Chapter 467 – The Mad Scramble
Looking straight up at the sky from the palace grounds of Japone, the girl murmured.
“The castle town is in an uproar…… I guess that makes sense… After all, Shinobu-chan showed up and boldly confessed her feelings…… I’m sure it’s the first time everyone has seen her like that… Shinobu-chan, so cute… and so cool… but it can’t be helped… Earth Lagan-kun… he’s such a cool guy… Ah… I’m so jealous… Shinobu-chan… that’s not fair…”
Gradually, her eyes turned pitch black, and an ominous aura emanated from her.
Apart from that one girl’s twisted jealousy, the Elf Settlement was buzzing with excitement over Shinobu’s arrival.
“””””Shinobu dear, you’re so cool~~~!!”””””
“Not only did she make such a dashing entrance, but she proclaims her affection so boldly and fervently as well… Truly, something to behold~. And to think, in my youth, I resorted to foolish schemes like the cat-ear stratagem merely to make my own feelings known…”
“Aye, I cannot help but admire her… Surely even Sir Earth’s heart must be aflutter by now~. Ah, and Mother… was it not only the other day, whilst I slumbered, that you donned those cat ears and coyly nuzzled up to Father, going ‘nyaa, nyaa’ and―――――”
“Amicus, you best not speak of your Mother’s little antics—or rather, a child’s kindness lies in pretending never to have witnessed such a deed! Ah— Yiiiiitea, do not lose your wits!”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s Shinobu for you! How lovely~. Ah~ I can’t wait to hold my grandkids~”
“As a parent, I thought that it would feel a bit lonely seeing my daughter express her love so passionately toward a member of the opposite sex, but now that it’s come to this, I’m actually proud.”
“Hehe, isn’t that just bittersweet~!”
“Hohoho, a maiden in love is invincible.”
“Truly admirable. If only I, too, had been able to be that honest with Aka back in the day……”
“Yeah, dear Shinobu definitely gets a perfect score, too! …… So, how about it, Slayer?
“Hmm~hmm…… I never expected that two of Brother’s bride candidates would pass our screening…”
“Hmph. No matter how high her score is, her hymen is intact, and Hubby’s still a virgin too. So as long as they haven’t, like, crossed that line, it doesn’t matter who it is! In the end, points are nothing—whoever gets pregnant wins.”
Everyone present was already well aware of Shinobu’s feelings for Earth. Shinobu wasn’t exactly hiding it—in fact, she’d been shouting it from the rooftops—so it was a bit late to be surprised, but what still came as a surprise to everyone was her arrival during this battle with the Seraphs, right when Earth was in a pinch.
That’s exactly why everyone—from the elf children to the adults, including the Espie’s group—was grinning and celebrating wildly.
“…… Oh…… ah…… oh~……”
Faced with that situation, Earth crouched down, his face flushing bright red with embarrassment once again.
Because he could feel everyone’s mocking stares piercing him, saying, “You’re so lucky~!”.
But……
“Stop that.”
“””””Eeeh!!???”””””
That remark was unexpected.
Everyone had been certain Shinobu would be puffing out her chest with a smug look and saying something like, “Yes, my Pathos~”, but instead, she silenced everyone with a serious—and somewhat pained—expression.
“Shinobu……?”
Earth was also caught off guard and instinctively looked up.
Then, in the center of the silent village, Shinobu stood up……
“It’s precisely because I made such a triumphant entrance… that the realization of my own powerlessness that followed is so painful…”
“Shinobu? Wait, where are you going?”
“What comes next is just too embarrassing—a scene where I get completely crushed… I mean, since I was there, I already know what happens… I’m just going to go get some fresh air.”
Saying that, Shinobu stepped away from the group for a moment.
Shinobu’s unexpected reaction left everyone bewildered, wondering, “Huh? What’s going to happen next?”
“Ah~ …… being crushed by ‘that guy’…… that battle must have been hard on Shinobu too…”
Earth immediately understood, as the battle against “the monster that appears later” crossed his mind.
