S-Class Conference: Ends

Though it had been decided I could fight Julian and Eclair, discussion continued on how to fight.

"Hey, you know… fighting's fine, but if it's about me having sex with Eclair, I want to too! … That opinion's still alive, yeah?

"How about an S-Class lower-ranks tournament, and the winner challenges Julian?"

Fergus proposed something like that.

This guy… honest, wasn't he! Well, the opinion itself I didn't think was bad.

A chance to have sex with Eclair if you win? Of course you'd want to participate.

"Let me challenge too!" of course you'd shout.

That, I sympathized with.

A type I could never come to like, but he was at least honest with himself, you could say.

In that sense, I didn't necessarily dislike him.

"Lumping us in as 'lower ranks' is also troublesome.

"I have no problem with my current rank. I'm not joining."

Melville said so.

"… I have no intention of participating either…"

Gidsen said gloomily.

"Tch, well, willing participants only, then."

"… Eh? Does this mean ranks change as you win through?"

I'd thought I'd stay S-Class 24th, but…

"Of course — if you beat 17th you're 17th, if you beat 16th you're 16th, right?"

Fergus's manner said "what're you asking that's obvious."

Eh…?

So with this, I'd become 16th?

Eeeh… then exceeding Sairas's 23-win streak would become physically impossible.

… Well, if you could beat upper ranks then beating lower ranks was obvious, so I understood the win streak didn't have all that much meaning.

In reality, whether I could beat Sairas this time, I knew it was difficult. So it wasn't even a sticking point…

But, a little disappointed.

… That said, "you beat 16th but didn't become 16th" — told that, I couldn't argue back.

The only case I'd previously beaten a higher rank without changing places was, what, B-Class 69th Yamagata's fight.

That was because I'd sold him off to Ursula in lieu of money…

That kind of thing was possible because it was B-Class.

If you said you'd sold off an S-Class position for money, you'd be mobbed.

Well, instead I'd get the 300th-anniversary tournament winner medal, so I'd be satisfied with that…

"… Please wait."

Finally, the party in question, Eclair, spoke.

"What I agreed to was Naoto challenging me… and even I, this Eclair Feradria, find it unwilling to be told to join a competition.

"If you want to hold a competition over the challenge right that Naoto has, please, by all means.

"I'll promise to take on whoever wins."

Eclair stoked it like that. She probably loved the idea of looking down from on high at men squabbling over her.

She wore a smug, satisfied-looking smile.

"Oh, all right. Then first up is the challenge-right tournament!"

Fergus rallied without consulting.

… A tournament, huh… I didn't particularly mind, but how many matches would I end up fighting?

Atmosphere-wise, couldn't refuse.

"This is the bond between me and Eclair, has nothing to do with anyone else!" I could've kept arguing, but if I did, I'd be seen as scared of losing and running.

The way I was perceived by those around me would deteriorate.

… I was in the position of needing recognition from everyone. I couldn't refuse here.

"A tournament with my challenge right to Eclair Feradria as the stake, then.

"Understood."

I wrapped it up like that.

Oh…

Pachi pachi pachi…

Applause broke out at my decision. Maybe instead my evaluation went up as brave?

Aleph, who was applauding heartily, was wearing a good-feeling smile.

He was a man of passionate heat that matched his appearance, looked fond of contests.

Duras, who'd been pushing back at me just earlier, was also smiling now in a "well, if that's how it is" way.

After all, perhaps he wasn't being malicious; his opposition was driven by the literal reason of "S-Class Masters being reduced is a problem"?

… But Caios was glaring at me with dark eyes.

He… seemed to bear malice.

"Then, anyone wishing to challenge themselves, if Naoto challenges Eclair, raise their hand here."

Ursula called out.

Hands that went up at once: 2. Only Zeiros and Fergus.

Among S-Class lower ranks, Zares and Shaina hadn't raised their hands.

Zares looked timid, like he wanted to raise his hand, but seeing the few hands already up, he seemed to be worrying about it.

In the end, he held back… Probably no confidence in winning against Eclair either.

He'd been participating in the conference as a small heckler from earlier, but only made remarks aligned with the room's flow, leaving a very faint impression.

Mob of mobs… Silvana had called him that, but would the time come when even he asserted himself?

Shaina, in the manner of "I don't intend to get in your way," was glaring at Zeiros and Fergus, who had raised their hands.

