"Absolutely no way."
Hajime was throwing a tantrum in the sky far above. He was sitting on the
sofa inside Ferner's bridge with his arms crossed and looking aside sulkily.
"Do, don't say that. Please, Hajime-san."
Right beside him, sitting at the opposite direction where Hajime was
averting his gaze was Liliana making such request while snuggling close to
him.
The group returned from the holy land Brook that was transformed into the
haunts of the wicked to the capital yesterday night.
No, in Hajime's case perhaps it should be called as "returning alive"
instead.
His soul slipped out from his flesh body seven times (Yue slapped it back
every time). His SAN point was consigned to oblivion eight times (Yue
kindly returned his sanity every time). His mind also regressed to a child
four times (Yue went 'haa haa'). His attempt to dye Brook Town crimson
reached nine times (Yue hugged him with all her strength to stop him).
It was a deathly battle. It was truly a nightmarish deathly battle against the
deviant residences * frilly monsters of the wicked haunts.
With a mind that reached the limit, Hajime shook off the residences who
were trying to make him stayswarming him like the dead fro. After that, he
kept hugging Yue all this time in order to heal the wound of his heart.
Shia and others, especially Myuu tried to console him but… as expected,
the first wife-sama was powerful at this kind of time. Hajime who was still
somewhat under the influence of his infantile regression wouldn't separate
from Yue no matter what anyone said.
Like that, Hajime finally came back to his senses after a night passed but…
"If I say no way then no way."
"Even so please. Visit Ur Town too. Right now the pope is also in the
middle of visitation, as expected passing through it without stopping by
is…"
"I don't care. I'm, on a trip. I'm going, to the imperial capital."
"Yo, you hate it so much you're using baby talk…"
Presently Hajime and co were in the middle of three days trip heading to the
east of the continent. Their destination was Hoelscher Empire, but Liliana
asked them to stop by at the lake shore town Ur that was on the way there.
Because of that she was in an argument with Hajime who absolutely didn't
want to stop by.
Even the wish of Liliana who had taken care of her work to a certain degree
and looked forward to the trip today didn't move him at all.
Sumire who couldn't bear to watch asked in exasperation.
"Geez, just why are you that reluctant?"
Shuu and others who were also in the bridge were waiting for the answer.
Shia and others were also waiting for the answer, although with a face that
looked like they somehow understood Hajime's reason.
Naturally, Hajime's answer was,
"That place has surely turned the same way as like Brook!"
That was probably the case. After all, if the holy land Brook was "the town
of the beginning of the demon king's journey", then Ur Town was the "town
where the sword of the goddess descended".
'It absolutely has changed into the haunts of the wickeeed! Hajime-san
don't want to go to that kind of place!' It seemed that was the reason. After
saying out loud the word "Brook" by himself, it seemed Hajime recalled the
nightmare yesterday and pulled Yue's arm before embracing her tightly.
"Aa~. Hajime-san is hugging Yue-san like a plushy again…"
"How envious… but, Yue is unusually making a troubled face so I can't
really say anything."
"Myu… papa, as expected it seems that it's no good if it's not Yueoneechan when he is weak nano…"
In regard to mental stability effect and healing effect, perhaps Myuu and
Shia and others could be expected to have the same effects, but if one also
expected for "protection" effect to maintain sanity from nightmare, then it
couldn't really be said that they would be effective unless it was Yue-sama.
So to speak, if Myuu and others were hi-potion, then Yue was elixir. It
seemed their level was different.
"Leave it at that, Hajime. I can't bear seeing my high school son regressing
into an infant. Honestly, Tou-sa is thinking that you're a little bit gross."
"Tou-san, tell me that more indirectly. That hurt."
Hajime embraced Yue back on his chest like a kid hugging his doll. It
seemed the destructive power that was brought about by the "Bel lineage"
had made the demon king to be riddled with wound by that much.
"…Say, Hajime? As expected this is a bit embarrassing."
Apparently even Yue could feel embarrassed from getting everyone's
attention by being hugged like this. Of course, Hajime didn't pay any mind
to it.
"Goshujin-sama. There art not any "Bel lineage" in Ur correct? It wouldst
be fine."
