.» Enfin, Sylphy retire ses lunettes de soleil.
Tout le monde est prêt à partir. En tout, pas plus de 10
minutes se sont écoulées. Malgré cela, Ariel a presque
changé. Elle a ses repères, mais maintenant, elle respire
l'élégance. Peut-être en tant que membre de la royauté,
elle a passé beaucoup de temps à perfectionner ses
compétences pour devenir belle.

« Désolé pour l'attente.»

« Oh. Par ici.»

Sylvaril reçoit le signal de l'extérieur.

Comme si rien ne s'était passé, elle retourne devant la

porte précédente.

Des portes géantes peintes de dragons.

Derrière, Perugius attend.

En réalisant cela, je commence à me sentir nerveux.

« Ouf… »

Avant que les portes ne s'ouvrent, j'entends Ariel prendre

une grande inspiration.
Notes 1. Référence Gundam RX78GP02A

Chapter 145 Audience with

Perugius
Part 1
Assis sur son trône, l'homme à la présence écrasante et
oppressante.
Cheveux blancs étincelants.
Yeux de Sanpaku aux pupilles dorées.
La noblesse irradie de tout son corps.
Un roi.
Il est le Roi Dragon Cuirassé Perugius.
D'un seul regard, mes jambes tremblent.
Je connais la raison.
Parce qu'Orsted ressemble à cet homme.
N'oublie jamais.
L'homme aux cheveux blancs qui m'a tué.
Peu importe leurs cheveux, leurs traits du visage ou leur
style vestimentaire, Perugius et lui
diffèrent.
Mais ils ressentent la même chose.
Tout comme Orsted.
« Avance.»
Poussée par Sylvaril, Nanahoshi s'avance.
Ariel la suit de près.
Je les suis comme si j'essayais de me cacher derrière eux.
C'est une salle immense.
De hauts plafonds, soutenus par des piliers en forme
d'arbre.

En levant les yeux, la lumière irradie d'en haut.

Luxueux, brillant.
De plus, des rideaux aux motifs complexes sont suspendus
aux murs.
Des produits allant d'Asura à Holy Milis, du plus commun à
l'inédit, un peu de tout.
De chaque côté du tapis rouge sous nos pieds, 11 hommes
et femmes se tiennent au garde-à-vous.
"..."
Ils sont tous vêtus de blanc.
Chacun d'un motif différent, mais tous de la même couleur.
Tout blanc.
Et puis il y a les masques.
Tout le monde porte des masques.
Aucun de leurs masques n'est identique.
Certains ont la forme d'animaux.
L'un semble avoir perdu un œil, le masque ne le couvre
donc que.
Un autre ressemble au casque de Robocop, comme s'il
avait été fabriqué à partir du même moule.
Ils doivent être les célèbres 12 Familiers de Pérouse. Bien
qu'ils soient des Familiers, ils ont tous une apparence
humanoïde.
Il y a longtemps, Arumanfi et Ghyslaine se sont battus dans
une impasse.
En d'autres termes, les douze d'entre eux, dont Sylvaril, ont
une force égale à celle d'un Roi de l'Épée.
Je ne veux vraiment pas me faire d'ennemis avec ces gens.
Je dois vraiment faire attention à ce que je dis à partir de
maintenant.
« Arrête-toi ici. »
En entendant Sylvaril dire cela, Nanahoshi s'arrête.
«…»
À seulement dix pas du trône, deux niveaux au-dessus de
nous.
Perugius nous observe sans dire un mot.
Il m'observe plutôt.
Je peux sentir son champ de vision.
Effrayant.
Sylvaril marche lentement à côté de Perugius, se tenant au
garde-à-vous à sa droite.
Sylvaril à droite, Arumanfi à sa gauche.
Puis, comme pour nous encercler, 5 de chaque côté.
Lentement, Perugius parle.
« Je suis le Roi Dragon Cuirassé Perugius Dola.»
Capitaine Dola !
Non, non.
Rien à voir avec le Château dans le Ciel.
« Ça fait longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas vus, Perugiussama.
Comme promis, je suis de retour.»
Nanahoshi s'incline.
Comme c'est inhabituel de parler avec des titres
honorifiques !
Je réalise soudain qu'Ariel s'incline également.
Luke et Sylphy sont tous deux agenouillés sur un genou.
Hésitant brièvement, je m'incline comme d'habitude.

Un ojigi japonais.
« Nanahoshi.»
La voix de Perugius me glace le sang.
Cette voix est pleine de majesté et d'oppression.
Je me sens comme une proie, figée de terreur, le cœur
immobile et la respiration difficile.
Des sueurs froides commencent à couler.
Terrifiant. C'est vraiment le sentiment d'un roi.
« Tu es revenu. Autrement dit, tu as trouvé un indice sur la
façon de procéder à une invocation depuis un autre
monde ? »
« Oui. Cependant, je ne sais pas si les résultats sont à la
hauteur de tes attentes.»
« Résultats… La quête du savoir est le destin de la Race
des Dragons.»
Race des Dragons, donc il est de la Race des Dragons.
Je ne l'avais pas remarqué jusqu'à présent, mais c'est
logique.
Dieu Dragon et le Roi Dragon Cuirassé.
Aucun des deux n'est humain, mais plutôt de la Race des
Dragons.
Ils se ressemblent car ils sont de la même race.
Nanahoshi répond à Perugius sans hésitation.
Perugius ne semble pas éprouver d'animosité envers
Nanahoshi.
Une amitié courtoise.
Il vit peut-être reclus dans un château comme celui-ci, mais
je suppose qu'il n'est pas paranoïaque. « J'espère que,
comme promis, tu m'enseigneras tes connaissances sur la
magie d'invocation de ce monde. »

« Em, c'est bien. »

On dirait que Nanahoshi et Perugius s'entendent.

Nanahoshi étudiera l'invocation d'un autre monde et

partagera les résultats avec Perugius.

En retour, Perugius lui enseignera l'essence de la magie

d'invocation de ce monde.

Un peu comme ça.

« À ce propos, tu as amené un sacré groupe ici. Pourquoi

sont-ils ici ? »

« Oui. Ils m'aident dans mes recherches. En récompense, ils

souhaitaient rencontrer Perugius
sama. »

« Oh. »

Perugius soupire d'ennui.

Parler de récompense semblait un peu déplacé, mais ce

n'était pas un mensonge.

« Enchantée de vous rencontrer. »

Ariel s'avance. « Je suis Ariel Anemoi Asura, deuxième
princesse du royaume d'Asura. C'est un honneur de vous
rencontrer enfin en personne, Votre Majesté. » « Ariel
Anemoi Asura, hein ? » « Enchanté de faire votre
connaissance. » Perugius soupire bruyamment. « Je suis au
courant. Tu refuses d'admettre ta défaite après avoir perdu
un combat acharné pour le trône d'Asura, tu vas jusqu'à
essayer d'impliquer tout ton entourage dans des
batailles de boue, cette stupide princesse. » Luke lève la
tête. Mais Ariel semble imperturbable.

« C'est un peu dur. »

Comme on s'y attendait de la part d'Ariel.

Avec un sourire doux, elle maintient le contact visuel avec

Perugius.

« Tu viens ici, tu veux savoir si je peux te donner un coup

de main ? »

« Non, je veux juste voir le héros mondialement connu en

personne. »

« Ton plan est évident, Ariel Anemoi Asura. »

Comme toujours, la voix d'Ariel est pleine de charisme.

Mais à y regarder de plus près, elle n'a pas l'air en forme.

Une sueur froide perlait sur son visage. Son plan étant
dévoilé, laissant une mauvaise impression, son rythme a
été perturbé.

En voyant Ariel ainsi, Perugius sourit légèrement.

Un sourire pour un enfant grondé.

« Mais puisque tu es là, c'est aussi le destin. Saisis cette

opportunité. Je te permettrai de rester dans mon château. »

« Merci beaucoup. » Ariel s'incline et recule.

Son anxiété s'est atténuée, mais n'a pas complètement

disparu.

Partie 2

« Et toi ?»

Perugius tourne son attention vers moi après qu'Ariel ait

reculé.

Comme si mon statut était le deuxième après celui d'Ariel.

En y repensant, j'ai jeté un coup d'œil derrière moi.

Zanoba, Cliff et Elinalise.

Tous à genoux par terre.

Seuls Nanahoshi, Ariel et moi étions restés debout.

Pas étonnant qu'il me fixe du regard.

J'ai posé une main sur ma poitrine et me suis incliné une

fois de plus.

« Enchanté, je suis Rudeus Greyrat.»

« Rudeus Greyrat.»
Perugius récite mon nom en le ruminant.

« Vous transporter jusqu'ici a demandé pas mal d'efforts. »

« ... ?»
« Pour commencer, cette magie de téléportation n'est pas
censée fonctionner sur quelqu'un qui possède plus de
magie.»
Perugius explique d'un ton mécontent.
« Ta magie est comparable à celle de Laplace. Si tu résistes
sérieusement, même moi je ne peux pas te téléporter.»
« Vraiment ? Je suis désolé de t'avoir causé des ennuis.»
Laplace.
Scellé par Perugius il y a 400 ans, nom du Dieu Démon.
Tout le monde mentionne ce nom lorsqu'il évalue ma
puissance magique.
Je suppose que c'est vrai.
« Peu importe. Cependant, avec autant de pouvoir à ta
disposition, n'envisage même pas de l'utiliser dans ce
château.»
« Bien sûr.»
Cela ressemble à un avertissement.
Non, il devrait me prévenir, au cas où je deviendrais fou
furieux.
Dis, mais pourquoi ?
Pourquoi être si vigilant envers moi ?
Je n'ai jamais été du genre à devenir violent sans raison. Je
ne deviendrais pas fou furieux si c'était le cas.

Ah, il y pense encore ?

Que pendant l'Événement Métastase, Arumanfi a

soudainement tenté de me tuer.

Craint-il que j'en garde rancune ?

Voilà pourquoi. En d'autres termes, il veut que je laisse

passer ça.

« Si c'est à propos de l'Événement Métastase, ça ne me

dérange pas vraiment. Alors… »
« Événement Métastase ? Que veux-tu dire ?»

Perugius lève la main, confus. Arumanfi se téléporte

soudain à côté de lui.

Puis, il lui murmura quelque chose à l'oreille.

« Ah, maintenant que tu le dis, j'ai entendu dire que

pendant l'Événement Métastase,

un Roi des Épées protégeait un jeune homme qui lançait de

la magie vers le ciel. C'est toi ?»

Il a donc déjà oublié.

Est-ce que je creuse ma propre tombe ?

Comme je l'ai dit, je déclare que cela ne me dérange pas

vraiment.
Mais je n'ai rien fait pour les offenser.
Ça devrait aller ?
« J'ai aussi entendu dire que quelqu'un avait blessé la main
d'Orsted, quelqu'un du nom de
Rudeus Greyrat.»
Il est même au courant.
Ce n'est pas comme si je l'avais vraiment blessé, c'était à
peine une égratignure.
S'il le sait, cela signifie-t-il qu'Orsted et Perugius se
connaissent ? Ou
l'a-t-il appris par Nanahoshi ?
Non, attendez, Nanahoshi a probablement rencontré le
propriétaire de ce château céleste par
l'intermédiaire d'Orsted aussi.
« Les gens de votre talent ont tendance à devenir trop sûrs
d'eux. Ne soyez pas arrogant juste
parce que vous avez réussi à blesser ce Dieu Dragon. Parce
que, si vous voulez un duel
avec votre serviteur, alors préparez-vous à mourir !»
Dès qu'il a terminé, Perugius est animé d'une intention
meurtrière. Allez.
Je suis un peu inquiet de voir à quel point il est devenu
menaçant.
Je suis venu ici pour recueillir des renseignements sur la
maladie de ma mère. Et avec un peu de chance,
peut-être apprendre un peu de magie d'invocation.
Malgré cela, pourquoi est-il si vigilant envers moi ?
... Pense-t-il que j'ai réussi à vaincre Orsted jusqu'à
l'impasse ?
Tu te moques de moi.
C'était un massacre à une main. J'ai juste tiré en douce.
Des 12 Familiers présents.

Même si ce n'est que ce qui est écrit, je me souviens

encore de chacune de leurs capacités.
Mais lire sur un personnage est différent de le combattre.
De plus, la supériorité numérique compte dans un combat.
Même avec des zombies tueurs en un coup, c'est fini s'il y
en a trop.
Et ce sont des joueurs qui affrontent Ghyslaine.
Qui sait quelle est la force de Perugius ? Probablement pas
mal.
Si on se battait, je serais un homme mort.
En résumé, je n'ai aucune raison de me battre.
« Bien sûr, je ne ferais pas une chose aussi stupide que de
défier Perugiussama.»
« Bonne attitude. J'aime les enfants intelligents. Qui se
ressemble s'assemble. Rassemblez quelques enfants
intelligents, et ils pourront se pousser mutuellement.»
Dans ces circonstances, les enfants intelligents sont ceux
qui ne défient pas Perugius, je suppose. Je ne pense pas
être particulièrement intelligent, mais au moins je sais ça.
« Perugiussama, celui-là… avec son énorme pouvoir
magique, il a grandement contribué à mes recherches. Ce
n'est pas un ennemi. Alors, pourrais-tu être un peu plus
gentil ?»
Nanahoshi intervient.
Comme on s'y attendait de Nanahoshi.
Elle a raison.
Ne sois pas si hostile, sois plus gentil.
« Hum.»
Perugius acquiesce au conseil de Nanahoshi.
« Alors je serai un peu plus gentil. Camarade de Nanahoshi,
quel est ton souhait ?
De l'argent ? Du pouvoir ?»
Demande Perugius, l'air légèrement ennuyé.
Alors tu vas enfin me traiter comme un invité.
Pourquoi être si dur avec tes nouveaux invités ?
Même si j'ai été un peu négligent…
Eh bien, oublie. Je devrais demander pourquoi je suis ici.
« Alors, j'ai une question à poser.»
« Qu'est-ce que c'est ?»
« À propos de la maladie de ma mère.»
J'ai commencé à expliquer la situation à Zenith.

Partie 3
« Je vois.»
Après avoir expliqué la situation et les syndromes de
Zenith, Perugius hoche lourdement la tête.
« En effet, j'ai déjà entendu parler de ce phénomène :
d'anciens labyrinthes utilisent une personne capturée
comme noyau.
En conséquence, en tant que noyau, la personne
commence à changer.
Sans exception, ils perdent la mémoire, mais acquièrent un
mystérieux pouvoir. »
« Un mystérieux pouvoir ?»
« Certains les appellent enfants maudits, d'autres les
appellent miko, ce genre de pouvoir.»
Une malédiction.
Zenith a été maudite.
Une malédiction qui l'empêche de pleurer ou de rire.
« Pourquoi cela arrive-t-il ? »
Qui sait ? On dit que les labyrinthes sont des créatures
magiques créées par les anciens, en quête du paradis. Ils
peuvent distribuer uniformément la magie de leur cœur à
leurs habitants. Ceux qui y vivent sont libérés de la faim et
prospèrent. Qu'un ancien labyrinthe capture un humain
pour accroître cette magie n'est pas inconcevable. Le
paradis des anciens... la liberté de la faim. À ce propos, il y
avait des monstres partout dans le labyrinthe de
téléportation. Surtout ceux qui étaient particulièrement
gloutons. Je me demandais ce qu'ils mangeaient pour
survivre, voilà pourquoi. Non, mais Roxy a dit qu'elle
mourait de faim à l'intérieur du labyrinthe.

Donc, il ne distribuait pas vraiment de pouvoir magique à

tous ceux qui s'y trouvaient. Ou peut-être que les monstres
ont une méthode pour absorber la magie de l'air ? … Eh
bien, peu importe ce que sont les labyrinthes. Ce qui
compte, c'est Zénith.
« Connaissez-vous un moyen de guérir maman ?»
« Je ne connais pas les détails, mais… »
Perugius regarde derrière moi en parlant.
« Une personne ayant survécu à une situation similaire,
mais en bonne santé et vivante,
quelqu'un comme elle ne connaîtrait-il pas plus de
détails ?»
Perugius regarde cette fille aux cheveux d'or de la tribu des
Longues Oreilles.
Elinalise lève lentement la tête.
« Elinalise Dragonroad. Je me souviens qu'il y a 200 ans, je
t'ai personnellement sauvée
du Labyrinthe de Bau.»
« C'est vrai.»
« La fille aux longues oreilles et à la mémoire perdue. Nous
ne nous sommes rencontrées qu'une fois. Cela fait
longtemps,
m'as-tu oublié ?»
« Non, je m'en souviens encore.»
Elinalise me regarde d'un air désolé.
Que se passe-t-il ?
Elinalise a vécu une expérience similaire ? Il y a 200 ans,
sauvée d'un labyrinthe ?
Attends, que se passe-t-il ?
« Pourquoi es-tu restée silencieuse ? Venues ici ensemble,
vous devriez vous connaître, non ?»
« C'est… »
« Tu as une expérience personnelle. Personne ne connaît la
situation mieux que toi.»
En entendant Perugius, Elinalise se lève nerveusement.
Mais finalement, elle donne une réponse résolue.
« Je n'ai jamais retrouvé la mémoire, mais peut-être que
Zenith y parvient. C'est pourquoi je suis restée
silencieuse.»
Sa réponse est peut-être résolue, mais son expression est
douloureuse.
Cliff tenait doucement Elinalise par les épaules.
«…»
Troublée, je ne trouvais pas les mots.
J'avais remarqué quelque chose d'étrange chez Elinalise.
Mais je n'aurais jamais imaginé un passé pareil. « Désolée.
J'avais pensé te le dire. Mais récemment, Rudeus avait l'air
si heureux,
et ça m'a fait hésiter. La malédiction de Zenith ne semble
pas mettre sa vie en danger.
Je pensais que c'était peut-être une Miko, ou peut-être rien
du tout… »
« … S'il te plaît, donne-moi les détails plus tard.»
C'est tout ce que je peux dire à toutes les excuses
qu'Elinalise a tenté de me donner.
« Je comprends. »
Je ne veux pas blâmer Elinalise.
Bien qu'elle n'ait pas été franche, elle a proposé quelques
suggestions concernant les syndromes de Zenith sur le
continent de Begaritto. À l'époque, je pensais qu'elle était
simplement bien informée et qu'elle parlait d'expérience.
Elle s'inquiète probablement beaucoup à ce sujet.
Elle a peut-être raison, Zenith est différente et sa mémoire
est récupérable.
De plus, le corps de Paul étant encore fraîchement enterré,
il n'y a aucune raison d'ajouter de la souffrance.
Elle n'a rien dit parce qu'elle s'inquiète pour moi.
Au moins, Zenith est peut-être maudite. J'espère qu'elle me
dira ce qu'elle pourra plus tard.

Partie 4
« Autre chose ? »
« C'est tout. »
demande Perugius ; je secoue la tête.
Cela ne fait que quelques minutes, mais je suis déjà épuisé.
J'ai plutôt l'impression d'avoir discuté pendant des heures.
J'ai encore d'autres questions à poser.
À propos de la magie d'invocation, de la campagne de
Laplace, de l'événement Métastase.
Mais là, avec tant de choses en tête, j'ai l'impression que
ma tête va exploser à tout moment.
C'est tout pour l'instant.
« Quelqu'un d'autre ? Quelqu'un a une demande à me
faire ?»
« Dans ce cas, j'ai une question. Puis-je ?»
Un homme se lève après la demande de Perugius.
C'est Zanoba.
« Vous l'êtes ?»
« Désolé. Troisième prince du royaume de Shirone, Zanoba
Shirone. »
« Un prince ? Ne me dites pas que vous voulez aussi mon
soutien pour le trône ? »
« Non. Je m'en fiche complètement.»
Sur ce, Zanoba sort un petit carnet.
Un blason y est illustré.

Un blason que je connais.

C'est le blason que nous avons découvert avec le plan de la
poupée dans mon sous-sol...
Ah !
« Ce blason. Il ressemble beaucoup à celui du Roi Dragon
Noir Maxwellsama
et du Roi Dragon Armure Perugiussama. Plus encore, il
ressemble au
blason accroché au mur. Le connaissez-vous ? »
Je suis la vision de Zanoba jusqu'au blason accroché au
mur.
Je reconnais certains des blasons qui y sont accrochés.
Un blason que j'ai vu autrefois gravé dans la pierre de
pouvoir. Le blason du Dieu Dragon.
Un autre sur les outils magiques à l'intérieur des ruines de
téléportation cachées. D'après l'incantation que j'ai récitée,
ce devrait être celui de l'Empereur Dragon Sacré Shilard ?
Et à côté, le même blason que celui de Zanoba.
« Je suis au courant. Celui que vous tenez appartient au Roi
Dragon Fou Chaos. »
« Ohh ! » Ohh ! Voilà pourquoi. Est-ce ce que Zanoba a vu
gravé dans l'arche ? Non, c'est celui de Maxwell. Il a
probablement remarqué le blason et la similitude. Puis, il a
réalisé le lien entre eux. Comme on pouvait s'y attendre de
la part de Zanoba ! Oups, je suis désolé, j'ai oublié de parler
à Zanoba du blason sur la ruine de téléportation. Alors, où
est Chaossama, le Roi Dragon Fou, en ce moment ?
S'avançant, Zanoba ne put contenir son excitation.
Cependant, Perugius ne put que secouer la tête. Mort. Mort
il y a plusieurs dizaines d'années. Aucune idée s'il a un
successeur. Le carnet glisse de la main de Zanoba. Ses
bras pendent impuissants. Alors, il est parti…
Instantanément, Zanoba paraît avoir 5 ans de plus. Eh bien,
il avait toujours l'air plutôt vieux.

« Dis donc, comment as-tu trouvé ce blason ?»

Voyant Zanoba ainsi, Perugius demande avec

considération.

Zanoba répond, toujours déprimé.

« Chez mon Shisho. Dessiné sur une poupée autonome
dans une maison abandonnée à Sharia, la Cité Magique. »

« Je vois. Une poupée autonome.»

Zanoba hoche la tête ; Perugius continue.

« Cette poupée, est-ce une merveille ?»

« Bien sûr que oui ! Un savoir-faire si complexe,

absolument fascinant, qui exprime parfaitement l'amour du
créateur pour les poupées. En tant que passionné de
poupées, j'admire sincèrement sa philosophie !»

En entendant ces mots, Perugius plisse les yeux et rit

joyeusement.

« Tu as l'air de quelqu'un qui apprécie l'art. Bien. Dans la

salle aux trésors de ce château, j'ai aussi plein de belles
œuvres de Chaos. Nous les examinerons plus tard. »
Des mots incroyablement doux venant de la même
personne qui me parlait plus tôt.
Pourquoi ? Qu'est-ce qui se passe avec cette différence de
traitement ?
Eh bien, on n'y peut rien.
« Ce sera un grand honneur. »
En entendant la réponse de Perugius, Zanoba sourit
brillamment.
L'autre partie semble heureuse aussi.
Je suppose que Perugius a vraiment apprécié Zanoba.
C'est gentil.
Je veux être appréciée aussi.

Partie 5
« Quelqu'un d'autre ? »
« Em, je… Non, j'en ai une. J'ai une question. »
Sylphy lève la main après la question de Perugius.
Elle s'incline légèrement devant Perugius.
« Et vous êtes ? »
« Escorte de la deuxième princesse du royaume d'Asura,
Arielsama, épouse de
Rudeus Greyrat, Sylphiette Greyrat. » Tout à l'heure,
Sylvaril murmure quelque chose à l'oreille de Perugius.
Perugius grogne, mécontent. « Mari et femme… »
Chuchotements discrets.
Mari et femme, pourquoi serait-il mécontent de cela ?
Sylphy possède également une magie puissante, mais
certainement pas comparable à celle de Laplace.
Ah, ne me dites pas, il a remarqué qu'elle a des ancêtres de
la Race Magique ?
« Avant de poser la question, répondez-moi : avez-vous un
fils ?»
demande Perugius brusquement.
Sylphy semble troublée.
" Hein ? Non, juste une fille…
« Ah bon ? Si tu as un fils, amène-le-moi. Je lui donnerai un
nom. »

« Oh… d’accord. »

Perugius sourit légèrement.

Super effrayant.

Qu’a-t-il l’intention de faire de Sylphy et de mon fils ?

Allant jusqu’à lui donner un nom génial.

Venant de quelqu’un qui vit dans un endroit appelé Chaos

Breaker…

« Maintenant, que veux-tu me demander ? »

« Eh bien, à propos de l’événement Métastase. Qui est

vraiment derrière tout ça ?

Sylphy pose une question à laquelle je n'ai pas beaucoup

réfléchi.

L'Événement Métastase a été provoqué par l'invocation de

Nanahoshi du Japon.
Les effets secondaires de l'invocation d'une personne d'un
autre monde.

J'ai aussi été téléportée accidentellement. Mais sa

téléportation était directe, donc c'est probablement ce qui
l'a provoquée.

Cela pourrait aussi être un accident.

Quelqu'un a fait quelque chose et a convoqué Nanahoshi

dans ce monde.

Un accident.

« Ceci est certain. Au départ, je soupçonnais Laplace ou

quelqu'un qui lui était associé, mais… »

Perugius regarde Nanahoshi avant de poursuivre.

« L'invoquer est impossible, même pour moi. Dans ce cas,

cela ne devrait être possible pour personne de ce monde. »

« En d'autres termes ? »

« Je soupçonne que ce n'est pas d'origine humaine. C'est

arrivé par hasard.

En effet, un accident.
Non, peut-être qu'il existe quelqu'un d'encore meilleur que
Perugius en magie d'invocation.

Quelqu'un comme Orsted.

Mais je ne sais pas si une telle personne existe. Si j'en

parle, il risque de se mettre en colère.

Je vais me taire.

Je ne veux plus le mettre en colère.

Ah, je vois. Merci beaucoup.

Pendant que j'hésite, la conversation avec Sylphy se

termine.

Perugius hoche la tête.

« Autre chose ? »

Personne ne répond.

Elinalise baisse la tête ; Cliff est trop raide pour bouger.

Ariel se tient à ses côtés, et Luke est toujours agenouillé au
sol.

« Alors prends ton temps et profite de ma fierté, le Château

Céleste. »

Sur ces mots, l'audience avec Perugius prit fin.

Partie 6

Ensuite, Sylvaril nous conduisit aux chambres d'amis.

Dans la partie réservée aux invités, il y a près de 20

chambres avec exactement la même disposition.

Mêmes meubles en bois sombre, mêmes lits de plumes.

Un grand miroir transparent en pied.

Une sorte de bière sur l'étagère.

La seule différence entre les chambres, ce sont les œuvres

d'art qui y sont accrochées.

Presque comme un hôtel.

Mais encore plus luxueux que ces hôtels d'affaires partout.
Dans ma vie passée, cela aurait probablement ressemblé à
des suites impériales.
Non, oubliez les suites ! Je n'ai jamais mis les pieds dans un
hôtel impérial.
« Un endroit aussi grand avec seulement 12 gardiens… »
Ces paroles d'Ariel m'ont laissé une forte impression.
L'endroit est impeccable, mais aussi tellement stérile.
Pas vraiment effrayant, mais solitaire.
Le genre de solitude qu'on ressent lorsqu'on achète une
deuxième manette sans un ami avec qui jouer.
Mais à en juger par la façon dont Perugius parle, il devrait
recevoir des invités de temps en temps.
C'est le temps libre après avoir choisi nos chambres.
Zanoba et Ariel décident d'aller faire du tourisme et partent
précipitamment.
Bien sûr, Sylphy et Luke sont venus aussi.
Je décide de rester à la maison.

« Ouf… »
Épuisé.
Ça n'a pris qu'une heure, mais j'avais l'impression d'avoir
parlé toute la journée.
Pas dans le J'ai envie de faire du tourisme, mais une pause
serait la bienvenue.
Avec ça en tête, je me suis laissé tomber sur le lit.
« Oh, comme c'est doux. »
Si doux que j'ai l'impression de m'enfoncer au fond du lit de
plumes.
Puis-je en ramener un à la maison…
Je mets le lit de côté.
Je devrais vraiment réfléchir à ce qui s'est passé
aujourd'hui.
D'abord, cette histoire avec Elinalise…
Elle devrait encore être là.
Peut-être que je devrais aller demander.
… Non, elle a ses raisons. Ce ne serait pas bien de fouiner.
Elle a aussi besoin de temps pour se préparer.
Un jour, j'irai certainement chercher tous les détails sur ces
malédictions. Voilà.
Cette histoire de blason était vraiment une surprise.
Roi Dragon Noir, Roi Dragon Fou, une foule de noms sont
apparus.
Je me souviens qu'on les appelle les « 5 Guerriers
Dragons ».
La légende raconte qu'ils ont un jour combattu le Dieu
Dragon jusqu'à l'impasse.
Il ne peut pas vraiment s'agir des cinq mêmes personnes
qu'à l'époque, n'est-ce pas ?
Il doit déjà y avoir plusieurs générations.
Le Roi Dragon Cuirassé Perugius, le Roi Dragon Sombre
Maxwell, le Dragon Fou

Le Roi Chaos.
Également tiré de l'incantation dans les ruines de
téléportation, l'Empereur Dragon Sacré Shilard.
Ça fait 4.
Je me souviens qu'il y avait un Empereur Dragon et 4 Rois
Dragons.
Il y a donc un Roi Dragon de plus.
À ce propos, parmi les armoiries sur le mur, je n'en ai vu
que 4, comme celles du Dieu Dragon.
Perugius n'entretient-il pas de bonnes relations avec le
dernier Roi Dragon ?
Néanmoins, cette poupée s'est avérée encore plus
surprenante.
Je me demandais où j'avais déjà vu cette armoirie ; il
s'avère qu'elle a un lien avec ce peuple dragon.
Je ne sais toujours pas dans quelle langue elle est écrite…
Ah, oui, si Perugius aide à la traduire, ce serait une avancée
majeure pour nos recherches.
Je devrais lui demander de vérifier. Mais il ne semble pas
beaucoup m'apprécier, ou plutôt être assez vigilant à mon
égard. Il serait peut-être préférable que Zanoba le
demande.
Zanoba et Perugius semblent s'entendre sur leur intérêt
commun pour l'art.
Disons que ce blason du Roi Dragon Fou a été trouvé dans
mon sous-sol.
En d'autres termes, le Roi Dragon Fou y vivait autrefois.
Ce qui signifie que, chez lui, le Roi Dragon Fou s'enfermait
dans le sous-sol et jouait à la poupée.
Même s'il est le Roi Dragon Fou.
Où est sa folie ?
Bien que jouer à la poupée soit un peu ridicule.
Mais, s'il est quelqu'un comme Zanoba, alors d'une certaine
manière, ils sont tous les deux un peu fous.
Donc, le Roi Dragon Fou Chaos aime aussi les poupées.
Bref, même si je suis venu ici pour apprendre la magie
d'invocation, à ce stade, c'est peut-être impossible.
Perugius semble vraiment hostile à mon égard. Dans ce
cas, si je lui demandais, il dirait probablement quelque
chose comme [Prévoyez-vous d'utiliser cette magie pour
invoquer Laplace ?] ... Est-ce seulement possible ? Perugius
a dit que la magie d'invocation ne pouvait pas faire
apparaître quelqu'un doté d'un grand pouvoir magique.
Mon pouvoir semble égaler celui de Laplace, donc c'est
peut-être possible ? Ressusciter le Dieu Démon dans un
autel souterrain effrayant. Non, je ne ferai pas une chose
pareille. Mais si c'est possible, alors il a raison de rester
vigilant. « En tout cas, c'est suffisant.» Bien qu'il me
déteste, il ne m'a pas mis à la porte et ne m'a pas crié
dessus. Pour l'instant, un peu de tranquillité d'esprit. Même
si ce n'est pas parfait, c'est suffisant. Parler. C'est tout ce
que je peux faire. Pensant à diverses choses, une journée
s'est écoulée au château céleste.
Chapter 146 Past, Curse,
Summons, and Jealousy
Part 1
Il était une fois une jeune fille, sauvée d'un labyrinthe il y a
environ 200 ans.
Cependant, cette jeune fille avait perdu la mémoire et ses
émotions.
Son identité était inconnue, mais son apparence permettait
de déterminer sa race.
Ainsi, elle fut déposée au village de cette race et y
commença sa vie.
Les villageois l'accueillirent avec joie.
Elle ne retrouva jamais la mémoire.
Mais quelques années plus tard, ses émotions revinrent.
Bientôt, cette jeune fille brillante et joyeuse tomba
amoureuse d'un garçon du village, et ils devinrent amants.
Ils se marièrent peu après, mais dès lors, un étrange
problème apparut.
Son appétit sexuel grandissait sans cesse.
Chaque nuit, elle le désirait.
La race à laquelle appartenait cette jeune fille manquait
d'appétit sexuel.
Inférieure à celle des humains ou des gobelins.
De ce fait, le garçon se sentait souvent troublé, mais ils
menaient néanmoins une vie tranquille. Peu de temps
après, le corps de cette fille commença à changer.
Dès sa première rencontre avec un garçon, chaque mois,
elle donnait naissance à quelque chose.
Un cristal magique.
Un petit cristal magique rond.
Contenant un énorme pouvoir magique, il pouvait être
vendu à prix d'or.
Ils en discutèrent avec son mari.
Bien que cela le mit légèrement mal à l'aise, il l'accepta
néanmoins.
Par la suite, le garçon vendit les cristaux magiques en ville.
Les sommes colossales l'aveuglèrent... Mais ce n'était pas
de sa faute, alors ne blâmez pas le garçon.
Ils n'étaient pas particulièrement riches, et la fille ne
travaillait pas.
Au moins, le garçon ne la traitait pas comme une poule aux
œufs d'or.
Ils vécurent heureux ensemble.
Cela arriva cinq ans plus tard.
Le garçon mourut.
Il fut assassiné. Transportant si régulièrement des objets de
valeur, il fut repéré par des bandits humains et attaqué,
perdant la vie et l'argent. Le garçon mourut et la fille devint
veuve. Dix jours après sa mort, cette fille perdit le contrôle
d'elle-même et attaqua un autre garçon du village. Elle
savait qu'elle ne devait pas, et pourtant elle le fit. Mais la
cible ne s'en soucia pas vraiment, alors l'affaire resta close.
Dix jours passèrent. Cette fille attaqua un autre garçon. Dix
autres jours, puis encore un autre. Cette fille devint folle,
ses actes révélés, et fut finalement capturée par les autres
filles du village. Elle fut ainsi chassée du village. Par la
suite, elle vécut comme prostituée, esclave, puis
aventurière, et aujourd'hui encore, elle erre à travers le
monde.

