Published at 21st of August 2023 8:48 am

Chapter 352: Takatsuki Makoto remembers his promise

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◇The regular meeting between the Sun Country of Highland and the Moon Country of Laphroaig◇

One of the most prominent major countries in the West Continent…no, in the whole world, Highland.

And then there’s the rising nation whose entire population is a High Ranked Mage or higher, Laphroaig.

These two countries don’t get along well.

Because of this, their tops are normally gathering to have discussions.

They have apparently already had meetings several times, but this is my first time participating in one.

I sat at the corner of the vast hall used for meetings.

The one by my side is Sakurai-kun.

There’s something I understood after hearing the details of the meeting.

“What’s your intention in the army of the Moon Country having military practices close to the national borders every now and then?”

“It is just regular training. You have no business in it.”

“It is an extreme eyesore. Refrain from doing so in the future.”

“That’s our own prerogative. More importantly, what happened to the demand to hand over the slave merchants in the Sun Country as criminals?”

“We have already answered that we can’t do that. The slave trade was legal until just recently in the Sun Country, so they are not criminals.”

“You are calling kidnapping children from the Moon Country legal?!”

“In the first place, the devilkin and demi-humans were not acknowledged as people to begin with at that time.”

“What did you say?!”

“Hmph, this is already a past matter.”

The argument is burning…or more like, it is rowdy.

It can’t be helped that things turn out this way when considering the history though.

{Sakurai-kun, are these meetings always like this?} (Makoto)

{Yeah, it is on the lenient side today. There were people swinging swords and shooting magic the first time.} (Sakurai)

{Was that even a meeting…?} (Makoto)

{Haha…} (Sakurai)

Sakurai-kun answered with a troubled face.

“You damn racist bastards!”

“What did you say, you barbaric mage?!”

“Careful with what you say. You are in the presence of the queens.”

Everyone’s gazes gathered on the two people who are sitting at a higher height than others.

“My deepest apologies, Queen Furiae!”

“Pardon me, Queen Noel!”

Furiae-san had a slightly bored expression and Queen Noel was smiling gently.

“You children are so hopeless… Sorry about that, Queen Noel.” (Furiae)

“No, it goes the same for us, Queen Furiae.” (Noel)

Furiae-san and Queen Noel were smiling peacefully to each other in contrast to the burning people.

“Calm down a bit.” (Furiae)

“You must not use such harsh words.” (Noel)

““““““““Yes, Your Majesty!”

When Furiae-san and Queen Noel say this, everyone participating in the meeting lowered their heads in unison.

Looks like these two queens are properly controlling this place.

{Are you not going to participate in the meeting, Sakurai-kun?} (Makoto)

{I am here as a bodyguard, so I am keeping quiet.} (Sakurai)

{You are the deputy king of the Sun Country, aren’t you, Sakurai-kun…?} (Makoto)

{I am also the secretary-general of the Sun Knights. This meeting is a gathering of prominent figures from the Sun Country, so it is an important job.} (Sakurai)

I tilt my head and Sakurai-kun explained.

That said…

{You can leave it to someone else.} (Makoto)

There’s no need to go out of their way to put Sakurai-kun himself as the one in charge of protection.

When I said this, Sakurai-kun made a bitter smile with a troubled face.

{But if I were to do that, I would have to participate in this meeting.} (Sakurai)

{Is that bad?} (Makoto)

{I came from a parallel world, so I can’t really interject here.} (Sakurai)

{True…} (Makoto)

The division between the Sun Country and the Moon Country is deeply rooted.

They probably wouldn’t feel good about having a person that just came to this world a few years ago butting into their business.

He is not a related party after all.

It is as Sakurai-kun says.

Then, are we just going to be listening to this disorderly meeting…? -that disappointment must have shown in my face.

{Takatsuki-kun, if you have gotten bored of the meeting, how about I guide you around the facilities of this fortress?} (Sakurai)

{Is that okay?} (Makoto)

{The security in this place is airtight after all.} (Sakura)

Is it okay for the one in charge to move away from here? -that was my question here, but it would be tiring to just listen to the bickering in this meeting, so I gratefully accepted the invitation of Sakurai-kun.

