Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 129: The Interlude
In the afternoon Rio left Galwark Kingdom.
Heroes from the anti-government organization Bertram Kingdom 『Recovery』 —Sakata Hiroaki – is visiting Duke Kretia's house with Flora for lunch.
On Hiroaki's plate was a well-made steak and made of marble, finely cut by his knife. When he bit, the steak melted in his mouth as if he didn't even need to chew, and the savory sauce slowly sank his tongue.
「Food in place of Liselotte is amazing as always. This steak is the main one, and this spice produces the natural flavor of the meat. 」
「I'm honored to receive such a compliment. I was worried whether I could satisfy the appetite of a gourmet like Hiroaki-sama. 」
Liselotte replied with a smile, but Hiroaki started to look a little dissatisfied.
"It was perfect . Or, I want to say that, but now I really want to eat rice with such delicious meat .. 」
「Fufu, it seems like Hiroaki-sama always wants to eat his food with rice. 」
Flora interrupted, giggling in her chair.
After all, this is the staple food of my homeland. I wish I could eat it again someday. 」
Hiroaki sounded somewhat embarrassed as he spoke, while Liselotte suddenly showed a satisfied smile.
「Actually, I have a dish with rice prepared just for today. 」
「Wait, real?」
"Yes nih . Aria. 」
He exchanged glances with the waiter by his side.
Aria bowed, then moved to the tray where she brought food, bringing Hiroaki and Flora's eyes with her.
「Ohh, this ... Is this risotto?」
Rice This rice comes from a plant cultivated by the Rikka Company in a certain area in the Strahl region. The area usually uses porridge, not wheat, so I made it with that in mind. 」
「Ah, so it's a not-so-sticky kind. Yes, it is not suitable to be eaten directly like white rice. 」
「So this is rice? This is the first time I have seen such a material. 」
Flora looked curious about risotto. He had never even seen fresh wheat before today.
That was a normal reaction of a princess. Although fresh wheat could be eaten as porridge, it was the food of commoners who could not even afford bread.
「Perhaps because the recipe is not widespread, it is not favored by nobles or nobles. This one is also a trial and error result, but please enjoy. 」
The two guests raised their spoons to their mouths in response.
"This is…"
「Lezat. 」
Wonderful Incredible. 」
Their mouths involuntarily loosened as they made an impression.
「The taste of butter and cream cheese spread through my mouth. It's rich, but not too strong. And pepper is a nice accent. 」
「As expected of you, Hiroaki-sama. Your palate is absolutely perfect. 」
After I'm a picky eater. 」
Hiroaki spoke as if it was something to be proud of.
「This conference got full approval from me. It would be a hit if it spread. Isn't that right, Flora? 」
「True. Pasta before is also delicious, but this will not go away. 」
Following the flow of the conversation, Flora obediently nodded.
"Thank you very much . If you're okay with that, I'll give you some rice for you too. Hiroaki-sama should know some recipes, right? 」
"Very? Sounds interesting. I'll try it. 」
「Thank you very much, Liselotte-sama. 」
「Please, no need thank you. But instead, I will thank you if you can promote this dish among Restoration. 」
Liselotte answered them with a playful smile, and Flora quickly made a proposal.
"Yes of course! Ah right! It would be amazing if Satsuki-sama could be invited to taste this food, right? 」
「Of course, because Satsuki-sama seems to miss the taste of rice herself. I hope to invite him soon. 」
"It's so beautiful . I want to talk to Satsuki-sama as well .. 」
「Are you short on time? Then before you go, do you want to have a little tea party? I can invite Satsuki-sama as well. 」
"I want to!"
Flora brightened up, then turned to Hiroaki beside her.
「Um, will you join us, Hiroaki-sama?」
「Eh, count me. Sounds like a problem to me. 」
"But…"
「It should be okay, right? I won't say anything. In addition, do you think there is a man who will come to the tea party from the beginning? 」
No kidding; she's pretty, but I can't handle those annoying rep-type girls. Anyone who says they are much better when you treat them well is lying to your face. Plus, I finally came to another world. Too much hassle trying to get along with some normal people I don't even know.
While Hiroaki let his thoughts run amok, Liselotte changed the topic after feeling it turn into something unpleasant.
「In hindsight, Satsuki-sama challenged Haruto-sama to the match yesterday. Did you get a chance to see it? 」
「It was amazing. They were almost too fast to follow. What do you think, Hiroaki-sama? 」
「Ah, I guess you can see it like that. I can't say I enjoyed it; he was easy on her. Usually a hero like Satsuki cannot be defeated. 」
Hiroaki let out a disappointed breath.
