Published at 17th of August 2019 8:51 am

Volume 15, Chapter 1: Kiriha's Now

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 1

Friday, July 2

The girl known as Kurano Kiriha had a domestic and tolerant atmosphere to her. However, that's not all there was to her. She had another side to her, namely, the commander of the underground people's invasion force.

That said, Kiriha and the others’ invasion of the surface was a peaceful one. Apart from their registrations being fake, almost all of their invasion was done through legal means. They also took part in the local community, actively communicating with the locals. In other words, Kiriha and the others’ invasion was intended to cause as few problems as possible for the locals.

The biggest reason as to why they chose to go with such a roundabout way to invade was because they didn't like being forceful. They had been unjustly chased away from their homes in the past, but they had no intentions of doing the same to the people of the present. That’s because of their pride and stubbornness. The tribe that Kiriha and the others were a part of, the People of the Earth, was a very prideful tribe.

There was also one more reason as to why they were avoiding an invasion through force. The underground people's population was in decline, and there wouldn't be enough time to redo their invasion. That's why they had to pull it off the first time without fail. And as a result, Kiriha's peaceful invasion was necessary.

If they invaded through force, they would probably be able to secure some territory. They had enough power for that at least. However, territorial conflicts between the different people would occur, labelling Kiriha and the others as terrorists and forcing them into a long-term battle. If that happened, without any base on the surface, they would gradually lose power and population. Defending their pride would only lead to ruin.

However, the People of the Earth were not united, and apart from the conservative faction that Kiriha and the others belonged to, there was also a radical faction that sought to invade the surface through force.

Why did they have to bow down to the people that had chased them away from their own homes? Especially since they were far more advanced. Retaking their homes through military force was only just and being ruled by the superior People of the Earth would be what's best for the surface dwellers. Or so the radical faction saw it. The radical faction consisted of dangerous people who had gathered because of their grudge from the past, befit of the evil persona one might attach to invaders from underground.

Fortunately, the conservative faction had far more numbers than the radical faction, leaving them in the majority. As a result, the radical faction could never get the initiative in the politics. But if the radical faction was to perform a large scale military action on the surface, the people on the surface would counterattack, unable to distinguish between the conservative and radical factions. If that happened, everything would go the way the radical faction wanted. That's why Kiriha and the others always kept an eye on any movement from the radicals.

Kiriha was currently in her own room underneath room 106, facing her computer. On the screen was her father, Kurano Daiha. She was in the middle of talking with him and exchanging information.

“... that's the report I've received. Kiriha, it seems like what you've said before is becoming a reality, and there's not much time. We might have been too slow to notice.”

“Who could have suspected that magicians like from out of a fairy tale exist and that they're working with the radical faction?”

The information Daiha had all supported what Kiriha had suspected.

The radical faction had been operating under the surface for a while now. They began to rapidly gather talent and capital, causing the conservative faction to suspect that they were up to something. But they couldn't tell what it was that they were planning. Every time they tried investigating, the information disappeared somewhere along the way for some reason. As the tribe chief, Daiha had quite the capability to gather information, yet not even he could find the truth behind this. As a result, while it was obvious that the radicals were up to something, the conservatives couldn't find any leads.

“And based on the fact that Chief has failed to collect any information, it is very plausible that a magician is intervening.”

“Hmm... there is certainly enough circumstantial evidence... and it would also mean that top-secret information is being shared with the magicians. I find it hard to believe that information is the only thing they'd share.”

The fact that they couldn't find any leads despite something big going on was circumstantial proof in itself. Even the best of information networks wouldn't be able to intercept a magician's means of transmitting information. The fact that important information was being entrusted to magicians showed how strong their cooperation was. The underground radical faction and the magicians were working together to do battle against their own enemies. That was no longer something that could be doubted.

“It is believed that top level spiritual technology has been leaked to the magicians.”

“I don't want to believe it but... it seems like a product model of that test model that you brought with you is being mass-produced.”

