Side: Maoh
It has been three days since my husband Asuka and I arrived in Helios Orb.
Our youngest son, Yamato, suddenly went missing. After looking into it, we discovered he had been swallowed by a large white snake. It’s been a whirlwind ever since.
The snake’s corpse was found, but Yamato wasn’t inside, nor was there any sign of digestion.
Before that, the snake had no internal organs, so at first, I couldn’t understand what was happening.
However, Failnaught and Caladbolg sensed a strange magic, so I asked a senior who married one of the Seven Imperial Masters of Australia for help. We investigated thoroughly.
The conclusion was that Yamato had been transported to another world, which caused quite a stir.
This information is kept secret among the Seven Imperial Masters, but I suspect it’s already leaked.
Knowing this, Asuka and I decided to go to Helios Orb to help Yamato. We left the shrine in the care of our eldest son and daughter, got help from our seniors, and used four Engraving Divine Artifacts – Caladbolg, Failnaught, Excalibur, and Karis – through the snake’s corpse to come to this world called Helios Orb.
I was able to track Yamato’s imprint, or rather, his magic power, so I could get close to him. But to my surprise, there was a war going on, and Yamato was in danger.
He was severely injured, but my best friend, Mako, who had also been transported to Helios Orb, healed him instantly with her healing magic. I was surprised but relieved.
I was surprised Mako was alive, but even more surprised that she was married to Yamato.
I was further astonished to learn that he had twelve wives, including Mako, and I couldn’t help but press him for details.
Seeing my daughter Saki and learning that I had become a grandmother filled me with mixed emotions, a sense of accomplishment alongside a touch of melancholy.
But because of this, I understood that Yamato had no intention of returning with us, and as a mother, I feel lonely.
Yamato was always destined to leave home eventually, and I couldn’t possibly separate him from his wives and children, so even though it’s not what I imagined, I have to celebrate Yamato’s future.
Still, it pains me to think we may never see each other again, so I intend to communicate with Yamato thoroughly until we return to Japan.
Oh, I did encounter a template at the Hunter’s Guild and ended up causing trouble for many people by finding it amusing. Since then, I’ve been strictly self-restrained.
Today, we are invited to Amagi Castle, a castle built inside an enormous tree, to have an audience with the Celestial Emperor who rules the continent of Philia, where Yamato and the others live.
The Celestial Emperor is also looking forward to meeting us, but this is my first time meeting royalty, so I don’t know anything about etiquette or manners.
Yamato taught me, but his sister Mana and Yuri said not to worry too much, which put me at ease.
Nevertheless, etiquette is necessary, so I was taught the minimum requirements.
Before us sat Emperor Reinhardt Ray Amister of the Amister-Philias Federation Celestial Empire, of the Celestial Emperor’s Family, waiting in the reception room, a private space within the Celestial Emperor’s Family’s residence, rather than the Audience Chamber, as it was an informal meeting. I can’t believe this place is inside a tree.
“Thank you for coming such a long way.”
“Thank you for the invitation. I am grateful for the care you have shown my son.”
“We are the ones who are always helped by your son. Please, have a seat.”
“Yes, thank you.”
At His Majesty’s invitation, Asuka and I took our seats in the chairs provided.
“Allow me to introduce my consorts: Elis, Maruca, and Ciel.”
The Celestial Empresses stood, lightly plucked their skirts, and gave graceful bows. It was like something out of a fairy tale, and I was truly moved.
However, from what I heard beforehand, both the Celestial Emperor and the Celestial Empresses are Hunters, and they don’t have guards when they are pursuing their activities. From our perspective, that seems dangerous. They are said to have evolved into the Ancient Class, making them stronger than any mere guard, so minor skirmishes are apparently not a problem.
“And this is my great-grandmother, Sayuri. She is from the same world as yourselves, but I understand she is from several decades prior.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Sayuri Reina Amister. Welcome, we welcome you with all our hearts.”
She was a young woman in a short black-haired Japanese dress, but Sayuri is 108 years old. I was surprised because she had the same name as one of my friends, but my friend is a school teacher in Japan, so it’s just a coincidence of names. Still, she doesn’t look 108 at all. I’m envious.
“Thank you. We are indebted to all of you for the help you have provided our son.”
“Not at all. Without him, this country, and indeed the continent, would likely have been engulfed in war by now, and we would have had no means to defend against the recent Demon Race invasion.”
“I had heard the stories, but I still find it hard to believe that my son has done so much.”
Asuka is strict with our son. He’s usually not like that, but when it comes to Engraving Magic or combat, he doesn’t tolerate any compromises. That’s why Yamato has been diligently learning swordsmanship since he was a child. Even so, as the youngest, and with only older childhood friends, he was doted on quite a bit. My best friend, who works as a teacher, was particularly fond of Yamato because she never had children. She insisted she would follow him if he went missing. We managed to get her to give up because even using the four Engraving Divine Artifacts, it was all my and Asuka’s transfer could manage.
