122-Episode 120: Makoto Takatsuki and Sophia




 In the end, Sakurai-kun didn't wake up because he was too drunk to get up, so I decided to carry him to my house.

 .........Well, you're the one who's carrying Sakurai-kun, aren't you?
 No, I was going to carry him on my back at first, you know?
 I'm not good enough, and I'm not good enough!
 We broke up the guild banquet and headed home.

'Oh!' Lord Tuckey. We've been waiting for you!
 When I got home, it was Fujiyan and the others waiting for me.
 Nina, Chris, and a female knight were there.
 Incidentally, Fujiyan is the one who found me this house, and by the way, the owner of the house is also Fujiyan.
 I've given them a copy of the key.
 I've told them to come in without permission.

Oh! It's Saki.
'Aya-chan! How are you? Oh, did you drink too much, Ryosuke?
 If I thought there was a beautiful female knight, it was Yokoyama-san.
 ........huh?
 I couldn't help but look at Furiae-san.
 Yokoyama-san and her cold gaze crossed.
 Huh, real wife vs. mistress?
 Shuraba-dah!

"Hello, Friae, maiden of the moon.
Long time no see, Holy Swordsman.
Have you had a long talk with Ryosuke?
Hmm, what's it to you?
I'm related. I'm your wife.
 I was looking at him with a cringe, but he seemed to be unexpectedly calm....

'Well, well, Saki-chan. This way and that way.
 Sa-san put Sakurai-kun on the living room sofa and pulled Yokoyama-san to him.
''Furi, let's go this way.''
 Lucy took Mr. Freyae to the opposite table.
 Nice, you two!

 Lots of treats on the table.
 And alcohol.
'Fujiyan, what's this?'
"Mr. Takatsuki! Celebration that we are one step closer to becoming a lord, Death!
 Nina told me with a big smile on her face.
 According to Chris, he'd gained an advantage over his sister, who he thought was his biggest rival.
 That's good news.

 For now, the banquet started with Furiae and Yokoyama-san's seats farthest away from each other.
 We ate at the guild as well, though, so I was a little bloated.
 According to Fujiyan and Nina, it's almost certain that Chris will be the next lord of the guild.
 Well, that's good.
 But in the end I didn't do anything about it, but is it good?
 Fujiyan would only say, "It's okay, Tacky-dono, never mind.
 Hmmm.

 And one more thing I'm wondering about.

''Hey, Seikenshi-san. Is Ryosuke getting a good rest? You look pretty tired, though.
'I always tell her to rest. But he doesn't listen to me at all.
It's your job to force them to listen to it, isn't it?
Then you have to tell him.
 The words are the ones that are somewhat spiky, though.
 His wife and his mistress are having a normal conversation.

"....
 Lucy and Mr. Saasan are watching it intently.
(Hey, Aya. People in other worlds are so open-minded.)
(No! (I think Saki-chan used to be pretty jealous...)
 A whispering voice came from the 'listening ear' skill.

'What's wrong, my knight?'
'Oh, by the way, did Takatsuki-kun become the guardian knight of the Moon Priestess?
Uh, yeah...
 Yokoyama-san and Furiae-san turned to me.
 Oops, did we stare at them too long?
 Friae-san grinned.

''You're wondering why I'm talking to the holy swordsman so amiably, aren't you? I got to know her when I was captured in the Land of the Moon by the Knights of the Sun when I was captured in the Land of the Sun.
Yeah, well...
 Isn't there nothing to get along with?

Well I'm sorry for the time being.
 Yokoyama-san's expression sinks darkly.
'That's okay. You and Ryosuke didn't know anything about it. The ones to blame are the temple knight bastards in the Land of the Sun (Highland) and the Pope who ordered it.
....

 I don't see the story, though.
 There's a reason...........

'Want to know? My knight. Not a pleasant story.
No, I'm not going to do that now.
 Looking at the gloomy expression on Yokoyama's face next to me, he doesn't seem to want me to say it.
 Let's change the scene.
 Let's talk about something else.

Speaking of which, Fujiyan. Speaking of which, Fujiyan, I've been seeing a lot of residents in McAllen that I've never seen before.
Aye, that's because you're Mr. Tuckey.
?
 What does that mean?

'We've had a steady stream of people wanting to move to McAllen, where Lord High Moon, the brave man of Roses, is located.
If you're out of work, Fujiwara Associates has a job for you.
 Chris, Nina added.

'Wow, that's great, Makoto.
Sometimes I walk around town and people ask me about you, Takatsuki.
 Lucy and Sa-San will tell you that I'm happy to see you.
(Seriously...)
 I didn't expect it to be me.

 For a while, we talked about Chris's plans for the development of McAllen and his future business plans as a merchant.
 For a while, we talked about Chris's plans for the development of McAllen and Fujiyan's future business plans as a merchant.