Part 2
Écouter l'histoire d'Elinalise a été la première chose que j'ai
faite ce matin.
« … C'est à peu près l'histoire de ma vie.»
« Je n'avais pas vraiment besoin d'autant de détails… »
Honnêtement, cette histoire me dérange un peu.
Tout ce dont j'ai vraiment besoin, c'est d'informations sur
les malédictions.
Et pourtant, Elinalise a tout raconté.
« Je suis désolée de t'avoir caché ça tout ce temps.»
« Est-ce que… Cliff est au courant ?»
« Bien sûr, je lui ai tout raconté avant le mariage.»
« N'est-ce pas… et Sylphy ?»
« Sylphy ne sait pas. Sa grand-mère était autrefois une
prostituée, ne serait-il pas préférable qu'elle ne le sache
pas ? »
« Je pense que Sylphy ne serait pas contre quelque chose
comme ça… »
« Rudeus aussi, s'il te plaît, ne regarde pas Sylphy
différemment après avoir entendu ces choses. Cette fille
est peut-être de mon sang, mais c'est une fille normale. »
« Bien sûr que non. »
Elinalise est Elinalise, Sylphy est Sylphy.
Pourtant, avec un passé comme le sien, je peux
comprendre pourquoi elle n'était pas aussi ouverte que la
grand-mère de Sylphy.
La plupart des gens la regarderaient probablement sous un
autre angle.
Le passé est le passé.

On ne devrait pas fuir son passé, mais que je sois la seule à

le connaître suffit.
« En résumé, de quelle malédiction parle Elinalise ? »
« La magie se cristallise dans mon corps après avoir été
fécondée par des hommes. Sans sperme, la magie se
propagera jusqu'à ma mort. Ce genre de sentiment. » «
Mais il ne s'est rien passé les premières années ? »
« Je n'en suis pas très sûre moi-même… Mais à l'époque,
mes règles n'avaient pas encore commencé, donc c'est
peut-être le cas. »
« Les règles… »
C'est donc lié aux menstruations. De la magie s'est
cristallisée à partir de ses ovules ?

Dans ce cas, la malédiction de Zenith est probablement

différente.

Zenith a déjà eu deux enfants.

Je devrais vérifier auprès de Lilia, mais Zenith doit avoir

environ 35 ans, donc c'est possible.

Pour l'instant, rien ne s'est passé.

« Tes souvenirs, est-ils revenus ? »

« Non, toujours rien. »

«…»

Sa mémoire n'est jamais revenue.

Alors, qui est vraiment Elinalise, on ne le saura peut-être

jamais.

Il est encore possible qu'elle se souvienne soudainement un

jour.
Mais après 200 ans, j'en doute.
« Eh bien, Zenith est différente de « cette fille » de
l'époque. Au moins, pour l'instant, elle semble reconnaître
sa chair et son sang. Peut-être que ses souvenirs peuvent
revenir. »
« Ce serait formidable si c'était le cas. »
« Je ne devrais pas être trop optimiste. »
« Je devrais plutôt imaginer le pire et planifier à partir de là.
»
« Et la malédiction ? »
« Pour l'instant, aucun symptôme ne ressemble aux miens.
»
« C'est vrai. » « Elle a probablement… une autre
malédiction. »
« C'est vrai. »
« C'est fort probable. Tu as une idée ? »
« Une idée ? »
« Des indices ? »
« Eh bien. »
« Peut-être, peut-être pas. »
« Je n'ai aucune idée de la malédiction. »
« Rien. »
« C'est vrai. Mais on n'est jamais trop prudent. »
« Ce n'est probablement pas une malédiction mortelle. »
« Mais comme l'a dit Elinalise, il pourrait y avoir un
déclencheur quelque part. »
« En d'autres termes, tout ce qu'on peut faire maintenant,
c'est attendre et voir ?»
« Ouais.»
Pas trop optimiste.
J'espère que rien n'arrivera à Zenith à l'avenir.
« C'est tout ce que je sais. Je suis désolé. Il y a beaucoup de
choses dont je ne voulais pas parler, donc j'ai mis beaucoup
de temps à te les raconter.»
Elinalise paraît abattue après ces mots.

Ouais, c'est un peu tard.

Si c'était quelqu'un d'autre, il lui crierait dessus pour n'avoir
rien dit jusqu'à maintenant.
Mais je peux comprendre qu'on veuille cacher un passé
sombre.
C'est plutôt moi qui devrais m'excuser d'avoir caché ma vie
passée.
« Non, c'est évidemment quelque chose de difficile à
aborder, et pourtant tu me l'as quand même dit. Je te suis
vraiment reconnaissant.» Je tends la main à Elinalise.
Elle la serre fort. « Alors, je retourne chez Cliff.»
« Je vais faire une pause, puis j'irai voir Nanahoshi.»
« Ah, à plus tard.»

Elinalise quitta la pièce sur ces mots.

Au final, pas beaucoup de progrès concernant Zenith.

Bien qu'une malédiction soit fort probable, du moins jusqu'à

présent, rien ne s'est produit.
Préparez-vous pour l'instant, nous gérerons les situations
au fur et à mesure.

Partie 3
Après le petit-déjeuner.

Je me suis assise à une longue table dans une pièce du

Château Céleste.

À côté de moi se trouvent Nanahoshi et Cliff, et à côté de

lui, Zanoba.

En face de moi est assis Sylvaril du Vide.

Avec ses ailes d'un noir de jais, c'est un subordonné de

Perugius.

« Bon, commençons.»
Nanahoshi a demandé à Perugius de lui donner des cours
de magie d'invocation.

Cela dit, sous la protection de Nanahoshi, nous avons fini

par nous joindre à nous.
Comme les leçons commencent par les bases, le professeur
n'est pas Perugius.
On dirait qu'il faudra attendre la partie la plus avancée
avant qu'il fasse son apparition.
En ce moment, Perugius est probablement en train de
prendre le thé avec Ariel.
Bien que je ne sache pas exactement pourquoi Ariel est si
déterminée à conquérir le trône,
avoir un objectif, c'est bien.
Je la soutiendrai en coulisses.
Puisque Sylphy est son amie.
Bien que leurs positions puissent différer, l'égalité n'existe
pas. On n'y peut rien.
Puisque Sylphy et Ariel se considèrent comme amies, elles
le sont.
Oh, je devrais vraiment prêter attention aux leçons
maintenant.
« Alors, tout d'abord, juste pour être sûr, qu'est-ce que la
magie d'invocation ?»

Sylvaril du Vide commence la leçon par une question.

« Personne là-bas… »
« Cliff. Grimoire de Cliff.»
« Alors, Cliff, réponds. Qu'est-ce que l'invocation ?»
La magie d'invocation se décline en deux types.
Le type Enchantement.
Il s'agit principalement de la création d'outils magiques.
En d'autres termes, de l'art de dessiner des cercles
magiques.
C'est la spécialisation de Cliff et elle est activement
enseignée à la Sharia de Magic City.
Le type Invocation.
Un moyen d'invoquer quelque chose de ce monde. Des
créatures les plus élémentaires aux animaux plus
intelligents comme les chats et les chiens.
Des créatures magiques domestiquées et dociles.
Des créatures magiques à faible intelligence comme les
gobelins et les tréants.
Ou invoquer les différents esprits qui peuplent ce monde.
Aucun des professeurs de la Sharia de la Cité Magique ne
connaît cette magie, et seuls quelques initiés de la Guilde
Magique la maîtrisent.
Peut-être qu'un pays inconnu a monopolisé ces techniques.
En fait, personne ne l'enseigne à la Cité Magique.
C'est tout ce que j'en sais.
Cliff est probablement le même et a donné une réponse
similaire.
"... C'est incorrect."
À cela, Sylvaril secoue la tête en signe de réfutation.
"En effet, les cercles magiques sont indispensables à la
magie d'invocation. Mais l'art des cercles magiques lui-
même ne peut pas être qualifié à proprement parler de
magie d'invocation."
"En d'autres termes, la magie d'invocation est la deuxième
des deux sortes ?"
Je demande confirmation.
Cela me rappelle quand Roxy m'a appris la magie.
« Oui. Il est vrai que l'invocation existe en deux types.»
« En fait, l'Enchantement n'en fait pas partie.»
« C'est exact.»
Sylvaril poursuit son cours.
Mais il n'y a ni matériel pédagogique, ni tableau noir.
Nous utilisons des stylos à plume pour prendre des notes.
On dirait vraiment un cours magistral.
« L'invocation existe sous deux formes : « l'invocation de
bêtes magiques » et « l'invocation d'esprits ».
Les esprits existent quelque part dans ce monde, mais ils
semblent rares.
Je n'ai jamais vu que l'Esprit de Lumière dans mon
parchemin magique.
« Quelle est la différence entre les deux ? »
« L'invocation de bêtes magiques est exactement ce que
vous pensez : elle peut invoquer des créatures de divers
endroits. Mais selon une ancienne alliance, l'homme ne
peut être invoqué. » De plus, il peut invoquer n'importe
quel être vivant de ce monde.

Tous les êtres vivants.

Même les dragons ?

« Ancienne Alliance ? »

« Une alliance transmise depuis la fondation de la magie

d'invocation dans ce monde. Aucune magie ne peut la
défier. »

« Je vois. »

L'homme ne le peut pas.

... Mais est-ce vraiment impossible ?

Téléporter des gens et les invoquer, quelle est la

différence ?

Euh, eh bien. Concentrons-nous sur les bases pour l'instant.

Une fois que nous y serons, je poserai la question

correctement.

« Désolé, veuillez continuer. »

« D'accord. Avec l'Invocation de Bêtes Magiques, il est

impossible d'invoquer une existence dotée d'un pouvoir
magique supérieur. Même si c'est fait, on ne peut pas le
contrôler.
Ah, j'ai déjà lu une histoire comme celle-ci.
Le livre s'appelait [Les Techniques d'Invocation de Shigu].
Une sorcière nommée Shigu a invoqué une existence
qu'elle ne pouvait pas contrôler et a été dévorée vivante.
J'ai assez de magie pour probablement invoquer n'importe
quoi, mais cela ne veut pas dire que je dois aller jusqu'au
bout.
En fait, je n'ai pas l'intention d'invoquer quelque chose
d'aussi effrayant.
En gros, j'ai déjà trois animaux de compagnie à la maison.
Inutile d'en appeler un autre.
« Dites, on ne peut invoquer que des êtres vivants ? »
« Oui. On ne peut pas invoquer les morts. »
« Non, pas ça. Comme des choses… Par exemple, puis-je
invoquer des vêtements de chez moi ?

« C’est impossible. »

En d’autres termes, la culotte de Roxy est hors de question.

Non, attendez.

Nanahoshi a réussi à invoquer une bouteille en PET.

Ce n’est donc pas impossible.

C’est plutôt la limite de la technologie actuelle de ce

monde.

Puis Perugius a rencontré Nanahoshi et a confirmé ses

résultats.

C’est pourquoi Perugius et Nanahoshi ont fini par travailler

ensemble.

« Puis-je continuer ? »

« Ah oui. Désolé pour l’interruption.»

« Non, les questions montrent que vous êtes attentif. »

Sylvaril hoche lentement la tête et poursuit son cours.

« L’invocation d’esprits… est la magie de la construction

d’esprits. »

« Construire ? Donc ils sont fabriqués ?»

« Oui. Utiliser la magie de l’invocateur pour construire des

esprits aux attributs variés. C'est l'invocation d'esprit.
Oh.
En d'autres termes, ces parchemins que j'utilise.
Quand je les invoque, je crée vraiment l'Esprit de Lumière
moi-même ?
« Les esprits ont une faible intelligence. Ils obéiront à tous
les ordres de l'invocateur
jusqu'à épuisement de leur magie.»
« Peuvent-ils refuser n'importe quel ordre ?»
« … Si le cercle magique a été spécialement conçu de cette
façon, c'est peut-être
possible.»
Ohh.
Faites-le vous-même, et vous pourrez en faire ce que vous
voulez.

C'est presque de la programmation.

Hein ?
En gros, de la programmation, où ai-je déjà entendu ça ?
« Ça n'a aucun sens.»
Cliff semble insatisfait.
« Vous êtes des Familiers de Perugiussama, et il vous a
invoqués il y a plus de 400 ans, n'est-ce pas ? Pourtant,
vous êtes à la fois intelligents et permanents. N'est-ce pas
étrange ? » Oh, comme on pouvait s'y attendre de la part
de Cliff, qui en arrive au cœur du sujet.

Sylvaril hoche la tête avec satisfaction.

« À ce propos, permettez-moi de vous expliquer. Le

prédécesseur de Perugiussama, le Dragonsama en Armure
originel, a laissé derrière lui la méthode permettant
d'invoquer 11 esprits anciens, à la fois très intelligents et
puissants. Mais ces esprits puissants ne duraient qu'une
journée. C'est Perugiussama qui a développé un moyen de
leur permettre d'exister aussi longtemps qu'il vit.»

On dirait qu'elle en est fière.

Des familiers de tous les jours devenus des familiers

perpétuels.

Un mouvement perpétuel, quel que soit le monde, c'est un

exploit incroyable.

Hein ?

11 esprits anciens ?
« Tu ne veux pas dire 12 ? »

« C'est vrai. Je ne suis pas un esprit de Perugiussama. »

« Tu ne l'es pas ?» « C'est vrai. Perugiussama m'a sauvé

pendant la campagne de Laplace. Depuis, je l'ai toujours
servi. Je suis simplement une Race Céleste. »

Race Céleste.

Eh bien, c'est logique, elle a des ailes après tout.

Comparée au reste de ses subordonnés, elle ressemble

davantage à sa confidente.

En fait, son amante… Non, c'est impossible.

Toutes les relations ne sont pas basées sur l'amour.

« Alors, laquelle allons-nous étudier ? »

« Nous utiliserons l'Invocation de Bêtes Magiques comme

base, mais Perugiussama

pense que l'invocation de l'autre monde est plus proche de

l'Invocation d'Esprits,
donc nous y reviendrons aussi. »

Enseigner les deux types ?

J'ai hâte.

Invoquer des bêtes magiques du monde entier et ouvrir un

zoo pourrait être amusant.

« Alors, si possible, enseignez-nous aussi l'Invocation

d'Esprits en détail. »
« Je suis aussi très intéressé par l'Invocation Spirituelle.»
Zanoba et Cliff semblent tous deux particulièrement
intéressés par l'Invocation Spirituelle.
Ah, c'est vrai. Je comprends.
La programmation.
Le cœur de la poupée autonome.
Quand je l'ai vu à l'époque, j'ai pensé que ça ressemblait à
de la programmation.
En d'autres termes, avec l'Invocation Spirituelle, il serait
peut-être possible de terminer la
poupée.
Mais j'imagine que si le Roi Dragon Fou Chaos l'avait
laissée inachevée, ça ne serait pas si simple…
Mais nous devrions au moins pouvoir faire un pas de plus.
Mais je ne sais pas précisément par où commencer pour
appliquer ces
connaissances.
« Eh bien, commençons par les bases de l'Invocation de
Bêtes Magiques. Jetez d'abord un œil à ce
cercle magique. »
Pendant que je réfléchissais, Sylvaril commença son cours
sur l'invocation de base. J'aurais vraiment dû étudier les
bases par moi-même plutôt que de demander de l'aide.
Bon, c'est un peu tard pour ça.
Mieux vaut maintenant que jamais.
Finalement, je n'ai que 18 ans.
Comparé à Zanoba.
Qui a déjà 25 ou 26 ans au moment de son inscription, et
qui passe pourtant ses journées à fabriquer des poupées.
Je dois suivre son exemple.
Bref, pour l'instant, je suis vraiment en retard sur tout le
monde.
Après le cours, je dois travailler seul.
« Au fait, tout le monde, il est bientôt l'heure du déjeuner.
N'hésitez pas à me demander si vous souhaitez quelque
chose en particulier. »
Sur ce, Sylvaril termine le cours.

Partie 4
Déjeuner.
Hier soir, divers plats traditionnels du Royaume d'Asura ont
été préparés.
Boulettes de viande et pommes de terre bouillies dans une
soupe à la vanille.
Pain de blé complet.
En gros, c'est la même chose que dans la Cité Magique.
Cela peut paraître un peu miteux pour ce château, mais
c'est simple et délicieux.
Cela peut nous sembler de la cuisine traditionnelle, mais
pour Perugius, c'est ce qu'il considère comme un repas
typique du Royaume Asura.
Cuisine d'il y a 400 ans.
On dit que la technologie progresse en temps de guerre, et
la nourriture en temps de paix.
La culture culinaire du Royaume Asura a probablement
beaucoup évolué après
400 ans.
Bien que les repas aient été servis individuellement, je suis
quand même allé manger avec Sylphy.
Quelque soit le luxe de la chambre, manger seul est une
expérience solitaire.
Je n'y aurais jamais pensé dans ma vie passée.
J'ai pris mon petit-déjeuner seul, mais c'est inévitable.
« Quelque chose de Milis ?»
« Ah, je veux de la nourriture de Shirone.»
Cliff et Zanoba ont tous deux suggéré de la nourriture de
chez eux.
Ils ont probablement un peu le mal du pays.
« Je peux le faire. C'est très bien. »

Derrière son masque, la voix de Sylvaril résonne

doucement et accepte leurs demandes. « Tout va bien.»
répond Nanahoshi. Ne réalise-t-elle pas l'opportunité que
cela représente ? Je ne suis pas homme à laisser passer
une telle opportunité. [Saisir au maximum cette
opportunité.] L'homme connu sous le nom de Comète
Rouge a dit un jour : « Du riz blanc vinaigré avec des
tranches de poisson cru dessus, vous connaissez ce plat ?»
« Hein ? Sérieux ?» En m'entendant, Nanahoshi s'illumine
soudain. Mais Sylvaril secoue la tête. « Non, je ne le fais
pas, mais je prépare souvent du riz.» Nanahoshi a l'air
déçue. Mais maintenant, je suis excitée. Tant qu'on a du riz,
n'importe quel accompagnement fera l'affaire. « Et si on
ajoutait un œuf de poule et de la farine dans de l'eau
froide, bien mélangée ; on ajoutait
[3]
les crevettes, les calamars et les légumes, puis on faisait
bouillir le tout dans de l'huile chaude ?»
« Je n'en avais jamais entendu parler non plus, mais on a
de la farine et des œufs… »
On a des œufs !
Autrement dit, je peux enfin manger ça !
Bon, pas de sushis ni de tempuras.
Et puis probablement pas de sukiyaki non plus.

[4]
Il nous faut du vin de cuisine, du sucre candi et de la sauce
soja pour ça.
Ce ne sera pas du vrai, mais avec les ingrédients, je pense
qu'on peut trouver
quelque chose de proche…
Donc, tout se résume à la sauce soja.
Le goût du Japon dont j'ai envie se résume à la sauce soja.
« Alors, une sauce à base de soja fermenté. Ça existe ? De
la sauce soja,
quelque chose comme ça ?»
« Pas au château.»
Pfff, rien.
Effectivement, dans ce monde, pas de sauce soja.
« Mais j'ai entendu dire que ce genre d'assaisonnement
existe au royaume de Biheiriru. Je peux
demander à Arumanfi de vérifier.»
« Oui ! S'il vous plaît !»
Même déranger Arumanfi, ça ne pose pas de problème.
Si on peut le trouver, alors il doit le trouver.

[5]
Partie 5
Une heure plus tard.
Finalement, pas de sauce soja.
Une heure n'était peut-être pas suffisante pour une
recherche approfondie.
Il fallait s'y attendre, chercher les ingrédients juste avant
de commencer la cuisson.
Pas de sauce soja.
Mais…
Au moins…
Arumanfi a apporté autre chose.
Fermé à partir de graines de soja, un aliment couleur thé.
On l'appelle « tofu » dans ce monde.
Mais moi, je l'appelle « miso ».
Parce que c'est ça. Le royaume de Biheiriru... de mémoire,
c'est un pays situé à l'extrémité nord-est du continent
central.
Peut-être que là-bas, je pourrai enfin trouver de la sauce
soja.
Je devrais y aller un jour.
Dix ans, vingt ans, si l'occasion se présente, j'irai
certainement là-bas.
Je laisse ça de côté pour l'instant.
Nous avons du riz.
Nous avons du miso.
Nous avons même du poisson frais.

Pas de gingembre ni de radis, mais il y a du citron.

Je veux aussi des cornichons, mais je risque de pousser ma
chance. Alors il faudra passer mon tour.
Avec les ingrédients que nous avons, j'essaie de donner des
instructions à Sylvaril du mieux que je peux.
« C'est comme ça que tu le veux ?»
Au bout d'un moment, il arrive enfin.
Du riz fraîchement cuit.
Soupe de Saint-Jacques miso chaude.
Et du poisson grillé aux citrons.
Commande pour deux. L'autre est pour Nanahoshi.
Et j'ai pris un œuf cru à côté.
« C'est agréable de manger quelque chose comme ça de
temps en temps.»
« … Enfin, je suppose.»
Les plats ont l'air fantastiques, mais Nanahoshi n'a pas l'air
particulièrement ravie.
Comme prévu, ressembler à de la nourriture japonaise ne
l'impressionnera pas.
Ah, tant pis.
Quoi qu'il en soit, ce ne sera pas aussi bon que le goût du
Japon.
Mais c'est plutôt amusant à essayer.
« Essayez. Itadakimasu.»
« …Itadakimasu.»
Nanahoshi fronce les sourcils et commence à manger avec
une cuillère et une fourchette.
On dirait qu'elle n'apprécie pas.

Elle épluche du poisson avec une fourchette, presse un peu

de jus de citron dessus et
le met dans sa bouche.
Elle mange ensuite du riz avec sa cuillère et commence à
mâcher. Et prend une gorgée de soupe miso directement
dans son bol en porcelaine.

Et elle finit par dire :

« Cette soupe ne contient même pas de dashi… »

Des larmes coulent de ses yeux.

Elle ne cesse de pleurer en mangeant.

Pour être honnête, la nourriture n’a pas particulièrement
bon goût.

Le riz est sec et la soupe un peu salée.

Le poisson est délicieux, mais un peu poissonneux, et le

citron ne s’accorde pas bien.

L’équilibre est rompu.

Pas vraiment savoureux.

La cuisine japonaise dont nous nous souvenons est bien

meilleure que celle-ci.

Mais les mains de Nanahoshi continuent de bouger et ses

larmes coulent sans cesse.

Elle mange tranquillement et finit bientôt.

« … Merci pour le repas.»

Sur ce, je suis satisfait.

Part 6
Après le cours de l'après-midi, je retourne dans ma
chambre.
Le cours de Magie d'Invocation est plutôt intéressant.
Sylvaril est plutôt un bon professeur.
Aujourd'hui, elle n'a rien appris de particulier, mais je
risque de prendre du retard
très bientôt.
Il faut que je révise tant que je peux encore.
Tu sais, je me demande combien de temps ces leçons vont
durer.
À ce rythme-là, peut-être une semaine ?
Bien qu'à l'école, seule la présence de la classe soit
obligatoire, et le reste du temps libre, je ne veux pas rester
loin de chez moi trop longtemps.
Je m'inquiète pour Lucy et pour Zenith.
Bon, je devrais me concentrer sur ce qui m'attend.
Tout ce que nous pouvons faire pour Zenith pour l'instant,
c'est l'observer, et Aisha s'occupe de
Lucy.
Ce que je dois faire maintenant, c'est réviser et préparer
les leçons d'Invocation. Toc toc.*
Juste au moment où je m'assois sur un canapé et sors mon
carnet, quelqu'un frappe à la porte.

« Rudi, tu es là ?»

Sylphy entre sans attendre ma réponse.

Après m'avoir repérée, elle entre et s'assoit à côté de moi.

Puis, elle soupire.

Je sors un pichet et lui verse un verre d'eau.

« Fatiguée ?»

« Merci.»

Prenant le verre, Sylphy le vide d'un trait.

« Ouf.»

Elle a l'air épuisée.

« Comment c'était ? Du côté d'Arielsama ? »

« Beurk. Eh bien, ça a été dur.»

« Vraiment ?»

« Perugiussama n'apprécie pas vraiment ce qu'Arielsama

dit. » Pour tenter d'attirer Perugius dans son camp, Ariel a
suggéré diverses
incitations pour l'aider.
Comme lui offrir un titre une fois reine.
Ou un territoire du royaume d'Asura.
Ou lui proposer diverses concessions commerciales.
Bien sûr, pour Perugius, ces choses sont derrière lui depuis
longtemps.
« Eh bien, bien sûr.»
« Vraiment ?»
« Perugiussama ne vit-il pas ici précisément pour échapper
à ces choses ? Pas seulement par désintérêt, il les déteste
probablement vraiment. »
« Hein ? Je croyais qu'il avait dit qu'il vivait ici pour être
toujours prêt pour Laplace.»
Sylphy semble perplexe.
Est-ce que Perugius a dit ça ?
Eh bien, c'est peut-être une des raisons. De plus, s'il veut
vraiment le pouvoir, il pourrait l'obtenir tout seul. Après
tout, il reste le héros de la campagne de Laplace. Sylvaril
n'a-t-il pas dit qu'il détestait le côté démodé d'Asura ? Lui
offrir ce genre de choses ne ferait que l'agacer. S'il le
souhaite, il peut probablement partir à tout moment.
Pourtant, il vit reclus. Bien que je ne connaisse pas les
détails, il y a probablement des raisons à cela. « Vraiment ?
Je suppose. Arielsama est vraiment inquiète à ce sujet… Eh,
Rudi, que penses-tu qu'elle devrait faire ?» « Que faire… »
« Je ne suis pas doué pour ce genre de choses. Mais je
pense qu'Ariel a mal commencé. Normalement, on n'essaie
pas d'abord de faire connaissance ? Les demandes peuvent
venir après. Si l'autre partie se sent gênée, on peut lui
proposer diverses concessions. Chaque chose, une étape à
la fois.
Ariel a du charisme.
C'est peut-être pour ça qu'elle a toujours réussi à
convaincre les autres de soutenir sa cause, sans même
faire le premier pas.
Alors, quand elle rencontre quelqu'un qui ne se laisse pas
intimider par son charisme, elle se retrouve coincée.
Nanahoshi, Perugius, tous les deux sont comme ça.
Et moi aussi, je suppose.
J'aiderais bien pour Sylphy, mais pour Ariel, je m'en fiche.
« D'abord, pourquoi ne pas se lier d'amitié avec
Perugiussama ?»

« Se lier d'amitié ?»

« D'accord, parler de ses loisirs, écouter ses histoires de

guerre, ce genre de choses.»

« Des loisirs et des histoires de guerre.»

« Amener Zanoba serait une bonne idée. Parmi nous, il

semble qu'il apprécie
ce type.»
Zanoba et Perugius mènent la conversation, et Ariel peut se
joindre à eux.
Cela pourrait peut-être donner des résultats.
"Oh. C'est logique. Je vais dire à Arielsama d'essayer."
"Ne le prends pas trop au sérieux ? Je peux me tromper
complètement."
"Haha, merci pour le conseil."
Sylphy termine par un bisou sur mes joues.
En sentant ses lèvres souples, ma décision d'étudier s'est
envolée, des pensées perverses ont envahi mon esprit.
Attrape Sylphy ici, et faisons un deuxième bébé sur ce lit...
Ces pensées me traversent l'esprit.
Non, non.
Je ne peux pas être aussi impulsive maintenant.
J'ai besoin d'étudier !
D'accord, et si on lui caressait un peu les fesses ? Non,
mieux vaut pas.
"Dis, comment ça va de ton côté ?"
"Oh. C'est comme ça."
Le génie H scellé, je parle des événements d'aujourd'hui.
Zénith et sa malédiction.

Magie d'invocation.
Et aussi le repas avec Nanahoshi.
« … Rudi est si gentil avec Nanahoshi. »
Sylphy a l'air un peu mécontente quand je mentionne
Nanahoshi.
Alors manger seule avec une autre femme, ce n'est pas
bien ?
Eh bien, Zanoba était là aussi.
Je n'aurais peut-être pas dû préparer quelque chose de
spécial pour Nanahoshi.
Pas bien, il faut que je fasse quelque chose pour rendre
Sylphy heureuse.
Sylphy a besoin qu'on lui rappelle que celle que j'aime n'est
pas Nanahoshi, c'est elle.
« Euh, Sylphiettesan ?»
« Oui ?»
« Puis-je avoir un câlin ?»
En entendant cela, Sylphy gonfle les joues et tourne la tête.
« Oh, tu fais le gentil tout d'un coup ? Qu'est-ce qui ne va
pas ? Tu te sens coupable ?»
Hein, hein ?
Pourquoi Sylphy a-t-elle si froid aujourd'hui ?
Que s'est-il passé ?
Est-elle en colère ?
Ai-je dit quelque chose de mal ?
Épuisement ?
Nous sommes mariés depuis presque 3 ans maintenant.
La démangeaison des 3 ans ?
Non, peu importe le nombre d'années.

Que dois-je faire maintenant ?

Danger, danger.

« Euh, désolé. Tu as toujours l'air si excitée quand

Nanahoshi arrive, alors gâte-moi un peu.»

Sylphy me tire la langue et me serre fort dans ses bras.

Je lui rends son étreinte.

C'est si chaud et si doux.

On dirait Sylphy.

Honnêtement, j'ai peut-être fait quelque chose qui a déplu

à Sylphy.

Mais je ne veux pas qu'elle me déteste.

Je dois être plus prudente à l'avenir.

