This was just a thought. What if the fantasy man who was purely the product of earth became friend with Hajime before he fell into the abyss...
The group took a break with some tea and such what if story as accompaniment. Then after a while.
「This is the last sightseeing destination for today, the demon king castle.」
The intense light of the setting sun was shining in into the throne room from a magnificent window. Hajime and others appeared there through a "gate".
The large hall was dead quiet without a single person in it. Shuu and Sumire were looking around with curiosity while letting out sigh of admiration.
「There isn't any sign of battle here huh?」
「We heard from Shizuku that there was a very hard fought battle here though...」
Koichi and Kirino were looking puzzled seeing the throne room that was looking neat, tidy, and somewhat desolate, as though this place a tourist attraction like castle or palace that was opened to the public, but during its closing hour.
Tomoichi was entranced by the other world castle that was also different from the kingdom and the empire's palaces. Other than him Kaoruko and Akiko were also turning their gaze everywhere with curiosity.
「Hajime-kun, this place isn't abandoned as ruins right?」
「It looks like this place is getting cleaned up periodically. From what we heard from Kaori, if I remember it right all the other countries are working together to manage this place isn't it?」
「But it feels like this place is too quiet for that...」
「Yes, it's just as Kaoruko-san said. That was why the signs of battle here had been repaired after the final battle. But, there is a factor here that makes it a bit complicated for us to sightsee, so we contacted the people here beforehand to empty the area.」
Hajime's expression looked a bit complicated just as he said. Seeing that Shuu and Sumire who had been told about what happened that time in more detail than the others let out 「Aa」 together.
「You went really wild at that time. Also if I remember it right, after the holy precinct was destroyed, the demon race got found in comatose state, and even now the majority of them are still sealed(?) in that state aren't they? 」
「And the person who is doing the sealing is you Hajime...」
「There's also how you're getting called as "demon king" by most people.」
Shuuzou smiled wrily while nodding in understanding.
「The person who defeated their king is recognized as the new king. Furthermore, that king is a human that is an enemy race...I see. A normal person will see that as a serious provocation. That's the height of inhumanity if you only hear about that part.」
Even though Hajime wasn't the king of the demon race, it was understandable for him to get his title that had the meaning as the king of the fiends and monsters. Tomoichi and other others also came to that realization with twitching expression.
Hajime shrugged while adding more explanation.
「Each of you might have heard from Kaori and the others but, it's just as Tou-san said, after the final battle, the demon race people got discovered near their capital city. In comatose state.」
「Fumu? Hajime-kun, did you and the others save them?」
Shuuzou narrowed his eyes as he asked. Hajime smiled wryly and shook his head while saying 「No way」.
Then, how did the demon race avoided destruction in the holy precinct? Tio answered that question.
「Shuuzou-dono. This art only my conjecture but, Freed...the commander-in-chief of the demon country who opposed us until the very end might be the one who saved them. When I faced him at the end, he didst some kind of interference toward the holy precinct in his last moment. And then, his face at that time...to me, it looked as though he hath regained his original feeling.」
I hath no basis for that though, Tio said with a quiet expression.
It was something that they had no way to ascertain at this point of time. But, looking at Tio's expression, everyone could see quiet clearly that she was half convinced that her conjecture was right.
「Well, it's unthinkable that a fanatic can possible clear the trial at the Ice and Snow Cavern after all. At the beginning he must have another, no, his original strong will.」
「...Nn. It was Ehito's favorite trick to make someone fall into zealotry like that.」
「...He was a bit pitiful nano.」
Myuu's shoulders drooped. Although that man was one of the big shot in the enemy camp who had made her gone through horrifying experiences, it couldn't be helped for pity to sprout a little when hearing that his original will got distorted.
「Myuu, thou doth not need to pity him. I myself hath experienced it, getting brainwashed because of my own worthlessness. The result from that art something that I hath to accept. The same with him.」
「Myu...」
「I too had committed something that I couldst not take back, but fortunately I encountered Goshujin-sama and the others and couldst regain myself before it was too late. It was...this art a callous word but, it was all a matter of "luck".」
「...」
Myuu tightly clenched her small hands looking like she found it hard to accept. Tio gently patted the head of Myuu who was like that. She added more on her words, that it wasn't a story that was completely devoid of all salvation like that.
「But, putting it another way...even though he had gone off the deep end until the point of no return in that battlefield, he still regained his old self in the end and saved his brethren. If I am in his place, I wouldst do this to Ehito in that world.」
「...?」
Myuu lifted up her face. And then Tio moved her so that the others who were also listening carefully to their way could also see clearly. She put on a fearless smile and astonishingly, she did a vulgar act of giving a middle finger.
And then, she put her emotion into her voice as though Ehito himself, or perhaps Alv who must be the one to brainwash Freed directly was right in front of her.
「Got you.」
She said that. Myuu's eyes blinked. Hajime and others were also slightly surprised and said 「I see. So there is also that way of looking at that」.
「I planned to destroy all of Ehito's intentions but...the matter of the demon race completely slipped out my mind. Or rather they weren't an object that really worth my attention. But, for Ehito he might see them as a good company on his way to hell.」
The age of god magic user that he brainwashed at the beginning betrayed him at the very end. Although it was meager, Freed still managed to accomplish something that derailed Ehito's expectation.
It must be something offensive for Ehito who never doubted himself as someone omniscient and omnipotent with a pride as high as Everest.
