Forbidden Master – Part 9/Chapter 456

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Chapter 456  – Views on Love

〔Lady Kron… what… just, I’m okay… thou has to make a child with Earth Lagann now…〕

〔Yes, but Earth has his own will. I don’t think we can force it.〕

〔But!〕

〔Still, Earth is not saying he absolutely won’t. He says we can exchange letters. That’s why I, Earth, start as friends and then write a lot of love letters. That’s how I’ll make him like me.〕

The fierce battle between Jamdi’el and Earth —who was pushed to the absolute limit— finally comes to an end.

The people of Cacretale and Kron rushed over, tending to the wounded Earth, while Jamdi’el—unable to contain her emotions—exchanged words with Kron.

One of the legendary Six Supremacy and Kron, the goddess whom Jamdi’el serves.

Given their backgrounds, one might imagine that their exchange of words would be something that could change the world……

　

〔Well, is that so? It takes… a long time…?〕

　

It was a truly hard-to-believe conversation between a mother who insisted, “If you’ve fallen in love, the process doesn’t matter—just get on with making a baby already,” and a daughter who replied, “I’m going to take my time and woo him slowly.”

The exchange between the two was heartwarming, a stark contrast to the fierce battle filled with blood and passion that had just taken place… and furthermore……

　

〔Hmm~ Hey, Earth. If we start with correspondence and things go well, what other steps will we take and how long until I have your child?〕

　

Up until then, she had absolutely no romantic experience, a truly pure, innocent, and naive young lady……

　

〔Er, well……〕

　

This young man, who had never had a girlfriend either, and was, in a sense, clueless about such things, fidgeted a little shyly.

At this moment, the girls scattered across the world look up at the sky with serious expressions……

　

〔Let me see, that’s it. Starting with letters or exchange diaries… then go on a date… go shopping, to a museum, or a play… buy matching accessories… have a personally made lunch box and go on a picnic… umm~, get to hold hands… have a lap pillow… arm in arm on a cold day, wrapping our necks together with a long muffler… maybe a lock with a picture of the two of us sharing an umbrella on it somewhere… after that, we confess feelings to each other…〕

〔〔〔〔Eh!? That’s the story before even having a relationship at that point!?〕〕〕〕

〔Th, that’s right, confession from there…… that…… under the legendary tree… a place where a couple who confessed and accepts can be much happier… after that, it should be the original ideal to become lovers!〕

〔How wonderful! I want to become lovers through such ideals! “Yes! I don’t know where the legendary tree is, but I’ll do my best!〕

　

It was, quite literally, a conversation between two people who’d never had a proper romance.

At that very moment, people all over the world who were watching this couldn’t help but chuckle.

Even the citizens of the Empire—who knew they “shouldn’t laugh”—couldn’t help themselves……

　

“Earth…… he’s so strong, but he’s still just a kid….”

“An Exchange Diary…… Hehe.”

“The Legendary Tree… that’s the one behind the Academy building, right…?”

“It’s more of a superstition than a legend, isn’t it……”

“Yeah. At one point, Princess Phianse even had the Magic Research Institute investigate whether it was actually a magical tree, didn’t she?”

“That’s right. Once they found out it was just an ordinary tree, she said something like, ‘I was planning to confess my feelings here and force a marriage with Earth right away, but unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.'”

“Still, on the other hand, for Earth to have that kind of view on romance…”

“Somehow… we never really knew any other side of Earth besides him being the ‘Son of the Hero’, did we…”

　

And so, the world laughed at Earth’s unexpectedly innocent, childlike nature, a stark contrast to the growth and passion that had captivated adults, children, and even the legendary inhabitants of the land.

　

　

And in some circles…… people were seriously……

　

　

“What?! So Earth was interested in that legendary tree too… Grrr, I lost interest after learning it was just an ordinary tree… Or could it be that it possesses some mysterious power that can’t be explained by magic……”

“No, Princess…… I’m sorry to say, but that tree is just an ordinary tree. I, too, was summoned to that legendary tree by a boy and confessed to, about 100 times in total, but, but I turned them all down.”

