Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (WN) Chapter 501

Chapter 501

Star Spirit World Arc Nightmare, Once More

Perhaps it should be said that it was only natural.

Thanks to some of the audiences fully witnessing “The Incident of Punishment for His Majesty Eric”, the rumor of Shia Harem grew with the addition of “suspicion of man-hater aspect to the degree where she would visit violence to you just from calling her name” yesterday.

The next day, when it was still early in the morning, Hajime and co who departed from Balted Kingdom were enjoying their trip through the sky.

It was truly a good day for flying in the sky. The weather was clear.

『Honorable monarch. Hath you gotten used to the ride yet?』

Tio who was in her black dragon mode turned her long neck around to look behind her.

「Y-yeah, there’s no problem! I’m greatly obliged for your concern!」

「Even so this is amazing. All of our flying dragons are getting strengthened to the level of Dahlia’s flying dragon……no, looking from their vigor……perhaps it’s surpa.s.sing even that?」

「Haha, these kids also take the initiative to follow Clarus-sama’s order. I was confused what was happening when they all bowed their heads the moment they saw your form but……yep, you’re truly the personification of “the king of dragon”!」

「Isn’t that right, isn’t that right?」

『Fufu, why art thou the one looking so proud like that Goshujin-sama』

Actually, today Tio was transforming into twice the size of her normal size.

Her back was carrying Hajime, Yue, Kaori, Shizuku, Remia, Aiko, Liliana, and Yuuka, eight people. Because of that too her impressiveness was even more striking than usual.

Following such black dragon from behind was the flying dragons of Balted Kingdom.

There were Eric, Louis, Phil, and also Greg along with the royal guards. Several other big shots and aides were also riding dragons along.

Those flying dragons were currently exhibiting speed and endurance that they couldn’t possibly exert with their original ability.

It was Tio’s divine protection. It gave all the flying dragons temporary super strengthening and continuous recovery while at the same time a.s.sisting their flight by controlling the air current of the surrounding area.

At the beginning of the departure, Eric and co were all turning white because of the excessive acceleration. They were all bending forward to the limit like bike racer. ……To describe it without any sugarcoating, they were all clinging on their ride without any leeway to care about appearance.

Right now they were riding in normal posture so it must be true that they really had gotten used to it.

Meanwhile,

「Ryuutarou-kuuuuun! Nana-chan and others toooo. Don’t play around too much~~!」

「「「Yaaaaaaay!!」」」

「Look look, Kaori-chii! This girl is super cute!」

「They are really well disciplined. They are loaned from the beast kingdom aren’t they? I wonder if they can let me get some practical experience there. Fufufu. I don’t think I’ll lose in whip handling though.」

Ryuutarou and others who were riding on loaned flying dragons were greatly delighted by the sightseeing (?) of other world’s sky by riding dragon.

It looked like they boys had grasped the trick of how to handle the dragons quickly, and it looked like the flying dragons were also getting into good mood because they could fly more freely than usual. They kept flying acrobatically on repeat.

Nana and Taeko too, even though they weren’t as bad as the boys, they were also riding in a way that made others felt nervous watching them from the side.

Suzu……surely she was regretting saying that she wanted to ride together with her boyfriend while looking slightly embarra.s.sed. She had been silent since some time ago. Though her expression couldn’t be seen because she was snugly settling on Ryuutarou’s chest.

By the way, Ryuutarou and co didn’t ride on Tio’s back partly because they wanted to try riding flying dragon on their own. But mostly it was because they felt put off for some reason.

To Tio, she didn’t mind someone riding her back if they were people that Hajime recognized as comrade, but this matter was one of the unspoken agreements shared among the cla.s.smates.

And yet, why was Yuuka riding on her back?

Of course, it was because Yua and Kaori got vexed of “Yuuka looking their way as though she wanted to ride together” and dragged her up on Tio.

「Oooooii, Nagumo! Look ever here, at my beautiful rein handling skill!」

「Tsu, Atsushi! You’re going to do it huh, right now! Right here!!」

「Yeah, I’ll do it! Pay close attention! This is the true Falling Leaf maneuverrrrraaaAAAAAAAAAA!?」

「Atsushiiiiiiiiii!!」

Atsushi was falling like a leaf. As expected even the flying dragon seemed to lose its temper because of his reckless rein handling. He got thrown off. The dragon also spat on him at the same time.

Eric and others watched the scene wide-eyed, while Hajime exploded into a laughter 「Nice try!」.

「No no, this isn’t the time to laugh. I’m the one who’ll have to do the resurrection!」

Kaori spread out her wings with an expression that looked as though she was saying 「As I thought it turned out like this」. She must be planning to go save Atsushi. If it was Atsushi he should be able to land safely with his own strength using magic, but there was a chance the worst could happen. She didn’t want to expressly see a guro sight like her friend turning into splattered tomato in the middle of this fun trip.

That was what in her mind but,

「Oh, it looks like there’s no need for Kaori to go.」

Shizuku stopped her. Liliana and Aiko who were peering below looked worried, but it looked like their worry wasn’t directed toward Atsushi.

「Uwaa, that way of driving is amazing……is Dahlia-san, alright over there?」

「Myuu-chan is……aa, she’s fine. She’s plainly having fun.」

A large bike that was making a heavy ba.s.s sound that made the bottom of the listener’s stomach vibrated was racing roaringly in a magical sky road while nosediving.

The rider was of course Shia. Dahlia was sitting behind her. It was clear even from afar that she was desperately clinging on Shia. She looked like she couldn’t even let out any voice.

In contrast Myuu who was riding at the front as though she was within Shia’s embrace were screaming 「Kyaa~~h?」 like someone enjoying jet coaster.

