kscans

Chapter 270 - The End of a Journey, and the Beginning of a New One (Part 2)

"So, we're going to the village where Famu used to live next, right?" Mizuki asked, as if to reset the conversation.

"That's right. From the beginning, the purpose of this journey has been to break Famu's curse."

"I thought our purpose was to defeat the Demon Lord...?" Mizuki tilted her head feignedly. There's no way to defeat a Demon Lord whose existence isn't even certain, and there's always the off chance... No, breaking Famu's curse comes first. It was Laciel's wish, but now it feels like it doesn't even matter that much anymore.

"What about using Hyakka's special skill to return to our original world?" Mizuki continued her questions. Her eyes seemed to waver. It looked like a mix of hope and anxiety. Just as I thought that, she quickly averted her gaze.

"Do you want to go back right now?"

"That's... more than what I think, I want to know what you think, Mash. Even after a battle like this, do you still want to stay in this world?" I remember when we first came to this world. I was hesitant, and she was the more aggressive one. Now it seems our roles have reversed.

"I explained it to Rinko and the others, but I don't know if it will actually work. I want to save it as a last resort. Besides, Clovis and his group suggested the possibility of returning to our original world by activating the Ark. Our time is limited, but if there's a foolproof method, I want to use it." I glanced at Shirasu, who was holding my hand. She has four years left to live in this world. And there's a chance other acquaintances of ours have come to this world as well.

"That's not what I want to know. I want to know if you want to go back, Mash!" Her brow furrowed. Yuki had said he would rule both worlds. I have no such ambition, but being able to travel freely between them would be ideal. However, I felt that once we arrived in the other world, it would be impossible to return to this one.

"Mizuki... I..."

"Wait, actually, I don't want to hear it right now!" Mizuki hastily held up a hand to stop me.

"We're heading to Famu's village, but what about everyone else?"

"Famu's village seems difficult to enter by carriage, and it's also hard to pass through to the Demon Kingdom side. So, Kalpana and the others will take a different route to the Demon Kingdom." I checked the date on my phone. It was September 16th. Three months had passed since Mizuki and I were transported to this world. I wanted to visit Famu's village and cross over to the Demon Kingdom side before winter set in.

"We'll go with Kalpana and her group," Hyakka added to my words.

"We haven't decided yet, but maybe we'll stay in Miglutt..." Rinko and Airi said, exchanging glances.

"Shizuka and the others said they're staying too, so it would be a help if you stayed with them. Once word of the disturbance in Miglutt spreads, there's a chance that transmigrators who hear about it will gather here. Some might even try to carry out the orders given by the Fifty Gods."

"Seriously...? Tora-kun is fine, but Shizuka is a bit hard to deal with..." Rinko's smile was strained as she stroked her cheek. I was about to say that taking Shizuka on the journey was even more impossible, but I swallowed my words.

"So, I heard about Irisarie, but what about the other two?" Rinko's gaze shifted to Shirasu and then Sameim.

"I'm thinking of leaving Shirasu with Shizuka."

""""Are you sure that's okay?!"""" Besides Rinko, Mizuki, Airi, and even Hyakka's eyes went wide.

"I'd like to take her with us, but I don't want to force her to fight... I have nothing but anxiety about leaving her with Shizuka, but even that brat Reeni has taken a liking to her..." As I said that, Shirasu clung to my waist.

"I'll go where Macku... where Mash goes too. I don't mind fighting."

"No... but..." With her around, our defense against projectiles and magic would be impenetrable. She seems to have good synergy with Mizuki. However, the thought of making her do the same things as Yuki and his group depressed me. I don't want to see her huddled in a corner, holding her head in her hands after every battle.

"I plan on coming back. Why don't you wait for me at the magic academy, like Cecily and the others?" It seemed better for her emotional development to be in a dormitory than to be left with Shizuka. However, Marmi, hearing this, held up her hand in protest.

"...I don't know if she has an aptitude for magic. Besides, the magic academy starts in September, so Shirasu would have to wait until next year to enroll."

"Can't you ask Marina to do something about it?"

"...Mash, you misunderstand. Mother is not a jack-of-all-trades." She's the leading expert in magic. I figured relying on Marina would be the best course of action, but then Shirasu tugged on my sleeve.

"Mash, if it's too much trouble, you don't have to go that far. I'll wait."

"Don't be shy." I wrapped my arm around her side and tickled her.

"Gyahahaha! Stop it!" I caught Shirasu as she tried to get away from me and continued to tickle her under her arms.

"I'll definitely be back. If you wait patiently, I'll play with you again."

"Gahahaha! Stop it, Mackun! I get it, so stop!" Shirasu broke free from my arm and ran away. As I watched her go, I noticed everyone's cold stares were fixed on me.

"Mash... she's your niece, isn't she?" Rinko's gaze grew even colder.

