With a smile on her face, Steph fainted without speaking a word–––……
Chapter 2 - Strategist/The Sun
Part 1
- The sea.
When it comes to vacation spots, they could probably be divided into two
main categories, mountain regions and areas close to seas or oceans.
During summer, many people will instinctively flock to these places, like
moths gathering at a lamp.
- To be honest, the stubborn grains ofsand that refuse to get off the body,
one’s skin being exposed to the sun for long periods of time, such that it
brings pain and discomfort to the body, while the sea wind corrodes one’s
hair every second; thinking about it, it’s hard to understand why exactly
people come to places like these.
But – a hateful place like this, once certain conditions change, it’s an entirely
different matter.
“- Phew… how blissful.”
Under a parasol that looked like a j.a.panese oil-paper umbrella, Sora lay on a
gra.s.s-woven bed, with a gla.s.s in his hand.
At both sides of Sora, were multiple Werebeasts that appeared to be Miko’s
followers who were fanning him with giant leaves.
Their hanten
[10]
that were spread open at the chest area – which apparently
was the preferred swimsuit of the Eastern Federation – revealed their b.r.e.a.s.t.s,
and their skin revealed underneath the cloth that covered only the lower half
of the body, in comparison with their ears and tails covered in animalfur,
appeared even more flashy and attractive than the sun itself.
Sora shook the cup in his hand, and thought – This is Heaven.
“…Sora-san, to think that you can remain unfazed under this sort of heat…
you must be enjoying yourself.”
“Yeah! Isn’t this all because ofJibril’s secret sunblock concocted from light
spirits? Moving on –“
[11]
Ino spoke calmly, while Sora replied with a hint ofsuspicion in his voice
without even turning around:
“Old man, I’m not intentionally looking at you, but you aren"t wearing just a
loincloth again, right?”
“Sora-san, what you just said was pretty strange… besides loincloths; do
men have any other clothing choices when it comes to water-related
activities?”
As Sora had predicted – wearing only a loincloth – a muscular old man
replied while tilting his head.
Sora sighed in frustration, then spoke while pointing at himself:
“Let me tell you something old man, look at me, what do you think?”
“- Sora-san, you have that sort of fetish?”
“Are you senile!? Old man~~!! Shorts and a s.h.i.+rt! This is standard swimwear
as well!”
Sora stood up and backed down a few steps, then yelled after hearing the
reply filled with disgust.
Ino shook his head helplessly.
“You don’t wish for other people to see your frail body, but that"s fine, Sorasan,
since it’s plain manners to cover up one’s embarra.s.sing spots.”
“I just don’t want to become a muscular guy like you! Also, don’t call me
frail! Since the FPS match I had against Izuna, I realized that stamina is
important as well, I may not look like it, but I have been training!”
Sora yelled, choked slightly, then lay down again.
- He was surprised himself as he could only do fifty push-ups and sit-ups
each, but he didn’t need to say that.
“…Let’s change the subject, aren’t they done yet?”
“Girls take a long time to change you know, Sora-san – pardon me, haven’t
you heard?”
“It’s hard talking to Old Man Muscles, can’t you detect my sarcasm!? Can’t
you!?”
Sora yelled coldly, then looked behind him.
“Hey, s.h.i.+ro, you’re not done yet?”
“…Mm, I need… a bit more time…”
Behind Sora – s.h.i.+ro’s reply drifted from the shade behind a clump of trees.
Something that sounded like clothing sc.r.a.ping about could be heard, it
seemed that she was having trouble wearing her clothes by herself.
“Wouldn’t it be fine ifshe’d changed with the other girls in the changing
room?”
“Yes, that was what I suggested, after which I was chased out by someone…
and that someone was you!”
Sora and s.h.i.+ro cannot be apart, not even when changing clothes.
That was an unspoken fact, so Sora as usual, naturally, automatically,
attempted to enter the female changing room with s.h.i.+ro –
But then he was chased out, which resulted in the current situation.
“Trying to peek at Miko-sama naked, even if that sort of thing were to be
permitted by G.o.d (Tet), I would stillrefuse!”
“Miko-san already said she doesn’t mind -!”
Sora felt only remorse at retreating from the changing room only due to a
menacing glare from a loincloth-wearing muscular old man.
- Now let’s think of a way to cheat Ino, and sneak into the changing room.
Just as Sora began to formulate his master plan –
“…I’m done, des.”
“Oh... it’s Izuna indeed, you look cute no matter what you wear.”
- Hearing the voice of a young girl, Ino suddenly took on the voice of a
compa.s.sionate grandfather and turned around.
Upon seeing Izuna who was the earliest to finish changing, Ino sighed in relief.
“I heard the swimsuit was suggested by Sora-san – I initially thought it would
be some immoral clothing.”
“You’re too shallow, old man, first! It’s common sense that young girls have
to wear 「Schoolswimsuits」!”
Izuna waved her large tail around while stepping lightly on the beach.
That swimsuit was – from Sora’s world… an old-fas.h.i.+oned schoolswimsuit.
Of course, that was something that didn’t exist in this world.
To elaborate further, even the Eastern Federation didn’t possess a chemical
fiber like polyester.
But – schoolswimsuits were originally woven with silk before the Second
World War.
So this was a perfectly woven product created by Steph, closely following the
detailed instructions listed on Sora’s tablet.
Steph – you’ve really outdone yourself.
“…But it really doesn’t reveal a lot ofskin.”
“Let me say this again, you’re too shallow, old man. Without the seasoning of
culture, how could this be considered romantic!?”
- Yes, on top of the schoolswimsuit Izuna was wearing, she also had on a
long-sleeved kimono resembling a hanten not unlike what the Werebeasts
around her were wearing.
Kemonomimi, young girls, schoolswimsuits, not to mention the seasoning of
the Eastern Federation’s culture -!
- This is – - Sora’s - 「Solution」…
Izuna walked in front of Sora, then as though wanting to see how she looked
like from behind, twirled around in a circle.
“Is this alright, des?”
“It’s perfect… you were almost criminally cute in the first place, but now you
could be cla.s.sified as a national treasure.”
