Ship graveyard.
The place was really fitting to be called that.
"To be able to see this many sailing ships in one place..."
"Yeah, there's value in coming here just to see this."
Even Tomoichi who had been yelling "Let goo~" until just now, and even
Koichi who was dragging him to here reflexively became openmouthed in
astonishment seeing the sight here.
It was a rocky area with a dome of seawater acting as the ceiling. Just that
feature already made this place looked mystical but, there were also rotten
sailing ships that numbered easily in the hundreds, or perhaps even at the
thousands scattered messily all over the place or piled up on top of each
other...
It was stunning, a transient sight that made them felt something pressing on
their chest.
"A sailing ship this big, I've never seen it except at film."
Shuu reached his hand toward a particularly big sailing ship nearby that was
overturned on its side. He traced the crack on the ship's bottom with his
fingertip. Sumire too timidly poked on a half fossilized mast that was
snapped and lying on the ground.
"You will get dragged into illusionary world after you walk for some
distance. You will get automatically returned to here after ending the war.
The goal line is in the hold of the biggest passenger ship at the furthest back
there."
Hajime explained while pouring magic power into the proof of conquest and
walking by himself until the spot where he got dragged in last time. The
space didn't get distorted when he arrived there. It seemed he managed to
safely avoid the trial.
"Say, this is just a thought but, getting dragged into a world of the past that
you can interact physically with... doesn't it sound a bit too amazing?"
"Ah, Shizuku, I also wondered about that. It wasn't simply showing you
illusion. In a sense, it's a magic that create a different world that enforce its
own unique rule forcefully isn't it?"
"When you said it like that, it's certainly outrageous..."
Liliana's interpretation made not only Aiko, but also the others to nod
"Certainly". Thinking really carefully, even if calling it a world creation
was an exaggeration, it was still a feat that was close to it. The act was truly
a feat in the realm of god perhaps.
"...Nn~, this is just a guess but"
Yue narrowed her eyes and looked across the surrounding. She recalled the
trial that she had once experienced and analyzed the composition of the
magic that formed it based on her understanding right now.
"...Although there was degree of difference to each of them, Miledy and
the others should have arrived at the essence of their respective age of god
magic."
Naiz's space magic──boundary interference made the boundary between
illusion and reality blurred, Miledy who could interfere with the power of
the planet drew out inexhaustible magic power, Meiru dragged out the past
from the ancient time, Laus granted autonomy and ability to interfere with
physic to the past illusion, Oscar turned this graveyard itself into an artifact
that could produce a different space like a type of treasure warehouse while
also maintaining his comrades' magic──
"...Is what I thought."
" " "I see. I don't get it." " "
The expressions of Tomoichi, Kaoruko, and Akiko turned vague. As
expected the abyss of magic seemed to be something that was difficult to
understand for ordinary people. Hajime alone was whispering something like
"A different world inside the treasure warehouse... that idea is full of
romance".
"Err, Yue-oneechan. That means Vandell-oniisan got left out in that case
nano."
"...Myuu, have you forgotten? Most of the dungeons has monsters. Most
likely all of them were created by VandellSchnee."
"Ah, so that was how..."
Eh? Could it be the one who worked the most was Vandell-san? Hajime and
co somehow imagined Vandell working like black company employee while
whispering "There's no end... no matter how many monsters I'm
creating, it's still not enough at all...".
Hajime returned from pondering and made a very conflicted expression.
"I don't want to believe it but... that Oscar, he didn't make his great
dungeon into something like palace of ten thousands demonsPandemonium
just to harass Vandell right?"
The number of monsters there was literally rivalling an army of ten
thousands. Just how much effort was required to create every variation of the
monsters there?
It was really easy to imagine Vandell's dumbfounded look when he heard the
proposal and Oscar who chuckled fufufu while pushing up his sunglasses
that glinted even though there was no light source around.
No, not just that, for some reason they could vividly picture Vandell trying to
jump at Oscar after seeing his smile, and Miledy and others desperately
trying to stop him because there was nothing that could be argued against
with the dungeon's concept itself.
"Don't tell me, Miledy-san had almost no monster in her great dungeon...
was her being considerate?"
"Perhaps that woman had her own difficulty in being the leader."
"The liberators were all seemed to be people who hath strong quirks after
all."
That sounded possible. Everything was simply their imagination but,
somehow none of them could find any argument against it.
"Putting that aside, Hajime-kun."
Perhaps because the atmosphere was starting to get complicated, Kaori
spoke up with a voice that intentionally changed the mood.
"Is it alright if I use past replay to project the aftermath of the illusion
trial?"
"Hm? I don't mind but... are you fine with it Kaori?"
"Yep. Certainly I don't want anyone to see my really uncool self if I'm
honest but..."
Kaori glanced at Tomoichi.
"I want Otou-san to know more, a lot moooooore about Hajime-kun!"
"Kaori!? Otou-san already know enough──"
"Even though Otou-san just yelled I'll murder that bastard just now?"
