Not worthy of a name, hey. Well, I'm not interested in your name. They'll be gone pretty soon anyway.

　As the iron-masked woman giggled, the half-machine demons in the abandoned factory charged at Yakumo.
　Yakumo, who was outside the broken window, turns on his heel and leaves the abandoned factory. The demons chased after it by climbing over the window.

''Mmm!''

　A short distance away from the abandoned factory, Yakumo stopped in his tracks. A similar demon appeared from before.

''Giggles.''

　The machines let out a squeaky voice and the demons in front extended their own claws. As it was, they swung their arms, which had become sharp hand swords, and attacked Yakumo.

''Phew!''

　Yakumo pulled out his beloved sword and released it. The blade, filled with crystal glitter, sliced the demon's torso in half as it passed by.
　The upper half of the demon's body falls to the ground, leaving the lower half behind. The torso was apparently flesh and blood, blue blood staining the ground of the ruin.
　Without even a glance at his fallen comrade, Yakumo slashes the demon that continues to attack him into a kesa-slash.
　This crystal sword, filled with the magical power of his father, Fuyao Yao, has an immense cutting power. The only weapon that can receive it is one that uses the same crystal material. Even if it is a demon strengthened by a machine, it cannot be prevented.
　........it should be.

''Huh?

　Yakumo catches the metallic orange war cudgel "Mace" swung down from behind him with his shining sword.

''Oh?　It's funny. You can't shatter it with my 'Halloween'. It's an awfully sturdy sword.
'Well your people said the same thing.

　While Yakumo said to the iron-masked woman who seemed to have been chasing him before he knew it, Yakumo dispelled the war cudgel or "mace".

''Companion?　Who is it?
The one with the blue hatchet and the round helmet.
Oh, Indigo. Hmmm, did you fight him?　Then maybe I'll let you play with me too!

　The iron-masked woman swings down the war cudgel again. It's not an unseen speed. Yakumo holds up his crystal sword and catches it from the front.

''Guh!

　Yakumo's arm screams. A heavy blow, different from the previous one. I dispel it again, wondering if that wasn't an all-out effort earlier.

''Look, look, look, what's going on?''
Nuh-uh...!

　The war cudgel 《Mace》, which is swung down continuously, becomes heavier with each blow. That's strange. This is like...!
　In Yakumo's mind, the image of the crushed mutant that he saw in the abandoned factory just a moment ago comes to mind.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more information on this topic. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

That war cudgel......... Every time you swing it down, the weight is added to it, right?　Or the ability to change weight in an instant.
Oh, my God, you're crazy. Who are you really, little girl?

　The iron-masked woman turned her probing eyes. She pointed the metallic-orange shining battle cudgel 《Mace》 at Yakumo again.
　The reason Yakumo noticed the ability of that battle cudgel 《Mace》 was because it was similar to his sister's attack method. However, his sister 《Linne》's attack was much heavier.
　I noticed that the semi-machine demons were swarming around me. Taking on this number and the iron-masked woman in front of me at the same time is too tough, even for Yakumo as expected.
　If that was the case, there was one action Yakumo would take.

''【Gate】''

　I open the transition gate enough for one person to pass under my feet and transition from the spot so that I fall to the ground with a stomp. It's frustrating, but escaping is part of the strategy. Seeing the iron-masked woman whose eyes widened in surprise at the moment of the transition, Yakumo felt a slight pause.
　At the destination of the transition, the Professor 《professor》 was peeking around without being located. Yakumo landed on the ground through the transition gate that appeared in the air.

''Noooooooo!　What is it, little girl?　Scare me away!

　The Professor 《professor》 was surprised to the point of sitting up when Yakumo suddenly appeared as if falling in front of him. He was caught by the rubble and was about to fall down when his attendant soldat, dressed as a knight, supported him.

''They've found us. I'm running away!
"Oh, oh, okay!

　The Professor 《Professor》 who swallowed the situation immediately nodded. It's not far from here from where Yakumo was surrounded earlier. Soon, the demons would be coming here as well.

''Giggles.''

　While I was thinking this, the demons really came. They flapped their bat wings and flew towards us. Behind them I could also see the iron-masked woman.
　It's not a good idea to run away, but there's no need to force yourself in enemy territory. If you are on your own, you also have a companion named Professor. It's not a good idea to run away" is what my father said. I don't know about the other thirty-five plans though.

