Mushoku Tensei - Volume 15 - Baka-Tsuki

4/2/2016
MushokuTensei:Volume15BakaTsuki
MushokuTensei:Volume15
FromBakaTsuki
Contents
1Chapter1FloatingCitadel
1.1Part1
1.2Part2
1.3Part3
1.4Part4
1.5Part5
2Chapter2AudiencewithPerugius
2.1Part1
2.2Part2
2.3Part3
2.4Part4
2.5Part5
2.6Part6
3Chapter3Past,Curse,Summons,andJealousy
3.1Part1
3.2Part2
3.3Part3
3.4Part4
3.5Part5
3.6Part6
4Chapter4Lamentation
4.1Part1
4.2Part2
4.3Part3
4.4Part4
5Chapter5TowardsDemonContinentOnceAgain
5.1Part1
5.2Part2
5.3Part3
5.4Part4
5.5Part5
6Chapter6SearchforKishirika
6.1Part1
6.2Part2
6.3Part3
6.4Part4
6.5Part5
6.6Part6
6.7Part7
6.8Part8
7Chapter7AudiencewiththeImmortalDemonLord
https://www.bakatsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Mushoku_Tensei:Volume_15
1/323
4/2/2016
7Chapter7AudiencewiththeImmortalDemonLord
7.1Part1
7.2Part2
7.3Part3
8Chapter8DuelwiththeImmortalDemonLord
8.1Part1
8.2Part2
8.3Part3
8.4Part4
9Chapter9EverydayLifeintheFloatingCitadel
9.1Part1
9.2Part2
9.3Part3
9.4Part4
10Chapter10:TurningPoint4
10.1Part1
10.2Part2
10.3Part3
10.4Part4
11Chapter11:EndandBeginning
11.1Part1
11.2Part2
12Translator'sNotesandReferences
Chapter1FloatingCitadel
Part1
Halfaday'swalkfromMagicCitySharia,notevenanhourbyhorse,
thereliesacityruin.
Orrather,whatremainsofacastle.
Greatcolumnslieflatontheground,stoneslatesscatterabout.
ThismustbehowtheParthenonwouldlookafterfurtherdeterioration.
Itmusthavebeenasighttobeholdonceuponatime.
Itgivestheimpressionofarelicofhistory.
"What'sleftoftheScottsCastle,arelicfromwhenmankindbattled
Laplace.ItwassaidthatthousandscametodefendagainsttheDemon
invasion.Intheend,allwasfornaught,anditwascaptured."
2/323
4/2/2016
Explainsthebeautifulgirlwithgoldenbraidedhairbesidesme.
Gracefulexterior,cladinexpensivetravelwear,acharismaticfigure
obviousevenfromafar.
Indeed,theoneandonlyArielAnemoiAsura.
"..."
Wasthatexplanationforme?
Withthatinmind,Iglancedaroundme.
LukeandSylphystandnotfarbehind.
Alittlefurtherback,Roxy,Zanoba,CliffandElinalise.
Nanahoshiahead.
Ariellookstowardsme,there'snoonebetweenus.
"Arielsamasureknowsherstuff."
Itwouldberudetoignoreher.
WiththatinmindIanswered.Arielgentlysmiledinresponse.
"Folktalesofthisareaoftenmentionthistopic."
"Areyouinterestedinfolktales?"
"Todeveloprelationshipswiththearistocracyofthearea,thatisalso
necessary."
Arielexplainsasamatteroffact.
Memorizelocalhistoryinordertobefriendthelocalaristocracy.
Shehasittough.
3/323
4/2/2016
"Butcomingtoaplacelikethis,canwereallyreachPerugiussamafrom
here?"
"Tobehonest,Idon'treallyknowwhatwedonext,but..."
IlooktowardsNanahoshiinfrontofus.
Carryingaheavybackpack,movingunimpededbytherubblearoundus,
sheleadslookingstraightahead.
Shetoldustojustfollowalong,butcanwereallygettherefromhere?
FromwhatIcanrecall,hernotesdon'tfeatureaTeleportMagicCirclein
thislocation.
"I'mmoreworriedthathavingsomanypeopletaggingalongwouldbea
bother."
HearingwhatIsaid,Ariellaughsoutloud.
"Rudeussamasureworriesoverthestrangestthings.Evenifheisn'tthe
kingofacountry,he'sstillcalled[King],atruehero!Afewguestslike
usshouldn'tbeabother."
"Ifyousayso..."
Iglancebehindus.
Me,Nanahoshi,Ariel,Sylphy,Luke,Roxy,Zanoba,Cliff,andElinalise.
9intotal.
Ithoughtit'sabittoomuch,butfromaroyalperspective,thatshouldbe
nothing.
Forroyalty,guestscomeintens,justusfewcan'tcountformuch.
4/323
4/2/2016
Bytheway,Nornrefusedpolitelybecauseofschoolwork.
Maybeshe'sworriedaboutherpromisetonotslackoffonhersword
trainingandstudiesafterjoiningthestudentcouncil.
Well,ifIreallybroughtheralong,thenI'dhavetobringAishatoo.This
worksjustaswell.
"Perugiussamamaybelivingthequietlife,butaftertheLaplace
campaignhespentsometimeasaguestofAsuraKingdom,asanequal
ofKingAsura.Hewouldbringanentouragenumberinginthetensor
hundredstotheroyalpalace.Someoneofhisstaturewon'tbetroubled
byamere9guests."
"Ah,Isee."
Ariel'scharismaticvoiceispleasingtotheear.
Anyonewouldbebotheredtohaveguestsarriveunannounced,but
hearingthisfromAriel,maybeitisn'tthatbigofadeal.
"...Ifhegottiredofthecourtlife,maybehegottiredofgueststoo."
"Maybe.Butifthat'sreallythecase,thenNanahoshisamaprobably
won'tallowmetocomealong."
"Idon'tthinkNanahoshiisthekindofpersonthatworriesoverthese
things."
Speakingofthat,IrecallhowArielendedupcomingalong.
Backthen,hearingNanahoshimentionPerugius,Icouldn'tcontainmy
excitement.
TheArmoredDragonKingPerugius.
EvenIhaveheardofthatnamebefore.
NotlongafterIcametothisworld,Ireadabouthiminabook.
400yearsago,aherooftheLaplaceCampaign.
5/323
4/2/2016
Initwritesthathecontrols12familiars,rebuilttheancientskycastle,
andchallengedLaplacewithhiscompanions.
AfterLaplacewassealed,astributetohisexploits,theneweraisnamed
"ArmoredDragonera"inhishonor.
ArmoredDragonKingPerugiusdidnotbecomeheadofacountry,rather
hesitsafloatSkyCastle[ChaosBreaker]andtravelstheworld.
OfcourseI'mexcitedtomeetsomeoneofthatcaliber.
Nomatterwhat,acastleinthesky!
Laputaho![1]
Ioughttobebusywithresearchandchildrearing.
ButIstillwanttogo.
Evenifonlyonce.
I'msorry,Lucy.Papa'scuriositygotthebetterofhim.
ButPapawilldefinitelybringsomethingbackforyou!
Sylphy'sconcernswerethecompleteoppositeofmyselfishself.
SheaskedNanahoshi.
"CanArielsamacomealongaswell?"
"Ariel?"
Nanahoshilookedtroubled.
Arielhassolicitedheronmanyoccasions.
NanahoshiwieldstremendousinfluencewithinAsuraandRanoa
kingdoms,soArielhaslongsoughttobringherintohercircle.
ButNanahoshiwantstoavoidentanglementwiththisworld.Thatwould
justbeabother.
6/323
4/2/2016
"Yes.Perugiussamamayhavelivedinseclusionforalongtime,buthis
namestillholdspivotalweightwithinAsuracourt.Arielsama,she...
lookingtowardsthefuture,I'msureshewouldwanttomeetsomeone
likehim."
Arielhasconnectionsallovertheplace.
AllpreparationstoonedaytakeovertheAsurathrone.
Itwouldbeatoughfight,possiblyanimpossibleone.
Idon'tknowAriel'splansaftershegraduatesinayear.
Willshecontinuetogatherstrengthhere,orwillsheheadbacktoAsura
forafighttothedeath?
Aslongasitdoesn'tendangermyfamily,I'dgiveherahand.
Butherpositionthereisstilluncertain.
Tobehonest,Idon'twanttoinvolvemyselfinthatmesseither,butIdo
genuinelywanttooffersupportformywife.
However,Arieldoesn'tseemtoplantobringSylphybacktoAsura
Kingdom.
Sylphyhasakidnow,soIdoubtsheplanstoleaveLucybehindfor
somethingsorisky.
Still,Idoubtshe'sreadyforgoodbyesyet,andhasbeengivingherallfor
Ariel'ssakerightnow.
Thisisprobablyoneofthosecases.
Inthebattleforthethrone,connectionsareeverything.
Particularly,ifshecanobtainthebackingofArmoredDragonKing
Perugius,heroofAsuraKingdom,thenherpathforthethronewould
surelybeeasier.
"Well,Ihavebeeninyourcare.That'sfine,bringher."
7/323
4/2/2016
Ithoughtforsurethatshewouldrefuse,butNanahoshiokaysit.
AfterwardsIheardthatwhileIwasaway,Nanahoshigotalotofhelp
fromSylphy.
Bringinghermeals,helpwithshopping,castingdetoxificationmagic
whenshegotsick.
AlthoughshestoppedafterLucywasborn,sheusedtocomebyoften
forbaths.
"Really?Thankyouverymuch!I'msureArielsamawouldbe
pleased..."
Sylphyclenchedherfistandbrightlysmiled.
Asaresult,ArielandLukejoinedthepartyaswell.
SylphysaidArielwasunusuallyexcitedaboutthis.
Nomattertheirstation,everyonereactsthesamewaywhenmeeting
someonesofamousfacetoface.
I'mexcitedtoo.
He'stherealdeal,agenuinehero.
Hopefullyhe'seasytogetalongwith.
...Speakingofwhich,Ijustremembered.
Alongtimeago,IdidmeetoneofPerugius'ssubordinates.
JustbeforetheMetastasisEvent.
ImetwithArumanfioftheBright.
IfIrecall,backthenhesuspectedmeasthepersonbehindtheMetastasis
Eventandattackedme.
8/323
4/2/2016
Ghyslainewasabletotalkhimdown.Hedoesn'tseemlikeabadperson,
buthedidtrytokillmeonce.
Thatmakesmenervous.
No,noreasonforthemastertobedangerousjustbecausehis
subordinatewas.
Besides,ifPerugiussamahaddetectedtheMetastasiseventandwanted
tostopit...
Thenhedeservespraiseforactingonhisowninitiative.
ButifIwaskilledbackthen...
Forgetit,what'sdoneisdone.
Waterunderthebridge.
Forourinitialgreetings,Ishouldn'tbelookingtofight.
Forgiveandforget.
"We'rehere."
WhileIwasworryingoverthesethings,Nanahoshistoppedatthecenter
oftheruins.
Middleofnowhere.
DespitewhatIthink,iflookcarefully,onthegroundrestsastoolsized
stone.
Astonemonument.
Monumentof"SevenGreatMajorPowers."
Thefaintlightthatextrudesfromithintsattheterrifyingpowersofthe
namesengravedthere.
Seemsliketheseareeverywhere,evenhere.
"Nowwhat?"
"Wecallhim."
9/323
4/2/2016
Havingsaidthat,Nanahoshidropsherbaggageandtakesoutagolden
flute.
Notafingerholeonit,somoreproperlyawhistle.
Nanahoshiplaceditagainstherlipsandblew.
Fuu!
Nowhistling.
Justthesoundofblowingair.
Maybeadogwhistle?
"Nosound?"
Cliffexclaimed.
"Humanscan'thearit.Justwait,he'llbeheresoon."
Havingsaidthat,Nanahoshisatonarockbesidesher.
Asoundhumanscan'thear.
YetitcanreachPerugius.
Thatshouldbeimpossibleinnormalcircumstances.
Inotherword,thatfluteisamagicitemtoo.
"Cliff."
SuddenlyElinaliseyelledatCliffwithastraightface.
10/323
4/2/2016
"Whatisit?"
"Whilewe'restillhereIhavetosaythis.Wherewe'regoingisn'taplace
tojokearoundat.Remembertowatchyourmouth."
"...Igetit.Iamnotakidanymore."
Cliffpoutslikeakidthatjustgotlectured.
ThenElinalisepressesherselfagainstCliff,whisperingintohisears.
Cliffseemstohavecalmeddown,probablysomesweetnothingsasan
apology.
"Whatsortsofstatueswillacastleintheskyhave,Ican'twaittofind
out!"
Zanobaishisusualself.
OncesettotovisitPerugius,heimmediatelystartedtosay[Well,let's
bringsomeofourresultstoshowPerugiussama]andpackedupthe
RuijerdthatImadeandotherfiguresintohisluggage.
Idoubtthere'sanopportunity,butheprobablywantstodosome
promotinglikeIoncedidwithBadigadi.
Trulyenthusiasticforhiswork.
Bytheway,Gingerisn'there.
Zanobaorderedhertoprotectmyfamily.
EventhoughGingerobviouslywantedtocomealong.
Well,formethemoreprotectionforthemthebetter,soonemoredoesn't
hurt.
Butit'snotlikeI'mtakingalongleaveofabsenceeither.
11/323
4/2/2016
"Don'talwayspushyourhobbiesontoothers.Afterall,thatguyisover
400yearsoldalready."
"Hahaha,isn'tBadigadisamaevenolder?Theoldertheyare,themore
theycanappreciatethecraftsmanshipofShisho'sfigures."
"Oh...Really?"
Farinthesky,somethingisshining.
"He'shere."
JustasNanahoshisaid.
Heappears.
Literally,inatwinkleofaneye,hesuddenlyappears.
Goldenhair,abuttonedup,whiteoutfitlikeastudent'suniform.
Probablyahandsomefacehiddenbehindthatyellowmask.
Themaskintheshapeofafox.
Alargedaggerhangsdownhiswaist.
"ArumanfioftheBright,present."
Trulyabrupt.Feelslikehejustmaterializedinthecenterofus.
Iguessheflew?
Atthespeedoflight,heflewallthewayfromthecastleinthesky.
JustthewayheshowedupwhentheFedoaRegiondisappeared.
"..."
12/323
4/2/2016
Abruptly,Arumanfiturnstowardsme.
Doesherememberme?
I'mscaredhe'sgoingtoattackmeagain.
SecretlyIopenmydemoneyeandgripmystaff.
ButArumanfidoesn'tseemtorememberme.
Insteadofme,hewalksbeforeNanahoshi.
"...Todayyou'vebroughtalotofpeople."
Arumanfilooksaroundhim,ashesaidtoNanahoshi
Nanahoshisaid[Oh]asshenods.
"It'sfine,right?Aslongasunder12people."
"Thenumberdoesn'tmatter,however..."
ArumanfilookstowardsRoxy.
"NoMagicRace."
"Eh,Wwhy?"
Roxylookslikeacatwithwaterpouredoverit.
"IntheSkyCastle,MagicRacearenotallowed."
"Iisthatso."
13/323
4/2/2016
Roxysunken,hershouldersdroop.
PerugiuswagedbattlesagainsttheMagicRaceduringtheLaplace
Campaign.
Can'tbehelpedifsomeprejudicetowardstheMagicRaceremains.
"Nomatterwhat?"
"Perugiussamaiskind,buthehatestheMagicRace."
Ihaveforgotten,sincethisareadoesn'tsharemuchprejudiceagainstthe
MagicRace,buthatredtowardsthemstillrunsdeep.
Perugiusmaybeapersonoflegends,buthe'salsoawitnesstowar.
PerhapslikeRuijerd,hehasmemoriesthatcan'tbeerasedofthose
battles.
ButonlyRoxyisleftout,Ifeelbadforher.
"No,it'sfine.Inthatcase,I'llstayhome.SinceIwasalittlescaredof
meetingPerugius...samaaswell.Istillhaveschoolworktodo,sojust
aswell."
Hershouldersdrooped,aflatrefusal.
Butlookingcarefully,Iseesomelingeringregrets.
Sheturnstomewithaforcedsmile.
"Rudi,I'lltakecareofthehouse."
"Okay.I'llmakesuretobringsomegiftsback..."
"Don'tworryaboutthat,justakissisfine."
14/323
4/2/2016
That,Idoimmediately.
Awholetenseconds,Roxy'sheartraces,myATOMICBAZOOKA
engaged,itsnuclearwarheadloaded,fire![2]
"Thanks."
"No,thepleasureismine."
Stillalittleupset,butwithherfacered,Roxybacksawaywithaslight
smile.
IwillshowerherwithaffectionwhenIgetback.
"Done,areyou?"
ArumanfiapproachesusasRoxyandIsayourgoodbyes.
Hehandsmesomethinglikeabaton.
Iturnaroundtolook,seemseveryoneelseisholdingasimilarone.
"Holdthis."
Itakeitandfollowhisinstructions.
Agoldenbatonaround20CMinlength,someintricatepatterns
engravedonitssurface.
Magiccrystalsnestedontopandbottom.
Anothermagicitem?
"Nowwhat?"
"Justholdstill.Perugiussamawilluseteleportationmagictobringyou
totheSkyCastle."
15/323
4/2/2016
Ah,teleportationmagic,sothisisamagicitemforthat.
Sothisexistsaswell.
Howconvenient.
Eh?Ithoughthumanscannotbesummoned..?
No,thisisteleportation.
What'sthedifference?
UsethisbatontoteleportovertotheSkyCastle,isthathowitworks?
"Ah,whataboutthereturntrip?"
"Thewayback,somethingsimilar."
Arumanfirepliesasamatteroffact.
Inthatcase,thenitcanbedone.
IfIhavetowalkhome,bythenLucywouldhavegrownupalready.
Ifeelreassuredwiththatsaid.
"Everyonegotit?Holdontight."
Nanahoshinodsaftercheckinguponeveryoneandconfirmswith
Arumanfi.
"Justamoment."
Arumanfinodsanddisappearsinthelight.
ReportingbacktoPerugiusthatthepreparationsareready,Isuppose.
16/323
4/2/2016
"...Thisiskindofexciting."
"Indeed."
ArielandSylphybanter.
Itiskindofexciting.
AwrysmilefromLuke.
Say,withteleportation.
Ifitfails,wherewouldweendup?
Kindofscary.
EvensomeoneaspowerfulasPerugiuscouldmakeamistake.Afterall,
he'sonlyhuman.
"...Oh?"
WhileIwasthinkingaboutit,Isuddenlyfeelheatcomingfromthe
baton.
Feelslikemypalmisgettingsuckedinbyit.
WhathappensifIletgorightnow?
Woulditfail?
Butforthistohappenallofasudden,somepeoplewouldletgoby
instinctright...
"Eh?"
Ilookaround.
Everyone'sgone.
17/323
4/2/2016
No,IcaughtthemomentwhenSylphydisappeared.
OnlyRoxyandIremain.
Eh?
Theyleftwithoutme?
Atthatmoment,myconsciousfellintothebaton.
Part2
WhenIcameto,Ifindmyselfflyinginacompletelywhiteworld.
Nothingatall,acompletelywhitespace.
Ifeelmyselfflyingtowardssomethinginthedistance.
Likeafishhookedonapoweredfishingpole.
SomedistancebeforemeIseeSylphyreelingtowardsthesamelocation.
Sothat'swhatbeingsummonedfeelslike.
Speakingofwhich,thisspace.
FeelslikeIhavebeenherebefore.
Ah,whenwasit?
Ohyeah,Hitogami.
Itfeelsalittlevague,butthislooksjustlikewhenHitogamiappearsin
mydreams.
Theonlyexception,ismybodyisn'tfrommypreviouslife.
Likerunninginamarathon,Ikeepflyingthatway.
18/323
4/2/2016
Then,lightappearsbeforeme.
Thelightoutlinesasophisticatedmagiccircle,whichsuckedmein.
Part3
Returningtomysenses,Istandgrounded.
"Ha!"
Likewakingupfromadream.
DidIloseconsciousness?
No,notatall.
Ireallywasflyingthroughaspaceofnothingness.
"Sothisis...Perugius'steleportationmagic."
Whatastrangesensation.
But,Ihaveexperiencedsomethingsimilaroncebefore.
TheMetastasisEvent.
Backthen,itfeltlikeflyingintheairaswell.
Well,there'sonedifferencefromthen.
Asenseofassurance.
IftheMetastasisEventisjumpingoutofaspeedingcar,thenthisislike
ridingataxi.
Afeelingofsafetravels.
19/323
4/2/2016
"...Thisfeelsfamiliar."
Sylphymurmurssoftly.
Ah,shefeltitaswell.
"Yeah."
IlookaroundasIreplied.
Ariel,Luke,Zanoba,Cliff,Elinalise,andNanahoshi.
EveryonebutNanahoshiandElinaliselookbaffled.
Regardless,everyonearrivedsafely.
"Whatanincrediblylargemagiccircle..."
Cliff,speakingtohimself.
FinallyInoticedmysurroundings.
Westandaboveagiantmagiccircle.
Maybe10metersradius.
Carveddirectlyfromamarblelikefloor,withwatergushingthroughout.
Faintlightshonefromthewater.Somekindofmagic.
Thewateraside,Ihaveseentheselightsbefore,exactlythesameas
whenweteleportedtotheBegarittoContinent.
Inotherwords,anothertypeofTeleportMagicCircle.
Thisbatonandthatwatermagiccircle.Looksliketeleportationmagic
requiresallsortofpreparations.
"Wow..."
20/323
4/2/2016
Stealingmyattention,farbehindthemagiccircle...
Sitsagiganticcastle.
Tallerthana50floorskyscraper.
Widetoo,notlanky,butfullframeandsturdy.
Notunlikeamoviebackdropwithoutgoingintocheck.
Evenwithmemoryfrommypastlife,Ican'trecallabuildingofthis
size.
LikebuildingacastleatopoftheTokyoDome.
Thisisthecastleinthesky?
AlthoughIsawitfromthegroundbefore...tothinkit'sinrealitythat
huge.
No,ofcourse,consideringthepresenceofitjustfromadistance.
"Incredible,it'sevenbiggerthantheAsurapalace!"
HearingSylphy'svoice,Ilookeddown.
Infrontofthecastleisanequallylargegarden.
Treesofallkindsandflowersofallcolorsplantedeverywherelikea
maze.
Beforethegardenasmallrivershiningunderthesun.
Evenfromafar,it'seasytoseehowmanicuredthegardenis.
"RRudi...Lookback."
"Oh?"
21/323
4/2/2016
IturnbackasSylphyinstructed.
Outofthemagiccircle,behindagoldenfence.
Aseaofcloudsextendsineverydirection.
"Clouds..."
Inmypastlife,Irodeanairplaneonceduringelementaryschool.
Whatliesbeforeuslooksjustlikethat.
But,toseeitwithmyowneyes,withoutawindowobstructingus,that's
afirstformetoo.
Whyiswatchingthecloudsfromabovesuchamovingexperience?
Thismustbewhymountaineersclimbmountains.
"..."
CliffandLukewerestunned,theirmouthopeneartoear.
Arieltoo,hereyeswide,lookingtowardstheopensky.
Ascenerythattakesyourbreathaway.
Itcan'tbehelped.
Noairplanesinthisworld,noconceptofmountainclimbingeither.
Nochanceofeverexperiencingascenelikethis.
Suddenly,Sylphygrabsmebythehem.
"Ugh...Idon'tdowellinhighplaces."
22/323
4/2/2016
Ilookdown,Sylphy'slegshavegivenout.
Ifyouknew,whydidyoucomeinthefirstplace?
Suchahardworker.
Well,ifshecouldn'twalkanymore,thenIcancarryherover.
"SkyCastle[ChaosBreaker],iseveryoneenjoyingtheview?"
Suddenlyanunfamiliarvoicerangbehindus.
Ilookbackinahurry,afemalefigurestandsbeforeus.
Likeastatue,justoutsideofthemagiccircle.
Hernearwhite,goldenhairdrapesdownhershoulders,wearingawhite
maskofabird.
Can'tbesureifshe'shumanornot,butherfigurelooksfemale.
Shewearsagownlikewhiterobe,holdingamagicstaff.
Thestaffcarriesamagicstone,opaqueanddark.
Withoutadoubt,aparticularlyexpensiveone.
Inmyopinion,noteverythingisaboutmoney,butthat'sdefinitely
somethingexpensive.
Evenmoreexpensivethanmypreciousstaff.
What'sexceptionalaboutherisn'thergownorstaff.
Butwhat'sbehindher.
Startlingly,fromherbackgrowsapairofjetblackwings.
"AHeavenRace...?"
23/323
4/2/2016
Thatpairofwingsholdanoverwhelmingpresence.
Despitethat,herpersonisthatofeeriecalm,hidingherpresence.
Afemalethatgivesoutastrangesensation.
Shequicklybowsherheadonceweexchangedaglance.
"Everyone,it'sanhonorforyoutocome."
Howwellmannered.
Evenwithsomeoneasignorantofetiquetteasmecantellthather
movementiswellpracticed.
"IamthefirstFamiliarofPerugiussama,SylvariloftheVoid.Please
allowmetoleadeveryonetowardsSkyCastle[ChaosBreaker]."
"GuardianKnightoftheSecondPrincessofAsuraKingdom,Luke
NotosGreyratatyourservice.It'sanhonortobeatyourpresence.I'llbe
inyourcare."
Lukereturnsthegreeting.
HestandsbeforeAriel,flashingagentlesmiletowardsthewoman
namedSylvaril.
Sylvarilisn'tparticularlytallorshort,butsheshouldstillbewithinhis
strikerange.
No,no.
That'snotwhathemeans,thisisjustcourtesy.
"ThisistheSecondPrincessofAsuraKingdom,ArielAnemoiAsura."
WithLuke'sintroduction,holdingherskirt,Arielcurtsey.
24/323
4/2/2016
Alsoapracticedmotion.
NotsomethingIcouldlearn.
Afterwards,eachofusmakeourselfintroduction.
CliffandZanobabothmadetheirgreetingsgracefully.
Perhapsamongthepeoplehere,Iknowtheleastofetiquette.
"Oh,everyone,it'sanhonor."
Althoughherthoughtsareopaque,heractionshavebeencourteoustous.
Finally,Nanahoshianswershercasually.
"Beenawhile,Sylvarilsan."
"Em,youtoo,Nanahoshisama...areyoufeelingwell?"
"Justaslightdiscomfort."
Onlyashortconversationbetweenthem.
Buttheyseemcomfortablewitheachother,soit'sprobablyfine.
"Then,thiswayplease."
Sylvarilturnsandstartswalkingforward,withoutasound.
Herheadalmostwithoutanybobble.Withherlegscoveredinthegown,
shemoveslikeaghost.
Nanahoshifollowsbehindwithoutanyconcern.
Weexchangeaglanceandfollow.
25/323
4/2/2016
Part4
Sylvariladvancesstraightthroughthegarden.
Infrontahugesetofdoors.
Ratherthandoors,they'remoreliketheArcdeTriomphe.
Standinginfrontofit,Zanobasayswithsomethingwithahushedawe.
"Wow,whatanincrediblerelief."
Althoughuninterestedineverythingbutfigures,Zanobastillrecognizes
artwhenheseesit.Perhapstherearesomethingsincommonhere.
Icouldnottellatallwhethertheseengravingsaregoodorbad.Butif
Zanobasaysso,thenitmustbequiteoutstanding.
Afterall,somethingthat'snotafiguremanagedtotakehisbreathaway.
Payingmoreattentionnowthathementionedit,theyareindeedquite
beautiful.
AdoorwayliketheArcdeTriomphe,eventheinterioriscoveredin
intricaterelief.
Nomatterwhat,withallthesedelicatepatternsallover,youcan'thelp
butlookup.
Walkingandlooking,IheardSylvarilexplainingfromthefront.
"ThisarcishandmadebytheDarkDragonKingMaxwell.Maxwell
samaspecializesinthissortofcraftsmanshipandmagicalconstruction.
HisextantworkisalsoavailablewithinthepalaceofHolyMilis
Kingdom"
"Ohhhhhh!"
26/323
4/2/2016
Zanobasuddenlyshouts.
Sylvarilturnsaroundinconfusion.
"Isthereaproblem?"
"Wwell!WhereisMaxwellsamapresently?"
Zanobastaresexcitedlyataparticularcorner.He'strembling.
What'soverthere?
ButIreallyhavenoideawhat'shelookingat.
"DarkDragonKingMaxwellsamawanderstheworld.Ifhe'sstillalive,
heisprobablystillwanderingsomewhere."
"Iisthatso,suchanamazingperson...yet..yet.."
Zanobacan'tcontainhisexcitement.
Well,Zanobanevercouldcontainhisexcitement.
"Maywecontinue?"
"Oh,ohyeah.I'mverysorry.Itwasjusttoobeautifultopassup."
"Isthatso.Onceyouenterthecastle,there'replentyotheroutstanding
workstoo.We'llbehappytosatisfyyou."
Finishinginagentletone,Sylvarilmovesahead.
She'sprobablysmilingunderthatmask.
Atthesametime,Zanobarushesoverbesidesme.
Heshoveshismouthnearmyearandquietlyasks.
27/323
4/2/2016
"Shisho,didyousee?"
"Eh?"
"Hugediscovery!Fortunatethatwecame.Ireallyneedtoproperlythank
Nanahoshiforthis."
Ahugediscovery?
SeemslikeZanobaandIpayattentiondifferently.
"I'msorry.Icouldn'tfigureoutwhatyoudiscovered.Canyouproperly
explainittomewhenwehavethetime?"
Zanobalooksvisiblydisappointed,hearingthatfromme.
"What?Shishodidn'tnotice?"
Zanobaretreatsbackafewsteps.
I'msorry!I'mnotasgoodasyouwhenitcometoappraisingthisstuff.
"Mm?"
Aswepassthedoor,InoticedsomewhiteparticlescomingfromSylphy
beforeme.
"Eh?"
Sylvarilstops,turningaroundtolookatSylphyandme.
Althoughhiddenbehindhermask,Icanfeelthemoodshiftbeneathit
suddenly.
28/323
4/2/2016
Rather,maybeit'sus.
"Iisthereaproblem?"
IhesitantlyaskSylvaril.
LasttimeArumanfiabruptlyattacked.
Idon'twantthattohappenagain.
Ifthat'spossible,thenIreallyhopewecantalkitoutandavoida
misunderstanding.
Evenifitisn't,andsomethingbadreallydoeshappen,atleastweshould
retreatassoonaspossible.
AlthoughIhavesomequestionsforPerugius,butI'drathergohome
ratherthanlookforafight.
"No.It'snothingparticular.Therearequiteafewpeoplelikeyouon
earth."
"Isthatso?"
Whatdoesshemeanbypeoplelikeus?
Makesmenervous.
Don'ttellmewewouldbetrappedassoonweenterthecastle?
Ishouldkeepmydemoneyeopen.
"However,mayIaskyoutwosomething?"
"Goahead."
"Hitogami,haveyouheardthatnamebefore?"
29/323
4/2/2016
Itriedhardtonotshowareaction.
Hitogami.
HearingthatsuddenlyremindsmeofOrsted.
Lasttime,Orstedaskedthesamequestion.WhenIanswered,henearly
killedme.
Idon'twantthattohappenagain.
Ihesitated.
IfIanswertruthfully,it'dspelltroubleifsheturnhostile.
Indeed,Hitogamihasbeenplayingmeinthepalmofhishands,andhe
hashelpedme.
Ineverplannedtobehisunderling,butIalsorealizethatI'mbecoming
thatsortofthing.
"No,notatall."
SylphyshakesherheadwhileIhesitate.
"Then,whenyouhearthatname,doyoufeelanunspeakableangeror
murderousintent?"
Sylphyshakesherheadinsilence.
Iaswell.
ButIcansensewhatthatquestionisabout.
Orstedgivesoutthatkindoffeeling.
Toknowsuchthings,maybeOrstedandPerugiusarerivals?
I'mnotsure.
30/323
4/2/2016
"Inthatcase,theneverythingisfine."
Withthatsaid,Sylvarilstartstowalkagain.
Part5
TheSkyCastle[ChaosBreaker].
Despiteitsname,theonlywordthatcanproperlydescribeitisstunning.
Ican'timaginehowsuchahugestructurewasconstructed.
However,despiteitssize,everycornerhasbeendecoratedwithexquisite
statues,andeverystatuemademeticulouslybymastercraftsmen.
Notjustontheoutside.
Theinsideiscoveredbygoldenembroideredcarpeting,paintingsline
thewalls,andeachsideisdecoratedwithexpensiveartworkand
sculptures.
Zanobawillspeaknonstop,lookingatthisandthat,[Thissculptureis
obviouslyoutoftheGanonschool.Coulditbebythemasterhimself?]
[Theoriginalriderstatue?Toseethisinperson,whatanhonor!]He
lookstrulyhappy.
OriginallySylvarilandArielwouldrespond,buttheysoongotworn
downbyhimandsimplysmilewearily.
Usuallytherewouldbeasecondbothersomeperson.
YetwhenIlookatCliff,helookspainfullytense.
Hiseyesarewide,buthe'skeepinghismouthshutunlessbeingasked
otherwise.
Elinalisebesideshim,holdinghishandlikeamomandkeepinghim
movingalong.
31/323
4/2/2016
Well,thisisfine.Ifthosetwostartchatteringit'dberathernoisy.
"Theaudienceroomisjustbeforeus."
Attheendofthehallway,Sylvarilstopsbeforeapairofdoors.
Aheavydoor,dottedwithsilver,withadragonpaintedoneachside.
Allinall,ittookalmostanhourforustoreachherefromthemagic
circle.
Suchalargeplaceiskindofapaintoo.
Asegwaywouldbenice.
"AlthoughPerugiusisgenerous,pleaseobserveproperetiquette."
Havingsaidthat,Sylvarilplacesahandonthedoor.
Noknocking?
"Excuseus,butwe'restillinourtravelwear!Wouldn'tthatbe
inappropriate?"
Arielhurriedlyasks.
Nowthatshementionsit,don'ttheyusuallybringthegueststothe
receptionroomfirstinthesesituations?
Changeintoproperformalwear,geteverythingsetbeforeinitial
greetings.
IrecalldoingthatwhenmeetingwithKingShirone.
ButIdidn'thaveanyformalwearofsorts,soIendedupwearingmyold
shabbyrobeslikeusual.
Ohno,Ineverthoughtaboutthisbefore,sothatwasanaudience.
32/323
4/2/2016
Ishouldhavebroughtaformalwear.
"Perugiussamadoesn'tcareaboutthedresscode.Rather,hereally
dislikestheoldfashionformalitiesatAsuraKingdom.Inmyopinion,
ratherthanchangingintentionally,keepwhatyouhaveon,andyou'll
leaveabetterimpressionwithmaster."
Hearingthat,Arielshuthermouth.
Maybesomethinghappenedbackthen.
Like,thereasonPerugiusleftfortheSkyCastlewasthathegotbullied
byKingAsuraorsomething.
"Well,mayweatleastputasideourcoatsandluggage?"
"Iunderstand,pleasecomethisway."
HearingwhatamountedtobeggingfromAriel,Sylvarilconsentsand
nods.
Walkingawayfromthebigdoor,sheopensaroomontheside.
Roughlythesizeofmybedroom.
Comparedtotherestofthecastleit'srelativelysmallandplain,buteven
thetable,cabinet,andclothingracksareitemsofhighquality.
"Thankyouverymuch."
"Perugiussamaiswaiting.Pleasehurry."
Withthatsaid,Sylvarilclosedthedoor.
Confirmingthat,Arielremovesherovercoat.
33/323
4/2/2016
Lukeimmediatelywentovertotakeitfromher,andSylphytakesouta
haircombandbeginstocombAriel'shair.
Atthesametime,Zanobaputawayhisovercoatintheclothingrackand
putonanewonetowear.
ElinalisebusiesherselfinspectingCliff'shairandoutfit.
Idustoffmyoutfitandstraightenmyshirt.
Nothingformal...Whatyouwearisn'timportant,sincerityis.
Casualweardoesn'tmeanwecanjustwearwhatever.
Bytheway,Nanahoshiisn'tdoinganything.
Atmostshejuststraightenedherbangs.
Say,todayshe'sinuniformtoo.
Doesshereallyhateclothingfromthisworldthatmuch?
"Allset."
FinallySylphyremoveshersunglasses.Everyone'sreadytogo.
Allinall,nomorethan10minuteshavepassed.
Despitethat,Ariellooksalmostlikeadifferentperson.
Shehasbearingstobeginwith,butnowshejustexudeselegance.
Perhapsasroyalty,shehasspentalongtimehoningtheskillstobecome
beautiful.
"Sorryforthewait."
"Oh.Thisway."
Sylvarilreceivesthesignalfromoutside.
34/323
4/2/2016
Likenothinghappened,sheheadsbackbeforethepreviousdoor.
Giantdoorspaintedwithdragons.
BehinditwaitsPerugius.
Realizingthat,Istarttofeelnervous.
"Phew..."
Beforethedoorsopen,IheardArieltakingadeepbreath.
Chapter2AudiencewithPerugius
Part1
Seatedonhisthrone,themanwithanoverwhelmingoppressive
presence.
Gleamingwhitehair.
Sanpakueyeswithgoldenpupils.
Nobilityradiatesfromhisentirebody.
Aking.
HeisArmoredDragonKingPerugius.
Withasingleglancemylegstremble.
Iknowthereason.
Because,Orstedlookslikethatman.
Neverforget.
Thewhitehairedmanthatkilledme.
35/323
4/2/2016
Nomattertheirhairorfacialfeaturesorstyleofdress,Perugiusandhim
differ.
Buttheyfeelthesame.
JustlikeOrsted.
"Comeforward."
UrgedbySylvaril,Nanahoshistepsforth.
Matchingher,Arielfollowsclosebehind.
IfollowlikeI'mtryingtohidebehindthem.
Thisisanenormoushall.
Tallceilings,supportedbytreelikepillars.
Lookingup,lightradiatesdownfromabove.
Luxurious,brilliant.
Plus,hangingfromthewallsarecurtainsofcomplexpatterns.
ProductsfromAsuratoHolyMilis,fromthecommontothenever
beforeseen,alittlebitofeverything.
Oneachsideoftheredcarpetunderourfeet,11menandwomenstand
inattention.
"..."
They'reallcladinwhite.
Eachadifferentdesign,butallthesamecolor.
Allwhite.
36/323
4/2/2016
Thentherearethemasks.
Everyone'swearingmasks.
Noneoftheirmasksarethesame.
Someinformofanimals.
Oneseemstobemissinganeye,sothemaskcoversonlytheeye.
AnotherlookslikethehelmetfromRobocop,likeitwasmadeoutofthe
samemold.
Theymustbethefamed12FamiliarsofPerugius.
DespitebeingFamiliars,theyalllookhumanoid.
Longago,ArumanfiandGhyslainefoughtinastalemate.
Inotherwords,thetwelveofthemincludingSylvarilhavestrengthequal
tothatofaSwordKing.
Ireallydon'twanttomakeenemiesoutofthesepeople.
IreallyneedtobecarefulwithwhatIsayfromnowon.
"Stophere."
HearingSylvarilsayso,Nanahoshistops.
"..."
Ameretenstepsfromthethronetwolevelsaboveus.
Perugiusobservesuswithoutsayingaword.
Rather,observingme.
37/323
4/2/2016
Icanfeelhislineofsight.
Scary.
SylvarilwalksslowlynexttoPerugius,standinginattentiontohisright.
Sylvarilontheright,Arumanfionhisleft.
Then,asiftosurroundus,5oneachside.
Slowly,Perugiusspeaks.
"IamArmoredDragonKingPerugiusDola."
CaptainDola!
No,no.
NothingtodowithCastleintheSky.
"Longtimenosee,Perugiussama.Aspromised,Ihavereturned."
Nanahoshibows.
Howunusualtospeakinhonorifics.
SuddenlyIrealizethatArielisalsoinabow.
LukeandSylphybothkneelingwithoneknee.
Hesitatingbriefly,IbowasIusuallydo.
AJapaneseojigi.
"Nanahoshi."
38/323
4/2/2016
Perugius'svoicesendsachilldownmyspine.
Thatvoiceisfullofmajestyandoppression.
Ifeellikeapreyanimal,frozeninterror,myheartstillandmybreath
difficult.
Coldsweatstartsstreamingdown.
Terrifying.
Trulythefeelingofaking.
"Youhavereturned.Inotherwords,youfoundaclueonhowtoconduct
summoningfromanotherworld?"
"Yes.However,Idon'tknowiftheresultsmatchyourexpectations."
"Results...SearchingforknowledgeisthefateoftheDragonRace."
DragonRace,sohe'sfromtheDragonRace.
Ihaven'tnoticeduntilnow,butthatmakessense.
DragonGodandtheArmoredDragonKing.
Neitherofthemarehuman,butratherDragonRace.
Theylooksimilarbecausethey'refromthesamerace.
NanahoshirespondstoPerugiuswithouthesitation.
Perugiusdoesn'tseemtoholdanyanimosityagainstNanahoshi.
Acourteousfriendship.
Hemaylivesecludedinacastlelikethis,butIguessheisn'tparanoid.
"Ihopeaspromised,you'llteachmeyourknowledgeofthisworld's
summoningmagic."
"Em,that'sfine."
39/323
4/2/2016
LookslikeNanahoshiandPerugiushaveanunderstanding.
Nanahoshiwillresearchsummoningfromanotherworld,andsharethe
resultswithPerugius.
Andinreturn,Perugiuswillteachhertheessencebehindthisworld's
summoningmagic.
Somethinglikethat.
"Speakingofwhich,youbroughtquiteagrouphere.Whyarethey
here?"
"Yes.Theyassistinmyresearch.Asreward,theywishedtomeet
Perugiussama."