"..."
Tomoichi-otousan quietly averted his gaze. His daughter's reproachful gaze
always stabbed into his heart. He couldn't look directly at it.
"Fumu. Based on that reaction, this art the crime scene where thou assaulted
Goshujin-samacorrect?"
"Can you stop describing it as crime scene I wonder!? I wonder?!"
Tio casually reined Kaori who was trying to grab her while activating past
replay.
The figure of Kaori collapsing and vomiting with a pale face, and Hajime
looking after her got projected. The proof of just how much madness filled
the illusion world got thrusted in front of everyone once more. It made the
atmosphere tense drastically.
[Yue is really a formidable enemy huh.]
Kaori apologized for causing trouble, while Hajime acted considerate with
her because he understood the pain of almost getting swallowed in madness.
Those were the words that naturally came out from Kaori after
understanding how Yue protected Hajime from madness.
Together with an awkward smile that was mixed with self-depreciation and
self-torture. That smile really didn't look like Kaori at all.
Tomoichi and Kaoruko's lips were pressed together so hard they formed a
straight line. Shizuku who was saved by Kaori's smile that was like a
sunflower in her childhood made a grim expression as though she had seen
something that she absolutely didn't want to see.
"Kaori-oneechan..."
"Uu, I was so pathetic back then. I became completely spineless after
getting shown up just how wide the difference in strength between me and
the others when coming to a great dungeon for the first time..."
"...That couldn't be helped. Kaori was none other than our cornerstone
when you were together with us. Everyone was supported by you."
There was no person who wouldn't feel shocked when they suddenly got the
fact that were useless thrusted right to their face when before that they were
treated as an ace. Shizuku said that while her hand kindly touched Kaori's.
Kaori put her own hand on that hand while saying "Thank you" with a
smile.
Right after that.
[Say, Kaori. Why did you come with us?]
It was a question that stabbed into her.
And then even when Kaori asked whether she was a nuisance, the past
Hajime didn't say anything to deny it.
Akiko and Kirino reflexively looked at Tomoichi. They thought that he
might snap at Hajime. But, Toomichi unexpectedly stayed still while staring
fixedly at the past Hajime and Kaori.
He was simply staring quietly without looking like he was irritated or even
showing sympathy to his daughter. Kaoruko beside him was also in the same
state.
Kaori smiled happily seeing her parents like that. Then she also stared at her
past self.
That was why everyone naturally couldn't say anything too.
The conversation between the two continued. Kaori couldn't even meet
Hajime's gaze and finally she hanged her head down. Hajime then told her
clearly with a tone that could even be called coldhearted.
[Listen, I'm saying it one more time. I love Yue.]
Hajime said that if unlike Shia she only felt pain from being together with
them, if she could only feel self-abasing when being compared to Yue,
[Kaori. You should get away from me.]
Before this, he allowed Kaori to join their travel because she declared that
she would come with him even after getting rejected. Because Kaori herself
believed that was the best path. Because she faced forward and said that was
what she would do.
If she couldn't do that anymore, she should go back to her Shizukubest
friend's side. She should think carefully once more about what she wanted to
do. Hajime told her that and ended the conversation.
In the end, Kaori couldn't say anything to argue back and she followed
behind Hajime trudgingly in a clearly disheartened state.
It seemed to be a sight that Liliana and Myuu were unable to watch. The two
of them wanted to say something, but they didn't know how to put it into
words and could only look around at a loss.
"Ahaha... well, I was like this at that time, my first attempt of
challenging a great dungeon."
Kaori scratched her head while blushing with earnest shame.
"Nn! It's truly a pathetic sight! Stuu~pidstuu~pid!"
"Horrible!? Hey, Yue! Do you know what sugarcoat mean!?"
"What a loser desuu!"
"Even Shia!? I know that but still! Still!"
Yue and Shia were merciless. Although, the awkward atmosphere got
loosened up somewhat thanks to their horseplay.
Kaoruko went to Kaori's side. She put her hand on Kaori's head.
"Kaori..."
"Okaa-san..."
Kaoruko stared at her daughter with an affectionate expression. Kaori too
stared at her mother as though she wanted to say that this was the state she
was in, but she had surpassed it just like they had watched at the ice and
snow cavern──
"I don't remember ever raising a pathetic daughter like this."
"Okaa-san is the most scathing!?"
Her voice was so cold that it even stopped Yue and Shia cold on their track.
It was even scarier because she was smiling throughout all that. The male
group averted their gazes simultaneously. Akiko, Aiko, and Remia's
expressions were twitching.
"A maiden must only charge ahead. Drawing away when in front of the one
you love is unthinkable. Don't beg, win him over. Anything else won't get
you anything. I should have taught you that."
So you taught her something like that. No wonder this kind of daughter is
raised! Yue and others seemed like they wanted to say that.
"O-Okaa-san, but..."
