CH 453

The group moved on from the place of the Minotaurus lady (?) and went down through a huge square pit for a while.

The inside of the pit was created irregularly. It had invisible passage and stair that were made from space isolation barrier.

The height was roughly around 200 meters. Powerful hot wind was blowing up from the bottom, furthermore it had a consideratesavage mechanism that efficiently stir the wind like a non fryer frying machine to heat up the challenger evenly.

Although there wasn’t any sign of monster and in fact they also didn’t get attacked at all. And it wasn’t the work of the proof of conquest.

「Fumu. Based on the depth, it seems that we wouldst be able to go until the deepest part if we keep going through here.」

「……Nn. As I thought the monster just now──」

「Yue-oneechan! She’s Patricia-oneesan nano!」

「……Nnn. P-patricia was──」

「Patricia-o-ne-e-sa-an! Nano!」

「That’s the important part!?」

It seemed that “onee-san” also had to be included when mentioning her. Myuu nodded strongly. Her eyes were filled with the pressure that declared she would accept no argument.

Yue-sama was pushed back by the strange persuasiveness and coughed.

「……Nn-nn. Patricia, o-oneesan!」

「Myu」

「……Was, the last guardian before the last trial it seems.」

Myuu, what is your relationship with Patricia-oneesan……just what kind of understanding did the two of you formed from that short exchange……

Everyone was looking at Myuu with a conflicted gaze that was burning with such question. Meanwhile Shia punched her pal to pull herself together.

「I wanted to try fighting her a little desu. After all she looked like a power fighter.」

「You can go challenge her next time when there’s time. And if Kaori and the others want then can also try challenging this dungeon from the start. After all space magic has great versatility and destructive power.」

「Certainly, space magic just feel convenient……」

「True. I won’t be able to use it as easily as Yue but, I feel envious when seeing her teleporting all over the place.」

「……Ehhem」

Yue became smug, but it was only natural for her to puff up her chest like that. Shizuku’s words were right on point.

Space magic was really magnificent in its versatility even when compared to the other age of god magic. Offense, defense, movement……this magic was extraordinary in all respects. But, because of that handling this magic was also extraordinarily difficult.

You could nonchalantly used this magic, she could even teleport without using gate in her spare time. But bluntly speaking, it was a godly feat that was impossible for ordinary people to do.

Even if they were able to obtain the magic, none of them would be able to use it at Yue’s level.

Although, the space magic was still too attractive to pass up.

Aiko was lacking when it came to direct fight so it was impossible for her to conquer this dungeon……no, perhaps there was a small chance if she became Kaori and Shizuku’s party member as their support? Aiko pondered like that and said 「Come to think of it……」 while turning her gaze to Tio.

「Tio-san also hasn’t obtained space magic right?」

「Umu, it was truly unfortunate.」

Tio didn’t look really disappointed about it and simply nodded extremely casually to the question. Shuuzou asked her a question to make sure of something.

「If I remember it right, Freed Bagua got in your way and you prioritized delivering the stillness stone wasn’t it?」

「It’s exactly as thou said, Shuuzou-dono.」

「In that case……isn’t it alright to claim that you have managed to actually succeed in conquering this dungeon itself? Then, won’t it be possible for you to obtain the space magic today in this dungeon?」

「Hajime-kun, is there any need for her to go back to outside and challenge the dungeon from the start again?」

「I wonder about that. There’s no precedence about it so I can’t make any guarantee. We already talked about it that we should give it a try if the repair of this place has reached until Naiz Gruen’s hideout thought.」

「Umu. We’re already coming here after all.」

Kirino and Koichi’s conjecture was something that both Hajime and Tio had also considered. They replied that from the start they had the intention to give it a try once more if the volcano’s repair was finished.

「……The magic circle that grant the age of god magic is judging whether the challenger pass or fail by investigating their memory. Even if the great dungeon itself has gotten destroyed once, there should be no problem because Tio’s memory about her success is still there.」

Yue’s addition explanation made everyone nodded 「I see」 in comprehension. Meanwhile Liliana spoke up with respect and gratitude in her voice.

「Although this is not my country, the dukedom is the oldest allied country for the kingdom. You have given up on a power from the age of god in order to save the people of our allied country. I can’t thank you enough as a member of the royal family.」

Tio only responded to those words with a wry smile. Or perhaps it was an expression of awkwardness.

「Stop that. It was only the natural thing to do for the dragon race. Also, at that time I was unable to do even that natural thing.」

「Eh? What do you mean by that……」

Liliana tilted her head.

Kaori and others also looked toward her with deep curiosity. Sumire and Shuu and the other parents were also turning toward her in curiosity, but other than the Yaegashi family, the parents including Remia looked a bit tired.

Their countermeasure against heat was perfect. Yue was also interfering with the invisible foothold and stair to make them visible so their nervousness was lessened. Even so they were still walking down stairs that were worth dozens of floor. It was simply tiring for ordinary person to walk that much.

「We obediently walked down on our own feet thinking that there might be something on the way but, this is a bit boring isn’t it?」

Hajime who was carrying Myuu in his arms exchanged gaze with Yue. Yue understood his intention with just that.

「……We’ll go down until the bottom with gravity magic from here. I absolutely won’t let anyone fall so please don’t worry.」

She made that statement before using space magic and gravity magic simultaneously.

She erased the invisible floors until the lowest layer to create a straight path down, and then she floated everyone with gravity magic to go down gently.

「W-whoops……so this is how zero gravity feel? We’re going down slowly but……this feeling of there’s nothing under your feet make me feel restless for some reason.」

「T-true. I know that there’s nothing to worry about but……」

「You will get used to it soon, Okaa-san, Otou-san. Here, have a drink and relax, relax.」

Tomoichi and Kaoruko accepted the water bottle from Kaori and while timidly looking down.