The Gate!

　The Professor 《Professor》 was sent flying into the open transition gate, followed by the knights of the attendant military machine soldat.
　As if to escape, the demon's arm shot out like a bullet and with a chain, it attacked Yakumo.
　Swinging his shining sword to the side, Yakumo managed to cut off the arm.
　But in the next moment, seeing the iron-masked woman behind the demon wielding the orange shining war cudgel, Yakumo backstepped and jumped into the transference gate.
　At that place where the transition gate disappeared, dougong!　And with a loud earth shaking, something invisible fell. The cobblestones dented loudly and countless cracks appeared.

........you missed it. It's a pity. Will Indigo be mad at me for this?

　The iron-masked woman, Tangerine, let out a melancholy voice with a sigh.




　[Gate] to the front street from the back alleyway that she had transitioned to at the [Gate]. From this street, which stretched from the central plaza where the tall clock tower was located, the castle standing on top of the hill could be clearly seen clearly from this street.
　A castle that Yakumo had been familiar with since he was born... or rather, his parents' house.
　Looking up at that castle, Yakumo let out a gloomy sigh.

''I've come home........''

　Whether it was good or bad to think of the safest place on the spur of the moment, Yakumo had unconsciously moved to Brunhild's town. The new location was a back alleyway that he often used to escape the castle with his sisters.

Oh, this is Brunhild. "Oh, this is Brunnhild, young lady, the king here and I know each other, so you'll be safe.
Yes, I know very well...

　Yakumo felt indescribable as the professor 《professor》 spoke happily.
　For now, he had fulfilled his own purpose of bringing back the information about the Messenger of the Evil God. All I have to do now is to wave a big smile and go to see my father and mothers of this era, but before I hadn't been in contact with them for a long time, I can't help but take a step back.
　

I'm hungry. It seems that you can eat at the inn. Let's get something to eat.
''Yes......... Nah!　No, let's not go there. I have a feeling there's a good restaurant over there. Over there, over there.

　As if in a hurry, Yakumo pushes the professor 《professor》 gingerly in another direction.
　The name of the inn that the professor pointed to is 'Silver Moon'. It's a state-run store owned by the Brunhild royal family. Therefore, knights in the service of the state also come here frequently to eat. When it comes to safety, there is no safer place to eat than here.
　However, to the current Yakumo, it is a dangerous restaurant where his father's subordinates would not be surprised to find him.
　If it had already been arranged, my father would come flying in with a single shot if it was reported. And my mother.........
　At this point, Yakumo had no intention of running away, but he wanted a little more time to sort out his mind.
　Perhaps it was because she was in a tempest, but she hadn't noticed. She hadn't noticed that a few cats in Gingetsu's storefront were staring at her.
　A few of them started to move after Yakumo and the others, and one of them started to run down the road to the castle to inform their boss.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


　Meanwhile, at that time.

　The magic train carrying us stopped at Paliston Station, the first station of the Liefreth Kingdom, and we received a great welcome here as well. Due to geography, the next station on the Leafs' side of the line would be the imperial capital Bern. In other words, it's the end of the line.
　Our short journey ends at the next station. Overall, the train itself seems to be in good shape. I think this should be okay.
　From here, I think the tracks will extend to Reefreath, Belfast, and their respective domestic provinces. It's like a local line in another world.
　In addition, it will eventually extend to neighbouring countries such as Regulus, Mismid, and Panachez, where there will be a lot of traffic and distribution of goods.
　I think the number of people traveling for the purpose of tourism will also increase. Maybe eventually there will be a tour company.
　Yumina looks out the window at the view as if she is sad to reach the end of the line.

'Is it five hours from Alephis to Bern? It's like a lie that the journey by carriage would have taken days.
It costs a lot of money, though. But it's a guarantee of safety, so I'm sure the wealthy will come on board.

　If you take the magic train, you won't have to worry about being attacked by bandits and other thieves. You can get to your destination safely. When the freight trains began to run, it was possible to carry a lot of goods.
　I think that magic trains will be the cornerstone of the distribution system from now on.

''Lord.
Hmm?　Is it amber?

　When I was thinking about such prospects for the future, a telepathic message came from Amber, who was supposed to be staying at the castle. What was going on?

''What's wrong?　What's going on?
''Yes. I received news from the cats under my command that a girl resembling Yae-sama has appeared in the castle grounds....
What?