Looking at Sora who had a smile of a normal,cheerful teenager on his face
and was giving a thumbs-up of approval, Ino –
“...I don’t really understand but, I give my sincerest approval of this since you
didn’t let my granddaughter wear any immoral clothing.”
- spoke.
“U, um… I’m done changing.”
“Oh, Steph, you really did a great job –“
Hearing Steph’s embarra.s.sed voice, Sora turned around to thank her – but
froze momentarily instead.
Steph’s cheeks were bright red, just like the impression her normal clothes
left on others, the swimsuit she was wearing was a modified two-piece with
added ruffles and a belt made from semi-transparent material, and her eyes
continually darted from side to side.
From what Sora knew, Elchea shouldn’t have possessed that sort of
「Swimsuit」.
Speaking of Elchea’s swimsuits there was only – that.
Like 17th-century Eastern Europe, their swimsuits were full-bodied female
lingerie and looked old-fas.h.i.+oned, which was the only swimsuit Elchea
possessed.
Because of that, Sora had to plead Steph to make a new swimsuit.
From her expression, she had probably selected a swimsuit she liked from
Sora and s.h.i.+ro’s catalogue as well.
But the reason why Sora froze on the spot wasn’t the swimsuit.
The realreason was because he saw 「That」 which was large enough to the
point of almost bursting from the swimsuit – and the numbers endlessly
flas.h.i.+ng in his brain made him freeze.
“- I, impossible! Eighty-nine, fifty-eight, eighty-nine… the power levels are at
five hundred thousand -!?”
“You – how did you know – No! What are you talking about!!”
The power levelscanner within his head calculated Steph’s stunningly high
「Bust measurements」, making Sora tremor uncontrollably.
Things like this existed!
Did I miss it since the steam was too dense earlier!?
“…Ugh, ugh… to think that a mere Steph would have such high standards -!”
“Eh, ah! R, really? I, it’s nothing…”
Steph wiggled nervously, appearing rather glad with herself.
Sora was about to say something else to her, but –
“I apologize, Master, because it took a long time to 「Weave」 this into a
fas.h.i.+on of your preference.”
“Haha, it’s fine, making men wait is a custom of a good woman as well!”
Hearing the two voices, everyone turned around at once – suddenly, Sora’s
power levelscanner exploded and flew away.
Sora and Ino didn’t have the time to think, instead following their instincts,
both of them kneeled on the floor in a wors.h.i.+pping fas.h.i.+on, as though it was
obligatory for them to do so.
What they saw when they turned around was – two G.o.ddesses.
The two G.o.ddesses – one of them was Jibril.
Her hair that was changing colors seemingly endlessly according to the rays of
light shooting down from the sky was waving around in the sea-wind and sun,
appeared even more beautiful and dazzling.
That structural beauty almost at the point of perfection would make any
sculptor’s heart melt upon first sight.
And that artwork of a body, was wearing the swimsuit Sora had
recommended.
Jibril normally wore extremely revealing clothes as well, so Sora had selected
a swimsuit resembling a coverall with the abdominal area woven with silk.
She had used a large female shawl as a sort of belt wrapped around her
waist, and her faintly glowing wings protruded from it.
The halo spinning around on her head, added a sort of holy aura to her.
Her indisputable beauty would unquestionably convince others that she was a
G.o.ddess descended from the heavens.
The two G.o.ddesses – the second one was Miko.
Her golden hair, ears, tail and snow-white skin, under the bright glow of the
sun, was exactly like – a Buddha.
With her subtle body curves, ifJibril was considered an extreme beauty –
then she would be a supreme one.
Her delicate skin that was usually hidden under a kimono was now
completely coated with a swimsuit resembling another hanten.
But the swimsuit was spread out like a b.u.t.terfly in the night, revealing her pink
and tender shoulders, making her appear unbelievably beautiful.
Her golden hair and twin tails would shake as she stepped along the beach,
along with the flirtatious smile on her face would convince anyone that an
immortal, G.o.dlike fox demon – a heavenly fox presiding over one actually
exists.
The two men still kneeling on the ground, had tears flowing down their
cheeks.
They were praying to an unknown existence for reasons they themselves did
not know.
“…Hatsuse Ino, has finally realized why he lives and exists upon this earth - !”
“Oh, dear G.o.d! I don’t know where you are, nor who you are, but you are a
G.o.d of exceptional tastes for creating Jibril and Miko upon this earth – ah,
please take me in as your disciple…”
- The creation of a religion.
Steph and Izuna witnessed this precious moment, however –
“- Well, it’s true that something like this would happen when compared to
them… but isn’t the way we’re being treated a bit too far off?”
“…? Did they get sand in their eyes, des?”
Looking at the two men who were still kneeling in complete reverence, Izuna
tilted her head in confusion.
“Ah, Master, I am not worthy ofsuch praise, please get up!!”
“Mm, rise, how about you lift up your heads, and properly enjoy the privilege
of witnessing me in a swimsuit?”
Jibril immediately knelt and began kowtowing upon seeing Sora’s actions,
while Miko laughed aloud instead.
Hearing the words spoken by the two women, Sora and Ino stood up in
trepidation.
Again setting their eyes upon the two’s sacred figures, Sora and Ino looked
up to the sky at once.
“…I feel like I’ve enjoyed myself immensely already.”
“…Yes, I feel accomplished as well.”
“..Let’s go back.”
“…It’s rare that we see eye-to-eye, Sora-san.”
- Both of them were becoming philosophical.
The two that were usually like fire and water, at that point, didn’t have any
barriers between them, and the gap between races had been bridged.
They were instead both men, looking up at the same sky, carrying the same
thoughts within themselves, sympathetic towards each other.
- Why does everyone have to fight amongst each other?
The world is such a beautiful place –
“No, please wait! Why did we come here in the first place?”
Steph yelled at the two men who were still undergoing revelations in the
horizon.
- Eh?
“…Why is that?”
“Please allow me to answer, Master, I believe we were here to pay a visit to
the capital of the Seirenes.”
…Ah, right, Sora finally remembered.
- Yes, exactly as Jibril had said, they hadn’t come here to play in the ocean.
