The Reunion With Twelve Fascinating Goddesses:Volume 1 Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Unchanged feelings

Part 1

His grandmother’s condition was getting worse day by day.

The person in concern does not show any weaknesses and was always acting firm but, it’s clear that she’s getting weaker. She could not even walk and would spend most of the day on the bed.

Since her condition has already passed the stage of how much the hospital can do, she was currently in her own house recuperating. This is so that she could spend her time with her family with her remaining time.

Having returned from the other world, Kurosu Tooi was doing his best to nurse his grandmother.

He was earnestly and sincerely doing his best to repay her for taking care of him. This isn’t much to repay her but even so, he earnestly tried to fulfill his responsibility as a grandson.

It was painful looking at his grandmother slowly weakening nearby but, Tooi felt a little bit of happiness.

(Aah, I am so glad. I am really glad I made it in time)

He was scared when he got thrown to another world but, he somehow managed to return back when his grandmother was still alive. The fact that 1 year over at that side is equivalent to a month of time here was definitely a blessing in a disaster. Thanks to that, he ended up avoiding being the worst undutiful child.

“Oh, it’s a nice weather today.”

After Tooi opened the room’s window, a calm autumn wind flowed in. The sky was blue, and the weather was continuously displaying the term [Autumn with the sky clear and blue and horses growing stouts].

With her body up on the bed, his grandmother looked outside before smiling broadly.

“What a wonderful spring day huh. ”

“Un? What are you saying, Abuelagrandma. Its autumn you know?”

“You idiot. The word I said doesn’t actually refer to spring; it’s a word referring to the warm climate of late autumn like the one we have today.”

His grandma let out a small sigh after saying that in a tired tone.

She has westerner blue eyes and a proper bridged nose. Her face had wrinkles that give off her age of 121 years old. Her cheeks are sunken and her limbs were emaciated but, her eyes had the life force that would put shame to many youngsters and her gazes had power within them.

“Oh goodness. Looks like I have still many things to teach Tooi.”

After making fun of him, she made a bright smile on her wrinkly face.

She was holding onto her favorite Zippo with the hand outside the futon and was making it dance between her fingers.

“……Should I buy you cigarettes?”

Tooi said that.

Thinking about the sick condition of his grandmother, smoking is naturally prohibited but, smoking one or two sticks now won’t make any difference. He even received a warm yet cold sentence like [Please let her do whatever she wants] from the doctor.

“I don’t need 'em.”

However, his grandmother said that bluntly.

“I’m already 17. I don’t think it would affect my health even if you smoke near me.”

“Hah. Don’t misunderstand this, Tooi. It’s not like I stopped smoking because of you. It’s for health reasons, so that I could live longer. I plan on living till 300.”

“Looks who’s talking, after all that smoking behind my back”

“……….What a wonderful spring day.”

Seeing his grandmother openly changing the topic, Tooi could only make a wry smile.

“Okay, I am going out to shop so, what should I do with the window?”

“Just leave it open. I’ll close it myself when it rains.”

“But”

“Don’t treat me like a hag. This goes for you too, don’t take any detours and come straight back.”

“Don’t treat me like a child”

“You’ve got past records after all. Just who was the one who casually disappeared for 1 month?”

Having poked at the spot where it hurts the most, Tooi could not say anything back.

“Tooi. Where did you go?”

Tooi did not tell his grandmother that he was in another world for 1 year.

He thought that there’s no need to say it and there’s no way she would believe him even if he told her.

So,

“I became a hero and saved the world.”

Without any deep meaning to it, Tooi tried saying that.

His little joke was actually very close to the truth.

His grandmother laughed. At first, he thought she was laughing at his absurd story, thinking that it’s really stupid.

But, that was a mistake.

“Don’t make me laugh, niñoKid.”

His grandmother looked at him with a terribly serious gaze.

Tooi gulped down by reflex when he saw the glare which seemed impossible for an old woman who is at an age of 121 years old.

“How can a small hero save the world.”

“…………………”

“Heroes save countries. The Messiah saves humans. But, no matter how amazing the titles those people possesses, they won’t be able to save the world. The one that can save the world is-----“

Those words told by that hoarse voice was carved deep into Tooi’s chest.

It was the next day that his grandmother passed away.

Part 2

“………She’s not in?”

Standing in front of the extravagant door, Tooi mumbled that before giving up on knocking.

“She might be pretending to be out………….no wait, it’s weirder for the front entrance to be here. I came here thinking it was the front though.”

Tooi groaned while folding his arms.

On the outside perspective, the shrine of the [Violent wind] resembles the castles made up from humans but, its structure and interior are fundamentally different from the castles human uses.

This was an event that happened when Tooi and Laila challenged this shrine together in the past; the castle suddenly glowed right when they reached a few meters inside and right after they got be swallowed in by the light, they got trapped inside the complex and bizarre Shrine which resembled a labyrinth.

The responses differ for each shrine but, some kind of reaction occurs whenever they are inside the shrine. If there is no response then it must mean that the owner is not inside.

“……Oh man. I even went as far as to learn to drive from Alua-chan.”

Tooi decided to take a stroll around the area for now.

He made a lap around the castle’s surroundings and entered the forest behind.

It’s a full moon tonight. He was able to take a stroll without a light source unless he entered deep into the dense forest.

There were no animal presence and this naturally goes for humans too. *Rustle*, only the sound of the wind moved by the night wind was filling the quiet night.

After a while of walking, he saw a bluish white light coming deeper from inside. After advancing forward while depending on the pale light, he found an open space with no trees.

There’s a small spring fountain there. The water was fresh and serene; forget that, it even looks as if it’s giving off a pale light. It’s clear that this spring is not filled with normal rain water.

(Uwah, it gives off the feel that I can recover my HP and MP)

Tooi held a frank Impression of a person from Japan.