How about the S-Class mid-ranks?

… They were looking at each other's faces, holding each other in check.

Probably Eclair's 17th-ranked position was the issue. For S-Class 16th to 9th, upper-mid ranks, saying they'd challenge a lower rank was hard to say. For 8th and up upper ranks, even more so.

There surely wasn't anyone who didn't want to have sex with Eclair, but… in the end, no hand went up from the mid-ranks.

Those who didn't want sex with Eclair… if there were any, it'd be the lolicon 12th-ranked Goldin, perhaps. He surrounded himself transparently with beautiful little girls.

And Hortensia, if her inner self matched her female appearance.

… Hortensia didn't speak up, huh. If we heard the voice we'd know whether male or female.

"3 people in a tournament, huh. At that level, a winner-stays-on works.

"… Duras. You said I'd grown weaker.

"If I win against fellow S-Class Masters, you'll have to withdraw that statement.

"Fine. Zeiros, Fergus — I'll smash you all together."

Ursula seemed pissed by Duras's earlier words and declared so.

"… The hell?"

"A match with Lady Ursula…? Th-then, in the moment of victory…"

"Well, on the off-chance such a thing happens, I am yours… I suppose."

"Uoooooooo!"

Zeiros caught fire.

"Whoooaaa, wait wait! For S-Class Master matches, 4 in a row is too much!

"… I'll fight on Naoto's side too! 2 vs 4 should at least be more manageable!"

Here, Shaina spoke up for me.

To openly side with me in public like this… I was happy.

"… I'm rather unhappy at being lumped together with Zeiros, Fergus, and Julian…"

"Then, 2 vs 3 is fine."

"Hey hey, Shaina Fervey, Ursula Belzebute, Eclair Feradria…

"If I win through, I get all of these together?

"In that case, I'm not going to put on airs about being upper rank.

"I too am one of the participants. Let me in on this tournament."

Julian asserted.

… True, the other mid-ranks couldn't go challenging Eclair at 17th, but he was the one I'd picked a fight with.

Then he had the qualifications to participate in a match staking my challenge right.

There were voices saying "16th-rank shouldn't…" but 16th and 17th were in a relationship where battle anytime wasn't strange, so Julian's assertion was approved.

Yaino yaino… One way or another, things were getting lively.

… Rules were being decided.

■ World 300th Anniversary Tournament: Reido Academy Cup Challenge Tournament

• Participants:

24th Akai Naoto, 23rd Zeiros, 22nd Shaina Fervey, 21st Fergus, 16th Julian.

These 5 fight in a tournament; the winner challenges 17th Eclair Feradria.

• The champion is awarded the medal "Ruler of Reido Academy."

• If Akai Naoto wins, Eclair Feradria along with all 6 of her party members become Akai Naoto's slaves.

• If Akai Naoto is defeated en route, Akai Naoto becomes Eclair Feradria's slave.

The transferees from Reido Academy — Kanan Kazami, Yumi Tsuchiya, Maika Yukishiro, Sawako Aozawa, Setsuna Akai, Haru Midoriya — also

all become Eclair Feradria's slaves.

• If Zeiros, Fergus, or Julian defeats Akai Naoto en route, Garumon other than Reido Academy transferees

can be freely taken.

Whoever wins the tournament can challenge Eclair Feradria. Beating Eclair Feradria as well, they obtain all.

• If Julian is defeated en route, Akai Naoto can take Sonya from Julian.

• Bets among Zeiros, Shaina, Fergus, and Julian to be made as appropriate after decisions.

• Within the match proper, Garumon snatching cannot be refused.

… A tournament was decided to be held shortly.

The rules for when I lost were abnormally strict because if I lost I'd become Eclair's slave.

What happened after that was up to Eclair to decide as she pleased.

"I'll take the Reido Academy transferees, the rest are free for the taking" was Eclair's remark.

To say it myself was awkward, but beyond Reido Academy transferees I had Ursula, Suzanne… well, listing all the names was too much, so omitted.

I possessed many talented, charming Garumon anyone in this world would want.

Yet she asserted only the Reido Academy transferees.

… It seemed proof that Eclair was, even now, fixated on Reido Academy.

"All right, let's do the draw right away."