「What do you mean by" easy ", Hiroaki-sama?」
「Because it's not a fight if a hero unleashes all of their power. If I fight without holding anything back, there will be no loss for me. 」
Her proud tone shone again, making Liselotte a little surprised.
「How confident are you. 」
「It's reasonable. The heroes rule over nature itself. Forget a single battle, not even an army can fight us. 」
「Her heroes control nature?」
「Yes, with our heavenly outfits. For example, my 『Yamata no Orochi』 gives me total strength over the water element. 」
So he said with a bold smile.
「『 Yamata no Orochi 』?」
「Hm? Yeah, that's my clothes. Back in my world, it was the name of a mythical beast known as the water god. The heavenly attire had no name, but giving it away made it easier to materialize. 」
「Thinking such secrets are in it .. But, why do you know such things? Did you have that knowledge from the beginning? 」
「I got my first night weird dream in this world. I think it was because of a dream that taught me everything that I had all this information subconsciously after I woke up. Basically, the weapon taught me how to use it. 」
「So .. It looks like I just heard a pretty interesting story. Thank you very much, Hiroaki-sama. 」
Liselotte looked puzzled for a moment at Hiroaki's vague explanation, but she quickly gave her gratitude with her trademark smile.
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Somewhere on the highway that runs north of the royal capital Galwark—
The coach of the commoners gave way to a convoy of noble carriages, the last one on the way to the kingdom of Rubia.
Armed knights and soldiers surrounded them.
Inside one, adorning the funniest of them all, rode a girl in a white knight uniform and a man hidden by his black robe.
The girl was famous as a knight princess, the second daughter of the Rubia Kingdom, Silvy.
The man shrouded in mystery was someone whose fate was at odds with Rio, Reis.
Silvy who was now seventeen glared at the robed man, his dissatisfaction ruining his statue-like face.
「I cooperate with you as promised. My sister ... Return Estelle immediately. 」
「Mm, but the plan failed, didn't it?」
Reis simply answered her request with a vulgar smile.
「Don't fuck with me! This is not what we agreed on! 」
All he did was shrug his shoulders.
「Oh, yes, very regrettable. I did say that I will return your sister as long as you work with us, but I do not remember saying anything about it being the only condition .. 」
「You, stop joking. Do you not understand the risks we take along with your plan? All preparation in vain .. 」
「What, it's just a small spectacle. 」
"Additional show? Trying to slaughter nobles from various kingdoms is just a spectacle for you ?! 」
「Not that I tried to kill them. Don't you think it's comforting to spice up that boring party? 」
"As if!"
「Ah, that's disappointing. 」
After a while to calm down, Silvy stared meekly at Reis, who only seemed more arrogant than before.
「Hey ... I can pay at random. I'm sworn not to reveal your identity. So, why don't you return my sister? 」
「If the ransom is what I want, I have got it long time ago. You should know by now I don't need to for things like that. 」
「Then tell me ... what are you looking for? If you want a hostage, wouldn't I be a better choice? The first daughter will be worth more than the second. 」
「Because hostages are weak and weak. A strong-willed woman like you makes a terrible prisoner. 」
「Estelle safe, right?」
"Yes of course . She's a brave girl. And interesting to boot. 」
Reis' sinister smile marked him more than usual, and his next words were cold.
「... Impurities. You try something strange on him, I'll make you regret it for the rest of your miserable life. 」
「Ooh, how scary, I was shaking in my boots. You shouldn't be so rash; after all, we are accomplices. Shouldn't we get along? 」
「Hmph ..」
Silvy gave up trying to speak, turning his face to the coach's window.
Wait for me, Estelle. I will save you, no matter what ... But, I wonder what Renji will do in this situation …
Chapter 116: Interlude Part 2
A few days after Miharu, Aki and Masato were brought to Saint Stella Kingdom—
Sendou Aki had a dream when he was a child. That was nine years ago, before Haruto and his parents divorced.
The Amakawa House is a double income. With both parents working, they do not have much time to take care of the children.
For the young Aki, rather than her parents, the job of raising her was left to Haruto and Miharu.
It was natural for him to love both of them like him, and they made him the ideal brother and sister for him.
Although their intimacy often leads them to their own small world, Aki is happy to see them together.
「Onii-chan, Onee-chan—」
Young Aki in a dream called them.
Feels weird.
There was usually only a feeling of resentment every time he thought about the boy, but at that moment there was nothing.
