Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? Volume 1 Chapter 6

Birds were singing beyond the open floral curtains.

The curtains were Shizuka's. Along with the futon, she had prepared various things before Koutarou had moved in.

"Uwa, It's already morning, Koutarou."

Sanae, who had gotten up first, had pulled the curtains back, and outside of the window was a clear blue sky. Sunshine streamed down, lighting up the residential area.

Upon a pillar a couple of small birds were singing.

It was a completely normal morning.

"It's already past 7 AM..."

Koutarou rubbed his tired eyes and looked through the window, the blue sky and white light entering his eyes.

The sunlight pa.s.sed through Sanae and lit up the tatami mats behind her.

It looked to Koutarou as if Sanae had a solid body, but it was at times like these that he was reminded that she really was a ghost.

"Another all-nighter..."

The date was Wednesday, the 8th of April. Koutarou had now pulled three all-nighters in a row.

"Sorry, Koutarou; with this I'm out."

"Uwa, Really!?"

Kiriha pulled a card from Koutarou's hand and placed two cards on the tea table, emptying her hand.

The game they were playing right now was Sanae's specialty, Old Maid.

"Ouch~ Koutarou, just don't end up in last place okay?"

"I got it."

As he replied to Sanae, Koutarou extended his hand towards Yurika's cards.

"A, Auuu..."

Yurika, who had a terrible poker face, closed her eyes. If she didn't, Koutarou would just see right through her.

If it wasn't for Kiriha, Yurika would've run out of points long ago.

"Urya!"

"...Uhm.."

Hearing Koutarou's voice and feeling the sensation of a card being pulled from her hand, Yurika opened her eyes.

"Hauuuuuuu!"

Despite her efforts, the card remaining in her hand was the despicable Joker, laughing in her face.

"Alright! I'm out!"

Koutarou completed his hand and threw his cards onto the table.

"I lost!"

A cheerful Koutarou and a depressed Yurika; their appearances contrasted.

"Which means I'm first, Kiriha is second, Koutarou is third, and Yurika is dead last."

"Indeed. With this, the points are back to where they started."

As she said that, Kiriha updated the score sheet hanging up on the wall. As she had said, each person's points added up to 20.

According to their rules, first place received three points from someone and second place one point.

In third place you lost one point, and in fourth you lost three points.

Which meant there was a two points' difference between each position.

And everyone started with 20 points.

Those who lost their points would be declared losers and forced to leave the room.

"We weren't able to get a point lead..."

"It seems we are quite even."

Beside the yawning Koutarou, Kiriha's shoulders slumped.

The card games had gone on all night, but there was still no conclusion anywhere in sight.

They were able to stop each other's victory, and as a result no one ended up with 0 points.

At one point, Yurika had been close to losing all of her points, but she had been able to mount a comeback thanks to a lot of luck.

After that, the points had just gone back and forth.

"What are you going to do, Koutarou? It's time to go to school."

Sanae pointed at the clock hanging up on the wall.

The hands were indicating 7:30 AM, meaning Kenji would arrive any moment now.

"...Everyone, do you mind if we continue this after I get back?"

Koutarou pulled out his bag while yawning.

"In reality there's no time to spare, but... I don't think there will be any danger during the day."

"I don't mind. I feel like resting for a while."

As Kiriha and Yurika agreed, the doorbell rang out.

"Hey, Kou, are you up!?"

Kenji had arrived.

"Yeah, I'm coming!"

Koutarou shouted towards the front door and then whispered to the others.

"...Everyone, make sure Mackenzie doesn't see you when I leave, please."

"Because it'll be a pain? I already know."

Sanae turned off the lights in the room while answering.

This was so n.o.body would notice that there were people left inside the room.

"Yurika, come over here a little bit more. The front door is in plain view over there."

"Ah, ye-yes, Kiriha-san."

And the three made sure they couldn't be seen from the entrance.

Koutarou had a feeling something bad would happen if they were found.

The day before yesterday it had been Sanae, yesterday it had been Sanae and Yurika, and today it was Sanae, Yurika and Kiriha.

Surely... There won't be four tomorrow, will there?...

"...No way."

Koutarou shook his head lightly and gave a wry smile as he turned his back on the three, suppressing a yawn.

He couldn't take it too easy with Kenji waiting on the other side of the door.

"Didn't sleep much, Koutarou?"

"Something like that. I'll sleep at school."

"That'll do you good. It'll be bad for your body if you force yourself."

"Goodbye, Koutarou-san."

"See you, Koutarou. Come back as soon as you can, okay? We're waiting for you."

"Yeah... I'm off."

"I wish I could go to school... Being home all the time is just boring."

Embraced by the early spring's calm atmosphere and the warm sunshine, time drifted in the clubroom after school.

Right now, the only time Koutarou could feel at ease was at school.

At home there were three girls trying to take over his room. Compared to that, the time spent in the clubroom was like heaven.

"I wish it was always like this... Fuaaaaa."

As he relaxed, Koutarou let out a yawn.

Having endured several all-nighters, Koutarou was exhausted.

Although he had slept during cla.s.s, he was far from recovering his stamina.

"Not good, gotta keep knitting..."

"Are you okay, Satomi-kun?"

Harumi, who was sitting next to him, didn't let the yawn slip by unnoticed.

She gazed at Koutarou with a concerned look on her face.

"I'm fine, Sakuraba-senpai."

"But, you don't look... Have you been sleeping properly?"

Koutarou tried to play it off, but it didn't work. Instead, the concerned look on Harumi's face grew more serious, and she leaned forward slightly.

Because of her weak const.i.tution, she took her and others' health seriously.

"Hahaha, I just moved in and I haven't quite gotten used to it yet. I'll be back to normal soon, Sakuraba-senpai."

"...I hope so..."

"That aside, Senpai, show me that knitting technique one more time."

Using the knitting method he had learned the day before, Koutarou had begun to work on an actual project, with Harumi guiding him along the way.

"...I got it. I'll do it again slowly, so make sure you watch."

"Yes, please."

Harumi was still worried, but she moved her hands at Koutarou's request.

Satomi-kun, it's fine to be enthusiastic, but are you really okay?

Still worried about Koutarou, Harumi considered ways to allow him to rest as she was knitting.

And after showing him the technique, she came up with an idea.

That's right, maybe if I leave him alone...

Harumi immediately put her plan into action.

"...And like this. Did you understand, Satomi-kun?"

"Yes. You're a big help; I'll try it out right away."

Koutarou began moving his knitting needles.

Although awkward, he displayed his intent and motivation.

It's because you're working so hard...

Harumi put her knitting needles and yarn on the desk and stood up.