(……….I wonder if I can drink it)

His throat felt dry when he was in front of the water which was giving off a divine glow. Since he was driving without drinking and eating for several hours, his body was also thirsty.

While walking like a traveler who found an oasis in the desert----

*Bloop*.

The sound of a gentle splash reached his ears. And at the same time, Tooi was at lost in words because of the scenery that reached his eyes.

A girl was bathing at the shallow part of the spring.

She was fully naked.

Her silver hair was stinking onto her pure white skin as if to draw the outline of her body. Water dripped down her big bouncy breasts, as her tight waist and rightly stuck out hip constructed a beautiful body line.

Tooi froze when he was confronted with this unrealistic scene.

Her body illuminated by the moonlight was so beautiful that she looked like a goddess has descended. Her beautiful body transcends worldly senses such as lasciviousness or eroticism, and is closer to a work of art.

“Ryura……..”

While obsessively staring at her naked body, Tooi called out her name unintentionally.

At that instant, the bathing goddess- Ryura looked over to him.

“Wha!? To-Tooi……”

She opened her eyes wide in shock. With her face red, she let out a soft shout and quickly covered her body parts with both her hands.

“P-please don’t look.”

“So-sorry.”

With his mind cleared out, Tooi turned his back to her with vigorously. He could hear her breathing behind him and the scene just now that was scorched into his eyes won’t leave his mind.

He knew that his heart was pounding really hard.

However-----

(……no, wait. This isn’t right)

With his mind cleared out, Tooi cleared his mind once more. Opposite to his boiling hot cheeks, his mind was calm and he recalled back his original goal.

(Now isn’t the time to be doing this. What did I come here for?)

It’s to meet Ryura.

He came here to talk, discuss and understand each other.

The girl he was pursuing after could be reached if he extended his hands. This can be described as “A once of a lifetime chance”. So why the heck am I looking away? I don’t know where she would disappear to when I am looking away like this.

Tormented by a violent sense of loss and danger, Tooi chose to-----

“Ryura!”

Like lovers that have been separated, he shouted her name before turning around with all his heart.

“I am going to look at you!”

“WHY!?”

The naked Ryura was completely taken back.

From her perspective, she’s not feeling anything else other than shock and annoyance but, Tooi still didn’t stop.

“I made up my mind. I will properly face you all.”

“You don’t have to face me now!”

“………..I could not face you all 1 year ago. I was continuously thinking about going back to my world after defeating the Demon king----“

“Please don’t have a serious talk in this situation! Please don’t talk with such a passionate tone! And, please stop looking at me with such a passionate gaze!”

“Ryura, I wanted to meet you.”

“I-I wanted to meet you too…..bu-but, it’s problematic telling me that in this situation……..I kind of wanted to hear that in a different kind of situation if possible.”

Ryura quickly dropped her body into the spring fountain in panic. However, she could not hide her body because the water was clear and transparent.

Uuu~~, while her face was red from being so troubled, Tooi took a step closer.

“No! Wai-wait there, don’t come over here! Please don’t come closer! Please I beg you, look behind!”

“I won’t get fooled by you. You plan on running away when I look away right?”

“I won’t run away! Please believe me!”

“……Believe? Hey, Ryura. Just what is believe? Laila told me this yesterday. [Optimism and trust are two separate things]. I think that is exactly it. [Believing]. It’s such a beautiful word. It’s such a convenient word. I wonder which is more difficult, [Believing] or [Not believing] someone. This is my thoughts----“

“……..Aah, Mouuu!”

In response to Tooi who was staring at Ryura’s body while making a good story, Ryura finally reached her limits.

She raised her hands up with one hand while pressing her breast with her other. On her hand, she created a small tornado which was like the collection of her anger and embarrassment.

“Just stop it and go already! Tooi you idiotttt!”

Having tasted the anger of a maiden, Tooi let out a pathetic scream while getting blasted into the forest.

“If we think about this clearly, you can fix your attire problems in an instant right, Ryura. That means I don’t need to look behind nor do you have to hide your body with your hands.”

“Sh-shut up! I was so panicked that I couldn’t do it!”

After shouting that, Ryura puffed her cheeks as if she was sulking.

Currently, they were sitting beside the spring side by side.

Ryura was obviously not naked. It’s a magical and extravagant outfit that makes her look like a fairy or goddess. It’s Ryura Vega’s usual appearance.

“But even so…………..I didn’t think such a beautiful spring is behind the shrine of [Violent Wind]. This is kind of like Ryura’s bathroom?”

“It’s not exactly my bathroom…..but well, I often take a bath here. Since the holy attribute is strong and it’s self-purifying, the water gathered here is always pure.”

“Fuun. Drinking wise?”

“It might be dangerous to people with no compatibility with Spirits and Ether but, I think it won’t be a problem for Tooi.”

After hearing those words, Tooi extended his hands to the spring thinking to quench his thirsty throat.

However, his hands were grabbed vigorously from the side.

“Eh? What, Ryura?”

“.......Th-this is a request. Wait a while before drinking please………..”

Ryura’s face was blushing and her shoulders were trembling from the embarrassment. She looks more embarrassed than when her naked body was seen.

“Ah, perhaps, you don’t like it if I drink the water here since you just took a bath in it?”

“……..uh”

“It’s alright, I don’t mind at all.”

“I mind!”

“Well, if it’s the water used by some random old man and old woman to bathe then I will be against it even if you tell me it’s self-purifying but, If it’s Ryura then I don’t really………..”

“Uh! I-I’m not happy even if you tell me that!”

Even though she said that, her cheeks loosen down as if she was a little happy.

Since Ryura was seriously against it, Tooi sulkily pulled his hands away, and gave up on drinking the spring water.

