The next day.
　We all went to Shero's house in the morning.
　The next morning we all went to Shero's house to introduce Aeon and Shamash to Mr. Shero.

　Aeon and Shamash said they knew each other well.
　They had spoken a few times when Aeon was studying under Isaac.

　But just because they are acquaintances doesn't mean they can't meet in a relaxed atmosphere.
　Their relationship is a bit complicated - or rather, it's because Aeon is partly responsible for the collapse of the Scarlet Wedge, the mercenary group of which Shero-san was the deputy leader.
　Aeon-san and Shero-san's meeting couldn't be without the events of that time. Whether or not Shero will accept Aeon, in other words, whether or not Shero will forgive Aeon, is a matter of whether or not Shero will forgive Aeon.

'...... Mr. Aeon. Are you nervous?

　On the road, rocking on the back of a horse.
　I ask Aeon-san, who rides with Deanna.
　By the way, it was a two-man ride, but Aeon-san was in front. And - not surprisingly - Aeon-san had outstanding riding skills. Apparently, he's not a former general for the sake of it.
　Just because the blessing was lost doesn't mean that it didn't exist until the minute he had grown up before. It's only because the only compensation for the vocation is probably the 'growth rate'.
　Mr. Aeon opens his mouth.

'I'm nervous, if I'm going to be honest with you ....... The man really cared about the group, so it was hard to ...... think that he would forgive me. And he was kind of ...... caustic, too.
Caustic ......?

　Mr. Shero is caustic.
　What does caustic mean?　What's the word for someone who is this kind of rabid?
　No, the current Mr. Shero looks rather unassuming, but he may have been different when he was a mercenary. After all, he's the kind of person who would be given two names like 'Monster (Juggernaut)'.
　Hmmm.

Have you known each other for quite a while?　With Mr. Shero.
'Yes. Because that one was by my side the whole time I was being coached by Zach.
Yeah. Why is Mr. Sheroe there?

　Mr. Aeon was supposed to have studied under Isaac as a 'vocation education' for the princess.
　I don't think the state would allow someone who doesn't need it to be on their side.
　In response to my question, Aeon-san replied with a smile on her face as if she had remembered.

''Hmm. Having that person at my side as my own bodyguard was a condition for Zack to be my teacher. He didn't trust the palace to begin with. He laughed and said that he and the other man could get through anything, no matter what.
Yeah. Did you get along with Mr. Isaacs and Mr. Shero?
'Yes. It's a bit of a jealousy. ...... The samurai women and others were even carrying out a good fantasy that those two were forbidden to each other. ......
Yeah, .......

　I've never seen Mr. Isaac, but I'm sure he was a polite and beautiful young man.
　And the seemingly crude and macho Mr. Shero, who was good friends with him.
　Hmmm ....... I wonder if Mr. Isaac was about the same age as Mr. Shero, if they were best friends. No, I don't know much about Mr. Shero's age either, but counting backwards from Mr. Rebecca's age, he must be a reasonable age: .......
　Well, age doesn't have much to do with this world with spirit stones.

...... And, Ayase-san.
What is it?
'Please call me Aeon from now on. I'm just Aeon. I'm your maid.
Hmm, yeah. ......

　I'm not sure what to call it.
　The name "Aeon" itself is a pseudonym, so it's okay to call it something else, but hey, .......
　I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I feel like Mr. Aeon is Mr. Aeon.
　It's not that I'm not old enough, but I'm not going to be able to call her by her name when she's the princess of the country: ......

'I've asked these two to call you out as well. It's not right for your slave to call you by your title, but your master to call you by your honorific title, is it?

　By two, I mean Deanna and Marina.

'Really?　Marina too?
The Aeon is called the Aeon, sir. He asked me to do it for him.
Where's Deanna?
I originally called it Aeon.

　I see.
　Deanna and Marina slept with Mr. Aeon last night, so maybe they got to know each other a little better there.
　Or, we can't rule out the possibility that there was a fight to determine the pecking order at the mansion: ....... No, that's not indeed the case.
　But, well, aside from Deanna, you're going to call Marina out too. I can't help but call her by her name too.
　And if we are going to live our lives as different people, we need to be the ones who know what's going on and help them out. I'm sure calling you by your name is part of that.
　Good.

