Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

Star Spirit World Arc The Ninth Commander?

「And, what’re you gonna do?」

Hajime sent a sidelong glance at Shia who was resolving herself in order to prevent her friend’s descend to insanity (in a sense) while getting back on topic.

He was urging for the answer for Myuu’s question to Dahlia about whether she could meet with Eric and others or not.

「A-about that matter……」

Dahlia was blushing slightly because of Shia’s blazing gaze on her, even so she coughed once.

「I’m unable to invite Eric and the others to here.」

She gave out such conclusion with a very serious face.

「Umm, Dahlia-oneesan. The king and everyone else, they said that it’s fine already, that everyone has already reflected nano.」

「They also said that Dahlia-san’s dedication has certainly bear fruit you know?」

Myuu knitted her eyebrows as she made her appeal, while Shia also put her hand on Dahlia’s shoulder and smiled gently──just before she could do that, she caught sight of something at the corner of her eyes and her pupils widened!

Dangero~~us!! She thought as she withdrew both her smile and hand. She took the stance of “telling only the fact” with a serious face. Yue-sama also smiled brightly seeing that.

「Is that so……that’s great. Truly……」

Dahlia patted her chest in relieve from the bottom of her heart. Even though she was far away from home, Dahlia’s heart must always be filled with concern over her homeland and human civilization all this time.

「For these two years, we too have been desperate over here. Stabilizing our life, monitoring and investigating this confinement land, groping around for countermeasure……I didn’t have any leeway to also check up the situation of the country during those times.」

It seemed there had just been a talk about checking the situation in other countries next year.

That was because the situation here had reached a level where their living situation had stabilized and they judged that they had collected enough necessary information to make an investigation report.

「Thank you very much for the good news. Also, Myuu-sama, Shia-sama. Don’t worry. I’m not refusing to meet with Eric and others again.」

In other words, it seemed Dahlia had no problem with going there herself to meet them. In short, she didn’t want to call Eric and others to this land, or perhaps, to this village.

「Of course, in that case it will be just a “visit”, not a “return home” though……」

「Because of thy responsibility here as the “village chief”, correct?」

Dahlia smiled and nodded to Tio’s question. Yuuka raised her hand with a slightly apologetic look.

「Umm……sorry to interrupt in the middle of talk. In the first place, why are Dahlia-san and others staying in this kind of dangerous place?」

「Because new land was needed. A new homeland where the interference of other countries cannot easily extend to.」

「……A new homeland?」

「Yes. I thought that the current confinement land would become a mere undeveloped land after the spirit beasts left this continent but……」

Dahlia put her hand on her cheek with a troubled face. Apparently the peculiarity and danger of the confinement land’s unique ecosystem were outside her expectation.

However, it should be fine if she just looked for a different place after learning that. In the first place, she mentioned “a new homeland”……didn’t she just leave her country temporarily until the human society calmed down?

Naturally everyone harbored that question. Hajime asked the question as everyone’s representative.

「It looks like there’re quite a lot of people here in this village……who’re they? Are the like the saint’s fanatic believers who came here with you?」

「No, your majesty. Rather, it can even be said that my existence was displeasing for the people here.」

What do you mean? Hajime and others looked at each other with such thought. They didn’t feel any hostility at all from the villagers toward Dahlia. On the contrary, they only felt trust and respectful affection from them toward her on their way here.

Slight bitterness entered Dahlia’s smile.

「Currently, there’re around three thousand people living in this land.」

「「「That many!?」」」

Atsushi, Noboru, and Ryuutarou’s voices overlapped. Even Hajime and others looked surprised because that number surpassed their expectation.

「We also have other bases outside this “Village”. There is one base each at the east, west, south, and north. They are bases for monitoring the named-class evolved, or forward base for investigating even deeper into this land. They’re also evacuation places in case of emergency.」

It seemed there weren’t even a thousand people in this “Village” that was their main base. That number would decrease even more at noon when a lot of people went out for investigation.

「All of these three thousand people……are those who had lost someone important due to the divine punishment.」

「Ah……」

Someone’s voice slipped out. It felt like the voice came from someone among Yuuka’s group, but it also felt like it came from Shia whose eyes opened wide with a taken aback look.

They all had heard the story but, they hadn’t especially thought about it until now. However, there were certainly a lot of casualties from what happened.

After noticing that, Ryuutarou and others quietly put down the souvenir weapons that they had been admiring until now. They looked awkward after recalling how carried away they had been acting. Myuu also pressed her lips thinly.

Dahlia who was serving everyone tea said 「Please don’t let that bother you」 with a soft voice while sitting down. She then took the initiative to enjoy the tea she herself brewed to convey to everyone that there was no need to be formal.

