Chapter 464 – Even If the World is Divided
The world was in an uproar over the first appearance of the Son of the Dragon King of Hades.
His utterly unexpected arrival and the manner of it left the world baffled.
“…I only met that bloke’s son once, but… he’s chubbed up a fair bit, ain’t he…”
Hakuki recalled Hilua’s appearance in a calm tone…… though he couldn’t help but burst out laughing, and the wine that spilled as a result had stained his clothes.
“W, wait a minute…… th, that hippo-like thing…… that flying hippo that was there when Earth and I were playing tag…”
“That hippo was the child of the Dragon King of Hades!? Wait, wait… is that actually the child of the Dragon King of Hades!?”
Yes, unlike Hakuki, to those who didn’t know Hilua’s true identity, compared to Vasalar, an overwhelming dragon worthy of the legend, Hilua was……
—Is that really the son of the Dragon King of Hades?
Just as everyone was about to think that……
〔Unh~, you called me out of th’ blue, but I’ve never met you before! Quit bothering me already! Well, I know what you’re going to say anyway! Everyone says it! They look at me and say, ‘Still, isn’t he th’ son of th’ Dragon King’!〕
“”Ah……””
But at that moment, Hilua’s words struck a chord with Hiro, Mamu, and the distant Empire citizens.
〔Hmph, I’m just me!〕
Upon hearing those words, Earth, reflected in the sky, looked bewildered, yet also had a deeply moved expression on its face.
Hiro and the others sensed the meaning behind Earth’s expression at that moment……
〔…… my bad.〕
“”…… S, sorry……””
Along with Earth reflected in the sky, Hiro and Mamu also apologized.
“Ah~, damn, ah~, just how much of an idiot am I, ah~~~ seriously!”
“Me too…… Sigh…… it’s only natural that Earth would give up on me……”
Even though they thought they understood Earth’s trauma, Hiro and Mamu were disgusted by their own tendency to label others as “son of so-and-so”… Meanwhile……
〔H, hey, lady… D, do, don’t you feel anything about touching me?〕
As Kron gently stroked Hilua’s head with a smile, Hilua looked at him, bewildered……
〔Yesh, because I’m… th’ female dragons say I’m fat and not cool… everyone wonders if I’m still th’ son of the Dragon King……〕
〔Not cool? Aren’t you really cute?〕
〔Hmm!? Forget th’ clouds! I’ll carry you to th’ other side of th’ heavens!〕
Just as she did with Earth, Kron doesn’t view Hilua through the lens of ‘the son of the Dragon King of Hades’.
That’s exactly why, just like Earth, Hilua was simply brimming with motivation and enthusiasm.
And Earth also looked somewhat pleased to see Hilua like that.
Hiro, Mamu, and the citizens of the Empire quickly understood the meaning behind that smile.
〔I understaaaaaand, I get, you, I understaaaaaand!〕
〔Ahhh, what’s wrong with you, big guy!〕
〔That’s right, when you have a parent who’s too good, you’ll suffer from such a parent and their ego!〕
That feeling was “sympathy”.
“Ugh, uh~…… I’m such an idiot…”
“Same here……”
“Haa~…… not this again, you lot. How many times you gonna get all down in the dumps? It’s startin’ to do me head in, gettin’ right sick of it. For a bunch what took down Lifant, Gouda, and even the bleedin’ Great Demon King—now look at ya…”
Seeing Hiro and Mamu hang their heads once again, Hakuki could only sigh.
In any case, Earth and the others—who were on a mission to rescue Jamdi’el, who had been taken to the sky—had gained a reliable ally.
Earth and Kron aren’t the only ones who will ride on Hilua’s back to help Jamdi’el….
“But if things have turned out like this… hey, Hiro… about Jamdi’el….”
“Yeah… I’m sure opinions will be divided even within the Alliance…”
Alongside Hilua, Kron once again appears before the residents of Cacretale… or rather, Jamdi’el’s disciples.
Gathering everyone together, Kron speaks.
