The sandwich still looked whole when it fell back into Shizuku’s hand, but the moment she sheathed her blade it fell apart into evenly cut squares.
Shizuku struck a pose, as if her swordsmanship would somehow impress the cat.
“Meow that’s what I call a cut.” Shizuku turned around—
“......”
“......”
And locked eyes with Princess Liliana. Liliana was staring at Shizuku with a dumbfounded expression on her face.
Shizuku’s smile froze in place. The princess didn’t say anything. Silence stretched on for a few minutes. The cat finished its meal and ran off somewhere.
After an ominous gust of wind, the princess finally broke the silence.
“Meow that’s what I call a cut?” She asked. To which Shizuku replied, loudly.
“M-Meoooooow!” She was still talking like a cat.
“Don’t look at me. Please, don’t look at me! In fact, just kill me right now.”
“C-Calm down... It’s not that big a deal. In fact, I thought you looked rather cute, Shizuku.”
Shizuku buried her face in her hands. Liliana squatted down next to her and tried to console her.
It took some time before Shizuku was willing to look her in the eye. Once Shizuku had finally calmed down, she glared at Liliana and asked her something.
“So, what were you doing here, Liliana? Did you have some business with me? I can’t think of any other reason you’d come to this practice ground.” Liliana grimaced.
“It’s true that I also had business with you, but... I didn’t see you with Kouki-san and the others.” It seemed she’d been worried that Shizuku wasn’t with her comrades. Shizuku smiled at Liliana.
“Thanks for worrying about me, Lily. But I’m fine, don’t worry.”
“Then why were you here alone...”
Because I wanted to be alone. Shizuku swallowed those words. Unfortunately for her, Liliana had grown up in the ruthless world of court politics, which meant she’d gotten very good at reading people.
“Shizuku, you always push yourself too hard. Perhaps it’s presumptuous of me to say this when I’m one of the people who’s making you fight for our cause, but...”
“I don’t think it is. We all know just how hard you’re working for our sakes, Lily. And I’m not pushing myself. It’s just that Kouki and the others can be a bit difficult at times. Sometimes I just need to get away from them for a while.”
Liliana knew that couldn’t be everything, but she also knew pressing any further would just make things harder for Shizuku. And so, she decided to go along with the change of topic.
“They can definitely be a handful sometimes.”
“Yeah. It’s not easy to get over the defeat we suffered in the labyrinth. It’s worse for Kouki because there’s what happened with Kaori, too.” Shizuku stared westward, thinking of her best friend.
“Are you lonely?” It didn’t show on Shizuku’s face, but Liliana guessed how she was feeling from the way she looked off into the distance.
“I’m not exactly lonely. Even if she’s not here, I’ll always be connected to Kaori. Yeah, I’m sure of that. Besides, I have a princess who’s worried about me right here, don’t I?” Shizuku smiled playfully, and Liliana blushed. She felt like those noble girls who thought of themselves as Shizuku’s little sisters.
“You really are like everyone’s big sister.” Shizuku pinched Liliana’s cheek. She wasn’t happy about everyone else calling her Onee-sama. Though most of the other girls considered a pinch from Shizuku a reward. Liliana could imagine how jealous the other noble ladies would be.
“So, what is it you needed me for?” Tired of talking about herself, Shizuku brought the topic back to why Liliana had come. Liliana blushed again and answered.
“I was wondering about the change in the demons, and about Nagumo-san.”
“I should have known. Have the king and the Holy Church come to a decision?”
Ever since the heroes’ return from the labyrinth, the country had been in an uproar. It was only natural. Their report had stated the demons could control an army of extremely powerful monsters. Strong enough that they’d defeated the hero party once already. If that was true, humanity was doomed.
Hajime was another reason everyone was in a panic. Supposedly he’d annihilated monsters that had driven the hero party’s strongest into a corner.
Also, reports had come in from Ur about Hajime destroying an entire monster army even before the battle in the labyrinth. Though, most people hadn’t really believed them. The events at Orcus had lent far more credence to those tales, however.
Everyone was interested in the boy who had once been labeled “worthless” now. His unbelievable strength, along with his unknown artifacts, likely held the key to saving humanity.
Yet he hadn’t returned to his old comrades. Instead, he had struck out on his own.
Neither the king nor the pope were happy about that. They’d been spending the past few days discussing how to deal with Hajime. However, they had yet to come to a conclusion.
Shizuku had hoped Liliana might have come with news about a verdict, but Liliana sighed uncharacteristically in response to Shizuku’s question.
“They still haven’t made a decision. All they’ve been talking about is how they need Kouki-san and the others to get stronger as fast as possible. I think they want to reexamine everyone’s jobs, too. They’re hoping if there was one student who could control monsters there might be more. They don’t understand the problem is mental and not physical. They think because you were chosen by Ehit for this mission that you should be happy to fulfill it. To them, the idea of killing demons isn’t a big deal.”
Like all other humans, Liliana was a devout follower of Ehit, so it surprised Shizuku that she would speak so irreverently of her god.
Sensing the unspoken question, Liliana smiled bitterly.
