"I was on a roll. ''Don't you dare put up with this. I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused the elves over the years, sir.

　The sealed demon sword lowers its hilt head with a pecking motion. The gathered elven village people were just stunned with their mouths half open.
　The fearsome demons they had sealed for so long were apologizing with an overflowing sense of lowliness. They can't decide whether to be happy or appalled.

''Well, he's also saying this, so please forgive me.

　Like the demon sword, Kuon also bows to the elves. As if in a hurry, the chief, Wolfram, waves his palm to the side.


''I'd appreciate it if you could say that. By the way, what should I do with this magic sword?　I should still destroy it?
Boy, give me a break!　I'll do anything you want, please let me accompany you!

　The demon sword gingerly pressed the hilt head against Kuon's leg as if clinging to it. A little painful, Kuon frowned.

''If Kuon-dono-dono has obeyed you, it would be better to leave that demon sword to you now. It seems that the defilement is gone, too.''

　The 'defilement' that Chou refers to is the pollution caused by the user's negative energy, which is common in the ancient magic tool 'artifacts'.
　When it accumulates, the artifacts are subjected to what could be called a 'curse' by being in tune with the user's emotions and purpose.
　In the past, Kuon's father, Fuyao Yao, confronted the unholy artifact called the 'Treasure of Immortality' in Yisheng, and in the same way, this magic sword was also cursed.
　Some things, like the 'Immortal Treasure Jade' that controlled the dead, were cursed because of their intended use, while others, like this demon sword, were cursed for reaping a number of lives.
　On the contrary, being cursed means that it can be said to be a high performance artifact.......

''Well, it's just as well that you can get a weapon.......''
"Dewey"?　You don't deserve a sword made by a goblin for a little boy. Don't leave it to me!

　I don't like talking swords, Kuon often worries. His sister, Frey, a weapons enthusiast, would have a glint in her eye, but Kuon is different.
　But why does he speak in such a Mitsushita-like manner? Isn't that too much of a downward spiral? Or was it always like that?
　Although each of Dr. Babylon's Babylon Sisters also had a distinctive tone.
　Don't tell me that this magic sword was also made by Dr. Babylon?　Suspicious, Kuon asked directly to the demon sword that was rubbing up against him.

''You, do you know who your creator is?''
"Yeah. "Crom Ranchette" is a cheapskate.

　Kuon's eyes widened when he heard the name.
　'Chrom Ranches'. The Golem Engineer "Meister" who created the Golem Crown "Crown" series and used the power of the "Black" and "White" crowns five thousand years ago to transcend the boundaries of the world.
　Kuon had also heard a lot of stories about Crom Ranches from Dr. Babylon and his sister Kuhn, since his mother, Yumina, was the temporary master of the 'White' crown, the 'White' crown, Albus. I never thought I would hear that name here.

''.......Is there a price to pay for using you by any chance?''
No. The chrome bastard was trying to create a series of "crown" without compensation. And I'm the prototype.

　Apparently, this magic sword also uses golems' technology. There are also golems that become weapons and armor called armed types within golems. This magic sword must be of that type.

"Well, well, kid. Try it out. You won't want to have any other swords.
It's intrusive...

　Having said that, I grab the handle for now and swing it a couple of times. It's certainly not too heavy or too light, and it seems to be an easy-to-use sword.

But is it just a little too big for me?
"Really?　Don't wait a minute.

　When I told him that, the demon sword shrank in size with a shudder. The longsword had changed to the size of a shortsword. In terms of length, it matched Kuon's physique.

''Can you change the length at will?''
"Hey. In a way. I can do this, too.

　This time, in an instant, it changed like a great sword. The length of the blade is longer and the width of the blade is wider. Hisuon's father, Fuyao also granted 【Modeling】 and made a similar weapon, but the change was comparable to that.
　Surely this is useful, Hisuon thought. He didn't tell the demon sword, though, because he was about to get into a good mood.

