Chapter 417: Star Spirit World Arc We Can’t Go Together? Even Soooooo-
「Do I have an idea about the true identity of the "Dragon"──no, a similar existence that served as the base of its concept, is it...」
After the sightseeing in the form of the hellish scene viewing party was over, Hajime and co used "Spirit's Lane" once more to return to the Star Tree while also touring some noted places in the forest that were recommended by Udar and co.
This forest touring was also for healing everyone's heart that was tired from viewing the hellish scene.
The radiant spirit spring, the spirit of ancient tree that looked as though the Deku *ree-sama came out from the Legend of Ze*da, the flower garden that changed form like kaleidoscope each time the spirits danced, every one of them was extremely wonderful.
It was to the degree that even Hajime and Yue paused their discussion with the goddess for a while to enjoy the sights.
「Yeah. The "Dragon" was born at the spirit world, so it's definitely a type of apparition. It's not "Calamity". But, it's an even greater threat than that. Then, what is the concept that can give birth to an existence that powerful? It's something that makes even god that is born from countless faiths to be overshadowed you know?」
Hajime and Lutria's voices were echoing slightly.
It was only natural. Right now the two were facing each other inside a cave that was formed in the root of the Star Tree.
Lutria-san was sitting snugly at the back of the cave. On the floor while hugging her knees.
She was sitting facing sideways from the entrance as though she didn't want to look outside. She was like a girl who got scared of thunder and shutting herself inside a small tent that she raised inside the house. This is a safe area! I'll absolutely be fine in here! It was something like that.
Beside her was Laila sitting with her legs resting gracefully on the floor. It made Lutria looked even more like a little girl being accompanied by her mom.
「...Based on the knowledge in my possession──」
Flash. Thunder. Lutria's breath got caught in her throat 「Hyuh」 and she stopped speaking.
「There is none.」
She continued as though nothing happened. With a composed expression.
「There is no way I can know somethinggg-──that the goddess of the fairy world has no knowledge abouttt-」
The unnatural intonation was of course matching the timing of the explosive sound or flash.
「Therefore, I do not have anything I can-...say about any similar existence, or about the poo-ssibility of similar existence bee-ing born once! ──more.」
「Ah, yeah, got it. Wait a second.」
Hajime was sitting cross-legged in front of her. He looked down on Yue who was sitting snugly on his lap.
Yue had returned to her original young girl mode solely because she wanted to sit on Hajime's lap. She looked up at him 「Nn?」. Her clothes didn't change with her body, so it was loose-fitting and made her looked even cuter.
Yue guessed what Hajime wanted to say just from meeting his gaze. She snapped her fingers.
Then the sound from outside vanished completely.
「What are you doing? Don't tell me, you are thinking that I am feeling scared?」
「No, it just that the sound makes it harder to make out your words.」
「...I see. It cannot be helped in that case, yes.」
In the end, were the words hard to make out because of the loud sound outside, or was it because of Lutria's intonation that was disordered every single time?
Hajime and Yue unconsciously averted their eyes so as to not disclose anything.
And then, they somehow saw it. Ahead of their gazes──at a spot slight distance away outside the cave, they saw Shia and others enjoying lunch together with the past replay and the Star Tree.
It was completely a picnic outside.
Colorful seats were spread out on the ground. They were all enjoying the blessing of the forest like fruits or nuts that they had collected with the recommendation of the spirits while strolling in the forest.
One of them was walnut the size of a baseball, however, the texture and taste was like cookie with vanilla flavor. Myuu was holding it with both hands while nibbling on it enthusiastically *munch munch munch*. She looked awfully cute.
She must have liked it very much. Her cheeks were stuffed full. And with the way she was eating it, she looked exactly like a squirrel.
But, even that Myuu and the other picnicking people were turning their eyes to the sky. They couldn't take off their eyes from there, like spectators watching a firework show.
Yes, the Shia VS Lutria fight was being replayed over there.
And so, it went without saying why the discussion was being hold inside the cave.
「Oh mother, how heartrending.」
「What are you saying, Laila? There is nothing heartrending about me though?」
Laila was covering her lips with the sleeve of her jet black dress. As though she was holding back tears. But, Lutria-san wouldn't admit it no matter what.
It seemed she wanted to assert that it was her thoughtfulness as a goddess because there was no way they could hold a calm discussion in the middle of such fierce duel. It was tearjerking.
Lutria had apparently calmed down a little because of the quiet. She opened her mouth once more──but before she could.
It looked like the people outside at the corner of their sight were getting worked up. Especially the boys. Shia-oneechan was looking a bit embarrassed. Perhaps she was getting praised incessantly by Myuu too.
Yuuka and co were all putting on transparent expressions. We don't get it but, well, this is Shia. Something like that is possible isn't it? Their thought was in a kind of resigned state like that.
The divine spirits who weren't present at that time because they were facing Hajime were also wearing expression of 「How heartrending」 just like Laila. Udar and Oros were wearing sympathetic expression that looked like 「Yeah, that must be hurt. Shia's blow. I get it.」.
Also, Soare was sleeping. Lutria couldn't bear to watch her anymore and made her slept. The reason went without saying. Her passion toward Shia was deeper than abyss. Some more time would be needed until she could calm down.
Putting that aside.
As expected it would make anybody curious if the picnicking group became that animated.
Yue opened a "window" with space magic and took a look at the situation outside. Coincidentally the past replay of Shia's powerful technique was played once more at that timing in respond to everyone's request for encore.
──GET LOSTTTTTTTTTTTT-, DESUU!!!
Something came out from Shia who stretched out her arms and legs at midair. Something like, a bright flash. Lutria's surging attack was completely blown away.