"You're too optimistic, Tio. Those guys are propagating. They're
expanding their force behind the scene while mankind isn't aware. We don't
know where they're lurking."
Chrystabel and others were treated like they were invader from space. It
was troubling because they couldn't really deny it decisively when
considering their incomprehensible nurturing method and mysterious
strength.
"But still… it is the place where we met. It wouldst be cruel to ignore that
place. mother-in-lawHahaue-dono and others art wishing to witness our past
too."
"What're you gonna do showing them something like your ass getting
shoved with pile bunker huh?"
"Fuguh… haa haa. Tha, that art not all there is to it! Like, this and that,
there art various other things!"
"There was only you going haa haa. It will be bad for Myuu's education."
"We saved the city from a great swarm of monsters attacking from all
directions! Also, there art thy first kiss with Aiko too!"
Aiko was hit by a stray bullet. "Ah!? That's right!" she said with her eyes
swimming around. She also wished for everyone to watch how Hajime and
co protected the city but… that scene was embarrassing.
Somehow Aiko was also starting to lean to agree with Hajime's opinion to
ignore Ur Town… but.
"Aa geez, this is irritating! Shia-chan! Okaa-san gives you the permission!
Take Yue-chan away!"
Sumire-okaasan snapped seeing and hearing her son's grumbling. Hajime
fundamentally was someone who would make a swift decision and take
quick action, so this was an extremely rare sight in a sense. Because of that
she was enjoying his state until yesterday, but finally the feeling of irritation
won inside her.
"E~rr…"
"Shia, I believe in you――"
"Shia-chan? Okaa-san, and your worthless husband, which one is more
important?"
Sumire's nice smile burst out. Shia looked alternately at Hajime and Sumire
several times…
"Okaa-sama! Order received desuu!"
"Shia!? You're betraying me!?"
She didn't have the rabbit ear to listen to Hajime's nonsense. She closed the
distance with super speed and seized Yue with her overwhelming physical
strength. Naturally, Hajime immediately reached out with his hand to take
Yue back but,
"Tio-san paaass!"
"…Nn!?"
"Righto!"
Yue-san floated in the air. Hajime raised his eyes at Tio who caught her
normally. Tio shivered and panted from that while Hajime closed his
distance with "Ground Shrinker". Before his hand reached,
"Kaori-, pass!"
"…Wai-!?"
"Wawa-, caa~tch! Aa~nd rele~ase!"
"…I'll kill you Kaori!"
"It's me this time!? Wait, Yue, you're really light…"
"…Treatment. The treatment to me"
Yue-san who was thrown all over like a ball and light like a dream. As
expected she didn't want to be treated like a ball more than this, so she got
away from Shizuku's arm and floated up lightly using gravity magic. An
intense reproachful glare scanned inside the room.
During that time Sumire circled behind the back of the flustered Liliana.
Without pause she hugged her from behind and put the cheeks of the
bewildered Liliana between her hands.
"Hajime, look! At the dark circles under Liliana's eyes that are so deep it
put you off! At her eyes that are cloudy like a corporate slave working in a
black company! At her pitifulness from making a cheerful smile that isn't
even thinking that her condition is painful even then!"
"Eh? Okaa-sama? A, am I… pitiful? Eh? Huh?"
Certainly, she was in a horrible state. Her face was. Even though she was a
princess. Just how much she was looking forward to this trip huh? Just how
much she forced herself to take care of her work so she could take a leave
huh? One couldn't help but make such tsukkomi.
Or rather, everyone wanted to make that tsukkomi before the departure,
they intended to indirectly acted concerned to her and asked "Don't force
yourself. Or rather, isn't it impossible for you to join the trip today?", but
seeing her figure that was full of liveliness only in her atmosphere despite
having a face that was unbecoming for a princess, everyone was put off and
they couldn't say anything in the end.
The state of Liliana that was finally spoken out by Sumire flustered Hajime.
Seeing that Sumire dealt an additional blow.
"Lily-chan wanted to go in this trip so much that she ended up in this pitiful
state! This child had done her best see! To a degree she doesn't even realize
about her own disastrous state!"
"Sa, say Okaa-sama? What do you mean by me being pitiful…"
"Your heart is heavily wounded because of the thing yesterday? Hah, that's
funny coming from the demon king. You see, true serious wound refer to a
pitiful child like the current Lily-chan!"
