“Demi-humans aiding the invaders?”
The next day, we were informed as such by the people from Silt Welt.
The messenger was explaining in a terribly apologetic expression.
It appears that we have enemies other than the Three Heroes Church.
Hearing that, Eclair made a complicated face before speaking.
“Hadn’t you people increased the guards?”
“Hey uh, the demi-humans are supposed to be friendlies right? Why would they do this?”
“That is well... It would appear that some having connections with Schildfrieden do not like that the Hero of the Shield is being guided towards Silt Welt, and so there were scheming to prevent it”
“Certainly, it is true that Hero of the Shield is a treasured individual for all demi-humans. I was aware that his mere existence would trigger conflict but...”
“It’s like the whole world is out for my neck”
Father-in-law mutters and looks super down.
Now that he’s said it, it does sort of looks like that.
For Melromarc, he is a God of their opposing nations, and for Silt Welt and Schildfrieden, a spark for internal conflict.
Not something you can mark off as a good situation.
“Not to worry Father-in-law. Even if the world becomes your enemy, I, Motoyasu, shall annihilate everything that gets in your way”
“Eh? Ah, sure. But total annihilation is kinda bit...”
“Iwatani-dono, this is a serious diplomatic matter. I wish you wouldn’t take it so casually”[1]
(TN: So Eclaire says -dono. The previous translation seems to have made it Sir, but I won’t. Also, I won’t put anything like names in brackets either. Take it as a testament of me respecting your intelligence :^)
)
“Sakura’ll protect you, alright Naofumi?”[2]
(TN: Sakura speaks in the third person.
)
“Thank you, Eclaire-san, Sakura-chan”
Sakura-chan’s fantastic at cheering up Father-in-law.
How kind-hearted of her.
I, Motoyasu, am so moved, I could cry a river in joy.
“So I guess we’ll have less assassins from the Three Heroes Church now, but more of them from Schildfrieden?”
“To think Schildfrieden was a country that declared freedom and equality for humans and demi-humans alike...”
Eclair is scratching her head as if she had all but given up.
Schildfrieden.
If I recall, it was a country that hadn’t taken part in Father-in-law’s cause in the first world.
... My memories of this are a bit vague, I don’t have a clue if they were allies or enemies.
I was in fact, only concerned with the wonderful Filorials, and left all such matters to Father-in-law.
All I did and could do was act exactly according to Father-in-law’s instructions.
“Looks like there’s political strife no matter what world you’re in”
“Father-in-law of the future would’ve done this all the more knowing they don’t want him to. Let’s head straight to Silt Welt”
“Kitamura-dono, there should be better ways of saying that...”
“No well... I don’t plan on getting myself killed that easy, we’ll just take them on as they come”
Answered Father-in-law seeming convinced enough.
But then...
“It would’ve been better, if I wasn’t summoned in the first place, right?”
“It’s the world that is at fault. We are closer than ever to the Waves of Calamity and they still try to attempt your assassination for petty religious trifles. Iwatani-dono, I deeply apologize on this world’s behalf”
Looks like Eclair’s lowering her head to Father-in-law.
Oh-hoo. Pretty admirable of the woman.
Us Heroes are human all the same.
We’re not machines that only come to save the world, but living beings with real blood flowing inside.
And that goes all the more for Father-in-law.
Also, I am a Love Hunter.
I live according to his will.
In fact, Heroes acting like heartless machines cannot save the world at all.
Kind and faithful, those who keep promises, who have heart. It is those people who deserve the role.
I, Motoyasu, have yet to reach so high a plane of sincerity, but I’m working hard at it. For Father-in-law, for Firo-tan, for all the glorious Filorials, I shall give it my all.
“Eclaire-san... right, you’re right. Our real job’s to save the world from those disaster waves”
“Indeed, this world has called on you and Kitamura-dono for that very purpose. The one’s placing religion in that midst are misguided... Our current focus should be on delivering you safely to Silt Welt, is it not Iwatani-dono?”
“Yup. let’s set sail”
With Yuki-chan and the rest pulling, we re-entered journey.
Our travels from there were smooth as can be.
With Father-in-law’s defenses improving, assassins have become child’s play.
We can easily blow away those lowlifes left and right.