It was Plum who had said that the Seirens would send a boat to fetch them,
which was why they came.
Because the capital of the Seirens – 「Oceando」 was at the bottom of the
sea.
Jibril had never been there and she couldn’t see it as well, so she couldn’t
teleport them there.
So, according to their earlier arrangement, Plum would guide them from here,
but –
“Hmm? What happened to Plum who said she’d guide us earlier?”
“I, I’m here…”
“Whoa!?”
A soft voice drifted up from near his feet, making Sora jump in surprise.
He didn’t know when it had appeared, but a pair of eyes looked up at him
from a wooden crate which presence he couldn’t detect until earlier next to
his legs.
“…Eh, is this Plum? What are you doing, this is the sea, the sea you know.”
“D, don’t be so inconsiderate… t, this is already my limit!” Plum answered.
Patterns began appearing around her not unlike those when she used magic –
and tears appeared in her eyes.
“Master, sunlight is fatal to the Dhampir, even when she’s hiding in the box,
she still needs to avert the rays of the sun –“
Hearing Jibril’s words, Sora recalled the 「Disease」.
Since it was transmitted through blood-sucking, it would mean that the
Dhampir themselves wouldn’t be able to see the sun.
“…Oceande only sends their 「Reception Boat」 at night! Why did we have to
come during the day…”
- That’s right.
She had said earlier, the boat would only come after sunset.
Plum complained in frustration, why had they come in the daytime which was
like a h.e.l.lish frying pan to her.
“No, but this is the sea, you want me to skip the swimsuits in a situation like
this, are you for real?”
- If not for Jibril’s secret 「Sunblock」, Sora wouldn’t have come in the day
either.
“Oh yeah, Jibril, is the sunblock useless on Plum?”
“Sadly, Master, for the Dhampir, 「Being hit by sunlight」 is the cause of
death.”
Jibrilstated that there was no possible solution, but was corrected by Plum.
“Ah, no… it’s fine if an even stronger spell is cast… but it would use up too
much energy.”
They remembered how exhausted she had looked when she had first came to
Sora’s and everyone else’s residence.
Which means, for her to walk around unfazed under a blazing sun like this,
she would probably end up in that state again.
“Um, about that… because of the quality of the Seirens’ blood, well, I’m
unable to use too much of my strength… so…”
Suddenly, a sweet smile appeared on Plum’s face.
“Again! As long as you let me lick s.h.i.+ro-sama’s feet, I can successfully use
magic ~ ehehe ~ ☆”
“Absolutely not, you’d better stay quietly in that box.”
With her suggestion immediately rejected, Plum could only shut the box again
while sighing.
“…Hey, considering that they’re ranked twelfth place, aren’t the Dhampir a
bit too weak?”
- Even when comparing with the preset abilities of the vampires back in his
world, Sora still thought this way.
“The ability of the Dhampir corresponds with the blood that they have
consumed – the thicker the soul essence, the stronger their power.”
Jibrilreplied.
“If combined with something that has a high affinity with confusion or
concealing magic – like let’s say, the blood of an Elf, 「a.s.sa.s.sins」 that are
extremely hard to deal with would be birthed, and those actually do pose a
large threat on the battlefield.”
…So that’s how it is, Sora remembered the first night.
It was a moment of carelessness, but even Jibril was tricked by her, and now
–
“- Now it’s been reduced to this…”
Looking down at the box at his feet, Sora spoke with his eyes half open.
It was obvious that she was still trembling within the box, with more tears in
her eyes.
“- I was thinking since earlier, the Elves and the Flügel, have only a one-rank
difference, so wouldn’t your strength be about the same? She can drink the
blood of an Elf, but she would evaporate upon drinking Jibril’s blood right?”
Sora asked while pointing to the wooden box at his feet, while Jibrilreplied:
“Yes, because on the rankings there is a 「Segmentation」.”
“Segmentation?”
“Essentially speaking, those below the seventh rank are 「Living Beings」,
while those above are cla.s.sified as 「Life」.”
“…Which means?”
“Those that possess a physical body of flesh, and use typical methods of
reproduction are commonly cla.s.sified as 「Living Beings」, which end at the
Elves that are ranked seventh; while those above possess the strength of will
or concept, which you could think of those as 「Life」.”
- Mm, so essentially speaking –
That was a watershed incomprehensible using common sense, was how Sora
interpreted it.
“Also, the ones ranked just above Jibril – are the Gigants right? What’s the
difference in strength between you and that race?”
“…Let me think, for a standard Gigant, it would be too inadequate to kill it
with the strength of just one, so more realistically speaking, I think I’d need
five other companions – eh? Do you have plans of hunting one?”
“No, I don’t, so stop looking so excited!”
This person over here with a disappointed expression on her face – could
single-handedly take down an Elf at the top of those cla.s.sified as 「Living
Beings」.
But she needed the strength ofsix to take down a Gigant ranked in the fifth
position.
- It was a miracle that those below the seventh survived the 「Great War」.
Especially the Imanity, or should I say us – ah, right.
“Speaking of us… hey~! s.h.i.+ro, are you still not done?”
Suddenly, Sora realized a long period of time had pa.s.sed, so he directed his
question to the shrubbery behind him.
“…Mm.”
Reacting to Sora’s voice, s.h.i.+ro stuck her head out from behind a tree.
She looked hesitant as though she didn’t dare to come out.
“What is it? s.h.i.+ro, do you still hate the sunlight? If you’re uncomfortable you
don’t have to force yourself!”
Although she had Jibril’s specialsunblock on, s.h.i.+ro still hated the sunlight.
Not to mention s.h.i.+ro’s hatred of it was even greater than Sora’s, which of
course Sora knew – in response to Sora that cared for her, s.h.i.+ro –
Shaking her head continually, although still hesitant, she stillslowly walked out
from behind the trees.
“…Oh~ how beautiful.”
“Ah, isn’t this cute?”
“…s.h.i.+ro, you’re really pretty, des.”
Ino, Miko and Izuna had expressed their own opinions – but Sora froze yet
again instead.
The one standing there was unquestionably his dear sister.