After seeing that, Ryura *Haaa* let out an exhausted sigh.

“Seriously………Tooi doesn’t change at all. You’re always on your own pace, and I can’t read what you think………….You are fundamentally perverted though.”

“What’s with that “fundamentally perverted” part? Doesn’t that sound like my foundations are made from perversion?”

“Haaa……even though it’s our reunion after 10 years, why is it in such so unromantic and damn way……….”

Ryura grumbled but, her expression stiffened a little immediately right after. Tooi also shut his mouth too.

Because of a little happening, they started conversing with the same feel and tension like before but, this very moment, was Tooi’s after 1 year and Ryura’s after 10 year reunion.

She saw him a day before yesterday but, that isn’t called a reunion.

With their voice and hands at a reachable distance, this is called a reunion.

“………….You’re back to this world huh.”

“Yup”

“Doesn’t look like you aged much”

“Ahh, well you know. Apparently the flow of time is different from the world I lived in and this world. Following by my senses, only one year passed since I parted with you all.”

“One year……you say.”

“Hey, Ryura”

Tooi said that.

He made up his mind and looked straight at her eyes.

“Why are you fighting the empire’s military?”

Ryura then made a painful expression before looking downwards.

“Because you obstructed the cultivation of Fior Region, diplomacy in Arludea Empire is having issues.”

“……………”

“Aah, I am not blaming you. What happens to the Empire is not your problem and honestly, I don’t care about the Empire. I just am curious on why……..”

“---It’s none of your business.”

*Pishari*. Ryura said that with clear intentions of rejection. Her opened eyes had a cold light dwelling inside.

“How long do you plan on acting like my master. I am no longer you contracted Deity so I don’t need to listen to your orders.”

“………….”

“The one that revoke the contract was none other than you right, Tooi?”

He felt pain in his chest. Because of such a clear rejection, it caused a dull pain inside Tooi’s heart.

What Ryura said was the truth and nothing else. 1 year ago, Tooi discarded the [Nebulosa12 Goddesses] for convenience sake. He understands that everything was his own fault and he deserved it.

But even so-----

“It’s my business. I have my own responsibility.”

“Responsibility…………..true. I have heard rumors about the other [Nebulosa12 Goddesses]. It’s only natural in human society that you have to take responsibility of our evil deeds-----“

“You’re wrong.”

Tooi swung his head.

Laila most likely used the word [Responsibility] with the same meaning as to what Ryura said just now. In the word [Cleaning his own mess] she said, he could feel the context of “clear the sparks attacking the Empire by settling the problems caused by the [Nebulosa12 Goddesses]”

But, the responsibility Tooi felt was a different kind.

“I have a responsibility to protect you all. Having used everyone’s power as your master; I have the responsibility in protecting you all.”

No, it’s probably a little different from responsibility.

He was just honestly obeying the emotions boiling up from deep inside him.

Anyways, Tooi wanted to devote his heart to them who was his benefactors and war companion.

“Pro-tect?”

Tooi sincerely continued his words for his previous contract deity who was opening her eyes wide.

“Ryura. I won’t say anything if you are taking on the Empire because you want to do it. I might try to stop you depending on the circumstances but, I will respect your will as much as possible however, it’s different now right? You really………didn’t want to fight right?”

What resurfaced in his mind was the battlefield in Fior region a few days ago.

During that time, Ryura Vega fought the empire with a very grim face. She even fired a warning shot towards Tooi who was telling her about how happy he was to see her again.

However he felt some kind of loneliness and pain oozing out behind that serious warrior expression. At the very least, Tooi could feel that.

“You controlled the battlefield and made sure no one died right? It’s clear that you don’t want to fight.”

“Tha-that’s……….”

Ryura was stuck in her words and looked away in hesitation.

While looking straight at her, Tooi let out the feelings inside him.

“Hey Ryura. Please tell me. Why are you fighting? What is it that you want to defeat? What do you want to protect? Unless I know all that……I, don’t know if I should stop or save you……..”

After receiving Tooi’s words while he was feeling disappointed on how powerless he was; hesitation floated up on the side of Ryura’s face.

With an ice cold light dwelling inside, her eyes helplessly wavered. It’s clear that agony and conflict was controlling her heart.

However as if to get rid of it all, Ryura.

“It’s none of your business.”

Like just now, she repeated her rejection. Her painful voice sounded as if she was coldly discarding him away while also discarding herself away too.

“In the end, you are someone from another world.”

Ryura stood up and walked forwards. After she reached closer to the spring, wind swirled around her and caused a tornado, her body then started floating up.

“Uh! Wa-wait! Please wait, Ryura!”

Tooi quickly tried to chase after Ryura who was about to fly away.

He stepped into the spring without hesitating and desperately tried to chase after her while making loud splashes but, there’s no way he could reach her when she was flying in the sky.

“Ryura! Ryuraaa!”

He tried calling out to her many times but, she would not turn back. Her figure disappeared as if it was swallowed into the twilight.

His desperately extended hands could not grab anything was just reaching out to emptiness.

Because of that, Tooi lost his balance and fell into the spring. Since he could reach the depth with his feet easily, he did not drown but……he did not feel the energy to stand up for a while.

“……..Damn it.”

While kneeling inside the water, Tooi swung his fist at the water surface.

It was already the next day when he reached back Alcul capital.

He was pushing the motorbike in a lonely street. Once he reached the Schut mansion, Alua, who seems to be still awake, came outside to greet him”

“Welcome back, Tooi Onii-chan.”

“I-I-I’m back…………”

“Wh-what happened? Your face is pale……wait, aren’t your clothes are all wet!? Just what happened to you!?”

“Ahh, yeah……..I kind of took a dive inside a spring. Achooo.”

Tooi said that while his teethes were clattering.