There’s training grounds for military use around the fortress.

The soldiers of the Sun Country and Moon Country were training there in their own way to double as security.

Sakurai-kun was taken by the people of the Sun Knights in the blink of an eye.

As expected of the Savior of the era, he is popular.

I was thinking this and got caught by the mages of the Moon Country.

“Takatsuki Makoto-sama, when are you going to move to the Moon Country?!”

“What’s your relationship with Furiae-sama?!”

“Can you please teach me Spirit Magic?!”

I taught them Spirit Magic for now.

You could say I managed to kill time.

The meeting apparently continued until the night.

Sakurai-kun received a call that it ended just now. He invited me to dinner after that.

Queen Noel and Furiae-san will be present too, so I agreed immediately.

“The top floor of the fortress is the space for royalty use. Noel also wants to talk to you, Takatsuki-kun.” (Sakurai)

“That’s an honor.” (Makoto)

I was guided by Sakurai-kun to a giant door.

It was decorated extravagantly within this rustic fortress, really making it clear this is for the use of royalty.

I could hear faint voices of people talking from the other side of the door.

Sakurai-kun knocked on the door and opened the door, and loud voices rang from inside.

“In the first place, why is it that the people of the Sun Country are always so high and mighty?!”

“The Moon Country also picks fights every single time!”

(Eh?) (Makoto)

Shouting voices.

Sakurai-kun wasn’t flustered by this and closed the door swiftly so that the voices didn’t escape to the outside.

“You could just order them properly as a queen!”

“What about you, Furiae? Why are you letting them do as they please?!”

It was Queen Furiae and Queen Noel who were smiling gently to each other just now at the meeting.

The two tops of the nations were shouting at each other with bursting emotions.

J-Just what in the world is going on here?

“I am pro freedom! Contrary to your place!” (Furiae)

“Even if so, you are letting them run rampant too much! Manage them a bit! It is your country!” (Noel)

{Sakurai-kun…what’s this?} (Makoto)

I asked my childhood friend by my side and…

{It is the usual.} (Sakurai)

{This is…the usual.} (Makoto)

Looks like them looking calm in the meeting just now was just an act.

“It is because you are like that that the nobles of the Sun Country alienate you. I heard a revolt happened again.” (Furiae)

“We have already finished calming that down. It is the Moon Country that has problems in its management, doesn’t it? I know that the financial affairs are worsening by the day.” (Noel)

“S-Shut up! Just for your information, the Moon Country would be stronger if we were to fight!” (Furiae)

“Oh my, what an amusing thing you are saying. Though it is not funny for a joke. Are you speaking of the little baby Moon Country that was just born?” (Noel)

“Hah? Wanna war?” (Furiae)

“Bring it on.” (Noel)

The two queens were butting foreheads and glaring at each other.

Oi oi oi.

{Sakurai-kun?!} (Makoto)

The conversation is going in turbulent waters!

“Oi, you two, Takatsuki-kun has come.” (Sakurai)

Sakurai-kun spoke to them here.

It seems Furiae-san and Queen Noel didn’t notice that we entered the room.

The two faced this way in one go.

“Makoto-san, it has been a while!” (Noel)

Queen Noel ran this way with a big smile.

Furiae-san hurriedly came too, but Queen Noel was close to me, so she grabbed the arm of Sakurai-kun and pointed at Queen Noel.

“Ryosuke, that’s your woman, right?! Keep her in line!” (Furiae)

“Eh, that’s a bit…” (Sakurai)

Sakurai-kun faced this way with a troubled expression.

Queen Noel’s face turned sour when she saw this.

But she then peeked this way with teary eyes.

“Makoto-san~, Furiae is bullying me. Please scold her.” (Noel)

“Uhm…Noel-san?” (Makoto)

Weren’t you shouting your lungs out at each other?

Is there someone in this continent that can bully Queen Noel?

Furiae-san walked this way and pulled the hand of Queen Noel.

“Don’t get all touchy-feely with My Knight!” (Furiae)

“That goes for you, too. You are being way too familiar with my Ryosuke-san.” (Noel)

They are arguing again.

Hmm, is the peace between the Sun Country and Moon Country okay?