"Satomi-kun, is it alright if I leave you to keep an eye on the clubroom for a while?"

"Y-Yes... I don't mind, but what now, all of a sudden?"

Koutarou stopped moving his hands and looked up at Harumi.

"I forgot that the committee was calling for me. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, I got it. I'll keep watch while you're away."

"Sorry, please do."

Harumi bowed lightly and headed towards the exit.

"...Satomi-kun, I hope you'll be able to sleep a little with this..."

"Senpai, did you say something?"

"Not at all. I'll be back."

"Okay, see you soon."

Harumi left a small smile behind as she exited the room.

Hm?... That's...

When Koutarou came to, he saw the room dyed red by the evening sun.

"Oh c.r.a.p, I fell asleep..."

The knitting needle in his hand had been placed on the desk, and the coat from a girl's uniform had been draped over his body.

"Were you able to sleep well?"

Koutarou raised his head, and in front of him was a gently smiling Harumi.

Having taken off her coat, she was knitting in her blouse.

"Senpai, I..."

"I was about to wake you up. It's almost 6 PM."

Harumi stopped her knitting and showed him the time.

The time was now 5:45 PM, almost time for the school to close for the day.

"I'm sorry for falling asleep in the middle of club activities, Senpai!"

For Koutarou, who had been taught to strictly respect his elders, this was a big problem.

He apologized and bowed deeply.

"It's fine, Satomi-kun. It's... Um... O-our society, after all."

As she said that, her cheeks turned red with embarra.s.sment, but Koutarou, who was bowing, did not see her.

"That's why, Senpai!"

"No, that's wrong. It's our society, so as long as we agree, it's alright if we do what we want."

"Sakuraba-senpai..."

"Satomi-kun, look after your body, please."

Oh I see, Senpai...

Looking at Harumi's serious face Koutarou finally remembered her weak const.i.tution.

That's why she was so worried...

Koutarou was both grateful and sorry to have made her feel anxious.

"Understood, I'll look out for myself more."

"Yes... Thank you, Satomi-kun."

Hearing Koutarou's answer, Harumi responded cheerfully.

I should be the one worried about her. I gotta snap out of it...

The past three days had been nonstop trouble due to three strange people, but thanks to Harumi's gentleness, Koutarou was able to regain some spirit.

"I'm back."

When Koutarou opened the door, it was still dark inside, and Sanae, who had welcomed him back yesterday, was nowhere to be found.

"Hm?"

While Koutarou was thinking, Sanae poked her face out from the inner room.

"Koutarou, this way, come fast!"

"What is it?"

"It'll be faster for you to see it yourself. Come on, Koutarou!"

"Something's wrong!"

After Sanae both Kiriha and Yurika called out to him.

The three voices sounded surprisingly serious, so he hurriedly left his shoes by the entrance and entered the room.

"What's up with you three, you still haven't even turned on the... Ehhhh!?"

Bounding into the room, Koutarou opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"Wh-What's that!?"

An abnormality had occurred in the inner room.

In the dark s.p.a.ce, the wall furthest away was glowing dimly.

The glowing abnormality was almost two meters in height and one meter in width.

"This was just a wall, right!? What happened!?"

"...That's what we want to know."

Kiriha turned the lights on in the room, and the glow of the wall became slightly less noticeable.

"Sanae, did you cause this?"

"That's rude! It wasn't me! Don't try to make everything my fault! Besides. what'd be the point of making the wall glow!?"

"You have a point..."

Koutarou suspected Sanae after having seen countless paranormal phenomena caused by her, but after hearing her argument he concluded she must have had nothing to do with it.

Like she said, she had nothing to gain from making the wall glow.

"Don't just blame me right away, geez!"

Dissatisfied, Sanae puffed up her cheeks and floated in midair.

"It can't be helped. You're a ghost after all."

"Hmph! Who cares what you think anyways!"

And Sanae looked away from Koutarou.

"Come on, don't sulk just because I doubted you for a moment..."

As Koutarou was trying to calm Sanae down, somebody pulled the sleeve of his uniform.

"Excuse me, Satomi-san."

"Hm? What is it, Yurika?"

The one pulling his sleeve was Yurika. She let go of his sleeve and curled her mouth into a coy smile.

"The wall: it's glowing, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

"Something strange is happening, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is..."

"Haven't you considered that it might be my magic?"

"...I might have."

As Koutarou nodded for the third time he turned to Kiriha.

"Kiriha-san, how long has the wall been like this?"

Koutarou had already lost interest in Yurika.

"Why!? You could at least doubt me a little bit!! It's a supernatural phenomenon, you know!? It's a complete mystery! It might be my magic!"

"Just a while ago, roughly 10 minutes before you got home."

"10 minutes..."

"It's not fair! It's unfair to believe in ghosts but not magic! I demand a correction and an apology!"

"Karama, Korama, please tell Koutarou the results of the measurements as well."

"Yes-ho!"

"Leave it to us, Ane-san-ho!"

The two haniwas flew up to Koutarou.

"There are no readings for radiation, electromagnetic waves, heat, vibration, or spiritual energy-ho. The only data we're receiving is from a few radiating photons-ho!"

"But we can't measure the other side of the glow-ho. It's almost as if there's an invisible wall-ho! It's not even certain where the photons are coming from-ho."

The haniwas explained everything in detail with gestures, but it made no sense to Koutarou.

"I don't get it; what does this mean?"

"It means apart from not being able to see the other side of the glow, it's a completely normal wall... However, if technology I don't know of is involved, that might not be the case."

"In other words, it's just a glowing wall we know nothing about."

Koutarou slowly approached the wall.

"Aaaaa, if you could just give me a portion of that doubt..."

Yurika started sobbing behind Koutarou.

"If you could just believe there are girls with mysterious powers...! Why!? I'm trying to so hard to make you believe me too!"

However, Koutarou was focused on the wall, so Yurika's complaints fell on deaf ears.

"Koutarou, don't just carelessly touch it, okay?"

"...It sounds so persuasive when you say it."

What reached Koutarou's ears instead was Sanae's voice.

Sanae floated up next to Koutarou as they approached the glowing wall together.

"Don't treat me like I'm some sort of floating danger!"

"That's exactly what you are!"

"What's that supposed to mean!? I've had it! I was just thinking of protecting you if something happened too! And you just trample all over my feelings! You're just terrible!"

Sanae began sulking and returned to where Kiriha and Yurika were standing.

"...You won't die a pretty death, Koutarou, I'm sure of it!"

"He won't even believe in magic either!"

"This is a common occurrence for people our age. A good woman would overlook something like this."

"I'm just a kid. I don't care!"