「...Nn~, at that time Ehito didn't have any leeway so he must not sensed it all but...if he actually knew, his face might boil red?」
「Well, he was someone who managed to get away twice even after facing Hajime-san and Yue-san, so I'll at least recognize his tenacity. Though for me my impression of him is still of an irritating enemy even now desu.」
「I also feel the same with thee. But, the white dragon became his shield on his own will even after half of its body was blown up. Freed too accepted his death at the end because he found it acceptable if he is together with his partner. They showed me that "bond of dragon and human".」
「If it was that bond that allowed him to repel the god's brainwashing at the ver end...then certainly, it's something worth remembering for you, no, for any member of dragon race.」(Hajime)
「Umu.」
「You too always acted as our shield huh.」(Hajime)
「I absolutely won't accept if it end in death though...fufu, if it's with Tio-san, I don't mind even if I accompany you at the end you know?」
「...Same. Also just so you know, our bond is overwhelmingly stronger. It's the strongest bond in the whole universe.」
「Geez Yue, you don't need to compete in that kind of thing...well, I also feel the same though!」
After Kaori, Shizuku, Aiko, Myuu, and then Remia, and also Liliana followed up with their own words energetically. Even though the topic shouldn't be something that bode well by any means, Sumire and Shuu and the other parents were watching with warm and gentle smile.
Tio's eyes widened like saucer even while she looked toward Hajime for some reason. Hajime too said,
「I agree with Shia.」
Soemthing like that while looking a bit embarrassed.
「uu~, I guess...kufuh, it's just as thou said.」
Tio happily agreed even while her face turned bright red and she hurriedly turned around. Her ornamental hairpin and long black hair were hopping up and down as though to express her current feeling.
The atmosphere became even more fluffy and warm. Although, perhaps because Freed's story had just gotten told, there was one point that weighed in the mind just as expected. Tomoichi asked a question toward Hajime timidly, which was unusual for him.
「Err...Hajime-kun. Do you, umm...have any plan to wake up the demons?」
He had a lot of ideas of why the demons had to be sealed like that, even so, as expected the act of robbing the freedom of a whole race was something that really weighed the mind for someone with the sensitivity of ordinary person.
「The decision for that has already left my hand.」
Hajime shrugged and turned his gaze toward Liliana. Liliana guessed what he wanted to say and stepped forward to face Tomoichi and others.
「Regarding the awakening of the demon race, about when it will be done and how many of them will be awakened, along with many other matters concerning that, they are being discussed in the regular meeting between the kingdom, empire, dukedom, and Fea Bergen. The decision about the demon race and its implementation is based on the consensus from there.」
The demons wouldn't be awakened all at once. But, each country wouldn't object if the demons were getting awakened little by little. All the countries were in accord that now there was no god, it would be desirable to persuade the demons in small number each time while being careful of their mass psychology.
「Tomoichi-san, they don't need my permission anymore to decide about the treatment of those guys. I'm entrusting the artifact to remove their seal on the hands of Lili and the others.」
「Is that so...certainly, it's a matter between this world's races, about the future between countries. To entrust the decision to those who are shouldering that future is, yes, I think that's a good decision.」
「Say, Lily. Is there anyone who got woken up after we returned to Japan?」
Actually she must have been curious about that. Kaori asked the question with deep curiosity. Liliana smiled and nodded.
「Around two hundred people have been freed from the seal.」
「Fumu. That art an insignificant number considering the total population of the demon race...」
「...Isn't that relatively a lot, considering that the kingdom is still focusing on rebuilding?」
「Each member of the demon race is powerful magician after all. Two hundred people are already an impressive fighting force.」
「Although there are occupation forces that are dispatched from each country here, there's a risk of the demon race people rising in revolt. It will be the worst development if they launch guerilla warfare.」
Shizuku's worry was also the reason for the sealing. Aiko and Remia frowned with a bit of worry and looked toward Liliana.
「Many of their brethren are still being sealed...I don't want to say this but, it's no different than them being our hostage. The unsealed demons won't easily choose to fight...is my hope.」
「Lily-san, if there's some kind of trouble brewing or something...」
「No need to worry. The demons who were in the anti-demon king faction are being very cooperative with us, and we're also carefully screening the ideology and personality of the members of delegation from all the countries, so for the time being there's no report about any serious conflict.」
「「Anti-demon king faction?」」
It was Akiko and Kaoruko who blinked in astonishment. That was because those words weren't a term that ever got mentioned in the story their daughters told them after they returned home.
It was only natural because it was a term that got decided in the world regular meeting after Hajime and co returned home. Liliana said 「My apologies」 and changed her words.
「In actuality, not all of the demon race entered the holy precinct that day.」
Actually there was a moderate faction even among the demon race ever since a long time ago, from several hundred years, or perhaps even several thousand years ago. They kept strongly wishing for coexistence between the many races, and even if that was impossible than at least for peace.
Many of them got politically reeducated or secretly erased behind the scene, but not all of them were caught. A part of them became disgusted with the demon country that persisted in believing the supremacy of demon race without any doubt and built a hidden village at a remote region of the south continent where they were living quietly.
「These people were against the policy of the demon country. After the final battle, they slowly gathered back into this demon capital. And then they agreed with our thinking that wish for coexistence one day and volunteered to manage their sealed brethren and this demon capital, as well as awakening and persuading their brethren.」
「So it's like that. The delegation is for the sake of coexistence.」
「Yes. Their objective is to hold communication so we can learn about each other's ideology, belief, culture, and sense of value bit by bit so we can come to an understanding. ...After all with the reform of the holy church, the sense of values of us human are also undergoing a great change.」
By the way, Liliana said. She let out a chuckle toward Hajime who looked really disinterested with the topic and said.
「This coexistence plan is something that Hajime-san drafted you know?」
「「「「「...hee」」」」」
「Why are you guys grinning?」
Well, that was because. Shuu and Sumire, and also the parents of the other families were all thinking, this tsundereee~.
Even Yue and Shia were being all smiles and pointed out.
