The place that was descending into chaos somehow calmed down with Old Bruitt's return. After that.
Old Bruitt listened to the decision of holding the ceremony as well as Myuu& Hinata's participation. He headed out again to make the arrangement. Donal and Linden also left for commanding and managing the security as well as guiding the people. And then
「Please head out to the terrace without us everyone. I will bring Aularodde-sama to the guest room. Aa, please don't wake up. This person, it looks like she is deadly exhausted.」
Anneal momma said that and gave a piggyback to the former corporate slave goddess. She left toward the guest room without looking bothered at all even when Aularodde continued drooling on her shoulder.
Myuu thought, 「T-that's, the line used for someone who's already died...」. Kouki who also knew that joke hurriedly checked if Aularodde-chan was still breathing, but her lips snapped on the approaching finger and spouted out the cliché line 「Momma, I can't eat anymoreee」 happily, so she must be fine (she wasn't).
After all those, the remaining members moved on to,
「Uwaah, amazing nano! There isn't any sand at all nano!」
「This is completely different from the story that I heard...but, it's really pretty...」
「Isn't that right, isn't that right? Koone's capital is pretty rightt~」
The location was at the quadrangular spire that was further above the throne room. Slightly under that pointy top was a space where it was possible to look at all directions from there. It was a drafty space that was supported by four pillars. That place would become the highest observation platform during battle. That place was none other than the highest terrace where it was possible to take an unbroken view of Synclea.
Myuu's body leaned forward while holding on the handrail. Her smile was sparkling. Hinata was putting a hand on her cheek with an entranced expression. Meanwhile Koone stood side by side with those two and put on a very smug face.
Behind her were Kouki and Moana watching with widened eyes.
「E-eh? Am I imagining things? It feels like the scenery has changed completely...」
「...There's nature, everywhere...」
It was just like the two said. The capital had changed drastically in just half a year.
At the center of a huge lake was a towering palace. Around it were bridges and townscape that was made from chalk white stone. The donut shaped gigantic lake that was surrounding the whole capital and the waterways running through the city were unchanged.
But, the quantity of green color that was visible was incomparable from before.
First the ground wasn't sandy ground anymore. It was like the ground inside a forest. Soft looking ground could be glimpsed here and there with even more vegetations growing thickly everywhere.
Trees were lining up the streets, creating a lot of refreshing shadow. The trees were even producing juicy looking fruits.
There were even many trees that looked like baobab tree at the outer edge of the lake. Water was overflowing from the tops, creating small springs and flowing water here and there.
The desert that was visible from the palace felt far further than before.
──An oasis that was spreading and swallowing the desert.
The capital under the rule of Queen Koone gave exactly such impression to the people seeing it from how much change it had gone through.
「Koone-sama has worked hard in her training and experimenting with "Regeneration", Kouki-sama.」
「I-I see.」
The additional explanation came from Lilin accompanied with a sidelong glance. Kouki-kun's cheeks puffed red and he unconsciously averted his gaze.
Apparently the influence of handsome guy Lilin was still remaining. Normally Moana would do intervention or iron fist here but,
「...」
Apparently Moana had no leeway to do that right now. She kept staring at the capital while looking somewhat dazed. It was difficult to describe the expression she was wearing. If forced to make a comparison, then perhaps her expression could be likened to someone who suddenly got a treasure that they had been dreaming for a long time to obtain suddenly falling on their lap.
Hinata smiled wryly at Myuu who was nonchalantly taking picture *flash* of the maiden Kouki while inferring Koone's objective from Lilin's words. She pointed at the horizon far away at the east while asking.
「You mentioned about building a new town at the desert far away at that side didn't you? Is this the training and experiment for that?」
「Yep yep. In addition if the plan succeeded, this capital will become a supply base to an important frontline. Please look. I'm also planning to create a large scale arable land at the west side.」
「War is decided by number and logistic──is what papa said nano!」
Koone pointed at the townscape and the opposite direction──the west side, and indeed, certainly they could see there a place that was divided orderly with waterways put in place in between.
Around half of the area was planted with what seemed to be some kind of vegetable. Vibrant green color was lined up. The other half seemed to have been harvested or else waiting for planting in the future. In any case, the soil's color was obviously not sandIt had deep brown color that looked rich with nutrition.
「Although, the plan has only just started. It'll still be far ahead in the future until this capital finished its role as a fortress. Though soon we'll have to refrain with expanding the barrier to outside the lake...」
Spreading the nature toward the east from the capital like this and building the base beyond that point would be the sound method. The public's sentiment would also feel extremely delighted.
However the nature's recovery would also mean the increase of blessing power that the "Dark Beings" would be able to devour as they pleased.
That risk couldn't be taken.
They had to wait until one day where they could declare that the threat of "Dark Beings" had been completely removed.
Certainly such thing was still a matter for far in the future when right now they still hadn't even established the way to create a base at a detached location far away.
Koone slightly furrowed her brows in irritating. Spenser who was close by gently placed his hand on her small shoulder. He was admonishing his queen who was working too hard. At the same time it was also an expression of his pride for her.
「I've been saying this all the time but, your majesty. There is no need to be in a hurry. You have accomplished astonishing growth with your heaven's blessing art's usage amount, range, and effectiveness. The people's heart too is jumping in excitement witnessing the nature coming back to the capital day by day.」
Everyone understood without a shred of doubt of the strenuous effort the young queen had been making.
Rather they even felt worried seeing her never missing a day using her heaven's blessing art everyday until the limit to restore the nature. That worry deepened even more for those who knew of how mischievous the queen was back in the day.
「K-Koone isn't in a hurry or anything you know? After all Koone is always super cool all the time!」
Koone got slightly embarrassed from Spenser's praise and continued 「By the way」.
「We're also recruiting immigrants from the rear territories. After all there are still lands to be transformed into farmland at the west, the area between the capital and the rear territories.」
「Is it so this capital can be self-sufficient?」
「No, Kouki-sama. That's not all. Unlike until now when the capital is completely reliant to the rear for productivity, the capital itself will also increase its productivity. Not only in farming, Koone is also planning to invite people for craft related production. In other words──Koone want to make this capital into Synclea's core. That's Koone's ambition!」
For the time being this place was still a frontline base, even so that didn't mean that it was still in a bind like before this.
In order to make her ambition come true one day, Koone was doing what she could right now one by one.
Koone said that and put her hands on her waist while puffing out her chest and huffing fufunproudly. But right after that she smiled a little wryly.
「Well, we've managed until this far is also all thanks to the wives of demon king-sama though.」
Originally the capital was grievously damaged in htat final battle. Right now they could concentrate their effort to "development" like this instead of "rebuilding" was thanks to Kaori, Yue, and the others fixing the capital with regeneration magic while waiting for Hajime and Kouki to return.
「Mi-chan's family is really amazing! Koone won't ever forget for her whole life the sight of the capital getting fixed as though time is turning back! Koone promise that Koone also won't forget this feeling of gratitude!」
「Eheheh, that's right nano. Myuu's family is amaazingnano.」
Myuu was slightly embarrassed from the unexpected praise to her family. Even so Myuu couldn't hold back her excitement and took Koone's hand and hopped up and down.
