Published at 25th of March 2019 11:09 pm

Chapter 100: Our new starting point is heaven

As I open the morning newspaper, I see the heading, “Humanity’s great allied forces’ steady advance” along with a passage about the fight against a certain demon king army.

There was an exaggerated fuss about hope, and endless sentences of praise to the heroes were written as if trying to erase all the anxiety of humanity.

Probably because of that, the achievements I’d made just a few days ago weren’t on the newspaper, and even when I go out in the capital, rather than looking at me as a champion or as Forna’s boyfriend, they greet me like some guy in the neighbourhood.

At an early time when the morning mist is still there, there aren’t many people at the front of the gate, so it’s a good time slot to leave without causing a commotion.

“Well, this suits us more, I guess.” (Velt)

“Oi, Cleran. Are you coming with us too?” (Farga)

“Of course I am. If I’m with you guys~, I can probably eat tasty things~, and……… if I’m not there, you can’t use the tunnel to the Divine Being Continent.” (Cleran)

“Well, it is fine. Cleran-dono being with us is reassuring.” (Musashi)

“I’m begging you, please don’t eat me!” (Dorauemon)

Under Ayase’s judgement, we were made to leave before causing any more problems.

A moderate amount of people gathered to say goodbye as we made our preparations.

“Uuuuu, uooooooo, uoooooooon.” (Galva)

“Don’t cry, Galva.” (Velt)

“But, but, Velt-kun.” (Galva)

“………… Take good care of my wife.” (Velt)

“! Yeah, yeah! Definitely! Definitely! Even if it costs me my life!” (Galva)

Forna, Galva, Shalt and my other childhood friends had come to see us off.

And, with Ayase at the head, all the Yellow Jaegers other than Gyanza had come too.

“Yo, Ayase. What happened to that psycho woman?” (Velt)

“I made her go adjust the defence in the port district along with another team. You would be less worried that way, right?” (Arsha)

“I guess. To be honest, I didn’t think there was that much of a power difference between us. I don’t ever want to meet her again.” (Velt)

“Yes, I do not want any more irreversible things to happen too.” (Arsha)

It was a blink of time.

Despite talking about the past and enjoying our reunion after coincidentally meeting through Kagami, we can’t separate with a completely happy end.

The fact that we’re parting with a subtle, bad aftertaste remaining, felt somewhat regrettable and made me have mixed feelings.

“I actually wanted to get along with you more, Velt.” (Doremifa)

The one that’s over-familiarly putting his hand over my shoulder while saying that, is the muscle-brain jock from the Yellow Jaegers, Doremifa.

Since he seems to be close with Barts and Shalt, he probably isn’t a bad guy, but we’re going to say goodbye without really understanding that.

And, Doremifa is also bidding me farewell while not knowing me that much.

Because of that, Doremifa asked me something in a small voice that only I could hear.

“Hey.” (Doremifa)

“Ah?” (Velt)

“The Yellow Jaegers don’t actually like you.” (Doremifa)

“Haa? What, that was blunt. Is it because I caused a problem?” (Velt)

“Nah, it’s because the princess is always showing her real self when she talks to you.” (Doremifa)

Ayase showing her real self. Well, right now, she’s a human that has to drag humanity under the mask of being the empire’s princess, so she can’t whine or say how she really feels that easily.

That is unless she’s with, “us,” that know her as Ayase, and not princess Arsha.

“So………… I want to ask you. Could you………… become the princess’ wing?” (Doremifa)

“Wing? What, do you have chuunibyou or something?” (Velt)

“Chuuni? I don’t know about that, but if the princess had someone like you who she could be her real self with, her gracefulness will come out more, or rather, her kindness will come out more, and I think she’ll be able to reach even higher places.” (Doremifa)

Why do the woman in this world end up rapidly going up to far away places because of their strength?

What’s Ayase going to do by becoming more amazing than she already is?

Boys, you better work harder.

