kscans

Chapter 106 - The End of a Battle, and the Beginning of the Next

The atmosphere in the plaza soured, and a chorus of boos rained down on Wake. The match between him and Mizuki was declared void, sparking a commotion as bets were refunded. The crowd, their expectations betrayed, drifted away in a cloud of disappointment. Amidst it all, I noticed Patricia quietly observing me. I thought she might be the next to challenge us, but her gaze quickly shifted back to Marmi. Was she really just an attendant?

The matches were over, and those remaining in the plaza gradually began to disperse. Finally free from Marmi and her entourage, I let out a sigh of relief. But that relief was short-lived. Joe and his crew were approaching. I pretended not to notice and started to walk towards the food distribution area, but Joe caught me by the shoulder.

"So you're the one they're all talking about. The one who summoned the goddess."

"Well, yeah,"

I said with a vague nod.

"Why'd you keep it a secret?"

Joe made no effort to hide his distrust.

"I'm sure you know by now, but I'm an Otherworlder summoned by one of the five pillar goddesses. I also know that other Otherworlders are told they'll be granted a wish if they defeat us. I wanted to avoid a fight."

He and Becky, standing beside him, sized me up.

"I see. So, which one of you is the other Otherworlder?"

I didn't want to answer until I knew what they were thinking, so I remained silent.

"Fine, whatever. Are you sure you have no intention of fighting us?"

"None."

When I nodded, Joe nodded back. How much could we really trust each other? I couldn't read them, but the same was likely true for them.

"Do you know any other Otherworlders?"

"...I do."

"What about someone named Yuuki?"

"I've never met him personally. But I've heard he attacked some of my fellow Otherworlders."

At my answer, the tension seemed to leave Joe's shoulders, and he relaxed a little.

"I see. It's true, we were told to kill the Otherworlders summoned by the five goddesses. And that we'd be granted our wishes if we did. But we have no intention of fighting our own countrymen. More importantly, we're enjoying this world."

I was enjoying it too, but he probably didn't know about the ten-year survival limit given to us after being transferred. For a moment, I considered telling him, but since I wasn't sure if we could truly cooperate, I decided to keep it to myself.

"I agree that I don't want to fight people from my own world, but if that's the case, why were you looking for the Otherworlder who performed the Goddess Summon?"

"We weren't planning on starting a fight. But if we were challenged, that's another story. We wanted to know why you guys were transferred here first."

"We were told to defeat the Demon Lord. We weren't told to fight other Otherworlders. So we have no reason to fight you."

I wondered if they believed me. Though he had relaxed, both Joe and Becky were still watching me with an unnerving intensity.

"I know that an Otherworlder defeated the Demon Lord a hundred years ago."

"Yeah, that's the part I don't get either. I think we need to investigate the situation. We'll probably have to go to the Demon Kingdom someday."

"What happens if you defeat this Demon Lord?"

Joe asked.

"I haven't been told what comes after. The Otherworlders who came to this world with me were promised they'd be returned to their original world."

"By the goddess who summoned you?"

"That's right. That's all the information we were given."

The objectives given to us by the five pillar goddesses and the ones given by the other Fifty Gods all seemed pretty half-baked. There was no pressing reason to follow the gods' decrees and fight amongst ourselves, or even to defeat the Demon Lord. And while I didn't know how many times Otherworlders had been summoned before us, the cultural changes brought about by their transfers were minor, not major. Considering all that, it seemed the gods' objective might simply be to periodically send Otherworlders to this world.

"So, you're planning on setting sail for Heilon with that princess tomorrow?"

"That's the plan."

Joe stroked his chin, mulling over my reply.

"That's probably for the best. I don't know what you guys are getting paid, but the crew's wages won't change even if we're delayed for days. Morale will just drop if we stay here. Besides, we have special skills. I'm betting that if we cooperate, we can beat the pirates. Let's work out a plan."

The next morning, we set sail at the crack of dawn, about two hours earlier than usual. There were no other ships with us. We were sailing alone. The plan was to make it look to the pirates like we were breaking away from the rest of the fleet, trying to sneak through the sandbank early. Our sailing ship cut through the morning mist. The surrounding scenery was painted white, and visibility from the deck was poor. We were moving at a more leisurely pace than usual, likely being cautious of shoals and reefs. I hoped we could just push through the mist and get past the pirate-infested waters, but I knew the fog would burn off as the sun rose and the temperature climbed.

Our ship was the decoy. We would draw the enemy fleet in, and then I would use Goddess Summon. If any slipped through, we would deal with them in close combat with the help of the main fleet. The main fleet was scheduled to depart two hours later, at the regular time. The adventurers and other capable fighters who had been on the passenger ships were now aboard ours, bolstering our numbers for close-quarters combat. There were about one hundred and fifty of us on this ship now. Still, a single enemy galley was said to carry two hundred men, and there were five of them. It wasn't a number that inspired confidence. We would have to wait two hours for the main fleet to arrive, but Joe had said he could get them here sooner. He seemed to have some kind of movement-related special skill, but he didn't elaborate.

