Light peered in through the window as I open my eyelids, which are
still a little heavy. I absentmindedly stared into this unfamiliar room,
until my awakened mind finally recalled the events yesterday.
That's right… I'm in a different world. Looking back on it again, it has
been a hectic day.
I got caught up in the summoning of the Hero, studied the history of the
other world, went to the moon with a demon I don't understand,
kidnapped by that demon I don't understand towards an empty journey
and fell asleep before I knew it—- Arehh? Putting aside the beginning,
aren't most of the hectic parts of my day caused by that baby castella
incarnate? Or rather, I don't remember coming back to my room. I
wonder how long I've been asleep in my bed?
"I'll be back, alright?"
Let's check out what I know again. This is the mansion of Duchess Lilia
Alberto, who is currently looking after us, and the residence of her
people. In short, that demon is a stranger to this residence. I feel that
it's really important that I nrepeat this again, she's a stranger for this
residence—- That little demon girl is really doing what she wants.
However, should I tell Lilia-san and the others that a demon trespasser
was here yesterday? Although I'm still out of touch with the common
sense of this world, I can easily imagine that it would be a pretty big
problem if the Duchess' residence were being trespassed upon. If I were
to believe what she said, Kuro illegally intruded this place because she
wanted to see me, I also haven't been harmed by her—- I was just
slightly traumatized by baby castellas.
In that case, even if it were extremely troubling… but my intuition tells
me. Perhaps, even if I were to report it and this place increases its
vigilance, Kuro will still appear with that smile she had last night. In
that case, as expected… Should I wait-and-see for the moment? At any
rate, it doesn't seem like Kuro is a bad girl, and I'm also indebted to her
for saving me when I got lost.
Ah, but there's a chance that they will ask about the ruckus last night
first thing in the morning…
Just as I was thinking about it, I heard a knock on the door, telling me
that breakfast was ready. For the time being, I decided to put aside
thinking about Kuro for the future as I left the room, heading for the
dining room.
Our breakfast was a simple Western-style one, but it was served with
pure white-colored bread. They explained to me that in this world, it's
customary to eat white bread at the first meal of the new year. I don't
know how they made it this white, but it tasted just like a plain butter
roll.
[Did all of you sleep well yesterday?]
[Ah, yes.]
[I was also very tired yesterday that I fell asleep right away.]
[...]
Hearing Lilia-san suddenly asking about such things, the image of
myself screaming loudly in my head return back into my mind and I
couldn't respond quickly enough.
[…Kaito-san?]
[Ah, I was watching the moon in the veranda for a little while before
sleeping.]
[Yes, it was a beautiful moonlit night yesterday, wasn't it? "I was also
relaxing within the night breeze, it was a really great, peaceful night,
befitting the 30th of the Celestial Moon."]
[…Y- You're right.]
Arehh? A peaceful night? That's weird… Is Lilia-san's room that far
away that she can't hear me screaming? I feel like we're not on the same
page…
Before that problem can be firmly formed in my mind, Kusonoki-san
spoke.
[Speaking of which, it's the new year today in this world, isn't it? Do
people do anything special for the occasion?]
[Let me think… Basically, most of humanity was spending their time at
home for 3 days after the arrival of the new year. After that, there will
be a New Year's celebration. There are also some regional variations
but—-]
It seems that there's a custom in this world just like Japan's Sanganichi,
during which most of the establishments were closed. Then, from what
Lilia-san told me, I learned that there would be an event that's like
Shinnenkai where they would receive the Blessings of the Gods.
The Blessing of the Gods is a Hatsumode-like event where people would
wish for their health and improvement from the Gods visiting their
temples, and there are various forms depending on the region and the
type of Gods living there.
(T/N: Sanganichi is just like he explained, shinnenkai is New Year
Gathering, japanese tradition of welcoming the arrival of the New Year,
usually by drinking alcohol. Hatsumode is the first shrine visit of the year,
usually occurring within the first three days of January. This event should
be something normal to see from anime.)
[For example, here in the royal capital where there's a temple governing
"health" and "order", it's common to receive blessings for health and
peace during the new year, but in areas where there are temples
governing "harvest", they may receive the blessing for an abundant
harvest. Even though I said that, only royalty and nobles can meet the
Gods and Goddesses and receive their blessings in person, so it would
basically be like asking for the blessing from the priests.]
It's said that most of the people will be bestowed with the blessing,
although it's also influenced by how strong their religious beliefs are.