Magic power light flooded out from Atsushi. The falling person himself looked like he was desperately preparing to land, but Schutaif caught up before he could activate that.

Shia grabbed Atsushi’s collar as though s.n.a.t.c.hing him from the side. His feet were dangling on the air. His neck was clearly choking. 「Gueeeee~~h」 It felt like they could hear him making such scream.

Nana and others also burst into laughter seeing that. Eric and others were going 「No, this isn’t funny at all though?」 with twitching faces seeing the daringness (?) of the otherworlders.

「Really, Myuu-chan has nerves of steel.」

Liliana sounded impressed. If it was her, she would scream in fear when going through such steep nosedive. Remia pressed her hand on her cheek and spoke with a troubled smile.

「That child know what is truly terrifying, so she isn’t scared by ordinary things.」

「I’m at a loss of how to react though……」

The horror of being torn apart from family, the horror of knowing there were humans who sold her people with smile in their face, the horror of having what was important to her taken away, etc……

Those weren’t horrors that a child should know about. The experiences she had acc.u.mulated weren’t something that could be laughed off at all……Liliana thought with an expression of not knowing what to say.

「Soo~~~i!」

「Soo~~i nano!」

「Uu, Shia-samaa. You’re too intense……be gentler……」

Atsushi got tossed toward his flying dragon like a trash. The flying dragon growled as though to say Can’t be helped, even so it firmly caught him on its back. 「Gueh」 Another dirty voice leaked out.

Understanding that it was also possible they could get thrown off if they were overdoing it, Ryuutarou and Nana and others also became slightly calmer.

By the way, Dahlia’s faint voice sounded excessively erotic, and her word choice was also a bit dubious, so the royal guards who were flying nearby all snapped their eyes toward her.

*Gyuuu~~* Dahlia was hugging Shia tightly. Seen from the side, it looked like she had splendid objects that weren’t at all inferior compared to Shia, so they were flattened until spilling to the sides.

All the royal guards were gentlemen, so they hurriedly averted their gaze. Even while feeling a bit jealous.

「Hajime-sa~n! Tio-sa~n! It looks like Eric-san and everyone else have gotten used to the speed, so how about we speed up already?」

「Are you sane?」

Those words came from his majesty Eric. Tell me you’re joking……the expressions of Louis and others were also expressing that.

「It’s quite far from here until Rated Demon Kingdom……aa, but we can just go there with teleport. Then, we can enjoy this sightseeing flight a bit more until it’s time?」

You called what Ryuutarou and co did as sightseeing flight? The desire to make such tsukkomi was overwhelming, but Eric hurriedly interrupted before Hajime and co could continue their talk.

He wanted not only Shia, but also Hajime and others to be properly aware of the way of the new era once more.

「Shia-dono. It’s not demon kingdom but “democratic state”. Please I ask you dearly to not make that mistake.」

「Ah, that’s right! Sorry!」

Shia gasped and apologized. Eric shook his head gently.

「Now that you mention it, you said something like that. They stopped with the monarchy over there and switched to parliamentary system? That’s one drastic move they did.」

「A change in a nation’s government system isn’t an easy thing to do. In fact, the former demon king is also serving as the parliament leader right after that isn’t it?」

Hajime stared at empty air while remembering back, while Liliana was looking deeply interested. Eric nodded.

After watching Shia VS Udar fight yesterday, Hajime and others entered the capital while receiving various warm welcomes. They looked around the capital, spent time in the palace while watching what Shia was doing there in the past, and at night they received invitation for a banquet and had fun to their heart’s content but……

Actually, during their sightseeing they were also receiving various explanations about things that had changed since this world entered the new era.

For example, regarding the role division between the three countries.

Balted Kingdom was mainly in charge of agriculture, Tinted Beast Kingdom was in training and leading useful animals like flying dragon, and Rated Democratic State was in charge of researching and developing clean technology to replace spirit art. Like that they were secretly cooperating. That was one of the talks they had during the sightseeing.

In a world without spirit element, researching and developing technology to replace that was an indispensable matter.

Balted Kingdom established the “national technology research inst.i.tute”, and Louis called himself as “director” when introducing himself was also because of that but, for the kingdom the inst.i.tute was just a secondary factor in the end. The beast kingdom was also the same in that respect.

But, Rated Demon Kingdom was different. It was a country that was formed by gathering human resource that excelled in spirit power. The strongest of them was the demon king and the whole country was established centered in the spirit art technology.

Therefore, the state of the country had to be changed from its foundation in this new era.

「There was no one else than Arogan-dono. Although he lost the t.i.tle of “the strongest”, from the start that person is like a lump of charisma. In the demon kingdom where everyone was at a lost because of the vanishing of the spirit element, there was no better leader than him.」

「The person himself looked like he wanted to leave the politic and immersed himself in researching clean energy though.」

Louis added with a wry smile.

The former strongest sorcerer in the nation, and now the prime minister-c.u.m-researcher. That was Arogan’s standing. Because he too had another side to him as a researcher.

Perhaps that was why. Louis’s smile contained slight wryness in it because of the great sympathy filling it.

「It changed to “democratic state”, because there is no demon king anymore nano?」

Myuu was also listening to the explanation yesterday, but it was still a bit early for her to be able to completely understand difficult talk while enjoying a trip.

Even so the way Myuu looked when doing her best to understand made both Eric and Louis looked at her as though they were seeing something good──Louis nodded by himself.

……Because Shia was holding Myuu in front of her, her magnificent twin hills were snugly settled on Myuu’s small head, but the gentleman Louis showed absolutely no reaction.

Eric swiftly turned his gaze to be fixed right to the front and his lips were tightly pursed together, so there was a need for other to take his place in giving explanation.