──Eh?
「Aa...」
The past and present Lutria's voices overlapped. The present Lutria-san opened her eyes wide as though she had seen something that mustn't be seen. The past Lutria-san opened her eyes wide as though to say 「Incomprehensible!」.
「I understand.」
「...Nn, understand.」
They also felt the same. Both Hajime and Yue. And so, the incomprehensible didn't stop there.
──Shii~~aaa~~~...Impactttt-!!
This time something came out from the right fist. *FLASHーー*
The technique of a certain insanely buff bugged character was somehow reproduced. It was damned bugged.
Lutria quickly put up a space isolation barrier but, unthinkably, unbelievably. Even that was pulverized and her stomach was──
「Haa Haa Haa-」
「No! Mother! Get a hold of yourself!」
「Fuuーーh, Fuuーーh」
*Pon pon* Lutria-san rubbed her stomach as though it was in great pain. Was she feeling phantom pain? As expected, it seemed she was still unable to look at it directly. It looked like she still needed a bit more time to conquer her trauma.
「...S-sorry」
As expected it seemed a feeling of guilt welled up. Yue quietly closed the "window". She also applied "Soul Repose" at the same time.
「...The spirits are being a bit mischievous.」
「The spirits here are too naughty with their goddess huh.」
「...Hajime! Shh」
Lutria was mumbling slightly. Perhaps even she was thinking that her excuse was too poor.
Yue-sama's punch on the face was waiting after this. It felt like she was going to break down for real if she recalled that, so Hajime hurriedly returned her focus back to the discussion.
He injected three times more seriousness into the mood!
「The "Dragon" isn't just earth's problem. First, I want us to share this understanding.」
「There is no way I have any objection to that. If the goddesses of the King Tree and the Heaven Tree didn't stake their existences on the line to seal it, it would be my fate too in the future.」
Fuuu~h, Lutria exhaled. She calmed down her breathing when she didn't even need to breath in the first place. The goddess's expression tensed with double dose of seriousness, though Laila giving her a gentle rubbing on the back made it awkward to watch.
「The seal over the "Dragon" is flawless for now. At the very least, I believe I have done everything I can for it at the moment. I want you to tell me your opinion about it as a goddess.」
「I am even feeling an awe you know, Nagumo Hajime. Those are, not countermeasures that I ever expect children of man to be able to take. Whether it is you taking hold of the planet's power, and also the Great Barrier of Heavenly Star...was it? The child of man who created it was also astonishing.」
「Abe no Seimei...a great man who is a legend even in my country. I only took advantage of his great feat.」
「Both are equally great achievements that save the world. You, and also the children of man who endeavored in this undertaking can take pride in that.」
Hajime's expression became very conflicted, because one of the causes of the awakening of the "Dragon" was the "World Tree's Branches Revival Plan", so just accepting the praise without reservation felt wrong.
Yue mischievously smiled at him 「Are you shy?」, so he cleared his throat to cover up his feeling. He tried to get the talk back on track.
「But, there is nothing absolute in everything. It'll be better to have as many sealing methods as possible. It'll be even better if those methods don't rely on the power of an individual.」
「Indeed. However, I believe this is already the highest grade of seal. At the very least, there is no factor where my authority can be useful.」
「I see...」
In the end she was the goddess of the star spirit world. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was already giving an extraordinary help at the present time by making the divided souls of the divine spirits to be practically guarding the seal.
Hajime had half expected this, so he didn't show any deep disappointment.
「I can teach the divine spirits, especially Laila and Enti secret techniques, or the way to draw out even more power of the "branches" so that you will have more options in case problem occurred with the seal.」
「That's a welcome news. Yeah, that'll be enough to strengthen the seal.」
「Laila, there are a lot of things that you ought to learn. Work hard.」
「Yes-, I will definitely answer mother's expectation on me!!」
It was practically a power up of the divine spirits who became avatar of the "branches" technique-wise. Hajime's face also lit up with a smile. Laila's joy was also significant. She was breathing hard Haa Haa.
She was feeling very excited from being able to receive such great honor. To a degree that it caused her to hyperventilate.
Mother and daughter goddesses with chronic illness of hyperventilation...it was kinda nasty, Hajime and Yue thought.
「In addition...I promise you that I shall give the cooperation of my authority's full might in the worst case the seal break.」
「That's a situation that I don't want to even imagine. I plan to prevent that no matter what but...thanks. That's just the word that I wanted to hear.」
The second objective of the discussion with the goddess. Hajime looked somewhat relieved that he managed to get Lutria's commitment to help.
Yue was also looking up at him with a gentle expression. She held out to him a fruit (?) with shine muscat appearance but the flavor of meatball seasoned with salt and pepper. She was telling him to take a short rest and eat.
Hajime bit at the food with reaction speed that was already at the level of conditioned reflex. He looked slightly awkward because they were still in the middle of talk. Yue chuckled.
Lutria too didn't get angry thinking they were rude at seeing the two flirting out so naturally. She was watching them smilingly.
The outside of the cave was shining. Just from the sight it was clear that Myuu and co were cheering. Most likely they were watching the past replay when the world reformation was happening.
Lutria noticed that and stared outside. She then said.
「The worlds are connected.」
「Hm?」
Hajime and Yue tilted their head at the sudden words that sounded like she was talking to herself.
「However, I did not like that fact.」
「...」
Her gaze was looking at far away. Various emotions were mixed up within Lutria's expression. Hajime and others couldn't bring themselves to interrupt her and simply listen quietly.
