We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The entangling of the ancient threads.
“To think the end of this commotion is the permanent snowfield. To what extent did you read the situation before acting?”
The Ruler of the North Sea, questioned by the Giant Demon Lord, smiled serenely.
“I didn’t read into it at all. It’s just… it pains me that Ruilala is going through their rebellious phase.”
“So, Ruilala was indeed the cause of this commotion.”
Ruilala stood stiffly beside the Demon Lord, offering a wry smile.
Incidentally, the Ruler of the North Sea was skillfully bending their fish-like lower body to rest upon Knasha-chan’s back. They mentioned being able to swim through the air only within Knasha-chan’s belly, reinforcing that it was truly impossible otherwise.
“I appreciate you informing me of their whereabouts, but it has led to more trouble than I anticipated.”
“Because Ruilala has always been under your care.”
There seemed to be no hierarchy of status or power between the Demon Lord and the Ruler of the North Sea. Instead, their relationship felt amicable. This was understandable, considering that Ruilala had left the North Sea to pledge loyalty to the Giant Demon Lord, and Charlotte was observing the situation at the Treasure Orb Palace.
The Ruler of the North Sea, being close to the Demon Lord, had informed them of the whereabouts of the true ruler of the demons and their attendant, the Red Girl, who had vanished. The true ruler of the demons’ whereabouts and activities might have been a matter of great concern to higher-ranking demons.
Thanks to the Ruler of the North Sea’s consideration, the Giant Demon Lord was able to learn of the true ruler of the demons’ movements. However, at the same time, they also became aware of the Divine Race’s actions, sighing with what seemed like a touch of weariness.
This was because.
“If the Divine Race is moving faster than expected, the Demon Race will also have to hasten their preparations.”
The ultimate goal of the Divine Race was to destroy the Demon Race. To that end, they were expanding their influence and even delving into great forbidden techniques. If the Demon Race was too complacent, they might truly be annihilated. Therefore, the demons needed to unite across the borders of their ruled nations.
However, the true ruler of the demons, who should have been the central figure, had vanished. This meant that someone else had to step up. And the Giant Demon Lord, recognized and respected even among Demon Lords for understanding the true ruler of the demons’ movements and grasping the Divine Race’s actions, was the one to do it!
“This must be difficult!… Ouch!”
When I tried to offer support by saying “Do your best!”, I was genuinely hit on the head.
“If I had truly intended it, your head would be scattered amongst the seafoam by now.”
“Thank you for going easy on me?”
I rubbed my throbbing head. My foolish display seemed to have brought smiles back to everyone’s faces. It appeared the lingering effects of the Red Girl were gradually fading.
“Rather than conversing under the cold sky, let us rest within Knasha-sama.”
At Charlotte’s suggestion, who further narrowed her eyes and smiled, we decided to return to the Treasure Orb Palace.
“Well then, shall we try to organize our thoughts a bit?”
Back in the spacious hall of the Spirit Tree, we warmed our chilled bodies with hot drinks and sorted through the information gathered in the frigid ocean overlooking the permanent snowfield.
“The Divine Race’s movements are far too abnormally fast. It seems they have indeed resurrected the great forbidden technique with their own power and knowledge. It is plausible to assume someone provided the Emperor with extraneous information and knowledge.”
“Could it be Baltnowar…?”
When I considered it, it seemed to fit. Baltnowar, regretting being chosen as the sole messenger, had fallen into despair with the world. He had sought to bring about a great change in the world, and had targeted the true ruler of the demons, who held absolute influence and dominion over the demons. In such a situation, it would be natural to assume he would use the Divine Race, their natural enemy, to interfere with the demons. Furthermore, Baltnowar was accompanied by Rainbow Dragon, an Ancient Dragon Species capable of disappearing.
This allowed him to operate in the shadows, traveling to various regions while remaining hidden from those who watched over the world.
“Not only did they provide the Divine Race with information about forbidden techniques, but they might have also sown seeds of disaster in the East?”
The Giant Demon Lord showed a particular interest in the Heavenly Revelation Sword that Magdalia held. Could the Heavenly Revelation Sword also be related to forbidden techniques?
“To investigate this thoroughly, we have no choice but to head to the Eastern lands.”
“Then why are all eyes turning to me!?”
I… problems in distant regions…
“However, Elnea. Amira and the others will likely be involved at the Holy Knight Academy, won’t they?”
Mistral’s sharp remark left me squirming.
“Grr. If you put it that way, I have nothing to argue against.”
“Very well. Then you shall go to the East.”
“The Demon Lord just decided my future plans for me!”
As I despaired at such high-handedness, the Spirit Tree rustled its branches and leaves as if in amusement.
“This is quite a sudden turn of events.”
Just a little while ago, I had proudly declared my intentions to the stranger, and yet, before my words had even dried, I found myself thrust into the affairs of another region.
“However, all of this is to thwart the schemes of the Divine Race. It will be too late to lament unpreparedness when the time comes if we don’t take the actions we can.”
If Baltnowar was truly involved, then we had to face it seriously. As a predecessor, Baltnowar was indeed someone who could influence the world. Perhaps it was the role of his juniors, those who had interacted with him, to clean up his negative legacy.
“Then, as for Elnea-kun, we will have him depart for the East immediately.”
Charlotte, pouring sake into the Demon Lord’s cup, directed her gaze towards my family.
