S-Class Rank 18 Melville

Round 2 was my fight against Julian. Since Round 1 had ended in a flash, there was still time before the start.

While I was relaxing in the waiting room… I got visitors.

"… If we're imposing on you before your match, we shall return later…"

"No, if it's Naoto-sama, he'd say it's no problem… please, come in."

Even Colette could now handle my responses without having to ask. She ushered them in with practiced ease.

"… Naoto-sama. S-Class Rank 18, Melville-sama and Uriela Aisha-sama have come to wish you well."

"Oh my."

I stood up to welcome him.

A cane-leaning, decrepit old man with a beard: Melville.

It was hard to gauge an old person's age, but he looked about 80. His actual age was about 170, I think.

If the story was immortal so long as one's vigor doesn't run dry, then his vigor was apparently running out faster than Leonhardt-san's.

"My, my, sorry… at a busy time."

Melville said in a raspy voice.

"No, no, ah, please take a chair."

Melville thanked Colette for the chair she offered and sat. He seemed like a proper character.

… There were plenty of people who didn't think of Garumon as people.

"I had the medal shown to me… seems to have been a tremendous foe.

"With one slip, it could have been a reprise of that Titan.

"If this Aisha and I had gone, could we even have won…?

"… That it didn't come to that is truly a good thing. Once more, I wished to offer my thanks for thy labor…

"My gratitude, Naoto-dono.

"Originally I'd thought to wait until this tournament was over and things had settled, but I couldn't imagine Silvana wouldn't bring this matter up.

"For myself, the party involved, to offer a slow thanks after Silvana would be discourteous, I thought.

"So I came to bother thee at this busy time.

"My apologies."

Melville had known Silvana for a long time and seemed to know her well.

"No, no, this is most courteous of you… thank you very much."

I returned the courtesy.

Unconsciously, my gaze drifted more to Uriela Aisha than to the wrinkled old man Melville.

… She was cute. Her actual age was apparently 60, but a Garumon's age wasn't really something to be concerned about, and with a beauty this striking, I couldn't bring myself to mind.

Brown hair and skin that seemed Earth-attribute, and brown eyes too.

When you say earth-colored skin, the image is of poor complexion, but her skin gave the impression of a healthy wheat-tan of the earth.

Large, rounded eyes; her huge, voluptuous bust looked soft…

No, splendid. Charming.

Her outfit was a white one-piece, an angelic sort of getup.

For an inhabitant of this world, a remarkably composed outfit. Well, the body line was clearly outlined, so there was a properly sexy feel.

… And as I was gazing, almost letting drool fall, I came to my senses.

No, this world's custom of it's not rude to admire a Garumon while talking to her Master was really blessedly convenient.

If it were Earth, it'd be like ogling a hot secretary while the company presidents exchanged greetings.

… Although, I think the one bringing along such a sexy, too-cute secretary would be the one at fault.

"Ho ho ho. My Aisha is beautiful, no?"

"Yes, very much so! Truly… wonderfully beautiful and charming."

When I said that, Aisha smiled at me happily.

"Thank you very much."

She said that with a slight blush. Cute…

"… In the time of that Titan calamity… I was not yet an S-Class Master."

Melville began to speak.

"I was the Sub-Master of the previous S-Class Master, Uriela Erin.

"… A beautiful, truly beautiful futanari Garumon… She resembled Aisha greatly.

"I was not her husband, as such… but I thought myself to be.

"I believe she meant to bear my child. Well, in fact there were knights other than me as well…

"Even so, the days I spent with her were truly splendid.

"To protect Erin for life… I had thought so.

"But… Titan took everything away.

"From me, Uriela Erin…

"Why was it that I alone lived on. I lamented thus."

"… Melville-san…"

"S-Class Masters were halved at a stroke. Many of the surviving S-Class Masters were injured; it was no mere halving.

"For that reason, S-Class Masters were reorganized at the time via extraordinary legal measures.

"Masters under the original Masters, like me, who could inherit those Masters' Garumon, could exceptionally inherit S-Class status.

"… So I'm a rare Master who became S-Class without going through B-Class or A-Class, simply by inheriting Erin's Garumon.

"That said, the path was extremely difficult. After all, Erin's Garumon were very much a one-woman show built around the strongest Garumon, Uriela Erin.

"That core was lost. Originally, this was not a composition that could maintain S-Class.

"Since S-Class's overall level had dropped, I just barely clung to lower-tier S-Class…

"But that brought its own difficulty. Battles with monsters became extremely arduous. It was a hard era.

"… Silvana wiped up all the messes. We old folk can't raise our heads to her even when she does whatever she pleases, partly because of that."

He told me such inside info.

I couldn't help laughing.

"… I clung to the S-Class position desperately, with all my might. Because if I fell, I thought it would defile Erin's name.

"To defend S-Class 18th, her final rank, no matter what… I gave it my all.

"Perhaps I've never been so desperate in my whole life.

"Holding 18th was difficult, and I faced the crisis of falling many times, yet I remained S-Class.