「The world ought to be completed within that world itself. After all there is nothing lacking that has to be brought in from outside, so that should be enough. Getting involved with other world will only increase the risk of inviting in disaster. It was because I thought like that.」
Because of that, Lutria never summoned a "hero" even once. That was also the reason she tore off her own soul even though it caused her to be tormented by intense pain for a total of more than seven millenniums to give birth to seven divine spirits.
The "hero summoning" that was done in the past was something that was done solely by the children of man. A priest of the celestial people once independently researched and improved the secret technique that was bestowed from god which resulted in the summoning technique.
The priest thought that humans shouldn't trouble the god with the conflict of the world of man. When he heard that many worlds existed and not just this one, he went off on his own to rely on hero from another world. That was the beginning.
Therefore, in the end that summoning technique was something inferior that couldn't be compared with the secret technique of god. It was "otherworlder summoning technique" and not "hero summoning technique".
That was why, what the technique summoned wasn't hero but always "someone with the qualities of hero" only.
After receiving the goddess's rebuke, the celestial people immediately tore up and discarded that technique since the first summoning. However, the people of the past whose eyes were blinded by the benefits that were brought by otherworlder succeeded in carrying out summoning many times...it seemed there was a past chapter like that.
Shia's summoning was from humans gathering the fragments of that technique. Originally it should have been lost to the degree that it was impossible to be recreated, but that caster called Louis must undoubtedly be a genius.
「...You never thought to select the hero yourself?」
Yue spontaneously asked after listening to the story till that point.
「If I do something like that, won't my child get taken away to an unknown world somewhere? Furthermore it would be to the middle of a deathly situation.」
「...C-certainly?」
「O-ou」
Serious face. Lutria-san. She looked really serious.
She was a goddess, so she couldn't refuse hero summoning because of her duty, nor would she do so. But, she couldn't bear to see a child of her world to be taken away.
That was why she didn't select a hero. Or perhaps, one of the reasons she didn't do hero summoning was because she understood that pain.
Love was heavy. To a degree that they felt yandereness from her. Because, the goddess's face was looking really serious right now.
「Those foreign world existences, they really brought in unnecessary things. Whether it was knowledge, or technique, or sense of values, without even considering how they would give birth to new conflicts.」
Lutria averted her gaze, so Hajime and Yue sighed in relieve.
Somehow, Hajime and Yue got reminded of Dahlia. Dahlia-san loved maid uniform, but she wasn't a maid. It was because there was an idiot otherworlder who said that maid uniform was the highest rank of outfit for woman.
And such misunderstanding could still be counted as something cute among the other things brought in by the otherworlders.
Lutria's gaze moved toward Hajime's ring. His treasure warehouse.
It was truly, a warehouse of unneeded technology. If super weapons got distributed through human society...there would be a great possibility of actual hellish scene being brought into reality.
「...So what you want to say is you'll allow private association, but exchange in interworld level is forbidden?」
Their discussion was mostly finished in regard of what he wanted to ask and check. What left was about Hajime's request. Lutria had already given her permission for sightseeing. The rest was about the continuous interaction between worlds.
Their interaction with the goddess and the divine spirits would be able to continue without problem. After all they had built a cooperative relationship.
But, for the interaction of the residents of star spirit world with the residents of earth...Lutria still hadn't said anything about it.
In the end, Lutria's conclusion was,
「Yes, I cannot permit that.」
Rejection.
It wasn't a request that Hajime needed to be granted no matter what. He only thought that if there was cooperation between worlds, it would be useful for developing civilization and helping each other in case of emergency.
Although, that declaration was slightly unexpected because of how helpful Lutria had been until now. He was at a loss for words.
「...No, it's not that unexpected I guess. Right now is the time for the folks of this world to work hard huh.」
「Yes, exactly.」
Lutria's expression that seemed cold softened after Hajime showed his understanding.
「...Nn, I see. There won't be any point of them losing the spirit factor if they obtained easy replacement.」
Yue's words were exactly the answer. They had to move forward with only their own strength. Because that would be their atonement, it was the trial that was levied on the humans here. Providing technology from other world would only become poison for the people of the star spirit world right now.
...Putting that aside.
For some reason spirit beasts were gathering one after another outside the cave. It was slightly concerning.
Inside the forest, the spirit beasts who weren't as innocent as the spirits seemed to fear the god's presence and wouldn't get near, only looking from the distance. But it seemed they now finally approached.
The past replay was over, but papa was still in the middle of talk, now then, how to pass the time? Going far away without papa and others is a bit...ah, there're strange animals! Come here nano~!
That kind of possibility was big. There was no doubt that even they couldn't resist after getting beckoned by Myuu who was called by some as a singularity point of communication power.
Hajime and Yue inferred the situation like that. They were approximately correct.
「Exactly. I shall permit the distribution of the technology and knowledge here to other world. I myself have sent out spirit armament and divided souls, and you yourself are in possession of the mean to generate and manipulate spirit element on your own, so it is already too late to try forbidding it. However──」
「You can't allow the opposite. In the end, you'll only allow relationship between us and them as individual right?」
「I permit that. Just as I said before, this is my gratitude for the one who achieved the salvation of this world. However, I will not allow the installation of teleportation gate directly in the society of man. All of you have to pass through my divine realm no matter what. Do you understand?」
「You mean the entrance for what we called "World Door" at my place huh. I'll also feel safe if it has a goddess as the safety measure in case the worst happened. Understood.」
...At the corner of his eyes he saw a spirit beast that got excessively affectionate with Myuu. It was a white horse with a magnificent horn. It was mystical the way it was enveloped in a faint radiance.
It lowered its head and pushed its nose toward Myuu. Myuu too was also getting excited saying Cute cute while patting the horse's nose with happy smile.