"…Pitiful… I'm, pitiful… even though I'm a princess… eh, but, pitiful
what?"
Princess Liliana, fourteen years old, she was feeling shocked from being
pitied while looking completely uncomprehending just what was the cause
of her being pitied.
Pitiful! Everyone's face looked like they were going to burst crying.
"Kuh… being told that… I don't have any way to argue back. I… it seems
I was really cowardly, to think that I became this timid just from this
much…"
"Ha, Hajime-san!? You accepted that!? I, it's not like there is anything that
should make me get pitied or――"
"Looks like you have opened your eyes… Hajime. Now you can listen to
the wish that Lily-chan asked from you that she even reduced her own
lifespan can't you?"
"Lifespan!? Okaa-sama, just what are you talking――"
"Yeah, Kaa-san. I was wrong. Those muscle and frill monsters ain't
anything to worry about. How can I call myself a husband if I don't listen to
the request from Lily who reduced herself until this state."
"What kind of state do you mean by that!? How do I look like right now
from everyone's perspective!?"
"It's fine if you understand. Now, let's go to that Ur Town whatever. Okaasan absolutely doesn't want to miss any memorable place in this trip. I
intend to enjoy everything there is to enjoy after all."
"Your real feeling came out there."
Lily-chan became tearful. She was ignored by her mother-in-law and
husband, and everyone else was also strangely kind to her, they were
sending her pitying gaze that she wanted to scream "I don't get it!".
Seeing Liliana whose expression looked like she didn't understand what
was going on, Kaori looked at her with a pained eyes while asking.
"Hey, Lily. I wonder, how much work you did so that you can come along
in this trip?"
"Eh? Even if you asked me how much…"
"Regarding the time, how many hours you worked in one day?"
"Eh? I didn't count such thing in detail though…"
The air froze. The expression of the parent~s who were working adult
especially froze.
Liliana was perplexed by the strange atmosphere while timidly releasing
additional shocking words with an air that wanted to say "I am, normal
right?".
"I, I wake up in the morning and work… and then when I see the next
morning sun, I'll take a bit of rest… eh!? Everyone, why are you all crying
so suddenly!? O, Okaa-sama!? Otou-sama!? And even Kaoruko-sama and
everyone too!? Why are you all hugging me!?"
The parent~s were crying while tightly hugging the working fourteen years
old princess. Sumire spoke with a nasal voice.
"To, to think it was that bad… I have to ask Luluaria if she is planning to
kill her daughter! That's too harsh even if she is the princess!"
"Ple, please stop-, Sumire-okaasama! If Okaa-sama learn this then she will
stop me!"
"Lily-chan!? Why are you making a sorrowful face like that!?"
According to Liliana, not just Luluaria, it seemed even Hellina and others
would stop her if they found her working through the night. And so, she
often secretly did her work while hiding.
"Everything is for the sake of my country's rebuilding! If I don't do it then
who else will!"
The black princess-sama strongly insisted with boiling motivation and
cloudy eyes. Well that's, if she was making herself as the standard while
giving direction to her subordinate, then even that knight order captain
would break.
Kaori spoke to Hajime with an expression of 'I can't watch this anymore!'.
"Hajime-kun. Can't you lend your strength so the reconstruction can be
finished as fast as possible?"
"…I guess. Before we return to earth, I'll distribute artifacts to increase the
ability of people like Wolpen and others the transmutation masters or the
workers in civil engineering and construction of the kingdom."
The transmutation masters of the kingdom looked up to Hajime as grand
master and rapidly improved their ability, and on top of that transmutation
masters from all over the world who idolized the demon king were also
gathering, so right now more than a hundred transmutation masters were
working in the kingdom. If their capability was improved with artifacts, it
would definitely be a big help for the reconstruction.
Artifact with the emblem of demon king was something that anyone
desperately wanted, so in order to avoid needless chaos Hajime didn't hand
it out freely except to some exception but…
Seeing Liliana's state, Hajime decided to add one more exception. He was
forced to make this decision.
"…I don't get it. Even though I'm completely normal"
While being buried under the consoling parent~s, Liliana's
uncomprehending whisper resounded through the room.
