“Asuka-chan, excellent! I just so happen to be looking for an assistant!”
Shizuka walked out the door and collected the sushi container. Hence, the pigtailed childhood friend revealed a distressed expression and replied apologetically.
“Ah... I’m sorry. Later today there is going to be a Christmas girls only gathering. I’m going to go karaoking with my single friends. Shizuka-chan, even though it is a long, arduous battle, you must persevere.”
“Eh——. Recently, onii-chan's level of uselessness has been increasing three times faster.”
Towards her older friend, Shizuka puffed out her cheeks in anger like she normally does.
“There’s no way I can single-handedly maintain the front lines. Absolutely no way.”
“However, aren't all the girls who are well acquainted with Godou gathered together? It seems very tiresome, so please allow me to decline——eh?”
Behind the stiffly smiling Asuka, a girl wearing an apron walked in.
“I’m sorry, I forgot my manners.”
The girl wearing the maid attire deeply bowed, took her shoes off at the doorway, and entered the Kusanagi household. She speedily walked into the kitchen.
Her silhouette and footsteps really gave off the impression of a capable person.
“T-The maid just now, who was she? E-Even today she wants to cosplay!?”
“That isn't cosplay. Don’t you know? That person is a maid within Godou’s ‘good friend’ Erica’s family.”
“There... There’s actually people like this gathering here? Goodness gracious, what the hell does that guy plan on doing!?”
Asuka suddenly became furious after being provoked by the arrival of the unexpected person.
“Shizuka-chan, I withdraw my previous statement. Once I’m pretty much through with karaoking I’ll come back here. Before then you must keep at it by yourself. You mustn't let that guy have his moment of glory!”
If Godou were to hear his childhood friend’s proclamation, he definitely would have said something along these lines.
I have absolutely no idea what kind of glory you’re talking about... Rather, every day is full of troubling and stressful issues...
On the other hand, within the busy party prep kitchen of the Kusanagi household.
“No... I guess Japan is better after all. Living here even cleanses the soul.”
The person who sighed was Lu Yinghua who just made his return yesterday.
He was sitting at the kitchen table with the responsibility of peeling the skins of the vegetables. Incidentally, he didn't use the easy to use peeler, opting to use a kitchen knife instead.
“I don’t care what happens, it’s great to be far away from master. I would never be able to experience this kind of liberating feeling in mainland China. Even in Hong Kong there would be guys in connection with master.”
He spoke while peeling non-stop.
Furthermore, he was not only fast but accurate as well. His vegetable peeling surpassed the speed and precision of any machine. He didn't even cut one millimeter into the body of the carrots and potatoes.
There were three girls looking on in awe of his prowess.
These were the girls who cooked today’s dishes in the kitchen, Liliana, Yuri, and Ena.
“Lu Yinghua... Your cooking abilities are rather superb aren't they?”
“Almost like a professional... No, I think even specialists who are this skilled are quite rare.”
“And while clearly using a hard to peel tool...”
Lu Yinghua was just cutting up the ingredients.
However, his techniques and posture gave off the air of a chef. With that being the case, his cooking must be pretty good as well.
“I wonder how it will turn out. Although I’m confident it won’t taste bad, but whether or not it tastes delicious is quite unclear...”
Lu Yinghua replied nonchalantly.
As he gazed at the blade of the knife, his eyes were filled with somber after recalling a person from his dark past. During this time his hands never stopped moving.
"The responsibility of cooking falls onto me during master’s imprisonment. If I cook anything that isn't to her liking, there will be torture awaiting me. By all means I want to avoid that kind of effort with my life on the line. As for food, clearly that bag of instant food products sold by peddlers should already be more than enough!”
“Wow... If it’s like that, then his cooking should be even better than Yuri’s right?”
“Even though this is simply just going by word, it definitely wouldn't be wrong to assume that is the case...”
“It’s because he was cooking for someone supreme every day. This is probably just a different form of training. If we were to compare our skills, to him this wouldn't even be a contest...”
Just when the girls directed their gaze of admiration and sympathy to the youngster.
“Hi everyone, cheers for all your hard work.”
Arianna Hayama Arialdi entered the kitchen.
She cheerfully made her greeting and placed the plastic box she brought onto the table.
“Well Anna-san, I heard starting today you’re on vacation right?”
Yuri smiled as she welcomed the well-acquainted maid and helper of Erica.
“Yes, since I was allowed a break from now till New Years I scheduled a visit with my grandparents in Nagasaki. I wanted to send you guys some gifts of appreciation before heading out.”
Arianna’s parents were Japanese.
This maid, with no negatives other than her stew making and driving capabilities, happily pointed to the plastic box on the table.
“Inside is some barbecued pork that I stewed for three days and three nights. Even though it’s my first time trying to make something like this, it wasn't too hard to do. Please be sure to give it a taste!”
The three of them already had experienced Arianna’s pot-stewed dishes before.
At this time, Yuri, Liliana, and Ena all involuntarily paused since they didn't know what to say. On the other hand, not knowing the dangerous nature of the situation, Lu Yinghua went “hmm”, and returned back to his work with an uninterested gaze.