"No but. Even though I thought as expected of my daughter when I heard
that you stole his lips... when are you going to move if not at this time
when your biggest love rival isn't around? Everything will be over already
when you realize it. That's what romance is you know? Something like
reservation or mercy is completely unneeded for love rival. When you find a
complacence that is created from being a step ahead of everyone else, that is
when you have to charge, charge, charge, and charge."
"Ah, yes, um, that, yes..."
Yue looked at Shia and then she pointed at herself fearfully. It seemed that
Kaori mama's love theory was to keep charging without the slightest
reservation or mercy. Shia nodded her head up and down. Yue then looked at
Kaoruko in terror.
What kind of ferocious general are you... her gaze seemed to say.
Of course, the expression of everyone else was also twitching. Kirino alone
looked like she was holding back a headache because she seemed to have
known this side of Kaoruko.
Putting that aside.
At this kind of time, Tomoichi-san who was splendidly obtained as the prize
of the competition between women that occurred in the past had a distant
look in his eyes throughout the conversation...
"Hajime-kun."
"Ah, yes."
It's just something of the past! The daughter argued uncomfortably, but
Kaoruko wasn't moved at the slightest and continued to smile while
advocating the innermost secrets of romance matter-of-factly. The
surrounding was watching that nervously. But putting that aside right now,
"Aa~, I'm sorry. I said all that a bit harshly didn't I? There should be a
better way to say that for this kind of time but, I was──"
"No, I'm not trying to complain... That's, yeah"
Tomoichi didn't continue his words. He simply clenched his fist lightly and
tapped Hajime's chest. And then he only said one word,
"Thanks."
He said that clearly, while averting his gaze.
His expression completely showed just how conflicted his state of mind was
as a father, but at the very least it was conveyed that those words Hajime
said were the result of him seriously thinking about his daughter.
Too many words would just make it boorish. Hajime too only replied "No"
with one word.
Somehow the atmosphere became embarrassing. Tomoichi immediately
turned away but...
"...Oi, Nagumo Shuu. What's with that smirking face. It's unpleasant to
look. Stop it already."
"It's nothiiing? I'm not smirking or anything though?"
"T-this guy-"
It seemed that he was happy his son was deepening his bond with the father
of the wife's side. Shuu tried to put his arm around Tomoichi's shoulders in
great mood, but that hand got fiercely slapped down.
Of course, Shuu wasn't someone who would give up just from failing once
or twice. Hyoi, slap, hyohyoi! Slap-. Hyo-but it was a feint while from the
opposite side-, slap-!
"Hajime-kun, allow me to thank you too."
"Kaoruko-san... umm, Kaori's eyes are whirling there..."
"Thank you for seriously facing my daughter without evading or putting it
off."
"No... umm, Kaori is reciting "don't beg, win" over and over there..."
"As expected from the boy that Kaori chose. This daughter of ours is
sometimes no good like this but, please take care of her from now on too."
"Ah, yes. Umm, that daughter of yours, is getting Soul Repose applied on
her from Aiko though..."
"And, I don't think that she would be able to get back up right away from
that state but... perhaps, something happened in that large ship that was
the goal right?"
"...Yes ma'am. Should we go there now?"
"Yes, please do."
"Yes."
Kaori got slapped by Yue "Hah, what did I do!?" and returned to her
senses. Hajime glanced at her before immediately starting to lead the way
after losing against the strange pressure of Kaoruko-okaasan who greatly (?)
wished to watch her daughter's growth.
"Ah, that's right. Hajime-kun, about the trial inside the ship, naturally I'll
pause it okay? Or rather, won't it be better if we just teleport directly to the
storehouse at the bottom of the ship right away?"
Kaori started saying something like that in front of the huge ship that was a
luxury cruise in the past.
Tomoichi and others tilted their head. Kaori told them "The illusion here is
also horrible so..." with a somber expression but,
"...Don't lie Kaori. That was at the deck right? I heard about it before."
"The inside became like a horror house wasn't it? Isn't that fine, that seems
interesting desu!"
"Aa, I thought that it was strange why you were vague with only the story
inside the ship, but it's something like that? Kaori, you aren't good with
horror ever since forever aren't you?"
Shizuku who always got clung on by Kaori until she almost suffocated or
got blood congestion whether it was at amusement park or movie theater
smiled wryly while making a look of understanding.
"That can't be helped then. Hajime-kun, can you teleport us to the ship's
hold just like Kaori said?"
"Kaoruko too isn't good with horror ever since forever huh."
It seemed that was how it was according to Tomoichi. They were really
mother and daughter. So,
"Well, we are also here so it will be fine Kaoruko. It's not often that we can
get the chance to look around at the inside of a huge old ship like this. We
won't find another chance like this, so please?"
"Eh!? B-but..."
"This isn't a place that we can visit anytime after all. As an architect, well,
ship is outside my area of expertise but I'm curious with various things like
the layout here for example."
"...Uu, then if at least the horror trial can get paused"
"There are a lot of people here who want to watch it. It'll be fine, I'll be
beside you see? Please, Kaoruko."
