'──────?!'

　The heat-expanded air blows around Elina.

　Shards of shattered stone fly around. Scorching shards break the windows of the mansion, spreading a scorching smell.

　Masses of flames rain down on the pavilion, igniting the garden trees and furniture.

　Further, the impact.

　Only when she felt a sharp pain in her back did Elina realize that she had been slammed into the wall. The smell of burning - smoke was rising from the robe she was wearing. ''Giguahhhh!'' Elina lets out a beastly scream and rolls around on the ground. She takes off her robe and clings to the swaying ramparts.

　It's the southern ramparts that have been blown away. It's the opposite side of the city from where Noiel-Hafeumea is.

　The south side is a precipice.

　There shouldn't be any place to attach a ship to, yet - and yet, this power?

　Fragments of shattered stone are flying at the "Knights of Divine Life". Those who were unlucky enough to hit it are holding their hands and feet and cowering. Most of those who were knocked down by the first blast have already lost consciousness.

　Still, we were lucky that the fireball didn't hit us. If it had hit us, all of us would have been turned into charcoal.

　That fireball was too huge. It was impossible.

　It was as if another sun had come down.

　And yet no one died. It was heartbreaking. I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done. The opponent's goal is to take away the fighting power of Elina and the 'Divine Order of Life'. That's the only thing they are thinking about. It's as if they are a small fish (zako) - a small fish (zako) that can be killed at any time, such as the Marquess Eterina-Harsburg.

　The defenses of the mansion have already disappeared. The south wall has been blown off, and the west and east walls have also begun to collapse from the impact.

　The ground on the south side was bright red. It was burnt to a crisp - to the extent that the surrounding rocks were about to melt.

　That "fireball" must have hit the base of the wall.

　The impact and heat of that impact and heat gouged the ground and caused the wall that had lost its support to collapse. It was merely the aftermath (・・・・・) that burned and blew the stones away. Neither the seawater pouring down from overhead nor the vapor blocking your view.

"Oh, no. Such an offensive weapon?

　Elina groaned and looked out to sea.

　Beyond the steam, she could see the boat from earlier.

　Just a small little boat. There was a lightly dressed boy and a girl who seemed to be a dark elf on board.

　They don't even look at us. The job is done, and they are moving away. What is that?

"I'm still here!　Go on the offensive: ────!

　Elina turns at the exclamation that rings in her ears.

　Raising her voice, the regular soldiers come ashore from the pier. The "Divine Order" is in no condition to fight. More than half of them have been defeated. Most importantly, they are wobbly underfoot. There was no way they could fight on top of the crumbling walls.



　Noel-Hafemea is being held down on the ship. The one holding him down is the green-haired Iris-Hafeumea - not!　It's a soldier with green seaweed tied to the horns of his helmet. Because of the distance - and because I was hiding behind the mast, I didn't notice him!　Tricked you?　You are a brave man and a savage?　A bunch of idiots wearing 'sea dragon masks'? You have your mask on!　Now is the time to wake up...! I'm sorry, what do you mean by "awakened"?　I mean, what's an awakening?

　Elina's mind was blank. I couldn't think about anything.

　I couldn't think of anything, and I didn't even notice that blood was flowing from my bare arm. She must have been cut by a piece of rock. I feel the pain. But my brain doesn't understand it.

　Because it's impossible for me, the brave one, to be injured.

　This is strange. It's not right.

　I thought I had done my job perfectly. I was supposed to have lived up to expectations.

　I was supposed to be the one who controlled others, not the one being controlled.

"............ what is this ............ what is this?

　I sit down with a flop.

　It can't be. This isn't real.

　Huh?　I don't remember the same thing happening in ......'s original world. That wasn't real either, was it ......?

　You don't think my boss would ever scold me, do you?　Anyone who tries to leave on time when everyone else is working deserves to be punished, right?　Why should I be mad at you?　Too much?　What's the difference between a mother and her child?　So what?　Your bosses aren't giving you orders?　I don't know about that.

　Resignation letter?　Yeah, I know. "Temporarily. I think my boss would have nodded at me when I said that. It can't be that real, and it can't be that real, can it?　............ hahaha. Hahahahahaha.

　It was only a dozen minutes later that the Marquess Etelina-Harsburg, who sat on the castle walls and was motionless, was seized.









''Cecil, good night.''

Funyuns: "......

　I stroked Cecil's limp hair.

　Even though I was supplying my magic power, the ancient word 'fireball' (fireball) still seemed to be tough.

　I mean, gouging out the shore, or something like that, is completely overkill.

