Chapter 143 (Self Edited) – Meeting with the Demon King’s Daughter?
The bright sunlight entered the eyes, and it were squinted reflexively.
When she looked at the sky as it was, it was blue and there was slight white on one side. Even though the iris were red, it was strange that it looked like a blue sky. As she thought of that, she let out a breath. It was a good day for a trip.
Strictly speaking, although it felt a bit hot, this was still better. It felt better than feeling cold like it used to be.
“…Actually, I don’t remember much about that time.” (A???)
When she looked down as she whispered, what was reflected in the sight was a path without a road. There were only gra.s.s, soil, and rocks in the surrounding area, and she can see something like a forest in the distance.
Although it was supposed to have been walking the same place about two years ago, it was an unfamiliar sight.
“But the direction was different since the season was different at that time… Anyway, I don’t know what to do since I don’t really remember it…” (A???)
Although it was nostalgic at the beginning, it had always been like this. This wasn’t something out of her expectation.
At that point, she thought that the only thing she felt nostalgic was that village, but that feeling still remained until now.
“I don’t remember what I was thinking on the way there… No, maybe, I wasn’t thinking about anything at all.” (A???)
She remembered the despair she had in her heart. Surely, if she didn’t meet that guy, she wouldn’t only disappear, but she would probably die.
However, such a thought had no place in her heart. Rather, there was something occupied this part of the heart.
“…I wonder if I am thinking about this matter just because I have spare time.” (A???)
In general, she knew about the road. She also knew that she could reach a village or a town once every three days. Since she had time to spare, she would be thinking about unnecessary things.
Recently, she felt like the number of monologues has increased. It might be a bit troublesome if she stayed this way after this trip ends.
“Well, it’s still too early to worry about that, right?” (A???)
The end point of the trip was almost there, but it was also a turning point at last. It wasn’t too late to think about that.
“Now…” (A???)
As she whispered, she noticed that she moved the feet that had stopped.
And the moment the strong wind blew, the red hair fluttered. However, while holding down the hair, she loosened her mouth as she felt good. It was the face of her friends that suddenly went through her mind.
“Those girls… and that guy… I wonder if this feeling is about them…” (A???)
No matter what she was saying, she smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Then, Aina resumed her journey.
—
The girl, who sat on the ground, looked up at him in a stunned manner. Her face was as if she had something that she couldn’t believe, but… was it really surprising? Soma certainly didn’t expect that the girl was in a place like this…
“Well, I guess it is good to be here for this time around. It looks like you aren’t injured, but… are you alright?” (Soma)
When he reached out while saying so, the girl, who was still wondering, was looking at his hand… eventually, she noticed something. Then, she alternately looked at his face and his hand. After that, she frowned as if she was worried about something, and she reluctantly held his hand.
“…Maybe, there are no injuries. And, uh… I was saved.” (Steina)
“Hmmm. Well, you helped me some time ago. I don’t think this could pay the favor at that time, I would be happy if I could help. However, since this situation was helping us in a sense, I don’t think I have returned the favor.” (Soma)
And, it was almost simultaneous that the girl was made to stand up, and the trees rustled at the rear. The girl reflexively released the hand. She arranged her posture and put up a bitter smile. It was obvious to say that Sheila and Felicia appeared immediately after that.
“…Did you make it in time?” (Sheila)
“It is thanks to you.” (Soma)
HIs words were correct in a sense. He was able to make it in time because he could entrust Felicia to Sheila. Anyhow, that was the last minute arrangement. If he came together with Sheila, he would definitely not have made it in time.
“That’s the most important part.” (Steina)
“By the way, we were able to fulfill the request.” (Soma)
“Eh, is that so?” (Felicia)
“Yes, look over there.” (Soma)
“…Yes, indeed.” (Sheila)
The target of the subjugation request was the Giant Frog. He was able to help the acquaintance, and they were able to fulfill the request. It was exactly like hitting two birds with a stone.
“Aah… you told me this helped you in a sense… so is that what you mean?” (Steina)
“That’s right.” (Soma)
He was able to defeat the Giant Frog easily because the girl took the role of a decoy. Soma helped the girl, but it can be said that the girl also helped Soma.
“No, if it’s you, I’m sure you can defeat it without me being the decoy, right? I feel like I was helped unilaterally.” (Steina)
“It may have been so, but there was a possibility that it was not so. When I think about it, there is no change in the fact that I was helped.” (Soma)
“…Well, if you say so, that’s fine. Leaving that aside…” (Steina)
The poise was clear, but with the muttering, the girl turned to Sheila and her eyes, clearly with a color of vigilance.