The light from the magma slightly leaked in from the tunnel at the lowest floor. With that they could barely guess how high they were. They were at the height that was easily more than 100 meters. It couldn’t be helped that they were feeling a bit nervous. Akiko was also getting carried on her daughter’s back while trying as hard as she could to not look down. Everyone smiled wryly seeing that.

Hajime was holding Myuu in one arm while his other arm was holding Remia’s arm as though to escort her. Because of that she was feeling more bashfulness rather than nervousness.

「Oh my, Remia-chan, that’s cute.」

「Hajime, how about you carry her like a princess instead?」

「G-geez, please don’t say that, both of you……」

「Mamaaa? Are~ you feeling shyy~?」

「Myuu, stop teasing like that. Also stop with that grinning that look exactly like Kaa-san and Tou-san.」

Remia’s face was slightly red. Shuu, Sumire, and Myuu teased her. These three felt no fear at all, instead their tension was rising even higher.

Perhaps that was why Remia wavered and unconsciously let go of Hajime’s hand, but then she reflexively raised her voice 「Hyah」 and hugged Hajime’s arm.

Hajime smiled wryly and put his arm around her waist to keep her stable. It made the surrounding whistled in amusement seeing such thing happening.

Remia blushed red from embarrassment. Then she finally broke down and buried her face on Hajime’s shoulder to hide her expression.

Liliana glanced at that and chuckled while,

「Errr, then Tio-san. About what you said just now……」

Liliana skillfully sat girlishly midair while holding down her skirt. She saw that there was some time left until they reached the lowest floor and returned the talk back on track.

With that Tomoichi and others also averted their focus from the sky diving from high altitude back to Tio with deep interest.

「Aa, about that……umu, it was a pathetic story even if I say so myself but……at that time I half forgot about the stillness stone.」

「You, forget?」

「Umu. Goshujin-sama was seriously injured……my mind was filled with nothing but what shouldst I do to protect him, or even that I shouldst prepare myself to die together with him.」

「Hajime. Your injury at that time was that horrible?」

Sumire’s eyes widened and next she stared at her son with worry. Shuu and others also looked the same.

This was a bad thing to say but, the enemy general called Freed Bagua was persistent, but he always got driven away by Hajime and co every time he appeared, so the parents had the impression that he wasn’t really that strong.

Tio was someone who was especially composed and wise when it came to battle. To hear that someone like her was shaken from Hajime getting injured was unexpected and also shocking.

「Well yeah. That guy got his hand on the space magic faster than us. We aren’t sure whether he was hiding by twisting the space or appeared with teleportation but, he hit me with surprise attack during a superb timing, at the moment when we just crushed the last guardian.」

「……That was awful. Anyone else than Hajime and they would definitely die.」

「After all that attack had the destructive power that rivaled Tio-san’s dragon breath. In addition, the aurora──that breath attack contained poisonous element that hindered the wound from healing.」

Everyone held their breath. Seeing Yue and Shia getting cold sweat and grimacing told them just how gruesome that situation was. It changed their impression about Freed.

「Thinking really carefully, Freed Bagua conquered this great dungeon by his own strength. There was no way someone like him was ordinary.」

Shuuzou’s words caused the group to recall the trials of Gruen Great Volcano that they had seen until now, especially the sh*tty *lmudron subspecies and Patricia-oneesan. Everyone nodded in agreement 「Certainly!」.

「This is a miss. We should take a look at the fight between Freed and Patricia sis when we were there.」

「Papa, it’s not sis but “onee-san” nano.」

「So sis is also no good!? I said that word with respect you know!?」

It seemed that was no good. Really, just how much feeling was put into that 「Bumomoh」 that made Myuu to be like this.

「We already know the coordinate. Yue can teleport us there later so we can take a look.」

「I’m also interested……well, I can imagine how that fight would go so I’m not that curious. Because, he was accompanied by a monster that could heavily injure Hajime wasn’t he? I guess that he bulldozed his way through with the violence of number.」

Kaori’s suggestion and Shizuku’s conjecture were met with Hajime and Yue and the others’ agreement. They nodded while guessing what happened at that time.

「Well, I guess that was the case. Big sis──cough, Patricia-oneesan too surely would find it hard to endure if she continuously got bombarded with the grey dragon’s breath attack from all directions.」

「……Nn. Though against monste──nn-nn. Against Onee-san as his opponent, I think even Freed would have to suffer a considerable loss to win.」

「Please wait. That means, that time when we were facing Freed was after his combat potential had gotten greatly whittled down? If he had even more monsters with him at that time, even us wouldn’t get out unscathed……could it be that Patricia-san──cough. Patricia-oneesan played quite a large part in saving us?」

Myuu, why are your face turning grave when other word than “Onee-san” was going to get used……everyone was thinking that, but it felt like they would open a lid of the abyss that must never be opened, so nobody said anything. They all obediently corrected themselves.

「Well, it’s just as thou heard, the situation at that time was fairly dangerous.」

Tio pushed the talk back on track while looking at Hajime. Her gaze was filled with surprising amount of respect and affection.

A maiden’s longing and a servant’s respect for their master were exquisitely mixed together within those eyes. The zeal that was filling those eyes made even Hajime to look around awkwardly. Even Yue and others were widening their eyes in astonishment.

「It’s often said that a person’s true character often appear at the critical moment. While I was seized with thoughts like protecting or dying together, Goshujin-sama still strove to obtain everything.」

Hajime and co arrived at the bottom and their feet touched the ground at that moment. At the back of the room, there was a normal stair that wasn’t invisible. Light of magma was shining from inside there. Most likely that stair would lead to the area of the last trial where the challenger would have to fight the magma snake.