If that was all then it would be a warming sight but...
It's really pretty isn't it~, Kaori said while trying to touch the horse, but the horse dodged her hand with a shocking reaction speed. It kept its nose's position fixed on the spot so that its movement wouldn't disturb her at all while its body side stepped.
It was a strong reaction of rejection no matter how one looked at it. It conveyed its revulsion toward Kaori to a tremendous degree.
Kaori's body started quaking from shock. The small sound of snort bufu- came fromYue inside the cave.
Shia smiled wryly saying 「It must be just a coincidence desu」 while approaching to give it a try herself.
A kick flew from the one horned horse's rear legs. Shia got blown away for several meters even after instantly blocking it with a cross guard. Her lips were twitching.
「However, please understand that this decision is based on the present situation.」
「You're saying that it's possible there might be a chance for cultural exchange if the human society here stabilized?」
「I have no problem if you perceive my words with such meaning.」
Myuu reflexively stepped back from surprise. Remia hugged Myuu from behind to protect her. The one horned horse glared fiercely at Remia.
Thinking that it might be a dangerous beast, Ryuutarou who was coincidentally the one closest to the scene came running in order to protect the two.
In that moment, the one horned horse became a streak of light. It was doing a forward charge so fast that it looked like that to others! Its horn was shining glaringly!
It was as though it was saying 「Don't get near this girl you filthy mannnnnn!!」. Killing intent could even be felt from it. Ryuutarou roared 「Uoooooo!?」 that even sounded like a scream.
He immediately deployed "Heavy Vajra". At the same time, orange colored barrier was formed before him. Tio also got in between of them.
It was understandable how quickly Tio reacted. But for Suzu to be able to react as fast, perhaps it was something that was only possible because of love.
However, there was no collision in the end. The one horned horse changed trajectory just a moment before it. Perhaps it was only planning to threaten from the start without actually doing harm.
The horse immediately came to a stop and glared at Ryuutarou. It snorted huff. It also turned its gaze toward Remia and made an expression that seemed to say 「Well, it can't be helped for this one」. Its expression was plentiful despite being a horse.
While everyone was bewildered, the one-horned horse twitched toward the person who was coincidentally in front of it. It stared fixedly at the person as though weighing something.
That person who was warily on guard──was Yuuka.
A second passed. The one-horned horse clopped slowly toward her.
Shizuku and others were ready to move immediately, but Udar stopped them. He said that there was no danger. It seemed he was telling them that the horse was that kind of creature.
「I do not know when will that time come but...I think, it will be nice if it really happen.」
「Didn't you hate something from foreign world bringing things to here?」
「A world ought to be completed within itself. With that belief, perhaps I had lost many things that I might not have to otherwise. At the very least, if the children of man did not summon Shia Hauria, I would, to my own children, with my own hands, once more...」
「...The time to change came not only to human, but also to goddess?」
「Yes. I feel that it might be the case like that.」
Lutria smiled thinly at Yue's question and nodded.
What kind of emotion was radiating from her eyes?
If only I did that at that time...such thought that any human would have at least once was also something that Lutria had. That was how it looked like from her eyes.
Shia's summoning, and then her encounter with Hajime and others might became the impetus for the goddess to take another look on herself.
Hajime and Lutria were exchanging words in a good atmosphere like that. Meanwhile.
The one-horned horse got affectionate with Yuuka. Certainly it looked like there was no need to worry.
It pushed its nose toward Yuuka for her to touch it just like it did with Myuu. Although looking bewildered, Yuuka patted its nose while looking slightly happy.
Myuu ran and slapped the horse's leg scoldingly, Don't rampage violently anymore! The one-horned horse lowered its head as though to say, Understood.
Just what's going on here...Shia and others who were watching the horse thought. Then the horse turned its head toward Shia and others from an angle outside Yuuka and Myuu's eyes and,
*Hihiiiin-, peh!!*
It spat. While glaring like a thug.
Shia and others all made a look that screamed 「T-this guy-」.
「...That child is a protector of maiden. There is no danger.」
Hajime and Yue wondered. Lutria-san should be loving all living creatures in the star spirit world, but her eyes when looking at the one-horned horse was a bit reproachful. Like a mom who was troubled with raising a problem child.
「...Just now, she rejected Kaori and Shia that bluntly though.」
「Allow me to put it another way. He protects maiden, who is chaste.」
「That's just unicorn ain't it?」
Hajime-san was right on the money. It was a unicorn of star spirit world.
It couldn't accept maiden who wasn't maiden (deep meaning). And it also practiced goring with its horn when encountering male. Apparently it was that kind of beast──spirit beast.
No wonder it got attached to Myuu. As for Yuuka...yep, there was nothing to say.
「It's not dangerous right?」
「If it is for the sake of someone he recognize as a maiden, that child will throw away even his life very easily in order to protect them. And he also will not hurt someone important to the maiden even though he is only feeling antipathy toward them.」
「...Kinda nasty.」
The word 「nasty」 came out plainly from Yue. Even though the spirit beast's appearance looked really like a sacred horse...
Shia and others must have also heard similar explanation from Udar. They were letting down their guard, though their gazes on the horse were kind of scornful. Yuuka's face went bright red and she was trying to get away from the horse.
Taeko-san didn't look particularly shaken and said 「Allen-san had done that kind of thing to me, so I guess it also won't let me touch it huh」 with a bright smile, causing her surrounding to stir. What do you mean by that kind of thing!? What did the elite agent of Britain did to you!? They asked.