〔Everyone, we don’t really know who Jamdi’el, our High Priestess, actually was, or those who came from above that cloud. And most of all, I’ve been called Goddess, but I wonder who I really am.〕
〔〔〔〔Why so reserved? I decide for myself what to believe!!〕〕〕〕
However, all of that is unnecessary.
〔Goddess…… no, Lady Kron. You’re mistaken on only one thing. The High Priestess, our Master…. we’re not fighting because we think that it’s our duty to help her. No matter what your background, that existence saved us and made us strong. Some may have been sacrificed by the High Priestess’ underhanded intentions… like the young man called José and people of the old regime… so, not all of them, but… at least the men here don’t fight because they have to help. We fight because ‘we want to help’.〕
Hiro and the others carefully considered every word Kron said, as well as the words of Machio and the other residents of Cacretale, imprinting them on their hearts.
〔…… I see! Everyone! Let’s fight together!〕
〔〔〔Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhh!!!!〕〕〕
The inhabitants of Cacretale live in an isolated society.
That’s precisely why they know nothing about the outside world or its history.
They don’t even know that Earth is the son of a Hero.
They don’t know anything about Jamdi’el’s background either.
So, rather than focusing on that person’s past or their title, they see the person as they actually are—someone they’ve interacted with, observed, spoken to, and spent time with.
That’s why, even if Jamdi’el were one of the most notorious wanted criminals in this Surface World, their reaction would be, “So what?”.
However, the world is……
“I never would have imagined something like this was happening… would you agree, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed.”
Emperor Solja gazed at the sky, his expression indescribably complicated, and nodded at his retainer’s words.
“There are many things to consider regarding the Heavenly Realm, the Seraphs, the existence of the Dragon King of Hades, and Earth and that girl Kron who are involved with all of it…… but even for a closed-off country, the fact that humans rose up to rescue that Jamdi’el…”
Jamdi’el —once one of the Six Supremacy, and Solja’s greatest nemesis during the era of the Seven Heroes. Unlike La’iphant and Norja, she had refused to surrender, just like Hakuki.
“That’s precisely why… things may get a little troublesome…”
Unable to capture or even locate her for over a decade, Solja could only clasp his head in disbelief at the realization that all this had been happening without their knowledge.
That meant…
“…… Jamdi’el’s bounty…… it’s still active, isn’t it…”
At that moment, everyone turned around with startled expressions on their faces when they heard Mikado mutter something in the elf settlement.
“W, wait, old man! Is that truly so!?”
“Why must it be so!? True, she seems a fearsome sort… yet Lady Kron holds her in such high regard. Surely, there must be something to be done?”
“Ah~…… but Jamdi’el’s standing is the same as Hakuki… thus… this is one matter beyond our hands…”
“That’s true ~…… ‘Former Six Supremacy, Jamdi’el’ is such a well-known figure that even in Japone, people know about her……
“That is indeed the case… such topics warrant a summit to discuss…”
“Well, duh, of course. And, like, this is totally one of those things that me, La’iphant, or the whole Demon Realm side can’t just decide on our own, you know… The bigwigs from all the human alliance countries totally have to, like, hash it out together first…… But whatever—’cause I’m sticking with my Hubbyyy ♥.”
Yes, even if you are moved by the sight of the “humans burning with passion to rescue Jamdi’el” at this viewing party, the fact remains that Jamdi’el herself is a wanted criminal with an active bounty —and that fact has spread throughout the entire world.
“Yes, and like you elves… opinions such as, ‘Shouldn’t we lift the bounty on Jamdi’el?’ will likely emerge from around the world in the future, even from those who know nothing of the Demon King Army during the war? On the other hand, those who do know the Demon King Army and the war will likely voice strong opposition… especially those who had lost comrades and family to Jamdi’el, they may be seething with rage at this scene at this very moment…”
Until now, the world was unaware that Jamdi’el was hiding in Cacretale, which is why she could not be captured. However, if she were spotted by Union soldiers, knights, or bounty hunters, Jamdi’el would inevitably become a target.