The clothes soaking wet because he entered the spring was dried as much as possible by squeezing it or letting the wind blow but…………it was quite tough driving with damp clothes.

Driving an auto-bike or scooter with wet clothes is equal to suicide because of the wind he would experience. For the motorbike, the wind experienced by the driver should be reduced quite a bit because there is a wind barrier made from Spirit techs but, it doesn’t change the fact that he drove in high speed.

“………..I thought it would be the best idea to change after I come back but, that was a mistake. I should have made a bonfire.”

“A-anyways, hurry up and take a bath! I just entered it so it should still be warm there! I will clean up the motorbike!”

“Thank you. But, Alua-chan.”

“Yes?”

“You said you just entered the bathroom just now but, as a teenage girl, do you have any concerns if I am going to use it now?”

“Err…….I-it’s not like I hate it but……I will resist a bit if it’s a complete stranger so……if it’s Tooi Onii-chan then……….”

“Fumu. I see. Then, what If I drank the water from the tub?”

“Hell no! That’s just plain stupid!”

Alua shouted in no time.

After this, Tooi left the motorbike with her and entered the mansion with his trembling body before jogging towards the bathroom in the first floor.

He took off his damp clothes in the dressing room and threw it into an empty basket. Tooi slammed open the bathroom door because he wanted to warm up his cold body as fast as possible.

When he stepped inside fully naked without hiding his front-----

Laila Schut was taking a bath in front of him.

“Uh!?”

Tooi could not get his eyes away from the naked body that suddenly entered his view. He was sucked in by that violently glamorous body and could not look away.

(Huge)

Far before his shock, those impressions appeared. It was just plain huge and wasn’t sagging at all. It’s magnificently resilient and looked quite elastic.

Laila was out from the hot tub, and was washing her upper body with soapy hands.

How should this be expressed……it’s like, she was lifting her breasts with one hand and was washing the underside.

It’s a place that can’t be washed unless the owners possess exceptional big breasts.

“Wha!? To-Tooi!?”

Having noticed his, Laila shrunk her body and immediately closed the curtain as if to make a border for the bath tub.

Laila’s trembling voice could be heard from the other side of the curtain.

“W-when did you get back…….?”

“E-err……..just now.”

“I see. So. What are you doing wiggling that grotesque object around?”

“……..Err, sorry. I thought no one was in because there were no clothes in the dressing room.”

After saying that, Tooi recalled something.

It’s not a normal household here and it’s a noble’s mansion with several maids living here. The maids will prepare clothes for the master while she was taking a bath.

Apparently, Tooi entered right at that perfect timing.

“I-I’m really sorry. I’ll apologize properly later.”

After saying that, Tooi took a step back. He tried to leave as fast as possible because of the embarrassment of having his naked body seen and the guilt of seeing her naked.

But------

“W-wait. Don’t go.”

In a shocking event, Laila stopped him.

“Heh? Eh………? W-what do you mean with don’t go………”

“Err, well. S-since you are here…….how about having a nice chat.”

“…………..”

“Stay there until I finish taking my bath. Get it?”

Tooi had no clue what was going on.

“----I see. You went to meet Ryura Vega but failed to convince and persuade her huh.”

After being told the events that occurred at the shrine of [Violent Wind], Laila mumbled as if she understood and was not blaming him.

Currently, Tooi was sitting on a towel which he spread out on a stone made tile.

His goal was previously to warm his body up so, it was currently quite tough for him to stand-by naked without entering the bath tub or take a shower but, since the whole bathroom is filled with steam, the humidity was quite high making it kind of like a sauna. Because of that, his body won’t tremble from the cold.

(Scratch that, it’s hot here)

Because his emotions were greatly troubled, his body increased quite high.

Laila’s naked body he saw just now just won’t leave his head.

The naked body of Ryura Vega he saw just a few hours ago was so beautiful that it’s described as an exquisite work of art.

Her magical body is placed on a pedestal that is freed from the chains of this earth.

He felt that it would be impolite and disgusting to hold emotions such as [Perverted] and [Seductive].

However, Laila Schut’s body is the total opposite.

She has a body made of the word [Perverted].

She has the body line that looks as if the word [Seductive] was concentrated to its maximum limit.

Her breasts, thighs, butt, hips, lips eyes, basically every part of her was explosively [Erotic].

He saw Laila’s naked body 10 years ago when she was 17 but……well, a little something happened then but anyways; she grown magnificently after 10 years and is now mature.

Could a woman’s 26 year old body bring about this much Eros.

What’s more, it’s not impossible that he would feel dizzy if such a body is over at the other side of a single curtain and was being washed even now.

“What’s wrong? You’re acting quiet.”

Laila said that from over the thin film.

“…………It’s obvious I would be quiet. What’s with this heavenly situation? Instead, it’s much more impossible to talk normally in this situation.”

“Fu-fuun. Well, my adult body might be a little too stimulating to a teen at the middle of his puberty like you.”

Laila made an appeal on her age difference with a fun tone while acting adult like. She was quite bewildered when they encountered each other but, she was completely calm now.

“Are you okay? You aren’t nose bleeding from the excitement right? Or, did something else come out?”

“………………”

It was annoying being constantly fired so he tried thinking of some kind of insult to reply back but…………once he saw the silhouette of her naked body behind the thin film, his head could not run properly.

Since he could not say any smart lines, he quickly asked for the topic.

“So, what do you want to talk about Laila? What’s the conversation you want to have to the point of stopping me here while we are both naked?”

“Ahh………..yeah. Well, it’s nothing that important. It’s just……….there’s no chance for us to talk together alone since Alua is always around.”

True. 3 days passed since he came to this world but, this is the first time he was together with Laila alone.

“Err………what, errr, Tooi……..”