As for Noboru, his eyes became like a treasure hunter who discovered treasure. He was whispering something disgusting 「Holy cow! Ain't that the beast of possibility! If I can introduce Liu-san to it...」 like it was normal.
Meanwhile, Atsushi who usually had zero delicacy was being quiet this time, even though normally he would make fun of Yuuka even it had the risk of his smartphone dying. Perhaps there was something bothering him?
He was ignoring the commotion around him and stealing out glances at somewhere.
The person in question who noticed his glances tilted her head 「Hm?」, then she immediately guessed what he was thinking and grii~~nned mischievously.
What? What? Are you curiouus? You're the worstt~, she grinded her elbow on Atsushi's side with that kind of atmosphere.
Haa? What kinda misunderstanding you got there? Aren't you too self-conscious? Atsushi returned with such expression.
The unicorn sensor was shining in the search of more maiden to protect. *Glance*, its gaze came, but it seemed to feel something seeing the two frolicking with each other like that and spat *Kaaーー, peh!!* before looking aside.
Rather than something like that, getting this beautiful little girl-sama on my back is my purpose in life! As though saying that, it bent its knees in front of Myuu to urge her to hop on.
Remia mama looked very disagreeing. She was going my my like usual, even so she wouldn't let go Myuu's hand even though she looked like she wanted to get on. Her eyes met unicorn-san and it felt like spark crackled between them.
「By the way, as a part of the exchange, I want to bring some spirits or spirit beasts to the Miniature Garden.」
「I have noticed from Enti's memory. My daughter is feeling lonely that there is no children from this planet in the world where she is filling the role of goddess. Yes, I will not allow any forcible coercion but, if there are any children who wish to move there then I ask you to please accept them.」
「That's great. But──」
「...That one is rejected. It feels kind of nasty.」
Yue interrupted by saying that. It was understandable. If unicorn-san was there, from now on all the females who got invited to "Miniature Garden" would be put under a kind of judgment.
Even if she herself didn't get judged, obviously she would feel disgusted seeing her fellow females to be put through that.
「That's why, it looks like that guy has gotten so attached to Myuu that he'll want to come even if by force, but depending on the situation, I ask you to please persuade him as the goddess here.」
「...Very well.」
The goddess agreed even while averting her gaze. She pitied her child who got rejected like that, but she also thought that the child was getting its just dessert so she couldn't say anything back...that was the kind of expression she had.
Yue nodded deeply in great relieve by the goddess's understanding. Although, there was still worry left. In the end how would Myuu react? If she took a liking to the unicorn and begged...
──Papa! Yue-oneechan! It's fine right? It's fine to keep the unicorn-san right? Please nano!
──No is no, put that stray horse back to where you found it!
──Nn, it will be bad for your education growing up, this kind of perverted animal is bad-
──No way! Even though Yue-oneechan yourself is also a perverted vampire princess!
「Gufuh」
「Yue, what's wrong!?」
She couldn't possibly say that she self-destructed from her own simulation. It would become an evidence that she had the self-awareness of it.
「...It's nothing.」
「No, just now, you clearly received damage──」
「M-more importantly! ...Yes! I too have something I want to confirm-」
「Ah, yes. I do not mind but...why are you leaning forward that much?」
As expected she couldn't say because it was her half covering it up. But, this was something that she had decided to confirm depending on Hajime's discussion with Lutria. Apparently Hajime also understood when she signaled at him with her eyes. He nodded back at her.
「...Just now, you said that now is the time for the children of man to do their best.」
「Yes, what about it?」
「...After they work hard and overcome their trial, and you think it'll be fine even to allow them to interact with other world...will you, return the way this world work back to before?」
Humans possessing spirit factor once more. The spirits and spirit beasts living close with humans again.
Yue had responsibility as the one who altered this world. Here she was saying that she would lend a hand if Lutria wished for it in the future. Lutria's eyes widened in respond. And then she put on a friendly smile.
Because she felt concern toward herself in Yue's words, and not just because a mere feeling of responsibility.
「Yue, my thanks to your concern and compromise. But, it is unneeded.」
「...That so? You mean you don't plan to return spirit factor to human's hand anymore? You won't get involved with human, for eternity?」
She was a mother who loved children of man from her heart. Surely she would want to live close with human society once more one day. Surely she would be lonely to keep an isolated relationship with them for eternity. Yue asked with such thought but...
Lutria didn't show any sign of tragic determination. Rather, she looked peaceful.
「That is not so. I mean that the spirit factor will return to the children of man one day even without me doing anything.」
「...Is that so?」
Yue blinked. The spirit factor had been stripped from humans with soul alteration. She couldn't imagine how it would return at all. It wasn't just Yue. Hajime also looked surprised.
「When life perish soul will also disperse. However, it is only dispersing and not vanishing.」
「That well, it's something we know. It's a domain of soul magic after all.」
「...Nn」
Therefore, the problem was after that. It was goddess's knowledge.
「The great tree is an existence to assist or prevent any stagnation in that cycle. It convert the energy in this world to element and expel it to outside the world, and also taking in element from other world in return, then forming the element to form that suit each world before circulating it. It is also a kind of purification facility.」
「...Nn? Wait. The spirit factor has been taken from human territory in its entirety. There should be none in the nature too. Then the new life...」
Yue frowned a bit worriedly. Lutria chuckled and shook her head.
「There is no need to worry. A drastic move like altering every single living thing in the soul level and taking away spirit factor from them, and done in a short time and all at once is impossible for me. However, I can at least subtly adjust the amount of spirit factor circulating in the world once more you know?」
「...That's...certainly. You're a goddess after all.」
「Yes, I am a goddess after all.」
There was no way the goddess didn't manage the world after alteration properly. Yue looked a bit embarrassed for her needless worry. She moved around her butt fidgetily to correct her sitting posture.