But, Shuu and Sumire and the other parents, also Kaori and the others, all of them were looking not toward that direction but toward Tio.

「Goshujin-sama didst not forget about Ankaji even in such situation. He put his trust on me. The one who entrusted the stone and sent me off whilst protecting me to the end was none other than Goshujin-sama.」

What saved the people of the dukedom’s capital wasn’t because she prioritized saving the many people over obtaining the age of god magic based on her pride as a dragon race, but because Hajime sent her off to do so.

That was why, the thanks and praises should be given to Hajime instead of her, Tio said with a terribly kind expression. Liliana didn’t know what words she should use to reply to that and her expression turned troubled.

She felt that Tio didn’t merely speak the fact. It was more that she was expressing her feeling for Hajime. For some reason that she didn’t understand, Liliana was at a loss for words because of that.

Hajime objected in exasperation.

「Tio, no matter how you look at it that’s just flattering me too much. My reason for relying on you was more egoistic──I just couldn’t stomach that our objective would get foiled because of the enemy. I wasn’t thinking about the people of Ankaji.」

「I know.」

Nagumo Hajime was by no means a human with lofty ideal. He didn’t possess something like the spirit of philanthropy at the slightest, and he also wasn’t a human who would take the initiative to make every effort saving other people. Tio was aware of that.

「Even so, I was happy. Even though normally Goshujin-sama art like the very picture of arrogance, thou said “please” at that time to me. At any rate, it was at that time that I became clearly conscious of mine feeling toward Goshujin-sama.」

「……Is, that so?」

「Umu. That is so.」

It must be something that she had never told to anyone else. Even Yue and others looked slightly surprised.

Tio’s cheeks were dyed red from the light of magma that shined in from the exit of the stair that seemed to connect to the area of the final trial.

Because of that her shyly smiling face looked even more bashful than it ought to be. For some reason a feeling of restlessness assaulted Hajime after seeing that.

Then, when he looked around sure enough, there were grinning faces from the parents who were going 「Oh myy」. It was really embarrassing.

「As a matter of fact, this great dungeon was a kind of turning point for me. This art the place that I am the most emotionally attached to.」

What the hell is with this mood you’re creating……Hajime seemed somewhat resentful by this development. Tio glanced at such Hajime before she took the lead to step into the area of the final trial in delight.

And then,

「Now, let us watch it already! The scene of the first joint battle of the black dragon me and Goshujin-sama! The coo~ol scene of Goshujin-sama protecting this strongest guardian the black dragon Tio Clarus!」

「You’re seriously hyping me up too much! Are you trying to kill me with embarrassment!?」

「I’m speaking the truth~! Come on, hurry hurry!」

It seemed that Tio was the one who actually looked forward to touring this great dungeon the most. She was in high spirit like a young girl and ran down the gently sloping stair.

Sumire and Shuu were laughing 「Geez Tio-chan」 while following behind her. Hajime, Yue and the other girls, and also Tomoichi and the other parents were also looking at each other before they chuckled with a gentle smile and followed right behind them.

And so,

「W-why……」

They saw Tio on all fours with her head hanging down.

「Aa~, it seems that there is still just a little bit more before the repair is fully completed.」

「So it’s only the area of the final trial that is still not repaired huh, desu.」

「……Tio, pitiful.」

「Ahaha……so in the end Tio won’t be able to obtain the space magic. Doesn’t it feel like Tio’s luck is strangely bad only when it come to this great dungeon?」(Kaori)

「As expected this really makes one sympathize, seeing that it was the person herself who said how memorable this place is for her.」

Yes, the large area for the final trial was still filled completely with magma. It seemed that the repair here wasn’t completed yet.

The regular route brought them out to a relatively high place to stand on, but at the edge there was magma completely filling up the space.

Naturally the hideout and the cluttered rocky areas couldn’t be seen at all. The whole place was under the huge magma lake.

「I already come this far, even though I already come this farrrrrrrrrrr」

She must be wishing to show the first joint battle and the consequent conversation from it very much. I’m losing all motivation……she kept slapping the ground for some time in frustration as though to say that. Then she flopped down and lied still.

「T-Tio-oneechan, cheer up!」

「Tio-san! Please wake up! The ground is hot because the magma is nearby……」

「Aa, her clothes are starting to smoke!」

Tio only twitched even after Myuu called out to her and Aiko and Liliana gave her warning. She gave no other reaction. Yue hurriedly casted her magic to cool the ground.

「Hajime, can’t you do something? Tio-chan is too pitiful like this.」

「No, kaa-san. As expected taking out magma from a space that I the size of three kilometer at all sides is……it’ll be difficult to do it quickly.」

Even if he ejected the magma with gate, this was still magma. It was different from removing lake water. He would have to choose the place to dispose the magma carefully.

It would be possible to dive down using submarine, but naturally the visibility inside magma was zero. It would be pointless to cast past replay there.

「The quickest way is to cast regeneration magic to the whole place but……」

「A-as expected my magic power won’t last doing something like that you knoow~」

「Just as I thought.」

Their schedule in this other world trip had been accelerated, so their remaining magic power stock was fewer than expected. Sure enough, it was impossible for them to use up all their magic power stock just for this.

「Other than that, I can search the keystone’s location with the compass, teleport there, and apply regeneration magic directly on the keystone I guess? That’s a method that we can do right away.」

「But Hajime-san, Isn’t the great dungeon’s repair progressing only because the keystone itself has been repaired fully? Even if we cast regeneration magic at it now……」

「No, I mean to put the keystone within the range of the Hour Crystal to accelerate the time.」

Perhaps the repair speed would increase with that? That seemed to be the idea but……

「Say, Hajime. Will it be alright to do that? In PC term, that feels like you’re going to directly tinker with the circuit board.」

Hajime smiled wryly at Shizuku’s worry and nodded.