- That’s how it was supposed to be, but –
“-…Eh?”
The one that was nervously walking out was - 「A gemstone-like young girl」.
Her long hair that was already as white as snow usually, was tied up at the
back of her head after careful preening.
Under the rays of the sun her hair wasn’t like snow anymore – but was more
like a crystal or a diamond.
The skin that was revealed between her white bikini and red cap, was as
though to compliment her beautiful hair or ruby-like eyes –
“…Nii…?”
- Just like her cheeks, that flushed slightly red as well.
“-Eh? Strange? Eh?”
The sense of violation from looking so dreamily at his 「Sister」, made Sora
mumble questions unconsciously.
While those mumblings made s.h.i.+ro appear somewhat uneasy.
“…So it really…doesn’t look good…?”
Upon seeing s.h.i.+ro say this while looking down and preparing to retreat again
into the trees, Sora appeared to return to normal again.
He hurriedly – he himself questioned as to why he was being so panicky –
shook his head forcefully.
“N, no! No!! I was just surprised since s.h.i.+ro’s so beautiful – no, wait, s.h.i.+ro
is a completely flawless beauty, this your brother knew since long ago! You
know that… right? Eh?”
Sora tilted his head, curious as to why he was so shocked earlier.
Jibril and Steph who were beside him looked immersed in her beauty as well.
- s.h.i.+ro looked down in embarra.s.sment.
As her heart rate increased, her expression hinted at something else – a tiny,
appeased smile.
“…Really? That’s… good…”
…
“Master really is worthy of his t.i.tle… isn’t this an unbelievably precious piece
of eye candy?”
“No, that’s not how it is, it’s normal to react to cute things ahhhh.”
Jibril appeared refreshed, with her skin pale and smooth… let out a breath of
air.
Steph wrapped her hands around her head, appearing to be undergoing some
sort of internal conflict.
“…Nii…?”
“Oh, hmm? Mm, yes, you look great! You, my sister, are my greatest pride
after all!"
s.h.i.+ro walked closer to Sora, which was when Sora returned to his normal
self.
Being patted on the head by Sora, s.h.i.+ro nodded her head as though finally
appeased.
“-Uh, right, Plum, can you give us an estimate of when the 「Reception Boat」
will arrive?”
Sora felt slightly awkward, and remembering his original aim, questioned
Plum.
Hearing Sora’s words, everyone at once – looked over at Plum.
Plum revealed her face slightly from within the box, and replied:
“Um, about midnight or so –“
“-Oh, we have quite a lot of time left.”
Plum replied in a defeated voice:
“That’s why we didn’t need to come so early… waaaahhhh.”
After finis.h.i.+ng her sentence – maybe because the sunlight was too
uncomfortable – Plum closed the box again.
“It’s fine, what difference does this make?”
Miko spoke casually, and undetected by everyone else, she had already lay
down on the gra.s.s bed Sora was using earlier, allowing her followers to fan
her with the giant leaves, she gave an elegant reply.
“Just take this as a well-deserved vacation, relax and wait for the boat, after
all one always needs a break in life right?”
Sora and s.h.i.+ro scratched their heads while smiling bitterly, and exchanged a
knowing glance.
s.h.i.+ro nodded her head.
“Thinking closely, this is the first time s.h.i.+ro and I have been to the seaside.”
Sora’s eyes swept over Steph, Jibril, Izuna and Ino each briefly, then spoke
with a laugh.
“Wanna try having some fun suitable for the seaside?”
Part 2
The blindingly white beach.
Light s.h.i.+mmered on the surface of the ocean, reflecting the sky like a mirror.
Through the blue sky that appeared as though sprinkled with paint, sunlight
pierced through, and the clouds swam in the distance.
There were only the noisy sounds of the waves and in the scenery with
seagulls chirping, a few ripples sprayed about.
A group of people appeared to be playing on the section of the beach where
the water was only up to their ankles, and s.h.i.+ro tossed the beach ball they
brought to the others.
“…Steph…catch.”
“I just need to pa.s.s this down right? I’m going to pa.s.s OK, Izuna?”
Nimbly catching s.h.i.+ro’s pa.s.s, Steph pa.s.sed the ball high in the air to Izuna.
Izuna stretched her hand out to catch the ballflying in her direction.
She tilted her head.
“…? I don’t know the rules, des.”
Maybe because she was different from Steph who could read the situations
based on the actions of others, as she didn’t understand the point of the entire
affair, Izuna spoke somewhat in a confused manner.
“Ah~ we weren’t really going to play games in the first place… but how
about this, you can’t catch the ball, just touch it once and take turns pa.s.sing
the ball to each other, whoever can’t catch it will be considered the loser –
something like that.”
“…I understand, des…”
Steph smiled and looked at Izuna who nodded her head in agreement.
“This really gives off a relaxing sensation… isn’t it great to just play relaxing
games like this once in a while?”
- Just like that, Steph still had a cheery expression on her face, but she still
hadn’t realized.
Sora, s.h.i.+ro and Izuna’s gazes, had become as sharp as knives.
Since the rules had already been set and elaborated upon, this – is now a
「Game」.
Which means –
(-I must win-!)
Just like that, aside from Steph who was still as relaxed as ever, the three of
them – released a burning fighting spirit…
“…Then…s.h.i.+ro willstart…”
s.h.i.+ro spoke while asking for the ball back, silently exchanging a glance with
Sora.
- s.h.i.+ro who took the ball back, nonchalantly dipped it in the seawater.
“…Here…Steph, catch…”
Just like that, the paper-made beach ball with only its bottom drenched in
water flew towards Steph without twirling in the air even the slightest.
It had even accurately – grasped the instant where there was no wind.
“OK, I’m going to pa.s.s~?”
It was a wordless exchange ofschemes, but Steph pa.s.sed the ball just the
same without realizing.
s.h.i.+ro had messed with the ball – if Steph were to pa.s.s the ball directly, the
ball would slightly veer from the point she were to aim at.
As a result, the ball pa.s.sed by Steph to Izuna spun slightly in the air.
- Because only the underside of the ball had absorbed the weight of the
water, the path of the ball would s.h.i.+ft irregularly.