“I don’t think we can all barge in at once, but how shall we select the people?”
Ah, the simplest solution would be for all of us to intervene with full force and wipe the Holy Knight Academy from the face of the earth. Charlotte said with a smile, a joke I returned with a dry laugh.
It’s a joke… right?!
“Fufufu.”
“How wicked.”
Well, she did all but destroy the Eastern lands in the past, so perhaps a single academy or a few towns wouldn’t even register.
Putting that aside.
As Charlotte and I engaged in this exchange, my wives exchanged glances and entered a state of readiness. Who would accompany me to the Eastern lands!
“Elnea, you will of course choose me, won’t you? You’ll need someone to take care of you.”
“Oh my, oh my. As a Shooting Star, I think I’m more suitable as I’m the reason for drifting from such a distant place. Don’t you agree, Elnea-kun?”
“Hahahaha, if Elnea-sama leaves me behind, Revalia-sama might go berserk, even if I’d be alright. Therefore, I think Revalia-sama and I are the best choice, Elnea-sama!”
“Since we don’t understand the customs or social hierarchy of the Eastern lands, my skills as a princess will be necessary. You’ll surely choose neither Nina nor me, Elnea-kun.”
“Since we don’t understand the culture and geography of the Eastern lands, our experience as adventurers will be necessary. You’ll surely choose neither Yufi-nee-sama nor me, Elnea-kun.”
“Oh? Then wouldn’t I be just as good as Nee-sama? In fact, I think I could assist Elnea-kun better. Yours and their antics might cause too much of a fuss, Elnea-kun?”
“Muki! In that case, wouldn’t I, being more modest than a Shooting Star or twins, be the most suitable candidate! Elnea-kun, you have no objections, do you?”
Huh?
As usual, my wives are exchanging veiled threats before a dispute, but somehow I’m being dragged into it!?
“Um, I’ll go with Nimia-san too?”
“Is Mei going to stay behind?”
“It’s sad to leave someone out, nyan.”
“The young girls are multiplying!”
As expected, Astel and the Puppet King did not volunteer for accompaniment. Nevertheless, the wives and the young girl group were showing no signs of backing down, their spirits fired up.
“Now then, who will you choose?”
“The Demon Lord and Charlotte are definitely enjoying this situation! In fact, Charlotte deliberately provoked everyone for this very reason, didn’t she!?”
“Hah, fool dragon king. I am enjoying it as well.”
“Fufu, fufufu. This is quite amusing.”
“Astel and Elin are bad children!”
The Spirit Tree rustled its branches and leaves ecstatically.
“Now, now, who shall you choose? For those who will travel to the East of the continent, I shall bestow my special blessing.”
“Hey, hey, don’t pour oil on the fire!”
The bystanders are all having a grand time, aren’t they!
“Oh my, that’s not true. Speaking of which, if we bring young Ruilala along, I’m sure they’ll be very helpful.”
“There goes another one!?”
Help me, Shooting Star Sama! I look to the twin sisters Valetta and Vietta, and Shirley-san for help. The three, while smiling at my boisterous family, had a slight cloud of concern on their faces.
“You’re worried about the safety of someone dear to you, aren’t you? Because that girl said such things, those around her are bound to have their hearts stirred.”
Of course, that red girl wove the word “Saintess” into the conversation to stir and toy with the hearts of the Shooting Stars.
“We don’t know if the woman you know as a Saintess is the same person you Shooting Stars hold dear…”
Both we and the Shooting Stars deliberately avoid mentioning “a certain woman.” However, we can somehow feel it. We are undoubtedly thinking of the same woman.
“I have no doubt. The woman we know will definitely return, no matter what. I don’t know what kind of relationship she has with the ruler of the demons, but I cannot imagine her being swallowed by the demons’ plot or dying in some commotion.”
So, please don’t let the red girl’s words sway your hearts. I said, offering a smile, and the three returned gentle smiles.
“As one who undergoes the thousand-day trial of a single wish, it is inherently mistaken to doubt their safety.”
“Just now, I was overwhelmed by the presence of that demon and manipulated, but I’m alright now.”
“Thank you for worrying about us Shooting Stars! Therefore, shouldn’t Elnea-kun worry more about himself than about us?”
“Huh!?”
Sensing those who were about to pounce from behind, I hurriedly fled!
“Wouldn’t the Underground Labyrinth be useful in a situation like this!?”
“That’s a great idea! Then, I shall guide Elnea-kun.”
“Eeeh!?”
Am I the one going, not everyone causing this commotion!? Before I could retort, I fell into the underground through a vertical shaft that opened at my feet! And landed on my rear in an underground space I didn’t want to see, but was familiar with.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch.”
Looking up, I saw the Demon Lord peering down from the permanent snowfield through the vertical opening in the thick ceiling.
“By the time you complete dozens of laps in the labyrinth, Knasha will also be approaching the Eastern seas of the continent.”
“No, no, no, what do you mean dozens of laps!? And we aren’t going to the Eastern continent all of a sudden, you know?”
We also need preparation and resolve.
And you know?
“I’m thinking of making an appearance in the Armēdo Kingdom soon. I heard Ristea and Slaton’s child was born, so I thought it might be a good time?”
Click the heart to easily convey your support. (Login required)
Support
Login if you have an account.
Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