「This is a new era of atonement and trial. But, not all people can accept it.」

The whole world had been told about the goddess’s deep love and that it was an agonizing decision that tore apart her soul to carry out the divine punishment.

That was why, they understood. Everyone logically understood it in their head.

That it couldn’t be helped. That human’s sin forced the god to take the decision.

They understood.

But, human’s heart wasn’t something that work with only logic. If the people who lost someone important to them got asked whether they would be able to live while only looking forward after that, and also if they would be able to feel respect toward god and nature in their heart……

That’s impossible──it was also only natural that there would be people who would say that.

「Amidst my days of advocating the god’s teaching so that the same mistake won’t be repeated, I’ve felt that kind of suffering of the people, feelings that they can’t do anything about.」

Dahlia’s words didn’t reach their wounded heart.

Far from that, wordless peer pressure like why they were opposing the teaching of the “saint”, couldn’t they agree and cooperate for the sake of mankind’s future, wasn’t their behavior incompatible or heretic in this new era? Such pressure toward them was increasing day by day, making their distress deepening further as time passed.

「Perhaps I should call it a silver lining in the dark cloud? My existence was growing to be a hindrance in human society so」

「I heard that you were totally popular but……to call it silver lining」

Nana spoke with a complicated expression, but in reality, the numerous marriage proposals were nothing but a seed of headache for Dahlia. The situation where she ought to leave human society was fortunate for her.

「……That’s why, you thought let’s just lead them who doesn’t have a place to belong to a new land instead?」

「Yes, Yue-sama.」

「……Throwing away your position, fame, and even your daily life with your precious people?」

「Yes, Yue-sama.」

Yue stared straight into Dahlia. Dahlia too was staring back straight into her.

Is that so, Hajime and others thought in understanding. Dahlia left the country wasn’t solely because she thought that she had become a hindrance.

She threw away a lot of valuable things so that she could be as close as possible to the people who were unable to adapt to the new era by placing herself in the same environment.

「Just because they can’t adapt to the new era, because they can’t walk toward the same direction, they have to be discarded? Rejected for the sake of future? Unacceptable. That will be no different from before. Because mutual understanding, coexistence……to not give up on those things is the most important thing in this new era.」

Eric and others would manage somehow with the human society. She trusted that they should be able to leave behind many things.

In that case, her role was to keep close to the very end to the people who looked like they would be separated from human society.

「A total of three thousand people……everyone seemed surprise that there are so many but, no, that’s not the case at all. There’s “only three thousand people”.」

People who were weighed down by sadness, and yet were still facing forward and tried to live by adapting to the values of the new era numbered many more.

「In that case, how can I not do something as small as staying close to those few people. I wouldn’t be able to face our benefactor who stood at our side until the very end like that.」

「Dahlia-san……」

Dahlia looked toward Shia with a gentle gaze. Shia too returned back a troubled but also happy gaze.

*Jii*, they stared into each other eyes *Jiii*……moist gathered……

「……The talk is still not over though?」

「「Ah, yes. Sorry.」」

Yue-sama was strict. Dahlia and Shia quickly straightened their sitting posture.

「I see. So we can’t just bring Eric and others here just because of Dahlia’s convenience huh. At the very least it’ll need to be discussed in a conference with everyone here first.」

「My thanks for your understanding, your majesty.」

There surely would be disturbance if the top brass who pushed for the values of the new era to suddenly stomp uncaringly into the new land that the people here had built with blood and sweat.

There was no fault at all that could be found from Dahlia’s reservation.

「Umm, Dahlia-san. Is my, our presence here alright desu? Also you said to them about proof that the gods are watching……」

「Shia-sama is the existence who stopped those gods. Everyone here are feeling strong gratitude to you instead. There are even people who hold faith to you among them.」

「F-faith!? That’s a bit……」

「My mention of gods is also a caution for them to not forget the fact, that gods are always watching no matter where we go. It’s something that I’ve been saying often to the people here.」

「On top of that, you told them to do as usual openly huh. You’re declaring to the people here that there’s nothing for them to be ashamed of. That even though they can’t conform with the many, they aren’t existences who turn their back on god’s will.」

「It’s just as you say Shizuku-sama.」

As I thought, this person is seriously a “saint” huh, Yuuka and others, along with Aiko, Liliana, and even Kaori and others thought that. Admiration and respect entered their expressions toward Dahlia.

Amidst that, Myuu suddenly spoke to Dahlia with sparkling eyes.

「Dahlia-oneesan is a kind and strong and lovely woman just as Myuu thought nano.」

「My! Myuu-sama, I’m honored to hear you say such overly generous words for this me.」

Dahlia pressed her hand on her chest and bowed happily. Myuu continued 「But……」.