「...It's Hajime's way to give prayer and condolence for the liberators.」
「Miledy-san and the others must also be trying to save the demon race during their time after alll~」
「The demon race doesn't even worth thinking for me. ...But, well, they got away with their life intact, so I see no reason to go out of my way to mow them down.」
「「「「Of course you aree~~」」」」
「Nano~♪」
Kaori, Shizuku, Akio, and even Remia were grinning. Even Myuu was smiling widely.
Even Hajime-san felt terribly awkward toward this. He coughed exaggeratedly and said 「Anyway!」 a bit forcefully to make the talk moved on.
「Setting aside the bunch who lived in the hidden village, the awakened demons saw me as their sworn enemy who destroyed everything that they had achieved until now. I had also killed a lot of demons during their invasion into the kingdom's capital and when coming to this demon king castle. If someone like me──」
「If they know that you carefreely "came for sightseeing" here, it might disturb the delegation's effort with the demons huh.」
「Something like that, Tou-san. That was why the person in charge here got contacted beforehand, and when it was time, it was arranged for people to be cleared away from the surrounding of this throne room──by Helina.」
「Helina came up here!!? Or rather since when!!?」
Sure enough (?), Liliana roared. Really, just how much these two had been in contact outside of her knowledge? She had to question it...she had to question Helina thoroughly tonight!! I aamm, the princessss!!
A heated burning aura was rising up from Liliana. While giving her a sidelong glance,
「Say Hajime. Is it really okay for us to sightsee here?」
「We won't ask for the unreasonable if there are people here who will be offended by our presence you know?」
Sumire glanced toward the door uneasily, while Shuu asked the other parents 「Right?」 with his gaze. Naturally Tomoichi and the others also nodded.
From the start, the place that they wanted to see the most was the Ice and Snow Cavern and they had managed to look around enough there. They were also already satisfied with the sightseeing today. So they wouldn't mind for their time here to be cut short.
「It looks like Tou-san and the others are misunderstanding.」
「Misunderstanding?」
「What?」
「Listen, it's true there's no need to cause unnecessary waves, but I won't allow this place to be ignored just because of that. Tou-san and everyone have no right to refuse! I'm forcing everyone with a resolute will here! Go sightsee here leisurely without rushinggg-」
「「Just why in the world!?」」
Hajime's parents were taken aback by their son's sudden hotbloodedness. Of course Tomoichi and the others were also widening their eyes in bewilderment.
「...Nn~, I too am a bit embarrassed because there's the scene of my great failure of allowing my body to be stolen away, so I'm fine with this place getting ignored though.」
「I guess. At that time you were all shaken up from Alv's verbal attack and got locked in the light pillar easily. It was like a black history even if it is looked objectively.」
「Hajimeee!?」
An unexpected scathing criticism from Hajime-san to Yue-sama! As expected from someone who regularly professed 「Heroine who keep getting kidnapped or taken hostage is just irritating isn't it」.
「W-what an amazingly rare situation. To think Hajime-san would send a right straight punch at Yue-san with his words like that...」
「Yaa~ii yaa~ii! The~miss~lo~ser~Yue-san♪」
「Kaori, don't snatch the chance to provoke her right away like that.」
「As expected, I believe that accident was something that couldst not be helped in part. Or rather, Goshujin-sama also said before that it couldst not be helped because Denreed-dono who was the Achilles heel of Yue came out...」
「Aaaa, Yue-san is becoming really pale...she need medicine for her heart for now──injection!!」
Yue-sama shined pink from Aiko's magic. She glared at Hajime with a bit of tear in her eyes, but Hajime paid that no mind and grabbed Yue's shoulders tightly.
「...H-Hajime?」
「That's why, you're the one who I want to see it the most, Yue.」
「...Nnn? Me? Because it happened after I got possessed by Ehito?」
「That's right! Of course I also want Tou-san and the others to see it, and if allowed I even want to broadcast it to the whole world at the same time. In the end the whole world will be swallowed in a storm of excitement and praise, and if we charge money for it there's no doubt that the box-office takings will reach astronomical amount from how wonderful the scene is! But however! If I'm forced to limit the number of guest then, Yue! You're the only one I want to watch it–!」
「W-wait, calm down Hajimeee!」
「Aa~, I can somehow guess it. Right, Remia-san?」
「True Shizuku-san. Ufufu...I'm happy with his feeling. After all he really did his best.」
Shizuku and Remia guessed Hajime's intention and exchanged gaze with wry smile. Shia and others must also have understood what was going on.
「I see desu. That scene is certainly something that we can't possible miss seeing in this trip for reminiscing of the past.」
「Umu, Hahaue-dono and the others hath to see it no matter the cost.」
「That's true. After all it was the scene of the small hero facing the scaa~ry demon king and won. It was like a fairytale.」
Liliana's eyes squinted to look very gentle and her gaze fell on Hajime's side. Everyone else got lured by that and moved their gaze to there. Yes,
「Myu?」
Myuu looked puzzled by the sudden attention.
「Myuu's gallant figure when she stopped me who went into a rampage after Yue got taken away, and then, Myuu's effort and consideration to support me in your place, please, watch it no matter what.」
「...I see. I had heard about that story after the final battle but, nn! I absolutely want to watch that!」
「Right? If it's for that then who give a damn about the demons' feeling. If they have any complain then I'll put them to sleep physically this time.」
「P-papa? Calm down, okay? Everyone finally might be able to get along, so Myuu don't want a fight to break out because of her nano.」
A line like what a devilish woman would say came out from Myuu, but everyone ignored it for the time being,
After knowing Hajime's reason, Yue quickly put up a barrier that blocked intruder from coming into the throne room just in case. The barrier was also equipped with the function of soundproofing and also invisibility from the outside. At the same time Kaori activated the past replay.