“There’s nothing good about flying too high, you know? You’ll just be in more pain when you fall. Besides, I’m not a human that’s at a high enough point to let everyone fly up.” (Velt)

“I see………… I would’ve liked to fight with you once.” (Doremifa)

As he said that, Doremifa looked a bit relieved and patted my back strongly.

This guy’s seriously a jock.

“Velt, let’s meet again someday for sure.” (Shalt)

“Next time we meet, I’ll be huge enough to save humanity.” (Barts)

“Stay safe, I’m glad I met you.” (Hawk)

“Leave the princess to us. We’ll protect her for you.” (Sannu)

“Bye.” (Hau)

“Let’s meet again at our hometown someday.” (Chett)

“You better survive until you can drink, so we can have a party.” (Shipp)

Shalt, Barts, Hawk, Sannu, Hau, Chett and Shipp say their farewells one by one.

To be honest, I’m not sure if everyone here will be able to survive and meet up again.

These guys will return to their daily lives on the battlefield where they could die whenever.

Together with the feelings of the guys that died this time.

“Yeah, with everyone.” (Velt)

Once again, with everyone if possible; I bid my farewell with that thought behind it.

“Are you fine now?” (Arsha)

“Yeah, that was plenty, Ayase.” (Velt)

“I see………… I will report to…… father about you myself.” (Arsha)

“Alright.” (Velt)

I don’t need any more than this.

I’ve exchanged all the words I need to.

“Well then, Asakura-kun. Do you have any words of farewell to me as I expel you?” (Arsha)

“Kuhahahaha, to you who dismissed us? Let’s see~, well, don’t overwork yourself, I guess?” (Velt)

“Ara, of course, I will overwork myself. If we do not overwork ourselves, who will be forced to do it?” (Arsha)

She said such a handsome phrase with confidence.

“Then, I don’t have anything to say to you guys. We’re walking a completely different life. In the first place, the fact that we crossed each other is just unnatural.” (Velt)

“I see………… you really don’t spoil me, do you.” (Arsha)

“I already have a couple of pampered women with me, after all.” (Velt)

This is the end of these casual conversations with her too.

Although feeling reluctant to end it, as the person who’s exiling us, Ayase can’t drag it out forever, so she took a firm attitude and informed us.

“Even if you and Forna find happiness together one day, you and I will probably never meet again. So………… goodbye, Asakura-kun.” (Arsha)

“Yeah, let’s meet again someday.” (Velt)

“……………… yes………… someday.” (Arsha)

It might be the parting of this life, but even so, someday…… I put those feelings behind it, and Ayase wiped her tears for a moment, then smiled softly.

“Let’s go……” (Velt)

I turn around after finishing all my farewells, to see Farga, Ura, Musashi, Dora and Cleran, looking cunning for some reason, with their preparations set.

“Bro, do I have to grow big again?” (Dorauemon)

“If we ride you, we can reach there faster than a train or a ship.” (Velt)

Dora grew and leaned over so we could jump onto its back.

“Machine dragons are amazing. Velt, you found something even harder to find than the person you are searching for.” (Arsha)

It’s huge and heroic…… well, not really, but while everyone who saw the steel dragon had their eyes taken away from them, we got on its back and I raised my hands again.

“Forna. I can’t stay by your side forever. So, I won’t get angry if you want to have an affair, alright?” (Velt)

“Ohohohohohoho, you are always by my side in my heart. Rather, if you were to have an affair…… I will punch you harder than the Seven Great Demon Kings and the Four Heavenly Beast Demi-humans.” (Forna)

“Kuhahahahahaha………… seriously?” (Velt)

We laughed together.

Well, I finished my farewells to Forna last night, so it’s fine.

I was able to part with her while smiling after all.

“Don’t work yourself too hard, stupid sister.” (Farga)

“Madam! Please leave lord to me.” (Musashi)

“See you later!” (Dorauemon)

“Bye bye, imouto-chan.” (Cleran)

Dora’s wings gradually flapped higher and higher as we waved to them.