「The people here are also kind nano.」

「? Why, do you have such thought about them?」

「Because, Myuu thought that if they just want a new land, as expected it doesn’t need to be here nano. Even so, everyone is living here because they don’t want the people living in the country to meet any danger right? They’re investigating a lot of useful things here also because they hope to be useful for everyone.」

They couldn’t stay together with others. They couldn’t live in the same country under the same values.

But, that didn’t mean the people here hoped that the people back in their home country would meet misfortune.

Even though they lived far away, they hoped that the future of the people back home would be bright.

It was the same feeling with Dahlia’s feeling. It was a heart that also thought about human’s future.

「That’s, a super kind feeling nano! They’re lovely people nano!」

「Myuu-sama……」

Dahlia’s eyes moistened. The men and women who lived in this land by holding each other’s hand, supporting each other were already like family.

It seemed warm emotion welled up after hearing a small child said that she understood her family’s feeling and effort, and called them lovely.

「As expected from his majesty’s precious daughter. This Dahlia offer her admiration and appreciation.」

「Myu?」

Myuu tilted her head wondering why she got thanked, and simply from not understanding the word “appreciation?”. Remia watched her daughter who was like that with an extremely kind gaze while patting her head and saying good girl good girl.

Ryuutarou and others who were feeling a bit awkward also felt warm and relieved seeing that.

There the door got knocked with what felt like an extremely hesitant knocking. When Dahlia replied with an affirmative, the door got opened with another fee~~arful hesitation.

A woman who looked like she was in the middle of her thirty wearing a clean looking white overalls, apron, and beret showed her face from the door.

「P-pardon me. Dahlia-san, the preparation is finished, we can──」

Her intention for coming here must be to notify that the meal was prepared.

That lasted only until her gaze caught Shia.

「Fuwaah, the savior is really here!? What a beautiful face, and those rabbit ears also look so fluffy-. She’s a thousand times lovelier than my imagination–」

「Eh? Ah, err, hello, desu?」

「A, aaaaaaa, I got a reply!? Ah, ah, ah」

Hajime, Myuu, and Kaori who were well versed in otaku culture thought, She’s the very picture of “over the limit”. She looked completely like a fan who ran into her favorite idol.

Dahlia smiled wryly while giving a light introduction of the woman. Apparently she was the head chef of this “Village”. She discovered the cooking method of this land’s animals and plants and even their effect earlier than anyone. She was one of the key figures supporting the village’s development.

「Hoe~, what an amazing person desu!」

「Nnhyuuh!?」

A strange voice slipped out from her for some reason. Her face was bright red and she looked like she would faint even now. Even though she was a beauty with gender neutral look, watching her being so shaken up was charming.

(This woman, is she one of the “faithful” that Dahlia-san just mentioned?)

(It has been in my mind even in the palace but……Shia-san, she really has a lot of female fans huh.)

Liliana and Aiko whispered to each other. The skinhead uncle and the other warriors were also respectful, but they didn’t get so shaken up to this degree. That fact made them thought about it even more so.

「Umm, it’s us who is in your care here, and we’re also piling up more works in your lap because of our sudden visit, so please there’s no need to be that respectful like that.」

「HIH!?」

「Why’s she scared desu!?」

Shia stood up and approached while trying to soothe down the woman. The head chef backed away. She wouldn’t meet Shia’s eyes at all. She pushed out her hands forward as though to reject Shia away.

Shia felt plainly shocked. Then the head chef yelled.

「My idol(Savior-sama) is just too precious I can’t bear itttt-」

「What does that mean desu-!?」

「「「「I get youu~」」」」

「What does that mean desu-!?」

As expected it was Hajime, Myuu, and Kaori who understood. Of course, Kaori’s idol had been Hajime all this time.

There was one more person in the mix which was Yue. She had understanding of otaku culture, and also her mental state of complete acceptance of everything about Hajime which included his enjoyment of otaku culture, but if asked whether she could sympathize with similar degree of passion like him, then she would look troubled.

But however, there was no denying that she was a “Hajime fan” like Kaori, so the feeling of “she’s so precious I can’t bear it” was something that she completely and totally understood!

Because she was feeling it everydayy!!

It seemed Tio and Shizuku and others noticed the flaming passion inside Yue & Kaori’s hearts and felt somewhat creeped out──oh, for some reason Yuuka made an understanding face that seemed to say 「I see. So this is what they called “precious”……」 while nodding. Then they saw her looking at Hajime and blushed slightly……

So you get it, Yuuka! That kind of gaze fired *Gyun* from Yue and Kaori. Yuuka averted her gaze *Gyun* at lightspeed.

Shia was still walking closer toward the head chef even while that was happening at the background. The head chef got cornered to the wall (Shia wasn’t doing it intentionally). Shia pulled herself together and smiled while offering her hand for a handshake.