« Si Rudi veut vraiment faire de Nanahoshisan sa troisième

femme, s'il te plaît, ne le dis pas comme ça, comme Roxy.
On peut en parler d'abord ? » « Non, ça n'arrivera pas. Ma
relation avec elle n'est pas comme celle de Roxy et Sylphy.
C'est juste que je sais un peu d'où elle vient, alors je veux
lui donner un coup de main.
Il n'y a rien entre nous… »
« Ah bon ? »
Sylphy me donne une tape sur la tête en souriant.
Puis elle me tapote le dos avant de sortir.
« Bon, je dois retourner voir Arielsama. Fais de ton mieux,
Rudi. »
« Ah, d'accord. Toi aussi, Sylphy. »
Pas bien.
J'étais sérieux, mais sans m'en rendre compte, Sylphy était
mécontente.
C'est mauvais.

C'est très mauvais.

Je dois garder mes distances avec Nanahoshi.
Je ne peux pas faire grand-chose pour lui faire plaisir.
D'accord.
« Hein ? »
Ouverture de la porte en sortant, Sylphy s'arrête
soudainement en plein milieu. Nanahoshi est juste dehors.
« Désolée, je ne voulais pas vous déranger, mais… Toux…
Toux… »
Nanahoshi toussait bruyamment.
Se tenant la poitrine et le cou, elle semblait souffrir
terriblement.
« Désolée. J'ai entendu votre conversation par hasard.
Toux… Je n'ai pas l'intention d'avoir ce genre de relation
avec Rudeus, alors soyez rassurée… Toux… »
« Ah, oh. C'est bon. Plus important encore, vous vous
sentez bien ?»
« C'est fi… toux, toux.»
Je n'avais jamais vu Nanahoshi dans un état aussi critique.
Comme si quelque chose lui était coincé dans la gorge, elle
n'arrête pas de tousser. C'est inquiétant. » « Un peu, tout à
l'heure, j'ai commencé à avoir une très mauvaise toux…
toux… toux… Alors, je cherchais quelqu'un pour me lancer
un sort de détoxification. Je suis allée chez Cliff, mais ils
sont… occupés. Je suis donc venue trouver Rudeus… Mais
si ça peut causer un malentendu, je le garderai et
j'attendrai Cliff demain. »

« Non, ça va. Ne t'inquiète pas pour ça… »

Sylphy saisit précipitamment Nanahoshi par les épaules.

« Alors, laisse-moi m'en occuper. Si ça ne marche pas, on

peut demander à Cliff de lancer un sort avancé ?»

« Merci beaucoup, s'il te plaît… »

« D'accord, commençons par le commencement.»

Sylphy pose doucement une main sur le cou de Nanahoshi.

Elle peut aussi utiliser une magie de détoxification par

invocation silencieuse.

Quelque chose qui me dépasse. Non, je devrais avoir ce

potentiel aussi.
« Hein ? »
En pensant à cela, Sylphy semble perplexe et confuse.
L'instant d'après, la toux de Nanahoshi s'intensifie
soudainement.
« Toux… Toux… »
« Hein ? C'est… vraiment bizarre ? Magique… Hein ? »
Sylphy penche la tête et pose son autre main sur l'épaule
de Nanahoshi.
Instantanément, la toux de Nanahoshi s'aggrave encore. La
situation est critique.
« Hé, qu'est-ce qui ne va pas ? »
Anxieuse, je demande.
Nanahoshi se couvre la bouche.
« Beurk… toux ! »
Pfff.
« Hein ? »
Du sang éclabousse le sol.
« Hé, hé ! »
«… »
Nanahoshi paraît stupéfaite par sa main.
Puis elle ouvre lentement sa paume et nous la montre.

Sa paume est rouge de sang. Immédiatement, Nanahoshi

perdit connaissance et s'effondra au sol.
« Hein ? Pourquoi ?»
Je ne suis pas la seule sous le choc.
Sylphy reste abasourdie, incapable de comprendre ce qui
s'est passé.
« Tout à l'heure, j'ai senti, en Nanahoshi… Pourquoi ?
Hein ? »
Son visage et sa main étaient éclaboussés de sang,
regardant Nanahoshi au sol.
Son visage était pâle.
Je me précipite à ses côtés.
« SYLPHY »
je crie d'une voix rauque.
Sylphy tremble de tout son corps. La peur dans ses yeux,
elle recule de plusieurs pas.
« Non ! Ce n'était pas moi ! Je n'ai rien fait.»
Sylphy s'est retirée dans un coin.
Je la suis silencieusement.
Dos au mur, réalisant qu'elle n'a nulle part où aller, elle ne
peut que fermer les yeux. « J'ai peut-être dit ça, mais je
plaisantais… Quelque chose comme ça… Je ne ferais jamais
une chose pareille ! » Je sors un mouchoir, le trempe dans
de l'eau (chauffée par magie) et commence à essuyer le
sang du visage de Sylphy. « Hein ? » Puis j'essuie le sang
sur sa main. Le sang d'un patient est un véritable trésor
d'agents pathogènes. Je ne pense pas que le simple fait
d'essuyer suffirait, mais laisser le sang là ne suffira
probablement pas. Sylphy n'oppose aucune résistance. «
Ne t'inquiète pas, Sylphy. Je regardais. Ce n'est pas sa
faute. »

« Oh, oh. » Je suis très calme pour l'instant. Voir Sylphy

paniquée m'a en quelque sorte calmé.
Peut-être que ça ne s'est pas installé.
Pour l'instant, reste calme.
« C'est bon. Ce n'est pas la faute de Sylphy. Nanahoshi est
faible ces derniers temps. Pas vrai ?»
« Euh… »
« Cette fois, tu as juste eu un mauvais timing. Tu l'as
surprise au pire. Ce n'est pas la faute de Sylphy.»
« … Euh, euh, mais, tout à l'heure, j'ai senti, en utilisant la
magie, sur Nanahoshi, quelque chose d'étrange, la
désintoxication,
ne pas fonctionner du tout… Pas seulement ça… ça a
gonflé… »
Nanahoshi était au sol, du sang jaillissant de son nez et de
son visage.
Inconsciente.
Situation critique.
Sylphy est toujours dans un état lamentable.
Mieux vaut la calmer d'abord.
Non, mieux vaut l'occuper.
La meilleure chose à faire pour empêcher quelqu'un de
paniquer, c'est de lui donner un objectif.
« Écoute bien, Sylphy. Cliff, Perugiussama, allez trouver
quelqu'un et appelez-le. »
« Appeler ? »
« Je vais examiner l'état de Nanahoshi et faire ce que je
peux. En attendant,
Sylphy, va chercher de l'aide. Peux-tu le faire ? »
« Je peux. »

Le regard de Sylphy se concentre à nouveau.

Puis, elle se dirige vers la porte et se précipite dehors.
Même si elle a vécu beaucoup de choses dans sa vie, voir
autant de sang de si près doit quand même être un choc.
Surtout venant de quelqu'un qu'elle connaît.
Même si elle est jalouse, Sylphy ne ferait jamais une chose
pareille.
Mais Sylphy peut être impulsive parfois…
Non, non.
C'est impossible. Définitivement impossible.
« D'accord. »
M'empêchant de trop réfléchir, je me tourne vers
Nanahoshi. Même si je ne peux pas faire grand chose ici, je
ferai ce que je peux..

Notes
1. Char Aznable, Mobile Suit Gundam Z reference.
2. Here comes Suuuuuuuushi~ It is true, Shizuka is not a glutton and let slip
too many
chance to have Japanese foods. Well, fake and miscooked Japanese dishes, but
beggars
can't be choosers. Tsk!
3. Is that Okonomiyaki? That socalled Japanese pizza, but actually a distinctive
food in
its own right? [Link]
4. Yeah, that! The japanese food of raw egg over rice. [Link]
[Link]/project/[Link]?title=Mushoku_Tensei:Web_Chapter_52#Part_2 .
5. ビヘイリル王国
6. Dashi is cooking broth, a basis of Japanese food, made from kelp and fish, as
well as
mushroom. [Link] . It brings a subtle flavour distintive
of
Japanese cuisine. Vietnam food also has its type of cooking broth, mostly
based on
boiling bones, like that but it's not widespread as Japanese dashi. A soup
without

cooking broth would be flat and tasteless.

Chapter 147 Lamentation
Part 1
Trois jours après le malaise de Nanahoshi, Nanahoshi n'a
toujours pas repris connaissance. La raison de ses
vomissements de sang est inconnue. Après que Sylphy soit
allée chercher de l'aide, Arumanfi est rapidement arrivé et
a emmené Nanahoshi à l'infirmerie. Pendant ce temps, j'ai
fait le tour du groupe pour rassembler les membres et les
informer de la situation. Nanahoshi n'allait pas bien. En lui
lançant un sort de détoxification, elle a vomi du sang et
s'est évanouie. Elle est actuellement à l'infirmerie et reçoit
des soins. En vérité, tout s'est passé si soudainement que
je n'en connais pas les détails. Bien que troublée, tout le
monde accepte la situation. Nanahoshi est actuellement
soignée par Yuruzu de l'Expiation. Yuruzu de l'Expiation a le
pouvoir de guérir. Il est capable de transférer la santé et la
vitalité d'une personne à une autre. Parce que son principe
est différent de celui de la magie de détoxification, il
semble fonctionner pour les maladies incurables par
détoxification...
Cependant, son pouvoir ne fonctionne pas tout seul et
nécessite la coopération d'une autre personne.
Sylphy propose son aide sans hésitation.
Sylphy s'allonge à côté de Nanahoshi et le traitement
commence.
Mais Nanahoshi n'a pas encore repris conscience, l'air
sombre, la toux constante.
« Karowante, comment va-t-elle ?»
Voyant Nanahoshi dans cet état, Perugius ordonne à un
autre subalterne de faire un diagnostic.
Karowante de la Perspicacité.
Il a le pouvoir de découvrir le pouvoir et les secrets d'une
cible.
Pour les malades, aussi leur état.
Comme la vision aux rayons X.
Il secoue la tête après avoir observé Nanahoshi.
« Cela dépasse les capacités de Yuruzu.»
« Fais des recherches à la bibliothèque. »
« Oui. »
Cela dit, Perugius et ses subordonnés commencent à
rechercher le nom et le remède de la maladie de
Nanahoshi.
Ils essaient de faire correspondre les symptômes de
Nanahoshi aux archives de la bibliothèque.
J'ai proposé de donner un coup de main, mais j'ai essuyé un
refus. Les personnes extérieures ne peuvent pas entrer
dans la bibliothèque.
Bien sûr, Yuruzu continue de lui administrer le traitement,
donc Sylphy n'a jamais quitté l'infirmerie.
Au final, je n'ai rien à faire.
Bien sûr, je ne suis pas resté les bras croisés pendant trois
jours.
Je suis rentré chez moi une fois pour informer Roxy de la
situation.
Nanahoshi est tombée malade et Sylphy l'aide à le soigner.
Il faudra donc peut-être un certain temps avant notre
retour.
Roxy commence à agir immédiatement avec cette
information.
Elle nous aide à contacter l'école et à demander un congé,
tout en expliquant la situation à la famille.
Puis, elle m'a dit de lui laisser la maison. Elle est bien plus
calme que moi. Elle s'est habituée à ce genre de situations.
Finalement, je n'ai rien pu faire. Tout a été réglé. J'ai
prévenu Aisha et Norn que je rentrerais tard, j'ai pris des
vêtements de rechange et je suis retourné au Château
Céleste. Même à la maison, je n'ai rien à faire. Je ne peux
que prier pour que Nanahoshi reste en sécurité. « …
Nanahoshi, va-t-elle se rétablir ? » Les autres, comme moi,
ne peuvent rien faire. Surtout Cliff. Il passe son temps à
prier dans une chapelle du château. « Tout est entre les
mains de Milissama. » dit Cliff, les mains jointes et les yeux
fermés. Prier Dieu dans les moments de crise. Je n'ai jamais
vraiment cru à ces trucs religieux. Dans ce monde, je crois
en ceux qui ont vraiment tendu la main. Mais même moi, je
comprends qu'en ce moment, prier Roxy et Sylphy
n'apporte aucun réconfort.

«…»

Soudain, je me souviens d'un film que j'ai vu un jour.

Un chef-d'œuvre d'invasion extraterrestre.

Les extraterrestres, avec leur technologie surpuissante, ont

presque anéanti l'humanité.

Pourtant, à la fin, toutes leurs machines cessent

soudainement de fonctionner.

Les extraterrestres n'ont aucune immunité contre les

agents pathogènes terrestres et ont tous péri.

[1]

Nanahoshi venait d'un autre monde.

Elle est différente de moi, qui suis réincarnée.

Elle ne vieillit pas, n'a pas de magie et ne peut donc utiliser

aucun

[2]
outil magique.

Peut-être, pas seulement la magie, n'a-t-elle pas non plus

d'immunité.

Mais si c'était le cas, alors elle aurait dû tomber malade

depuis longtemps.

L'événement de métastase s'est produit il y a 8 ans.

Nanahoshi est également venue dans ce monde il y a 8

ans. Il n'y a aucune raison pour que cela arrive maintenant.
"..."
Cette fille.
Va-t-elle vraiment mourir... ?
Pourquoi est-ce arrivé ?

Partie 2
4 jours après l'évanouissement de Nanahoshi.
Nous sommes convoqués à une table ronde.
Outre Yuruzu, tous les autres Familiers sont présents.
Perugius est assis devant eux.
Il s'est assis sur une chaise luxueusement grande, les
Familiers se tenant derrière.
"Asseyez-vous, s'il vous plaît."
Nous nous asseyons sur la suggestion de Sylvaril.
Sylphy est absente, elle aide Yuruzu avec son traitement, 7
personnes présentes en tout.
"Nanahoshisama a été diagnostiqué."
Une fois assis, Sylvaril s'avance et fait son rapport.
Nous savons enfin.
"Nanahoshisama souffre du syndrome de drainage."
Syndrome de drainage.
Je n'en avais jamais entendu parler.
En regardant autour de moi, personne d'autre n'en savait
rien non plus. Même quelqu'un d'aussi informé que Cliff n'a
rien trouvé.

[3]

« On s'attend à ce que personne n'en ait jamais entendu

parler. Une maladie qui remonte à des temps
immémoriaux, où les hommes possédaient bien moins de
pouvoirs magiques qu'aujourd'hui. Si un enfant naît sans
aucune capacité magique, sans exception, il présente des
symptômes similaires et meurt à l'âge de 10 ans. »
La même situation que Nanahoshi.

Bien qu'elle n'ait pas 10 ans, elle est dans ce monde depuis
plus de 8 ans maintenant.
Et elle n'a pas une once de magie…
Au moins, ce n'est pas la faute de Sylphy.
Dieu merci.
« D'après les archives, ceux qui n'ont pas de pouvoirs
magiques ont absorbé d'infimes quantités de magie
extérieure, et après 10 ans d'accumulation dans leur corps,
cela
devient une maladie… »
Sans magie, leur capacité à absorber la magie extérieure
est infime.
Je ne connais pas les détails, mais je suppose que la magie
est comme une bactérie, d'une certaine manière. Chez
ceux qui possèdent des pouvoirs magiques, les bonnes
bactéries tuent les mauvaises, mais chez ceux qui n'en ont
pas, seules les mauvaises bactéries s'accumulent.
Nous ne connaissons pas avec certitude la fiabilité des
archives.
Mais cela est tout à fait logique.
« Contient-elles un remède ?»
« Non. D'après les archives, cette maladie a été éradiquée
il y a environ 7 000 ans, après que l'humanité a accru ses
pouvoirs magiques.»
Il y a 7 000 ans, soit la première Grande Guerre Humano-
Démon.
Je me souviens avoir entendu dire que la guerre a fait rage
pendant près de mille ans.
Cette guerre a entraîné toutes sortes de progrès.
Par divers moyens, l'humanité s'est améliorée.
Un effet secondaire est l'éradication de cette maladie.
C'est également possible.
Disons, il y a 7 000 ans.
Il ne doit pas y avoir beaucoup de textes qui ont survécu à
un tel ravage du temps.

Trouver le nom de la maladie est déjà un miracle en soi. «

Alors, qu'est-ce qu'on fait ? »
« On arrête le temps. »
Ce n'est pas Sylvaril qui répond à ma question.
Mais plutôt Perugius, calmement assis.
« Empruntez le pouvoir de Sukeakoto du Temps et arrêtez
le temps pour Nanahoshi. »
Perugius déclare et un homme s'avance.
Il porte un masque avec la bouche en avant.
Un masque Hyottoko, plutôt, qui ressemble à un masque à
gaz.
Il est Sukeakoto du Temps.
D'après mes souvenirs, il a le pouvoir d'arrêter le temps
pour quiconque
touche.
Bien sûr, le temps s'arrête aussi pour lui. Mais grâce à ce
pouvoir, il peut
empêcher la maladie de Nanahoshi de s'aggraver ou de
mourir.
Mais qui sait combien de temps il pourra le maintenir, et
cela ne résoudra pas la racine du problème.
« Je vois, et après ? »
« Contacter les gens sur le terrain et trouver un remède. »
Oh.

[4]
Ça pourrait marcher.

Personne ne refuserait quelqu'un comme Perugius.

« Toutefois, la question est de savoir qui aiderait

Nanahoshi.»

« N'y a-t-il pas un moyen d'influencer le Dragon-sama en

Armure ?»

« Nanahoshi et moi n'avons qu'une relation de coopération.

Je ne lui devrai pas de faveurs.»

N'est-ce pas un peu froid ?

Néanmoins, je ne connais pas les détails exacts de leur

relation, je n'ai donc pas le droit de m'y opposer.

« Ne vous y trompez pas. En tant qu'invités de mon

château, je vous offrirai un minimum d'aide. Mais ne vous
attendez pas à tout. Mon but ultime est de trouver et de
détruire Laplace.»

En d'autres termes, en raison du travail d'observation de

Laplace, il ne fera pas plus que nécessaire pour aider.

Il ne devra pas non plus de faveurs aux autres. Les faveurs

demandent un retour.
Surtout pour la guérison d'une maladie éradiquée depuis
longtemps.
L'autre partie attendra certainement quelque chose de
grand en retour.
Perugius n'a aucune raison d'aller aussi loin pour
Nanahoshi.
Non, en fait, il a de nombreuses raisons de ne pas le faire.
Garder Nanahoshi en vie est le seul but qu'il ira.
Il refuse d'en faire plus. Si quelqu'un veut aider, libre à lui.
C'est le sens des mots de Perugius.
Cela devrait être vrai.
"... Alors tu vas juste regarder Nanahoshi mourir !?"
Celui qui a crié, c'est Cliff.
Il s'est levé en hurlant vers Perugius.
"Quand ai-je dit ça ?"
"Mensonges. Quelqu'un comme toi, dans un château aussi
impressionnant, avec autant de Familiers compétents ! Tu
peux certainement trouver un remède !"
En entendant Cliff, Perugius hausse un sourcil.
"Je n'ai aucune raison d'aider."
« Arrête de plaisanter ! Aider les faibles est le devoir des
forts ! »
« Pfff, ne nous impose pas ces détestables enseignements
de Milis. »
« Qu'as-tu dit ? »
Cliff s'emballe et lâche sans réfléchir.
C'est un adepte de Milis.
L'Église de Milis partage de nombreuses similitudes avec le
christianisme.
Il est possible qu'elle contienne aussi des leçons sur l'aide
aux brebis égarées, etc.
Mais dire cela à Perugius est inapproprié.
Perugius a ses propres préoccupations.
For 400 years, he only moved with one goal in mind.
Perugius souhaite en effet acquérir la connaissance de
l'invocation d'autres mondes grâce à Nanahoshi.
Mais c'est secondaire par rapport à Laplace.
Juste un moyen de faire passer le temps.
« En d'autres termes, tu regarderas Nanahoshi mourir ! Si
tu veux aider, aide jusqu'au bout.»
« Cliff, arrête !»
Cliff se lève en donnant un coup de pied dans sa chaise.
Elinalise lui crie dessus.
Elle pose une main lourde sur l'épaule de Cliff, l'empêchant
d'aller plus loin.
« Cliff, je comprends ce que tu ressens, mais contrôle-toi.»
«…»
« Je ne veux pas te perdre pour ça.»
Regardant autour de lui, les 11 Familiers sont en position
de combat.
Voyant Cliff se faire retenir, Perugius sourit d'un air
moqueur. « Si tu as un problème, pourquoi ne le fais-tu pas
toi-même ? Ton dieu l'a dit aussi. Quand tu aides les autres,
ne compte pas sur quelqu'un d'autre, n'est-ce pas ? »
« Grrr… »
L'air insatisfait, Cliff retomba sur sa chaise.
Il ne voulait pas se battre avec Perugius.
Il pensait juste que pour quelqu'un comme Perugius,
capable de presque tout, il devait pouvoir aider.
« Mmhm… »
Que faire ?
Je veux aider Nanahoshi.
Mais je ne sais même pas par où commencer ?
En regardant Ariel et les autres, ils semblent penser la
même chose.
Aisha et Nanahoshi se connaissent aussi, si Nanahoshi
mourait, elle serait bouleversée
aussi.
Et si elle mourait, Sylphy se sentirait responsable.
Que puis-je faire ?
Suis-je si impuissante ?
« Excusez-moi.»
À l'instant, la porte de la table ronde s'ouvre.
C'est Yuruzu de l'Expiation.

Elle parle face à nous.

« Nanahoshisama a repris connaissance.»
J'ai failli sursauter en entendant cela.
« Comment va-t-elle ?»
« En apparence, son état s'est un peu amélioré.»
« En apparence ?»
« En effet. Le syndrome de la doline est le résultat de
l'accumulation de magie dans le corps,
ce qui rend malade. Cette maladie n'a pas été guérie.»
À la façon dont elle le dit, on dirait le VIH.
Donc, toute cette toux est aussi un symptôme de sa
maladie.
En d'autres termes, bien que les symptômes superficiels
aient été guéris, la cause
reste.
« Alors, pouvez-vous lui retirer la magie ?»
« Je ne peux pas.»
« Alors, qui le pourrait ?»
Yuruzu secoue la tête à ma question.
« C'est vrai… »
N'y a-t-il aucun moyen de lui enlever la magie ?
Un outil magique, par exemple ?
7 000 ans plus tard, la technologie aurait dû bien
progresser dans ce domaine.
Mais que faire ?
La pierre absorbant la magie fonctionnerait-elle ?
Non, cela n'a aucun effet sur la magie corporelle.

J'ai le sentiment que c'est impossible.

Peut-être qu'on pourrait fabriquer un outil magique avec
cette propriété ?
Mais combien de temps cela prendra-t-il ?
Nous n'avons aucune piste.
Zut !
« En tout cas, on devrait aller voir Nanahoshi.»
Ceci dit, je me suis levé, tout le monde m'a suivi.
Partie 3
L'infirmerie est plutôt triste.
Le mobilier ne diffère pas beaucoup de celui des chambres
d'amis.
Mais les structures en pierre sont apparentes et les murs
manquent de fenêtres. Au centre de la pièce se trouve une
sorte de table d'opération, avec des couteaux et des
bandages dans les tiroirs.
"..."
Nanahoshi est dans un coin.
Les taches de sang ont disparu. Elle a revêtu une tenue de
type blouse d'hôpital.
Stérile, sans vie.
"Nanahoshi, ça va ?"
je demande. Nanahoshi me fusille du regard et dit.
"Est-ce que j'ai l'air d'aller bien ?"
"..."
Bien sûr que non.
Son visage est pâle, des cernes sous les yeux.
Tout le monde voit qu'elle ne va pas bien.
La capacité d'expiation est difficile, même pour le patient.
L'autre lit est vide.
Comme lors d'une rotation avec nous, Sylphy est partie
dans la chambre d'amis.
Je l'ai vue en entrant. Elle a l'air plutôt hagarde.
Pendant 4 jours, elle a participé au traitement. Même si je
doute qu'elle ait été sans nourriture ni eau, cela doit quand
même être dur pour son corps.
« On dit que je ne peux pas guérir.»
« Ah, oh.»
Je m'assois sur une chaise à côté d'elle.
On dirait que Mlle Yuruzu ne l'a pas tenue dans l'ignorance
de sa maladie.
« Non, tu iras mieux bientôt.»
« Je n'irai pas mieux.»
Cela dit, Nanahoshi se détourne.
Regardant le mur en silence.
Ce que j'ai dit était probablement irresponsable.
Je ne sais pas ce que je devrais dire maintenant.
«…»
Après que je me sois tue, Ariel et les autres essaient tous
d'engager la conversation.
Certains essaient de réconforter Nanahoshi, d'autres de lui
remonter le moral, et d'autres encore disent
tu iras certainement mieux.
Ils essaient tous de l'encourager de diverses manières.
Mais pour l'instant, ils pourraient tous avoir l'effet inverse.
Celui qui souffre vraiment ne veut pas entendre de telles
gentillesses.
"..."
Peu après, tout le monde était à court de choses à dire.
Nanahoshi ne répondant pas, personne ne sait quoi dire.

11 ans, je sors avec des amis, mais

sortir un peu, ça me va, et je me suis plaint à maman que
j'en avais déjà marre de Saury. Pourquoi, pourquoi est-ce
arrivé ? Papa et maman sont probablement très inquiets
pour moi. Je veux rentrer à la maison. Je veux les revoir. Je
ne veux pas mourir. Je ne veux pas mourir ici... Woo...
Hick... " " ... " Je ressens une vive douleur dans la poitrine.
Je comprends la douleur de Nanahoshi. Quand je suis arrivé
au monde, je ne pouvais pas compatir. Impossible de
revenir, impossible de se revoir. Impossible de revoir ma
famille. Même si tu me le dis, je ne comprendrai pas. À
l'époque, je voulais probablement oublier ces choses et
simplement profiter de la vie dans ce nouveau monde. Mais
maintenant, c'est différent. Je comprends ce désir de
revenir, ce désir de se revoir. Chaque jour est le plus grand
trésor de la vie. Une fois partis, ils sont partis pour toujours.
... Parce que s'ils sont partis, ils sont partis pour toujours.

Paul est mort. Les souvenirs de Zenith pourraient ne jamais

revenir. Le village de Buina et cette chaleureuse maison
ont tous deux disparu.
Désormais, tout ce que je peux faire, c'est protéger ma
famille, ma vie.
Sylphy, Roxy, Lucy.
Lilia, Aisha, Norn, Zenith.
Si je me séparais d'elles, ce serait un déchirement.
Si quelqu'un disparaissait, j'irais au paradis et en enfer pour
la retrouver.
Si je retournais au monde originel.
Si une telle magie existait dans ce monde, je la
rechercherais.
Je ferais tout mon possible pour y retourner.
« Woo... Wooo... »
Se tenant les genoux, Nanahoshi pleure.
Cliff, Zanoba, Sylphy, elle n'a jamais été proche d'aucun
d'eux.
Elle n'était attentive qu'à moi.
Elle écoutait mes demandes, acceptait mes invitations.
Si j'y pense, elle ne m'avait jamais rien fait de mal.
Nanahoshi avait l'air si excitée quand nous discutions en
japonais.
Pour elle, peut-être japonais Avec moi se trouve son seul
point d'ancrage dans ce monde.
« Que quelqu'un me sauve… »
Entendant son doux murmure,
Je me lève.

Partie 4
Je retourne à la table ronde où se trouve Perugius.
Tous ses familiers sont déjà partis.
Il ne reste que Perugius, comme s'il m'attendait.
« Que dois-je faire ?»
« … J'agis. J'espère, tant que cela n'interfère pas avec votre
propre
travail, que Perugiussama vous offrira son aide.»
Perugius hoche lourdement la tête lorsque j'ai terminé.
« Oh, alors vous passez enfin à l'action. Bien. » Si
Nanahoshi meurt, même moi, je serais désolé.

« Merci beaucoup. »
Mais que dois-je faire ?

Le remède à une maladie éradiquée il y a environ 7 000

ans.

Par où commencer ?

Nous savons déjà que la détoxification et la magie de

guérison sont inefficaces.

Si elles ont fonctionné, alors Perugius aurait déjà fait

quelque chose.

Des outils magiques.

Je ne sais pas si l'un d'eux pourrait fonctionner.

Un outil qui agit à l'intérieur du corps devrait être lié aux

outils magiques de Cliff.

Mais l'outil magique de Cliff a été conçu sur mesure pour

Elinalise uniquement.

Observez l'état d'Elinalise et ajustez-le progressivement.

Bien qu'il y ait des résultats, ils sont encore incomplets.

Peut-être suffit-il de quelques ajustements pour contrôler
les symptômes de Nanahoshi ?

Mais pour l'instant, Nanahoshi n'a pas le temps d'observer

et d'ajuster.

Elle a J'ai craché du sang.

Même si nous guérissons les symptômes superficiels, cela
se reproduira.
La prochaine fois, cela pourrait être fatal.
De plus, si nous arrêtions le temps, il serait impossible
d'expérimenter.
Les outils magiques sont hors de question.
Peut-être qu'un d'entre eux finira par fonctionner, mais
pour l'instant, nous avons besoin d'une solution plus
immédiate.
Un remède.
Personne ne le sait ?
Pas même Hitogami ou Orsted ?
Le sauraient-ils ?
Je n'arrive pas à contacter Hitogami.
Peut-être qu'il viendra me donner des conseils ce soir.
Mais je n'ai aucun moyen d'établir le contact.
« Perugiussama. Auriez-vous un moyen de contacter le
Dieu Dragon Orsted ?»
« Impossible. Ses mouvements sont impossibles à
comprendre.»
Aucun moyen de contacter Orsted.
« Il ne le sait probablement pas non plus. Il est dans ce
monde depuis peut-être
cent ans. » Bien qu'il soit sage, je doute qu'il connaisse une
maladie vieille de 7 000 ans.

Orsted a donc une centaine d'années.

Bien qu'il soit vieux, comparé à Perugius, il est encore

jeune.

Non, comparé à moi, il est assez vieux.

C'est vrai ? Mais quelqu'un qui connaît le monde d'il y a

7000 ans...
Attends, attends.
7000 ans.

Il y en a une.
Il y a une personne qui a vécu si longtemps.
Même si elle ne connaît peut-être pas cette maladie...
Mais si je lui parle, je pourrai peut-être trouver un indice.

« Je connais quelqu'un... »

« Oh ? »
Mais je ne sais pas si je pourrai la retrouver.

La dernière fois, c'était une rencontre fortuite.

Et comme ça, nous nous sommes séparés.

Aucun lien particulier.

Mais je dois faire quelque chose.

Si je ne fais rien, rien ne changera.

« Perugiussama, peux-tu m'emmener au Continent

Magique ? »

« Continent Magique ? Qu'est-ce que tu comptes faire là-

bas ?

Je n'ai rencontré cette personne qu'une fois.

Roxy l'a déjà rencontrée, mais je ne sais pas où elle est

maintenant.

Mais je connais son nom depuis longtemps.

Back in the Fedoa Capital, a name I learned from history
lessons.
Après notre rencontre, je ne pouvais plus l'oublier.
« Rencontre avec la Grande Impératrice du Royaume des
Démons, Kishirika Kishirisu.» Il y a 7 000 ans. Une figure de
la première Grande Guerre Humains-Démons.

Notes
1. War of the Worlds (2005) reference More like War of the Worlds
(book,1897)reference, actually.
2. She can still use magic stones and ect that contain magic power. Like her
rings.
3. ドライン病 (Drain makes more sense than Doline)
4. 時間のスケアコート

Chapter 148 Towards Demon

Continent Once Again

Part 1
The plan is simple.
First, with Perugius's assistance, head to the Magic
Continent.
Find Kishirika Kishirisu.
Ask if she knows a cure, or knows someone who does.
Indeed it's quite simple.
If only the Great Demon Empress Kishirika Kishirisu would
stay put on a
throne overseeing a city somewhere.
But I know Kishirika wanders the Magic Continent.
Meeting her is all up to chance.
Who knows how many months it'll take.
Perugius said that he has magic teleportation circles near
all major cities in
the Magic Continent.
Thinking about it, magic teleportation circles are truly
terrifying.
Especially when he can teleport anywhere in the world
from this castle, an
incredible threat.
After all, there's no way to attack this castle in the sky, yet
there's no defense
against it.
So it's understandable why the art has long been forbidden.