Afterwards, the sun began to set as Christmas evening soon approached.
Godou, who had been holding on to the cake, and Hikari arrived at home. Lastly, the blonde beauty also showed up. She seemed to have dropped by for a bit at various other gatherings before coming here.
“Although this speech should be made before the start of a party when one receives their guests, I’ll just make it brief to prevent it from being boring or strange. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves tonight.”
Even though she was the last to arrive, she still pulled the stunt of a lead actor.
Following this habitually magnificent display of technique that was Erica’s statement, was the commencement of this small-scale party.
Well, that wasn't really a big deal. It’s just a gathering among close friends to have a drink, eat, and chat.
However, to Godou, these were people who he hadn't known for more than ten months.
Hence, he couldn't help but somewhat let out a sigh upon seeing the people gathered at his house.
Erica, Yuri, Liliana, Ena, Lu Yinghua, Hikari.
And there was Shizuka, Sakura, Fuyuhime. From the looks of it, Asuka might come over a bit later as well.
Even Kaoru made a sudden appearance at the party. It was rumored that she could stay for around two hours or so.
“This year surely was exhausting. Ah, Godou-san, perhaps next year we should go on that vacation I mentioned before. If the two of us form a pair, I believe we’ll have lots of fun during our travels!”
Before he knew it, she once again referred back to the previously mentioned matter of vacationing just to go hit on girls.
Plus, she even invited Amakasu but he declined by saying ‘I have work to do’.
However, just a while ago when Kaoru arrived she said ‘this is from Amakasu-san’.
It was a basket filled with fried chicken. Originally he thought it was bought from a store, but it was actually made with his own two hands.
As the party progressed, the drinks were pretty much finished.
As expected of Erica, she brought a couple bottles of wine. Ena too had calmly come over with a liter bottle of indigenous liquor that was to be consumed at the dinner party etc. If things were to continue like this, then all these drinks that Godou had previously banned before the start of the party would have to be allowed.
Because of this, Godou left the house to buy some beverages.
Christmas Eve.
Godou left by himself and headed towards the nearby convenience store.
He inadvertently gazed into the sky. Because it was winter, the stars twinkling in the sky appeared to be more vivid and beautiful than any other season. Just when he noticed the three stars of Orion.
The cellphone placed within the bag started to sound. Looking at the display screen, it was Liliana who made the call.
“Everything ok?”
‘You’re going shopping by yourself? Was there nothing to drink?’
She suddenly responded as such.
Because everyone was currently vivaciously partying, he decided to silently leave the house without saying anything.
Godou confidently looked back. As if it was to be expected, Liliana was currently walking in his direction. Furthermore, even Erica, Yuri, and Ena came along.
“On a hard earned day of celebration, you shouldn't be stealthily coming out here by yourself right?”
“Moreover, there is going to be a lot of things to carry so I’m here to help.”
“That’s right. You should have some people help you even for something like this.”
Seeing four of his friends catching up, Godou couldn't help but smile.
Even though it was unimportant, it was still something that made him happy.
This reconfirmed his feelings of joy from the recent battle at Kasai. He had friends by his side who were troublesome at times, but they also care for Kusanagi Godou.
He felt that there wasn't anything else in any aspect that he looked forward to that held greater value than this.
Godou walked with everybody as he took another look at the sky.
It was indistinguishable from the starry night from his previous viewing.
However, for some reason he felt that the night sky was even more lustrous than before.
Epilogue
Godou was aware this was occurring within a dream.
After spending a lively Christmas Eve with his friends, he was supposed to be sleeping soundly on his bed. But instead, Kusanagi Godou's consciousness was currently wandering on a wide plain who knows where.
Looking up at the sky, he saw a waxing crescent moon.
Other than that, this was a desolate land without anything of note.
Neither creatures nor buildings were present. If anything, the scene amounted to a sea of tall silver grass growing haphazardly where one could vaguely sense a mysterious atmosphere of incoming autumn.
Godou's attention was drawn to the sounds of a stringed instrument reverberating across the desolate plain.
The tone color did not resemble that of the Japanese zither known as the kin. Undoubtedly, this wondrous melody was filled with exotic foreign flavor. Regardless where the tune was first composed, it must have originated somewhere far to the west of Japan.
Otherwise aimless in the dream, Godou could not help but begin to wander across the wilderness in search of the musical performer.
Less than half a month had passed since he last listened to Luo Cuilian's yueqin performance in a corner of Mount Lu. Perhaps because of that, Godou was certain that the person playing the melody was definitely not his sworn elder sister.
Perhaps the performer was someone whose heart was burdened with inextinguishable sadness and regret?
Such an image surfaced from a corner of his mind. The delicate and persisting tune was infused with emotional pulsation, thereby causing Godou to feel uncharacteristically sentimental.
At this time, a voice reciting a poem could be heard extremely close by.
In yonder days, there was an evil dragon in the sea. The king immediately drew his bow and shot an arrow, wounding the dragon right in the chest—
The instant this voice entered his ears, Godou could not help but tremble.