However, this is just a custom of the Human Race and it doesn't apply
for the Gods and Demons.
The Gods would usually spend the day praying to the Creation God, not
even eating any meals.
On the first day of the new year, the Demons are said to take only one of
the predetermined foods as a form of thanks to the Six Kings.
[Incidentally, everyone may already know about it, but Luna follows the
customs of the Demons.]
[Eh? Luna-san, are you a demon!?]
[To Hina-san's question, you could say that's true, but you could also
say it isn't.]
[To put it simply, I'm a human-demon hybrid.]
We are surprised by what Lilia-san suddenly said, but the person
herself, Lunamaria-san answered as if it were a matter of course. It
seems that in this world where demons and humans are friendly with
each other, hybrids aren't uncommon and weren't that unusual.
[If you want me to specify it, I have a quarter of the blood of humans
and elves, and half of the blood of demons. That's why there are some
traces of my elven bloodline on my ears.]
[Hoeehh~]
Saying this, Lunamaria-san moves her hair so that we can see her ears.
Lunamaria-san's ears are indeed a little pointed, but they aren't as long
as the ears of the elves I had in mind.
I see, you could say that this is something unique to this world where
the exchange between races is flourishing. In fact, Lunamaria-san looks
like a bundle of otherworldly factors.
[I've heard that people in other worlds are relatively sensitive to the
image of mixed-races—- but about a third of the people working in this
mansion are mixed races, and they're very common in this world.]
I guess she could tell that we were surprised, and so Lilia-san explained
with a smile telling us that it's nothing unusual. It's true that even in
fantasy novels, there are many instances of mixed-race persecution, so I
may have had a prejudiced image about them. I'll try to correct this
thought so that I wouldn't be rude to them.
Incidentally, Lilia-san is a pure-blooded human, but she made a wry
smile about the fact that she doesn't know about her ancestors.
[…Well, the reason why Luna spends the New Year following the
customs of the Demon Realm is simple—- Luna, do you have something
you wanted to say today?]
[All these foods I offer for the name of the revered Underworld Kingsama!]
[…By the way, these foods were originally supposed to be offered under
the name of anyone among the Six Kings…]
[ [ [… Ah. ] ] ]
[Incidentally, there are 67 different kinds of offerings designated for
Underworld King-sama's name this year…]
[That's enough. Luna, you don't have to explain that part.]
Lilia-san tells her with a tired look on her face while the fanatic
enthusiastically replies.
Rather, that's so many different varieties of food offerings! Ah, right,
there are so many different kinds of demons, aren't there? I'm sure
there are some things that they couldn't eat because of their body type,
so maybe they're considering that? Though I was a bit creeped out from
Lunamaria-san who had memorized the different kinds of foods that
were offered to the Underworld King…
When we finished breakfast and listened to the story of this world
again in the same room as yesterday, Lilia-san spoke as if she suddenly
remembered something.
[Ah, I forgot to mention… Later, all of you will receive a direct blessing
from the Goddess, just like the nobles and royalty. That's apparently
because the Heroes are susceptible to endemic diseases, so you're
supposed to receive the blessing of good health in there.]
I don't know if there's a concept of immunity in this world, but we're
indeed living in different environments and climates, so the blessing of
good health is important just by hearing its name. As a matter of fact, I
don't want to be the person who came to another world just to die from
an epidemic.
[Wouldn't it be better if My Lady receives the blessing of "Love" or
"Marriage" for once?]
[…Luna, you… You clearly know what you're talking about, right?]
[…Ahhhh! Speaking of which, you're already done it two—–
Gufuaahh!?]
I wonder what happened just now? While Lunamaria-san is speaking,
Lilia-san stood up and I felt like she sent a fist with an earth-shattering
speed towards Lunamaria-san's solar plexus. To be honest, it looked
like Lilia-san's hand disappeared and Lunamaria-san only got down on
her knees holding her stomach but…
[…Did you say something?]
[…A- As expected of… My Lady… Your skill doesn't seem to have
weakened…]
As Lilia-san spoke with a frightening smile on her face, Lunamaria-san
doesn't seem to have learned her lesson at all. The three of us
whispered among each others before thinking that the two of them are
really good friends.
[…Did you see that?]
[No, I didn't see it at all.]
[Could it be that Lilia-san is actually a very strong person…]
Whispering among ourselves about that thing we saw a few moments
ago… which we didn't exactly see.