“-!”
Izuna instantly spotted the slight s.h.i.+ft of the ball.
She kicked the floor, creating a smallspray ofseawater, caught up to the ball
and saved it.
It was a normalsave, lightly caught by Izuna’s arm.
But, Izuna’s pet.i.te body had released the overwhelming strength of a
Warbeast when saving the ball.
- Because of that, the ballflew at an abnormalspeed, approaching closer to
Sora.
However Sora remained calm, and grumbled to himself.
(So she really won’t let us win so easily!)
Izuna’s save became as if it was a deadly smash from a professional volleyball
player, and when faced with the approaching ball, Sora intentionally dove into
the sea, creating a pillar of water.
The ball went through the pillar of water – and continued to move forward,
but when it reached Sora’s position, it had nowhere near the originalspeed.
Sora barely managed to use his foot to putt the ball towards s.h.i.+ro.
- That was an extremely heavy ball that was completely absorbed with water.
“…Mm! Steph… keep it up…”
s.h.i.+ro pa.s.sed the soaking ball that had become heavy in an instant to Steph
with some effort.
“Eh? Ah, eh!?”
Yes – she had impeccably accurately pa.s.sed the ball over to a position where
Steph could just catch it.
Judging from the angle of incidence and the turning angle, even if Steph could
catch it –
“Ah, I’m sorry Izuna –“
Even ifshe could catch it, it would only fly to a position a fair distance from
Izuna.
- Can’t catch it.
The ballflew towards a direction where it would be impossible to catch, but –
- Upon seeing Sora and s.h.i.+ro whose mouths were curled up in victory and
were muttering 「We win」under their breaths, Izuna clenched her teeth.
“…Don’t look down on this little girl – des!!”
She kicked the floor and stepped forward – creating a pus.h.i.+ng force.
The water originally swirling around her feet explosively spread out, revealing
the surface below it.
Izuna boosted forward as though intending to rival the force she had just
created.
Chasing the ball that was almost hovering over the ocean surface, Izuna
maintained her speed and stretched out her arms.
The ripples created by waving her arms about were strong enough to create
waves – but –
With a boom…
The surrounding water evaporated into mist, and as he saw the ball in Izuna’s
hands explode, Sora yelled loudly:
“OK, Izuna has lost!”
“-? …! Y, you cheated, des! You’re despicable, des!”
Only realizing what had happened a beat slower than the others, Izuna
protested in dissatisfaction.
s.h.i.+ro replied only after exchanging a high-five with Sora.
“…The person unable to catch the ball will be considered the loser… as long
as Izuna-tan were to use her fullstrength… she would lose.”
That’s right, if Izuna as a Werebeast were to hit the ball that had become
heavy due to the absorbed water with her fullstrength, the ball would burst as
it wouldn’t be able to take the impact, thus it cannot be pa.s.sed to the next
person –
Despite understanding that this was what Sora and others had planned since
the very beginning, Izuna continued to protest.
- If the ball hadn’t burst when it did, what would’ve happened?
Under the noise of the violent waves and ripples that Izuna had created from
stepping and waving her arms about… Steph asked as though complaining:
“…You guys… don’t you ever think of just having fun normally?”
“Eh? Since it’s a game, then of course not.”
“…Not…at all…”
“Since it’s a game, isn’t it normal to strive for victory with one’s goals, des?”
Hearing the unhesitant, somewhat childish replies from the three, Steph could
only allow herself to be swept away with the waves…
Miko who was watching them from a distance spoke reverently:
“Oh… they managed to beat Izuna in sports, that’s really something… even
though they weren’t planning on using legitimate ways, but it’s really some-!?”
- Her sentence was interrupted.
Feeling a presence behind her, Miko immediately s.h.i.+fted her hands to her
b.r.e.a.s.t.s!
But even with the superhuman reflexes of a Werebeast, she was still a few
milliseconds too slow.
With her swimsuit suddenly stripped away, she could barely s.h.i.+eld her
b.r.e.a.s.t.s, but Miko managed to glare sharply at the 「Culprit」.
“-What is the meaning of this? The vermin over there?”
Jibril who was facing the brunt of her gaze feigned ignorance instead.
She was fiddling with the swimsuit she had stripped from Miko.
“According to Master’s literature, to 「Expose one’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s」 at a place like
this would be fate ☆”
“Oh~ really… so you must adhere to the same fate as well then?”
Miko s.h.i.+elded her chest, but – she slightly lowered her center of gravity.
Miko had unquestionably taken on a 「Battle Stance」, while Jibril chuckled in
response.
“Fine, no problem, but if you think a dog that can merely crawl on the floor
can take away something from me – then I advise you to quickly change your
mind-set?”
“Huh? It appears you’re in the wrong here, I clearly don’t merely crawl on
the floor you know?”
She had a smile on her face.
While their killing intents impossible to detect with the naked eye clashed and
produced sparks –
-…
“Ah, s.h.i.+ro you can’t swim?”
“…Eh? Steph… you can swim?”
She had initially thought that s.h.i.+ro was omnipotent, but the shock stemming
from that an astounding truth like that existed, caused Steph to question her.
But instead s.h.i.+ro was shocked by the fact that Steph could swim –
“…Amazing, des.”
“Indeed Stephanie-san is truly worthy of her name, you’re capable of not only
politics, cooking, sewing… but even proficient at swimming, however I have
a simple question – for a land-dwelling animal, is there a need to swim in the
water!?”
“Old man, you’ve spoken the best sentence of the century! A land-dwelling
animalshould remain on land!!”
- The group that couldn’t swim replied as one.
Steph smiled bitterly and grasped s.h.i.+ro’s hand.
“I really don’t know how to deal with you, it’s more fun to know how to
swim, here, I’ll teach you.”
“…Oh…”
“Here, I’ll hold on to your hand, just start from kicking the water with your
feet.”
Steph comforted the uninterested s.h.i.+ro and began teaching from the basics.
Steph took hold of s.h.i.+ro’s hand.
But –
“Uwaaaahhhh!”
“Aaaaahhhhh!”
