“So this is… Alka.”
The island, surprisingly, was floating in the sky.
I thought floating islands were found in seas or lakes, but I never expected one to be in the sky…
“Amazing…”
“To think it’d be floating in the sky. And it’s quite vast, too!”
“Right.”
Everyone was astonished, and I was too.
After all, Alka had mountains and lakes.
It had forests and even sprawling grasslands.
If it weren’t for seeing the clouds below, I don’t think I would have believed it.
But the most surprising thing was the cherry trees in full bloom.
They formed what looked like an avenue.
“Let’s head in for now. There’s a torii gate and buildings.”
Upon teleporting, we were greeted by a large vermilion torii gate.
I never expected to see a torii gate, but its presence strongly suggested a shrine or something similar beyond it.
The building in the distance was massive, so I already knew that without stepping inside.
“Huh? Is this a gate?”
“Yes. It’s said to be a barrier connecting the divine realm and the human realm. Not in a magical or engraving-magic sense, but that’s the common belief.”
It was undeniably a gate, but its meaning as an entrance to a sacred area like a shrine was stronger.
Passing through the gate led to a courtyard, part of which resembled a Japanese garden, with a large mansion visible beyond.
“What is this garden? I’ve never seen or heard of anything like it.”
“Is this also the style from Yamato’s world?”
“Yes. Though I think it’s from nearly a thousand years ago.”
It’s the Heian period, so that makes sense, right?
Also, this garden is incredibly vast.
Jade and Fluorite, unable to contain their curiosity, were lounging on an island beyond a vermilion bridge.
Despite both of them being close to four meters long, there was still plenty of space.
“Fluorite and Jade seem to be enjoying themselves and like it here.”
Prim looked happy.
Honestly, I never expected anything like this to exist.
I had intended to build Union House here, but we can now consider this as our base.
The only problem is that it’s too large.
“For now, our familiars can stay in the garden; let’s go inside the mansion.”
“Yes. It’s a bit too large, but it might be possible to make it our Union House.”
Living in such a massive mansion makes me uneasy.
But since we’re going to use it as the Union House for Wing Crest, we probably don’t need to worry too much.
We crossed the vermilion bridge and arrived in front of the mansion.
It looked like it was made of wood, but also stone.
Also, this mansion is five stories high?
And looking closely, it’s a castle.
“It’s huge…”
“It’s amazing… I’ve never seen a mansion like this.”
“It’s similar to traditional architecture from my world. Though there are clear differences.”
“Are there?”
There are.
For one, one of the islands had something like a fountain, resembling a Western-style garden.
I believe the courtyard, in the style of a shinden-zukuri mansion, was modeled after some landscape.
There are connecting covered corridors called watadono, but they seem a bit different here too.
In fact, it’s a subtle blend of Japanese and Western styles, with some parts feeling rather unbalanced.
“More importantly, let’s go inside. I’m really interested in the traditional mansions from Yamato’s world.”
Ludia urged me on, and I was also excited to be here after so long.
But just as I was about to enter, a figure emerged from the central building and bowed towards us.
“Welcome, Master.”
Judging by their not-so-great height and the fairy-like wings on their backs, they all appeared to be fairies.
And why are they all wearing traditional Japanese-modern maid outfits reminiscent of the Taisho Roman era?
“We are Homunculi. We were created by the one who made this sky island Alka, based on fairy halves.”
So they were fairy halves.
But why that way? I recall there were fairies that protected houses.
“Fairy halves? Why not just fairies?”
“I believe there’s a legend in my world about fairies protecting homes.”
“Oh, there’s such a legend?”
Well, the only one I know is the Zashiki-warashi, at least.
They bring happiness to those who see them and protect homes, so it’s unlikely anyone wouldn’t know of them.
“But they’re also mischievous and small, so perhaps they were made to be the same size as humans? I don’t know why fairy halves are the base, though.”
“That is correct. We are called Koropokkuru.”
Koropokkuru, huh?
They are said to be Ainu fairies from Hokkaido.
Since they are said to be quite small, it’s likely they based them on fairy halves to manage this mansion.
Still, if you ask me if just seven people could manage it, I’d say probably not.
“Speaking of which, you said Yamato’s world only had humans, right? It’s true that small fairies would have a hard time managing this mansion.”
“Right. But setting that aside, why are we Masters?”