 I looked around.
 Fujiyan, Sa-san, Sakurai-kun, Yokoyama-san, and I. Lucy, Furiae-san, and Chris.
 Lucy, Furiae, Nina, and Chris.

(Are there more people from another world?)
 I felt like I was back in Class A for the first year.
 I felt as if I was back in Class A. Somehow, everyone was doing well, I guess.

 The party continued until late at night, but Sakurai was still sleeping.


 


 -- Midnight of that day.

 Everyone had gone to bed, but I couldn't sleep, so I was in the backyard of my house, practicing by myself.

'Nah, nah,'
 The usual black cat came by.
 With water magic, he catches a fish and gives it to her.
 The black cat was munching on it.
 While loving the cat's fur, I ruminated about the daytime.

(.........the battle with the Green Dragon (Green Dragon), if Sakurai-kun hadn't been there, it would have been a close call.

 Honestly, we're just lucky that there was no damage.

 According to Fujian, more and more people are moving to McAllen.
 Because there are brave men.
 When the city is in danger, it's the role of the brave men to take the lead in confronting the city.
 From the city guards and temple knights to adventurers and volunteer soldiers, they are all under the command of the brave men.

(Sigh........the role of a brave man....

 ........sobering.
 A long time ago, I played a role-playing game for the first time in my life.
 The main character, a hero, single-handedly saved a princess who was kidnapped by a dragon and defeated a demon king.
(I liked that one...)
 In fact, I've heard it's a capacity issue that I don't have any friends.
 Lucy and Sa-san are fine, but I'm not keen on the moderate pressure of being responsible for even strangers.
 I wonder if I'm being selfish.
 I was thinking idly as I looked up at the cloudy sky with no moon in sight.

Hi, Takatsuki.
 It was Sakurai-kun who called out to me from behind.
 Perhaps startled by the stranger, the black cat ran away.
'Are you awake? Sakurai-kun.
Sorry, I fell asleep in the middle of it.
You should have said no. You can't drink.
 Last time I crushed it, though.
 I dared to put it on the shelf.
 Haha.................and Sakurai-kun laughs lightly.

'Is Takatsuki-kun in training for magic?
'Hmmm, a training exercise or a review meeting?
 I explained about the battle with the green dragon (green dragon) at noon, and how weak my magic was and how hard it was to handle spirit magic.

''I see, you can't show your true potential without water....... And the presence or absence of spirits makes a complete difference in its power?
Well. The Troubled Wizard's Apprentice.
 I joked, but Sakurai-kun's face was serious.

''I'd better share that information with the General Staff.
What is that?
These are the people who are drawing up plans to defeat the Demon King in the northern continent. The reason I'm traveling around the world is to remind them of that plan.
Wow....is it Sakurai-kun's role to defeat the Demon King after all?
 It's the reincarnation (and treatment) of a legendary savior.
 But Sakurai-kun shook his head.

The challenge to the Demon King is a joint team of heroes from the six nations. However, the hero of the water kingdom was not going to be the main unit because he was too young.
Was it?
 Past tense?

The other day, a brave man appeared who defeated 5,000 ancient demons all by himself.
The "th.
 It's me.
''I haven't been informed of the details of the plan either, but the people in the General Staff have been talking about Takatsuki-kun being one of the main forces in the battle against the Demon King.
Seriously....
 To be honest, I'm having trouble with a single stray dragon (dragon).

''But if that's the reason, another Demon King might be a better match for me than fighting the 'King of Beasts' Zagan.
 ...another Demon King.
As I recall, it's Ashtaroth the 'Old Dragon King' and Forneus the 'Sea Devil King', right?

 Zagan, the King of Beasts, who rules over the land of the Demon Continent.
 Forneus, the Sea Demon King, who rules over the seas around the continent of evil.
 Ashtaroth the 'King of the Old Dragons' who rules the skies of the continent.
 The three demon kings who protect the Demon Continent as well as the land, sea and air forces. 

''But I heard that the purpose of this northern expedition plan is to defeat the 'King of Beasts' Zagan?'''
 In the Land of the Sun (Highland), I was told by the Knight Commander.
 It's too big of a damage prediction for us to take on all three Demon Kings.
 Besides, it's said that when the Great Demon King comes back, it's the 'King of Beasts' who will attack to control the western continent.
The Sea Devil King is in charge of the seas around the Demon Continent.
It is said that the 'Old Dragon King' is the guardian of the Demon Continent, so he rarely leaves his own territory.

''Yes, that's why our main unit is fighting the 'King of Beasts' and another unit needs to hold off the 'King of Sea Demons' and the 'King of Old Dragons' from coming to reinforce us.'''
'I see... Surely you can't just sit back and watch each one destroyed?
 If that's the case, since the battlefield of 'King of the Sea Demons' is the sea, I'd prefer to place it there.
Sakurai-kun said, "I'll let the General Staff know about it.
 What I should have is an old friend of mine.
 We were chatting for a while, and then...