After knowing that the scene would be about Myuu's great achievement, Tomoichi and others also became curious and fixed their attention to the forming projection of the past.
They gulped seeing Hajime and others being surrounded by many apostles. They were also showing a complicated emotion when they saw the now departed Nakamura Eri.
But even that expression immediately changed into fury and concern when they saw what was inside the two cages at the sides of the throne.
There were Myuu and Remia hugging each other in fear. There were also the heavily wounded classmates.
Aiko and Liliana, assisted by Tsuji Ayako were desperately healing the heavily wounded, but the wounds on Yuuka, Kousuke, Juugo, and Atsushi were especially horrible. Their condition looked like they were just barely hanging on life. To the untrained eye they might even looked like they had died.
「They were really brave till the end. Sonobe-san's group, and also Nagayama-kun's group. I had my hands full with keeping them alive, so I couldn't do anything...」
「Was it from them trying to fight the apostle?」
Aiko nodded while her shoulders drooped crestfallenly from remembering that time when they got kidnapped from the palace.
While Alvheit who disguised himself as Denreed was talking incessantly, Hajime and others were looking at her with deep interest. Aiko noticed their gazes and opened her mouth while staring at Yuuka and others inside the projection with a complicated gaze.
「Those students opposed the apostle even though it was reckless. They did it to protect their friends.」
「Hatayama-sensei, was it because if they didn't resist, someone would get killed before the rest got kidnapped?」
Aiko nodded once more to Shuuzou's question.
「For apostle, the children who didn't have much relationship with Hajime-kun had no worth as hostage.」
「Those who didn't have much relationship with Hajime-kun...you mean the children who shut themselves in the palace right?」
「Yes. In the first place Hajime-kun didn't even try to get involved with his classmates, so if they don't even have the will to fight than they won't even serve as god's pawn. Therefore they would get disposed.」
「What's with that, that's just too selfish.」
Akiko reflexively raised her voice in indignation. Aiko smiled wryly and said 「Sonobe-san also yelled that」.
「I see. If they resisted until they became like that...then those students weren't hostage for me, but they were more like hostages for Sonobe and the others huh.」
「Yes. Their readiness to die helped the others escaped death.」
Aiko then recalled something and let out a chuckle. She sent a meaningful gaze to Hajime. Hajime tilted his head in puzzlement.
「The apostle said this. Can you risk your life for the incompetents?」
「Incompetent huh...」
「Yes. And then Sonobe-san, even though she was trembling in fear, she gave it her all to smile fearlessly just like a certain someone and said this back you know?」
──Your comrade lost against human who was called incompetent wasn't it
「Fufu, that apostle immediately shut up after that.」
「Haha, that must be thrilling.」
Something like the god's decision can just go eat shit. We won't abandon our friends even if we die.
Perhaps because Yuuka yelled that out, the apostle found value on the students who were simply cowering and being protected to be a pawn.
「Hajime, isn't it better if you take responsibility for Yuuka-chan already?」
「What are you saying Tou-san?」
「Hajime, it's cruel to not feed the fish that you have caught you know?」
「I didn't fish or anything.」
「Dear, let's go to Sonobe-san's restaurant next time. We need to have a talk with her parents too.」
「Yeah. The future look pitch black if we just leave it to the people involved themselves.」
「...I'm not gonna let you two go there okay?」
「Hey Yue, it'll be better if we also have a proper TALK with Yuuka-chan at aleast once!」
「...Nn. Agreed. She looked like she would get slotted in into mistress position without anybody noticing if we just leave this alone.」
Yue-san, as expected from the first wife. She had sharp instinct.
Kirino was feeling some sympathy toward Yuuka-chan who was getting her paths of escape being gradually cut off outside of her knowledge while a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She asked about it.
「Hatayama-sensei? I have one question...did Kousuke also unable to do anything at all?」
「Ah, come to think of it」Voices that were filled with doubt leaked out from everyone one after another. During this trip, everyone had gotten a good understanding about Kousuke's uniqueness, or rather his abnormality, so they felt that something was out of place when listening to Aiko's explanation that made it sounded like they were completely helpless in front of the apostle.
「Certainly, during the final battle Endou-kun had the highest kill count right after me. Even though he didn't even have apostle specs like me, he assassinated the apostles with unbelievable speed.」
「I heard about how he fell in love with Rana-san and went through awakening but...I can't believe that he was completely helpless in that time despite that?」
Kaori and Shia also looked puzzled. Liliana gave the answer.
「This is, a story that I heard from Nagayama-san and Nomura-san but...Endou-san, is apparently someone whose presence increase when he feel down.」
「「「「Why?」」」」
It was incomprehensible. Not just the parents, even Yue and the others looked astounded. Kaori-san temporarily paused the past projection because she heard that statement that was just too difficult to parse. Everyone urged Liliana to talk about it in more detail with laser-like focus.
「It seems that Endou-san really looked up to Captain Meld. He was still really down even after Hajime-san and the others left the capital. He kept standing in daze in front of the memorial stone...」
Even from Liliana's perspective, Endo's depression was horrible. She even heard from his two close friends that he didn't get much sleep and also didn't really eat much.
「Everyone was really worried for him because he was in such state. ...Yes, we frequently remembered about Endou-san and wondered if he's alright.」
「「「「「Impossible!」」」」」
「Yes, it's impossible. Normally that is.」
Even before feeling worried, everyone would forget the existence of that man──that was Endou Kousuke. For someone like that to have someone worrying about him around the clock and keeping him in tehri mind was an unnatural phenomenon like ghost story.