Laila told him that in a flustered manner which is very rare compared to her usual dignified attitude.

“This is serious……what do you think of older women?”

“……….Huh?”

“L-like I said, I am asking you what you think about older women!”

Tooi tilted his head after hearing her impatient voice.

“Basically……………...You’re asking if older women is in my strike zone huh; whether or not I see them as a love interest, something like that?”

“C-correct.”

“……….Laila. Are you, perhaps, really concerned about the age gap between us?”

“Uh! I-I just can’t help it………….That’s because, we were the same age before but now I am 9 years older……..once I saw you the same even though 10 years passed……….I suddenly felt as if I got old……..”

After hearing the reason done in a fast tone, Tooi felt really pleasant. That’s because the unconfident Laila was quite refreshing and cute.

As a female, it’s apparently normal to worry about her own age.

Since she made an appeal of the age difference while acting mature, he thought she wasn’t bothered by it at all but, it looks like she was acting tough and hiding her embarrassment.

“Don’t worry about it, Laila. 26 is still very young. That’s why, don’t worry about anything.”

Your breasts aren’t sagging either; he did not say that since it would be sexual harassment.

“I-I see………Yeah, that’s right. My breasts aren’t sagging too after all!”

……..She said it herself.

“Fu……..fufu. Fufufufu. I see I see. It’s still okay. The grandmas in the world will probably be mad if a beauty like me worries about age when I am just 26. Yeah. I am young I am young. I, am. Super, young.”

Laila suddenly became really happy.

Tooi sighed once before-----

“………….Hey, Laila. I am changing the topic now.”

He started a new conversation.

Tooi felt the same way when she said she had questions for when they are alone together.

“In reality, what’s going on? Your, current status?”

“About what?”

“Don’t act stupid. It’s your status in the military.”

Laila Schut climbed up to Major general in a young age.

The achievement consisting of taking part in the [Demon King Suppression], basically, the fact that she commanded the [Tyrant Slayer] Tooi Cross was probably a big help for her promotion.

But.

The name Tooi Cross holds the meaning of hero and sinner in every part of the continent.

It that’s the case, then as the person that commanded Tooi-----

“Let’s see…………”

Laila waited a bit before letting out her voice.

“It would be a lie if I told you everything was smooth sailing. There are a lot of people jealous of my abilities. From their perspective, the problems caused by the [Nebulosa12 Goddesses] is the perfect material to get overthrown.”

“…….I see.”

“But, it’s not like I am completely surrounded by enemies. There are people that would threat me as an ally. Also……….just like what I said before, all the information related to Tooi Cross has been dramatized for my convenience. In a another way to say it, everything was made to make you the only bad guy.”

“…………….”

“So---don’t apologize, Tooi.”

Laila said that.

In a strong and clear tone.

“It’s true that the problems with the [Nebulosa12 Goddesses] are strangling my neck. But, I wouldn’t have been promoted to this far if I didn’t use you or their powers.”

“………..”

“Tooi. We are war companions and comrades. Also, an accomplice in crime. We are no longer in a relationship where we would apologize or pity each other right.”

“……..Yeah.”

Tooi smiled.

“I understand. Even I know that Laila Schut isn’t some cheap woman that would be satisfied by an apology.”

“Yes, that is correct. If you feel bad then show it by results.”

After Laila said that proudly, she later continued on with a soft tone.

“No matter what it is……….I will not trip over at a place like this.”

Her voice was filled with tremendous ambition and determination.

“This is for reaching the top of the military……….!”

Tooi smiled.

Of course, he wasn’t scorning her. It was a smile made with happiness and relief.

“It hasn’t changed at all, your ambition.”

Laila Schut said the same goal with the same tone 10 years ago. He could easily imagine her making an ambitious smile over at the other side of the curtain.

The top of the military. Basically- a [Marshal].

It is the highest position in the empire’s military and the supreme commander of the whole army.

Reaching that seat is Laila Schut’s ambition.

“It won’t change.”

Laila said that.

“My ambition has and will forever stay the same, ever since the day my step-mother was pregnant with Alua.”

“………..Does Alua-chan already know about the house?”

“Yes. She was told everything when she reached 16. She was told that she was going to inherit the family head.”

I see, Tooi nodded.

A grand noble of the Arludea Empire- the house of duke Schut.

Laila is the eldest of that famous house but, she will not inherit the family.

That’s because, Laila Schut is the child of a mistress.

That was the only reason.

That was the only reason but it meant everything.

It’s not like Laila’s relationship with the Shut family is bad. instead, it’s really good. It’s obvious since they gave her a whole mansion to her as a present.

But, for her to inherit the house is unacceptable.

Her parents, relatives, public, country, world, will never accept her.

Laila was made to face such a fate the moment the legal wife conceived the legitimate child-Alua.

(…….What does Alua-chan think about this)

---When I become older, I want to be useful to Laila Onee-chan.

---I want a job that would help Laila Onee-chan.

For Tooi this was an event one year ago; a young Alua told Laila those sentences with eye-blinding glowing eyes.

The reality that such a person would leave her esteemed and respected sister behind to inherit the house.

Just how did the 16 year old girl take on such a reality?

Laila and Alua looked like close sisters in the front but, on the other side, they were dragged into a situation that could not be fixed by normal means.

“What about you, Tooi?”

“About?”

“You’re a man like every other right? Don’t you have any ambitions like, I want to rise up, I want to step on top of others, I want to control a country, and I want to be a king, anything?”

“Ahhhh………not interested.”

Tooi said that without any speck of ambition.

“Even in my old world, I had no interest in politics or the nation. I don’t think I would suddenly feel like doing it because I came to another and I think I won’t be able to manage.”