Even though Orsted and Perugius have both been using

them in secret.
This world probably has quite a few guys secretly breaking
the rules.
It might be cheating, but that's the nature of this world.
Those magic teleport circles probably aren't used by Orsted
alone.

Anyways, find Kishirika.

Just like Roxy had done before, search one city at a time.
Who knows how long it'll take.
But it shouldn't take more than a year.
Since teleporting only takes a day.
The problem is what if Kishirika and us pass each other
somewhere.
About that, I think I'll ask the Adventurer's Guild for
assistance.
Reward for the capture of the Great Empress of the Demon
Realm.
Capture Kishirika.
Must be alive.
ALIVE ONLY.
I gather everyone together and lay out my plan.
Ariel, Luke, Cliff, Zanoba, Elinalise.
And also Sylphy.
Sylphy regained consciousness while I was talking with
Perugius.
But her exhaustion is obvious.
She was thin to begin with, but now she's more frail than
ever.
She should rest for at least 5 more days.
"Everyone, please lend a hand for Nanahoshi's sake."
When I said that, Ariel nods in approval.
"Then, I can provide some magic tools."
Ariel removes the magic rings she's wearing and hands it to
me.
A pair of matching rings, when injected with magic,
both gemstones will

[1]

shine together.
Useful for an emergency, seems like a secret magic
tool of the Asura
Kingdom.
Although I don't know what for, I'm sure it'll come in handy.

Reminds me of a pager.
"Zanoba and Elinalise, please accompany me."
I ask Zanoba and Elinalise to be my guards.
No matter what, Zanoba is a miko.
Even if we were to fight a hydra, he can probably come in
handy.
Because I lack touki, I'm weak defensively, but with
[Disturb Magic] and
absorbing magical stones my resistance against magic is
strong.
With Zanoba as forward guard, we can even take that
hydra.
But, I can't bare to see Zanoba die for my selfish desires, so
with Elinalise as
support I feel reassured.
"I..."
"Cliffsenpai, I'd like you to make a magic tool."
Honestly, I don't know whether we can find a cure.
Kishirika might not know either.
So this trip might be a waste of time.
To avoid this, we should try different approaches.
Nanahoshi's illness seems similar to a curse.
With some adjustments to his research, maybe Cliff can
develop a magic tool
to extend Nanahoshi's lifespan.
"I want to go too!"

Even though I thought so, Cliff refused.

"Please take me, I want to help Nanahoshi as well."
But continuing his research will help Nanahoshi too.
But Cliff probably wants to do more than that.
Like if he just continues as usual, he won't feel like he's
really done anything
for Nanahoshi.
"Please, Rudeus, even I could understand her want for
returning home."
Cliff begging like this.
Now that I think about it, he has been away from home for
a long time too.
Heightwise he might look only 15, but he's already 19.
I heard he left the Holy Kingdom of Milis almost 67 years
ago.
Although the home Nanahoshi looks to return to isn't the
same as Cliff's.
But their intent is the same.
"Fine."
"Really?"
Well, with Elinalise coming along and Nanahoshi frozen
in time, he won't
have many opportunities for research.
Yeah, no reason to force it.
If we confirm that there's no cure, or if we can't find
Kishirika, then we can
focus on research instead.
"Yes. I'll be in your care, Cliffsenpai."
Let's shorten the search period a bit, so we can get back to
research in time.
Half a year is enough.
"... Then, is there... anything I... can do?"

Finally, Sylphy asks, looking unwell.

She has yet to recover.
She can't travel with us.
Besides...
"Sylphy, please rest here for now."
"Em, and then?"
"After rest..."
I'm hesitant over what I'm about to say.
"I wish for Sylphy to return home to care for Lucy."
"Eh?"
Sylphy looks visibly gloomy, but I continue anyways.
"It might be a long time before I can return home this time.
I don't think it's
good for both parents to disappear on her."
For children, parents' presence is absolutely necessary... I
don't have to say
that.
But it's because Paul and Zenith exists, that I'm who I am.
For children, it's better for the parents to rear them
personally.
Of course, absence for a week or two won't be a big deal.
But not a few months.
"Ah, that. You're right. If Rudi isn't here, then I need to take
care of Lucy."
"Sorry."
"Um."
Even though Sylphy has been informed that
Nanahoshi's collapse isn't her
fault, she still want to help somehow.

"Sylphy has done enough. Leave the rest to me."

"Em..."
Sylphy nods with regrets.
Of course she loves Lucy.
But at 10, she was forced to stand on her own after the
Metastasis Event.
Without a last goodbye, both her parents passed.
She did well despite that.
Despite some twists and turns, she found a job, got
married, and managed to
live on.
So for her, maybe parents may not be that great of a
presence.
Or perhaps, even children without parents can grow
and prosper is the
wisdom of this land.
Sylphy is only 18.
People won't change that much, just because of childbirth.
It was only through caring for my own, did my thinking start
to change.
When I was 18 in the previous world, children didn't even
cross my mind.
In comparison, Sylphy is exceptional.
I will help Nanahoshi. Sylphy will stay at home.
I hope she won't feel jealous.
"But won't Roxy complain? Roxy knows the Magic Continent
the best."
"That too. Well, if we're in trouble, I'll talk to Roxy about it."
Roxy isn't present.
No matter the reason, Perugius will not allow a Magic
Race to enter the
castle.

She tried to come but was refused.

Besides, Roxy has her teaching career.
She's finally getting used to the rhythm of work.
She can't quit with only a year on the job.
I will help Nanahoshi.
But, I also need to maintain my current lifestyle.
Lifestyle is important.
Both are important.
That's why, I need to protect Sylphy and Roxy.
Of course, that's also because I'm selfish.
I don't think I'm always right.
But right now I don't want Roxy and Sylphy to face danger.
I don't want them to die in front of me like Paul.
Even though perfect security doesn't exist in this world.
Compared to the Magic Continent, Magic City Sharia
should be much less
dangerous.
"Please don't do anything like lose your hand again."
Sylphy looks uneasy.
"I'll be careful."
Staying safe is why I'm bringing Zanoba and Elinalise along.

But if they're in a life or death situation, even sacrificing

my right hand I'll
help them.
Of course, I don't want to die either...

I won't make a mistake again.

Part 2
I went home again and explained the situation to Roxy and
rest of the family.
Aisha cried when I said I might not be home for a long time.

But this time coming and going would be easy.

I plan to come back every once a while.
Like going on a business trip.
I'm saying that going for a long time is just in case.
The magic teleportation circles might suddenly stop
working, and I might not
return.
"Well, please take care."
"I understand, Rudi take care as well."
Although I was worried that Roxy wanted to come too, but
after listening to
my explanations, she bluntly accepts staying home.
That slightly disappoints me.
Well, looks like I'll travel many times to Sky Castle now, so
preparations are
important.
Accidents might happen.
Perugius said, even if the magic teleport circles stop
working, he'll come get
me if I use the magic tool near any monuments to the
Seven Great Major
Powers.
Not that I don't believe him, but you never know.
For example, if we leave and all of a sudden Laplace
revived, then he might
be too busy to help.
Additionally, I brought some Spirit of Light scrolls and
other convenient

items. All set.

Part 3
The magic teleportation circle lies below ground of the Sky
Circle.
The castle in the sky isn't just expansive above ground, but
below as well.
Not just that, but underground is even more sophisticated.
Just a few levels down it becomes almost maze like.
The castle grounds are probably made for guests. It's below
ground that's the
real deal.
"We're here."
Sylvaril led us to a particular room 3 levels below ground.
A place easy to find once you know the directions.
No lighting in the room, but the magic circle shines pale
white, illuminating
the room.
"Perugiussama just completed this magic circle to
reconnect with an
abandoned one on the Magic Continent."
"Abandoned?"
"It happens often with teleport magic. Destroy the magic
circle on one side,
and the other side stops working as well."
Teleport circles come in pairs.
But you can repair a broken one and use it again.
Magic circles of this world really come in all kinds.
"These kinds of magic circles are all under Perugiussama's
control?"
"Perugiussama is indeed a great man."
Sylvaril sounds proud.

Speaking of which, drawing magic teleportation circles.

In these situation, making ones at will to connect
everywhere sounds quite
convenient...
But, because it's forbidden, he probably won't want to
teach me.
Well, if I push my luck, I might end up making all sorts
of enemies, so I
shouldn't be greedy.
Nor should I forget that others can use them too.
For example, if a violent magic beast accidentally
stumbles into one. It's
possible.
If my magic teleport circles end up destroying a village
or something, I'd
have nightmares.
"Perugiussama said this magic circle should get you
close to the Great
Demon Empress."
"Does Perugiussama have any lead to Kishirika's
whereabouts?"
"Of course."
Really?
He has a lead.
I thought I'd be on my own once I get there.
"But he could be wrong as well."
"... True."
The Demon Empress I know is unpredictable.
We might think she's somewhere, and by the time we
get there, she has
already disappeared somewhere else.
Her fiance Badigadi is the same...
Ah, right, Badigadi too.

I haven't seen him in a while. Maybe he returned to his

domain already.
He has lived a long time as well, contacting him might
give some result as
well.
"I understand. We shall go investigate."
"We haven't confirmed the situation on the other side yet.
The exit might be
sealed as well. Be careful."
"Sealed?"
"The entrance might be destroyed to keep it hidden."
If there's no entrance, then it can't be found.
I see. That makes sense.
Sure people will look for trapdoors, but few will take a
pickaxe and start
wailing on walls.
Ancient Egyptians invented this technique.
Archaeologists have to pay special attention to seemingly
empty graves.
Maybe that's how teleportation ruins were discovered as
well.
"Em, if it doesn't work, then we'll return early."
"May the fortune of war be with you."
With Sylvaril's blessing we entered the magic teleportation
circle.

Part 4
How many times have I teleported by now?
Metastasis Event, to and from Begaritt Continent, and also
Perugius's magic
tool.
All in all, this is the fifth time.
Like waking up from a dream, I'm getting used to this
sensation.
"Phew."
After the teleport, we arrived at a dark room.
The air is thick and moldy.
It has been abandoned for a long time.
No lights.
Not even a candlestick.
Basically a ruin.
Ah, I forgot to ask where we're going.
"Achoo!"
Cliff sneezes behind me.
I turn around to look. The other three have already
stepped off the magic
circle.
Elinalise is used to this. Zanoba pompously walking around.

Zanoba curiously studying the magic circle.

"Too dusty here, let's head out as soon as possible."
As Zanoba said that, I start looking for an exit.

"Eh?"
I see a wall.
Nothing like a door.
No ladder, not even a hole in the ceiling.
I carefully inspect the floor. Yep, no way out.
It's a secret room.
If Sylvaril's right, the room has been sealed.
"Em, well, where's the exit?"
"Um."
We split up to look.
Up, down, left, right, B, A.
"Found it."
After a while, Elinalise discovered space behind a wall.
Looks like she discerned it by knocking.
Maybe it's too thick, but I couldn't tell even when pressing
an ear against it.
As expected of the Long Ear race.
"Okay. All yours, Zanoba."
"Um."
With a single punch, Zanoba punched a hole in the wall.
A huge hole on the wall some 50 CM thick.
As easy as tearing down a sand castle, he expanded the
hole until it has room
enough for one.
With Zanoba bracing, Elinalise passes through.

"I'll check ahead."

Complete darkness on the other side.
You can't even see your hand.
We know this is a stone structure, but that's pretty much it.

We don't even know if we're underground or not.

"Rudeus, lights please."
As instructed, I take out a Spirit of Light scroll and used it to
illuminate the
area.
We saw a room 10 meters ahead.
"Ugh."
Cliff screams when he saw the room.
Bones scattered everywhere on the floor.
As expected of the Magic Continent, bones of various
shapes, almost like
they're fabricated.
"Looks like this was a prison."
Elinalise said after inspecting the bones. On what's left of
the arms and legs
rusted cuffs can be seen.
Cliff looks pained, placing his hand in prayer.
"Oh... Milissama please save these lost souls."
I imitate Cliff in prayer.
Namusanbou, namusanbou.
Rest in peace.
Sorry to disturb you. We'll leave quickly.
"Let's go."

Speaking of which, there are bones everywhere.

How many were jailed here?
They probably never expected that there's a magic
teleportation circle just a
wall away.
Wait, no, I remember Perugius only recently
reconnected this abandoned
magic teleportation circle.
In other words, they were moved here before the magic
circle was repaired.
If that's true, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
"There's a ladder, let's head up."
There's a ladder at the corner of the room.
Even though there's prisoners, they weren't fenced in.
Thinking that, I notice some rusted hinges fallen on the
floor.
Maybe a wooden door once, but worn away by decay after
a few thousand
years.
Em, oh well.
In front of the ladder is a metal lid.
It's a door that opens upwards. Basically, a lid.
Elinalise checks for traps before attempting to push it open.
It wouldn't open.
Something heavy is pressing against it.
"Okay. Go, Zanobarobo. Open it!"
"RRobo? .... Got it."
Zanoba puts his hands against the door and pushes hard.
A heavy groan, but the door starts to open, dust and soil
come flying down.
"Ugh."

"I'll handle the soil, keep going."

"Ggot it, Shisho."
With all his might, Zanoba pushes the incredibly heavy
door.
I use magic to get rid of all the fallen soil.
The door opens.
Sunlight shines from above.
Looks like the door leads outside.
When the door opens enough to fit through, Elinalise
sneaks under it and
exits.
"It's clear."
After waiting for her signal, we head out as well.

Part 5
Outside is a steep slope.
Below the horizon a russet land.
Giant boulders scattered everywhere, a place of
extremes with many highs
and lows.
And on the far side, the Magic Continent special: a forest
like fish bones.
And here and there lumbering Great Land Turtles.
How nostalgic.
"SO this is the Magic Continent...!"
Cliff gasps as he speaks, spying warily down the slope.
No city in sight.
Is Kishirika really around here?
We need to find the nearest town and head there.
But where the hell are we?
Maybe we should head back and check with Sylvaril first.
No, before that, let's investigate our surroundings.
"Cliffsenpai, the Magic Continent has a great many
dangerous and herding
magic beasts. Please be careful."
"Ah, I got it."
Cliff nods seriously.
This is a dangerous land.
If he treats it like the Central Continent or Milis, even
capable warriors may

die.
"No magic beasts around us. It's safe."
Of course Elinalise will never be that careless.
Neither was I... At least I think I wasn't.
Although I had Ruijerd back then, so maybe I still held
some naive notions
about the Magic Continent.
But my experience at Begaritto Continent should be useful.
"Also, I'm afraid you won't find many followers of Milis
here. Their
philosophy may be different, so please avoid getting in a
fight with others for
no reason."
"Oh. That, you're right. I know."
Maybe I'm being a little arrogant.
But Cliff has never been around the Magic Race before.
We need to avoid getting into confrontations for every
little thing like Eris
did.
"It's fine. Cliff doesn't even speak the Demon God
language."
Elinalise adds in.
She doesn't either.
For the two years she spent traveling the Demon
Continent, she almost
exclusively relied on Roxy.
Well, she did learn all the vocabularies needed for Hstuff.
Cliff would probably faint if he finds out.
But that's the curse's fault too.
"Shisho!"
While wondering those things, Zanoba has climbed up a
hill, shouting.

Does he even have careful in his vocabulary?

Of course not. Even falling off a cliff won't faze that guy.
Ah, oh well.
"What did you see!?"
Climbing as we said.
"Oh."
End of the slope is a steep cliff.
And behind the cliff a scene you couldn't help but stare.
"Wow, amazing..."
Cliff exclaims.
We stand atop a great crater.
A town stretches below us.
At the center of the crater a blackgold castle inside rests
half ruined.
Surrounded by the huge town.
"So this is where he sent us..."
I recognize this city.
One of the Three Great Towns of the Magic Continent.
A cratershaped natural wall prevents magic beasts from
entering.
After nightfall, magic stones inside the crater illuminates
the city.
I know the castle as well.
This was once the seat of the Great Demon Emperor
Kishirika Kishirisu,
destroyed in Laplace's war with the Demon Kings.
Once known as Old Kishirisu Castle.

Also, for me, a place of unhappy memories.

Rikarisu Town.

Notes 1. In English.

Chapter 149 Search for

Kishirika
Part 1
Rikarisu Town.
Lots of memories here.
Even now, I remember it like yesterday.
My life as an adventurer in the Magic Continent
started here, filled with
memories of Ruijerd and Eris.
But in the end, we were chased out, leaving only bad
memories behind...
But the experiences I gained here are good.
It's here I learned not to overthink the situation or try
to do everything by
myself.
We hike down the slope and head towards the edge
of the crater until we
reach an entrance.
Just as before, here stands a pair of guards.
Back then, in order to sneak Ruijerd in, we came in
disguise...
"Hey, it's guarded. Is that a problem?"
"No. Cities in the Magic Continent basically welcome
everyone in."
"But doesn't the security feel rather tight right now?"
As Cliff said, the guards look quite alert.
Jet black armor, full face helmet.
The armor looks sharp and ominous.
When I was at Rikarisu, the guards weren't so well
equipped.
The equipment has changed over the years I suppose.

"Halt."
Just as we are about to enter, the guards stop us.
"What is it?"
"No, that woman over there..."
The guards stare at Elinalise.
Cliff steps in front of Elinalise as if to shield her.
Elinalise looks unfazed.
"What's wrong?"
"...What?"
The other guard pulls out a piece of paper and looks back
and forth between
it and Elinalise.
I sneak a peek. Drawn on it is a succubuslike beauty.
Tall, big breasted, long wavy hair.
It wasn't colored, but Elinalise shares some similarities.
But, the chest is off.
"Not her."
"Ah, nope."
With that said, the guard puts away the paper.
"Excuse me, proceed."
"Something happened?"
"None of your business."
I left quietly after I was refused.
"Looks like they're looking for someone."
"Yeah."
There's an escapee somewhere in town?
Well, nothing to do with us.
But we should be careful.
If we wander into an alley somewhere and meet a
murderer, that'd suck.
"Well, now what?"
"Let's go to the Adventurer's Guild and exchange some
money."
"Got it."
After a simple exchange, we follow the road ahead.
"Wow, amazing..."
Cliff exclaims as he sees the nearby open market.
As usual, it's full of life.
Merchants and adventurers of various races.
Lizardlike magic beasts ridden back and forth.
But the things going on are about the same as those in the
markets around the
Magic City Sharia:
Merchants and adventurers arguing, residents
wandering to and forth, a
beggar asking for charity from a merchant and getting
kicked aside.
Same sort of things everywhere you go.
Even Cliff should be familiar with this sight, but seeing
various races mixed
together might be refreshing.
Must be different.
However, unexpectedly, blackclad soldiers are everywhere.
Whenever they spot Elinalise, without a pause, they'll take
out some paper.

Since it's obviously someone different even from afar,

they never come for
questioning.
"Cliffsenpai, your wife is rather popular."
"Eh, Ehh... Is it alright?"
"As long as Elinalisesan hasn't done anything here
before, it should be
alright."
With that said, I stare at Elinalise.
She shrugs.
"Nothing I feel guilty about."
Elinalise looks unfocused.
She definitely did something she felt guilty about.

Part 2
The Adventurer's Guild is the same as always.
At worst, it has deteriorated slightly due to the ravages of
time.
No, I remember it was always like this.
All eyes were on us when we entered.
How nostalgic.
Last time after a short act, we had the place in an uproar.
Thankfully, Ruijerd soon got in the act and we avoided a
mess.
Soon, everyone lost interest.
A party of Long Ear Race and Human might be exotic,
but a few rare
specimens don't deserve the attention.
We head to the front desk and exchanged some Asura
coins with Magic
Continent ones.
Around 100 Green Mineral Coins worth, but I collected them
without double
checking.
Back then, I'd check the contents of my wallet everyday,
even if there's only
one or two pieces left. I have really changed.
No, I'm just a tad more affluent than before.
Also, we issued a request to the Adventurer's Guild
for Kishirika's
whereabouts.
"Petite girl, purple hair, bondage wear, selfproclaimed
Great Empress of the
Demon Realm. In particular, she habitually laughs like a
maniac."
Since it's a search, ratings are low, but the reward is high.
I stick the request on the job board. Suddenly, I noticed at
the edge of the job

board an aging petition from the Fedoa Region Search

Group.
The search group at Milis has already been disbanded, yet
this petition still
remains.
The contact person is still Paul at the Holy Kingdom of Milis.

At this rate, wouldn't someone end up traveling all the

way to Milis for
nothing?
I return to the front desk and change the contact to
Alphonse at the refugee
camp.
They probably will still accept refugees there.
Although my residence could work as well, honestly, I don't
want to take care
of people I don't know.
"Well, we're done here."
"Now what?"
After Cliff asked, I spent time thinking about our next move.

Of course, we shouldn't just sit around and wait. It's

better if we do some
digging ourselves.
We'll spend a week here collecting information.
Look for help and do leg work on our own, search carefully.
Ultimately, the Adventurer's Guild job request is just a
safety net in case we
missed Kishirika somehow.
"First, collect intel."
I check my surroundings.
A man walks up towards us.
A horse faced man.
I remember this guy well.

It's the guy that trapped us.

It's all his fault that we got kicked out of the city... well, not
all his fault.
I know as well, back then, we broke the rules.
"Yo!"
The horse faced man, Nokopara, just like before, comes
chatting full spirited.
To a guy like him, making conversation with new faces is
part of the job.
Despite what I think, the person he's greeting is not me,
but Elinalise.
"Long time no see! You and Roxy split up?"
Elinalise looks at Nokopara in surprise.
Not long after, probably when it finally clicks for her, she
claps her hand.
"Ah, from Roxy's old party."
"...Eh?"
Roxy's old party?
What?
"Rudeus, please help translate. This is my... no, Roxy's old
buddy."
Elinalise pushes me to face Nokopara.
8 years ago.
The guy that clung onto us.
Roxy's old buddy.
Old party member.
In other words, he was clinging onto Roxy too.
Why have I never heard anything about this?
"Oh, I am Nokopara. Do you understand me?"
He doesn't remember me from back then.
It can't be helped, after 8 years, I have grown up quite a
bit.
Nokopara has grown old too... well, I can't really tell.
How horsefaces look when older, I can't really tell.
In turn, Nokopara probably can't tell human faces apart
either.
"Yeah, Nokoparasan. I understand."
"Rudeus, he should be quite familiar with the situations in
this town. Why not
ask him to help collect information for us?"
"..."
This guy is good with intel, that I know.
He's very observant of others.
In that case, he should come in handy for us.
We were once pushed into a corner by him.
But we shamed him in public as well.
He might still be holding a grudge for that.
Instead of coming clean, I'm better off hiding my
identity and taking
advantage of him.
"I am Quagmire. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, Quagmire huh... Oh? Have we met before?"
"No, that's impossible."
If Eris was here, she'd probably kick his ass.
But I'll let bygones be bygones.
He never did realize that Ruijerd is a Supard.

And it was our misstep that caused the situation.

Besides, now is not the time to dig up the past.
"We're looking for someone. Will you assist us?"
"...How much you got?"
He pisses me off.
Well, I wouldn't want to work for free either.
"2 Green Mineral Coins. 4 if you find her."
"4!? Ddone!"
Ah, too much.
It's been a while, I completely forgot about the situation
here.
Ah, oh well.
"It's an emergency."
"Oh. If it's for Elinalise, I can do it for half."
Nokopara turns up his nose and smiles to himself.

Part 3
After I provide Nokopara the info on Kishirika, he said [We'll
get in touch in
half a day] and disappeared into the crowd.
"I'm surprised you held back."
Watching Nokopara leave, Elinalise speaks up.
"Eh?"
"I remember now. That guy tried to shake you down
before."
"Wow, you even know about that."
"When I came by this town, I caught wind of it. Apparently,
Nokopara tried
to shake down [Dead End] and almost got killed. But I
don't think Roxy
heard of it..."
Elinalise knows.
Well, no reason that she wouldn't.
A Supard showing up in town would be big news.
"It's just an unfortunate event."
Things were going so well that I got carried away and fell
on my face.
The way Nokopara takes advantage of others disgusts me,
but I'm no saint
myself.
Since Nokopara doesn't realize who I am, all is well.
"Anyways, I don't plan on settling the score with Nokopara.
But if he crosses
us again, that's a different story."
What's past is past, but I am not that generous.
Cross me again, and I'll make sure that's the last time.

"Say, Nokopara and Roxy in a party together, what's up

with that?"
"Ah, about that."
I feel a little troubled after hearing the story of Roxy and
Nokopara.
Ah, such a nice guy back then, yet look at how he turned
out.

Part 4
There's lots of stuff to get done in half a day's time.
First, securing accommodation.
This town has plenty of inns open for adventurers.
Simple inns for rookies, and luxury ones for highrank.
This time, we selected one for highrank adventurers.
I picked a high class inn mostly for its security.
It's a little pricey, but since prices are generally low at the
Magic Continent, it
wasn't very painful.
On the way there, we walked past Wolf Claw Inn.
That's the place we stayed in long ago.
By chance, we passed by three young rookies, chatting as
they walk out of
the inn.
It's a little late to head out for work right now, so
they're probably going
shopping.
Say, the other adventurers that lived here back then...
Kuruto and people,
what are they up to now?
Because of my misjudgment, one of them died. How are the
other two doing?
No. It has been 8 years already.
They might already be dead.
But if we can meet again, I'd like to talk about old times
with them.
Oh yeah.
I should go meet with the Phunters.

Jalil and Veskel, right?

The petty criminals that specialize in lost pets.
Although I'm not looking for a pet this time, Kishirika is
basically an animal.
Maybe they can find her.
"Before that, let me drop by this place I know."
"As expected of Shisho, to be so well connected."
"I just know a few people."
Thinking about that, I head towards Phunters' pet store.
It should be around here somewhere. Following vague
memories of the area,
I went ahead.
My memories are dubious, and the city changed.
Despite that, after spending so long in the area and
following the landmarks, I
can still recognize this place.
The location is right, but the store has changed.
It's a butcher's shop.
A guy with hedgehog head looks after the store. I went to
check it out.
"Welcome."
"I remember this was a pet shop once. Do you know what
happened?"
"Ah, Jalil? That guy's dead. Got killed 2 years ago taming a
magic beast."
Eh, he died?
Seriously?
"And Veskel?"
"Veskel? She left a year ago. With Jalil dead, she can't do
work no more."
Veskel is gone too.
Really, Jalil, dead?
I know that the Magic Continent is a cruel place, but
hearing that an old
friend has died is still rather depressing.
In the end, he did betray Ruijerd.
Even so, we did work together once.
I'd like to remain as friends.
"I took over the shop from Veskel. Do you know her?"
"Yeah, we met."
"Well then, let me give you a discount."
I also asked about Kishirika, and as pay, bought some
Great Land Turtle
jerky and left.
Great Land Turtle meat still tastes as disgusting as always.

Part 5
For half a day, we busy ourselves in collecting intel.
Collecting intel by hand is not particularly efficient.
Particularly because I'm the only one that speaks the
Demon God language.
So basically, only I could ask around.
If only Roxy were here.
Still, searching a town, one or two people won't make much
of a difference.
When it comes to intel, let's count on the expert Nokopara
instead.
With those thoughts, I continue to ask around...
"Petite, purple hair, bondage wear, selfproclaimed
Great Empress of the
Demon Realm, habitually laughs like a maniac. Have
you met that girl
before?"
"Ah, that kid. I have. But that was almost... a year ago."
Turns out I got a lot of responses.
Unexpected.
Truly unexpected.
With this, maybe it won't be too long before we find her.
"Score!"
Cliff raises his voice happily.
As if we already found her.
But Elinalise shakes her hand.
"But no one saw her recently?"

It's true.
They're all [About a year ago.]
Well, some also said [About half a year ago.]
Maybe she left already.
In that case, we should start asking [Where did she go?]
Rikarisu Town sits on the northeast corner of the Magic
Continent.
For the time being, she would probably head southwest.
There's a mountain range to the southwest, in that case
maybe... No, this is
Kishirika after all.
Not that I know Kishirika very well.
But I got a feeling she's capable of anything.
If she doesn't follow the roads, then who knows where she
could be.
"Let's go check in with Nokopara."
"It's only been half a day. I doubt even he could have found
much..."
Regardless, we head back to the Adventurer's Guild.
We picked a table, and just when we were about to
grab something to eat,
Nokopara shows up.
"Yo. Waited long?"
Just like how he left, he came back smiling and full of
energy.
No, I can't tell how happy a horse face is.
But he seems pretty happy to me.
"Sorry, I have yet to find the person, but I've got some intel
for you."
"What did you hear?"

Only half a day for the eagle to land.

Basically, we already know all the information Nokopara
found.
But as expected of Nokopara, he was able to summarize all
the most common
sightings, as well as where she was last spotted.
Not bad for half a day's work...
Rather, as part of his daily routine, he knows all the right
people to ask.
Then, based on what info is needed, he picks the
best candidates to ask,
something like that.
That's talent too.
"Demon Kingsama seems to be looking for the Great
Demon Empress as
well."
"Demon King?"
"Yeah. About a year ago, the Demon King from the
adjacent territory
traveled here."
Apparently, a Demon King currently resides at the center of
Rikarisu Town,
at Old Kishirisu Castle.
So all the blackclad soldiers here are her personal army.
The riders too are
basically her private guards.
"Don't tell me that Demon King is Badigadi?"
"No, not Badigadisama. It's Atofesama, older sister of
Badigadisama, a
very terrifying Demon King."
Badigadi has a sister?
A black amazon?
"Really scary?"
"Ah, she's a Demon King that fought in the Laplace
Campaign after all. If
you accidentally offend her, she might execute you on the
spot."

I can't even imagine that when Badigadi is so easy going.

But if that's the case, then I should probably avoid her.
No, if she is related to Badigadi, then she might also be
immortal too.
If she has lived since a long time ago, then maybe she
knows of the cure to
Doline syndrome.
I should try to get an audience with her and ask...
Whether she will see me is another question.
"Say, has Badigadi returned?"
"He has yet to return... Hey, watch your language when
you talk about the
Demon Kingsama."
"Apologies."
Badigadi hasn't come back.
Who knows where he's wandering the world right now.
He's been gone for 8 years already.
Maybe wandering the world is a hobby of his.
I summarized the details to the others.
Zanoba, with a hand to his chin, says,

"The portrait looks nothing like her."

Now that he mentioned it, that portrait does look
completely different from
the Kishirika that I remember.
I know Kishirika was a kid.
I didn't notice when I checked the portrait, but that
vixen looks quite like
Kishirika.

Maybe once Kishirika grows older, that's how she will look.
Maybe Kishirika has grown in the past few years?
No, no.
We have witness reports of that girl.
In other words, that Demon King doesn't know that Kishirika
is a kid?
Oh...
Maybe Nokopara would know.
"That portrait that the private guards have looks
different from the actual
Kishirika. What do you think?"
"Demon Kingsama doesn't concern herself with petty
details. So maybe she
thought any age would do."
"Ah, I see."
Badigadi is whimsical as well.
Maybe Atofe is the same.
"Then, let's all check with Atofesama?"
I declare and get up.
But Nokopara starts to panic.
"Hey, hold on, forget it. Atofesama is really dangerous.
You're better off not
going."
"No, I must. I'll be careful not to offend her."
No problem?
I hope there won't be.
If something happens, then Zanoba will stand guard while I
attack.
Just like with Badigadi, I'll hit and run...

Then, once I find Badigadi, he can mediate for us.

Well, that'll do.
"If we should meet, then allow me to help."
Zanoba stands up smiling.
He's a royalty as well, so arranging a meeting should be
possible right?
If that's the case, then maybe we should've gotten Ariel to
come instead...
Hold on, maybe like with Perugius, Zanoba is easier to get
along with.
Since Ariel is always thinking about networking, she might
be exposed and
hated.
"Is Atofesama interested in the arts?"
"Eh? Arts? Em, who knows. Well, Demon Kingsamas all
seem to have those
sorts of interests."
Badigadi's interests... like what?
I don't think he has anything of the sort.
No, he's interested in beer?
Like really expensive beer?
Even though Atofe is a very scary Demon King, if
she's anything like
Badigadi, then we might get along.
"Anyways, let's go give it a shot."
With the talk over, Elinalise and Cliff stood up as well.