“I think it’s important to be able to separate your emotions and your beliefs when examining a problem objectively.” That was one thing the princess was good at, and a core part of her personality. Shizuku was amazed a girl as young as fourteen could be so mature.
“Also, I feel the priests weren’t this radical before... Perhaps it’s a sign of how cornered they feel. Regardless, you should be careful. The Holy Church may try something drastic soon. Kouki-san and the others are still feeling uneasy, so the pope will probably take the opportunity to push them in a dangerous direction. I thought I should warn you ahead of time.”
“That certainly makes sense. Okay, we’ll be careful. Thank you, Lily.”
Just being ready for something made a world of difference. Knowing it was coming when it came would let you ride it out, and keep your thoughts from getting muddled.
“What about Nagumo-kun?” Liliana hesitated for a moment. Shizuku suddenly had a very bad premonition. One that turned out to be true.
“They’re considering declaring him a heretic.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
They were thinking of making him a heretic. That would mean any human was allowed to legally kill him. He’d be branded an enemy of Ehit, which would mean he no longer possessed any rights. Worse, any humans would be forbidden from aiding him. The world would have effectively turned against him.
“It hasn’t been set in stone yet. They’re still just considering it at the moment. They can’t just brand him one because he refused to obey the Holy Church’s orders. It takes more than that. Still, rumors are going to spread. Even if it was something one of the bishops said in the heat of the moment, word will get out and people will talk. The mere fact that he was considered by the Holy Church as a potential heretic will ruin his reputation.”
“So you want us to stop those rumors before they get too far?”
“Yes. The fate of the human race was at stake, and one of the bishops became too heated and made a careless remark. That was the only reason Nagumo-san’s name was brought up at all. Please try and kee
p the story to just that. I suspect the official decision of what to do with Nagumo-san will come after Aiko-san returns and gives her report.”
Shizuku understood why Liliana was trying so hard to save Hajime’s reputation. She wanted to make sure Hajime had a place to return to. Not just for his sake, but for Kaori’s too. She didn’t want Kaori to suffer the pain of seeing her loved one become a hunted man.
“Thank you so much, Lily.” Shizuku spoke sincerely.
“Though it may have been Ehit’s decree, it’s still our fault you’re wrapped up in this. If I don’t do everything I can to help you, then how will I ever face Ehit in the afterlife? Besides... you and Kaori are my friends.” Liliana blushed and turned away. Shizuku hugged her and said some rather embarrassing words.
“Not just any friend... You’re one of my best friends!”
Liliana’s face grew even redder.
After getting all of the heavy stuff out of the way, Shizuku and Liliana began talking about more trivial matters. Liliana had to support a nation, while Shizuku had to support her troublemaking classmates. They both had no end of worries. Still, it was precisely due to those duties that they could talk so candidly with each other.
Those healing conversations came with a price, however. Namely, the dignity of all the people they talked to each other about.
For example, Liliana complained about how Lundel came to her crying every night because the love of his life, Kaori, had run off with Hajime.
On the other hand, Shizuku regaled Liliana with tales of the time when Lundel had run up to Kouki and accused him of being a coward for letting Hajime steal Kaori from him. The conversation had left Kouki writhing on the ground.
Liliana followed up by telling Shizuku how she’d left Lundel on the ground afterward by saying the exact same things to him. At some point, the conversation shifted to Hajime’s appearance.
Had Kouki or Lundel or Hajime been present for the conversation, they likely would have cried themselves to sleep that night.
Conversations between girls was something the men of the world were destined never to know about.
“Well, Shizuku. I should be heading back now. Please don’t overdo it.”
“Mhm, I know. I think I’ll go back to my room, too. Thanks for everything, Lily.”
The sun had long since set, and the stars were twinkling in the night sky when the two girls finally finished talking. They were both smiling, glad to have had an opportunity to let off some stress.
They walked back to the castle together, then parted ways at the corridor that forked in the direction of their rooms. Shizuku watched the closest friend she’d made since coming to this world vanish down the hallway. Feeling content, Shizuku turned the other direction and started walking back to her own room.
“Ah!?” For the briefest of moments, she felt a terrible chill fill the room.
She placed a hand on her sword and fell into her battle stance. She observed her surroundings for a few seconds, but she saw nothing in the dimly-lit corridor.
“Was it just my imagination?” She tried to use magic to sense for other beings, but discerned nothing.
I’m probably just nervous because of what Lily told me. Shizuku sighed and took her hand off her sword.
She once again began walking toward her room, her pace far faster than before.
It was as if something was pushing her onward.
Chapter II: The Sunken Ruins of Melusine
Blue as far as the eye could see.
The sun dazzled overhead in a cloudless sky. Yet it didn’t feel hot. In fact, the weather was positively pleasant. A gentle breeze blew past, keeping the temperature moderate.
However, there was not a single object in sight, making the scene a somewhat lonely one.
That was to be expected, though. After all, this was the middle of the ocean.
A single boat drifted gently through the waves. Though perhaps boat wasn’t the best term to describe it. At the very least, the people of this world wouldn’t have considered it one.