        ┌──┴──┐
     ┌──┴──┐    │
  ┌──┴──┐  │    │
┌─┴─┐   │  │    │
│   │   │  │    │
①   ②   ③  ④    ⑤Ec
                  la
                  ir

Lots were prepared like that, and from highest rank, drawing in order.

"…⑤, then." Julian, seeded then.

"③ for me." Fergus, also seeded. Damn it.

This meant Shaina was ④, and ultimately I'd fight everyone?

"②!" … But Shaina drew ②.

Which meant if I was ①, the first round became a bye, but…

"It's ①."

That wasn't to be. I was ④.

The 5-person tournament draw came out:

        ┌──┴──┐
     ┌──┴──┐    │
  ┌──┴──┐  │    │
┌─┴─┐   │  │    │
│   │   │  │    │
Ze  Sh  Fe Naoto Ju  Ec
ir  ai  rg Akai  li  la
os  na  us       an  ir

… so it was decided.

Truly good that Shaina wasn't being led into facing Julian.

Well, but with this, there was the risk Shaina would be defeated again by Fergus.

Even if I beat Fergus and took her back, having Shaina taken by another even for a moment was something I hated…

All right, when this conference was over, let's specially train with her.

If everything went well, as initially planned I'd fight Julian, have Shaina sweep aside the interlopers, and challenge Eclair.

Time: one week later. A 1-day tournament was going to be held.

In other words, even in the best case, consecutive matches against Julian and Eclair.

Skill-count recovery couldn't be expected, so the wiser move was to divide up members.

… As for Shaina not losing, I wanted her to rent members from me.

Plus, the magic-ash couldn't be left alone.

… My companions were numerous, but it seemed I'd need to use them at near-full deployment. Didn't look like much rest this coming week.

"Then, who would like to handle the operation and management of the main event?"

"… In that case, Shaina, Ursula, Sario, and the futanari Masters are all involved, so shall I take charge?"

Lady Aqueria raised her hand.

"For normal duels a witness is required, so please serve doubly as that witness as well."

"Acknowledged."

Lady Aqueria gave a gentle smile and graciously accepted.

We hadn't talked much, but this lady must absolutely be a kind, wonderful person.

Taking this as an opportunity to grow more intimate… I'd like to aim for that.

First, more than a single message, I'd like to be able to speak with her properly, though.

"Then, the proposal of Lord Akai Naoto is hereby approved.

"… With the above, today's S-Class Conference is hereby closed."

Pachi pachi pachi…

Closed with applause. This seemed to be standard practice. I applauded too.

After that, everyone dispersed.

… Next time was to be held on 5/24. Monthly, once a month, gathering like this for conference.

Each time it'd be this kind of vehement back-and-forth… well, not every time would there be a topic, I supposed.

"Sairas, since he covered for us, should I thank him again properly?"

"Leave him be. He acted on his own calculation… Well, or maybe simply out of interest. I've conveyed thanks; no need to add more."

Ursula said so.

Well, even if I wanted to thank him, Sairas had already disappeared swiftly.

"I'd like to thank Lady Aqueria."

"… As thou like."

Ursula gave a wry smile.

I had Collette send a message to Lady Aqueria, saying I wanted to thank her for cooperating with the main event operation.

… A response of approval.

I immediately sent the pod over.

… Oh.

Right in front of me… Lady Aqueria.

Rich blue hair, gentle eyes — so… so beautiful. Prim and lovely. Sacred and untouchable.

Water goddess. Beauty goddess. Translucent… what beauty.

Liviath at her side, in valiant dragon-scale armor, a slightly spirited and splendid beauty too.

Aqua, with a translucent and beautiful visage just like Lady Aqueria.

Standing alongside Lady Aqueria, they looked like 16-, 17-year-old peerless beauty sisters.

So… beautiful. And not just beautiful — each of them had very ample, erotic breasts.

Their outfits, layered like watery veils, on the surface hid the body's lines, but… ever so slightly transparent, and faintly… erotic.

In an instant my penis went rock-hard and erect, and a momentary blackout occurred.

Beautiful, divine, wonderful goddess. A presence so far away as to be unreachable.

And yet… violently, I want to do it.

That impulse welled up intensely from my chest — or rather, my groin.

"… Akai Naoto-san?"

"Hah."

… I'd been staring at Aqueria and the others, frozen solid for a good 10-plus seconds.

She called my name in a gentle, calm voice.