"… But, over such a long stretch… between me and my old partner Korin, this child was born to us.

"Born already inheriting the Uriela name, this child…

"Unlike Erin, she wasn't a futanari, but I see this child as Erin's reincarnation.

"It felt like the fact that I desperately kept holding my S-Class position was what made her return to me…

"Thanks to Aisha, defending 18th has become a fair bit easier. At this point, I no longer feel the urge to climb above 18th. I'm also very attached to Castle Caleris, where I spent so long with Erin."

So that's why Melville is so attached to 18th…

For pre-match time-killing, it was an extremely interesting and engaging story.

"… I, too, do not have much time left. After this, what becomes of Aisha is my concern.

"Hopefully, to a Master who is young, talented, and treasures Garumon… I hope she'll go to such a Master."

"… In that case, by all means…!"

I almost said me, but reconsidered. Wasn't that, you know, rude?

… No, expressing the wish itself wasn't rude, was it. Wonderful, would love to have her, that much was OK. You're not worthy, I'll take her was NG, I'd heard.

I still wasn't used to these little points of etiquette.

"… No, I wish you'd say it plainly.

"If thou continuest to raise thy fame, thy Garumon will also gain great honor.

"As a destination for Aisha, no complaints.

"Even with me bowing my head, I'd want thee to take her.

"… How is it. You. Hast thou the will to receive this Aisha?"

Oh… it really had been worth working hard.

"… Yes, I do. If such a thing comes to pass…

"I promise, only this: I shall truly treasure Aisha-san."

I answered.

"… Mm.

"That said, I look forward to participating in the S-Class Tournament commemorating this world's 300th anniversary as the final blooming of my life.

"… In that tournament, as my last opponent, I'd like the one who defeats Aisha to inherit her.

"That's what I originally thought.

"But thou mightst become S-Class 16th in this tournament."

"In that case, I think Shaina would become your final opponent.

"… If I climb and raise my fame, Shaina too, as my one-and-only best friend, will climb with me.

"There'd be no problem at all with Aisha being one of Shaina's Garumon."

"Ho ho ho. Said well. Then that would be fine too.

"… Truth be told, I've been favorably inclined toward Shaina from before.

"That girl somehow resembles Erin…"

Was that so? Whether Shaina and Aisha resembled each other… well, it's not as if they didn't resemble each other. Both being beautiful and cute types, big-eyed loli-faced beauties… since they shared beauty as a common trait, they overlapped on some surfaces. Maybe that was the level of resemblance.

"Aisha resembles Erin closely in skin color and hair color, but Erin's eyes were more upturned.

"In facial features… or rather, the impression of the eyes, Shaina's the resemblance. Vivacious personality, too…"

Ah, now I saw it. If we were talking somewhat upturned eyes, Shaina did resemble her.

And if you added the personality in, I was even more convinced.

"So I've taken to that girl from the start.

"… That said, if she'd just stayed content with lower-tier S-Class, I would have hesitated to entrust Aisha to her.

"If that girl wins against me and Uriela Aisha at the S-Class Tournament…

"Then with peace of mind, I shall hand Aisha to Shaina."

Oh…! He'd decided it on his own, but if Aisha could come to us, Shaina would surely be overjoyed.

Shaina's friends were also my friends. No problem at all.

All right!

I was fired up. By any means necessary, I'd see Shaina win.

"That said, if thou shouldst lose in this tournament, all ends.

"If we fight per ranking in the S-Class Tournament, Aisha's inheritor might become Eclair Feradria.

"… Julian, Eclair Feradria. Both are tough opponents.

"Thy activity… I shall be watching."

"Yes, please do watch over me.

"… I shall fight so that you'll say by all means I wish to entrust Aisha."

"Mm."

So saying, Melville murmured a word to Aisha and withdrew.

A young girl came to fetch Melville and led him out, leaving Aisha behind.

"Akai Naoto-sama. Once again, hello. I am Uriela Aisha."

Aisha pinched the hem of her one-piece dress and greeted me. A cute voice.

"Hello. Aisha-san."

I gave a friendly reply.

"Since you may take care of me in the future, my father told me to chat with you a little, if I'm not intruding.

"If it's an imposition, I shall withdraw at once…"

"Not at all. I'm overjoyed to be able to chat with you, Aisha-san. Please, by all means."

I welcomed Aisha.

"Sorry for deciding all sorts of things about your fate with Melville-san, without consulting you."

"No. My will is as my father… Melville-sama says.

"To the one my father deems this is the person, I shall go.

"I wished to sleep alongside my father, too… But my father wishes that I remain in this world and keep fighting.

"As my father's daughter, as a Seraph… and for the sake of those who recommended me as one of the strongest Garumon, I intend to keep fighting.

"For that, I'd like to go to a better Master."

"… Still, I'd like to hear your personal thoughts, Aisha-san.

"That Shaina and I aren't reliable… do you think that, after all?"

"Fufufu, how about it?

"… Indeed, you do seem somewhat precarious."

She laughed lightly, teasing.

"Uu…"

I deflated.

