From Demon Ash Cleanup to Return: Before the Decisive Battle

"Haaaaaa…"

Utterly exhausted and drained, as soon as Lyuka's eyes opened, we made it home safely via Gate.

"… Naoto!"

Gaba!

… The one who hugged me was Yuria.

Glad, but… eh, wh-what?

"Sheesh, sheesh! Worrying me so…!

"… In the middle of combat, Lyuka's messages cut off…

"I didn't know what was going on, I was really worried…!"

Yuria… eh, crying?

Normally cheerful — or rather, always clowning around — Yuria…

She must really have been worried…

Suddenly, I felt apologetic.

"Sorry, Yuria… for worrying you…"

"… Hey, Yuria…!"

Kanan was startled by Yuria's state.

"Hey, Yuria!

"… What's all this? Saying everything's fine…!

"For you to be that shaken, it must've been one heck of a situation, right!

"You hid it so we wouldn't worry…!

"That's not fair! Worry too, all of us, let's share it together!"

… I see. So Yuria, to not overly worry everyone, had been hiding the info from Lyuka.

"… S-sorry, Kanan, everyone…"

Yuria apologized for hiding info from Lyuka without consulting them.

"Actually, what kind of messages were they from Lyuka…?"

Saying they weren't hide-worthy, Yuria showed us the message exchange.

… Messages stopped here.

At a glance not looking that bad, but…

That this was where they cut off — yeah, if you couldn't see the situation, it was scary.

Then later,

A flat message like that came in.

That must've been so relieving for them…

"Also, Lyuka, you were doing this exchange with Yuria mid-combat."

"… I apologize. In the unlikely event, I felt I should explore rescue methods…

"In the end, I just worried everyone.

"My apologies."

Lyuka apologized.

"No, I was the one who should've thought of that… Thanks, Lyuka.

"Right, this is what risk management is…

"I'm impressed. And I realized I'm still nowhere near where I should be.

"Thanks for the follow-up, Lyuka."

"… No, truly… so glad we won safely."

"No, just… haaaa… really, sheesh… that gave me chills."

Yuria was tired. Mental exhaustion, probably.

She'd really worried about us.

Pinpoon. Then,

"Naoto-sama, a message from Melville-san."

Colette informed me.

"… Ah, sorry. That's my fault. Since the site was Caleris territory, I was asking Melville if there were any closer Gates.

"After Lyuka's victory notice came in, I replied that we were fine, but…"

Yuria, left behind, had been moving about doing things…

I really felt sorry for worrying her.

For now, let's check Melville-shi's message.

… So went the message. Oh, properly polite thanks, and a return proposal.

Melville seemed like a proper person. Good.

Hmm… but, an attractive proposal indeed. Despite being a lower-tier S-Class Master's Garumon, Uriela Aisha was counted among those 24 strongest Garumon.

If we could borrow her power, it'd be a great help.

I was curious just to see what stats and skills she had.

The strength of one of the 24 strongest Garumon, what was it like.

If she'd join us even temporarily, that alone would be a joy.

Becoming friends from this… future… that kind of thinking. Too sweet, maybe.

… That said, our roster was set, and now that magic-ash cleanup was wrapped up, in a pinch Ursula could come out too.

… Well, given how exhausted Ursula's group of 6 must be both physically and mentally this time, I'd like to let them rest for a while.

Without knowing Uriela Aisha's strength, traits, or skill content, slotting her into our side carried risks.

Aah, but I want to be friends with Uriela Aisha! Even just for that, I want her to come!

That said…

"… This time, let's decline. Our preparations are already perfect.

"If we lose like this, even resignation comes easily."

Declining Melville-shi while replying politely.

"… How's this?

"Maybe a more 'please teach me as a senior' tone would've been better.

"But between fellow lower-tier S-Class Masters, going that low…"

"I think it's fine. I'll send the reply."

I had Colette send it.

So came an acceptance message.

Oh! I've got a promise to meet Uriela Aisha!

Great, great.

Yeah, fighting that troublesome Great Magical Beast paid off after all…

I was beaming.

"… But, just one thing."

Yuria opened her mouth.

"I saw the log.

"… This time, you won like you said, Naoto.

"But what Ursula said — I agree with that too."

"Yuria, that's…"

"That you value us, I get. I'm very glad.

"… But for us too, you are everything.

"Don't do things like needlessly endangering your life.

"… A promise… is probably pointless, but promise anyway.

"To treasure your life."

"… That, of course. My own life is, well, important.

"But everyone's lives are more important than that…"

"That's why, sheesh…!"

Yuria flared up at my words.

"… Yuria. I get what you want to say. But… it can't be helped."

Kanan put a hand on Yuria's shoulder.

"… Mm, can't be helped. Naoto is just this kind of guy.

"… We get stronger, and protect this fellow. That's all."

"Yes, exactly… We absolutely won't let Naoto die."

"… Well, that's all we can do.

"… Let's become strong."

Yuria seemed to agree.

Hmm…

Day to day I could only watch from the sidelines as everyone fought, so being able to cover for everyone like this was, rather, gladdening for me…

If I said that I'd probably get scolded.