In any case, Liliana's wish was granted and Hajime took the route toward
the lakeshore town Ur.
.
Like that, at the Ur Town that Hajime visited after resolving himself in
various senses…
"This is a lie… right?"
It was a situation that made Hajime unable to say anything more.
"Err, Hajime-san? It's only because Brook without Catherine-san is too
much like "that" you know?"
Hajime was speechless while looking down on the city from behind the
window of Ferner's bridge. Liliana spoke to him with a wry smile.
Just as she said, it seemed that it was really just Brook Town that was
becoming the stronghold of a group of people with a couple of loose
screws.
Yes, lakeshore town Ur was completely normal!
It wasn't really any different from the last time he saw this town. There
were changes like the carvings and paintings that were drawn on the
defensive wall that Hajime created using "transmutation" when fighting
against the big swarm of monsters from all directions, or the boorish wall
that was refined and cleanly maintained, or the former site of the battlefield
that was cultivated together with the blood and flesh of the monsters and
became a beautiful grain producing field, but those changes should be
welcomed instead.
"What an ordinary place…"
"Hajime-san, just what kind of image that you have about this world's
people?"
Liliana-sama sent Hajime a reproachful stare as the representation of Tortus
people.
"No, because you know…"
The residences of the capital――the lot that switched into religious
organization worshipping Aiko looked fanatical, there were a lot of firms
selling body pillows or T-shirts or other things that were printed with
picture of girls in his class. Wolpen and others the transmutation master
group added optional function into the capital's great barrier as they
pleased, furthermore the drama that told the tale of the journey of the
demon king's group was projected with the palace's artifact. It was
projected on the great barrier itself, the movie function that was like a type
of planetarium was really embarrassing. Though he immediately destroyed
it.
And so on, Hajime mentioned the people of the capital who were a little bit
like "that" in the head. At the end he looked at Liliana,
"Even the princess is like this."
"What do you mean by that!?"
Even though Kaori who sympathized with the tragic face of the black
princess applied regeneration magic, the princess babbled "As expected age
of god magic is amazing! The fatigue that cannot be cured anymore by
normal recovery magic is vanishing! With this… I'll be able to work as
much as I like!". She was bad news――that was what Hajime meant.
"It'll be great if the reconstruction is finished quickly… So that Lily can
return to her senses."
"That's why just what do you mean by that!?"
Even while making such conversation, Ferner moved to the spot beside the
front gate of the town.
Sumire who was also looking out of the window like Hajime raised a voice
of admiration.
"Even so it's a beautiful place isn't it~. The lake is sparkling, and the wheat
tip fluttering from the wind is like a water ripple."
Certainly, it was a beautiful scenery.
The large lake brightly reflecting the light of the sun. The vast grain
producing field that was making use of the lake. The tip of the crops waving
in the wind, the scenery was like a sea of gold on the ground.
There was an astonishingly majestic mountain range extending at the north.
Vivid autumn colors could be seen even from afar. And yet if they moved
their gaze slightly to the east, this time deep green color was expanding like
midsummer tree. At the other side they could see an area of withered trees
as though winter suddenly arrived. It looked like an exhibition of four
seasons.
It was wondrously, magnificently, and eye-catchingly beautiful. Not only
Sumire, the other parents and also Myuu and Remia who unexpectedly
never visited here were all watching in fascination while sighing "Hou".
Shuu asked casually.
"Hajime. If I remember right, this is the number one grain producing region
in this world isn't it? Is it the harvest time right now?"
"I don't know about that. As expected I haven't grasped the situation until
the detail like the harvest cycle but…"
When Hajime turned his gaze to Liliana, she guessed what he wanted to say
and nodded.
"Originally, the harvest period of Ur is once a year, and originally right
now isn't the time for that. But, right now the harvest period of Ur become
a cycle of three times a year. It's not limited to Ur, but also several other
arable lands."
"Lily-chan, how can that be?"
"In other words, Otou-sama. Approximately thirty percent of arable land in
the north of the continent become a fertile ground that grow crops with
three times the normal speed recently. So inevitably the amount of harvest
also became three times the usual."