The feeling was as though he was hearing a song in praise of an enemy for whom he was destined for an inevitable encounter. A song that filled him with a sense of hostile, oppositional and competitive spirit.
In any case, Godou quickened his pace and approached the owner of the voice.
Pushing the tall silver grass apart, Godou was finally able to see the singer playing the instrument.
"It's you!"
Godou was struck with surprise, for the person on the opposite end of his sights was someone he had seen before.
Sitting upright and dignified amidst the vast wilderness of the plain, gently caressing a trapezoid zither on her lap was a princess dressed in a magnificent Juunihitoe kimono with long, gorgeous, flaxen-colored hair and eyes as clear as crystal glass.
The Princess of Glass whom Godou had encountered multiple times in the Netherworld.
Noticing Godou's arrival, the princess stopped plucking the instrument in her hand and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her lips.
"I have been waiting for quite some time, Rakshasa Monarch. As for the impertinent act of appearing in Your Highness' dream without prior consent, I do humbly beg forgiveness."
"That's completely not an issue. But why are you in my dream!?"
Faced with Godou's confusion, the Princess of Glass gradually brightened her smile.
"In actual fact, I received a request from your adoptive mother, the goddess who urged me to deliver this message to you no matter what and bestowed upon me in the Netherworld the technique of dream encounters."
"Adoptive mother—in that case, it must be Pandora?"
The one who proudly declared herself his adoptive mother with excessive frivolity. As might be expected within a dream, Godou swiftly recalled memories from the Netherworld.
The Princess of Glass politely confirmed Godou's question with an answer of "Indeed."
"Come to think of it, I cannot see her easily unless I use that [Ram] something or other. But anyway, why did she ask you to deliver her message? Are you very close with Pandora or is there some other reason?"
"My former self and that goddess' ancestor... If you trace back to their very roots, one could consider them as sharing the same homeland. That is the nature of our relationship."
The princess brushed the issue aside with a vague answer. Godou did not pursue the matter any further.
After all, it was probably a long story. Instead, Godou chose to cut straight to the chase.
"So, what is the message?"
"Yes, King Perseus, whom you recall, was recently slain in preparation for when the 'King's Arrowhead' shall enter the battlefield. Please be extra careful."
"Perseus slain!?"
"Indeed. The 'Arrowhead' is the divine child's blade which stands equal to the Divine Sword of Salvation. A blade that shall one day tear you apart and bring forth destruction to the land. For the sake of the soon impending day of battle, please bear this firmly in mind."
The princess bowed her head deeply. Godou expressed understanding.
Indeed, this should be a warning of the "King of the End," the strongest [Steel].
"Very well, I will try my best to remember this, to suddenly beware of a guy whom I've never even seen before. But then again, won't I forget everything in the end once I wake from the dream, just as always?"
Godou's question for confirmation caused the princess to suddenly smile and answer cheerfully.
"Please rest assured. Even if you were to forget the words, your ferocious soul shall never forget any precautions related to battle—Moreover, this applies even more t
o Kusanagi-sama's words compared to mine."
"So this is really a warning?"
"No, you are simply being informed of a premonition. However, perhaps something unexpected may happen?"
At some point in time, the Princess of Glass had started gazing gently at Godou.
Her word choice also shifted subtly, showing slightly more affection.
"The inevitable encounter with the arriving 'Arrowhead' will undoubtedly prove to be a threat. However, ill fate is not everything it entails. Although it is not a certain goddess' box, when all disasters are over, hope will surely appear."
"Hope huh."
Watching Godou's face as he muttered to himself, the princess nodded.
"Fufu, among all god-slayers in history, your attitude towards power is especially free and unfettered. Perhaps because of that, you might obtain power instead. I—once known in the past as... The Goddess' Daughter, pray for your victorious fortune in battle, Kusanagi-sama!"
The Princess of Glass smiled as she spoke these words.
Unfortunately, Godou did not catch her words clearly because his consciousness was rapidly getting hazy.
As he gradually woke up from the dream, surely early Christmas morning was arriving. After waking up, memories of this unexpected gift would surely vanish.
Be that as it may, Godou thanked from the bottom of his heart this modest gift delivered by these female acquaintances.
Translator's Notes and References
Paella: Spanish dish; the main ingredient is rice, often colored with saffron (or similar), and accompanied by assorted vegetables and either meat or seafood.
Marco Polo(September 15, 1254 – January 8, 1324) was an Italian merchant of Venice, a traveler, as well as an explorer. It was during China’s Yuan dynasty where he arrived in China via the Silk Road accompanied by his father and uncle. Once Marco Polo returned to Italy, he was captured for the first time during a naval battle between Venice and Genoa. In the prison, he orally recounted his traveling experience allowing Rustichello da Pisa to write《The Travels of Marco Polo》. However, whether or not he actually did go to China led to controversy. September 7, 1298, Marco Polo was sent to prison and cooperated with Rustichello da Pisa to create 《The Travels of Marco Polo》.
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