「But but, as expected it's Ku-chan who's the greatest nano! Respect nano!」
「I also think the same. I am very delighted that I can become a friend with such amazing girl, Ku-chan.」
「F-fuheh」
She managed to get told 「What an amazing friend we have!」just like she aimed at the beginning. Perhaps she was feeling too happy from that. Koone finally wiggled around while using her prided twintail to hide her face.
Everyone in that place understood each other's feeling just from their gaze. That was to say, Cute...they felt.
No, there was just one person who was looking at Koone differently.
「Koone.」
It wasn't the usual siscon big sister atmosphere. Moana was calm, but, it felt like she was holding back a great emotion from overflowing inside. She was looking at Koone with such gaze.
Koone must have felt something out of place from her tone's ambience. She quietly unraveled her twintail guard and looked at her big sister with a straightforward gaze. Her expression became taken aback.
Koone straightened her back and sitting posture.
She must be thinking that her big sister would also give her words of praise. She looked a bit embarrassed, but this was the person who she actually wanted to see this scene the most, so she was puffing out her chest as though to say「How's that, even without Onee-chan here, Koone can also do quite a good job right?」.
「Yes, Onee-chan. What is it? If it's a praise then Koone is always open to accept it anytime.」
But, despite Koone's prediction that Moana would make a fuss exaggeratedly saying things like 「It's amazing Koone-tan! As expected from Onee-chan's little sis!」while hugging her──
「──Eh?」
Her expectation was betrayed. In a good meaning.
Moana abruptly smiled, then astonishingly she reverently kneeled on the spot. She fell on one knee and deeply bowed her head to display the greatest respect.
As expected everyone there was shocked seeing that. But even among them all, Koone was easily the one who received the greatest shock. Her eyes opened wide and she couldn't immediately find any word to say toward her big sister who was showing a side that she never saw before.
「I never thought that I would be able to see the sight that any royalty of Synclea dreamed of this quickly. Your majesty queen Koone is truly in the center of a great feat. My great admiration to your majesty from the bottom of my heart.」
「A, u...」
Those were words and gesture that her big sister never showed to her, not even once. And most of all, this kind of respect was usually a respect that she directed toward her big sister as someone who was being protected. But no, this respect from her big sister surpassed even that.
Koone was struck dumb. Moana quietly lifted up her face. On her face, a streak of tear that she had been holding back was slowly flowing down.
「Dear father, mother, elder brother, and also uncle and the others, including even all of our honorable ancestors...surely are also thinking the same.」
The Synclea Kingdom that was overflowing with greenery and water didn't exist anymore except inside the history book.
Amidst the battle against "Dark Beings" that showed no end in sight, generations of royalty, every one of them continued to dream for that "one day".
For the day when the capital wasn't a frontline fortress, but a symbol of the people's peace and prosperity.
That dream, was coming true right now.
By the youngest princess of Synclea royalty.
「Your majesty is, our royal family's, no, the whole Synclea's──pride.」
「Onee-chan...」
As she thought, she wasn't wrong. The Dark King that was the symbol of despair, and the youngest princess of Synclea royalty who was born as though to be its counterpart.
When Moana and others learned that Koone's heaven's blessing art "Regeneration" wasn't useful for battle, they felt it.
The end of this battle.
They believed that Koone was born for the sake after the long war ended, no doubt about it.
That was why, Moana didn't break.
Of course a part of it was also because of her sense of mission as a royalty but, even if her whole family except Koone was killed, even if she lost her big brother who was their greatest trump card, the biggest reason she still didn't break down even then was surely because she believed.
That Koone's era would come.
That the era when her beloved little sister would wield her full power and return this world to the way it should be would come.
「Her majesty queen Koone is none other than the symbol of our hope.」
The symbol of hope that would shine radiantly after the symbol of despair was struck down.
That was nobody else then Koone de Shelt Synclea.
It seemed that Moana keenly felt that after seeing this capital that was gradually regaining this nature. No, surely it was just Spenser said. All the people of Syncleawas definitely feeling the same.
「Thank you. For showing to me, this lovely scenery.」
Moana said that, then at the end her big sister face returned and she hugged Koone tightly.
「...a」
Koone was captured by a mysterious sensation the moment her big sister embraced her.
She wasn't seeing anything by any means. She also wasn't hearing anything or being touched by anything.
But, she felt like other than the warmth of her big sister who was embracing her, there was also great many other warmths enveloping her.
She wasn't familiar with many of them. But, the closest warmths of several people that felt like they were enveloping her together with Moana, only those felt familiar to her.
It was from a long time ago, when she hadn't even gained awareness to the world around her. It was, her parents and big brother's...
「──I'm honored.」
Koone quietly closed her eyes and entrusted herself to her big sister's embrace. She put her arms around her big sister and hugged her back.
It felt like there was some kind of holy atmosphere enveloping the room that was hard to break. Kouki and the others, and even Myuu and Hinata were quietly watching the sisters hugging each other.
They lost track of how much time passed doing that.
Before long, it was Koone who softly pulled herself away from the hug.
She had her queen face on. She looked young but dignified. She stared at Moana with the eyes of someone who shouldered the whole country. And then she suddenly ran her gaze to the surrounding slowly.
She was doing that to look around at Kouki and others, and also to look around at someone else than them. It was a mysterious gaze.
「Please continue to keep watch, to the reign of this Koone de Shelt Synclea.」
Koone smiled and narrowed her eyes with affection for everything radiating from her. There was nobody in that place whose breathing didn't hitch seeing that.
The atmosphere that was like inside a solemn temple was gradually lessening.
The atmosphere was changing to a peaceful one, like one where someone let out a sigh before falling asleep.
「Now then!」
*Clap* A single clap of hands.
The place's atmosphere returned to normal with just that. Even though the noise from the city was still audible this whole time, it felt like the sounds had only returned just now in this moment.
Koone had already showed a glimpse of talent in the aspect of "controlling the place" ever since she was still a princess, but it seemed even that talent had been polished greatly.
「The solemn mood stops here! Come on, Onee-chan too, stand up please!」
「Yes, you're right. Koone-tan.」
Moana got her hand pulled by her little sister and stood up. The way she looked at Koone was like looking at someone reliable.
「Lilin.」
「Yes-」
Lilin approached with a snappy movement. It seemed she had guessed what kind of order she would be given. There was no hesitation in her kneeling movement.
She was also like that when taking out Moana from the tea party. Although her personality was often extreme, her loyalty toward Koone was high as expected. Surely it was because just like Moana said.
「Magnify Koone's voice through the wind. This is the long-awaited time, so let's announce the return of Kouki-sama and the others to everyone in the capital!」
「What a wonderful idea your majesty.」
Lilin immediately spun her art. Air that felt tense was flowing from somewhere.