Well, he did cramp in e-books related to it in his smartphone, thinking that he might try it out but, even if he did not made the mistake in bringing his ero magazines and properly brought his smart phone over here, he would probably get bored reading half-way through anyway.

He just isn’t interested at politics at all.

Things like the country, territory, border, and people.

It’s impossible for him to do his best for such vague and obscure things.

“I can’t fight for people who I have never seen before.”

After Tooi easily said that, Laila sighed tiredly.

“Yeah. That’s the kind of man you are.”

An amusing laugh leaked out. She’s not scorning or rejecting their different viewpoints and was purely enjoying it.

“Well forget it. This is not the first time our views don’t match-----Okay.”

Without a moment of delay.

The curtain was pulled open.

That body of concentrated [Perverted] appeared in front of Tooi again.

She was not naked this time because there’s a prepared towel wrapping around her body. But, her hair looked silkier because it was washed, her skin was slightly blushing, her breasts looked as if it’s about to spill out the towel any moment, and her thighs peeking out from the hem, was too unbearably sensational.

“-----!?”

“Tooi. Come to my office once you are done bathing. With Alua joined in too, we will be discussing our future plans.”

“No no, don’t talk about soothing so serious in this situation!”

“It’s fine. A towel is wrapped around anyway.”

“I’m fully nude!”

“You’re a noisy one for a guy. But relax. Look. Right now, I am not wearing my glasses…………actually, I can’t see much at all.”

After saying that, Laila narrowed her eyes and stared over to him.

Specifically…….Tooi’s lower half.

“Yup. I can’t see at all. I just can’t see your little boy’s condition or its size too.”

“You don’t have to know!”

He quickly covered his crotch. It’s still embarrassing even though he knows she can’t see it. Tooi’s body is currently………..errr, in a situation where he has to use both hands or else it would be hard to hide it but, he’s trying his best to hide it now.

Laila left the bathroom gallantly, in the backward glance of the naked man who is hastily hiding his body.

Having left behind, Tooi let out a loud sigh.

His initial plan to enter the bathroom was to warm up but, since he can’t help his burning body right now, he washed his body with water colder than usual.

Once Tooi reached the office after taking his bath, both of them were already waiting for him. Laila was sitting on the office table while Alua was standing beside her.

After seeing some wetness left on Laila’s hair, his excitement he felt just now was about to reappear again but, he sat down on the sofa while desperately pretending as if everything was normal.

“----3-3000!? 3000 Spirit knights to fight in Fior Region!?”

After Laila told them the contents of today’s meeting, Alua let out a dimwitted voice.

“C-can you do such a thing, Onee-chan.”

“Impossible.”

Laila easily said that.

“The Empire’s Military don’t have the leisure to send that many soldiers. Not only do they not know how much money is needed to gather skilled Spirit knights which are all high-income earners, holes would be formed everywhere in the countries frontlines and security.”

Adding on, Laila continued.

“Even if we throw that many soldiers in, there is no guarantee that we will win.”

While leaning against the sofa, Tooi placed his hands on his chin and was in thought.

(……………3000 Spirit knights from the military huh)

If they had that force then it might be possible to fight Ryura on equal terms.

Of course, since it’s on equal terms, he doesn’t know which side the scales of victory would tilt towards to.

“I-impossible you say………then, why did Onee-chan promised something that impossible?”

“There was no other way to calm the situation. That’s why I made something up. It would take at least a month to gather 1000 soldiers. Which means, the elites in Lectar would keep quiet for about 1 month.”

This means, they have 1 month to make another plan to take back Fior region. That was probably Laila’s idea.

“But, Onee-chan. If we can’t do anything in this 1 month then………”

“Of course, my head will probably fall off as the idiot who made a promise to get through the situation. If Lectar told this problem to the other alliance countries then the diplomacy with the Empire will plummet. I guess I can make full use of my authority to move the soldiers but………a [Distortion] will definitely occur everywhere if I do that. In the end, I will lose my head as the idiot who made such a reckless command.”

“……………”

Alua was in lost in words and dumbfounded. Apparently, she can no longer keep up the crazy and reckless development.

“Laila. For you to go that far means…………you have some kind of plan?”

“I won’t call it a “Plan” but, I guess it’s a [Seed].”

After saying that, Laila took out several documents from the drawer. After he took it to take a look, they were documents related to the Arludea Empire’s agricultural policy.

“This is something before I was born…………actually, the Empire has failed in cultivation Fior region in the past.”

“Failing in cultivation?”

“Right when they advanced the water irrigation from the Mythril River, they found out that there’s high risk that salt-air damage would occur in that areas soil.”

“…….Irrigation….Air-salt damage?”

What’s that, Tooi searched in his mind. He felt as if he learned this from social studies or home economic during his middle school. It was something about the Mesopotamian civilization declining because of the air-salt damage caused by the developing water irrigation. It’s not like he can’t recall back but, it’s just a vague memory.

“Basically, it’s something like the area is not suitable to make a field.”

“Well, something like that.”

Laila agreed with Tooi’s extremely dumbed down summary.

“………….Wait? Isn’t it weird that it’s not suitable for cultivation? Because, the Lectar republic wants Fior region for cultivation purposes right?”

“It’s just that the risk is high so it’s not like air-salt damage will occur in a 100% rate; if they can get rid of the salt inside the water irrigation then, there won’t be any problems.”

After looking through the documents, apparently the irrigation method done was careless and the Empire was just lacking in that area. Seeing the results of the scale between the air-salt damage risk and the countries irrigation technique, the imperial family quickly abandoned cultivating Fior region.

“Lectar possess better cultivation techniques than the Empire. That’s why I thought they would somehow proceed with the cultivation but……the situation just stinks.”

Laila frowned her eyebrows.