"But… it's precisely such a person who can be said to be worth supporting. If I can help with my power…

"With your indulgence, that's what I thought."

"Oooh…!"

Bouncing back.

"Fufu."

Aisha laughed at how legible I was. A cute smile.

"… That said… Naoto-sama.

"From here on, the 16th-ranked Julian, possibly the 21st-ranked Fergus, and the 17th-ranked Eclair in succession.

"More tense and on edge, hardly able to converse normally; that's what we predicted before coming.

"You're remarkably relaxed."

"Ahaha. Well, I've done everything I can.

"… The ones fighting are everyone else, so there's no point in me being tense.

"For everyone to relax, I have to relax first."

"… I see. Thinking of your Garumon…

"Truly, a rare person. Are otherworlders all like this…"

Aisha seemed a little surprised.

The conversation lulled briefly, then Aisha said, more formally,

"I only follow my father's intent, watching… that's my thinking. But…"

Aisha gazed at me…

"Going to where you are… I find that I can even think of it as just a little… something to look forward to."

…Just a little, huh, I was nearly disappointed, but I quickly caught my own mistake.

She had a great tragedy ahead of her: parting from her beloved father.

There was no way she could find much to look forward to.

The fact that she said she could find even a little to look forward to was, rather, her highest possible evaluation of me.

"… Good. I'll make you… happy. Without fail."

I thought that's totally a marriage proposal, but I couldn't stop myself.

"… Fufu, yes. I look forward to it.

"… But, please don't underestimate the bond between me and my father.

"In the S-Class Tournament, I'll show you to the full that being called one of the 24 strongest Garumon isn't a mere title."

Aisha made a fist-flex as she said it. Cute…

"Now then, let's stop with talk of the unseen future.

"As my father said. Julian and Eclair are both opponents one tier above you now. There's no guarantee at all that you can win…

"By no means let your guard down.

"… I'll be looking forward to and watching your performance."

So saying, Aisha clasped her hands and made a praying gesture.

Then, so as not to be too much in the way, she left.

Hmm, even if she'd stayed forever, that would have been just fine…

Well, no helping it. For now, she wasn't yet a comrade, after all.

But really, I was glad I took on the magic-ash cleanup. I'd taken a big step forward toward one of my dreams: a Seraph harem!

Or rather, if I could keep climbing smoothly up to S-Class 4th, Aisha joining us along the way was, by now, almost confirmed.

I was so happy…!

The only one left was Gabriella Aqua.

The first impression apparently wasn't very good, but if I could improve relations down the line…

For now, after this tournament win, I planned to go thank Aqueria for running the event, so I'd talk with Aqua again then.

Dreams expanding.

… But, don't let your guard down.

If I stumbled anywhere, it all ended.

Melville-san himself was said to be the strongest in lower-tier S-Class. Shaina had to win soundly…

If she couldn't, and Julian fell to 17th and Melville-san lost to him… then Aisha would end up with Julian.

… I didn't want that.

For now, I had to thoroughly thrash Julian first.

"It's about time. Everyone, are you in good shape?"

I called out to Griera, Irana, Klara, Colette, Luna, and Maika.

"Yeah, in perfect shape.

"… Or rather, outside of mock battles, this is my first proper Garumon battle as Naoto's Garumon.

"My spirits are more than full. Opponent's S-Class 16th Julian… nothing to complain about!"

Griera was fired up.

"A bout with an S-Class Master… I've got to do my best too!"

"Yes, I shall bring victory and glory without fail!"

Naturally, Irana and Klara were fully fired up too.

"… Heh, that I, who missed out on becoming S-Class, get to fight a so-called S-Class Master, even if the opponent's a foul guy…

"… Thanks, Naoto. It's a fine grand stage."

Griera thanked me.

"Colette, Luna, Maika, as always, please."

"Yes, Naoto-sama."

"Mm, doing my best, Naoto-kun."

"Fufu, leave it to me. Splendidly… I'll deliver victory to you, Naoto-kun."

"Mm! Counting on you."

I went a bit dewy-eyed. Luna and Maika were, after all, the two I'd been longing for back in the original world, so it just… hit different.

Of course Colette was cute too. Her breasts kept growing, and she was plenty busty now…

Growing up all the way to voluptuous probably took about another year. But it wasn't that far off.

I was looking forward to it more and more.

She was truly reliable in combat too.

How strong Julian might actually be, I didn't know.

The mid-tier S-Class beings always discussed as one tier above. At last, I'd challenge them.

It wasn't that I wasn't tense…

Ah, but the fact that I wasn't the one fighting, it was my comrades, maybe that was good.

Because I trusted my comrades from the bottom of my heart.

These wonderful comrades, so strong and beautiful, I could believe from the bottom of my heart that they couldn't lose.

That was why I could face the decisive battle this relaxed.

"Akai Naoto-sama. The match begins shortly. Please come to the arena."

At the attendant's call…

I stood up.

"Now then, let's go, everyone!"

"Yes!"

"Yeah!"

And we headed for the arena.