「Come come, Kouki-sama, stand to the front please! Onee-chan will stand beside him!」
「T-this is so sudden.」
「Fufu, it's alright isn't it? Everyone will be happy to see Kouki here.」
「Not everyone will be able to but, the people near the palace should be able to see us over here. This is what you call a bit of service time to give them a show! Koone is a queen who is brimming with service mentality after all! Myuu-chan and Hinata-chan, please stand at Koone's sides!」
「It's our debut time nano!? ──Bring it on, the first impression is important. Myuu will wow them all nano.」
「M-Myuu-chan? Please don't do anything strange okay? Nagumo-sama asked me after a fashion to watch over Myuu-chan──ah, why are you taking out "Donneerr"──you must not!」
Even while feeling a tinge of anxiety seeing Myuu grinning fearlessly,
「Aa~aa~, test test! Koone's voice is also beautiful too today~, super beautiful~ Koone sing her own praise~♪」
Like that Koone was doing mike test (?) by singing her own praises full of confidence like usual.
What what, the people who were in the palace's courtyard and also the people who were near the first lake surrounding the palace were approaching the waterside and looked up to the terrace.
Spenser was already prepared for something like this and quickly put down a pedestal. By standing on top of that, the three little girls' upper bodies popped out to be visible above the handrail. It made it easier for the audiences to see them.
The people were stirred.
People from the corner of the capital were also hurriedly gathering. Some were climbing up on the rooftop or using the newly planted trees at the roadside to get higher ground and secure better view.
Today was the day when the savior was scheduled to return. The notification that the ceremony would be held depending on the situation had gotten circulated, so the people of the capital had been preparing so they could participate anytime, but as expected, being able to see the main casts' figure directly was making them felt even more moved.
Amidst the tumult that was getting louder, Koone gauged that they had gathered people's attention to some degree and finally raised her voice──
「Attention! Everyone's queen! Koone──」
Just before she could finish her line.
「How horrible, Kouki-sama! How can you leave me behind like that!!」
「「「「「「「「!!?」」」」」」」」
Everyone was startled. They all whirled around and saw that person there.
「I was alone when I realized while everyone was somewhere else having fun. Why can't you understand how sad it is to be treated like that!!」
Yes, it was the hopeless goddess who should be deathly tired and sleeping. I~ am~ so~ sad~♪It felt like there was even that kind of BGM that was full of sorrow playing at the background.
The content of her criticism was also deeply dark. Stop, that is painful for loner...it felt like they could hear those unsaid words. She was a former goddess who stayed as loner for around five thousand years but...perhaps she also had that kind of experience during her time as fairy before that?
「Aula!? No, that was because you slept like dead──I mean, shhhh!! Be quiet right now──」
Just as reminder, the voice magnifying blessing art was active.
The voice that was said inside that terrace resounded really well. Through the whole capital. Clearly.
And so, Kouki was desperately putting his index finger in front of his lips to tell her to be quiet, but perhaps to Aularodde it looked like 「Bitch be quiet like the loner you are」. She was sinking even deeper into her sorrow.
「A-Aularodde-sama! You must not, right now──」
It must have happened when she only took off her eyes from her for a short time. Anneal found Aularodde gone from the guest room and ran to here in panic. Then she placed her hand on Aularodde's shoulder and whispered with a small voice to hold her back.
As expected from Anneal-san. She must have heard the mike test too.
But, just for this time her timing was a little bit bad.
Perhaps she had gave chase until here using her goddess power in full bore, Aularodde managed to arrive in this place while slipping through Spenser and Lilin's presence detection, and even Kouki's.
The shock from not noticing her until she stood right behind them was considerable. As expected even Lilin was late in cutting off her voice magnifying blessing art.
And now, Aularodde was immersed in the sadness of being ostracized by her close people. There was Anneal-san who was unconsciously scattering motherhood around right beside her.
Therefore, this happened.
「Anneal mamaaaa~~~」
「Ee!? No, wai──」
Let's say it, one more time.
The voice magnifying blessing art was active!
The two were at the back of the terrace so their figures couldn't be seen, so only their voices were transmitted. Yes, perhaps because Aularodde had regressed to infancy from sadness, her voice sounded like a lisping little girl.
Such girl (five years old) was raising her voice looking for Kouki, but then she got harsh treatment and clung on Anneal mama.
I see, I know what's going on (mayhem).
The stir was spreading among the people with twice the speed than before!!
Kouki used "Serene Mind" to rush in a flash and covered Aularodde's mouth. Anneal-sanwas consoling her with vein pulsing on her forehead. The noises from the capital was getting louder and louder without stopping. Koone who was looking alternately at all of those in high speed.
The voice of Old Bruitt revived at the back of her mind.
──This is the first big event since Koone-sama's coronation
That's why, it's really important okay? He told her.
Koone held her head in her hands.
「W-what to do! What should Koone do at this kind of time as a queen!」
No matter how much hardened her resolve was, her reaction toward the unforeseen matter was ultimately affected by her lack of experience.
And so, Myuu-san whose experience point in dealing with the unexpected was through the roof plopped her hand on the shoulder of the flustered novice queen.
「Mi-chan?」 Koone looked at her with faint expectation inside her gaze. Myuu told her with a smile.
「It's fine if you laugh nano.」
「Myuu-chan, that's a joke from something isn't it?」
It was just like the reproachfully staring Hinata-chan said.
「It's chaos again following the teap arty before. Fumu, Koone-chan, Myuu will teach you something good nano. Something like this is called tendon in Japan nano! It's a beloved comedy culture nano.」(TN: Tendon=tempura bowl, in comedy it also a term for repeating the same gag)
「Is this needed right nowww!? Koone can't laugh at all though!」
She could see Old Bruitt was cutting across the courtyard right now with unbelievable fast pace from her usual shaking body that looked like he could break into pieces anytime. He was heading here.
She couldn't see his expression, but surely he looked like a demon right now.
Koone's expression became fed up and she pulled away from the handrail in panic. Moana was exchanging look with Spenser.
「Clear!」
There was suddenly a voice like when a special force had finished checking for the safety inside a room. When she looked there, she found Aularodde being limp.
「My deepest apologies for allowing this to happen even though I was accompanying her! I'm prepared to receive any kind of punishment to take responsibility for this!」
「Ah, no, Anneal isn't...that person is more or less a goddess after all. Or rather Aularodde-sama, it feels like her complexion is worse than before though, eh? She is unconscious?」
「There's no problem, Koone! Aula is...yes! She is just deathly tired!」
Was that right? Was it just her imagination that she could see tongue sticking out from Aularodde's mouth?
Kouki was putting on a refreshing handsome smile that showed his sparkling white teeth after so long while giving a thumb up, so surely it was fine but...
That smile was so refreshing that it looked scary instead right now.
It was even more so because his other hand was secretly held up over Aularodde while shining for some reason.
「Err, for now Koone can only have Lilin amplify her voice to call out to the mass once more, isn't it?」
「It's suspect whether this chaos can be quieten down quickly though.」
Perhaps, talks like 「Eh? Isn't Kouki-sama's companion Moana-sama?」「He also laid his hand on Anneal-san?」「There's already a child born?」 were spreading right now.
Normally they should have noticed immediately just how impossible it was, but it was chaos right now.
Moana's reproachful stare was poured on Aularodde. This idiot goddess, just wait for what I'm going to do to you later! Her gaze said.
「A-anyway, Koone will give explanation to the people! T-this is an opportunity to show off Koone's skill! Haha-」
It looked like a bit of desperation talking but, in any case, it seemed the culprit had departed to the land of dream once more, so Lilin prepared to activate the voice magnifying blessing art once more.