So, I'll call you Aeon. It's an alias to begin with.
'Yes, please. Thank you, Ayase, .......

　Aeon-san is just a genuine princess, and she has a bit too much of a noble vibe for me, or maybe the aura is too different for me to call her out: .......
　Well, you'll get used to it.

"Hey, Ayase-kun.
What is it, Mr. Shamash?

　Shamash is riding with Marina. Marina is in front, of course.
　They are a brown duo riding together. A camel looks better than a horse.

'Well, you know, that. You're going to call me by my name, of course, right?　If Aeon calls you by your name, I'm your slave, and I'm not allowed to call you by your name, am I?　Yeah.
'Ah, ....... Hi, ma'am.

　'And you too, Shamash?

'Look, look, you don't have to be shy. You can call me Shamash. I'm a slave!　And feel free to call them up and tell them what to do!
Hmm.

　Thanks, Mr. Shamash, he's like Mr. Shamash.
　After all, he's a lot older than me. Probably older than the priestess. It's hard to call her by her name.

"No, after all, I like Shamash-san, Shamash-san is better.

　Thinking for a moment, I replied.

'Oh no!'
'I'm just in that position now, and Shamash-san is much older than I am. It's a little hard to call him by his nickname. ...... Well, I'll consider calling you by your name one day when I'm ready, so please be patient until then.
'Mmmmmmmmmm ....... I can't help it. ......

　I managed to get him to nut up.
　No, I'm not convinced. I don't think so.

"Look, don't be too selfish and annoying, Shamash.

　Mr. Aeon puts in a cha-cha.
　The feeling is completely different when talking to me and others than when talking to Mr. Shamash, Aeon. It's like I'm letting you in.

'Just shut up, Aeon!　You're the only one cheating!
'Because I'm younger than Ayase. I'm just a maid, Ion.

　Mr. Aeon smiles cheerfully.
　Shamash-san's eyes widened for a moment at the natural smile that relaxed her strength.

I'm sure you're right. Yeah, well...if Aeon looks happy, that's fine. ......
'Hey, Shamash!　Don't make me feel like that all of a sudden!

　Ms. Aeon and Mr. Shamash are really good friends. It's a cliché to say that they get along so well that they fight, but Shamash-san must be a really special person to Aeon-san.
　The reason why Aeon-san decided to come to me is because of Shamash-san's presence. If I had asked her what happened to her, and she had agreed to shelter Aeon alone, I am sure she would not have shook her head.　


　As we talk like that, we walk to the front of Shero's house.

　Aeon and Sheroe-san, I was actually thinking of giving them a little more time to meet each other. Aeon-san might need to prepare herself, and it's not too late to get used to life first.
　I don't know anything about the details of what the mercenary group was to Shero-san. I've never heard of any relationship with Isaac, the group's leader. I don't even know the details of the group's size.
　So, what kind of feelings does Shero-san have towards Aeon-san, who was the cause of that mercenary group's disbanding?
　I can't actually know for sure.

　I called out to Rebecca as she was hanging out her laundry in front of the house.

'Good morning, Rebecca,'
Hey, Jiro. Morning.
Is Mr. Shero there now?　Do you think he's in a good mood or something?　I'm going to have you meet with Mr. Aeon. ......
'Aeon ......?　Oh ...... Princess Lucreon or ....... Yeah. Yup. Well, I guess it's a dijob ......, right?
That's a bit of an unsettling answer: ......

　Maybe it means that it's an unknown quantity for Rebecca-san as well.
　Well, if you listen to the story, you'll know it's not Aeon-san's fault, but the emotional part is another thing. I'm not a party to that mercenary group or anything, so I can't say anything.

　But, well, as they say, it's easier to give birth than to worry. Aeon needs to make up her mind.
　There's no way to avoid it if you're going to live here.

Okay, Aeon. Let's go.
Ayase. E-Oh!　Isn't it?
Oh, right. Aeoneon.
'You don't even need a salutation. Just use a broken tone.
I'll be careful. Let's go to ...... then.
Yes. Please.

　He put his hand on the door.
　And Mr. Shero came out of the house at about the same time.
　When Mr. Shero, a muscular, muscular man who looks like he's two meters tall, stands nuzzlingly close to me, I'm kind of instinctively freaked out.
　I know now that he's a kind person, but even though Aeon has talked to him, he wasn't that close to him. I wonder if he's okay.
　I turn around and look at Aeon.
　However, she is not at all afraid to look up at Shero-san with a dignified appearance.