"......… I understand."
Eeeh? What is this? Tomoichi-san who was always getting pushed around by
Kaoruko-san was strangely smiling. *Run run♪* It felt like there was even
such background music accompanying him.
"Is this déjà vu? She looks exactly like Kaori when Hajime requested him
for something..."
"Normally she's really pushy but she can't refuse when the one she love ask
her for something... they're really mother and daughter."
Shizuku and Aiko smiled wryly. Remia and Akiko were also watching the
Shirasaki husband and wife smilingly.
"My my, what a harmonious husband and wife. How lovely. Ufufu"
"The two are still so passionate even now. If it's my husband he will say
something like "Then wait over here" and go off alone."
Kaoruko must have heard them. She looked down shyly. Somehow thing
was moving toward the group going to experience horror. Kaori who had
experienced the terror of the ghost ship turned white...
"H-hey, as expected we should stop this. Okay? This is completely different
from something like horror house at amusement part you know? They will
really attack with the purpose of doing harm you know? I think there might
also be magic for cornering the mind added into the mix, this will be harmful
to everyone's health or something, there's no need to intentionally
experience──"
"Kaori, let's go together into there okay?"
"Nnn, fuuh, guu~~.........… yes"
It seemed that Hajime had also got a realization after seeing Tomoichi's
move. When he also "requested" with a really nice smile, Kaori mumbled
for some time in frustration before she yielded and nodded as expected. Like
mother like daughter.
And so, the group skipped the illusion of madness on the deck and entered
the ship.
They didn't activate the past replay and tried stopping the function of the
proof of conquest...
"T-this is... how should I say it, the atmosphere changed drastically..."
"R-really. It feels like the air is humid, heavy..."
Aiko and Akiko unconsciously faltered. No, the others were also feeling the
suffocating air and did things like rubbing their arm that got goosebumps, or
looking around restlessly. None of them seemed calm.
Hajime, Yue, Shia, and Tio were fine. Other than them there was Yaegashi
family who only looked slightly nervous... and Myuu.
"Great. If the whole ship is considered as one trial, the proof of conquest
might not be able to adjust the trial in minute detail. The deck and the inside
of the ship are treated as two different trials."
"Who need that kind of explanation! Let's go quickly!"
"K-Kaori? Can you relax your strength a little? Unlike the past, your
physical strength now isn't average... nnnn!?"
The one Kaori was clinging on when it was during horror experience was
already fixed in place in subconscious level inside her. Kaori-san clung on
Shizuku's arm with a speed that seemed like godspeed.
Even though she wasn't in apostle mode, some of the physical strength still
bleed out to some degree so Shizuku was starting to tremble.
Shizuku's body was shining slightly perhaps because she had quickly used
sublimation magic. There was no doubt that her arm almost turned into
minced meat if she didn't do that.
"Kaori, Shizuku is going to die like that so come over here."
"Fhaaii- (Right)"
He hoped that she wasn't saying that she wanted to fight there. Kaori's
forward step was so strong that Hajime almost misunderstood like that as she
clung on his back.
Seeing that made the expressions of Liliana and Aiko to twitch.
"Really Kaori... even though she can face even an army of ten thousands
that is made of apostles or monsters, it's puzzling that she can be this scared
because of ghost."
"She looks really scared. But... the way she clung on Hajime look
completely like a haunting ghost..."
Her messy hair hid her face with her arms clinging on Hajime's neck so
strongly as though to declare she wouldn't let go even if it killed her. Her
legs also clung around his waist and "fuuh, fuuh" the breathing that leaked
out from between her teeth was slightly echoing...
Certainly it was just as Aiko said, it was Kaori instead who looked like a
spirit of the dead.
On the other hand,
"Tomoichi-kun, you look like you're having fun aren't you?"
"What are you saying Nagumo Shuu. I can see an ancient architecture with
my own eyes. So obviously I'm having fun."
"No, it feels like that's not what you are enjoying here though..."
There was also someone possessing Tomoichi's arm. However this one
seemed a bit different from her daughter's case.
The way she immediately got teary eyed while shivering all over made her
looked like a small animal. She buried her face on Tomoichi's shoulder and
her body would jerk and tremble from every little sound while her eyes
glanced around. And then she would bury her face on his shoulder again
right away. Sometimes she would say "Deaaar, quickkk" with a very weak
voice.
"It only looks like you're having fun tormenting your wife though?"
"How rude Koichi-kun. I have no intention like that at all. But well, it's also
true I'm thinking that my proactive wife who usually take the lead look
really cute when she's like this which is a rare sight."
"As I thought you're really aiming for this."
"Kaoruko herself is aware of that, but she still go along with it. They have
been like this since a long time ago."
Kirino's exasperated gaze pierced Kaoruko, but the person herself didn't
seem to have the leeway to care about it. That was how weak she was
against horror, but she would rather cling to someone and come along rather
than got left behind. Really like mother like daughter.