「I can activate it anytime, Koone-sama.」
Lilin waited for the cue with her gaze.
Eei, let's do this! What kind of king can't even suppress chaos of this level! Koone said that while slapping her cheeks with both hands to pull herself together.
There Hinata gave a brief comment with a wry smile.
「I, can use a technique to pacify human heart but...」
「Eh?」
Koone slowly turned around.
「Oo, that's right nano! Hinata-chan is this generation's strongest onmyouji nano! She's a cool and cute Japanese style Pr*cure, an actual magical girl nano!」
「Myuu-chan, that comparison is a bit embarrassing...」
Hinata-chan's slender index finger blocked *punyu* Myuu's mouth.
Koone didn't really understand the comparison but, putting that aside, she wondered why. Behind Hinata who was asking 「What is the matter?」with a smile while tilting her head, she could see a halo shining.
「I cannot possibly use technique as I please in someone else's country. However, if Ku-chan grant me the permission──」
「I humbly ask you to do so, mine friend!」
She enthusiastically permitted it.
Hinata chuckled in respond and said 「Understood」. And then she pulled out a talisman from the small pouch hanging on her shoulder.
Her index finger and middle finger pointed straight up and she placed the talisman held between them on her mouth as though to kiss it. Then she slowly closed her eyes.
「On」
In that moment, Hinata was enveloped in light, then a gentle wave of light spread through the capital like a lake's wave in a peaceful day. And then the people went 「Eh?」and tilted their head even while regaining their calm. Koone thought when she saw that sight.
「Eh, isn't Koone's friend too awesome?」
Naturally there wasn't a single person who objected to that impression.
「By the way, when Hina-chan entered serious mode she would have animal ear and tail popping out and her cuteness got multiplied ten times!! It's really mystical and Hina-chan is like a goddess like that nano!」
Hinata must be able to listen even while focusing on her technique. Her cheeks were dyed red.
When Koone said 「Koone can believe that! She look like a goddess to Koone too! Koone's goddess friend!」in high spirits, as expected Hinata was still focusing on her technique, but she was rubbing her slender legs together and fidgeting.
While thinking, Cute, the people other than Myuu and Hinata sent a glance to the side. Toward the actual goddess.
Her expression was soft. Perhaps she had recovered considerably. Her tongue had gotten pushed back inside her mouth. Both her hands were joined together on top of her chest in a tasteful praying pose. Combined with the faint light from Kouki's magic enveloping her body, she looked like someone who was getting invited to heaven.
A second later everyone looked at each other's face, and then they looked one more time to Hinata who was clad in light while controlling her technique with a dignified face,
「「「「「「Certainly」」」」」」
Even now she looked more like a goddess than the actual goddess. Everyone's heart was in one agreement.
Also, Hinata safely succeeded in giving back the calm to the people. Koone who had also similarly calmed down also gave a proper explanation after that. The theory about Kouki and Anneal's hidden child was firmly denied, and the announcement of the visit of Kouki and others was also safely given.
Around two hours after that.
Magnificent ships were crowding the lake surrounding he palace. On top of that all the ships were overcapacity. Naturally the waterside also had a lot of people forming an encirclement like an army sieging the palace.
They were there for the parade that would be held on the street between the lake and the crowd.
It was a population density that was around 30% more than the capital's normal population. After all there were also the people from the rear territories that luckily could get the invitation for this event.
Behind that crowd, at the multiple relatively open spaces throughout the capital, stalls or meals for buffet were already prepared all over. The buildings were decorated colorfully and there were also small stages in various places performing some kind of art.
They were forming an atmosphere where the people could each have fun after the parade.
There were also great number of people among those watching from atop the rooftop or roadside tree who were already carrying alcohol. No, there were even people who were already drunk.
The soldiers who were spread out for security, guiding the people, and preparation against unexpected situation were smiling wryly seeing the state the people were in. The people were being a bit too hasty.
Although, they couldn't blame them.
It could be seen just how much they had been eagerly waiting for this event judging from how the parade's preparation and the festival's preparation were completed in just two hours and from the enthusiast of the people.
Myuu and Hinata were peeking out at such scene from the gap of the gate that led to one of the four bridges connected to the palace.
「A-as expected this makes me nervous.」
「Even though you had gotten introduced that grandly just now? Or rather Hina-chan, even Aby said that you're a super ultra rich lady and it's amazing how you can speak confidently even in rich people's party and on the stage nano. He also said that him being in that kind of event made him felt super out of place so he relied completely on Hina-chan and couldn't leave your side at all.」
You're nervous? Myuu asked with a tilt of her head. No nervousness could be seen from her expression.
「E-Endo-sama said something like that? Certainly, when Okaa-sama skillfully led him on to participate in a party, he did not leave my side at all for the whole time...」
My! Hinata pressed her hands on her cheeks while giggling.
Kousuke said all those things about feeling out of place and the like, but in the first place nobody there was even aware of him, but the party where there were only people radiating rich person aura seemed to be scary for a commoner like Kousuke.
Even though he was a hero who challenged the shadow of the "Dragon" that might destroy the world head-on, he got scared by rich people and continued to hide in the shadow of a little girl...
「Ufufu, what a cute person...」
「O-ou nano. If Hina-chan is happy, then that's fine...」
Myuu was unusually bewildered seeing her friend faintly blushing.
「More importantly Hina-chan」
「What is it, Myuu-chan.」
「It's the long awaited festival. The main star will be Kouki-oniisan but, there's also expectation for us as relatives of the savior group nano.」
「Expectation?」
「Yes──surely, they'll expect us to give a show! Something like that!」
Myuu made a horizontal peace gesture over her eye and winked! 「Eh, no, I wonder about that?」 Hinata said with a small tilt her head and a wry smile, but Myuu clenched her fist and entered her fully motivated mode.
「Myuu is a woman who always answer people's expectation yeah, nano!」
「...What are you planning to do? I have mentioned it before this too but, Myuu-chan's father has asked me earnestly to keep Myuu-chan from doing anything reckless──」
「Hina-chan should also make a one big spectacle nano!」
「Are we...rare animal or something? Ku-chan said that it'll be enough for us to just get on that and wave our hand you know? At the very least, we should discuss it with Ku-chan first before doing something──」
Hinata entered admonishing mode to fulfill her promise with Hajime. She was also three years older, so she thought that she had to give admonition when it was time to admonish as the older one, but Myuu grabbed her hand tightly before she could finish speaking.
「A surprise is a surprise because it's kept quiet nano!」
Myuu's eyes were sparkling. Hinata felt the energy from her to enjoy the present with everything she got, and not only that, they should also make the enjoyment by themselves. Such energy was overflowing from Myuu's whole being.
Just like Myuu said just now, Hinata was a young lady among young lady.
Naturally the environment around her was also based on that. Not only the adults, even the children around her were mostly kids with refined upbringing and high mental age. So to say, there had been no mischievous brat who came into contact with her until now.
It was her first time to have friend like this. One who aggressively pulled her hand to invite her to a thrilling game where it was questionable whether it would be alright or not to do and with unknown consequence.