She was in girl mode right now so her clothes were baggy for her. Her skirt's position became risqué if she did something like that. Hajime's hand held the skirt that almost got flipped in place while speaking the deduction that he obtained from the flow of the talk.
「I see. The soul will disperse in death even though it has been altered. Then it'll get purified and the soul that is containing new life will be created from new energy that is adapted to this world. In other words, the next generation human will regain the spirit factor?」
It seemed that his conclusion was half right and half incorrect. Lutria let out a wry smile.
「The flow of the world is not rushed like the society of human, Nagumo Hajime. There is no way the great tree will replace all the spirit factors in just several years. The world is turning in the span of several centuries or even millenniums.」
「In other words, this world's humans will be regaining their spirit factor bit by bit throughout several or dozens of generations?」
「Not only human, but every living thing here will be so.」
That was why, the period of time was just right to test the children of man. After all human was a creature that forgot pain, but it was also the only creature that could leave behind lesson for the future generatio0n.
In the end, would they be able to not repeat the same mistake even after months and years that would make them forgot the pain they were receiving right now had passed? Would they be able to keep their self-control and love for nature even in a society where humans who could control spirit element was gradually increasing in number?
It was truly something that could only be known by the goddess who would continue to watch over the human society.
Yue and Hajime nodded in understanding. Silent filled the room for a short while. The conversation stopped.
It was a time for them to sort out their thought to see whether there was anything else for them to talk or not.
Lutria was waiting calmly. Hajime and Yue nodded to each other in front of her. Yue's body was enveloped in light and returned to the university student mode once more.
「Goddess Lutria, that's all from us. Though we might have something else to discuss depending on our trip's result.」
「It is no problem. Nagumo Hajime, my discussion with you is a worthwhile undertaking. I shall believe that it will continue to be so even in the future. I am happy that I am able to exchange words with you.」
「Me too. Thanks for engaging with me.」
Both sides stood up and the demon god and the goddess shook hands with each other firmly for real this time.
Yue's expression also softened. Laila too patted her chest in relieve.
「...Hajime, you haven't eaten much right? Let's go picnic now.」
「Yes, you should do that. ...You will not watch the past correct?」
「We won't we won't. I'll take the time to enjoy the forest's blessing. That will be enough accompaniment for the meal.」
Hajime smiled wryly at Lutria's wariness and got out of the cave.
Ahead of his gaze, he saw Shia and others playing with the other spirit beasts while ignoring the unicorn.
All the spirit beasts were beautiful and also unique.
A bird that looked like a phoenix and was clad in flame-like aura was perching on Shizuku's shoulder. Shizuku was looking slightly nervous perhaps because of the glint of intelligence that she saw in its eyes.
「This one look smart for some reason. It's also really pretty...」
『Thank you, young lady.』
「KYAAAAAAAAAH IT TALKSSSSSSSSSSSSS!! What's more it has refined gentleman voice!!」
Tio and Kaori were buried in basketball sized pure white round and fluffy fluffs. They were fluff type spirit beasts. When they first appeared they had the form that looked like yeti when combined together.
『Winged child, child of sky, child of heaven!』
『Other world wings! Various children of wings!』
「Wappu, wait, don't fluff us so much like thattt」
「They hath intelligence in them. Here, art these what thy mean by other world wings? Oo, they art delighted.」
「Ah, is that why they're interested with us? Then I'll bring out my wings too──they're fluffing us even moreee!」
Liliana and Aiko were being toyed by a richly colored smoke (?) that took the shape of tiger. The spirit beast was coiling around them exactly like how smoke would.
「Is this tiger, tiger? It's definitely toying around with us isn't it!」
「Lily-san, don't be angry. The inside of your body look pretty like the galaxy when it pass through~」
「No, Aiko-san. How can you be calm like that even though it's plainly opening its mouth wide and swallow us...ah, you're casting "Soul Repose" on yourself-, unfair!」
Nana and co were being surrounded by dozens of cat-like things that were floating in the air. They had large eyes and grin so wide that split their face, along with hook tail. They were like the cheshire cat that came out in "Alice in Wonderland".
「Wait, this lecherous cat! Don't flip my skirt like grade school student!」
「Fufu, light blue huh...」
「Good job, cheshire cat-sa──aah, give back my bagg!」
Nana's skirt got targeted too much. Atsushi observed that with eyes like a scholar. Noboru was running around chasing after his stolen bag. Beside them,
「So cutee. Look here, Ryuu-kun. This one is sleeping you know? Even though the surrounding is this loud.」
「This one is also just rolling around lazily.」
「...How should I say it, after long time no see Suzu-chan and Sakagami-kun too has gotten really...is it because you two are living together? Geez, you two are more like husband and wife rather than couple in atmosphere. It's like you two are cuddling your own baby over there.」
「「!? S-stop teasing us-」」
「Yep, I'm right am I?」
Taeko shrugged while looking half impressed and half jealous. When they returned home, she resolved that she got to trai──get even more intimate with Allen.
At other spot, one more horse had approached Remia and Myuu. It was a white horse but with no horn, instead it had wings. Its radiant figure made it worthy to be called a sacred horse. It was a Pegasus like in myth.
「My my, this one is allowing me to touch it isn't it? Ufufu, thank you so much.」
「Myu? Mama, for some reason the unicorn-san is...」
The Pegasus enveloped Remia and Myuu under its wings while staring at them peacefully. Meanwhile, unicorn-san was staring at that Pegasus with a terrible look.