"… Well then, finally the last sprint.

"Let's restart training in earnest."

I called out to everyone.

"Yes!"

Everyone was full of fight. All right, training!

… And so, everyone, one after another, reached new growth. That, separately.

—-

One more thing.

Slight time-jump, but about the daily Magical Beast subjugation that Shaina and I — as S-Class Masters — had to carry.

If we squandered skill counts on mock battles, we couldn't get the daily work done.

We needed someone to handle this for us. So…

"… U-um… th-this, an LV105 Magical Beast subjugation… I-I'm… leading it?"

Ruria was tense and shrinking. Well, ordinary S-Class work. To a C-Class Master Ruria, the load was heavy.

That said, since she'd become my knight, I wanted her to do it.

"Yeah. Ruria, you'll be fine. For Magical Beasts at this level, the three you'll take — Leone, Mira, Seika — can fully handle it.

"… All three are highly skilled; you probably won't even need special follow-up.

"Watch the three's movements carefully and learn."

"… Y-yes."

"If you have time, actively try fighting Magical Beasts yourself. As needed, have Seika back you up.

"… Do your best, Ruria. Meifa and Farida, follow Ruria well."

"Yes, understood."

Meifa bowed at ease, with composure. Reliable.

"… Uu, even after coming back, still Spartan… For such a kind person, why…"

Farida voiced some discontent.

"… An S-Class mission, for me, a C-Class just up… B-but, originally an S-Class knight's mission is to support an S-Class Master's work.

"… I'll fulfill my mission."

"Yeah, do your best, Ruria."

… Ah, somehow now I was seated in a throne room, handing my knights missions — doing the king thing!

Whoa, this audience room was the throne itself, nothing else…

Pretty amazing.

I was quietly impressed inside.

Then, as Ruria was about to depart…

"Eve-sama is here."

Colette informed me.

"Eve? Show her in."

"… Eve… is it?"

Ruria reacted.

… Come to think of it, I didn't think Eve and Ruria had ever crossed in front of me.

"… Want to meet? Same age, you're acquainted, right?"

"… If it's all right."

… My imagination? Ruria's attitude tensed a little…

Then Eve and her companions came to me.

"Naoto-sama…!"

Eve started to run up, then froze for an instant on seeing Ruria at my side.

… A look that said hah. As if saying, why is this girl here…!

"Thanks for your work, Eve. Thank you for the recent Magical Beast subjugation. You always handle subjugation steadily and quickly. It really helps."

"Such generous words. To be of use to you, Naoto-sama, is our wish.

"From now on too, whatever it is, please command…"

So saying, she knelt with a truly fine smile.

But she clearly couldn't help being bothered by Ruria's presence.

"… Uh, Ruria. So once again, let's greet Eve."

"Yes, Naoto-sama."

Then Ruria stepped a pace forward.

"… Long time no see, Eve-sama. I have, this time, formally become Naoto-sama's knight. I am Ruria.

"Henceforth, pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Naoto-sama's… knight…"

Giri…!

Wh-what was this, Eve was glaring at Ruria with sharp eyes…

"I… see. I am… A-Class 128th, Eve. Naoto-sama's direct subordinate. Henceforth, pleased to make your acquaintance."

… Somehow, both of them… tones polite, but seriously bad compatibility… was I imagining it? You two are acquaintances, right…

"Uh, the two of you, um… acquainted from before, right?"

"… Yes, that's right.

"We, as noble daughters, would often appear in gatherings of varying scale…

"Someone proposed gathering the year-300 debuting noble daughters; that's where we met.

"There aren't so many futanari Masters, so we became close right away."

So Ruria explained.

"Yes, just as Ruria-san says…

"Only, sharp-tongued folk would discuss who among us was the most promising.

"… In those discussions, the first name raised was, of course, Ruria-san's.

"Daughter of the renowned Four-Heavenly-King and current S-Class Master Wallace-sama, naturally."

"That's not… But as a result, Eve-san, you first of all, like this, have already promoted to A-Class Master…"

"Fufufu, that's not…"

"Fufufu…"

E-eeeh, somehow… they were deferring to each other, mutually praising, but… eyes not laughing at all…

"… Anything you want to say?"

Eve queried.

"No, nothing… Just, debuting half a year earlier, quite… no, nothing at all."

Ruria fanned herself.

"… Ku. It's a noble's right! For someone who didn't exercise the right they had to complain about the one who did is wrong!"

"I'm hardly complaining.

"It's just, generally, the common sense is to debut in March or April when school ends. Even if nobles aren't bound by such frames… ignoring such common sense, in general societal terms, isn't very praiseworthy, I hear."

"… Ku. In this world, results are everything. Whether you have the elite-course medal or not determines your entire future life.

"Being prudent in the extreme is a matter of course."

"I was speaking generalities. Toward Eve-sama, currently an A-Class Master, I have no intent to lodge complaints."

"… Ku. Y-yes… A C-Class Master doesn't even have the right to complain, after all."

"… Ku."

Giri…!