'Oh, Jirou. It's just perfect, that training menu you were talking about the other day--

　It was Mr. Shero who noticed me and started to speak, but he was speechless when he noticed the person (Ion) standing dignified behind me.
　...... No, I guess that's called raptures.

　Mr. Shero is frozen like someone who has seen a ghost.
　It was Aeon who opened her mouth first.

...... It's been a while since I've seen you. Uncle Shero.

　Aeon looks straight into Mr. Shero's eyes and bows his head.
　Hearing those words, a hint of understanding comes over Shero-san's face.

'O............ o...... princess ......?　Is it?　Princess Lucreon: ...... or ............?
...... Yes. It's Lucreion. I call myself Aeon now. ...... I'm very aware that I can't really show my face like this. But--
'Oh! Thank God!　You're alive!　After all that happened, I thought the princess was long dead by now!

　Mr. Shero smiles a no-nonsense smile. It's a sharp contrast to the gloomy Aeon.
　It's not that he doesn't hold a grudge or forgive her, but he doesn't seem to be bothered at all.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with ....... You don't hold a grudge ...... against me about Zack?
'Haha. Princess, have you been worrying about that?　I don't mean to sound like this, but we all knew that a naive princess was being set up, and we all knew it. Rebecca's one was a lot more complicated, but, well, that was special.

　He smiles happily and says, "Wa-ha-ha.
　The sudden appearance of an acquaintance from the past, whom she thought had died long ago, makes her unable to hide her joy. Really, he doesn't seem to have a grudge or anything.

It's a shame about Isaac, but it can't be helped. Our group was far more powerful than the regular army, and that's why they were resented from the start. You're like a victim because you were just used as an ally. Don't worry about it.
'Uncle ......'
You've lost weight, Princess. You've been through a lot.
"...... yes ...... u, u ......

　As Shero-san spoke softly, tears spilled out of both of Aeon's eyes, as if all sorts of things that had been pent up were overflowing.
　From his own point of view, the fact that he might be resented by Shero-san - that is, the former member of the "Scarlet Wedge" - would have been stressful.
　He must not have expected that it would make him happy to survive, let alone be resented.

'Ugh, ugh ....... Good for you, Aeon .......

　I looked to the side and even Shamash was crying.


　◇◆◆◆◇


　After Aeon-san stopped crying once and for all, I told Shero-san about the situation.
　However, Shero-san knew the original situation, so there was no need to explain so much.
　He ran away and was hidden by the demon tribe.
　I had to live in our house.
　That's it, in broad strokes.

　Mr. Shero, knowing what had happened, nodded widely and said.

''Princess. It must have been Le Baraka's intention to meet you in this way. Jirou is the man I had in mind. You can count on him to be reliable in this way. Jirou, too, princess ...... no, I asked you to take care of Aeon.
You're overpaying for it. But I'm sure you can trust me with Aeon.

　In fact, I'm still deciding how I'm going to handle Ion.
　Living as a maid would be nice, but I don't think that's all he can do. I'm sure he has his own life and future that he wishes to live, too. It's a good idea to keep yourself cooped up in that mansion, because it's almost like being a nun or a nun.

''Oh, and this is Shamash-san of the demon tribe that sheltered Ion.
Yes. I'm Shamash, the new slave of Ayase-kun. Nice to meet you.

　Shamash-san pushes her slaves even when they are introduced. If there are too many beautiful slaves, doesn't it feel like they're walking around saying "Master, it's erotic"?
　To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing. You're a virgin and you sound like a s*x man.

I'm Shero Roth. It's just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on some of these things. I thank you for this. Thank you, for saving Princess Lucreon. It's a pleasure to work with you.
'Hmmm, it was a total coincidence that I saved Aeon, though. Lucky for me too.
''By the way, since you ...... are a demon race, you can use the summoning technique, right?　I'd like to ask you to do me a favor: ...... Yeah, not right now--

　Apparently, he wants a summoned monster beast for stiff combat training.
　If it's money, I'll pay you!　And that is an unusual request for Mr. Shero. Mr. Shamash, what do you want me to do?　He asked me if I was a fighter, and of course I agreed.
　I guess the battle-crazed part hasn't changed after all. There was nothing but null fights, and I might have been getting pretty stressed out. It's peaceful, Elishe.