There was also one more hint to be found. It was the artificial arm that had been left behind during their last battle with Maya. The arm was brought back underground and left to scientists from the conservative faction for analysis. From there, they analyzed the capabilities of the test model and got an estimate on the specs of a potential product model. They estimated the amount that could be produced through funding from an unknown party and the strength of a military force equipped with it. The very imagination of it seemed like a nightmare.

“On top of that, it can be expected that the product model is being shared with the magicians, and in return they gain magic weapons on the same level. That would be fatal for us as we have no protection against magic.”

“So robotic soldiers powered by spiritual energy would attack us using magical weapons, huh...”

“The conservative faction is attempting to contact magicians as well, but there's no time. We should assume that we will have to deal with this alone.”

“We noticed it too late... it can't be helped. Kiriha, it seems like the People of the Earth may be forced to consider a large-scale battle, no, a war, with one another.”

Daiha seemed mortified.

Daiha and the others of the conservative faction would prepare for battle. That was a major logical contradiction. In one way, it was the same as admitting defeat.

“Chief, can't war be avoided?”

Kiriha had reached the same conclusion as Daiha had, but even then she wanted to avoid having her people harm each other.

“We will attempt to avoid battle, but considering the situation, war can't be disregarded. Just preparing for battle might be enough to start it.”

“I understand what you are saying, but the chance for communication must never be closed.”

Kiriha understood the meaning behind Daiha preparing for war, and that it was necessary. But she wanted to reach a conclusion through conversation. She wanted to leave the possibility to end this peacefully open. That was Kiriha's painful wish, something she had wished for ever since she strived for the surface.

“You're right. I will try to keep it that way.”

Hearing Kiriha's powerful words and her expression, Daiha could feel his daughter had grown.

All of a sudden, the Kii that used to only cry... is just like her mother...

That was both reassuring and lonely. Any father wanted for their daughter to always remain as such. But Daiha also wanted to sit down with just the two of them so they could talk about how Kiriha had gotten so strong, once everything had become peaceful.

“Kiriha, I will send more personnel to you as well. You will need to strengthen your own defenses.”

“That won't be necessary, we have enough here. Please use all of them at your end. In order to avert war, you would surely need as many people as possible.”

“I'm not sending them because I'm your father. They're needed for you to avoid war as well. I can't afford to lose you.”

“Then instead of personnel, please send over the heavy combat module that were being developed for Karama and Korama.”

“If it works as designed, then it would indeed be more than enough for you to protect yourself... but it's incomplete, the spiritual energy necessary to move it is unrealistic. Even if I send it over, you won't be able to make use of it.”

“I have an idea for the spiritual energy required on my end. I should be able to get it activated.”

“I understand. We won't be able to finish it in time anyways, so I will send it over to you.”

“Thank you very much, Chief.”

There, their discussion stopped, the information exchange was over. Daiha's expression loosened up and returned to that of a father's as he smiled at Kiriha.

“Finally... Kiriha.”

“Yes.”

“... Do not under any circumstances die.”

Even now as Daiha remembered his wife's funeral, he felt a pain in his chest. He didn't want to feel the same way for his daughter. If possible, he wanted her by his side, but he didn't have a commander more capable than her, leaving him with a feeling of impatience.

“I am not alone anymore. That's why, I'll be fine, father...”

Kiriha understood how Daiha felt, she was an intelligent girl capable of that. That's why she smiled one last time as his daughter.

Part 2

Normally after returning to room 106, Kiriha's confident smile would remain unchanged, but today her smile was stiff. She couldn't remain cheerful after hearing that the radical faction was on the verge of exploding. She couldn't help but imagine the worst, which showed on her face. While she was a good girl, she was still a girl in her teens.

“... What are you doing, Satomi Koutarou?”

Koutarou was playing with Kiriha's cheeks.

“Nothing in particular... I just wanted to see your weird face.”