「I hope, we can get along──」

「Get along!? Wi-, w-w-w-w-wi0, with me!?」

「Y-yes. My hobby is also cooking, so it’ll be really great if you can teach me about the cooking here──」

「Every single thing with great attention to detail!? Us locked in a grapple-!?」

「No, I’m not asking that far──」

「A-as I thought, that rumor is really true……. Savior-sama prefer woman rather than man! That’s why she didn’t even glance at the four handsome rich famous guys who are the pride of Balted, and loved Dahlia-sama instead!!」

「What’s with that rumor desuuuu!?」

*Gyun* Shia’s gaze shot toward Dahlia. Dahlia covered her face with her hands.

It seemed that it was true there was such rumor.

Nana and Taeko’s expressions became lively!

「「This mystery is solved!!」」

「Eh, what? What’s wrong you two!?」

Suzu who was beside them got startled because of the two’s sudden loud voice. Nana and Taeko made a face of realization like a detective who had determined the truth.

「We’re referring to the women who kept looping to give greeting at the palace you know, Suzu-chi.」

「Those women didn’t only want to catch sight of the savior! Yes, in other words──」

「I-in other words?」

「「They were aiming for a small chance to get hitched!!」」

「W-whattttttt!?」

The easily carried away Suzu allowed herself to be carried away for the time being. But, what a shocking truth. The women they ran into in the palace, were all aiming to be the second or third Dahlia, in other words, they were aiming for mistress position by hoping for Shia to fall in love at first sight with them……

While thinking that, Suzu, and not only her, everyone in that place looked toward Dahlia.

Then Dahlia spoke with very small voice while still hiding her face with her hands……

「……When I talked about Shia-sama, I would unconsciously get too passionate……before I knew it, such rumor was……I explained that his majesty──Hajime-sama is Shia-sama’s husband but……」

Present information accurately!

Under such mentality, Dahlia also diligently explained about Hajime’s other wives and how they were all very harmonious. Perhaps that was why, before she knew it the rumor apparently transformed into something like “Shia-sama is building a female harem” “The husband is a male who is the only one allowed to serve her, that’s seriously awesomee”.

And then, it was beyond her ability to stop the rumor anymore when she realized.

「Offu……」

A stupid voice slipped out from Shia.

「I see……so we’re Shia’s harem member huh.」

「What a blind spot. I thought that I married with Goshujin-sama but, to think I’m actually turned into Shia’s wife.」

「……Nn, I’m already taken by Shia before I realized.」

「Please don’t make fun of me!」

Hajime, Tio, and Yue were nodding to each other with extremely serious look. Shia howled with a bright red face.

「S-Shia……could it be, you’re also seeing me with that kind of eye-」

「Shia-san, please treat me gently, okay?」

「Kaori-san and Lily-san too, I’ll send you two flying you know? With Level VII at least.」

Please stop. I don’t know about Kaori, but I’ll die……Liliana instantly apologized like that. Shizuku and Aiko also hurriedly closed their mouths just when they were about to get on board with the mischief.

「C-come to think of it, the king and others said that Dahlia-oneesan is planning to come with Shia-oneechan nano! Is that true? Nano!」

「Myuu-chan……what a considerate child.」

For some reason Yuuka’s eyes widened in surprise. Or rather, recently glimpses of her proactive side could be seen from how she was trying to learn a lot of things about Nagumo family in detail, but let’s put that aside for now.

Also, Nana and Taeko were grinning 「Oo, Yuuka-chi. The pace is super slow but isn’t she working hard?」, but let’s put that aside for now too.

「Fufu, I never declared anything like that but, it looks like they’ve seen through me.」

「Hohou? So Dahlia want to come to our world?」

For some reason Hajime-san’s eyes looked like they glinted brightly. Liliana reacted in super speed! She stared hard as though to say that she would see through every single small gesture he made! But,

「Indeed that is so. However, that is my dream for far away in the future.」

「Because there are still things here that you have to finish first isn’t it?」

The one who first reacted, no, sympathize with Dahlia’s words was Liliana. Perhaps there was something that they could understand with each other as two people with similar standing and making similar choice.

Dahlia too made a sympathizing gaze when she met Liliana’s eyes and nodded deeply.

And then, she softly placed her hand on her chest, closed her eyes with the expression of a girl imagining her future with the one she looked up to,

「Perhaps it’ll be ten years, or twenty years, or even longer than that. At that time when I can feel that my role is finished, let’s see……surely, Nagumo family too will have increased in size, so if by chance I can be given the opportunity to be a lowly caretaker, there will be no life more wonderful than that. That is the dream that I’m seeing right now.」

She confessed her own wish like that.

Because that dream was just too pure, modest, and heartwarming.

Also, Dahlia looked just too chaste as she spoke of her dream. Her atmosphere even felt like something inviolably sacred for some reason, so nobody could say anything.

