Translator: Drakuro
//
"――――――Phew…" (Setsu)
I came to the castle's Magic Inst.i.tute because it is said that Tia Amulet, the last of my former attendants is there.
The atmosphere in front of the door seems to be quite dangerous, but although I'm fairly hesitated to enter, I made up my mind and opened the door when I noticed the bad smell. A very nasty, bad smell.――――――
However its a strangely familiar nasty smell. If I'm not mistaken, it's the similar smell that always sticks to that person's clothes at that time――――――but it was not at this dangerous scale.
I almost choked instinctively, so I kept all the smell away from myself with wind magic. Although it's already hopeless that it had already soaked into my clothes, it become slightly better now.
I can finally look at room, and find the one I'm looking for.
The room is really s.p.a.cious when I see it again, and overall dim, with distorted-shaped plant hanging on the ceiling, with magic stone storing magic power rolling here and there. There's also a gla.s.s container containing mysterious liquid in it. Is that a beaker? They are displayed on an appropriate table. There's one lying there, and when the content is dripping on the floor, I heard a sizzling sound when the liquid touched the floor. Is that acid? Is the one inside that thing acid?
The other side of the table also had a lot of beaker-like things, and the lady which is my purpose is there.
The lady sits on a chair, working on something on that messy desk.
When I approached to call out to her, the lady suddenly turned and looked me in the eyes.
With purple hair that is grown until the center of her back, expressionless eyes, and beautiful lips with a slight tinge of red――――――and also having a young face and body. She wears a huge unbalanced white robe, and a white shirt underneath it.
This girl is none other than the last of my attendants, she doesn't change at all from 5 years ago, the figure of 〈Evil Doctor Tia〉.
This Tia just stares at me.
Until she finally opens her mouth.
"N…. 'been a long time, Setsu." (Tia)
――――――I'm really surprised. My body is shabbier than before I was reincarnated. Even my eyes are hidden as I still haven't cut my long bangs yet…..so I really have no idea how she could managed to recognize me when even my eyes are hidden.
"How the h.e.l.l did you recognize me with this appearance, Tia?" (Setsu)
"Setsu, I have the 〈Magic Eye〉, I've been traveling with you for so long that I won't mistook your magic power." (Tia)
[T.N: Anyone got better name than magic power?]
That's… I see――――――she's a carrier of an extremely rare magic eyes.
Just like it's name suggest Magic Eyes refers to putting magic power to your eyes. Various effect could be demonstrated by putting magic power.
In Tia's case for example, her eyes has the ability that could capture the magic power in her view. It seems weak at a glance, but there won't be that many place to hide once your magic power is caught in her view, so it's ideal as a countermeasure for surprise attack. Her eyes really helped us during our journey.
By the way, the Charm Eye that the princess used is a technique than anyone can use if you have the talent and training. Magic Eye is a power that mainly manifested when one was born, so the Charm Eye that anyone could use are not labelled as Magic Eye.
Although there are many powerful Magic Eyes, not that many of them are left right now. That's why the cause of how the Magic Eyes are born is unknown 5 years ago.
"But you really didn't change huh… still looking like a loli like before?" (Setsu)
"Muu, I've properly grown slightly taller this time. A wizard can't grow up that easily." (Tia)
"A wizard had a hard time growing old? Although it's the first time I'm hearing it…well how about you tell me how much you have grown?" (Setsu)
"0.5mm." (Tia)
"Isn't that in the margin of error?" (Setsu)
When she heard my words, Tia had a displeased look and start punching me with *pechi pechi* sound.
"Shut up, Setsu is mean like always." (Tia)
"Yeah yeah, my bad." (Setsu)
The head of the short Tia comes into contact with my chest. Her appearance of *pechi pechi* beating my chest with her thin hands, even after 5 years had pa.s.sed since then, it can only be said as childish.
"This part of you doesn't change too."
"Naturally, I won't change that easily. Anyway…although I've heard from Eruka that Setsu had come back to this world via a summoning, why are you here?" (Tia)
"Aah, that because I've heard that you've been desperately researching for a way to summon me again…. I just thought that for the time being I should say thanks." (Setsu)
"N, this degree is nothing. In addition, it's cheap if I can meet Setsu again." (Tia)
Although I'm glad when she said that, it feels a bit itchy after all.
I felt uncomfortable somehow, so I shake my head and put my hand under her armpit and lift her like during the old days. I sit on a chair, and let Tia sit on my knee.
Tia doesn't show any resistance when I carry her, as she just leans her back on my body.
"N, as I thought, although the figure had changed, this comfortable feeling is indeed belongs to Setsu." (Tia)
She had a satisfied look as she puts her whole weight on me. We usually took a rest like this under the shade of a tree during our journey.