The not-boat was jet-black, narrow, and had no visible place from which to board. Two wings jutted out from its side in a V-formation, its rear had a propeller of some sort jutting out of it, and its rudder looked like a tail of sorts. Though, it wasn’t in the best of shape, since the entire thing looked like it’d been ravaged by a fierce storm. From a certain angle, it almost looked like a flattened whale.
The people of this world would likely think it was some kind of monster, not a boat.
In truth, it was the top half of a submarine. Specifically, the submarine that had saved Hajime, Shea, and Yue’s lives when the Grand Gruen Volcano had erupted. It had been damaged by its journey through the magma, and was barely holding together.
Hajime lay atop the submarine, admiring the scenery. He’d repaired his melted left arm using some of the material that made up the submarine. Right now, it looked as good as new. Though most of the features and abilities he’d packed into it didn’t work.
“Hajime, how do you feel?” He’d been about to nod off, but a voice from behind brought him back to wakefulness. Yue’s head popped into view. She was looking at him worriedly.
Hajime had taken quite a bit of damage from the white dragon’s aurora attacks, and the poison had slowed the healing of his wounds.
“Pretty good. My wounds have all closed up. They’ll probably be fully healed in another day or so... How about you, Yue? You were pretty exhausted after that fight, right?”
“Mmm... I’m fine. Shea let me drink some of her blood.” Yue climbed out of the hatch and crawled over to where Hajime was lying. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she started straddling him. Her plump butt fell directly over a very sensitive part of Hajime’s body.
“Yue, why are you climbing on top of me?”
“Because you’re there?” Yue copied a certain mountain climber’s quote and stared seriously down at Hajime. She didn’t have the same allure around her that she did when she was trying to seduce him.
“Don’t move...” she said as she bent down over his neck. Then, she ran her tongue down it before sinking her fangs inside, lapping up the drop of blood that welled out.
“Mmm, it looks like the poison’s mostly gone. You should be fine.”
It seemed Yue could tell the state of Hajime’s body by tasting his blood.
“I told you I was fine.”
“...Mmm. But I was still worried. I’m glad you’re finally able to rest, even if it’s in the middle of the ocean.”
“Yeah. To be honest, I never expected things to move so fast. I can’t decide if it was good luck or bad...” Hajime smiled wryly and Yue arched an eyebrow.
Neither of them could decide whether they should be grateful they made it out alive at all, or chalk up all the horrible events that led to them riding a magma torrent into the ocean to bad luck.
They had spent almost an entire day riding the underground magma channel after the eruption.
Hajime had spent a sleepless night worrying the current might be taking them to the planet’s mantle. Around that time, there’d been a change in their journey.
Their submarine had been hit by an impact far stronger than any before. So strong, in fact, that it had broken through the Diamond Skin defense of the submarine and damaged the hull directly. The force had sent the sub flying.
Hajime had hurried to make sure there weren’t any leaks anywhere. When he’d checked the outside of the sub, he’d been greeted by an unbelievable sight. They were no longer surrounded by magma on all sides, like he’d expected. Instead, they had found themselves at the bottom of an actual sea, with spiraling ribbons of magma swirling around them.
It seemed the underground channel had taken them to an underwater volcano. The impact they’d felt had been a phreatic eruption that had spit them out into the ocean.
The eruption had damaged the submarine pretty badly, but by a stroke of luck, the hull hadn’t been breached. Though Hajime
’s expert engineering probably had more to do with that than luck.
Hajime and the others had breathed a sigh of relief at finally reaching the surface, but their troubles had only just begun. With the propeller and the rudder both broken, they had been forced to manually move the submarine with mana. All the while, they’d been attacked by deep-sea monsters.
First they’d had to grapple with a giant squid. It had been thirty meters long and had over thirty tentacles. Hajime had dubbed it the Kraken.
The Kraken had continually assaulted the submarine as they’d tried to rise to the surface. They’d nearly been caught and eaten, but Hajime’s torpedoes and Yue’s magic had somehow managed to fend it off.
Next, they’d been hounded by a school of sharks that wrapped water around them like a tornado. After that had been a giant marlin with a revolving horn. Then, a giant turtle that spat mines out of its ass... The list was endless.
Eventually, Hajime’s weapon reserves ran dry and they were reliant entirely on Yue’s magic. Yue drained all of her magic accessories as well, and since Hajime was still weak from blood loss, she ended up drinking Shea’s blood to replenish her mana.
The strain from their earlier fight at the Grand Gruen Volcano had taken its toll as well, and they were barely able to fight off all the creatures that attacked them. Shea, who’d hated being powerless to help, had given so much of her blood to Yue that she’d fainted.
Once they’d made it into relatively safe waters, Hajime had sent Yue and Shea to rest as he guided the submarine back to the continent. It had been half a day since then. The weather was perfect and the sea was calm. Since there was no immediate danger, Hajime had decided to stop the sub and treat himself to a little sunbath. It was his first proper rest in quite a while, too.
It really had been one thing after another since they’d cleared the Grand Gruen Volcano. Any other party wouldn’t have been able to survive the journey. Hajime could understand why a certain anime character who punched people into living their lives correctly was always complaining about his misfortune.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 5 Page 12