Dahlia seemed to be sick and leaning her face on Shia’s back, even so a sharp glint was looking his way from between the gap of her fluttering hair……

「Myuu-sama, it’s exactly as you say. And if I can explain a bit further, the standard of being selected to be the demon king is not based on lineage but strength. However, that standard cannot be used anymore. And so, it’s decided there for capable people chosen by the citizens themselves to discuss with each other. That is the conclusion they reached at the end of their discussion, to make such a country.」

「So that’s why nano! Thank you very much for telling Myuu that one more time! Nano!」

「Fufu, your welcome. You are really intelligent Myuu-sama.」

Myuu politely bowed her head and spoke her words of grat.i.tude with a broad smile.

Louis-san’s expression melted. Not in a weird sense, but like, he was awakened to fatherhood maybe. Though there had been signs of that ever since the sightseeing yesterday.

His gaze suddenly met Hajime. 「My daughter is the best right?」 The will of an idiot parent was conveyed keenly. Louis nodded deeply. He whispered 「Now I want to build a family of my own too for some reason」 with a small voice. Eric reflexively reacted 「Eh, seriously?」 openly.

Louis-san. The truth was he was a bit bad with female. He had great standing and also reputation, and his personality was also splendid. He was also fully equipped with top cla.s.s look.

There was no way he wasn’t popular with female. Until now there had been many attempts from women to create fait accompli with him, or women causing bloodshed on their own outside of his knowledge. Each time he would need to run around busily to solve the problem but……

Shia was the first woman that made him wished to get involved with a female by his own accord. Now that he had given up even on that, he even went as far as making a statement that he might as well offer his whole life to the country and research, so no wonder Eric was surprised.

Even such older male, no, even female would get their fatherhood or motherhood forcefully roused up. In a sense, that could be called a devilishness. Myuu-chan, what a terrifying child-.

Getting back on topic.

Perhaps because the topic of Arogan came up, Nana and Taeko who were listening to the talk with at least serious faces suddenly started shaking.

「Wait, c.r.a.p. When I recall the past replay yesterday……fu, fuhi-. I’m not confident I won’t burst out laughing when actually meeting Arogan-san in person!」

「Ai-chan! I might not be able to hold back too, so please help when the time comes okay~」

「No, please hold back with that! Laughing when meeting with the head of a nation is something extremely disrespectful you two!」

If asked what they were talking about, it was about a scene in the “Observation of Shia when staying in the palace” that also included in the sightseeing tour like it was only natural. That scene where an Arogan clone that was made using spirit art approached Shia and got blown to smithereens.

「Ahaha, that was just the best!」

「The scene of a handsome guy who’s so c.o.c.ksure that there’s no way a girl will refuse his advance got punched with no question asked. thanks for the delicious treat! Shia-san! That was really a great thing you showed us! Thx!」

「N-no that wasn’t……he tried to touch me even though I already refused so I just counterattacked……」

It seemed that was the favorite scene of Nana and co. Even Suzu who was somehow killing her heart to endure the acrobatic flight also seemed to recover. She chuckled and looked at Shia.

「To think you destroyed the wall yourself before you get wall sandwiched to escape……Shiashia, everything you do is glorious.」

「Arogan-san got saved as the result though. That fist, ordinary person would get seriously erased without a trace from that. As expected from Shia-san, so merciless. Give me shivers yeah.」

「T-that couldn’t be helped desu! Not only he tried to touch me, from the mood it was like he was even going to go for a kiss you know? I already warned him clearly! If he still try to force it even then, I’ve no other choice but to ki──blow him away don’t I?」

Just now, you almost said kill didn’t you? Eric and others thought while turning pale.

「Ah, as I thought you were going to kill him weren’t you?」

Shizuku intentionally confirmed it. Even though we didn’t ask because it’s scary! Eric and others thought, but Yue and Kaori’s next statements made them even more scared.

「……Nn, isn’t that obvious?」

「Putting aside whether it’s obvious or not, at that time it feels like Arogan-san was absolutely confident in himself that no woman won’t submit if he approach them, so seeing that word didn’t get through him, it couldn’t be helped I think.」

「Well, in reality if he really did something to Shia, I would give him something like forced personality transformation as penalty. So, getting blown away by Shia saved him instead.」

That, is an implicit reference to torture isn’t it? Or rather, all of them, aren’t their treatment of someone else’s life too light? The surrounding royal guards and big shots were also turning pale from thinking that.

「E-everyone is misunderstanding! In fact, the person himself was safely──」

「But, Shia-san. You didn’t notice that Arogan-san at that time was just a clone didn’t you?」

「Shia-chi, your face clearly said “I’ve done it now!” that time.」

Aiko and Nana’s tsukkomi made Shia quietly averted her gaze.

It wasn’t intentional. But, perhaps there was some willful negligence behind it.

She lost her temper so she reflexively did it. No regret and introspection! That straightforwardness is just like Shia! Hajime and others applaused.

「P-putting that aside, Shia-sama who waited for family head-sama in your room was astoundingly adorable!」

Dahlia changed the topic because she sensed the conflicted mood of the royal guards and the big shots. But, there must be no lie in her words. It was like her groggy state was just something trivial. Her body straightened up in a flash and her eyes sparkled as she clenched both her fists.

「Eh? What do you mean, Dahlia-san? I think I was just spending time normally though……」

「No, you were certainly astoundingly cute.」

「……Nn. Rather you can even call that something deadly. I almost ascended to heaven there.」

「Myu! It was cute nano! Shia-oneechan kicking her legs on the bed, puffing her cheeks, hugging her pillow while tearfully grumbling 『Hics. Everyone, aren’t they concerned that I haven’t come home yet?』 and──」

「Waa~~~~, stop stoppp! Desuu!!」

Dahlia’s scheme succeeded. The eyes of Hajime and co and Eric and co were warm. It was a cosy mood. The royal guards and the big shots didn’t understand what they were talking about, but they must be able to imagine it even just from the fragment of the conversation. They were all smiling.