Ruria looked frustrated. Whatever she said, the gap between C-Class and A-Class was conclusively set.

"… W-well, I, from now under Naoto-sama, will be retrained from scratch!

"With Naoto-sama personally guiding my every move, in no time I'll vault up to B-Class, and then A-Class!

"Please watch over me…"

"… Ku."

"… Indeed, I am Naoto-sama's knight. Furthermore, a full-mandate knight."

"Full-mandate!?"

Eve checked Ruria's status. And there, the crown-and-chains mark caught her eye.

"As such, in emergencies, I may give orders to you, Eve-san, in lieu of Naoto-sama… in such times, please oblige."

"… Ku."

… W-well, what to say.

The verbal duel was, for now… Ruria-favorable? An A-Class Master and a full-mandate knight… in general societal terms, A-Class Master ranked higher.

However, when moving under an S-Class Master's directions, there were cases where, by a full-mandate knight's order, an A-Class Master moved.

Same as in the previous attack op, where Griera's members and Melvis ranked above the A-Class Masters.

"I-I too… if I could become Naoto-sama's knight…"

Eve murmured.

"Only C-Class Masters can become knights… Eve-san, if you debuted last October, until April when you promoted to B-Class, you were C-Class, weren't you?

"Why, during that period, didn't you appeal to be made Naoto-sama's knight?"

"Th-that's because at the time I didn't really understand about Naoto-sama yet…

"A-also, the Sarujib block where I became C-Class is a block where you get points by subjugating Magical Beasts in Magical Beast territory…

"I was constantly in Magical Beast territory…!"

"… Excuses."

"Ugu…!"

Eve was silenced.

… The verbal duel had ended, for now, in Ruria's victory.

"… Now, then, I have a mission given by Naoto-sama, so… I'll excuse myself.

"Then, Naoto-sama. I'll be going.

"When I return, um… w-words of praise… I'll look forward to."

"Ah, u-uh, of course. Take care, Ruria."

Ruria, with an adorable smile… departed.

Leaving behind a bitter-faced Eve…

"U-um… Eve, so, what brought you here today…?"

I recovered my composure.

"Ah, y-yes. I heard, Naoto-sama, that you'd be fighting in the tournament, and… my information being slow, I'm sorry."

"No, not slow at all."

Eve had come right when the tournament was decided. Not late at all.

How did she know?

Well, a snake's path is for a snake, as they say. Her house was a fine noble family; she'd have various ways of knowing.

"I-if there's anything I can help with, however small, I'd like to do it, and so I rushed over.

"I, your faithful servant Eve, please command anything…!"

So saying, Eve lowered her head.

"Uh, on that, I'm already going to be asking you to handle some slightly tough Magical Beast subjugations…

"You're strong, Eve, so being able to rely on you really helps.

"Right now I'm splitting it with Shaina's Faabei territory, so…

"Frankly, even at 128th, among the A-Class Masters of both territories, you're the most reliable, Eve."

"Aah… generous words.

"Then, please give me the next mission right away! I'll prove that I, more than Ruria, can be of greater use to Naoto-sama!"

"O-okay…"

… So, with Eve and Ruria both burning, hammering Magical Beast subjugations one after another, Shaina and I were able to focus on training.

—-

So, a week passed.

In mock battles with Shaina and otherwise, everyone grew in their own way.

Even in their original state, I hadn't thought we couldn't win, but victory looked all the more solid now.

Of course, we shouldn't underestimate Julian or Eclair.

4/30… with the decisive battles tomorrow, there was one thing I mustn't forget.

I gathered Castle Ernest's staff and made a farewell address.

"Eh, this is Akai Naoto. From April I've become S-Class 24th, and Castle Ernest's staff have looked after us, but…

"Hectic as it is, tomorrow the rankings change. When that happens, we have to move castles.

"In our short time, you've truly cared for us. Thank you.

"Who the new 24th-place Master will be, I don't know, but we'll be swapping in, which I'm sure will cause inconveniences. Please bear with us."

Pachi pachi pachi…!

Warm applause poured down from the staff.

"Ursula, for 5 years — or rather, since her predecessor Esta-san — has truly grown up over a very long time at Castle Ernest, so… leaving here, I'm sure, carries feeling.

"… Ursula. Your words."

"Mm… All of you. Many among you have cared for me since childhood.

"All of you have been very kind to me. Hence I could not bear to leave, and even after becoming S-Class I lingered overlong…

"I, at last, having gained the wings called Naoto, intend to fledge.

"The debt of being raised by all of you, I shall settle by standing atop S-Class.

"… Well, a considerable number have already submitted transfer requests to the 16th-place Castle Coraille, so this may not be a true parting."

Hahaha…

Laughter rose.

"But that we fledge from this Castle Ernest is unchanged.

"To date, truly, you have cared for us."

Pachi pachi pachi…!

Ursula-sama…!

Sent off by grand applause…

Shaina would be doing the same at Castle Faabei.

Going to the 21st-place Castle Rosenhearth. The name would change too.

Now, preparations were perfect.

At last… 5/1, the tournament day arrived.

From when I came to this world, exactly the one-year anniversary.