The person who first opened their mouth after a little bit of time passed perhaps was to be expected. It was Shia.

「It’ll come true, absolutely. I guarantee it.」

「Shia-sama……fufu, thank you very much.」

Shia gave her assurance with a quiet tone. Dahlia smiled happily.

Shia started glancing at Hajime. He completely understood just what she wanted to say.

「Leave it to me!」

「T-thank you so much. ……But, it feels like that reaction is too vigorous」

「That’s just your imagination!」

「It feels like your tone is also strange.」

「……Shia, you really don’t need to feel worried.」

「I-is that so?」

Shia was suspecting Hajime-san who was filled with unexpected enthusiasm. But, Liliana’s feeling of suspicion was ee~~~ven deeper.

Yue mediated between them, so Shia let go of the thought with, Well, no matter……but, she wasn’t wholly convinced. Because, it felt like she got the feeling that there was exasperation mixed in Yue’s eyes.

Well, putting that aside.

「Umm~, how about the meal……」

「「「「「Aa……」」」」」

At the corner of the room, the head chef was standing idly while grasping her beret in front of her chest tightly. Everyone had completely forgotten about her. Though it seemed she had calmed down thanks (?) to that.

At the same time, in a very good timing.

──*Kukyuu~~~~~*

Such cute sound loudly echoed. Myuu reddened and pressed her hand on her stomach.

Even though she had drank tea until her stomach bloated like balloon, it seemed it didn’t satisfy her stomach worm at all. She was in her growth period so it was only natural but, it was as though even her stomach worm was reading the mood considerately.

「Let’s continue the talk during the meal.」

Dahlia broke into a smile while standing up.

Of course, there was no objection.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After that.

The meal was lively with talk about Dahlia’s story during these five years and about the trip’s plan after this while Hajime and co enjoyed lunch, Monh*n style just as they hoped for in an eating place that looked like terrace where they could take in an unbroken view of the waterfall and below the cliff.

During that time, the villagers who were in commotion about the visit of the savior and her group seemed to have regained their calm.

They were once more given explanation about the purpose of the group’s visit and that there wouldn’t be any negative influence to the “Village”.

After that, it went without saying.

The savior’s visit caused the Village to cheer & applause loudly with celebration.

Lines like people when going for worship at shrine formed with Shia at the center. The mood was like a birth of a new religion after she gave a short speech from the balcony.

Shia did her best to ignore the stares of 「Comrade♪ Comrade♪」 from Kaori and Aiko. She somehow stopped the formation of new religion while once more going around observing the Village’s facilities──the smithy, the mixing facility, the animal and plant laboratory, and the training ground.

Ryuutarou and others went to a hunt using weapon made from the evolved body parts because there might not be another chance.

Myuu was hitting it off with the twin swords users.

Hajime was having an enthusiastic discussion with the people studying the minerals of this land, and purchasing unique minerals as souvenir.

Yuuka who was frequently in contact with Emily for some reason or another was asking around about the effect of some particular plants or insects while also buying souvenir for Emily.

When the sun was setting, other people who came running from the other bases also joined in with the celebration and a grand feast began.

When Dahlia performed her singing, perhaps because the atmosphere of the festival affected them,

For one night only, Miracle Ai and Pretty Lily made their return!! Return!! Return!!

With Magical Myuu at the lead, the nightmare for Aiko──err, the miraculous idols Magical Girl unit who first appeared at Town of Ur displayed their singing and dancing.

Of course, the party got heated up magnificently.

There, Hajime papa ran wild when he noticed the heated gaze his beloved daughter was sending to Yuuka. Using the liquid metal’s mimicry function, he tyrannically forced Yuuka to transform into Magical Girl Yuuka-chan.

Of course Magical Girl Yuuka-chan snapped. Knifes flew wildly toward Hajime.

Hajime deflected them while laughing. As the result, it became a transcendental street performance that once excited the people of Heiligh Kingdom that was in the middle of reconstruction. The atmosphere of the party reached the zenith.

From there, all bets were off already.

Yuuka acted Yuuka-chan with her all. Her two best friends were rolling on the ground holding their stomach laughing. Atsushi and others were laughing uproariously while taking photos (of course, the vegetable sticks preyed on them)……

Aiko and Liliana were also giving their all singing and dancing for Myuu’s sake!

Hajime too were watching with eyes of anticipation.

Most of all, with Myuu-chan’s mysterious confidence 「There’s no way Yuuka-oneechan will refuse nano!」, she already introduced her as the fourth members of the unit!

Yuuka who was good at reading the mood already didn’t have the option to refuse.

As the result, that night to the “Village”, no, before long in the future they would spread it out to human society so to the star spirit world, that night became a legendary night.

「Uu, that damn Nagumo. I won’t forget this」

When the night had grown so late that the date had changed.