'And then, the key figure of that was none other than!' Liliana's eyes were
filled with feeling of gratitude and awe.
"――"The goddess of the harvest", Aiko-san!"
" " " " "Oo~~~~~~~~" " " " "
"Yo, your welcome."
Aiko humbly bowed her head shyly.
Hajime continued the talk seriously.
"Vocation "farming master" ――a super rare vocation that possess
tremendous aptitude for skill and magic related to agriculture, the innate
sense to see through the problem in the soil and points of improvement, and
the ability to carry out improvement to those problems. It's a plain vocation
in a glance but, it's rarity is right after "hero" vocation."
"Eh, is that so? It's not because my child is a farmer's child?"
Akiko tilted her head with a puzzled expression. It was shocking enough
that the vocation made it possible to improve the soil so the crop's growth
speed was increased, but it seemed that she never imagined that her
daughter had a talent that precious. It might also be because she herself was
from a farmer family.
Hajime added his explanation toward such Akiko.
"It seems there are quite the number of people with inferior version of that
vocation though. So to speak, it's the highest class of vocation in farming
type. You can think of it like that."
"…In other words, whether it's rice or wheat or vegetable or anything can
be nurtured to high class quality in our orchard… is it something like that?"
"It's like that."
"…Aiko, you're hella amazing."
"Okaa-san, your wording."
"Because, you helped out some at our work but, you weren't that interested
to agriculture weren't you? It's unfair somehow."
"Tha, that's not my fault! It's not like I chose my vocation by myself!"
The very conflicted gaze of Akiko and the impressed gaze of the other
parents that seemed like to say "I see. I understand now why she is
worshipped as the goddess of bountiful harvest" made Aiko to shrink like
a small animal from bashfulness.
But, there Hajime changed his tone slightly.
"Yes, Aiko,s talent and ability, it's hella amazing."
His tone was mixed with wry smile but, it was a bit low and lacked
cheerfulness. Akiko and others turned a puzzled gaze at him.
"Please try to imagine. Just how valuable an existence that can multiply
food supply when it's in the middle of war."
"…ah"
Akiko looked at her daughter with a sudden realization. Aiko too seemed to
recall "that incident" which occurred at Ur Town that time. Her expression
stiffened in bitterness and pain.
"Aiko's power can completely change the food situation at the northern
continent. A troop that doesn't have any problem at all with food will be
like a nightmare from the enemy's perspective."
Shuuzou put his hand on his chin and continued Hajime's words with a
groan.
"So it's a problem of "stamina as a nation" huh. War is like a gluttonous
monster that eat up every aspect of the country completely. And yet, if the
enemy's ability to continue war won't weaken at all in the food aspect…"
"Naturally, such thing can't be left alone."
"From the enemy country's perspective, that will be even more
troublesome than the hero in a sense."
Koichi and Kirino sent a concerned gaze at Aiko. They somehow guessed
what had happened to Aiko.
Aiko herself shivered slightly hearing the words that Kirino said. Those
words were completely a coincidence but, it made her remembered whether
she wanted it or not. Of that bitter and painful memory.
――Hatayama-sensei… It's to kill you
The words that her previous student threw at her. Killing intent. Madness.
――There is no way the demon race won't leave alone an existence that is
more troublesome than the hero in a sense isn't it?
Aiko looked down. Her mind was seized by the memory――
"Well, naturally she was targeted. And the method of the enemy was to
tempt one of our classmates to join the demon race's side. They made him
instigate a big swarm of monster to kill Aiko along with the town――"
"Ha, Hajime-kun!"
Hajime suddenly said it with a light tone indifferently. Aiko reflexively
stopped him. But, Hajime didn't pay her any mind and continued.
"And, through one thing and another, I killed that classmate."
Sound of gasp resounded. It wasn't clear whose sound it was. But, the
parents―― especially Tomoichi and Kaoruko, and then Akiko opened their
eyes wide. The sound must have come from one of them.
Hajime smiled wryly at Akiko and others who were at a loss for words and
continued.
"If we land on this town, then you will surely overhear about the story of
that time from the talk of the citizens here. Because for them, this story is
nothing more than an impressive tale of the "goddess of the good harvest"
and her sword defeating the mastermind and saving the town."