They're not feeling any tension whatsoever...

That's what Koutarou thought while listening to the girls.

Stopping 30 centimeters in front of it, Koutarou observed the glowing wall.

"Apart from glowing, it looks just like a normal wall."

The glow was weak and you could see the wall behind it. Even the recently changed wallpaper could be seen clearly.

"What's up with this..."

Koutarou brought his hand closer to the light, but it was not hot, just as Kiriha had said.

However, it was not clear if touching the wall would be safe.

"Now then, what to do..."

While Koutarou was considering whether to touch the wall or not, a change took place.

"Oh?"

At the center of the glowing wall, roughly one meter from the ground, a blue disk about 30 centimeters in diameter appeared.

From the middle of the disk, beams of light began to form a picture.

It looked like a man wearing armor and fighting a large reptile.

"A knight and a dragon... Is it some kind of crest?"

Koutarou brought his face closer to examine the mysterious image.

He noticed that it wasn't just a picture, but a three-dimensional sculpture, which strengthened his impression that it was indeed a crest.

"But why is there a crest on a glowing wall?"

Koutarou brought his face closer to the crest, but all of a sudden his view was blocked.

"Eh? What!?

His field of vision suddenly went dark, and his face was pressed against something soft and warm.

Caught by surprise, Koutarou's body stiffened.

"Hanya!?"

A girl's voice could be heard right next to Koutarou.

Everyone in the room was surprised, but the most surprised of all was the one who had surprised Koutarou and the others.

"Ho-How rude!! You don't just bury your face in a princess's chest! This is unforgivable, even for a clueless Neanderthal!"

"Eh? What!? What's going on!?"

Having somebody yell right next to his ears caused Koutarou to attempt to push his face away from what it was pressing against by placing his hands against it and gently thrusting away from his face.

"Waaa!? You touched a princess's chest!? Grabbed it!? Fondled it!?"

"Ehhh!?"

Standing before the staggering Koutarou was a girl silhouetted by the problematic wall.

She was short, but still slightly taller than Sanae.

With her blonde hair and blue eyes, she was most likely a foreigner.

She was wearing a beautiful dress of radiant white. The ends of the spread skirt covered up a large part of the room.

And resting upon her golden hair was a silver diadem decorated with jewels.

"...Who?"

"It's not who! Get your hands off me this instant, Neanderthal!"

"Hands?"

When his hands were mentioned, Koutarou put some force into his fingertips.

"Waaaa, do-don't fondle them, you fool!!"

"Wa, Waaaaa!?"

Koutarou finally noticed that his hands were planted firmly on the girl's chest.

"So-sorry!"

"A 'sorry' won't cut it! You buried your face in my chest all of a sudden, and then you even groped them repeatedly!"

The girl's face was dyed red with rage and humiliation. She shouted at Koutarou while covering her chest with her arms.

"This n.o.ble chest that you played around with so, filled with desire, is not something the likes of you can touch! You should consider yourself lucky you are not slain on the spot!"

"Desire!? No, that wasn't my intention, this is all just a misunderstanding! It was just an accident!"

Koutarou shook his head, panicking.

"All criminals say the same thing!"

"That's not true! Who would want to fondle that flat chest!? Even I have the right to chose which b.r.e.a.s.t.s I fondle!"

"Fl-flat?"

The girl's expression froze.

"Do you think I'd take such a risk for that washing board chest!? Don't make me laugh!"

"Washing board...?"

The girl was stunned and looked up at Koutarou. Her eyes were wide open and her face was twitching.

"That's right~ Koutarou spent all of yesterday fondling Kiriha's b.r.e.a.s.t.s, so he has no need to fondle those."

Sanae chimed in; she was still holding a grudge against Koutarou from before.

"Don't talk about me like I'm some sort of pervert!"

"There's no need to deny it. You know you want to fondle them, you pervert~"

"Koutarou, do you want to fondle my b.r.e.a.s.t.s?"

Kiriha lightly thrust her chest towards Koutarou, and her large b.r.e.a.s.t.s bounced.

"I don't! I won't fondle anyone's breeeeasts!"

"There's no need to hold back, you know?"

"I won't leave this room in return!"

Yurika, who had been silently watching, pumped herself up by raising her fist up towards the heavens.

"You got a high rank! Good job Yurika! Fight!"

Ranking the chest sizes of the girls in the room, the order went from largest to smallest: Kiriha, Yurika, Sanae, and lastly the mysterious girl. Yurika was glad she was second.

"...Either way, you don't want to fondle those..."

Yurika gave the lowest ranking chest a pitying look.

"I'm telling you it was an accident! Who would want to go out of their way to touch those!?"

"Th-those... You called them those... Flat, washing board... those..."

The girl looked down.

"You don't need to say it like that. She is still young, so she has plenty of time to grow."

"Uwa~ That's a mean way of putting it, Kiriha~ The elite have it easy."

"I didn't mean it like that!"

"But, she's even losing to Sanae-chan... They're not going to grow that much..."

As Yurika said that with deep pity in her voice, the girl's shoulders began to tremble.

Koutarou interpreted it as if she was about to cry, but her voice was far from that of a crying voice.

"Fu, fufufu, fufufufu, ahahahaha..."

It was an almost sad, dry laugh.

"You pity me. I see, you pity me, a princess!"

At that time, Koutarou thought that he could hear the sound of the girl's restraint snapping.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you all right now! I'll make sure none of you will be able to keep flapping your mouths!"

The girl screamed, swung both her hands around and stomped the ground with her foot.

The girl had completely lost it.

"...It looks you made her angry, Koutarou. You should apologize right away."

"That's right, Koutarou. You should do it while the wounds are still shallow."

"It's because you're bullying her, Satomi-san. There aren't that many who can handle being bullied as well as me."

"Don't try to blame this all on me! You're the ones who finished her off! Besides, just look at her, she's well past the point of persuasion!"

"Fuhahahaha, you Neanderthals! You won't even have time to realize your sins! Once your bodies have vaporized, you'll regret ever going up against me!"

The girl who had lost it laughed loudly at Koutarou and the rest.

It was impossible for anyone to persuade someone this angry.

"Blue Knight! Activate the anti-personnel weapons system!"

While the girl kept laughing loudly, she shouted at the bracelet on her right hand.

"AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS."

And the bracelet on her hand lit up and responded to the girl.

"What's that girl doing?"

"Who knows... She's so angry that she's talking to her bracelet; she's a bit scary."

Two black disks about 20 centimeters in diameter appeared one after the other above her right and left shoulders.

Strangely enough, they had no thickness.

"SELECT THE WEAPONRY."