Truly, Shia at that time when staying up the whole night waiting for Hajime to pick her up was awfully cute.

At first she sat on a chair near the window, staring at the moon while humming 「Co~me quickly? Co~me quickly? Ha~jime-san?」.

But, her expression quietly turned prim and proper the moment Dahlia came with tea at the middle.

Dahlia talked with her for a bit before exiting. Then Shia rested her body on her arms over the table while whispering things like 「Hajime-san ya~i. Your Shia is over here you knoww~」.

Around the time midnight had pa.s.sed for quite some time, as expected even Shia seemed to become uneasy because the pickup was taking too long. She went to and away from the window a bit restlessly while whispering things like 「E-everyone might be forgetting me or something……no no, such thing……」.

Dahlia once more came and slime Udar coincidentally regained his consciousness at that timing. As expected Shia’s face became composed again and she conversed with the two confidently.

But, after that she acted just like Myuu mentioned.

「Ahaha, you were alone in another world. Naturally you would get uneasy.」

「What’s more, you know that there’s a method to come pick you up right away. And yet the pickup doesn’t come. Even I would get uneasy if that happen to me.」

「Kaori-san and Shizuku-san too, can I ask you two to stop looking at me like a kid who’ve worked hard staying at home alone?」

Her rabbit ears were as expressive as actual words. Those ears that were dangling down flat on her head was surely the proof of her embarra.s.sment.

「But, both when talking with Dahlia-san, and also when Udar-san woke up, you carefully thought of the topic of conversation and then talked it out. As expected from you. It was impressive.」

「Remia-san! That’s right desu! I wanted to be praised for that kind of thing desu!」

As expected from Remia-san! Giving the words you want when it’s wanted! Banzai for the all accepting Remia-sann!! Shia said with a cheerful smile.

「Shia-sama was still wary with us at that time wasn’t it? I didn’t notice at all with how confident she acted.」

「Ahaha, well, it was because how unexpectedly strong Udar-san was.」

She must fee; like cold water had gotten poured on her brain that had almost gotten addled by all the peace.

She placed slime Udar in the same room with her was also for monitoring. (She didn’t mention that she was fully planning to take him hostage depending on the situation. She was treated as hero at that time after all) She was also paying meticulous care to her conversation with Dahlia.

Even when she talked it was only within the scope that wouldn’t cause any problem. She didn’t give out any information related to combat no matter what.

And so, she kept everything extremely abstract even when talking about her past or talking about Hajime and others. She didn’t even say any proper noun. She simply talked about what kind of person and what like or dislike they had from start to end.

「……Nn, greetings everyone. I’m “the world’s most beautiful person” Yue.」

Yue stood up and puffed out her chest with extremely smug face. She placed one hand on her waist and swept up her hair *Fwoosh* with her other hand. And the finishing, she also didn’t forget to thinly open her eyes and looked at Kaori. *Grin-*

A vein pulsed on Kaori’s forehead.

「Good for you Yue. Shia was thinking like that about you. Ah, sorry. Perhaps it’ll be better to call you “the person who recently kept doing nothing but lazing around at home” I wonder! I wonder!」

「……Gufuh!? I-I wasn’t like that anymore a-at that time-」

「Ee? Not much has changed even recently I thiink?」

「……Fuhn. Even though someone like Kaori is just “the person who has crept behind my back with creepy smile when I noticed”!」

「That’s wrong! It’s “the person who has approached near with a lovely smile when I realized”! Don’t change it as you please!」

「Fufu, but Kaori? She said that at times she also felt scared of that smile you know? A person with dreadful intensity in her smile, right?」

「……That’s right isn’t it. She said that didn’t she? She dodged the question yesterday but, hey, Shia? What is that about I wonder? I wonder? Why did you add that there’s intensity or something in my smile I wonder?」

Kaori’s head rotated creepily toward Shia with a wide smile. Shia’s gaze quickly moved away from her.

That’s what she talked about you know……Hajime and others thought.

「I-I’m looking forward to it!」

Shia-sama who she loved and respected was sweating rivers, so she tried to offer a helping hand. Attentions gathered on Dahlia on account of her loud voice.

「I still have not witnessed Shizuku-sama’s “the girliest inside among the family” yet after all!」

「It’s fine even if you never see it!」

「I also want to try seeing Liliana-sama’s “merciless professional’s face”!」

「Shia-san, Shia-san. I have thoroughly explained about work yesterday, so you won’t describe me with something like “merciless” anymore won’t you?」

「I also want to know more about “too serious that sometimes she’s really tiresome” Aiko-sama!」

「……At that time I still felt conflicted about relationship between teacher and student. It’s not like, my personality is particularly tiresome……when I was still a student, there were also times when I was considered as a nuisance but……I’m not a tiresome woman or anything……」

「Remia-sama and Myuu-sama’s “devilishness” too, I haven’t felt anything like that yet from them!」

「Mamaa, is Myuu “devilish” nano? Or rather, what does “devilish” mean?」

「My my, ufufu. Really Shia-san, what a troublesome person. It’s fine for Myuu to not worry about that yet you know?」

Eeeh? Strangee. Dahlia-san, you’re trying to cover up for me aren’t you? Shia sweated even more while keeping her eyes fixed straight forward.

She felt a lot of gazes……

「……Were you simply bad-mouthing?」

Yue said that while tilting her head.