Part 6
An hour later.
We stand looking at the castle.
Conclusion?
Failure.
Zanoba takes the crest of Shirone. I translate for him to
request an audience
with Demon King.
"Never heard of that country. Atofesama is busy! No one is
allowed!"
Denied.
Door slammed in our face.
Maybe Asura Kingdom, or Kingdom of the Dragon King, or
Holy Kingdom
of Milis would have been different.
But Shirone is a small kingdom, so it's impossible.
It's like expecting a Japanese to know the name of some
country in Africa.
Especially when there was no appointment.
It's only natural.
"I'm sorry. My home country lacks the prestige."
Rather than getting angry at the blatant breach of
etiquette, Zanoba is
apologizing to me instead.
"No, I was inconsiderate."
"I thought this might happen..."
Zanoba said as he frowns.

Zanoba isn't much of a patriot, but to hear his

country mocked in such a
matter, I doubt he'll let it go.
"...Sigh, let's take a break."
Cliff leans on a wall nearby and sighs.
I still have some gas in the tank but...
"True, I'm a bit tired too."
Looking around, Zanoba is sweaty too.
It might miss, but he's also an indoor type. A day's
exercise is hard on him
too.
I also feel like my head is running slow.
Let's rest.
"Alright. Then let's go grab some grub."
We didn't have time for lunch.
The jerky was lacking as well.
Well, food here is hard to eat, so I don't have much
appetite.
"Shisho, there's an openair stall there. Let's just eat there.
Is that alright with
you two?"
Now that you mention it, for a while, we could smell
barbecue in the air.
Following our nose, there's a heavily spiced Magic
Continent specialty, open
stall spicy barbecue skewers.
With a crowd of... 3 customers waiting in line.
"I don't mind, but eating while standing... isn't that against
the rules?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
As they argue, Elinalise has already taken her place in the
line.

"I'll hold a spot. Rudeus, go set up a place to sit

somewhere."
"Will language be a problem?"
"For numbers, we can just use our hands."
That's true too.
There are ways to get around without knowing the
language.
Following her instructions, with magic, I set up some chairs
on the side.
Although eating standing up is fine, since we need to rest,
we might as well
sit down.
Although to be honest, I don't mind sitting on the ground
either.
"I'll line up too."
Cliff and Elinalise line up together.
I finish with the preparations and sit down with Zanoba.
"Phew."
After sitting down, a day of exhaustion rushed onto me.
But sitting here like this, I start to feel like the entire day
has been a waste of
time.
We still don't know whether we can find Kishirika.
Even if we find her, we have no clue whether she knows
anything useful.
Rather, I have a feeling the chances that she does is nigh.
Badigadi as well, although they have long lives, I think they
rarely get ill.
"...Shisho, don't be too hard on yourself."
"Eh?"
"Nanahoshi's illness, Shisho doesn't have to feel so
responsible for it."

I'm not responsible.

Right. That's true.
But, this is not an issue of responsibility.
This is what I want to do.
"That's true."
"But feeling homesick and wanting to go back, I can
understand that a little.
That's why I want to help."
"Really? I thought you were happy with the life you have
now."
"Of course. But sometimes, I feel nostalgic for home. That's
also true."
Zanoba feels homesick sometimes.
I thought he only had dolls on his mind, but I guess Zanoba
is also someone's
flesh and blood.
"...Nanahoshi tries so hard. Her home is definitely
something important to
her."
"The boy she likes, and her family too... They're all there."
Both are ordinary, but both are important.
Very, very important.
"Both of them are beyond me."
"For you, it's dolls."
I absentmindedly watch the other two while chatting with
Zanoba.
Cliff and Elinalise.
Those two have changed so much from when we first met.
Cliff can't read the mood, but now he's more considerate of
others.
Elinalise too, I'm fond of the time when she was busy
chasing after boys.
If they ever split up, they probably would return to their
true forms in a hurry.
"..."
The customer before Cliff ordered his skewers.
Probably to ask for change, a beggar in hood and
rags went over, but that
customer kicked him away.
Cliff looks angry when he spots this.
But Elinalise stops him, so no fight broke out.
Cliff is kindhearted. He definitely will get something for the
beggar.
As I expected, he bought an extra skewer and handed it to
him.
The beggar devours the skewer as he thanks him.
Nom, nom.
Soon after he finished one, he brazenly begs Cliff for
another, so Cliff bought
a new one for him.
So moved that he's trembling, the beggar holds Cliff's hand.

Eh?
Dejavu.
Say, that beggar, is he thanking Cliff in human language?
In that moment, the beggar suddenly laughs with a voice so
loud that it can
be heard from even over here.
"Faahahahaha!"
Throwing off her rags, she loudly declares!
"This one is called Kishirika Kishirisu! A.K.A. THE GREAT
EMPRESS OF
THE DEMON REALM! You have saved this one's life! It's
fine if you ask
for any one desire!"
I feel dizzy.
Part 7
Great Demon Empress Kishirika.
She looks just as how I remembered her.
Those kneehigh kicks, skintight hot pants, and blouse.
Her pale skin, collarbone, waist, navel, and thighs.
Her characteristic thick, purple, wavy hair with goat horns.
Well, she's dirtier than before.
But without a doubt,
That's Kishirika Kishirisu.
"Faahahahah! Faahaha! Faahahahaha!"
Cliff looks dumbfounded.
Elinalise's eyes turn into dots. That's a first.
Me too, what just happened?
The only one calm is Zanoba.
Only him, with his hand on his chin said, [Oh, so that's
Badigadi's lover.]
"..."
Pay it forward.
That idiom floats in my mind.
I think Cliff is the proof of those words.
Helping a beggar sounds easy, but not everyone would do
it.
Ultimately, the other person's a beggar.

Raggy clothes, a strong stench whenever he approaches,

skin covered in dirt,
and blackened teeth.
You feel sorry for them, so you ought to buy them food.
But do you really
want to?
I won't.
I won't go as far as kicking her, but I don't have that kind of
universal love.
But Cliff, he does.
The first time we met, I thought he was a petty bastard.
But in the future, he probably will become a great priest.
Viva la Cliff!
Okay, that's enough praise for Cliff.
Anyways, why is Kishirika begging here?
"Come! Don't hold back! Anything you desire! But
before that, state your
name!"
"Eh? Eh...? CCliff Grimoire."
Looking at the beggar turned Kishirika before him, Cliff
looks to me for help.
Meanwhile, Kishirika makes a pompous pose and continues.

"Cliff! Treating this one to food is a great deed. This one

hasn't ate for half a
year already!"
I walk by and join the conversation.
"In that case, how about some more?"
"Oh! Really! You are truly generous! Truly a generous
man!"
Then for a while, Kishirika continues to wolf down
Great Land Turtle
skewers.
Devouring everything, who knows how she managed to
fit everything into

that tiny body.

Nom, nom.
"Phew, this one is full! With that, this one can last a whole
year!"
Kishirika slaps her tummy in satisfaction. She has wiped out
the entire stall.
Selling so well, the stall owner must be happy too.
Next...
"Long time no see, Kishirikasama."
"And you are!"
I bow in respect. Kishirika stares at me.
"Eh? Oh?"
Then her pupils spin, and she claps her hands.
"Oh! You! The human boy with the disgusting amount of
magic power! This
one remembers! This one gave the boy a demon eye. The
name is, oh yeah,
eh... Ru, ba, Rumba... Rumbaus. Long time no see!"
"It's Rudeus Greyrat."
I'm no robot vacuum cleaner.
"Long time no see, Rudeus... You sure grew. How was it,
after that, how was
life?"
Kishirika slaps me on the thigh once she got close enough.
Like a manager from somewhere.
"Ah yes, the demon eye Kishirikasama gifted me has
saved my life many
times!"
"Faahahahah! Is that so, is that so!"
Kishirika nods happily.

How simple.
So easy.
"But, this one can only reward one person! Just one!"
Kishirika points at Cliff.
"You, Cliff Grimoire. State your desires."
"..."
Pointed out by Kishirika, Cliff swallows.
Suddenly I remember.
The reward from Great Demon Empress Kishirika Kishirisu,
a demon eye.
This is something well known in this world.
Cliff has his own goals in the future.
A demon eye will surely help with his magic tool research.
If it's me, I would think so too.
Of course.
Unless?
"Tthen, please tell me the cure to Drain Syndrome."
"Eh?"
"A friend of mine fell ill to that. She's stable right now, but
probably won't
get better. If you know, please tell me."
Phew.
My mind wandered. I'm really sorry.
When we get back, I'm definitely treating Cliff to a big meal.

"Em, Drain Syndrome eh? That name sure is nostalgic.

People still getting

sick from that, now that's shocking!"

I glance at Zanoba and nod.
Looks like Kishirika has heard of it before.
"Then, what about the cure?"
"Of course. For that, just take some leaves of Sokasu
Grass and make tea
with it. Then it'll come out with poop."
I can feel a smile growing on my face.
Good.
Even though Kishirika might be wrong, but we finally have
something.
Make tea with Sokasu Grass leaves.
Basically make a concoction.
"Sokasu Grass? Never heard of it before. Where can we find
it?"
[1]

"Em... Phantom Capital Maio."

"Phantom Capital Maio?"
Crap.
Any city with the word Phantom in it is basically impossible
to find.
Like a place you can only visit in your dream, or can only
find in the shifting
desert...
"North of the Red Dragon Mountain Ranges, at a valley
named Red Dragon
Tail in Dragon Tail Cave. Sokasu Grass grows in the deepest
reaches of that
cave."
"Dragon Tail Cave."
With that, we have more work to do.
No, that's good.

Not bad at all.

Better than not finding Kishirika and wandering the world
for years.
Eh?
But is there even a place called Red Dragon Tail on
the Red Dragon
Mountain Ranges?
"Where is that place?"
"Oh, during the second HumanDemon Great War, Dragon
God and Fighting
God cut a hole in the ground and it disappeared."
"...Eh?"
In other words,
It's gone.
Say, that differs from the story I knew.
The hole in the ground, isn't that because of the battle
between Kishirika and
the Golden Knight?
No, but Kishirika doesn't look particularly strong...
Well, forget it.
When it comes to tales and legends, the truth often
gets twisted when
convenient.
What's important is the Sokasu Grass.
"Say, is Sokasu Grass extinct?"
"No, the Dragon Tail Cave is only where it was originally
discovered."
Kishirika shakes her head slowly.
Originally discovered, so it may still be growing
somewhere?
"Sokasu Grass grows in the depth of caves where the sun
never shines."

Depth of caves where the sun doesn't shine.

Like Labyrinths?
Another Labyrinth?
In that case, then I'll get enough bodies this time.
20... No, I might place enough bounty to assemble 100
adventurers or so.
"Thus, under this one's instruction, Demon Kings
everywhere have been
growing them under their own castles."
"..."
"After all, Sokasu Grass is delicious. Moreover, drinking
them leads to long
life. Even Immortal Demons drink them. Faahahahaha!"
"..."
In other words.
That's it?
They're growing under the castle?
Not only that, but as ingredients for high grade tea, then
we can probably find
them everywhere.
"Faahahaha! You thought you wouldn't find them? Did I
guess right? Too
bad! Even Kishirisu Castle has them! Faahahahaha!"
This guy, I really want to kick her.
As I thought so, Cliff takes a step forward with clenched
fists.
"You!"
"Hold on Cliffsenpai! Wait until she's told us everything!"
"Oh, okay."
Shit, the truth came out.

Besides, if the castle has it, then it's fine.

Or rather, it's perfect.
I'm not happy that I'm being toyed with.
This is an area I have to improve on.
But stay calm.
Keep my head down.
"Then, Kishirikasama. That Sokasu tea. Can we have
some?"
"Sure! But there's just one problem."
"Problem?"
"Um. Right now, in Kishirisu Castle is an annoying person.
She's an idiot, but
an annoying idiot. This one has been hiding from her for
half a year already...
Ah!"
Kishirika looks behind me.
"Em?"
I look up and behind me.
Over there, blackclad soldiers.
5, 6, 7... over 20 in all.
Even more from the street and alleys...
Almost 30 in all, and we're surrounded.

Part 8
The soldiers watch us intimidatingly.
Elinalise takes a step forward with a hand on the sword on
her waist.
There's cold sweat on her forehead.
No matter what, there are too many enemies to deal with.
Crap, we have nowhere to run.
Do I grab Zanoba and Cliff and fly away?
Do I leave Kishirika and Elinalise behind?
What do I do?
The frontmost soldier among them steps forward.
With a hoarse but forceful voice he said,
[2]

"We are the Gaslow Region Immortal Demon Lord

Atoferatofe's Private
Guard."
In fluent Human language.
So we will work with them, probably.
"Atofesama commands: Hand Kishirikasama to us, and
head immediately
to the castle."
Hearing him, the blackclad riders behind him compare
the portrait with
Kishirika the person. Eh? They seem riled up.
As Nokopara expected, the portrait was wrong. The one
that ordered it was
sloppy.
But, even if the portrait was wrong, if she yells out
Kishirika like that, she
will probably get exposed.

"What if we don't?"
The moment Elinalise asked quietly, all the soldiers drew
their swords.
The sound of swords unsheathing clatters.
The chorus of sounds becomes eardeafeningly loud.
"Kill them all."
I can't tell the strength of an opponent just by looking.
But even I have quite a bit of experience under my belt.
Even I can tell when an opponent is obviously strong.
The private guards are, without a doubt, full of incredible
people.
Far stronger than the typical rider group can match.
"No, don't. If they catch this one, then who knows how
they'll treat this one?
Atofe is the most stupid among the the Demon Kings!"
Hearing Kishirika makes me frown.
If Atofe doesn't have a plan for dealing with Kishirika
after capturing her,
then why capture her in the first place?
Besides, I have no reason to meet with Atofe anymore.
I should just run...
But the medicine is under the castle right?
Then maybe we should go along... But I've never seen it
before. I have no
idea what it looks like.
While I'm hesitating, the soldier removes his helmet.
"Please."
A whitehaired, battlewary old man.
With a gentle smile, he bows his head.

"If everyone doesn't come, then we'll be punished by

Afotesama. We
definitely won't hurt you, so please..."
I'm a Japanese man that can say... no.
Not like before.
But after such a humble request, I can't help but feel
softhearted.
"No, don't listen to him. He's Atofe's dog."
Cold sweat dripping down from Kishirika's face.
Seems like she's hiding something.
"I overheard your conversation. Sokasu Grass is grown
in Gaslow Region,
and we also know the cultivating techniques. If
necessary, we can even
prepare saplings for you. So please come with us..."
The old soldier bows his head.
I can feel his sincerity.
Even though he can move us forcefully, instead, he
requested so humbly.
I'm not too close with Kishirika, but I do know of
Demon Kings like
Badigadi.
These underlings must have it tough.
"Say, why does Kishrikasama hate Atofesama so much?
There must be a
reason that you've been hunting Kishirikasama for half a
year. Can you tell
me?"
"A year ago, here, Atofesama was supposed to receive a
shipment of wine
from Gekura region, but Kishirika drank them all."
"Oh."
The old soldier continues.
"Atofesama was really looking forward to that wine and
got really angry.
She ordered the private guards from our home country
here to investigate and

capture her. We don't know what Kishirika looks like, so

she gave us this
portrait, and we have been searching for her ever since..."
"So that's what happened, I understand."
I knocked out Kishirika with magic myself.

Notes 1. 幻の都マイオ 2. ガスロー地方

Chapter 150 Audience with

the
Immortal Demon Lord
Part 1
Old Kishirisu Castle.
Its appearance, in a nutshell, is of a demon castle.
Constructed from special masonry, a blackgold castle.
Its one glaring flaw is a gigantic hole in the castle tower.
Although not as sophisticated as Perugius's Sky Castle,
it is still a very
beautiful structure.
It's probably more desirable for those interested in the
practical.
Normally it serves as a tourist attraction, open to the
public, a castle that
charges an admission fee.
Apparently divided into tourist section and resident section.
We're brought to an audience hall.
Not the great throne room that's open to the public.
A narrow and practical audience hall.
In this narrow hall, black clad soldiers line up shoulder to
shoulder.
A tight squeeze, and hot too.
And then, on the jade throne in this stuffy hall, no one's
there.
I have been waiting for over two hours here.
Outside, the sun has set long ago.
Although standing isn't much of a torture, but would it hurt
if they prepare a
seat for me?
By the way, right now only Zanoba and I are present.

Elinalise and Cliff were led away by some soldiers

underground to gather the
medicine.
"Hey, where is Atofesama?"
"I told you, we already called for her."
"This is taking too long, don't tell me she left town
already..."
"She's loose with time, even inside the castle she might be
a day late."
"But it's not good if we keep the guests waiting..."
"You there, be quiet."
The soldiers whispering among themselves.
A rather uninhibited bunch.
Somehow looking at them like this is rather reassuring.
When I checked, the old soldier has been staring at us.
"Atofesama will arrive soon, please hold on for a little
more. By the way,
don't ask for a reward."
"Ha?"
"We won't be able to help if she offers you a reward."
"Eh... Okay, I understand."
I nod candidly.
Even though I don't know what the reward might be.
Well, I wasn't planning for a reward in the first place.
A reward for selling out Kishirika, I don't want something so
wicked.
Kishirika is currently tied up, squirming on the floor like a
caterpillar.
Looks like punishments are in store for her.
Spankings? Scrub the toilet?
Hopefully nothing too serious...

Regardless I should watch my words.

The opponent is a Demon King.
The only ones I have met so far are Badigadi and Kishirika.
If those two get angry... well?
Probably not a good thing.
"Out of the way!"
Suddenly, a sound from the back.
I turn around to look and see a woman standing there.
Out of all that I have seen so far, that woman is the most
demonlike of all.
Blue skin, white hair.
Crimson eyes, bat wings.
And then, from her forehead, a pair of great horns.
Her body is clad with black armor like the soldiers.
No, her armor looks well worn, far more than the soldiers'.
Covered in scars, all the decorations peeled off.
It has seen its share of battles.
Hanging off her waist, a great sword too big to imagine for
her slender wrists.
Even its scabbard looks more stylish than the soldiers'.
Not particularly tall.
About normal for a mature woman.
A little taller than Ariel, a little shorter than me, around
there.
But the thing really worthy of note.
Is the unspeakable anger and killing intent radiating from
her.

A difficult to explain sense of violence.

Basically, kind of like Eris.
Like a female knight.
No, more appropriately a female knight commander.
Probably better I avoid her bad side.
"Did you not hear me? Out of the way!"
"Ah, yes."
Following her instruction, I made way for her.
"Good."
The female knight commander flicks her hair,
unceremoniously walks up to
the throne, and turns around.
Unsheathing from her waist the great sword, she
slams it on the ground
standing arrogantly.
Then, after a deep breath, said.
"It is I, Immortal Demon King Atoferatofe Raibaku."
"... Eh?"
While I was bewildered, the black clad soldiers hurriedly
raise their swords in
salute.
All, except one adjacent to the throne.
The old soldier from before.
"Atofesama! Why did you come from over there? How
many times do I
need to remind you? When you arrive at the throne, come
from the back."
"I have decided that the front is better."
"Don't be so reckless!"

"Do you know? After an arduous journey to challenge the

Demon King, the
moment when the hero comes face to face with the
Demon King at the
throne, that feeling is exhilarating."
"So what! Think of how disappointed your father, one
of the five Great
Demon Kings, would be! Not only that, think of your
husband Raibaku
sama!"
"Shut it!"
Atofe raises her sword, faster than the eye can see, swings
at the old soldier.
The old soldier instantly tries to parry, but it was too
late. His helmet flew
off, and collapsed.
The black clad soldiers around him hurry over to help.
"Don't be so angry in front of guests! Your dead father will
roll in his grave!"
The helmet rolls in front of me.
In the dead center it has split in two.
What terrifying power.
Nonchalantly I take a look at it, the interior is covered in
blood.
"Ugh!"
Eh?
Ah?
Did she cut his head...
Don't tell me, that guy, he's...
Dead?
"I get it. Be more considerate next time."
While I was thinking, the old soldier stands up like nothing
happened.
Smoke coming from his head as he bows to Atofe.

Don't tell me, he's also from the immortal clan?

Or rather, they are all?
"That's fine. Alright, let's start from the beginning."
"Okay!"
Atofe sheathes her sword and takes the Highlander pose.
The old soldier takes a helmet offered by another, and
stands at the head of
the troops.
Then, once more, the soldiers straighten up and raise their
swords in salute.
"It is I, Immortal Demon King Atoferatofe Raibaku."
Zanoba kneels down on the floor, his head in a bow, I follow
suit.
I'll be fine as long as I copy Zanoba, probably.
"First, allow me to thank you. Thanks to your assistance, we
were finally able
to catch that idiot Kishirika."
Atofe said while looking at Kishirika.
Rolled up like a sausage, she stares at the ground, resigned
to her fate.
I feel a bit sorry for her.
Throwing her under the bus after helping us out, but it can't
be helped.
We have our own problems.
"I don't have a portrait of this one when she's younger, so
the search was a
waste of time, but we finally found her!"
Ah, so that really was the case.
How careless.
"Well then..."
Still in that pose, Atofe stares off somewhere.

Then, nothing happens.

5 minutes passed.
Still in that pose, unmoving.
Like her breaker has tripped.
"Moore, now what?"
"Reward."
Looks like she forgot her lines.
Also, that old soldier is apparently Moore.
Like he's about to make a "muhaha muhaha" laugh at any
moment.
"Ah, right. They deserve a reward."
Atofe suddenly said.
"No, reward is unnecessary."
I said the refusal I have prepared.
Everything said so far are merely ceremonial.
That's why Moore told me to not go for a reward earlier.
Despite what I thought, Atofe instead stamps her feet.
"You mean a reward from me isn't good enough?"
Atofe glares at me with killing intent.
My legs begin to quiver.
That killing intent is the real deal.
Not like Rinia's or Pursena's.
More like Orsted's.
"No, no, it would be an honor."

[1]

I better not get on her wrong side.

If she wants to give us something, I better just shut up and
accept it.
Like that I start looking for excuses.
"What will be our rewards?"
Hearing this, satisfied Atofe squints her eyes.
"Strength."
Strength.
Strength?
It'd be a lie if I say I don't want it.
But Mooresan told me to refuse it.
Maybe I should change the topic and tell her that we need
to leave once my
friends got the tea.
"I award you the honor of joining and training with my
private guards!"
"Eh!"
What?
So she isn't going to put a hand on my forehead and
unlock my hidden
potential.
Or give me a demon eye like Kishirika?
"You are a bit soft, but after 10 years of training, you
definitely will reach
that level."
"Ah, em."
"I will train you day and night for the next 10 years. What
an honor, right?"
10 years, training day and night...
No, I have wives and a kid at home, that kind of training I
have to pass on.

It's true, if I train for the next 10 years, I can definitely get
stronger.
But I'm not about to throw everything else away just for
strength.
Abandoning the home I have to protect, for what?
I look over to Mooresan, he shakes his head to resign.
What do I do?
No, I have to refuse her.
I don't want to join some private guards.
"I'm very sorry, but this honor is beyond me."
"No need to be polite! Go, get a suit of armor and contract
for him!"
Several of the private guards left as Atofe instructed.
"The strongest armor of the Magic Continent, the best
training of the Magic
Continent, and the most famed private guard of the Magic
Continent. There's
no greater honor than that. Although once contracted you
can never defy me,
but it's not like you could even if you didn't. Doesn't that
make you happy?"
Cannot be defied...
I'm not happy at all.
But of all the Demon Kings I have met thus far, this is the
Demonist.
I guess in some ways, having a chance to meet a
Demon King like this, is
something to be happy about.
Wait, did all the private guards get forced into a contract
like this?
"No, I must refuse. I have family at home, so I cannot stay
10 years here."
"... Don't mind the family. I haven't seen my son for over a
hundred years. No
news is good news."
So I have to be separated for 100 years too?
Don't joke around.

"Ffor humans, 10 years is a very long time. I told my

family I'll be back
soon. And..."
"And?"
Atofe twitches her forehead.
She doesn't look very happy.
"And I have a sick friend waiting. I need to hurry to find a
cure for her and
return. There are also many other things that must be
done. I cannot just think
of my own strength right now."
"Shut it!"
Atofe shouts in anger.
Terrifying, so terrifying.
Truly terrifying.
What? Why?
Why does she have to shout?
"Are you joining the private guard, or are you not? What
will it be? Give a
clear answer!"
"I, I must refuse."
After my answer, Atofe turns stiff.
Her cheeks turn red.
"Why? Why do you refuse?"
Eh?
Didn't I just give a bunch of reasons?
"Em..."
At this moment, Zanoba suddenly steps in.

I glance back, he's a face of calm.

Ah, the whole time we have been speaking Demon God, so
he doesn't know
the conversation.
What should we do?
How do I convince Atofe?
I look around.
Without realizing it, the mood in the room has changed.
The sympathy coming from the soldiers has congealed
into something
strange.
Also, feeling a little alienated.
"You see!"
Kishirika suddenly yells out.
"That one is an idiot. Don't get involved with her. You
can't talk sense to
her."
"Shut it! I am not an idiot!"
Atofe suddenly roars and unsheathes her sword.
"That's right. You treated me like an idiot! You said you
want a reward, then
you said you don't! You played with my head like an idiot!"
Then she starts to head menacingly toward us.
Eh?
What?
Hey, calm down.
"Atofesama! We're inside, please calm down!"
"I am not an idiot! I'm not!"

Swinging her sword wildly, she angrily approaches us,

but the black clad
soldiers try to stop her.
"Stand aside."
Atofe sends the soldiers flying like a Russell Snow Plow
Train.
Ah, crap.
Do I attack with magic?
No, if I attack now it just escalates the situation.
"I'll handle this."
During my moment of hesitation, Zanoba stands up and
takes a step forward.
"Hah!"
Zanoba grabs Atofe tightly by her wrist.
Atofe, thinking she can send Zanoba flying like the rest
of them, continues
ahead.
But, as expected of the strength of a miko, Zanoba
manages to stop Atofe's
advance.
"Oh! You are unexpectedly strong!"
Atofe smiles in wide eye admiration at Zanoba.
As if to admonish her, Zanoba speaks.
"Let's calm down. It was not our intention to bother
you. It's all a
misunderstanding."
"Quit saying words I don't understand!"
Atofe ignores Zanoba's words.
Rather, more like she can't understand human language.
Atofe swings at Zanoba's foot with her sword, and when it
doesn't work, she
exclaims.

"Oh, you're tough. Wearing a particularly strong touki!

Interesting!"
While shouting those words, Atofe cuts off her own arm
that was held by
Zanoba.
No hesitation.
Her own arm.
Just because it was a hassle, she cut it off.
"MMph!"
The moment it separates from Atofe, the arm dissolves
into soft chunks of
meat.
Zanoba lets go, and the meat chunks splatter on the
ground.
The meat squirms near Atofe, sticking to her arm.
Then, in an instant, reform into its old shape.
Just like Badigadi.
Physical damage is useless.
"I am the Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe Raibaku! Wife
of the original
North God Kalman Raibaku! I shall show you the true North
God Style!"
Atofe raises her great sword ready.
Zanoba clenches his fist, is he really going to fight her?
"..."
In this moment, I feel a chill down my spine.
Not good.
I have a bad feeling. Zanoba will die.
Zanoba is a miko.
Typical attacks won't faze him.

But he is not invincible.

Even that Dragon God Orsted can be hurt.
This world has no absolutes.
Zanoba is also weak against fire.
He may be strong against blunt force, but it's not
completely immune.
"Grr."
I immediately begin to gather magic.
As fast as possible, as hard as possible.
Stone Cannon... won't be enough.
But my magic has also improved from back then.
"Wuhahaha! Die! North God Style Secret..."
"Electric!"
Purple lightning flies from my palm to Atofe.
It snaps in an instant.
Atofe falls backward.
"Ugh!"
Falling back, the great sword slips from her hand.
Meanwhile, a numbness from my left hand, but it should be
fine.
I didn't put enough magic into it to kill.
"Ha!"
Zanoba isn't giving Atofe any room to spare.
"Kaboom!"
Zanoba's steel fist hits Atofe in the face.
Instantly Atofe's head crumbles, flying off in a beautiful
parabola.
Flings past the throne.
With crumbling sounds breaking the back wall.
She flew out of the castle.
"AAtofesamaaaa!"
The blackclad soldiers swarm toward the hole in the wall.
"Eh, oops... I was trying to protect Shiso and moved without
thinking. Is she
dead?"
"No, I don't think she can."
Well, she is an Immortal Demon King.
Problem is, what do we do now?
"Wow, they actually did it."

"Did they really..."

"What just happened?"
We are surrounded by some 20 black clad soldiers.
Bickering among themselves, they have us surrounded.
Now that we knocked off their master, of course they have
to do something.
"Ha."
I raise my staff.
This is my responsibility.
This happened because of what I said.
...No, was I wrong?
I don't think I did anything wrong... Eh?
"..."
But the black clad soldiers did not raise their swords.
They're only looking.
"You..."
Zanoba in a fighting pose.
Maybe he should grab a weapon too.
But right now we don't have the luxury to look for one.
Is there a wooden pole they're not using?
Moore approaches us.
Representing the private guards, he speaks to me in
Demon God language.
"Let me ask you again, do you want to be our comrades?"
"No, we don't."
I answered him clearly this time. Moore replies.

"Master likes strong people. After getting stopped by such

a strange power,
then sent flying out the castle with one punch, she will
definitely want to
keep you."
Are all Demon Kings of this world like this?
Can't they be more serious?
Still, the black clad soldiers don't look like they plan to
capture us.
All they said after seeing Atofe fly off was [Wow!]
[Atofesama really did it
this time!] [Haha!] That kind of banter.
"We private guards will not move unless instructed. But
once commanded...
we cannot refuse."
After Moore said that, many among the private guards look
sharply at us.
Nothing funny about a group that does nothing unless
they're told.
But we should be thankful that this is the case.
"Afotesama probably won't let you get away given the
situation."
"What happens after she catches us?"
"Probably force you to duel her."
"..."
"And when you lose, force you into a contract while
unconscious. Once
contracted, you can never defy Afotesama again."
"Tthat contract, how long does it last?"
"Until you die."
Gulp, I can hear the sound of me swallowing.
"But every 10 years, you get a 2 year break."
2 year break every 10 years.
So like a day off every 5.

But somehow that doesn't feel very restful.

"Most of the people here volunteered to join Atofesama's
private guards, but
many didn't. Especially the Human Race ones. It's
rough. We can
sympathize."
Among the private guards, a few droop their head.
So like us, they also felt like they got forced into the
contract.
The contract is a euphemism for forced slavery.
So that's what happened, when Moore warned me to not
take a reward, that's
the reason...
He should have explained it better.
No, I can't blame him.
It's my fault for not asking.
I wanted to be careful, but I was careless from the start.
"... What's our chances in the duel?"
"Oh, chances? Do you think you can beat our master, who
has lost only to
North God Raibaku and Demon God Laplace in the last
5000 years?"
Oh, basically zero.
Immortal is in her name. Her durability probably matches
that of Badigadi's.
No, she's probably better than Badigadi when it comes to
fighting.
Badigadi never used North God Style or anything.
At least, he never did when we practiced.
"If it was a tie, what happens?"
"Rematch if an enemy, mutual respect if a friend."
In my situation.