"Anti-personnel Pulse Laser, Sonic Impact Cannon! Fill them with holes, pulverize them, and blow them away!"

"AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS."

Immediately after the girl's commands were shouted, something metallic could be seen emerging from the black disks.

Although the disks had no thickness, the metal was oddly three-dimensional.

It was almost as if the black disks were some kind of window.

"What the heck is that?"

The metal resembled a muzzle as it turned and pointed at Koutarou.

And from the left hole, bluish-white light began to shine.

At the same time, a low-pitched sound making the room shake came from the right.

"I'm getting a bad feeling about this..."

Koutarou, who was feeling danger from the disks, was not sure what to do, so he lowered his body and took a stance for the time being.

"Emergency alert-ho! The things you can see from the black holes appear to be weapons-ho!"

"Energy reaction-ho! The current presumption is that the left side is an energy weapon, and the right side is a shock wave cannon-ho! They will be ready to attack within a few seconds-ho!!"

"Get down, Koutarou!! She's shooting!"

Kiriha's desperate voice entered Koutarou's ears, telling him what to do.

"What!?"

"It's already too late! Wipe them out, Blue Knight!"

"AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS."

The panicked Koutarou leered at the girl shouting orders at her bracelet.

"Koutarou!!"

"Owaaa!?"

In that moment Koutarou fell down onto the tatami mat. Sanae had tackled him and forcibly pulled him down.

At the same time, several blue beams pa.s.sed through the spot where Koutarou had stood.

Right afterwards white bullets pa.s.sed by, as if chasing the blue beams.

"Kyaaaa!?"

The blue beam pa.s.sed right by Yurika's ear and burned a couple strands of her hair, and as she bent over in surprise the white bullets arrived.

The white bullets. .h.i.t Yurika's broom and exploded, making a loud sound.

Right afterwards, a strong shock wave was generated, knocking Yurika off of her feet.

"Why is it always meeee!!"

Yurika, who had lost her balance, was sent rolling on top of the tatami mats.

"Gyafu!"

Yurika rolled into the wall and stopped. She was no longer moving; she had lost consciousness.

"That was close! That's a weapon!?"

Looking at Yurika, Koutarou finally understood the danger he was in, and a chill ran down his spine.

Koutarou didn't know what kind of weapons the girl was using, but one look at Yurika told him what would happen if he got hit.

"Are you alright, Koutarou!? Get up! The next one's coming!!"

"Ah, yeah!"

"Tsk, looks like one of them is perceptive."

The girl spat out those bitter words as she glared at Koutarou.

And the muzzle peeping out from the holes above the girl's shoulders pointed towards Koutarou.

"But in this narrow room, the next won't miss!! Blue Knight, continue firing in synchronous mode!"

"AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS."

"Don't be like that, shorty!"

"You don't just insult my chest, but my height as well, Neanderthal!?"

"You stupid idiot!"

"Argh, you're even calling me stupid!?"

"I am! You self-conscious inverted chest!"

As Koutarou was saying that, signs of the girl attacking appeared again.

The bluish-white light and loud sound.

"Koutarou, don't bicker with her! Just get up, hurry!"

"Waaaaaaa!! Oh c.r.a.p!!"

Koutarou was still in the middle of getting up, and even with Sanae's help it didn't look like they would make it in time before the next attack.

"Ahahaha! You're too slow! It's already over! You can regret the crime of making a fool of me once you've been reduced to ashes!"

"Karama, Korama, Spiritual Energy Field to maximum output!"

"Understood-ho!"

Along with the sharp voice, the two haniwas stepped between Koutarou and the girl.

"But we'll lose in terms of power-ho! We're not good against physical attacks-ho!"

"I just need you to endure one attack! You need to block it no matter what!"

"Got it-ho!"

The blue beam and white bullets shot out.

But at that moment, a sphere of yellow light enveloped Koutarou and the rest.

It was a shield the two haniwas had made.

As the shield of light was a.s.sailed by the blue beam, it shattered like gla.s.s and was blown away.

The haniwas' shield was only barely able to block the blue beams - the Pulse Laser attack.

So the slightly delayed white bullet - the Shock Wave Cannonball - pa.s.sed by with ease and headed for Koutarou and the rest.

"Waaaa, This time it's all over!!"

"Hissatsu![1] Sanae-chan Bomber!"

However, before the bullet could hit Koutarou, Sanae prevented it by throwing a cushion with her Poltergeist.

The bullet and cushion collided in the air, and an explosion was heard, along with cotton being scattered all over the room.

"Tsk!"

"Ho~"

"Hoho~"

Apart from Sanae, everyone was thrown towards the walls by the shock wave.

That was enough for Corona House to start shaking and screaming.

"Is everyone okay!? You haven't been done in, have you!?"

"I'm neither! Even if I'm okay for now, I won't be sooner or later!"

Koutarou stood up, shaking his head, and grabbed the bat that was leaning against the wall next to him.

"What are you going to do!?"

"The only way to survive is to attack before she recovers!"

The girl in question had lost her balance from the shock wave.

Because the cushion had struck the bullet near her, the shock wave had reached her as well.

"Tsk, by something like this... Blue Knight, change to Sonic Impact Cannon and Ion Blaster! This room is too small!"

Noticing Koutarou approaching, she ordered the bracelet to change weapons.

"AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS."

"You're too slow!"

But before her weapons were able to change, Koutarou swung his bat down.

He was aiming for the pulse laser sticking out of the hole above her right shoulder.

"It's no use, Neanderthal!"

However, the bat did not reach the pulse laser.

Immediately before it hit the barrel, it collided with something translucent and bounced off.

"What!?"

"You thought you were the only ones with a barrier!? How careless!"

The girl stood up, a grin br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence on her face.

She was surrounded by white hexagons.

Like the haniwas' shield of light, it was a barrier against attacks.

"This is bad-ho! The barrier's power is on a different level-ho!"

"It's a repulsion barrier-ho! It's far superior than ours against anything but spiritual energy-ho!"

"Just who is that girl!?"

Kiriha was aghast at the overwhelming difference in power.

Kiriha and the others' attacks barely had any effect, but they couldn't block their opponent's attacks.

"Dammit, what's with that hard sh.e.l.l? Unless we do something about that, we're not getting anywhere!"

"Stop, Koutarou! We have no way of breaking it!"

"What? Really!?"

"It's true, Neanderthal! The difference between our powers is like that of heaven and earth! You won't be able to so much as lay a finger on me!"

The girl stopped her attack and boasted triumphantly.

"...I'm not so sure about that."

Sanae floated in front of the boasting girl, poking at her.

"Wh-what!? W-what did you just do!?"