“Even the diplomat from Lectar had no idea about the Fior cultivation plans. Don’t you think it’s weird? Judging he fact that Gaien is a diplomat and military commissioned officer at the same time……well, it might be plausible that he doesn’t know but, not knowing anything at all is just too weird……….”

“W-what does that mean, Onee-chan………?”

After Alua asked, Laila told her a single hypothesis.

“It’s highly possible that the Fior Region agricultural cultivation plan by the Lectar Republic is in a complete blank slate.”

“……..Wa-wait just wait. Does that mean that Lectar wanted Fior region without any plans made at all………?”

“Or----“

Tooi quietly interrupted Alua’s panicked words.

“They had no intentions to cultivate there from the start, right?”

*Nod* Laila nodded. Alua opened her eyes wide in shock.

“There were many benefits for the Empire regarding the trade of Fior region. That’s why the trade contract concluded surprisingly smooth but-----“

Immediately right after that, Ryura Vega appeared in Fior region.

With a terrible suspicion of “The Empire was hiding the existence of a deity”, their status got bad.

“-------All the prerequisite condition might have been opposite in the first place.”

“The opposite?”

“It’s possible that the Lectar were the ones, hiding the deity’s existence.”

It’s a just a theory, Laila made that introduction before continuing.

“Lectar coincidentally knew that Ryura Vega frequently appears in Fior region. Right before the Empire could. Thinking they can use that, Lectar claimed position of the territory through diplomatic means while hiding that fact. After that, they started making a commotion in public about the existence of the Deity. Basically, Lectar’s goal is this situation where they would be standing on a more superior position than the Empire.”

(………..I guess it’s like buying something while fully aware that it’s defective from the start and complaining about it after it reaches home huh)

Tooi simplified it by changing explaining it through Japan logic.

“How about it, Tooi, Alua? It makes sense right?”

“It makes sense but…………I think there are still many problems with that theory”

“Even I…………don’t think Ryura Vega would move so conveniently for Lectar.”

“………True.”

It seems Laila knows that it was a forceful theory and did not push him for his opinion. She leaned against her chair and raised both her hands.

“Haaa. In the end, the problem lies in what is Ryura Vega thinking about. Even if I could read humans who move according to their safety and selfishness, I can’t read the minds of a Deity which are outside the human realm.”

(Ryura’s thoughts huh………)

In the end he could not figure out her real intentions from today’s (It’s should be yesterday) encounter.

But, there’s one thing he’s sure.

And that’s - Ryura is Ryura.

Appearance, voice, tone, personality, basically everything matches the Ryura Vega Tooi knew. She’s a kind and loving Deity that loves peace, hates war, and holds emotions of kindness and respect towards humans, animals and plants.

(That’s why…….there must be a reason. a reason why Ryura has to fight)

Tooi buried himself in thoughts.

“Fuaaa……….”

And, a cute yawn could be heard.

“Ah. Sorry. I, err, just…………”

Laila stood up after Alua lowered her head embarrassed.

“It’s pretty late. It’s about time we wrap this up. Anymore will affect tomorrow.”

Taking a look at the clock, it has already passed 3 in the night.

“Well while we are at it, how about we sleep together for old times’ sake?”

After Laila said that with a prankster smile, Alua’s face *Bo* turned red.

“W-what are you saying, Onee-chan! There’s no way we could do that!”

“Why not. Aah, how nostalgic. With Alua in the middle, I slept with Tooi as if we are a married couple”

“No means no! Have some self-control, you’re not young anymore, Onee-chan!”

“Stop with the innocent face, look who’s talking, Alua. You often slip inside Tooi’s bed and sleep together..”

“!? That’s something from 10 years ago!”

“Tooi’s room is the same as before. I think our pillow should be somewhere in that room”

The younger sister was swept away by the elder sister who is in high spirits.

Tooi immediately recalled something.

“Ohh yeah, Laila. I haven’t thanked you yet.”

“What?”

“Thanks for keeping my room the way it is. It’s thanks to you that it was comfortable.”

“It’s that huh……..don’t worry about it. It wasn’t a handful. Rather, the ones cleaning are the maids so all I did was order them.”

After saying that, Laila slightly closed her eyes and made a bitter smile.

“I just…..kind of hated it. The fact of someone else other than you using that room.”

Tooi’s back felt a little itchy since she said it in a gentle tone.

Is it sentimentality or attachment?

Regardless, he feels happy about Laila’s consideration------

“-----!?”

Instantly.

Electricity shocked Tooi’s mind.

(No way………)

No, but, there’s no other explanation.

If that’s correct then the consistency matches.

(This has to be joke……then, Ryura, has been doing this for-----)

Because of the shock, Tooi felt astonishment before he covered his mouth in reflex.

“………..What’s wrong, Tooi Onii-chan?”

When Alua was concerned about him with a worried expression,

“I got it.”

He leaked those words.

“I understand everything.”

“U-understand…..wait, eh? eeeeeeeh?”

“So you know the Lectar Republic’s goal?”

Both of them were greatly bewildered and were looking at him with gazes of expectations.

But Tooi, Hmm? Tilted his head.

“Eh? Lectar Republic’s goal? I don’t know about that. I don’t really care about that anyway.”

He said that. Both the Schut sisters *Gaku* lost their balance but, Tooi was calm and answered them confidently.

“I was thinking only about Ryura.”

Part 3

A chaotic commotion was occurring inside the Empire’s Military central HQ on the next day.

There was no need to say the cause of the commotion; it was the meeting contents with Gaien yesterday.

Inside an office, Laila Schut was crowded by people who heard the problem from yesterday.

“Just what is this, Major General Schut.”

Within the people gathered there, Captain Duffman who is currently the commander of Ryura Vega suppression team was present. He pressed Laila, who was sitting at the office desk for an answer, and was glaring at her.