"Perhaps because it's a trial to provoke fear and foster madness, the danger
of the unnatural phenomenon and the monsters themselves here isn't that
much. They are completely specialized in eeriness. Although who knows
what can happen, so Yue and others be on your guard against them okay?"
Yue and others followed Hajime's instruction and surrounded the parents and
Remia and others like usual while staying on guard against the surrounding.
The group hurriedly moved ahead like that.
As they did that, unnatural phenomenon kept coming one after another.
Now Hajime and co could sense that there was certainly magic at work to
promote fear and madness which they didn't notice at their first time here.
The artifact to protect the mind that had been distributed beforehand kept
shining the whole time.
Against this even unique ordinary people like Yaegashi family couldn't hide
their nervousness.
Akiko and Remia, and also Aiko and Liliana were sometimes screaming and
jumping on their feet.
And yet,
"Myuu, you alright?"
"It's interesting nano!"
"No way. Myuu, mama is already nearing the limit here..."
"Yes mama. Want to hold hand? It's fine, Myuu will protect mama nano!"
"H-how dependable..."
It seemed that for some reason Myuu had absolute resistance against horror.
"I-it's coming! That guy is cominggg!"
"Kaori, please stop whispering madly into my ear. You are scarier here."
It seemed that Kaori who was still being carried on Hajime's back was
sensing something. Even though her eyes were completely closed, her
wariness was correct.
A girl in white dress that once made Kaori trembled appeared from ahead.
The girl in white dress's abnormal atmosphere made the parents stood still in
shock. Aiko and Liliana were letting out "Hih" a scream.
The girl's mouth split into crescent moon shape. It seemed that she sensed
their fear.
She threw her body with a jerk to the floor like a marionette that had its
strings cut. Then her arms and legs bent to impossible directions to be like
spider limbs.
And then, *KETAKETAKETA* a weird laughing voice that felt like it was
shaving off the SAN of the listeners resounded, no, in fact there was magic
at work in parallel with the laughter to bring about such effect.
Kaoruko screamed "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAH-". Akiko and others were
also stiffening with expression of terror.
Remia too unconsciously clung tightly on Myuu──but before she could do
that.
"Ah, Myuu!? Don't! Don't goooo!"
"...Remia, calm down! Hajime will deal with it!"
Remia-san collapsed on the floor with one hand reaching out like a classic
abandoned lover. Her usual composed smile couldn't be seen anywhere. She
wanted to run after her daughter but it seemed that strength had completely
left her waist.
It was just as Yue said, Hajime was already aiming Donner. But he couldn't
pull the trigger right away.
"O-oi! Myuu──"
"Nice to meet you! Myuu is Myuu! What is your name! Nano!"
It was really not matching the horror situation. Myuu approached her with
the mood of a girl calling out to another girl the same age like her just
because she felt like it!
Right after that, shockingly the apparition girl stopped moving. Not only
that, it started to back away as though to say "Eh? Why!? Why're you
coming near!? That's troubling for me though!?" seeing Myuu approaching
without any hesitation.
"C-could it be Myuu-chan right now is doing the number one move that is
hated the most by horror house staffs when a visitor do it?"
Shuu's example was actually right on the mark.
Myuu's move resulted in the apparition slowly backing away before it
immediately dashed away.
It was like the scene of the ultimate gloomy character being approached by
the ultimate cheery character and ran away because the light was purifying
her.
Cheery character often couldn't understand that the strength of their light
had the effect of causing such character to blow their fuse... if only they
could approach more slowly...
Myuu came back in dejection because of the clear rejection. Kaori fearfully
asked her.
"Myuu-chan, you aren't scared?"
If she could learn about Myuu's mental attitude or the state of her mind, then
perhaps her weakness against horror could also be fixed a little? Kaori
thought while asking that question. Myuu got a puzzled look before her
expression became really mature for some reason.
And then she patted Kaori's legs that were still wrapped around Hajime's
waist and,
"There is no scarier existence than human nano. Isn't that right?"
"Ah, yes..."
This young girl had been kidnapped, witnessed human selling their fellow
human, and human who happily put a price on her. Those words contained a
unique persuasiveness.
Perhaps that was why.
Everyone stopped reacting overtly to the horror phenomenon after that.
And so, after that everyone somehow used the feeling of how they lived in
harsh world as spice to experience fear and surprise at the same level like
when visiting a normal horror house in amusement park and progressed
smoothly until the ship's hold.
There, Tio casted past replay to see how Kaori got possessed by ghost and
how Hajime saved her.
At the end Hajime thoroughly checked whether there was any residue of the
ghost still remaining. Kaori who had broken through her doubts took
advantage of that opening and stole his lips.
And the result of watching until that point was,
"You bastardddd, you should be able to dodge that righttt!? You dodged
normally when Myuu-chan almost did that to you at the demon king castle
rightttt!? Do you have ulterior motive!? Do you have itttt-"
Sure enough, Tomoichi-san grabbed Hajime's collar.