Since Sanae suddenly appeared in front of her, the girl's face was twitching.

"What? I was just poking you."

Sanae had easily pa.s.sed through the barrier the girl had been boasting about.

Although it could protect against any attacks, it seems that it couldn't keep ghosts out.

"Good job, Sanae! Now restrain her!"

"Fine, fine. You sure are bossy..."

Sanae began depriving the girl of her freedom while she was still surprised.

She gripped the hem of the girl's dress with her Poltergeist.

"What are you doing!?"

"Who knows what someone like you will do if I let you be! In other words, Hissatsu Sanae-chan Tulip!"

Sanae lifted the edges of the girl's skirt.

"Uwawa, wh-what!?"

"Just relax!"

Sanae lifted the skirt up over the girl's head and wrapped it around like a drawstring purse.

With her underwear exposed, she looked similar to a tulip, as Sanae had said.

"Stop it, you boorish ruffian! I can't see anything!"

"No way~ If I stop, you'll just attack me."

The girl struggled, but Sanae's power was too strong, and she was unable to break free.

"Kiriha-san."

"What is it, Koutarou?"

"I know my life is at stake, but right now she just looks like an idiot..."

"...Agreed. To think I'd see a bear there..."

The tulip struggled ineffectually.

It was a sight that invited laughter.

Moreover, imprinted on the girl's panties was a lovely bear. One couldn't help but laugh at the situation.

"If you give up, I'll let you go."

"There's no way the princess of the Holy Forthorthe Galactic Empire would bow her head to some primitive barbarians!"

"Then we'll just leave you like this."

"Grrr, you're just a Neanderthal!"

Sanae and the girl were bickering, and Sanae was currently winning.

Meanwhile, Koutarou let out a small sigh of relief.

"It looks like we'll at least be able to catch our breath."

"It's about time."

Kiriha smiled lightly as she replied to Koutarou.

However, the commotion was not about to stop, as the two had expected.

"Fine! If you want it that way, I have plans of my own!"

"What? Are you still planning on doing something?"

"Blue Knight! Change the battle mode to final attack mode! Fire a limited Genesis Buster! Turn the area centered around me into mere atoms!"

"AUTHENTICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ACTIVATION OF THE FINAL ATTACK MODE AND THE USE OF THE GENESIS BUSTER."

"My name is Theiamillis Gre Masteil Sagurada von Forthorthe!!"

"AUTHENTICATION COMPLETE. CONFIRMED THE IDENt.i.tY OF PRINCESS THEIAMILLIS. THE ORDER HAS BEEN ACCEPTED. AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS.

The girl gave a complicated order, unlike before.

Looking at that, Koutarou once again felt a chill run down his spine.

"What are you planning on doing?"

"Don't ask such foolish questions, Neanderthal. It's obviously an attack."

The tulip responded full of confidence.

The girl was probably laughing, but Koutarou was unable to see her face.

"An attack?"

However, nothing was happening in the room. The black holes floating above her shoulders remained motionless.

"Nothing's happening..."

"Fufufu! Wahahahaha, that's why you're a Neanderthal! Don't just a.s.sume that what you can see is all there is!"

The tulip shook left and right energetically.

"Emergency alert! A super-high energy emission roughly 50 meters in the sky-ho!"

"What!?"

Receiving Karama's warning, Kiriha jumped to the window.

She then opened it in a hurry and leaned her body out.

Koutarou followed suit.

"That's it!"

"What's that!?"

In the sky above Corona House, a black hole similar to the ones floating above the girl's shoulders could be seen.

Even though it was a starry night, that part of the sky was completely free of stars.

A large cylindrical object peeked out of the hole.

"Confirmed the generation of antimatter-ho! The ma.s.s is increasing rapidly-ho!"

"Antimatter!? What are its measurements!?"

"Currently at 58 grams-ho! And still increasing-ho!"

"Is that an antimatter cannon!? Impossible! Do you know what those kinds of things can do!?"

Kiriha turned to Tulip and shouted at her.

Koutarou was able to understand the seriousness of the situation by looking at the normally calm Kiriha acting like this.

"Of course I know! It'll turn you Neanderthals into photons!"

Tulip laughed loudly at the panicking Kiriha.

"Koutarou, what's antimatter?"

"Don't ask me. That's Mackenzie's field of expertise."

Koutarou and Sanae were unable to understand the term.

So the two just craned their necks without a care.

"To put it simply, antimatter is a terrifying nuclear weapon."

Strictly speaking, the nuclear fission used in nuclear weapons is completely different from antimatter.

However, the two release energy on an atomic level, so it was an appropriate explanation for the pair who didn't understand at all.

"Nu-Nuclear!?"

"By nuclear you mean those things that always appear in movies and anime, where something terrible happens if they explode and leave behind a mushroom!?"

Because of that, Koutarou and Sanae could easily understand the situation and began panicking.

"L-Let's run, Koutarou!"

"Y-Yeah!"

"It's no use! The antimatter has already exceeded 100 grams! No matter how fast you flee, you'll never be able to outrun it! What a pity!"

"...So it's all over..."

Kiriha's shoulders slumped as she sighed.

She very clearly understood the power of over 100 grams of antimatter.

"Don't give up! Do something, Kiriha!"

"What do we do!? What should I do!?"

Only aware that it was a powerful weapon, Koutarou and Sanae panicked and ran around Kiriha.

"Petty tricks won't be able to stop this weapon! It's my victory!"

Tulip on the other hand was ecstatic. Able to vent all of her resentment, she laughed loudly.

Even the bear on her exposed panties looked like it was smiling to Koutarou.

"There's nothing we can do. Please give up, Koutarou, Sanae."

"Noooooooo! I don't want to dieeeeeeee!"

"You're already dead! Nuclear weapons and antimatter won't do anything to you!"

"Oh yeah."

Realizing that normal weapons wouldn't work on ghosts, Sanae regained her calm.

"I'm sorry for your loss~"

"Hearing that from you strangely p.i.s.ses me off!"

"It's the privilege of being a ghost!"

Sanae turned to Koutarou and made a triumphant V-sign.

"You can't be so sure when it comes to antimatter. With this much ma.s.s, the power might be so intense that the very fabric of s.p.a.ce is distorted. Even a ghost might not be able to survive."

"Did you hear that, Sanae!? Even ghosts can die!"

"Don't rejoice, idiot!"

As Koutarou and the rest began falling into unrest and confusion, Tulip's bracelet coldly reported in.

"THE GENERATION OF ANTIMATTER IS COMPLETE."

"Excellent! Start the firing procedures! And don't forget to recover me as you fire!"