Probably a rematch.
Feels like I already made myself an enemy.
Then, after a couple fights, I'll definitely lose eventually.
"Tthen, what should we do..?"
"Run away."
Moore says bluntly.
"Your friends should have gathered enough Sokasu Grass
by now. Under the
castle is a tunnel out the town. Please escape from there."
The black clad soldiers around us plead.
"Don't follow our footsteps."
"If you ever head to the Holy Kingdom of Milis, please
go to Wako
Village..."
"Idiot, stop that. You can head back in 7 years."
"But..."
That sort of grieving coming from behind us.
Eh, I'll pretend I didn't hear anything.
I don't know even know where Wako Village is.
I start running out as I thank the soldiers.
Incidentally, I caught a glance of Kishirika.
She pleads with her eyes.
Now, she and I are the same, both fugitives.
"Can I bring Kishirikasama with me?"
"...Well, our command was only to capture her."
The private guards decide to overlook this too.
Looks like Atofe never commanded them to prevent
Kishirika from escape.
What happened to punishing her?
How easygoing.
Quickly I burn off the ropes tying up Kishirika.
"Ohh. Thank you very much! This one will definitely repay
you!"
We escaped from the throne room.

Part 2
We made contact with Elinalise and Cliff inside the castle.
Carrying a sack full of tea leaves on their back, and each
with a sapling in
their hands.
Ocher colored leaves, reminds me of shriveled aloe.
"Because they're weak against sunlight, they must be
grown underground. I
also got a notebook of instructions, but I can't read them."
"I can have Roxy take a look at it after, let's hurry."
"What happened?"
I explain to them the situation.
Elinalise has a [I knew this would happen] look on her face.
"I heard something like this before. Like Kishirika gives
demon eye,
Badigadi gives wisdom, and Atoferatofe gives strength."
"If you knew, you should have told us!"
"I don't understand Demon God language, maybe you
should have translated
better."
Ah, true, I was at fault too.
But I am not a translator.
I don't know what I'm supposed to do.
"No time to fight. Hurry and run. Then, that underground
tunnel? Should we
go?"
I come back to my senses after hearing Zanoba.
Right, right now Atofe may have already healed the
face Zanoba smashed
open, and is on the way to kill us.

"No, better avoid going underground."

A voice from behind my legs.
When I look back, Kishirika has been staring at me.
When we last met, we were roughly the same height, but
now I can't help but
stare down at her.
"This one didn't say anything earlier, because this one
was mad of your
betrayal, but Badi destroyed that tunnel during the
Laplace Campaign. It
hasn't been fixed yet."
"Really?"
"Really. That guy is a liar. Moore lies to help Atofe. He's
basically her right
hand. He might have said that, but he's probably
planning something once
you start to fight Atofe."
Even if Kishirika is lying, that sounds plausible.
Moore wants to deceive us and capture us underground.
That bastard...
... But he was kind enough to not attack us immediately.
And he kindly prepared cultivation notes for the herbs for
us too.
Betraying that kindness, pissing off Atofe, that's all my
fault.
I should just hand over Kishirika and cleanly refuse the
reward.
Maybe they would let me go.
Although Moore might grumble about Atofe, he's definitely
not on our side.
"But if that's the case, then why not catch us right then."
"That's Atofe you're talking about. She definitely wants to
catch us herself."
I see.
It's just a game.

As a confidant of the Demon King, this is part of the job.

Do the other soldiers know?
Maybe some did, and some didn't.
"I understand. Then, we escape from above?"
"Yes. There shouldn't be any inspections right now."
Inspections at the entry points.
Indeed, with the private guards all inside the castle,
there shouldn't be any
inspections.
"Perhaps things changed when Kishirikasama was in
hiding. Maybe they
have already fixed the tunnels?"
"If that's what you think, then either way is fine right?"
True.
Is the enemy above or below ground?
Um.
"Elinalisesan, which would you pick?"
"I definitely won't pick the path that might be blocked."
"Zanoba?"
"Narrow areas are easier to fight in."
"Cliff?"
"I, I pick above ground. I hate dark places."
It's decided.
Democratic rules.
"Then let's escape above ground. Elinalise take the
front. Please lead us
straight to the magic teleportation circle. Cliff and Zanoba
in the middle, and

I'll take rearguard. Zanoba and I will handle our baggage."

I take what Elinalise was carrying.
Better to let us hold it than them.
I can use magic, so I don't need much mobility. Zanoba
won't mind a little
weight.
Cliff isn't very strong, so better off if he doesn't carry
anything.
"What about this one?"
"Your majesty, you can sit with Zanoba's luggage."
"Understood."
As instructed, Kishirika climbed up Zanoba like a small
animal.
I was kidding...
AAh, oh well. That's probably the safest.
"Alright, let's go!"
We run out the castle.
From within, the sound of [Moooreeee! Chase
themmm!] can be heard
loudly.
Terrifying.

Part 3
Desperately we ran through the night streets.
Although it ought to be dark now, it's actually quite bright.
Brilliant lights pour down the cliffs of the crater.
But choosing above ground was right for now.

Not a single black clad soldier in sight.

No one chasing behind us either.
Just as Kishirika predicted.
They are probably searching the tunnels right now.
No, maybe Atofe gave up already.
Impossible. Think about it, we even have Kishirika with us.
Atofe has no reason to give up the chase.
We ran through the main road, passing by the Adventurer's
Guild.
Nokopara is probably still inside.
I never expected to be heading back already.
Our rooms have been paid for.
Our change is still inside.
It's unfortunate, but not a big loss.
We passed the empty marketplace.
Briefly, I spot the alley where we dyed Ruijerd's hair.
Back then we ran out of town just like this.

All in all, not a single happy memory from this place.

We came to the city entry, a crack in the crater.
No black clad soldiers, but there are guards.
A lizard head and a pig head.
They watch us but don't show any suspicion. We easily
passed.
We're almost there.
We follow along the edge of the crater.
"Ehh? Where are we going?"
"A magic teleportation circle we used."
"Oh. Magic teleportation circle. That thing's still there? But,
em.. Oww, This
one bit its tongue..."
We marked the location on the way out.
We'll be fine.
It's a little dark, but Elinalise won't make a mistake.
Make a left turn on the mark, then head straight uphill. We
stop our steps.
"Well, well, it's about time."
Up the slopes.
The entry way to the magic teleportation circle.
Atofe stands proudly there.
Around her around 10 black clad soldiers.
Another hole can be seen near the magic teleportation
circle entrance.
Don't tell me, the underground tunnel exits... here?
"As expected of Moore. It's just as he said. I'll have to
handsomely reward
him."
Were we tracked?
No, they even got here before us.
They even knew where we are going?
"How, how impressive... How did you catch up so quickly?"
"Hah, easy when you can fly. I can see you running."
Atofe flexes her wings as she speaks.
"Moore has arrived."
I turn to look. Black clad soldiers appear near the corner of
the crater.
Atofe follows from above.
Ten black clad soldiers follow from below.
And more follow above ground.
Attack from three sides.
... If you think about it, it only makes sense.
[2]

They're not Inspector Zenigata, of course they'll split up to

search.
Not just that, they knew where we were heading, so none of
the paths would
work.
The black clad soldiers behind us have us surrounded.
With the escape route cut, there is no escape.
"Moore. Well done. It's just as you said."
"If you think so, then listen to my request."
"Refused."
After the short conversation, Atofe claps her hand.

Thus, the black clad soldiers, all together, unsheathe their

swords.
"Well then..."
Atofe takes a step forward, her sword unsheathed.
Then, from the high ground with sword pointing she speaks.

"Wahahaha! I am the Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe

Raibaku. Defeat me
and people shall call you a hero! Lose to me, you shall
become my puppet,
follow my every command until you die!"
A grim smile.
An overwhelming murderous intent.
The Atofe who's shorter than me looks like a 5meter tall
giant.
"..."
Sorry, Sylphy.
I might not get back.

Notes
1. Dragon Quest: Legend of the Hero Abel reference.
2. Lupin III reference.

Chapter 151 Duel with the

Immortal Demon Lord
Part 1
Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe.
She is a very famous Demon Lord.
Her first appearance in history is the second HumanDemon
Great War.
[5 Great Demon Kings] Immortal Nekurosu Rakurosu's
daughter, shock troop
of the Demon Race.
Low intelligence, but wields tremendous battle prowess and
tenacity, a cruel
and feared Demon Lord.
But, perhaps because of her low intelligence, her supply
route was cut.
Captured by humans, she was sealed.
Her revival happened before the Laplace Campaign.
Demon God Laplace revived her personally, and she
became his most feared
Demon Lord. After the Laplace Campaign, defeated by
North God Karuman,
she surrendered.

It is said, that North God Karuman and Demon Lord Atofe

had a child, who
became North God Karuman II.
It is also said, that North God Karuman taught Demon Lord
Atofe everything
he knew of the sword.
And it it is said, that North God Karuman II's sword art was
taught by none
other than Demon Lord Atofe herself.
In summary, Atofe is a veteran of uncountable battles,
a protege of the
original North God, and also immortal.
We're screwed.

Part 2
Atofe before us.
Black clad soldiers surround us.
Our retreat blocked, Atofe eagerly brandishing her sword.
"Alright, come at me, all four of you."
Atofe did not attack.
Carefully wielding her sword, she is diligently observing us.
Her eyes are her real weapon.
With her strength, devastating us is not out of the question.

"... I won't be so naive this time. I remember well."

With that said, her glare alternates between Zanoba and
me.
Vigilant.
Zanoba's special strength, and my lightning strike.
Even a Demon Lord cannot avoid our attacks.
But she now looks completely unscathed.
She completely recovers even after taking a Zanoba
punch to the face and
having her face smashed.
"Alright, do that again. I will dodge this time."
Plenty of confidence.
It feels like she'll dodge it.
This world's sword art can even reflect magic.
Not sure about North God Style, but since she's a Demon
Lord, I think she

can avoid magic of my level.

Open my demon eye for now, but would a second of
foresight really make a
difference?
What now?
... First, find a opening.
But if we do, then what?
Would my magic even do anything?
My strongest Stone Cannon couldn't kill a defenseless
Badigadi.
Much less when Atofe is poised.
As long as she guards it, no matter what kind of magic...
"Rudeus. If it's just Cliff, then he can make it to the magic
teleportation circle
and escape."
I look over to Cliff after Elinalise said that.
Cliff, his eyes focused at Atofe.
But his legs are shaking.
And no battle ability.
"Tea, plant, and notebook. Take all three with him, and
Nanahoshi will be
saved."
"Right."
Right.
Yeah, this is why we came in the first place.
Save Nanahoshi, that was the goal.
If we have a goal, then accomplishing it is the most
important.
If we lose here, we won't die. But we won't see family for
10 years, which

sucks.
"And find reinforcements. Perugius and Atofe have a
history. He can
definitely get help."
Perugius and his 12 Familiars.
True, if it's him, maybe he'll come to our aid.
No matter what, he's the hero that sealed Laplace.
If he can do that, he should be able to take on Atofe.
"Fine. Then, let's do that... Can you convince Cliff?"
"Watch me."
Elinalise retreats next to Cliff.
Zanoba, Elinalise, and I will create an opening.
Cliff will break out, run into the magic teleportation circle.
Cliff convince Perugius. We'll try to hold out.
Will it work?
Can we handle it?
Also, can Cliff convince Pergius?
While Cliff tries to convince Pergius, would we lose
and be forced into
contract?
No matter what, if Cliff escapes, then Nanahoshi is saved.
Save Nanahoshi.
That was the goal.
But, I want to return too.
Eh, damn, I am going in circles.

Calm down.
First, we need to restrain Atofe.
At that moment, use magic to disperse the black clad
soldiers and let Cliff
escape.
Then, if the situation allows, we will also take a
chance and dive for the
magic circle.
Okay.
Let's do that.
Atofe cannot be defeated, but the surrounding black clad
soldiers can.
Take it seriously this time.
Destroy them all.
Okay.
I can do this.
Do it, do it.
Kill.
Kill them all, and I get to go home. Okay.
Yes, I can do this.
I'm not just saying it this time.
"Don't worry, Shisho. Demon Lord Atofe, I would stop her
even if it cost me
my life."
Not an ounce of hesitation from Zanoba.
Calm.
Reliable.
Why is he so manly in a situation like this?

Like a line out of the movies.

If I'm a girl, it wouldn't be weird if I fall for him.
[But can I really get away? I don't run very fast, and the
luggage too...]
[If they give chase, Rudeus and I will stop them. Don't look
back, don't think,
just keep running. And don't trip.]
[I should fight as well...]
[We won't win even with the four of us. You leaving for
reinforcements is
also a serious battle.]
[In that case... Oh, I get it...]
Cliff's voice passes by my ears.
From here, to the magic circle entrance, takes about thirty
steps or so.
Not close nor far.
But he has to run the whole distance.
"Persuasion successful."
Soon Elinalise returns to the front.
Looking at Cliff.
A serious look on his face.
A man with a purpose.
Not one running from a fight.
Running for help is a battle...
Elinalise sure has a way with words, how envious.
"Zanoba and I will create an opening with Atofe. Rudeus,
take care of the
black clad soldiers around you."
"Got it."

Strategy session over.

We turn towards Atofe.
Poised with her sword, sneering at us.
"Your goal is to beat me?"
No enemy behind her.
30 paces. Uphill, no good footholds.
Won't Cliff fall on the way?
No, do it anyways.
"Zanoba, Elinalisesan, I'll take the first shot."
"Understood."
Facing Atofe, I raise my magic staff.
Using my usual stone cannon.
By firepower alone, the King Class [Lightning] might be
better, but at this
distance we'll be hit as well.
Annihilated by my own magic, I'll pass.
"Phew..."
Deep breath, focus magic into the staff.
Atofe stands still.
Even if she knew I know voiceless incantation, we will
proceed as planned.
Convenient, but...
<Atofe deflects the Stone Cannon with her sword.>
Demon eye clearly sees that Atofe moved to doubt my
attack.
Damn. Even though I was told that my stone cannon is very
high level, but it

seems useless against Atofe.

Then, would lightning work?
Use the magic that she's most vigilant against...?
"Shisho. I'll definitely follow through, count on me."
"... Zanoba."
I can trust his words.
... I also prepare myself.
"Okay, go!"
I fired off the strongest possible Stone Cannon.
With a Kaboom it flies toward Atofe.
"Just give up!"
Atofe moves like a mirage.
Just a tiny bit she moves her wrist, barely shifting the
sword.
And in that moment, sword and cannon collide,
frightening sparks come
flying out.
The stone cannon shifts course and slams into a
boulder at some far off
distance, kicking off a great cloud of dust.
Still no good.
"Arrrrgh!!"
In the next instance, Zanoba threw something at Atofe.
"Ehh?"
Screaming as it flew towards Atofe.
Atofe smiling at she prepares to parry the attack.

"Just give... Eh?"

Just when Atofe was about to cut it in two, she stops her
motion.
Then, what's tossed hit Atofe on the face.
"Wah?"
"Ah?"
Like glue it sticks on Atofe's face...
It's Kishirika that was sitting on Zanoba's shoulder.
"Ew! It smells! Go take a shower you idiot!"
"This one wants to too.... Eek?"
Atofe grabs hold of Kishirika and tosses her somewhere far
away.
Kishirika flew out of the circle surrounding us and lands
with a dud.
"Come on, throwing something like that over here.. Eh?"
Atofe screams in shock.
Zanoba with his fists clenched rushed up to Atofe.
Elinalise follows behind like a shadow.
Crap, I should stop watching.
"Come to me, fighting spirit!"
"Ahhh!"
Zanoba throws a punch.
With horrifying strength it flies towards Atofe.
With her gauntlet she easily...
"Ugh?"
She didn't dodge.

A terrifying noise, bam, he steps into Atofe.

The gauntlet smashed into an awful shape.
Zanoba follows through with another step.
A big step forward, another punch at Atofe.
"Good!"
Atofe lifts up her great sword from an awkward position.
Another terrible noise, crunch, Atofe's leg twisted.
But her momentum remains, and her swing towards
Zanoba.
"Grr."
Zanoba kneels in pain.
The first time I have ever seen Zanoba like this.
Zanoba doesn't even flinch when I hit him with Stone
Cannon.
With a single blow...
Atofe looks over arrogantly, but a little short of breath.
"That body is not bad, but... remember. There's no
perfect defense. This is
what my husband Karum..."
"Hah!"
"Mm?"
While she was talking.
Using Zanoba's back as her springboard, Elinalise leaps
over.
Using her momentum she aims for Atofe's throat,
aiming for the exposed
flesh.
But the attack and cut sound are both deflected.

Not the sound of skin.

The defense of touki.
"There's more!"
Elinalise's sword hand holds firm.
With her shield raised, she makes a sidestep and thrusts.
Invisible shock wave flies from the sword and lands on
Atofe.
But Atofe looks undisturbed.
She wrinkles her brows unhappily, like sand got into her
eyes.
"Your strike is weak! Fine, here, take this!"
Atofe raises up her great sword and slashes.
Elinalise steps back to avoid that swing.
"Psh!"
Hurriedly she raises her shield.
GONG. Elinalise spins around.
Elinalise rolls on the rocky ground, then pounced like a cat.
My eye sees, terror.
"But good footwork. With training at my place..."
"Aaah!"
Zanoba suddenly gets up while Atofe was talking.
More like a leap, with his hands stretched, he dives at
Atofe.
"Ahh!"
Just like that, he grabs Atofe with a bear hug.
Both her hands restrained, he lifts her off the ground.

"Argh. How dare you hug me so shamelessly... Guards!"

Like a vise Zanoba holds on with all his strength. Atofe spits
out black blood.
The combo worked?
No, the opponent is an Immortal Demon Lord,
temporary damage won't
work.
"Shisho! Now!"
"...!"
Zanoba's words confirm the situation.
Atofe is immobilized.
A chance.
"Cliff, now, go!"
With all my power injected into my staff.
An area of effect spell.
Enough to kill all the black clad soldiers at once.
"Got it!"
Cliff begins to run, the black clad soldiers surrounding us
raise their swords
in shock.
No, too late.
"Frost Nova!"
Cold air surges from my staff.
The ground cracks, frozen, masses of cold air reach the
black clad soldiers
that circle us.
"Nah!"
"Mm?"

The black clad soldiers panic as the ground below their feet
begins to freeze.
I did it...!
It might be a sneak attack.
But this way, it can't be avoided.
While I was thinking.
A voice rang.
"Bursting flames cover my body, [Burning Place]!"
One man, like on fire hot air spreads from him.
Like he's challenging my Frost Nova.
The man, and the two soldiers next to him, manages to
defrost.
That man is Moore.
The old soldier begins to recite as soon as I raised my staff,
taking advantage
of the time gap.
Even so, no matter how powerful, no matter how fast,
Even if it's me, I will show no mercy...
But Moore's magic only managed to defrost himself and the
two besides him.
Everyone else is completely engulfed in ice like sculptures.
By pure power, I have won.
Also, I, have finally killed...
"Even freezing our black armors... what incredible power!
Everyone, recite
Burning place!"
"Yes! Spirit of fire, everywhere between the sky and
earth..."
Moore shouted to his surroundings, and the black clads in
the ice begins to
sing.

Not dead.
No one died.
That black armor.
That black armor can resist water magic?
Curses.
I used the wrong spell?
"Mm."
Cliff squeezes pass Atofe's side.
"Moore, do not let him escape!"
"Ha!"
On Atofe's command Moore begins to move.
A moment later, the soldiers unfrozen by Moore's
magic start running as
well.
Elinalise dashes over, sliding in front of them.
And with her sword raised, stops them.
"Rudeus! Go!"
Moore chases Cliff without looking back.
Cliff lugging a large baggage and sapling.
Although Moore is wearing armor, he's fast.
He's only 7 steps from Cliff.
I point my staff towards Moore.
"Stone Cannon!"
<Moore recites [Earth Wall] to counter Stone Cannon.>

It's fine. I can make it.

I pour magic into my staff and fire.
"The earth... Grr!"
Moore runs with a hand raised while chanting.
But like a laser the Stone Cannon strikes his arm, sending
his armor flying.
With one hand left Moore stumbles... but did not stop.
"Spirit of Water, become my strength 'Icicle Field'."
Moore's magic surrounds him in mist.
Using fog to evade my attack?
Still, his incantation is short.
Almost like Roxy, chanting omission?
"Wind Blast!"
I form wind with my staff and clears the fog.
And maybe to blow him away too, but, without regard to
pain he approaches
Cliff.
That black armor, does it resist wind magic as well?
No, not just wind and water, but resists the others too.
What do I do?
He's only 6 steps away.
I miss the kill shot, and if he dodges, it'll hit Cliff
Just now, my Demon Eye sees.
<Moore begins to chant as he runs.>
"Spirit of Earth all across the land! I call upon you, answer"

"Disrupt Magic!"
Instantly released, the magic I have practiced at home.
The spell I trained with Sylphy.
Moments before Moore's magic is complete, it disappears.
"Seriously? Even Disrupt Magic?"
Moore looks at his hand in shock.
But his legs have not stopped.
Only 5 steps away.
I follow, like using my hand to block his way, and fires.
Of course, I should use what I'm used to.
My well worn tactics should work no matter how
experienced the opponent.
Just like in practice.
"Quagmire!"
Between Moore and Cliff, a giant quagmire formed.
Moore steps one foot onto that sticky quagmire..
"Mm... The unknown God! Answer my prayer, bring heaven
on earth! [Earth
Lance]!"
Instantly, Moore releases magic under his feet.
From his feet, a great spear of earth appears.
Running on this spear, Moore quickly passed the Quagmire.

His legs have not stopped.

Only 4 steps away.
Countered.

I was stopped.
How unexpected.
"Rudeus, Cliff! Hurry!"
"I know!"
Elinalise screams out.
Glancing over, she's currently busy with the two soldiers.
Two versus one.
The black clad soldiers do not press the attack, merely to
keep her busy.
"Hey, I said, you shameless person! Let me go! At
least fight with your
hands!"
"I won't even if I die!"
Zanoba headbutts Atofe. Trying his best even with blood
flowing down his
head.
I need to hurry too.
The other black clad soldiers are also unfreezing.
Steam rises all around, coloring the air white.
"Grr."
What do I do?
What do I do to stop Moore?
He is strong. In a magic fight he's far more experienced
than I.
He parries basic magic like nothing.
Would stronger magic work?
No. If it's too strong, then even Cliff will get dragged
into it. Then there's
Moore's counters and the armor's resistance.

"...!"
Just then, I noticed my feet are wet.
The result of Frost Nova.
Due to defrosting from Burning Place, the entire area
area is shocked in
water.
The first to defrost, Moore too is soaking wet.
Of course, Elinalise and I, our feet are also covered in a
water puddle.
This magic, Atofe only saw once before.
In other words, Moore has never encountered it.
But if I use it now.
I, Elinalise, even Zanoba will get hit.
Only Cliff would be spared.
Cliff is out of range.
He won't be hit.
In that instant, I had resolve.
"Electric!"
Not enough to kill, electricity comes flying out.
A purple lightning flies towards Moore.
BANG it rings loudly, a terrifying show of force.
Purple lightning indiscriminately licks the surrounding
ground.
With the ground soaking wet, it easily spread out to
all the water soaked
people and electrifies them.
"Kyaaa!"

"Gaaa!"
"Ohhh!"
All the black clad soldiers collapse in a heap of smoke.
Elinalise as well; Zanoba as well; Atofe as well.
All the unfrozen people.
And Moore as well.
Me too.
"Ugh!"
My body too received a horrible shock.
A pain down my spine, all my joints feel like they're
bent in the wrong
direction.
It wasn't enough to kill.
So I know I won't die.
But my eyes went dark, and my consciousness went with it.

■■■■
By the time I came to I was already on the floor.
Unconscious for no more than two seconds.
My is body paralyzed.
But I can see.
How is it?
Cliff.
Raising my head, I see Moore kneeling with one foot on the
ground.

Smoking rising from between his armor, yet he still

points his remaining
fingers towards Cliff.
Mumble mumble... incantation?
Magic Disrupt.
No, it won't make it in time.
I pour magic into my left hand.
Even if my body is paralyzed, I can still move my prosthetic
hand.
With my palm towards Moore.
"[Wind Bind]!"
"[Hand, absorb]!"
Moore releases a whip of wind, but it instantly disappears.
"What?"
Moore looks this way.
His face hidden in the helmet, but he must be stunned.
Serves you right.
Without regard Cliff runs forward.
Only 3 steps away from the magic teleportation circle
entrance.
No one can catch him now.
No one.
Even Atofe is still paralyzed.
But her eyes wide open, she stares me down like a tiger.
"You've done it. That's an incredible magic."
"..."
"Interesting. Taking you as my subordinate is indeed...
Hahaha, a magician of
your caliber, I shall cherish you, hahaha."
Unable to look away, I could only accept Atofe's hideous
smile.
Well, it's over.
The immortals recover quickly, far faster than I.
It's too late to run.
Even resisting will be impossible.
Zanoba passed out.
Still clinging on, he slumps to the ground.
He seems to be vulnerable against electricity.
He probably lost consciousness because of the electric
strike.
Elinalise, while still feeling wobbly, tries to make a stand.
She's in as bad of a shape as I am, but still wants to try.
Elinalise refuses to give up.
[Never give up.]
A white haired coach once said.
I will too.
I can do this.
Do your best.
Let's go home.
I want to go home.
Go home, go home and... if possible, sexy time with Sylphy.

And Roxy too.

And hug Lucy.

Not just sword practice with Norn, but magic too.
The rice Aisha has raised, I was looking toward to it.
If Zenith's memory returns, then, let's take everyone to
visit dad's grave.
Then, just like before, a happy life.
A fun filled day, everyday in this other world.
Right, just like that.
Just like that.
... Alright, I can do this.
I can get up.
If my hand can move, I can use magic.
Staff, where's my staff.
I can't do without it.
Ah, good.
I was crushing it under me.
I'm sorry, Aqua Heartia, was I heavy?
Okay, I can do this. Hang in there until rescue arrives.
Just until then.
I don't need to win.
Cliffsenpai, get help.
Perugius, he's annoying, but I'm counting on you.
Please convince him.
Even if he refuses right away, at least this year, please!

"Eh?"
Elinalise makes a noise, her head raised.
Her eyes point forward.
Cliff.
Right at the prison entrance.
And from there appears a black clad soldier, face to face...
Black clad soldiers, from inside the entrance, came out...
"Seriously?"
... There's more inside.
"Ahh..."
Why didn't we realize it.
There's a hole in the ground, even Atofe would want to
check it out.
"Damn it..."
A darkness grows in my heart.
Wanting to cry out, feeling powerless, an all too familiar
feeling.
Despair.
Never again will I meet Sylphy; never again will I meet
Roxy.
Instead I will train under that idiot Demon Lord for the rest
of my life.
My strength left me.
The pain in my heart has robbed me of my strength.
At that moment.
A voice of shock can be heard.
"How...?"

That voice isn't mine.

Isn't Elinalise.
Isn't Zanoba.
And of course isn't Moore.
It's Atofe.
Looking at Cliff, she said.
"Ah! Atofesama..."
The black clad soldier pushes Cliff aside, staggering down
the slope.
Somehow, he looks off.
"Over there, in front of the magic circle, Pur..."
In the next moment.
The black clad soldier was split in two.
Right down the middle, in exact halves.
Then, behind that cut body.
The outlines of a person.
Glowing white hair.
Golden Sanpaku eyes.
White cloth splattered with blood.
"Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe."
Speaking in fluent Demon God language, he walks out.
"You might not think it's important... but Rikarisu might
disappear in a magic
teleportation circle, that possibility exists, so please think
for a moment."
Behind him, one by one others appear.

Arumanfi of the Bright, Sylvaril of the Void.

And others I don't recognize.
Six in total.
"Your soldiers' blood has dirtied my castle."
I see.
Atofe arrived here before us.
She already found the entry way to the magic teleportation
circle.
She ordered soldiers to investigate.
When they found the magic teleportation circle, they
obviously went in.
Thus, he appears.
The Sky Castle was invaded by the Magic Race.
"Perugius!"
Atofe shouts.
Perugius Dola.
The Armored Dragon King is here.

Part 3
Her mood changed the moment Atofe saw Perugius.
Up until now, it has been the pleasures of battle.
But now it's unbelievable killing intent.
Like seeing her father's killer, she stares and grimaces at
Perugius.
"Perugius, you!"
Atofe squirms her still numb body to shake Zanoba off.
Zanoba, out of strength, falls to one side.
Atofe rushes at Perugius, her back feathers shaking.
With a heavy push she intended to jump, but instead her
knees gave out.
"Hahaha!"
Perugius laughs joyfully at this sight.
"Oh, how entertaining, Atoferatofe. Getting careless
again? Does being
careless run in the family for the Immortal clan?"
"So you are the one who sent them! You played dirty just to
kill me... What
happened to your promise with Karuman?"
Perugius sneers at Atofe with a smile.
The only thing Atofe can do in her anger is yell.
Moore tries to stagger near Atofe, but it was impossible.
Right now, only Cliff, Perugius, and his entourage can still
move.
Perugius stares at Atofe, like a tiger finding the perfect
prey.
"Don't be mistaken. I just came to save a few friends."

"Liar! Ughh!"
"I'll keep my promise with Karuman. He was a dear friend."
"I hate you even if you're Karuman's friend!"
"... I hate unreasonable idiots like you."
As he talks, Perugius raise his hands, holding something in
each.
Atofe's face turns pale.
"You, you, no way..."
Ignoring Atofe, Perugius opens his mouth.
"That dragon lives solely while following the path of
chivalry. The nails on
his hands are long and sharp, for he never raises a fist."
That opener sounds familiar.
"The second dragon clenches his fist in anger. His nails
broken, his teeth fell,
but the feeling has been conveyed. He held chivalry in his
hand, yet did he
abandon chivalry?"
One by one the words come out.
And with each word, the surrounding magic gathers around
Pergius.
"The third dragon that died. He who possessed the
most ephemeral eyes
Dragon General of Lustrous Green Scales. By the name of
Armored Dragon
King Perugius, I summon "
Look carefully, two doors appear besides Atofe,
sandwiching her.
Beautifully carved dragons mark those doors.
An ornate silver door.
An ornate golden door.
Slowly but surely, as if sprouting from the ground, the doors
appear.
"Open [Back Dragon Door]."

"Summon [Front Dragon Door]."

Under Perugius's quiet command, the doors open.
Wind blew.
From the right door to the left.
But, it's not wind.
A flow of something, doing something.
Ah, I know.
This summoning magic is magic absorption.
I can feel magic peeling from my body.
But it's different from with Orsted.
It's even faster than back then, like both my magic and my
strength are being
sucked dry.
"Ah, Atofesama, get away..."
Moore slowly crawls over suddenly.
Atofe, her legs quivering, can only stare at Perugius in
anger.
"Perugius!"
Her body seems to have shrunk slightly.
Maybe the doors have been leeching her touki.
"You know this will break the promise!"
"So what? This is a once in a life time opportunity. I won't
miss it."
Perugius holds up his right hand.
His hand covered in white.
Soon his right hand begins to shine, a dazzling light blinds
the area.
"Armored Dragon Hand Sword [Break]."
Perugius swings down his hand.
Light leaves his hand, flying straight at Atofe.
"I'll remember this, Perugius!"
Atofe looks stiff drunk.
Then, a moment later, flew off at a distance.
Her body cut in two, and soon disappears from my sight.
"Pssh, not like she'll die."
Perugius complains quietly, turns back like he lost interest.
"Sylvaril. Take these four, heal them."
"And the others?"
"Leave them."
"Great Demon Empress Kishirika spotted."
Just as Sylvaril said, I spy Kishirika at a distance.
She got hit as well.
Sorry.
"Leave her."
"Hah?"
Apparently he's letting Kishirika off too.
Thank goodness.
"Phew."

With Sylvaril approaching, I can finally take a breath.

... We are saved.

Part 4
Afterwards.
Perugius's subordinates carried us back.
Outside of Cliff, everyone else needed a shoulder to cling
on.
Cliff and Kishirika were discussing something in the
meantime.
By the time I checked, Kishirika had already
disappeared somewhere after
her usual laugh.
Let's meet again at somewhere easier next time... okay?
After moving everyone back, Sylvaril stopped the magic
teleportation circle.
The path to the Magic Continent is closed.
Greeting Roxy's parents will have to wait for another time.
Damaged by electric shock, we were sent to the infirmary.
Cliff was on call.
It was he that offered.
While saying [This type of burn, shouldn't be too bad...] he
brilliantly cleared
our wounds with healing magic.
It won't kill us, but the burns were quite far in and relatively
severe.
Leaving it alone might even lead to complications.
But if I didn't go that far, it might not have crippled
the Immortal Demon
Lord.
Cliff was particularly careful with Elinalise's wounds.
Leaving a scar would be terrible.