「According to Nagayama-san, he had been like that since the past. Apparently Endou-san's presence will increase in proportion to how terrible his depression is.」
「As I thought, that guy must be a youkai isn't he?」
Nobody objected against Hajime's frank statement. Rather they looked convinced.
Not far in the future, a certain onmyouji girl would also hear about this matter and smiled brightly 「As I thought, Endou-sama is...」, then she would try to secretly stick some kind of suspicious talisman on Kousuke but...that would be a story for another time.
「Anyway, Endou-kun at that time was in an abnormal state and was no different than an ordinary person, is that right?」
「Yes, it was like that.」
Shuuzou's conclusion made everyone tilted their head 「For him to become an ordinary person when in abnormal state, just what in the world...」, but, Well, it's just Endou-kun so whatever! They decided to ignore it in the end.
Past replay, resuming.
『This fucking scum. I'll turn you into minced meat.』
What happened at the end of the dialogue was a headshot at dear uncle's head without any hesitation or mercy. Beeaauu~tiiifuuul~.
「Hajime, you...」
「No, you know that it was Alf at the inside right, Kaa-san.」
「Look there, at Yue-chan's expression. She look like someone who take the challenge of building the highest ever trump tower, and even though there is only two more cards left to place before it get completed, someone came from the side and destroy it. Her face look exactly like that.」
「What's with that example? Is that from Tou-san's experience? Just imagining it makes my killing intent boil up though.」
「By the way, it was me who tackled the tower from the side.」
「So it's you Kaa-san! That was just too much right!?」
「That was because I held a grudge with him leaving me to go to support his favorite idol even though it was our wedding anniversary.」
「That's...well, it can't be hel──」
「That was because you were pursued by deadline that time!」
「Deadline and idol event, which one is more important! If you're my hubby then the least you could do was to kidnap me from my isolation to go to the event!」
「Sorry for that! Your editor was just too scary! She even sent me a threatening mail!」
「Ah, so Kaa-san wasn't angry because Tou-san neglected the wedding anniversary, but because you couldn't go together with him...or rather, prioritize the deadline rather than that...dear editor, I'm sorry for all the troubles that my parents caused you...」
The past replay was still playing even while such interesting conversation between parents and child (Tomoichi looked like he was itchy to give a retort) was going on.
『Whaaat do you mean by "My cute Aletia" you idiot! She is "My cute Yue" you get that-!』
That-! That-! That-! The scream of Hajime's soul echoed. Meanwhile the past Yue-san was writhing and fidgeting with blushing cheeks.
It was like they were almost forgetting that they were in enemy territory and being driven into corner.
Don't flirt like it's the only natural thing to do, everyone thought. Tomoichi and others were feeling warm even though it was a Serious situation.
But, it only lasted until there.
「Uu, Myuu doesn't really want to watch from here nano...」
「Myuu...yes, you're right. Mama is also the same.」
Myuu buried her face on Remia's skirt. The parents were taken aback seeing them like that.
This was that energetic and inquisitive Myuu. Until now she had begged Hajime many times to be allowed to watch the past scene, but she never did something like refusing to watch.
But, it didn't take them long to be able to understand why Myuu and Remia were feeling like that. They were made to understand.
The situation developed in a dizzying pace like surging waves.
And then,
「「Hajime!?」」
「「「「「──tsu!?」」」」」
A hole was opened up in Hajime's stomach by Yue. Everyone forgot to breath and fell mute seeing that.
「...Really, irritating. How dare he did that to Hajime with my body...but, I felt irritated with myself more. If I can return to the past then I want to smack myself dead.」
Yue was gritting her teeth audibly while glaring at her past self as though she was staring at her parent's killer.
Hajime told her to calm down and gently patted her head.
「...That Hajime-kun and the others are getting this one-sidedly...」
「Are you saying that, Hajime-kun and others won against something like that?」
Tomoichi and Kaoruko's voices were shaking. Akiko was covering her mouth with her hands while turning pale. Even the members of Yaegashi family were looking extremely grim.
The descend of god and the power that god displayed must be beyond their imagination.
Hajime and co were easily rendered powerless with a single word. Shia and others became battered up in the blink of eye. Kouki's betrayal and then the destructive power that Eri obtained.
The struggling Hajime who was bleeding so copiously that they couldn't understand how he hadn't died already.
But, Ehito who had taken over Yue's body mercilessly left to the holy precinct...
『YUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!』
Hajime's scream that sounded like a wailing reverberated. The sorrow and resentment crossed over time from the past to the present. It felt like Sumire and Shuu and the others could feel their heart being torn apart.
Everyone pressed their hand on their chest and gritted their teeth. Yes, they had to do that. Because it felt like something would snap inside them just from hearing that voice.
「...Hajime, I'm really sorry.」
「Don't apologize, Yue.」
Yue clung on Hajime's waist while apologizing with a trembling voice that was holding back tears. Hajime gently caressed her cheek and softly lifted up her face.
「I called it your black history just now but...I'll protect you, and you'll protect me. I promised you that and yet I couldn't keep that promise. I allowed you to get taken away from right under my nose...it was me who have to apologize.」
「...You're putting me in a dilemma if you apologize for that.」
「Right? It's the same for me. That's why, you don't need to apologize.」
「,,,,,,nnu」
It wouldn't happen again. Next time they would protect each other for sure. Together they were the strongest. Seeing Yue and Hajime clinging and smiling to each other had enough power to soften the wretchedness of the past projection somewhat.
The expressions of Shuu and others softened a little. Shia and others also smiled fondly while gathering around Hajime and Yue to pat their shoulders.
「Please don't forget that we are here too. If you two are already the strongest by yourself, we will be unrivalled with us joining in too!」
Kaori and the others also nodded with a strong smile at Shia's words. Meanwhile, as though to proclaim that it wasn't just Shia and the others, there was also someone who gave encouragement inside the past replay.