「No no-, I also properly mentioned everyone’s good aspect too didn’t I! Dahlia-san you traitor! It’s like you’re picking select choices for manipulating perception!」

「Please forgive me, Shia-sama. By no means I am trying to have a meager revenge for driving recklessly no matter how many times I asked you to refrain from doing so-」

「You let the cat out of the bag-」

What an unforeseen defiance from the Shia-sama lover maid while she was doing her usual pose of clenching both her fists.

It was because of the driving of Shia who was really well-known for her change of personality when her hands were on the vehicle’s handle. Actually she was running around on the sky even faster and more intense than even the acrobatic flying of Ryuutarou and others, so it couldn’t be helped that even the mild-mannered Dahlia felt resentful to her.

「Hey hey, Shia-chi! What about me? What words would you use if explaining about me?」

「Eh, Nana-san?」

As expected she didn’t go as far as talking about her friends. It seemed Nana suddenly got the idea about this, so she asked Shia about her impression of her with deep curiosity. Ryuutarou and others were also looking deeply interested like Nana.

Shia looked thoughtful for a bit……

「E-err……something like “the person who call others ○○-chi”?」

「So weaaak!? Isn’t your impression of me too weak!?」

「T-then, the person who’s like a gal the most!」

「That’s just basing on my appearance ain’t it! Uwaaaahn, Shia-chi doesn’t have any interest to meee!」

「T-that’s not true! I just can’t find the words when being asked the question so suddenly desuu!」

Seeing the lamenting Nana and Shia trying to make excuse made Ryuutarou and others quietly kept their mouths shut. There wasn’t any need for them to get wounded by their own initiative. In this world, surely there were things that would be better not to be asked……

「Well, Shia certainly didn’t look bad when talking about us.」

『Indeed. I got called as absurdly disappointing beauty many times but, umu. That was a great scene.』

She spoke proudly, spoke jokingly about her impression of other people while smiling in remembrance, with faint affection seeping out from her voice.

She didn’t leak out any important information, but, when talking about her family, Shia looked like she was having fun just because of that. She looked joyful.

「Dahlia……you’re really unfair.」

「Fufuh」

The late night modest tea party was filled with a lovely atmosphere, so much so that Eric unintentionally let out his jealousy. So much so that Udar purposely didn’t try to ask about the information of the people who might possibly become G.o.d’s enemy.

「Well, thanks to being so careful, in the end the fact that I’m Hajime-san’s wife didn’t come up at that time. After that I also continued missing the chance to bring it up like I was cursed.」

Shia smiled wryly. In fact, she had tried mentioning it several times, but each time there would be something that got in the way and she failed to mention it……even that was clear to see when watching the past replay.

「As I thought this world is an otome story-type world. The will of the world tried to keep the possibility open──」

「Lily-saa~~n, please come baa~ck. Your expression when having wild delusion can’t really be shown to the public you know~」

Aiko gave some small slaps *pechi pechi* on Liliana’s face. Setting that aside, Nana and others were sending sympathetic gazes to Eric and co. If only Shia could kill their hope a bit earlier, perhaps they wouldn’t be dragged down by it for five years…….

「Either way I know that it would be too late already. They all had their hearts stolen as early as the battle against the celestial people at the beginning after all. In fact Eric and the others couldn’t give up until family head-sama himself showed up.」

「Dahlia, can you stop speaking that bluntly?」

Eric’s twitching face implicitly confirmed what Dahlia said. Louis and the others were also smiling bitterly.

It felt like the royal guards were also sending them some lukewarm gazes.

The big shots could also be heard from the wind saying things like 「I hope his majesty too can seriously consider solving the problem of the heir with this as the chance」「The fiancée candidates have been carefully selected for him. Let’s ask him to make the decision immediately after returning back」.

No, perhaps they were intentionally making their voices be heard. Because, their eyes glinted sharply. You can’t run away anymore okay? Or rather we won’t let you run you know? They were obviously hinting that.

It seemed the period of his majesty Eric’s bachelor life would get cut off at the same time when Hajime and co left to the next world.

Eric looked toward Louis and others with a pathetic expression. His childhood friends averted their gazes with beautifully synchronized movements.

「Unexpectedly, or rather considering your standing and the like too, you’re well-matched with Dahlia-san──」

「Shia-sama, that’s a funny joke.」

「Can you stop speaking so bluntly like that?」

Dahlia-san’s serious face appeared over Shia’s shoulder sullenly. Shia was startled, wondering if it was really something that she disliked so much. Look, his majesty Eric’s face was turning even more pathetic……

「It is not like I dislike Eric. And certainly I was one of the candidates to be his fiancée until the possibility of hero summoning came up.」

She was the most prominent woman who was suitable to be offered to the hero, or putting it negatively she was the personnel for honey trap. Therefore she was removed from the list of queen candidate, but certainly it wouldn’t be strange for Dahlia to be placed at the top of the queen candidate list with her standing.

Rather, they became childhood friends in the first place because the people around them arranged it for the future of the royal family and the duke house.

「Eric and the others also seemed to be conscious of me in the past after all.」

「「「「More detail please!」」」」

「Can I ask you to stop talking about the past-」

It seemed there was youthful period with Eric and others revolving around Dahlia. Nana, Taeko, Suzu, and as expected Liliana were all leaning forward with deep curiosity.

Eric, and not only him but also Greg and Phil were slightly panicking. Meanwhile Louis smartly pushed up his pince-nez gla.s.ses while answering at their place in sympathy.

「Since a long time ago Dahlia was a child who always prioritized her public character self, so his majesty and others also gradually calmed down from their rash adolescence. It doesn’t change the fact that she’s our important childhood friend though.」

「That’s because I always have something that I ought to do. Because how I should live in the future has already been decided too.」

Nana and others looked dissatisfied with how easily the youth story of Eric and co got tidied up, even so they were impressed 「Oo~, as expected she’s so cool……」 with Dahlia’s resolute way of speaking and dignified atmosphere.