"Oh."
Perugiussighsoutofboredom.
Callingitarewardfeltalittleinappropriate,butitwasn'talie.
"Pleasedtomeetyou."
Arielstepsforward.
"IamArielAnemoiAsura,SecondPrincessofAsuraKingdom.It'san
honortofinallymeetyouinperson,yourmajesty."
"ArielAnemoiAsura,huh?"
"Pleasedtomakeyouracquaintance."
Perugiussighsloudly.
40/323
4/2/2016
"I'maware.Refusingtoadmitdefeatafterlosinganuglyfightforthe
Asurathrone,goingasfarastryingtogeteveryonearoundyouinvolved
inthemudflinging,thatstupidprincess."
Lukeraiseshishead.
But,Ariellooksunshaken.
"That'sabitharsh."
AsexpectedofAriel.
Withagentlesmile,shemaintainseyecontactwithPerugius.
"Cominghere,youwanttofindoutwhetherI'lllendyouahand?"
"No,Ijustwanttowitnesstheworldfamousheroinperson."
"Yourschemeisobvious,ArielAnemoiAsura."
Asalways,Ariel'svoiceisfullofcharisma.
Butlookingclosely,shedoesn'tlooksogood.Coldsweatbeadeddown
herface.Havingherplanexposed,leavingabadimpression,herrhythm
hasbeenupset.
SeeingAriellikethis,Perugiussmilesalittle.
Asmileforascoldedchild.
"However,sinceyou'rehere,thattooisfate.Taketheopportunity.Ishall
allowyoutoremaininmycastle."
"Tthankyouverymuch."
Arieltakesabowandstepsback.
41/323
4/2/2016
Heranxietyeased,butdidnotcompletelydisappear.
Part2
"Next,andyou?"
PerugiusturnshisattentiontomeafterArielstepsback.
AsifmystatuswassecondonlytoAriel.
Thinkingofthis,Isneakedapeekbehindme.
Zanoba,Cliff,andElinalise.
Allkneelingonthefloor.
OnlyNanahoshi,Ariel,andIwereleftstanding.
Nowonderhehasbeenstaringatme.
Iplacedahandonmychest,oncemoretakingabow.
"Nicetomeetyou,I'mRudeusGreyrat."
"RudeusGreyrat."
Perugiusrecitesmyname,chewingoverit.
"Transportingyouoverheretookquiteabitofeffort."
"...?"
"Tobeginwith,thatteleportationmagicisn'tsupposedtoworkon
anyonewithmoremagic."
42/323
4/2/2016
Perugiusexplainsunhappily.
"YourmagicmatchesthatofLaplace.Ifyouseriouslyresist,evenIcan't
teleportyou."
"Isthatso,I'msorryforcausingyoutrouble."
Laplace.
SealedbyPerugius400yearsago,nameoftheDemonGod.
Everyonementionsthatnamewhenevaluatingmymagicpower.
Iguessit'strue.
"Nomatter.However,withthatmuchpowerinyourcommand,don't
eventhinkaboutusingitinsidethiscastle."
"Ofcourse."
Thatfeelslikeawarningshot.
No,heoughttogivemeawarning,justincaseIgoberserk.
Say,butwhy?
Whysovigilanttowardsme?
Ihaveneverbeenthekindtoturnviolentfornoreason.Iwouldn'tgo
berserkifIhave.
...Ah,isthatstillonhismind?
ThatduringtheMetastasisEvent,Arumanfisuddenlytriedtokillme.
IsheworriedthatIstillholdagrudgeoverthat?
Sothat'swhy.Inotherwords,hewantsmetoletthatpass.
43/323
4/2/2016
"Ifit'sabouttheMetastasisEvent,thatdoesn'treallybotherme.So"
"MetastasisEvent?Whatdoyoumean?"
Perugiustiltshishandinconfusion.Arumanfisuddenlyteleportsnextto
him.
Then,hewhisperedsomethinginhisear.
"Ah,nowthatyoumentionit,IdidhearthatduringtheMetastasis
Event,someSwordKingwasprotectingayouththatwascastingmagic
towardsthesky.Areyouhim?"
Soheforgotalready.
AmIdiggingmyowngrave?
Justlikesaid,IdeclarethatI'mnotreallybotheredbythat.
But,Ididn'tdoanythingtooffendthem.
Itshouldbefine?
"IalsoheardthatsomeonedamagedOrsted'shand,someonebythe
nameofRudeusGreyrat."
Heevenknowsaboutthat.
It'snotlikeIreallyhurthim,itwasbarelyascratch.
Ifheknowsthat,doesthatmeanOrstedandPerugiusknoweachother?
OrdidhehearitfromNanahoshi?
Nowait,Nanahoshiprobablymettheownerofthiscastleinthesky
throughOrstedtoo.
"Peopleofyourtalenttendtogrowoverconfident.Don'tgrowarrogant
justbecauseyoumanagedtohurtthatDragonGod.Because,ifyouwant
aduelwithyourstruly,thenpreparetodie!"
44/323
4/2/2016
Assoonashefinishes,killingintentpoursoutfromPerugius.
Comeon.
I'malittleworriedwithhowmenacinghebecame.
Icameheretocollectintelligenceonmother'sillness.Andwithalittle
luck,maybelearnalittlesummoningmagic.
Despitethat,whyishesovigilantagainstme?
...DoeshethinkthatIsomehowfoughtOrstedtoastalemate?
You'rekiddingme.
Itwasaonehandedslaughter.Ijustsneakedashotin.
Ofthe12Familiarspresent.
Althoughit'sonlywhat'swritten,butIstillremembereachoftheir
abilities.
Butreadingaboutacharacterisdifferentfromfightingit.
Besides,numericalsuperioritymattersinafight.
Evenwithoneshotkillzombies,it'soveriftherearetoomanyofthem.
AndtheseareplayersthatmatchupagainstGhyslaine.
WhoknowshowstrongPerugiusis,probablynottooshabby.
Ifwefought,I'madeadman.
Insummary,Ihavenoreasontofight.
"Ofcourse,Iwouldn'tdosomethingasstupidasdefyingPerugius
sama."
"Goodattitude.Ilikesmartkids.Birdsofafeatherflocktogether.Puta
fewsmartkidstogether,andtheycanpusheachotherforward."
45/323
4/2/2016
Inthiscircumstance,smartkidsaretheonesthatdon'tdefyPerugius,I
guess.
Idon'tthinkI'mparticularlysmart,butatleastIknowthatmuch.
"Perugiussama,thisonehere...withhisenormousmagicpower,he
contributedgreatlytomyresearch.He'snotanenemy.So,canyoubea
littlenicer?"
Nanahoshiintervenes.
AsexpectedofNanahoshi.
She'sright.
Don'tbesohostile,benicer.
"Um."
PerugiusnodstoNanahoshi'sadvice.
"ThenIshallbealittlenicer.Nanahoshi'scomrade,whatisyourwish?
Money?Power?"
Perugiusasks,lookingslightlybored.
Soyou'refinallygoingtotreatmeasaguestnow.
Whysoharshtowardyourfirsttimeguests?
AlthoughIhavebeenalittlecareless...
Well,forgetit.
IshouldaskwhatI'mherefor.
46/323
4/2/2016
"Then,Ihaveaquestiontoask."
"Whatisit?"
"Aboutmymother'sillness."
IbegantoexplainthesituationwithZenith.
Part3
"Isee."
AfterexplainingZenith'ssituationandsyndromes,Perugiusnods
heavily.
"IndeedIhaveheardthishappeningbefore,ancientlabyrinthsusinga
capturedpersonasitscore.Asaresult,asthecore,thepersonbeginsto
change.Withoutanexceptiontheylosetheirmemory,butgainsome
mysteriouspower."
"Mysteriouspower?"
"Somecallthemcursedchildren,otherscallthemmiko,thatkindof
power."
Acurse.
Zenithhasbeencursed.
Acursethatpreventsherfromcryingorlaughing.
"Whydoesthathappen?"
"Whoknows.Supposedly,labyrinthsaremagicalcreaturescreatedby
theancientones,intheirpursuitofparadise.Itcanevenlydistribute
magicfromitscoretoitsinhabitants.Thosethatliveinsideitarefree
fromhungerandprosper.AnancientLabyrinthcapturingahuman,in
ordertoincreasethatmagic,isn'tinconceivable."
47/323
4/2/2016
Ancientone'sparadise...freedomfromhunger.
Speakingofwhich,monsterswereeverywhereintheTeleportation
Labyrinth.
Especiallythoseparticularlygluttonousones.
Ihadbeenwonderingwhattheyeattosurvive,sothat'swhy.
No,butRoxysaidshestarvedinsidethelabyrinth.
Soitreallywasn'tdistributingmagicpowertoeveryoneinside.
Orperhaps,monstershavesomemethodofabsorbingmagicfromthin
air?
...Well,itdoesn'tmatterwhatlabyrinthsare.
What'simportantisZenith.
"Doyouknowofawaytocuremother?"
"Idon'tknowanydetails,but..."
Perugiuslooksbehindmeashespeaks.
"Apersonthatsurvivedasimilarcircumstance,buthealthyandliving,
wouldn'tsomeonelikeherknowmoredetails?"
PerugiuslookstowardsthatgirlwithgoldenhairfromtheLongEar
Tribe.
Elinaliseslowlyraisesherhead.
48/323
4/2/2016
"ElinaliseDragonroad.Irememberthat200yearsagoIpersonally
rescuedyoufromtheBauLabyrinth."
"That'sright."
"Thelongearedgirlwithlostmemory.Wemetonlyonce.Ithasbeena
longtime,haveyouforgottenI?"
"No,Istillremember."
Elinaliselooksapologetictowardsme.
What'sgoingon?
Elinalisehasbeenthroughasimilarexperience?
200yearsago,rescuedfromalabyrinth?
Holdon,what'sgoingon?
"Whydidyouremainsilent?Comingheretogether,youtwoshouldbe
familiar,right?"
"That's..."
"Youhavepersonalexperience.Nooneknowsthesituationbetterthan
you."
HearingPerugius,Elinalisestandsupnervously.
Butfinally,shegivesaresolutereply.
"Ineverdidregainmymemory,butmaybeZenithcan.That'swhyI
stayedsilent."
Herreplymayberesolute,butherexpressionispained.
CliffgentlyheldElinalisebyhershoulders.
49/323
4/2/2016
"..."
InturmoilIcouldn'tfindanywordstosay.
IdidnoticesomethingoddaboutElinalise.
ButIneverimaginedapastlikethat.
"Sorry.Ihadthoughtabouttellingyou.ButrecentlyRudeuslookedso
happy,andthatmademehesitateoverit.Zenith'scursedoesn'tseemlife
threatening.Ithoughtmaybeshe'saMiko,ormaybenothingatall..."
"...Pleasegivemethedetailsatalatertime."
That'sallIcansaytoalltheexcusesElinalisetriedtomake.
"Iunderstand."
Idon'twanttoblameElinalise.
Althoughshewasn'tupfront,shedidofferafewsuggestionsforZenith's
syndromesattheBegarittoContinent.BackthenIthoughtshewasjust
wellinformedandspeakingfromexperience.
She'sprobablyworriedalotoverthis.
Maybeshe'sright,thatZenithisdifferentandhermemoryis
recoverable.
Besides,withPaul'sbodystillfreshlyburied,there'snoreasontopileon
themisery.
Shedidn'tsayanythingbecauseshe'sworriedaboutme.
Atleast,Zenithmightbecursed.Ihopeshe'lltellmewhatshecanlater.
50/323
4/2/2016
Part4
"Anythingelse?"
"That'sall."
PerugiusasksIshakemyhead.
Ithasonlybeenafewminutes,butI'malreadyexhausted.
Rather,itfeelslikeIhavebeeninconversationforhoursinstead.
There'smoreIwanttoask.
Aboutsummoningmagic,abouttheLaplacecampaign,aboutthe
Metastasisevent.
Butrightnow,withsomuchonmymind,Ifeellikemyhead'sgoingto
explodeatanymoment.
That'sitfornow.
"Anyoneelse?Anyonehavearequestforme?"
"Inthatcase,Ihaveaninquiry.MayI?"
AmanstandsupafterPerugiusasks.
It'sZanoba.
"Youare?"
"Sorry.ThirdprinceofShironeKingdom,ZanobaShirone."
"Aprince?Don'ttellmeyouwantmybackingforthethronetoo?"
"No.Idon'tcaretheslightestaboutthat."
Withthatsaid,Zanobaproducesasmallnotebook.
51/323
4/2/2016
Illustratedonitisacrest.
AcrestIknowof.
That'sthecrestwediscoveredwiththedollblueprintinmybasement...
Ah!
"Thiscrest.ItlooksverysimilartothatofDarkDragonKingMaxwell
samaandArmorDragonKingPerugiussama.Moreso,itlooksthe
sameasthatcrestonthewallthere.Areyoufamiliarwiththis?"
IfollowZanoba'svisiontothecresthangingfromthewall.
Idorecognizesomeofthecrestshangingthere.
AcrestIoncesawcarvedinthepowerstone.TheDragonGod'screst.
Anotheronthemagictoolsinsidethehiddenteleportruins.Basedonthe
incantationIrecited,thatshouldbeHolyDragonEmperorShilard's?
Thennexttothat,thesamecrestastheoneonZanoba.
"Iamaware.TheoneyouholdbelongstoMadDragonKingChaos."
"Ohh!"
Ohh!
That'swhy.IsthatwhatZanobasawcarvedinthearch?
No,that'sMaxwell's.
Heprobablynoticedthecrestthere,andsawthesimilarity.
Thenrealizingtheconnectionbetweenallofthem.
AsexpectedofZanoba!
Oops,I'msorry,IforgottotellZanobaaboutthecrestonthe
teleportationruin.
52/323
4/2/2016
"Tthen,whereisMadDragonKingChaossamapresently?"
Steppingforth,Zanobacouldn'tcontainhisexcitement.
However,Perugiuscanonlyshakehishead.
"Dead.Diedseveraldozenyearsago.Noclueifhehasasuccessor."
ThenotebookslipsfromZanoba'spalm.
Hisarmshangpowerlesslyontheirsides.
"Sohe'sgone..."
Instantly,Zanobalooks5yearsolder.
Well,healwaysdidlookratherold.
"Say,howdidyoufindthiscrest?"
SeeingZanobalikethis,Perugiusasksconsiderately.
Zanobaanswers,stilldowncast.
"AtmyShisho'shouse.Drawnonanautonomousdollinanabandoned
houseatMagicCitySharia."
"Isee.Anautonomousdoll."
ZanobanodsPerugiuscontinues.
"Thatdoll,isitsomethingwonderful?"
53/323
4/2/2016
"Ofcourseitis!Suchintricatecraftsmanship,utterlymesmerizing,it
fullyconveysthemaker'slovefordolls.Asafellowdollenthusiast,I
trulyadmirehisphilosophy!"
Hearingthosewords,Perugiussquintshiseyes,laughinghappily.
"Youlooklikesomeonewhoappreciatesart.Good.Inthiscastle's
treasureroomIalsohaveplentyofChaos'sfinework.Weshallcheck
themoutlater."
Unbelievablygentlewordscomingfromthesamepersonthatwas
talkingtomeearlier.
Why?What'supwiththedifferenceintreatmenthere.
Well,itcan'tbehelped.
"Itwillbeagreathonor."
HearingPerugius'sanswer,Zanobasmilesbrilliantly.
Theothersidelookshappyaswell.
IguessPerugiusreallytookalikingtoZanoba.
Hownice.
Iwanttobelikedtoo.
Part5
"Anyoneelse?"
"Em,I...No,Ido.Ihaveonethingtoask."
SylphyraisesherhandafterPerugiusasked.
54/323
4/2/2016
SlightlystiffasshebowsatPerugius.
"Andyouare?"
"EscortfortheSecondPrincessofAsuraKingdomArielsama,wifeof
RudeusGreyrat,SylphietteGreyrat."
Justnow,SylvarilwhisperssomethinginPerugius'ear.
Perugiusgruntsunhappily.
"Husbandandwife..."
Quietwhispers.
Husbandandwife,whywouldhebeunhappywiththat?
Sylphyhasstrongmagicaswell,butdefinitelynotcomparableto
Laplace.
Ah,don'ttellme,henoticedthatshehasMagicRaceancestry?
"Beforeyouask,answermethis.Doyoutwohaveason?"
Perugiusasksabruptly.
Sylphylookstroubled.
"Eh?No,onlyadaughter..."
"Isthatso.Ifyouhaveason,bringhimtome.Ishallgranthimaname."
"Ooh..okay."
Perugiussmilesslightly.
55/323
4/2/2016
Superscary.
WhatdoesheplantodowithSylphyandmyson?
Goingasfarasgivingabrilliantname.
ComingfromaguythatlivesinaplacecalledChaosBreaker...
"Now,whatdoyouwishtoask?"
"Well,abouttheMetastasisevent.Whoisreallybehindit?"
SylphyasksaquestionIhaven'tspentmuchtimethinkingabout.
TheMetastasisEventwascausedbysummoningNanahoshifromJapan.
Thesideeffectsofsummoningsomeonefromanotherworld.
Iwasalsoaccidentallytransportedaswell.Butherswasadirect
teleportation,sothat'sprobablywhatcausedit.
Itcouldbeanaccidenttoo.
Someonedidsomething,andasaresultsummonedNanahoshitothis
world.
Anaccident.
"Thismuchiscertain.OriginallyIsuspectedLaplaceorsomeone
associatedwithhim,however..."
PerugiuslooksatNanahoshibeforecontinuing.
"Summoningheroverisimpossibleevenforme.Inthatcase,it
shouldn'tbepossibleforanyoneofthisworld."
"Inotherwords?"
56/323
4/2/2016
"Isuspectit'snotmanmade.Itjusthappenedbychance."
Indeedanaccident.
No,perhapssomeoneevenbetterthanPerugiusinsummoningmagic
exists.
SomeonelikeOrsted.
ButIdon'tknowifsuchapersonexists.IfImentionithemightget
angry.
I'lljustkeepmymouthshut.
Idon'twanttomakehimangryanymore.
"Ah,Isee.Thankyouverymuch."
WhileI'mhesitating,theconversationwithSylphyisover.
Perugiusnodshishead.
"Anythingelse?"
Nooneresponds.
ElinaliselowersherheadClifftoostifftomove.
Arielstandsonherside,andLukekneelingstillontheground.
"Thentakeyourtimeandenjoymyprideandjoy,theSkyCastle."
Withthosewords,theaudiencewithPerugiusended.
Part6
57/323
4/2/2016
AfterwardsSylvarilledustotheguestrooms.
Intheguestareatherearealmost20roomswiththeexactsamelayout.
Thesamedarkwoodfurniture,featherbeds.
Alargeandclearfulllengthmirror.
Sometypeofbeerontheshelf.
Theonlydifferencebetweentheroomsarethearthanginginthem.
Almostlikeahotel.
But,evenmoreluxuriousthanthosebusinesshotelseverywhere.
Inmypastlife,thiswouldprobablybesomethingakintoimperialsuites.
No,forgetasuite,IhaveneverevenbeentoanImperialHotelbefore.
"Suchalargeplacewithonly12caretakers..."
Arielsayingthatleftquiteanimpressiononme.
Theentireplaceisspotless,butalsososterile.
Notsomuchcreepyaslonely.
Thekindoflonelinessyoufeelwhenbuyingasecondcontrollerwithout
afriendtoplaywith.
ButfromthewayPerugiustalks,heshouldhaveguestsonceinawhile.
It'sfreetimeafterpickingourrooms.
ZanobaandArieldecidetogosightseeingandleftinahurry.
Ofcourse,SylphyandLukewentalongtoo.
Idecidetostayin.
58/323
4/2/2016
"Phew..."
Exhausted.
Itonlytookahour,butitfeltlikewehadbeentalkingallday.
Notinthemoodtogosightseeing,abreakwouldbenicethough.
Withthatinmind,Ifellonthebed.
"Oh,howsoft."
Sosoft,IfeellikeIwouldsinktothebottomofthefeatherbed.
CanIbringonehomewithme...
Puttingthebedaside.
Ishouldreallythinkaboutwhathappenedtoday.
First,thatthingwithElinalise...
Sheshouldstillbein.
MaybeIshouldgoask.
...Nah,shehasherreasons.Itwouldn'tbegoodtopry.
Sheneedssometimetopreparetoo.
OnedayI'lldefinitelygogetallthedetailsaboutthesecurses.That
settlesit.
Thatcrestissuewascertainlyasurprise.
DarkDragonKing,MadDragonKing,abunchofnamesshowedup.
Irememberthey'recalledthe"5DragonWarriors."
Legendsaysthe5ofthemoncefoughttheDragonGodtoastalemate.
59/323
4/2/2016
Theycan'treallybethesame5peopleasbackthen,right?
Theremustbequiteafewgenerationsalready.
ArmoredDragonKingPerugius,DarkDragonKingMaxwell,Mad
DragonKingChaos.
Alsofromtheincantationintheteleportruin,HolyDragonEmperor
Shilard.
That's4.
IremembertherewasaDragonEmperorand4DragonKings.
Sothere'sonemoreDragonKing.
Speakingofwhich,ofthecrestsonthewall,Ionlysaw4crestslikethe
DragonGod's.
DoesPerugiusnothaveagoodrelationshipwiththelastDragonKing?
Still,thatdollturnedouttobeevenmoresurprising.
IwaswonderingwhereIsawthatcrestbefore,turnsoutit'ssomething
relatedwiththosedragonpeople.
Istilldon'tknowwhatlanguageit'swrittenin...
Ah,right,ifPerugiushelpstranslateit,itwouldbeahugebreakforour
research.
Ishouldaskhimtocheckitout.
Buthedoesn'tseemtolikemeverymuch,orratherisquitevigilant
towardsme,maybeit'sbetterforZanobatorequestitinstead.
ZanobaandPerugiusseemtoclickovertheirmutualinterestinart.
Say,thatMadDragonKingcrestwasfoundinmybasement.
Inotherwords,theMadDragonKingusedtolivethereonce.
60/323
4/2/2016
Thatmeans,athome,thatMadDragonKingwouldlockhimselfinthe
basementandplaywithdolls.
Eventhoughhe'stheMadDragonKing.
Wheredoeshismadnesslie?
Althoughplayingwithdollsisalittlesilly.
But,ifhe'ssomeonelikeZanoba,theninsomewaysthey'rebothalittle
mad.
SoMadDragonKingChaosalsolikesstufflikedolls.
Anyways,eventhoughIcameheretolearnsummoningmagic,atthis
pointitmightbeimpossible.
Perugiusseemsreallyantagonistictowardsme.
Inthatcase,ifIasked,heprobablywouldsaysomethinglike[Doyou
plantousethatmagictosummonLaplace?]
...Isthatevenpossible?
Perugiussaidsummoningmagiccannotbringforthanyonewithgreat
magicpower.
MypowerapparentlymatchesLaplace,soitmightbepossible?
ResurrectingtheDemonGodinacreepyundergroundaltar.
No,Iwon'tdosomethinglikethat.
Butifthat'spossible,thenhe'srightinstayingvigilant.
"Inanycase,it'sgoodenough."
Althoughhehatesme,hedidn'tkickmeout,nordidheyellatme.
Fornow,somepeaceofmind.
Althoughnotperfect,it'sgoodenough.
61/323
4/2/2016
Talkthingsout.
That'sallIcando.
Thinkingaboutvariousthings,adayhaspassedatthecastleinthesky.
Chapter3Past,Curse,Summons,and
Jealousy
Part1
Thereoncewasayounggirl,rescuedsome200yearsagofroma
Labyrinth.
However,thatgirllostallhermemoryandemotions.
Heridentitywasunknown,butfromappearanceherracecouldbe
determined.
Thus,thatgirlwasdroppedoffatthatrace'svillageandbeganherlife
there.
Thevillagershappilywelcomedthatgirl.
Thatgirlneverregainedhermemories.
Butafewyearslater,emotionsdidreturntoher.
Soonthatbrightandcheerfulgirlfellforaboyofthevillage,andthey
becamelovers.
Soontheymarried,butfromthenastrangeproblemappeared.
Hersexualappetitegrewandgrew.
Everynightshecravedhim.
Theracethatgirlbelongedtolacksastrongsexualappetite.
62/323
4/2/2016
Inferiortohumanorgoblins.
Becauseofthat,theboyoftenfelttroubled,butstilltheylivedaquiet
life.
Soonafterwards,thatgirl'sbodybegantochange.
Startingfromherfirsttimewithaboy,everytimeofthemonth,shegave
birthtosomething.
Amagicalcrystal.
Asmallandroundmagicalcrystal.
Containingenormousmagicpower,itcouldbesoldforahighprice.
Withherhusbandtheydiscussedit.
Althoughitmadehimslightlyuncomfortable,neverthelessheaccepted
her.
Afterwards,theboysoldthemagicalcrystalsinthecity.
Theenormoussumsblindedhim...Butitwasn'thisfault,sodon'tblame
theboy.
Theywerenotparticularlywealthy,nordidthegirlwork.
Atleast,theboydidnottreatthatgirlasagoldengoose.
Theylivedhappilytogether.
Ithappened5yearslater.
Theboydied.
Hewasmurdered.
Carryingvaluablessoregularly,hewasmarkedbyhumanbandits,and
attacked,losingbothlifeandmoney.
63/323
4/2/2016
Theboydied,andthatgirlbecameawidow.
Tendaysafterhisdeath.
Thatgirllostcontrolofherselfandattackedanotherboyinthevillage.
Sheknewsheshouldn't,yetshedid.
Butthetargetdidn'treallymind,sothematterrests.
Tendayspassed.
Thatgirlattackedanotherboy.
Anothertendays,thenanother.
Thatgirlwentwild,heractionsexposed,andwasfinallycaughtbythe
othergirlsofthevillage.
Thusshewascastoutofthevillage.
Thereafter,shelivedasaprostitute,aslave,andfinallyanadventurer,
andevennowshewanderstheworld.
Part2
ListeningtoElinalise'sstorywasthefirstthingIdidthismorning.
"...That'sprettymuchmylife'sstory."
"Ididn'treallyneedthatmuchdetail..."
Honestly,Ifeelratherbotheredbythatstory.
AllIreallyneedisinformationaboutcurses.
Yet,Elinalisewentaheadandtoldmeeverything.
64/323
4/2/2016
"I'msorryforhidingthisfromyouallthistime."
"Does...Cliffknowaboutthis?"
"Ofcourse,Itoldhimeverythingbeforethewedding."
"Right...andSylphy?"
"Sylphydoesn'tknow.Hergrandmawasonceaprostitute,isn'titbetter
ifshedoesn't?"
"IthinkSylphywouldn'tmindsomethinglikethis..."
"Rudeustoo,pleasedon'tlookatSylphydifferentlyafterhearingthese
things.Thatgirlmaybeofmyblood,butshe'sjustanormalgirl."
"OfcourseIwon't."
ElinaliseisElinalise,SylphyisSylphy.
Still,withapastlikehers,Icanunderstandwhyshewasn'tso
forthcomingasSylphy'sgrandma.
Mostpeoplewouldprobablylookatheratadifferentlight.
What'spastispast.
Oneshouldn'trunfromone'spast,butthatonlyIknowofitisenough.
"Well,insummary,whatisthiscurseElinalisespeaksof?"
"Magiccrystallizeswithinmybodyafterbeingfertilizedbymen.
Withoutsperm,themagicwillexpanduntilIdie.Thatsortoffeeling."
"But,nothinghappenedinthefirstfewyears?"
"I'mnotverysuremyselfaboutthat...Butbackthen,mymonthlies
hadn'tstartedyet,sothatmightbethecase."
"Monthlies..."
Soit'srelatedtomenstruation.Magiccrystallizedfromhereggs?
Inthatcase,Zenith'scurseisprobablysomethingdifferent.
65/323
4/2/2016
Zenithalreadyhadtwokids.
IshouldcheckwithLilia,butZenithshouldbe35orso,soit'spossible.
Still,atleastfornow,nothinghashappened.
"Yourmemory,diditeverreturn?"
"No,stillnothing."
"..."
Hermemorynevercameback.
SowhoElinaliseactuallyis,wemayneverknow.
It'sstillpossiblethatshewouldsuddenlyrememberoneday.
Butafter200years,Idoubtit.
"Well,Zenithisdifferentfrom'thatgirl'backthen.Atleastrightnow,
sheseemstorecognizeherfleshandblood.Maybehermemoriescan
recover."
"It'dbegreatifthat'sthecase."
Ishouldn'tbetoooptimistic.
Rather,Ishouldjustassumetheworstandplanfromthere.
"Whataboutthecurse?"
"Fornow,nosymptomsarelikemine."
"Right."
"Sheprobably...hasadifferentcurse."
"Right."
"It'shighlylikely.Doyouhaveanidea?"
66/323
4/2/2016
Idea?
Clues?
Well.
Maybe,maybenot.
Idon'thaveanyclueforthecurse.
"Nothing."
"Isthatso.Still,youcan'tbetoocareful."
It'sprobablynotalifethreateningone.
ButasElinalisesaid,theremightbeatriggersomewhere.
"Inotherwords,allwecandonowiswaitandsee?"
"Yeah."
Nottoooptimistic.
Hopefully,nothingwillhappentoZenithinthefuture.
"That'severythingIknow.I'msorry.There'salotIdidn'twanttotalk
about,soIwasverylateintellingyouthesethings."
Elinaliselooksdowncastafterthosewords.
Yeah,it'salittlelate.
Ifitwassomeoneelse,he'dyellatherfornotsayinganythinguntilnow.
ButIcanunderstandwantingtohideadarkpast.
Rather,Ishouldbetheoneapologizingforhidingmypastlife.
67/323
4/2/2016
"No,it'sobviouslysomethinghardtotalkabout,yetyoutoldme
anyways.I'mreallythankful."
IholdoutahandtoElinalise.
Sheheldittightly.
"Then,I'mheadingbacktoCliff's."
"I'lltakeabreak,thenheadovertocheckinwithNanahoshi."
"Ah,thenseeyoulater."
Elinaliselefttheroomwiththosewords.
Intheend,notmuchprogressregardingZenith.
Althoughacurseishighlylikely,atleastsofarnothinghappened.
Preparefornow,we'lldealwithsituationsastheyarise.
Part3
Afterbreakfast.
IsatbyalongtableinaroomattheSkyCastle.
SeatedbesidesmeareNanahoshiandCliff,andnexttohimZanoba.
AcrossmesitsSylvariloftheVoid.
Withjetblackwings,anunderlingofPerugius.
"Well,let'sbegin."
68/323
4/2/2016
NanahoshiaskedPerugiustotutorherinsummoningmagic.
Havingsaidthat,underNanahoshi'scareweendedupjoiningaswell.
Sincethelessonsstartfromthebasics,theteacherisn'tPerugius.
Lookslikewehavetowaituntilthemoreadvancedpartbeforehemakes
anappearance.
Rightnow,PerugiusisprobablyhavingteawithAriel.
AlthoughIdon'tknowwhyexactlyArielissosetonwinningthethrone,
buthavingagoalisnice.
I'llsupportherfrombehind.
SinceSylphyisherfriend.
Althoughtheirstationsmaydiffer,butthere'snosuchconceptas
equalityinthefirstplace.Itcan'tbehelped.
SinceSylphyandArielconsidereachotherfriends,thentheyare.
Oh,Ireallyshouldpayattentiontothelessonsrightnow.
"Then,first,justtomakesure,whatissummoningmagic?"
SylvariloftheVoidstartsthelessonwithaquestion.
"Personoverthere..."
"Cliff.CliffGrimoire."
"Then,Cliff,answer.Whatissummoning?"
SummoningMagiccomesintwotypes.
69/323
4/2/2016
TheEnchantmenttype.
Primarilyhastodowiththecreationofmagictools.
Inotherwords,theartofdrawingmagiccircles.
ThisisCliff'smajorandisactivelytaughtinMagicCitySharia.
TheSummoningtype.
Awaytosummonsomethingfromthisworld.
Fromthemostbasiccreaturestosmarteranimalslikecatsanddogs.
Domesticatedanddocilemagicalbeasts.
Lowintelligencemagiccreatureslikegoblinsandtreants.
Orcallupthevariousspiritsthatdwellinthisworld.
NoneoftheteachersatMagicCityShariaknowthismagic,andonlya
fewoftheinitiatesattheMagicGuildareversedinit.
Maybeanunknowncountryhasmonopolizedthetechniques.Basically,
nooneteachesitattheMagicCity.
That'sallIknowaboutit.
Cliffisprobablythesameandgaveasimilaranswer.
"...That'sincorrect."
Tothat,Sylvarilshakesherheadinrefutation.
"Indeed,magiccirclesareindispensableforsummoningmagic.Butthe
artofmagiccirclesitselfcan'tbeproperlycalledsummoningmagic."
"Inotherwords,summoningmagicisthelatterofthetwotypes?"
Iasktoconfirm.
70/323
4/2/2016
ThisremindsmeofwhenRoxytaughtmemagic.
"Yes.It'struethatsummoningcomesintwotypes."
"Basically,Enchantmentisn'toneofthem."
"That'scorrect."
Sylvarilcontinuesthelecture.
Buttherearenoteachingsupplies,noblackboards.
We'reusingfeatherpenstotakedownnotes.
Thisreallyfeelslikealecture.
"Summoningcomeintwoforms,"MagicalBeastSummoning"and
"SpiritSummoning."
Spiritsexistinthisworldsomewhere,buttheyseemtoberare.
IonlyeversawtheSpiritofLightfrommymagicscroll.
"What'sthedifferencebetweenthem?"
"MagicalBeastSummonisjustasyouthink,itcansummoncreatures
fromvariousplaces.Butbyanancientcovenantmancannotbe
summoned.Besidesthat,itcansummonanylivingthingofthisworld."
Alllivingthings.
Evendragons?
"AncientCovenant?"
"Acovenantpasseddownsincethefoundingofsummoningmagicin
thisworld.Nomagiccandefythiscovenant."
"Isee."
71/323
4/2/2016
Mancannot.
...But,isitreallyimpossible?
Teleportingpeople,andsummoningthatperson,what'sthedifference?
Em,ohwell.Let'sfocusonthebasicsfornow.
Oncewegetthere,I'llaskproperly.
"Sorry,pleasecontinue."
"Okay.WithMagicalBeastSummoning,it'simpossibletosummonany
existencewithgreatermagicpower.Evenifit'sdone,itcannotbe
controlled."
Ah,Ireadastorylikethisbefore.
Thebookwas[Shigu'sSummoningTechniques.]
AwitchnamedShigusummonedanexistenceshecouldnotcontrol,and
waseatenalive.
Ihaveenoughmagictoprobablysummonanything,butthatdoesn't
meanIhavetofollowthrough.
Indeed,Ihavenoplanstosummonanythingthatscary.
Basically,Ialreadyhave3petsathome.
Nopointincallinganotherone.
"Say,canweonlysummonlivingthings?"
"Yes.Wecan'tsummonthedead."
"No,notthat.Likethings...Forexample,canIsummonclothingfrom
home?"
"That'simpossible."
72/323
4/2/2016
Inotherwords,Roxy'spantiesareoutofthequestion.
No,wait.
NanahoshisuccessfullysummonedaPETbottle.
Soitisn'timpossible.
It'smorelikethisisthelimitofthecurrenttechnologyofthisworld.
ThenPerugiusmetNanahoshiandconfirmedherresults.
Sothat'swhyPerugiusandNanahoshiendedupworkingtogether.
"MayIcontinue?"
"Ah,yes.Sorryfortheinterruption."
"No,questionsshowyou'repayingattention."
Sylvarilnodsslowlyandcontinuesthelecture.
"SpiritSummoning...isthemagicofconstructingspirits."
"Constructing?Sothey'remade?"
"Yes.Usingthemagicofthesummonertoconstructspiritsofvarious
attributes.ThatisSpiritSummoning."
Oh.
Inotherwords,thosescrollsIbeenusing.
WhenIsummonthem,I'mreallymakingtheSpiritofLightmyself?
"Spiritshavelowintelligence.They'llfollowthesummoner'severy
commanduntiltheirmagichasbeenexhausted."
"Cantheyrefuseanycommands?"
"...Ifthemagiccirclehasbeenespeciallydesignedthatway,itmightbe
possible."
73/323
4/2/2016
Ohh.
Makeityourself,thenitcanbeanythingyouwantittobe.
Soit'salmostprogramming.
Eh?
Basicallyprogramming,wherehaveIheardthatbefore?
"Thatdoesn'tmakesense."
Cliffsoundsunsatisfied.
"YouareFamiliarsofPerugiussama,andhesummonedyouover400
yearsago,right?Yetyou'rebothintelligentandpermanent.Isn'tthat
weird?"
Oh,asexpectedofClifftogettotheheartofthematter.
Sylvarilnodswithsatisfaction.
"Aboutthat,allowmetoexplain.Perugiussama'spredecessor,the
originalArmoredDragonsama,leftbehindthemethodofsummoning
11ancientspiritsofbothhighintelligenceandpower.Butsuchpowerful
spiritsonlylastedaday.ItisPerugiussamathatdevelopedawayto
makeitpossibleforthemtoexistaslongashelives."
Soundslikeapointofprideforher.
Daylongfamiliarsbecomingperpetualones.
Perpetualmotion,nomatterwhatworldthat'sanincredibleachievement.
Eh?
11ancientspirits?
74/323
4/2/2016
"Don'tyoumean12?"
"Right.I'mnotoneofPerugiussama'sspirits."
"You'renot?"
"That'sright.PerugiussamarescuedmeduringtheLaplaceCampaign.
SincethenIhavealwaysservedhim.I'mmerelyaHeavenRace."
HeavenRace.
Well,thatmakessense,she'sgotwingsafterall.
Comparedtotherestofhisunderlings,sheseemsmorelikehis
confidant.
Actuallyhislover...No,that'simpossible.
Noteveryrelationshipisaboutlove.
"Then,whichwillwebestudying?"
"We'lluseMagicBeastSummoningasthefoundation,butPerugius
samabelievestheotherworld'ssummoningiscloserrelatedtoSpirit
Summoning,sowe'lltouchuponthataswell."
Teachingbothtypes?
I'mlookingforwardtoit.
Summoningmagicalbeastsfromallovertheworldandopeningazoo
couldbefun.
"Thenifpossible,pleaseteachusSpiritSummoningindetailaswell."
"IamalsoveryinterestedinSpiritSummoning."
ZanobaandCliffbothseemparticularlyinterestedinSpiritSummoning.
75/323
4/2/2016
Ah,that'sright.Igetit.
Programming.
Theheartoftheautonomousdoll.
WhenIsawitbackthen,Ithoughtitlookedlikeprogramming.
Inotherwords,withSpiritSummoning,itmightbepossibletocomplete
thedoll.
ButIimagine,iftheMadDragonKingChaosleftitunfinished,itcan't
bethateasy...
But,weshouldatleastbeabletotakeanotherstepforward.
ButIdon'tknowthespecificsofwheretoevenbegintoapplysuch
knowledge.
"Well,let'sstartwiththebasicsofMagicBeastSummoning.Firsttakea
lookatthismagiccircle"
WhileIwasthinking,Sylvarilbeginsthelectureonbasicsummoning.
Ireallyshouldhavestudiedupthebasicsonmyownratherthangetting
help.
Well,alittlelateforthat.
Betternowthannever.
Intheend,I'monly18yearsoldinthisworld.
ComparedtoZanoba.
Who'salready25or26bythetimeheenrolled,yetstillspendsdayand
nightpracticingdollmaking.
Ineedtofollowhisexample.
Anyways,rightnow,I'mdefinitelybehindeveryoneelse.
76/323
4/2/2016
Afterclass,Ineedtodosomeselfstudy.
"Bytheway,everyone,it'sabouttimeforlunch.Pleasefeelfreetoaskif
youwantsomethinginparticular."
Withthatsaid,Sylvarilendsthelecture.
Part4
Lunch.
LastnightvarioustraditionalcuisinesfromAsuraKingdomwere
prepared.
Meatballsandpotatoboiledinvanillasoup.
Wheatbreadmadewithvariouswholegrains.
BasicallythesameasintheMagicCity.
Itmightlookalittleshabbyforthiscastle,butit'ssimpleanddelicious.
Itmightseemliketraditionalcuisinetous,buttoPerugius,it'swhathe
considersatypicalmealatAsuraKingdom.
Cuisinefrom400yearsago.
Itissaid,technologyadvancesinwar,foodadvancesinpeace.
ThefoodcultureoftheAsuraKingdomprobablyadvancedquiteabit
after400years.
Althoughfoodwasservedindividually,IwenttoeatwithSylphy
anyways.
Nomatterhowluxurioustheroomis,eatingaloneislonely.
Iwouldneverhavethoughtaboutthatinmypastlife.
Idideatbreakfastalone,butitcan'tbehelped.
77/323
4/2/2016
"SomethingfromMilis?"
"Ah,IwantShironefood."
CliffandZanobabothsuggestedfoodfromhome.
Theyprobablyfeelalittlehomesick.
"Icandothat.That'sfine."
Frombehindhermask,Sylvaril'svoicesoundsgentleandacceptstheir
requests.
"Anythingisfine."
Nanahoshiresponds.
Doesshenotrealizewhatanopportunitythisis?
I'mnotamanthatletsanopportunitylikethisslipaway.
[Makethebestuseofthechancetoitsmaximum.]Themanknownas
RedCometoncesaid.[3]
"Vinegaredwhitericewithslicedrawfishontop,areyoufamiliarwith
thatdish?"[4]
"Eh?Forreal?"
Hearingme,Nanahoshisuddenlybrightensup.
ButSylvarilshakesherhead.
78/323
4/2/2016
"No,Idon't,butIdopreparericeoften."