"Wh-What's wrong with that?! I just tickled her! It's fine, isn't it?!"

"Well, I guess it's fine, but..." Listening to Rinko's sigh, I swore to myself that one day I would make that woman die of laughter.

"So, Master. About Sam...?" At Famu's question, I turned my gaze to Sameim. She was looking at me timidly, her chin tucked, but she quickly composed herself and looked away. I'll make this girl die of laughter one day, too.

"I..." She hesitated, stopping her words. Then, she looked down and fell silent. Perhaps taking pity on her, Trusar let out a small cough.

"We have taken down half of the Crimson Brigade. The rest are being pursued. We killed a man named Kaima, but it seems there is another man called the leader. He doesn't seem to have been involved in this battle..."

"And this man? Do you know where he is?" Trusar nodded at my question.

"His name is Jinma. He's a man of about thirty. His location is far to the south of the mountain range you are heading towards, Sir Mash. There's a renovated old castle there. It's their base." Even if it's the same mountain range, it's a chain of mountains stretching hundreds of kilometers from north to south.

"Is that the place you mentioned before?" Trusar nodded. He hadn't told me the exact location, but he had said it was on the border and that it was difficult to send troops there so as not to provoke the Demon Kingdom.

"We should have been more vigilant and not allowed such a stronghold to be built. It is our responsibility that we let the Crimson Brigade run rampant. We have done a terrible thing." Trusar bowed his head. Famu and Sameim simply stared at him in silence, without responding. I couldn't read their thoughts.

"If you're so remorseful, why don't you remove Sameim's Slave Mark?" Trusar quietly shook his head at my question.

"It's impossible right now. Although she was a slave, she took the lives of several adventurers as a member of the Messiah. It is better for her to be under your protection, Sir Mash."

"To return to the topic, we will advance our army to hunt down the remnants of the Crimson Brigade and take down their fortress," Trusar said in a quiet tone, as if making a vow.

"Is that Maryanne's will? She must be too busy with the reconstruction of Miglutt, right?" The city of Miglutt was built on a system of rule by the Four Regent Families, supported by a senate of citizens. This system collapsed significantly in the recent civil war. The influence of the One-Land Family increased among the Four Regent Families, and the senate also suffered many casualties in the attack. And Maryanne became the de facto ruler of the city. However, Seim, who had been acting as regent in Maryanne's place, is dead. Her influence has relatively increased, but the One-Land Family has also lost power.

"It is Lady Maryanne's command. By taking decisive action, she intends to show the surrounding cities how Miglutt will now conduct itself."

"Is that so..." Trusar placed a hand on my shoulder as I answered listlessly.

"If you are going to make such a face, I would like you to meet with Lady Maryanne."

"But I'll just be in the way if I go, won't I?"

"That is not the case. You are the only one who can be a source of support for Lady Maryanne's heart, Sir Mash."

"I-I understand. I'll go see her. Now, about Sameim." Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I changed the subject back to Sameim.

"Is it alright if I say something?" Sameim looked at me.

"Well, just saying it is fine. But you'd better not go with Trusar to defeat the Crimson Brigade. You're weak right now, just like Famu!"

"Hmph, I'm not weak anymore! I'm stronger than you, Master!" Famu immediately retorted.

"Being stronger than me is nothing to brag about, you know? There are fewer people weaker than me. There are plenty of people who are much stronger." I glanced at Mizuki, and she looked like she was about to say something but sighed instead.

"Stop talking nonsense. Right now, this is about Sameim, isn't it?" She said, then looked at Sameim.

"I... may I work in this mansion?"

"Eh?" She had such a troubled expression that I thought she was going to ask to come with us to her village. But she twisted her face and looked down. It looked like there were tears in her eyes, but I couldn't be sure. I instinctively glanced at Famu, but she too was staring at Sameim with a surprised expression.

"What is it? Are you angry at the people of this house who bought you? Do you want to give them orders?"

"No. Menial work is fine." Sameim shook her head. Seeing me and Famu's confusion, Trusar crouched down in front of Sameim and looked up at her.

"The One-Land Family has taken in several people from your village. How about living with them?" Was it affection for his own kind? His voice was gentle, belying his appearance. However, Sameim quietly shook her head.

"I can't right now. I can't face everyone..."

"Sam..." Famu whispered.

"I'm sorry. I complained to Famu a lot, but I, I..." A few teardrops stained the floor at Sameim's feet. No one could reach her heart; all we could do was watch as the stains grew. Only Famu, as if she had made up her mind, tightened her lips.

"Sam, it's already autumn. The harvest is tough, but we have to start preparing for winter. If we don't work hard, we won't be able to welcome a warm spring. That's right, when it gets warmer, let's go back to the village together." Sameim's head was still down. Her shoulders were trembling slightly. She gave a small, but firm, nod to Famu's words.