The "Road of Law" that runs through the Empire of Ad Astera from east to west goes east and east.

　The main artery of the empire, and by extension, the continent, is still crowded with people today, and carriages come and go incessantly. I'm sure that I could get a ride in one of these carriages without going all the way to the airport on foot.

　But I dared to walk to Onigashima on my own. Five years ago, I followed the same road westward and westward, checking the footprints of the past.

　Then I realized that my memory was unexpectedly fuzzy.

　After being banished from Onigashima, I'm sure I entered the Canary Kingdom via this road, but the scenery around me is strangely unfamiliar to me.

　The same is true for the towns and villages along the way; I don't recall staying at an inn, eating a good meal, or seeing a beautiful view.

　--It's not surprising, come to think of it.

　Five years ago, I was just looking ahead like a man possessed. There is no regret, and I didn't look back, thinking that the future I wanted was ahead of me, so I just kept walking.

　I didn't have time to pay attention to the scenery around me. There was no way to get a taste for the food on the road. It was impossible to create a memorable memory in such a state.

　The only thing she remembers is the frustration she feels.

　Whenever she heard the sound of laughter from the surroundings, she saw the boy's shoulders shrinking as if he was being laughed at.

　If it were possible, she would have told the boy. The five years from now will wear you down to the limit. The future you wish for does not exist. You'll do a lot of things wrong.

　But there is something to be gained if you don't stop to think about it - that's what I wanted to tell you.


Well, you didn't have to tell me that, but here we are now.


　I laugh at the sentimentality inside me with these words.

　When I looked at my left wrist, I found a finely crafted bracelet on it. The bracelet had been given to me by the sparrows on my way out of Ishqa, and it is said to be a good luck charm for good health in the demon tribe.

　This is also one of the reasons why I didn't stop to look at it.

　I stepped out onto the ground in front of me once again. Five years ago, I took the same road that I took five years ago, running away or being chased, and slowly made my way through the streets, step by step, checking the ground beneath my feet.

　It was almost too close to my hometown in the northern ocean.


◆ ◆ ◆


　The overall view of Onigashima resembles a butterfly with its wings spread.

　The land that forms the eastern and western parts of the island is almost a pair, and in the center, where the two overlap, lies the only city of Hiiragi, Hiiragi Capital, the only city on the island.

　The port to the south of that Hiiragato was the island's only point of contact with the outside world. Well, even though it is a port, there are no fishing boats or guest ships that call on the island, and since it is a place where liaison ships come and go between the island and the continent twice a day, it is not very popular (or even lively).

　Incidentally, these ferryboats are always escorted by a blue-linen flagman. The northern sea surrounding Ogashima is rough throughout the year, and it is infested with many abnormally developed sea-dwelling monsters, so without an Aobayashi-class fighter, traffic would be hindered.

　Of course, even if it was a flag officer, only flag officers would board the ship, and it was unlikely that a senior level eight flag officer would play such a minor role. It is impossible, it should be.


It's been waiting for you, Lord Sora.


　It was Goz Sima who told me in a voice that was heavy and yet filled with a burst of joy inside.

　It would be pointless to ask why I was here. The boat ticket I have was prepared by the swordsman.

　You need to go through a preliminary screening process to get on the boat to Onigashima, so it's not like anyone can get on the boat if you buy a ticket. The ticket has a fixed date, and as mentioned earlier, the ferry only has two flights a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're going to visit your mother's grave, and it's not like I'm going to be on a later flight.

　--It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what to expect when you're in a position to make a decision. It's a foolish thing to expend effort to avoid the welcoming of a person who may or may not even be there.


"It's a painful welcome, Sima-dono.


　Be polite in your words and polite in your manner.

　I'm not here to sell you a fight. Unlike when we met again in Ishqa, there was no reason for me to slash at him right now.

　I narrowed my eyes and stared up at Goz's face as I looked up at him. Then, a puzzled voice emanates from the mouth of the huge man's flag-bearer (Kishi).