At times, we’ve had them come at us with large scale Ritual Magics, but I simply used Revelation Absorb to nullify everything, then turning the tables, we quickly captured the offenders, and left them off at a nearby town before setting out once more.
Soon enough, even the assassins learned of the might of us heroes and ended their pursuits.
And the reckless assaults came to a nil.
“Kue”
We sighted some splendid Filorial in the wilderness.
I poke myself out from the carriage, and observed them in all their splendor.
These wild Filorial... They are free to roam and have yet a different, wilder fashion of charm from their domesticated brothers and sisters.
Indeed, these free Filorial often put great importance to their respective flocks.
Their sense of unity resounds so strongly in my heart, I can’t possibly describe the feeling in mere words.
“Motoyasu-sama! Stop looking at those ones and pay more attention to us why don’t you”
“HAHAHA! All magnificent Filorial I equally treasure”
“Motoyasu-kun, you really do love them I see... How about treating Yuki-chan and the one’s here a bit special?”
“Filorial are all magnificently special”
“It’s useless. Our words aren’t reaching Kitamura-dono”
Have I said something amiss?
Not a clue indeed.
“Nn—...? Naofumi, what do you think of them?”
“Me personally... just a feeling that I never knew they were in the wild too, around there I guess?”
“Uh-huh”
Sakura-chan and Father-in-law sure get along.
“““Gua!?”””
What’s that? I seem to recall the cries of those particular Filorial.
But they all vigorously scampered off.
Was it my imagination?
“Ah—... and they’re gone”
“Wild Filorial are all like this you know? Well sure, there’s a lot many tribes, but most aren’t of the violent kind”
“That so? Oh yeah, you did say how we can’t have ones that look like Yuki-chan unless they’re raised by a Hero”
“Very correct”
“Indeed they do look very much different. Since seeing their human forms I have been startled beyond help, but I can accept it if you say a Hero raised them”
“Didn’t the past Heroes raise Filorial too? It said so in the documents”
“Another great anecdote from the Heroes of legend... Speaking of taming strong monsters, the Hero of the Whip would be the most famous candidate I believe”
Hm...? I have a feeling I’m remembering something awful.
I feel deep unpleasantness from just the word whip.
...It makes a connection with something quite sad, but I can’t recall it for the love of me.
But let’s make sure to be wary, whatever it may be.
“So I guess if Heroes are raising them, there must be other monsters with special ecology too”
“Filorial are plenty boisterous. I must decline any more”
“Ahaha, Eclaire-san, I bet you’re having trouble teaching table manners to the ones here”
“As if it doesn’t concern you... Iwatani-dono, do they not chase you for the food?”
“Hahaha... got me there”
All is peaceful.
The Silt Welt messengers started joining in and we’re having a ball.
It was after nightfall the next day.
Fireflies began dotting around where we all made camp.
And from afar, the titular Guas of Filorial could be heard.
“W-what is it?”
“What’s happening?”
“Seems to be saying they’ve come to visit with everyone”
Came in Yuki-chan with a fine answer.
“What!? You don’t mean, Filorial are sending their assassins too?”
“Very incorrect”
Eclair and Father-in-law became vigilant of the our changing surroundings.
And right then, I remembered what it was that is about to happen.
The only Filorial other than Firo-tan to steal my eyes, she would arrive momentarily.
Stunning Filorial were gathering around us, letting out their glorious Guas.
“Kitamura-dono, do you know? Can you tell us what is happening?”
“The great big Filorial is coming”
“Wait what? How about explaining that in portions we can digest?”
“The loveliest Filorial next only to Firo-tan is about to come”
“We’ve lost him... Iwatani-dono, I can’t make head nor tail of what Kitamura-dono is saying”
“Alright, Sakura-chan then. Can you tell me what the Filorial around here are saying?”
“Let’s see... Something about everyone going together?”
“What, so a big Filorial is about to come here? Is that perchance talking about the legendary Queen Filorial?”
Eclair starts looking around restlessly.
“Please tell me we aren’t gonna be hunted down and eaten”
“It’s fact that Filorial are omnivorous. I’m pained to say I can’t deny the possibility”
Soon, the Filorial had us encircled entirely, and were peering at us from the dark.
From the fireflies’ illumination, we can tell we are in the midst of many.
Ahh... My feeling is the same every time. It is simply heaven.
Soon after, one particular Filorial emerged, and I—...