Nanahoshilooksdisappointed.
ButnowI'mexcited.
Aslongaswehaverice,thenanysidedishwoulddo.
"Howaboutaddingchickeneggandflourincoldwater,mixedwelladd
inshrimp,squid,andvegetablesthenboilitallinhotoil?"[5]
"I'veneverheardofthatbeforeeither,butwedohaveflourandeggs..."
Wehaveeggs!
Inotherwords,Icanfinallyeatthat![6]
Well,nosushiandtempura.
Thenprobablynosukiyakieither.
Weneedcookingwine,rocksugar,andsoysauceforthat.
Itwon'tbetherealthing,butwithingredients,Ithinkwecancomeup
withsomethingclose...
Soitcomesdowntosoysauce.
ThetasteofJapanIlongforcomesdowntosoysauce.
"Then,asaucemadefromfermentedsoybeans.Doesthatexist?Soy
sauce,anythinglikethat?"
"Notinthecastle."
Sigh,none.
Sureenough,thisworld,nosoysauce.
79/323
4/2/2016
"ButIhaveheardthatsortofseasoningexistsinBiheiriruKingdom[7].I
canaskArumanfitocheck."
"Yes!Please!"
EventroublingArumanfiisfine.
Ifitcanbefound,thenhehastofindit.
Part5
Ahourlater.
Intheend,nosoysauce.
Maybeanhourwasn'tenoughtimeforacomprehensivesearch.
It'sonlytobeexpected,lookingforingredientsrightbeforecooking
starts.
Nosoysauce.
But.
Atleast.
Arumanfididbringsomethingelse.
Fermentedfromsoybeans,ateacolorededible.
Theycallit"tofu"inthisworld.
ButIcallit"miso."
Becausethat'swhatitis.
80/323
4/2/2016
BiheiriruKingdom...frommemory,it'sacountryonthenortheastern
corneroftheCentralContinent.
Maybe,there,Icanfinallyfindsoysauce.
Ishouldvisitoneday.
Tenyears,twentyyears,ifanopportunityarisesIwilldefinitelyvisit
there.
I'llleavethatasidefornow.
Wehaverice.
Wehavemiso.
Weevenhavefreshfish.
Nogingerorradish,butthereislemon.
Iwanttohavepicklestoo,butImightbepushingmyluck.Sothat'll
havetopass.
Withtheingredientswehave,ItryinstructingSylvarilthebestIcan.
"Isthishowyouwantit?"
Afterawhile,itfinallyarrives.
Freshlycookedrice.
Hotmisoscallopsoup.
Also,grilledfishwithlemons.
Orderfortwo.
TheotherisforNanahoshi.
AndIgotaraweggontheside.
81/323
4/2/2016
"It'snicetoeatsomethinglikethiseveryonceinawhile."
"...Well,Iguess."
Thedisheslookfantastic,butNanahoshidoesn'tlookparticularly
pleased.
Asexpected,justlookinglikeJapanesefoodwon'timpressher.
Ah,ohwell.
Regardlessitwon'tcomeclosetothetasteofJapan.
Butit'skindoffuntotry.
"Giveitashot.Itadakimasu."
"...Itadakimasu."
Nanahoshifurrowsherbrowandbeginseatingwithaspoonandfork.
Doesn'tlooklikeshe'senjoyingit.
Shepeelsoffsomefishwithafork,squeezesalittlelemonjuiceonit,
andputsitinhermouth.
Thenfollowsitupwithsomericewithherspoonandstartschewing.
Andtakesasipofthemisosoupdirectlyfromitsporcelainbowl.
Andshefinallysaid.
"Thissoupdoesn'tevenhaveanydashiinit..."[8]
Tearsflowoutofhereyes.
Shedidn'tstopcryingassheate.
Tobehonest,thefooddoesn'ttasteparticularlygood.
82/323
4/2/2016
Thericeisdry,andthesoupatadsalty.
Thefishisdelicious,butabitfishy,andthelemondoesn'tmatch.
Thebalanceisoff.
Notreallytasty.
Japanesecuisineinourmemoryismuchbetterthanthis.
ButNanahoshi'shandskeepmoving,andhertearskeepdropping.
Eatingquietly,andshesoonfinished.
"...Thankyouforthemeal."
Withthat,Iamcontent.
Part6
Aftertheafternoonclass,Ireturntomyroom.
SummoningMagicclassisquiteinteresting.
Rather,Sylvarilisagoodteacher.
Todayshedidn'tteachanythingspecialinparticular,butImightfall
behindprettysoon.
IneedtostudyupwhileIstillcan.
Youknow,Iwonderhowlongtheselessonswilltake.
Atthisrate,maybeaboutaweek?
83/323
4/2/2016
Althoughatschoolonlyhomeroomisrequiredtoattend,andtherestis
freetime,butIdon'twanttostayawayfromhomefortoolong.
I'mworriedaboutLucyandhowZenithisdoing.
Well,Ishouldfocusonwhat'sinfrontofme.
AllwecandoforZenithrightnowisobserveher,andAishaistaking
careofLucy.
WhatIshoulddonowisreviewandprepareforSummoninglessons.
Knockknock.*
JustwhenIsitdownonasofaandtakeoutmynotebook,someone
knocksonthedoor.
"Rudi,areyouin?"
Sylphycomesinwithoutwaitingformyanswer.
Afterspottingme,shejustwandersinandseatsherselfnexttome.
Then,shesighs.
Itakeoutapitcherandpouracupofwaterforher.
"Tired?"
"Thanks."
Takingthecup,Sylphyemptiesitallinoneshot.
"Phew."
84/323
4/2/2016
Shelooksexhausted.
"Howwasit?OnArielsama'sside?"
"Ugh.Well,it'sbeenrough."
"Really?"
"Perugiussamadoesn'treallycareforanythingArielsamahastosay."
InanattempttogetPerugiusinhercamp,Arielhasbeensuggesting
variousincentivesforhelpingher.
Likeofferinghimatitleonceshebecomesqueen.
OrterritoryfromAsuraKingdom.
Orofferingvariousconcessionsinbusiness.
OfcourseforPerugius,thosethingsarelongbehindhim.
"Well,ofcourse."
"Really?"
"Isn'tPerugiussamalivingherepreciselytogetawayfromthosethings?
Notjustdisinterested,heprobablyreallyhatesthem."
"Eh?Ithoughthesaidhelivesheresohecanalwaysbereadyfor
Laplace."
Sylphylookspuzzled.
DidPerugiussaythat?
Well,maybethat'soneofthereasons.
"Besides,ifhereallywantspower,thenhecouldgetitonhisown.After
all,he'sstilltheheroofLaplaceCampaign.Didn'tSylvarilsaythathe
hateshowoldfashionedAsurais.Offeringthosethingswouldonly
annoyhim."
85/323
4/2/2016
Ifhewantsto,hecanprobablyleaveanytime.
Yethelivesinseclusion.
AlthoughIdon'tknowthedetails,thereareprobablyreasonsforthat.
"Really?Iguessso.Arielsamaisreallyanxiousaboutthis...Eh,Rudi,
whatdoyouthinksheshoulddo?"
"Whattodo..."
I'mnotgoodwiththesekindofthings.
ButIthinkArielgotoffthewrongfoot.
Normally,don'tyoutrytogettoknoweachotherfirst?
Requestscancomeafterthat.
Iftheothersidefelttroubled,thenyoucanoffervariousconcessions.
Allthings,onestepatatime.
Arielhascharisma.
Maybethat'swhyshe'salwaysbeenabletoconvinceotherstosupport
hercause,withoutmakingthatfirststep.
Sowhenshemeetssomeoneundauntedbyhercharisma,shegets
cornered.
Nanahoshi,Perugius,botharelikethat.
Andmetoo,Isuppose.
IwouldhelpforSylphy'ssake,butforArielIdon'treallycare.
"First,howaboutbefriendingPerugiussamabetter?"
"Befriend?"
86/323
4/2/2016
"Right,talkabouthishobbies,listentohiswarstories,thosekindof
things."
"Hobbiesandwarstories."
"BringingZanobaalongmightbeagoodidea.Amongus,heseemsto
likethatguythemost."
ZanobaandPerugiusleadingtheconversation,andArielcanjoininon
theside.
Perhapsthatcangetsomeresults.
"Oh.Makessense.I'lltellArielsamatogivethatashot."
"Don'ttakeittooseriously?Icouldbetotallywrong."
"Haha,thanksfortheadvice."
Sylphyfinisheswithakissonmycheeks.
Feelinghersupplelips,mydecisiontostudyflewoutthewindow,
pervertedthoughtsfillmyhead.
GrabSylphyrighthere,andlet'smakeasecondbabyrightonthatbed...
Thosethoughtscrossmymind.
No,no.
Ican'tbesoimpulsiverightnow.
Ineedtostudy!
Okay,howaboutstrokingthatassalittle?No,betternot.
"Say,how'sthingsonyourside?"
"Oh.It'slikethis."
WiththeHGeniesealed,Italkabouttheeventsoftoday.
87/323
4/2/2016
Zenithandhercurse.
Summoningmagic.
Also,themealwithNanahoshi.
"...RudiissonicetoNanahoshi."
SylphylooksalittledispleasedwhenImentionNanahoshi.
Soeatingalonewithanotherwomanisnogood?
Well,Zanobawastheretoo.
MaybeIshouldn'thavepreparedsomethingspecialforNanahoshi.
Notgood,gottodosomethingtomakeSylphyhappy.
SylphyneedsareminderthattheoneIloveisn'tNanahoshi,it'sher.
"Em,Sylphiettesan?"
"Yes?"
"MayIhaveahug?"
Hearingthat,Sylphypuffshercheeksandturnsherhead.
"Oh,playingniceallthesudden?What'swrong?Feelingguilty?"
Eh,eh?
WhyisSylphysocoldtoday?
Whathappened?
Isshemad?
DidIsaysomethingwrong?
88/323
4/2/2016
Burnout?
Wehavebeenmarriedforalmost3yearsnow.
The3yearitch?
No,howmanyyearsdoesn'tmatter.
WhatdoIdonow?
Danger,danger.
"Eh,sorry.YoualwaysseemsoexcitedwheneverNanahoshicomesup,
sospoilmeforabit."
Sylphysticksouthertongueandhugsmetight.
Ireturnthehug.
Itfeelssowarmandsoft.
FeelsjustlikeSylphy.
Honestly,ImighthavedonesomethingthatdispleasedSylphy.
But,Idon'twanthertohateme.
I'vegottobemorecarefulinthefuture.
"IfRudireallywantstomakeNanahoshisanhisthirdwife,pleasedon't
justdropitoutofthebluelikeRoxy.Canwetalkaboutitfirst?"
"No,thatwon'thappen.Myrelationshipwithherisn'tlikeRoxyand
Sylphy.Justthat,Iknowabitaboutwhereshe'sfrom,soIwanttogive
herahand.There'snothingbetweenus..."
"Ohreally?"
Sylphyslapsmeontheheadwithasmile.
89/323
4/2/2016
Thenshepatmeonthebackbeforesheheadsout.
"Wellthen,IneedtogetbacktoArielsama.Doyourbest,Rudi."
"Ah,ok.Youtoo,Sylphy."
Notgood.
Iwasearnest,butwithoutrealizingitmadeSylphyunhappy.
Thisisbad.
Thisisverybad.
IneedtokeepmydistancewithNanahoshi.
Ican'tdotoomanythingstopleaseher.
Okay.
"Eh?"
Openingthedooronthewayout,Sylphysuddenlystopsmidtrack.
Nanahoshiisrightoutside.
"Sorry,Ididn'twanttobotheryoutwo,but...Cough..Cough..."
Nanahoshiwascoughingroughly.
Holdingherchestandneck,sheseemsinseriouspain.
"Sorry.Iaccidentallyoverheardyourconversation.Cough...Idon'tplan
tohavethatkindofrelationshipwithRudeus,sopleaserestassured...
Cough.."
"Ah,oh.That'sfine.Moreimportantly,areyoufeelingalright?"
90/323
4/2/2016
"It'sfi...cough,cough."
IneversawNanahoshiinsuchabadshapebefore.
Likesomethingwasstuckinherthroat,shekeepscoughing.How
worrying.
"Abit,justnow,Istartedtohaveareallybadcough...cough...cough...
SoI'vebeenlookingforsomeonetocastdetoxificationforme.Iwent
overtoCliff's,butthey're...busy.SoIcameovertofindRudeus...Butif
itwillcausesomemisunderstanding,thenI'llholditandwaitforCliff
tomorrow."
"No,it'sfine.Don'tworryaboutthat..."
SylphyhurriedlygrabsNanahoshibyhershoulders.
"Then,letmetakecareofit.Ifitdoesn'twork,thenwecanhaveCliff
castanAdvancedoneinstead?"
"Thankyouverymuch,pleasedo..."
"Alright,firstthing'sfirst."
SylphygentlyplacesahandonNanahoshi'sneck.
Shecanusevoicelessinvocationdetoxificationmagictoo.
Somethingevenbeyondme.
No,Ishouldhavethatpotentialtoo.
"Eh?"
Whilethinkingthat,Sylphylookspuzzledandconfused.
Thenextmoment,Nanahoshi'scoughsuddenlyintensifies.
91/323
4/2/2016
"Cough..Cough..."
"Eh?Itfeels...reallyweird?Magicish...Eh?"
SylphytiltsherheadandplacesherotherhandonNanahoshi'sshoulder.
Instantly,Nanahoshi'scoughgetsevenworse.Thesituationiscritical.
"Hey,what'swrong?"
FeelinganxiousIask.
Nanahoshicovershermouth.
"Ugh..cough!"
Splat.
"Eh?"
Bloodsplatteredoverthefloor.
"Heyhey!"
"..."
Nanahoshilooksstunnedatherhand.
Then,sheslowlyopenedherpalmandshowedittous.
Herpalmwaspaintedredwithblood.
92/323
4/2/2016
Immediately,Nanahoshilostconsciousnessandcollapsedonthefloor.
"Eh?Why?"
I'mnottheonlyoneinshock.
Sylphystandsstunned,unabletocomprehendwhathashappened.
"Justnow,Ifelt,inNanahoshi...Why?Eh?"
Herfaceandhandsplatteredwithblood,lookingdownatNanahoshion
theground.
Herfacepalewhite.
Irushtoherside.
"SYLPHY"
Iyelloutinacoarsevoice.
Sylphy'sentirebodytrembles.Fearinhereyes,sheretreatsseveral
steps.
"NNo!Itwasn'tme!Ididn'tdoit."
Sylphyhasretreatedintoacorner.
Isilentlyfollowbehind.
Withherbackagainstthewall,realizingshehasnowheretorun,shecan
onlyshuttighthereyes.
93/323
4/2/2016
"Imighthavesaidthosewords,butIwasonlyjokingaround...
Somethinglikethis...Iwouldneverdoanythinglikethis!"
Itakeoutahandkerchiefanddipitinsomewater(warmedwithmagic)
andstartwipingthebloodoffSylphy'sface.
"Eh?"
ThenIwipeoffthebloodonherhand.
Apatient'sbloodisatreasuretroveofpathogens.
AlthoughIdon'tthinkjustwipingwouldhelp,butleavingtheblood
thereprobablywon'tdo.
Sylphyoffersnoresistance.
"Don'tworry.Sylphy.Iwaswatching.It'snotSylphy'sfault."
"Oh,oh."
I'mverycalmrightnow.
SeeingSylphyinapanicsomehowcalmedmebackdown.
Maybeithasn'tsettledin.
Fornow,staycalm.
"It'sfine.It'snotSylphy'sfault.Nanahoshihasbeenweaklately.Right?"
"Em..."
"Thistimeyoujusthadbadtiming.Caughtheratherworst.It'snot
Sylphy'sfault."
"...Em,em,but,justnow,Ifelt,whenIusedmagic,inNanahoshi,
somethingstrange,detoxification,didnotworkatall...Notjustthat...it
ballooned..."
94/323
4/2/2016
Nanahoshiwasontheground,bloodgushingfromhernoseandface.
Unconscious.
Situationcritical.
Sylphyisstillamess.
Bettertocalmherdownfirst.
No,bettertokeepherbusywithsomething.
Thebestthingtostopsomeonefrompanickingistogiveheragoal.
"Listencarefully,Sylphy.Cliff,Perugiussama,gofindsomeoneandcall
himover."
"Call?"
"IwillexamineNanahoshi'sconditionanddowhatIcan.Meanwhile,
Sylphy,gofindhelp.Canyoudoit?"
"IIcan."
Sylphy'seyesregainfocus.
Then,sheheadstothedoorandrushesout.
Eventhoughshehasexperiencedalotinherlife,seeingsomuchblood
closeupmuststillbequiteashock.
Especiallyfromsomeoneshe'sfamiliarwith.
Evenifshe'sjealous,Sylphywouldneverdosomethinglikethat.
ButSylphycouldbeimpulsivesometimes...
No,no.
That'simpossible.Definitelyimpossible.
95/323
4/2/2016
"Okay."
Stoppingmyselffromoverthinking,IturntowardsNanahoshi.
Althoughthere'slittleIcandohere,I'lldowhatIcan.
Chapter4Lamentation
Part1
3daysafterNanahoshicollapsed.
Nanahoshihasyettoregainconsciousness.
Thereasonthatshevomitedbloodisunknown.
AfterSylphywenttolookforhelp,Arumanfiquicklycameandbrought
Nanahoshitotheinfirmary.
Inthemeantime,Iwentaroundtogatherthepartyandinformthemof
thesituation.
Nanahoshiwasnotdoingwell.Whilecastingdetoxificationmagicon
her,shevomitedbloodandcollapsed.
Rightnowshe'sintheinfirmaryundergoingtreatment.
Thetruthis,everythinghappenedsosuddenlythatIdon'tknowthe
details.
Althoughtroubled,everyoneacceptsthesituation.
Rightnow,NanahoshiisbeingtreatedbyYuruzuofAtonement.
96/323
4/2/2016
YuruzuofAtonementhastheabilitytoheal.
Capableoftransferringthehealthandvitalityfromonepersonto
another.
Becauseitworksonadifferentprinciplethandetoxificationmagic,it
seemstoworkforillnessesuntreatablewithdetoxification...
Still,herabilitydoesn'tworkbyitself,andneedsthecooperationof
anotherperson.
WithoutanyhesitationSylphyoffersherselftohelp.
SylphyliesdownbesidesNanahoshiandtreatmentbegins.
ButNanahoshihasyettoregainconsciousness,herexpressiongrim,her
coughconstant.
"Karowante,howisshe?"
SeeingNanahoshiinthiscondition,Perugiusordersanotherunderling
fordiagnosis.
KarowanteofInsight.
Hehasthepowertouncoveratarget'spowerandsecrets.
Fortheill,alsotheircondition.
LikeXrayvision.
HeshakeshisheadafterobservingNanahoshi.
"ThisisbeyondYuruzu'sability."
"Researchthelibrary."
"Yes."
Withthatsaid,Perugiusandhissubordinatesbeginresearchingthename
andcureofNanahoshi'ssickness.
97/323
4/2/2016
TryingtomatchNanahoshi'ssymptomstothelibrary'srecords.
Iofferedtolendahandbutwasrefused.Outsiderscannotenterthe
library.
Ofcourse,Yuruzucontinuestoadministertreatment,soSylphynever
lefttheinfirmary.
Intheend,there'snothingformetodo.
Ofcourse,Ididn'tjustsitaroundanddonothingfor3days.
IreturnedhomeoncetoinformRoxyofthesituation.
NanahoshifellillandSylphyishelpingwiththetreatment.
Soitmaybesometimebeforewereturn.
Roxybeginstomoveatoncewiththatinformation.
Shehelpsuscontactschoolandrequestaleaveofabsence,aswellas
explainingthesituationwithfamily.
Thentomeshesaidtoleavethehousetoher.
She'sfarmorecoolheadedthanIam.
Shehasgottenaccustomedtothesetypeofsituations.
Intheend,Icouldn'tdoanything.Everythinghasbeentakencareof.
IinformedAishaandNornthatI'llbecomingbacklate,tookachangeof
clothingandreturnedtotheSkyCastle.
Evenathome,there'snothingformetodo.
AllIcandoispraythatNanahoshistayssafe.
"...Nanahoshi,willsherecover?"
98/323
4/2/2016
Theothers,likeme,candonothing.
ParticularlyCliff.
Hespendhistimeprayingatachapelwithinthecastle.
"EverythingisinthehandofMilissama."
Cliffsaid,withhishandsfoldedandeyesclosed.
PrayingtoGodduringmomentsofcrisis.
Ineverreallybelievedinthatreligiousstuff.
Inthisworld,Ibelieveinthosethatactuallyofferedahelpinghand.
ButevenIunderstandthat,rightnow,prayingtoRoxyandSylphycan
bringnocomfort.
"..."
Suddenly,IrecallamovieIoncewatched.
Amasterpieceofalieninvasion.
Aliens,withtheiroverwhelmingtechnology,nearlyannihilated
mankind.
Yetattheendalltheirmachineriessuddenlystopworking.
Alienshavenoimmunityagainstearthpathogensandallperished.
[9]
Nanahoshicamefromanotherworld.
Shediffersfromme,who'sreincarnated.
Shedoesnotgrowold,doesnothavemagic,andthereforecan'tuseany
magicaltools.[10]
99/323
4/2/2016
Perhaps,notjustmagic,shehasnoimmunityeither.
But,ifthatwerethecase,thensheshouldhavefallenilllongago.
TheMetastasisEventhappened8yearsago.
Nanahoshialsocametothisworld8yearsago.
There'snoreasonforthistohappennow.
"..."
Thatgirl.
Willshereallydie..?
Whydidthishappen?
Part2
4daysafterNanahoshicollapsed.
Wearesummonedtoaroundtable.
BesidesYuruzu,allotherFamiliarsarepresent.
Perugiussitsbeforethem.
HesatonaluxuriouslybigchairwiththeFamiliarsstandingbehind.
"Pleasesit."
WesitdownonSylvaril'ssuggestion.
AbsentisSylphy,whoishelpingYuruzuwithtreatment,7presentinall.
"Nanahoshisamahasbeendiagnosed."
100/323
4/2/2016
Oncewe'reseated,Sylvarilstepsforwardandreports.
Wefinallyknow.
"NanahoshisamasuffersfromDrainSyndrome."[11]
DrainSyndrome.
Neverheardofit.
Lookingaround,neitherdidanyoneelse.
EvensomeoneasinformedasCliffcomesupempty.
"It'sexpectedthatnoonehashearditbefore.Adiseasefromtime
immemorial,whenmenheldfarlessermagicpowerthannow.Ifachild
isbornwithoutanymagiccapacity,withoutexception,thatchild
experiencessimilarsymptomsandbytheageof10,dies."
SothesamesituationasNanahoshi.
Althoughshe'snot10,shehasbeeninthisworldforover8yearsnow.
Andshedoesn'thaveanounceofmagic...
Atleast,it'snotSylphy'sfault.
Thankgoodness.
"Accordingtorecords,thosewithoutmagicpowerabsorbedminute
amountsofmagicfromoutside,after10yearsofaccumulatingintheir
body,itbecomesanillness..."
Withoutmagic,theirabilitytoabsorbmagicfromoutsideisminute.
Idon'tknowthedetails,butIguessmagicislikebacteriainaway.
101/323
4/2/2016
Forthosewithmagicpower,thegoodbacteriakillthebad,butinthose
withoutanypoweronlybadbacteriaaccumulates.
Wedon'tknowforsurehowtrustworthytherecordsare.
Butthatdoesmakealotofsense.
"Doesitrecordacure?"
"No.Accordingtotherecords,thisdiseasewaseradicatedsome7000
yearsago,afterhumanityincreasedinmagicpower."
7000yearsago,sothefirstHumanDemonGreatWar.
Irememberhearingthatthewarragedfornearlyathousandyears.
Thewarcausedallkindsofadvancements.
Throughvariousmeans,humanityselfimproved.
Onesideeffectistheeradicationofthisdisease.
That'spossibletoo.
Say,7000yearsago.
Therecan'tbemanytextsthatmanagedtosurvivesuchravageoftime.
Findingthedisease'snameisalreadyamiracleinandofitself.
"Then,whatdowedo?"
"Westoptime."
Theonethatanswersmyquestionisn'tSylvaril.
ButratherthecalmlyseatedPerugius.
102/323
4/2/2016
"BorrowthepowerfromSukeakotoofTime[12]andstoptimefor
Nanahoshi."
Perugiusdeclaresandamanstepsforward.
Hewearsamaskwithitsmouthstickingout.
AHyottokomask,rather,morelikeagasmask.
HeisSukeakotoofTime.
FromwhatIremember,hehastheabilityofstoppingtimeforanyonehe
touches.
Ofcourse,timefreezesforhimselfaswell.Butwiththisability,hecan
preventNanahoshi'sillnessfromworseningordeath.
Butwhoknowshowlonghecanmaintainit,nordoesitsolvetherootof
theproblem.
"Isee,thenwhat?"
"Contactpeopleonthegroundandfindacure."
Oh.
Thatcouldwork.
NoonewillrefusesomeonelikePerugius.
"Still,thequestioniswhowouldhelpNanahoshi."
"Isn'ttheresomewaywithArmoredDragonsama'sinfluence?"
"NanahoshiandIonlyhaveacooperativerelationship.Ishallnotowe
favorsforhersake."
Isn'tthatabitcold?
103/323
4/2/2016
Still,Idon'tknowtheexactdetailsoftheirrelationship,soIhaveno
righttoobject.
"Don'tbemistaken.Asguestsofmycastle,I'lloffersomeminimum
assistance.Butdon'texpecteverything.Myultimatepurposeistofind
anddestroyLaplace."
Inotherwords,becauseoftheworkrelatedtoobservingLaplace,hewill
notdomorethannecessarytohelp.
Norwillheowefavorstoothers.
Favorsdemandrepayment.
Particularlysoforthecureofanlongeradicateddisease.
Theothersidewilldefinitelyexpectsomethingbiginreturn.
PerugiushasnoreasontogothatfarforNanahoshi.
No,actuallyhehasplentyofreasonnotto.
KeepingNanahoshialiveisasfarashe'llgo.
Herefusestodomore.Ifsomeonewantstohelp,thenhe'sfreetohelp.
ThatisthemeaningbehindPerugius'swords.
Thatshouldberight.
"...SoyouwilljustwatchNanahoshidie!?"
TheonethatyelledisCliff.
HestoodupscreamingtowardsPerugius.
"WhendidIsaythat?"
104/323
4/2/2016
"Lies.Someonelikeyou,insidesuchaimpressivecastle,withsomany
capableFamiliars!Youcandefinitelyfindacure!"
HearingCliff,Perugiusraisesaneyebrow.
"Ihavenoreasontohelp."
"Quitjokingaround!Helpingtheweakisthedutyofthestrong!"
"Pssh,don'tpushthosedetestableMilisteachingsontous."
"Whatdidyousay!"
Cliffgotoverexcitedandblurtsoutwithoutthinking.
He'safollowerofMilis.
TheMilisChurchsharesmanysimilaritieswithChristianity.
It'spossibleitalsohaslessonsongivingahandtolostsheepandthe
like.
ButsayingthattoPerugiusisimproper.
Perugiushashisownconcerns.
For400years,heonlymovedwithonegoalinmind.
Perugiusindeedwishestogainknowledgeofotherworldsummoning
throughNanahoshi.
ButthatissecondtoLaplace.
Justawaytolullawaytime.
"Inotherwords,you'lljustwatchNanahoshidie!Ifyou'regoingtohelp,
helpuntiltheend."
"Cliff,stop!"
105/323
4/2/2016
Cliffstandsupkickingbackhischair.Elinalisescreamsathim.
SheputaheavyhandonCliff'sshoulder,stoppinghimfromgoing
further.
"Cliff,Iunderstandhowyou'refeeling,butcontrolyourself."
"..."
"Idon'twanttoloseyouforthis."
Lookingaround,all11Familiarsinbattlestance.
SeeingCliffgettingheldback,Perugiussmilesinridicule.
"Ifyouhaveaproblem,thenwhydon'tyoudoityourself?Yourgodsaid
sotoo.Whenhelpingothers,don'tcountonsomeoneelse,isn'tit?"
"Grr..."
Lookingunsatisfied,Clifffellbacktohischair.
Hedoesn'twanttofightwithPerugius.
Hejustthought,forapersonlikePerugius,capableofalmosteverything,
heoughttobeabletohelp.
"Mmhm..."
Whatdowedo?
IwanttohelpNanahoshi.
ButIdon'tevenknowwheretobegin?
LookingatArielandtheothers,theyseemtobethinkingthesamething.
106/323
4/2/2016
AishaandNanahoshiknoweachothertoo,ifNanahoshidiesshe'dbe
upsettoo.
Alsoifshedies,Sylphywouldfeelresponsible.
IsthereanythingIcando?
AmIthatpowerless?
"Excuseme."
Justnow,thedoortotheroundtableopens.
It'sYuruzuofAtonement.
Shespeaksfacingus.
"Nanahoshisamahasregainedconsciousness."
Ialmostleapedouthearingthis.
"Hhowisshe?"
"Onthesurfaceshehasimprovedalittle."
"Onthesurface?"
"Indeed.DolineSyndromeistheresultofmagicaccumulatinginthe
body,whichmakesoneill.Thatillnesshasnotbeencured."
Thewayshesaysit,itfeelslikeHIV.
Soallthecoughingisalsoasymptomofherillness.
Inotherwords,althoughthesurfacesymptomshavebeencured,the
causeremains.
107/323
4/2/2016
"Then,canyouremovemagicfromwithinher?"
"Icannot."
"Then,whocould?"
Yuruzushakesherheadatmyquestion.
"Isthatso..."
Istherenowaytoremovethemagicinsideher?
Like,amagictoolofsomesort?
7000yearspassed,technologyshouldhaveadvancedquiteabitinthis
area.
Butwhatshouldbedone?
Wouldthemagicabsorbingstonework?
No,thatdoesnothingformagicwithinthebody.
Ihaveafeelingthatitcan'tbedone.
Maybeamagictoolcanbemadewiththatproperty?
Buthowlongwillthattake?
Wedon'thaveanyleadsinthefirstplace.
Damn.
"Inanycase,weshouldgocheckuponNanahoshi."
WiththatsaidIstoodup,everyoneelsefollowsaswell.
Part3
108/323
4/2/2016
Theinfirmaryfeelsratherdreary.
Thefurnituredoesn'tdiffertoomuchfromtheguestrooms.
Butthestonestructuresareexposedandthewallslackwindows.
Inthecenteroftheroomthere'ssomesortofoperatingtable,withknives
andbandagesinthedrawers.
"..."
Nanahoshiisatacorner.
Thebloodstainsonheraregone.Shehasbeenchangedintoapatient
gownlikeoutfit.
Sterile,lifeless.
"Nanahoshi,areyoualright?"
Iask.Nanahoshiglaresatmeandsaid.
"DoIlookalright?"
"..."
Ofcoursenot.
Herfacepale,darkcirclesunderhereye.
Anyonecanseeshe'snotdoingwell.
Atonement'sabilityishardevenforthepatient.
Theotherbedisempty.
Likeonarotationwithus,Sylphyleftfortheguestroom.
109/323
4/2/2016
Isawheronthewayin.Shelooksratherhaggard.
For4days,sheassistedinthetreatment.
EventhoughIdoubtshewaswithoutfoodorwater,itmuststillbehard
onherbody.
"TheysayIcan'tbecured."
"Ah,oh."
Isitonachairbesideher.
Doesn'tlooklikeMissYuruzukeptherinthedarkaboutherillness.
"No,youwillbebettersoon."
"Iwon'tgetbetter."
Havingsaidthat,Nanahoshiturnsaway.
Lookingatthewallinsilence.
WhatIsaidwasprobablyirresponsible.
Idon'tknowwhatIshouldbesayingrightnow.
"..."
AfterIfellsilent,Arielandothersalltrytomakeconversations.
SometrytocomfortNanahoshi,otherstrytoraiseherspirit,andothers
sayyou'lldefinitelygetbetter.
Theyeachtrytoencourageherinvariousways.
Butrightnow,theymightallhavetheoppositeeffect.
110/323
4/2/2016
Theonereallysufferingdoesn'twanttohearnicetieslikethese.
"..."
Soonafter,everyoneranoutofthingstosay.
WithNanahoshiunresponsive,nobodyknowswhattotalkabout.
Thesilenceissuffocating,makingeveryonerestless.
"Then,Nanahoshi.I'mheadingback.I'llcomebacktocheckuponyou."
StartingwithAriel,everyoneleavesfortheirroomsonebyone.
EventhoughCliffwishestostay,butwithElinaliseurgingheleftas
well.
Whentheyleave,IcouldhearElinalisesaying[...Nothingwesay
mattersrightnow.]
Andthat'showitis.
Then,onlyIremain.
WhydidIstay.I'mnotsureeither.
Still,IfeltIhavetostayforalittlelonger.
It'sdangeroustoleaveheralone.
"..."
ButIhavenothingtosay.
Withasickperson.
Withapersonsufferingfromanincurabledisease.
111/323
4/2/2016
NomatterwhatIsay,they'rejustniceties.
Nanahoshiisveryupset.
Hersummoningresearchhasbeengoingsowell.
Phase1hadalittlehiccup,butPhase2and3bothproceededsmoothly.
Phase4,withalittlehelpfromPerugius,shouldhaveresultssoon.
I'mnotsurewithPhase5,butit'sonlyamatteroftime.
Maybein1,2moreyearsshecanreturnhome.
Tohearthatshehasanincurabledisease,atamomentlikethis,ofcourse
she'supset.
Maybenotcancer,butit'sstillsaidtobeterminal.
Iwouldn'tbesurprisedifshegotviolent.
No,ifitreallyisincurable.
Ifherfutureissobleak,thenalittleviolenceisfine.
I'dcooperate.
Nomatterwhat,aslongasithelpshermoodalittle.
"Iwasn'tparticularlyhealthyinthefirstplace."
WhileIstaysilent,Nanahoshispeakswithasigh.
ShesoundmorecomposedthanIexpected.
ButNanahoshiisobviouslyfakingit.
"Gettingsick...Althoughneverthisbad,I'dcatchthecoldeveryyear."
112/323
4/2/2016
Slowlywordstrickleout.
AndIquietlylisten.
"Mygradesaren'tbad,butI'mnogoodwithsports.Ifasked,IguessI'm
theindoortype.
Medicineinthisworldisn'tveryadvanced,right?
Doyouknow?Maybeithastodowithmagic,butpeopleofthisworld
don'tevendresstheirwounds?Andbecauseofthattheydieorlosea
limb.It'sretarded.Allcanbepreventedwithabitofcleanwateroverthe
wound.
BecauseIcan'tusemagic,soIdoallkindsofthingstostaysafe.
Avoidingcontagiousdiseases,stayingawayfromcrowds,don'teat
strangefoods...
It'strue,fromyourperspectiveImighthavelivedunhealthily,butI
exerciseathometoo!Itookcareofmyself.
BecauseifIgetsick,theremightnotbeacure.
Rather,ifI'msick,Iprobablywon'tbecured.
Because,ifIgetsick,Iprobablywon'tknowwhy...
...Basically,thisworld,isn'tittooweird?
Giganticmonsterstoobigtosupportthemselves.Idon'tknowwhat
wizardrythatis,butaren'ttheyclearlyagainstrulesofnature?
Ofcourse,evenI,whenIcame,wasalittlecurious.
EvenIplayedgamesbefore.Idon'thateswordandmagicsstuff.I'dbe
lyingifIwasn'texcited.
Justabit,I'mjealousthatyouwereborninthisworld,andyoucanlive
inthisworld..."
Nanahoshisaid,andsuddenlyshutsup.
Hershoulderstremble.
Slowly,sheturnstome.
Facewrinkles.
113/323
4/2/2016
Tearscollectedonherswolleneyes.
"Idon'twanttodie."
Likeadambusting,tearscomepouringdown.
"Idon'twanttodiehere!Idon'twanttodieinthisweirdworld!Why?
Why?It'stooweird!Hey,doyouknow?Ididn'tchangeatallfor8
years!Idon'tgrowtaller,andmyhairdoesn'tgrowlonger!Igethungry,
Ipoop,butmynailsnevergrow.Idon'tevengetperiods!"
Nanahoshithrowsanearbywaterjug.
Thejugslamsthewall,splattersinloudpieces.Watersoaksthebed.
"I'mnotahumanofthisworld!InthisworldIdon'tevencountasalive!
I'mbasicallyacorpse!Evenso,why?WhydoIgetsick?Isn'tthatjust
tooweird?WhyamIunluckylikethis?Idon'twanttodie!Idon'twant
todieinthisstrangeworld!"
Nanahoshiscreams,tearskeepsplattering,andsplattering.
"BecauseIneverevenhadmyfirstkiss!EventhoughIhavesomeoneI
like,InevereventoldhimthatIlovehim!I'mreallysojealousofyou!
Everydaysohappy,sofulfilling!What?Daddied?Momgotsick?So
what?What'ssobadaboutthat?Atthisrate,Iwon'tevenseemydad
again!IfIdie,momwon'tevenknow!Justonemoretime!Dad!Mom!I
stillremember!Istillrememberthatmorning.Dadsayshe'llcomehome
early.Momsayswe'llhavefriedSaurytonight.ItolddadthatI'm
hangingoutwithfriends,butstayingalittleoutisfine,andcomplained
tomomthatI'mtiredofSauryalready.Why,whydidthishappen?Dad
andmomareprobablyworriedsickaboutme.Iwanttogohome.Iwant
toseethemagain.Idon'twanttodie.Idon'twanttodieinthisplace...
Woo..Hick..."
"..."
114/323
4/2/2016
Ifeelasharppaininmychest.
IcanunderstandNanahoshi'spain.
WhenIfirstcametothisworld,Icouldn'tsympathize.
Can'tgoback,can'tmeetagain.
Notabletoseefamilyoncemore.
Evenifyoutellme,Iwon'tunderstand.
Backthen,Iprobablywanttoforgetthosethingsandjustenjoylifein
thisnewworld.
Butnowit'sdifferent.
Iunderstandwantingtogoback,wantingtomeetagain.
Everydayislife'sgreatesttreasure.
Oncethey'regone,they'regoneforever.
...Becauseifthey'regone,they'regoneforever.
Paulisdead.
Zenith'smemoriesmaynevercomeback.
Buinavillageandthatwarmhomehavebothdisappeared.
Fromnowon,allIcandoisprotectmyownfamily,myownlife.
Sylphy,Roxy,Lucy.
Lilia,Aisha,Norn,Zenith.
IfIseparatefromthem,itwouldbegutwrenching.
Ifsomeonedisappears,thenI'dgotoheavenandhelltofindher.
IfIreturntotheoriginalworld.
115/323
4/2/2016
Ifmagiclikethisexistsinthatworld,I'dseekit.
IwoulddoeverythingIcantoreturn.
"Woo...Wooo...."
HoldingherkneesNanahoshicries.
Cliff,Zanoba,Sylphy,shewasneverclosetoanyofthem.
Onlywithmedidsheeverpayanyattention.
Listentomyrequests,acceptingmyinvitations.
IfIthinkaboutit,shehadneverdoneanythingtowrongme.
NanahoshilookedsoexcitedwhenwechatinJapanese.
Toher,maybeJapanesewithmeisheronlyanchorfromthatworld.
"Someone,saveme..."
Hearinghermeekwhisper.
Istand.
Part4
IreturntotheroundtablewherePerugiusremains.
AllhisFamiliarshavealreadyleft.
OnlyPerugiusisleft,likehehasbeenwaitingforme.
"Whatshallitbe?"
116/323
4/2/2016
"...Iamtakingaction.Ihope,aslongasitdoesn'tinterferewithyour
ownwork,thatPerugiussamawilloffersomeassistance."
PerugiusnodsheavilywhenIfinish.
"Oh,soyou'refinallymakingamove.Good.IfNanahoshidies,evenI
wouldfeelsorry."
"Thankyouverymuch."
ButwhatshouldIdo?
Thecuretoadiseaseeradicatedsome7000yearsago.
WheredoIevenbegin?
Wealreadyknowbothdetoxificationandhealingmagicareineffective.
Ifthosehaveworked,thenPerugiuswouldalreadydonesomething.
Magictools.
Idon'tknowifonemightwork.
OnethatworksinsidethebodyshouldberelatedtoCliff'smagictools.
ButCliff'smagictoolwascustommadeforElinaliseonly.
ObserveElinalise'sconditionandadjuststepbystep.
Althoughthereareresults,butit'sstillincomplete.
MaybeitonlyneedsafewadjustmentstocontrolNanahoshi's
symptoms?
Butrightnow,Nanahoshidoesn'thavethetimeforobservationand
adjustment.
Shehascoughedupblood.
Evenifwecurethesurfacesymptoms,itwilljusthappenagain.
Nexttime,itmightbefatal.
117/323
4/2/2016
Moreover,ifwefrozetime,thenthere'snowaytoexperiment.
Magictoolsarenogo.
Maybeonemighteventuallywork,butrightnowweneedamore
immediatefix.
Acure.
Doesnooneknow?
NotevenHitogamiorOrsted?
Wouldtheyknow?
Ican'tcontactHitogami.
Maybehe'llshowupwithadvicetonight.
ButIhavenowaytoinitiatecontact.
"Perugiussama.DoyouhaveawaytocontactDragonGodOrsted?"
"Impossible.Hismovementsareimpossibletounderstand."
NowayofcontactingOrsted.
"Heprobablydoesn'tknoweither.Hehasbeeninthisworldformaybea
hundredyears.Althoughhe'swise,Idoubthewillknowaboutadisease
from7000yearsago."
SoOrstedisahundredorso.
Althoughold,comparedtoPerugiushe'sstillayoungling.