But, Kaori and other noticed. Dahlia’s gaze when declaring that turned toward Hajime for an instant.

Kaori and others turned their gazes menacingly. They stared fixedly at Hajime……

「C-come to think of it! Oi, Son.o.be, what’s with you? You haven’t been saying aaanything at all until now.」

「──tsu」

Hajime pretended to not notice the gazes while taking the chance to change the topic toward Yuuka who hadn’t partic.i.p.ated in the conversation at all.

「I-it’s nothing……」

Yuuka turned aside her gaze *puih* sullenly. She looked truly displeased. No, was her face slightly blushing?

Kaori sighed while shrugging. Good grief, she said.

「Hajime-kun, that’s just not right. Even though Yuuka-chan has taken the trouble to look lewd──dress up like this, you’re just completely ignoring it.」

「W-wait, Kaori! It’s not like I──no, wait. Just now, did you call me lewd?」

The answer came from the flying dragon beside them. Atsushi and n.o.boru scoffed at Yuuka while looking like they were truly vexed because of her.

「Son.o.be, you’re overdoing it. No matter how you look at it, that look is just too erotic.」

「Puff puff iyaan」

「Tsu, t-that’s because, Nana and Taeko said it looks good on me! And they already took the trouble preparing it for me!」

“Twelve outfits”──Taeko’s words were the truth.

Yuuka was made to wear a casual dress that might kill a virgin during the evening banquet thanks to Taeko’s eloquence, and today her outfit consisted of tight skirt, garter belt and fishnet stockings, and a blouse with thin fabric for the top. And next, was the major one. All of them were bursting at the seams.

Like, the outfit of a lewd female teacher who appeared in eroge!

「How’s that! The lewd female teacher outfit like one who would appear in eroge!」

The concept was exactly like that. Yuuka went 「Eh, Nana……?」 with a face like she had been betrayed.

For the most part, Yuuka must have gotten skillfully cajoled that the outfit was the newest trend or something. While using the argument that such design was the “preference” of a certain someone like it was the last resort.

In the end the outfit was just a likeness, so its resemblance to a suit had been certainly lightened up.

「It’s the best riight? How’s that, boysss~~」

Taeko asked while half grinning, and half looking like she was praising herself for a job well done.

Ryuutarou of course had no comment. His small girlfriend on his chest was staring up at him fixedly after all.

The royal guards were looking at the faraway distance. As though to say that they were fully on guard against any danger from the surrounding. But, everyone knew. That several of the knights had been stealing glances this whole time.

「Umm, Yuuka-oneechan. Last night, Nana-oneechan and Taeko-oneechan made you wear, what was it again, a see-through night combat outfit? ……What’s more, you also wore cat ears and the like……」

「Myuu-chan!? Don’t tell me, you saw us trying on clothes-!?」

「……Just where in the world, you’re heading to nano?」

「Haguuh!?」

A pure question from a child, sometimes it was Gae Bolg.

She couldn’t say that there wasn’t the effect of the special tension when one was in a trip. Even though normally she would refuse any such thing, when the eloquence of her best friends also got added into equation, she completely accepted it thinking 「Perhaps it might work?」.

Yuuka looked down on herself once more. The blouse was clinging on her skin with unnatural tightness, displaying her body line. Even the curve of her navel was visible. The b.u.t.tons on her chest looked like they might flew off anytime soon. Her skirt was too tight that the shape of her b.u.t.t was obvious to see. And it was too short that it felt like what was hidden inside would come into view if she let her guard down.

Indeed, no matter how much its resemblance to a tight suit had been reduced, calling something like this a casual wear──just wasn’t true.

「Tsuuu, Nagumoo! Send me to the miniature gar──」

「Absolutely not.」

「Tsuuu!? Why the h.e.l.l noooot-」

「Don’t make me say it, it’s embarra.s.sing.」

「W-what do you mean by thaat!」

Yuuka hit Hajime’s back repeatedly *poka poka*. Hajime wouldn’t look back no matter what, however, he actually had fun. Continuing after yesterday, somehow it also felt like the distance between of the two of them had been decreasing.

『W-why? Goshujin-sama, sometimes, I too hath showed mine figure in a suit during work correct? There were also times when I displayed the same outfit like Yuuka right now correct!? But why art thy reaction different when it was with me!?』

For some reason Tio-san was. .h.i.t with great shock. Of course she was. At that time Hajime said 「I’m begging you, don’t go outside while dressed like a lewd woman like that okay? Come on go change」 to ruthlessly cut her down.

『What art so different between Yuuka and me! If it’s lewdness then it’s the sa──』

「The absence of shyness.」

『Kahah!? ……That art……blind……………spot……』

「Tsu, w-what? You’re saying you like seeing me embarra.s.sed? Nagumo you idiot! You bully-」

Perhaps this too was a kind of special tension of a trip.

Yue and others were watching her with lukewarm gazes like she was a handful of a child. Perhaps because they understood that Yuuka was doing her best in her own way, it felt like the girls’ acceptance of her was also deepening somewhat.

Even now, because Yuuka was leaning forward to keep hitting Hajime’s back, she got into a pose where her b.u.t.ts were jutting back, but Shizuku and Remia nonchalantly changed their sitting position to get in between Yuuka and the royal guards.

The cleft of her b.u.t.ts became even more p.r.o.nounced and clear to see. Not only that, the shape of her underwear was rising to the surface, so they thought that they had to safeguard her as expected.