"AS YOU WISH. INITIALIZING FIRING PROCEDURES."

"Waaaa, they're firing! They're firing!"

"Nooooooooo! I don't want to die young!"

"An unexpected end to the surface invasion... Although with this, there won't be a j.a.pan left to invade..."

The laughing girl, the restless Koutarou, Sanae clinging onto Koutarou, the melancholy Kiriha, and the still unconscious Yurika, who had no grasp of the situation.

The five people showed five different reactions as the time finally came.

"ANTIMATTER HAS FINISHED GENERATING. SAFETY RELEASED. AWAITING ORDER TO FIRE, MY PRINCESS."

"Kukuku, and with this it's over! Genesis Buster, FI-"

However, as the girl was about to give the order to fire, another voice filled the room, interrupting her.

"Please wait, Princess Theiamillis!"

"Ruth!?"

As the girl raised her voice in surprise, another person came jumping out from the glowing wall.

It looked very similar to how Sanae pa.s.sed through walls.

The person coming through the wall was a girl wearing a military uniform with a short skirt.

She was taller than Tulip, at about the same height as Yurika.

"H-hey, a person just came through the wall!"

"What are you so surprised for? Tulip came through the same way."

"Really, Kiriha-san?"

Koutarou hadn't seen Tulip come out.

As he'd been busy examining the crest his sight had suddenly been blocked.

"Yes. The first girl came out of the wall the same way and b.u.mped into you."

Kiriha had already given up, but with the appearance of the other girl she had started recovering.

"Your Highness! What is the meaning of firing the Genesis Buster at this planet!?"

The new girl immediately began shouting at Tulip.

"B-but, they were making a fool of me!"

Tulip raised her objections, but her voice was completely different.

"It looks like that girl came to stop Tulip."

"Really?"

Koutarou and Sanae watched the quarreling pair.

Koutarou and the rest were unable to comprehend this unexpected development.

"That doesn't mean you can destroy this entire planet! First of all, it violates the galactic treaty!"

"Sanae, it seems like the weapon above us has enough power to destroy the planet."

"So it would be a casual armageddon."

"Knock on wood..."

"But they said I was flat, short and stupid! There's no way I could forgive them!"

"There's no one who would bring out a wide-area destruction weapon used in deep s.p.a.ce combat for that kind of childish reason!"

"B-but Ruth!"

"No 'buts'!"

The argument was falling into the favor of the new girl.

The number of words Tulip spoke had gradually decreased, and she was now mostly silent.

"Fuuuuu. It looks like everything will calm down... Geez."

Kiriha let out a big sigh and relaxed her shoulders.

"Princess Theia, please settle down. If you kill the residents of this room you won't be able to achieve the trial given to Your Highness. Do you want to be the quickest failure in the history of Forthorthe and bring shame to your mother?"

As soon as her mother was mentioned, Tulip stopped arguing.

"Your Highness, please open your mind. Forthorthe's influence doesn't reach this planet. We're the ones forcing ourselves onto them."

This girl has been saying reasonable things for a while now...

The past several days had been a mess of unreasonable people forcing themselves into this room.

So this new girl's agreeable words were like music to Koutarou's ears.

"I got it... Blue Knight, relinquish attack mode and return to guard mode. Cancel the Genesis Buster."

"AS YOU WISH, MY PRINCESS."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The new girl gave a relieved smile, and the rioting in the room seemed to have settled.

There were holes in the walls from the laser, and the wallpaper had been torn off in places by the shock waves.

The once-beautiful tatami mats had scorch marks left on them. The room was in pieces.

"If the landlord sees this she'll probably cry..."

Koutarou looked around the room.

Corona House was the landlord Shizuka's treasure.

It was a keepsake from her late parents.

And finding it in this state would almost certainly cause her a lot of grief.

Koutarou was painfully aware of that.

"Koutarou, please sit down, or we can't start."

"Oh, sorry, right away."

As Kiriha called out to him, he turned around and saw five girls seated around the tea table.

The order they were sitting in was clockwise: Sanae, Kiriha, Yurika, Tulip, and the girl who had come after her.

There was a s.p.a.ce left open between Sanae and Kiriha for Koutarou.

"...So I sit here."

Koutarou sat down in the open s.p.a.ce.

"It's kind of cramped..."

"That's because we're up to six people now."

Kiriha shrugged at Sanae's words. Neither the tea table nor the room were designed for six people.

Because of that, the room felt very small with so many people in it.

"The problem we need to settle seems to have gotten bigger. I'm not saying we need to deepen our friendship..."

"Well that's true, but..."

Sanae had a sad look on her face.

"So to get to the point, who are you?"

"Hmph!"

Tulip - The girl in the dress who had been the first to come out of the wall - refused to answer.

And she provokingly turned her face away from him.

"I am sorry. It seems my master is in a bad mood, so I will explain in her stead."

The girl in uniform who had come out later began speaking.

Compared to the girl in the dress, she had a mild and cooperative atmosphere to her.

She bowed her head politely and calmly towards Koutarou and left a strong impression on him.

However, she might be like Kiriha, so instead of relaxing Koutarou decided to hear her out before letting his guard down.

"Please allow me to make our introductions. First off, my master, Her Highness Theiamillis."

And the girl in uniform indicated the girl sitting next to her.

"Her Highness?"

It was a phrase she had used several times already.

Koutarou knew it was a t.i.tle of honor for someone n.o.ble, but he did not think it was suitable for the girl in front of him.

"Yes, Her Highness's name is Theiamillis Gre Forthorthe. She is the princess of the Holy Forthorthe Galactic Empire."

"Princess!? This person over here's the top brat!?"

Hearing Koutarou's words, the girl in the dress, Theia, glared at him.

However, this time, perhaps showing some discretion, she said nothing.

"Yes. She is the seventh princess, but in the present she is the current emperor's only child."

"So she's a princess? Really?"

The girl explaining nodded at the amazed Sanae.

"It will be hard to show you proof of her ident.i.ty right away, but there is no mistake."

"There will be no need for that. I understand that you at the very least hold a high position."

"Eh!? You'll believe us!?"

"Yes, to a certain extent."

Unexpectedly, the one supporting the girl's words was Kiriha.

"What do you mean, Kiriha-san?"

"Koutarou, think back to the power of their weapons."

"What about the weapons? Well, they were dangerous but..."

"Do you think anyone would be able to walk around with that kind of weaponry? Least of all, antimatter?"

"Oh, you mean like that."

With that, Koutarou understood what Kiriha meant.

"Sanae, what seems more natural to you? A normal person with that kind of weapon, or someone in a high position?"