The villagers and Hajime’s group had gotten tired from making merry. During that time when everyone was sleeping, there was one person, Yuuka walking through an outer corridor that was set up along the cliff’s outer edge.

She just couldn’t sleep and thought that she would definitely be able to relax if she entered the bath once more. So she went to enter the open-air-bath that was built on the cliff top.

But, being alone like that made her recalled various things instead.

「Making me dressed like that just because he wanted to make Myuu-chan happy……」

She watched the large and round moon above absentmindedly. The moonlight was bright. She wasn’t troubled at all even though there wasn’t any other light source.

That was why, the figure of Yuuka whose cheeks were blushing not because of just getting out of the bath could also be seen clearly.

「W-well, it didn’t make me feel bad to be told that it suits me though……」

No, wait. That was embarrassing in its own way. Apparently it was a character from Myuu-chan’s favorite magical girl anime but, it must be an elementary school student character right? I’m university student though? In the first place, why was an elementary school student dressed that suggestively! Just what’s going on with the magical girl these days! ……But, there was mention how Sumire-san and Shuu-san also loved cosplay, so as expected, did Nagumo also prefer woman who wasn’t opposed to cosplay? He apologized to me midway and tried to return me to my original outfit but, he made a very reluctant face at that time……as I thought, did he think the costume suit me because it was me wearing it and so he got carried away putting me into that costume? In that case……

On and on, on and on, various thoughts were filling Yuuka-chan’s head that she didn’t feel sleepy at all.

But, even her pensiveness while making a lot of faces by herself only lasted until she found a certain person.

「……Hm? Is that, Dahlia-san?」

A woman in maid uniform quietly vanished behind a building. That was unmistakably Dahlia.

「I wonder what’s she doing this late at night?」

Somehow, she got the feeling that Dahlia was avoiding detection.

She felt curious. Very much.

「……Just in case. It’s just to confirm her safety, nothing else.」

Yuuka justified to herself like that while lightly jumping over the guard rail. She did her best to erase her footstep and quietly peeked behind the building.

「Tsu!!?」

She wanted to praise herself only at this time when she didn’t make any voice. That was just how surprised she was.

Because, Dahlia was having a clandestine meeting. Furthermore, the person she was meeting was──

「Your majesty……」

「Dahlia」

Was Hajime! Yuuka reflexively covered her mouth and pulled back her face. She strongly pressed her back on the wall while desperately suppressing the sound of her heart that was pounding like a drum.

She took a deep breath.

(W-what am I doing acting this shaken! It’s not like this is anything bad! They’re just meeting because of some kind of business!)

Behind a building outside of anyone’s eyes, this late at night so secretly? Her other self calmly made such tsukkomi.

There was no way she could just leave without checking this out. There’s no way, this is Nagumo, so something like that is impossible! Yuuka shouted inside her heart while secretly peeking out from the wall once more.

It seemed the two had moved slightly further away while Yuuka was shaken. Their voices were faint. But, she could catch fragments of their talk.

「……what I want. If it’s you Dahlia──good. If you want it, I── 」

「Y-your majesty……is it? But, I-──」

「It’s fine, there’s no problem. Nobody around will notice──besides, securing time also…………」

「Is it really okay? About this matter Shia-sama──」

「──that’s why, it’s still a secret. ──Not a word to anyone…………will be able to be together──」

「…………delighted-. This Dahlia──accept your majesty’s favor-」

(Nopeeeeーーーー, this is completely that kind of talk! Dahlia-san, she looks really happy! Nagumoo! I misjudged you! To lay your hand on the maid! This cheaterrr-)

The worst! To lay your hand on Shia’s friend of all people! Is it because she’s a maid? Do you like maid that much!? Certainly Dahlia-san is a lovely maid though!

But, just because of that……

T-that’s right! There’s no way Yue-san will keep quiet──

「By the way, Yue is already consenting.」

(Yue-saaーーーーーーーーーnnn!! There should be a limit even in just how big-hearted someone can beee!!)

The scream inside Yuuka’s heart continued. For some reason tears also spilled out.

Come to think of it, Yue tried quiet excessively to find fault with Dahlia during the day. Was that too because she was ascertaining whether Dahlia would be appropriate to be a new wife? Yuuka imagined such scenario on her own and acknowledged it on her own.

(Even though he’s proposing Dahlia-san, and yet with me he──no, wrooonggg-. That’s not it!)

Yuuka pulled back her head once more and swung her head left and right energetically.

The talk had stopped without her noticing. Hajime was looking this way with dubious eyes saying 「That girl, what’s she doing since some time ago?」, or rather, just now, he was starting to walk toward her way but……

(That’s not it but, but…………uu, uwaaaーーーーnh, I can’t stay anymore in this kind of place! I’m going back to my room-)

Yuuka spat out loudly inside her a line that made it felt like a corpse would be found the next morning, then she left with a fierce dash.