On the other hand……
『…… It would appear there is more to it…』
“Hm?”
『…… Hmph…… tis due to how slow you are at comprehending that you remain immature, child…….』
“Huh?”
Tre’ainar murmured this as he watched Shinobu walk away, looking dejected.
And Shinobu, with a pained expression on her face……
“Was this what you felt? ……………… Makura.”
She murmured softly.
The successors of the Seven Heroes had gathered.
Riding the momentum of the cheering crowd, Earth and his companions launched a relentless offensive against the Seraphs.
Finally, Earth and Kron charged ahead and stormed the palace—the Seraphs’ stronghold.
〔…… I don’t understand…… Why go so far?〕
The Seraph prince could not hide his surprise at Earth and Kron’s arrival.
〔Because you took something important from Kron and everyone else, didn’t you?〕
〔…… You mean Jamdi’el? Thou have no notion of how much she has―――〕
〔Oh, I don’t care about that stuff anymore.〕
Furthermore, why go to such lengths? Facing Ga’al—the Sky Prince who couldn’t understand the feelings of Earth, Kron, and the people of the Surface World, Earth answers without hesitation.
〔It’s not about who she really is, what she did, or anything like that. It’s just that there were a lot of people in that country…… people that I got along with… that don’t want to lose her. I’m just trying to help with that…… I just want to reward them…… for accepting me as me!〕
That was Earth’s answer. And there’s no stopping him now.
〔Let’s go! Breakthrough!〕
With sharp, precise steps, Earth dashes back and forth as if wings had sprouted from his feet.
Even the Seraphs —who actually have wings—can’t keep up with his movements.
〔【Great Demon Body Blow】! 【Great Demon Corkscrew】!〕
Using his footwork to toy with Ga’al, and then with his fists—without the slightest hesitation or mercy—Earth battered him mercilessly.
“Nice moves…… combining sharpness and power…… it seems that battle with Jamdi’el has made Earth even stronger.”
“Yeah. That Sky Prince isn’t weak at all. He has the Heraldic Eye, too… so he’s actually one of the stronger ones.”
“That’s right. I actually saw that prince during the pursuit of Earth, and he was quite a formidable opponent.”
“To be able to overwhelm him to that extent… so this is… how strong Earth was at that point…”
The stunningly handsome Ga’al gets beaten to a pulp by Earth’s fists.
Even the girls who were technically rooting for Earth couldn’t help but look away and grimace at the sight of the handsome Ga’al being beaten up.
On the other hand, as Gaal—whose handsomeness is usually flanked by many beautiful celestial maidens—begins to show signs of swelling, the men of the world cheer him on, shouting, “Go on, beat him to a pulp!” The world is buzzing with excitement at these two extremes
However, even amidst all of this, Hiro and Mamu, with the perspective of battle-hardened veterans, kept their eyes fixed on Earth, watching their son’s fighting prowess and growth.
However…
〔Thou dare to hit me. Even Daddy never hit me.〕
〔I see. But what about it? I don’t think getting hit is a good thing, but I don’t feel like losing to a guy who’s never been hit before.〕
〔Huh … wh … at?〕
As for Hiro……
〔But… no matter how strong thou art, I cannot let thee go any further! I will not… disappoint Daddy! For his recognition… I cannot lose!〕
〔You’re just trying to get your dad to recognize you… huh? Pretty much…you’re a narrow-minded bastard…… Is your father the only one in your field of vision… or your world?〕
〔…… Eh?〕
〔You want to be recognized by your father… I’ll make the world recognize me someday!〕
Ga’al was precisely the kind of person who harbored “complex feelings towards his parent”,
“Ugh…… I can’t bear it……”
As always, the emotions expressed by Earth in the heat of battle struck him all too deeply, and as expected, he became depressed.
“Yeah, that prince fella’s proper skilled, no doubt. The so-called Heavenly King too…… but…… the lot of ‘em are clearly short on real battle experience.”