''I can do many other things, but........well, that's just a matter of catching up.''

　If this magic sword was really made by Crom Ranches, it couldn't just be a sword that could transform. There may still be other hidden functions, Kuon thought.
　It would be better to have Dr. Babylon and Engineer Elka examine it once.

It's a good idea to have Dr. Babylon and the Erca engineers take a look at it. I'll have a good scabbard for you by tomorrow.

　Wolfrum offered that as he held his magic sword at the ready. It's certainly not going to be easy to enter the town as it is.

I'm sure you'll be glad you did. I don't want to get dust and mud on my sword.
You care about that, don't you?
"Boy!　A sword is a sword's face!　It's not a pretty sight if you've got dirt on your face.

　I don't understand what you're saying, but the magic sword that was sealed in the great tree just now is dirty, probably because it was exposed to the wind and rain for many years. So is it something to be concerned about now?　Kuon just thought.

'Thank you so much for freeing us from our longstanding mission. Please join us as we prepare a modest feast for you.
Thank you. But we've already had dinner, and we'd like to refrain from doing that this time.... Well, I'm already sleepy....

　Even though it was late at night, it was still before ten o'clock. A place like this is a child, Wolfrum chuckled at the sleepy-looking savior of the village.
　In the end, Kuon became a bed dweller as it was, and the elves continued to feast throughout the night.
　The magic sword was left inserted into the root of the great tree that had been sealed. The elves were worried that the demon sword would run away again while Kuon was asleep, but the demon sword itself denied this.

''If I run away, this time it will be destroyed........ That little boy will do it if he says he will. He will chase you to the ends of the earth and will always break you with a smile. That's the kind of person he is. You can't ever disobey her........

　For some reason, the elves looked at the demon sword, which was rattling and shaking despite its sword and dripping cold sweat, as if they felt sorry for it.




''Here's your lunch. Eat it on the road.
'Wow. Thank you for going out of your way.

　The next morning, Kuon and the demon sword were at the exit of the Elf Village, leaving. Hisato tucks the lunch he received from Corlett into his backpack.
　The demon sword is housed in a black-lacquered scabbard made by the elves, and jumps out of the backpack that Hisato is carrying. This is because it is difficult to walk around when equipped on your waist.

''You should stop by again sometime. This time we'll welcome you with a banquet.''
I'll take care of that for you.

　Kuon parted from the elves who were forever waving to him at the exit of the village and began to walk straight through the forest. I've been told by the elves that if I keep going straight, I'll be on the road to Galaria, the imperial capital of Regulus.

By the way, where are you going, little man?
'It's a small country called the Duchy of Brunhild. I'm going to see my family I mean, you can't talk to them on the street, right?　They'll think I'm weird.

　To a stranger, it would look like a child mumbling to himself. In a nutshell, Kuon also cares about the public image.

"Humans are so inconvenient,
'I think the sword would be more inconvenient, but... come to think of it, do you have a name or something?　What did Crom Ranches call it?

　Hisuon asked what he was curious about.

'Is it you?　You used to be called [Infinite Silver].
In...?　It's long. Then let's call him Silver.
"Heh. Well, so long. "Oh, boy, we're going through the woods.

　Turning my gaze forward at the sound of Silver's voice, I could see the exit of the forest.
　Once we exited the forest, we were at the top of a small slope, with a city road crossing right in front of us.

''Let's see, since the sun is this way, the imperial capital Galaria is... in this direction.''

　After confirming the direction, Kuon checked the direction, he put his backpack back on and started down the slope. Perhaps because he finally got out of the forest, he seems to be walking fast naturally.
　If we get to the imperial capital Galaria, there should be a carriage to Brunhild. I'm happy to see my family in a little while, but my sisters are going to complain to me that I'm not smart enough to buy them something to take home with me.
　It's a good thing that you have seven sisters, because it's hard to keep up with them. I'm sure there's something affordable in the imperial capital.
　Worst case scenario, if you hand over Silvers to sister Frey and sister Koon, they won't complain first.