Love struck from that kind of Cliff, once done, Elinalise and
him disappeared
together.
Zanoba is still unconscious.
This time he saved us.
No amount of thanks would do.
Friendship may be priceless, but I can't cheap out with
gifts.
I need to properly thank him after he's up.
After the treatments are done and I can start moving, I
head over to Sylphy.
Sylphy is reading on her bed. She looks worried when she
saw me come in.
"What's wrong?" I didn't answer her question, only quietly
climb on the bed
and hug her.
Sylphy whines a little.
Like whine in refusal, full of grief. I hug Sylphy tightly.
I thought the only thing that's important is that she is here.
Atofe's laughter still haunts me.
Although the numbness has left me, that despair in my
heart still lingers.
If I had died in battle, it would all be for naught.
Atofe showed mercy, and the black guards did not attack.
Moore used magic, but nothing lethal.

[1]

But, how terrifying.

If Perugius didn't come.
And Atofe captured and forced me into contract.
Then hugging Sylphy like this might be impossible.

Even after Lucy grows up, I might not see her.

Roxy too, Norn, Aisha, everyone, they would already...
This, only this scares me.
It makes me tremble from fear.
Suddenly, she rubs my head.
Sylphy runs her hand down my hair like a comb.
Her fingers, delicate, warm, and soft.
With a smile, Sylphy returns my hug.
Nothing needs to be said.
She, only her hug.
Only that is enough.

In Sylphy's embrace, I fell asleep at ease.

Notes 1. TLC

Chapter 152 Everyday Life in

the
Floating Citadel
Part 1
Two days have passed.
Zanoba woke up and has been cheerfully checking out the
art pieces around
the castle.
Doesn't look like the electric shock left any complications.
Thank goodness. If he stayed unconscious with his life
hanging by a thread
like that, I don't know how I would face Ginger.
There have been some changes for Cliff.
After the event, Cliff and Kishirika talked about something.
I don't know what they talked about, but he was rewarded.
Kishirika's reward.
In other word, a Demon Eye.
The Demon Eye Cliff received is the Identification Eye.
Up to the extent of Kishirika's knowledge, he knows
everything he sets his
eyes on.
From now on, even if a similar situation was to happen, he
can handle it on
his own.
Cliff is taking it like a man.
That man currently, unable to control his Demon Eye, is
struggling along.
Everything in the world with name and explanations
attached.
A world covered in words.
Even now he cannot walk about without Elinalise guiding
him.
But he'll learn to control it eventually, after all, Cliff is a
genius.

Until then, he should wear an eye patch.

Part 2
Also, Nanahoshi's illness.
We brought back the tea.
A little after drinking the brew, Nanahoshi begins to feel the
urges.
Then Nanahoshi with Yuruzu's help headed to the
infirmary... To protect her
honor, I'll omit the rest. In short, relieved.
"How's the body holding up?"
Nanahoshi is still bedridden.
Her complexion has improved but still weary. She looks
obviously frail.
She probably still needs at least a month of rest.
"Much better now."
Looks like she's in a good mood.
Not stressing over work like usual, but looking rather
drowsy like she just
woke up.
Also, bed head.
She may live an unhealthy lifestyle, but she actually
combs her hair
everyday.
"This time, thanks."
With Sokasu tea warm in her hand, she bows at me.
How rare of her to be polite.
"Going through such danger for my medication. You...
saved me."
Hearing her so polite makes me feel rather uncomfortable.

No, she's probably feeling fragile after her body weakened

so much.
"Don't worry about it."
"You have always been looking out for me... Even after I
said those awful
things to you... You helped me without a complaint. I don't
know how I can
ever repay you."
Nanahoshi looks so apologetic.
Nanahoshi as a goodie two shoes, that's a first.
Did Yuruzu of Atonement's power manage to change her
personality as well?

"Now that I think about it. Rudeussan is my senior,

yet I have been so
impolite..."
"Over there doesn't matter. Here I'm only 18."
"How old were you originally?"
"Thirty... No, forget it. The age difference isn't
important. Please drop the
honorifics. Just like before."
"Okay."
Nanahoshi takes a sip of Sokasu tea, drinking slowly.
Looks like drinking works too.

"From what I heard, your sickness..."

"Can't be cured, probably."
Nanahoshi's Drain Syndrome has no cure.
Sokasu tea can temporarily eliminate magic from within,
but if she leaves it
alone, the magic will reaccumulate.
Because she's not of this world, there's no permanent fix.
But as long as she drinks Sokasu tea regularly, she should
be fine, probably.
Even a little magic can create complications.

Who knows how long before she contracts another strange

illness.
And next time, if it's a disease from time immemorial,
then even Kishirika
might not know of it.
To live in this world, you have to contact magic.
In the air, in your food, magic is everywhere.
"Nanahoshi. You must go back. You can't die in this world."
".... Yes."
"I will do everything I can to help, until you find a way."
"But I..."
"Don't worry about the reward. If you ever get in
trouble, please come
discuss it with me, no matter what."
"..."
Hearing that, Nanahoshi sniffs and start crying.
Under her quiet sobs, a [Thank you] can be heard.
Patiently, I wait for Nanahoshi to finish.
After a while, with a stuffy nose and swollen eyes,
Nanahoshi said.
"But, if I go back."
"Yes, as soon as possible..."
"No, I won't be able to repay you once I get back..."
Ah, so she wants to repay me before then.
She's surprisingly earnest.
"Don't fuss over the details. Besides, it's not like I never
got anything from
you."
"What I mean is, a reward for helping my research."
"Then how about this, would you mind if I consult you
sometimes with minor
issues?"
"Minor issues like?"
"Like what do girls your age want? I live a married life
with Sylphy, got
married, our child was born, but I don't really know how a
girl her age thinks.
If it's you, since you're around the same age, maybe you
can?"
"... How Sylphy thinks?"

Nanahoshi puts a hand on her chin, concentrating over a

spot on her blanket.
Thinking seriously.
Dutifully.
"Don't worry about it today. Just that if some day,
when we have a fight,
please take responsibility."
"... Got it."
Nanahoshi nods earnestly.
Similar in age, but ultimately she's a person from
another world, and she
probably won't know anything about married life.
Of course, I also don't know what people my age think.
"Well then, that settles it. You're still frail, so take care of
yourself."
"Okay. Thanks."
I exit the room.
If we stay too long together, Sylphy will get jealous again.
A jealous Sylphy is cute too.
But I don't want to make a hobby out of keeping her
uneasy.
I wish Sylphy can accept my love without worries.
But just thinking isn't good enough.

Part 3
Walking down a hallway, a beautiful sunset can be seen
outside the window.
And under the window, an expansive courtyard.
No matter which world, sunset is always dazzling.
I don't like high places.
But looking from this beautiful courtyard, witnessing the
sun setting amidst a
sea of clouds.
I too want to lose myself in such scenery.
With that in mind, I head out.
Flowers I have never seen before line this manicured
garden.
A fantasy landscape lit by the setting sun, shy behind the
clouds.
If I whisper sweet nothings to Sylphy in such a scene, how
will she react?
Will she lower her reddened cheeks and grip my hands
tightly?
She would be too cute to bear.
Okay, I shall collect Sylphy and test this hypothesis.
And with Roxy too...
If it's her, she probably would say nonchalantly [You don't
have to say that]
or something.
Well, we don't have anything scheduled for tonight.
That's the only time
when she acts brazenly.
But it's fine. Not just sexy time, I also want to try normal
couple stuff once a
while.
Watching the setting sun together, [It's beautiful!] [No,
you're more

beautiful!] and watch Roxy blush.

Sigh, she's not here. She won't see this.
"Oh?"
Walking around while thinking about this and that, I spot
near the edge of the
courtyard.
A white table.
Three seated around it talking about something.
"That was Shisho's magic. Purple magic flies out of
Shisho's right hand.
Atofe was burned to a crisp, completely paralyzed."
"Oh, Atofe was so weakened because of his magic."
"The depth of Rudeussama's magic is truly astounding."
The three chatting around the table.
Zanoba, Ariel.
Also Perugius.
They're happily chatting away in the sunset.
Not participating in the discussion are two more individuals.
Luke behind Ariel, and Sylvaril behind Perugius.
Including the two standing, all five involved in Zanoba's
conversation.
"Even Elinalise and I were taken out. Outside of Shisho, I
don't think anyone
else in the world can handle magic like that."
"That sounds like [Lightning]... But that kind of power
is necessary if you
want to stop Atofe."
"And then? How did the battle go?"
"Well, about that, at that moment I lost consciousness..
oh, speaking of the
devil."

Zanoba turns to look at me.

It can't be helped if they spot me already.
I take a bow and walk over.
"I'm sorry to intrude. Everyone enjoying a tea party here?"
"That's right. Shisho! Perugiussama wants to hear
about the battle with
Atofe, so I have been telling what happened."
"I see."
Looking at Perugius.
He looks much happier than during our audience.
"So I heard, Rudeus. That it's your magic that
weakened Atofe to that
degree."
"No, it was all thanks to Zanoba for keeping her still. If
he didn't, then she
might have dodged and avoided most of the damage."
"I see... Ha, I just recall the way she looked back then."
Perugius shows a crooked, loathsome smile.
Atofe is really hated.
Anyways, he seems to be in a good mood.
"You seem to be in a good mood."
"Of course. She had poured cold water on my plans more
than once. I never
thought I would have a chance at revenge like that."
"Revenge?"
"Indeed, a very old grudge."
What he refers to happened 400 years ago.
400 years ago, Perugius as a young adventurer supported
the human side of
the war.

On the front line of battle.

Atofe was commanding the front line on the Demon side.
Several times, Perugius met in battle with Atofe.
Still low in combat power back then, he never had a chance
of besting Atofe,
almost got himself killed a few times.
And every time, it was Dragon God Urupan and North
God Karuman that
came to his rescue. A memory that makes one grimace.

Afterwards Perugius swore revenge no matter what.

But North God Karuman ended up marrying Immortal
Demon Lord Atofe.
At his death bed, the North God prohibited Perugius and
Atofe from killing
each other.
Also, an opportunity to visit the Magic Continent never
presented itself.
He was forced to give up, but unexpectedly an opportunity
for a beat down
landed in his lap.
That makes him happy.
"You deserve my thanks. Well done."
"Didn't that break your promise with North God Karuman?"
"Karuman prohibited us from killing each other, but that
was a onesided beat
down. So it should be fine, probably."
Beating down a defenseless opponent, what a brute.
But he has his reasons.
"I have misjudged you. What I mean is, you deserve a
reward."
"Reward... is unnecessary."
Right now, I don't need any reward.

This is fine.
I don't desire strength.
"Indeed. Once Nanahoshi recovers, how about I
personally tutor you in
summoning magic?"
"... And I won't be home for 10 years?"
"I'm different from Atofe."
If I can go home, then I have no reason to refuse.
Especially since I am curious about summoning and
teleportation magic
myself.
Something like this might happen again.
Also, some combat skill will be nice too.
I am not good with fights, but living in this world, it's better
if I learn a few
tricks for surviving the next crisis.
I'm probably strong enough to protect my family, but after
the Atofe fight, I
can't help but feel a little inadequate.
Yeah, I never imagined a fight of that caliber...
I don't want to wait until it's too late.
"Then, Perugiussama. After the summoning lessons,
how about some
combat lessons and practice as well?"
"Ha, inspired by the Atofe fight? Or has the match against
Atofe whet your
appetite?"
Ah, he seems annoyed.
No good, no good.
"No, I mean a few tricks for if I get into a sticky situation
again."
"... Well then, I shall grant you a magic tool to get in
touch with me.

Sylvaril!"
Perugius said as he winks at Sylvaril.
Syvaril pulls out a flute in the shape of a tower with a
dragon coiled on it.
[1]

"Use it at a location associated with me. When Clearnight of

Thunder hears
you, Arumanfi will come get you."
I accept the flute and put it away.
Given how the conversation went, I assume if I was ever in
trouble, with this
flute he'll come to my aid.
That works too.
"The sun has set."
Without realizing it, the sun set and night falls.
But it isn't dark.
Both the table and the surrounding flowers glow pale white.

"This table is made from magic light stone. Sit down,

let's chat for a little
more."
Being told that, I sat down as well.

Part 4
"Dwarf craftsmanship really did reach its peak before
the second Human
Demon Great War."
"Yeah. If dwarf homelands weren't destroyed in that war,
then we might have
witnessed more wonderful things."
Perugius is a fun person to talk with.
Well informed and a lover of arts.
And as a man of culture, he also appreciates creativity.
"But the Dwarf Race did not die out. That race has delicate
hands, sooner or
later a genius craftsman will reappear and make
wonderful things once
more."
"Say, aren't you training as a craftsman yourself?"
"Indeed. Shisho has profound knowledge in doll
making. If he were to
transmit that knowledge, then doll making may one day
reach new heights."
"I have seen the figures Rudeus has made. They are
very interesting. To
clearly present the essence of man in such matters is truly
stunning."
Those two are enjoying themselves.
With my inferior knowledge, I couldn't keep up.
But they're fun to follow.
"It's not that great."
"Don't be modest."
"No, Sylphy has told me of Rudeussama's talents."
This tea party.
Actually, we already had another participant.

She been trying to join the happy conversation with [Ah,

speaking of which
] or [About the dwarfs] but never got a word in.
Like a lonesome girl.
I as well. The topics are too specific for me to join.
"Not just great with magic, but Rudeussama is also a good
man."
"Thank you very much, Arielsama."

Ariel Anemoi Asura.

Hearing such pandering from her, I can only smile wryly.
When it comes to dolls, she can only offer flattery and
repeat what's said.
She wants to secure Perugius's cooperation, but does not
know how to gain
his favor.
Nothing will come from this.
Well, I'll be leaving soon.
"Speaking of which, Perugiussama, we are considering
putting this figure on
the market. Mind giving us your expert's opinion?"
Zanoba suddenly brought up that topic.
Takes out a box from under his feet.
A familiar box.
"Oh..."
Perugius looks at the box with excitement.
But as soon as Zanoba opens it, his smile turns into a
frown.
"A Supard figure?"
"As expected of Perugiussama, you figured it out right
away."

"..."
Inside the box is the Ruijerd figure that Julie made.
A very dynamic poise.
But, Perugius is not pleased.
"You know that I hate the Magic Race, yet you still want my
opinion?"
"Ah! No, I don't mean, it's..."
Perugius sneers at the Ruijerd figure and spits out.
"Sale of this figure is... forbidden."
So it's no go.
Perugius truly hates the Magic Race.
He might be forgiving to an extent, but towards them,
his prejudice runs
deep.
Zanoba should have known.
What was he expecting?
"No, Perugiussama. You too, to the model of this figure,
owe him a great
favor."
"A favor?"
Perugius frowns, then his eyes suddenly widen.
"Wait, this figure, is Ruijerd Supardia?"
"Indeed. Perugiussama has said before, that during
your final battle with
Laplace... the one who had helped Perugiussama, this is
indeed Ruijerd."
Zanoba explains in detail.
Without me realizing it, Zanoba had planned out this entire
conversation.
Then, he said it.

Well done!
"Of course I understand that Perugiussama hates the
Magic Race. But if
Shisho's techniques spread across the land, then it will
send the art world into
a whirlwind. Wouldn't you want to see? A world full of art
and dolls?"
"Oh."
Perugius looks troubled.
Just a little more, maybe I should help out?
"The Supard Race may be hated, but without Ruijerd's help,
I might not be
alive right now."
"Perugiussama. Ruijerd regrets what he has done."
"Regret?"
Perugius looks bothered by my words.
What should I say?
"Yes. He was fooled by Laplace."
"Laplace, huh..."

Perugius's face looks distorted.

Is this right?
"It's true. Laplace gave him a malevolent spear and
manipulated him. It
ruined his race's honor, and even caused him to kill his own
family... For that
he felt ashamed and hatred for Laplace."
"..."
"He has been traveling the world to atone for his race's
honor. This plan is
also hatched to help him. I owe Ruijerd a great debt... If
Perugiussama also
owes Ruijerd, then as repayment, will you permit this?"
After listening to me, Perugius crosses his arms, closes
his eyes, and his

brows wrinkle.
After some time, he mutters a single sentence.
"Supard Race's honor and such, I'm unsure but... a debt
must be repaid..."
"Oh, really?"
".... Do as you like."
Perugius still has his objections, that is obvious.
But with this, Arumanfi won't come trashing the place when
we put Ruijerd
figures on sale.
Rather, if anyone complains, we can claim Perugius's
approval.
Perugius is known in all the lands. His name holds weight.
Really, most impressive, Zanoba.
He knew exactly where to lead the conversation.
Zanoba is really shining recently.
Far more than for me to imitate.
"Thank you for your consideration!"
Zanoba bows his head.
With that, our marketing plan takes a big step forward.
Still, Ruijerd, where are you?
"Say, Shisho. Why not show off a little to Perugiussama?"
"Of how my figures are made?'
"Yes, Shisho's specialty, the method of creating a figure
from nothing."
Perugius looks this way and nods.
"See. He's interested in your magic."

Alright, figure making demonstration.

Just what I do regularly.
Use earth magic to form the general shape, then slowly
trim the details.
[2]

This time I'll make it about "Roid" size.

This way, I can relax, and it'll turn out well.
The quality won't be great, so just a spare.
On the face, I'll try to make a bird mask.
A Sylvaril figure.
"... Is this Sylvaril? How novel!"
Perugius watches my production process carefully.
Curiously, carefully observes my hand.
Can he see magic?
He can't, but maybe he understands the process.
After all, he's the man of legends.
"Earth Magic can be used in this way too, how unexpected."

"We can make anything by request!"

"Is that so? Alright, when you finished a particularly
outstanding piece, I will
take it."
We got a customer!
Badigadi has disappeared.
So we should at least secure this pipeline.
"In that case."
Finally Ariel joins in the conversation.

"We also have many fine sculptors in the Asura Kingdom."

She went on to explain how talented and skilled the
sculptors in Asura are.
Even going as far as, that if she were to take the throne,
what they'll make for
Perugius.
Getting annoyed by the conversation, Perugius finally spits
out.
"Asura Kingdom's sculptures, are they only made to satisfy
the vanity of your
nobility? How boring."
"... Eh?"
Ariel, speechless, but Perugius is relentless.
"Once you become Queen, don't you have more important
things to do than
make sculptures for me?"
"WWell..."
Perugius isn't letting off.
"Or rather, you plan on a life of extravagance on your
people's back?"
"... No, of course not, and sorry. That suggestion, please
forget it."
Ariel looks downcast and readies the retreat.
She stands up and take a bow.
Not the usual charismatic Ariel.
Regardless, Perugius has been too blunt this time.
Does he really hate Ariel that much? Were those cruel
words even necessary?

"Wait, Ariel Anemoi Asura." Perugius stops Ariel before she

can leave. Looking at her with an overbearing glance.
"To you, what does it mean to be king? What does a real
king represent?"
"He has... wisdom, but listens to advise of his ministers,
and the stature of a
king..."
"No."
Perugius stops Ariel, shaking his head.
"I know Asura Kingdom's real king, but, he is not that man."

"Perugiussama knows King Asura?"

"That's right. Crowned king after the Laplace Campaign,
my friend, Kaunis
[3]

Freean Asura ."

I know a little about Kaunis.
After the Laplace Campaign, the sole survivor of the Asura
royal house.
A great king. He gave direction to the wartorn kingdom of
Asura.
400 years ago, Asura Kingdom became the sole kingdom to
rule the west.
He was the reason why Asura was spared of internal turmoil
postwar.
"Kaunissama was a great king. I can't hope to imitate him."
Ariel's words make Perugius shake his head.
"He is not great. That guy is a coward, hates to fight, and
always on the run.
He's bad at studying, not an ounce of martial talent,
and he would always
sneak to the city to get drunk and ogle bar wretches. He's
that kind of man.
Indeed, he never had any ambition for the throne.
Yet, he has the most
important factor of a king. Because of that, I respect him as
a real king."
"The most important factor...?"
"If you can tell me what that is, I will help you."
Ah. I see.
This is a test.

Ariel is being tested.

If she is worthy of Perugius's backing.
"King, the most important factor..."
Ariel places a hand on her chin, concentrating over a spot
on the table.
She remembers what she knows of King Kaunis.
But King Kaunis was a fool.
Like Oda Nobunaga?

"Rudeus. What do you think?"

While I was thinking, Perugius says.
"Eh, I'm not royalty, so I wouldn't know."
"Don't worry, just say whatever."
Even if he says that.
King... What is a king?
In fantasy novels, what are kings like?
A great man, head of a country.
So basically a prime minister.
In my past life, I was never interested in politics.
Just the reactions on the internet of politicians, that's about
it.
Basically, not even a clue.
"... Someone who uses his own strengths for the sake of
country and people."
"Ha."
Perugius sighs at such a bland answer.

"Ariel. Even he gave a better answer.

... But concern for his people alone is not enough to be
king.
Indeed. Kaunis wasn't just concerned with his own people.
With some help,
he managed to pacify the entire Asura.
Strength? Why would strength matter to a king?
You never thought about it? Why did a country raise a fool
to be king? Was it
really for the good of the country?"
"..."
Ariel looks a mix of sadness and regret.
What does Perugius want Ariel to say? I don't know.
Well, it's fine if I don't know.
I don't plan to be king.
Maybe Perugius just wants to know Ariel's resolution and
personality, so he
asked a question without answers.
Even so, a king?
What do you want to do, what do you want to be?
"Think it through, Ariel Anemoi Asura... Well, it's late, time
to head back in."
With those words from Perugius, the tea party is over.
Seeing a dejected Ariel, with Luke following feebly
behind, is particularly
pungent.

Notes
1. 轰雷のクリアナイト
2. ロイド Roid, short for Nendoroid, are small, chibi figures

3. ガウニス・フリーアン・アスラはな

Chapter 153: Turning Point 4

Part 1
After a few days, my strength recovers and I return to the
Magic City Sharia
with Sylphy.
By the time I reached home, the sun had already set.
Although it's only been a couple days, upon seeing my
house, I was hit with a
sense of nostalgia.
"I'm back"
"Coming, welcome back... eh? Oniichan?"
Upon opening the door, I see Aisha coming from the living
room.
Perhaps not expecting me to be back so soon, Aisha
greeted me with a
perplexed expression.
"Back already? Did you find a way to save Nanahoshisan?
Or ..."
I pat Aisha's head in reassurance.
A [Wah] slips from her mouth, but she doesn't seem
annoyed.
"Oniichan, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, Nanahoshi will be fine. I'll explain the details. Are
Roxy and Norn
home?"
"Nornane is still at school. Roxy is in her room.
Mom...Liliakaasan is doing
laundry. Zenithkaasan is sleeping."
"I see, Norn is still at school... Sorry to bother you, but can
you get Roxy for
me?"
"Yes."
After a bit, Roxy came downstairs.
Was she sleeping? Her hair is a little messy and her face is
red.

"Welcome back, Rudi. How did it go?"

"I'll explain now, but before that."
"Wha.."
I pull Roxy into a tight embrace.
I had promised to return safely.
Though she was a little surprised, Roxy circled her arms
around and hugged
me back.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
I'm finally home.

Part 2
I told everyone the events of the past few days.
There was a lot to cover, so I just explained the
important parts, focusing
especially on the details of Zenith's curse.
Particularly signs to watch out for in the future.
"For the time being, I'll stay in the sky fortress, but I'll
come home at least
once every ten days."
Let's do this for now.
While Ariel is continuing her plans, Sylphy is also staying in
the sky fortress.
She is also planning on doing the same (returning at
least once every 10
days).
Not going to class, huh... I suppose it's fine if I just
show up for the
extracurricular studies.
That should count as class participation.
"I understand, Rudeussama. You can leave the housework
and Zenith's care
to me."
Lilia declared that she would take care of the extra work.
Anyway, my report
is over and the family meeting has finished.
"Phew, I feel tired. I'm going to go rest. What about you,
Rudi?"
"I think I'll take a bath and go to sleep."
"Oh? Should I wait up for you?"
"No, not today."
"Okay"
I walk towards the bath.

Thinking about it, I haven't had a bath for a few days.

As I enter the room, I heat up the water in the bathtub.
I should clean my body first... forget it.
Taking off my clothes, I enter the bathtub with a small
splash.
"Phew!"
As I soak in the tub, I can feel my fatigue melt away.
I suddenly realize how tiring these last few days have been.

But, ten days, huh?

My audience with Perugius was only ten days ago.
So much has happened in such a short time.
Nanahoshi collapsing, journeying to the magic continent,
seeing Kishirika,
aggroing Atofe.
Atofe was so strong.
I don't feel like I can beat her.
It is impossible for me to beat an opponent on such a level.

But lightning magic worked.

If I use it to catch her offguard, I might have a chance.
I need to research and practice it some more.
At least to the point where I can use it while wet.
What should I do? I don't know.
Should I cover myself with rubber like Stretchman?
Atofe's servant, Moore was strong too.

[1]

It feels like he can counter anything I try to do.

Up until now, with the exception of Roxy, I've never seen
such a powerful
magician.
Thanks to [Magic Disturb] and the prosthetic hand I had
managed somehow,
but how am I supposed to deal with this type of opponent?
A general strategy for fighting powerful opponents.....
doesn't exist, does
it?....
Regardless, I'm out of ideas. If only I could become a little
stronger.
After all, this is the first time something like this has
happened in the past
few years.
Reaching Perugius's level is probably impossible, but
somewhere around
Sylvaril's might be.
But, Perugius's summoning magic, if I can learn to draw
teleportation magic
circles, no matter what happens, I'll be able to react
quickly.
The fact that it is forbidden magic is scary, but that's all the
more reason to
learn it.
Knowledge is power.
And, communication too.
Ariel's ring.
If it is improved a bit then it can be used to send messages.

Maybe it is impossible to use it everywhere, but it might

function as a pager.
What else?
It feels like I'm forgetting something...
"Ugh, this always happens."
Now I think about it, I'm always so forgetful.

I would have bouts of inspiration, and then promptly forget

about them.
One good idea after another too.
I thought I had a good memory, but I really have too many
weaknesses.
Not good.
I'm repeating my mistakes.
I was lucky this time, but what if I forget next time?
If I forget my mistakes, I won't improve.
But, what do I do?
I remember hearing that keeping a journal helps with
memory.
"...alright, maybe I should start a diary?"
Not a bad idea.
Experiences, failures, weaknesses, important things.
After writing those down, I can reflect on them.
Determining priorities, stating objectives, deciding my next
move.
Feels like this will be a good idea.
I should start writing now.
Thinking this, I dash out of the bathtub.
"But... where are diaries sold?"
After getting out of the bath, I go to my research room.
I reach for the stack of papers on the lowest part of the
bookshelf.
If there are no diaries, I can just write on regular paper.
The most important thing is to write things down.
But, just writing is so lonely, I think I'll add something to it.

Though its appearance is not important, it doesn't hurt

for it to look a bit
better.
I place the stack of papers neatly on my desk.
First, I use magic to make small holes in the paper.
I loop the papers through some rings that I make with earth
magic.
Next I prepare three boards and hinges.
I place them in a “コ” shape.
I place the ring in it.
My binder type diary is complete.
The boards and hinges were free. The only expense was
from the paper.
What about a hole puncher? I wonder if I can sell this?
I'll write this down, too.
Ideas that aren't written down will probably get forgotten.
Hole puncher.. no, I should write about the diary first.
"What should I write?"
Speaking of diaries, when I was a NEET, I used to have a
blog. But, I quickly
gave up on it.
If I can turn this into a habit, it'll work, right?
No, I shouldn't think of this as someone else's problem.
As long as I make this into a habit, it'll work.
Okay.
I'll write about the events of the last 10 days.
"...Zzz"
I was asleep before I knew it.

Part 3
I'm in an empty, white room.
I've seen this place before.
Just a couple days ago, when I was teleported by Perugius, I
saw this place.
Just what is this place?
I've never wondered this before.
Does this place exist somewhere in this world?
That being said, is there anything I can do about this body?
Fatty, NEET, the body of the me that had nothing.
I don't plan on closing my eyes.
But I feel my irritation swell up.
I didn't feel this annoyance when I was summoned by
Perugius.
"Yo"
I see, it's that guy.
A smooth, pale face.
A slight smile like a floating mosaic.
The instant I saw his face, my thoughts faded.
Hitogami.
"Long time no see"
How nostalgic... last time was... two years ago?
"You've become like that already"

Last time he gave me advice was right before going

to the Begaritto
Continent.
That should be two years ago.
"It's not like this is anything new"

There has been a time when he didn't show up for 3 years.

How nostalgic.
At that time, I was drowning in despair
"Yea, compared to back then, you seem to be doing much
better"
Not bad, I guess.
Got married, living a peaceful family life.
Indeed, it is a life that I never would have dreamed of
having in my NEET
days.
"Being acquainted with Perugius"
Perugius is a truly amazing person.
In my previous life, I never would have imagined I
would meet and be
respected by someone like him.
The figures I made are selling well, too.
I never would have imagined this level of success in my
previous life.
"And to be liked by Atofe"
That's not something I'm happy about，
But that's all thanks to the results of my training.
However, if I didn't learn king rank water magic from
Roxy...I might not
have made it back this time.
That lightning attack is very useful.

"Of course, that magic is very powerful. I'm sure it would

be useful against
Orsted, too"
Orsted, too?
"A magic that can ignore Touki and paralyze the body.
There's no way to
counter it, is there?"
There's no way to counter it?
But, if it's Orsted, he can use [Magic Disturb] to cancel it.
"He is stronger overall, but victory is possible"
No, no.
Most of my magic only have miscellaneous uses, so
they can't do much
against Orsted without tinkering.
Perhaps I don't have any motivation.
I don't hate Orsted.
"Is that so?"
Say, I made it through the Begaritto Continent somehow.
I would be lying if I said I don't regret it.
But, it wasn't a bad decision.
I couldn't follow your advice on that.
"Well, that's your decision."
What would have happened if I didn't go?
"If you didn't go, your father wouldn't have died.
Additionally, you would
have (married?) the two beastclan princesses and be living
a happy life."
...What the hell?
Because of me, Paul died?

"Yep, because you were there. Because he wanted to show

off in front of you,
he got careless."
No, but.
This...
"If you didn't go, he would have saved your mother
anyway. Of course, Roxy
as well."
How could that be?
The things I did... were meaningless?...
No, but when I found Roxy, she was already cornered.
You're saying that she would've been fine if I didn't save
her?
"Yes, even if you didn't go, Roxy would have been
saved anyway. Her
survival is the will of fate."
How could that be?
What is this fate that you speak of?
"The merchant that you helped. If it wasn't for you, he
would have been late.
The day the merchant arrived, there was a particular
adventurer there.
The adventurer bought something from the merchant: a
magic stone.
But, if the merchant had arrived late, he would have bought
something else"
Something else.
"A map of the teleportation labyrinth"
How could something like that just happen to be sold there?

"Requesting something from the Adventurer's Guild, the

Gisu that failed to
convince the swordsman. Filled with enthusiasm he thought
of a surefire plan
to recruit adventurers, part of which was to sell the
map for an extremely
cheap price."

...So that's how it was.

Gisu was selling the map.
True, very few adventurers wanted to step in that labyrinth,
but it's possible
that there was someone who thought they could conquer it.

And so, the adventurer who bought the map would have
went with them into
the labyrinth and saved Roxy.
"Yep, he would've met your father at the entrance of that
labyrinth and they
would have entered the labyrinth together, saving Roxy."
And afterwards, with the increased party size, as they
continue to explore the
labyrinth, they would have eventually saved mother?
"Exactly as you guessed. Compared to you, it would take
some more time...
approximately 2 years. They would have just now saved
your mother."
I can't believe it.
"But, that is exactly what fate is."
Is that so?
So that would've happened. No knowing what the future
holds...
I...It would've been better if I didn't go...
Shit, I should have listened to you.
No, but, that means I wouldn't have married Roxy.
"Yep, she fell in love with the man who saved her, but it
looks like he doesn't
feel the same for her."
If it were like this, nothing bad would have happened.
I love Roxy.
...But, Paul died.
I married Roxy, yet Paul lost his life. I can't feel good about
this.