「Tsu, I’ve had enough! …………Shizuku, Remia-san, thank you.」

「I wonder what are you talking about?」

「Ufufuh, what could you mean?」

Perhaps Yuuka-chan noticed that. She sat on seiza posture right behind Hajime and quieted down. It seemed she was already fine with not changing outfit.

That was because something like a white long cardigan had been thrown to her from the grinning Taeko. Although that was part of the reason, the biggest reason was surely that there was something on her mind after Hajime didn’t let her change.

「Say, Suzu. Combining that outfit with that cardigan, it’s like a white gown instead which make it even more……」

「Ryuu-kun? Do you like that? Do you have interest with school nurse?」

Ryuutarou and Suzu’s conversation was too soft that their voices got carried away by the wind.

And so, Nana & Taeko’s ingenious trap that was as though to claim “All our outfits have two stage that doesn’t leave any opening!” wasn’t noticed by Yuuka.

Hajime gave a thumb up with a nice smile at Nana and Taeko. The two also returned the thumb up with the faces of professional.

「Aa~, sorry to disturb while everyone is in the middle of something but can I say something for a bit? It’ll be time soon.」

「Oh, so it’s already that time huh.」

Eric confirmed the position of the sun and called out. Perhaps he had sensed that several of the royal guards were having their hearts stirred chaotically by the additional equipment Yuuka wore.

Actually, the democratic state and the beast kingdom had been already notified about Hajime group’s itinerary through a certain method. They had already received reply, and the democratic state had sent request to them to arrive at the decided time and from a certain direction in order to give the group even better welcoming.

The sightseeing flight this time too in part was also for that time adjustment.

「Then let’s go there with teleport──」

Hajime was about to say that, but Eric asked him to wait.

「Wait, before that I want to make a suggestion of watching our encounter with the king of Tinted Beast Kingdom──Gruelle-dono. A mention of Tio-dono came up at that time, even if it can’t be said as the continuation of Shia-dono’s family talk.」

「Family head-sama, everyone. Let’s do that by all means! The beast king preached a rational decision, but Shia-sama firmly argued back to him. There is great worth in taking a look at Shia-sama’s figure at that time-」

『Hou! So I came up during that talk? That art interesting!』

Dahlia also pushed for that with both her fists clenched. Tio’s voice was excited.

Shia was muttering 「Aa, now that you mention that」. It seemed that event didn’t really leave an impression in her mind.

「……Shia’s handsomeness is fifty percent greater in this Star Spirit World so that definitely needs checking. It’s unthinkable to overlook it.」

「Really, Yue is like the model listener who won’t ever overlook a streaming of her favorite idol ever since coming to the Star Spirit World isn’t she?」

「……Cut it out, Kaori. You’re making me embarra.s.sed.」

Yue blushed slightly. It made Shia looked embarra.s.sed too. Her rabbit ears were also swa~ying left and right.

「Then there’s no way we can just not see it huh.」

Hajime’s confirmation wasn’t opposed by anyone.

.

.

.

.

.

.

『But I refuse! Desuu!』

The large scale barrier that Suzu deployed was used as a foothold midair. There the flying dragons were resting their wings as everyone watched the past replay.

The past beast king Gruelle didn’t even pay attention to his majesty Eric as he regarded him as a mere na?ve child, and he preached to abandon the demon kingdom that was under attack by Oros and that taking his hand would be the most rational and beneficial decision for both sides.

Like that he offered his hand. In front of him, Shia didn’t deny his thinking, however, she still yelled those words loudly.

「「「Oo~~」」」

Those who reflexively raised their voices in admiration were Ryuutarou, Atsushi, and n.o.boru.

Shizuku chuckled with a smile while muttering 「Of course she is」. With that as the beginning, Yue and Kaori and the others who had been quietly watching the conversation also showed looks of understanding.

「……A natural result. Because for Shia, a “dragon man” isn’t anything like this.」

「Isn’t that right. You see at first, he was a majestic red dragon, and his human form also look similar to Adol-san somewhat……」

「But that made the gap felt even bigger isn’t it. Everything he says is only words that doesn’t feel like something Adol-dono would ever say.」

Tortus too was in the middle of building a new era right now. In that sense it was in a similar state with the Star Spirit World.

Naturally, Liliana had been in contact with Tio’s grandfather Adol a lot more than Hajime and others. That must be why she was feeling that even more so.

It looked like Hajime and others were also thinking similarly. They all nodded deeply.

「If we consider Adol-dono as a genuine sage, this so-called beast king feels more like “shrewd”.」

「H-Hajime-kun! There are other people here!」

「No, Aiko-dono. Don’t mind us. At that time I was also thinking of him like that.」

Eric was smiling wryly. It must be because Hajime’s words were accurate. At the very least for the people of Balted.

『I’m unable to like such thing.』

Shia’s sentimental argument echoed as though to say rationality could go eat s.h.i.t.

Even though it should be a sentimental argument, there was strength in Shia’s words that were talking about Tio. It was an overwhelming power that blew away the whole rationally correct argument that Gruelle preached.

She said that her family was sincere. She said that even if it was a moronic choice, her family could put her life on the line for what was right.

Her family who was recognized by herself and others as a guardian was always magnificent, virtuous, n.o.ble, and showed her back in order to be everyone’s shield. She declared that her family who was like that was the most beautiful.

『For me, that is the kind of person a “dragon race” is.』

──Even though you’re a dragon just like her……what’s with this state

It was like such feeling inside the heart could be heard from the past Shia who was looking straight and piercingly toward Gruelle.

Surely Gruelle at that time could hear it too. That he got put into comparison with someone unknown and be found wanting.

Normally he would be furious of such insolence. And yet, he showed no look of displeasure, or even any reb.u.t.tal.