A sudden huge wave reeled in, sweeping everyone onto the beach in an
instant.
“…Poof…aahhh…Nii…”
“Waaaaas.h.i.+ROaaaaaa!”
Seeing s.h.i.+ro who was about to be swept away by the waves, Sora dashed
up to grab her.
s.h.i.+ro gasped for air while grabbing onto her brother, and mumbled:
“…Nii…s.h.i.+ro wants to learn… to swim!”
Maybe because the seawater got into her eyes, s.h.i.+ro spoke determinedly
with tears streaking down her cheeks.
But Sora yelled towards 「The ones that created the wave」instead:
“You two over there! Can you at least respect – or at least obey the laws of
physics… can you?”
His emotional voice gradually got weaker after seeing the scene that lay
before him.
What was before him was –
On the distant sea were two battling – monsters.
“Hah, despite being so arrogant, you’re only at this standard, right, huh?”
Jibril mocked while flying across the water surface.
Right below her, Miko who had jumped out below from below the water
surface turned completely red in an instant, and stretched out her hand to grab
her.
- Miko even used 「Blood Devastation」, but Jibrilstill managed to dodge that
outstretched hand by a few millimeters.
But Miko directly – ran on the surface of the water – while s.h.i.+elding her
b.r.e.a.s.t.s with both hands.
Miko’s clothes that she had worn on her swimsuit, and even her hanten
appeared to have been s.n.a.t.c.hed away, so she released a murderous aura
unreservedly, chasing after Jibril in an attempt to get her swimsuit back.
“Heheh ☆ Say your prayers, I’m gonna skin you alive ☆”
So this is Miko, the representative of the Werebeasts - 「The strongest
Werebeast」?
She ran on the surface of the water – and occasionally despite only for an
instant, even soared in the air.
Every time she dove into the sea, Miko who basked in the water and wind,
had her body change from red to golden –
“…Miko-sama does live up to her name… how powerful, des.”
- Upon seeing the events unfolding before her, even Izuna couldn’t believe her
eyes, it was unquestionably a situation with no room for others to b.u.t.t in.
Sora decided to give up, and instead turned around, ignoring them.
“Mm… what a beautifulsight.”
Sora spotted Ino as he turned around, and followed his line ofsight.
What he saw was a group of people swept to the sh.o.r.e – not only Steph and
Izuna.
The waves had appeared to strike the sh.o.r.e as well, dragging Miko’s
followers into the chaos as well, all of them were completely drenched –
Their subtly transparent swimsuits, created an indescribable scene.
“Oh… I see, it’s still unforgivable on their part to almost let s.h.i.+ro drown, but
this is pretty stunning as well.”
Sora carried s.h.i.+ro back onto the sh.o.r.e.
“Ah, this really is a treat for our eyes, Sora-san.”
“Yeah, it would be perfect without you.”
Trying his best not to let him enter his field of vision, Sora complained to the
muscular old man wearing only a loincloth.
Watching the group of noisy people being swept away by the waves, Steph
smiled cheerfully.
“Hah… I’ve been so busy with work recently…”
The dazzling sunlight and the white beach.
Steph returned to the waterside, and kicked the water surface lightly.
The waves created by her feet, and the wind blowing in from the sea, seemed
to drive away the fatigue from her daily routine –
“…I guess I need a rest once in a while.”
Steph spoke pa.s.sionately.
Smelling the salt of the sea breeze, Steph suddenly thought to herself when
was the last time she had got the chance to relax like this?
Since Sora’s bunch came along – no, since her grandfather pa.s.sed away.
It felt like she hadn’t relaxed in a few years – Steph breathed deeply.
“Isn’t it great to be able to come here…?”
Steph spoke, seemingly seeking approvalfrom no-one.
- Beepbeepbeep.
“OK~! Cut~~ pack up! Thanks for everyone’s hard work!!”
Sora yelled with both his eyes half open.
…One after the other… everyone dragged themselves from the sea back to
the sh.o.r.e with the spirit and energy of half-dead bodies.
“…Ugh…my hair’s sandy…sand everywhere…”
“Phew… I apologize, Master, I really can’t enjoy the ocean… when the sea
breeze gets into my wings it makes me feel inexplicably unhappy.”
“My tail’s so heavy after absorbing all the water, des… how troublesome,
des.”
“Phew~ this feels terrible, who exactly thought of thala.s.sotherapy
[12]
, it’s just
plain ridiculous.”
“My sincerest apologies, Miko-sama, for troubling you to play along with
Sora-san’s tricks.”
Everyone’s moods seemed to have taken an about turn for the worse, just
like a group of actors after finis.h.i.+ng a performance –
“…Eh? Eh?”
Steph was the only one that couldn’t keep up with the situation and was left in
the middle of the sea alone, watching everyone else return to sh.o.r.e.
“-Hmm? What are you doing? Steph, the filming’s done, you can come back
to the sh.o.r.e now.”
Sora spoke while closing the recording applications of the smartphone and
tablet computers set up at the trees along the sh.o.r.e.
“…Eh? Huh? What’s going on?”
“-Hmm? Sigh, Steph don’t tell me you were actually having fun earlier?”
After moving into the shade, everyone had shocked expressions on their faces
while ma.s.saging their bodies.
“…Ah, sorry, about that, Steph… actually.”
Maybe because he didn’t think that she wouldn’t notice at all, Sora spoke
somewhat awkwardly:
“…Among everyone here…none of us like the ocean at all…”
- 「…Mm…」
Everyone agreed while nodding vigorously.
Amongst them Miko looked particularly disturbed.
She spoke while grooming her golden fur:
“Although I was trying to play along with the 「Common practices」 that Sora
was talking about… I still don’t really understand… there’s a ton ofsand on
my tail… how am I going to get this off?”
“s.h.i.+ro-san – now!”
Jibril’s eyes lit up all of a sudden, and she quickly pa.s.sed something to s.h.i.+ro.
- At the same time, s.h.i.+ro’s eyes lit up as well and gave Jibril a thumbs-up,
saying “Good job.”
“…Miko-san…I suggest that you use…this brush and…hair conditioner.”