It was Yuuka. While Hajime had stopped moving while still lying on his face, while Shia and the others had also gotten badly hit and were unable to move, she went behind the back of a god and the apostles to form a plan with her friends in order to break the deadlock even while trembling in fear.
It was the first time for Hajime and the others too to watch this scene. They automatically walked toward the classmates inside the past replay and watched their conversation at that time from nearby.
『You saw it right, at the palace! I wasn't able to do anything at all! Someone like me is useless-. There's no way I can get the jump on them-』
The plan was to slip through the eyes and the attention of everyone in this place to drag back Shia who was wounded and couldn't move. In addition Kaori's twin great swords that were taken away by apostle and currently hanging on that apostle's waist also had to be taken back.
The key person for that strategy, the only one who could possibly do such thing, Endou Kousuke had completely lost his confidence and refused to do that plan with a pale white face.
Toward such Kousuke, Yuuka replied with eyes that were blazing with powerful will that looked grim but brave, and yet it sent anyone who saw it reeling.
『I don't want to let it all be a waste-』
She didn't want her life that was saved and preserved by Hajime to be a waste. She refused to keep not doing anything and died meaninglessly.
Everyone could clearly see how Kousuke's complexion was slowly changing after being told that and seeing her eyes.
It was clear to see even without any words, who was the figure who flashed at the back of Kousuke's mind at that time.
The person who he respected and loved like a big brother. He wanted to be a person who wouldn't shame Captain Meld. That feeling was making Kousuke regaining his willpower.
『I'll try.』
They could see it even through the projection. No, they became unable to see. Of Kousuke's very thin presence that got revived back.
In the projection, Kousuke erased his presence so completely it was just like a joke. Even the outside viewers could only barely follow his figure after they concentrated even more.
Under such emergency situation, he smoothly moved right in front of everybody, whether they were apostle, monster, or corpse beast soldier. He deceived even the sense of a subordinate god and even lifted Shia on his back right out in the open before returning back from where he came from. Seeing the scene like this felt like it was some kind of joke.
From there the counterattack began.
『Tsuji Ayako-san is it? Thank you for the healing desu! Thank you the unknown person there too!』
『Eh, umm, we have met before though...』
Kousuke's pitifulness was revived too.
「「「「Shia...」」」」
「Shia, you are really...」
「Shia-chan, as expected even Okaa-san feel that being treated like that is just too pitiful...」
「Shia-oneechan...」
「No no no-, that just couldn't be helped at all desu-!!」
Even though he also splendidly recovered the twin great swords...even though he had done a perfect job...
Kousuke was pitiful whether he was depressed or not, but putting him aside.
The counterattack didn't last long. Myuu fell into Alv's hand──and then,
「Tio-san, Aiko-san, won't it be better to put mental protection on everyone just in case?」
「Remia? ...Aa, no, it's just as thou said.」
「Certainly, that might be best.」
Tio and Aiko guessed what Remia's worry was and applied the magic of mind protection on everyone in double layer. Then it happened right after that.
「「「Hih...」」」
It was the Shirasaki couple and Akiko who unconsciously let out such stiff voice. Even Yaegashi family's expressions were twitching and they clenched their fists to suppress the shaking of their body.
There in the projection, was Hajime's ghastliness that might sent anyone who saw it into madness even from across a projection and with soul magic applied as protection.
Eyes that were pitch black as though all resentment and rage in this world were boiled down and left to ferment, murderous crimson aura that was radiating from his whole body.
──Everything can just disappear
It was the moment the concept magic to curse and erase everything in the world was born from emotion of extremity.
The hole in his stomach was still gaping wide open, blood soaked his whole body, his body was clad in crimson aura while swaying like a revenant. And yet, everyone whether they were approaching or fleeing got split into small parts and obliterated without being able to offer any resistance whatsoever.
That figure was like the personification of a man-eating rakshasa. Even Shuu and Sumire were rendered speechless and shuddered before it.
「Haha, this is really embarrassing. As expected, the happening in the demon king castle is a black history even for me. 」
「Hajime...」
The past replay was so intense that everyone felt like they would faint. The deeply ashamed voice that came from Hajime in front of that served as a small breath of fresh air.
The people who almost forgot to breath immediately inhaled very deeply.
「Perhaps, this is how I might end up──it's one of my possible fates. If I didn't meet Yue, I might become this kind of guy who sacrifice everything in order to fulfil my dearest wish to go home.」
But, that didn't happen. Because Hajime met Yue, and then, since meeting with Shia he was able to gain a lot of important things.
One of those important things took Yue's place to catch Hajime before he fell to rock bottom.
「Look there, make sure to not miss even a single instant. The entrance of my prided──tiny hero.」
Hajime pointed while sounding extremely proud. He was holding his head high, even more than the actual person who should be doing so.
Ahead of where he pointed at,
『Papa-, don't nano! Return back to the usual papa!』
It went without saying, Myuu was there.
Hajime whose emotion was in the point of extremity was running wild, and it even got mercilessly turned toward the civilian demons who were late to enter into the holy precinct. He was in a state where he might even kill his classmates indiscriminately. There was no way he would overlook the existence of "enemy force" just because they had declared their surrender.
Right at this moment, a parent and child from demon race were on the verge of getting erased inside the past replay. While everyone was swallowed by Hajime's ghastliness and couldn't stop Hajime, Myuu alone came running without any hesitation. She spread out her hands and firmly stood her ground as she stood on Hajime's way.
The parents starting from Shuu and Sumire opened their eyes wide. It wasn't just because of astonishment. Because, they had heard about this scene before.