"Well, that would be a really important person, right? They have mushroom bombs after all."

"Right? In other words, that's how it is. It would be strange for those two to be normal people."

"I see. Now that you mention it, that makes sense."

Sanae nodded, satisfied and began making fun of Yurika.

"Yurika, unlike a self-proclaimed princess like yourself, she's a real one."

"I'm also a real one!"

"I know. A real hardcore cosplayer, right?"

"You're wrong! Why does everyone bully me!?"

Yurika ground her teeth in frustration, but no one was listening to her.

"To show position, show power. An old-fashioned method, but it was effective."

"As for the sudden use of power I would like to apologize."

The girl bowed apologetically.

"You don't have to worry about that; we were both in the wrong."

"Thank you."

"Koutarou, you sure forgave them quickly, didn't you?"

"Why don't you remember what you said."

Sanae flinched at Koutarou's cold glance.

She also felt she had said too much.

Apart from touching her b.r.e.a.s.t.s at the start, Koutarou had also said a bit too much afterwards.

The same was true for the other two.

"And what about you? Do you also hold a high position?"

"No, I'm just part of the military. I am the protection officer in charge of guarding Her Highness Theia and taking care of her surroundings. My name is Ruthkania Nye Pardomshiha."

"...Ruth is my childhood friend."

Theia, who had kept quiet, opened her mouth for a moment.

"She's a reliable and talented protection officer."

"Your words are wasted on me, Your Highness."

Ruth gave Theia a smile, and Theia blushed slightly before starting to sulk again.

"Hmm... so this person's a soldier."

"Ruth-san... Oh right, I forgot. I'm Koutarou, Satomi Koutarou, this room's resident."

"I'm Higashihongan Sanae. And this flashy person is Yurika. But the only thing flashy about her is her appearance, so don't pay her any attention"

"I'm Nijino Yurika, a magical -"

Yurika attempted to introduce herself, but...

"Kurano Kiriha. Please call me Kiriha."

Sadly, she was interrupted by Kiriha.

"Do you really hate magical... No, me that much?"

Yurika asked, crying. Her shoulders slumped and she wept on her handkerchief.

Ruth was surprised by Yurika's sudden tears.

"Did something happen to Yurika-sama?"

"It's fine. Please let her be, Ruth-san."

"Okay, Satomi-sama."

Yurika continued to cry.

Ruth was unable to comprehend the situation, but she decided to leave it be for now.

"By the way, Ruth. You mentioned a galactic empire before. What did you mean by that?"

"Did she say something like that, Koutarou?"

Sanae, who hadn't been paying attention, pulled on Koutarou's sleeve and asked.

"She did. Something along the lines of The Holy something Galactic Empire. That Theia seems to be that country's princess."

"I know about the Empire in Ginza[2]!"

There was a famous hotel in Ginza called the Imperial Hotel.

"Those two are unrelated..."

"I know that too!"

"It is just as everybody is saying."

Ruth nodded her head.

"We came from the Holy Forthorthe Galactic Empire."

"Holy Forthorthe Galactic Empire... I've never heard of a country with that name."

"Have you heard of it, Yurika?"

"Why would you think I know anything?"

Yurika had a confused look on her face after Sanae asked her.

"It sounds like a name right out of an anime."

Yurika began sobbing.

"Don't just make her cry for no reason, Sanae."

"Sorry, it was just a reflex."

"So Ruth-san, where is that country? In the Middle East? Or maybe Europe?

"No."

Ruth shook her head.

"It's about 10 million light years away from here, in a different galaxy."

"So that really was the case!?"

Kiriha instinctively stood up.

The antimatter weapon Theia and Ruth had used caused Kiriha to hold some suspicion, but she was still very surprised.

"Koutarou, a different Ginza? Is there another Ginza outside of Tokyo?"

"No, another galaxy!"

Koutarou was perplexed. He understood what Ruth was saying, but it was more likely to be the plot of a movie he would watch with Kenji.

"That can't be right. If they came from a different galaxy that would make them -"

"Yes, that's correct. We came from a different planet; in other words, we're aliens."

Theia and Ruth, these two girls were the most extravagant visitors yet.

"A-alien..."

Koutarou's jaw dropped.

"After ghosts, cosplayers and underground people, I wasn't going to be surprised by most things, but to think aliens..."

"I'm not a cosplayer! I'm a magical girl!"

"I believe it's quite normal to be surprised. It is rare to come into contact with another civilization after all."

Ruth gave an understanding smile.

"But, now that you mention it, it does kind of feel obvious."

Lasers, barriers, antimatter cannons. It was hard to imagine that such sci-fi weapons could be found on Earth.

If we had such scientific progress on Earth, we would be a lot further ahead.

Kiriha's two haniwas were surprising, but this technology was a shock even to Kiriha.

"There's no doubt about it."

Kiriha wiped the sweat off her brow. Her cold sweat would not stop.

"...Karama, Korama, prepare that."

"Got it-ho!"

"We'll bring it right away-ho!"

As the haniwas heard her orders, they sprung into action right away.

They flipped up the tatami mat closest to the front door and jumped into the hole beneath it.

"What will you do, Koutarou?"

"For starters, I'll continue as if what they're saying is true."

"You believe them when they say they're aliens?"

"Yes, they don't seem to be lying."

Koutarou brought his mouth close to Sanae's ear and whispered.

"...Besides, even if it's a lie, those weapons are real."

"...You have a point. They're definitely different from someone like Yurika."

Sanae whispered back and looked at Theia and Ruth. And another reason crossed her mind.

"Hey, Koutarou."

"Hm?"

"Are you believing them because that Ruth girl is your type?"

"Of course not!"

"Really?"

"Of course! ...Well, she is cute, now that you mention it."

"...I am honored... For you to call me c-cute..."

The girl who had consistently maintained a serious face blushed after hearing Koutarou call her cute.

It was only when she made this kind of face that she looked like a girl of age.

"She's got a proper att.i.tude and she's not saying anything strange. There's no reason to doubt her, right?"

"You sound suspicious~ Are you sure it's not because obedient girls are your type? Typical boys~ Just because she's pretty and obedient she's being put on a pedestal~"

"Well, compared to you, anyone would be obedient!"

"...That's true."

Sanae, Yurika, Kiriha, and Theia. The four of them were far away from the word 'obedient'.

"I am truly grateful you believe us, Satomi-sama. I have actually been worried about how to make you believe this part for a while."

"For a while? So you two didn't just arrive today, Ruth-san?"

"That's right."

Ruth nods.

"Actually, we arrived at this planet yesterday evening."

"So, what have you been doing all this time?"

"We were gathering data for a translation device from the conversations in Satomi-sama's room."