“R, really? Thank you very much.”
“…Fondle…phew…”
Ingeniously finding an excuse to achieve her goal, s.h.i.+ro let out a conniving
laugh, and buried her head in Miko’s golden tail.
And Sora was holding the exact same thing that had mysteriously appeared in
his hands.
“Ya~hoo~! Then I’ll help Izuna as well –“
“I’ll help Izuna groom her fur, here, Izuna come over here.”
Ino blocked his path instead.
Their eyes met – and both men glared at each other.
“…Old man, how about you go clean your own tail?”
“If Sora-san were to groom her fur Izuna would be contaminated by your
malicious air, how about Sora-san you take care of your frail body instead!?”
Izuna ignored their quarrel, and unhesitatingly walked forward –
And sat down in front of Ino.
“Hurry up, des.”
“…”
“..Old man, being able to incur the killing intent of others without speaking, is
that sort of expression a special ability of the Werebeasts as well?”
Looking at Ino’s expression that was so cheerful he could almost hear cries of
pleasure coming from him, Sora’s veins began to pulsate violently on his
forehead.
…With a whis.h.i.+ng sound, the waves brushed against Steph’s feet.
- It seemed that everyone had forgotten about Steph’s existence
completely…
Part 3
- The sun was about to sink below sea level.
“…Heheh, the sunset is so beautiful… heheheh…”
Sitting on the beach while hugging her knees, as though she had escaped into
a world of her own, what was on Steph’s face was… a smile.
- Suddenly Sora shouted.
“- I’m bored.”
Hearing that, everyone turned to look at Sora.
“Ugh, how despicable to run away after you’ve won, des.”
All this time untilsunset, Sora and Izuna were playing with the DSP, Shogi,
tic-tac-toe and other games in the shade of the trees, all these activities that
would make one question why they’d bother to come to the sea in the first
place, and upon hearing Sora’s exclamation, Izuna protested, refusing to give
in.
“Ah, it’s not that, it’s not because I’m bored of playing games with Izuna.”
Sora stood up while speaking and shouted at the wooden box:
“Hey, Plum, shouldn’t the Reception Boat be here by now?”
“”Ah!””
- It appears that everyone had forgotten their original purpose, and cried out
in surprise involuntarily.
Plum stuck her head out from under the box.
Maybe because she was using magic continuously for a period of time,
Plum’s exhausted expression once again reminded everyone of her expression
when they first met. She replied:
“Um, I, didn’t I say that they’d only be here about midnight…”
“The battery power of my handhelds and my tablet computer is running out,
and I’m getting bored.”
“That’s why I said we came too early…”
The still-exhausted Plum complained dissatisfiedly.
While Sora behaved like a kid throwing a tantrum.
“No, I’m bored, I want to go now, either that or I’m going back.”
“Why’re you saying something childish like that…”
Plum appeared defeated, while Sora ignored her and exchanged a glance with
Miko and s.h.i.+ro.
Ever since they reached the sh.o.r.e, Miko was being stroked by s.h.i.+ro in the
shade of the trees, and s.h.i.+ro was stroking Miko all this time as well.
- They nodded slightly, and spoke at once.
“Exactly… it is pretty boring here.”
“…Mm…s.h.i.+ro is…tired…”
“Eh… why’re even you two saying such capricious things…”
Plum appeared heartbroken, while Sora opened his mouth to speak.
“Jibril.”
“Here.”
At his call, Jibril immediately appeared from thin air.
“Have you got the position?”
“Yes, the position calculated by the Masters should be correct.”
- Calculated?
Plum appeared confused, while Sora took out his tablet PC.
On the map detailing the perimeter of the Eastern Federation, the records of
their trading with Oceande had been recorded as well, and thus he had
deduced the rough position of the 「City」.
Pointing to the direction indicated by its position – Sora looked towards the
horizon and said:
“OK, that’s enough – do it.”
“- I obey?!”
Hearing Sora’s words, Jibril was unable to hide the jubilant expression on her
face while kneeling on the floor to accept his order.
“Eh? W, what are you doing…?”
Plum asked uneasily, but Ino was about to ask the same question.
Ino’s 「Instinct」as a Werebeast warned him ofsomething.
To elaborate, it seemed that the situation needed to be stopped.
Whatever these people were about to do – it definitely wouldn’t be something
good.
So Ino glanced sideways at Miko.
He let out a breath of relief only after seeing Miko nod her head slightly to
indicate 「It’s allright」.
But as he saw Miko smile as though to say 「Be careful though」, Ino’s face
paled.
Sora lifted up s.h.i.+ro, and spoke a single sentence.
“We’ll go off ourselves, everyone back off.”
After which, Sora and others left the waterside, which was when Jibril asked:
“- Master, is it really OK to be doing this?”
She appeared impatient – but she still made the final confirmations excitedly.
“It’s fine, besides won’t the power of the 「Ten Oaths」 come into effect?”
「The First」 of the Ten Oaths.
- All bloodshed, war and pillage is forbidden throughout the world.
“Any actions with harming intent, and any actions seen as involving violence,
will be canceled due to the limitations of the oaths – conversely speaking,
actions not involving harming intent won’t be cancelled. Which means the
「Only G.o.d (Tet)」has guaranteed that when we do it, that action won‘t be
considered as violating the rights of anyone, so –“
Sora revealed a daring smile, and gave a thumbs-up.
“Make it as large as you can.”
Hearing his response, Jibril as though receiving a sacred order ceremoniously
bowed, but her facial expression contrasted with her actions as she smiled in
relief. Jibrilstood up.
“Hahah, hahahahah~ I don’t know how many years it’s been since I’ve last
used this, hehehe~ I’m looking forward to this~…”
Jibril had an intoxicated expression on her face, and mumbled to herselfso.
At this time her surroundings –
- Suddenly distorted.
Apparently the light – no, as though s.p.a.ce itself had twisted, everything
became distorted with their shapes changing.
- 「The Ten Oaths」.
The usage of violence in this world – any actions intending to cause harm will
be prevented by the power of the oaths.
Regarding this, Ino understood perfectly, but when personally faced with
those events, gooseb.u.mps still appeared on his skin.