Ah… her voice too, somehow… I didn't know how to put it, but a very cute voice. Even at a distance, it was as if whispered sweetly in my ear, melting my brain.

Ah…

Bad, I was smitten. I'd already been enthralled from seeing her photo, but seeing her in person up close had me even more smitten.

I mean, the air transmitted it. Even the air that touched Lady Aqueria reaching all the way here…

What a lovely fragrance… it didn't seem like excessive perfume.

This was a scent welling from her body. Truly… no, I couldn't think of how to describe a scent.

A scent somehow sweet, refreshing, very pleasant… but with the effect of a love-drug that stirred the instincts.

Faced with someone so enchanting, staying sane was too difficult.

… But I couldn't stay frozen any longer. I clenched my fist and somehow regained sanity.

I'd been frozen for 20 seconds…

"M-my apologies. You're just… so beautiful…"

"My, fufufu…"

Lady Aqueria gave a kind smile. She must have been used to this kind of reaction.

Conversely, Aqua narrowed her eyes… Are you approaching my mother…? she seemed to be cautious like that.

Hmm, she still felt a bit distant.

"This time, for hosting and acting as witness in the tournament held due to my selfishness.

"Truly, thank you very much. I wanted to say that… and took up your time. My apologies."

I finally got it out… A bit stumbling.

When you're intensely excited, your throat dries and sticks, right. Speaking calmly in that state was hard.

"No, transferring from another world to this world… up to now must have been difficult.

"You've worked hard."

… Oh.

Being given such gentle words…

Uwa, amazing… touched. Tears coming.

… She was such a gentle person… just like the longing I'd had from seeing the photo, even more wonderful than that, it seemed.

Wanting to do her, wanting to do her — that was rude. But I wanted to do her, couldn't help it.

"No, your words are too much. Whatever hardship… seems blown away by that one word."

"Fufu, you flatter. Do you intend to return to your original world…"

"Ah, no. Already… I have no intention. I plan to take this world as my permanent residence."

"Is that so. That you chose this world… gives me joy."

Uwaah… a gentle smile…

I almost wanted to say "please marry me." Almost did say it.

"Do your best at the tournament. As I'm officiating and witnessing, I can't side with anyone… If I give you any advice, I'd have to give Eclair-san some advice too, wouldn't I."

She smiled mischievously like that.

Uwa, suddenly cute! What was this person, too charming…!

"Please by all means, do give her advice. Eclair will become my companion from now on."

"Fufu, you sound confident… Right, then is there anything you want to ask?"

Oh, advice for me from the world's number 2, Lady Aqueria…? What to ask.

About Eclair… about Julian… about Lady Aqueria, too, I'd like to ask more…

A dilemma. I didn't want to take much of her time…

"E-erm, after I win the tournament, is it all right to meet you again!?"

I said the thing I wanted to say most!

"… Fufu, yes, that's fine."

Oh…! I got permission! Ohh…!

"At that time, I'll come together with Eclair!"

"Fufu, that's good big talk… Eclair Feradria came to this world a year before you and has spent that year sharpening her skills in the S-Class position — a Master ahead of you.

"Bear that thoroughly in mind.

"… Do your best."

She gave my shoulder a pon pat.

"Then…"

Aqueria returned to her residential quarters.

I bowed my head deeply and saw her off.

"… Yuria and Patty, are they well?"

Liviath addressed me.

"Ah, I'll call them. Vivia, Miria."

"Yes, master."

Since the residential area was right nearby, swap with Vivia and Miria.

"Sister Liviath, you look well."

"Sister Liviath～"

Yuria was politely so. Patty hugged Liviath.

The two of them were quite attached, it seemed.

"Fufu, you look well.

"Me too… well. In great shape. This year I'm definitely aiming for 1st.

"I can't let someone like Satoru extend his record any further with 7 consecutive wins."

So saying, Liviath flexed her arm.

A high-spirited, dragon-warrior-vibe beauty.

While like this she looked gentle, but… once she actually fought, she'd surely be terrifically strong.

"Well, you two have been showing motivation too, and that's good. I guarantee your talent.

"… Naoto-san, please take good care of Yuria and Patty from now on as well."

"A-y-yes!"

Liviath, in the kind-of-elder-sister manner, said so. Kind, cute, wonderful person.