No,comparedtomehe'soldenough.
118/323
4/2/2016
"Isthatso.Butsomeonewhoknowsabouttheworld7000yearsago..."
Wait,holdon.
7000years.
There'sone.
There'sonepersonthatlivedforsolong.
Eventhoughshemightnotbefamiliarwiththisillness...
ButifItalktoher,maybeIcanfindaclue.
"Iknowsomeone..."
"Oh?"
But,Idon'tknowifIcanfindher.
Lasttimeitwasachancemeeting.
Andjustlikethatweseparated.
Noparticularconnection.
ButIhavetodosomething.
IfIdonothing,thennothingwillchange.
"Perugiussama,canyoutakemetotheMagicContinent?"
"MagicContinent?Whatdoyouplantodothere?"
Ionlymetthatpersononce.
AlthoughRoxyalsometherbefore,butwheresheisnowIdonotknow.
119/323
4/2/2016
ButhernameIknewfromlongago.
BackintheFedoaCapital,anameIlearnedfromhistorylessons.
Afterwemet,there'snowayIcouldforgetit.
"MeetwithTheGreatEmpressofDemonRealm,KishirikaKishirisu."
7000yearsago.
AfigureofthefirstHumanDemonGreatWar.
Chapter5TowardsDemonContinentOnce
Again
Part1
Theplanissimple.
First,withPerugius'sassistance,headtotheMagicContinent.
FindKishirikaKishirisu.
Askifsheknowsacure,orknowssomeonewhodoes.
Indeedit'squitesimple.
IfonlytheGreatDemonEmpressKishirikaKishirisuwouldstayputon
athroneoverseeingacitysomewhere.
ButIknowKishirikawanderstheMagicContinent.
Meetingherisalluptochance.
120/323
4/2/2016
Whoknowshowmanymonthsit'lltake.
Perugiussaidthathehasmagicteleportationcirclesnearallmajorcities
intheMagicContinent.
Thinkingaboutit,magicteleportationcirclesaretrulyterrifying.
Especiallywhenhecanteleportanywhereintheworldfromthiscastle,
anincrediblethreat.
Afterall,there'snowaytoattackthiscastleinthesky,yetthere'sno
defenseagainstit.
Soit'sunderstandablewhythearthaslongbeenforbidden.
EventhoughOrstedandPerugiushavebothbeenusingtheminsecret.
Thisworldprobablyhasquiteafewguyssecretlybreakingtherules.
Itmightbecheating,butthat'sthenatureofthisworld.
Thosemagicteleportcirclesprobablyaren'tusedbyOrstedalone.
Anyways,findKishirika.
JustlikeRoxyhaddonebefore,searchonecityatatime.
Whoknowshowlongit'lltake.
Butitshouldn'ttakemorethanayear.
Sinceteleportingonlytakesaday.
TheproblemiswhatifKishirikaanduspasseachothersomewhere.
Aboutthat,IthinkI'llasktheAdventurer'sGuildforassistance.
RewardforthecaptureoftheGreatEmpressoftheDemonRealm.
CaptureKishirika.
Mustbealive.
121/323
4/2/2016
ALIVEONLY.[13]
Igathereveryonetogetherandlayoutmyplan.
Ariel,Luke,Cliff,Zanoba,Elinalise.
AndalsoSylphy.
SylphyregainedconsciousnesswhileIwastalkingwithPerugius.
Butherexhaustionisobvious.
Shewasthintobeginwith,butnowshe'smorefrailthanever.
Sheshouldrestforatleast5moredays.
"Everyone,pleaselendahandforNanahoshi'ssake."
WhenIsaidthat,Arielnodsinapproval.
"Then,Icanprovidesomemagictools."
Arielremovesthemagicringsshe'swearingandhandsittome.
Apairofmatchingrings,wheninjectedwithmagic,bothgemstoneswill
shinetogether.
Usefulforanemergency,seemslikeasecretmagictooloftheAsura
Kingdom.
AlthoughIdon'tknowwhatfor,I'msureit'llcomeinhandy.
Remindsmeofapager.
"ZanobaandElinalise,pleaseaccompanyme."
IaskZanobaandElinalisetobemyguards.
122/323
4/2/2016
Nomatterwhat,Zanobaisamiko.
Evenifweweretofightahydra,hecanprobablycomeinhandy.
BecauseIlacktouki,I'mweakdefensively,butwith[DisturbMagic]and
absorbingmagicalstonesmyresistanceagainstmagicisstrong.
WithZanobaasforwardguard,wecaneventakethathydra.
But,Ican'tbaretoseeZanobadieformyselfishdesires,sowith
ElinaliseassupportIfeelreassured.
"I..."
"Cliffsenpai,I'dlikeyoutomakeamagictool."
Honestly,Idon'tknowwhetherwecanfindacure.
Kishirikamightnotknoweither.
Sothistripmightbeawasteoftime.
Toavoidthis,weshouldtrydifferentapproaches.
Nanahoshi'sillnessseemssimilartoacurse.
Withsomeadjustmentstohisresearch,maybeCliffcandevelopamagic
tooltoextendNanahoshi'slifespan.
"Iwanttogotoo!"
EventhoughIthoughtso,Cliffrefused.
"Pleasetakeme,IwanttohelpNanahoshiaswell."
ButcontinuinghisresearchwillhelpNanahoshitoo.
ButCliffprobablywantstodomorethanthat.
123/323
4/2/2016
Likeifhejustcontinuesasusual,hewon'tfeellikehe'sreallydone
anythingforNanahoshi.
"Please,Rudeus,evenIcouldunderstandherwantforreturninghome."
Cliffbegginglikethis.
NowthatIthinkaboutit,hehasbeenawayfromhomeforalongtime
too.
Heightwisehemightlookonly15,buthe'salready19.
IheardhelefttheHolyKingdomofMilisalmost67yearsago.
AlthoughthehomeNanahoshilookstoreturntoisn'tthesameasCliff's.
Buttheirintentisthesame.
"Fine."
"Really?"
Well,withElinalisecomingalongandNanahoshifrozenintime,he
won'thavemanyopportunitiesforresearch.
Yeah,noreasontoforceit.
Ifweconfirmthatthere'snocure,orifwecan'tfindKishirika,thenwe
canfocusonresearchinstead.
"Yes.I'llbeinyourcare,Cliffsenpai."
Let'sshortenthesearchperiodabit,sowecangetbacktoresearchin
time.
Halfayearisenough.
124/323
4/2/2016
"...Then,isthere...anythingI...cando?"
Finally,Sylphyasks,lookingunwell.
Shehasyettorecover.
Shecan'ttravelwithus.
Besides...
"Sylphy,pleaserestherefornow."
"Em,andthen?"
"Afterrest..."
I'mhesitantoverwhatI'mabouttosay.
"IwishforSylphytoreturnhometocareforLucy."
"Eh?"
Sylphylooksvisiblygloomy,butIcontinueanyways.
"ItmightbealongtimebeforeIcanreturnhomethistime.Idon'tthink
it'sgoodforbothparentstodisappearonher."
Forchildren,parents'presenceisabsolutelynecessary...Idon'thaveto
saythat.
Butit'sbecausePaulandZenithexists,thatI'mwhoIam.
Forchildren,it'sbetterfortheparentstorearthempersonally.
Ofcourse,absenceforaweekortwowon'tbeabigdeal.
125/323
4/2/2016
Butnotafewmonths.
"Ah,that.You'reright.IfRudiisn'there,thenIneedtotakecareof
Lucy."
"Sorry."
"Um."
EventhoughSylphyhasbeeninformedthatNanahoshi'scollapseisn't
herfault,shestillwanttohelpsomehow.
"Sylphyhasdoneenough.Leavetheresttome."
"Em..."
Sylphynodswithregrets.
OfcourseshelovesLucy.
Butat10,shewasforcedtostandonherownaftertheMetastasisEvent.
Withoutalastgoodbye,bothherparentspassed.
Shedidwelldespitethat.
Despitesometwistsandturns,shefoundajob,gotmarried,and
managedtoliveon.
Soforher,maybeparentsmaynotbethatgreatofapresence.
Orperhaps,evenchildrenwithoutparentscangrowandprosperisthe
wisdomofthisland.
Sylphyisonly18.
126/323
4/2/2016
Peoplewon'tchangethatmuch,justbecauseofchildbirth.
Itwasonlythroughcaringformyown,didmythinkingstarttochange.
WhenIwas18inthepreviousworld,childrendidn'tevencrossmy
mind.
Incomparison,Sylphyisexceptional.
IwillhelpNanahoshi.Sylphywillstayathome.
Ihopeshewon'tfeeljealous.
"Butwon'tRoxycomplain?RoxyknowstheMagicContinentthebest."
"Thattoo.Well,ifwe'reintrouble,I'lltalktoRoxyaboutit."
Roxyisn'tpresent.
Nomatterthereason,PerugiuswillnotallowaMagicRacetoenterthe
castle.
Shetriedtocomebutwasrefused.
Besides,Roxyhasherteachingcareer.
She'sfinallygettingusedtotherhythmofwork.
Shecan'tquitwithonlyayearonthejob.
IwillhelpNanahoshi.
But,Ialsoneedtomaintainmycurrentlifestyle.
Lifestyleisimportant.
Bothareimportant.
That'swhy,IneedtoprotectSylphyandRoxy.
127/323
4/2/2016
Ofcourse,that'salsobecauseI'mselfish.
Idon'tthinkI'malwaysright.
ButrightnowIdon'twantRoxyandSylphytofacedanger.
Idon'twantthemtodieinfrontofmelikePaul.
Eventhoughperfectsecuritydoesn'texistinthisworld.
ComparedtotheMagicContinent,MagicCityShariashouldbemuch
lessdangerous.
"Pleasedon'tdoanythinglikeloseyourhandagain."
Sylphylooksuneasy.
"I'llbecareful."
StayingsafeiswhyI'mbringingZanobaandElinalisealong.
Butifthey'reinalifeordeathsituation,evensacrificingmyrighthand
I'llhelpthem.
Ofcourse,Idon'twanttodieeither...
Iwon'tmakeamistakeagain.
Part2
IwenthomeagainandexplainedthesituationtoRoxyandrestofthe
family.
AishacriedwhenIsaidImightnotbehomeforalongtime.
Butthistimecomingandgoingwouldbeeasy.
128/323
4/2/2016
Iplantocomebackeveryonceawhile.
Likegoingonabusinesstrip.
I'msayingthatgoingforalongtimeisjustincase.
Themagicteleportationcirclesmightsuddenlystopworking,andI
mightnotreturn.
"Well,pleasetakecare."
"Iunderstand,Ruditakecareaswell."
AlthoughIwasworriedthatRoxywantedtocometoo,butafter
listeningtomyexplanations,shebluntlyacceptsstayinghome.
Thatslightlydisappointsme.
Well,lookslikeI'lltravelmanytimestoSkyCastlenow,sopreparations
areimportant.
Accidentsmighthappen.
Perugiussaid,evenifthemagicteleportcirclesstopworking,he'llcome
getmeifIusethemagictoolnearanymonumentstotheSevenGreat
MajorPowers.
NotthatIdon'tbelievehim,butyouneverknow.
Forexample,ifweleaveandallofasuddenLaplacerevived,thenhe
mightbetoobusytohelp.
Additionally,IbroughtsomeSpiritofLightscrollsandotherconvenient
items.
Allset.
Part3
ThemagicteleportationcircleliesbelowgroundoftheSkyCastle.
129/323
4/2/2016
Thecastleintheskyisn'tjustexpansiveaboveground,butbelowas
well.
Notjustthat,butundergroundisevenmoresophisticated.
Justafewlevelsdownitbecomesalmostmazelike.
Thecastlegroundsareprobablymadeforguests.It'sbelowgroundthat's
therealdeal.
"We'rehere."
Sylvarilledustoaparticularroom3levelsbelowground.
Aplaceeasytofindonceyouknowthedirections.
Nolightingintheroom,butthemagiccircleshinespalewhite,
illuminatingtheroom.
"Perugiussamajustcompletedthismagiccircletoreconnectwithan
abandonedoneontheMagicContinent."
"Abandoned?"
"Ithappensoftenwithteleportmagic.Destroythemagiccircleonone
side,andtheothersidestopsworkingaswell."
Teleportcirclescomeinpairs.
Butyoucanrepairabrokenoneanduseitagain.
Magiccirclesofthisworldreallycomeinallkinds.
"ThesekindsofmagiccirclesareallunderPerugiussama'scontrol?"
"Perugiussamaisindeedagreatman."
130/323
4/2/2016
Sylvarilsoundsproud.
Speakingofwhich,drawingmagicteleportationcircles.
Inthesesituation,makingonesatwilltoconnecteverywheresounds
quiteconvenient...
But,becauseit'sforbidden,heprobablywon'twanttoteachme.
Well,ifIpushmyluck,Imightendupmakingallsortsofenemies,soI
shouldn'tbegreedy.
NorshouldIforgetthatotherscanusethemtoo.
Forexample,ifaviolentmagicbeastaccidentallystumblesintoone.It's
possible.
Ifmymagicteleportcirclesendupdestroyingavillageorsomething,I'd
havenightmares.
"PerugiussamasaidthismagiccircleshouldgetyouclosetotheGreat
DemonEmpress."
"DoesPerugiussamahaveanyleadtoKishirika'swhereabouts?"
"Ofcourse."
Really?
Hehasalead.
IthoughtI'dbeonmyownonceIgetthere.
"Buthecouldbewrongaswell."
"...True."
TheDemonEmpressIknowisunpredictable.
Wemightthinkshe'ssomewhere,andbythetimewegetthere,shehas
alreadydisappearedsomewhereelse.
131/323
4/2/2016
HerfianceBadigadiisthesame...
Ah,right,Badigaditoo.
Ihaven'tseenhiminawhile.Maybehereturnedtohisdomainalready.
Hehaslivedalongtimeaswell,contactinghimmightgivesomeresult
aswell.
"Iunderstand.Weshallgoinvestigate."
"Wehaven'tconfirmedthesituationontheothersideyet.Theexitmight
besealedaswell.Becareful."
"Sealed?"
"Theentrancemightbedestroyedtokeepithidden."
Ifthere'snoentrance,thenitcan'tbefound.
Isee.Thatmakessense.
Surepeoplewilllookfortrapdoors,butfewwilltakeapickaxeandstart
wailingonwalls.
AncientEgyptiansinventedthistechnique.
Archaeologistshavetopayspecialattentiontoseeminglyemptygraves.
Maybethat'showteleportationruinswerediscoveredaswell.
"Em,ifitdoesn'twork,thenwe'llreturnearly."
"Maythefortuneofwarbewithyou."
WithSylvaril'sblessingweenteredthemagicteleportationcircle.
Part4
HowmanytimeshaveIteleportedbynow?
MetastasisEvent,toandfromBegarittContinent,andalsoPerugius's
magictool.
132/323
4/2/2016
Allinall,thisisthefifthtime.
Likewakingupfromadream,I'mgettingusedtothissensation.
"Phew."
Aftertheteleport,wearrivedatadarkroom.
Theairisthickandmoldy.
Ithasbeenabandonedforalongtime.
Nolights.
Notevenacandlestick.
Basicallyaruin.
Ah,Iforgottoaskwherewe'regoing.
"Achoo!"
Cliffsneezesbehindme.
Iturnaroundtolook.Theotherthreehavealreadysteppedoffthemagic
circle.
Elinaliseisusedtothis.Zanobapompouslywalkingaround.
Zanobacuriouslystudyingthemagiccircle.
"Toodustyhere,let'sheadoutassoonaspossible."
AsZanobasaidthat,Istartlookingforanexit.
"Eh?"
133/323
4/2/2016
Iseeawall.
Nothinglikeadoor.
Noladder,notevenaholeintheceiling.
Icarefullyinspectthefloor.Yep,nowayout.
It'sasecretroom.
IfSylvaril'sright,theroomhasbeensealed.
"Em,well,where'stheexit?"
"Um."
Wesplituptolook.
Up,down,left,right,B,A.
"Foundit."
Afterawhile,Elinalisediscoveredspacebehindawall.
Lookslikeshediscerneditbyknocking.
Maybeit'stoothick,butIcouldn'ttellevenwhenpressinganearagainst
it.
AsexpectedoftheLongEarrace.
"Okay.Allyours,Zanoba."
"Um."
Withasinglepunch,Zanobapunchedaholeinthewall.
Ahugeholeonthewallsome50CMthick.
134/323
4/2/2016
Aseasyastearingdownasandcastle,heexpandedtheholeuntilithas
roomenoughforone.
WithZanobabracing,Elinalisepassesthrough.
"I'llcheckahead."
Completedarknessontheotherside.
Youcan'tevenseeyourhand.
Weknowthisisastonestructure,butthat'sprettymuchit.
Wedon'tevenknowifwe'reundergroundornot.
"Rudeus,lightsplease."
Asinstructed,ItakeoutaSpiritofLightscrollandusedittoilluminate
thearea.
Wesawaroom10metersahead.
"Ugh."
Cliffscreamswhenhesawtheroom.
Bonesscatteredeverywhereonthefloor.
AsexpectedoftheMagicContinent,bonesofvariousshapes,almost
likethey'refabricated.
"Lookslikethiswasaprison."
Elinalisesaidafterinspectingthebones.Onwhat'sleftofthearmsand
legsrustedcuffscanbeseen.
135/323
4/2/2016
Clifflookspained,placinghishandinprayer.
"Oh...Milissamapleasesavetheselostsouls."
IimitateCliffinprayer.
Namusanbou,namusanbou.
Restinpeace.
Sorrytodisturbyou.We'llleavequickly.
"Let'sgo."
Speakingofwhich,thereareboneseverywhere.
Howmanywerejailedhere?
Theyprobablyneverexpectedthatthere'samagicteleportationcircle
justawallaway.
Wait,no,IrememberPerugiusonlyrecentlyreconnectedthisabandoned
magicteleportationcircle.
Inotherwords,theyweremovedherebeforethemagiccirclewas
repaired.
Ifthat'strue,itleavesabadtasteinmymouth.
"There'saladder,let'sheadup."
There'saladderatthecorneroftheroom.
Eventhoughthere'sprisoners,theyweren'tfencedin.
Thinkingthat,Inoticesomerustedhingesfallenonthefloor.
Maybeawoodendooronce,butwornawaybydecayafterafew
thousandyears.
136/323
4/2/2016
Em,ohwell.
Infrontoftheladderisametallid.
It'sadoorthatopensupwards.Basically,alid.
Elinalisechecksfortrapsbeforeattemptingtopushitopen.Itwouldn't
open.
Somethingheavyispressingagainstit.
"Okay.Go,Zanobarobo.Openit!"
"RRobo?....Gotit."
Zanobaputshishandsagainstthedoorandpusheshard.
Aheavygroan,butthedoorstartstoopen,dustandsoilcomeflying
down.
"Ugh."
"I'llhandlethesoil,keepgoing."
"Ggotit,Shisho."
Withallhismight,Zanobapushestheincrediblyheavydoor.
Iusemagictogetridofallthefallensoil.
Thedooropens.
Sunlightshinesfromabove.
Lookslikethedoorleadsoutside.
137/323
4/2/2016
Whenthedooropensenoughtofitthrough,Elinalisesneaksunderitand
exits.
"It'sclear."
Afterwaitingforhersignal,weheadoutaswell.
Part5
Outsideisasteepslope.
Belowthehorizonarussetland.
Giantbouldersscatteredeverywhere,aplaceofextremeswithmany
highsandlows.
Andonthefarside,theMagicContinentspecial:aforestlikefishbones.
AndhereandtherelumberingGreatLandTurtles.
Hownostalgic.
"SOthisistheMagicContinent...!"
Cliffgaspsashespeaks,spyingwarilydowntheslope.
Nocityinsight.
IsKishirikareallyaroundhere?
Weneedtofindthenearesttownandheadthere.
Butwherethehellarewe?
MaybeweshouldheadbackandcheckwithSylvarilfirst.
No,beforethat,let'sinvestigateoursurroundings.
138/323
4/2/2016
"Cliffsenpai,theMagicContinenthasagreatmanydangerousand
herdingmagicbeasts.Pleasebecareful."
"Ah,Igotit."
Cliffnodsseriously.
Thisisadangerousland.
IfhetreatsitliketheCentralContinentorMilis,evencapablewarriors
maydie.
"Nomagicbeastsaroundus.It'ssafe."
OfcourseElinalisewillneverbethatcareless.
NeitherwasI...AtleastIthinkIwasn't.
AlthoughIhadRuijerdbackthen,somaybeIstillheldsomenaive
notionsabouttheMagicContinent.
ButmyexperienceatBegarittoContinentshouldbeuseful.
"Also,I'mafraidyouwon'tfindmanyfollowersofMilishere.Their
philosophymaybedifferent,sopleaseavoidgettinginafightwith
othersfornoreason."
"Oh.That,you'reright.Iknow."
MaybeI'mbeingalittlearrogant.
ButCliffhasneverbeenaroundtheMagicRacebefore.
Weneedtoavoidgettingintoconfrontationsforeverylittlethinglike
Erisdid.
"It'sfine.Cliffdoesn'tevenspeaktheDemonGodlanguage."
139/323
4/2/2016
Elinaliseaddsin.
Shedoesn'teither.
ForthetwoyearsshespenttravelingtheDemonContinent,shealmost
exclusivelyreliedonRoxy.
Well,shedidlearnallthevocabulariesneededforHstuff.
Cliffwouldprobablyfaintifhefindsout.
Butthat'sthecurse'sfaulttoo.
"Shisho!"
Whilewonderingthosethings,Zanobahasclimbedupahill,shouting.
Doesheevenhavecarefulinhisvocabulary?
Ofcoursenot.Evenfallingoffacliffwon'tfazethatguy.
Ah,ohwell.
"Whatdidyousee!?"
Climbingaswesaid.
"Oh."
Endoftheslopeisasteepcliff.
Andbehindthecliffasceneyoucouldn'thelpbutstare.
"Wow,amazing..."
Cliffexclaims.
140/323
4/2/2016
Westandatopagreatcrater.
Atownstretchesbelowus.
Atthecenterofthecraterablackgoldcastleinsiderestshalfruined.
Surroundedbythehugetown.
"Sothisiswherehesentus..."
Irecognizethiscity.
OneoftheThreeGreatTownsoftheMagicContinent.
Acratershapednaturalwallpreventsmagicbeastsfromentering.
Afternightfall,magicstonesinsidethecraterilluminatesthecity.
Iknowthecastleaswell.
ThiswasoncetheseatoftheGreatDemonEmperorKishirikaKishirisu,
destroyedinLaplace'swarwiththeDemonKings.
OnceknownasOldKishirisuCastle.
Also,forme,aplaceofunhappymemories.
RikarisuTown.
Chapter6SearchforKishirika
Part1
141/323
4/2/2016
RikarisuTown.
Lotsofmemorieshere.
Evennow,Irememberitlikeyesterday.
MylifeasanadventurerintheMagicContinentstartedhere,filledwith
memoriesofRuijerdandEris.
Butintheend,wewerechasedout,leavingonlybadmemoriesbehind...
ButtheexperiencesIgainedherearegood.
It'shereIlearnednottooverthinkthesituationortrytodoeverythingby
myself.
Wehikedowntheslopeandheadtowardstheedgeofthecrateruntilwe
reachanentrance.
Justasbefore,herestandsapairofguards.
Backthen,inordertosneakRuijerdin,wecameindisguise...
"Hey,it'sguarded.Isthataproblem?"
"No.CitiesintheMagicContinentbasicallywelcomeeveryonein."
"Butdoesn'tthesecurityfeelrathertightrightnow?"
AsCliffsaid,theguardslookquitealert.
Jetblackarmor,fullfacehelmet.
Thearmorlookssharpandominous.
WhenIwasatRikarisu,theguardsweren'tsowellequipped.
TheequipmenthaschangedovertheyearsIsuppose.
"Halt."
142/323
4/2/2016
Justasweareabouttoenter,theguardsstopus.
"Whatisit?"
"No,thatwomanoverthere..."
TheguardsstareatElinalise.
CliffstepsinfrontofElinaliseasiftoshieldher.
Elinaliselooksunfazed.
"What'swrong?"
"...What?"
Theotherguardpullsoutapieceofpaperandlooksbackandforth
betweenitandElinalise.
Isneakapeek.Drawnonitisasuccubuslikebeauty.
Tall,bigbreasted,longwavyhair.
Itwasn'tcolored,butElinalisesharessomesimilarities.
But,thechestisoff.
"Nother."
"Ah,nope."
Withthatsaid,theguardputsawaythepaper.
"Excuseme,proceed."
"Somethinghappened?"
143/323
4/2/2016
"Noneofyourbusiness."
IleftquietlyafterIwasrefused.
"Lookslikethey'relookingforsomeone."
"Yeah."
There'sanescapeesomewhereintown?
Well,nothingtodowithus.
Butweshouldbecareful.
Ifwewanderintoanalleysomewhereandmeetamurderer,that'dsuck.
"Well,nowwhat?"
"Let'sgototheAdventurer'sGuildandexchangesomemoney."
"Gotit."
Afterasimpleexchange,wefollowtheroadahead.
"Wow,amazing..."
Cliffexclaimsasheseesthenearbyopenmarket.
Asusual,it'sfulloflife.
Merchantsandadventurersofvariousraces.
Lizardlikemagicbeastsriddenbackandforth.
144/323
4/2/2016
Butthethingsgoingonareaboutthesameasthoseinthemarkets
aroundtheMagicCitySharia:
Merchantsandadventurersarguing,residentswanderingtoandforth,a
beggaraskingforcharityfromamerchantandgettingkickedaside.
Samesortofthingseverywhereyougo.
EvenCliffshouldbefamiliarwiththissight,butseeingvariousraces
mixedtogethermightberefreshing.
Mustbedifferent.
However,unexpectedly,blackcladsoldiersareeverywhere.
WhenevertheyspotElinalise,withoutapause,they'lltakeoutsome
paper.
Sinceit'sobviouslysomeonedifferentevenfromafar,theynevercome
forquestioning.
"Cliffsenpai,yourwifeisratherpopular."
"Eh,Ehh...Isitalright?"
"AslongasElinalisesanhasn'tdoneanythingherebefore,itshouldbe
alright."
Withthatsaid,IstareatElinalise.
Sheshrugs.
"NothingIfeelguiltyabout."
Elinaliselooksunfocused.
Shedefinitelydidsomethingshefeltguiltyabout.
Part2
145/323
4/2/2016
TheAdventurer'sGuildisthesameasalways.
Atworst,ithasdeterioratedslightlyduetotheravagesoftime.
No,Irememberitwasalwayslikethis.
Alleyeswereonuswhenweentered.
Hownostalgic.
Lasttimeafterashortact,wehadtheplaceinanuproar.
Thankfully,Ruijerdsoongotintheactandweavoidedamess.
Soon,everyonelostinterest.
ApartyofLongEarRaceandHumanmightbeexotic,butafewrare
specimensdon'tdeservetheattention.
WeheadtothefrontdeskandexchangedsomeAsuracoinswithMagic
Continentones.
Around100GreenMineralCoinsworth,butIcollectedthemwithout
doublechecking.
Backthen,I'dcheckthecontentsofmywalleteveryday,evenifthere's
onlyoneortwopiecesleft.Ihavereallychanged.
No,I'mjustatadmoreaffluentthanbefore.
Also,weissuedarequesttotheAdventurer'sGuildforKishirika's
whereabouts.
"Petitegirl,purplehair,bondagewear,selfproclaimedGreatEmpressof
theDemonRealm.Inparticular,shehabituallylaughslikeamaniac."
Sinceit'sasearch,ratingsarelow,buttherewardishigh.
146/323
4/2/2016
Isticktherequestonthejobboard.Suddenly,Inoticedattheedgeofthe
jobboardanagingpetitionfromtheFedoaRegionSearchGroup.
ThesearchgroupatMilishasalreadybeendisbanded,yetthispetition
stillremains.
ThecontactpersonisstillPaulattheHolyKingdomofMilis.
Atthisrate,wouldn'tsomeoneenduptravelingallthewaytoMilisfor
nothing?
IreturntothefrontdeskandchangethecontacttoAlphonseatthe
refugeecamp.
Theyprobablywillstillacceptrefugeesthere.
Althoughmyresidencecouldworkaswell,honestly,Idon'twanttotake
careofpeopleIdon'tknow.
"Well,we'redonehere."
"Nowwhat?"
AfterCliffasked,Ispenttimethinkingaboutournextmove.
Ofcourse,weshouldn'tjustsitaroundandwait.It'sbetterifwedosome
diggingourselves.
We'llspendaweekherecollectinginformation.
Lookforhelpanddolegworkonourown,searchcarefully.
Ultimately,theAdventurer'sGuildjobrequestisjustasafetynetincase
wemissedKishirikasomehow.
"First,collectintel."
Icheckmysurroundings.
Amanwalksuptowardsus.
147/323
4/2/2016
Ahorsefacedman.
Irememberthisguywell.
It'stheguythattrappedus.
It'sallhisfaultthatwegotkickedoutofthecity...well,notallhisfault.
Iknowaswell,backthen,webroketherules.
"Yo!"
Thehorsefacedman,Nokopara,justlikebefore,comeschattingfull
spirited.
Toaguylikehim,makingconversationwithnewfacesispartofthejob.
DespitewhatIthink,thepersonhe'sgreetingisnotme,butElinalise.
"Longtimenosee!YouandRoxysplitup?"
ElinaliselooksatNokoparainsurprise.
Notlongafter,probablywhenitfinallyclicksforher,sheclapsherhand.
"Ah,fromRoxy'soldparty."
"...Eh?"
Roxy'soldparty?
What?
"Rudeus,pleasehelptranslate.Thisismy...no,Roxy'soldbuddy."
ElinalisepushesmetofaceNokopara.
148/323
4/2/2016
8yearsago.
Theguythatclungontous.
Roxy'soldbuddy.
Oldpartymember.
Inotherwords,hewasclingingontoRoxytoo.
WhyhaveIneverheardanythingaboutthis?
"Oh,IamNokopara.Doyouunderstandme?"
Hedoesn'tremembermefrombackthen.
Itcan'tbehelped,after8years,Ihavegrownupquiteabit.
Nokoparahasgrownoldtoo...well,Ican'treallytell.
Howhorsefaceslookwhenolder,Ican'treallytell.
Inturn,Nokoparaprobablycan'ttellhumanfacesaparteither.
"Yeah,Nokoparasan.Iunderstand."
"Rudeus,heshouldbequitefamiliarwiththesituationsinthistown.
Whynotaskhimtohelpcollectinformationforus?"
"..."
Thisguyisgoodwithintel,thatIknow.
He'sveryobservantofothers.
Inthatcase,heshouldcomeinhandyforus.
Wewereoncepushedintoacornerbyhim.
Butweshamedhiminpublicaswell.
Hemightstillbeholdingagrudgeforthat.
149/323
4/2/2016
Insteadofcomingclean,I'mbetteroffhidingmyidentityandtaking
advantageofhim.
"IamQuagmire.Nicetomeetyou."
"Ah,Quagmirehuh...Oh?Havewemetbefore?"
"No,that'simpossible."
IfEriswashere,she'dprobablykickhisass.
ButI'llletbygonesbebygones.
HeneverdidrealizethatRuijerdisaSupard.
Anditwasourmisstepthatcausedthesituation.
Besides,nowisnotthetimetodigupthepast.
"We'relookingforsomeone.Willyouassistus?"
"...Howmuchyougot?"
Hepissesmeoff.
Well,Iwouldn'twanttoworkforfreeeither.
"2GreenMineralCoins.4ifyoufindher."
"4!?Ddone!"
Ah,toomuch.
It'sbeenawhile,Icompletelyforgotaboutthesituationhere.
Ah,ohwell.
"It'sanemergency."
150/323
4/2/2016
"Oh.Ifit'sforElinalise,Icandoitforhalf."
Nokoparaturnsuphisnoseandsmilestohimself.
Part3
AfterIprovideNokoparatheinfoonKishirika,hesaid[We'llgetin
touchinhalfaday]anddisappearedintothecrowd.
"I'msurprisedyouheldback."
WatchingNokoparaleave,Elinalisespeaksup.
"Eh?"
"Iremembernow.Thatguytriedtoshakeyoudownbefore."
"Wow,youevenknowaboutthat."
"WhenIcamebythistown,Icaughtwindofit.Apparently,Nokopara
triedtoshakedown[DeadEnd]andalmostgotkilled.ButIdon'tthink
Roxyheardofit..."
Elinaliseknows.
Well,noreasonthatshewouldn't.
ASupardshowingupintownwouldbebignews.
"It'sjustanunfortunateevent."
ThingsweregoingsowellthatIgotcarriedawayandfellonmyface.
ThewayNokoparatakesadvantageofothersdisgustsme,butI'mno
saintmyself.
SinceNokoparadoesn'trealizewhoIam,alliswell.
151/323
4/2/2016
"Anyways,Idon'tplanonsettlingthescorewithNokopara.Butifhe
crossesusagain,that'sadifferentstory."
What'spastispast,butIamnotthatgenerous.
Crossmeagain,andI'llmakesurethat'sthelasttime.
"Say,NokoparaandRoxyinapartytogether,what'supwiththat?"
"Ah,aboutthat."
IfeelalittletroubledafterhearingthestoryofRoxyandNokopara.
Ah,suchaniceguybackthen,yetlookathowheturnedout.
Part4
There'slotsofstufftogetdoneinhalfaday'stime.
First,securingaccommodation.
Thistownhasplentyofinnsopenforadventurers.
Simpleinnsforrookies,andluxuryonesforhighrank.
Thistime,weselectedoneforhighrankadventurers.
Ipickedahighclassinnmostlyforitssecurity.
It'salittlepricey,butsincepricesaregenerallylowattheMagic
Continent,itwasn'tverypainful.
Onthewaythere,wewalkedpastWolfClawInn.
That'stheplacewestayedinlongago.
152/323
4/2/2016
Bychance,wepassedbythreeyoungrookies,chattingastheywalkout
oftheinn.
It'salittlelatetoheadoutforworkrightnow,sothey'reprobablygoing
shopping.
Say,theotheradventurersthatlivedherebackthen...Kurutoandpeople,
whataretheyuptonow?
Becauseofmymisjudgment,oneofthemdied.Howaretheothertwo
doing?
No.Ithasbeen8yearsalready.
Theymightalreadybedead.
Butifwecanmeetagain,I'dliketotalkaboutoldtimeswiththem.
Ohyeah.
IshouldgomeetwiththePhunters.
JalilandVeskel,right?
Thepettycriminalsthatspecializeinlostpets.
AlthoughI'mnotlookingforapetthistime,Kishirikaisbasicallyan
animal.Maybetheycanfindher.
"Beforethat,letmedropbythisplaceIknow."
"AsexpectedofShisho,tobesowellconnected."
"Ijustknowafewpeople."
Thinkingaboutthat,IheadtowardsPhunters'petstore.
Itshouldbearoundheresomewhere.Followingvaguememoriesofthe
area,Iwentahead.
Mymemoriesaredubious,andthecitychanged.
153/323
4/2/2016
Despitethat,afterspendingsolongintheareaandfollowingthe
landmarks,Icanstillrecognizethisplace.
Thelocationisright,butthestorehaschanged.
It'sabutcher'sshop.
Aguywithhedgehogheadlooksafterthestore.Iwenttocheckitout.
"Welcome."
"Irememberthiswasapetshoponce.Doyouknowwhathappened?"
"Ah,Jalil?Thatguy'sdead.Gotkilled2yearsagotamingamagic
beast."
Eh,hedied?
Seriously?
"AndVeskel?"
"Veskel?Sheleftayearago.WithJalildead,shecan'tdoworkno
more."
Veskelisgonetoo.
Really,Jalil,dead?
IknowthattheMagicContinentisacruelplace,buthearingthatanold
friendhasdiedisstillratherdepressing.
Intheend,hedidbetrayRuijerd.
Evenso,wedidworktogetheronce.
I'dliketoremainasfriends.
154/323
4/2/2016
"ItookovertheshopfromVeskel.Doyouknowher?"
"Yeah,wemet."
"Wellthen,letmegiveyouadiscount."
IalsoaskedaboutKishirika,andaspay,boughtsomeGreatLandTurtle
jerkyandleft.
GreatLandTurtlemeatstilltastesasdisgustingasalways.
Part5
Forhalfaday,webusyourselvesincollectingintel.
Collectingintelbyhandisnotparticularlyefficient.
ParticularlybecauseI'mtheonlyonethatspeakstheDemonGod
language.
Sobasically,onlyIcouldaskaround.
IfonlyRoxywerehere.
Still,searchingatown,oneortwopeoplewon'tmakemuchofa
difference.
Whenitcomestointel,let'scountontheexpertNokoparainstead.
Withthosethoughts,Icontinuetoaskaround...
"Petite,purplehair,bondagewear,selfproclaimedGreatEmpressofthe
DemonRealm,habituallylaughslikeamaniac.Haveyoumetthatgirl
before?"
"Ah,thatkid.Ihave.Butthatwasalmost...ayearago."
TurnsoutIgotalotofresponses.
155/323
4/2/2016
Unexpected.
Trulyunexpected.
Withthis,maybeitwon'tbetoolongbeforewefindher.
"Score!"
Cliffraiseshisvoicehappily.
Asifwealreadyfoundher.
ButElinaliseshakesherhand.
"Butnoonesawherrecently?"
It'strue.
They'reall[Aboutayearago.]
Well,somealsosaid[Abouthalfayearago.]
Maybesheleftalready.
Inthatcase,weshouldstartasking[Wheredidshego?]
RikarisuTownsitsonthenortheastcorneroftheMagicContinent.
Forthetimebeing,shewouldprobablyheadsouthwest.
There'samountainrangetothesouthwest,inthatcasemaybe...No,this
isKishirikaafterall.
NotthatIknowKishirikaverywell.
ButIgotafeelingshe'scapableofanything.
Ifshedoesn'tfollowtheroads,thenwhoknowswhereshecouldbe.
156/323
4/2/2016
"Let'sgocheckinwithNokopara."
"It'sonlybeenhalfaday.Idoubtevenhecouldhavefoundmuch..."
Regardless,weheadbacktotheAdventurer'sGuild.
Wepickedatable,andjustwhenwewereabouttograbsomethingto
eat,Nokoparashowsup.
"Yo.Waitedlong?"
Justlikehowheleft,hecamebacksmilingandfullofenergy.
No,Ican'ttellhowhappyahorsefaceis.
Butheseemsprettyhappytome.
"Sorry,Ihaveyettofindtheperson,butI'vegotsomeintelforyou."
"Whatdidyouhear?"
Onlyhalfadayfortheeagletoland.
Basically,wealreadyknowalltheinformationNokoparafound.
ButasexpectedofNokopara,hewasabletosummarizeallthemost
commonsightings,aswellaswhereshewaslastspotted.
Notbadforhalfaday'swork...
Rather,aspartofhisdailyroutine,heknowsalltherightpeopletoask.
Then,basedonwhatinfoisneeded,hepicksthebestcandidatestoask,
somethinglikethat.
That'stalenttoo.
157/323
4/2/2016
"DemonKingsamaseemstobelookingfortheGreatDemonEmpress
aswell."
"DemonKing?"
"Yeah.Aboutayearago,theDemonKingfromtheadjacentterritory
traveledhere."
Apparently,aDemonKingcurrentlyresidesatthecenterofRikarisu
Town,atOldKishirisuCastle.
Soalltheblackcladsoldiershereareherpersonalarmy.Theriderstoo
arebasicallyherprivateguards.
"Don'ttellmethatDemonKingisBadigadi?"
"No,notBadigadisama.It'sAtofesama,oldersisterofBadigadisama,
averyterrifyingDemonKing."
Badigadihasasister?
Ablackamazon?
"Reallyscary?"
"Ah,she'saDemonKingthatfoughtintheLaplaceCampaignafterall.
Ifyouaccidentallyoffendher,shemightexecuteyouonthespot."
Ican'tevenimaginethatwhenBadigadiissoeasygoing.
Butifthat'sthecase,thenIshouldprobablyavoidher.
No,ifsheisrelatedtoBadigadi,thenshemightalsobeimmortaltoo.
Ifshehaslivedsincealongtimeago,thenmaybesheknowsofthecure
toDolinesyndrome.
Ishouldtrytogetanaudiencewithherandask...
158/323
4/2/2016
Whethershewillseemeisanotherquestion.
"Say,hasBadigadireturned?"
"Hehasyettoreturn...Hey,watchyourlanguagewhenyoutalkabout
theDemonKingsama."
"Apologies."
Badigadihasn'tcomeback.
Whoknowswherehe'swanderingtheworldrightnow.
He'sbeengonefor8yearsalready.
Maybewanderingtheworldisahobbyofhis.
Isummarizedthedetailstotheothers.
Zanoba,withahandtohischin,says,
"Theportraitlooksnothinglikeher."
Nowthathementionedit,thatportraitdoeslookcompletelydifferent
fromtheKishirikathatIremember.
IknowKishirikawasakid.
Ididn'tnoticewhenIcheckedtheportrait,butthatvixenlooksquitelike
Kishirika.
MaybeonceKishirikagrowsolder,that'showshewilllook.
MaybeKishirikahasgrowninthepastfewyears?
No,no.
Wehavewitnessreportsofthatgirl.
Inotherwords,thatDemonKingdoesn'tknowthatKishirikaisakid?
159/323
4/2/2016
Oh...
MaybeNokoparawouldknow.
"Thatportraitthattheprivateguardshavelooksdifferentfromtheactual
Kishirika.Whatdoyouthink?"
"DemonKingsamadoesn'tconcernherselfwithpettydetails.Somaybe
shethoughtanyagewoulddo."
"Ah,Isee."