「If possible I don’t want to try that method. In case that it failed, we don’t know what might happen to this place after all.」

In the worst case, it was also possible that the great dungeon itself would lose its function for eternity. At the very least, this method had very high risk unless Hajime had carefully analyzed the keystone and devised a specialized way to apply the method.

「It’s alright already.」

Tio who got her cheek patted up repeatedly by Myuu finally got up.

「At this pace, this area wouldst return back to normal in a few more months correct? There wouldst be many more chance for us to go to a trip. There art no need to brave such risk at this moment.」

Tio said that, but she still looked gloomy.

Shuu, Sumire, Tomoichi and the other parents consoled her 「Let’s come again here later」. Meanwhile Yue’s gaze turned toward Hajime. She put her index finger over her lips while her tongue stuck out and licked her lips.

Hajime understood what she wanted to say with that and he blushed slightly. Even so he saw no other way and smiled while nodding. Yue too returned back a smile after obtaining Hajime’s consent.

「……Tio. You can leave this to me.」

「Mu? What art thou planning?」

「……As expected it’ll be impossible to watch the whole battle, but I’ll manage it somehow if it’s just for the important parts.」

「Somehow? Couldst thou do it?」

「……Fuh, who do you think I am?」

Don’t underestimate the great first wife, Yue showed a fearless smile that seemed to say that.

Tio’s eyes widened like saucer. While the parents and the other girls were focusing on Yue, wondering what it was she was going to do, she suddenly floated up gently to the air.

She then flew until she was above the huge magma lake. Sometimes she would converse telepathically with Hajime who was using the compass to adjust her positioning.

And then,

「──”Zenith Heaven Release”」

Golden magic power burst out so much that the space creaked.

It was the superior version of sublimation magic “Forbidden Territory Release”. The result of activating the ultimate self-strengthening simultaneously.

The golden torrent’s radiance blotted out the magma’s scorching light. Even from afar they could clearly feel the pressure that was worthy to be called as god’s majesty. The parents’ eyes were opened wide.

But, it was still too early for them to be surprised.

「──”Black Sky Destitution”」

Yue chanted. It was quiet, but her lovely voice strangely echoed to everywhere.

Golden sparks manifested below Yue. It was creating the black calamity star that would swallow and annihilate anything and everything.

The huge black hole fell toward the surface and created an outrageously large whirlpool in the huge magma lake. Magma in amount so vast that it was difficult to even imagine was getting swallowed dry without end.

Of course, even though it was the secret technique of gravity magic, it was still a very difficult task to dry up such giant magma lake. It would take a considerable time to finish.

But, in this moment, it was possible if the task was simply to decrease the amount of magma.

「──”Kalpa of Destruction”」

A wide range gravitational field was spreading in a circle with the “Black Sky Destitution” as the center. It was pushing away a part of the giant magma lake.

Of course the black hole was left behind at the inside to swallow the remaining magma thoroughly.

The sight was just like Moses splitting the sea produced in an atypical way.

A precipitous cliff of magma was widened in a circle shape. Such sight was no different than a natural disaster. It was something that was just too unrealistic for the parents. Even Myuu, Remia, Akiko, and Liliana couldn’t close their hanging open mouth seeing that.

「……Nnn, continuous regeneration of the gravitational field……complete. Space anchoring……complete. Triple layers barrier, complete. Soul strengthening status, maintaining continuation……problem zero!」

A giant hole with the depth of 200 meters and 2000 meters of perimeters was formed in the magma lake.

The pressure of the magma from the surrounding that was flooding in couldn’t even be imagined. Yue was constantly pushing back against that pressure while also preparing three layers of super huge space isolation barrier in case the worst happened. Furthermore, she was also using soul magic in order to maintain that state continuously. It was truly an outrageous feat.

「……Hajime, please create a foothold. Kaori, cast the past replay. As expected it’ll be difficult for me to cast any more magic after this, so can Tio take care of it during the sightseeing at undersea ruin in the afternoon?」

「S-so you chose to use brute force huh……I can only say as expected of Yue after seeing this.」

「O-ou……understood. ……Good grief, thou go too far just for mine sake. ……Thank you, Yue. As expected from the first one amongst us.」

「……Doyah (Smug)」

Hajime prepared a large skyboard for everyone to get on and then he caught Yue who came back.

And then his gaze became a bit distant.

「Please go easy on me.」

「……I can’t give any guarantee!」

He accepted her *kapuchuu~*. She was sucking him with astonishing vigor! Even the sound of her smacking lips was captivating!

The parents watched dumbfounded. Yue’s hands were hugging Haijme’s neck and even her legs were holding his waist tightly while she was going *chuu-chuu-*. Meanwhile Hajime was simply standing there with a gentle face like a Buddha. They finally returned to their senses seeing that,

「Aa, I see desu. Although we can’t overwork ourself in order to retain magic power for the afternoon sightseeing and going back to earth, but for Yue-san, Hajime-san himself is like her personal magic power battery!」

「So even after firing secret techniques one after another, there won’t be any problem for her as long as Hajime-kun is prepared to get anemia huh.」

「Umm, even so isn’t she sucking too vigorously? Hajime-san’s complexion is rapidly becoming whiter……」

Everyone was gradually understanding what was going on based on what Shia and Aiko were saying. Then they also noticed Hajime’s condition from Liliana’s twitching expression.

The longer Yue had to maintain this feat that was like a natural disaster, the more like mummy Hajime would become.

Well, no wonder his expression was twitching a little when he exchanged glance with Yue.

「Looks like there isn’t any time to tease him about the “kapuchuu~* isn’t it?」

Everyone nodded to Sumire’s words. They hurried on to get aboard the large sky board.