[Geez, you really are—– Hyahh!?]
[ [ [ !? ] ] ]
[Ah, no, it's not like that, everyone! That just now was, umm, err…]
Looking at her fists so sharp that it's hard to believe she's a lady of a
Duchy, we inadvertently pulled away for a bit. Lilia-san frantically
turned towards us and started explaining.
[I- I had some experience working with the Knight Order back then…
I've also acquired martial arts experience enough to know how to use
it… errr…]
[Before she received her peerage, My Lady was the "Division
Commander" of the Second Division of the Kingdom's Knight Order.]
[ [ [ Eeeeehhhhh!? ] ] ]
[Like I said, why are you adding unnecessary information!?]
I thought she was a prim and proper, privileged duchess, but she was an
unexpectedly a martial artist.
Then, as if in retaliation for being beaten, it seemed like Lunamaria-san
found something to tease Lilia-san with and added that information
with a mean smile on her face.
[…If I remember correctly, Lilia-san is part of the royal family, right? So,
you're a fighter huh…]
[Kaito-san!? N- No, my mother told me that I should learn in both the
literary and military arts, so I've only been a member for a little while!]
[…Does that mean you became a Division Commander in just a short
time? That's really awesome, isn't it?]
[Even Aoi-san too!? N- No, you see, it's because of my strange lineage
that I have been promoted very quickly…]
[…Incidentally, her skills in battle made her known as the "White Rose
Valkyrie"—- To describe that title of her more concretely, she's able to
single-handedly wiped out a bandit group alone with just her horse and
even a flock of monsters would become a bloodbath in front of her…
The speed of her promotion is very exceptional.]
[Luna!]
[…Lilia-san could possibly be a terribly frightening person…]
[Hina-san!? You're mistaken! It's just that the people around me were
finding it amusing and making that story bigger than it should have
been! Please don't look at me with fear like that!]
As opposed to the really flustered Lilia-san, Lunamaria-san is clearly
amused and added more information. However, since she isn't clearly
denying and she's really flustered like that… What she said may not be
just an exaggeration and she's telling a true story.
[Incidentally, the first time I met My Lady was at the annual
competition where the members of the Kingdom's Knight Order
compete in skill.]
[Luna… Please. Please don't talk about it.]
[I was still playing as a make-believe adventurer back then, and I
happened to stop by the royal capital to watch the tournament. It was
amazing to see the fleeting appearance of a girl who was only 14 years
old at the time, prevailing through the competition with her beautiful
swordplay.]
[Stop… Stoooooppppp… That's something you don't talk about with
others…]
Somehow, it seems that Lilia-san has a very dark history, as she clung
on to Lunamaria-san while begging her to stop, as if the master and
subordinate have been reversed. I'm honestly feeling sorry for her, but I
can't speak for her because I'm more curious about the contents of her
story than anything else. I'm sorry, Lilia-san.
[However, her opponent is already a veteran among the knights! After
My Lady's sword was broken by a blow from clashing against a warrior
in the 5th round… the spectators, including myself, thought it was My
Lady's defeat.]
[…That's not it… That was just the excitement of a first time
particapant…]
[However, thereupon, My Lady immediately threw away her sword and
the training sword that was swung down from above her head "were
crushed between her two fists draped in her magic power"!!]
[ [ [ Eh? ] ] ]
[Without a pause, she dived into her armored opponent's bosom and
immediately unleashed her attacks! She doesn't seem to be a human
girl. It's as if she suddenly turned into an Ogre as she unleashed an
onslaught of "fists that destroyed her enemy's armor", achieving
victory.]
[ [ [ Ehhhhhhhh!? ] ] ]
[Pleaaaassseee… Stop it already… Seriously…]
[Seeing My Lady raising her fist with a radiant smile, I—- I want to
serve her, is what I thought.]
[Aaahhhhhhh…]
Lunamaria-san who was telling the story with a radiant expression on
her face, looks as if she had turned really youthful? Lilia-san covered
her face and crashed down on the desk, her ears turning red.
Lunamaria-san… You're really relentless, aren't you? It may be rude of
me to just listen to that heroic tale without even helping her, but the
beautiful woman was so embarrassed that her face turned bright red
and I unintentionally thought it was really moe.
[…You're mistaken… That was just a spur of the moment…]
[Incidentally, that moment also shattered the "intentions of her
prospective fiancé" that her parents chose for her at that time, and it
was decided that conversations about her engagements were never to
be discussed again.]