''What?　I'm getting chills!''
Isn't this your imagination?

　Answering the strangely intuitive demon sword, Kuon started walking down the street again.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


So, in congratulating the four of you I would like to make a toast to your union.
Cheers.

　Everyone raises their glasses high in the air as I lead them in. The tavern attached to the Adventurer's Guild was packed with adventurers who couldn't get in.

''Congratulations!　Be happy!
You better take care of your wives!
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on!

　The one being tussled in the tavern is Ende, a gold-ranked adventurer.
　As promised, I conducted the wedding ceremony of Ende and Mel, and Nay and Lise. Now, a banquet is being held at the Adventurer's Guild's tavern for the after party.
　Alice was naturally present at the wedding, as were the children, but the after party after dark sent the children back to the castle. A banquet for the adventurers, eh?　It's bad for education. Alice was also taken care of at the castle. Yumina and Linse are taking care of everyone.
　The tavern was rented out today, and the adventurers Ende had met, the wives and daughters of the neighbors Mel and the others had met were in attendance.

'Yes, more fried food and cake!　Open the table!

　When Mika, the manager of the inn's "Silver Moon", emerges from the kitchen with a platter in her hands, whoa!　The participants cheered.
　In the kitchen, Micah, the manager of the coffee shop Parento, Ael, and Lou are mass-producing the food from one end to the other.
　It's more food & sweets, a strong request from Mel and the others.
　Thud!　And as soon as I placed the platter on the large table where Mel and the others were, everyone's hands immediately reached for their plates. Of course, Mel and the others, who had changed their colors, didn't hesitate.

''It's delicious!　It was right to ask Fuyao-san after all!
Dear Mel, I've never tasted this cake before!
"Good. Good. Satisfied.

　The brides are tucking their tongues in with big smiles on their faces. You're really unreserved........ Your husband is still being rubbed up against the adventurers over there, though?　Ignore it?
　To be precise, Ende is Mel's only husband. Nay and Lise were married to each other because Mel is the one they married.
　Basically, there are very few same-s*x marriages in this world. It's not that they aren't allowed, but they have a few instances, apparently.
　In the first place, marriage in this world doesn't mean you have to file a notification somewhere. In the case of nobles, though, it's sometimes sworn to the king or lord.
　Well, even Brunhild doesn't intend to condemn same-s*x marriages, so Meru and the others are cleared as husband and wife.......husband and wife?　A woman?　........well, he became my life partner 《partner》.
　But from the side, it looks like Ende's harem, so Ende is in that kind of situation after being attacked.
　Ende, who managed to finish baptizing the adventurers, came toward me while wobbling.

''Good work.''
I'm sorry, my clothes are now a mess. Adventurers aren't really that reserved...
I thought you were an adventurer.

　It's also gold-ranked. You're a national commissioner now. So am I.

Well, whatever you do, congratulations on your wedding. Take care of your wife and have fun being pushed around by your family.
'That's a different word from someone who's been there. It carries a lot of weight.

　Ende and I clinked our glasses together as we made light remarks.

'Well, getting married doesn't change anything, though...'
Where do you live?　Are you going to live there like that?

　The place where Ende and the others are currently living is an ordinary house in Brunhild.
　It's not uncommon for newlyweds to live in a new house, but these four originally lived together.

I don't mind living in that house, but since we have some money, I'm thinking of building a new house. See, it's going to be smaller when Alice is born eventually, right?　I mean, don't you want to grow up in a house with a garden?

　Ende is a gold-ranked adventurer and has the ability to transition. He'll be able to make money any way he wants. I'd be grateful if this guy's payment would enrich the carpenters in Brunhild.

We're planning to expand the zone to the south of the city. We're planning to build a magic train station in the south of the city. We'll still have a lot of choice in the location, what do you think?
Well, I'll take a look at it next time.