“…… Huh……”

“Yes. Well, even though I knew it was a lie, I did tell Little man something like, ‘There’s a legend about the Academy tree~ and someday, Little man will also meet a wonderful woman there~’ when he was small, and his eyes sparkled with excitement…… In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him it was a lie.”

“Is… is that so…… Huh? W, well, I’ve decided to take Earth on my own without relying on anything like that, so, it, it, it doesn’t matter to me now.”

　

Phianse and Sadiz have such a conversation in Cacretale.

Smiling wryly at their exchange……

　

“Ah, hahaha… Now that you mention it, the girls at the Academy summoned me to that tree a few times too… But Earth didn’t know it was just a rumor and that it was just an ordinary tree…”

“…… what……”

“…… Hmm? What’s wrong? Rebal, you look so serious…”

“…… so that tree…… was just an ordinary tree…”

“…… R, Rebal?”

“…………”

“Huh? You didn’t know either, Rebal? You weren’t thinking of using that to confess to the princess all over again, were you…? I mean, there’s no way…”

“……………………”

“Rebal!?”

　

　

　

Meanwhile, at another location……

　

“Oh no! What should I do, Mother! I completely forgot to write to Earth! Ah~ W, what should I do…… At this rate, I’ll be…… a liar…… Aaah~ What should I do…… What if Earth…… What if he thinks that I forgot because I don’t like him that much…… Uuugh~~~”

“N, nay, please compose thyself. I say only that thou should cease fretting over such troublesome matters and make thy vows without delay…… Nay, that’s not the matter at hand. For now, the mystery surrounding Earth Lagann must take precedence……”

“Ugh~ I’m going to the stationery store and the post office! I’ll send a letter right away with ‘I love you’ written all over it!”

　

Even the usually cheerful Kron was flustered and teary-eyed, realizing she had forgotten something important.

　

And then……

　

　

　

　

　

“I hate to say it, but I agree with the Six Supremacy Jamdi’el. If you’re in love, you should just push them down and seal the deal as soon as possible…”

“Hehehe, it’s fine, Okaa-san. If that’s the kind of romance Honey is looking for, then I’m okay with it… Besides! I’m already keeping an Exchange Diary with Honey!”

　

Reactions varied even within the elf settlement.

Besides Kagerou and Shinobu having such a conversation……

　

“…For some reason… I know of a great many books that would surely be to the Young man’s liking…”

“Heh… I had ever thought of him as one forever given to the wildest of antics, yet to find he possesses such innocent, childlike dreams… rather endearing it is. So that is the sort of courtship he yearns for… Aye, in truth, it may well suit Amicus perfectly.”

“O, oh my… wh, what ever shall I do…? Every step Sir Earth would wish for in matters of love… they are the very dreams I have cherished within mine own heart…”

　

The Chieftain, his wife, and Amicus all smiled fondly, their eyes sparkling……

　

“…W, what’s going on? For some reason, everyone around seems to be smiling fondly…… Did Earth Lagann say something wrong? I don’t find that way of thinking to be wrong. Though…”

　

There were various reactions, such as Larou’iph, who, having been devoted solely to her first love for over a decade and had never found a partner, couldn’t understand what was so strange about Earth’s remark.

And then……

　

“B, Big brother…… you’re too cute… what should I do? I want to eat you up.”

“I want to protect… Brother’s views on love.”

　

Espie and Slayer, now in a state of blissful enlightenment, could only nod in agreement.

But then they suddenly realized……

　

“Huh? Where’s Norja? She’s usually the first to spout crazy remarks at times like this……”

“Hmm? She’s quiet… or rather… oh…”

　

Yes, the two were surprised that Norja, who would usually be the first to say something outrageous like, “If you’re in love, then just do it,” in a situation like this, was being quiet, and they turned their gaze to Norja……

　

“……Like… magic holes… and, like, during a fight even…? I mean, even when they’re closed, someone who can totally pinpoint the exact positions of closed magic holes… In my whole long life, there’s only one person I’ve ever known who could do that… The one with ‘those eyes’… or rather… that great person…”

“Earth-kun used the Great Demon King’s technique… Hmm… Given what happened in that tournament, I was reluctant to probe too deeply… but now that word has spread so widely across the world, I might not be able to keep quiet about it anymore… At the very least, the other Seven Heroes and the Six Supremacy… will not only be surprised, they’ll likely have all sorts of thoughts, just like us.”