And Hakuki also calmly analyzed the battle……
“Yeah, figured Jamdi’el was special even among the Seraphs…… with them bein’ soft, that is…… With this level, if I just knew where they were, I could wipe the lot out on me own easy… And handy enough, they got the Heraldic Eye too.”
“”Huh!?””
At that moment, Hiro and Mamu’s expressions changed in response to Hakuki’s words, which could be taken as either serious or a joke.
“Hakuki…… You bastard, don’t tell me…”
“Them eyes are important, after all… never can ‘ave too many in stock… Success stories like Kron that actually grow up proper take time and the odds ain’t high neither.”
Despite being held captive, Hiro and Mamu showed no sign of letting up on their hostility toward Hakuki.
Meanwhile……
〔I am King! An apostle of God! No, I am a God now! All who defy me shall be put to death!〕
“Even that so-called king… ain’t no match for me.”
The Heavenly King, who had been shrouded in mystery, makes his appearance and engages in a fierce battle with Earth and Kron.
But even so, Hiro and Mamu are now focusing on Hakuki……
“After all, you haven’t said a word…… Hakuki …… It’s been over a decade since the Great Demon King Tre’ainar died…… What are you thinking right now, and what are you trying to do?”
“Yes. I simply thought you might be planning to start another war in the world… the extermination of humanity… or perhaps revenge… something along those lines. But somehow, I don’t sense that kind of vibe from you. You’re not like you used to be, rampaging about seeking battle……”
“Hahaha… Ain’t this a bit late in the day? I’ve been standin’ ‘ere as one of the world’s most wanted criminals for quite a few days now, and only now you’re askin’ me that?”
What was Hakuki’s true objective, anyway?
If he’s seeking revenge, then in the current situation, he could kill Hiro and Mamu —or launch an attack on the Empire—at any time.
Yet here he is, casually having a leisurely viewing session.
So, what is Hakuki’s true purpose?
To that question……
“Fair point, I s’pose. One of me main aims… I’m after the Six Paths Eye…… That’s the top priority for now.”
“Those are the same eyes as Tre’ainar’s! Why would you want something like that!”
“Well, I fancy seein’ ‘ow the world looks through the same eyes as him…… now that’s what I want to reach. You know, Kaguya herself awoke from the Moonlight Eye to the Six Paths Eye right before she kicked it.”
Hakuki doesn’t reveal all of his motives. But even so, he doesn’t lie.
“The Six Paths Eye ain’t just a simple upgrade over the Three Great Magic Eyes… It’s got its own special perks, y’see… And I well fancy gettin’ my ‘ands on it.”
Hiro and the others could sense that his goal wasn’t something as simple as revenge or the extinction of humanity.
They didn’t know exactly what it was, though.
In any case, this viewing party on the Surface World would serve as the catalyst for the world to gradually begin to shift.
“Boss Hakuki! Excuse me for interrupting ya viewing, but there’s something ya’d like ta hear…”
“…… What is it?”
In the middle of the viewing, an ogre appeared in a fluster and knelt on one knee.
A report that also served as a messenger’s dispatch.
Without delay, Hakuki listened to the ogre……
“There’s been some movement from dat Shitnei Bockmati, da one running dat shady trading company Inai…”
“Shitnei?”
“Seem, he’s declared dat he’ll provide full support for da reconstruction of Cacretale. And, there’s even talk of making Inai City a sister city to Cacretale…”
“…… Oh…… made his move already……”
Hakuki nodded as if impressed by the report, but an amused smile played on his lips.
“Inai… as in, the Inai City on the outskirts of the Imperial City… it was being investigated to see if it was involved with the Bockmati crime family…”
“The same. Shitnei… the bastard hates you, Hiro, but he seems to be a fan of Earth Lagann.”
“B, but even so, why……
“Advance investment, I reckon… so he can get the upper hand in the ‘Mad Scramble’ that’s likely to kick off later on.”
“What?”
While Hakuki understood the significance of Shitnei’s actions, Hiro and Mamu still seemed clueless.
But next……
“Report! Boss! We’ve just received a report from da guys monitoring Japone!”