Aki from her dream unknowingly noticed Haruto and Miharu.
Their surroundings were covered in pitch-black darkness, the three of them in a single white space.
It was a memory of them playing house; haruto and Miharu were his parents, and Aki was cast as their daughter.
It is Aki's exclusive right to be spoiled like this.
「Onii-chan, Onee-chan, let's play house!」
"Yelvin . 」
「OK, Aki-chan. 」
As usual, they answered with a smile.
These happy moments should never end, he thought.
「I want us to stay like this forever ..」
「We can't. Tomorrow is not a holiday. 」
But Haruto rejected her with a troubled look.
「Ehh ~ but I want to sleep with Onii-chan and Onee-chan. 」
He wanted the three of them to be together.
Aki was a little envious of Haruto and Miharu towards each other, they never left her.
「You see, we can only do that when the next day is a holiday. 」
「Can't you do something, Haruto-kun?」
His only weakness, Miharu, timidly interjected.
「Well, if Mi-chan asks, I guess so .. Do you want to sleep in my room tonight, Aki?」
「Ah, is it okay?」
Like a flipped switch, Aki became bright in the blink of an eye.
「A-I won't cry! I'll be fine as long as it's with Onii-chan! 」
「Alright, let's sleep together tonight, Aki. 」
From the side, Miharu muttered something quietly.
「So ... That's very unfair, Aki-chan ...」
Haruto stopped, stunned, then smiled wryly.
「Do you want to sleep with Aki too, Mi-chan?」
「Mm, that's true, but ..」
「You can stay for the next holiday. 」
"Very?"
「Mhm. 」
「Ehehe ~」
「Can I sleep with you too?」
Haruto and Miharu returned to Aki, answering together.
"Of course . 」
「Ehehe ~ the promise. 」
「Yes, that's a promise. 」
「Onii-chan, Onee-chan, you will always be with me, right?」
So he asked, plain beaming.
「Of course. 」
「Yes, we'll be here for you, Aki-chan. 」
When the two of them nodded at him, the white area around him darkened.
He could not see his own fingers, let alone the others.
"Annii Chan? Japanese sister?"
He called anxiously.
「Aki-chan's chat. 」
Then he heard Miharu responding from the darkness.
「Ah, Miharu-oneechan. 」
He feels relieved.
—Miharu-oneechan did not renege on his promise. Even after the divorce, she stayed by my side, and slept with me when I was sad.
—He doesn't like it. Even though he said we could sleep together. Even though he promised we'd always be together.
He could not suppress his feelings.
He's feeling frustrated.
Of course, he understood the situation.
Aki knew that her hatred was not justified.
But emotion and logic are two different things.
「Aki-chan's chat. 」
Shaking, rocking.
「Aki-chan, wake ... Aki-chan ..」
Pushing, pushing.
Someone shook him.
"Liar…"
Those words came out of his mouth.
"Huh…?"
Aki's eyes were open.
Miharu's confusion reached her ears as light filled her vision.
They were in a room in the royal palace of Saint Stella that was given to the two of them.
「Miharu-oneechan ..」
Miharu looked worried for him.
"Good morning . Don't you feel okay? Your face is a little pale. 」
「Pagi. I am fine . More importantly, did I say anything? 」
He had a pretty heavy dream. She was curious if he said anything strange, but Miharu just shook her head.
「Eh? No. .. Nothing special. 」
"Very?"
「Yes. 」
"I saw…"
Relieved, Aki let out a soft sigh.
「I've finished preparing breakfast, but, do you think you can eat?」
"Thank you . Miharu-oneechan, the .. 」
Her eyes widened seeing Miharu wearing the uniform of the royal servant uniform.
「I can't just sit still. I asked Liliana-sama if there was anything I could do, so she asked me to take care of you and Masato-kun. Better for you two too. 」
Miharu was originally supposed to stay in the palace as a guest.
He could have asked for anything and obtained it without any commotion, but Miharu stubbornly refused.
"Is it so . I guess you're right that it will make us more comfortable .. 」
Aki recalled the uproar a few days ago.
It lasted all the way to Saint Stella and then some.
Miharu and Takahisa never stopped fighting even while they were being guided to the castle.
Everything is just one long argument, a continuation of what happened when they first took off.
Takahisa's being stubborn, repeatedly refusing Miharu's request to be sent back to Galwark.
Both sides have no intention of backing down, but Takahisa holds all the cards, deeming it impossible for Miharu to return alone.
In the end, Miharu was at Saint Stella under what was effectively a house arrest with royal treatment.