"That's right, I want to ask what happened after you got forcibly sent back home by this country." (Tia)
"? Why?" (Setsu)
"I'm considerably interested at how your appearance had changed. I didn't learn much from Eruka." (Tia)
"Is that so? …That fine I guess." (Setsu)
I told Tia everything without concealing anything.
About having reincarnated, about how I looked for a way to come back here, and about the summoned situation――――――
"15 years or more had pa.s.sed in Setsu's world. But this world is only 5 years." (Tia)
"That seems to be so…" (Setsu)
Well, it's not impossible for the flow of time to be different between worlds, since the boundary is different.
Remembering what I must tell her here, I opened my mouth again.
"Ah, while I'm here――――――." (Setsu)
"You want to get out of the country?" (Tia)
"Like I said how the h.e.l.l did you guys able to figure that out…" (Setsu)
'Because Setsu looks like he's going to say that'――――――is what Tia said.
Am I really that easy to read…?
"You've become readable after meeting those people and ending the war." (Tia)
"What are you, an Esper..?" (Setsu)
"However, there's one thing I want to advise you at the moment――――――." (Tia)
"N?" (Setsu)
"That is――――――." (Tia)
Dozens of minutes later, I who had a long talk with Tia looked at the time and went out of her laboratory. At the end with her saying "with this I could devote myself on experimenting on normal magic" kind of leave an impression on me, so I kind of felt slightly sorry. Since she spent a lot of time for my sake, as I thought I need to do something for her soon. Also to Eruka and Grein.
And then, about Tia's advice――――――
"…it's fine if you made some mistake…seriously." (Tia)
[T.N: Not sure about this one. Raw: ...出来れば間違いであって欲しいぜ...全く]
Walking the long corridor illuminated with light, I start walking to return back to my room.
In my head, the face of the person who got summoned together with me before appeared――――――
In the middle of the night――――――
When everyone had fallen asleep, there's someone visiting my room.
"――――――May I enter, Setsu-sama?" (???)
"Yeah, I've been waiting, Eruka." (Setsu)
'Excuse me'――――――Eruka who's wearing some rough shirt and shorts entered while saying that.
I tell her to sit on a chair, as I sit on the bed. I'm sorry for you guys who are imagining some lewd things, there's no such sweet one this time.
"Did you managed to talk to them?" (Setsu)
"Yes――――――just like Setsu-sama's aim, I was able to led the king and princess to a conclusion of driving you out." (Eruka)
"Is that so, you did well." (Setsu)
I praised Eruka who did her work obediently.
"Tomorrow, they will call Setsu-sama to tell you about it. You'll be given 3 days to stay here." (Eruka)
"So they want me to get out after that time huh, understood." (Setsu)
"…Setsu-sama?" (Eruka)
"Hmm?" (Setsu)
Eruka had a doubtful look like she's not convinced somehow.
"Why didn't you just go all out at full power? You don't even need to care about endangering our position…" (Eruka)
"Either way it's going to be troublesome…" (Setsu)
Well aside from that, it's certainly possible for me to use the method that Eruka said. I have the power to do just that.
"However, it's no good then…" (Setsu)
"Why is it…?" (Eruka)
"It's easy, because the pursuers will follow." (Setsu)
"Pursuer..?" (Eruka)
To save their faces, this country will not just part with a human that they've summoned so easily. Therefore it's obvious that they won't let me apart from the castle even if I negotiate. And it seems they don't really want to part with the good-for-nothing me just due to the fact that I'm a person from another world――――――is the side of the story that I've heard from Eruka.
Let's say I go with that idea――――――forcing my way with the country, that would be the proof that I have some strength. In other words it would get leaked even when I was concealing my ability… then the response of the country will be between this 2.
1, They'll send pursuers to search for me as a wanted man as I'm a person who had resisted the country.
2, Desiring my power, they'll send pursuer demanding cooperation, proposing a negotiation.
Since that's the conclusion I've arrived to considering the thought process of this country, the possibility of them acting differently from that is really low….
"――――――I see, the possibility of them sending pursuer is really high." (Eruka)
"Right? In short, since it's a pain, I'm not going to force my way." (Setsu)
"Understood. But the current method also takes a considerable effort too." (Eruka)
"Yeah, that's right." (Setsu)
As it do takes time, it's also a pain to have them kick me out.
"However, it's only going to be a pain for now, as they won't have any reason to send out pursuers later on to chase me to the other side." (Setsu)
"Is that so…" (Eruka)
"It's a ha.s.sle as it takes some time, bur I really want to continue being treated as a good for nothing. So I want you to look at me like that at that time." (Setsu)
Instead of forcing my way and slip out, since it's easier to just escape safely with their help, I've been spending some time just for the trouble.
