My battle ended in an unsatisfactory way. However, thanks to the emergence of a new threat, that dissatisfaction has re-emerged as a more desirable outcome. If Maria is willing, there might be opportunities to fight the magical creatures, Ponytail and Katana-ko, again.
“Oh, by the way, I’ve run out of stored blood, so I can’t make Spring and Summer anymore~?”
…Perhaps, it was somewhat unsatisfactory after all.
Still, if I’m going to fight them again, I’d rather fight the originals than the fakes. I haven’t seen their true forms, only their shadowy silhouettes, but they both looked no older than their teens, younger than me. And yet, they possessed such combat sense. I really want to experience their true power next time.
With that in mind, there’s something I want to ask that I forgot to ask earlier. The sudden intruder, Katsuragi Kuon, was it? Her characteristics matched Spring so perfectly that I suspect she might be the original. …I recall her mentioning something about being a mother of three, or a fellow mom, earlier. No, dear, you look no older than a teenager at best. Not even high school age, you could pass for a middle schooler. While it would be one thing if I had evolved and my lifespan had extended, for you to be like that naturally is just a joke, right? I cautiously ask.
“Oh, you’re saying such a nice thing to an old woman like me. It’s true I have three children, and I’m definitely well into my thirties. You ask if I have a long lifespan? No, no, humans live to be about a hundred at most, right? I aim to be active my whole life, but I can’t expect to live beyond that.”
“Wh-what!? Seriously…?”
From what I heard, she hasn’t gone through any particular evolutionary process and maintains her current form as a human. What’s more, the part about having three children seems to be true, with her eldest already in high school. And it turns out that eldest child, her first daughter, is actually the original of Spring, and they are often mistaken for sisters. Haha, I don’t even know what to make of this anymore.
“Incidentally, I have seven children~!! They all resemble me, and they’re all cute girls~! Yay!”
“………”
Maria’s outlandish statement leaves me speechless. Well, I knew she wasn’t her apparent age. I knew it, but hearing it spoken aloud again makes me dizzy.
…Ah, but perhaps the strength of those daughters is also inherited from Maria? If that’s the case, I might be curious to meet them, or maybe not.
“Kelvin, I have a bad feeling about this, so don’t. They’re definitely not decent girls, just like him.”
As I was thinking that, Kelvum warned me with a solemn expression. He looked somewhat tired; I wonder if something happened during the battle? And, doesn’t he smell like alcohol?
“Don’t worry about me. More importantly, this entire floating continent is about to land in the sea soon. Aren’t you going to contact your allies?”
“We’ve been communicating via telepathy, so that’s fine. Sera and the others are actually enjoying a swim and free diving in the sea directly below with the Ten Authorities.”
“Is that so? If so, that’s good— Wait! What are you doing playing around at a time like this?! Who are they?!”
Well, they’re the Ten Authorities.
“Um, I believe she’s a barrier user named Isabel?”
“Isaaabeeeelllllll—!!!!”
Kelvum screams towards the sea. Yeah, he’s definitely quite drunk. No wonder he smells like alcohol.
And so, the banquet in the spectator seats, where such drunkards were rampant, has also come to an end… Well, what should we do from here? While things have settled down on relatively friendly terms, Adams has been revived, and vampires from another dimension and fellow moms have been summoned. It’s actually an unexpected situation. I welcome it, of course, but I can’t prioritize only my own desires.
“The banquet is in full swing, but the battle is over, so let’s wrap things up. Regarding what to do next, as promised to Rukil and Kelvum, I intend to hold a discussion. Does anyone have any objections?”
“I’m fine with that~. Though, Rukil might need some rest for a while. Quon, can you use any healing magic?”
“Unfortunately, I’m outside my field of expertise~. It would have been good if Chinatsu were here.”
“Kelvum would have agreed to that, I presume? Then I have no objections. I was sealed away for countless ages; there’s no need to rush things now.”
“Isaaabeeeelllllll—!!!!”
Kelvum, the very person who agreed, still seems to be under the influence of alcohol… At least it didn’t devolve into an immediate conflict— No, it’s good. Yes, it’s good, it’s good. It should be good in general.
Alright, I’ve secured a verbal agreement from both sides. While there’s the question of whether a verbal promise can be trusted, Adams and Maria’s goals aren’t to destroy our world. Adams and Kelvum aim to overthrow the gods and invade other worlds for that purpose, while Maria and Kuon merely wish to travel to other worlds. Well, their employer (?) Rukil has the goal of restoring Mel to her position as the Reincarnated Goddess, but thanks to Shutra’s power, they won’t do anything rash at least until discussions begin. So, for now, I don’t believe there’s any immediate harm. Of course, we need to monitor them, and we must be fully mindful of the fate of the remaining Ten Authorities other than Kelvum.
“The Ten Authorities captured in this disturbance will be under our care until the discussion. We will guarantee their food, clothing, and shelter, and they will not cause harm from now on. Adams, Kelvum, is that acceptable?”
“You defeated Eld and the others, did you not? Then that is the victor’s right. Do as you please.”
“However, depending on the outcome of the discussion, we will consider their release, Kelvun! …Ugh.”
Kelvum suddenly covers his mouth. Hey, don’t throw up! Don’t throw up here!?
“And Maria, do you need any help recovering Rukil? If you do, I can heal him myself, and I can arrange for medical facilities.”
“In that case, I’ll ask you to help with the recovery. Oh, but don’t worry about what happens afterward~. While you were fighting, I asked Shin’s older sister for various things.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes, that’s how it is, Kelvin-kun. Leave the accommodation during your stay and matters concerning Maria-chan and the others to me. Oh, and apparently, this Pat-something is also joining Maria-chan’s group. Adams has given his permission, so you can rest assured about that.”
“Adams has given his permission. I am grateful for this miracle.”
Pat-something… Ah, the last of the Ten Authorities. Maria and Adams’s appearances were more impactful, so I’d completely forgotten about their existence. However, unlike the unconscious Rukil, this one is perfectly energetic. Their recovery power seems quite good.
“Understood. I’ll leave Maria-chan’s group to Boss Shin. Adams and Kelvum, what will you do?”
“Hmm, well then… We will—”
“Ugh, urrrghhhhhh……”
“—first go to the restroom.”
“…Yes, I think that’s for the best.”
Ah, it turned out this way after all. Although it’s on the verge of crashing, I honestly wanted to avoid being naked and throwing up rainbows in Mel’s hometown… I should bring him some hangover medicine later, yes…