「Umm, your majesty. In this situation, could it be she has a misunderstanding?」

「Misunderstanding? ……Aa, that kind of thing. Haa, that fellow……」

「Fufu, what an adorable person isn’t she?」

「……Well, can’t deny that.」

She couldn’t possibly know of such conversation taking place behind her.

Like that.

「Nana! Taekoo!」

「Uhyaa!? W-what!?」

「Enemy attack!?」

Nana and Taeko jumped. Unlike Nana who was still half-asleep, Taeko was quick to return to awareness, perhaps because of the difference in mental readiness as someone aiming to become a secret agent in the future.

But, Taeko’s vigilance got cleared away instantly. Incidentally the half-asleep Nana got completely awakened instantly.

「M-maybe, I don’t have any other choice but to be a maid-」

Seeing their best friend blabbering with tearful eyes, Nana and Taeko looked at each other.

A second passed, and they grinned wideeely. There wasn’t even a shred of displeasure from getting woken up so forcefully. As though to say, things are getting interesting now.

And so, they only had one response to give.

「「Leave it to us!!」」

Yuuka’s outfit for the next day was decided at this moment.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

※Omake

After Yuuka witnessed Hajime and Dahlia’s clandestine meeting and left.

Under the same moonlight, Goddess Lutria was listening to an entreaty at the base of the Star Tree.

「Please-, please give reconsideration-. The honor of serving by the side of the great goddess, please grant it to us one more time!!」

Begging for such thing with hands and knees and forehead pressed on the ground were a race with wings on their back──celestial people. There were two of them. One was a young woman, and the other one was an elderly man.

The one desperately pleading was the young woman. Her distinctive traits were her silver hair in hime cut hairstyle that was shining from the moonlight, and her eyes that looked very prideful.

The man seemed to be in his sixty with handlebar mustache that suited him. Most likely he was the girl’s chaperone. He kept glancing worriedly to the side while feeling nervous that the girl might incur the goddess’s displeasure.

The two of them were priests. They had the priest position where they were the only ones allowed to connect Goddess Lutria with the celestial race that was forbidden to enter the solitary island as a rule. They were messenger.

「Since the dawn of history, we were always under your divine will without straying-. And that too will not change even in the future! And yet, why……why are we kept at the distance!」

The woman pleaded desperately with a face that looked like she might break crying. It made Lutria wanted to sigh.

This child doesn’t understand god’s will huh, she thought.

(There’s always exception in everything though……)

Many of the celestial race, and of course the celestial king too understood the meaning of them living outside the holy land. They consented to Lutria’s heart and wish.

But, certainly there were also those who lost their head over the sweet title of being god’s apostle. The woman before her was also one of them.

「If it’s the management of the foolish humans then we will do it without any mistake! We will correctly carry out your divine will! That’s why, please──」

「Daughter of the celestial king(Astrus). Understand. Your words are the greatest proof that you don’t understand my will.」

「──tsu」

It wasn’t strange for the king to put his own daughter in the important role of priestess. Although, wasn’t he neglecting her education too much in this case?

A bit of exasperation and concern formed inside Goddess Lutria.

For the celestial king to appoint someone who couldn’t rid herself of bigoted elitism, was his eyes clouded, or was even the celestial king turned into a fool when facing his daughter?

(No, perhaps that’s exactly why? Is he doing this intentionally, in order to change the perception of the one who will be responsible for the next generation?)

Although, that was a type of disrespect, because it was like he was hoping for the god to educate his daughter.

Lutria looked very conflicted.

The priestess who was also a princess opened her mouth to argue vehemently even further. The elderly priest was about to intervene, thinking that allowing her to speak even more than this would be bad as expected.

But, in the end there was no need to stop her.

「Where are youuu Shiaaaaa! I’m over hereeee!!」

Because something came out from the base of the Star Tree. That something shined *Flashh* while walking like a model for some reason.

There was no need to guess, it was Dasore──not, it was Soare. Actually, this whole time she had been sealed in the root of the Star Tree, enveloped inside a cocoon of roots. By Lutria herself.

And just now the seal was broken and she flew out. She was noisy, so Lutria thought to lock her there until Hajime and co went to the next world in order to urge her to reflect on herself, and yet……

For her to come out by burning down the Star Tree’s root.

Lutria-okaasan’s eyes died. What you burnt just now, even though it’s just a tiny part it’s still the Star Tree you know? She thought. Depending on the situation that can be taken as rebellion against the god you know? She thought.

「Soare, who said you can get──」

「Okaa-sama! Where is Shia?」

Listen to me……Lutria-okaasan thought with irritation flashed in her face for a moment. She glanced at the dumbfounded two priests before clearing her throat.