However, it might be unavoidable, too. Speaking only in appearance, two people who looked suspiciously appeared. Rather, it was strange not to be alarmed.
It was the same for Sheila and Felicia. They had just met the girl, and she was holding a spear in her hand. As expected, it was strange not to be alarmed.
However, Soma, who knows that it wasn’t necessary, simply shrugged in the reaction of both sides.
“I understand that both sides are wary of each other, but that’s not necessary, you know? Well, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be wary though.” (Soma)
“…Soma-san, I understand that you are telling her that we aren’t someone suspicious, but that also mean that you are telling us that she is not someone suspicious, right? Regardless of helping her, you also don’t know much about her, correct?” (Felicia)
“Well, I know her, you know? I’ve known her, and she helped me some time ago.” (Soma)
“…You were helped?” (Sheila)
“Eh… really?” (Felicia)
“There is no way I’m lying to you. All I’m saying is that it is thanks to her we are able to complete the request.” (Soma)
When both Felicia and Sheila were told that, they looked very surprised for some reason. Even without looking at their face, it was very understandable why they were surprised.
At the same time, the other girl was also surprised.
“Eh… perhaps… it’s that what I think really is…?” (Steina)
“Hmm? What do you mean?” (Soma)
“Aah, well, how should I say it? I guess I’m seeing you in a new light.” (Steina)
“Hmm…?” (Soma)
Soma didn’t really understand what she meant, but instead of what she felt about him, he noticed that she was shocked. He didn’t know why she felt that, but… there was something he needed to do now.
“By the way, why don’t we introduce ourselves?” (Soma)
“…Is that necessary? I’m grateful that you helped me, but I don’t have a reason to introduce myself.” (Steina)
“I thought Soma-san knows you because he said that you were an acquaintance, but you also don’t know him?” (Felicia)
“Hmmm. How should I put it? That’s why I want to know her. That’s because I didn’t ask her last time.” (Soma)
“…I don’t want to be thanked for this, and we won’t be able to see each other again once we get in our own ways, right?” (Steina)
“I would like to know more about you if I’m not going to see you again, you know. I don’t know what you think, but for me, you’re definitely our benefactor.” (Soma)
“Well, it’s not like I can’t give you my name if we’re getting to know each other…” (Steina)
“…Will this be a connection made by chance?” (Sheila)
“Even if you say that, there is no merit to give my name…” (Steina)
“On the other hand, there is no demerit, right? To tell the truth, if it’s your name, I already know it even without telling me. Your name is definitely Steina, yes?” (Soma)
“Wh-what…!? You… how do you know my name…?” (Steina)
As the girl, Steina, screamed in surprise, she opened and closed her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but then, she became silent for a few seconds. After that, she asked him nervously.
“Um… did you hear my name by chance?” (Steina)
“It’s because I heard your monologue, I came to rescue you.” (Soma)
“~~~!?” (Steina)
At the moment, Steina’s face was dyed red and she held her head on the spot. After all, her weird grumble was overheard… eventually, she let out a big sigh.
She got up, and looked at his face. Then, another big sigh was leaked again.
“Haa… I understand how foolish I am. I’ll tell you my name properly.” (Steina)
After that, she spoke her name.
“I am Steina… hmm, I don’t care anymore. I am Steina Kanzaki.” (Steina)
“…Kanzaki?” (Soma)
Accordingly, Soma looked into her face. It was because he knew that surname. Moreover, it was awfully familiar.
At the same time, Soma had one thing in mind, and it would be nice to confirm for the time being. And…
“Hmm… Is the name Kanzaki a common name here?” (Soma)
When Soma asked that, the answer was no. The name sounded unique, and it must have a special meaning in Demento.
“Aah… didn’t you know? I didn’t want to tell my name, because it would be a ha.s.sle…” (Steina)
That was the name of the king. The name was only allowed only for the family members.
In other words…
“Well, that is the case. To put it simply, I’m the Demon King’s daughter.” (Steina)
The girl, who said that she was the Demon King’s daughter, shrugged her shoulders.
—
TLN:
- For the first part of the chapter, Aina isn’t mentioned until the last sentence of that first part. FYI, j.a.panese language, it is possible to create sentence without mentioning who or the gender. So, any additional words there are totally my own words.
- I rechecked chapter 142 and Soma did say that he met Steina a week earlier, and in this chapter, he mentioned that he knew her name from her monologue. This hasn’t been mentioned anywhere, so I a.s.sume that Soma met her somewhere before this, maybe when he was getting out from the Elf Forest, but Steina probably didn’t realize that Soma saw her.
- I’ll amend the story when the whole situation becomes clearer in the future.