Chapter 314 - After our Paths Crossed

<Author’s Notes>

The other day, I received a message that the 2nd and 3rd Volumes of the Light Novel will be reprinted.

I’m very grateful that the Light Novel version is selling gradually.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who purchased it.

This chapter is a little short, but I hope you enjoy it.

When I reached the doorway in front of the hall, waiting for my arrival was Ikusaba Asagi.

[You and our Poppo-chan sure had a reasonably long talk, Fly King-senpai.]

[———-Ahh, Asagi-dono. After talking about Ayaka Sogou, Kobato-dono started expressing her feelings about her……. and in the midst of our conversation, she was repeatedly getting caught up with her emotions.]

[And then, she cried and ended up interrupting the talk huh?]

Chuckling a bit in response……

[Yes…… I somehow ended up just listening to her talk on and on. She must be very fond of Ayaka-dono.]

[That she is. She’s completely charmed by her, or rather, I’m betting that’s already love she has. Well, Koba-chan has always been afraid of boys.]

[It seemed like she was quite worried about Ayaka-dono…… I suppose that that was something she has always been brooding over for quite a while. It feels to me like all her pent-up emotions exploded on my face earlier.]

This is something I arranged with Kashima beforehand so that we would tell the same story.

[I guess Fly King-chin is the kind of person that’s easy to confide in? ……Are you aiming for that position? Hehehe, are you holding onto that good listener position and have a harmonious relationship with Zine-chin?]

[His Majesty is a person one can respect. I myself hold favorable feelings toward him.]

[Whoa. Doesn’t that mean you’ve got both the most beautiful girl and most beautiful man in the world? Eh? Is that some roundabout way of bragging?]

[Fufu. Asagi-dono is a fun Hero to talk to.]

[Eh? You’re trying to get your hands on me now? ———Ah, Koba-chan~~]

Asagi’s gaze skips over me and moves to the corridor behind me.

As we had discussed, Kashima came in late.

[Ah…… Fly King-san. Ummm, my apologies for losing my composure earlier…… I’m sorry for the inconvenience.]

Kashima lowered her head.

[Have you calmed down already?]

[Y- Yes.]

At that moment, Asagi asked.

[You’ve talked about Ayakan?]

[Unnn…… Rather than talk though…… It felt like I was just one-sidedly talking about my feelings for Sogou-san? Ahaha……]

[Unconsciously shirking rationality and giving in to unbridled emotion would make you a detestable fool, you know? Stuff like that is irritating.]

[Eh?]

[Nnnnnnnnnyathing! I just thought Poppo-chan really is an idiot! I love you! Come on, let’s go now, Poppo-chan.]

“Well then, laters~~”, Asagi said before lightheartedly walking back to the hall.

I also went back to the hall and met up with Seras and the others.

▽

After the party ended, we returned to our mansion.

After checking on Slei, Seras and I went into the room on the first floor.

This room is something we use as a living room.

It’s also conveniently located next to a small room suitable for changing clothes.

As for Munin, she said she would be here after feeding the familiar.

I did suggest that we take turns feeding that bird but……

“The role of taking care of Anuel-sama’s familiar. If it’s alright with the both of you, I’d like to do it…… but is that no good? Would it be alright if I do this?”

Munin herself said she wanted to do this, so we just decided to leave this to her.

The person herself said it was an honorable role after all.

[Piggi! Pinyuyooo~~♪]

I had brought back some of the dishes from the evening party.

Those were left at Pigimaru and Slei’s place, as they were left behind earlier……

[Panpii~~♪ Pakyuyoo~~♪]

It seemed like they liked it.

……Their cries sure have a lot of variations huh.

[Are you tired?]

I asked, to which Seras wryly smiled.

[Yes, a bit…… However, everyone at the same table was very attentive and made me feel comfortable. That’s something I really appreciate.]

Seras said she was going to change, so I offered to help her.

I heard that it was hard to take off that dress by herself.

Before the ceremony, Mira’s lady attendant, who was brought by the liaison, had helped her.

However, she isn’t here now.

[Ummm, could you untie that part there?]

[Here?]

There’s a knot at the back of her dress.

When I untied the knot, the dress, which had been a tight fit, became loose and roomy.

[Thank you very much. I can change on my own now…… It might take me a little while though.]

Saying this, Seras disappeared into the small room next door.

Shortly after, Munin came back with a smile.

[I’ve finished feeding them! With this, together with the ceremony, everything has finally ended!]

[Great job today, Munin. Was it rough?]

[Fufu, I’ve taken on such a big responsibility so it’s natural that it would be rough. If I had to do this everyday, even I would want to just pack up and go home.]

[Your conduct earlier was just as you would expect from a Chief and a King’s proxy though.]

[Oh my ♪ Milord-sama has become quite the flatterer…… Hnn——– There we go.]

Munin adjusted the hem of her skirt and sat on the sofa.

Taking off the cardigan that she borrowed……

[Well, Emperor-san and his retainers were very attentive to the proceedings, so I was able to go through everything without a hitch. Even though they’re that young, everyone is quite splendid———— Aren’t you gonna take that off, Milord-sama?]

All the shutters in the windows leading to this room were closed.

[I suppose so.]

I also took off my mask.

[Fuuu…… Even though I’m used to wearing it, it’s still more comfortable with the mask off.]

[I’m sure you’d feel more at ease if you take a bath in the hot water without the clothes on. I’ll go take a bath myself later.]

“Hnnn~~”, Munin puffed out her chest.

However, as if she had thought of something, Munin paused.

[……Or perhaps, would you like to join me in the bath, Milord-sama?]

[Hmph…… You already know I’m going to refuse when you ask those kinds of questions, so you’re asking me a completely meaningless question.]

[Fufu, guess you’re right.]

Munin leaned back against the back of the sofa and turned to me with a teasing gaze.

[However…… You and Seras-san have been in there together, haven’t you?]

[Yeah.]

[Geez, that response isn’t cute at all…… Fufu.]

Thereupon, Munin let out a sigh, seemingly letting go of the day’s fatigue and laid down her gaze.

Her face———— looks really serious.

[With this, I’ve fulfilled one of my major roles…… All that’s left is the Forbidden Curse that was apparently behind the Sealed Room…… and finally, we could head towards the Goddess Vysis————-]

[Yeah, I’m counting on you.]

[……Yes, please leave it to me.]

With unwavering determination lighting up her face, the Chief of the Kurosagas nodded.

▽

By the time the “extraction” of the Purple Beetle was finished and the mixing of the enhancer had started————– Wright Mira showed up again.

“The Golden-eyed Demons that had gathered at the Night Wall were showing signs of anomalies”.

And alongside such a report……

“From the contents of the report, could the Great Demon Emperor possibly be dead?”

Such predictions began flitting about.

On the other hand, the Holy Kingdom of Neia and Bakuos Empire were said to have gone to the west.

They are expected to collide with Mira’s army, which were currently invading Urza.

Upon receiving this report, the Mad Emperor’s response was……

[If the Great Demon Emperor really is dead, then we must get through this matter regarding the Sealed Room as soon as possible. I see———– So the situation “moved” like this huh.]

After we confirmed the contents of that report, we went to the Sealed Room in the basement that day.

<Author’s Notes>

The next chapter is scheduled to be updated the day after tomorrow, October 14th (Friday), around 9:00 pm.