"Well, although I do feels like going all out forcing my way, being voluntarily kicked out is not that bad either." (Setsu)
"I see…. With this I'm finally convinced." (Eruka)
[T.N: basically, the pursuers are just an excuse as he could easily handle them. He's just doing whatever he wants right now, that's it, that's what makes Eruka convinced.]
"That's good then――――――ah, that's right." (Setsu)
A question floated in my mind in the middle of the conversation, let's ask casually.
"How did you pressed the idea of having me kicked out to the king?" (Setsu)
"That's, I just speak some ill things about Setsu-sama and…" (Eruka)
"Hou… and what exactly did you said?" (Setsu)
"Um….. something like 『That thing is a hopeless good-for-nothing』, or 『It's a waste to spend your time for such a good-for-nothing even if it's just a little』, also 『I can't endure having that good-for-nothing on the castle』…." (Eruka)
......…
"Aahn…those are some good glaring eyes." (Eruka)
"Haah…. What the h.e.l.l are you saying about your master…?" (Setsu)
"But I'm just doing what Setsu-sama ask me to do." (Eruka)
While it is certainly like that…ugugu, I'm a bit hurt having someone said that about me…. Especially when a person close to you called you a good-for-nothing.
"…Well whatever. Anyway Eruka, you did well. I'm quite saved with this." (Setsu)
"No no…but I'm going to get separated from Setsu-sama again in a few days…" (Eruka)
"…I guess." (Setsu)
Eruka had the job of training the heroes along with Grein. If I make her follow me, they'll definitely send a pursuer. Tia is the country's wizard. The same problem will occur if she disappeared.
"Unfortunately it's not possible to take you along, I'm sorry okay?" (Setsu)
"No, Since I understood you point――――――the night have grown late too, so I think I'll head back to my room." (Eruka)
"Yeah, thanks a lot for today." (Setsu)
"Fufu, Setsu-sama is troublesome but is still gentle huh? Even though it's fine to use us more than this." (Eruka)
Eruka raised from her seat with a smile.
"I'm not really that nice though…" (Setsu)
"You're very gentle you know? I want you to rely and use me more." (Eruka)
"….Are you saying that because you're getting excited?" (Setsu)
"Yes!" (Eruka)
This girl…with such a serious face.
It really makes it looks like her previous expression is just a lie.
"Haah….since I'm tired from having to move around so much today, I'm already sleepy." (Setsu)
"Absolutely!! I'm glad that I got to be ordered by you!" (Eruka)
Eruka heads towards the exit of the room while saying that――――――
While she heads to the door, she looked back and opened her mouth.
"Setsu-sama…did you hear the story about 'that' person?" (Eruka)
"…Yeah, I heard about it from Tia." (Setsu)
"I see――――――no, I'm sorry for asking about that. Good night, Setsu-sama." (Eruka)
"….Good night." (Setsu)
After Eruka left, I thought about what Eruka had said.
"...what's the point of asking me….
That person――――――that person should have died." (Setsu)
[T.N: The gender is not confirmed, so I'm using that.]
[T.N: POV changed to third person]
At the castle's corridor, Yuuhi who is Setsu's childhood friend had become unable to sleep as she thinks about her promise with Setsu, so she had a walk around the castle.
(Going around with Yuki-kun~♪)
While thinking about such things at that time, Yuuhi became strangely happy.
Setsu's existence is considerably large for her, but she doesn't know why.
While strolling around the castle in high spirit, a door in front of her suddenly opened.
(Uwah! They're going to get angry at me in the middle of the night!!)
Going out in the middle of the night, Yuuhi hid herself in the shade as she think she would obstruct whoever it is that coming out. Erasing her presence, she tried not to get found. It's very easy for her to do technique like this considering her overflowing talents.
Who came out of the door, was a woman called Eruka who was training her cla.s.smate in a different training ground. She's a person of the same influence as Grein――――――Yuuhi had that much of a recognition.
(Eruka…....right? What is she doing at such a time…)
"――――――night, Setsu-sama" (Eruka)
Certainly just now….saying 'Setsu-sama'――――――
Yuuhi was at a loss. Setsu――――――in other words that was Yuki-kun's room, and a woman came out of it. Unfortunately, for someone called Setsu, there's only him out of all the cla.s.smates.
(What kind of relationship do you have….Yuki-kun)
Yuuhi at that time, questions and uneasiness began to swirl inside her――――――
Author's note: Possibility of a Shuraba.
Translator's note: Shuraba is something like a scene of carnage/blooshed. Currently it's commonly used for quarrel between love interest.