He couldn’t.

He was overwhelmed. By Shia’s words that were simply boasting about her family.

As though she recalled her own vocation at the end, Shia left behind a warning like a “divination master”. Even while looking embarra.s.sed by herself who said such thing, Shia and the others left behind Gruelle who didn’t move, no, he was surely unable to move.

The past replay vanished.

「Isn’t that great, nano. Tio-oneechan?」

「My my, are you feeling shy, Tio-san? It looks like you’re shaking a little though?」

Tio was looking down while shaking a little. Myuu and Remia were giving her a gentle gaze that was mixed with some teasing.

『I, I……I-』

「Ou ou, what’s wrong?」

「W-what’s the matter, Tio-san? What I said, it’s just something that everyone also thinks. It wasn’t like I said anything especially great──」

『That art not true at aaaaaaaaaaall!!』

*GURUOOOOOOO* Such delighted roar shook the air. The flying dragons jerked as though they had received an order.

『That wasn’t a mere boasting about family! Shia, she boasted of “dragon race” to a dragon man of another world!』

It sounded like a boasting about an individual, but in actuality, Shia’s words were boasting about the race called “dragon people” themselves.

After the legendary battle, the honor of the dragon people was certainly recovering. However, even so as expected the time where their race had been talked in history as “evil existence” was far longer. In other words, the time where the dragon people had felt strong embarra.s.sment was far longer.

That was exactly why, Tio felt genuinely happy to hear someone of another race preached about “what was a dragon race” to a dragon from another world it seemed.

It made her far happier than if it was just the individual named “Tio Clarus” who got praised.

『To say nothing of! That the dragon who was used as the example in the boasting was me!』

「Eh, that’s only natural you know? To me, no, to us Tio-san is the number one “proud and n.o.ble dragon man” after all, even more than Adol-san and others.」

Shia’s way of speaking that, as though she was speaking common sense along with her puzzled look by Tio’s reaction was the finishing blow.

Furthermore, even though normally they all called her things like pervert or disappointing, it was only at this kind of time that Hajime and others were in full agreement saying 「That’s true」 while nodding with a smile. That was why,

『This, this art making me so joyous that I just hath to flyyyyyy!!』

「What do you mean fly──uoooh!?」

「「「「「Kyaaaaaaa!?」」」」」

「Wait, Tio-saaan!? Where’re you going──so fast!?」

Tio-san’s wings apparently got itchy from feeling so emotionally moved and joyous that *fwooosh* she was vanishing at the sky beyond.

「Shia-oneechan! Please follow the black dragon at the front-, nano!」

「EH!? Myuu-sama, this Dahlia believe that she will return if we just wa──」

「! FUH, order acknowledged desuu!! I’m gonna stamp on the gas to the max yeaaaaah!!」

「P-please whaiiiiiiiiiiii~~~~~!!?」

Schutaif-tan left like the wind. The sound of engine and the vigorous rotation of the accelerator caused delightful voice. Also, the excessive acceleration made Dahlia-san’s neck to flop behind. The arms around Shia’s waist were desperately hanging on. As though it was a lifeline.

「O-oh? W-wait!」

「R-Ryuu-kun!? Why’re we flying off!? We can just wait here right!? We won’t be able to catch up anyway!」

「No! I’m not doing any──」

*GURUOOOOOOOON!!* Several of such roar rose up. The flying dragons gave off sharp glint from their eyes. Like they were reacting to the roar of the “dragon king” that was resounding from far away.

「N-no good! Are the flying dragons roused up!?」

「Kuh, Aiko-dono! Please apply the technique for calming down to these children──ah」

There was no Aiko-dono. Or rather, everyone who could use soul magic were all at the sky beyond.

And so, the result was inevitable.

The flying dragons bent their bodies lower and lower to gather strength.

Eric and Louis and the others looked at each other. *Zaaaa-* Blood rushed away from their faces.

「A-all hands! Hang oooooonnnnaaaaaaa~~~~~!!?」

「「「「「Uwaaaaaaaaaah!!?」」」」」

Follow after the dragon king! Don’t get left behind!

With an intensity as though to say that, all the flying dragons flew off simultaneously with their fastest speed using all their strength!

It was the repeat of the nightmare five years ago. At that time it happened inside horse carriages led by Schutaif, but this time it was on top of super reinforced flying dragons that went wild. Furthermore, Tio was getting further away so there was no air current control a.s.sistance! Violent wind a.s.saulted them! The terror from the sensation was especially greater!

Even Ryuutarou and others hurriedly held on for dear life from the speed, so it was only natural.

The screams of Balted people continued to echo through the sunny sky without end.

It went without saying that many people from various villages or caravans looked up while asking 「What the!?」 when they heard the screams faintly coming from the sky.

The next day, a lot of people were sending a lot of reports about the screams suggesting that it might be some kind of evil omen. Eric and others would be at their wits’ end of how to cover it up but……that was a story for another time.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

There will be only one chapter left for this arc…

※Material introduction

– So you’re going to do it, right here right now!

From [Shingeki no Kyojin]. A line that Bertold said to Reiner.

– The person who always creeping behind your back with a creepy smile

From [Haiyore! Nyaruko-san]. Also Kaori wasn’t creeping. She was simply already behind you when you realized.

– Two-stage that don’t leave behind any opening.

From [Rurouni Kenshin]. The characteristic of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryuu Battoujutsu. Also the frontispiece of the [short story collection] novel has the ill.u.s.tration of Yue-sensei. It’s not bursting at the seam but I suddenly recalled it and adopted it for Yuuka in this chapter. Anyone who is curious please take a look by all means. I wonder what other outfit I’ll have Yuuka wear…