Their relationship had gone south as well. None of them even wanted to talk to the others.
And Aki, who loved them both so much, could only bite her nails and watch.
「Miharu-oneechan, do you hate Onii-chan?」
「... I'm very angry at him, but I don't hate him. 」
He answered in a louder voice than usual. Aki knew he was more than angry.
During the years together, Aki had never seen Miharu, the embodiment of kindness, really angry about something.
「Ah — you know, I don't think Onii-chan is against you going back to Galwark because of the malice. Onii-chan is worried about you, Miharu-oneechan. 」
「I know that, Aki. But I'm sorry. I can't take it easily. My feelings will not change. 」
Miharu was a little stressed when she spoke.
「But, he said that Haruto-san and Satsuki-san are fine with it. I think it'll be fine. It's not like we'll never see them again, and it looks like they'll come sooner or later. 」
Aki frantically tried to bring Miharu to Takahisa's side, but all she gave him was a stiff smile.
"I'm sorry . Aki-chan, let's stop here. I'll call Masato-kun so the three of us can have breakfast together, okay? 」
"… Good…"
Miharu quickly left the room, and Aki sighed deeply as the door closed.
I can't let things like this stay. I wonder how it ended up like this. And I can't even do anything to help them get along anymore …
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
The same day, at the castle's training ground.
Takahisa and Masato dueled each other with wooden training swords in their hands.
Masato carried the short word and shield, while Takahisa had a long sword in both hands.
A minute had passed since they started, and although Takahisa's physical ability seemed to give him an overwhelming advantage, Masato deftly deflected each swing with a shield.
「Masato-sama only learned swordsmanship after coming to this world, right? Takahisa-sama said he had never studied before. 」
One of Liliana's royal knights, Hilda, watched with wide eyes as she spoke to Aki.
"That's the truth . He only started learning after we got here. 」
「Then, then the person who taught him ..」
「It was Haruto-san, the one who protected us. 」
「Once, so it's the Black Knight. It makes sense if it's under his watch. 」
Hilda looked at Masato in awe, much to Aki's surprise.
Masato focused on protecting himself all the time, gauging Takahisa's ability.
Then suddenly, he ignited an attack.
「I'm coming, Aniki!」
He fended off Takahisa's sword swing with his shield, and immediately stepped past Takahisa's defense.
"Try it!"
Takahisa twisted his body, carrying his sword.
The sword curved sharply, but Masato raised his shield to match it.
Shifting the point of impact, he broke Takahisa's momentum and shocked him.
「How smart!」
If he missed it for a while, Masato would be blown away.
A beginner would become stiff when facing such a melee attack, but Masato did not hesitate to step forward into it.
Whether the training made him feel his life was in real danger, or his natural courage, he scored some serious points in Hilda's eyes.
「Hah!」
Masato fixed his attitude as he shouted, pushing towards Takahisa with his shield in front.
He would never be able to match his strength, but it was easy enough to keep the balance of Takahisa who was already struggling.
「Kh!」
「Your destination is weak, Aniki!」
Takahisa stepped back, swinging his sword once to gain a certain distance, but Masato twisted his leg ball, tapping the elder's sword upwards with his shield.
Immediately, Masato threw his sword arm forward into Takahisa's chest, but—
「T-Not!」
He shouldn't be able to get into a defensive position, but Takahisa somehow recovered.
He swung it at an astonishing speed, smashing into Masato's sword with his own sword.
「Agh—」
Forced into a raw strength contest, Masato's weapon knocked into the sky, spinning wildly for a few seconds before landing and rolling on the ground.
Masato was unhappy with the result, glaring at Takahisa for obvious reasons.
「Oi, Aniki. You use reinforcements in the end. That's cheating! We agreed before we started: no power! 」
Masato was supposed to win that match, but Takahisa used the ability of his heavenly clothes.
「Ah .. yes, sorry. I guess I was too absorbed in it. 」
The older brother apologized awkwardly, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.
「Cih, it's okay. But this is your loss, huh? 」
「Yes. You won . 」
「Then you have to do what you promised and apologize to Miharu-oneechan. I know Haruto-anchan may have left already, and Satsuki-neechan will be coming here soon, so it might be pointless to go back, but you should stop insisting that we can't. 」
She protested calmly, Takahisa just looks nervous.
"… I got it . I'll give him a proper apology later. 」
It wasn't enough to satisfy him, but Masato wouldn't push him any further.
「I'm holding you back for that. 」
Ending the conversation about it, Masato began his swinging regimen to clear the grim burden on his shoulder.