“Using the transfer circle means someone with the qualifications activated the stone monument.”
I see.
Of course, anyone could have found the stone monument, or perhaps it had already been found.
But just finding it wouldn’t tell you who would come, and it could even be someone malicious.
So, having qualifications, probably as guests, must be the condition.
Wait a minute…
Does that mean, *I’m* the Master?
“So you’ve been waiting for Yamato all this time?”
“That is correct.”
Prim seemed to have the same question, but the Koropokkuru standing in the center stated it plainly.
Seriously?
“This is hardly the place, but please, allow us to guide you inside.”
Ah, it seems they’re going to let me into the castle.
I’m curious about the castle, but even more about the conversation, so I’ll graciously accept their guidance.
The interior of the castle is also a mix of Japanese and Western styles, but leans more towards the Western side.
The Helios Orb also leans that way, so I don’t feel any particular discomfort.
“Forgive my manners. My name is Silly. I am in charge of overseeing the Koropokkuru.”
After being served tea in what appeared to be a reception room within the castle, the Koropokkuru began introducing themselves.
It seems this Koropokkuru, Silly, is their leader.
She has long blonde hair and a calm demeanor, but her ears seem slightly pointed, so she might be a half-elf.
“My name is Kanto. I am in charge of managing the wildlands and mountains.”
This one has greenish blonde hair cut in a very short style.
They seem lively, and their role in managing the wilderness aligns with their appearance.
With squirrel ears and a tail, they’re likely a fairy half-Ardili.
“My name is Atuy. I am in charge of managing the lake.”
This one with blue, semi-long hair has scales on their arms, so they are probably a water sprite.
Given their role in managing the lake, it’s fitting.
“My name is Rera. I am in charge of managing the mansion.”
This one has the longest hair, neatly tied up.
They look like a half-human, and their black hair is quite approachable.
“My name is Nonno. She is in charge of managing the ranch.”
With bright red short hair and dog ears, she’s probably a half-Ulfy.
This child is likely lively too.
“My name is Conrull. I am in charge of managing magical tools.”
This smallest one with light brown hair in two buns is probably a half-dwarf.
It’s fitting for someone in charge of magical tools.
“My name is Kina. She is in charge of managing the fields.”
Silver hair in twin tails, this one.
She is the tallest, with horns and a tail that suggest a dragon, so she’s likely a half-Dragonewt.
“I am Yamato Hydrangea Mikami.”
“I’m Primrose Hydrangea Mikami, Prim is fine.”
“My name is Lydia Highwind.”
“I’m Ludia Highwind!”
Since they introduced themselves, we reciprocated.
It’s fascinating that there’s a ranch, fields, and even magical tools; it piques my interest further.
“There’s quite a lot of things here. But this island, Alka, who made it?”
“Yes. To create something like this, even an O-rank Crafter would struggle. But this island is floating in the sky. I’m very curious about who made it.”
Prim and Lydia were very curious about the creator of this island.
I understand their feelings, and I feel the same.
“I apologize, but at this time, we cannot answer your question about who created it.”
“You say ‘at this time,’ does that mean you will eventually be able to tell me?”
“Only if Master meets the conditions.”
Me?
And what are those conditions?
“We cannot answer that either. However, we can tell you when Alka was created.”
I’m curious about who created it, but I’m also curious about when it was created.
It might also serve as a hint, so I should ask about that first.
“Alright then, when was Alka created?”
“224 years ago. It was constructed in haste due to a major incident that threatened the Helios Orb.”
224 years ago.
A major incident threatened the Helios Orb, which means I need to investigate what happened around that time.
“224 years ago, huh? Wasn’t the first guest around that time?”
Just as I thought that, Ludia tilted her head and replied thoughtfully.
Is that so?
“I believe so. However, that person had only evolved to High Class and lived out their life as a Crafter.”
A Crafter, I see.
The Helios Orb has considerable knowledge of Earth, but if the first guest was also a Crafter, then things started getting passed down around that time, and simultaneously, improvements in living environments and the like were made.
After that, Kazushi, Yukari, Shinichi, Souya, and Sayuri would have arrived. There should have been others too, perhaps some I knew.
I doubt one person could have made all these improvements, but if there were multiple people, it’s a different story.
Right, I should ask about that too.