Badigadiiswhimsicalaswell.
MaybeAtofeisthesame.
"Then,let'sallcheckwithAtofesama?"
Ideclareandgetup.
ButNokoparastartstopanic.
"Hey,holdon,forgetit.Atofesamaisreallydangerous.You'rebetteroff
notgoing."
"No,Imust.I'llbecarefulnottooffendher."
Noproblem?
Ihopetherewon'tbe.
Ifsomethinghappens,thenZanobawillstandguardwhileIattack.
JustlikewithBadigadi,I'llhitandrun...
Then,onceIfindBadigadi,hecanmediateforus.
Well,that'lldo.
160/323
4/2/2016
"Ifweshouldmeet,thenallowmetohelp."
Zanobastandsupsmiling.
He'saroyaltyaswell,soarrangingameetingshouldbepossibleright?
Ifthat'sthecase,thenmaybeweshould'vegottenArieltocome
instead...
Holdon,maybelikewithPerugius,Zanobaiseasiertogetalongwith.
SinceArielisalwaysthinkingaboutnetworking,shemightbeexposed
andhated.
"IsAtofesamainterestedinthearts?"
"Eh?Arts?Em,whoknows.Well,DemonKingsamasallseemtohave
thosesortsofinterests."
Badigadi'sinterests...likewhat?
Idon'tthinkhehasanythingofthesort.
No,he'sinterestedinbeer?
Likereallyexpensivebeer?
EventhoughAtofeisaveryscaryDemonKing,ifshe'sanythinglike
Badigadi,thenwemightgetalong.
"Anyways,let'sgogiveitashot."
Withthetalkover,ElinaliseandCliffstoodupaswell.
Part6
Anhourlater.
Westandlookingatthecastle.
161/323
4/2/2016
Conclusion?
Failure.
ZanobatakesthecrestofShirone.Itranslateforhimtorequestan
audiencewithDemonKing.
"Neverheardofthatcountry.Atofesamaisbusy!Nooneisallowed!"
Denied.
Doorslammedinourface.
MaybeAsuraKingdom,orKingdomoftheDragonKing,orHoly
KingdomofMiliswouldhavebeendifferent.
ButShironeisasmallkingdom,soit'simpossible.
It'slikeexpectingaJapanesetoknowthenameofsomecountryin
Africa.
Especiallywhentherewasnoappointment.
It'sonlynatural.
"I'msorry.Myhomecountrylackstheprestige."
Ratherthangettingangryattheblatantbreachofetiquette,Zanobais
apologizingtomeinstead.
"No,Iwasinconsiderate."
"Ithoughtthismighthappen..."
Zanobasaidashefrowns.
162/323
4/2/2016
Zanobaisn'tmuchofapatriot,buttohearhiscountrymockedinsucha
matter,Idoubthe'llletitgo.
"...Sigh,let'stakeabreak."
Cliffleansonawallnearbyandsighs.
Istillhavesomegasinthetankbut...
"True,I'mabittiredtoo."
Lookingaround,Zanobaissweatytoo.
Itmightmiss,buthe'salsoanindoortype.Aday'sexerciseishardon
himtoo.
Ialsofeellikemyheadisrunningslow.
Let'srest.
"Alright.Thenlet'sgograbsomegrub."
Wedidn'thavetimeforlunch.
Thejerkywaslackingaswell.
Well,foodhereishardtoeat,soIdon'thavemuchappetite.
"Shisho,there'sanopenairstallthere.Let'sjusteatthere.Isthatalright
withyoutwo?"
Nowthatyoumentionit,forawhile,wecouldsmellbarbecueintheair.
Followingournose,there'saheavilyspicedMagicContinentspecialty,
openstallspicybarbecueskewers.
163/323
4/2/2016
Withacrowdof...3customerswaitinginline.
"Idon'tmind,buteatingwhilestanding...isn'tthatagainsttherules?"
"Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?"
Astheyargue,Elinalisehasalreadytakenherplaceintheline.
"I'llholdaspot.Rudeus,gosetupaplacetositsomewhere."
"Willlanguagebeaproblem?"
"Fornumbers,wecanjustuseourhands."
That'struetoo.
Therearewaystogetaroundwithoutknowingthelanguage.
Followingherinstructions,withmagic,Isetupsomechairsontheside.
Althougheatingstandingupisfine,sinceweneedtorest,wemightas
wellsitdown.
Althoughtobehonest,Idon'tmindsittingonthegroundeither.
"I'lllineuptoo."
CliffandElinaliselineuptogether.
IfinishwiththepreparationsandsitdownwithZanoba.
"Phew."
Aftersittingdown,adayofexhaustionrushedontome.
164/323
4/2/2016
Butsittingherelikethis,Istarttofeelliketheentiredayhasbeena
wasteoftime.
Westilldon'tknowwhetherwecanfindKishirika.
Evenifwefindher,wehavenocluewhethersheknowsanythinguseful.
Rather,Ihaveafeelingthechancesthatshedoesisnigh.
Badigadiaswell,althoughtheyhavelonglives,Ithinktheyrarelyget
ill.
"...Shisho,don'tbetoohardonyourself."
"Eh?"
"Nanahoshi'sillness,Shishodoesn'thavetofeelsoresponsibleforit."
I'mnotresponsible.
Right.That'strue.
But,thisisnotanissueofresponsibility.
ThisiswhatIwanttodo.
"That'strue."
"Butfeelinghomesickandwantingtogoback,Icanunderstandthata
little.That'swhyIwanttohelp."
"Really?Ithoughtyouwerehappywiththelifeyouhavenow."
"Ofcourse.Butsometimes,Ifeelnostalgicforhome.That'salsotrue."
Zanobafeelshomesicksometimes.
Ithoughtheonlyhaddollsonhismind,butIguessZanobaisalso
someone'sfleshandblood.
165/323
4/2/2016
"...Nanahoshitriessohard.Herhomeisdefinitelysomethingimportant
toher."
"Theboyshelikes,andherfamilytoo...They'reallthere."
Bothareordinary,butbothareimportant.
Very,veryimportant.
"Bothofthemarebeyondme."
"Foryou,it'sdolls."
IabsentmindedlywatchtheothertwowhilechattingwithZanoba.
CliffandElinalise.
Thosetwohavechangedsomuchfromwhenwefirstmet.
Cliffcan'treadthemood,butnowhe'smoreconsiderateofothers.
Elinalisetoo,I'mfondofthetimewhenshewasbusychasingafterboys.
Iftheyeversplitup,theyprobablywouldreturntotheirtrueformsina
hurry.
"..."
ThecustomerbeforeClifforderedhisskewers.
Probablytoaskforchange,abeggarinhoodandragswentover,butthat
customerkickedhimaway.
Clifflooksangrywhenhespotsthis.
ButElinalisestopshim,sonofightbrokeout.
Cliffiskindhearted.Hedefinitelywillgetsomethingforthebeggar.
AsIexpected,heboughtanextraskewerandhandedittohim.
166/323
4/2/2016
Thebeggardevourstheskewerashethankshim.
Nom,nom.
Soonafterhefinishedone,hebrazenlybegsCliffforanother,soCliff
boughtanewoneforhim.
Somovedthathe'strembling,thebeggarholdsCliff'shand.
Eh?
Dejavu.
Say,thatbeggar,ishethankingCliffinhumanlanguage?
Inthatmoment,thebeggarsuddenlylaughswithavoicesoloudthatit
canbeheardfromevenoverhere.
"Faahahahaha!"
Throwingoffherrags,sheloudlydeclares!
"ThisoneiscalledKishirikaKishirisu!A.K.A.THEGREATEMPRESS
OFTHEDEMONREALM!Youhavesavedthisone'slife!It'sfineif
youaskforanyonedesire!"
Ifeeldizzy.
Part7
GreatDemonEmpressKishirika.
ShelooksjustashowIrememberedher.
Thosekneehighkicks,skintighthotpants,andblouse.
Herpaleskin,collarbone,waist,navel,andthighs.
167/323
4/2/2016
Hercharacteristicthick,purple,wavyhairwithgoathorns.
Well,she'sdirtierthanbefore.
Butwithoutadoubt,
That'sKishirikaKishirisu.
"Faahahahah!Faahaha!Faahahahaha!"
Clifflooksdumbfounded.
Elinalise'seyesturnintodots.That'safirst.
Metoo,whatjusthappened?
TheonlyonecalmisZanoba.
Onlyhim,withhishandonhischinsaid,[Oh,sothat'sBadigadi'slover.]
"..."
Payitforward.
Thatidiomfloatsinmymind.
IthinkCliffistheproofofthosewords.
Helpingabeggarsoundseasy,butnoteveryonewoulddoit.
Ultimately,theotherperson'sabeggar.
Raggyclothes,astrongstenchwheneverheapproaches,skincoveredin
dirt,andblackenedteeth.
Youfeelsorryforthem,soyououghttobuythemfood.Butdoyou
reallywantto?
168/323
4/2/2016
Iwon't.
Iwon'tgoasfaraskickingher,butIdon'thavethatkindofuniversal
love.
ButCliff,hedoes.
Thefirsttimewemet,Ithoughthewasapettybastard.
Butinthefuture,heprobablywillbecomeagreatpriest.
VivalaCliff!
Okay,that'senoughpraiseforCliff.
Anyways,whyisKishirikabegginghere?
"Come!Don'tholdback!Anythingyoudesire!Butbeforethat,state
yourname!"
"Eh?Eh...?CCliffGrimoire."
LookingatthebeggarturnedKishirikabeforehim,Clifflookstomefor
help.
Meanwhile,Kishirikamakesapompousposeandcontinues.
"Cliff!Treatingthisonetofoodisagreatdeed.Thisonehasn'tatefor
halfayearalready!"
Iwalkbyandjointheconversation.
"Inthatcase,howaboutsomemore?"
"Oh!Really!Youaretrulygenerous!Trulyagenerousman!"
169/323
4/2/2016
Thenforawhile,KishirikacontinuestowolfdownGreatLandTurtle
skewers.
Devouringeverything,whoknowshowshemanagedtofiteverything
intothattinybody.
Nom,nom.
"Phew,thisoneisfull!Withthat,thisonecanlastawholeyear!"
Kishirikaslapshertummyinsatisfaction.Shehaswipedouttheentire
stall.
Sellingsowell,thestallownermustbehappytoo.
Next...
"Longtimenosee,Kishirikasama."
"Andyouare!"
Ibowinrespect.Kishirikastaresatme.
"Eh?Oh?"
Thenherpupilsspin,andsheclapsherhands.
"Oh!You!Thehumanboywiththedisgustingamountofmagicpower!
Thisoneremembers!Thisonegavetheboyademoneye.Thenameis,
ohyeah,eh...Ru,ba,Rumba...Rumbaus.Longtimenosee!"
"It'sRudeusGreyrat."
170/323
4/2/2016
I'mnorobotvacuumcleaner.
"Longtimenosee,Rudeus...Yousuregrew.Howwasit,afterthat,how
waslife?"
Kishirikaslapsmeonthethighonceshegotcloseenough.
Likeamanagerfromsomewhere.
"Ahyes,thedemoneyeKishirikasamagiftedmehassavedmylife
manytimes!"
"Faahahahah!Isthatso,isthatso!"
Kishirikanodshappily.
Howsimple.
Soeasy.
"But,thisonecanonlyrewardoneperson!Justone!"
KishirikapointsatCliff.
"You,CliffGrimoire.Stateyourdesires."
"..."
PointedoutbyKishirika,Cliffswallows.
SuddenlyIremember.
TherewardfromGreatDemonEmpressKishirikaKishirisu,ademon
eye.
171/323
4/2/2016
Thisissomethingwellknowninthisworld.
Cliffhashisowngoalsinthefuture.
Ademoneyewillsurelyhelpwithhismagictoolresearch.
Ifit'sme,Iwouldthinksotoo.
Ofcourse.
Unless?
"Tthen,pleasetellmethecuretoDrainSyndrome."
"Eh?"
"Afriendofminefellilltothat.She'sstablerightnow,butprobably
won'tgetbetter.Ifyouknow,pleasetellme."
Phew.
Mymindwandered.I'mreallysorry.
Whenwegetback,I'mdefinitelytreatingClifftoabigmeal.
"Em,DrainSyndromeeh?Thatnamesureisnostalgic.Peoplestill
gettingsickfromthat,nowthat'sshocking!"
IglanceatZanobaandnod.
LookslikeKishirikahasheardofitbefore.
"Then,whataboutthecure?"
"Ofcourse.Forthat,justtakesomeleavesofSokasuGrassandmaketea
withit.Thenit'llcomeoutwithpoop."
Icanfeelasmilegrowingonmyface.
172/323
4/2/2016
Good.
EventhoughKishirikamightbewrong,butwefinallyhavesomething.
MaketeawithSokasuGrassleaves.
Basicallymakeaconcoction.
"SokasuGrass?Neverheardofitbefore.Wherecanwefindit?"
"Em...PhantomCapitalMaio."[14]
"PhantomCapitalMaio?"
Crap.
AnycitywiththewordPhantominitisbasicallyimpossibletofind.
Likeaplaceyoucanonlyvisitinyourdream,orcanonlyfindinthe
shiftingdesert...
"NorthoftheRedDragonMountainRanges,atavalleynamedRed
DragonTailinDragonTailCave.SokasuGrassgrowsinthedeepest
reachesofthatcave."
"DragonTailCave."
Withthat,wehavemoreworktodo.
No,that'sgood.
Notbadatall.
BetterthannotfindingKishirikaandwanderingtheworldforyears.
Eh?
ButisthereevenaplacecalledRedDragonTailontheRedDragon
MountainRanges?
"Whereisthatplace?"
173/323
4/2/2016
"Oh,duringthesecondHumanDemonGreatWar,DragonGodand
FightingGodcutaholeinthegroundanditdisappeared."
"...Eh?"
Inotherwords,
It'sgone.
Say,thatdiffersfromthestoryIknew.
Theholeintheground,isn'tthatbecauseofthebattlebetweenKishirika
andtheGoldenKnight?
No,butKishirikadoesn'tlookparticularlystrong...
Well,forgetit.
Whenitcomestotalesandlegends,thetruthoftengetstwistedwhen
convenient.
What'simportantistheSokasuGrass.
"Say,isSokasuGrassextinct?"
"No,theDragonTailCaveisonlywhereitwasoriginallydiscovered."
Kishirikashakesherheadslowly.
Originallydiscovered,soitmaystillbegrowingsomewhere?
"SokasuGrassgrowsinthedepthofcaveswherethesunnevershines."
Depthofcaveswherethesundoesn'tshine.
LikeLabyrinths?
AnotherLabyrinth?
Inthatcase,thenI'llgetenoughbodiesthistime.
174/323
4/2/2016
20...No,Imightplaceenoughbountytoassemble100adventurersorso.
"Thus,underthisone'sinstruction,DemonKingseverywherehavebeen
growingthemundertheirowncastles."
"..."
"Afterall,SokasuGrassisdelicious.Moreover,drinkingthemleadsto
longlife.EvenImmortalDemonsdrinkthem.Faahahahaha!"
"..."
Inotherwords.
That'sit?
They'regrowingunderthecastle?
Notonlythat,butasingredientsforhighgradetea,thenwecanprobably
findthemeverywhere.
"Faahahaha!Youthoughtyouwouldn'tfindthem?DidIguessright?
Toobad!EvenKishirisuCastlehasthem!Faahahahaha!"
Thisguy,Ireallywanttokickher.
AsIthoughtso,Clifftakesastepforwardwithclenchedfists.
"You!"
"HoldonCliffsenpai!Waituntilshe'stolduseverything!"
"Oh,okay."
Shit,thetruthcameout.
Besides,ifthecastlehasit,thenit'sfine.
175/323
4/2/2016
Orrather,it'sperfect.
I'mnothappythatI'mbeingtoyedwith.
ThisisanareaIhavetoimproveon.
Butstaycalm.
Keepmyheaddown.
"Then,Kishirikasama.ThatSokasutea.Canwehavesome?"
"Sure!Butthere'sjustoneproblem."
"Problem?"
"Um.Rightnow,inKishirisuCastleisanannoyingperson.She'san
idiot,butanannoyingidiot.Thisonehasbeenhidingfromherforhalfa
yearalready...Ah!"
Kishirikalooksbehindme.
"Em?"
Ilookupandbehindme.
Overthere,blackcladsoldiers.
5,6,7...over20inall.
Evenmorefromthestreetandalleys...
Almost30inall,andwe'resurrounded.
Part8
Thesoldierswatchusintimidatingly.
176/323
4/2/2016
Elinalisetakesastepforwardwithahandontheswordonherwaist.
There'scoldsweatonherforehead.
Nomatterwhat,therearetoomanyenemiestodealwith.
Crap,wehavenowheretorun.
DoIgrabZanobaandCliffandflyaway?
DoIleaveKishirikaandElinalisebehind?
WhatdoIdo?
Thefrontmostsoldieramongthemstepsforward.
Withahoarsebutforcefulvoicehesaid,
"WearetheGaslowRegion[15]ImmortalDemonLordAtoferatofe's
PrivateGuard."
InfluentHumanlanguage.
Sowewillworkwiththem,probably.
"Atofesamacommands:HandKishirikasamatous,andhead
immediatelytothecastle."
Hearinghim,theblackcladridersbehindhimcomparetheportraitwith
Kishirikatheperson.Eh?Theyseemriledup.
AsNokoparaexpected,theportraitwaswrong.Theonethatorderedit
wassloppy.
But,eveniftheportraitwaswrong,ifsheyellsoutKishirikalikethat,
shewillprobablygetexposed.
"Whatifwedon't?"
177/323
4/2/2016
ThemomentElinaliseaskedquietly,allthesoldiersdrewtheirswords.
Thesoundofswordsunsheathingclatters.
Thechorusofsoundsbecomeseardeafeninglyloud.
"Killthemall."
Ican'ttellthestrengthofanopponentjustbylooking.
ButevenIhavequiteabitofexperienceundermybelt.
EvenIcantellwhenanopponentisobviouslystrong.
Theprivateguardsare,withoutadoubt,fullofincrediblepeople.
Farstrongerthanthetypicalridergroupcanmatch.
"No,don't.Iftheycatchthisone,thenwhoknowshowthey'lltreatthis
one?AtofeisthemoststupidamongthetheDemonKings!"
HearingKishirikamakesmefrown.
IfAtofedoesn'thaveaplanfordealingwithKishirikaaftercapturing
her,thenwhycaptureherinthefirstplace?
Besides,IhavenoreasontomeetwithAtofeanymore.
Ishouldjustrun...
Butthemedicineisunderthecastleright?
Thenmaybeweshouldgoalong...ButI'veneverseenitbefore.Ihave
noideawhatitlookslike.
WhileI'mhesitating,thesoldierremoveshishelmet.
"Please."
178/323
4/2/2016
Awhitehaired,battlewaryoldman.
Withagentlesmile,hebowshishead.
"Ifeveryonedoesn'tcome,thenwe'llbepunishedbyAfotesama.We
definitelywon'thurtyou,soplease..."
I'maJapanesemanthatcansay...no.
Notlikebefore.
Butaftersuchahumblerequest,Ican'thelpbutfeelsofthearted.
"No,don'tlistentohim.He'sAtofe'sdog."
ColdsweatdrippingdownfromKishirika'sface.
Seemslikeshe'shidingsomething.
"Ioverheardyourconversation.SokasuGrassisgrowninGaslow
Region,andwealsoknowthecultivatingtechniques.Ifnecessary,we
canevenpreparesaplingsforyou.Sopleasecomewithus..."
Theoldsoldierbowshishead.
Icanfeelhissincerity.
Eventhoughhecanmoveusforcefully,instead,herequestedsohumbly.
I'mnottooclosewithKishirika,butIdoknowofDemonKingslike
Badigadi.
Theseunderlingsmusthaveittough.
179/323
4/2/2016
"Say,whydoesKishrikasamahateAtofesamasomuch?Theremustbe
areasonthatyou'vebeenhuntingKishirikasamaforhalfayear.Can
youtellme?"
"Ayearago,here,Atofesamawassupposedtoreceiveashipmentof
winefromGekuraregion,butKishirikadrankthemall."
"Oh."
Theoldsoldiercontinues.
"Atofesamawasreallylookingforwardtothatwineandgotreally
angry.Sheorderedtheprivateguardsfromourhomecountryhereto
investigateandcaptureher.Wedon'tknowwhatKishirikalookslike,so
shegaveusthisportrait,andwehavebeensearchingforherever
since..."
"Sothat'swhathappened,Iunderstand."
IknockedoutKishirikawithmagicmyself.
Chapter7AudiencewiththeImmortal
DemonLord
Part1
OldKishirisuCastle.
Itsappearance,inanutshell,isofademoncastle.
Constructedfromspecialmasonry,ablackgoldcastle.
Itsoneglaringflawisagiganticholeinthecastletower.
AlthoughnotassophisticatedasPerugius'sSkyCastle,itisstillavery
beautifulstructure.
180/323
4/2/2016
It'sprobablymoredesirableforthoseinterestedinthepractical.
Normallyitservesasatouristattraction,opentothepublic,acastlethat
chargesanadmissionfee.
Apparentlydividedintotouristsectionandresidentsection.
We'rebroughttoanaudiencehall.
Notthegreatthroneroomthat'sopentothepublic.
Anarrowandpracticalaudiencehall.
Inthisnarrowhall,blackcladsoldierslineupshouldertoshoulder.
Atightsqueeze,andhottoo.
Andthen,onthejadethroneinthisstuffyhall,noone'sthere.
Ihavebeenwaitingforovertwohourshere.
Outside,thesunhassetlongago.
Althoughstandingisn'tmuchofatorture,butwouldithurtifthey
prepareaseatforme?
Bytheway,rightnowonlyZanobaandIarepresent.
ElinaliseandCliffwereledawaybysomesoldiersundergroundto
gatherthemedicine.
"Hey,whereisAtofesama?"
"Itoldyou,wealreadycalledforher."
"Thisistakingtoolong,don'ttellmeshelefttownalready..."
"She'sloosewithtime,eveninsidethecastleshemightbeadaylate."
"Butit'snotgoodifwekeeptheguestswaiting..."
"Youthere,bequiet."
181/323
4/2/2016
Thesoldierswhisperingamongthemselves.
Aratheruninhibitedbunch.
Somehowlookingatthemlikethisisratherreassuring.
WhenIchecked,theoldsoldierhasbeenstaringatus.
"Atofesamawillarrivesoon,pleaseholdonforalittlemore.Bythe
way,don'taskforareward."
"Ha?"
"Wewon'tbeabletohelpifsheoffersyouareward."
"Eh...Okay,Iunderstand."
Inodcandidly.
EventhoughIdon'tknowwhattherewardmightbe.
Well,Iwasn'tplanningforarewardinthefirstplace.
ArewardforsellingoutKishirika,Idon'twantsomethingsowicked.
Kishirikaiscurrentlytiedup,squirmingonthefloorlikeacaterpillar.
Lookslikepunishmentsareinstoreforher.Spankings?Scrubthetoilet?
Hopefullynothingtooserious...
RegardlessIshouldwatchmywords.
TheopponentisaDemonKing.
TheonlyonesIhavemetsofarareBadigadiandKishirika.
Ifthosetwogetangry...well?
Probablynotagoodthing.
182/323
4/2/2016
"Outoftheway!"
Suddenly,asoundfromtheback.
Iturnaroundtolookandseeawomanstandingthere.
OutofallthatIhaveseensofar,thatwomanisthemostdemonlikeof
all.
Blueskin,whitehair.
Crimsoneyes,batwings.
Andthen,fromherforehead,apairofgreathorns.
Herbodyiscladwithblackarmorlikethesoldiers.
No,herarmorlookswellworn,farmorethanthesoldiers'.
Coveredinscars,allthedecorationspeeledoff.
Ithasseenitsshareofbattles.
Hangingoffherwaist,agreatswordtoobigtoimagineforherslender
wrists.
Evenitsscabbardlooksmorestylishthanthesoldiers'.
Notparticularlytall.
Aboutnormalforamaturewoman.
AlittletallerthanAriel,alittleshorterthanme,aroundthere.
Butthethingreallyworthyofnote.
Istheunspeakableangerandkillingintentradiatingfromher.
Adifficulttoexplainsenseofviolence.
Basically,kindoflikeEris.
183/323
4/2/2016
Likeafemaleknight.
No,moreappropriatelyafemaleknightcommander.
ProbablybetterIavoidherbadside.
"Didyounothearme?Outoftheway!"
"Ah,yes."
Followingherinstruction,Imadewayforher.
"Good."
Thefemaleknightcommanderflicksherhair,unceremoniouslywalksup
tothethrone,andturnsaround.
Unsheathingfromherwaistthegreatsword,sheslamsitontheground
standingarrogantly.
Then,afteradeepbreath,said.
"ItisI,ImmortalDemonKingAtoferatofeRaibaku."
"...Eh?"
WhileIwasbewildered,theblackcladsoldiershurriedlyraisetheir
swordsinsalute.
All,exceptoneadjacenttothethrone.
Theoldsoldierfrombefore.
184/323
4/2/2016
"Atofesama!Whydidyoucomefromoverthere?HowmanytimesdoI
needtoremindyou?Whenyouarriveatthethrone,comefromthe
back."
"Ihavedecidedthatthefrontisbetter."
"Don'tbesoreckless!"
"Doyouknow?AfteranarduousjourneytochallengetheDemonKing,
themomentwhentheherocomesfacetofacewiththeDemonKingat
thethrone,thatfeelingisexhilarating."
"Sowhat!Thinkofhowdisappointedyourfather,oneofthefiveGreat
DemonKings,wouldbe!Notonlythat,thinkofyourhusbandRaibaku
sama!"
"Shutit!"
Atoferaiseshersword,fasterthantheeyecansee,swingsattheold
soldier.
Theoldsoldierinstantlytriestoparry,butitwastoolate.Hishelmet
flewoff,andcollapsed.
Theblackcladsoldiersaroundhimhurryovertohelp.
"Don'tbesoangryinfrontofguests!Yourdeadfatherwillrollinhis
grave!"
Thehelmetrollsinfrontofme.
Inthedeadcenterithassplitintwo.
Whatterrifyingpower.
NonchalantlyItakealookatit,theinterioriscoveredinblood.
"Ugh!"
185/323
4/2/2016
Eh?
Ah?
Didshecuthishead...
Don'ttellme,thatguy,he's...
Dead?
"Igetit.Bemoreconsideratenexttime."
WhileIwasthinking,theoldsoldierstandsuplikenothinghappened.
SmokecomingfromhisheadashebowstoAtofe.
Don'ttellme,he'salsofromtheimmortalclan?
Orrather,theyareall?
"That'sfine.Alright,let'sstartfromthebeginning."
"Okay!"
AtofesheathesherswordandtakestheHighlanderpose.
Theoldsoldiertakesahelmetofferedbyanother,andstandsatthehead
ofthetroops.
Then,oncemore,thesoldiersstraightenupandraisetheirswordsin
salute.
"ItisI,ImmortalDemonKingAtoferatofeRaibaku."
Zanobakneelsdownonthefloor,hisheadinabow,Ifollowsuit.
I'llbefineaslongasIcopyZanoba,probably.
186/323
4/2/2016
"First,allowmetothankyou.Thankstoyourassistance,wewerefinally
abletocatchthatidiotKishirika."
AtofesaidwhilelookingatKishirika.
Rolleduplikeasausage,shestaresattheground,resignedtoherfate.
Ifeelabitsorryforher.
Throwingherunderthebusafterhelpingusout,butitcan'tbehelped.
Wehaveourownproblems.
"Idon'thaveaportraitofthisonewhenshe'syounger,sothesearchwas
awasteoftime,butwefinallyfoundher!"
Ah,sothatreallywasthecase.
Howcareless.
"Wellthen..."
Stillinthatpose,Atofestaresoffsomewhere.
Then,nothinghappens.
5minutespassed.
Stillinthatpose,unmoving.
Likeherbreakerhastripped.
"Moore,nowwhat?"
"Reward."
187/323
4/2/2016
Lookslikesheforgotherlines.
Also,thatoldsoldierisapparentlyMoore.
Likehe'sabouttomakea"muhahamuhaha"laughatanymoment.[16]
"Ah,right.Theydeserveareward."
Atofesuddenlysaid.
"No,rewardisunnecessary."
IsaidtherefusalIhaveprepared.
Everythingsaidsofararemerelyceremonial.
That'swhyMooretoldmetonotgoforarewardearlier.
DespitewhatIthought,Atofeinsteadstampsherfeet.
"Youmeanarewardfrommeisn'tgoodenough?"
Atofeglaresatmewithkillingintent.
Mylegsbegintoquiver.
Thatkillingintentistherealdeal.
NotlikeRinia'sorPursena's.
MorelikeOrsted's.
188/323
4/2/2016
"No,no,itwouldbeanhonor."
Ibetternotgetonherwrongside.
Ifshewantstogiveussomething,Ibetterjustshutupandacceptit.
LikethatIstartlookingforexcuses.
"Whatwillbeourrewards?"
Hearingthis,satisfiedAtofesquintshereyes.
"Strength."
Strength.
Strength?
It'dbealieifIsayIdon'twantit.
ButMooresantoldmetorefuseit.
MaybeIshouldchangethetopicandtellherthatweneedtoleaveonce
myfriendsgotthetea.
"Iawardyouthehonorofjoiningandtrainingwithmyprivateguards!"
"Eh!"
What?
Sosheisn'tgoingtoputahandonmyforeheadandunlockmyhidden
potential.
OrgivemeademoneyelikeKishirika?
189/323
4/2/2016
"Youareabitsoft,butafter10yearsoftraining,youdefinitelywill
reachthatlevel."
"Ah,em."
"Iwilltrainyoudayandnightforthenext10years.Whatanhonor,
right?"
10years,trainingdayandnight...
No,Ihavewivesandakidathome,thatkindoftrainingIhavetopass
on.
It'strue,ifItrainforthenext10years,Icandefinitelygetstronger.
ButI'mnotabouttothroweverythingelseawayjustforstrength.
AbandoningthehomeIhavetoprotect,forwhat?
IlookovertoMooresan,heshakeshisheadtoresign.
WhatdoIdo?
No,Ihavetorefuseher.
Idon'twanttojoinsomeprivateguards.
"I'mverysorry,butthishonorisbeyondme."
"Noneedtobepolite!Go,getasuitofarmorandcontractforhim!"
SeveraloftheprivateguardsleftasAtofeinstructed.
"ThestrongestarmoroftheMagicContinent,thebesttrainingofthe
MagicContinent,andthemostfamedprivateguardoftheMagic
Continent.There'snogreaterhonorthanthat.Althoughoncecontracted
youcanneverdefyme,butit'snotlikeyoucouldevenifyoudidn't.
Doesn'tthatmakeyouhappy?"
190/323
4/2/2016
Cannotbedefied...
I'mnothappyatall.
ButofalltheDemonKingsIhavemetthusfar,thisistheDemonist.
Iguessinsomeways,havingachancetomeetaDemonKinglikethis,
issomethingtobehappyabout.
Wait,didalltheprivateguardsgetforcedintoacontractlikethis?
"No,Imustrefuse.Ihavefamilyathome,soIcannotstay10years
here."
"...Don'tmindthefamily.Ihaven'tseenmysonforoverahundred
years.Nonewsisgoodnews."
SoIhavetobeseparatedfor100yearstoo?
Don'tjokearound.
"Fforhumans,10yearsisaverylongtime.ItoldmyfamilyI'llbeback
soon.And..."
"And?"
Atofetwitchesherforehead.
Shedoesn'tlookveryhappy.
"AndIhaveasickfriendwaiting.Ineedtohurrytofindacureforher
andreturn.Therearealsomanyotherthingsthatmustbedone.Icannot
justthinkofmyownstrengthrightnow."
"Shutit!"
Atofeshoutsinanger.
191/323
4/2/2016
Terrifying,soterrifying.
Trulyterrifying.
What?Why?
Whydoesshehavetoshout?
"Areyoujoiningtheprivateguard,orareyounot?Whatwillitbe?Give
aclearanswer!"
"I,Imustrefuse."
Aftermyanswer,Atofeturnsstiff.
Hercheeksturnred.
"Why?Whydoyourefuse?"
Eh?
Didn'tIjustgiveabunchofreasons?
"Em..."
Atthismoment,Zanobasuddenlystepsin.
Iglanceback,he'safaceofcalm.
Ah,thewholetimewehavebeenspeakingDemonGod,sohedoesn't
knowtheconversation.
Whatshouldwedo?
HowdoIconvinceAtofe?
192/323
4/2/2016
Ilookaround.
Withoutrealizingit,themoodintheroomhaschanged.
Thesympathycomingfromthesoldiershascongealedintosomething
strange.
Also,feelingalittlealienated.
"Yousee!"
Kishirikasuddenlyyellsout.
"Thatoneisanidiot.Don'tgetinvolvedwithher.Youcan'ttalksenseto
her."
"Shutit!Iamnotanidiot!"
Atofesuddenlyroarsandunsheatheshersword.
"That'sright.Youtreatedmelikeanidiot!Yousaidyouwantareward,
thenyousaidyoudon't!Youplayedwithmyheadlikeanidiot!"
Thenshestartstoheadmenacinglytowardus.
Eh?
What?
Hey,calmdown.
"Atofesama!We'reinside,pleasecalmdown!"
"Iamnotanidiot!I'mnot!"
193/323
4/2/2016
Swingingherswordwildly,sheangrilyapproachesus,buttheblackclad
soldierstrytostopher.
"Standaside."
AtofesendsthesoldiersflyinglikeaRussellSnowPlowTrain.
Ah,crap.
DoIattackwithmagic?
No,ifIattacknowitjustescalatesthesituation.
"I'llhandlethis."
Duringmymomentofhesitation,Zanobastandsupandtakesastep
forward.
"Hah!"
ZanobagrabsAtofetightlybyherwrist.
Atofe,thinkingshecansendZanobaflyingliketherestofthem,
continuesahead.
But,asexpectedofthestrengthofamiko,Zanobamanagestostop
Atofe'sadvance.
"Oh!Youareunexpectedlystrong!"
AtofesmilesinwideeyeadmirationatZanoba.
Asiftoadmonishher,Zanobaspeaks.
194/323
4/2/2016
"Let'scalmdown.Itwasnotourintentiontobotheryou.It'salla
misunderstanding."
"QuitsayingwordsIdon'tunderstand!"
AtofeignoresZanoba'swords.
Rather,morelikeshecan'tunderstandhumanlanguage.
AtofeswingsatZanoba'sfootwithhersword,andwhenitdoesn'twork,
sheexclaims.
"Oh,you'retough.Wearingaparticularlystrongtouki!Interesting!"
Whileshoutingthosewords,Atofecutsoffherownarmthatwasheldby
Zanoba.
Nohesitation.
Herownarm.
Justbecauseitwasahassle,shecutitoff.
"MMph!"
ThemomentitseparatesfromAtofe,thearmdissolvesintosoftchunks
ofmeat.
Zanobaletsgo,andthemeatchunkssplatterontheground.
ThemeatsquirmsnearAtofe,stickingtoherarm.
Then,inaninstant,reformintoitsoldshape.
JustlikeBadigadi.
Physicaldamageisuseless.
195/323
4/2/2016
"IamtheImmortalDemonLordAtoferatofeRaibaku!Wifeofthe
originalNorthGodKalmanRaibaku!IshallshowyouthetrueNorth
GodStyle!"
Atoferaiseshergreatswordready.
Zanobaclencheshisfist,ishereallygoingtofighther?
"..."
Inthismoment,Ifeelachilldownmyspine.
Notgood.
Ihaveabadfeeling.Zanobawilldie.
Zanobaisamiko.
Typicalattackswon'tfazehim.
Butheisnotinvincible.
EventhatDragonGodOrstedcanbehurt.
Thisworldhasnoabsolutes.
Zanobaisalsoweakagainstfire.
Hemaybestrongagainstbluntforce,butit'snotcompletelyimmune.
"Grr."
Iimmediatelybegintogathermagic.
Asfastaspossible,ashardaspossible.
StoneCannon...won'tbeenough.
196/323
4/2/2016
Butmymagichasalsoimprovedfrombackthen.
"Wuhahaha!Die!NorthGodStyleSecret..."
"Electric!"
PurplelightningfliesfrommypalmtoAtofe.
Itsnapsinaninstant.
Atofefallsbackward.
"Ugh!"
Fallingback,thegreatswordslipsfromherhand.
Meanwhile,anumbnessfrommylefthand,butitshouldbefine.
Ididn'tputenoughmagicintoittokill.
"Ha!"
Zanobaisn'tgivingAtofeanyroomtospare.
"Kaboom!"
Zanoba'ssteelfisthitsAtofeintheface.
InstantlyAtofe'sheadcrumbles,flyingoffinabeautifulparabola.
Flingspastthethrone.
Withcrumblingsoundsbreakingthebackwall.
Sheflewoutofthecastle.
197/323
4/2/2016
"AAtofesamaaaa!"
Theblackcladsoldiersswarmtowardtheholeinthewall.
"Eh,oops...IwastryingtoprotectShisoandmovedwithoutthinking.Is
shedead?"
"No,Idon'tthinkshecan."
Well,sheisanImmortalDemonKing.
Problemis,whatdowedonow?
"Wow,theyactuallydidit."
"Didtheyreally..."
"Whatjusthappened?"
Wearesurroundedbysome20blackcladsoldiers.
Bickeringamongthemselves,theyhaveussurrounded.
Nowthatweknockedofftheirmaster,ofcoursetheyhavetodo
something.
"Ha."
Iraisemystaff.
Thisismyresponsibility.
ThishappenedbecauseofwhatIsaid.
198/323
4/2/2016
...No,wasIwrong?
Idon'tthinkIdidanythingwrong...Eh?
"..."
Buttheblackcladsoldiersdidnotraisetheirswords.They'reonly
looking.
"You..."
Zanobainafightingpose.
Maybeheshouldgrabaweapontoo.
Butrightnowwedon'thavetheluxurytolookforone.
Isthereawoodenpolethey'renotusing?
Mooreapproachesus.
Representingtheprivateguards,hespeakstomeinDemonGod
language.
"Letmeaskyouagain,doyouwanttobeourcomrades?"
"No,wedon't."
Iansweredhimclearlythistime.Moorereplies.
"Masterlikesstrongpeople.Aftergettingstoppedbysuchastrange
power,thensentflyingoutthecastlewithonepunch,shewilldefinitely
wanttokeepyou."
199/323
4/2/2016
AreallDemonKingsofthisworldlikethis?
Can'ttheybemoreserious?
Still,theblackcladsoldiersdon'tlookliketheyplantocaptureus.
AlltheysaidafterseeingAtofeflyoffwas[Wow!][Atofesamareally
diditthistime!][Haha!]Thatkindofbanter.
"Weprivateguardswillnotmoveunlessinstructed.Butonce
commanded...wecannotrefuse."
AfterMooresaidthat,manyamongtheprivateguardslooksharplyat
us.
Nothingfunnyaboutagroupthatdoesnothingunlessthey'retold.
Butweshouldbethankfulthatthisisthecase.
"Afotesamaprobablywon'tletyougetawaygiventhesituation."
"Whathappensaftershecatchesus?"
"Probablyforceyoutoduelher."
"..."
"Andwhenyoulose,forceyouintoacontractwhileunconscious.Once
contracted,youcanneverdefyAfotesamaagain."
"Tthatcontract,howlongdoesitlast?"
"Untilyoudie."
Gulp,Icanhearthesoundofmeswallowing.
"Butevery10years,yougeta2yearbreak."
2yearbreakevery10years.
200/323
4/2/2016
Solikeadayoffevery5.
Butsomehowthatdoesn'tfeelveryrestful.
"MostofthepeopleherevolunteeredtojoinAtofesama'sprivate
guards,butmanydidn't.EspeciallytheHumanRaceones.It'srough.We
cansympathize."
Amongtheprivateguards,afewdrooptheirhead.
Solikeus,theyalsofeltliketheygotforcedintothecontract.
Thecontractisaeuphemismforforcedslavery.
Sothat'swhathappened,whenMoorewarnedmetonottakeareward,
that'sthereason...
Heshouldhaveexplaineditbetter.
No,Ican'tblamehim.
It'smyfaultfornotasking.
Iwantedtobecareful,butIwascarelessfromthestart.
"...What'sourchancesintheduel?"
"Oh,chances?Doyouthinkyoucanbeatourmaster,whohaslostonly
toNorthGodRaibakuandDemonGodLaplaceinthelast5000years?"
Oh,basicallyzero.
Immortalisinhername.Herdurabilityprobablymatchesthatof
Badigadi's.
No,she'sprobablybetterthanBadigadiwhenitcomestofighting.
BadigadineverusedNorthGodStyleoranything.
Atleast,heneverdidwhenwepracticed.
201/323
4/2/2016
"Ifitwasatie,whathappens?"
"Rematchifanenemy,mutualrespectifafriend."
Inmysituation.
Probablyarematch.
FeelslikeIalreadymademyselfanenemy.
Then,afteracouplefights,I'lldefinitelyloseeventually.
"Tthen,whatshouldwedo..?"
"Runaway."
Mooresaysbluntly.
"YourfriendsshouldhavegatheredenoughSokasuGrassbynow.Under
thecastleisatunneloutthetown.Pleaseescapefromthere."
Theblackcladsoldiersaroundusplead.
"Don'tfollowourfootsteps."
"IfyoueverheadtotheHolyKingdomofMilis,pleasegotoWako
Village..."
"Idiot,stopthat.Youcanheadbackin7years."
"But..."
Thatsortofgrievingcomingfrombehindus.
Eh,I'llpretendIdidn'thearanything.
202/323
4/2/2016
Idon'tknowevenknowwhereWakoVillageis.