“Your father may think so, but that’s precisely why. He performed remarkably from the moment he transferred to Helios Orb, and he credited your training for it.”
“I am humbled. However, my son is still inexperienced, so I intend to train him until we return.”
“That’s wonderful. I would even like to request a training session from you myself.”
They said it might happen, but this Celestial Emperor actually said that! Asuka would agree to something like that, but he won’t hold back! He always says that you can’t get stronger without pushing your limits, and that’s how we always were.
“If you wish. However, I will not hold back.”
“That’s even better.”
So, it’s come to this. Mana, who is accompanying us, looks resigned, and the Celestial Empresses have the same look on their faces, so they must have known this would happen.
“I apologize for interrupting, Elder Brother. Do you have no intention of reconsidering?”
“Why?”
“Yamato and the others also receive training from Father, but even with all five of them – Yamato, Meena, Athena, Lydia, and Ludia – they couldn’t even scratch him, let alone lay a finger on him.”
“…Is that so?”
“He shows promise, but he is still young, so his attacks were predictable. Others wanted to join, but I had to kindly decline as they are pregnant.”
Indeed, his attacks were predictable. There were others, perhaps the Falcon’s? They also expressed interest, and I faced them, but they were easily parried. I know Asuka’s level, so I wasn’t discouraged, but rather, the difference in strength was too great.
“To bypass an Ancient Class so easily… No, precisely because of that, I must ask.”
Wow, he’s gotten even more motivated! I’m sure he’ll hold back, but he might get hurt, so I think it would be better to ask Mako to come along. I suppose there are people with healing magic at the castle, but Mako has also evolved into something called an Element Human, so her magic should be highly effective.
“Understood. Also, I have a request to make at this time.”
“A request?”
“Yes. We intend to return to our original world eventually. However, my son has decided to remain in this world. Therefore, to that end, I wish to liberate Enigma Island.”
“You intend to liberate Enigma Island, which means… are you planning to defeat Nidhogg?”
“Yes. There is not much I can do for my son who will remain in this world. Also, I heard that there might be a Divine Metal Mine on that island, didn’t you? My sword was broken, so I would like to liberate the island and have a sword made from the Divine Metal that is said to be there.”
Even if opposed, Asuka will defeat the dragon called Nidhogg. There’s no guarantee of a Divine Metal Mine, but we won’t know unless we try to liberate it. If it’s not there, then so be it. However, as long as Nidhogg exists, investigations are impossible, and if it’s gone, the nearby seas will be safer than they are now, so that alone is worthwhile. I also want to do something, so I’ll think carefully about what I can do.
“That is… No, you can do it, can’t you?”
“I cannot say for sure without seeing it, but probably so. My son and the members of Falcon’s have said that it would be easy for me.”
Nidhogg is said to be similar to the Red Dragon and Burning Dragon that Asuka defeated recently, and their sizes are almost the same, so I am absolutely confident I can win. I am a little worried because it is a dragon that can easily destroy a country, a Demise Species, but I cannot imagine Asuka losing.
“I see. I would like to request that as well. In that case, I will make time, so may I observe?”
“You said you would come, even though you were told His Majesty would say so?”
“Of course. There are not many opportunities to witness the battle of the one who is also a teacher to Yamato.”
“The members of Falcon’s also said the same thing. If Your Majesty wishes, I have no reason to refuse.”
So, it’s like this. But as Yamato and the others said, I don’t think Asuka’s fighting style is very useful for the people of Helios Orb. I can’t talk either, but I think he’ll finish it quickly to avoid unnecessary damage.
“Thank you. In that case, I will talk to Yamato and arrange for it as soon as possible.”
“Elder Brother, you need to inform Emperor Glisina of Alegria as well, don’t you?”
“I know. But it is a guaranteed subjugation, and the benefits for Alegria will be great. She will surely agree.”
That’s right. I think it would be fine to subjugate it without permission, but if it’s perceived as underestimating Alegria, the now unified situation on the Philia Continent could become unstable. We need to avoid that, so if we don’t properly inform the king of that country, we’ll be stuck with unnecessary problems. The instant teleportation magic called Traveling is also a big help. I can’t do instant teleportation on Earth, and there are many other spells I can’t use, so life in Helios Orb is convenient. I wish I could move here.
However, Asuka is one of the Seven Imperial Masters, and there are matters of our family, so I have to give up on that. It’s a shame, but for us, Helios Orb is, in a sense, a dream land. We will have a pleasant dream until we return. So, Yamato, until then, please allow your father and mother to have their final filial act of kindness, okay?
Thank you for reading this year.
I will be posting again tomorrow.