　I yelled out loudly and attracted the attention of everyone around me. Yumina next to me cracked her eyes and asked.

''W-what's going on, Fuyao-san?''
''No, well... I just got a call from Amber, saying that a girl who looks like Yakumo has appeared in the castle...''
Wha-ha, really?

　Yae stands up with a clatter. Everyone around them have also stopped chatting and are peeking at us.

''Ember, where is that girl now?''
I don't know where they are, but it doesn't look like they're headed for the castle. I don't know where they are, but I don't think they're going to the castle. I'm sure the cats are following them, so I'm on my way there now.

　Not heading for the castle?　You're not coming back?
　Yae is closing in on me as if she were impatient.

''Da, sir!　We've got to go get him fast!　If we don't seize them for sure, they may escape, that they will!

　No, no, no, don't sound like a criminal. I'm your daughter.
　Nevertheless, Yakumo can use [Gate]. It's not impossible for him to escape.

''Alright, let's go to Amber's place with [Gate]. Then I'll contact the cats that are following me...
"No, no, no, wait a minute!　Lord Winter Night, no, His Majesty the King is not to be lost!　And His Majesty King Lefries is waiting for you in Bern!

　It was His Excellency the Duke of Ortlinde who was waiting for us in our haste.
　That was it. Somehow I had loosely thought of it, but this was just a ceremony.
　d*mn, of all places!
　If it had been just His Majesty the Emperor, it might have been manageable, but this time, the Leafs' chief ministers are also coming. I know it's not a good idea to lose the king of one of the countries we invited.

It's a good idea to have Yae alone return to Brunhild.　I don't think it would be too much of a problem if the queen didn't have them all here, but...

　Linse asks the Duke of Ortlinde timidly. The duke mmmm, he ponders.

'Well, if His Majesty the King is here........ If we can explain to the Leafs that we returned it to them because one of them was sick, there won't be a problem.......
'Well, then!　Master, I'm not feeling well, so I'm going home ahead of you, that I am!

　Yae shouted with a clear tone of voice, which is very hard to believe that she is not in good physical condition.
　Nuh-uh, I want to follow you too, but under the circumstances, it's still impossible.......

''Father, I'm going to follow you. I have to catch Yakumo-sama, for goodness sake.

　Maybe it was the responsibility of the second oldest daughter's absence, but Frey offered to do so. I guess it would be a relief if Frey would go with Yae.

''I understand. ........Yae calm down and stay calm too.
I am calm, that I am. I am calm, that I am.

　Yae, who can almost hear the onomatopoeia of fidgeting and tingling, says so. It's okay, right?
　When I opened the [Gate] to the front of Brunhild's castle gate where Ember was waiting, Yae jumped in vigorously as if she was waiting for me. Frey also followed closely behind.

''I wonder if it's alright.......''

　The train that carried us with anxiety was heading to Bern, the imperial capital of Liefries.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


　Yakumo left the "Professor" and wandered around the castle town of Brunhild.
　The Professor 《professor》 went to greet his acquaintance, Engineer Golem...probably Engineer Elka, and headed to the castle, so Yakumo decided to separate.
　Normally they should have gone together, but after coming here, Yakumo was still hesitant to go to the castle.

''As expected, we can't go any further.... If this is the case, I should have asked your mother's permission first before going on a training trip...''

　Sighing loudly, Yakumo walks around the town with no idea what to expect. Even though it's a town in the past, it's a town he's known since he was born. You can't get lost.
　Now, what to do now, one shadow stands in front of Yakumo, who sighs again.
　I look up at the downcast face and see a familiar face there.
　It was younger than the face I remembered, but it was definitely my mother, Yae.

''We found you, that we did, this runaway girl.......!
No, no, mother.... I didn't run away from home...

　Yakumo flinches and takes a step back as Yae stares at him expressionlessly.
　Yakumo flinches at the silent intimidation that his mother gives off. Yakumo has become a gold-ranked adventurer and is proud of his strength in his own right, but he doesn't feel like he can beat his mother, Yae, by as much as a hair's breadth.

''Where in the world have you been walking around aimlessly until now...?''
Well, you see, Mother, I think I'm going to have to...