「I asked them to depart while you were sealed because I thought you would cause a commotion. Of course, trying anything like chasing after them is completely out of the question okay?」

Soare who was looking around restlessly like a lovesick maiden stopped completely still at that moment.

And then,

「HIH-」

「──tsu, P-Princess, please step back behind me-」

The princess priestess and uncle priest even shook from fear with the way Soare rotated her neck *creak-creak-creak* with a movement like a broken toy.

「S-Soare? You should remember how you were before, onec more──」

「──Why’re you doing something like this?」

The disrespect of cutting off the words of the goddess who was her mother. But, Lutria-okaasan thought before she faulted her for that.

T-this might be a bit……bad?

Because, that was just how pitch black Soare’s eyes were. Those weren’t eyes of someone looking at their beloved and respected mother. Udar and Laila were immediately on Stand By behind Lutria. Oros circled behind Soare and his face peeked out from the ground.

There, more visitor came to push the situation into deeper chaos.

An elliptically shaped light suddenly appeared. Then a silhouette showed up from the “gate”.

「Goddess Lutria, I have a small request to make. Can you give special permission for Dahlia Schweig to come with me to other world? Like, an ambassador for other world that can come and go. Of course, you must have various terms for it especially in the matter of secrecy, so I want to discuss with you about it……aa, of course, I understand your first requirement. I also understand your feeling of not wanting to let your child to go outside. But you know, I think that it might be necessary there’s someone to act as a bridge to connect between our side with your side. Something like the goddess’s shrine maiden. Ah, you call that priestess over here isn’t it? And, in case you accept, I want to return the spirit element just for her and no one else, is that fine?」

The existence that was like the embodiment of the concept of disrespect suddenly started blabbing of his request that was like an annulment of his previous promise as soon as he showed up──it was Hajime-san.

Goddess Lutria’s face was convulsing. But keeping in mind to stay calm, she opened her mouth to say at least one candid statement──but before she could,

「Wha-, you’re the man who tormented father and everyone in the army, no-, you’re the cause of our abandonment-!! Furthermore, making Dahlia Schweig a priestess, you say!? A priest is a spokesperson of the god. It’s the most honorable role in this world!! Asking for that-, that-, unforgivable!!」

「Nagumo Hajime! Why do you come alone!! How truly inconsiderate! Come with Shia if you’re coming hereee!!」

「Aa? What’s with you guys?」

The base of the Star Tree suddenly turned noisy.

Lutria thought.

It wasn’t like this in the past. The divine spirits(children) weren’t rebellious or anything even once, and none of the children of man would do something like arguing with her.

Human breaking into tears and prostrating themselves on the ground just from a glance of her figure was the norm.

Not to mention something like this, running into an unreasonable bastard from other world who made a request to her like they were friends, it was something that she never even dreamed of……

And yet, the situation right now was like this.

The goddess’s dignity, where did it go?

「Lutria-sama! I implore you to watch! Even if this body shall perish, I swear to land a blow of retaliation on that monster! And so I beg you, please grant my earnest request in exchange of my valiant sacrifice!!」

「P-princess, please stop-」

「Nagumo Hajime, call Shia here. Now, quickly-. We haven’t even talked for that long you know! Now now! Hurry hurryyy!!」

「So noisy. I’m in the middle of important talk right now. ……So, Goddess Lutria, there is always exception to everything, so how about interviewing the person herself for the time being? You’ll definitely see that she’s a child of man who can be trusted after talking to her directly. She’s already here right outside the gate.」

There was exception to everything. It was something that she herself had just thought not long ago, but it was strangely irritating to hear that being said by this man as though to mock her.

「Prepare yourself!!」

「Please stop, princessss-」

「Nagumo Hajime! Bring Shia! Bring Shia quicklyyy!」

The goddess let out a dee~p sigh because of how noisy her sacred precinct that should be filled with tranquility was being right now.

And then,

「……How did things turn like this」

Well, it must be because of this guy’s fault in general.

Lutria thought that while watching Hajime using gender equality punch to mercilessly beat down the princess priestess (and also the noisy Soare) who leaped at him.

「Ah……this is that. Yes, it’s a legitimate self-defense. I’m the victim. That’s why, please don’t say any phrase like how dare you do that to my beloved children~. So, Dahlia, can I bring her now?」

He was calling it discussion but he must be planning to keep staying here until he had his way.

Goddess Lutria’s gaze had seen through such development clearly. Emotion of dislikee~~~ started seeping out from the bottom of her heart.

.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

Just how many commander candidates of the knights there are……

Putting that aside, after Miracle, Magical, and Pretty……what would be good for yuuka……

Also, I don’t have ulterior motive but I wonder what will be a good code name for Dahlia……