Furthermore, Myuu wasn't a rascal who was inviting a young lady to a bad pastime by any means.
「Myuu and Hina-chan are going to present surprise and smile to this world's people who have welcome us warmly yeah, nano!」
Hinata understood this friend from another world who was a rare friend who could understood her "hidden circumstance, was someone who always wanted to make other people smiled when she wished to do something.
「Fufufu, it cannot be helped then. It is important to return the favor! Yes!」
And so, she ended up agreeing joyfully. Hinata too was still a child in this kind of thing. Surely the adults around her including Kousuke would feel happy instead that she acted like this.
There,
「Aa, Haumu! Long time no see! It's me!」
An excited and happy voice resounded.
When they turned their gaze toward the source, at the spacious yard between the palace and the gate, there were a lot of horse carriages, or rather animal carriages being lined up in an orderly manner.
The carriages were decorated wonderfully. They were connected to a creature that looked like a large lizard with long neck──it was the animal in this world that took the role of horse──the riding animal arous.
Originally the way to ride them was to directly get on their flat back, but this time they were here for parade so they would be used to pull carriage. Naturally all the arous had been given makeup too.
The animal carriage pulled by three arous that would be the ride for Kouki, Moana, and Aularodde had one arous pulling at the forefront while the other two would be diagonally behind the lead arous. Moana was running toward that lead arous.
It had larger body than the other arous. It had the dignified look that resembled a veteran warrior.
It was Haumu, the ride of the previous queen and now it was entrusted under the care of the warrior head Donal.
There was a custom here that royalty had their own riding beast decided for them during their childhood and they would be raised together. For Moana, Haumu was no different than a family. She literally treated it affectionally like it was a pet cat.
As expected she couldn't bring it together with her to earth. She was terribly depressed when learning that.
Therefore this was truly a moving reunion──
「I missed you! You must be feeling lonely too Haum──」
Right? That word was cut off from being said. By none other than Haumu itself.
「「EH!?」」
Myuu and Hinata turned pale.
It couldn't be helped. Because, Moana-oneesan, she got eaten whole from her head. *Snap* just like that.
Myuu screamed 「Live Mami! Myuu just saw a live Mami nano!!」. Her mind was thrown into chaos which was an unusual state for her.
Guwah, the arous made a cry. It lifted up its long neck and Moana's legs left the ground and dangled down...
Haumu's eyes were bloodshot. Even now it looked like it was saying 「I'm gonna tear you to piecess-」. But, in reality arous was herbivore so there was no way they would do something like that. It then shook its neck greatly and at the end it spat out Moana as though it was pitting out an unsavory candy.
「Aaahn, geez! Really Haumu, you're a spoiled kid like usual!」
「「S-she's alive...」」
It seemed Moana had zero awareness that she had just made a shocking spectacle that might have planted a trauma inside two little girls. She also didn't look particularly concerned that Haumu was glaring at her with bloodshot eyes as though it wasn't the former queen that it was facing.
Moana swept away the saliva trickling on her face with her hand while standing up happily.
「Look over here Haumu. The country called Japan on earth you see, it has a culture that is far more advanced than Synclea? Look, I brought a lot of souvenirs for you! Even cute ribbons that you love so much, there are this many──」
「GUWAAaAAAA!!」
「AA-」
The former queen got eaten once more. This time she got swung around left and right even harder than before. It was like, that. The death roll that crocodile did after snapping its jaw over its prey by spinning it around so its flesh would be torn apart...
However.
「Aahn, this is a bit painful Haumu! But, you're so happy to meet me again huh! What a cute child! I'm going to dress you up a lot now!」
「Kuwaaaaaannaaaaannn」
Myuu and Hinata thought.
Haumu's roar sounded like a crying voice now.... Was the grieving voice of I'm begging here, someone please do something about this completely misunderstanding woman,pleaseeeee that they heard was just auditory hallucination?
「Moana, what're you doing...」
「KUWA!?」
Moana got spat out once more. *Zusha-* She hit the ground and her body rolled.
「Kouki, I'm playing with Haumu just like you can see. Look at how happy he is. Fufu, he must be feeling very lonely without me here.」
「Y-yeah. That, might be the case.」
Inside your mind that is. Kouki's expression was clearly saying that.
Haumu looked at Kouki as though it had found its savior! Like meeting the Buddha in hell! It sidled up to Kouki while acting like that.
「My, really Haumu...as I thought, you can instantly recognize my husband.」
「I don't think that's it.」
Moana's cheeks flashed red, while Kouki replied back to her with a straight face. He was also casually taking off the polka dots ribbon that Moana had wrapped around Haumu's neck without anyone noticing and put it inside his pocket. Haumu's positivity level toward him was rocketing up!
「More importantly Moana. Your dress is dirty now, even though you've gone through the trouble to dress up. It'll be the starting time soon. You better tidy up yourself quickly.」
「M-my, you're right. Yeah, I'll do that. Sorry Haumu. I'll keep you company a lot after──」
「GUORUAAAA-」
Don't you dare say that! It made a roar that seemed to say that. As expected, Moana interpreted it as a joyful roar and she left with a run in a good mood. Kouki seemed to have anticipated that this would happen. He walked Haumu toward Anneal who was holding a grooming set with a wry smile.
「Don't worry Haumu. The palace staff has gone through the trouble of decorating you to look cool. I'll stop Moana so that she won't do anything uncalled for.」
「Kuruu」
Haumu bowed its head deeply. Its dignified gaze was just like before. It looked like it was showing gratitude and respect to Kouki.
As expected from the former riding beast of the king, it was decorated with necklace and helmet that had jewel fitted in it and. Its majestic was going up. If it got something like cute ribbon excessively put on it and then got sent out to the parade like that...
It was very natural for it to feel like it had narrowly escaped death and to feel attached to Kouki who averted such future.
「I see. Myuu can guess the situation, nano.」
「I-indeed.」
In any case, it would be time to start soon just like Kouki said.
「Now, it's starting!」
Koone also arrived from inside the palace.
She was leading the soldiers of the royal guards who were wearing their formal dress. She herself was also dressing up. She was wearing a dress that looked like pareo type swimsuit with white base color, and multiple thin sashes with golden embroidery wrapped around her.
One of her arms, her stomach, and one leg were exposing skin, displaying the pattern of her prided heaven's blessing art. Her small ankles were also wearing three golden circlets so that each time she was stepping forward they were playing pleasant clinking sound.
「Fuwaah, Ku-chan, you're so pretty nano! There's like this holy feeling nano!」
「Yes, truly. You look like a shrine maiden serving a god somewhere...it is lovely-」
Certainly, Koone in her formal dress was eight years old so she had no sex appeal. That was partly why, no, that was exactly why she was giving off this aura of sacredness.
Of course, that was only if she was standing quietly.
「Fuheh, t-thank you so much. A-after this festival is over, Koone plan to present Synclea's outfit to the two of you too! Koone will co~ordina~te the outfit for you!」
The three little girls made merry Kya-kya-. Old Bruitt, Linden and other uncles, and also Aularodde who was led here by Lilin and other people gathering to this place one after another were showing warm smile watching them.
Also, Myuu and Hinata were still dressed in the outfit that they were wearing from earth to visit here. That was because it would make it easier to identity them as people from other world like that.