The elves, who are just as unfamiliar with the outside world as the residents of Cacretale, couldn’t accept this and wore expressions of discontent.
And Mikado, looking awkward, also ……
“Say, Earth-kun…… what if… we were to try to capture Jamdi’el ―――”
Though Mikado was speaking hypothetically, for Earth, it was a ridiculous question that didn’t even require thought.
“Why should I have to weigh people of the world whose faces or names I don’t even know against Kron’s mother? I myself haven’t lost anything to Jamdi’el.”
“…… Earth-kun……”
“If the world tries to capture Jamdi’el, Kron will definitely fight to protect her. And I would definitely side with Kron. That goes without saying.”
Even if the world and the Union are divided in their opinions, Earth’s answer will never waver.
That was how straightforward Earth replied.
And that means……
“…… Wait? Oh, I see…… If Big brother marries Kron… will Jamdi’el become related to me and Slayer?”
“…… Yes…… I guess so.”
“Hmm~…… It’s complicated, but…… if we’re going to be relatives, we’ll have to get along, won’t we?”
“I don’t know much about Jamdi’el, so I guess it’s up to you…”
Espie and Slayer felt the same way.
Furthermore……
“Well, that’s exactly what Honey would say.”
Unlike Mikado, who grumbled “Ugh” in response to Earth’s question, Shinobu smiled as if she already knew the answer.
“To begin with, Honey and I haven’t even reached the stage of ‘that kind of relationship’ yet, but he’s already helping out my parents, who are wanted criminals in Japone… That’s just the kind of person Honey is.”
“Sh, Shinobu…… uh… well…”
“Oh. Relax, Honey. I’m not asking you for an answer here. I’m just falling in love with you all over again.”
“Ah…… no… w, well, saying ‘it’s nothing’ like that is, um…”
“Careful, Honey. Don’t say anything that might give a girl the wrong idea or get her hopes up. Just nod silently. If I weren’t as disciplined as I am, my eyes would turn into hearts right away and I’d kiss you.”
“…… ah…… Ugh……”
Shinobu wasn’t actually that composed… rather, she was biting her lip, clenching her fists, and desperately trying to hide the complex emotions churning inside her as she feigned calm.
Seeing Shinobu like that, Earth could only blush and stumble over his words, while Slayer and Espie muttered, “She’s strong… it’s really impossible to say who’s better.”
“…… Shinobu dear……”
“…… Be at ease, Amicus.”
“Ah—M, Mother……”
“In truth, he has granted us great aid as well, after all.”
“Ah… uh… aye”
As Amicus gazed at Shinobu, captivated and looking envious, her worried mother, Yitea, whispered this to her.
〔Youcandoit, Older brother, big sisters, uncle! Everyone! You Can Do It Fiiiiight Ooooon!〕
〔Yes, good luck, guys! Hang in there!〕
〔Knock down the ones who did this to our town!〕
〔Please save the High Priestess!〕
〔Yes, take them all doooooooown!〕
〔Uoooooooh, goooooooooo! Arcane True Zenith Huzaaaaaaaaah!〕
Meanwhile, in the sky, Amae and the residents of Cacretale cheer on Earth and his companions, who are fully prepared and about to depart.
〔What do you think? Kron?〕
〔Yes… so passionate.〕
〔Right?〕
〔It’s giving me strength.〕
〔That’s it.〕
〔Not only are we fighting together, but …… we’re fighting for each other, right?〕
〔Yeah.〕
〔Uh~~~~, Tyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!〕
Kron, once an innocent girl, raised her fist and roared with a look of exhilaration on her face.
〔Well, everyone, we are already prepared! I hope you’re ready too!!〕
〔〔〔〔UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!!〕〕〕〕
〔〕We will, by our own will, take back what is precious to us! God will bless us in our resolve!
〔〔〔〔UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!!〕〕〕〕
In response, Earth and Jamdi’el’s disciples were also fired up.
That frenzy was palpable even to onlookers, and it spread throughout the world with such intensity that it involuntarily stirred the hearts of even those from the generation that knew Jamdi’el.