In other words, Hajime deliberately mentioned this story was to avoid the
unexpected appearance of the truth.
Murdering a classmate.
One of the students among the classmates who couldn't return home. One
of the causes why the mass media made a great ruckus.
They would be able to watch that past if they wished. Even if they didn't
watch, surely they would overhear about it.
Akiko and others tried to observe the expression of Hajime and co.
There wasn't any gloominess, regret, and of course no suspiciousness at all
on their face. Conversely there also wasn't any sign of them looking
satisfied or delighted.
Their face was the same like what they saw before. No matter what
happened, they accepted everything that happened because of what they had
done, there was only such resolve in their face.
Yue and others were silently observing the condition of the parents. Only
Shuu and Sumire were carefully watching because they had already said
what should be said.
Amidst that, it was unexpectedly Akiko who opened her mouth first.
"Thank you for your consideration, Hajime-kun. And, I wonder if I can
watch your kiss scene with Aiko?"
"Okaa-san!?"
Aiko was astonished. Akiko showed a mischievous looking smile saying
"Because I'm really curious".
Then Shuuzou and others also took advantage of the opportunity to also
start talking.
"A battle against 60,000, such fight is full of romance. I wish to be allowed
to watch it no matter what."
"After all you can't really watch something like that even from movie…"
"I'm interested with the battle against Tio-san in her black dragon form. It
makes my heart dance imagining a fight of weapon versus dragon."
Those impression made them sounded completely like warmongering tribe.
Tomoichi and Kaoruko also relaxed the tension in their shoulders seeing
how Akiko and co reacted. In any case everyone once more displayed an
expression of resolve to watch the path that Hajime and co had taken in
their travel.
Kaori, Remia, and especially Myuu were also looking interested. Shizuku
too, normally she would at least send a reproachful gaze toward her
grandfather and parents, but this time she didn't really do anything like that.
It seemed she harbored interest toward the great battle where they didn't
participate in.
"If it's about the number of enemy then the final battle had a lot more
though."
"That is that and this is this, Hajime-kun."
It seemed that it was something like that according to Kaori.
"Fufu, finally even the fateful encounter of I and Goshujin-sama wouldst
be shown. Now, Goshujin-sama! Let's go with high spirit!"
"Do you want the scene where you got your ass pile bunkered to be seen so
much like that huh?"
Surely she wanted to display it. She was a pervert after all.
"Now, Hajime. A lot of people of the town are coming out. We got it
already with the prior warning, so let's go already."
Just as Sumire said, the people of Ur Town were gathering toward outside
the wall. Their voices didn't reach here, even so it looked like the place was
full of noise. They could see the people waving their hands with bright
expression.
It was a really normal welcome. There wasn't any cosplay, there was also
no inn poster girl performing eagle ○ive from the top of the wall. Of course,
there was also no soul sister or any other perverted special group.
Above all else,
"…Yosh, looks like there isn't any manly woman."
That point was wonderful.
"…Hajime, just how wary you are toward them?"
"Well, if there is any of them here, Yue-san will get treated like doll again,
so it's relieving that there isn't any of them here."
Hajime landed down Ferner while they were making such talk.
The rear hatch opened while the surrounding was noisy with so many
people outside. The moment they put down their feet from the slope on the
ground, loud cheers shook the air.
'Goddess of good harvest-sama! Sword of the goddess-sama! Demon king
party! Welcome!' Bright voices filled with affection and gratitude and
respect resounded.
Kaoruko and Tomoichi went red from such welcoming and showed
agitation.
"Uu, this is a bit embarrassing…"
"If we have something like parade in the capital just like the queen
suggested, it will be more than this. It was the right choice to refuse."
It felt like they had become a movie star. People with commoner sensitivity
lie Akiko felt really embarrassed from this.
"Niceee! My son and his wives are really popular! It feels like my nose is
growing long I'll turn conceited~"
"Thank you thank you! I am the demon king's father! The father-in-law of
the goddess of the good harvest!"
Sumire and Shuu waved back their hands with wide smile like they were
movie star. Tomoichi and others sent them a gaze that seemed to say "As
expected, this couple is really wrong in the head…".