「Papa, are you okay?」

「I’m fine, no probl──AH!? Yue, it’s fine for you to suck bot stop licking!」

「……Nn~? Does it feel good here? Does it feel good hereee?」

「Mamaa, Yue-oneechan’s face looked like in a daze──」

「Shh, you mustn’t look! It’s still too early for Myuu!」

Yue-sama whose look even felt divine before this was now looking like she was in rapture. But she was still continuing to maintain the simultaneous activation of her special moves even while in such state, so she was really outrageous in various meanings.

「I was even feeling awe at her until just now but……」

「That was truly like a god’s deed wasn’t it? Both in power and atmosphere. But, after seeing this, she looks just like a normal girl in love. The gap is amazing.」

Koichi and Kirino expressed their impression with wry smile. Everyone looked like they were in agreement with them.

The large sky board was going down. It was approaching the location where Hajime sent off Tio in the past.

With that naturally the precipitous cliff of magma was also getting closer and entered their sight. The pressure from its impressiveness was getting stronger.

「If it’s Yue-chan, it feels like that even natural disaster──things like typhoon won’t be any problem at all.」

Akiko suddenly said what was in her mind while doing her best to not look Yue’s *kapuchuu* figure. She also smiled wryly at the sight of Hajime drinking Cheatmate DrDrink that had blood increase effect desperately.

Typhoon was something hateful and terrifying for farming family. Just how wonderful it would be if they didn’t have to worry about typhoon anymore, Akiko dreamed while speaking half-jokingly.

But, it seemed something like that wasn’t just a mere dream. *Chupah* Yue’s lips left Hajime’s neck and she looked at Akiko.

「……It’s only maintaining the special move that is hard, so if I’m using it just for a moment then I’ll be able to produce something even more powerful and effective.」

「Err……in other words?」

「……It’ll be fine even if a typhoon come. Conversely I can also do something like creating typhoon!」

「Eh, no, even if you look at me like that as though you’re saying please leave it to me……absolutely don’t do something like that okay?」

It seemed Yue-sama could even do something like weather manipulation.

She gave a thumb up at Akiko-san’s serious advice and then she returned to kissing Hajime’s neck in relish once more. She didn’t look like an existence that was equal to god at all like that.

「Leave the impression for later. For now let’s prioritize watching the past.」

「Y-yes. Before Hajime-kun get shriveled dry.」

Hajime urged the group to hurry up with a serious face. Kaori’s face was slightly twitching from that, even so she quickly activated “past replay”.

She couldn’t project the whole battle against the magma snake and Freed, but even those fragmentary scenes were enough to convey just how fierce the battle at that time.

The first breath attack from Freed and Uranus. Hajime’s figure that fell powerlessly from that. There were screams when that happened. The wound that resulted from it was so serious that everyone automatically averted their gaze.

A strafing of breath attack was fired like it was a heavy rain from the swarm of grey dragons. While Yue and others were prevented from moving by that, Hajime who was seriously wounded all over was still facing Freed with a burning will to fight.

『I wouldst not let thee!』

The gallant black dragon showed herself.

「After seeing Goshujin-sama battered up like that, I finally was able to see Goshujin-sama correctly.」

The past Tio was getting into a shoot out with Uranus in order to back up Hajime. The present Tio watched her past self while speaking as though she was talking to herself.

「Before that I felt that Goshujin-sama was an anomalous existence that art completely different than us, no, to be more accurate I saw him as a “monster”. That was what I felt within my subsconscious.」

That was something that couldn’t be helped. After all Tio was already undefeated even among her own people, but then she got overwhelmed in a head on fight even though she was brainwashed at that time.

If it was asked whether it was natural for her to harbor the impression like “A monster that won’t die even if he’s killed” “A monster that can keep fighting without feeling anything like pain” toward Hajime then perhaps it was only natural.

That “blind trust toward the monster’s strength” of her suddenly got struck from the side and be cleared up seeing Hajime almost dying from a surprise attack.

「At that time I saw him as a fellow human desperately struggling to survive……someone who I hath to protect no matter what, with my pride as a dragon race on the line.」

「So that was why you broke the rule and exposed your true identity in front of the enemy of all people huh.」

「Umu. Surely Jii-sama and the other dragons wouldst do the same if they were on mine place.」

If the dragon race was a more rational race, they would see the best choice in that situation was to escape alone while Hajime and co were fighting against Freed.

Tio was a member of the dragon race who only came here for an investigation, placed in a situation where nobody knew what would happen in the future. Her exposing her true identity there originally should be something that she absolutely must never do.

After all her action could call down monumental danger to the survival on her whole race.

「Thank you Tio-chan, for risking such danger for Hajime’s sake.」

「It was really an option that you had no way to take back. My thanks for saving our son, Tio-chan.」

Sumire and Shuu both took Tio’s hand each while expressing their gratitude to her. Tio replied with 「It’s nothing, don’t mention it」 while blushing bashfully.

And then she said 「Cometh to think of it」 to hide her embarrassment and mentioned a certain memory.

「While we were staying at Erisen, there was that time when I placed Yue on my back and we went for a sightseeing flight alone……」

「……Nn? Ah, Tio, that’s──」

Yue reflexively spoke up to stop her.

Hajime was in high spirits because his dream that was filled with romance, the dream of “flying on the back of a dragon” had come true. Yue who was also idolizing the dragon race at that time asked Tio for the same favor under the excuse of “just for a change of pace”.

But, in reality her true objective wasn’t just that.