It looked as though it was facing its sworn enemy.
The Pegasus looked like it had no intention to quarrel. Rather its gaze toward the unicorn seemed admonishing. From it atmosphere, it even felt like that perhaps it came to protect the little girl and her mother who had gotten the unicorn's attention.
「Hajime-saa~~n! Are you finished with your talkーー?」
Beside Shia there was also a dragon-like being that radiated power that was conspicuously greater than the other spirit beasts. It was covered with pure white fur that looked comfortable to touch and gorgeous scales. Its appearance was like Fal*or that came out in The Neverending Story but shrunk by several level.
In fact, it must be pleasant to touch. Shia's expression as she fluffed the white dragon was becoming as slovenly as when she dived into a cushion that turned people into a useless slob.
「I'm inviting this mister dragon to our place! It's fine isn't it desuu~?」
『It's a request from this heroic lady, so I cannot refuse. Demon god-dono from another world, please take care of me.』
It looked like they had finished the negotiation for his going to Miniature Garden.
Furthermore there were also a gorilla-like spirit beast whose whole body was covered with moss and flower, spirit beast that looked like a walking mushroom, a spirit beast that looked like a raccoon that inflated and floated like balloon before deflating and rolling on the ground, and a spirit beast that looked exactly like the pokemon Diglet* whose head popped out from the ground.
Seeing their family frolicking in excitement with mysterious creatures noisily, it became understandable, that certainly there would be nothing better than this to be their meal accompaniment.
「I'm also sensing a great presence observing us from a distance though...」
「...Nn, it has no hostility. Is it a large spirit beast watching from afar?」
「It must be being considerate to all of you. It is large, and powerful, which mean it will also cause dread to those it face in equal measure.」
「It's highly intelligent huh.」
「It's not a mere beast. The children who have lived for many years even among the spirit beasts will obtain considerable intelligence after all. Because of that you will be able to have a nice conversation with them too.」
Lutria's eyes were really gentle as she stared at Shia and others playing with the spirit beasts.
The other divine spirits also looked the same. Other than the currently sealed Soare, all the divine spirits were also watching with a happy look.
...No, there was just one of them who was slightly different. She kept sending glances this way, or rather she seemed to be absent-minded, in a sense, she seemed to be emotionally unstable.
Naturally, Lutria-san noticed and her expression suddenly became stern. That's right. I need to ask the question about this, she looked like she got reminded like that.
Her gaze quietly turned toward Hajime beside her.
「Nagumo Hajime, I also have a question that I wish to ask you.」
「Yeah, ask me anything. Although, the divine spirits should have share almost everything to you...」
Myuu was waving her hand at him. She was sitting in front of Remia who was riding on the back of Pegasus. Remia was also waving her hand slightly at him while looking embarrassed.
Unicorn-san looked like it snapped. Toward Pegasus-san.
「What's with ya? Ya came to preach at me all the time. Aaah? I got my eyes at that girl first y'know? So whadda hell are ya doing putting her on yer back-. Aa? Aa?」 Its face looked like that.
Pegasus-san let out a sigh theatrically. As expected words can't get through you, it had that kind of atmosphere. It looked annoyed from the bottom of its heart toward the unicorn's gaze that was glaring at it from below and its horn that kept poking at it.
Although, the sight of mother and daughter riding happily on the Pegasus was very heartwarming. Hajime also waved back at them while smiling cheerfully──
「When are you, planning to take Enti as your wife?」
「Gofuoh」
He reflexively choked. When he looked toward Lutria, he found her serious face right beside him. She was serious. Her question was absurdly serious.
「What's with that question so suddenly?」
「You are also planning to create children with your wives soon after this are you not? Will you properly include Enti too?」
「There's no way I'll include her!」
「In other words, you will make that girl your wife but you will not make children with her? Why is that? Are you uneasy with creating children with god? In that case, I guarantee you that there will be no problem──」
「Wait wait wait! Don't move the talk on your own! In the first place I don't even plan to marry her!」
「!? A-as I thought, you are just playing around with that girl? Are you planning to toss her away after toying with her to your heart's content?」
「That sounds bad for other people to hear, oi-」
Divine majesty mixed with wrath was flowing out from Lutria. She was about to seriously snap!
Even though he had managed to end their discussion amicably with great pain, Demon God VS Goddess battle was about to break out because of blind love entanglement (misunderstanding)!
「You've absorbed Enti's memory right? Then you should know that our relationship isn't like that.」
「I understand exactly because I have absorbed Enti's memory. Rather, is she not being so obvious that there is no way for you to have not guess it yet? I will not allow you to feign ignorance in this matter.」
Mom was serious. Also, Yue was muttering 「Certainly」 beside him.
*Sususu-* She moved to Lutria's side quietly, then she looked at Hajime with a stiffened expression. She sided with the goddess! Come on, answer it. Answer quickly, Hajime! She insisted like that to him with her gaze! She was definitely half having fun with this.
「It has already been proven that your love is not wholly monopolized just by a sole person. What kind of dissatisfaction you can possibly feel after receiving a goddess's affection? As that girl's mother I──」
「That's why wait for a second. Sorry but I──」
「Waiiーーーーttt, what're you guys talking over thereeーーー!?」
As expected from the divine spirit of wind. It looked like she could hear their conversation. She flew toward Hajime and Lutria with bright red face to hack apart their conversation.
「Enti. As you yourself are aware, god and human being married is something that has happened in the past. It is also possible for children to be created between them.」
「I know without even being told though!? Someone like Udar already had some wives in the past!」
"!?" popped out above Udar's head at the distance. For some reason he turned toward Shia and defended himself 「I-it's a past story!」. Shia naturally made a face that seemed to say 「No, I never know that」.