“About the inscription on the stone monument, what are the qualifications? Also, this building is in the style of my former country. I haven’t visited every country, but this must be unusual, right?”
“We can answer part of that question. Alka and this Hinomoto Mansion were created for guests. Therefore, the qualification is simply being a guest.”
So that’s how it is.
But weren’t we the first ones to come here?
There were many guests, yet none managed to reach the stone monument.
Given the presence of not only high-rank monsters, but even Catastrophe Species and Demise Species, it was naturally impossible.
“That too was decided by the one who created Alka. As it concerned the survival of the Helios Orb, it was a grave matter.”
As they said before, when it concerns a grave matter that threatens the survival of the Helios Orb, one would need sufficient power to deal with monsters.
It’s absurd, but when they talk about world survival, I have no choice but to accept it.
“Can you not tell us about this ‘grave matter that threatens the survival of the Helios Orb’?”
“I apologize, but we cannot answer that either unless Master meets the conditions.”
Me again.
Given that Alka was made for guests and is involved in the survival of the Helios Orb, I can understand why they cannot speak freely…
“However, this much I can tell you. While it is a threat to survival, the world will not perish tomorrow. It is predicted that we have about 300 more years.”
I’m not sure if this is good news or bad news.
300 years from now, I’ll likely be dead.
However, among my fiancées, only Athena is still alive, and if a Dragonewt child is born between her and me, that child would also be alive.
This means I absolutely must meet the conditions and find out about this grave matter.
“Regarding that grave matter, what must I do to be told?”
“You must defeat beings that should not exist in the Helios Orb. There are quite a number of them, so we do not ask you to defeat all of them. However, without at least those capable of defeating such beings, the destruction of the Helios Orb cannot be prevented.”
Beings that should not exist?
Normally, this would be confusing, but we have an idea.
“Are those beings by any chance the Demon Race?”
“Did you know?”
As expected.
This means the Abyssal Emperor is likely involved in this grave matter.
“It’s not that I *knew*, but due to various circumstances, I ended up defeating one of the demons. Another one who tried to become a demon in a different location was apprehended before transforming.”
This refers to the former Duke Narlstadt, who betrayed Amister, and high hunters Lux and Valentia. Since they used Demon Crystals, they are undoubtedly connected.
“You have already defeated one? In that case, we can disclose a little more information.”
So, one condition is cleared.
I don’t know how many conditions there will be to hear the full story, but since demons are considered beings that should not exist, I should be able to get the information soon.
“The Demon Crystals that create demons were developed by the Divine Emperor of the Abyssal Empire. This Abyssal Divine Emperor is the first guest, and they are still alive today. By using Demon Crystals to fall into demonhood, they have been alive until now.”
So, the true identity of the Abyssal Divine Emperor is revealed here.
I did suspect the Divine Emperor might be a guest, but I never imagined they were still alive.
“Furthermore, the Divine Emperor can manipulate events through a method different from magic. That method is called Engraving Magic.”
“Engraving Magic!?”
And an Engraver too?
“They are like me, and they’ve even become a demon. This is certainly a grave matter.”
I tell Silly that I am an Engraver and can use Engraving Magic, just like the Divine Emperor.
She seemed surprised, and I’ve been in a state of constant surprise myself.
“Then, Master, are you also able to generate weapons?”
“Yes, I can. Does that mean the Divine Emperor is also a ‘generator’?”
“I have never heard the term ‘generator’ before, but it seems so. I understand they generate swords.”
“Only that?”
“Yes.”
Only swords?
Swords mean they are a weapon type, but if it’s only that, they might not be a dual engraver like me.
However, with the monstrous Engraving Tool called Multi-Attribute Specialization Type, I can’t be too sure.
“Is there anything else you cannot speak about yet?”
“I apologize, but there is.”
As expected.
But I now understand what I need to do and what needs to be done.
“So, to save the Helios Orb from destruction, I need to defeat the Abyssal Divine Emperor?”
“That seems to be the case. And since they are an Engraver like myself, I cannot be uninvolved.”
I don’t know what the Divine Emperor is thinking, but having attacked the Philia Continent before, they likely have a common goal of world domination.
But since they are from the same world as me and have been doing as they please for over 200 years, they are undoubtedly a terrible person.
Furthermore, they’ve even become a demon, so the word “Demon Lord” truly fits them.
Given that they are from the same world, I should be the one to finally put an end to them.
