- Fujiyan's point of view.

　A child crying and screaming.
　A mother who soothes them.
　Anxious and frightened elderly people.
　The knights of the water country are guiding people to the evacuation area, encouraging them.

'It's terrible, isn't it?
　Chris-dono's complexion is not excellent.
'Will Takatsuki-sama and the others be okay?　If possible, I would like to participate in the defeat, too...
''This is the royal capital of the Water Country, so there must be many excellent knights and wizards here.... We'll believe it.
　The otherworldly cheat ability is powerless in a situation like this.
　I resent my lack of fighting ability.

''Nina. You will be a member of the McAllen family. You must not go to dangerous places with the adventurers.
'But!　I'm the only one in a safe place after endangering Takatsuki-sama, Sasaki-sama, and Lucy-sama.......
　Chris-dono worried about Nina-dono, and Nina-dono worried about Tacky-dono.
　I can understand both of their feelings, and it's distressing.

　The evacuation area is filled with anxiety and sadness... hmm?

Mister Nina. Mister Chris, a word.
　They interrupt the conversation between the two people who have a difference of opinion.
　Among the people who are anxious and frightened by the group of demons that have suddenly appeared - there is a man who is rejoicing (...) and shaking (...) and shaking (...).
　Could this man be...?

"Lord Nina, would you take that man over there with the deep hat and take him alive?
What? 'Sir?　What are you talking about?!
　Naturally, he looks surprised.

'I'll take all the blame. I won't let him get away with it.
There must be a reason for this. I see.
Ms. Fujiwara, please explain later.
　My apologies.
　.........I must tell you two about the 'Garage Player' skill one day.

''I'll lure him out to a place where he's not popular. Nina-dono, I'll ask you to take care of the rest.
Hi. I'm on it.
Mr. Fujiwara, Nina, I want you to be safe.
　Lord Tuckey is risking his life in a more dangerous place.
　I, too, will do what I can.


- Princess Sophia's point of view -

　I returned to the royal castle and left Leo in charge of the medical team and ordered the knights to rescue the inhabitants.
'Um, Princess. Why don't you get some rest........
It's unnecessary. I'm going to visit the temple, which is a shelter, and check on the people. Your father and mother are safe, aren't they?
'Ha!　His Majesty and the Queen have been evacuated to safety.
Good. I'll get dressed.
Let me help you.
No, thank you. Wait there.
　I ordered my guards and closed the door to my room.


"...Phew.
　Taking a breath, I deactivated my 'Cold Blood' skill.
The 'Cold Blood' skill keeps my spirit calm at all times.
　The drawback is that my expression looks cold, though.

''Huh!''
　All the emotions that had been calm until then came to a head.
　I pressed my cheeks with both hands.
　Hot.

　Grizzled, I walked to the mirror and looked at my face.
''My God...''
　A bright red face was reflected in the picture.
　Is this the face that is called the ice sculpture princess?

'Takatsuki Makoto........'
　Just calling his name made my body shake with a buzz.
　I hug my body with both hands.
　It's not cold, it's the opposite.

''Um.... that magic called tuning in or something...''
　Against me, the princess, she grabbed my hand unceremoniously and entered me.
　In my mind, body (...) and body (...).

''........''
　I remembered.
　The feeling that went through my back.......................
　It's as if that man is holding me....

"What a waste of time!
　I am a priestess in the service of the Goddess Eir!
　This body, which is dedicated to God, has not a shred of uncleanness in it!
　But I can't get the face of Makoto Takatsuki, smiling at me, out of my mind.

　Leo is cornered.
　His knights and the adventurers he relies on are frightened.
　I thought it was no use.
　The Royal Capital Horne would be overrun by a mere giant.
　Yes, I was in despair.

--I'll decide on the next one. I'll give it my all.
　A cool tone of small talk in that desperate situation.

--Thanks to Princess Sophia.
　He laughed at me freshly, that face.....


'Now would not be the time!　Sophia!
　I activated my 'Cold Blood' skill again and returned to my original expression.
　I quickly change clothes and leave the room.
　I look around at my anxious subordinates.

''I'm heading to the city. Those who can move, come with me. However, don't let the injured strain themselves.
""Ha!"

　Let's just forget about it for now.
　For now.
　I am a symbol of peace in the land of water.
　We mustn't lose our cool.


　


- Takatsuki Makoto's Point of View

　All the demons in the city seemed to have been defeated, and we didn't encounter any demons on the way back.

　I returned to the inn and let Sa-san and Lucy rest in their room.
　I headed to the Adventurer's Guild and reported about the clown people and the strange voices.

'The circus people are on a quest at the behest of the Princess. Thank you for the information,''
Well that mysterious voice is a bit of a stretch, but...
　As for the clown story, the guild staff listened to it seriously.
　However, I wasn't sure how to handle the story about the mysterious voice.
　Well, it's possible I heard wrong........

　Then I looked around the city for a bit, and saw the knights guiding the residents.
　I thought there didn't seem to be any work for adventurers, so I went back to the inn.

　As for Fujiyan, I got a message from Nina that she had some important business to attend to.
　She asked me to wait for her at the inn for a few days as she was busy.
　I said yes, and decided to take the day off.

　◇

　That night, about sleep.
　I was standing in the space of a goddess.