Myuu was wearing a loose jeans and no-sleeve blouse that had white frill attached. There was a ribbon around her neck. Her feet were wearing short boots that looked similar to the boots Yue wore in the past with ribbon attached. She was also wearing an eye-catching large belt. It was a relatively boyish fashion.
Hinata was wearing a dress with a collar that looked like sailor uniform. It had refreshing light blue color. Her feet were wearing frilly white socks and loafers, so with the way she dressed her outfit could also pass as a uniform of a young lady school somewhere. She was going to meet royalty of foreign country, so just in case she chose a fashion that could also pass off as formal dress.
Getting back to the topic.
The warriors started lining up orderly around the animal carriages to form a formation. Moana too had fixed up her appearance and returned back.
It was around that time a sound like trumpet with heavy bass sound reverberated from the palace's spire.
It was the signal for the ceremony opening.
At the forefront of the carriage formation was today's main star, Kouki. The former queen who survived through the wartime Moana was standing at his side. Aularodde was unassumingly standing behind.
As expected it seemed she was in the middle of reflecting after Anneal told her about her blunder. She forced herself to swallow her insistence to 「Kouki-sama's side is mine!」.
Anneal mama was always smiling and gentle but, her smile wasn't reaching her eyes at all after the outrageous understanding about her got spread out through the capital. That might also play a part.
The second animal carriage was naturally carrying Koone. She invited the two friends from another world that she had just made to ride the same carriage. Even though they knew each other only for a short time, strangely she was able to open up to them and invited them to stand at her sides as though to boast about them.
「Now, let's go! Open the gate!!」
The order from her majesty the queen was obeyed by the gate guards with a smile.
The fervor of the people instantly blew in. There were also loud cheers that pummeled their eardrums powerfully.
Koone took the hand of Hinata whose expression was a little stiff. She met her gaze and grinned. Tension left Hinata's shoulder. Koone also held out her hand to the opposite side. Of courseMyuu also took that hand with a smile.
The column started moving.
The welcoming & victory proclamation ceremony──raised the curtain.
The parade's fervor was terrific.
It was truly a festival. The enthusiasm from it was so much that it felt a bit scary.
The people's social manner was high, so they didn't do anything like rushing toward the parade's column, but the cheers from the crowd were so loud that they couldn't even hear their own voice.
And so, Kouki and Moana turned into machine that only smiled and waved their hand.
As someone who never got involved directly with this world's circumstance, Aularodde quickly regretted insisting 「I got on here because I couldn't tolerate Moana-san being the only one standing beside Kouki-sama but...the agony of being so out of place here is beyond imagination」.
It was like, yes, like she was a shadowy cast who carelessly joined a party that was only filled with sunny casts, where she couldn't keep up with the energy and her mimetic muscles were dying as the consequence.
Actually Koone had also introduced Aularodde as Kouki's partner from the spire, so all the people were entranced by Aularodde's beautiful appearance while showering praises like As expected from the savior's partner! What a beauty! and the like but...
Aularodde was nearing her limit. Because of her inherent loner nature.
「I'm sorry that a shadowy cast goddess like me got carried away...」
She was using a term that she learned in Japan about a type of people that she felt a close affinity with while quietly taking out a mask and sunglasses from her pocket──
「Aula! There isn't much longer so do your best!」
「Don't put that suspicious person getup in this kind of place! Come on smile!」
Kouki and Moana noticed her and turned around. They clasped both her hands firmly and held her back. Aularodde was begging 「Please, let me be at peace already」 with teary eyes while trembling.
But, from the outside the way they were holding hands together like that──could be seen as three people getting along together in harmony.
WAAAAAAAAA- The cheers got even louder. Moana-sama is able to get along with savior-sama's partner too. She is holding hand together with savior-sama too...how precious! There's no doubt that they're filled with happiness! The people thought.
「Oo, Onee-chan and Kouki-sama are making things heating up! Koone's sense of rivalry is boiling inside!」
Koone turned her gaze behind. The third carriage and further behind were carrying Donal, Linden, Spenser, Bruitt, and other authorities in the kingdom. Linden nodded after Koone turned her gaze to him.
His hand quickly pointed up and he muttered something. The tip of his hand sparked and formed a fire ball. Then right after that, it fired up until the sky in an instant and burst out.
Lightning spread out like spider web with crackling sound at the clear blue sky. In addition the fire ball at the center ruptured and created flower of flame.
There was a moment of silence.
Next cheers exploded toward the superb technique of the chief of blessing art user.
That acted as the signal for the blessing art users who were posted at various locations to display their techniques one after another.
Not many could use composite technique like Linden, even so countless flame flowers bloomed in profusion at the sky, the lake water arched up like fountain in various spots, and fishes made from water were swimming in the air.
There were also those making use of dust to make the wind's movement visible, They were unveiling acrobatic wind movement as though it was a living thing made from sand.
Even blessing art users who controlled light were creating a gigantic veil that looked like aurora. The ground bulged up and a type of sand golem mimicked various animals or soldier to create formation and dance to liven up things further.
「Fufufu, how's that? Mi-chan, Hi-chan. This is the welcoming performance by our country's art users in full force!」
Koone puffed out her chest smugly. Myuu and Hinata were entranced by the performances. They could only respond by continuing to clap their hands in excitement.
Every single one of the techniques was packed full with the feeling of wanting to make the guests from other world happy. They could feel that.
That was the thing that made them the happiest.
In that case, Myuu tensed her expression with such thought in determination and looked back at Koone.
「Ku-chan!!」
「Y-yes!」
「Myuu can't call herself the demon king's daughter if Myuu simply accept this kind of welcoming quietly nanoo!! Allow Myuu to return the favor yeah! Nano!」
「Eh? Wait, what are you planning to──」
Koone's eyes widened like saucer plate. Myuu ignored that and exchanged look with Hinata. Hinata looked slightly nervous, even so she also tensed her expression with determination and nodded.
At the same time, the two moved to the back of the carriage. The got on a slightly higher pedestal. Koone panicked wondering what they were planning to do. Meanwhile Myuu took out her smartphone. She then brought it closer to her lips.
She activated the voice amplifier app (actually the smartphone had functions as artifact incorporated in it, so it was magical effect) and inhaled deeply.
「Heed my words! I am the one and only beloved daughter of the demon king Myuu!」
「I-I am the demon king's right hand man, the abyss lord's──」
Hinata-chan hesitated to say something. Myuu whispered into her ear, then she gave her a firm thumb up. Hinata's expression became resolved and immediately,
「Wife! ...In the future, Hinata!」
In the future──only that part was added and said with a small voice. It was the result of Hinata-chan's conscience twinging inside her. Her mother who was a demon of management being the only one cutting off Kousuke's paths of escape was enough.
The introduction rang out with unnatural clearness. The people of the capital fell silent once more for a moment before loud cheers broke out once more in respond.
Even Kouki and others who were in front of them turned around with puzzlement and surprise. Meanwhile,
「Magical Myuu of shooting and explosion!」
「P-Pretty Hinata of curse and money!!」
Myuu took the pose of a raging hawk, while Hinata was getting embarrassed after too late, but she went Eei, a woman should charge forward after coming this farrr! and performed a sharp turn while her face turned bright red!