“OK, everyone get back!”
Miko ordered calmly but sharply.
This sentence, made all present Werebeasts, as though their bodies and free
will had separated from themselves, reflexively leap backward.
“…Eh? What’s happening?”
Due to Miko’s loud yell, Steph finally snapped back to reality.
[13]
- Suddenly, she realized she was the only one that was particularly close to
the ocean.
Crash – a sound outside of the audible range caused the area to tremor.
The sand on the beach even ignored gravity and began dancing about, while
s.p.a.ce continued to distort.
The s.p.a.ce that was slowly distorting and changing shape began to gather at
Jibril’s hands.
Plum was the only other one there who could see magic – the only other one
that could see Spirits.
But as she looked at what Jibril was doing, she still appeared completely
confused.
Judging from Sora’s explanation earlier… it wasn’t surprising.
What Jibril was doing was – 「Absorbing all Spirits in the area」.
When the Spirits that are supposed to be in a place are removed, then one
naturally wouldn’t be able to see anything, just like a black hole.
And – in Jibril’s hands, the absorbed Spirits were being compressed,
squeezed, condensed, minimized, concentrated, and finally let out a glow of
light.
Even though Imanity that can’t see spirits, Sora and s.h.i.+ro were able to see
clearly what was going on.
In Jibril’s right hand, a swirling vortex-like pillar of light gradually began to
form.
Regarding things related to magic or Spirits, Sora and s.h.i.+ro could neither
comprehend nor detect them, but –
The halo on Jibril’s head had become a ball of light from spinning way too
fast.
Which could only mean one thing.
“…Hey, eh? You’re joking! Eh? Eh~~!?”
Plum who had finally realized what was going on, hurriedly tried to seek
shelter, yet yelled instead as she was unable to free herself from the box.
Yes, this scene could only mean one thing.
And that is Jibril was preparing to cast a spell that was, at least by Sora and
s.h.i.+ro’s standards, never-before-seen, at a completely inhuman and irregular
dimension.
As the shape was not fixed at all, 「It」 could neither be cla.s.sified as a sword
or a spear.
But Jibril was grasping tightly onto it with her right hand.
And she – slowly raised it – revealing a sweet smile.
“So then Master…”
“I will use - 「A B O U T F I V E P E R C E N T」 of my full power then?”
Jibril’s right hand descended with a speed as though to leave her previous
sentence in the dust.
That was all Sora and others could witness.
It was like hearing thunder only slightly after lightning strikes.
After a few seconds, along with an exploding sound loud enough to quake the
earth, a huge wave swept up tall enough to reach the heavens –
It was almost as if jokingly - 「The sea parted」.
And then –
“Kyaaaaaaaaaahhhh!”
“Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!”
The aftershock from the impact, swept Steph and Plum still in the box over to
Sora and others.
- This is what they saw after that.
“Phew…? It’s such a great feeling to be able to use my powers.”
As though greatly relaxed, Jibril had an invincible, cheerfulsmile on her face.
“I hope the time will come – where I get to use 100% full power?”
Hearing that, even Sora and s.h.i.+ro released a cold sweat.
Only 5% was enough to part the ocean, shaming even Moses… they
suddenly recalled –
Jibril had previously unleashed fullforce upon the Elves, which means a 100%
「Airstrike」.
They hadn’t completely blocked it, but they did manage to deflect it partially
–
“…The Elves…Fii’s bunch really is amazing.”
“…Nod.”
The both of them couldn’t resist commenting – while s.h.i.+ro nodded in respect
for her who wasn’t present at the time.
As for their inner thoughts, Jibril of course knew nothing.
“Anyway we can now 「See」 the capital of the Seirens, so I can teleport you
anytime.”
…The five senses of the Werebeasts were at their physical peaks.
Certainly not to say Ino, Izuna and even Miko could only see the horizon.
Maybe because the previous strike had bent the light, for Jibril that had said
she could 「See」 it earlier, everyone remained speechless.
- Sora looked at everyone who had backed away earlier.
“OK, everyone, let’s go, grab onto Jibril.”
Miko and the Werebeasts appeared defeated, and returned to the beach in
trepidation.
“I had known this since earlier… but to see it myself, it’s just like a bad
joke.”
“…Ugh… the best course of action would be not to get involved with the
Flügel at all…”
Plum climbed out from the broken wooden box, and spoke after Miko,
luckily, the sun had already set.
Ino then yelled in panic:
“Sora-san! Please don’t let Miko-sama hear 「That noise」!”
Ino called out, apparently afraid of the sound ofs.p.a.ce distorting created by
long-distance teleportation.
“Ah, he’s right, Jibril.”
“Yes, I understand, so – everyone please grab tightly… ah, hey, Dora-chan
stop sleeping already, get up.”
“…Eh? Huh? What happened – w, what is this!? The sea parted!?”
Steph yelled alone, while everyone else ignored her reaction and gathered
around Jibril.
“So we’ll teleport now, off to the capital of the Seirens – Oceande.”
Jibril’s wings began glowing again, and her halo spun faster and faster.
“The distance is three hundred and seventy-eight point twenty-three
kilometers, but the parted ocean waters are about to return to normal.”
As though in response to her words, the seawater rumbled and began to
return to their original position.
“So, I predict that Oceande won’t have any air.”
“Ah, I, it’s fine, I have a spellfor breathing underwater –“
It was unclear whether they didn’t hear Plum, or whether they were simply
ignoring her –
“So – I’m going to teleport the air in a radius of two hundred meters along
with us then?”
“-Eh?”
“Get back!”
Miko’s voice rang out once again.
Hearing this, aside from Ino and Izuna – even the Werebeasts that were with
them at the seaside previously hurriedly left as well.
- In an instant.
Leaving behind only the exploding noise at an extremely high frequency
created by s.p.a.ce shattering, the group disappeared.
“”Kyaaaaaahhhhhhhh!””
As the air that was removed refilled itself, an explosively low air pressure was
created.
A miniscule tornado began blowing, and the remaining Werebeast females
grabbed onto tree trunks in defense – while any who could witness that
scene… were gone.