Even if we managed to get through the pirate territory safely, there was still a chance we'd have to fight Joe's group. I'd have to fight them without my special skill. But they didn't know we had a third special skill user. And if they tried to defeat me after I summoned Laciel, they would become enemies of this world's inhabitants. I'd have to rely on Myra to sway the crew in that case. Anxiety kept piling up.

And on top of all that, there was my current attire: a pair of red Boomerang Briefs that Avea had given me. Nothing but pure shame. My scrawny physique only amplified my feelings of insecurity. But as I examined my body, I felt like I was starting to build some muscle from all the physical activity since coming to this world. As I was striking a pose to check, Mizuki appeared at my side.

"Pfft... What are you doing all by yourself?"

Mizuki seemed to be holding back laughter. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks from embarrassment.

"Hey, you're in a swimsuit too!"

She was wearing a navy blue competitive swimsuit with a white streamlined pattern. It fit her body perfectly and had a glossy sheen.

"It's been a while since I've worn one... it's embarrassing..."

Mizuki's cheeks were also red.

"Hey, could you lean forward a bit and... you know, push your chest together with your arms to emphasize it?"

"Wha— I just said I was embarrassed..."

Despite her protests, Mizuki struck the exact pose I'd requested. I took out my phone and snapped a picture.

"Mizuki, this is like a dream. I never thought the day would come when a beauty like you would pose for me in a swimsuit..."

"Don't say things that are impossible to respond to!"

Mizuki puffed out her cheeks a little, but she seemed somewhat pleased.

"Well, what kind of compliment should I give you then?"

"Just a normal one is fine. Like 'cute' or something."

"You must be used to hearing that, Mizuki..."

As I said that, her expression darkened.

"Mash, are you going to be okay?"

"No, this outfit is incredibly embarrassing."

The crew members were giving me strange looks. I was pretty sure I'd been branded a pervert. I didn't think I could withstand their gazes. I wanted to become a shut-in.

"That's not what I mean. What we're about to do is different from any battle we've had before. If we fight, a lot of people will die. I know it's cowardly to say this now, but... I don't want you to use Goddess Summon, Mash. I've already... taken a life. I don't want you to go through the same thing..."

Her gaze dropped to her feet. For a moment, I thought I could see the image of the werewolf, Task, lying there bleeding. I placed my hand over her clenched fist. It was trembling slightly.

"As long as we're adventurers in this world, I think it's something we have to overcome."

"Don't justify it by blaming this world!"

"I know. But I've made up my mind about something."

"What is it? To defeat the Demon Lord?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm going to create a place where Famu can live in peace. And I'm going to get you back to your world, Mizuki."

"Are you saying what you're about to do is for my sake, and Famu's?"

"No. It's for my own sake. But... I admit I'm trying to justify it that way. If you say I'm running away, you're right."

She sighed at my words.

"Mash, let me ask you one thing. Have you lost your aversion to killing people?"

"I still have it. I don't want to kill anyone either. I want to avoid it."

She looked up and met my gaze, her eyes searching for the truth. "...I understand. Mash, whatever you do from now on, don't forget that I'm with you. Don't forget what you said... that we'll carry the same burdens."

Mizuki threw herself into my chest. I caught her, feeling the smooth texture of her swimsuit, the warmth of her body beneath it. I didn't want to lose this.

"Mash, I love you. Don't let me go."

"Mizuki. We'll always be together."

She looked up. Her face was so refined, so beautiful. Her tear-filled eyes drew me in, and I found myself leaning closer. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching. I hastily put some distance between myself and Mizuki. It was Avea. She looked at our outfits and nodded in satisfaction. She was in her usual bikini armor. It was she who had given us permission to join the battle, on the condition that I wear a swimsuit. Mizuki had nothing to do with it, but I hadn't wanted to be the only one, so I dragged her into it.

"Hey, this might be fine if we fall in the water, but we're about to get into an arrow fight, you know? What happens if we get hit?"

"Hah, that's what these trained muscles are for. Besides, if I dodge, it's not a problem. And this swimsuit probably increases my agility."

She talked as if the Boomerang Briefs had some agility-boosting effect, but all they did was make me feel lighter.

"...That's because it's you! Look at my body."

Avea said "Hmm"

and looked me up and down, her eyes raking over my body. Then she shifted her gaze to Mizuki.

"...Mizuki, are you truly satisfied being held by this man?"

"Huh? Uh, well... ...yes."

Mizuki's face turned beet red, and she mumbled the last part so quietly I could barely hear it.

"If you're not satisfied, I can introduce you to a man with a better build. Just let me know anytime."

"Hey! Don't mess with me. You heard her say 'yes.' Stop putting weird ideas in Mizuki's head!"

I threw a genuine punch at Avea. I had intended to stop it right in front of her face, but such consideration was unnecessary. She caught it with ease. What's more, she didn't even seem to care, just laughing it off as if it were a playful joke.

"Well, we're up against a group that makes a living out of piracy. They're more likely to aim for other combatants to thin our forces than to waste arrows on some scrawny old guy in a ridiculous outfit."

I wished she would remember that she was the one who made me wear the ridiculous outfit in the first place.