And then, the two pressed their back together with great coordination and,
「Super Unparalleled Apocalypse Beautiful Idol Unit!! Magical Pretty! Is present here!!」
The two were posing with horizontal peace gesture over their eye and winked while raising one leg off the ground.
Multi-legged golem-san (the inside was Lucifaa) had come out from Myuu's treasure warehouse when anyone noticed and flashed blindingly with seven colored lights.
Success──
Such atmosphere was conveyed from Myuu's satisfied expression as she let out a sigh fuh. Though the redness on Hinata's face was deepening as each second passed.
「People of Synclea! Thank you for the welcome nano! To show our thankss~~!」
「With our feeling of happiness of being able to become friend with her majesty queen Koone──Ku-chan!」
Myuu took out a jewel that looked similar with light blue crystal from the holster on her belt and lifted it up above her head. And then she spoke the activation word loudly.
「Myuu thought that something like this might happen and asked for this to be prepared, the specially made jewel magiccc~! ──"Ta~mayaa~~~"!!」
Right after that, a pebble of light flew out. It made a pleasant sound of *hyuu~~* and rose until high in the sky, then the next moment it formed a brilliant shape.
To be frank, it was a firework.
Myuu who was extremely moved by Japan's firework begged her papa that she wanted to show it to Koone too. The idiot parent papa involved the Onee-chans and created this masterpiece. Myuu's exclusive jewel-type magic containing artifact – prototype.
Because of that, naturally there was no way it was just a normal firework.
Filling out the sky was something that would make the watcher wanted to retort 「No, how in the world you can create something like that with firework huh!」. It was so splendid that anyone would think 「Rather, isn't this a drone art instead?」──
「I-is that, me?」
Yes, it was Koone. The hair's golden color and the skin's brown color, the eyes' green color, and the clothes' white color. The firework drew Koone's image with those four colors.
The shining image of her majesty the queen suddenly appeared at the sky of the capital. Everyone was astonished and struck dumb seeing that. Not only Koone, even Linden and others were looking up with their mouth hanging open.
Even the cheers stopped. Everyone without exception was looking up with their mouth hanging open.
That was why, nobody noticed other than Kouki who was muttering 「I didn't hear that she would do it here...」 with a distant look.
That Hinata was taking out the necklace that was hanging from her neck from behind her dress. Then her hand held a bamboo tube that was as long as four fingers.
「Come out──pipe fox」
Several months had passed since the "dragon incident". Different from that time when she had just regained her memory. The strongest onmyouji of her generation had polished her strength once more for the sake of the world that would be changing from there on. This was one of her new trump cards.
It flew out the instant she uncorked *pop* the bamboo container.
「The second one is coming yeah, nano!」
「All of you. Show everyone the beauty of fox fire.」
The second firework was launched up. This time it was even more magnificent and in far larger scale.
Appearing at the sky was Myuu's desire. Her desire that It might be nice if it's like this. No, surely it'll be nice!
「A...」
That small voice that almost couldn't be heard slipped out from Koone's lips.
A girl with twintail blonde hair and brown skin, and a girl with wavy emerald green hair, and a girl with straight black hair──the firework's colors were clearly divided and captured each girl's trait nicely.
Yes, forming at the sky above was the image of Koone and Myuu and Hinata. The girls' image was holding each other's hand with Koone at the middle. It was clear to see even through the firework image that was like pixel art. That the three of them were smiling widely.
Around it, the pipe foxes were dancing. They were swimming in the air as though to bless that friendship. Many beautiful crimson fox fires were drifting around the image, making the firework picture looking even more gorgeous.
Myuu ignored the dumbfounded crowd and hopped down *pyon* to Koone's location. Hinata also ordered the pipe foxes to return while following behind.
「Ku-chan!」
「...HAH!? What in the world is that!?」
Koone's excitement hadn't cooled down. Myuu cheerfully took out a stick. It was an absurdly fancy and cute stick, yes, like "Twinkle☆" was going to shoot out from it anytime.
While everyone was watching over them with bated breath, Myuu held out that stick with a solemn expression.
「Actually, an idol unit is made up of three people nano.」
「Idol? Unit?」
Myuu disregarded Koone's question and said.
「Ku-chan is none other than the new Miracle! Miracle Koone nano!」
A small note, the predecessor, Miracle Ai apparently hated the role so much that she used Ne*ralyzer New on herself to blow away the memory. She was already retired from the role at this point.
Pretty Lily too, Myuu thought that Hinata who had no blackheartedness was prettier so she went through role change. (Myuu planned to tell about the change to the person herself later)
「K-Koone doesn't really get it but...」
That's right isn't it..., Kouki's face that was looking over here from the front carriage could be seen saying that.
「Anyway, Koone understand that this is an important proof of friendship! Because, the two of you just now reaaallyknock it out just now! Koone give you two praise for the first and probably the last time, that it was a perfect posing!」
「Thank you nano! Ku-chan too will be in the same group with us too from here on nano!」
「That's great! Koone too will practice to do that kind of sharp posing!! Mi-chan, Hi-chan! Thank you!!」
Hinata was making a look as though she was running away from reality a little due to embarrassment though, but putting that aside.
It was a critical point of preciousness, second time.
The falling silent capital regained its breath and cheers enveloped it once more.
Two girls who showed such amazing power──furthermore they were a demon king's daughter and that demon king's right hand man's young wife were tying deep friendship with their country's queen.
There was nothing happier than that! The people felt so and got heated up even more than before if it was possible.
...Among some of the populace, there were conversations like 「Still, this abyss lord, which person he is among those who saved the rear territories again?」「The information about the savior-sama's friends should have circulated but...I don't remember hearing about anyone like that」「That's rude!」「Then do you know who he is!?」「No, I don't know too!」「But, surely there's someone like that! He's just a bit that, a type of person who don't want to stand out, no doubt about it!」「You're right! Surely there was really someone like that too!」「He just avoided getting to stand out!」spreading.
By the way, all those people talking were all stall owners who had talked with Kousuke for a little when he participated in the banquet after Hajime returned to this desert world along with him.
Getting back on topic.
Like that, even with some surprises that happened on the way, the parade smoothly made a round through the capital and all the people were able to take a look at the figures of Kouki and others. After that the parade arrived at the plaza in front of the palace which was the last stop.
A high stage was built there so the people could have a good look.
The feudal lords of various territories were lining up orderly at both sides of the road that was connecting to the stair of that stage. All of them had moved and joyful smile on their face. They welcomed the group with a grand applause.
Kouki and others got down from the carriages and headed toward the top of the stage following Koone's lead. Here they parted from Aularodde, Myuu, and Hinata temporarily.
They would watch the procession from the VIP seats near the stage together with Anneal and LIlin. It was Koone's thoughtfulness so they didn't need to participate in the stiff ceremony or speech too.
Kouki found a familiar face on his way to the top of the stage. It was Rothko, the lord of Arquette territory, along with his son Rondo. Their eyes met and they happily bowed to each other silently.