However, Laila was not bothered of Duffman’s pressure and told him as if nothing happened.

“It was you who asked for an increase of soldiers, Captain Duffman.”

“There should be a limit on how many! It’s just plain stupid to move 3000 Spirit knights for this small problem! Even though we have forces to spare, we have no benefits in this war! We should move moderate number of soldiers and just maintain our reputation to other countries!”

Everyone shouted in agreement to Duffman’s voice.

Within the storm of thunderous criticism----

*Pan*!

The same time a dull sound echoed on the desk, the voices of dissatisfactions and criticisms filling the room stopped at perfect timing. Laila stood up from her chair and glared at everyone in the room.

“That just means I have my own thoughts. I’ll lend my ears if any of you have some kind of alternate plan. If you don’t then, stop spilling your dissatisfaction.”

Everyone kept quiet after hearing that commanding line.

“…………..So, this means Major General Schut would take all the responsibility right?”

“Of course.”

“Fuun. Looks like Major General Schut still has a liking in monster exterminations huh. As expected from someone who has provided her services in the [Demon King Suppression].”

Duffman snorted in displeasure.

“Well, forget it. If possible, I wanted to be the one get rid of that monster by my commands but, since you are willing to go that far, I’ll let you handle that monster.”

It might sound like a good speech but, he basically said, he has no intentions in sticking his fingers into this matter.

“Go ahead Major General Schut, please command the Spirit knight brigade with your orders. Although, if you are able to gather those soldiers in the first place.”

It is currently hard to summon 3000 Spirit knights in this situation. Even if she managed to gather them, she would be pressured by the national treasury used to move that many soldiers and this would cause a decline in national power. That foist will definitely pose as a big problem someday.

“I pity you, Major General Schut. You rose up thanks to the powers of those monsters but, it’s you are being strangled by the neck by those monsters this time. Well, I guess this is something you deserve for what you’ve done.”

After he said that disagreeability, Duffman took cigarettes out from his pocket and put one into his mouth. When he searched for a lighter in his military uniform’s pocket-----

“Here you go.”

Fire from a Zippo was presented from the side. Duffman thanked him and received the fire but, he immediately opened his eyes wide.

He apparently noticed that the person, who presented the fire to him, was the same person who caused trouble a few days ago - Tooi.

“Wha!? You bastard…….you’re that brat from that time!”

Duffman shouted with a shocked expression. Even the other military officials in the room were looking at the out-of-place visitor who attracts nothing but odd gazes.

*Shuu* Tooi closed the Zippo lid,

“My grandma said this-----“

As if to blow away the noisy atmosphere of the room, he was maintaining his usual pace.

“[Humans aren’t afraid of the darkness. It’s human fear that creates the darkness]”

He continued his words in a sad tone.

“When you called her a monster….. I honestly got sick. Those deities are not monsters. Humans are the one making them look like monsters.”

“………..Why is a brat like you here?”

Duffman ignored Tooi’s words and glared over to him while bringing his eyebrows closer in suspicion. The other military officials were showing the same response too.

If a “Why” pops up then; it’s because this was their plan.

Once the people, who were going to press for an answer on yesterday’s event, all gather into Laila’s office, Alua would bring Tooi over.

And-----

“Err………..un. I kind of heard the whole story.”

Tooi said it like a hero that is often shown in movies.

“Looks like you all are having trouble with Ryura Vega’s rampage. Mind letting me handle that case? I will try convincing her”

The military officials made blank expressions at first but, snickers started happening everywhere before they finally started laughing out loud with scorn.

However, the atmosphere changed the moment Tooi took out his sword from this pocket.

The scornful gazes from his surroundings were pulled over the black sword.

“T-that sword, impossible!”

The one who showed quite an over but still monotonous reaction was Alua, who sneaked into the room together with Tooi just now.

“It’s the Deity Sword Zodiac, told to be used by the [Tyrant Slayer] Tooi Cross! That shape and the bewitching glow which is a unique trait of Etherium……there’s no mistake!”

Alua lifted both her hands to express her whole body was shocked. Maybe she was embarrassed with her acting, her cheeks were quite red.

“Why is the legendary sword that was destroyed with the [Demon King] with our freeloader---!?”

“What…….did you say…….? That sword is Zodiac………….?”

Maybe she could not handle seeing such a bad act, Laila sent help.

“You, who are you……? What kind of relation…….do you have with him, with Tooi Cross? Answer me…..!”

(……That’s some realistic act there)

Unlike Alua, Laila was quite the actress. Gaze, tone, posture and the cold sweat oozing from her forehead, was perfectly acted out to show her cautiousness and fear.

After Laila stood up from her seat, she spread her hands out exaggeratedly and looked up.

“Aah, how could this happen…………you, the traveler from outside that I found collapsed in front of my mansion a few weeks ago due to hunger, who I fed until satisfaction and allowed to stay inside my house. You, who hid your own past, told me only [I am looking for someone], a man of few words and smell somewhat fishy……….is actually someone deeply related to that legendary hero……..!?”

………….that kind of sounds like a setting from a non-serialized story from JUMP, Tooi thought that but, he did not say it out of course.

Anyways, that was the setting the 3 of them came up with after thinking it through last night until it became late (Rather, it’s until this morning to be more precise).

It’s a setting, his appearance and status.

From now on, Tooi will live in this world as such an existence.

“Who am I huh…….for now, I’ll just say this.”

Tooi then told them.

His own character setting made to regain all the [Nebulosa12 Goddesses], which is the path towards walking on an endless ordeal.

“I am Tooi Cross’s successor.”

After that------

Everyone in the room was bewildered and while everyone was in loss of words, Tooi explained the plan to regain Fior region.

The plan that he thought together with Alua and Laila.

That plan was set to carry out approximately a month later.

Translation Notes and References

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