I don't regret marrying Roxy.

She strives to be a good wife and she's happy about being
married to me.
But, if Rinia and Pursena were like this too, I think I would
be happy as well.
It's not that anyone will do, but under these circumstances,
there's no way for
me to marry Roxy.
Ugh, fuck....
"It's already in the past now"
Yea.
There's nothing I can do even if I regret it.
It's impossible to go back.
Right now, I have a happy life.
Perhaps I made the wrong choice.
Though I have some regrets, it's not all bad.
I'll just think like this.
"You sure are optimistic."
Back to the main topic, why have you called me here
today?
Or, did you come to warn me about something?
"No, it's nothing serious. Rather than advice, today, I have
a request."
Request?
You?
Odd.
This has never happened before.
"Well, sometimes even I need some help."

Hm.
Forget it.
Just tell me what you want to say.
Occasionally, I think it would be okay to listen to your
advice.
Up until now, I've been overly suspicious of you.
"What a relief."
Well, since you've helped me so much...
Rather, I shouldn't have been so suspicious of you.
I thought I was being played with by a malicious prankster.
"That's just too much. I'm the Hitogami. I'm the God of
Humans, you know?
How could I have the leisure to just do things for
amusement? I wouldn't hurt
people for fun."
Ah, someone like that probably doesn't exist.
"Exactly"
Then, what should I do?
"It's nothing serious. I want you to go to the basement and
make sure there's
nothing abnormal. If you don't find anything, then
that's fine. That's all I
want."
Make sure there's nothing abnormal?
Why...
No, I understand.
This time, I'll trust you. I'll just do as you asked and see how
it goes.
"Is that so... Thank you."
As my consciousness faded, I thought I saw the faint trace
of a smile form at
the corner of Hitogami's mouth.

Part 4
I open my eyes.
In front of me, I can see the flickering light of the candle
flame.
I can see the moonlight shining through the window.
I don't hear anything.
It's quiet.
Perhaps I fell asleep while writing in my diary.
There was a drool stain on the page of my half completed
diary entry.
I'll rewrite it.
I rip out the page and put it at the corner of the table.
Afterwards, I copy it onto a clean page and continue from
where I stopped.
When did I fall asleep?
It feels like I've been asleep for days.
As I stand up, something slid off my shoulder.
It was a blanket.
Was it Sylphy or Roxy who brought a blanket for me?
Well, whoever it was, I'm grateful.
"Well..."
I remember the contents of my dream.
I'm to go and check the basement.
I don't understand the reason, but there's nothing wrong
with listening to him
just this once.

Up until now, that guy has never told me to do something

that would put me
in a bad situation.
Occasionally, it has been mutually beneficial, too.
Even if he is the Hitogami, he probably felt annoyed
by the antagonism I
showed whenever he gave me advice.
We might have a give and take relationship, but I
should try to get along
when he gets in touch with me.

"Achoo... it's so cold..."

As I walk towards the basement, I put on the robe that I had
hung on the wall.
Though it is already spring, not all of the snow has melted
yet. The chill of
early spring is in the air.
It's not good to sleep here.
I should get back to my room as soon as possible and sleep
on the warm bed.
But, in this cold, the bed would be cold too.
Around what time is it right now?
Judging by how quiet it is, it must be late into the night.
If I go to Sylphy's or Roxy's room right now, I'll probably
wake one of them
up...
I just want to be warm, not erotic things.
I miss them.
This is Hitogami's fault.
If only I didn't hear about what might have been.
No, I was the one who wanted to know. Was it my fault?
My fault, I guess I'll sleep alone.

As I was thinking this, I open the door.

"...?"
Suddenly, feeling a presence behind me, I turn around.
The only thing in front of me is the chair I was previously
sitting on.
Of course there's no one there.
"Probably just my imagination."
Besides the table and bookshelf, there's nothing in this
room.
There's nowhere to hide.
The window is too small for a person to go though.
There's only one entrance: this door.
This room is small, just one candle is enough to show
that there's no one
there.
The only one in this room is me.
Why did I feel a presence?
There is clearly no one here.
I don't know why, but I still feel a presence.
Weird.
Maybe there's a bug under the table.

"Forget it, I still need to check the basement."

I open the door. As I am about to leave the room...
"There!"
I turn around, again.

No reason.
Just felt like doing it.
Just confirming that there's no one there.
But...
There...
A person...
"...eh?"
A man wearing a tattered robe is sitting on the chair.
An old man.
Deep wrinkles mark his face. His hair is completely white.
His unshaven face gave him a slovenly look.

This impression quickly disappeared.

He had the pressure of a man who has weathered countless
battles.
Sharp, slightly mismatched eyes.
His mouth trembled in surprise.
"I...succeeded?..."
The old man fondly surveyed his surrounding with
squinting eyes, deep in
emotion and thought.
But, as he looked at his hands, touched the area
around his abdomen, his
expression changed to a selfmocking smile.
"No... I failed. There was no way I could succeed..."
He looks familiar somehow.
But, I can't remember.
Strange.
Who is he?
Paul? No, he's not.
Sauros? But he doesn't have the same presence as Sauros.
This old man is much more cowardly.
"Who...who are you? Unless... Hitogami?"
Upon hearing that name, the man stared daggers at me.
I remember this reaction.
Orsted.
Orsted reacted in the same way.
This part is the same.

But, this man doesn't look anything like Orsted.

"No."
The man shook his head and met my gaze.
A powerful gaze.
I can't turn away.
It's like I'm being pulled in.
Like looking into a mirror, but searching...
Staring at the door behind me, he made an expression as if
he wanted to ask
something.
He pointed his bony finger behind me.
In the short time it took to move his finger, the door behind
me moved.
"!"
Suddenly, I heard a "bam".
What did this guy just do?
As his blinding gaze returned to the still confused me, he
said.
"Don't go to the basement. You've been deceived by
Hitogami."
"Eh?"
Deceived?
What's going on?
"Wait, before that, who are you? Where did you come
from?"
"I am..."
The old man opens his mouth to reply, but quickly shuts his
mouth.
He ponders for a moment and then begins to speak again.

"My name is '────'"

Hearing this name, I receive the biggest shock I've ever
felt.
The name the man used.
In this world, the only one who knows that name is me.
The name that I will one day take with me to the grave.
A name that I don't want to remember.
A name that doesn't exist in this world.
My name from my previous life.
"I come from the future."

Notes 1. A character from a show on NHK, wears a yellow rubber fullbody suit

Chapter 154: End and

Beginning
Part 1
He came from the future.
That's what the old man said.
Honestly, I don't understand what he means.
Certainly, it's not like the old man doesn't resemble me.
"You're... you're saying you're the future me?
"Yes. I am you from about 50 years later."
The old man clearly said that.
Even if he suddenly tells me that, I don't know whether I
should believe him.
But this guy knows my name.
On top of that, I came to this world after reincarnating with
my memories.
So I get the feeling it wouldn't be strange for there to be
timeslips.
"Sorry, but I don't have the leisure to explain to you
the principles of past
teleportation magic."
"When you say you don't have the leisure to explain..."
"Sorry for the Hollywood movielike words, but I really
don't have time.
Listen to me."
The words Hollywood movie flow smoothly.
In other words, this old man definitely has a
connection to my previous
world.
...Is he really me?
Those glaring eyes.

There's something gloomy in the depths of those pupils.

To speak frankly, they're the eyes of someone who
kills people like it's a
mundane thing.
Cold eyes which think nothing of a single person's life.
So I'll become like this in the future?
That's absurd.
It's completely unbelievable, but the old man's expression
is serious.
For the time being, tentatively, I'll listen to the old man's
story as if he's me
from 50 years later.
"There is nothing in the basement."
The old man said that deliberately.
"I went to the basement, and thought there was nothing.
And the next day, I
heard the words [If there was nothing, then that's good]
from Hitogami, and
felt reassured."
The old man grimaced unpleasantly.
"But that was a mistake. I can explain it now."
He touched his finger to his forehead as if remembering
something.
His left hand's index finger.
Hm?
He has a hand?
"Listen, most likely, there's a mouse in the basement.
A sick mouse. Its
peculiar feature ought to be teeth like violet magic stones. I
don't know where
that mouse came from or when it entered there. Most
likely, one from the
demon continent or the sky fortress slipped into some
luggage. That doesn't
matter."
The old man opened his palm, then tightened it into a fist.

"The mouse was frightened by you, and ran away. To the

kitchen. And then it
scavenges through leftovers of yesterday's meal, has died
the next day, and
gets disposed of by Aisha."
"..."
"Those leftovers are given to a stray cat the next day, and
disappear."
His left hand isn't an artificial one.
Is he really me?
Or maybe in the next 50 years, it gets healed using
impressive healing magic.
"But before that happens, a hungry Roxy goes down the
stairs, and picks a
little at those leftovers. As a result, she's infected with that
mouse's disease."
"Roxy gets sick?"
When I heard the word Roxy, my concentration focused
on the old man's
story.
"Magic stone disease."
Magic stone disease.
I get the feeling I've heard about it from somewhere.
Oh, if I remember right, it's an illness that can only be
healed with god ranked
detoxification magic.
An incurable disease that gradually turns the body to magic
stone.
"I didn't realize it at first. After all, magic stone disease
is extremely rare.
That virus dwells inside the body, and is only capable of
infecting the other
life within it."
"The other life?"
"That's right, a fetus. Only pregnant women can
contract that illness. I did
research later on and was shocked."
"Eh? No, but, Roxy is still"

"She should be pregnant. But enough of that, you did the

deed so isn't that
natural?"
Roxy is pregnant.
Somehow I'm really happy, but with this explanation I'm not
happy at all.
"Mice are carriers for magic stone disease, because a
portion of them have
resistance to it. You can identify a carrier at a glance,
because their teeth have
become violet crystal. And the illness spreads to what the
mouse bites on. It
only infects orally, and the virus doesn't persist for very
long. It disappears
after around a day at most, and the infection rate is low,
and those infected
are only fetuses inside pregnant women."
"..."
"The virus grows inside the fetus, proceeds to remold the
fetus, and then turns
the mother's body into magic stone."
...He's saying that Roxy will be infected by an illness like
that?
"If you were to thoughtlessly go to the basement right now
and let the mouse
out, the next day you'll hear Aisha idly grumble [I found a
weird dead mouse
this morning], two weeks later you'll be told [A cat infected
with magic stone
disease was discovered], and right after that Roxy will
come down with a
fever. And it will be 30 years later before you connect
everything together."
"...What happens to Roxy?"
"She dies."
At his merciless remark, I lost my words.
"Roxy gets a fever and becomes bedridden... You'll
understand that it's magic
stone disease once you see her feet start to turn to magic
stone, but..."
"It didn't get healed? I tried to heal it, didn't I?"
The old man made a sad face and cast his eyes downward.
"I tried to save her no matter what by going to the holy
country of Milis, and
succeeded in obtaining the chant for god ranked
detoxification magic, but... A
lot happened on the way, and it took time. By the time I
returned it was too
late, half of Roxy's body was crystallized, and she had
died."
But he quickly raised his face and sent me the fierce light in
his eyes.
"Don't be misled by the words of Hitogami. If it's you who
has knowledge of
the previous world, you should understand that much. That
guy is the source
of every kind of evil. The last boss."
[1]

"But, why did he do that to Roxy?"

"I don't know. Even now. But it should be certain that he's
acting with some
kind of objective in mind. At the very end, he said that
himself... [Thanks to
you being an idiot, things have proceeded to my
satisfaction.] ...Shit."
Hitogami said that himself?
But, umm...?
"Orsted or Laplace might know something about
Hitogami's goal.. But I
haven't met either of them for the past 50 years. Most
likely, you won't be
able to meet them either, even if you search for them."
"Nanahoshi didn't know where Orsted was?"
When I spoke Nanahoshi's name, the old man made a
sorrowful face.
She didn't know?
Or could it be that Nanahoshi also...
"I didn't ask her, but certainly in this current era, it could be
worth asking her.
Even if she doesn't know where he is, she also thinks a lot
about these kinds
of things. She might come up with some kind of good idea."
"...What happened to Nanahoshi?"
"......"
The old man didn't answer.
He just had a sad expression.

But after a little while, he spoke while sighing.

"At the very end, she failed. And then became
depressed, and I failed to
support her... And then..."
Nanahoshi didn't return.
And then despaired, and maybe, to herself, by her own
hand...
"I got it. Enough of that."
"Yeah, I don't want to talk about it either."
The old man raised his eyes, and as if pulling himself
together, continued to
speak.
"Listen. You'll learn about this around 10 years from now
too, but... Hitogami
isn't called Hitogami in this world.
"...What do you mean?"
"The God of Humans, written as Human God. There's
nobody who doesn't
know the name Human God, but only those who've met
him directly know
the term Hitogami. I don't know why he did something like
that... Maybe just
to toy with the people who know it."
...I see.
No wonder there's such an overreaction to the word
Hitogami.
So that's a name known only to those who've met him and
been deceived by
him.
"At a glance, that guy seemed to only speak about
things that were for my
sake."
The old man clenched his fist again.
The light of hatred alone illuminated those pupils.
Incredible killing intent overflowed, but for some reason I
didn't think it was
scary.

"Even now, up to this moment, he hasn't told a lie. No lie

that I can perceive."
His fist quivered. In the vicinity of the fist, I can see
something. A crackling,
coiling, purple lightninglike thing.
"Each and every thing has been for the sake of this
one time, so that the
suspicious you would obey him without hesitating at this
moment!"
I felt blank amazement toward the flying sparks, but put
myself on guard.
"Don't be tricked! You read it in manga, didn't you?
Someone who talks
about believing and not believing is definitely lying!"
"Well, I know that, but..."
The old man spoke with a strained voice.
"You don't understand. After Roxy is Sylphy. Heartbroken
from losing Roxy,
for a little while you'll stop thinking about Sylphy. Sylphy
will be hurt and be
in low spirits. That guy will manipulate Luke and take
advantage of that."
"Luke?"
"Yeah, later on you'll hear from a woman who kept Luke's
company at the
time, [When he woke up the next morning, Luke acted
flustered and started
talking about how he'd heard an oracle from God or
something.]"
"And then... what happens?"
"Luke gives advice to Ariel, and Sylphy abandons me
and goes to Asura.
Together with Ariel who failed to get Perugius's favor!
From an inferior
position, Ariel starts an internal revolt, and loses. Sylphy is
killed in battle."
Killed in battle...
So she dies.
"You lose those two."
The old man shook his head while grinding his teeth.
"Yeah, even now that guy's voice when he revealed his
tricks lingers in my
ears. [You've done well], the feeling of having my shoulder
clapped, and that

shrill laughing voice... Shit, fucking hell!!"

The old man struck the desk with a thud.
At that instant, purple lightning scattered through the
surroundings, lighting
them up like it was midday.
The light quickly faded, but a burn mark remained on the
desk.
The old man exhaled with a "fuu".
"I'll say it again. Don't believe in him. You'll end up
regretting it."
After saying that, the old man suddenly clutched his
stomach.
Looking at him, his complexion seemed a bit worse than
earlier.
"So I'm out of time... But even if I say this, you probably
don't know what
you should do."
The old man's face was deathly pale.
Purple bags had appeared under his eyes.
The old man took a deep breath and then exhaled painfully.

It kind of feels like he's on the verge of death.

Maybe he suffers from some kind of illness.
"First of all, hmm, Eris."
When I heard Eris, I felt my brow furrowing.
"I want you to write and send her a letter immediately. Say
[Well, I've been a
bit unfaithful, but I love you.]"
"I don't love her. It's because of her that I became
impotent."
"Forgive her. You're a man, aren't you?"
"..."
The old man grinned in selfderision.

"...Though I said that, I ended up not forgiving her, and was

antagonistic with
her for years."
"Antagonistic?"
"Time and time again, I was almost killed by Eris. She
would chase me no
matter where I went, and every time she found me it
would turn into a no
holdsbarred battle. Well, she took it easy on me. If she
wanted to, there were
plenty of ways to kill me. She would make sure never to
pick a fight where
she'd kill me.
On the contrary, if I was ever in a crisis, she'd save
me from the shadows.
[2]

Almost like Vegeta."

'Vegeta'...
"Well, she's different from the prince of the vegetable
country. She just
wanted to be by my side. She had always loved me. She
loved me and did her
very best for me...
But she's bad at expressing herself, and didn't know what
she should do, so
the only thing she was able to do was hit me."
Even if he tells me that.
I'm someone with wives and a child.
It's true that there was a time when I loved Eris.
But, that's... in the past.
"But Slyphy and Roxy..."
"Not a problem. Sylphy's tolerant about that kind of thing,
and Roxy doesn't
think that she suits me, so she'll allow it. Even Eris, if
you give her an
explanation in advance, will agree. Oh, but prepare to get
hit. Because she's
that kind of woman."
"Even if you say that..."
"Protect all of the women who say they love you. Isn't
that nice? What's
wrong with that? A man should be reliable."

"Don't say it like it's somebody else's problem."

"I'm saying it because I was left with no one."
There was a strange sense of weight to the old man's
words.
But you know...
"I have a responsibility toward Sylphy and Roxy..."
"If you're talking about responsibility, you have one
toward Eris too. She's
been persevering for your sake the whole time. She's a
poor talker so it didn't
get through to you, but the whole time. If you don't
take responsibility for
her, what about all her effort?
...You'll be condemned by Ghyslaine. In front of Eris's
body."
Eris's... body?
"Eris... dies too...?"
"Yeah, to cover me. If I remember right... That was
when I had a rematch
with Atofe. A serious Demon Lord was stronger than I
thought, and I let my
guard down."
The old man said that nostalgically, the corner of his mouth
twisted.
To be able to be inattentive toward Atofe, just how strong is
he? This future
me.
It seemed doubtful, is he really me?
"Listen, you must send a letter. If you don't want to
regret it... If you do it
now, it should barely make it there in time."
"Ah, aah, well, if you say that, I'll send it. But, where do I
send it?"
"The Holy Land of Swords. You should have had some
suspicions, right?"
The Holy Land of Swords.
It's not that far from Sharia.

Maybe I thought it might be something like that. So she was

training there.
The Holy Land of Swords...
"Got it."
"Don't write it like you're pushing her away. If Eris despairs,
you'll be killed."
"I know."
I think that I know what kind of person Eris is.
...Or at least, I thought I did.
If this old man's words are true.
She had no intention to dump me, and I didn't understand
that.
Now that I think about it, there's no way an awkward
speaker like her could
write a letter well.
And thus, we passed each other by, which gave rise to
unhappiness.
"Fuu"
The old man exhaled cumbersomely.
And then raised his face with a startled expression.
"Also, I forgot to say something important. Don't oppose
Hitogami."
"'Don't oppose'? He deceived you, didn't he?"
"Yeah. But you can't win against Hitogami. I couldn't
win against him.
Someone like me couldn't arrive at the place where
Hitogami is."
The old man said that as though mortified.
He didn't arrive at the place where Hitogami is.
In other words, as I thought, that place is somewhere in this
world?
"When I realized that, I trembled. I couldn't even avenge
Roxy and Sylphy. I
worked this hard to defeat him, but I can't even
reach him. I can even

manipulate gravity, but he won't come within the reach of

my hand."
After saying that, the old man pointed at the inkwell on top
of the desk.
The inkwell gently floated up, then immediately dropped
down again with a
clink.
Drops of the ink flew onto the desk.
"I can float in the air and communicate with others
over long distances. I
regenerated my arm. Not to mention I can even jump
through time and fly to
the past... Well, this magic is a failure, though."
A failure.
Just what was a failure?
This man is actually right here, right now.
"You probably vaguely sensed it already, but what's
called magic in this
world is omnipotent. Once you realize that, you can
essentially do anything."
While saying that, the old man raised his left hand.
In contrast to his proud behavior, the old man's face had
gone past deathly
pale, and was now pure white.
Black bags had appeared below his eyes, and his lips were
dyed blue.
"But this power no longer means anything. I was too
late. When I became
strong, there wasn't a single person left I wanted to
protect."
The old man's eyes were glaring as always, but the power
was already gone
from his pupils.
His breath was rough and thin.
"Listen, I'll say it again. I hate Hitogami.
But I can't beat him. There's no way to. I don't have the
technique to arrive at
his place. In the era I live in, the thing that's necessary
to reach Hitogami's
location does not exist. So don't fight with him. I don't know
what his goal is,
but it's fine if you even act servile, just don't oppose him.
You'll just get done

in by him, with everything still going as he wants.

In which case, right now, before anyone's died..."
The old man's hand suddenly lost its power and fell.
He raised his chin and gazed at the ceiling.
"There are three things you should do.
Consult with Nanahoshi.
Send a letter to Eris.
Doubt Hitogami, but don't oppose him. That's all."
"..."
I couldn't respond.
When he tells me all this suddenly, words can't come out.
But I somehow sensed that this old man was
desperately trying to convey
something to me.
"YYou don't have any more concrete advice or anything?"
"How nostalgic. Come to think of it, the me of this era was
quite a slacker...
Well, of course, I'd like to teach you more details about
various things, but...
We're out of time."
"You've been saying you don't have time, you're out of
time, etc., for a while
now. Is a late night anime starting or something?"
"No... It's ending. By the way, don't depend on other people
so much. When
you first came to this world, in the early days, you didn't
merely rely on other
people, did you...?"
The old man looked at me as though seeing a grandchild.
Now that he says that, I do get the feeling I've been doing
nothing but relying
on other people recently.

"Also... Now that I've come here, history should have

changed. No matter
what I say, it's not necessarily true it will come true.
And since past
teleportation takes this sort of form, the history that
I've walked won't
change......"
The next instant.
The old man's eyes shifted and lost their focus.
His arms dangled downward, he lifted his chin, and he
gasped with difficulty.
"You... will lead a different life than I did. Just as you
always have, you'll
have successes, you'll have failures, you'll have times you
reflect, and you'll
have times you regret."
The old man moved slightly, then fell from the chair.
"Hey, are you okay!?"
I rushed over hurriedly and helped him up... I shuddered.
The old man's body was light to an extent unthinkable from
how it appeared
so solidly built.
It might be even less than 40 kilograms.
What is this, what's going on.
"I... don't think that because I came from the future,
I'll be able to recover
from my mistakes. This magic is a failure...... There
are no doovers in
human life..."
The old man let his blank gaze wander around while
putting his quivering
hand inside his robe.
"I jumped with the diary as a point of origin... so I brought
it...... What I've
experienced is written in it...... Do your best... so that you
don't have regrets...
Don't become like me, and have that guy laugh at you...
please..."
The old man's glaring eyes moistened, and he took out a
bulky filelike thing
from the pocket of his fluffy robe.

[3]

It's worn out, but I know it.

It's the diary that I only just made.
Before I could take it, the diary slipped from his hands
and fell to the floor
with a thump.
But what stole my attention wasn't that.
When he removed the diary, I briefly glimpsed
something caved in on the
other side of his robe.
Almost as though there was nothing below his clothes...
"What's... with that body...?"
"Hah, it was... incomplete..... My past teleportation...
wasn't able to... take
my... entire body..."
"Eh, but, earlier, you said you could regrow an arm..."
"I don't have any more mana... Sorry... If only Cliff
was alive, the past
teleportation would've been better able to....... a little more,
here, information
for you..."
"...I'm sorry, it's okay, so don't speak."
"...You... have regret... as Hitogami wants... why in a place
like this... what I
should say... I came to the past, so at least a glance..."
The old man's eyes no longer saw anything.
His words made no sense, it was just vague phrases flowing
out.
Before I knew it, the area below his eyes was dyed black,
and the shadow of
death had appeared on his face.
This is the face of someone about to die, no, of a corpse.
"Ah"
But those eyes suddenly focused on a single point.

He saw something over my shoulder and behind me.

He extended a quivering hand toward that.
"Aah, Sylphy, Roxy... Damn, you sure are cute as ever..."
A single tear's trail flowed down from the old man's eye...
the light was gone.
The strength dissipated from his body, and his neck
drooped down.
...He was dead.

I turned around.
The door wasn't open.
It had made quite a loud noise, so I thought that
someone might have been
woken up, but...
On the verge of death, I wonder what phantom the old man
saw.
When I thought that, I heard the footsteps of someone
coming down from the
second floor.
"!"
I went out of the room in a hurry.
Right then, Roxy and Sylphy who held a staff and candle
arrived there from
the second floor.
"Rudi, I heard some kind of voice and sounds. Is someone
there?"
"Is it a thief?"
The two of them spoke with relief after seeing my
appearance, but didn't let
go of their sense of danger, and were vigilant.
Should I speak to them about the old man?

......No.
"No, I'm sorry. I was half asleep. I saw a weird dream, and
ended up using
magic. Looks like I woke you up, I'm sorry."
"A dream so you used magic while half asleep... I
heard something like a
shout too, is everything okay? Um, if it's tough, should we
sleep together? I
mean, obaachan said [Human warmth is the best when
you want to forget
something painful]..."
"No, it's fine. I'd probably do something lewd, after all.
Sylphy's not back to
her normal condition yet, right?"
When I refused Sylphy's attractive proposal, Roxy looked
displeased.
"If you say it's really, really tough, I don't mind, but... No,
but recently I've
been thinking that it's possible, so if you can I'd
rather you just limit it to
touching..."
"No, I'm saying there's no need today."
At Roxy's words, I suddenly remembered the old man's
words.
The old man said that Roxy was pregnant.
When Roxy said [Thinking that it's possible] maybe she was
referring to that.
"...I'm really fine, so you two can return to bed. I'm going to
sleep too, after
tidying up the room."
"If Rudi says that, I'll do so, but... If it's not all right, tell me,
okay?"
"We are married, so please don't be reserved. Well then,
goodnight."

Sylphy and Roxy said that concernedly, then went up to the

second floor.
After confirming that, I turn back toward the laboratory.
In any case, the first thing I should do is confirm the old
man's words.
I don't really understand who the old man was.

Was he really me from the future, or was he someone else?

He did something dangerous enough to kill him when he

came here.
There's credibility in that action, but it's all so sudden that I
can't completely
believe it.
"..."
But I thought.
I don't want to lose those two.
And, I don't want to die amid regret like that old man.
Part 2
After that.
I returned the two of them to their rooms, and strictly
ordered them to not go
outside their rooms tonight no matter what.
I went around to the rooms of all of the family members on
the second floor,
and locked them from the outside with earth magic.
I went around to all the rooms on the first floor, and
confirmed that nobody
was there.
After that, I returned to the laboratory, and stripped off
everything on the old
man.
"...!"
His body had no stomach.
There was a large hole from his ribs down, and I could
only see bone and
skin.
There were almost no internal organs.
But aside from the stomach, it was a splendid body.
There was so much muscle that you wouldn't think he was
in his late 60s, and
scars from his history of battles remained in various places.

There was a weldedlike scar on his chest, and a mole

in a place slightly
different from where mine was located.
From the looks of it, his body was the same as mine.
If I had to mention a difference, it would be that he has a
left hand.
He said he grew it... So healing magic also has some
impressive skills.
Aside from the diary, the old man didn't have anything in
particular.
No ornaments, no staff.
Below the robe was just a shirt, trousers, and underwear.
There wasn't anything in his robe pocket or his pants
pocket.
Although if it was me, if Sylphy or Roxy died, I think I'd at
least carry around
something that belonged to them.
But 50 years, huh.
It might have all been lost.
I gathered all that in the corner of the room, and
wrapped the old man in a
blanket that was lying around nearby.
Carrying the body, I headed toward the backdoor located in
the kitchen.
"..."
In the kitchen, leftovers from last night's cooking had been
placed on top of a
dish.
So he was saying that the mouse would eat that.
In which case, I should dispose of it.
I go outside through the backyard, and went to vacant
land in the
neighborhood.
I dug a hole there, put the old man's body in it, and set it
on fire.
The magic fire burned up the old man in the blink of an eye,
changing him to
ashes.
The unpleasant odor of burnt human flesh hung in the air.
The smell of my own corpse.
"Uugh..."
When I thought that, I became nauseous, and vomited
in the corner of the
vacant land.

After burning the body, I made an urn with magic, and

placed the old man's
ashes in it.
I'll bury these ashes in the same place as Paul.
If the old man is really me, that ought to make him most
happy.
After collecting the ashes, I filled the hole and returned to
the house.
I entered through the backdoor and went straight to the
laboratory.
I set the urn next to his belongings, and picked up my staff.

I headed toward the basement.

I've already opened up my demon eye.
The old man said [Don't go].
He said that a mouse will come out, fish through the
leftovers, and the fetus
inside of Roxy will become infected with the mouse's
disease.
Therefore, I have no choice but to confirm it for myself.
Whether there really is a mouse.
If I don't do that, I won't be able to trust the old man.
And if it really is there, I can't leave it alone.
"..."
The stairs to the basement were dark.
I took out a light spirit scroll from my pocket, illuminating
the surroundings.
I descended the stairs, took a deep breath, and placed my
hand on the door.
"...hm?"
When I did that, in the corner of the stairs.
Among the thin layer of dust, I found something that
bothered me.

[4]

Footprints.
A mouse's footprints.
Those footprints continued toward the basement, and there
were no footprints
going out.
I did... not... open the basement door.
I opened a fistsize hole in the center of the door with magic,
and stuck my
staff through it.
I sent mana to my staff.
The image was ice, the scope was the entire room.
In the basement there was manure that Aisha used for the
kitchen garden, and
there were magic items and such, but I wasn't going to pay
that any mind.
"...Frost Nova."
I muttered that, and it was frozen in an instant.
Just in case, one more time.
"Frost, Nova."
The cold was spread completely through the room, to every
nook and cranny.
I let the light spirit go through the hole and light up the
other side, and peeked
through the hole to verify that the room was completely
frozen.
I opened the door.
I opened the frozen door, entered, and quickly shut it.
"..."
I immediately found the mouse.
Close to the hidden door to the shrine, frozen pure white,
dead.
I could see transparent violet teeth through its halfopen
mouth.

[5]

Teeth that were like magic stone.

I searched every corner of the room to make sure there
wasn't a second one,
made a box with earth magic, pierced the mouse's corpse
with a rod, put it
inside and completely sealed it.
I wonder if it would be better to dispose of the body with
incineration.
Or if would be better to entrust it to the magic guild and
have them study it.
The latter.
If I report it along with the information from the old man
that it was magic
stone disease, I'll be able to tell whether it really was.
Although in the first place, I don't know whether a virus can
be obtained from
a frozen corpse.
I left the basement and locked it with a key.
Furthermore, I filled in the portion that had a hole in it.
It seems like magic stone disease's germ doesn't infect
through the air, and
the infection rate is low, but I don't know what might
happen.
For a little while, I'll make this basement a forbidden room.
I returned to the laboratory.
I was wide awake and didn't feel like sleeping.
First of all, what should I do?
What can I do right now?
Should I read this worn out diary?
If I read this, I might understand what'll happen from now
on.
But he said that history had changed.
If I were to say like a certain game would, this is another
world line.
It's a world changed by the me who came from the future.

[6]

Even if I read this diary and prepare for it, there's a

high possibility that
what's written won't occur.
I suddenly noticed the inkwell and the black stains on the
desk.
The scar from the old man striking it with a fist full of mana.
I remembered the three things that the old man said.
Among them was one that I could do now, right here.
I sat in the chair.
"..."
First of all, I decided to write a letter to Eris.

Notes
1. TL note: Hitogami has no known gender, I use 'he' for ease of translation
2. TL note: Dragonball reference
3. TL note: that's 88 pounds
4. TL note: magic eye / demon eye, not sure which term is in use
5. TL note: ellipsis + negation is at the end of the sentence in JP, makes it seem
like he
almost opened it but decided against doing so
6. TL note: should be a Steins;Gate reference