「At that time, Yue gave me her oath in accordance to the ancient etiquette, as though it was the time when the world was still paying respect to the dragon kingdom. She gave me her oath in order to repay me for mine resolve and dedication.」

──The last vampire, Yue, swear it right here. That the enemy of the dragon race is also my enemy. I swear that I shall protect your precious comrades and family with all my strength from any kind of threat

That oath of the vampire princess echoed through the night sky. That was the greatest repayment that Yue at that time could give Tio for her help to them even if she had to break the rule and exposed her family to danger.

「……Geez, why do you tell everyone? Even though I went through the trouble of getting alone with you because it was embarrassing to make an oath to a pervert.」

「As expected it shouldst be fine to tell that now that we hath overcome everything correct? After all that oath made me so happy I almost cried.」

Yue averted her gaze from the smiling Tio.

So such thing happened……Hajime and others thought while looking at Yue with a kind expression. Yue’s cheek blushed faintly from embarrassment.

「Ahaha, really Yue-san, you were also like that with me weren’t you. Didn’t you write it in your diary? That you won’t let anyone hurt me anymore.」

「……Muu. Just so you know, I’m still holding a grudge that you read my diary without asking.」

It was a record in Yue’s diary around the time they just finished clearing Raisen Great Dungeon. Shia found Yue’s diary by accident, then she lost against her curiosity and read it. Together with Tio and Kaori. Of course, after that they got fully punished with lightning dragon.

Anyway, it was written in that diary.

Shia who had lost her family, got hurt a lot, and yet she still worked hard to come with them and finally she even accomplished conquering a great dungeon. In her diary Yue wrote that she finally recognized such Shia as a comrade from the bottom of her heart.

She wrote that Shia was like her precious little sister and a friend. That was why she swore to herself that she would protect Shia.

「You know Yue, you’re really a swindler with that side of yours. You have no right to say anything about Hajime-kun like this.」

「……Ha? What are you saying so suddenly? It’s not like I ever care of Kaori──」

「When I got killed and then resurrected at the god mountain, you were seriously angry weren’t you?」

「……T-that’s, it was……」

「I can’t forget it even now. That was the first time I saw Yue losing her cool like that.」

It was when Yue grumbled at Kaori why she died so easily, and Kaori talked back to her with something like “Even though I died but I never gave up till the end, so you don’t need to speak that harshly”.

Yue said Realize that you’re just lucky. Yue showed her a fury that she never even showed to Hajime. And then,

──Why did you prioritize healing other people!? If Tio wasn’t acknowledged as successful in clearing the dungeon……there would be no fixing this……

At the end Yue’s tone tapered down and she hung her head down with dejection. That was the greatest proof of just how seriously worried Yue was.

And then when Kaori apologized, Yue apologized instead for venting out her anger on her and how she prioritized taking revenge on Freed.

「You completely treasure your family and also really soft on them. Really, Hajime-kun and you are cut from the same cloth.」

「……Shadduup~, Bakaori」

「Fufu, say Kaori. Is that you confessing that you love Yue?」

「Don’t say something strange like that! Shizuku-chan you idiot!」

「Kaori-oneechan, aree~ youu~ shyy~?」

「I’m not shy! Also Myuu-chan, speaking with a trill like that doesn’t suit you!」

Tomoichi and Kaoruko sent a glance at their daughter making a fuss before thanking Yue for scolding their daughter who sometimes acted very recklessly. That made Yue fidgeted again while replying 「Your welcome……」. Then inside the past replay, the great dungeon finally started crumbling down.

A hole for shortcut to outside opened at the ceiling and Freed retreated through it.

Hajime’s Limit Break cut off and he was unable to even walk. The projection showed him putting his hand on the cheek of Tio in her dragon form.

「It’s here, right here!」

His eyes that showed no sign of giving up at all pierced through Tio. He wasn’t begging or even clinging on her when the word “please” that Tio would never be able to forget quietly reverberated. That word was said to her because of his trust to her as a comrade of equal footing.

「We art both humans. Therefore, my respect to him changed into a closer deep affection. The person who I directed that affection to didn’t lose sight of even the thing that I forgot, and counted on me in order to obtain everything……」

Tio’s voice when she was talking with Liliana was filled with unbelievable heat. The reason for that was this.

「Mine husband shall be someone stronger than me……that was what I said 500 years ago before I finally met him. That “person” who was stronger than me both in mind and body counted on me. How couldst mine heart not throb? Hmm?」

「Oo~I, Tio. Stop it already. Do you want to kill me with embarrassment?」

「Furthermore after this, Goshujin-sama sent his Cross Bit to protect me! I couldst not even remember when was the last time I was the one being protected! At that time I almost screamed “I love theeeee” reflexively!」

「Are you listening? Look here, even Myuu is looking at you with lukewarm gaze.」

「Furthermore furthermore! When it turned out that Freed and Uranus were lying in wait outside, Goshujin-sama blasted them away by self-destructing his Cross Bit you know? Can thou believe that!? Not only he get even without fail, he also opened up a path of escape for me at the same time! While in that kind of situation! Nufufu」

How’s that! Goshujin-sama art really cool right! Tio strongly explained while hopping up and down with an atmosphere that could even be said like an innocent child. Coupled with the gap from her appearance, it made her looked extremely lovable.

Nobody made fun of her and only watched over her as though they were looking at a little girl who was boasting about her treasure.

「Aa~, that’s right. The hideout, the hideout. Let me check for a bit whether the magic circle is functioning or not.」

Hajime suddenly ran away. He ran on the air using “Air Force” and in the blink of eye he reached the wide open entrance that was discharging out magma and entered inside the hideout.

Seeing his back vanishing inside, Yue and the girls, also Sumire, Shuu, and the parents all looked at each other,

「「「「「「「He ran away (isn’t he) (huh)」」」」」」」

They laughed while saying that altogether.

.

.

.

In the end, the magic circle for granting age og god magic still hadn’t recovered its function.