While Ruth was explaining, she pulled out a small box and presented it to everyone.

That was the translation device the two were using.

"Now that you mention it, the two of you are speaking in j.a.panese."

"To think this small box can..."

Koutarou and Sanae stared at the box. In order to make it easier for them to look at it, Ruth handed it over to them.

"Because of that, we just about understand everybody's circ.u.mstances. As a result, we ended up eavesdropping on you, and for that I would like to deeply apologize."

"If we can't understand one another, we won't get anywhere, so you don't have to worry about it, Ruth-san."

"Thank you very much, Satomi-sama."

Ruth had been prepared to be resented, so she felt relieved.

"So why did you two come here?"

"That would be our problem..."

Ruth sharpened up; there was no time to be relieved. It was time to get down to business.

"Her Highness Theia came here because of a certain ritual pa.s.sed down through the emperor's family."

"Ritual?"

Kiriha raised her head. Ruth nodded and continued her explanation.

"Yes. A trial is pa.s.sed down onto the empire's successor when he or she turns 16."

"A trial? What kind of trial?"

"They could be all kinds of trials depending on the person. It could be searching for items, exploring an unexplored region, fighting with your destined enemy, and the like. Once they have cleared their trial, they are deemed fit to succeed the throne."

"So it's like a ritual to become an adult?"

"That is correct, Kiriha-sama. If a member of the royal family doesn't display their capabilities, they won't be allowed to succeed the throne, even if they're the emperor's own child."

"So does that mean when she clears her trial, she will become empress?"

"No, that is not the case. Those who clear the trial are recorded in order of time of completion on the list of candidates with the right to succeed the throne. The one on top of the list is crowned emperor."

"In order of when they cleared it... That's how you show your capabilities, huh."

"Yes, that is correct, Satomi-sama."

Ruth nodded.

"Which means you two, or rather, the princess over there came here to clear that trial?"

"That's right."

Theia opened her mouth.

"I have to show my capabilities. For that reason, I came here with Ruth."

"Just the two of you?"

Koutarou was slightly surprised. In his head, royalty usually only traveled with a large entourage.

However, according to her, Ruth was her only companion.

"Yes. I'm showing my capabilities with this trial. That won't be possible with a large group."

"I see. Unless you do it on your own, there won't be a point."

"Precisely."

"So what's the trial? You came from far away, so are you exploring?"

"No. The trial given to her highness is invasion."

"Invasion!?"

"Her Highness Theia must invade this room and rule it in both name and reality."

"W-wait just a minute! Why does it have to be my room!?"

Koutarou was taken aback, and Ruth continued explaining.

"As I believe you are now well aware of, this trial is to show the capabilities of the successor to the throne. Therefore, a real invasion won't be expected. Her Highness has been given coordinates selected at random to a small s.p.a.ce to occupy and make into her own territory. It's merely a ceremony."

"So that s.p.a.ce just happens to be my room!?"

"I know it's hard to believe, but the coordinates the computer selected overlap perfectly with this room."

"What kind of coincidence is that!?"

"We are perplexed by this as well. Normally, the coordinates for this trial are in empty s.p.a.ce. All one usually has to do is place their flag in that s.p.a.ce and it's over. This trial requires extreme courage; one must face the uncertainty of traveling to an unknown location in the vastness of s.p.a.ce."

Ruth had a serious look on her face.

The coordinates the computer would give you had an almost 100% chance of being empty s.p.a.ce. The universe is mostly empty, after all.

Which is why this was the first time coordinates pointing to a habitable planet, with intelligent life on it, had ever been selected.

"So what happens in this case?"

"If intelligent life is found at the invasion point, you don't only have to invade but also make the life found there swear its allegiance. It's a trial to show you are capable of standing above others after all. And of course, taking their life is absolutely out of the question."

"...Which means..."

Having had this thoroughly explained, even Koutarou was able to understand what would happen next.

"With this, even someone at your intelligence level could understand! Swear your loyalty to me right away and relinquish rule of this room to me! If you do so, you shall become a citizen of our glorious empire and be able to enjoy a long and prosperous life."

The 7th princess of the Holy Forthorthe Galactic Empire, Theiamillis Gre Forthorthe.

She was not just trying to invade this room, but also Koutarou's heart.

"I refuuuuse!"

Koutarou's response to Theia, who was demanding his room and his loyalty, was the same as before.

"Who would ever swear loyalty to you!? Don't make me laugh!"

After having his room nearly torn apart, Koutarou did not have a good impression of Theia.

Koutarou could not even imagine swearing loyalty to her.

"d.a.m.n you, Neanderthal! I treat you gently and this is how you repay me!?"

"When did you ever treat me gently!? The only one who ever lowered her head was Ruth!"

Ouch...

Pain shot through Koutarou's head after yelling at Theia.

Maybe I got a bit too excited.

Koutarou shook his head in an attempt to get rid of the headache, but the pain remained along with a heavy sensation in the center of his head.

Koutarou thought it was because he had gotten too excited, but in reality it was because he had been pushing his body so hard for the past few days.

"I won't mind turning you into ashes on the spot!"

"I already know you won't be able to clear your trial like that! Your empty threats mean nothing!"

However, Koutarou quickly forgot about his headache. Theia, who was in front of him, was a much bigger pain.

"Grrrr, the Neanderthal has picked up some unnecessary knowledge..."

"If you weren't with Ruth, I would have kicked you out long ago!"

"What!? Watch your words when speaking to your master!"

"Who is this master!?"

"I am, plebeian! Do I have to keep reminding you!?"

"As if I want to remember, Tulip!"

Neither Koutarou nor Theia was backing down, and they glared at each other intensely.

Their faces drew closer and closer, to the point that if they moved a bit further they would be close enough to kiss.

"Your Highness, Satomi-sama, please calm down. Fighting won't benefit anyone."

"Even if it's Ruth-san's request, I definitely won't listen to this shrimp!"

"You heard him, Ruth! This plebeian won't understand unless we use force! This Neanderthal won't understand the joy of being a Forthorthe citizen!"

Ruth's persuasion didn't work on Koutarou and Theia, who were both far too worked up. However, Ruth wouldn't give up.

"Please! Please, please listen to my selfishness! No matter the outcome the two of you should never fight!"

Ruth was truly worried about the pair of them and it lent power to her words.

"...I understand Ruth. I am sorry."

"This time only. Only because of Ruth-san."

Thankfully, her second attempt reached the two.

They eyed each other discontentedly as they stepped down.

"Thank you, both of you. Thank you so much for listening to me."

Ruth wiped the corner of her eye, quietly relieved.