　We were on a small sailing boat.

　We had long since left the island and were heading for land.

　The plan was simple.

　We would use Neuel-Hafeumea to distract the Marquise and gather the enemy to the north. While the other side was stretched thin, we would blow up the city walls with the ancient word 'fireball'. That's all.

When three "lights" float in the air, it's time to start the mission. Until then, we, the mysterious wizards hired by Iris, will be hiding behind a rocky outcrop far from the island. That's it.

　It's simple.

　If the Marquise is used to using people and using them up, I thought she'd bite on either Noel-Hafeumea or Fake Iris. It was half a gamble, but it seemed to work.

'The only thing I didn't calculate was that 'Maneuvering LV7' was surprisingly expensive(ish).

　It's a port city. It's a port city, so it's no wonder it's so expensive, right?

　It's a few dozen minutes by boat from land. Even if you have the skills to maneuver the boat, it's still scary.

If you launch a "light", the ship arranged by Iris is supposed to pick you up, but ...... I don't want to be seen, and I'd better get away from the island a bit more.

　I've confirmed that Cecil's 'fireball' blew up the city walls. Our defenses should have been drastically reduced, so I think we can capture it if we surround the island and shoot arrows and magic at it the rest of the way. That regular soldier captain, he's in good spirits and seems to be somewhat awakened, so it's safe to leave the rest to him.

　I'm not really interested in the Marquess Eterina-Harsburg. Or rather, I don't want to get close to her. Even more so when she's the boss of the "Order of Divine Life". I don't think I can talk to the guy who created that organization in the first place.

　Honestly, all we need to do is neutralize her and pull out information on her identity and whoever is behind her. That's the job of the regular soldiers. We're just adventurers and can only help.

Is the payment for the skills and the cost of renting a ship ...... a necessary expense?

　As I said it, I maneuvered the sails and pointed the ship toward land.

'............ Nagi......hyama......... ...

　At the bottom of the boat, Cecil is trying to get his body up.

　But you don't seem to be getting any help.

Are you okay?　Cecil. Do you want some water?　It's cold, but I have some tea that Aine has made for me. If you're cold, I'll give you a blanket and then you can go to .......

It's ────, it's ────, it's ──────, it's .......

I'm sorry. I can't hear you. I had to speak up a little louder...

──── or ──── or ......?

　Cecil's little lips are moving. But it's so windy I can't hear him.

　Are you sick?　I've forced you to do it. ...... I hope you're okay.

　Benefits are very important. If Cecil has any requests, you should be able to hear them.

　Instead of forcing him to do something he doesn't want to do, we've decided to indulge him to the limit today.

"Cecil!　I hear you!

──── Dear Sir.

'I can't hear you very well, can I use my skills?

'──── skills?　And ────?

'Shared Consciousness (Mandate Linkage) LV 1,' which we discussed yesterday!

'────?　Which - skills ────?

　I guess you didn't hear me.

　I thought I explained about the skills I got in yesterday's 'Soul About (Engage)'.

''Ma-i-n-de-r-i-n-ke ji!　It's a shared consciousness!

That's it!　

　Blurting out, Cecil's face turned bright red.

　She looked at me with red eyes, wiped her lips with her tiny palm, and then

"............ yes ...... please ......

　Cecil closed his eyes, as if he'd made up his mind.

　I let go of the mast for a moment and took Cecil's hand in mine. I lift her slender body up. Cecil, it's really light. It's tiny. No one's looking at me - I guess the reason I'm still worried about reporting is because the rules of the original world are ingrained in my head. But we can't ignore the voice of a slave, you know. You're a master, you know. It can't be helped.

　In order not to make Cecil uneasy, I have to take down my aim and...



Activation. "Mind Linkage Lv 1.






　Cecil's lips were warm and soft. Her breath was very, very hot.





mind linkage

　The skill of communicating with a slave in consciousness for a certain amount of time.

　The slave is able to communicate his intentions to his master, even when he is far away.

　The master can do the same, but the master can also read the slave's thoughts by focusing his consciousness.

　The activation requires mutual trust in each other.

　As proof, a kiss on the lips is the key to activating it.





"Cecil, Cecil. Can you hear me?

　After I put Cecil down, I ask him in my mind.

　Cecil is curled up on a blanket laid on the bottom of the boat. His spreading silver hair looks like a shiny carpet. Her skirt is fluttering heavily because of the wind coming in from the stern. If Cecil hadn't turned his head toward me, I would have been in trouble. It's a shame.