Similar with how risky it would be to interfere with the function of the great dungeon’s self-repair, there was the same risk with trying to repair the magic circle on their own. There was also little need to obtain the space magic right now, so Tio would wait until next time to attempt to obtain the magic.

Like that Hajime and co finished with their sightseeing of the grand volcano. Currently they were arriving at the oasis city that was the capital of Akanji Dukedom.

The time was getting late for lunch, so they wanted to come to at least give a greeting in respond to Duke Lanzwi’s kind intent. And most of all it was worth it to take a look at the desert city.

The group was covered up with perception blocker and showed themselves only to the guard at the gate. They would hate it if there was a commotion, so they told the guard to notify Duke Lanzwi secretly of their arrival.

After that they found out that they came in a bad timing. The duke was apparently in a situation where he couldn’t possibly leave. He sent his apology for his inability to quickly welcome them and asked whether they would like to take a stroll through the oasis city for a while because they couldn’t possibly leave immediately without waiting.

The group enjoyed the oasis’s beauty for some time along with the stalls throughout the city that didn’t open when they came here the last time, after that Hajime and co were taking a break and relaxing near the wharf.

「The city has gotten really bustling isn’t it? There are also a lot of tourists.」

「Is that so, Kaori?」

「Yep, that’s right Shizuku-chan. Before this you see, there wasn’t this many people here and there was also no stall open at all, though granted the situation at that time was really pressing. And the oasis was normally being protected really strictly.」

「Certainly, it’s the lifeline of people in the desert after all. Though it looks like that it have become a place for relaxation now.」

Aiko narrowed her eyes from how dazzling the oasis surface was and looked around. Certainly, from what she saw there were people who looked like adventurer, people who looked like merchant, and even beastmen all over the place.

「It must be thanks to the disappearance of the worry about war now that the demon race’s threat hath vanished. And it’s also now possible to come and go using gate.」

「Yes. In addition some beastmen also found out that the desert environment is the most comfortable for them, so the number of people who migrate here is increasing.」

Kaori looked back at the city that was the source of the hustle and bustle. Tio also made a conjecture of how this situation came to be and Liliana affirmed it while telling them about the recent situation.

「What a beautiful city. The culture is really different from other city even though it’s in the same other world. I want to take a look at the city too later by all means.」

「It looks like there are a lot of stalls with unusual product. It’s a desert country and yet we don’t need to worry about sand at all, it’s amazing.」

「A barrier that cover the whole city huh……you said that it also can detect ill will toward the oasis right? It’s certainly amazing.」

Tomoichi, Shuu, and Shuuzou squinted their eyes with good feeling at the refreshing sight. Sumire and Kaoruko and the others were also really relaxed, perhaps because they had just gotten out from a place that was filled with scorching magma.

Meanwhile, Shia took some water and enjoyed the cool sensation while speaking once more about her impression for the last thing that they saw in the grand volcano.

「Even so, the fight between Freed and Patricia-sa──oneesan was really impressive to see.」

「Aa, that huh. To think that he made the grey dragon swarm to stand by at the outside after clearing the labyrinth and only summoned them later. Well, thinking carefully flying monster is handicapped to conquer that great dungeon. So I guess it was only natural that he did that.」

「……Nn. In the end, his army of nearly 300 monsters almost got annihilated. Freed would definitely die if not thanks to Uranus.」

Yes, Freed at that time was also leading beast type monster army that was made up of chimera and four-eyed wolf for conquering the dungeon.

The end result was that ninety percent of them got wasted when facing Patricia-oneesan. He used the remaining ten percent and Uranus to face the magma snake that was only half in number compared to when it was Hajime’s group facing it. He conquered the dungeon after getting into a deathly protracted battle with the magma snake.

After that it was just as Shia predicted. Without Patricia-oneesan, Hajime’s group would also have to face other monster army in addition of the grey dragons.

While they were having such conversation with each other about their impression of the volcano sightseeing……

A commotion suddenly entered their ear. It wasn’t the noise from the lively city. Rather the noise sounded like it was coming from onlookers witnessing some kind of trouble.

What? They thought while turning their gaze toward the city. What entered their sight was the figure of a panicking guard rushing this way.

There was perception blocker covering up the group, but they had told the duke where they were resting beforehand so the guard arrived at their location without getting lost.

And then,

「My apologies your majesty the demon king and honorable guests! Please follow me quickly──」

His voice sounded like he was in some kind of predicament. The next moment,

「「「「「HELLOOO!! NEW WORLDDDD!!!」」」」」

It got drowned out by a chorus that shook the air like electricity.

「W-whaaat?」

Hajime and co were bewildered while standing up in respond to the perplexing shout (?) that sounded excessively lively.

And then, the crowd parted just like the giant magma lake from before and from there an abnormal group came through.

The sight was similar like in the past when the church’s priests and knights stood in Hajime’s way to take him away after he got designated as a heretic.

But, this group was so odd in various respect that it made what happened in the past felt better than this.

The group was made up of men who were all looked brawny. Their body looked very well trained.

At the forefront stood a youth who was walking dashingly while spreading open his arms as though to embrace the wide open sky. He looked really familiar. But, that was exactly why none of them could really remember who he was.

「Kaori-samaaaaaaa!! And also your majesty the demon king and honorable companyyyy!! Welcome to our country! We welcome you all!!」

What he was saying wasn’t some kind of wordplay. It was only his appearance and atmosphere that were absurdly strange.

They weren’t wearing the native dress that was unique to this desert country, but costume that looked like priest uniform with pure white color and no other color. However, the outfit on the whole was thin and fluttery, with a slit put on the lower half. Their beefy things were exposed without reservation. Their quadriceps muscle looked like they were throbbing.