"After this is Soleil… I want that child to step on stage soon, but she really is a strange one…"

"I'm thinking of going to recruit Soleil-san next."

"Hee… is that so. Wonder how it'll go. That girl is really a strange one, until now she's rejected every recruitment…

"But Yuria and the others like you, so maybe it'll be fine.

"That girl's talent is truly one of a kind. Looking forward to her debut."

Pon.

Patting the opposite shoulder from the one Lady Aqueria had patted, Liviath also returned to her residential quarters.

"… Hmph."

The last one left was Gabriella Aqua. She… with a visage exactly like Lady Aqueria's, sharpened her gaze and stared at me.

"I don't think you have any value worth my Mother's attention."

… Unlike the two gentle ones, a strict attitude.

"Well, if you actually can defeat Eclair Feradria, I'll pay you some attention.

"For now you're just a big-talking deluded man.

"Compared to Zeiros, who pissed himself and ran away when facing Mother, at least Zeiros knows his place."

"… E-eeeh…?"

S-so that had happened?

In his Garumon-coveting ranking I'd heard Ursula was 1st, and wondered "huh, what about Aqueria?" — but though he'd approached Shaina and Ursula, from Aqueria he had run away…

Well, the ranks were also 2nd and 23rd, heaven and earth.

In family lineage too, he was of a higher noble line, but Aqueria was the top noble of the Yucas Bloodline.

When the opponent was unmatchable in every regard, even directing lust was intimidating. That was the thing.

… But to be told even Zeiros was better than me was a real, genuine shock.

Aqua was harsh…

"Well, it's like asking which is better between a pillbug and a sowbug!"

But she gave the slumping me a minimum follow-up.

That, a follow-up? Which one was better?

But somehow the cute analogy softened me a little, and I cheered up.

"… Thank you, Aqua-san. So I can be acknowledged by you too, I'll do my best.

"… If I beat Eclair I'll come visit, and if I get to talk with you, I'd be happy."

"… Hmph. Anyway, drop the disproportionate misunderstanding of trying to approach Mother as soon as possible."

Saying so, Aqua spun briskly on her heel.

To get close to Aqueria, she seemed to stand in the way…

But the Aqua standing in the way was also very cute.

She was a bit harsh now… but I thought I'd absolutely like to grow close to her too.

I really didn't get discouraged, did I.

"S-Class Conference… whatever you say, it was fun. Looking forward to next month too."

"I-is that so… I was rather on edge…"

Ursula was a bit tired.

"A-ah, thank you… in the end almost all my wishes passed. Thanks to Ursula.

"After that, Shaina, and… it's frustrating to admit, but Sairas too. Lady Aqueria and Leonhardt-san also covered for me…"

I'd touched base, little by little, with the S-Class Masters.

Splitting them into friendly/hostile…

• Friendly

22nd Shaina

4th Leonhardt

3rd Sairas

2nd Aqueria

8th Aleph

7th Fauzel

18th Melville

• Hostile

23rd Zeiros

5th Caios

6th Duras Heidrich

16th Julian

21st Fergus

"For now, sort of, something like this?"

The rest were neutral, I supposed.

"… A relatively favorable feel from everyone… am I being assessed a bit?"

"Nay, normally one does not turn so hostile toward a new Master coming in.

"That hostile Masters even exist is itself the issue."

I-is that so… so it was the inverse — I was being wary'd.

"… Zeiros, well, nothing to be done. He lusts after me and Shaina. With thee, who took them, he won't be reconcilable.

"But Caios certainly seems wary of thee.

"His influence is, all said and done, large. From our side too, wariness is needed.

"Fergus biting at thee, that's just being honest with his lower half.

"He's coarse and rough, but in exchange has no two-faced sides.

"… Duras Heidrich. He's unexpectedly close with Caios.

"7th Aleph and 8th Fauzel are quite close. Out of his low birth, he seems to hold a kind of admiration for Caios.

"If that's the reason for biting at thee… he's a man whose tongue turns too. He may be troublesome."

"So that's how it is… His own words were sound reasoning; I don't feel he bit me unreasonably, but…"

A smart man standing in your way with rational arguments did seem troublesome.

My S-Class life had only just begun. My relations with other S-Class Masters were still to come.

… First was the Eclair fight. Next week's tournament.

Ah, next week — 5/1… coincidentally, exactly the first anniversary of my arrival in this world.