In a few more seconds, everyone will look tiny, and we’ll immediately go somewhere far away from them.

Until then, we kept waving our hands at them.

And then…………

“…… For, Fornaaaaaaaaaaa!” (Ura)

At that moment, Ura, who had been silent for the whole time, shouted at Forna.

“…… So…………………… sor……………… ry………… because of, me………… sor…… ry.” (Ura)

While shedding tears, even though she should’ve had a lot of other words to say, those were the only words she could squeeze out.

However, that might’ve been fine for Forna.

Forna shouts to the sky while waving both hands and jumping.

“Do not belittle me, Ura! Rather than apologise to me, worry about yourself! Right now, I am the only one running in the competition for Velt, after all!” (Forna)

We become dumbfounded, but those words made Ura shed even more tears.

“Let us meet again, someday for sure, my worthy rival!” (Forna)

“Yeah! Definitely! Someday, definitely!” (Ura)

Until the very end, that’s all you guys talk about, huh.

Well, whatever. Heavy stuff about races or politics or punishments doesn’t matter.

I’m not interested in stuff like that.

Yeah, this feels a lot more fitting.

“Go, Dora.” (Velt)

“Okay! I’m going to step on it!” (Dorauemon)

We flew to the end we’re aiming for.

“Uuu, gusu, uu, uuuuu.” (Ura)

“Geez~, don’t cry, Ura-chan.” (Cleran)

“But, byut, I…… I…… even though Forna should stay with Velt more.” (Ura)

“Really? Otouto-kun and imouto-chan seem to have spent plenty of time already, you know?” (Cleran)

Cleran comforts Ura as her tears breakout like a dam.

Well, to be honest, rather than giving her a half-hearted consolation, I think Ura should just cry as much as she wants to.

Besides, although she’s shedding tears now, they’re being blown away the wind one after the other.

“Farga-dono, you seem quite relaxed. She was your younger sister, was she not?” (Musashi)

“It’s not like that. I was just thinking my damn stupid sister…… became quite tough…… to be honest, all I can do for her…… is to send my stupid brother back to her.” (Farga)

“………… I also………… thought about all sorts of things because of what happened this time. I am still inexperienced.” (Musashi)

These past few days…… certainly had things to think about.

The ugliness of humans at Shiromu, and the problem between different races.

The survivors of a country Ura destroyed, and the humans that took everything away from Musashi.

The war in the empire.

And, the reality that was thrust upon us.

It’ll become dark just thinking about it.

So, I don’t want to think about it right now.

“Fly faster, Dora.” (Velt)

“Faster? I can’t fly that fast!” (Dorauemon)

“I see. Then I guess you’ll meet your goshujinsama later.” (Velt)

“Fi, fine! I’ll go! I’ll go faster! I’ll do it!” (Dorauemon)

Dora raised his altitude and steadily accelerated.

“Wow, so fast. You’re amazing~, Dora-chan.” (Cleran)

“Now we should be able to fly until the Divine Being Continent.” (Musashi)

“It’s impossible. Even on ships, it’s a damn long distance. His growth will come undone mid-flight, and we’ll all fall into the sea.” (Farga)

“But if we take rests from time to time on land, it’s only going to be a few days until we reach the『Countryside Port Town, Kokoikaanai』, that’s northwest of the empire.” (Cleran)

“Hmph. I didn’t think a seabed tunnel that only Hunters know about existed in a place like that.” (Farga)

“U~mu, Bolbardie is truly a terrifying country indeed.” (Musashi)

A strong wind blows at us as if cutting up our bodies, and it feels like all our worries and tears are being blown away.

Yeah, it’s fine like this.

So…………

“Kuhahahahaha, nice, Dora! Go faster! Now, pierce through that big, shining cloud, and fly away!” (Velt)

“Okay! It’s easy peasy for meee!” (Dorauemon)

There’s a world of super huge clouds floating in front of us.

If we break through that cloud and the big world fills up our eyes, this gloomy atmosphere might clear up a little.