「However, you never talked about it with Nagumo Hajime correct? No matter how much I searched your memory, your interactions were, vexing should I say...mother is worried for you. First, Nagumo Hajime ought to be given the accurate information, and then your affection──」
「Stupid Kaa-sama! Just be quiet already!」
「S-stupid? Be quiet? Enti is, talking scathingly, at me...?」
Lutria-okaasan staggered from too great of a shock-. Laila and Yue immediately supported her from both sides.
Enti didn't even pay attention to her mother's condition and glared fiercely at Hajime. She also pointed her finger at him.
「I-it's just Kaa-sama's misunderstanding! I'm not, really, that...that's just not it!」
「O-ou. Well, yeah. In your mother's eyes we might look too close with each other. From now on stop putting your butt on──」
「I'm putting my butt there! Absolutely!」
「What's with that fixation...」
「Enti. Why, are you covering it up? Judging from your behavior, no matter how I see it your feeling toward Nagumo Hajime is──」
「Kaa-sama? I have my own method. The next time you interfere...I'll hate you-」
「...」
Lutria-okaasan's eyes rolled back!! It was as though lightning ran at the background *Crackleeーー* like when a character in old shoujo manga got hit with shock!
Laila yelled 「Mother! Get a hold of yourself! Tsu, she isn't──breathing?」 while feeling aghast. Yue calmly made a tsukkomi 「She doesn't even need to breath from the start」.
Shia and others gathered. The other divine spirits and spirit beasts also gathered.
As expected they too must be aware of what was happening with how loud the talk had been. Some of them looked amused or smiling wryly, while the divine spirits were sending Enti rebuking gazes.
「...In-law problem?」
「Stop that.」
Udar and Laila and others were surrounding Enti and scolding her. Hajime gave that sight a sidelong glance with a wry smile. However, the atmosphere was lax. Far more than when they first arrived.
Yue too was smiling cheerfully in contrast to her teasing words.
The discussion had finished safely. The result was the best that he could have expected.
She must have felt that Hajime's heart had lightened up slightly because of that. That's great, at the very least you'll be able to enjoy the trip in star spirit world without any hang up, she said with her gaze that was filled with affection looking at Hajime.
In pay back for the teasing, he pinched Yue's cheeks *munii~* gently. Yue looked tickled and rubbed her cheeks on him...
「Papa! Is the talk over!? Look, look! This child, is it okay if we bring him back──」
Unicorn-san got too belligerent with Pegasus-san so Myuu had switched ride with it. She was calling out from on top of it.
Of course, there could only be one answer.
「「Put him back at where you found him!」」
Both unicorn-san and Myuu's eyes widened. 「Why!?」 Those eyes asked.
After that.
Hajime and others savored the blessing of the forest while enjoying their tour of the holy island.
Cave that was filled to the brim with shiny ores as though jewel from all over the world had been gathered there, or a lake that was filled with mysterious water that didn't prevent breathing at all, or a valley where space was looping and fall could last forever, or a place that looked like a grassy field but was actually the back of a giant turtle, and of course there was also the great sight from the peak of the Star Tree.
While enjoying the island that was filled with mystique, Enti had also apologized (though it felt somewhat reluctant because she did it after getting scolded by Laila and others) and Lutria recovered. At the end a feast was held with large spirit beasts also joining in.
It was a magical place that wasn't at all inferior or perhaps even superior compared to the "Miniature Garden". It went without saying that everyone was in a dreamy state of mind from their experience there.
At the middle, fairies and apparitions and even Demon Rangers got called in from the "Miniature Garden" because it was a rare chance...
The night of the first interworld gathering was growing late with the liveliness of the feast growing even more.
The morning of the next day.
The spacious office of Balted kingdom was filled with unprecedented nervousness.
There were four people inside the room.
According to the message of that person, the group would teleport to this location. The time would also soon arrive.
The king Eric didn't sit on his chair. He was standing slightly in front of his desk in wait. Beside him was Louis, Greg, and Phil, the kingdom's upper echelons as well as his childhood friends standing side by side.
「Listen well, this is our last practice. Let's start!」
「「「Ou!」」」
The exchange that was filled with tension echoed inside the office where there were only the four of them. Just like a club activity of sport club that was going to participate in a tournament soon.
King Eric inhaled *Suu~~* and raised his voice with an expression of someone ready to risk his life.
「I'm sorry Shia! Dahlia isn't in this country anymore! She isn't even in any other country! She went missingggーー!!」
Eric yelled "Now!" inside his heart. The four childhood friends understood each other by heart and threw their upper body backward simultaneously as though they were doing limbo dance.
Their bodies formed a bridge with nimble movement, just like the time when Matri*'s main character Neo dodged bullet for the first time!
It was at that timing the light of the "gate" formed up.
「W-what're these guys doing...」
「E-Eric-san...?」
Hajime's group was sent off by Lutria and others while going through the gate. They saw.
For some reason four handsome guys were forming bridge with their bodies side by side at the other side of the gate.
Of course, everyone had gone past being shocked to feel creeped out.
Without explanation, there was no way anyone could guess that these four were worried that an angry Hajime would open a hole in their head the moment they informed him of how Dahlia went missing, so they were doing dodging practice.
Therefore, they only looked like eccentric people.
Even though it was a reunion with the girl who they were greatly indebted to and still haunting their memories until now even after almost five years...
And so, Eric and the other three's hearts were as one.
「「「「This is the worsttt-」」」」
For the time being, full-powered "Soul Repose" was fired from Aiko.
Weekly Power Status
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