IstartrunningoutasIthankthesoldiers.
Incidentally,IcaughtaglanceofKishirika.
Shepleadswithhereyes.
Now,sheandIarethesame,bothfugitives.
"CanIbringKishirikasamawithme?"
"...Well,ourcommandwasonlytocaptureher."
Theprivateguardsdecidetooverlookthistoo.
LookslikeAtofenevercommandedthemtopreventKishirikafrom
escape.
Whathappenedtopunishingher?
Howeasygoing.
QuicklyIburnofftheropestyingupKishirika.
"Ohh.Thankyouverymuch!Thisonewilldefinitelyrepayyou!"
Weescapedfromthethroneroom.
Part2
WemadecontactwithElinaliseandCliffinsidethecastle.
Carryingasackfulloftealeavesontheirback,andeachwithasapling
intheirhands.
Ochercoloredleaves,remindsmeofshriveledaloe.
203/323
4/2/2016
"Becausethey'reweakagainstsunlight,theymustbegrown
underground.Ialsogotanotebookofinstructions,butIcan'treadthem."
"IcanhaveRoxytakealookatitafter,let'shurry."
"Whathappened?"
Iexplaintothemthesituation.
Elinalisehasa[Iknewthiswouldhappen]lookonherface.
"Iheardsomethinglikethisbefore.LikeKishirikagivesdemoneye,
Badigadigiveswisdom,andAtoferatofegivesstrength."
"Ifyouknew,youshouldhavetoldus!"
"Idon'tunderstandDemonGodlanguage,maybeyoushouldhave
translatedbetter."
Ah,true,Iwasatfaulttoo.
ButIamnotatranslator.
Idon'tknowwhatI'msupposedtodo.
"Notimetofight.Hurryandrun.Then,thatundergroundtunnel?Should
wego?"
IcomebacktomysensesafterhearingZanoba.
Right,rightnowAtofemayhavealreadyhealedthefaceZanoba
smashedopen,andisonthewaytokillus.
"No,betteravoidgoingunderground."
204/323
4/2/2016
Avoicefrombehindmylegs.
WhenIlookback,Kishirikahasbeenstaringatme.
Whenwelastmet,wewereroughlythesameheight,butnowIcan't
helpbutstaredownather.
"Thisonedidn'tsayanythingearlier,becausethisonewasmadofyour
betrayal,butBadidestroyedthattunnelduringtheLaplaceCampaign.It
hasn'tbeenfixedyet."
"Really?"
"Really.Thatguyisaliar.MooreliestohelpAtofe.He'sbasicallyher
righthand.Hemighthavesaidthat,buthe'sprobablyplanning
somethingonceyoustarttofightAtofe."
EvenifKishirikaislying,thatsoundsplausible.
Moorewantstodeceiveusandcaptureusunderground.
Thatbastard...
...Buthewaskindenoughtonotattackusimmediately.
Andhekindlypreparedcultivationnotesfortheherbsforustoo.
Betrayingthatkindness,pissingoffAtofe,that'sallmyfault.
IshouldjusthandoverKishirikaandcleanlyrefusethereward.
Maybetheywouldletmego.
AlthoughMooremightgrumbleaboutAtofe,he'sdefinitelynotonour
side.
"Butifthat'sthecase,thenwhynotcatchusrightthen."
"That'sAtofeyou'retalkingabout.Shedefinitelywantstocatchus
herself."
205/323
4/2/2016
Isee.
It'sjustagame.
AsaconfidantoftheDemonKing,thisispartofthejob.
Dotheothersoldiersknow?
Maybesomedid,andsomedidn't.
"Iunderstand.Then,weescapefromabove?"
"Yes.Thereshouldn'tbeanyinspectionsrightnow."
Inspectionsattheentrypoints.
Indeed,withtheprivateguardsallinsidethecastle,thereshouldn'tbe
anyinspections.
"PerhapsthingschangedwhenKishirikasamawasinhiding.Maybe
theyhavealreadyfixedthetunnels?"
"Ifthat'swhatyouthink,theneitherwayisfineright?"
True.
Istheenemyaboveorbelowground?
Um.
"Elinalisesan,whichwouldyoupick?"
"Idefinitelywon'tpickthepaththatmightbeblocked."
"Zanoba?"
"Narrowareasareeasiertofightin."
"Cliff?"
"I,Ipickaboveground.Ihatedarkplaces."
206/323
4/2/2016
It'sdecided.
Democraticrules.
"Thenlet'sescapeaboveground.Elinalisetakethefront.Pleaseleadus
straighttothemagicteleportationcircle.CliffandZanobainthemiddle,
andI'lltakerearguard.ZanobaandIwillhandleourbaggage."
ItakewhatElinalisewascarrying.
Bettertoletusholditthanthem.
Icanusemagic,soIdon'tneedmuchmobility.Zanobawon'tminda
littleweight.
Cliffisn'tverystrong,sobetteroffifhedoesn'tcarryanything.
"Whataboutthisone?"
"Yourmajesty,youcansitwithZanoba'sluggage."
"Understood."
Asinstructed,KishirikaclimbedupZanobalikeasmallanimal.
Iwaskidding...
AAh,ohwell.That'sprobablythesafest.
"Alright,let'sgo!"
Werunoutthecastle.
Fromwithin,thesoundof[Moooreeee!Chasethemmm!]canbeheard
loudly.
Terrifying.
207/323
4/2/2016
Part3
Desperatelyweranthroughthenightstreets.
Althoughitoughttobedarknow,it'sactuallyquitebright.
Brilliantlightspourdownthecliffsofthecrater.
Butchoosingabovegroundwasrightfornow.
Notasingleblackcladsoldierinsight.
Noonechasingbehinduseither.
JustasKishirikapredicted.
Theyareprobablysearchingthetunnelsrightnow.
No,maybeAtofegaveupalready.
Impossible.Thinkaboutit,weevenhaveKishirikawithus.
Atofehasnoreasontogiveupthechase.
Weranthroughthemainroad,passingbytheAdventurer'sGuild.
Nokoparaisprobablystillinside.
Ineverexpectedtobeheadingbackalready.
Ourroomshavebeenpaidfor.
Ourchangeisstillinside.
It'sunfortunate,butnotabigloss.
Wepassedtheemptymarketplace.
208/323
4/2/2016
Briefly,IspotthealleywherewedyedRuijerd'shair.
Backthenweranoutoftownjustlikethis.
Allinall,notasinglehappymemoryfromthisplace.
Wecametothecityentry,acrackinthecrater.
Noblackcladsoldiers,butthereareguards.
Alizardheadandapighead.
Theywatchusbutdon'tshowanysuspicion.Weeasilypassed.
We'realmostthere.
Wefollowalongtheedgeofthecrater.
"Ehh?Wherearewegoing?"
"Amagicteleportationcircleweused."
"Oh.Magicteleportationcircle.Thatthing'sstillthere?But,em..Oww,
Thisonebititstongue..."
Wemarkedthelocationonthewayout.
We'llbefine.
It'salittledark,butElinalisewon'tmakeamistake.
Makealeftturnonthemark,thenheadstraightuphill.Westopour
steps.
"Well,well,it'sabouttime."
Uptheslopes.
209/323
4/2/2016
Theentrywaytothemagicteleportationcircle.
Atofestandsproudlythere.
Aroundheraround10blackcladsoldiers.
Anotherholecanbeseennearthemagicteleportationcircleentrance.
Don'ttellme,theundergroundtunnelexits...here?
"AsexpectedofMoore.It'sjustashesaid.I'llhavetohandsomely
rewardhim."
Werewetracked?
No,theyevengotherebeforeus.
Theyevenknewwherewearegoing?
"How,howimpressive...Howdidyoucatchupsoquickly?"
"Hah,easywhenyoucanfly.Icanseeyourunning."
Atofeflexesherwingsasshespeaks.
"Moorehasarrived."
Iturntolook.Blackcladsoldiersappearnearthecornerofthecrater.
Atofefollowsfromabove.
Tenblackcladsoldiersfollowfrombelow.
Andmorefollowaboveground.
Attackfromthreesides.
210/323
4/2/2016
...Ifyouthinkaboutit,itonlymakessense.
They'renotInspectorZenigata,[17]ofcoursethey'llsplituptosearch.
Notjustthat,theyknewwherewewereheading,sononeofthepaths
wouldwork.
Theblackcladsoldiersbehindushaveussurrounded.
Withtheescaperoutecut,thereisnoescape.
"Moore.Welldone.It'sjustasyousaid."
"Ifyouthinkso,thenlistentomyrequest."
"Refused."
Aftertheshortconversation,Atofeclapsherhand.
Thus,theblackcladsoldiers,alltogether,unsheathetheirswords.
"Wellthen..."
Atofetakesastepforward,herswordunsheathed.
Then,fromthehighgroundwithswordpointingshespeaks.
"Wahahaha!IamtheImmortalDemonLordAtoferatofeRaibaku.
Defeatmeandpeopleshallcallyouahero!Losetome,youshall
becomemypuppet,followmyeverycommanduntilyoudie!"
Agrimsmile.
Anoverwhelmingmurderousintent.
TheAtofewho'sshorterthanmelookslikea5metertallgiant.
211/323
4/2/2016
"..."
Sorry,Sylphy.
Imightnotgetback.
Chapter8DuelwiththeImmortalDemon
Lord
Part1
ImmortalDemonLordAtoferatofe.
SheisaveryfamousDemonLord.
HerfirstappearanceinhistoryisthesecondHumanDemonGreatWar.
[5GreatDemonKings]ImmortalNekurosuRakurosu'sdaughter,shock
troopoftheDemonRace.
Lowintelligence,butwieldstremendousbattleprowessandtenacity,a
cruelandfearedDemonLord.
But,perhapsbecauseofherlowintelligence,hersupplyroutewascut.
Capturedbyhumans,shewassealed.
HerrevivalhappenedbeforetheLaplaceCampaign.
DemonGodLaplacerevivedherpersonally,andshebecamehismost
fearedDemonLord.AftertheLaplaceCampaign,defeatedbyNorth
GodKaruman,shesurrendered.
Itissaid,thatNorthGodKarumanandDemonLordAtofehadachild,
whobecameNorthGodKarumanII.
Itisalsosaid,thatNorthGodKarumantaughtDemonLordAtofe
everythingheknewofthesword.
212/323
4/2/2016
Andititissaid,thatNorthGodKarumanII'sswordartwastaughtby
noneotherthanDemonLordAtofeherself.
Insummary,Atofeisaveteranofuncountablebattles,aprotegeofthe
originalNorthGod,andalsoimmortal.
We'rescrewed.
Part2
Atofebeforeus.
Blackcladsoldierssurroundus.
Ourretreatblocked,Atofeeagerlybrandishinghersword.
"Alright,comeatme,allfourofyou."
Atofedidnotattack.
Carefullywieldinghersword,sheisdiligentlyobservingus.
Hereyesareherrealweapon.
Withherstrength,devastatingusisnotoutofthequestion.
"...Iwon'tbesonaivethistime.Irememberwell."
Withthatsaid,herglarealternatesbetweenZanobaandme.
Vigilant.
Zanoba'sspecialstrength,andmylightningstrike.
EvenaDemonLordcannotavoidourattacks.
Butshenowlookscompletelyunscathed.
ShecompletelyrecoversevenaftertakingaZanobapunchtotheface
andhavingherfacesmashed.
213/323
4/2/2016
"Alright,dothatagain.Iwilldodgethistime."
Plentyofconfidence.
Itfeelslikeshe'lldodgeit.
Thisworld'sswordartcanevenreflectmagic.
NotsureaboutNorthGodStyle,butsinceshe'saDemonLord,Ithink
shecanavoidmagicofmylevel.
Openmydemoneyefornow,butwouldasecondofforesightreally
makeadifference?
Whatnow?
...First,findaopening.
Butifwedo,thenwhat?
Wouldmymagicevendoanything?
MystrongestStoneCannoncouldn'tkilladefenselessBadigadi.
MuchlesswhenAtofeispoised.
Aslongassheguardsit,nomatterwhatkindofmagic...
"Rudeus.Ifit'sjustCliff,thenhecanmakeittothemagicteleportation
circleandescape."
IlookovertoCliffafterElinalisesaidthat.
Cliff,hiseyesfocusedatAtofe.
Buthislegsareshaking.
Andnobattleability.
214/323
4/2/2016
"Tea,plant,andnotebook.Takeallthreewithhim,andNanahoshiwill
besaved."
"Right."
Right.
Yeah,thisiswhywecameinthefirstplace.
SaveNanahoshi,thatwasthegoal.
Ifwehaveagoal,thenaccomplishingitisthemostimportant.
Ifwelosehere,wewon'tdie.Butwewon'tseefamilyfor10years,
whichsucks.
"Andfindreinforcements.PerugiusandAtofehaveahistory.Hecan
definitelygethelp."
Perugiusandhis12Familiars.
True,ifit'shim,maybehe'llcometoouraid.
Nomatterwhat,he'stheherothatsealedLaplace.
Ifhecandothat,heshouldbeabletotakeonAtofe.
"Fine.Then,let'sdothat...CanyouconvinceCliff?"
"Watchme."
ElinaliseretreatsnexttoCliff.
Zanoba,Elinalise,andIwillcreateanopening.
Cliffwillbreakout,runintothemagicteleportationcircle.
CliffconvincePerugius.We'lltrytoholdout.
Willitwork?
215/323
4/2/2016
Canwehandleit?
Also,canCliffconvincePergius?
WhileClifftriestoconvincePergius,wouldweloseandbeforcedinto
contract?
Nomatterwhat,ifCliffescapes,thenNanahoshiissaved.
SaveNanahoshi.
Thatwasthegoal.
But,Iwanttoreturntoo.
Eh,damn,Iamgoingincircles.
Calmdown.
First,weneedtorestrainAtofe.
Atthatmoment,usemagictodispersetheblackcladsoldiersandlet
Cliffescape.
Then,ifthesituationallows,wewillalsotakeachanceanddiveforthe
magiccircle.
Okay.
Let'sdothat.
Atofecannotbedefeated,butthesurroundingblackcladsoldierscan.
Takeitseriouslythistime.
Destroythemall.
Okay.
Icandothis.
Doit,doit.
Kill.
Killthemall,andIgettogohome.Okay.
216/323
4/2/2016
Yes,Icandothis.
I'mnotjustsayingitthistime.
"Don'tworry,Shisho.DemonLordAtofe,Iwouldstopherevenifitcost
memylife."
NotanounceofhesitationfromZanoba.
Calm.
Reliable.
Whyishesomanlyinasituationlikethis?
Likealineoutofthemovies.
IfI'magirl,itwouldn'tbeweirdifIfallforhim.
[ButcanIreallygetaway?Idon'trunveryfast,andtheluggagetoo...]
[Iftheygivechase,RudeusandIwillstopthem.Don'tlookback,don't
think,justkeeprunning.Anddon'ttrip.]
[Ishouldfightaswell...]
[Wewon'twinevenwiththefourofus.Youleavingforreinforcements
isalsoaseriousbattle.]
[Inthatcase...Oh,Igetit...]
Cliff'svoicepassesbymyears.
Fromhere,tothemagiccircleentrance,takesaboutthirtystepsorso.
Notclosenorfar.
Buthehastorunthewholedistance.
"Persuasionsuccessful."
217/323
4/2/2016
SoonElinalisereturnstothefront.
LookingatCliff.
Aseriouslookonhisface.
Amanwithapurpose.
Notonerunningfromafight.
Runningforhelpisabattle...
Elinalisesurehasawaywithwords,howenvious.
"ZanobaandIwillcreateanopeningwithAtofe.Rudeus,takecareof
theblackcladsoldiersaroundyou."
"Gotit."
Strategysessionover.
WeturntowardsAtofe.
Poisedwithhersword,sneeringatus.
"Yourgoalistobeatme?"
Noenemybehindher.
30paces.Uphill,nogoodfootholds.
Won'tClifffallontheway?
No,doitanyways.
"Zanoba,Elinalisesan,I'lltakethefirstshot."
"Understood."
218/323
4/2/2016
FacingAtofe,Iraisemymagicstaff.
Usingmyusualstonecannon.
Byfirepoweralone,theKingClass[Lightning]mightbebetter,butat
thisdistancewe'llbehitaswell.
Annihilatedbymyownmagic,I'llpass.
"Phew..."
Deepbreath,focusmagicintothestaff.
Atofestandsstill.
EvenifsheknewIknowvoicelessincantation,wewillproceedas
planned.
Convenient,but...
<AtofedeflectstheStoneCannonwithhersword.>
DemoneyeclearlyseesthatAtofemovedtodoubtmyattack.
Damn.EventhoughIwastoldthatmystonecannonisveryhighlevel,
butitseemsuselessagainstAtofe.
Then,wouldlightningwork?
Usethemagicthatshe'smostvigilantagainst...?
"Shisho.I'lldefinitelyfollowthrough,countonme."
"...Zanoba."
Icantrusthiswords.
...Ialsopreparemyself.
219/323
4/2/2016
"Okay,go!"
IfiredoffthestrongestpossibleStoneCannon.
WithaKaboomitfliestowardAtofe.
"Justgiveup!"
Atofemoveslikeamirage.
Justatinybitshemovesherwrist,barelyshiftingthesword.
Andinthatmoment,swordandcannoncollide,frighteningsparkscome
flyingout.
Thestonecannonshiftscourseandslamsintoaboulderatsomefaroff
distance,kickingoffagreatcloudofdust.
Stillnogood.
"Arrrrgh!!"
Inthenextinstance,ZanobathrewsomethingatAtofe.
"Ehh?"
ScreamingasitflewtowardsAtofe.
Atofesmilingatshepreparestoparrytheattack.
"Justgive...Eh?"
JustwhenAtofewasabouttocutitintwo,shestopshermotion.
220/323
4/2/2016
Then,what'stossedhitAtofeontheface.
"Wah?"
"Ah?"
LikeglueitsticksonAtofe'sface...
It'sKishirikathatwassittingonZanoba'sshoulder.
"Ew!Itsmells!Gotakeashoweryouidiot!"
"Thisonewantstotoo....Eek?"
AtofegrabsholdofKishirikaandtosseshersomewherefaraway.
Kishirikaflewoutofthecirclesurroundingusandlandswithadud.
"Comeon,throwingsomethinglikethatoverhere..Eh?"
Atofescreamsinshock.
ZanobawithhisfistsclenchedrusheduptoAtofe.
Elinalisefollowsbehindlikeashadow.
Crap,Ishouldstopwatching.
"Cometome,fightingspirit!"
"Ahhh!"
Zanobathrowsapunch.
WithhorrifyingstrengthitfliestowardsAtofe.
221/323
4/2/2016
Withhergauntletsheeasily...
"Ugh?"
Shedidn'tdodge.
Aterrifyingnoise,bam,hestepsintoAtofe.
Thegauntletsmashedintoanawfulshape.
Zanobafollowsthroughwithanotherstep.
Abigstepforward,anotherpunchatAtofe.
"Good!"
Atofeliftsuphergreatswordfromanawkwardposition.
Anotherterriblenoise,crunch,Atofe'slegtwisted.
Buthermomentumremains,andherswingtowardsZanoba.
"Grr."
Zanobakneelsinpain.
ThefirsttimeIhaveeverseenZanobalikethis.
Zanobadoesn'tevenflinchwhenIhithimwithStoneCannon.
Withasingleblow...
Atofelooksoverarrogantly,butalittleshortofbreath.
"Thatbodyisnotbad,but...remember.There'snoperfectdefense.This
iswhatmyhusbandKarum..."
222/323
4/2/2016
"Hah!"
"Mm?"
Whileshewastalking.
UsingZanoba'sbackasherspringboard,Elinaliseleapsover.
UsinghermomentumsheaimsforAtofe'sthroat,aimingfortheexposed
flesh.
Buttheattackandcutsoundarebothdeflected.
Notthesoundofskin.
Thedefenseoftouki.
"There'smore!"
Elinalise'sswordhandholdsfirm.
Withhershieldraised,shemakesasidestepandthrusts.
InvisibleshockwavefliesfromtheswordandlandsonAtofe.
ButAtofelooksundisturbed.
Shewrinklesherbrowsunhappily,likesandgotintohereyes.
"Yourstrikeisweak!Fine,here,takethis!"
Atoferaisesuphergreatswordandslashes.
Elinalisestepsbacktoavoidthatswing.
"Psh!"
223/323
4/2/2016
Hurriedlysheraiseshershield.
GONG.Elinalisespinsaround.
Elinaliserollsontherockyground,thenpouncedlikeacat.
Myeyesees,terror.
"Butgoodfootwork.Withtrainingatmyplace..."
"Aaah!"
ZanobasuddenlygetsupwhileAtofewastalking.
Morelikealeap,withhishandsstretched,hedivesatAtofe.
"Ahh!"
Justlikethat,hegrabsAtofewithabearhug.
Bothherhandsrestrained,heliftsherofftheground.
"Argh.Howdareyouhugmesoshamelessly...Guards!"
LikeaviseZanobaholdsonwithallhisstrength.Atofespitsoutblack
blood.
Thecomboworked?
No,theopponentisanImmortalDemonLord,temporarydamagewon't
work.
"Shisho!Now!"
"...!"
224/323
4/2/2016
Zanoba'swordsconfirmthesituation.
Atofeisimmobilized.
Achance.
"Cliff,now,go!"
Withallmypowerinjectedintomystaff.
Anareaofeffectspell.
Enoughtokillalltheblackcladsoldiersatonce.
"Gotit!"
Cliffbeginstorun,theblackcladsoldierssurroundingusraisetheir
swordsinshock.
No,toolate.
"FrostNova!"
Coldairsurgesfrommystaff.
Thegroundcracks,frozen,massesofcoldairreachtheblackclad
soldiersthatcircleus.
"Nah!"
"Mm?"
Theblackcladsoldierspanicasthegroundbelowtheirfeetbeginsto
freeze.
Ididit...!
225/323
4/2/2016
Itmightbeasneakattack.
Butthisway,itcan'tbeavoided.
WhileIwasthinking.
Avoicerang.
"Burstingflamescovermybody,[BurningPlace]!"
Oneman,likeonfirehotairspreadsfromhim.
Likehe'schallengingmyFrostNova.
Theman,andthetwosoldiersnexttohim,managestodefrost.
ThatmanisMoore.
TheoldsoldierbeginstoreciteassoonasIraisedmystaff,taking
advantageofthetimegap.
Evenso,nomatterhowpowerful,nomatterhowfast,
Evenifit'sme,Iwillshownomercy...
ButMoore'smagiconlymanagedtodefrosthimselfandthetwobesides
him.
Everyoneelseiscompletelyengulfedinicelikesculptures.
Bypurepower,Ihavewon.
Also,I,havefinallykilled...
"Evenfreezingourblackarmors...whatincrediblepower!Everyone,
reciteBurningplace!"
"Yes!Spiritoffire,everywherebetweentheskyandearth..."
226/323
4/2/2016
Mooreshoutedtohissurroundings,andtheblackcladsintheicebegins
tosing.
Notdead.
Noonedied.
Thatblackarmor.
Thatblackarmorcanresistwatermagic?
Curses.
Iusedthewrongspell?
"Mm."
CliffsqueezespassAtofe'sside.
"Moore,donotlethimescape!"
"Ha!"
OnAtofe'scommandMoorebeginstomove.
Amomentlater,thesoldiersunfrozenbyMoore'smagicstartrunningas
well.
Elinalisedashesover,slidinginfrontofthem.
Andwithherswordraised,stopsthem.
"Rudeus!Go!"
227/323
4/2/2016
MoorechasesCliffwithoutlookingback.
Cliffluggingalargebaggageandsapling.
AlthoughMooreiswearingarmor,he'sfast.
He'sonly7stepsfromCliff.
IpointmystafftowardsMoore.
"StoneCannon!"
<Moorerecites[EarthWall]tocounterStoneCannon.>
It'sfine.Icanmakeit.
Ipourmagicintomystaffandfire.
"Theearth...Grr!"
Moorerunswithahandraisedwhilechanting.
ButlikealasertheStoneCannonstrikeshisarm,sendinghisarmor
flying.
WithonehandleftMoorestumbles...butdidnotstop.
"SpiritofWater,becomemystrength'IcicleField'."
Moore'smagicsurroundshiminmist.
Usingfogtoevademyattack?
Still,hisincantationisshort.
AlmostlikeRoxy,chantingomission?
228/323
4/2/2016
"WindBlast!"
Iformwindwithmystaffandclearsthefog.
Andmaybetoblowhimawaytoo,but,withoutregardtopainhe
approachesCliff.
Thatblackarmor,doesitresistwindmagicaswell?
No,notjustwindandwater,butresiststheotherstoo.
WhatdoIdo?
He'sonly6stepsaway.
Imissthekillshot,andifhedodges,it'llhitCliff
Justnow,myDemonEyesees.
<Moorebeginstochantasheruns.>
"SpiritofEarthallacrosstheland!Icalluponyou,answer"
"DisruptMagic!"
Instantlyreleased,themagicIhavepracticedathome.
ThespellItrainedwithSylphy.
MomentsbeforeMoore'smagiciscomplete,itdisappears.
"Seriously?EvenDisruptMagic?"
Moorelooksathishandinshock.
Buthislegshavenotstopped.
229/323
4/2/2016
Only5stepsaway.
Ifollow,likeusingmyhandtoblockhisway,andfires.
Ofcourse,IshouldusewhatI'musedto.
Mywellworntacticsshouldworknomatterhowexperiencedthe
opponent.
Justlikeinpractice.
"Quagmire!"
BetweenMooreandCliff,agiantquagmireformed.
Moorestepsonefootontothatstickyquagmire..
"Mm...TheunknownGod!Answermyprayer,bringheavenonearth!
[EarthLance]!"
Instantly,Moorereleasesmagicunderhisfeet.
Fromhisfeet,agreatspearofearthappears.
Runningonthisspear,MoorequicklypassedtheQuagmire.
Hislegshavenotstopped.
Only4stepsaway.
Countered.
Iwasstopped.
Howunexpected.
"Rudeus,Cliff!Hurry!"
230/323
4/2/2016
"Iknow!"
Elinalisescreamsout.
Glancingover,she'scurrentlybusywiththetwosoldiers.
Twoversusone.
Theblackcladsoldiersdonotpresstheattack,merelytokeepherbusy.
"Hey,Isaid,youshamelessperson!Letmego!Atleastfightwithyour
hands!"
"Iwon'tevenifIdie!"
ZanobaheadbuttsAtofe.Tryinghisbestevenwithbloodflowingdown
hishead.
Ineedtohurrytoo.
Theotherblackcladsoldiersarealsounfreezing.
Steamrisesallaround,coloringtheairwhite.
"Grr."
WhatdoIdo?
WhatdoIdotostopMoore?
Heisstrong.Inamagicfighthe'sfarmoreexperiencedthanI.
Heparriesbasicmagiclikenothing.
Wouldstrongermagicwork?
No.Ifit'stoostrong,thenevenCliffwillgetdraggedintoit.Thenthere's
Moore'scountersandthearmor'sresistance.
231/323
4/2/2016
"...!"
Justthen,Inoticedmyfeetarewet.
TheresultofFrostNova.
DuetodefrostingfromBurningPlace,theentireareaareaisshockedin
water.
Thefirsttodefrost,Mooretooissoakingwet.
Ofcourse,ElinaliseandI,ourfeetarealsocoveredinawaterpuddle.
Thismagic,Atofeonlysawoncebefore.
Inotherwords,Moorehasneverencounteredit.
ButifIuseitnow.
I,Elinalise,evenZanobawillgethit.
OnlyCliffwouldbespared.
Cliffisoutofrange.
Hewon'tbehit.
Inthatinstant,Ihadresolve.
"Electric!"
Notenoughtokill,electricitycomesflyingout.
ApurplelightningfliestowardsMoore.
BANGitringsloudly,aterrifyingshowofforce.
Purplelightningindiscriminatelylicksthesurroundingground.
232/323
4/2/2016
Withthegroundsoakingwet,iteasilyspreadouttoallthewatersoaked
peopleandelectrifiesthem.
"Kyaaa!"
"Gaaa!"
"Ohhh!"
Alltheblackcladsoldierscollapseinaheapofsmoke.
ElinaliseaswellZanobaaswellAtofeaswell.
Alltheunfrozenpeople.
AndMooreaswell.
Metoo.
"Ugh!"
Mybodytooreceivedahorribleshock.
Apaindownmyspine,allmyjointsfeellikethey'rebentinthewrong
direction.
Itwasn'tenoughtokill.
SoIknowIwon'tdie.
Butmyeyeswentdark,andmyconsciousnesswentwithit.
BythetimeIcametoIwasalreadyonthefloor.
Unconsciousfornomorethantwoseconds.
233/323
4/2/2016
Myisbodyparalyzed.
ButIcansee.
Howisit?
Cliff.
Raisingmyhead,IseeMoorekneelingwithonefootontheground.
Smokingrisingfrombetweenhisarmor,yethestillpointshisremaining
fingerstowardsCliff.
Mumblemumble...incantation?
MagicDisrupt.
No,itwon'tmakeitintime.
Ipourmagicintomylefthand.
Evenifmybodyisparalyzed,Icanstillmovemyprosthetichand.
WithmypalmtowardsMoore.
"[WindBind]!"
"[Hand,absorb]!"
Moorereleasesawhipofwind,butitinstantlydisappears.
"What?"
Moorelooksthisway.
Hisfacehiddeninthehelmet,buthemustbestunned.
Servesyouright.
WithoutregardCliffrunsforward.
234/323
4/2/2016
Only3stepsawayfromthemagicteleportationcircleentrance.
Noonecancatchhimnow.
Noone.
EvenAtofeisstillparalyzed.
Buthereyeswideopen,shestaresmedownlikeatiger.
"You'vedoneit.That'sanincrediblemagic."
"..."
"Interesting.Takingyouasmysubordinateisindeed...Hahaha,a
magicianofyourcaliber,Ishallcherishyou,hahaha."
Unabletolookaway,IcouldonlyacceptAtofe'shideoussmile.
Well,it'sover.
Theimmortalsrecoverquickly,farfasterthanI.
It'stoolatetorun.
Evenresistingwillbeimpossible.
Zanobapassedout.
Stillclingingon,heslumpstotheground.
Heseemstobevulnerableagainstelectricity.
Heprobablylostconsciousnessbecauseoftheelectricstrike.
Elinalise,whilestillfeelingwobbly,triestomakeastand.
She'sinasbadofashapeasIam,butstillwantstotry.
Elinaliserefusestogiveup.
235/323
4/2/2016
[Nevergiveup.]
Awhitehairedcoachoncesaid.
Iwilltoo.
Icandothis.
Doyourbest.
Let'sgohome.
Iwanttogohome.
Gohome,gohomeand...ifpossible,sexytimewithSylphy.
AndRoxytoo.
AndhugLucy.
NotjustswordpracticewithNorn,butmagictoo.
ThericeAishahasraised,Iwaslookingtowardtoit.
IfZenith'smemoryreturns,then,let'stakeeveryonetovisitdad'sgrave.
Then,justlikebefore,ahappylife.
Afunfilledday,everydayinthisotherworld.
Right,justlikethat.
Justlikethat.
...Alright,Icandothis.
Icangetup.
Ifmyhandcanmove,Icanusemagic.
Staff,where'smystaff.
Ican'tdowithoutit.
236/323
4/2/2016
Ah,good.
Iwascrushingitunderme.
I'msorry,AquaHeartia,wasIheavy?
Okay,Icandothis.Hanginthereuntilrescuearrives.
Justuntilthen.
Idon'tneedtowin.
Cliffsenpai,gethelp.
Perugius,he'sannoying,butI'mcountingonyou.
Pleaseconvincehim.
Evenifherefusesrightaway,atleastthisyear,please!
"Eh?"
Elinalisemakesanoise,herheadraised.
Hereyespointforward.
Cliff.
Rightattheprisonentrance.
Andfromthereappearsablackcladsoldier,facetoface...
Blackcladsoldiers,frominsidetheentrance,cameout...
"Seriously?"
...There'smoreinside.
237/323
4/2/2016
"Ahh..."
Whydidn'twerealizeit.
There'saholeintheground,evenAtofewouldwanttocheckitout.
"Damnit..."
Adarknessgrowsinmyheart.
Wantingtocryout,feelingpowerless,analltoofamiliarfeeling.
Despair.
NeveragainwillImeetSylphyneveragainwillImeetRoxy.
InsteadIwilltrainunderthatidiotDemonLordfortherestofmylife.
Mystrengthleftme.
Thepaininmyhearthasrobbedmeofmystrength.
Atthatmoment.
Avoiceofshockcanbeheard.
"How...?"
Thatvoiceisn'tmine.
Isn'tElinalise.
Isn'tZanoba.
Andofcourseisn'tMoore.
238/323
4/2/2016
It'sAtofe.
LookingatCliff,shesaid.
"Ah!Atofesama..."
TheblackcladsoldierpushesCliffaside,staggeringdowntheslope.
Somehow,helooksoff.
"Overthere,infrontofthemagiccircle,Pur..."
Inthenextmoment.
Theblackcladsoldierwassplitintwo.
Rightdownthemiddle,inexacthalves.
Then,behindthatcutbody.
Theoutlinesofaperson.
Glowingwhitehair.
GoldenSanpakueyes.
Whiteclothsplatteredwithblood.
"ImmortalDemonLordAtoferatofe."
SpeakinginfluentDemonGodlanguage,hewalksout.
239/323
4/2/2016
"Youmightnotthinkit'simportant...butRikarisumightdisappearina
magicteleportationcircle,thatpossibilityexists,sopleasethinkfora
moment."
Behindhim,onebyoneothersappear.
ArumanfioftheBright,SylvariloftheVoid.
AndothersIdon'trecognize.
Sixintotal.
"Yoursoldiers'bloodhasdirtiedmycastle."
Isee.
Atofearrivedherebeforeus.
Shealreadyfoundtheentrywaytothemagicteleportationcircle.
Sheorderedsoldierstoinvestigate.
Whentheyfoundthemagicteleportationcircle,theyobviouslywentin.
Thus,heappears.
TheSkyCastlewasinvadedbytheMagicRace.
"Perugius!"
Atofeshouts.
PerugiusDola.
TheArmoredDragonKingishere.
240/323
4/2/2016
Part3
HermoodchangedthemomentAtofesawPerugius.
Upuntilnow,ithasbeenthepleasuresofbattle.
Butnowit'sunbelievablekillingintent.
Likeseeingherfather'skiller,shestaresandgrimacesatPerugius.
"Perugius,you!"
AtofesquirmsherstillnumbbodytoshakeZanobaoff.
Zanoba,outofstrength,fallstooneside.
AtoferushesatPerugius,herbackfeathersshaking.
Withaheavypushsheintendedtojump,butinsteadherkneesgaveout.
"Hahaha!"
Perugiuslaughsjoyfullyatthissight.
"Oh,howentertaining,Atoferatofe.Gettingcarelessagain?Doesbeing
carelessruninthefamilyfortheImmortalclan?"
"Soyouaretheonewhosentthem!Youplayeddirtyjusttokillme...
WhathappenedtoyourpromisewithKaruman?"
PerugiussneersatAtofewithasmile.
TheonlythingAtofecandoinherangerisyell.
MooretriestostaggernearAtofe,butitwasimpossible.
Rightnow,onlyCliff,Perugius,andhisentouragecanstillmove.
241/323
4/2/2016
PerugiusstaresatAtofe,likeatigerfindingtheperfectprey.
"Don'tbemistaken.Ijustcametosaveafewfriends."
"Liar!Ughh!"
"I'llkeepmypromisewithKaruman.Hewasadearfriend."
"Ihateyouevenifyou'reKaruman'sfriend!"
"...Ihateunreasonableidiotslikeyou."
Ashetalks,Perugiusraisehishands,holdingsomethingineach.
Atofe'sfaceturnspale.
"You,you,noway..."
IgnoringAtofe,Perugiusopenshismouth.
"Thatdragonlivessolelywhilefollowingthepathofchivalry.Thenails
onhishandsarelongandsharp,forheneverraisesafist."
Thatopenersoundsfamiliar.
"Theseconddragonclencheshisfistinanger.Hisnailsbroken,histeeth
fell,butthefeelinghasbeenconveyed.Heheldchivalryinhishand,yet
didheabandonchivalry?"
Onebyonethewordscomeout.
Andwitheachword,thesurroundingmagicgathersaroundPergius.
242/323
4/2/2016
"Thethirddragonthatdied.Hewhopossessedthemostephemeraleyes
DragonGeneralofLustrousGreenScales.BythenameofArmored
DragonKingPerugius,Isummon"
Lookcarefully,twodoorsappearbesidesAtofe,sandwichingher.
Beautifullycarveddragonsmarkthosedoors.
Anornatesilverdoor.
Anornategoldendoor.
Slowlybutsurely,asifsproutingfromtheground,thedoorsappear.
"Open[BackDragonDoor]."
"Summon[FrontDragonDoor]."
UnderPerugius'squietcommand,thedoorsopen.
Windblew.
Fromtherightdoortotheleft.
But,it'snotwind.
Aflowofsomething,doingsomething.
Ah,Iknow.
Thissummoningmagicismagicabsorption.
Icanfeelmagicpeelingfrommybody.
Butit'sdifferentfromwithOrsted.
It'sevenfasterthanbackthen,likebothmymagicandmystrengthare
beingsuckeddry.
"Ah,Atofesama,getaway..."
243/323
4/2/2016
Mooreslowlycrawlsoversuddenly.
Atofe,herlegsquivering,canonlystareatPerugiusinanger.
"Perugius!"
Herbodyseemstohaveshrunkslightly.
Maybethedoorshavebeenleechinghertouki.
"Youknowthiswillbreakthepromise!"
"Sowhat?Thisisaonceinalifetimeopportunity.Iwon'tmissit."
Perugiusholdsuphisrighthand.
Hishandcoveredinwhite.
Soonhisrighthandbeginstoshine,adazzlinglightblindsthearea.
"ArmoredDragonHandSword[Break]."
Perugiusswingsdownhishand.
Lightleaveshishand,flyingstraightatAtofe.
"I'llrememberthis,Perugius!"
Atofelooksstiffdrunk.
Then,amomentlater,flewoffatadistance.
Herbodycutintwo,andsoondisappearsfrommysight.
244/323
4/2/2016
"Pssh,notlikeshe'lldie."
Perugiuscomplainsquietly,turnsbacklikehelostinterest.
"Sylvaril.Takethesefour,healthem."
"Andtheothers?"
"Leavethem."
"GreatDemonEmpressKishirikaspotted."
JustasSylvarilsaid,IspyKishirikaatadistance.
Shegothitaswell.
Sorry.
"Leaveher."
"Hah?"
Apparentlyhe'slettingKishirikaofftoo.
Thankgoodness.
"Phew."
WithSylvarilapproaching,Icanfinallytakeabreath.
...Wearesaved.
245/323
4/2/2016
Part4
Afterwards.
Perugius'ssubordinatescarriedusback.
OutsideofCliff,everyoneelseneededashouldertoclingon.
CliffandKishirikawerediscussingsomethinginthemeantime.
BythetimeIchecked,Kishirikahadalreadydisappearedsomewhere
afterherusuallaugh.
Let'smeetagainatsomewhereeasiernexttime...okay?
Aftermovingeveryoneback,Sylvarilstoppedthemagicteleportation
circle.
ThepathtotheMagicContinentisclosed.
GreetingRoxy'sparentswillhavetowaitforanothertime.
Damagedbyelectricshock,weweresenttotheinfirmary.
Cliffwasoncall.
Itwashethatoffered.
Whilesaying[Thistypeofburn,shouldn'tbetoobad...]hebrilliantly
clearedourwoundswithhealingmagic.
Itwon'tkillus,buttheburnswerequitefarinandrelativelysevere.
Leavingitalonemightevenleadtocomplications.
ButifIdidn'tgothatfar,itmightnothavecrippledtheImmortalDemon
Lord.
CliffwasparticularlycarefulwithElinalise'swounds.
Leavingascarwouldbeterrible.
246/323
4/2/2016
LovestruckfromthatkindofCliff,oncedone,Elinaliseandhim
disappearedtogether.
Zanobaisstillunconscious.
Thistimehesavedus.
Noamountofthankswoulddo.
Friendshipmaybepriceless,butIcan'tcheapoutwithgifts.
Ineedtoproperlythankhimafterhe'sup.
AfterthetreatmentsaredoneandIcanstartmoving,Iheadoverto
Sylphy.
Sylphyisreadingonherbed.Shelooksworriedwhenshesawmecome
in.
"What'swrong?"Ididn'tanswerherquestion,onlyquietlyclimbonthe
bedandhugher.
Sylphywhinesalittle.
Likewhineinrefusal,fullofgrief.[18]IhugSylphytightly.
Ithoughttheonlythingthat'simportantisthatsheishere.
Atofe'slaughterstillhauntsme.
Althoughthenumbnesshasleftme,thatdespairinmyheartstilllingers.
IfIhaddiedinbattle,itwouldallbefornaught.
Atofeshowedmercy,andtheblackguardsdidnotattack.
Mooreusedmagic,butnothinglethal.
But,howterrifying.
247/323
4/2/2016
IfPerugiusdidn'tcome.
AndAtofecapturedandforcedmeintocontract.
ThenhuggingSylphylikethismightbeimpossible.
EvenafterLucygrowsup,Imightnotseeher.
Roxytoo,Norn,Aisha,everyone,theywouldalready...
This,onlythisscaresme.
Itmakesmetremblefromfear.
Suddenly,sherubsmyhead.
Sylphyrunsherhanddownmyhairlikeacomb.
Herfingers,delicate,warm,andsoft.
Withasmile,Sylphyreturnsmyhug.
Nothingneedstobesaid.
She,onlyherhug.