That was why, the biggest emotion that welled up from inside their eyes were exactly the color of admiration and wonder when seeing an actual hero.
『Myuu won't lose-. Myuu absolutely won't lose if it's against the papa right now nano!』
An unbending will.
That will could be clearly seen from that figure that caught her papa's callous words and gaze that were never got directed to her before.
Myuu will never let papa pass this point.
Myuu won't let papa's heart to fall any further into the abyss.
Myuu will definitely pull it back, and tie it in place. She said
Myuu was doing what Yue once did with her existence for Hajime. She did it with a clear will in her chest.
Overwhelming. It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to call that radiance of will like that. And it certainly reached even Hajime who was losing his sanity so badly that he created a concept that was no different than a disaster from it.
There was reaction. He stopped moving, his face frowned.
「...I see. This is definitely the figure of "a person with courage", a hero. Myuu, thank you. You're really an amazing child. Far more than me.」
Inside the projection, Kaori and the others also rushed in after Myuu's bravery affected them. Kaori's powerful straight punch returned Hajime to his sanity fully this time.
「Yue-oneechan, that's not it nano. Myuu simply used Yue-oneechan and everyone as role model nano. Even Myuu is the strongest when protecting each other nano!」
Myuu showed a gentle smile. It seemed that she really didn't have the awareness that she had done something special.
In fact, she only kept Yue and the others in her mind.
Inside the past replay, Hajime regained his consciousness after receiving revival measure.
Everyone did their best to make light talk to celebrated Hajime's recovery and to avoid drowning in the sadness and fury from Yue being taken away. Then,
『Muu~, why did papa dodge nano! Even though Myuu is trying to cheer up papa in Yue-oneechan's place too!』
『Myuu...』
『Shia-oneechan and the others too, everyone is looking down nano. That's why, Myuu will give chuu to everyone. Chuu is a charm to make your heart be energetic nano.』
Myuu who tried to give a kiss to Hajime said that. She gave it her all to act like a big sister.
It was clear from a single glance just who was it that she was imitating.
Naturally there was no way anybody there didn't know who was the culprit who taught Myuu about the so called charm.
「Myuuuuuu!!」
「Nyuwa!? C-cahn't bhreahthh~~~nanoo~~~」
Yue was filled with emotion and hugged Myuu tightly. Myuu writhed while gasping for air.
Normally the others would admonish Yue and save Myuu but...the opposite happened just for this time only.
「Myuu-chan! What a really good girl! Obaa-chan is moved!」
「We're really, really-, thankful to you for saving our stupid sonnn-」
Tears also burst like waterfall from Sumire and Shuu's eyes like in manga while they hugged Myuu together with Yue tightly.
「Uu, seeing it once more made me realize just how gutless I was and how strong Myuu-chan was desuu!」
「Truly. Remia! Thy daughter art truly magnificent.」
「Fufu, thank you so much for the kind words. She is the daughter who I'm proud of♪」
「It's not too late even if you do it now! Myuu-chan! Give Kaori-oneechan a chuu!」
「My, then perhaps I'll also ask for that too?」
「In the end we didn't get it after all~」
「Let's have her do it for sure this time!」
Shia, Tio, Remia, then Kaori, Shizuku, Akiko, and even Liliana all joined the circle that hugged Myuu tightly together. Finally Myuu was left in a situation where only a single of hand of her was visible from the crowd, groping blindly toward the sky.
It was like looking like at someone who was crushed under a zombie swarm.
Hajime smiled fondly seeing that sight and asked toward Tomoichi and others who were also watching that sight as though they were looking at something precious.
「What do you think? The value of that scene from a glance, no, don't you think that past has the most value during this trip?」
「...It's Kaori's trial that is the most valuablee~, is what I want to say as a father but, fuu...it's frustrating but I can't deny that!」
「Yes, that was really a wonderful scene.」
「I really understand the reason why Hajime-kun said that you can't let her go now.」
Tomoichi, Kaoruko, and Akiko, followed by Shuuzou and the others spoke their praise to Myuu without any exaggeration. It seemed that Myuu's nickname of "the demon king's daughter" was more than a mere nickname. Instead it was a nickname that was only fitting for Myuu.
Some time passed after that.
「Uu~, Myuu's lips are stinging nanoo」
Myuu was finally released from the mobbing.
In the end Yue and others were too moved and wouldn't let go of her at all, so she gave a peg to everyone's cheek in order to appease their raging soul. It seemed the demon king's daughter also had the disposition to be a shrine maiden.
Yue and others were going 「Uehe-he-he~」 with ecstatic face as though they had been completely emasculated. Rather than big sisters, they looked more like dangerous people who would make others contact 110.
「Hajime...」
「Hm? Tou-san, what's wrong? You look really down.」
「Do you have, razor?」
「Razor? Why?」
「Myuu said that Ojii-chan's beard is prickly that it hurts so she doesn't wanna do it...」
「Aa~, the sun has already set, so no wonder it has grown a little.」
「Yeah...」
「Puu kusukusu~Giggle giggle, serve you right」
「What do you mean serve me right! Unforgivable」
Setting aside the unsightly husband and wife quarrel.
When they were going to also watch the pep talk meeting that would happen after that, Hajime and co suddenly sensed several presences heading this way.
「Strange. I should have said that I'll contact them when we're finished sightseeing...」
「I can't imagine Helina making a blunder with communication. Could it be, our visit got leaked out to the demons?」
「...There's no sign of the barrier getting breached to detect our presence here but, perhaps they felt suspicious about why people got cleared away from here?」
「What're we going to do, Hajime-kun?」
「At least we had watched the most important moment just now, so withdrawing from here is also an option.」
Shizuku looked around at everyone. Shuuzou and the others looked a bit disappointed, but they all nodded.