"N-no, that's not it. It was my first time facing something like ghost, and
despite how I looked, I was really anxious at that time. I thought it wouldn't
be funny if there was any fragment or residue remaining and it affected
Kaori's personality, so I seriously focused on searching for that."
"...Nn. To take advantage of that and stole Hajime's lips... as I thought
Kaori is a wicked woman!!"
"Nice move there! To make use of the state of mind that was seriously
worrying for yourself, as expected from Kaori-san! A true wicked woman
desuu"
"I don't want to hear that from you Shia! Even though you also took
advantage when receiving CPR!"
"You two aren't different from each other..."
There was nobody who didn't agree with what Shizuku pointed out.
Anyway, it seemed that Kaoruko-okaasan considered that she had done a
good job. This time she patted Kaori's head for real and praised her "You
have worked hard" with a loving expression.
"Upbringing is really important for good or bad isn't it."
There was nobody who didn't nod at what Kirino-san pointed out.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The last sightseeing destination. The conquest hall. There wasn't anything
worthy of special mention there and they would only go there to see what
kind of place it was...
That was their intention but,
"Y-you..."
The group was impressed by the cross shaped pathway and the shrine
structure that was filled with water while entering into the place where the
magic circle was located at the center. Right after that.
*Gogogo* A part of the water surface made such sound while rippling and
sinking. It gradually rose up from there. It was like a scene in SF movie
where an aircraft came out from a secret base under the lake.
Yes, it was the magic combat boat.
"This art just a guess but... perhaps it's the reward for clearing the
dungeon?"
"Eh, then Tio-san, that mean the forced ejection that time..."
"...I-it was because we took a shortcut?"
When they got ejected into seawater, they all let out resentful voices at
Meiru-san's crudeness, but perhaps, they would be able to get out normally
to the sea using the magic combat boat if they cleared the dungeon
properly...
"Myu! Papa, we can ride it normally nano!"
"Looks like it."
This is the last fight! It seemed this wasn't anything like that. When Hajime
tried pouring his magic power into it, it felt like he could control it normally.
The explanation that this was a reward seemed likely.
Hajime and others started staring at the far away...
If they used the submarine as bait and flew to the sky using the magic
combat boat, they might be able to get away using that opening. Such
thought crossed their mind.
Because, at that time even if they used Yue's teleportation, she was unable to
jump until that far, but most likely with the magic combat boat they would
be able to teleport long distance.
Not only that, perhaps they would be able to return to the sea of tree's great
dungeon far faster...
"Let's go Hajime. The last one was the Hell Eater was it? You're going to
show us the fierce battle underwater right?"
"Aa, yeah, I guess. Tou-san. Let's go..."
"Come on, Yue-chan and others too! There were also things you were able
to do and encounter you ran into only because you guys didn't get it right?
Right?"
"...That's, true. Yes, Okaa-sama."
"Certainly, we might ignore Ankaji and also the kingdom in that case."
"Umuumu. For Lily too, it was truly lucky for thee that we didst not obtain
this boat here."
"T-that was a close call..."
"For me too. I would still be in the church's hand in that case..."
Hajime and co almost ended up ignoring the danger to the kingdom and also
to Aiko and the classmates. Liliana and Aiko patted their chest in relief when
they learned that fact.
"Thinking about that now, the whole journey of you guys until then was also
like that...... it feels like fate was really at work during the whole time
huh."
Hajime and co smiled wryly even while finding themselves unable to deny
Shuuzou's words that he muttered at the end.
They looked at each other's face. Hajime shrugged while he spoke to
represent the feeling of Yue and others.
"If something like god of fate exist, and that "unseen hand" of his was at
work... well, it feels like we are really loved in that case."
He replied like that.
The sunset was beautiful at the city of Erisen.
Although the city was normally filled with energy, the city above sea had
tranquil atmosphere with the sound of waves acting as BGM. It was only at
this time that the place was filled with unprecedented liveliness.
Magic tools that produced magic light of various colors were laid out from
the house roof to house roof just like decorative lights at earth festival.
Various foods were being cooked here and there at real time. Aromas that
stimulated the appetite mixed in with the sea breeze and enveloped the
whole city.
It was truly a merry festival.
Tonight only there was no barrier of status. The seaman citizens, and even
the invited human and beastman from various countries were all laughing
together harmoniously with plate of food on their hand. In addition elder
Kamal and Guardner&Gerto father and son along with a few demons also
joined the revelry.
"Yes, that's true! There our son pour a lot of tar that he collected from the
abyss into the monster's body!"
"Whoa!"
"Kuuh, I want to see it! I have read "Leeman's Legend" but, to think that
they really overcome the danger with that kind of method!"
In one part of the table, Shuu was talking passionately about "Hell Eater"
that they watched at the end of their trip to the undersea ruin toward the
leaders from various countries──like Gahard, Karm, Alfrerick, and others.