He would pull on them or push them together, creating one weird face after another.

“Yeah, the more beautiful the face the funnier it looks doing this.”

“Koutarou...”

“... Kiriha-san, you can do everything on your own, but don't try to carry all of the burden yourself. If you need to, you can rely on us. Your beautiful face is going to waste.”

Koutarou was playing around with Kiriha's face because he was worried for her, as she was always one to smile, keeping her feelings bottled up. If she was showing a serious expression, it must mean that there was a serious problem, which of course Koutarou wasn't happy to hear. He wanted her to smile all the time. He didn't care if it was a teasing smile or a pure and earnest one. Because he knew that it was something both he and the girls needed.

“... If you're going to be so kind, I might just break down and cry right here and now.”

Koutarou's feelings were conveyed to Kiriha and her expression eased up a little. She was happy that there was someone that understood her. Even more so since it was the person she loved.

“That's fine. As long as the normal you return afterwards.”

“Those are big words, Koutarou.”

Kiriha's smile turned into a teasing smile. She looked like she might actually start crying depending on Koutarou's words.

“How do I put this... I can't calm down if you and the others aren't... you know... yourselves.”

Koutarou honestly spoke about how he felt, though he was embarrassed knowing that this wasn't something he would normally say.

Ever since he had talked to Mackenzie, the presence of the girls of room 106 had become much clearer. The girls being happy was an absolute minimum requirement in order for Koutarou to be happy. He was embarrassed, but he could clearly understand that now.

“I love you, Kiriha!”

That was when Sanae abruptly hugged Kiriha. She hugged her from behind with her arms around her neck like she normally did with Koutarou. She of course also had the same happy smile she does with Koutarou.

“What now, all of a sudden, Sanae?”

Since Sanae was behind her, instead of looking at Sanae, Kiriha gently stroked Sanae's arms as she asked her question.

“Nothing, I just wanted to properly let you know.”

That alone was enough for Sanae to understand. Kiriha's warmth and presence gently wrapped around Sanae, and in return she hugged Kiriha even harder.

“Thank you, Sanae. I love you too.”

“Ehehehe. Love is all.”

“That's true, you're right.”

“If you're ever in trouble you can rely on this angel of love, Sanae-chan!”

“Fufu, I'll do just that.”

Sanae's simple and straightforward feelings were easily conveyed to Kiriha. Thanks to that, she seemed to return to her usual self.

There's no longer any need for me to step up to the plate...

Koutarou flashed a small smile and decided to leave the rest to Sanae. Koutarou was troubled if Kiriha wasn't herself, but the same was true for the other girls too. That's why there was no need for Koutarou to cheer up Kiriha all alone. He could rely on the other girls as well.

“Here you go, Satomi-kun.”

“Thank you very much, Sakuraba-senpai.”

A cup of tea was put down in front of Koutarou, on the table. Looking at Koutarou and the others go back and forth, Harumi figured that the tea would be needed soon.

“Still, I'm impressed you noticed that Kiriha-san was feeling down.”

Harumi sipped on her own tea as she smiled at Koutarou, feeling admiration for him. He had been far quicker to notice how Kiriha was feeling than she had been.

“Kiriha-san is normally so calm, so seeing her show a different expression shows just how down she was feeling.”

“I see... that might be another side to it.”

Harumi nodded satisfied and her smile grew brighter. Harumi loved people who could be kind to anyone, so this was something she greatly respected.

“You're wrong, Sakuraba-senpai.”

However, Yurika who was sitting next to Koutarou objected. She pouted and stared at Koutarou with grudge in her eyes.

“Satomi-san just favors Kiriha-san.”

“That's not my intention.”

“You're lying. Because you never show me any consideration.”

“That's not true.”

Hearing Yurika's protest, Koutarou sprung into action right away.

“Fugyu.”

Koutarou forcibly pulled Yurika to him, and began playing with her cheeks like he had with Kiriha. As a result, the puffed-up cheeks withered in his hands.