'Oi, Cecil. Cecil. Tell me if you're not feeling well. Do you want some water?　"Maneuvering LV7 says we're in the current, so we're about 15 minutes away from land.

My body is fluffy and my heart is beating. I feel like I'm dying of happiness. ......

　Cecil said, hiding his bright red face with a blanket.

　To be exact, he delivered the message directly to my head. It sounds like it's the same as Cecil's actual voice.

''How many times does Nagi-sama have to make me a bad girl ...... to make me feel better?''

'Cecil, what were you going to say to me earlier?

I found a shop that sells Ilgafa's speciality, 'Haiyuu Deep Fried Sea Dragons' when I came here, why don't I buy some for everyone to take home?　I said,

　...... It was very unimportant.

　It's a great way to get a good idea of what you're looking for. It's a great way to get a good bite to eat on freshly baked bread.

I'm not going to be the only one who will be able to do that.

Nothing wrong with that.

'No, I'm too happy that I'm the only one working with Nagi and that he's even using "consciousness sharing" with me. I'm afraid I'm getting weird expectations. I'm not as admirable as Rita-san and Raphilia-san, but ............'

　Turning sideways, Cecil is holding his chest.

　I'm vaguely feeling all kinds of thoughts, but what's this?

'Come to think of it, Nagi-sama can read my thoughts by using "mind linkage", right?

"As long as you focus. Don't worry, I'll only use it with your permission.

"What?　You mean to tell me that Nagi can see what I'm thinking right now?

"That's why you said you wouldn't peek into Cecil's thoughts without permission...

You can see the whole thing: ...... My dream too!　I also dreamed of being with Nagi-sama for the rest of my life, and living quietly in a peaceful place surrounded by children of human and demon blood?　Do you have a view of that?

Cecil, that's an admission!　I mean, he's self-destructing!'

"...... Pusyu..................

　I didn't listen.

　Cecil is lying on the bottom of the boat with a blanket over his head.

　Maybe it's because he's panicking, but his thoughts are mixed up with the message he wants to deliver. Come to think of it, I've never used telepathy before, and I can't usually tell the difference between what I'm thinking and what I want to say: ....... Especially when you're excited.

　So, Cecil's thoughts are dripping out to me and...



Don't even think about it. Nagi-sama will understand. It's a good idea to have a child of Nagi's, or to live with children of the half-demon race.

　...... Of course, I can't be the only one to be happy, so I'll be living with Rita's ...... beastman-blooded children, too!　You can't think like that!

　I'm next to Nagi and I'm a half demon child ...... boy or girl, but I can't believe I'm carrying ...... ............ I am too happy. I get so excited just thinking about it. And, but I'm not going to think of it now because I'm embarrassed that Nagi-sama would know about it. I shouldn't!

　Nagi-sama understands if you think about a paradise surrounded by half-demon and half-beast children, or Aine and Raphilia all getting along ............ or something like that. I'm not thinking about it!　I don't think so, do I?

　If Nagi-sama finds out about this, I'll die of shame. So don't just think about this half-demon/half-beast-man paradise!　I can't do it now. I can't just think about the fact that I want Nagi-sama's children someday. ────!'



　exclamation point

　At the bottom of the boat, Cecil picks himself up.

　She's looking up at me with tears in her eyes, with the blanket over her head.

'Na, Nagi-sama!　Did you hear that?　Did you hear me?

"Nanni mo kienakatta yo!

　I blurted out.

　Because Cecil is so red that it looks like steam is coming out of his head.

　If I stimulate her any further, she might collapse for a reason other than her magic power running out.

"Nami no oto no seikkaner. Sappari kikoenakatander.

"Why are you reading out loud?　Why are you laughing with your mouth shut?　Now, you heard me, didn't you?　I'm going to melt if you look at me that warmly.　Please say something, Nagi-sama!

"Cecil is so cute.

'Oh, please don't cheat by popping your head in!　You can't just stroke it!　But you can't quit!　Na, Nagi-sama.

　Cecil's cheeks are puffed up, but he's smiling with a face that looks like he's about to melt.

'The deepest parts of my soul are resonating with each other. It makes my heart skip a beat. Na, Nagi-sama, if you keep quiet like that, I'm ready to do it too, right?　I'm going to pretend you heard me, okay?　You sure you want to do this?　Huh?　Don't you dare!　
　............ awa ............ awa... ......... is also, already, Nagi-sama, ────!'



　So Cecil was busy laughing, angry and embarrassed.

　I had to keep her calm or she was going to roll over and into the ocean.

　I kept nudging Cecil's head until we reached land.