''........Is that something on your face, sir?''

'No, no, not at all. So, may I head to the island?　Or have you encountered any hindrances?

No, no. I will not be a problem. I will lead the way to your presence, Your Highness.

Yes, sir. I look forward to working with you.


　I bow to Goz in accordance with imperial etiquette.

　The swordsman is a full-fledged aristocrat of the Ad Astera Empire, while I am a commoner with no rank or office. Since I have not been disowned, I have nothing to do with the Gokens family. It was only natural for me to use respect and show courtesy.

　Seeing me, Goz couldn't help but let out a wry smile.


''Sora-dono has already dismissed the three blue-ringed bannermen and confronted Gokan-sama with his demands head on. There's no need to start working on the outside now.

When I confronted him with this insulting demand, the Lord of the Sword House responded with generosity. In that case, it is only natural for us to respond to him with courtesy.


　I only said that and didn't change my attitude. More to the point, I didn't need to change my attitude. It's not that I want to have a friendly conversation with the person in front of me like in the past. I'm not even going to guess why the other side looks happy.

　It is not my business what a stranger thinks, and it is a common courtesy to be polite to strangers.

　However, if I had to give you another reason, it would be as a precaution.

　It's not as if they don't have an intention to beat me up for my disrespectful behavior after inviting me here.

　I'm sure the master and Goz, but the Berchs will be more than happy to do so. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them, because they've beaten the two adopted children of the other side, both in terms of strength and prestige. It's no wonder they hate us.

　Speaking of adopted children, Kuria was sent back to Onigashima before I returned home. He didn't take up the invitation of the four flags, and while I was in Belka, he prepared for the outbreak of the illusory species in the forest of Titis while I was in Belka, and in the end, he didn't give me a chance to take advantage of him until the end. This forced me to leave.

　In the second half of the day, I usually talked to Sparrow, Seal, and even Miroslav, and he bowed deeply to me when I released him. At the end, he looked somewhat pensive, which I guessed was because he wouldn't be able to eat the Sailor Priest's food anymore.

　With that in mind, I boarded the ferry and headed for the island.

　The reason why the sea monsters didn't attack is because Goz was constantly threatening the ship with his juju at the bow.

　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.


"It's been a long time, Sora........


　The fact that she stuttered for a moment around my name is probably because she was concerned about my reaction. The reason is that I used to hate it when Cecil called me "Waka-sama" or "Sora-sama" and I insisted that he call me "Sora" like his real sister.

　In hindsight, it was a reckless request. As a vassal, there was no way he could call me by my legitimate son's name. But the kind Cecil, when he was alone with me, would call me "Sora" as he wished.

　I hang my head in horror as I remember those days.


It's a pleasure to welcome you, Sima-dono. I'm sure you're not the only one who is favored by the Lord, but it's not necessary for you to address me. I would be accused of being a victim of such behavior. I beg you not to do this.


　After saying this, he looks up and stares at Cecil, whose mouth is closed in confusion.

　His hair, which five years ago was tied up so that he could move easily, is now straight down. Also, what was a slender physique that was typical of a hippocrat five years ago has now been replaced with a feminine, rounded physique.

　It seems to me that this is the change of someone who went from being a hatter to being a wife.

　I'm sure you'll be able to see that, as I cut my gaze off from Cecil, I'm going to proceed with my steps towards the Mikado Mansion.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.


It's a good idea to have a few words with your sister now, if you can. She has been waiting for this day for a month since the decision was made by Gokan-sama, that she has been looking forward to this day.

"Lord Sima.


　I only move my head and look at the brother and sister over my shoulder.

　The reason I didn't call them by their names was to show them that I was too lazy to differentiate between brother and sister.


I did not come to call you by your name. In the first place, it was your master who called me here. The more we say, the longer we wait, the longer your Lord will be waiting. I think that is not what a vassal would want to do, but how about it?