Amidst that, the crowd was getting parted. An old man surrounded by
knights of the church were advancing forward. He was wearing the highest
rank clergyman outfit that was adequate for traveling despite looking
splendorous.
It pointed to one person.
"Simon-sama!"
"Your highness, it has been three months since we last met."
This man who exchanged words friendlily with Liliana was none other than
his holiness the pope of the reborn holy church――Simon L G Liberal.
"Pope with excessively light footwork" "Wandering his holiness" "Master
of absconding and scampering" "Wanted pope" "If you notice this face
notify the granddaughter Deacon Sybil" "The pope whose scruff is grabbed
and dragged by his granddaughter" "Or rather that man, his running is too
fast that even active knight can't catch up to him, seriously", etc, etc.
Possessing such nicknames, he was the highest authority of the church that
was different in various senses compared to the previous pope.
Of course he was acquainted with Hajime nad Yue and others. Pope Simon
looked easygoing and somewhat senile, but his personality that was based
on that many acquaintances and experiences had depth. He was nurturing
friendship with Hajime and others too.
From the beginning he held objection in regard to the discrimination toward
the demi-humans (presently they were called beastman) and after many
twists and turns he was demoted to the remote region at Gruen Great Desert
along with his family, but after the destruction of the divine mountain,
Liliana sounded him out about becoming the new pope.
When he arrived to the capital, somehow he listened to Aiko's worry――a
forbidden love between student and teacher, it's no good absolutely!
Buuut――and also gave a bit of advice. Because of that Aiko especially
looked up to him like a grandfather.
Now that Pope Simon for some reason was looking around at Hajime's
surrounding and tilted his head going "Eh?".
And then,
"It has been a long time, Hajime-dono. By the way, young miss Yuuka isn't
here?"
"Oi, you're sprightly as usual, Pope Simon. But… what about Sonobe?"
"About that, I'm just thinking, your wives are all present here right? But
then why is young miss Yuuka the only one not here then?"
He asked such question. Actually at the same day he listened to Aiko's
worry, he also listened to Yuuka's worry. He was especially close with her
too. By the way, the worry of Yuuka at that time was her wondering of how
to return the favor to her life savior who was a certain demon king…
something like that.
Simon-san saw how she was feeling really bittersweet at that time. And so,
"No, why are you mentioning Sonobe's name there, I don't understand that
instead."
Simon tilted his head even further hearing that from Hajime and said.
"Young miss Yuuka is you're your wife right?"
"Why's that huh? That ain't true."
Pope Simon stared in puzzlement, and then he nodded as though he realized
something and corrected himself.
"I see, so she settled down as your mistress as I thought. Somehow I got the
vibe from that girl that she is a mistress type."
"Pope, have you finally started to turn decrepit?"
"Kukuh, you're playing stupid like this. Even though you yourself like her.
But I get it, that feeling of yours! A man sometimes want to get healed by a
mistress――"
"This sex obsessed gramps, I'll fill you with holes if you don't shut up."
Hajime moved his hand toward Donner while a vein pulsed on his forehead
but, before that,
"…I always thought that Yuuka is suspicious. Hajime, since when you
made her your mistress?"
"Hajime-kun? Since when you got into such relationship with Yuuka-chan I
wonder? I wonder?"
"Ce, certainly Sonobe-san really care a lot about Hajime-kun… but, I think
it's no good to make her a mistress just because of that! I think something
like that is no good!"
"Yuuka… since when she became like that… Hajime-san! As I thought you
intend to make Hellina and Kuzeri to become your mistresses too instead of
subordinates isn't it!?"
Yue, Kaori, Aiko, Liliana, and then even Shia and others were looking
suspiciously at him…
Tomoichi papa's eyes were turning into that of a killer. The eyes of Kaoruko
and others the mother~s were turning a bit cold.
And then,
"Papa~. What does mistress meaan?"
"…It's a word that Myuu has no need to know."
Hajime's expression twitched greatly at the words of his pure daughter
while thinking.
Even though he thought that he finally arrived at a peaceful and normal
town, but this hooligan pope, just what in the hell he was doing throwing a
bomb like this.
The people of the town got noisy hearing Pope Simon's words. As
expected, even at Ur Town, a peaceful sightseeing trip… didn't seem to be
possible.