“Ohh, inside the cloud.” (Musashi)

“Wao. This is like, a first for me. Even I haven’t flown up this high.” (Cleran)

“Damn it. I can’t see sheet.” (Farga)

After plunging into a huge sea of clouds, we pushed on deeper and deeper, seeking the light of the sun.

Then, at that time. Rather than breaking through the front, we broke through the top.

“Ohh!” (Velt)

It’s almost like the time I rode an aeroplane.

“Amaaazing, Dora-chan.” (Cleran)

“Good job.” (Musashi)

We broke straight through the top of the pure white world of clouds.

“Amazing………… so this is how it’s like above clouds.” (Ura)

Even Ura, who was hanging her head down, unintentionally muttered that from seeing the scenery.

We were fascinated by that big world.

“The world seems small, but it’s actually too big for us.” (Velt)

“…… Velt?” (Ura)

“The problem you have is big. But you know, compared to the world, it might unexpectedly be small.” (Velt)

It’s such a huge world that it feels like all the minor things are going to go away somewhere.

While looking down at the limitless sea of clouds, I patted Ura’s shoulder to try to cheer her up.

“Hahaha, since I cannot use magic, I did not think I could fly up to the clouds. In the past, I thought clouds were fluffy sweets.” (Musashi)

“I thought it was a cushion.” (Dorauemon)

Everyone has probably thought that at least once in their lives.

In reality, you can’t even touch it when you stretch your hand out like this though.

“Let me see, iaigiri! Hahaha, I used to think I could cut clouds with………………” (Musashi)

It happened……… when Musashi swung her sword at the cloud in front of her as a joke.

――――Supaan.

“““““………………………………………………””””” (Everyone)

A portion of the cloud was cut off,『fluttered in the air』, and a ball-shaped cloud fell onto Musashi’s『palm』.

“““““………………………………………………””””” (Everyone)

We were silent………

“Oro?” (Musashi)

――――Grip grip

Musashi’s eyes became dots as she gripped the cloud. And then………

“It……………… it is soft and fluffy………………” (Musashi)

……………… Eh?

“““““Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?””””” (Everyone)

Wait a minute!

“Ha, haa!? Mu, Musashi, you, what did you do!” (Velt)

“Ho ho ho ho, how did the cloud get cut, and why is it soft……………… ehh?” (Cleran)

“Wha, what the hell is happening………” (Farga)

“Wai wai wai wai waiiiit!” (Dora)

“What……… was that?” (Ura)

None of us understood what had happened.

That’s right, we had cut a cloud. Physically. Furthermore, it’s soft and fluffy.

Speechless, we just continued flying forward in silence. This time, there’s an even bigger cloud sticking out.

Without ordering Dora to do anything, we just continue going forward.

And then.

―――Baiiiiiiiiiiin

“Auwah!” (Dorauemon)

――――!

Dora bounced back as if he collided with an elastic wall, and we were all thrown out into the air.

However………

“Wai………” (Velt)

“Ha?” (Cleran)

“Damn it………” (Farga)

“Oro? Oro? Wha, what is happening!” (Musashi)

“Thi, this is………………” (Ura)

After getting thrown out, we had landed on a cloud.

“Why are we……………… standing on a cloud?” (Velt)

Is this……… a dream? I instinctively fell down and lay on it.

It felt as good as when I jumped onto a soft and fluffy bed.

……… Comfortable………………wait, what?

“Hey, Farga………………” (Cleran)

“Damn it……………… is this………………” (Farga)

At that moment, the two first-class Hunters seem to have realized something.

What is it?

“Is this place……………… Demon Continent, Demi-human Continent, Humanity Continent and the Divine Being Continent……… the one that continues flying above all the skies in the world, and the place all adventurers in this world have been searching………” (Farga)

“The big three undeveloped worlds. The deep sea world, the deep earth world, and……………… the sky world……………… also known as, heaven.” (Cleran)

Wao……… I came to a different world after death, and now I’ve come to heaven even though I’m alive……… what’s wrong with my life?

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