“I'll do it to you too. There, take that.”

“S-See, you're just playing with me! Do it when I'm feeling down please!”

“Even if you say that, you only feel down about trivial stuff. Like forgetting to buy a manga or breaking a plate. I can't comfort you every time.”

“They're important problems to me!”

“I don't care.”

Yurika showed her dissatisfaction, but Koutarou continued playing with her cheeks.

The truth is, this is your fault too, Yurika. You always try to solve your real problems yourself...

In contrast to his words, Koutarou treasured Yurika. He was only playing around with her cheeks as a sign of that.

“Geez! Satomi-san is always bullying me! You only do the painful stuff to me!”

Yurika continued to frown with dissatisfaction.

Can't you be a little kinder, geez!

The truth is that Yurika knew that Koutarou was treasuring her as well. But her outlook on men and women was a bit old-fashioned so she had complaints about how she was being treasured.

“Oh, are you sure you should get so aggressive, Yurika?”

“You're not going to fool me anymore!”

“I see. What a shame~... I even got you new cup noodles~”

“Cup noodles?!”

However, her anger didn't last for long.

“I-I won't be fooled by a single cup.”

That said, she at least tried to resist. But the way she would sneak glances at Koutarou let him know that she had already been moved.

“It's not just one. Since you've been working so hard on your studies lately, I bought all three new flavors.”

“... Satomi-san you bully... Why didn't you just say so from the start... geez!!”

Yurika pouted once more.

As a reward for her efforts, Koutarou had bought three flavors of her favorite food. Though the question whether cup noodles was a fitting present or not remained, if he had just said that from the start then everything would have played out the way Yurika imagined it. Yet he had been very vague about it on purpose and teased her.

Why doesn't Satomi-san act more like a lover... eh, a l-lover?!

“Hau?! Auaah~!!”

Yurika was at a loss for words when she realized what she wanted of Koutarou.

“Hm? What's wrong?”

Yurika turned red and started to violently struggle.

T-This is a k-ki... aaahhh!!

An unimaginable thought popped into her head and she became desperate to escape.

Part 3

Yurika didn't calm down until a while after she had gotten the bag with cup noodles in it from Koutarou. She was now facing a wall, closely hugging the bag of cup noodles and mumbling about something.

“What's up with her...?”

“Just leave her be for a while, Satomi-kun.”

Koutarou was perplexed by Yurika's actions while Shizuka cheerfully watched the two.

Shizuka knew of Yurika's feelings and wanted to continue listening to their carefree and warm conversation. But at the same time, she would feel bad if she let Yurika get cornered any further, so she decided to stop Koutarou.

“You should study up on a woman's emotions some more.”

“I am aware of that.”

Koutarou obediently returned to the tea table. He had heard what Shizuka said from his best friend, Kenji, several times in the past, so he was able to accept that he had made some kind of mistake.

“Hm?”

Having returned to the table, Koutarou picked up his cup to sip on some tea, but it was empty. So Koutarou called out to Ruth so he could get seconds.

“Ruth-san, can I have some more tea?”

Since Ruth was getting more tea for Theia, he figured he could have her get some for him as well.

“...”

However, Ruth didn't respond. The room was small and she was right in front of him, so she should have heard him, yet she remained silent. She silently continued to pour tea without turning to look at Koutarou. She was quite clearly ignoring him. Shizuka, who had noticed the same thing, snickered and poked Koutarou with her elbow.

“Satomi-kun, isn't it that thing again?”

“Haa... again?”

Once Shizuka pointed that out, Koutarou understood and reluctantly called out to Ruth again.

“... Lord Ruthkania Nye Pardomshiha, vice captain of the Satomi band of knights, pour me another cup of tea.”

“Yes, as you wish, Master! I will prepare it right away!”