[ [ [...…] ] ]
I'm lost for words. Please stop it already, Lunamaria-san! Lilia-san
doesn't half much HP left! She's already half-crying!
In that silent room, I could only hear Lilia-san's voice mumbling "That's
not it…" but Lunamaria-san looked at me for some reason and pointed
towards Lilia-san who was lying down on her desk.
Eh? What? Are you trying to tell me to make a follow up for what you
did? How unreasonable can you be!? Why are Kusonoki-san and
Yuzuki-san looking at me too? I told you it's impossible, that's
something way too unreasonable to ask in this situation!?
But, however, nevertheless. There's no doubt that this is completely
that useless maid's fault, but I'm also feeling slightly guilty for not
stopping the conversation in the middle. And being a weak-willed
dunce who can't defy the pressure of their silence and the majority
vote, I don't have any choice.
(T/N: Kaito was originally calling her a dameido, dame+meido.)
[…U- Umm, Lilia-san?]
[…Uuuhh… Kaito-san… It's not like that. I'm not a "violent woman who
doesn't shed blood nor tears"… nor is it that "the White Rose's thorn is
as sharp as a dragon's fang"… It's not like that.]
Ah, it looks like she must have been teased a lot in the past… that she's
already traumatized. Her eyes that were relying on me look really cute…
This isn't the time for that! Err, follow up, follow up…
[I- I understand! It's alright, we're just a little surprised, we didn't think
that Lilia-san is the kind of person who would indiscriminately use
violence!]
[Sniff… Really?]
[Of course! I mean, we're talking about a story that happened when
you're just 14, right? It's your first time in a tournament at such an age,
so it's only natural that you would be desperately fighting. It just
happened to be a combination of coincidences and that you ended up
winning…]
[Incidentally, she was able to acquire "Runner-up" as the final outcome
of the tournament.]
Could you stop adding extra information and shut up for a moment, you
useless maid?
[A- Anyway, it's only been a day since we've met, but I know that Liliasan is kind, and I may not know what happened back then… but I'm not
afraid of Lilia-san just because of the events in the past.]
[Uuuuuhhh… Kaito-san…]
D- Did I manage to follow up well? Oi, what's with that thumbs up,
useless maid!?
I was annoyed to see Lunamaria-san looking at me as if to say that I had
done a good job after she had forced me to clean up her mess, so I
decided to change the direction of our conversation for a bit.
[…Putting that aside. You know… Lilia-san, is it even your fault?]
[…Eh?]
[…Huh?]
[You see, everyone has one or two failures in the past that they don't
want anyone to know about. It certainly is a terrible thing to talk about
such things so joyfully to others, isn't it? I don't think it's something you
can just apologize for and get away with.]
[U- Umm, Miyama-sama? Miyama-sama?]
[…In that case, if there are scoundrels like that, it's you who should be
judging them instead. Lilia-san may be a kind person, but I think it's
better to be quick to smash her with judgment in these situations.]
[…That's indeed the case.]
In a voice as gentle as possible, and yet, Lilia-san affirmed that it's not
her fault at all. Lilia-san's tears stopped and conversely, Lunamariasan's face turned pale. However, she's only just receiving her just
deserts in the first place.
[Err, I'm sorry. It seems that I had a little bit too much breakfast… so I'll
go take a stroll for a while and we'll talk after that… Kusonoki-san,
Yuzuki-san, why don't we take a look around the house?]
[…You're right.]
[I agree.]
Even though Lilia-san is somehow trying not to make us anxious, but
most of it is just because we're afraid for what's about to happen. That's
why Lilia-san is doing everything she can so that she won't be angry in
front of us.
Cutting off the conversation early and purposely calling out Kusonokisan and Yuzuki-san, we headed for the door. At the edge of my vision, I
could see Lilia-san standing up from her seat and Lunamaria-san's face
turning white to blue.
[U- Umm, I will be guiding you—– "Ah, we'll be remembering the way so
we don't need a guide."—– !?]
[…Lu~ na~]
[Hiiii!? M- My Lady… E- Errr…]
I think I heard a frightening voice echoing from the pits of hells, but I
walked out of the room without looking back. A short time later, I heard
a shout that sounded like someone had been attacked by a predator,
though I don't really know whose voice that is, it was probably just my
imagination.
Dear Mother, Father—– LIlia-san is a very kind and lovely person.
However—– She was a fighter.