Nearby Sumire and Yue were telling their impression about their travel to the
noble ladies including Luluaria. Everyone's ears and eyes were completely
focused on them.
"I finally find you Shia. Now, do you want to have dinner? Or do you want
to train? Or perhaps... you want to f i g h t with me?"
"I don't. And put away that scythe. Go away."
"Wait, don't get near my Shia you princess of the empire! Shia want to play
"using" me! Right, Shia?"
"I'm not gonna play. Why are you here huh. Put away your bow. Go away."
Shia was trapped between the mad dog empire princess and deviant forest
princess. Her speech was so peevish that she even completely forgot the
"desuu" which was her identity. But let's ignore them.
The members of Yaegashi family too were in the middle of the Hauria circle.
Shirasaki family was mainly with the people of Ankajilike Bize. Akiko and
Aiko and also Liliana were mixing in a pleasant talk with Pope Simon and
David and others.
Tio was together with Adol and Venri. They were talking with the guild
masters, Will, and Count Cudeta and his wife.
Also at slight distance away,
"...Again. There is more huh... just how many enemy I have out
there..."
"Y-you guys are the princes who are targeting Myuu-chan-"
"Hee, so you too. Fuh, very well. If you think you can win against this
Raymond, then come at me without hesitation!"
"Randell-samaa! Let's forget about Myuu already! Do you want to go
together with me to the pier?"
"That's right that's right. Disappear from milady's sight immediately. The
demon there, you too. If you dare to look at milady with obscene eyes, this
Neashutatrum will come to take your head."
"Don't forget Baltfelt here too. I'll snipe you up."
The children were also getting into a lovely murderous conversation. They
looked like they were really having fun.
Also, about Myuu herself,
"Myu! After that papa made it so that Myuu can also use the magic ship we
got nano! It's Myuu's personal boat now nano!"
" " "How nicee~~" " "
It was a homecoming after so long, so she was happily talking together with
her local friends. It looked like Randell and the others didn't even enter her
eyes.
Of course, Remia was also surrounded by so many of the people of Erisen
that she couldn't move anywhere. She looked like she was enjoying the
homecoming too.
They also had no plan after this, so there was no need to worry about time.
This was the benefit of making Erisen as the last destination of their trip.
But outside of such festival, there was one person who was sitting alone on
the end of an empty pier. He was even using presence isolation so no other
could find him. It was the guest of honor of this travel welcome & farewell
party, Hajime.
If asked what he was doing there,
[I seee. I thought what was going on when there was a familiar magic power
getting thrown around... it looked like you had a good trip huh. Heh, if I
know you're coming then I'll bring one or two souvenir here.]
He was talking secretly with human faced fish uncle. Of course, it was Leesan who was a bosom friend of the demon king and whose status was
elevated into a half legendary existence by the historians.
"Say, Lee-san. As I thought I should introduce you to everyone."
[Stop that. It's already enough that you're going out of your way to call me
here. I'm just a monster. Nothing more and nothing less. I can't step into the
domain of human so casually.]
"Kuuh, as expected from Lee-san. How hardboiled."
Really, they were getting along better than between humans.
[Leaving that aside, I'll be going already, sonny.]
"Eh? You're leaving already? Actually I have an idea about artifact to
enable living both in water and air for Lee-san. I'm thinking to ask you
about it..."
This demon king, just how much he liked Lee-san? Just what kind of
expression other people would make if they saw this?
[What the hell with that? I don't need that. These scales are only for feeling
the ocean tide yeah?]
"T-that's deep."
It wasn't really.
[More importantly, look. Your wife is waiting yeah?]
"Hah?"
When Hajime turned around, there was Yue already standing at the entrance
of the pier without him realizing it.
[Thanks for calling me here sonny. This uncle also have a wife and little
brat waiting for me home. See ya! Let's meet again sometimes!]
"O-ou! Later again, Lee-san!"
*Chapon* Lee-san turned around and vanished into the night sea.
"...Why is the party's guest of honor sneaking out secretly to talk with a
human faced fish uncle?"
Yue sat beside him. She wondered just what he was doing when she couldn't
find him anywhere... and this was what she found. Her expression looked
really conflicted.
"No, well, I already planned to meet with Lee-san. Also, the party's scale is
unexpected that I wanted to cool down for a bit."
"...Nn. Certainly. Hellina is capable."
Hellina's leadership and arrangement were perfect. It was too perfect that
Hajime and co got welcomed with great cheers the instant they arrived at
Erisen.
The number of people far surpassed their expectation. Numerous foods were
prepared so that many people could have fun sufficiently. And the number of
the dazzling ornaments made even Hajime felt greatly taken aback.
Naturally because he was the guest of honor of this party that was for
welcoming party and also farewell party, he got mobbed by a ton of people
right from the start.
People kept talking to him one after another. He also got a ton of drink and
food recommended to him without pause.
Then finally the people dispersed to also talk with the other trip members
and they all started having fun on their own. Thanks to that Hajime too could
secretly sneak out and managed to have a reunion with Lee-san.