Kaori stiffened like statue. The same with Shizuku and others.

Because, that costume looked very familiar. They didn’t even want to think about it and the it was different in the details but, no matter how they looked at it, it was like──

The healer costume that Kaori was using at her early days in this world.

In addition.

Kaori didn’t even greet the man back and spoke her question. It was question about the strangest point that made everyone dumbfounded.

「……Why are there angel wings on their back?」

Yes, the youth and his group were all having artificial angel wings (perhaps they were made from wood that was shaved and painted and attached with belts on both sides so they could be fitted on the wearer’s shoulders) on their back.

They were plainly a group of deviant. If they were on earth and encountered a group like this in the city, the first thing to do was definitely reporting them to police. Or rather, guard, don’t just hold your head like that, go arrest them……

That youth who was dressed abnormally like that was approaching Kaori with joy and look of ecstasy. The person in question who was being approached by the deviant and even her father couldn’t help but freezing still.

「W-what!? Wait, please don’t come near me!」

「O-oi, you! Don’t get near my daughter! Hajime-kun, do something! Stop that pervert quickly!」

「No, I understand your feeling but, we more or less are acquainted with that guy and he isn’t a dangerous character……he, shouldn’t be……」

「He’s a bad news no matter how you look at him!」

Certainly, everyone nodded.

Only Liliana who seemed to know about the situation was looking like she was enduring a headache. She was rubbing her forehead. Meanwhile the pervert in question suddenly stopped walking.

He looked at Tomoichi who was standing between him and Kaori, then his eyes snapped wide open. Tomoichi-san couldn’t stop himself from jerking back.

Next the youth looked at Kaoruko who ran to the side of her husband who was in danger (?), then he looked back and forth between her and Kaori to compare them……

Suddenly a single drop of tear trickled down his face.

「I cannot believe this」

「Yeah really.」

You, just what the hell are you wearing……Hajime made a tsukkomi, but the youth ignored him and then he made a sudden move again. He kneeled so hard that everyone was worried that his kneecap might break from the impact.

Every single one of his action was extreme. Simply scary. Both Tomoichi-san and Kaoruko-san were holding each other’s hands and their body jerked hard from the sudden movement.

The deviant finally introduced himself in front of the creeped out Shirasaki family.

「My heartfelt gratitude for the good fortune of being bathed by your glorious presenceeee!!!」

「「What’s with you so suddenly!?」」

「I take it that the both of you are the parents of our archangel──Kaori-sama who fly down on earth!!」

「「So loud!?」」

「It is our group’s supreme happiness to worship and service your lady daughter. I am Bize Feuward Zengennnn!! The one bestowed with the great honor of founding and leading the angel religionnnn, the organization whose mission is to share love to people everywhere as the representative of the great angelll!! It’s an honor to make your acquaintanceeee!!」

「「Please spare us from that!!」」

Tears streamed down from his bloodshot eyes. His pronunciation was getting strange here and there perhaps because he was being too excited. This youth already looked like a splendid fanatic from his appearance.

Yes, this youth was the prince of the desert country. Bize-san.

In the past he was saved at the desert and after that even his motherland received salvation. Since then he became a genuine fan of Kaori and it seemed that he had gone off until the deepest end.

At the capital and sea of trees, the group had heard how the angel religion was becoming a faction that possessed equal influence with the goddess religion that was worshipping Aiko, but to think that it was a group that was this outrageous……even Hajime and others could only watch while unable to close up their mouth.

「First thing first, you guys, what’s with that appearance?」

「This is the result after I pondered hard what would be an appropriate attire as someone who hold faith toward the archangel that we love and respect. We reached this decision just recently in our effort to differentiate ourself more strikingly from the other faction. Yes.」

「……That also include that wing model?」

「Yes-. It’s to make ourself closer to the great angel as much as possible, and also to display our presence to the surrounding! This is for the sake of propagating our religion even more!」

「Certainly you’re giving off presence with that appearance. It’s too scary that nobody can ignore you. It’s fear that is going to propagate rather than faith at this rate.」

From behind 「Kaoriiiiiii」 Tomoichi’s scream could be heard. It seemed that Kaori had silently fainted from too much shock. Aiko’s 「SoulRepose-SoulRepose」 also could be heard.

Hajime endured a headache while asking the last question.

「And, what in the world was that yell at the start?」

「For the people who got enlightened by our religion’s teaching, it truly felt like having your eyes opened to a new world. Just like when I had my encounter with Kaori-sama. In that case! There is no other words that can be more fitting to be our religion’s motto and common greeting!」

Bize stood up with a refreshing smile that contained not even a sliver of doubt.

And then he spread out his arms and loudly raised his voice together with the religious members behind him as though trying to make their voices heard to every corner of the world.

「「「「「HELLOOO! NEW WORLD!!」」」」」

「I wish that you could go to that new world on your own if possible.」

There was that thing with Aiko at the royal capital, the masked pink Shizuku at the imperial capital, Hajime at Fuhren……

They had only left this place to go home to earth for a while, but now this place looked like a different world when they visited again. No, this was a different world though. Really, just why did things turn out like this.

「……Hey, Hajime. Is Tortus’s next generation going to be alright?」

「……」

Hajime couldn’t give an answer to Sumire’s question that she asked with a twitching voice.

Whether it was the mad dog princess at the empire, or the hardcore M monster princess at Fea Bergen, or the corporate slave princess at the kingdom……

「Wait, did you also include me in that group just now!?」

It felt like the princess was saying something, but putting that aside.

Hajime and co were directing eyes that were half filled with sympathy at the back of the crowd that was getting larger as each second passed.

Yes, they were looking at Duke Lanzwi who was running toward this location with a terrifying look that would make even oni ran away barefoot.