As he did, Ruth who had been ignoring him just a moment ago cheerfully complied with his request. Her eyes were sparkling as she joyfully prepared more tea. She even brought snacks despite not having been told to do so.

“Things sure have gotten confusing...”

Koutarou felt a headache coming on and held his head.

Ever since the band of knights had been formed, Ruth would want Koutarou to call her by her official position from time to time. She also tried to get him to give her orders. In other words, she was happy that she had been made the vice captain of the band of knights.

“Oh, you came back at a good time, Koutarou.”

That was when Theia approached Koutarou. After sitting down next to him, she presented him with a small paper bag.

“Here, it's today's salary. You may gratefully receive it.”

Inside the bag was money, and a pretty sum at that. This act of Theia's was equally as headache inducing as Ruth's behavior.

“Theia, I don't need a salary.”

Just like Ruth wanted a clear order from Koutarou, Theia wanted to pay Koutarou as his princess. But Koutarou would be on Theia's side even if there was no money involved. In fact, he didn't want money to get in the way of their relationship. That's why he was reluctant to accept the bag filled with his salary.

“I won't take orders from you! When I pay you your salary, I am very princess-like! Let me act like a princess every once in awhile!”

Theia normally built a relationship with Koutarou as a normal girl. But from time to time, she wanted to feel like a princess and pay Koutarou his salary. The act of paying his salary was more important to her than the money itself.

“Hey now...”

“Besides, there is no inconvenience if you hold onto my money.”

Theia thought of herself, Koutarou, and Ruth as one in mind and flesh. So she didn't find it inconvenient if money moved between them. She simply enjoyed the act of paying a salary.

“Ah, then that aside... why not do it at the end of each month instead? It must be a pain doing this daily for you too.”

Theia wanted to play 'knight and princess'. Once that was made clear to Koutarou, he gave up on objecting. It was the truth that they were in a master and servant relationship after all. The only remaining problem was the pain of receiving his salary every day.

“No! I don't want to!”

However, Theia adamantly rejected this. Her beautiful golden hair was disheveled as she shook her head.

“I want to pay you every day! I want to feel like a princess every day!”

She was like a child pleading for a toy.

Seeing that, Koutarou lost all motivation.

“... You're an idiot aren't you?”

“That's 'Are you an idiot, my beloved princess Theiamillis?'”

“So you're admitting to being an idiot.”

“Yes. This is my hobby.”

“... Okay, okay, you really are a pain... I will gratefully accept, princess.”

“Ohohoho, very good, my knight!”

Koutarou gave up and took the paper bag. As he did, Theia covered her mouth and laughed elegantly.

“Well, it's not like I don't understand how you feel...”

Koutarou smiled wryly as Theia was in a great mood. He had a hobby that dumbfounded others as well, namely beetle hunting, so he couldn't blame her too much. He also believed that Theia had one more goal in mind.

“So.”

Koutarou looked over the lovely, small, paper bag in his hand.

“Here, Aika-san, I'm counting on you.”

He then handed it over to Maki.

Since the band of knights was formed, Maki had been in charge of finances. That's why handling the salary received from Theia was Maki's job. Koutarou believed that Theia giving him salary was also partially so that she could give Maki something to do.

“...”

However, Maki wasn't accepting the bag for some reason. She was holding an accounting book and was quietly watching Koutarou. Her eyes were filled with expectation as if she was appealing to him.

“Phew...”

Koutarou could tell what she wanted right away, and he reluctantly lived up to her expectations.

“...Lord Aika Maki, Indigo Knight of Satomi's band of knights, do the accounting on today's salary.”

“Understood, Master~♪”

Maki seemed quite content as she showed a bright smile, accepted the bag from Koutarou and opened her accounting book. Seeing Maki like that made Koutarou happy too, but he felt a complex emotion as well.

“That looks like a lot of work, Satomi-kun.”

“... I don't understand women's emotions.”

Like that, Koutarou's shoulders slumped as he answered Shizuka.

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