I am worried about the hardships of the Destiny Goddess-sama.

“In the first place, isn’t it about time you found a partner, Furiae? You are the only ruler of the seven nations who is single, you know?” (Noel)

“S-Shut up. Isn’t it fine? Just leave me with my business!” (Furiae)

“It is not fine at all! A queen being inexperienced forever is not allo—” (Noel)

“…I did it.” (Furiae)

“Eh?” (Noel)

“I was united with My Knight yesterday! That’s why there’s no issue!” (Furiae)

Furiae-san faced away sulkily with a red face.

I looked at my side and Sakurai-kun was going ‘Heeeh~’ and grinning as if finding this amusing.

Kuh, what an annoying face.

And then, the threatening face of Queen Noel made a sudden turn into a big smile.

“That’s a relief! I was worried the whole time, Furiae! Makoto-san’s surroundings are full of proactive beauties after all. I thought you would just stay reserved the whole time and not do anything.” (Noel)

Queen Noel tapped the shoulder of Furiae-san with a smile.

“Geez! I was actually thinking about surprising you a little later.” (Furiae)

Furiae-san was grinning with a hint of shyness.

“So, who was the one that initiated?” (Noel)

“Isn’t that obvious?! My Knight did. He was manly.” (Furiae)

“Kya~☆ Tell me in more detail!” (Noel)

“Calm down a bit.” (Furiae)

Queen Noel and Furiae-san were having a conversation as if they were highschoolers.

The dangerous atmosphere of before is completely gone.

“Uh…Sakurai-kun, what’s going on?” (Makoto)

“It seems they actually get along pretty well. There’s not that many people they can talk with on equal grounds, you see.” (Sakurai)

“Is that so.” (Makoto)

So that’s how it was, huh.

What happened just now was more of a ‘they get along so well they can fight’, then.

“Since Makoto-san is here now, let’s have dinner☆.” (Noel)

Queen Noel clapped her hands and proposed this.

Extravagant food and drinks were brought to the room not long after.

That’s how the dinner that was more of a party began.

◇◇

“Uuh, why can’t I have a child?!” (Noel)

Queen Noel was slumped sloppily on the table with a red face.

Looks like the worry of Queen Noel lately has been pregnancy.

They are doing their best every night, but they are not being blessed with a child.

We are all talking about pretty raunchy stuff, most likely because we are all drunk.

“You’ve got it rough too, huh…” (Furiae)

Furiae-san petted the head of Queen Noel with a pitying look.

“Uuh, Furiae, please predict my future~.” (Noel)

“I can’t see the future of a Holy Maiden like me. How many times are we going to go through this same discussion?” (Furiae)

“Cause everyone from the royal family and the clergy are telling me to quickly make a successor and are putting pressure on me~.” (Noel)

“So what you are usually telling to me is what you are normally told, huh…” (Furiae)

Queen Noel has already had several glasses of wine.

Furiae-san has been drinking fruit wine with a high alcohol percentage the whole time.

…These two are heavy drinkers.

“When are you making a child, Furiae?” (Noel)

“M-Me…? Uhm, let’s see~. *Peek* *Peek*” (Furiae)

Furiae-san was directing a meaningful gaze at me.

W-What should I be responding with here?

P-Please help me, Sakurai-kun! -I tried asking for help from my childhood friend, but…

“……”

He is drinking a thinned cocktail with ice with a slightly awkward look.

Of course he would be.

This is originally a pregnancy talk between the Sakurai couple.

Something bothered me at that moment.

“Wait, Sakurai-kun, weren’t you a lightweight drinker?” (Makoto)

“I can drink a bit now that I awakened as the Light Hero.” (Sakurai)

“Hoh, nice! Actually, I have gotten stronger to alcohol after becoming a God, so we can go out drinking now.” (Makoto)

“Yeah, let’s invite Fujiwara-kun next time.” (Sakurai)

“Nice. Let’s have him show us hidden gem stores—” (Makoto)

“Oi, you men, don’t avert the topic.” (Furiae)

““Okay.”

Furiae-san retorted.

Yeah, we couldn’t slip away.

Queen Noel slid her way to Sakurai-kun.