"Master Noah?
　As I was scurrying around, a smiling Noah-sama appeared, smiling at me.

'Hello, Makoto. Good work today.
'Master Noah. You helped us today against the giants.
　I get on my knees and thank him.
　That hint was a lifesaver.
　I couldn't have defeated the Titans without it.

Well, I'm sure Makoto would have figured it out on his own, though. In that case, would Aya-chan have died at least once?
....
　It's horrifying.
　Once again, I think today's battle was a tightrope walk.
　Conveniently, I was lucky to have a powerful water magic skillful person there.

''Not really. There are a lot of water-related magic skills in the land of water. Leonard-kun has a super-grade water magic skill. It would have been nice to agree with him, wouldn't it?
That's one way to do it.
　But the prince was fighting a giant.
　It was impossible to use sympathy in that scene.

'By the way, that childlike voice before the abominable giant appeared. What was that?
　I think Master Noah would know something about it.

Oh, that?　It's the voice of the one you guys call the Great Demon King or something.
Yeah.
　Noah-sama answered the shocking truth in a simple way.

The Great Demon King is back?
No, he hasn't. No. That voice is just a residual thought, a recording from the past. It's a recording from the past.
Huh.
　I'm not sure.
　It sounded like they were having a conversation.

Don't worry about it. Anyway, the resurrection of this Great Demon Lord guy is just beginning. How much longer do you think we have to wait for that?
I'm just gonna populate it with important information.
　My mind can't keep up.

'Well, don't worry about the truth. I'll give you the information you need, when you need it.
It's like everything is right in the palm of your hand, Noah.
　Is that okay?
　Well, it's a good thing you're an apostle of Noah-sama.

'We gods can't directly interfere with the people on earth. That's why we use apostles and priestesses and stuff like that to do things. I'm not the only one.
　Noah-sama says, "Hey," and it's cute.
　It's not very cute.

In the meantime, are we God's pawns?
　In the case of Noah-sama, it's like a single 'infantry' in chess.
　It's a bit of a stretch.

"Makoto has at least a 'Gui Ma', don't you?
Deny me the part about being a pawn, please.
　Well, I'm not an infantryman, but a laurel horse, and I'm a little pleased to be called a laurel horse.

"Makoto says himself as a pawn, but in reality, he doesn't do what you say at all, does he?
Really?
　But Master Noah is so quick to tell us to abandon our friends and run away, but I don't see how that's possible.
"...usually. God's apostles are more likely to listen to you, right?　And the reason I told you to run away is because I value your life.
Well, tell them to help us and their friends.
Why do you have to tell God how to do things...
　There was a dumbfounded look on Noah-sama's face.
　I wonder if I'm saying something strange. Am I saying it?

'Well, that's true. You did really well today!''
'Really?　It was a pretty reflective battle.
　This is a scene where you can't use spirit magic and your friends Lucy and Sa-san can't fight.
　Moreover, they can't escape.
　I was not prepared for this in many ways.
　We need to rethink our strategy.

"Not that way.
?
He wants me to be friends with a maiden.
We don't get along, do we?
　I think I've gotten along with Prince Leonard the Brave. What about my sister?
　And after we defeated the abominable giant together, she went away soon after.
　As a princess, though, I guess I have to take charge.

''Huh.''
　Lady Noah gestures like, "Oh dear.
'What's wrong?'
Well, that's what you get for being insensitive.
What did you say?
Oh, I hate those slow-witted types.
....
　He told me twice.
　Was it important?
　I'm not the insensitive type... am I?
　I've been talking to Fujiyan about things from Lucy and Sa-san.

''In the meantime, I'll do my best to get along with Princess Sophia. Also, I'm going to train harder and get stronger.
　To be able to handle a case like this one.
''Seriously. Then let me give you a hint that the kind and gentle Goddess will appreciate it.
　He smiles and pats me on the head.
　I'm in a good mood.

"Makoto, you use the 'clear water' skill when you use spirit magic, right?
Yes, I do use it. Not just when I'm using magic, but all the time.
''When you use spirit magic, try to restrain yourself from using the 'clear water' skill.
Why?
Tranquilizing skills like 'clearing the mirror' are helpful when using magic.
　This is what I learned in the Water Temple.
　This is something I learned in the Water Temple.

"Spirits, you know. It's a good idea to expose your emotions,
...Is that so?
　That wasn't in the book.
"Isn't it more fun to talk to an affectionate person than an unfriendly one?
....
　It hurts the ears of the commie.
　I see. I'm shocked that the genie thought I was an unfriendly guy.

Well, you should try it. You're still a novice spirit user.
Okay, I'll see what I can do.
Yeah, yeah, good luck with that.
　He patted me on the head.
　I've gotten used to it lately.
　Noah-sama gave me a disgusted look.
　Oops, I guess he read my mind.

I'd better get going.
　Let's say thank you and move on.

"True.
Yes, what is it?

--without a sound, he kissed me on the cheek.

'Your reward for today,'
　Noah-sama smiled and waved his hand and disappeared.

''........''
　I forgot to breathe.
　It was a complete surprise.

My heart was still racing even after using the 'clearing water' skill.
　Oh man, this was the most heartbreaking temptation I've ever had.

　........I'll take it as a reward for my hard work.