With this new report from the Ogre, even the two of them finally began to understand.
“…… Japone too, huh……”
“Ah, it’s not dat big of a deal…… and it’s not even coming from da Royal Palace, but from da citizens… but da name ‘Earth Lagann’ came up…”
“Oh? Go on.”
“Yes. Anyway, there’s a move to invite Earth Lagann to participate in da Go Master League held in Japone as a wild card……”
“…………So… so that’s the angle, eh……… now that you mention it, most o’ the Go Association lot in Japone are with Mikado, innit… I get it now.”
Since the report was a bit unexpected, Hakuki gave a wry smile.
“W, wait, a Go tournament?! Why would Earth be involved in a league tournament or something like that…”
“…… Go …… Well, I can pretty much read between the bleedin’ lines on that one…Hm? ‘Oi… don’t get all restless’… Nah, never mind, just talkin’ to meself. In any case, Earth Lagann’s already stirred up the people of Japone with Go, I reckon……”
“What!? But, why Go? I thought he wasn’t that interested in Go…”
“Part of it might be just wantin’ him to take part as a simple player…… but the real reason’s summat else, I reckon…… If they go about it too loud, the current royal faction of the Japone Kingdom will crush ’em flat, so for now, they’re goin’ all sneaky like…… But dependin’ on ‘ow things pan out from ‘ere―――――”
Hakuki rested his hand on his chin, seeming to think.
Just then……
—Jajajaaaaaaaan ♪♪♪
“”Hmm?”
—Jajan, Dojan, Jararararara, Dodododon ♪♪
“W, what is that, all of a sudden?”
“Some kind of sound? Musical instruments? It sounds like a performance… A sudden loud noise, then it seems to gradually pick up speed… It’s creepy!”
“…… it’s gettin’ right rowdy…… seems the Heavenly King an’ the prince got done in, but there’s more, innit?”
Hiro, Mamu, Hakuki—who had briefly taken their eyes off the spectacle to chat—looked up at the sky with expressions of utter bewilderment at the sudden “sound” that rang out.
—The boys and girls, and the Surface Warriors who stood up to the heavens, none could have anticipated what was about to happen
“W, what is it~?”
“That voice… here…”
Narration played along with the sound.
—The enemy is not only the Heavens! From the depths of hell! And from the depths of history, a dark wind rages!
And it’s all so incredibly over-the-top……
— Jajajaaaaaaaan ♪♪♪
〔Hihahahahahahahahahaha!!〕
—Jajajaaaaaaaan ♪♪♪
“””Ah……”””
—Yes, this is truly a nightmare! But wake up, world! This is no dream! He has come before you!
Accompanied by powerful, orchestral music—as if to create the atmosphere of a “star’s grand entrance” or the “mastermind’s reveal”—he finally made his appearance.
“Hmph, right after that and now this…… means the heavy ‘itters are gonna start crawling out the woodwork now…… After Jamdi’el, once the world gets a load of this achievement…… it’s startin’…… Hiro…… Mamu…… the scramble for your boy! Hehehe, that said……”
At that abrupt, dramatic moment, the audience couldn’t help but flinch, and as everyone stared wide-eyed, wondering what was happening, the world was shaken to its core by the figure that had appeared.
“Ah…… a, ah…… Aaaaah!?”
“Th, tha…… that guy!”
“Hmph, I already knew the bastard was alive an’ kickin’, but seein’ him again after more than ten years… still just as bleedin’ irritating.”
Whether the generation that experienced it firsthand… or the generation that read about it in textbooks… in either case……
〔You know at first, I thought it would be fun, but…… this event got lame… I guess Showtime’s over.〕
――――BOOM!!!!
The world finally learns that the Black Sage, Paripi, still lives.
Accompanied by a sound effect that sounded like an explosion.
TL’s Note
I’m really loving Phantom Blade Zero. Combat’s got me zoned in and the music is banging. Do check out the playlist, and if the opportunity presents itself, join my live playthroughs…