Onlythatisenough.
InSylphy'sembrace,Ifellasleepatease.
Chapter9EverydayLifeintheFloating
Citadel
Part1
Twodayshavepassed.
248/323
4/2/2016
Zanobawokeupandhasbeencheerfullycheckingouttheartpieces
aroundthecastle.
Doesn'tlookliketheelectricshockleftanycomplications.
Thankgoodness.Ifhestayedunconsciouswithhislifehangingbya
threadlikethat,Idon'tknowhowIwouldfaceGinger.
TherehavebeensomechangesforCliff.
Aftertheevent,CliffandKishirikatalkedaboutsomething.
Idon'tknowwhattheytalkedabout,buthewasrewarded.
Kishirika'sreward.
Inotherword,aDemonEye.
TheDemonEyeCliffreceivedistheIdentificationEye.
UptotheextentofKishirika'sknowledge,heknowseverythinghesets
hiseyeson.
Fromnowon,evenifasimilarsituationwastohappen,hecanhandleit
onhisown.
Cliffistakingitlikeaman.
Thatmancurrently,unabletocontrolhisDemonEye,isstruggling
along.
Everythingintheworldwithnameandexplanationsattached.
Aworldcoveredinwords.
EvennowhecannotwalkaboutwithoutElinaliseguidinghim.
Buthe'lllearntocontroliteventually,afterall,Cliffisagenius.
Untilthen,heshouldwearaneyepatch.
Part2
Also,Nanahoshi'sillness.
Webroughtbackthetea.
Alittleafterdrinkingthebrew,Nanahoshibeginstofeeltheurges.
ThenNanahoshiwithYuruzu'shelpheadedtotheinfirmary...Toprotect
herhonor,I'llomittherest.Inshort,relieved.
249/323
4/2/2016
"How'sthebodyholdingup?"
Nanahoshiisstillbedridden.
Hercomplexionhasimprovedbutstillweary.Shelooksobviouslyfrail.
Sheprobablystillneedsatleastamonthofrest.
"Muchbetternow."
Lookslikeshe'sinagoodmood.
Notstressingoverworklikeusual,butlookingratherdrowsylikeshe
justwokeup.
Also,bedhead.
Shemayliveanunhealthylifestyle,butsheactuallycombsherhair
everyday.
"Thistime,thanks."
WithSokasuteawarminherhand,shebowsatme.
Howrareofhertobepolite.
"Goingthroughsuchdangerformymedication.You...savedme."
Hearinghersopolitemakesmefeelratheruncomfortable.
No,she'sprobablyfeelingfragileafterherbodyweakenedsomuch.
"Don'tworryaboutit."
250/323
4/2/2016
"Youhavealwaysbeenlookingoutforme...EvenafterIsaidthose
awfulthingstoyou...Youhelpedmewithoutacomplaint.Idon'tknow
howIcaneverrepayyou."
Nanahoshilookssoapologetic.
Nanahoshiasagoodietwoshoes,that'safirst.
DidYuruzuofAtonement'spowermanagetochangeherpersonalityas
well?
"NowthatIthinkaboutit.Rudeussanismysenior,yetIhavebeenso
impolite..."
"Overtheredoesn'tmatter.HereI'monly18."
"Howoldwereyouoriginally?"
"Thirty...No,forgetit.Theagedifferenceisn'timportant.Pleasedrop
thehonorifics.Justlikebefore."
"Okay."
NanahoshitakesasipofSokasutea,drinkingslowly.
Lookslikedrinkingworkstoo.
"FromwhatIheard,yoursickness..."
"Can'tbecured,probably."
Nanahoshi'sDrainSyndromehasnocure.
Sokasuteacantemporarilyeliminatemagicfromwithin,butifshe
leavesitalone,themagicwillreaccumulate.
Becauseshe'snotofthisworld,there'snopermanentfix.
ButaslongasshedrinksSokasutearegularly,sheshouldbefine,
probably.
251/323
4/2/2016
Evenalittlemagiccancreatecomplications.
Whoknowshowlongbeforeshecontractsanotherstrangeillness.
Andnexttime,ifit'sadiseasefromtimeimmemorial,theneven
Kishirikamightnotknowofit.
Toliveinthisworld,youhavetocontactmagic.
Intheair,inyourfood,magiciseverywhere.
"Nanahoshi.Youmustgoback.Youcan'tdieinthisworld."
"....Yes."
"IwilldoeverythingIcantohelp,untilyoufindaway."
"ButI..."
"Don'tworryaboutthereward.Ifyouevergetintrouble,pleasecome
discussitwithme,nomatterwhat."
"..."
Hearingthat,Nanahoshisniffsandstartcrying.
Underherquietsobs,a[Thankyou]canbeheard.
Patiently,IwaitforNanahoshitofinish.
Afterawhile,withastuffynoseandswolleneyes,Nanahoshisaid.
"But,ifIgoback."
"Yes,assoonaspossible..."
"No,Iwon'tbeabletorepayyouonceIgetback..."
Ah,soshewantstorepaymebeforethen.
She'ssurprisinglyearnest.
252/323
4/2/2016
"Don'tfussoverthedetails.Besides,it'snotlikeInevergotanything
fromyou."
"WhatImeanis,arewardforhelpingmyresearch."
"Thenhowaboutthis,wouldyoumindifIconsultyousometimeswith
minorissues?"
"Minorissueslike?"
"Likewhatdogirlsyouragewant?IliveamarriedlifewithSylphy,got
married,ourchildwasborn,butIdon'treallyknowhowagirlherage
thinks.Ifit'syou,sinceyou'rearoundthesameage,maybeyoucan?"
"...HowSylphythinks?"
Nanahoshiputsahandonherchin,concentratingoveraspotonher
blanket.
Thinkingseriously.
Dutifully.
"Don'tworryaboutittoday.Justthatifsomeday,whenwehaveafight,
pleasetakeresponsibility."
"...Gotit."
Nanahoshinodsearnestly.
Similarinage,butultimatelyshe'sapersonfromanotherworld,andshe
probablywon'tknowanythingaboutmarriedlife.
Ofcourse,Ialsodon'tknowwhatpeoplemyagethink.
"Wellthen,thatsettlesit.You'restillfrail,sotakecareofyourself."
"Okay.Thanks."
Iexittheroom.
253/323
4/2/2016
Ifwestaytoolongtogether,Sylphywillgetjealousagain.
AjealousSylphyiscutetoo.
ButIdon'twanttomakeahobbyoutofkeepingheruneasy.
IwishSylphycanacceptmylovewithoutworries.
Butjustthinkingisn'tgoodenough.
Part3
Walkingdownahallway,abeautifulsunsetcanbeseenoutsidethe
window.
Andunderthewindow,anexpansivecourtyard.
Nomatterwhichworld,sunsetisalwaysdazzling.
Idon'tlikehighplaces.
Butlookingfromthisbeautifulcourtyard,witnessingthesunsetting
amidstaseaofclouds.
Itoowanttolosemyselfinsuchscenery.
Withthatinmind,Iheadout.
FlowersIhaveneverseenbeforelinethismanicuredgarden.
Afantasylandscapelitbythesettingsun,shybehindtheclouds.
IfIwhispersweetnothingstoSylphyinsuchascene,howwillshe
react?
Willshelowerherreddenedcheeksandgripmyhandstightly?
Shewouldbetoocutetobear.
Okay,IshallcollectSylphyandtestthishypothesis.
AndwithRoxytoo...
Ifit'sher,sheprobablywouldsaynonchalantly[Youdon'thavetosay
that]orsomething.
Well,wedon'thaveanythingscheduledfortonight.That'stheonlytime
whensheactsbrazenly.
Butit'sfine.Notjustsexytime,Ialsowanttotrynormalcouplestuff
onceawhile.
254/323
4/2/2016
Watchingthesettingsuntogether,[It'sbeautiful!][No,you'remore
beautiful!]andwatchRoxyblush.
Sigh,she'snothere.Shewon'tseethis.
"Oh?"
Walkingaroundwhilethinkingaboutthisandthat,Ispotneartheedge
ofthecourtyard.
Awhitetable.
Threeseatedaroundittalkingaboutsomething.
"ThatwasShisho'smagic.PurplemagicfliesoutofShisho'srighthand.
Atofewasburnedtoacrisp,completelyparalyzed."
"Oh,Atofewassoweakenedbecauseofhismagic."
"ThedepthofRudeussama'smagicistrulyastounding."
Thethreechattingaroundthetable.
Zanoba,Ariel.
AlsoPerugius.
They'rehappilychattingawayinthesunset.
Notparticipatinginthediscussionaretwomoreindividuals.
LukebehindAriel,andSylvarilbehindPerugius.
Includingthetwostanding,allfiveinvolvedinZanoba'sconversation.
"EvenElinaliseandIweretakenout.OutsideofShisho,Idon'tthink
anyoneelseintheworldcanhandlemagiclikethat."
"Thatsoundslike[Lightning]...Butthatkindofpowerisnecessaryif
youwanttostopAtofe."
255/323
4/2/2016
"Andthen?Howdidthebattlego?"
"Well,aboutthat,atthatmomentIlostconsciousness..oh,speakingof
thedevil."
Zanobaturnstolookatme.
Itcan'tbehelpediftheyspotmealready.
Itakeabowandwalkover.
"I'msorrytointrude.Everyoneenjoyingateapartyhere?"
"That'sright.Shisho!Perugiussamawantstohearaboutthebattlewith
Atofe,soIhavebeentellingwhathappened."
"Isee."
LookingatPerugius.
Helooksmuchhappierthanduringouraudience.
"SoIheard,Rudeus.Thatit'syourmagicthatweakenedAtofetothat
degree."
"No,itwasallthankstoZanobaforkeepingherstill.Ifhedidn't,then
shemighthavedodgedandavoidedmostofthedamage."
"Isee...Ha,Ijustrecallthewayshelookedbackthen."
Perugiusshowsacrooked,loathsomesmile.
Atofeisreallyhated.
Anyways,heseemstobeinagoodmood.
"Youseemtobeinagoodmood."
256/323
4/2/2016
"Ofcourse.Shehadpouredcoldwateronmyplansmorethanonce.I
neverthoughtIwouldhaveachanceatrevengelikethat."
"Revenge?"
"Indeed,averyoldgrudge."
Whathereferstohappened400yearsago.
400yearsago,Perugiusasayoungadventurersupportedthehumanside
ofthewar.
Onthefrontlineofbattle.
AtofewascommandingthefrontlineontheDemonside.
Severaltimes,PerugiusmetinbattlewithAtofe.
Stilllowincombatpowerbackthen,heneverhadachanceofbesting
Atofe,almostgothimselfkilledafewtimes.
Andeverytime,itwasDragonGodUrupanandNorthGodKaruman
thatcametohisrescue.Amemorythatmakesonegrimace.
AfterwardsPerugiussworerevengenomatterwhat.
ButNorthGodKarumanendedupmarryingImmortalDemonLord
Atofe.
Athisdeathbed,theNorthGodprohibitedPerugiusandAtofefrom
killingeachother.
Also,anopportunitytovisittheMagicContinentneverpresenteditself.
Hewasforcedtogiveup,butunexpectedlyanopportunityforabeat
downlandedinhislap.
Thatmakeshimhappy.
"Youdeservemythanks.Welldone."
"Didn'tthatbreakyourpromisewithNorthGodKaruman?"
"Karumanprohibitedusfromkillingeachother,butthatwasaonesided
beatdown.Soitshouldbefine,probably."
257/323
4/2/2016
Beatingdownadefenselessopponent,whatabrute.
Buthehashisreasons.
"Ihavemisjudgedyou.WhatImeanis,youdeserveareward."
"Reward...isunnecessary."
Rightnow,Idon'tneedanyreward.
Thisisfine.
Idon'tdesirestrength.
"Indeed.OnceNanahoshirecovers,howaboutIpersonallytutoryouin
summoningmagic?"
"...AndIwon'tbehomefor10years?"
"I'mdifferentfromAtofe."
IfIcangohome,thenIhavenoreasontorefuse.
EspeciallysinceIamcuriousaboutsummoningandteleportationmagic
myself.
Somethinglikethismighthappenagain.
Also,somecombatskillwillbenicetoo.
Iamnotgoodwithfights,butlivinginthisworld,it'sbetterifIlearna
fewtricksforsurvivingthenextcrisis.
I'mprobablystrongenoughtoprotectmyfamily,butaftertheAtofe
fight,Ican'thelpbutfeelalittleinadequate.
Yeah,Ineverimaginedafightofthatcaliber...
Idon'twanttowaituntilit'stoolate.
258/323
4/2/2016
"Then,Perugiussama.Afterthesummoninglessons,howaboutsome
combatlessonsandpracticeaswell?"
"Ha,inspiredbytheAtofefight?OrhasthematchagainstAtofewhet
yourappetite?"
Ah,heseemsannoyed.
Nogood,nogood.
"No,ImeanafewtricksforifIgetintoastickysituationagain."
"...Wellthen,Ishallgrantyouamagictooltogetintouchwithme.
Sylvaril!"
PerugiussaidashewinksatSylvaril.
Syvarilpullsoutafluteintheshapeofatowerwithadragoncoiledon
it.
"Useitatalocationassociatedwithme.WhenClearnightofThunder
[19]hearsyou,Arumanfiwillcomegetyou."
Iacceptthefluteandputitaway.
Givenhowtheconversationwent,IassumeifIwaseverintrouble,with
thisflutehe'llcometomyaid.
Thatworkstoo.
"Thesunhasset."
Withoutrealizingit,thesunsetandnightfalls.
Butitisn'tdark.
Boththetableandthesurroundingflowersglowpalewhite.
259/323
4/2/2016
"Thistableismadefrommagiclightstone.Sitdown,let'schatforalittle
more."
Beingtoldthat,Isatdownaswell.
Part4
"Dwarfcraftsmanshipreallydidreachitspeakbeforethesecond
HumanDemonGreatWar."
"Yeah.Ifdwarfhomelandsweren'tdestroyedinthatwar,thenwemight
havewitnessedmorewonderfulthings."
Perugiusisafunpersontotalkwith.
Wellinformedandaloverofarts.
Andasamanofculture,healsoappreciatescreativity.
"ButtheDwarfRacedidnotdieout.Thatracehasdelicatehands,
soonerorlaterageniuscraftsmanwillreappearandmakewonderful
thingsoncemore."
"Say,aren'tyoutrainingasacraftsmanyourself?"
"Indeed.Shishohasprofoundknowledgeindollmaking.Ifhewereto
transmitthatknowledge,thendollmakingmayonedayreachnew
heights."
"IhaveseenthefiguresRudeushasmade.Theyareveryinteresting.To
clearlypresenttheessenceofmaninsuchmattersistrulystunning."
Thosetwoareenjoyingthemselves.
Withmyinferiorknowledge,Icouldn'tkeepup.
Butthey'refuntofollow.
"It'snotthatgreat."
260/323
4/2/2016
"Don'tbemodest."
"No,SylphyhastoldmeofRudeussama'stalents."
Thisteaparty.
Actually,wealreadyhadanotherparticipant.
Shebeentryingtojointhehappyconversationwith[Ah,speakingof
which]or[Aboutthedwarfs]butnevergotawordin.
Likealonesomegirl.
Iaswell.Thetopicsaretoospecificformetojoin.
"Notjustgreatwithmagic,butRudeussamaisalsoagoodman."
"Thankyouverymuch,Arielsama."
ArielAnemoiAsura.
Hearingsuchpanderingfromher,Icanonlysmilewryly.
Whenitcomestodolls,shecanonlyofferflatteryandrepeatwhat'ssaid.
ShewantstosecurePerugius'scooperation,butdoesnotknowhowto
gainhisfavor.
Nothingwillcomefromthis.
Well,I'llbeleavingsoon.
"Speakingofwhich,Perugiussama,weareconsideringputtingthis
figureonthemarket.Mindgivingusyourexpert'sopinion?"
Zanobasuddenlybroughtupthattopic.
Takesoutaboxfromunderhisfeet.
Afamiliarbox.
261/323
4/2/2016
"Oh..."
Perugiuslooksattheboxwithexcitement.
ButassoonasZanobaopensit,hissmileturnsintoafrown.
"ASupardfigure?"
"AsexpectedofPerugiussama,youfigureditoutrightaway."
"..."
InsidetheboxistheRuijerdfigurethatJuliemade.
Averydynamicpoise.
But,Perugiusisnotpleased.
"YouknowthatIhatetheMagicRace,yetyoustillwantmyopinion?"
"Ah!No,Idon'tmean,it's..."
PerugiussneersattheRuijerdfigureandspitsout.
"Saleofthisfigureis...forbidden."
Soit'snogo.
PerugiustrulyhatestheMagicRace.
Hemightbeforgivingtoanextent,buttowardsthem,hisprejudiceruns
deep.
Zanobashouldhaveknown.
Whatwasheexpecting?
262/323
4/2/2016
"No,Perugiussama.Youtoo,tothemodelofthisfigure,owehima
greatfavor."
"Afavor?"
Perugiusfrowns,thenhiseyessuddenlywiden.
"Wait,thisfigure,isRuijerdSupardia?"
"Indeed.Perugiussamahassaidbefore,thatduringyourfinalbattlewith
Laplace...theonewhohadhelpedPerugiussama,thisisindeed
Ruijerd."
Zanobaexplainsindetail.
Withoutmerealizingit,Zanobahadplannedoutthisentireconversation.
Then,hesaidit.
Welldone!
"OfcourseIunderstandthatPerugiussamahatestheMagicRace.Butif
Shisho'stechniquesspreadacrosstheland,thenitwillsendtheartworld
intoawhirlwind.Wouldn'tyouwanttosee?Aworldfullofartand
dolls?"
"Oh."
Perugiuslookstroubled.
Justalittlemore,maybeIshouldhelpout?
"TheSupardRacemaybehated,butwithoutRuijerd'shelp,Imightnot
bealiverightnow."
"Perugiussama.Ruijerdregretswhathehasdone."
"Regret?"
263/323
4/2/2016
Perugiuslooksbotheredbymywords.
WhatshouldIsay?
"Yes.HewasfooledbyLaplace."
"Laplace,huh..."
Perugius'sfacelooksdistorted.
Isthisright?
"It'strue.Laplacegavehimamalevolentspearandmanipulatedhim.It
ruinedhisrace'shonor,andevencausedhimtokillhisownfamily...For
thathefeltashamedandhatredforLaplace."
"..."
"Hehasbeentravelingtheworldtoatoneforhisrace'shonor.Thisplan
isalsohatchedtohelphim.IoweRuijerdagreatdebt...IfPerugius
samaalsoowesRuijerd,thenasrepayment,willyoupermitthis?"
Afterlisteningtome,Perugiuscrosseshisarms,closeshiseyes,andhis
browswrinkle.
Aftersometime,hemuttersasinglesentence.
"SupardRace'shonorandsuch,I'munsurebut...adebtmustbe
repaid..."
"Oh,really?"
"....Doasyoulike."
Perugiusstillhashisobjections,thatisobvious.
Butwiththis,Arumanfiwon'tcometrashingtheplacewhenweput
Ruijerdfiguresonsale.
264/323
4/2/2016
Rather,ifanyonecomplains,wecanclaimPerugius'sapproval.
Perugiusisknowninallthelands.Hisnameholdsweight.
Really,mostimpressive,Zanoba.
Heknewexactlywheretoleadtheconversation.
Zanobaisreallyshiningrecently.
Farmorethanformetoimitate.
"Thankyouforyourconsideration!"
Zanobabowshishead.
Withthat,ourmarketingplantakesabigstepforward.
Still,Ruijerd,whereareyou?
"Say,Shisho.WhynotshowoffalittletoPerugiussama?"
"Ofhowmyfiguresaremade?'
"Yes,Shisho'sspecialty,themethodofcreatingafigurefromnothing."
Perugiuslooksthiswayandnods.
"See.He'sinterestedinyourmagic."
Alright,figuremakingdemonstration.
JustwhatIdoregularly.
Useearthmagictoformthegeneralshape,thenslowlytrimthedetails.
ThistimeI'llmakeitabout"Roid"[20]size.
265/323
4/2/2016
Thisway,Icanrelax,andit'llturnoutwell.
Thequalitywon'tbegreat,sojustaspare.
Ontheface,I'lltrytomakeabirdmask.
ASylvarilfigure.
"...IsthisSylvaril?Hownovel!"
Perugiuswatchesmyproductionprocesscarefully.
Curiously,carefullyobservesmyhand.
Canheseemagic?
Hecan't,butmaybeheunderstandstheprocess.
Afterall,he'sthemanoflegends.
"EarthMagiccanbeusedinthiswaytoo,howunexpected."
"Wecanmakeanythingbyrequest!"
"Isthatso?Alright,whenyoufinishedaparticularlyoutstandingpiece,I
willtakeit."
Wegotacustomer!
Badigadihasdisappeared.
Soweshouldatleastsecurethispipeline.
"Inthatcase."
FinallyArieljoinsintheconversation.
"WealsohavemanyfinesculptorsintheAsuraKingdom."
266/323
4/2/2016
ShewentontoexplainhowtalentedandskilledthesculptorsinAsura
are.
Evengoingasfaras,thatifsheweretotakethethrone,whatthey'll
makeforPerugius.
Gettingannoyedbytheconversation,Perugiusfinallyspitsout.
"AsuraKingdom'ssculptures,aretheyonlymadetosatisfythevanityof
yournobility?Howboring."
"...Eh?"
Ariel,speechless,butPerugiusisrelentless.
"OnceyoubecomeQueen,don'tyouhavemoreimportantthingstodo
thanmakesculpturesforme?"
"WWell..."
Perugiusisn'tlettingoff.
"Orrather,youplanonalifeofextravaganceonyourpeople'sback?"
"...No,ofcoursenot,andsorry.Thatsuggestion,pleaseforgetit."
Ariellooksdowncastandreadiestheretreat.
Shestandsupandtakeabow.
NottheusualcharismaticAriel.
Regardless,Perugiushasbeentoobluntthistime.
DoeshereallyhateArielthatmuch?Werethosecruelwordseven
necessary?
267/323
4/2/2016
"Wait,ArielAnemoiAsura."
PerugiusstopsArielbeforeshecanleave.
Lookingatherwithanoverbearingglance.
"Toyou,whatdoesitmeantobeking?Whatdoesarealking
represent?"
"Hehas...wisdom,butlistenstoadviseofhisministers,andthestature
ofaking..."
"No."
PerugiusstopsAriel,shakinghishead.
"IknowAsuraKingdom'srealking,but,heisnotthatman."
"PerugiussamaknowsKingAsura?"
"That'sright.CrownedkingaftertheLaplaceCampaign,myfriend,
KaunisFreeanAsura[21]."
IknowalittleaboutKaunis.
AftertheLaplaceCampaign,thesolesurvivoroftheAsuraroyalhouse.
Agreatking.HegavedirectiontothewartornkingdomofAsura.
400yearsago,AsuraKingdombecamethesolekingdomtorulethe
west.
HewasthereasonwhyAsurawassparedofinternalturmoilpostwar.
"Kaunissamawasagreatking.Ican'thopetoimitatehim."
268/323
4/2/2016
Ariel'swordsmakePerugiusshakehishead.
"Heisnotgreat.Thatguyisacoward,hatestofight,andalwaysonthe
run.He'sbadatstudying,notanounceofmartialtalent,andhewould
alwayssneaktothecitytogetdrunkandoglebarwretches.He'sthat
kindofman.Indeed,heneverhadanyambitionforthethrone.Yet,he
hasthemostimportantfactorofaking.Becauseofthat,Irespecthimas
arealking."
"Themostimportantfactor...?"
"Ifyoucantellmewhatthatis,Iwillhelpyou."
Ah.Isee.
Thisisatest.
Arielisbeingtested.
IfsheisworthyofPerugius'sbacking.
"King,themostimportantfactor..."
Arielplacesahandonherchin,concentratingoveraspotonthetable.
SherememberswhatsheknowsofKingKaunis.
ButKingKauniswasafool.
LikeOdaNobunaga?
"Rudeus.Whatdoyouthink?"
WhileIwasthinking,Perugiussays.
"Eh,I'mnotroyalty,soIwouldn'tknow."
"Don'tworry,justsaywhatever."
269/323
4/2/2016
Evenifhesaysthat.
King...Whatisaking?
Infantasynovels,whatarekingslike?
Agreatman,headofacountry.
Sobasicallyaprimeminister.
Inmypastlife,Iwasneverinterestedinpolitics.
Justthereactionsontheinternetofpoliticians,that'saboutit.
Basically,notevenaclue.
"...Someonewhouseshisownstrengthsforthesakeofcountryand
people."
"Ha."
Perugiussighsatsuchablandanswer.
"Ariel.Evenhegaveabetteranswer.
...Butconcernforhispeoplealoneisnotenoughtobeking.
Indeed.Kauniswasn'tjustconcernedwithhisownpeople.Withsome
help,hemanagedtopacifytheentireAsura.
Strength?Whywouldstrengthmattertoaking?
Youneverthoughtaboutit?Whydidacountryraiseafooltobeking?
Wasitreallyforthegoodofthecountry?"
"..."
Ariellooksamixofsadnessandregret.
WhatdoesPerugiuswantArieltosay?Idon'tknow.
Well,it'sfineifIdon'tknow.
270/323
4/2/2016
Idon'tplantobeking.
MaybePerugiusjustwantstoknowAriel'sresolutionandpersonality,so
heaskedaquestionwithoutanswers.
Evenso,aking?
Whatdoyouwanttodo,whatdoyouwanttobe?
"Thinkitthrough,ArielAnemoiAsura...Well,it'slate,timetohead
backin."
WiththosewordsfromPerugius,theteapartyisover.
SeeingadejectedAriel,withLukefollowingfeeblybehind,is
particularlypungent.
Chapter10:TurningPoint4
Part1
Afterafewdays,mystrengthrecoversandIreturntotheMagicCity
ShariawithSylphy.
BythetimeIreachedhome,thesunhadalreadyset.
Althoughit'sonlybeenacoupledays,uponseeingmyhouse,Iwashit
withasenseofnostalgia.
"I'mback"
"Coming,welcomeback...eh?Oniichan?"
Uponopeningthedoor,IseeAishacomingfromthelivingroom.
271/323
4/2/2016
Perhapsnotexpectingmetobebacksosoon,Aishagreetedmewitha
perplexedexpression.
"Backalready?DidyoufindawaytosaveNanahoshisan?Or..."
IpatAisha'sheadinreassurance.
A[Wah]slipsfromhermouth,butshedoesn'tseemannoyed.
"Oniichan,what'sthematter?"
"Nothing,Nanahoshiwillbefine.I'llexplainthedetails.AreRoxyand
Nornhome?"
"Nornaneisstillatschool.Roxyisinherroom.Mom...Liliakaasanis
doinglaundry.Zenithkaasanissleeping."
"Isee,Nornisstillatschool...Sorrytobotheryou,butcanyougetRoxy
forme?"
"Yes."
Afterabit,Roxycamedownstairs.
Wasshesleeping?Herhairisalittlemessyandherfaceisred.
"Welcomeback,Rudi.Howdiditgo?"
"I'llexplainnow,butbeforethat."
"Wha.."
IpullRoxyintoatightembrace.
Ihadpromisedtoreturnsafely.
Thoughshewasalittlesurprised,Roxycircledherarmsaroundand
huggedmeback.
272/323
4/2/2016
"I'mhome."
"Welcomeback."
I'mfinallyhome.
Part2
Itoldeveryonetheeventsofthepastfewdays.
Therewasalottocover,soIjustexplainedtheimportantparts,focusing
especiallyonthedetailsofZenith'scurse.
Particularlysignstowatchoutforinthefuture.
"Forthetimebeing,I'llstayintheskyfortress,butI'llcomehomeat
leastonceeverytendays."
Let'sdothisfornow.
WhileArieliscontinuingherplans,Sylphyisalsostayinginthesky
fortress.
Sheisalsoplanningondoingthesame(returningatleastonceevery10
days).
Notgoingtoclass,huh...Isupposeit'sfineifIjustshowupforthe
extracurricularstudies.
Thatshouldcountasclassparticipation.
"Iunderstand,Rudeussama.YoucanleavethehouseworkandZenith's
caretome."
Liliadeclaredthatshewouldtakecareoftheextrawork.Anyway,my
reportisoverandthefamilymeetinghasfinished.
273/323
4/2/2016
"Phew,Ifeeltired.I'mgoingtogorest.Whataboutyou,Rudi?"
"IthinkI'lltakeabathandgotosleep."
"Oh?ShouldIwaitupforyou?"
"No,nottoday."
"Okay"
Iwalktowardsthebath.
Thinkingaboutit,Ihaven'thadabathforafewdays.
AsIentertheroom,Iheatupthewaterinthebathtub.
Ishouldcleanmybodyfirst...forgetit.
Takingoffmyclothes,Ienterthebathtubwithasmallsplash.
"Phew!"
AsIsoakinthetub,Icanfeelmyfatiguemeltaway.
Isuddenlyrealizehowtiringtheselastfewdayshavebeen.
But,tendays,huh?
MyaudiencewithPerugiuswasonlytendaysago.
Somuchhashappenedinsuchashorttime.
Nanahoshicollapsing,journeyingtothemagiccontinent,seeing
Kishirika,aggroingAtofe.
Atofewassostrong.
Idon'tfeellikeIcanbeather.
Itisimpossibleformetobeatanopponentonsuchalevel.
274/323
4/2/2016
Butlightningmagicworked.
IfIuseittocatchheroffguard,Imighthaveachance.
Ineedtoresearchandpracticeitsomemore.
AtleasttothepointwhereIcanuseitwhilewet.
WhatshouldIdo?Idon'tknow.
ShouldIcovermyselfwithrubberlikeStretchman?[22]
Atofe'sservant,Moorewasstrongtoo.
ItfeelslikehecancounteranythingItrytodo.
Upuntilnow,withtheexceptionofRoxy,I'veneverseensucha
powerfulmagician.
Thanksto[MagicDisturb]andtheprosthetichandIhadmanaged
somehow,buthowamIsupposedtodealwiththistypeofopponent?
Ageneralstrategyforfightingpowerfulopponents.....doesn'texist,does
it?....
Regardless,I'moutofideas.IfonlyIcouldbecomealittlestronger.
Afterall,thisisthefirsttimesomethinglikethishashappenedinthe
pastfewyears.
ReachingPerugius'slevelisprobablyimpossible,butsomewherearound
Sylvaril'smightbe.
But,Perugius'ssummoningmagic,ifIcanlearntodrawteleportation
magiccircles,nomatterwhathappens,I'llbeabletoreactquickly.
Thefactthatitisforbiddenmagicisscary,butthat'sallthemorereason
tolearnit.
Knowledgeispower.
275/323
4/2/2016
And,communicationtoo.
Ariel'sring.
Ifitisimprovedabitthenitcanbeusedtosendmessages.
Maybeitisimpossibletouseiteverywhere,butitmightfunctionasa
pager.
Whatelse?
ItfeelslikeI'mforgettingsomething...
"Ugh,thisalwayshappens."
NowIthinkaboutit,I'malwayssoforgetful.
Iwouldhaveboutsofinspiration,andthenpromptlyforgetaboutthem.
Onegoodideaafteranothertoo.
IthoughtIhadagoodmemory,butIreallyhavetoomanyweaknesses.
Notgood.
I'mrepeatingmymistakes.
Iwasluckythistime,butwhatifIforgetnexttime?
IfIforgetmymistakes,Iwon'timprove.
But,whatdoIdo?
Irememberhearingthatkeepingajournalhelpswithmemory.
"...alright,maybeIshouldstartadiary?"
276/323
4/2/2016
Notabadidea.
Experiences,failures,weaknesses,importantthings.
Afterwritingthosedown,Icanreflectonthem.
Determiningpriorities,statingobjectives,decidingmynextmove.
Feelslikethiswillbeagoodidea.
Ishouldstartwritingnow.
Thinkingthis,Idashoutofthebathtub.
"But...wherearediariessold?"
Aftergettingoutofthebath,Igotomyresearchroom.
Ireachforthestackofpapersonthelowestpartofthebookshelf.
Iftherearenodiaries,Icanjustwriteonregularpaper.
Themostimportantthingistowritethingsdown.
But,justwritingissolonely,IthinkI'lladdsomethingtoit.
Thoughitsappearanceisnotimportant,itdoesn'thurtforittolookabit
better.
Iplacethestackofpapersneatlyonmydesk.
First,Iusemagictomakesmallholesinthepaper.
IloopthepapersthroughsomeringsthatImakewithearthmagic.
NextIpreparethreeboardsandhinges.
Iplacetheminashape.
277/323
4/2/2016
Iplacetheringinit.
Mybindertypediaryiscomplete.
Theboardsandhingeswerefree.Theonlyexpensewasfromthepaper.
Whataboutaholepuncher?IwonderifIcansellthis?
I'llwritethisdown,too.
Ideasthataren'twrittendownwillprobablygetforgotten.
Holepuncher..no,Ishouldwriteaboutthediaryfirst.
"WhatshouldIwrite?"
Speakingofdiaries,whenIwasaNEET,Iusedtohaveablog.But,I
quicklygaveuponit.
IfIcanturnthisintoahabit,it'llwork,right?
No,Ishouldn'tthinkofthisassomeoneelse'sproblem.
AslongasImakethisintoahabit,it'llwork.
Okay.
I'llwriteabouttheeventsofthelast10days.
"...Zzz"
IwasasleepbeforeIknewit.
Part3
278/323
4/2/2016
I'minanempty,whiteroom.
I'veseenthisplacebefore.
Justacoupledaysago,whenIwasteleportedbyPerugius,Isawthis
place.
Justwhatisthisplace?
I'veneverwonderedthisbefore.
Doesthisplaceexistsomewhereinthisworld?
Thatbeingsaid,isthereanythingIcandoaboutthisbody?
Fatty,NEET,thebodyofthemethathadnothing.
Idon'tplanonclosingmyeyes.
ButIfeelmyirritationswellup.
Ididn'tfeelthisannoyancewhenIwassummonedbyPerugius.
"Yo"
Isee,it'sthatguy.
Asmooth,paleface.
Aslightsmilelikeafloatingmosaic.
TheinstantIsawhisface,mythoughtsfaded.
Hitogami.
"Longtimenosee"
279/323
4/2/2016
Hownostalgic...lasttimewas...twoyearsago?
"You'vebecomelikethatalready"
LasttimehegavemeadvicewasrightbeforegoingtotheBegaritto
Continent.
Thatshouldbetwoyearsago.
"It'snotlikethisisanythingnew"
Therehasbeenatimewhenhedidn'tshowupfor3years.
Hownostalgic.
Atthattime,Iwasdrowningindespair
"Yea,comparedtobackthen,youseemtobedoingmuchbetter"
Notbad,Iguess.
Gotmarried,livingapeacefulfamilylife.
Indeed,itisalifethatIneverwouldhavedreamedofhavinginmy
NEETdays.
"BeingacquaintedwithPerugius"
Perugiusisatrulyamazingperson.
Inmypreviouslife,IneverwouldhaveimaginedIwouldmeetandbe
respectedbysomeonelikehim.
ThefiguresImadearesellingwell,too.
Ineverwouldhaveimaginedthislevelofsuccessinmypreviouslife.
280/323
4/2/2016
"AndtobelikedbyAtofe"
That'snotsomethingI'mhappyabout
Butthat'sallthankstotheresultsofmytraining.
However,ifIdidn'tlearnkingrankwatermagicfromRoxy...Imightnot
havemadeitbackthistime.
Thatlightningattackisveryuseful.
"Ofcourse,thatmagicisverypowerful.I'msureitwouldbeuseful
againstOrsted,too"
Orsted,too?
"AmagicthatcanignoreToukiandparalyzethebody.There'snowayto
counterit,isthere?"
There'snowaytocounterit?
But,ifit'sOrsted,hecanuse[MagicDisturb]tocancelit.
"Heisstrongeroverall,butvictoryispossible"
No,no.
Mostofmymagiconlyhavemiscellaneoususes,sotheycan'tdomuch
againstOrstedwithouttinkering.
PerhapsIdon'thaveanymotivation.
281/323
4/2/2016
Idon'thateOrsted.
"Isthatso?"
Say,ImadeitthroughtheBegarittoContinentsomehow.
IwouldbelyingifIsaidIdon'tregretit.
But,itwasn'tabaddecision.
Icouldn'tfollowyouradviceonthat.
"Well,that'syourdecision."
WhatwouldhavehappenedifIdidn'tgo?
"Ifyoudidn'tgo,yourfatherwouldn'thavedied.Additionally,you
wouldhave(married?)thetwobeastclanprincessesandbelivinga
happylife."
...Whatthehell?
Becauseofme,Pauldied?
"Yep,becauseyouwerethere.Becausehewantedtoshowoffinfrontof
you,hegotcareless."
No,but.
This...
"Ifyoudidn'tgo,hewouldhavesavedyourmotheranyway.Ofcourse,
Roxyaswell."
282/323
4/2/2016
Howcouldthatbe?
ThethingsIdid...weremeaningless?...
No,butwhenIfoundRoxy,shewasalreadycornered.
You'resayingthatshewould'vebeenfineifIdidn'tsaveher?
"Yes,evenifyoudidn'tgo,Roxywouldhavebeensavedanyway.Her
survivalisthewilloffate."
Howcouldthatbe?
Whatisthisfatethatyouspeakof?
"Themerchantthatyouhelped.Ifitwasn'tforyou,hewouldhavebeen
late.
Thedaythemerchantarrived,therewasaparticularadventurerthere.
Theadventurerboughtsomethingfromthemerchant:amagicstone.
But,ifthemerchanthadarrivedlate,hewouldhaveboughtsomething
else"
Somethingelse.
"Amapoftheteleportationlabyrinth"
Howcouldsomethinglikethatjusthappentobesoldthere?
"RequestingsomethingfromtheAdventurer'sGuild,theGisuthatfailed
toconvincetheswordsman.Filledwithenthusiasmhethoughtofa
surefireplantorecruitadventurers,partofwhichwastosellthemapfor
anextremelycheapprice."
283/323
4/2/2016
...Sothat'showitwas.
Gisuwassellingthemap.
True,veryfewadventurerswantedtostepinthatlabyrinth,butit's
possiblethattherewassomeonewhothoughttheycouldconquerit.
Andso,theadventurerwhoboughtthemapwouldhavewentwiththem
intothelabyrinthandsavedRoxy.
"Yep,hewould'vemetyourfatherattheentranceofthatlabyrinthand
theywouldhaveenteredthelabyrinthtogether,savingRoxy."
Andafterwards,withtheincreasedpartysize,astheycontinueto
explorethelabyrinth,theywouldhaveeventuallysavedmother?
"Exactlyasyouguessed.Comparedtoyou,itwouldtakesomemore
time...approximately2years.Theywouldhavejustnowsavedyour
mother."
Ican'tbelieveit.
"But,thatisexactlywhatfateis."
Isthatso?
Sothatwould'vehappened.Noknowingwhatthefutureholds...
I...Itwould'vebeenbetterifIdidn'tgo...
Shit,Ishouldhavelistenedtoyou.
No,but,thatmeansIwouldn'thavemarriedRoxy.
284/323
4/2/2016
"Yep,shefellinlovewiththemanwhosavedher,butitlookslikehe
doesn'tfeelthesameforher."
Ifitwerelikethis,nothingbadwouldhavehappened.
IloveRoxy.
...But,Pauldied.
ImarriedRoxy,yetPaullosthislife.Ican'tfeelgoodaboutthis.
Idon'tregretmarryingRoxy.
Shestrivestobeagoodwifeandshe'shappyaboutbeingmarriedtome.
But,ifRiniaandPursenawerelikethistoo,IthinkIwouldbehappyas
well.
It'snotthatanyonewilldo,butunderthesecircumstances,there'sno
wayformetomarryRoxy.
Ugh,fuck....
"It'salreadyinthepastnow"
Yea.
There'snothingIcandoevenifIregretit.
It'simpossibletogoback.
Rightnow,Ihaveahappylife.
PerhapsImadethewrongchoice.
ThoughIhavesomeregrets,it'snotallbad.
I'lljustthinklikethis.
285/323
4/2/2016
"Yousureareoptimistic."
Backtothemaintopic,whyhaveyoucalledmeheretoday?
Or,didyoucometowarnmeaboutsomething?
"No,it'snothingserious.Ratherthanadvice,today,Ihavearequest."
Request?
You?
Odd.
Thishasneverhappenedbefore.
"Well,sometimesevenIneedsomehelp."
Hm.
Forgetit.
Justtellmewhatyouwanttosay.
Occasionally,Ithinkitwouldbeokaytolistentoyouradvice.
Upuntilnow,I'vebeenoverlysuspiciousofyou.
"Whatarelief."
Well,sinceyou'vehelpedmesomuch...
Rather,Ishouldn'thavebeensosuspiciousofyou.
IthoughtIwasbeingplayedwithbyamaliciousprankster.
286/323
4/2/2016
"That'sjusttoomuch.I'mtheHitogami.I'mtheGodofHumans,you
know?HowcouldIhavetheleisuretojustdothingsforamusement?I
wouldn'thurtpeopleforfun."
Ah,someonelikethatprobablydoesn'texist.
"Exactly"
Then,whatshouldIdo?
"It'snothingserious.Iwantyoutogotothebasementandmakesure
there'snothingabnormal.Ifyoudon'tfindanything,thenthat'sfine.
That'sallIwant."
Makesurethere'snothingabnormal?
Why...
No,Iunderstand.
Thistime,I'lltrustyou.I'lljustdoasyouaskedandseehowitgoes.
"Isthatso...Thankyou."
Asmyconsciousnessfaded,IthoughtIsawthefainttraceofasmile
formatthecornerofHitogami'smouth.
Part4
Iopenmyeyes.