Furiae-san sat by my side and entrusted her body to me.

“Ryosuke-san…I think it is about time we get a child.” (Noel)

“Yeah, I will do my best, Noel.” (Sakurai)

“Then, tonight too…♡.” (Noel)

“No, wait, Noel. Takatsuki-kun and Furiae-san are also here…” (Sakurai)

Sakurai-kun was calming down Queen Noel who is pretty drunk.

“Hey, My Makoto…” (Furiae)

She has changed her way of calling me.

“What is it, Princess?” (Makoto)

“Hnn~♡.” (Furiae)

She was requesting a kiss.

Of course, I can’t not answer.

When I did, Furiae-san pushed me down just like that.

Sakurai-kun was also pushed down by Queen Noel beside me.

“Ryosuke-san…♡.” (Noel)

“Makoto…♡.” (Furiae)

I couldn’t get dragged into it just like that, so I slipped away.

But Furiae-san and Queen Noel seem to not like the fact that we are not complying here.

“Noel, we are making the men dead drunk.” (Furiae)

“Nice. Let’s make them even drunker.” (Noel)

The two queens were making carnivorous eyes.

““HIIIH!”

Me and Sakurai-kun trembled like fawns.

The drinking party continued like this.

And the night passed.

◇◇

—I wake up.

The outside is still dark.

Looks like I fell asleep in the middle of the drinking party.

I look around the room and see Sakurai-kun sleeping on the sofa.

If I remember correctly, he was the first one to collapse.

By the way, the second one was me.

Furiae-san and Queen Noel were sleeping in the big bed together.

How long were those two drinking for?

I put a blanket on the two.

I head out to the balcony in the room so that I don’t wake up everyone.

The fresh air before dawn.

It is perfect for training.

“XXXX (Spirits-san) XXXX (Spirits-san).” (Makoto)

I speak in Spirit Language.

“XXXX (What is it?) XXXXX (Noah-sama’s servant).”

The Time Spirit answered me.

They have finally begun talking to me recently.

“XXXXXX (Let’s have a talk).” (Makoto)

“XXXXXX (Got no interest in that).”

He gave me a cold response like Cloud-san.

It is hard to deal with a Time Spirit.

I continued training for a while afterwards.

“Makoto-san? You have woken up early.”

Someone called me from behind. It was Queen Noel.

She must have just woken up, her hair is somewhat disheveled.

“Good morning, Noel-san.” (Makoto)

I responded to her.

“You are training despite the Great Demon Lord having been defeated? Isn’t it okay to take it easy?” (Noel)

Her kind smile reminds me of the Holy Maiden Anna-san.

—“Makoto-san…do you…remember your promise with me?”

—“I do.”

—“I won’t forgive you if you forget!”

A smile with tears in her eyes.

That was the last expression I remember from Anna-san.

That memory replayed vividly in my mind.

“Makoto-san?” (Noel)

I must have made a pretty weird face there, Queen Noel directed a worried look at me.

“I have to…fulfill my promise, after all.” (Makoto)

I ended up blurting out what I haven’t told anyone.

“A promise…?” (Noel)

“I am making Anna-san wait.” (Makoto)

“Eh?!” (Noel)

Queen Noel’s eyes opened wide at what I said.

“A promise with the Holy Maiden-sama?!!! Just what in the world is it, Makoto-san?! Please tell me!” (Noel)

“Ah, about that…uhm…” (Makoto)

It was too late by the time I thought I messed up.

Even if I try to sneak away from this one, Queen Noel admires the Holy Maiden Anna to the point of worshiping, so I couldn’t escape.

I give up.

I slowly open my mouth.

“Noel-san…please keep this a secret, okay?” (Makoto)

“U-Understood!” (Noel)

I should at least keep her from telling others.

“After defeating the Great Demon Lord 1,000 years ago, I made a promise with Anna-san before coming to the present. That once I defeat the Great Demon Lord, I would come back to 1,000 years in the past.” (Makoto)

“…Eh?” (Noel)

Queen Noel opened her eyes wide as if she didn’t understand what I said.