Maybe I should take a page out of Takatsuki's book, too.
 Saying this, he pulled out the sword at his waist with a slurry.
 Hyun, Hyun, and began to swing with a bare hand.

 The indigo-black blade of the sword is drawing a beautiful arc with a vague light.
 I've seen Sakurai-kun's sword a few times, but is it that color?
 And that magical (mana) light...

'Sakurai-kun, is that a magic sword?'
'Yes, the 'Treasure Sword Arondite' borrowed from the Highland Royals. A magical sword that is said to never lose its edge.
Wow! So that's the sword of the legendary savior. Hey, can I touch it?
 It's the most sacred sword in the continent!
 I want to see it!

'No I'm sorry, but it's not the sword of Abel the Saviour. It belongs to a brave man from a thousand years ago, though. Do you want to take it?
 I received the sword from Sakurai-kun.
Ugh........it's heavy!
 I expected it, but I knew I couldn't hold it.
 But Sakurai-kun is wielding it lightly.

I'll return it, thanks. But did I have to wear this color?
 I remember it being a brighter color in the Great Labyrinth and daytime battles.
"The sun's rays are turned into magical power (mana) and are sucked into the 'Treasure Sword Arondite'. The 'Sword of Light' skill is releasing all the magic (mana) that has accumulated in the sword at once. When this happens, the sword shines the color of the sun.
I see.
 So you're making the magic sword suck mana.
 So that's one way to use it.

Let's give it a try.
What?
 I drew my dagger.

(Spirit, Spirit.)
 The Goddess's dagger was raised towards the night sky.
 The water spirit's magical power (mana) focused his consciousness so that it would gather on the dagger--

'Huh? Did the spirit itself get... sucked into the dagger?
 Just a few spirits, united with the blade of the Goddess' dagger.

 --The blade began to emit a dazzling blue light.

 At the same time, you can feel the dagger pulsing as if it had life in it with a 'thump'.

''Takatsuki-kun!''
 Sakurai-kun's slightly impatient voice brings me back to myself.
 The Goddess-sama's dagger made a disgusting sound, "Jeez, jeez.......
 Ah.............My magic control was a little lax.
 This was the sound before the magic went out of control.
''With the 'Clear Water' skill, I'll control it.
 I'm going to make the magic (mana) that is trying to ramp up the disorderly flow of the magic (mana), and the sound that the dagger emits is

 --shank, and it turned into a bell-like sound.

'S-you controlled...?'
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. There was more spirit magic (mana) than I thought.
''It seems like a king-class magic amount resides in that dagger...''
That's nice. It's going to be easier to use once you've built up some magic power in your weapon.
 Gathering magic on the wizard himself can cause him to get spell drunk or go out of control.
 This is a great idea. 
 We'll have to make use of it in the future.

''........200+ magic proficiency? The Great Sage said that there's no wizard in the Highlands with a faster magic activation speed than Takatsuki-kun. There's no wizard in the Highlands with a faster magic activation speed than Takatsuki-kun.
I think you're trying to buy your way out of it.
 I'll take it as half a story. 

 I swung my dagger at the sky.

 -- the cloud hiding the moon has been ripped away.

"Oh!
 Nice power!
 But control is a challenge.
 That's what Sakurai-kun, who was watching with a dumbfounded look on his face, said.

By the way, I'll be leaving McAllen this morning.
'What! Already?
 You just got here yesterday.
Why don't you take a couple more days to relax?
 Miss Freyae will miss you.

Princess Sophia will be back in the morning. I'll say a few words and then head off to the next country. I can't stay too long as my schedule is tight.
That's too bad.
 If possible, I would have liked to learn a bit more about magic swords.

 Me and Sakurai-kun talked about magic swords and the plan for the northern expedition until morning.


 ◇

 --The sun is just beginning to rise.

 A magnificent carriage is parked in front of the church.
 The one who got down from the carriage was Princess Sophia.
 Sakurai-kun is kneeling down and talking.
 Oh, is the conversation over?

 Sakurai-kun stood up and straddled the giant white flying dragon nearby.
 I mean, the other members of the Order are normal flying dragons and Tenma (Pegasus), but isn't Sakurai-kun's ride just a little different?

That's the White Dragon, the guardian of the Highland royal family. I've never seen one before.
 I heard Lucy mumble.
 

I love it, Sakurai-kun's dragon. Can I get a ride on the back?
 I blurted out, and Sa-san and Furiae looked back at me.

'Maybe if Takatsuki-kun told them, they would give you a normal ride?
 Sa-san chuckles at me.
'Hey, my knight. I've never ridden in one either?
Just kidding. Just kidding.
  

 Sakurai-kun, Yokoyama-san, and the people from the Order of the Sun wave to us and take off.
 We wave back to them, too.
 Did we say we're going to the Fire Nation next?
 It's hard to be a brave person of light.

 Oh, Princess Sophia is walking towards me.