Several days have passed since Rion and the others enrolled in Lumiest. I’m constantly worried – are they doing well there? Are they struggling with the changes in their environment? Are they getting along with their peers? Are they properly rejecting any overly forward male students? As if to shake off these worries, I’ve been pouring my energy into providing specialized martial arts and magic training to Suzu and the others, and into having them gain practical experience in the S-Rank Dungeon “Grim Reaper’s Dining Table,” where I once met Shinjir. However, the vague feelings in my heart haven’t disappeared, and that’s how things are now.
“Ku, those guys in front of me are growing well and nicely, yet I can’t enjoy it from the bottom of my heart! Daughter loss, sister loss, culminates here! Just as I was in such distress, a telepathic message flew in. It was precisely the voices of those I desired most right now. Yes, it was from Rion and Kuromel! So, my little sisters and daughters were thinking the same thing!”
“—And that’s what happened, the contents of the Divine Pillar had disappeared. But Bel-chan and the student council president pulled some strings, and the academy will cooperate secretly! Graham-kun, who is from an orphanage, also seemed to have been subtly asked by Sister Ellen to investigate, and he told me a lot about the Divine Pillar.”
“The meeting was scheduled for late at night, so I fell asleep at that time. It was undeserved… ”
“Hahaha. Bel-chan predicted that and didn’t call Kuromel. Despite everything, she did care.”
“I-I’m not that much of a child, so I’ll try my best to stay awake next time! I’ll definitely participate next time too!”
“That’s the spirit, that’s the spirit. Hey, Older Kel? Are you listening properly?”
“Ah… yeah…”
What is this? It seems they didn’t contact me out of loneliness or anything like that, but simply to report on the Divine Pillar, which was what I requested. But I’m satisfied just hearing their voices!
And so, the father-in-law-like behavior ends here. The lack of contents in the Divine Pillar, and the culprit who caused it, are also important events that directly affect Rion and the others’ academy lives. Some sort of countermeasure is essential, and it’s admirable that Bel took the lead.
“It seems several days have passed since you confirmed the Divine Pillar, but has anything changed since then?”
“Hmm, from my perspective, nothing in particular? School lectures are being held as scheduled, my classmates and seniors are acting as usual, and I haven’t seen any suspicious people. How about you, Kuromel?”
“I have the same impression. Even without its contents, the Divine Pillar exists as a monument, and there’s no uproar. Bel-san also stated that there are no similar presences within the academy other than the empty Divine Pillar, and that… ”
“So, no concrete plan of action at the moment, huh? In that case, we should assume it has already left the academy… Ah, right. What are the contents of Lumiest’s Divine Pillar? You know, the other Divine Pillars had something they were based on, right? Like wolves or dragons. If we knew what the disappeared contents looked like, it would help our investigation outside the academy. Graham-kun, who was recommended by Traage? Since he’s receiving instructions from the former Apostle Elearis and Sister Ellen, surely he’d know something like that?”
“Um, well…”
Both of them stammered. What’s wrong?
“It seems that even Ellen-san, who created the Divine Pillar, doesn’t know what Lumiest’s Divine Pillar looked like when it activated, Papa.”
“What, really?”
“Yes, that’s how it is. Graham-kun told me that the Divine Pillars created in various parts of the world were initially planted in their locations like seeds. Then, over many years, they were grown, and their contents evolved into forms suitable for that land.”
“Oh, I see. That’s why Gaun is beast-like, and even though I haven’t seen it yet, Traage is a whale.”
“Yes–”
“And, the Divine Pillars in lands other than Lumiest seem to have activated their power as Divine Pillars at least once before, and their sub-god contents have fought…”
“But?”
“It seems that only Lumiest’s Divine Pillar has never exercised its power after its creation. So, even Ellen, who was a god in the past, has no idea what form Lumiest’s Divine Pillar has evolved into now… I think Mama probably has the same opinion.”
“Ah, I see.”
Sister Ellen during the Elearis era installed the Divine Pillars, but perhaps there have been no Demon King disturbances around Lumiest until now. That might be why it was considered important by various countries as a peaceful land, and an Academy City where the upper class gathers was born…
“Mel, is there anything you can point out with the current information?”
“Mogumogumogumogu!”
…I see, that’s pretty much what I thought. It seems Graham-kun’s information is not wrong.
“Um, did I just hear some loud chewing sounds?”
“Ah, we’re just having lunch right now. Mel stuffed his mouth full of food, so the chewing sounds must have leaked into the telepathic communication. So, I translated it from the chewing sounds.”
“Older Kel, you’ve finally acquired such a skill…”
“That’s an amazing skill…!”
Still, investigating with absolutely no hints is tough. I think they’ve gotten much stronger by defeating six of them, so maybe it’s faster to look for strong monsters around Lumiest? If I take Suzu and the others on an outdoor training trip around the Western Continent, it would be two birds with one stone for investigation and Death March— Alright, let’s do that.
“Okay, I understand the current situation. Leave the investigation outside of Lumiest to me. I’ll also subtly alert the Guild President, a former Apostle, and some acquaintances.”
“Thanks, Older Kel!”
“You’re so reliable, Papa.”
“Pah, it’s just doing what’s natural. By the way, how are your academy lives, you two—”
“—Ah, the next lecture is about to start! Well then, Older Kel, I’ll contact you again! Bye-bye!”
“Papa, I must also excuse myself. Please tell Mama to chew her food properly before swallowing. Well then.”
Just as I was about to get into the main topic, the telepathic communication was cut off at an inconvenient time. Damn, I was curious about their academy lives too, not just the Divine Pillar…!
“Master Kelvin, your expression changed rapidly and you looked dejected in the end, are you alright?”
“Oh, Master Kelvin can make that kind of face too.”
“Hmm! I saw something rare!”
“Master Kelvin, are you feeling unwell!? Should we call a doctor, Master!?”
…By the way, this is the main hall of Kingfisher Inn, our current base of operations. After I worked Suzu and the others until they collapsed, I’m feeding them the delicious food here to ensure they get enough nutrition. But for some reason, they’ve all started calling me “Master.” It’s probably, no, it’s definitely Suzu’s fault. Honestly, I wish she’d stop, but it feels too late.
“Kelvin-kun, Kelvin-kun.”
“Hm? What is it, Ange?”
From next to Mel, who was stuffing his mouth with food, Ange poked her head out.
“I think not only the leaders of the three major pub adventurers, but also their party members are here… Is it my illusion? Isn’t this way more crowded than planned?”
“Gya-gya-gya”
“N-no, if I’m going to train them, I thought it would be more balanced to train the whole party…”
“Gee.”
“I-I’ll definitely take care of them and make them strong!”
“Sigh, why are you picking up strays like you’re picking up abandoned puppies…”
Paul’s party, a total of six members. Odd Radds’ party, a total of two members. Shinjir’s party, a total of two members, have newly joined.