　◇◆◆◆◇

Hey, if it's okay with you, Ayase-kun, I think it would be a good idea to give Aeon a new blessing.

　After drinking tea and reminiscing as it was at Shero's house, Shamash cut in abruptly.
　Aeon lost his blessing after being burdened with the prison crest. It was only recently that he used the spirit stone to exorcise the prison crest.
　I mean, is the blessing reacquired?

Hmm?　Oh, you'll never receive the blessing of the Great Spirit Le Baraka again. Once a blessing is lost, it doesn't return. So it's only if Aeon is good, too.
What do you mean?
''Yeah. I'm also a priestess of the Night Heavenly Lady Goddess Verse. So, you see, I can't give you Le Baraka's blessing, but I can give you the blessing of the Night Heavenly Woman God. Of course, even with the blessing of the verse, I can give you a vocation and guidance: ......

　Oh, oh, oh!　I see, you just need to receive the blessing of another God. If there is a God who throws away something, there is a God who picks it up.

I wonder if it's okay. Even if I've been given ...... a new blessing. ......

　Ion seems a little hesitant.
　Maybe he's worried about what's going on with Isaac. Maybe I'm the only one who feels like I'm getting ready to be happy for the first time .......
　No, in fact, I am.
　Mourning forever may be life again, but that's too extreme for me as a modern person.
　Even Aeon can be happy.
　There are plenty of people who can't be happy, no matter how much they wish for it. Even Aeon doesn't know if they can be happy or not.
　So it's not wrong to at least live your life for it.

''Aeon. Shamash's blessing. ...... And even if you're going to work for us, you'd better have a calling. Besides, you never know what kind you're going to get.
'Right. Ohihime ...... No, not Aeonhime ......, but Aeon. You can't go wrong. ...... Anyway, the blessing is best given. There's no need for you to feel the pull of Isaac's case, and if you want to start over, you'll need a new blessing.
That's true. I think it's a good opportunity for you to be truly reborn and live as an Aeon from today. I will treat you as a mere Aeon from now on. That's why I think you should be given that blessing. If we're going to do this here anew.

　Ms. Shero and Rebecca agree with the new blessing.
　Of course they do. There's no harm in receiving it.
　I don't know what kind of goddess of the night sky, Verse, is, but it doesn't matter because I don't know more about the great spirit Le Baraka.
　...... No, Le Baraka is a bit more recognizable because I see the motif a lot in the temple. It's a cow with wings. The priestess is wearing a hat with horns, that's the motif.
　Oh well, that's okay. Aeon's blessing.

Is ...... okay?
Oh, come on. It's a blessing in disguise.
Are you sure you can do this?　Shamash.
'Of course. I am not only a great sorcerer, but a great summoner and an even greater priestess.
No need to be so arrogant, though.
'Ugh ...... ions are hard on me ......'

　In fact, Shamash-san is competent. He's on the same level as someone like the priestess.

So, Mr. Shamash. Just do it for a while.
I'm in charge!　I will give you the greatest blessing of all.

　Don and Shamash tapped his chest and went straight to giving the blessing to Ion.
　Even though it's called the blessing of the Night Heavenly Woman God, the procedure is no different from the blessing of the Great Spirit that I saw several times. All the surgeon has to do is hold her hand and chant a spell.

''Is Aeon ready too?''
Yes, sir.
What kind of vocation will he have? I wonder if there will be a 'General' after all.
It's hard to tell: ......

　I don't know what's actually going on.
　It seems to me that he originally got the Shogun's vocation and did all sorts of things to actually become a Shogun, so it seems to me that it would make sense for the 'Shogun' to come out again, normally.
　No, maybe there is a bias in the vocation that comes up depending on the gods ...... or something like that. ......?
　I don't have any other options, and it's not like I had to think about it.

'Then let's begin. Aeon, give me your hand.
Hello. Nice to meet you, Shamash.
Yes.

　They hold hands and nod to each other.
　Every time Shamash spun one of the spells, the aura overflowed.

　And after an exceptionally strong glow, the blessing ceremony was successfully completed.