Infrontofme,Icanseetheflickeringlightofthecandleflame.
287/323
4/2/2016
Icanseethemoonlightshiningthroughthewindow.
Idon'thearanything.
It'squiet.
PerhapsIfellasleepwhilewritinginmydiary.
Therewasadroolstainonthepageofmyhalfcompleteddiaryentry.
I'llrewriteit.
Iripoutthepageandputitatthecornerofthetable.
Afterwards,IcopyitontoacleanpageandcontinuefromwhereI
stopped.
WhendidIfallasleep?
ItfeelslikeI'vebeenasleepfordays.
AsIstandup,somethingslidoffmyshoulder.
Itwasablanket.
WasitSylphyorRoxywhobroughtablanketforme?
Well,whoeveritwas,I'mgrateful.
"Well..."
Irememberthecontentsofmydream.
I'mtogoandcheckthebasement.
Idon'tunderstandthereason,butthere'snothingwrongwithlisteningto
himjustthisonce.
Upuntilnow,thatguyhasnevertoldmetodosomethingthatwouldput
meinabadsituation.
288/323
4/2/2016
Occasionally,ithasbeenmutuallybeneficial,too.
EvenifheistheHitogami,heprobablyfeltannoyedbytheantagonismI
showedwheneverhegavemeadvice.
Wemighthaveagiveandtakerelationship,butIshouldtrytogetalong
whenhegetsintouchwithme.
"Achoo...it'ssocold..."
AsIwalktowardsthebasement,IputontherobethatIhadhungonthe
wall.
Thoughitisalreadyspring,notallofthesnowhasmeltedyet.Thechill
ofearlyspringisintheair.
It'snotgoodtosleephere.
Ishouldgetbacktomyroomassoonaspossibleandsleeponthewarm
bed.
But,inthiscold,thebedwouldbecoldtoo.
Aroundwhattimeisitrightnow?
Judgingbyhowquietitis,itmustbelateintothenight.
IfIgotoSylphy'sorRoxy'sroomrightnow,I'llprobablywakeoneof
themup...
Ijustwanttobewarm,noteroticthings.
Imissthem.
ThisisHitogami'sfault.
IfonlyIdidn'thearaboutwhatmighthavebeen.
No,Iwastheonewhowantedtoknow.Wasitmyfault?
289/323
4/2/2016
Myfault,IguessI'llsleepalone.
AsIwasthinkingthis,Iopenthedoor.
"...?"
Suddenly,feelingapresencebehindme,Iturnaround.
TheonlythinginfrontofmeisthechairIwaspreviouslysittingon.
Ofcoursethere'snoonethere.
"Probablyjustmyimagination."
Besidesthetableandbookshelf,there'snothinginthisroom.
There'snowheretohide.
Thewindowistoosmallforapersontogothough.
There'sonlyoneentrance:thisdoor.
Thisroomissmall,justonecandleisenoughtoshowthatthere'snoone
there.
Theonlyoneinthisroomisme.
WhydidIfeelapresence?
Thereisclearlynoonehere.
Idon'tknowwhy,butIstillfeelapresence.
Weird.
Maybethere'sabugunderthetable.
290/323
4/2/2016
"Forgetit,Istillneedtocheckthebasement."
Iopenthedoor.AsIamabouttoleavetheroom...
"There!"
Iturnaround,again.
Noreason.
Justfeltlikedoingit.
Justconfirmingthatthere'snoonethere.
But...
There...
Aperson...
"...eh?"
Amanwearingatatteredrobeissittingonthechair.
Anoldman.
Deepwrinklesmarkhisface.Hishairiscompletelywhite.
Hisunshavenfacegavehimaslovenlylook.
Thisimpressionquicklydisappeared.
291/323
4/2/2016
Hehadthepressureofamanwhohasweatheredcountlessbattles.
Sharp,slightlymismatchedeyes.
Hismouthtrembledinsurprise.
"I...succeeded?..."
Theoldmanfondlysurveyedhissurroundingwithsquintingeyes,deep
inemotionandthought.
But,ashelookedathishands,touchedtheareaaroundhisabdomen,his
expressionchangedtoaselfmockingsmile.
"No...Ifailed.TherewasnowayIcouldsucceed..."
Helooksfamiliarsomehow.
But,Ican'tremember.
Strange.
Whoishe?
Paul?No,he'snot.
Sauros?Buthedoesn'thavethesamepresenceasSauros.
Thisoldmanismuchmorecowardly.
"Who...whoareyou?Unless...Hitogami?"
Uponhearingthatname,themanstareddaggersatme.
Irememberthisreaction.
Orsted.
Orstedreactedinthesameway.
292/323
4/2/2016
Thispartisthesame.
But,thismandoesn'tlookanythinglikeOrsted.
"No."
Themanshookhisheadandmetmygaze.
Apowerfulgaze.
Ican'tturnaway.
It'slikeI'mbeingpulledin.
Likelookingintoamirror,butsearching...
Staringatthedoorbehindme,hemadeanexpressionasifhewantedto
asksomething.
Hepointedhisbonyfingerbehindme.
Intheshorttimeittooktomovehisfinger,thedoorbehindmemoved.
"!"
Suddenly,Ihearda"bam".
Whatdidthisguyjustdo?
Ashisblindinggazereturnedtothestillconfusedme,hesaid.
"Don'tgotothebasement.You'vebeendeceivedbyHitogami."
"Eh?"
Deceived?
293/323
4/2/2016
What'sgoingon?
"Wait,beforethat,whoareyou?Wheredidyoucomefrom?"
"Iam..."
Theoldmanopenshismouthtoreply,butquicklyshutshismouth.
Hepondersforamomentandthenbeginstospeakagain.
"Mynameis''"
Hearingthisname,IreceivethebiggestshockI'veeverfelt.
Thenamethemanused.
Inthisworld,theonlyonewhoknowsthatnameisme.
ThenamethatIwillonedaytakewithmetothegrave.
AnamethatIdon'twanttoremember.
Anamethatdoesn'texistinthisworld.
Mynamefrommypreviouslife.
"Icomefromthefuture."
Chapter11:EndandBeginning
Part1
Hecamefromthefuture.
That'swhattheoldmansaid.
Honestly,Idon'tunderstandwhathemeans.
294/323
4/2/2016
Certainly,it'snotliketheoldmandoesn'tresembleme.
"You're...you'resayingyou'rethefutureme?
"Yes.Iamyoufromabout50yearslater."
Theoldmanclearlysaidthat.
Evenifhesuddenlytellsmethat,Idon'tknowwhetherIshouldbelieve
him.
Butthisguyknowsmyname.
Ontopofthat,Icametothisworldafterreincarnatingwithmy
memories.
SoIgetthefeelingitwouldn'tbestrangefortheretobetimeslips.
"Sorry,butIdon'thavetheleisuretoexplaintoyoutheprinciplesofpast
teleportationmagic."
"Whenyousayyoudon'thavetheleisuretoexplain..."
"SorryfortheHollywoodmovielikewords,butIreallydon'thavetime.
Listentome."
ThewordsHollywoodmovieflowsmoothly.
Inotherwords,thisoldmandefinitelyhasaconnectiontomyprevious
world.
...Ishereallyme?
Thoseglaringeyes.
There'ssomethinggloomyinthedepthsofthosepupils.
Tospeakfrankly,they'retheeyesofsomeonewhokillspeoplelikeit'sa
mundanething.
Coldeyeswhichthinknothingofasingleperson'slife.
295/323
4/2/2016
SoI'llbecomelikethisinthefuture?
That'sabsurd.
It'scompletelyunbelievable,buttheoldman'sexpressionisserious.
Forthetimebeing,tentatively,I'lllistentotheoldman'sstoryasifhe's
mefrom50yearslater.
"Thereisnothinginthebasement."
Theoldmansaidthatdeliberately.
"Iwenttothebasement,andthoughttherewasnothing.Andthenext
day,Iheardthewords[Iftherewasnothing,thenthat'sgood]from
Hitogami,andfeltreassured."
Theoldmangrimacedunpleasantly.
"Butthatwasamistake.Icanexplainitnow."
Hetouchedhisfingertohisforeheadasifrememberingsomething.
Hislefthand'sindexfinger.
Hm?
Hehasahand?
"Listen,mostlikely,there'samouseinthebasement.Asickmouse.Its
peculiarfeatureoughttobeteethlikevioletmagicstones.Idon'tknow
wherethatmousecamefromorwhenitenteredthere.Mostlikely,one
fromthedemoncontinentortheskyfortressslippedintosomeluggage.
Thatdoesn'tmatter."
296/323
4/2/2016
Theoldmanopenedhispalm,thentighteneditintoafist.
"Themousewasfrightenedbyyou,andranaway.Tothekitchen.And
thenitscavengesthroughleftoversofyesterday'smeal,hasdiedthenext
day,andgetsdisposedofbyAisha."
"..."
"Thoseleftoversaregiventoastraycatthenextday,anddisappear."
Hislefthandisn'tanartificialone.
Ishereallyme?
Ormaybeinthenext50years,itgetshealedusingimpressivehealing
magic.
"Butbeforethathappens,ahungryRoxygoesdownthestairs,andpicks
alittleatthoseleftovers.Asaresult,she'sinfectedwiththatmouse's
disease."
"Roxygetssick?"
WhenIheardthewordRoxy,myconcentrationfocusedontheoldman's
story.
"Magicstonedisease."
Magicstonedisease.
IgetthefeelingI'veheardaboutitfromsomewhere.
Oh,ifIrememberright,it'sanillnessthatcanonlybehealedwithgod
rankeddetoxificationmagic.
Anincurablediseasethatgraduallyturnsthebodytomagicstone.
297/323
4/2/2016
"Ididn'trealizeitatfirst.Afterall,magicstonediseaseisextremelyrare.
Thatvirusdwellsinsidethebody,andisonlycapableofinfectingthe
otherlifewithinit."
"Theotherlife?"
"That'sright,afetus.Onlypregnantwomencancontractthatillness.I
didresearchlateronandwasshocked."
"Eh?No,but,Roxyisstill"
"Sheshouldbepregnant.Butenoughofthat,youdidthedeedsoisn't
thatnatural?"
Roxyispregnant.
SomehowI'mreallyhappy,butwiththisexplanationI'mnothappyat
all.
"Micearecarriersformagicstonedisease,becauseaportionofthem
haveresistancetoit.Youcanidentifyacarrierataglance,becausetheir
teethhavebecomevioletcrystal.Andtheillnessspreadstowhatthe
mousebiteson.Itonlyinfectsorally,andthevirusdoesn'tpersistfor
verylong.Itdisappearsafteraroundadayatmost,andtheinfectionrate
islow,andthoseinfectedareonlyfetusesinsidepregnantwomen."
"..."
"Thevirusgrowsinsidethefetus,proceedstoremoldthefetus,andthen
turnsthemother'sbodyintomagicstone."
...He'ssayingthatRoxywillbeinfectedbyanillnesslikethat?
"Ifyouweretothoughtlesslygotothebasementrightnowandletthe
mouseout,thenextdayyou'llhearAishaidlygrumble[Ifoundaweird
deadmousethismorning],twoweekslateryou'llbetold[Acatinfected
withmagicstonediseasewasdiscovered],andrightafterthatRoxywill
comedownwithafever.Anditwillbe30yearslaterbeforeyouconnect
everythingtogether."
298/323
4/2/2016
"...WhathappenstoRoxy?"
"Shedies."
Athismercilessremark,Ilostmywords.
"Roxygetsafeverandbecomesbedridden...You'llunderstandthatit's
magicstonediseaseonceyouseeherfeetstarttoturntomagicstone,
but..."
"Itdidn'tgethealed?Itriedtohealit,didn'tI?"
Theoldmanmadeasadfaceandcasthiseyesdownward.
"ItriedtosavehernomatterwhatbygoingtotheholycountryofMilis,
andsucceededinobtainingthechantforgodrankeddetoxification
magic,but...Alothappenedontheway,andittooktime.BythetimeI
returneditwastoolate,halfofRoxy'sbodywascrystallized,andshe
haddied."
Buthequicklyraisedhisfaceandsentmethefiercelightinhiseyes.
"Don'tbemisledbythewordsofHitogami.Ifit'syouwhohas
knowledgeofthepreviousworld,youshouldunderstandthatmuch.
Thatguyisthesourceofeverykindofevil.Thelastboss."
"But,whydidhedothattoRoxy?"[23]
"Idon'tknow.Evennow.Butitshouldbecertainthathe'sactingwith
somekindofobjectiveinmind.Attheveryend,hesaidthathimself...
[Thankstoyoubeinganidiot,thingshaveproceededtomysatisfaction.]
...Shit."
Hitogamisaidthathimself?
But,umm...?
299/323
4/2/2016
"OrstedorLaplacemightknowsomethingaboutHitogami'sgoal..ButI
haven'tmeteitherofthemforthepast50years.Mostlikely,youwon't
beabletomeetthemeither,evenifyousearchforthem."
"Nanahoshididn'tknowwhereOrstedwas?"
WhenIspokeNanahoshi'sname,theoldmanmadeasorrowfulface.
Shedidn'tknow?
OrcoulditbethatNanahoshialso...
"Ididn'taskher,butcertainlyinthiscurrentera,itcouldbeworthasking
her.Evenifshedoesn'tknowwhereheis,shealsothinksalotabout
thesekindsofthings.Shemightcomeupwithsomekindofgoodidea."
"...WhathappenedtoNanahoshi?"
"......"
Theoldmandidn'tanswer.
Hejusthadasadexpression.
Butafteralittlewhile,hespokewhilesighing.
"Attheveryend,shefailed.Andthenbecamedepressed,andIfailedto
supporther...Andthen..."
Nanahoshididn'treturn.
Andthendespaired,andmaybe,toherself,byherownhand...
"Igotit.Enoughofthat."
"Yeah,Idon'twanttotalkaboutiteither."
300/323
4/2/2016
Theoldmanraisedhiseyes,andasifpullinghimselftogether,continued
tospeak.
"Listen.You'lllearnaboutthisaround10yearsfromnowtoo,but...
Hitogamiisn'tcalledHitogamiinthisworld.
"...Whatdoyoumean?"
"TheGodofHumans,writtenasHumanGod.There'snobodywho
doesn'tknowthenameHumanGod,butonlythosewho'vemethim
directlyknowthetermHitogami.Idon'tknowwhyhedidsomething
likethat...Maybejusttotoywiththepeoplewhoknowit."
...Isee.
Nowonderthere'ssuchanoverreactiontothewordHitogami.
Sothat'sanameknownonlytothosewho'vemethimandbeendeceived
byhim.
"Ataglance,thatguyseemedtoonlyspeakaboutthingsthatwerefor
mysake."
Theoldmanclenchedhisfistagain.
Thelightofhatredaloneilluminatedthosepupils.
Incrediblekillingintentoverflowed,butforsomereasonIdidn'tthinkit
wasscary.
"Evennow,uptothismoment,hehasn'ttoldalie.NoliethatIcan
perceive."
Hisfistquivered.Inthevicinityofthefist,Icanseesomething.A
crackling,coiling,purplelightninglikething.
301/323
4/2/2016
"Eachandeverythinghasbeenforthesakeofthisonetime,sothatthe
suspiciousyouwouldobeyhimwithouthesitatingatthismoment!"
Ifeltblankamazementtowardtheflyingsparks,butputmyselfon
guard.
"Don'tbetricked!Youreaditinmanga,didn'tyou?Someonewhotalks
aboutbelievingandnotbelievingisdefinitelylying!"
"Well,Iknowthat,but..."
Theoldmanspokewithastrainedvoice.
"Youdon'tunderstand.AfterRoxyisSylphy.Heartbrokenfromlosing
Roxy,foralittlewhileyou'llstopthinkingaboutSylphy.Sylphywillbe
hurtandbeinlowspirits.ThatguywillmanipulateLukeandtake
advantageofthat."
"Luke?"
"Yeah,lateronyou'llhearfromawomanwhokeptLuke'scompanyat
thetime,[Whenhewokeupthenextmorning,Lukeactedflusteredand
startedtalkingabouthowhe'dheardanoraclefromGodorsomething.]"
"Andthen...whathappens?"
"LukegivesadvicetoAriel,andSylphyabandonsmeandgoestoAsura.
TogetherwithArielwhofailedtogetPerugius'sfavor!Fromaninferior
position,Arielstartsaninternalrevolt,andloses.Sylphyiskilledin
battle."
Killedinbattle...
Soshedies.
"Youlosethosetwo."
302/323
4/2/2016
Theoldmanshookhisheadwhilegrindinghisteeth.
"Yeah,evennowthatguy'svoicewhenherevealedhistrickslingersin
myears.[You'vedonewell],thefeelingofhavingmyshoulderclapped,
andthatshrilllaughingvoice...Shit,fuckinghell!!"
Theoldmanstruckthedeskwithathud.
Atthatinstant,purplelightningscatteredthroughthesurroundings,
lightingthemuplikeitwasmidday.
Thelightquicklyfaded,butaburnmarkremainedonthedesk.
Theoldmanexhaledwitha"fuu".
"I'llsayitagain.Don'tbelieveinhim.You'llendupregrettingit."
Aftersayingthat,theoldmansuddenlyclutchedhisstomach.
Lookingathim,hiscomplexionseemedabitworsethanearlier.
"SoI'moutoftime...ButevenifIsaythis,youprobablydon'tknow
whatyoushoulddo."
Theoldman'sfacewasdeathlypale.
Purplebagshadappearedunderhiseyes.
Theoldmantookadeepbreathandthenexhaledpainfully.
Itkindoffeelslikehe'sonthevergeofdeath.
Maybehesuffersfromsomekindofillness.
"Firstofall,hmm,Eris."
303/323
4/2/2016
WhenIheardEris,Ifeltmybrowfurrowing.
"Iwantyoutowriteandsendheraletterimmediately.Say[Well,I've
beenabitunfaithful,butIloveyou.]"
"Idon'tloveher.It'sbecauseofherthatIbecameimpotent."
"Forgiveher.You'reaman,aren'tyou?"
"..."
Theoldmangrinnedinselfderision.
"...ThoughIsaidthat,Iendedupnotforgivingher,andwasantagonistic
withherforyears."
"Antagonistic?"
"Timeandtimeagain,IwasalmostkilledbyEris.Shewouldchaseme
nomatterwhereIwent,andeverytimeshefoundmeitwouldturnintoa
noholdsbarredbattle.Well,shetookiteasyonme.Ifshewantedto,
therewereplentyofwaystokillme.Shewouldmakesurenevertopick
afightwhereshe'dkillme.
Onthecontrary,ifIwaseverinacrisis,she'dsavemefromthe
shadows.AlmostlikeVegeta."[24]
'Vegeta'...
"Well,she'sdifferentfromtheprinceofthevegetablecountry.Shejust
wantedtobebymyside.Shehadalwayslovedme.Shelovedmeand
didherverybestforme...
Butshe'sbadatexpressingherself,anddidn'tknowwhatsheshoulddo,
sotheonlythingshewasabletodowashitme."
Evenifhetellsmethat.
304/323
4/2/2016
I'msomeonewithwivesandachild.
It'struethattherewasatimewhenIlovedEris.
But,that's...inthepast.
"ButSlyphyandRoxy..."
"Notaproblem.Sylphy'stolerantaboutthatkindofthing,andRoxy
doesn'tthinkthatshesuitsme,soshe'llallowit.EvenEris,ifyougive
heranexplanationinadvance,willagree.Oh,butpreparetogethit.
Becauseshe'sthatkindofwoman."
"Evenifyousaythat..."
"Protectallofthewomenwhosaytheyloveyou.Isn'tthatnice?What's
wrongwiththat?Amanshouldbereliable."
"Don'tsayitlikeit'ssomebodyelse'sproblem."
"I'msayingitbecauseIwasleftwithnoone."
Therewasastrangesenseofweighttotheoldman'swords.
Butyouknow...
"IhavearesponsibilitytowardSylphyandRoxy..."
"Ifyou'retalkingaboutresponsibility,youhaveonetowardEristoo.
She'sbeenperseveringforyoursakethewholetime.She'sapoortalker
soitdidn'tgetthroughtoyou,butthewholetime.Ifyoudon'ttake
responsibilityforher,whataboutallhereffort?
...You'llbecondemnedbyGhyslaine.InfrontofEris'sbody."
Eris's...body?
"Eris...diestoo...?"
305/323
4/2/2016
"Yeah,tocoverme.IfIrememberright...ThatwaswhenIhada
rematchwithAtofe.AseriousDemonLordwasstrongerthanIthought,
andIletmyguarddown."
Theoldmansaidthatnostalgically,thecornerofhismouthtwisted.
TobeabletobeinattentivetowardAtofe,justhowstrongishe?This
futureme.
Itseemeddoubtful,ishereallyme?
"Listen,youmustsendaletter.Ifyoudon'twanttoregretit...Ifyoudo
itnow,itshouldbarelymakeitthereintime."
"Ah,aah,well,ifyousaythat,I'llsendit.But,wheredoIsendit?"
"TheHolyLandofSwords.Youshouldhavehadsomesuspicions,
right?"
TheHolyLandofSwords.
It'snotthatfarfromSharia.
MaybeIthoughtitmightbesomethinglikethat.Soshewastraining
there.
TheHolyLandofSwords...
"Gotit."
"Don'twriteitlikeyou'repushingheraway.IfErisdespairs,you'llbe
killed."
"Iknow."
IthinkthatIknowwhatkindofpersonErisis.
...Oratleast,IthoughtIdid.
306/323
4/2/2016
Ifthisoldman'swordsaretrue.
Shehadnointentiontodumpme,andIdidn'tunderstandthat.
NowthatIthinkaboutit,there'snowayanawkwardspeakerlikeher
couldwritealetterwell.
Andthus,wepassedeachotherby,whichgaverisetounhappiness.
"Fuu"
Theoldmanexhaledcumbersomely.
Andthenraisedhisfacewithastartledexpression.
"Also,Iforgottosaysomethingimportant.Don'topposeHitogami."
"'Don'toppose'?Hedeceivedyou,didn'the?"
"Yeah.Butyoucan'twinagainstHitogami.Icouldn'twinagainsthim.
Someonelikemecouldn'tarriveattheplacewhereHitogamiis."
Theoldmansaidthatasthoughmortified.
Hedidn'tarriveattheplacewhereHitogamiis.
Inotherwords,asIthought,thatplaceissomewhereinthisworld?
"WhenIrealizedthat,Itrembled.Icouldn'tevenavengeRoxyand
Sylphy.Iworkedthishardtodefeathim,butIcan'tevenreachhim.I
canevenmanipulategravity,buthewon'tcomewithinthereachofmy
hand."
Aftersayingthat,theoldmanpointedattheinkwellontopofthedesk.
Theinkwellgentlyfloatedup,thenimmediatelydroppeddownagain
withaclink.
Dropsoftheinkflewontothedesk.
307/323
4/2/2016
"Icanfloatintheairandcommunicatewithothersoverlongdistances.I
regeneratedmyarm.NottomentionIcanevenjumpthroughtimeand
flytothepast...Well,thismagicisafailure,though."
Afailure.
Justwhatwasafailure?
Thismanisactuallyrighthere,rightnow.
"Youprobablyvaguelysenseditalready,butwhat'scalledmagicinthis
worldisomnipotent.Onceyourealizethat,youcanessentiallydo
anything."
Whilesayingthat,theoldmanraisedhislefthand.
Incontrasttohisproudbehavior,theoldman'sfacehadgonepast
deathlypale,andwasnowpurewhite.
Blackbagshadappearedbelowhiseyes,andhislipsweredyedblue.
"Butthispowernolongermeansanything.Iwastoolate.WhenI
becamestrong,therewasn'tasinglepersonleftIwantedtoprotect."
Theoldman'seyeswereglaringasalways,butthepowerwasalready
gonefromhispupils.
Hisbreathwasroughandthin.
"Listen,I'llsayitagain.IhateHitogami.
ButIcan'tbeathim.There'snowayto.Idon'thavethetechniqueto
arriveathisplace.IntheeraIlivein,thethingthat'snecessarytoreach
Hitogami'slocationdoesnotexist.Sodon'tfightwithhim.Idon'tknow
whathisgoalis,butit'sfineifyouevenactservile,justdon'toppose
him.You'lljustgetdoneinbyhim,witheverythingstillgoingashe
wants.
308/323
4/2/2016
Inwhichcase,rightnow,beforeanyone'sdied..."
Theoldman'shandsuddenlylostitspowerandfell.
Heraisedhischinandgazedattheceiling.
"Therearethreethingsyoushoulddo.
ConsultwithNanahoshi.
SendalettertoEris.
DoubtHitogami,butdon'topposehim.That'sall."
"..."
Icouldn'trespond.
Whenhetellsmeallthissuddenly,wordscan'tcomeout.
ButIsomehowsensedthatthisoldmanwasdesperatelytryingto
conveysomethingtome.
"YYoudon'thaveanymoreconcreteadviceoranything?"
"Hownostalgic.Cometothinkofit,themeofthiserawasquitea
slacker...Well,ofcourse,I'dliketoteachyoumoredetailsaboutvarious
things,but...We'reoutoftime."
"You'vebeensayingyoudon'thavetime,you'reoutoftime,etc.,fora
whilenow.Isalatenightanimestartingorsomething?"
"No...It'sending.Bytheway,don'tdependonotherpeoplesomuch.
Whenyoufirstcametothisworld,intheearlydays,youdidn'tmerely
relyonotherpeople,didyou...?"
Theoldmanlookedatmeasthoughseeingagrandchild.
309/323
4/2/2016
Nowthathesaysthat,IdogetthefeelingI'vebeendoingnothingbut
relyingonotherpeoplerecently.
"Also...NowthatI'vecomehere,historyshouldhavechanged.No
matterwhatIsay,it'snotnecessarilytrueitwillcometrue.Andsince
pastteleportationtakesthissortofform,thehistorythatI'vewalked
won'tchange......"
Thenextinstant.
Theoldman'seyesshiftedandlosttheirfocus.
Hisarmsdangleddownward,heliftedhischin,andhegaspedwith
difficulty.
"You...willleadadifferentlifethanIdid.Justasyoualwayshave,
you'llhavesuccesses,you'llhavefailures,you'llhavetimesyoureflect,
andyou'llhavetimesyouregret."
Theoldmanmovedslightly,thenfellfromthechair.
"Hey,areyouokay!?"
Irushedoverhurriedlyandhelpedhimup...Ishuddered.
Theoldman'sbodywaslighttoanextentunthinkablefromhowit
appearedsosolidlybuilt.
Itmightbeevenlessthan40kilograms.[25]
Whatisthis,what'sgoingon.
"I...don'tthinkthatbecauseIcamefromthefuture,I'llbeableto
recoverfrommymistakes.Thismagicisafailure......Therearenodo
oversinhumanlife..."
310/323
4/2/2016
Theoldmanlethisblankgazewanderaroundwhileputtinghis
quiveringhandinsidehisrobe.
"Ijumpedwiththediaryasapointoforigin...soIbroughtit......What
I'veexperiencediswritteninit......Doyourbest...sothatyoudon'thave
regrets...Don'tbecomelikeme,andhavethatguylaughatyou...
please..."
Theoldman'sglaringeyesmoistened,andhetookoutabulkyfilelike
thingfromthepocketofhisfluffyrobe.
It'swornout,butIknowit.
It'sthediarythatIonlyjustmade.
BeforeIcouldtakeit,thediaryslippedfromhishandsandfelltothe
floorwithathump.
Butwhatstolemyattentionwasn'tthat.
Whenheremovedthediary,Ibrieflyglimpsedsomethingcavedinon
theothersideofhisrobe.
Almostasthoughtherewasnothingbelowhisclothes...
"What's...withthatbody...?"
"Hah,itwas...incomplete.....Mypastteleportation...wasn'tableto...
takemy...entirebody..."
"Eh,but,earlier,yousaidyoucouldregrowanarm..."
"Idon'thaveanymoremana...Sorry...IfonlyCliffwasalive,thepast
teleportationwould'vebeenbetterableto.......alittlemore,here,
informationforyou..."
"...I'msorry,it'sokay,sodon'tspeak."
"...You...haveregret...asHitogamiwants...whyinaplacelikethis...
whatIshouldsay...Icametothepast,soatleastaglance..."
311/323
4/2/2016
Theoldman'seyesnolongersawanything.
Hiswordsmadenosense,itwasjustvaguephrasesflowingout.
BeforeIknewit,theareabelowhiseyeswasdyedblack,andthe
shadowofdeathhadappearedonhisface.
Thisisthefaceofsomeoneabouttodie,no,ofacorpse.
"Ah"
Butthoseeyessuddenlyfocusedonasinglepoint.
Hesawsomethingovermyshoulderandbehindme.
Heextendedaquiveringhandtowardthat.
"Aah,Sylphy,Roxy...Damn,yousurearecuteasever..."
Asingletear'strailfloweddownfromtheoldman'seye...thelightwas
gone.
Thestrengthdissipatedfromhisbody,andhisneckdroopeddown.
...Hewasdead.
Iturnedaround.
Thedoorwasn'topen.
Ithadmadequitealoudnoise,soIthoughtthatsomeonemighthave
beenwokenup,but...
Onthevergeofdeath,Iwonderwhatphantomtheoldmansaw.
312/323
4/2/2016
WhenIthoughtthat,Iheardthefootstepsofsomeonecomingdown
fromthesecondfloor.
"!"
Iwentoutoftheroominahurry.
Rightthen,RoxyandSylphywhoheldastaffandcandlearrivedthere
fromthesecondfloor.
"Rudi,Iheardsomekindofvoiceandsounds.Issomeonethere?"
"Isitathief?"
Thetwoofthemspokewithreliefafterseeingmyappearance,butdidn't
letgooftheirsenseofdanger,andwerevigilant.
ShouldIspeaktothemabouttheoldman?
......No.
"No,I'msorry.Iwashalfasleep.Isawaweirddream,andendedup
usingmagic.LookslikeIwokeyouup,I'msorry."
"Adreamsoyouusedmagicwhilehalfasleep...Iheardsomethinglikea
shouttoo,iseverythingokay?Um,ifit'stough,shouldwesleep
together?Imean,obaachansaid[Humanwarmthisthebestwhenyou
wanttoforgetsomethingpainful]..."
"No,it'sfine.I'dprobablydosomethinglewd,afterall.Sylphy'snot
backtohernormalconditionyet,right?"
WhenIrefusedSylphy'sattractiveproposal,Roxylookeddispleased.
313/323
4/2/2016
"Ifyousayit'sreally,reallytough,Idon'tmind,but...No,butrecently
I'vebeenthinkingthatit'spossible,soifyoucanI'dratheryoujustlimit
ittotouching..."
"No,I'msayingthere'snoneedtoday."
AtRoxy'swords,Isuddenlyrememberedtheoldman'swords.
TheoldmansaidthatRoxywaspregnant.
WhenRoxysaid[Thinkingthatit'spossible]maybeshewasreferringto
that.
"...I'mreallyfine,soyoutwocanreturntobed.I'mgoingtosleeptoo,
aftertidyinguptheroom."
"IfRudisaysthat,I'lldoso,but...Ifit'snotallright,tellme,okay?"
"Wearemarried,sopleasedon'tbereserved.Wellthen,goodnight."
SylphyandRoxysaidthatconcernedly,thenwentuptothesecondfloor.
Afterconfirmingthat,Iturnbacktowardthelaboratory.
Inanycase,thefirstthingIshoulddoisconfirmtheoldman'swords.
Idon'treallyunderstandwhotheoldmanwas.
Washereallymefromthefuture,orwashesomeoneelse?
Hedidsomethingdangerousenoughtokillhimwhenhecamehere.
There'scredibilityinthataction,butit'sallsosuddenthatIcan't
completelybelieveit.
"..."
ButIthought.
314/323
4/2/2016
Idon'twanttolosethosetwo.
And,Idon'twanttodieamidregretlikethatoldman.
Part2
Afterthat.
Ireturnedthetwoofthemtotheirrooms,andstrictlyorderedthemto
notgooutsidetheirroomstonightnomatterwhat.
Iwentaroundtotheroomsofallofthefamilymembersonthesecond
floor,andlockedthemfromtheoutsidewithearthmagic.
Iwentaroundtoalltheroomsonthefirstfloor,andconfirmedthat
nobodywasthere.
Afterthat,Ireturnedtothelaboratory,andstrippedoffeverythingonthe
oldman.
"...!"
Hisbodyhadnostomach.
Therewasalargeholefromhisribsdown,andIcouldonlyseeboneand
skin.
Therewerealmostnointernalorgans.
Butasidefromthestomach,itwasasplendidbody.
Therewassomuchmusclethatyouwouldn'tthinkhewasinhislate
60s,andscarsfromhishistoryofbattlesremainedinvariousplaces.
Therewasaweldedlikescaronhischest,andamoleinaplaceslightly
differentfromwhereminewaslocated.
315/323
4/2/2016
Fromthelooksofit,hisbodywasthesameasmine.
IfIhadtomentionadifference,itwouldbethathehasalefthand.
Hesaidhegrewit...Sohealingmagicalsohassomeimpressiveskills.
Asidefromthediary,theoldmandidn'thaveanythinginparticular.
Noornaments,nostaff.
Belowtherobewasjustashirt,trousers,andunderwear.
Therewasn'tanythinginhisrobepocketorhispantspocket.
Althoughifitwasme,ifSylphyorRoxydied,IthinkI'datleastcarry
aroundsomethingthatbelongedtothem.
But50years,huh.
Itmighthaveallbeenlost.
Igatheredallthatinthecorneroftheroom,andwrappedtheoldmanin
ablanketthatwaslyingaroundnearby.
Carryingthebody,Iheadedtowardthebackdoorlocatedinthekitchen.
"..."
Inthekitchen,leftoversfromlastnight'scookinghadbeenplacedontop
ofadish.
Sohewassayingthatthemousewouldeatthat.
Inwhichcase,Ishoulddisposeofit.
Igooutsidethroughthebackyard,andwenttovacantlandinthe
neighborhood.
Idugaholethere,puttheoldman'sbodyinit,andsetitonfire.
316/323
4/2/2016
Themagicfireburneduptheoldmanintheblinkofaneye,changing
himtoashes.
Theunpleasantodorofburnthumanfleshhungintheair.
Thesmellofmyowncorpse.
"Uugh..."
WhenIthoughtthat,Ibecamenauseous,andvomitedinthecornerof
thevacantland.
Afterburningthebody,Imadeanurnwithmagic,andplacedtheold
man'sashesinit.
I'llburytheseashesinthesameplaceasPaul.
Iftheoldmanisreallyme,thatoughttomakehimmosthappy.
Aftercollectingtheashes,Ifilledtheholeandreturnedtothehouse.
Ienteredthroughthebackdoorandwentstraighttothelaboratory.
Isettheurnnexttohisbelongings,andpickedupmystaff.
Iheadedtowardthebasement.
I'vealreadyopenedupmydemoneye.[26]
Theoldmansaid[Don'tgo].
Hesaidthatamousewillcomeout,fishthroughtheleftovers,andthe
fetusinsideofRoxywillbecomeinfectedwiththemouse'sdisease.
Therefore,Ihavenochoicebuttoconfirmitformyself.
Whethertherereallyisamouse.
317/323
4/2/2016
IfIdon'tdothat,Iwon'tbeabletotrusttheoldman.
Andifitreallyisthere,Ican'tleaveitalone.
"..."
Thestairstothebasementweredark.
Itookoutalightspiritscrollfrommypocket,illuminatingthe
surroundings.
Idescendedthestairs,tookadeepbreath,andplacedmyhandonthe
door.
"...hm?"
WhenIdidthat,inthecornerofthestairs.
Amongthethinlayerofdust,Ifoundsomethingthatbotheredme.
Footprints.
Amouse'sfootprints.
Thosefootprintscontinuedtowardthebasement,andtherewereno
footprintsgoingout.
Idid...not...openthebasementdoor.[27]
Iopenedafistsizeholeinthecenterofthedoorwithmagic,andstuck
mystaffthroughit.
Isentmanatomystaff.
Theimagewasice,thescopewastheentireroom.
InthebasementtherewasmanurethatAishausedforthekitchen
garden,andthereweremagicitemsandsuch,butIwasn'tgoingtopay
thatanymind.
318/323
4/2/2016
"...FrostNova."
Imutteredthat,anditwasfrozeninaninstant.
Justincase,onemoretime.
"Frost,Nova."
Thecoldwasspreadcompletelythroughtheroom,toeverynookand
cranny.
Iletthelightspiritgothroughtheholeandlightuptheotherside,and
peekedthroughtheholetoverifythattheroomwascompletelyfrozen.
Iopenedthedoor.
Iopenedthefrozendoor,entered,andquicklyshutit.
"..."
Iimmediatelyfoundthemouse.
Closetothehiddendoortotheshrine,frozenpurewhite,dead.
Icouldseetransparentvioletteeththroughitshalfopenmouth.
Teeththatwerelikemagicstone.
Isearchedeverycorneroftheroomtomakesuretherewasn'tasecond
one,madeaboxwithearthmagic,piercedthemouse'scorpsewitharod,
putitinsideandcompletelysealedit.
Iwonderifitwouldbebettertodisposeofthebodywithincineration.
Orifwouldbebettertoentrustittothemagicguildandhavethemstudy
it.
319/323
4/2/2016
Thelatter.
IfIreportitalongwiththeinformationfromtheoldmanthatitwas
magicstonedisease,I'llbeabletotellwhetheritreallywas.
Althoughinthefirstplace,Idon'tknowwhetheraviruscanbeobtained
fromafrozencorpse.
Ileftthebasementandlockeditwithakey.
Furthermore,Ifilledintheportionthathadaholeinit.
Itseemslikemagicstonedisease'sgermdoesn'tinfectthroughtheair,
andtheinfectionrateislow,butIdon'tknowwhatmighthappen.
Foralittlewhile,I'llmakethisbasementaforbiddenroom.
Ireturnedtothelaboratory.
Iwaswideawakeanddidn'tfeellikesleeping.
Firstofall,whatshouldIdo?
WhatcanIdorightnow?
ShouldIreadthiswornoutdiary?
IfIreadthis,Imightunderstandwhat'llhappenfromnowon.
Buthesaidthathistoryhadchanged.
IfIweretosaylikeacertaingamewould,thisisanotherworldline.[28]
It'saworldchangedbythemewhocamefromthefuture.
EvenifIreadthisdiaryandprepareforit,there'sahighpossibilitythat
what'swrittenwon'toccur.
Isuddenlynoticedtheinkwellandtheblackstainsonthedesk.
Thescarfromtheoldmanstrikingitwithafistfullofmana.
320/323
4/2/2016
Irememberedthethreethingsthattheoldmansaid.
AmongthemwasonethatIcoulddonow,righthere.
Isatinthechair.
"..."
Firstofall,IdecidedtowritealettertoEris.
Volume15YoungManPeriodSummoningChapterEnd
NextVolume
Volume16YoungManPeriodHumanGodChapter
Translator'sNotesandReferences
1.Laputa:Castleintheskyreference
2.RX78GP02AGundamreference
3.CharAznable,MobileSuitGundamZreference.
4.HerecomesSuuuuuuuushi~Itistrue,Shizukaisnotaglutton
andletsliptoomanychancetohaveJapanesefoods.Well,fake
andmiscookedJapanesedishes,butbeggarscan'tbechoosers.
Tsk!
5.IsthatOkonomiyaki?ThatsocalledJapanesepizza,butactually
adistinctivefoodinitsownright?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki
6.Yeah,that!Thejapanesefoodofraweggoverrice.
http://www.bakatsuki.org/project/index.php?
title=Mushoku_Tensei:Web_Chapter_52#Part_2.
7.
8.Dashiiscookingbroth,abasisofJapanesefood,madefrom
kelpandfish,aswellasmushroom.
321/323
4/2/2016
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashi.Itbringsasubtleflavour
distintiveofJapanesecuisine.Vietnamfoodalsohasitstypeof
cookingbroth,mostlybasedonboilingbones,likethatbutit'snot
widespreadasJapanesedashi.Asoupwithoutcookingbroth
wouldbeflatandtasteless.
9.WaroftheWorlds(2005)referenceMorelikeWaroftheWorlds
(book,1897)reference,actually.
10.Shecanstillusemagicstonesandectthatcontainmagicpower.
Likeherrings.
11.(DrainmakesmoresensethanDoline)
12.
13.InEnglish.
14.
15.
16.DragonQuest:LegendoftheHeroAbelreference.
17.LupinIIIreference.
18.TLC
19.
20.Roid,shortforNendoroid,aresmall,chibifigures
21.
22.AcharacterfromashowonNHK,wearsayellowrubberfull
bodysuit
23.TLnote:Hitogamihasnoknowngender,Iuse'he'foreaseof
translation
24.TLnote:Dragonballreference
25.TLnote:that's88pounds
26.TLnote:magiceye/demoneye,notsurewhichtermisinuse
27.TLnote:ellipsis+negationisattheendofthesentenceinJP,
makesitseemlikehealmostopeneditbutdecidedagainstdoing
so
28.TLnote:shouldbeaSteinsGatereference
BacktoVolume14 ReturntoMainPage ForwardtoVolume16
Retrievedfrom"http://www.bakatsuki.org/project/index.php?
title=Mushoku_Tensei:Volume_15&oldid=386405"
Thispagewaslastmodifiedon28August2014,at16:44.
ContentisavailableunderTLGTranslationCommonAgreement
322/323
4/2/2016
v.0.4.1unlessotherwisenoted.
323/323

Mushoku Tensei - Volume 15 - Baka-Tsuki

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mushoku Tensei - Volume 15 - Baka-Tsuki

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

4/2/2016

BacktoVolume14 ReturntoMainPage ForwardtoVolume16

You might also like