The cover for Volume 1 has been revealed on the Overlap Bunko website.
The author is so happy with the result, they’re doing a victory pose.
***
Delamis Orphanage
Even with all the explanations, there’s still too little information about the first sister. Her name hasn’t even come up yet.
“So, what did Colette tell Silvia? If the Sister who built this orphanage up so admirably disappeared, it would surely become a topic of gossip, right?”
“Not at all. I started helping at this orphanage after it was renovated and Sister Mulligan took over management. She wasn’t here at the time… and I didn’t pay much attention back then either, so I just told Silvia I didn’t know. I did some research after returning to Delamis, but everyone who knew Sister well only said she was resting somewhere…”
“Resting?”
“Yes, it seems she wasn’t feeling well. I heard that Silvia and Emma continued to correspond with her using a magic item that allowed simple written communication even after she disappeared. I didn’t hear the details, but the last time they were able to contact her was two years ago. Silvia and the others said they didn’t know what happened after that.”
“So that’s why she quit the Knights… By the way, did you find out the Sister’s name?”
“It’s Ellen. Sister Ellen.”
…Ellen, I still don’t recognize the name. Given the reason that she was resting, I don’t think Silvia and Emma would be desperately searching for Sister Ellen. The only thing that comes to mind is that magic item. I’m curious about what was written in their last exchange.
“Oh, are you talking about Sister Ellen?”
Did Mulligan overhear my secret conversation with Colette? She asked.
“Yes, I heard she was a wonderful person who founded this orphanage. Unfortunately, Colette never met her directly.”
Convenient, in a way. If she had met her, she might know something.
“We happened to be switching over.”
“What kind of person was she?”
“Let me see. She was accomplished in both civil and military arts. Even as a woman, I was captivated by her beauty. She was strict yet kind, and filled with compassion. She seemed to be frail at times, but she taught Runoa swordsmanship and Ashley magic, who were the first to live at the orphanage. Sometimes she even had them switch subjects… Perhaps it was Sister Ellen’s teaching methods, or perhaps the two had talent, but they steadily grew in strength and have now joined the Knights. No, they must have been overflowing with talent. Runoa, in particular, had a large appetite and ate everything deliciously—”
She went on and on with praise. A perfect, flawless superhuman. For some reason, she shifted to boasting about Silvia and Emma halfway through, so I’ll skip that. She doesn’t seem to have the information we’re looking for. However, I feel a bit of Gerad’s disposition in this person.
“You’re only talking to Colette, and that’s unfair. Pay a little attention to me too.”
“You were just engrossed in sweets…”
While Shutra was eating cookies like a squirrel, Melfina tugged at my sleeve.
“Well, well, you do eat excellently. It reminds me of Runoa…”
I’ll set aside Sister Mulligan, who shed a tear.
Looking at the table, the cookie plate was empty. Not even crumbs were left. I’d guess that she ran out of things to eat, became bored, and became envious of me talking to Colette, thus wanting to join the conversation. Well, that’s probably how it went. Mel, eating neatly is something to be praised, but these are sweets for everyone to share. But it’s impressive that you managed with such a small amount. You even gave one to Shutra, you’ve grown!
“Um, Kelvin and Mel… are you two a couple?”
“We are. We’re not engaged yet, but we sleep in the same bed.”
“Wha—!?”
Church, church, this is it! In the very church that worships her, what crazy bomb are you dropping now, Goddess!? Besides, you’re just sleeping next to me unceremoniously. Thanks to you, my danger perception ability is improving daily.
“That’s a shame. I mistakenly thought that the priestess, who was in love with the divine statue, had finally found her spring. It was the first time a priestess brought a man, and you were calling him by his given name.”
“Sister Mulligan, we are a couple bound by a strong bond, so there’s no room for me. There’s no mistake about trusting each other more than anyone else.”
“I love my big brother and big sister too!”
“You, let’s get ready for the ceremony.”
“Oh my, what a sinful person you are.”
Ignoring my panic, they continued talking with calm faces, along with the innocent Shutra. I was bewildered by their unexpected reactions, which were both heartwarming and made me rely on them. Among them, the one who spoke most faithfully to her desires was the Goddess, which also made me uneasy. The murmur “No way!” from the window was my only salvation. Thank you, Sister Attra, who was peeking.
“Kelvin, can you hear me?”
“Y-yes…”
I replied with a slightly intimidated tone. The telepathic message was from Ange.
“Huh? Kelvin, are you not feeling well?”
“It’s a long story…”
“Oh! Should big sister comfort you?”
What is she planning? What is she going to do? I answered that I’d ask her later if it was a joke, and moved on to the main topic.
“So, is this a report on your investigation?”
“Y-yes, this is the first report. Um, this is still information withheld from the public, but it seems confirmed, so I’m telling you. The hero of Delamis is supposed to return tomorrow.”
***
Delamis – A Certain Park
After confirming that there were no more believers in the vicinity, we said goodbye to the sisters of the orphanage and came to a meadow near the center of Delamis. It’s more like a natural park. Well, it’s an incredibly vast park, as expected of a city in this location.
“Shutra-chan, I haven’t seen that doll of yours yet. It’s huge enough to look up to, is it a new creation from Trisen?”
“Hehe, isn’t it nice~? Efil-oneechan made it for me. Look, it’s so fluffy!”
“May I touch it? Then, with your permission… Oh, it’s much fluffier than I expected…!”
Melphina and I, sitting on a bench, watched the two embrace Georgius affectionately. While the difference in their outward appearance makes them look like sisters now, they were called the “Golden Wise Woman” and the “Silver Saint” when Shutra and Colette attended the Western Continent academy, and they were always competing for the top grades. Through that connection, the two became close, and even though they were from different countries, they became best friends.
The reason we stopped by this natural park was partly to give the two some time—but the main reason was that I wanted to talk to Mel. The heroes of Delamis, Touya and Setsuna, are returning. This is confirmed information from Ange. It’s unlikely to be wrong.
“If Touya and the others are coming back, they’ll probably return to their original world—Japan, right?”
“Yes, that’s why they were trying to defeat the Demon King.”
“You forcefully brought them here, Mel. While it’s a common story pattern, thinking about it calmly, it’s a terrible thing.”
“Are you being oddly harsh? I regret it too. Those who wish to come, rather than those who are made to. If I had searched meticulously and assessed their aptitude, I wouldn’t have involved Touya and the others…”
I peered up at Melfina’s downcast face. The angle of her eyebrows, the shimmer in her eyes, the shape of her lips—yes, it seems she’s truly reflecting.
“Well, you seemed to be enjoying yourself anyway, so it’s fine, isn’t it? Especially Miyabi, she was truly happy from the bottom of her heart.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. She’s not good at expressing her emotions, but she’s honest with herself. I can tell, as she directed hatred at me. So, for the last time, send her off yourself. Thank her properly.”
Melfina nodded silently. It’s okay. Even if, by some chance, something goes wrong, Colette will do her best to fix it, and I’ll cover for her. It won’t end with a bad result.
“…But, don’t you think it wouldn’t be too much to have one last match? They’ve probably grown too.”
“I think it’s wonderful that you can always show your true feelings. However, whether there’s a penalty depends on me, God. Let’s settle this with a meal at the back alley’s famous restaurant in Delamis South Ward, ‘White Dew Falls.’ Refills are free, of course.”
We naturally took each other’s hands. It was a moment when our ironclad bond grew even stronger.
“Shutra-chan, look. It’s the most beautiful sight in the world. It’s too dazzling for me to look directly at…”
“Huh? Uh, yeah…?”