“R-Return to 1,000 years ago? …Is that possible?” (Noel)

“Is it okay to say that I will be using Time Spirits?” (Makoto)

(Of course it is not okay, you idiot! Telling mortals about this is against the Divine Realm Regulations!!) (Ira)

The voice of the Destiny Goddess Ira-sama rang in my mind.

Sorry, Ira-sama.

“I can’t tell you the specific method, but I have a way.” (Makoto)

“I-Is that so.” (Noel)

Queen Noel seems to be interested in it, but she must have noticed something, she didn’t overstep.

(But when am I going to get the help of the Time Spirits…?) (Makoto)

I can’t use them well even now, unlike the Water Spirits.

I feel like it is going to take a good amount of time before I can fulfill my promise with Anna-san.

“Makoto-san has promised to reunite with Anna-sama…” (Noel)

Queen Noel made a face as if overflowing in emotions.

It really is good that I had her promise to not tell anyone.

I feel like she would have spread it to the whole continent if I didn’t.

After that, Noel-san seemed to want to know more about Anna-san, so I was barraged with questions.

Speaking of which, she wanted to hear about Anna-san when we conquered the Deep Sea Temple, right?

She is the founder of the Sun Country after all.

After a while, night passed and the sky began to grow light.

“It is about time we return.” (Makoto)

“Right.” (Noel)

Me and Queen Noel return to the room, and Furiae-san and Sakurai-kun were already awake.

It seems like the two were talking, but Sakurai-kun still seems drowsy from the hangover.

Furiae-san noticed us and stood up immediately.

“Ah, where did you two escape to?! I won’t forgive you if you put a hand on My Knight, Noel!” (Furiae)

“I won’t! Makoto-san has his promise with the Holy Mai—” (Noel)

“Alright, stop.” (Makoto)

I hurriedly covered the mouth of Queen Noel who was about to divulge my promise with Anna-san straight away.

At this rate, I feel like this will be exposed soon to maybe Princess Sofia.

Well, that’s fine though.

(A harem bastard has it rough, huh.) (Ira)

Ira-sama, you were still watching?

(My work is never ending~. Come help me~.) (Ira)

I would like to go there if I get time though…

At that moment, Furiae-san slid her way here and stared intently at me.

Queen Noel moved to where Sakurai-kun is and is having him drink water.

“Hey, My Knight, don’t you get along way too well with Noel? What were you talking about? Spit it out.” (Furiae)

“N-No, it is nothing big. I was talking about my memories of 1,000 years ago.” (Makoto)

“No, it is not only that. My Holy Maiden instincts are telling me…you are hiding something.” (Furiae)

“Seriously, it was just a plain old chat.” (Makoto)

In the end, Furiae-san pressed me for an answer for around an hour.

Let’s just say she made me spill everything out.

■Comment Response:

]So he is finally going to be united with the main heroine, Sakurai-kun.

-I have to write an episode with Sakurai-kun~.

]Foreshadowing with Queen Noel…

-There’s no netori or netorare.

■Author’s Comment:

This is the front cover of the 11th Volume. It is a wonderful front cover.

Please let me talk a bit this time around.

The editor-san and the illustrator-sama only told me ‘the frontcover is of Anna-san and Makoto’.

I am always leaving it to them after all.

And so, I was moved by the illustration they drew for me.

The smile of Anna-san filled with affection.

Makoto is also smiling as their eyes are directed in different directions.

I think the face of Anna-san was like this one when she was sending off Makoto to the future.

She has no tears here, but the author is interpreting it as Anna-san enduring tears with a smile.

Also, I have written down answers to the questions I got from many readers.

The promise with Anna-san.

Looks like Makoto-kun is going to return to 1,000 years in the past.

By the way, the last episode of the Afterstory is the Anna Arc.

Once the episode with Anna-san is over, it will be completely over.

I would like to write a lot of episodes in the web until then, so please purchase volume 11 on May 25th.

(Extra 1)

The 6th volume of the manga is coming out on May 25th, too.

The stage this time is the Water Country!

There will be a lot of screentime for Princess Sofia.

(Extra 2)

There’s also the Tale of the Sword Saint beginning with Zero Attack Power going on sale on May 25th.

The beauty in the illustration is the Demon Lord Erinyes.

The people who are interested, please check it out!

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