　Yakumo is as motionless as a frog staring at a snake. She almost cowered to wonder if her mother's anger was that great.
　For a moment, the thought of escaping with [Gate] flashed through her mind, but doing so would be like pouring oil on the fire.
　In this case, Yakumo had no choice but to make up his mind and receive his mother's wrath, he closed his eyes, but the next moment, he was hugged tightly by Yae.

What, uh, mother...?
You stupid girl...!　You know how worried I was about you...!

　Even though she was a gold-ranked adventurer, it was impossible to tell her not to worry about her daughter, who was only eleven years old, traveling around the countries by herself.
　Yae didn't have any memories of spending time with Yakumo as a mother, but she could be sure that this girl she held in her arms was her own daughter and that she was an important one.

''We've finally met, that we have...''
Mother..... I'm sorry...
Hmmm, Yakumo-sama is embarrassed.
'What?　Huh, Frey!

　Suddenly, the one who appeared from behind Yae was his sister, Frey, who was just below him. Underneath her feet was her father's summoner, Ember.
　As expected, even Yakumo was embarrassed for his sister to see him being hugged by his mother.
　Yakumo tries to move away from her with a struggle, but Yae hugs her tightly and does not let go.

''Ha, mother!　It's time for you to let go...!
...For worrying everyone, Yakumo is a bad boy, that he is.
What?

　Yakumo's face clouded slightly as Yae's tone suddenly changed. Yae's arms, which were being held, became stronger and the restraints became tighter.

''Wait, ha, mother?　That's a bit strong...!　Ta-tah!
...bad boys are going to have to be spanked, aren't they?

　Hearing his mother's low voice, Yakumo felt his blood rush to the surface. He had heard this voice a lot when he was little.
　When he didn't return to the castle until the appointed time.
　When I lied and covered up my mistakes.
　You have annoyed everyone in the castle by being selfish.
　The punishment he would always receive was the same.

'No!　What? Mother!　For God's sake, let's not do that.　That's it, wow!

　Yakumo floundered and struggled more in Yae's arms. But Yae's arms, which firmly restrained her daughter, didn't falter.

''Huh, Frey!　Help!

　Throwing away her sister's dignity, Yakumo asks her sister, who is just below her, for help.
　Frey smiles at his sister who is in tears.

''Sister Yakumo. It's not a good way to get around.''
'No!
Well, let's get back to the castle, that we shall. You'll be punished plenty later...
'Hee!　Father!　Please help!

　Yakumo asked his father, who wasn't here at last, for help. For a moment, Ember thought about telegraphing this to her own Lord, but Yae's smile, which was directed at her with a sense of intimidation, dissuaded her from the idea. It's a good idea to have a good time.
　Yae carried her daughter on her shoulder and began to walk happily back down the road to the castle.
　That daughter on her shoulder was tormented by a sense of despair, though.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


'Oh, okay, okay, okay....
Everybody, welcome back, that I do.
'Oh, um...'

　After we managed to finish the ceremony at Leaflease by suppressing our deviant feelings, we jumped into the [Gate] with our feet and returned to Brunhild.
　As we stepped into the living room, what we saw was Yae greeting us smilingly, a girl who was probably Yakumo lying face down on the sofa and roaring, and Frey applying an ice pack to her ass.
　Apparently, Yakumo had been sentenced to a butt slap. Yae is so strict........

''What on earth is this........''
Let's go punish the runaway a little.

　A small rebuttal flew in response to Yae's reply, ''It's definitely not a little~.......'' but Yae didn't even look back and passed it off. What is it, the smile is scary........

''Yakumo.''
'Ha, yes!'

　Yae's call to him made him jump, and he wobbled over and sat upright on the sofa. I'm not sure if my beaten buttocks are sore or if I'm floating a little.

''Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry for causing you to worry this time...''

　Yakumo, sitting upright, bowed his head in a bowing position. No, no, no, there's nothing to do there!
　When I cast a recovery spell on Yakumo, who was holding his buttocks, the pain seemed to disappear and he looked somewhat better.

''Are you okay?''
Thank you, father. Thank you, thank you, father.

　Yakumo thanked her, turning away from her face, as if she was embarrassed.
　Like the other children, Yakumo looked a lot like his mother, Yae. She seemed to be a serious child. The type that seems too serious and somewhat inflexible, I guess.
　At any rate, I'm glad she's safe. This is the seventh person. Two more to go. I wonder where my only son and youngest daughter are under the sky.