　

Norja was whispering to Mikado with such a serious expression on her face that she wasn’t even reacting to her favorite topic.

On the contrary, that very fact speaks to the gravity of the situation.

　

“B, Big brother~~~~! W, what are we going to do!?”

“Brother…… what is ‘that person’ saying?”

“…… Even that guy…… is asking me… ‘What should we do?'”

『No…… I…… am quite spent.』

　

Seeing Norja and the others like this, Espíe, Slayer, Earth, and Tre’ainar all grimaced and clutched their heads.

　

“W, we have to do something to get Norja and the others to focus on Big brother’s records again……”

“Yeah, Brother. Is there anything amazing happening after this? I feel like their attention will be drawn to something like that…”

“Ah, yeah…… Well, that’s …….”

『…… There is, but all they do is worsen the situation…』

　

Something impactful that will force Norja and the others away from seriously pondering the mystery of Earth.

That would be……

　

〔Agreed, she is still but a budding lass… forcing such a flower to bloom and scatter does not impress… also, I find the boy’s view of love adorable. I believe we should respect their opinions as well.〕

――!!???

　

At that moment, an unnecessarily handsome figure with angel wings appeared before Earth, Jamdi’el, and the others.

　

“What’s this? Someone else has shown up again. Shinobu, do you know who that is?”

“Ah~…… so this is the timing… I do know a little bit about it, actually…”

“W, who’s that! He’s, he’s insanely good-looking!”

“Wow~ what a gorgeous face~”

“Whoa~…… such a handsome fellow, I really hope he ends up unhappy…… Wait, huh? So, wings mean……

“Oh~ he’s a different type of heartthrob than Slayer… Well, Big brother is still hotter though!”

“Hmph, his face is definitely well-shaped, but Brother is more manly and cooler.”

　

Yes, that ‘Prince’ has finally made an appearance.

The sudden appearance of the handsome prince caused a stir in the elf settlement……

　

　

―――Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!

　

　

Screams of delight and cheers erupt from women all over the world.

　

　

Until now, he was known only in the Heavenly Realm, a prince whom only Earth and those who had interacted with him were aware of.

That existence is revealed to the world――――

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

“Well, well… to think even our tale has become known. Heh heh heh… an honor indeed that the folk of the Surface World should come to know of the memories shared betwixt ourselves and the boy.”

　

From above the clouds, from what could be considered a prime seat, the inhabitants of the Heavenly Realm had been watching Earth’s records unfold.

At the center of them all, smiling with genuine delight, was,

　

“Prince Ga’al…… art thou certain this is wise? Would it not reveal the secrets of the Heavenly Realm unto the dwellers of the Surface…?”

“Hm?”

“And should there arise among them those of wicked ambition… those who would seek to invade our heavenly domain…”

“What matter is it? Even were our existence laid bare, the folk of the Surface World possess not the means to find our realm. Ever adrift amidst the boundless skies, the Heavenly Realm cannot be traced by mortal eyes.”

“A, and yet……”

“And if such a day should ever come… heh heh heh… then we need only seek counsel of the boy and his companions, would we not?”

　

He is royalty from the Heavenly Realm. His name is Ga’al.

Having enjoyed watching Earth’s records together with the rest of the Seraphs, he’s smiling happily at their appearance on screen.

　

“Hehehe…… Having learned of thy past… and of the countless labors by which thou did forge thyself… I find mine heart yearning to meet thee once more, boy… Nay— Earth Lagann ♪.”

　

The story that was about to unfold was about a war between the inhabitants of Cacretale, led by Earth, and the Heavenly Realm —a story not all that long ago—yet Ga’al continued to watch with a somewhat nostalgic expression.

　

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