But, it seemed that their decision was just a bit too late.
Perhaps it was just to be expected from a race that excelled the most in magic. It seemed they used some kind of magic to move in high speed. They had arrived until the door of the throne room in the blink of eye.
They could hear some kind of commotion when the presences had approached until this near.
There were several voices calling to stop, and several other voices that seemed to belong to old men, saying that they wanted to meet no matter what. It seemed they were arguing back and forth.
Just in case, Helina should have communicated that only a few people other than the person in charge should know about the visit of Hajime and co, but the old man at the other side of the door seemed to be aware of the fact that there was a visit and who was the one doing the visit.
「It sounds really heated there. This might cause a problem somewhere down the road if we just ignore this. Guess we should take a look at what kind of person this is and what is their objective.」
Is that alright? Hajime asked Shuu and the others. They looked a bit nervous, but they didn't seem to disagree. They nodded at Hajime's question.
Like that, when Hajime told Yue that it was alright to take down the barrier,
『Aah geez! Kamal-san! Please stop this already!』
『Why. I'm just saying that I want to talk for a bit.』
『What are you saying while carrying something dangerous like that!? What need is there in carrying a sword just for talking!?』
『...I can't tell you.』
『Out of the questiiーーon!!』
『I want you to believe me. Have I ever done anything to betray the expectation of all of you on me or invite suspicion until now?』
『You never! I believe that you are a mediator who can be trusted! That's why I'm not confiscating that sword even now right!? But, I already told you just now that we were also given instruction to prohibit any audience, and in the first place it looks like there's a barrier that obstruct entry──』
『Eei, there's no end to this! I don't have time! I apologize deeply for my rudeness!』
『Eh, wait, why are you drawing your sword──stupiidーーー!!』
*ZON* There was that sound. Yue's eyes snapped wide open.
「...No way. My barrier──got cut?」
「「「「EH!?」」」」
Shia and others were also thunderstruck by that. The barrier that Yue put wasn't a space isolation barrier, it was just a normal light element magic and it also one that she created with all seriousness, but it was still something that was placed by the strongest magician Yue.
It had the toughness that could easily block the "dragon breath" of the early day white dragon Uranus. Even if the opponent was a demon, the barrier should be unscathed against the average opponent.
And yet, that barrier was cut open with one attack.
It seemed that this wasn't someone ordinary.
Hajime quietly narrowed his eyes. Tension suddenly spread across the parents. Kaori and the others were also straightening their expression and took the readiness posture. The door opened at the meantime.
An old man with brown skin and long white hair that got tied up at his back walked inside at the forefront. He looked to be at the same age like Shuuzou. Although his body seemed to be in a bad state with how haggard he looked. He was also thin.
Even so his gaze was sharp and there was steel in his voice. It was just a feeling but, they could feel an atmosphere similar to Adol Clarus from him.
They didn't feel any kind of hostility from him. Rather he conveyed the atmosphere of sincerity in some respects.
「...Please accept our heartfelt apologies for this sudden and impolite visit. I am──」
That old demon ignored the profusely apologizing knight and sheathed his blood colored sword while starting to speak the words of self-introduction──but before he could do that.
「Oi oi, what's going on? We heard that Kamal-san got into a dispute and come here to check the situation──」
A familiar looking demon came running. Apparently he heard the commotion here.
And then his eyes met Hajime.
Blood rushed away from his face *suuuu~~* that everyone could see his face impressively turning pale in real time. Then his expression turned into the very model of despair. A second passed.
「N-NOOOOーーーーーーーーーーーーーー!!?」
His face became like "Munch's Scream". His eyes rolled back until the white of his eyes showed completely and then he collapsed backward.
Time stopped. Kamal-ojiisan too was stunned with his eyes turning into dot.
There, even more footsteps came running because they heard that scream.
「Was that Otou-san's scream just now!? What's wro──KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-DEVILLLLLLLL!!?」
Another familiar demon who was still a boy the same age like Myuu let out a shriek and collapsed. Just like his dad. His expression became a look of suffering as though he had just seen a certain cursed video.
After that it was like a surge of avalanche.
「What!? Just in the world is goiAAAAAAAAAAA!? WHY!? WHY IS THE CRIMSON MONSTER IS HERE!? WHYYYY──」
「HIIIIIIIH, I HAVE NO BELIEF I HAVE NO BELIEF I HAVE NO BELIEF! GOD MUST DIE! DEMON KING BANZAI!!」
「AA, AA, AA, S-SFARE ME──」
「PLEASE AT LEAST LET MY WIFE AND CHILDREN GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!」
「UWAAAAAAAHHHNN, IT'S THE ENDDD! IT'S THE END OF THE WORLDDDDDDDDDD」
Every single one of them looked familiar ──or rather, they were the demon parent and child that they saw Myuu was protecting in the past reflection just now, along with the other demons in the past too.
Actually, other than the demons who came out from the hidden village, they too didn't get the sealing treatment and chose the path of managing their brethren and the capital but...
It seemed what happened at that time still left a trauma in them.
The parents still hadn't seen the part where Hajime lightly slapped a katana on the demon while threatening 「Your faith and your son, you can protect only one of them y'know」 like a thug, but they could understand their reaction just based on how Hajime went into rampage.
And so, the parents starting from Shuu and Sumire looked understanding while also conflicted.
Meanwhile Myuu was looking up at her papa as though she was looking at a troublesome person and said.
「This kind of sight also happened at the imperial palace nano.」
「That's true.」
Hajime automatically got a faraway look. Shia placed her hand on his shoulder with a lukewarm gaze.
It felt like they could hear the voices As expected from boss! Of Carm and the other Haurias.