Hajime and Yue enjoyed a quiet time for a while with the noises at the
distance and the sound of waves as BGM.
Somehow it felt like it had been so long since they were alone like this. Both
of them looked at each other and chuckled together.
"...Is trip a great success?"
"Well, I think it ended in a far nicer note than I imagined."
"...Hajime, you were actually very nervous. Even if Okaa-sama and
Otou-sama would be fine, you thought that you might get into discord with
the parents of Kaori and others."
"It was that obvious huh."
"...Nn."
Actually it was just as Yue said. Hajime had also said it several times during
the trip but, perhaps only a few people truly understood just how much
resolve Hajime had when he invited the parents from other families into this
trip to Tortus.
"I need to become someone who can answer their trust and expectation.
Well, I get the feeling that they have accepted me as family somewhat,
perhaps?... They have accepted me right?"
"...Fufu, it's alri~ght"
Yue found it funny how Hajime felt a bit uneasy. It was a look that was far
removed from the picture of arrogant demon king that many other people
had in their head.
Yue reflexively chuckled and pulled Hajime close. Hajime didn't resist and
put his head on Yue's thighs just as she wished.
Yue kindly patted his head while speaking with extraordinarily kind
expression and affectionate tone.
"...Thank you for your hard work."
She showed appreciation for Hajime who managed to bring the trip to an end
safely.
Hajime made a short reply "... Nn" just like Yue. Strength left his body.
It was clear to see that he had relaxed from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps he would even fall asleep right there in order to recover from the
fatigue of this trip──
"Paapaaaaa, wheeeereee areeeee youuuuuuu!!"
"Oouu!?"
Hajime couldn't help but jump to his feet when he heard his daughter's loud
voice. It was the sorrowful nature of a father.
"There he is! He's flirting with Yue-san at that kind of place desuu!"
"She always drag Hajime-kun to somewhere at every chance!"
Shia and Kaori's displeased voices were also followed by the loud voices of
the country leaders like Gahard and Karm "What is the guest-of-honor
doing there!" or "Boss! You're going to go home after this so at least talk
with everyone right now!" one after another.
The people that they met during their travel gathered near the pier in the
blink of eye literally.
There were even some fearless guys who thoroughly froze the area near the
pier with ice magic, and there were also people who brought out ships from
another pier to gather there.
The central location of the party changed in the blink of eye. Hajime and
Yue got surrounded by a staggering hustle and bustle once more.
Hajime lifted up Myuu in his arms while roaring "Aa~, shaddup! Don't talk
all at once!". But his expression was clearly cheerful.
"Tou-san and Kaa-san too, what's with that smirk?"
The expressions of Shuu and Sumire who came together with Shia and
others along with " "Who's smirking~?" " that they said in harmony
made Hajime glared at them.
Sumire said "We're just feeling proud" while laughing and messing up
Hajime's hair. Shuu glanced at his son who ran away while saying "Stop
thaat~" and cleared his throat. Then he lifted up his hand to the surrounding
people.
The people around immediately guessed that he was going to say something
and fell silent.
Shuu took a deep breath and raised his voice.
"Err, we are really thankful to everyone for coming to this closing of our
travel today!"
Cheers spread out. Shuu raised his voice even more in the middle of that.
"We had seen a lot of the pasts through the travel this time. And so based on
what we had seen──"
The surrounding fell silent once more. Everyone focused their sight on Shuu.
"There's no need for long speech here! But, please allow me to at least say
this! Please keep taking a good care of my son along with his family too
from now on! I'm really thankful to everyone for being able to meet with my
son!!"
A second passed and loud cheers exploded. The air was even shaking from
the excitement.
"Look Hajime! Tou-san has stirred up the party! Finish it up!"
"What kind of absurd request that is..."
Perhaps Shuu-otousan was already drunk. His face was red, and his hand had
been holding a wine bottle since some time ago and he wouldn't let go of it.
Although, there was no way the demon king could run away with all the
gazes of expectation that were fixed on him.
He had actually set up an artifact on the sea. Hajime snapped his fingers. The
artifact got remotely activated.
Immediatley, *DOOOONN*.
People reflexively cowered back. Meanwhile countless flowers bloomed on
the night sky of Erisen from all directions. It was firework. The sight was
like a hundred magical flowers blooming profusely with great beauty and
various colors.
The people looked up to the sky where they even forgot to say anything from
the scale and the beauty of the sight. In front of them,
"Take your glass."
Hajime's voice rang out clearly.
People gasped and when they brought their gaze down, they saw Hajime
lifting up his glass with Yue and his other family members already
surrounding him with the shining sky on their back.
People hurriedly took up their glass.
In front of them, Hajime simply,
"Let's have a toast! For the future!!"
Those words that he used to bring an end to this travel rang out.
Naturally, what came back was a large chorus of " " " " "For the
future!" " " " " with a volume that drowned out even the sound of
firework.