Kouki conveyed with his gaze that they should talk later. Rothko must have caught his meaning. His face broke into a smile and Rondo reddened to an excessive degree. It was memorable how the other feudal lords beside them were looking at Rothko enviously seeing that.
Like that Kouki and Moana climbed up on top of the stage. Koone ordered Donal and Spenser to stand at both sides, then they faced each other.
Koone and others were at the front, while Kouki and Moana were behind. Koone and the others were standing with their back facing the people must be a gesture to show that they were representing the populace.
There was no difference with the height of the floor they were standing on, unlike at the throne room. It was to show that there was no difference in status between the messiah group and Synclea, just like both sides wished for.
The noise from the people was getting lower. A chuckle slipped out from Kouki seeing that. These people really had high social manners.
As though that was the signal, Koone turned toward the people and spoke with her voice amplified.
「Our history was constantly accompanied with war.」
Her atmosphere was solemn. Her face was definitely that of a queen.
「We had continued to fight a battle on the brink where we had to fear extinction for just taking a single step back.」
The people fell completely silent. They were listening to the queen's words.
「Let's first offer a silent prayer. For the peace of the souls of all the people who fell in order to protect us, without ever yielding no matter what even when facing a war with no end in sight. Let us offer our gratitude to them.」
Koone said that and closed her eyes while clenching her hand on her chest. The people too, along with Kouki and the others were also following her example quietly.
The cool wind of the oasis gently caressed their skin. The sound of rustling leaves from the trees that didn't exist before sounded pleasant. It was as though the deads were whispering something to them.
Each person took their time with the deep emotion inside their chest. Then Koone stopped closing her eyes.
She showed a gentle smile.
「I am feeling truly happy that all of us can welcome this day today. Once again, let us offer our gratitude and highest respect to the great hero who accomplished the subjugation of the Dark King, and the previous queen who protected our country to the end throughout the five years of despair.」
Koone turned around and fell on one knee with the people behind her back. Just like Moana did toward Koone on the spire's terrace.
None of the populace showed dissatisfaction seeing their queen kneeling. They understood that it wasn't a kneeling in submission, but simply a display of deepest respect. They too definitely shared that feeling, so all of them followed the queen's example without hesitation. The sight of tens of thousands of people kneeling all at the same time was stunning.
Moana quickly looked like she was going to cry.
「Dear hero. I ask you to please proclaim our victory from your mouth. To announce the arrival of the new era.」
Koone's clear voice made Kouki radiating with nervousness even though he had known about it beforehand.
He took a step forward and unsheathed the holy sword. He lifted up the blade that was shining radiantly. Then he took a deep breath.
「Here I proclaim our victory! The unendurable battle that all of you have endured, and the deathly battles in order to survive, all of them end today! From here on, live for the sake of mankind's growth!! May the blessing of Foltina-sama be with all of you!」
In that moment, the capital exploded. The cheers that rose up was so loud that it made them almost mistook that as what happened.
Everyone got on their feet and they threw anything that they had in hand, like hat or towel or whatever to the air, while dancing boisterously.
The words that they wanted to hear all this time had come out from the savior's mouth.
As expected, it seemed there was no greater mark than that for them.
「Onee-chan, please look. Everyone, is smiling so brightly.」
「Yes, I'm seeing it clearly...I'm seeing it clearly-」
The sisters secretly exchanged words under all the cheers. Both firmly held back their tears, but they were sharing their feeling from their wide smile.
Koone raised one hand and the capital quietened down slightly. Her voice reached the people through the voice amplifying blessing art that was working in full force.
「People of Synclea,! Come, let us welcome the savior's group once more! And let us celebrate this miraculous relationship we have with the savior's group!」
UOOOOOOOOOOOO- Cheers that sounded like a roar broke out, along with the chanting of the word savior in chorus.
Amidst all that, Koone who had been acting fully with dignity until this far despite her young age was,
「Or rather! Koone has reached the limit! Koone want to play with Koone's best friends so-so-so very much!!」
Her atmosphere abruptly changed to one that could be called as a shitty brat atmosphere.
Eeeeeeh!? Such commotion spread out.
But, Koone paid it no mind. At the corner of her sight there was Old Bruitt whose squinty eyes that couldn't be distinguished whether they were closed or opened snapping wide open, but if she said that she paid it no mind then she paid it no mind!
She was going to show off. She was going to yell it out at the top of her lungs.
What the new era's queen was made of.
「Koone declared the raise of the curtain of the new era! And Koone shall say this further on top of that declaration! The first command of Koone de Shelt Synclea in this new era!」
Her finger pointed at the populace with a snap. She put on a wide smirk that was a vivid reminder of her past as the prankster princess.
「Dri~~~~~~nk a lot, e~~~~~~at a lot, have fun like you're going to diee—-!!」
Koone slipperily dodged the hand of Old Bruitt who was going to remonstrate her and hopped down *pyoo~~n* from the stage.
The stage was really high so Spenser and others turned pale seeing that but,
「Lilin!」
「As you command」
The wind of her trusted confidant caught her.
And then without any pause she ran with rapid footsteps *sutetetete-* and took the hands of Myuu and Hinata who were watching with wide eyes.
「At the very least, Koone's gonna enjoy the hell out of this!」
Koone laughed loudly while pulling the hand of the flustered duo. They ran into the gap between the crowd.
The people whose mouth was gaping wide open burst into loud laughter a beat later. Don't get left behind by our queen! The people cheered as they rushed toward the plazas, festivities, and various stalls that had been prepared all over the capital.
「E-even though I thought she had gotten calmer lately-」
「Koone-sama is still Koone-sama huh.」
「Donal! Linden! This isn't the time to say that! We're chasing them!」
「Spenser-sama, it seems that Lilin is at least accompanying them...」
Donal had a vein throbbing on his forehead while Linden was getting a faraway look. Spenser was losing his composure while Anneal calmed him down.
「Geez, really Koone-tan...」
Moana looked slightly troubled. But, Kouki gently placed his hand on her shoulder and ran his gaze at the populace while speaking with a smile.
「It's fine isn't it? That is the "new era's queen" that is really just like Koone.」
「You're...right. Fufu, perhaps Spenser and others will have it even harder than the wartime if it's like this.」
The people were all smiling. They were all laughing with each other and discussing where they would go, what they would eat. Even among the shop owners there were some who were yelling things like 「Koone-sama is still as elusive as before! Hurry back to our shop!」.
Even the feudal lords of the territories whose reactions were the scariest toward the queen's chaotic act...
They shrugged their shoulders in exasperation, but they were also smiling as expected.
『Ah, informing a~ll the territory lords! Do as you please with hero-sama's honeymoon! Onee-chan, Koone leave the maters about hero-sama to you! Koone really love a reliable Onee-chan!』
「Just leave everything to me, Koone-tan!」
At the very least, her follow up through her amplified voice from somewhere also left nothing to be desired, so it made it even harder to want to complain.
Though the hero in question who felt like he was turned into a sacrifice depending on how he viewed it was making a twitching expression seeing the feudal lords approaching him with a bright smile that felt slightly different than a normal smile.
In any case, it was the queen's command.
Then there was no refusing it.
During this commemoration day that would remain in the history book, the people of Synclea, and even the warriors were all immersed in having fun and forgetting the war.