　While we were talking about the new house we were building, Ende was being kidnapped again by the new adventurers. You've been busy. Well, I'm the star of the show today, so what can I do?
　I can't help but notice that he's completely at home in our world. It's as if he has more friends than I do.... The adventurers also seem to have a lot of respect for you.
　Come to think of it, according to Alice's story, she's the guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild in the future.
　Looking at her, I can see why. In a way, I guess I'm in the right place for the job.

"Your Majesty.
Oh, Mr. Relisha. Hi.

　Absent-mindedly, as I was thinking about this, the current guildmaster arrived.
　This is a tavern attached to the Adventurers Guild, and it's not surprising that the guildmaster is here for a gold-ranked wedding, the top of the adventurers' list.
　To begin with, most of the gold-ranked requests went to Ende because I was busy with the king's business. In terms of contribution, that guy would be much higher than me.
　Relisha-san was still wearing the dress she had worn to Ende's wedding. Relisha-san is a beautiful woman and an elf, so she's quite eye-catching, but there's no daredevil here who would try to woo the head of the Adventurer's Guild.

''The medicine of example, sir.''

　Relisha-san stood beside me and muttered in a low voice.
　The medicine is probably the magic potion that the 'Messenger of the Evil God' is scattering. What did he understand?

''It doesn't seem to be circulating much among the adventurers in the Eastern Continent 《here》. I don't know if it's an intention or not, but...
It's supposed to be a special remedy for the Goldfinger Disease. Not many people in this country would want it.

　Golden Flower Disease. This strange disease is said to have originated in Isengard, but in reality it is a plot by an evil god to turn humans into a mutant species.
　There are even rumors that the Isengard was destroyed by the Golden Flower Disease. That's why many people in the western continent were dabbling in this kind of dubious medicine.
　But what I don't understand is why they would do this.
　When Flora of the Golden Temple had the golden pills brought back by Yakumo analyzed, it was discovered that the pills had a strong 'curse' on them.
　An ordinary human being would end up with a mental breakdown and become a cripple. This is the medicine that condenses the price of the purple crown, Fanatic Viola.
　If it's just killing people, it's too much of a drag. It must have some other purpose....

''Anyway, I've notified the Adventurer's Guild in the Eastern Continent. If there is any movement, I will let you know immediately.
Thank you for your time, sir.
''No, no. It's a request from a gold-ranked adventurer.

　Relisha-san answers me with a smile. However, the Adventurer's Guild has not yet penetrated the Western Continent that much. Let's ask Silhouette-san from 'Black Cat' to investigate over there.

''Lately, there have been many strange incidents. There have been many incidents of mass stampede in various places, and there have been reports of village residents suddenly disappearing.
Residents of the village?
"Yes. In a seaside fishing village north of Leafs. When the peddlers visited as usual, they found that every single person in the village had disappeared. There was no sign of bandits or pirates attacking them ... just a myriad of strange footprints, I'm told, heading out to sea.

　I raise an eyebrow at Relisha's story. A fishing village by the sea. The place is in the north of Lefries.
　The island where Yoshino took us to be attacked by the half-fishermen is in those waters. Yoshino fought off the half-fishmen who attacked that island, but what if those half-fishmen had attacked other villages as well?
　Were all the villagers turned into half-fishmen and taken straight to the sea?
　Is their base of operations at the bottom of the sea, after all? The stolen "Ark" has submarine capabilities. I've ordered Coral and Kuroyo to have their subordinates (fish scale species) search the sea as well, but.......
　If you go to a place where there are too many sea monsters, the fish are usually eaten.......

I guess we need an underwater search device........

　An unmanned underwater explorer, a "drone". Or underwater frame gear, or underwater equipment.
　I may have to think about getting into the Ark.
　I'll have to consult with the Professor and Engineer Elka. The Professor is in there right now and he might be able to give us some ideas.
　I drank the rest of the fruit water in my glass in one go.