Vol 4 Chapter 2 (1/2)

With a s a word–––……

Chapter 2 - Strategist/The Sun

Part 1

- The sea

When it comes to vacation spots, they could probably be divided into two

ions and areas close to seas or oceans

During summer, many people will instinctively flock to these places, like

at a lamp

- To be honest, the stubborn grains ofsand that refuse to get off the body,

one’s skin being exposed to the sun for long periods of time, such that it

brings pain and discomfort to the body, while the sea wind corrodes one’s

hair every second; thinking about it, it’s hard to understand why exactly

people come to places like these

But – a hateful place like this, once certain conditions change, it’s an entirely

different matter

“- Phe blissful”

Under a parasol that looked like a japanese oil-paper umbrella, Sora lay on a

grass-woven bed, with a glass in his hand

At both sides of Sora, were multiple Werebeasts that appeared to be Miko’s

folloere fanning hiiant leaves

Their hanten

[10]

that were spread open at the chest area – which apparently

was the preferred swimsuit of the Eastern Federation – revealed their breasts,

and their skin revealed underneath the cloth that covered only the lower half

of the body, in comparison with their ears and tails covered in animalfur,

appeared even more flashy and attractive than the sun itself

Sora shook the cup in his hand, and thought – This is Heaven

“…Sora-san, to think that you can remain unfazed under this sort of heat…

youyourself”

“Yeah! Isn’t this all because ofJibril’s secret sunblock concocted froht

spirits? Moving on –“

[11]

Ino spoke calmly, while Sora replied with a hint ofsuspicion in his voice

without even turning around:

“Oldat you, but you aren't wearing just a

loincloth again, right?”

“Sora-san, what you just said was pretty strange… besides loincloths; do

choices when it comes to water-related

activities?”

As Sora had predicted – wearing only a loincloth – a muscular old man

replied while tilting his head

Sora sighed in frustration, then spoke while pointing at himself:

“Letold man, look at me, what do you think?”

“- Sora-san, you have that sort of fetish?”

“Are you senile!? Old man~~!! Shorts and a shi+rt! This is standard sear

as well!”

Sora stood up and backed down a few steps, then yelled after hearing the

reply filled with disgust

Ino shook his head helplessly

“You don’t wish for other people to see your frail body, but that's fine, Sorasan,

since it’s plainspots”

“I just don’t want to becouy like you! Also, don’t call me

frail! Since the FPS ainst Izuna, I realized that stamina is

important as well, I !”

Sora yelled, choked slightly, then lay down again

- He was surprised himself as he could only do fifty push-ups and sit-ups

each, but he didn’t need to say that

“…Let’s change the subject, aren’t they done yet?”

“Girls take a long tie you know, Sora-san – pardon me, haven’t

you heard?”

“It’s hard talking to Old Man Muscles, can’t you detect my sarcasm!? Can’t

you!?”

Sora yelled coldly, then looked behind him

“Hey, shi+ro, you’re not done yet?”

“…Mm, I need… a bit more time…”

Behind Sora – shi+ro’s reply drifted from the shade behind a clump of trees

So about could be heard, it

see her clothes by herself

“Wouldn’t it be fine ifshe’d changed with the other girls in the changing

room?”

“Yes, that hat I suggested, after which I was chased out by someone…

and that someone was you!”

Sora and shi+ro cannot be apart, not even when changing clothes

That was an unspoken fact, so Sora as usual, naturally, automatically,

atte room with shi+ro –

But then he was chased out, which resulted in the current situation

“Trying to peek at Miko-sa were to be

permitted by God (Tet), I would stillrefuse!”

“Miko-san already said she doesn’t mind -!”

Sora felt only re room only due to a

muscular old man

- Now let’s think of a way to cheat Ino, and sneak into the changing room

Just as Sora began to formulate his master plan –

“…I’m done, des”

“Oh it’s Izuna indeed, you look cute no matter what you wear”

- Hearing the voice of a young girl, Ino suddenly took on the voice of a

corandfather and turned around

Upon seeing Izuna as the earliest to finish changing, Ino sighed in relief

“I heard the swiht it would

be so”

“You’re too shallow, old irls have

to wear 「Schoolswimsuits」!”

Izuna waved her large tail around while stepping lightly on the beach

That swimsuit was – from Sora’s world… an old-fashi+oned schoolswimsuit

Of course, that was so that didn’t exist in this world

To elaborate further, even the Eastern Federation didn’t possess a chemical

fiber like polyester

But – schoolswiinally woven with silk before the Second

World War

So this was a perfectly woven product created by Steph, closely following the

detailed instructions listed on Sora’s tablet

Steph – you’ve really outdone yourself

“…But it really doesn’t reveal a lot ofskin”

“Let ain, you’re too shallow, oldof

culture, how could this be considered romantic!?”

- Yes, on top of the schoolswi, she also had on a

long-sleeved ki a hanten not unlike what the Werebeasts

around her earing

Keirls, schoolswi of

the Eastern Federation’s culture -!

- This is – - Sora’s - 「Solution」…

Izuna walked in front of Sora, then as though wanting to see how she looked

like from behind, twirled around in a circle

“Is this alright, des?”

“It’s perfect… you were almost criminally cute in the first place, but now you

could be classified as a national treasure”

Looking at Sora who had a ser on his face

and was giving a thumbs-up of approval, Ino –

“I don’t really understand but, I give my sincerest approval of this since you

didn’t let ”

- spoke

“U, u”

“Oh, Steph, you really did a great job –“

Hearing Steph’s embarrassed voice, Sora turned around to thank her – but

froze momentarily instead

Steph’s cheeks were bright red, just like the impression her normal clothes

left on others, the swi was a modified two-piece with

added ruffles and a belt made from semi-transparent material, and her eyes

continually darted from side to side

From what Sora knew, Elchea shouldn’t have possessed that sort of

「Swimsuit」

Speaking of Elchea’s swimsuits there was only – that

Like 17th-century Eastern Europe, their swimsuits were full-bodied female

lingerie and looked old-fashi+oned, which was the only swimsuit Elchea

possessed

Because of that, Sora had to plead Steph to make a neimsuit

From her expression, she had probably selected a swimsuit she liked from

Sora and shi+ro’s catalogue as well

But the reason why Sora froze on the spot wasn’t the swimsuit

The realreason was because he saw 「That」 which was large enough to the

point of al from the swimsuit – and the numbers endlessly

flashi+ng in his brain made him freeze

“- I, ihty-nine… the power levels are at

five hundred thousand -!?”

“You – how did you know – No! What are you talking about!!”

The power levelscanner within his head calculated Steph’s stunningly high

「BustSora tremor uncontrollably

Things like this existed!

Did I miss it since the steam was too dense earlier!?

“…Ugh, ugh… to think that a h standards -!”

“Eh, ah! R, really? I, it’s nothing…”

Steph wiggled nervously, appearing rather glad with herself

Sora was about to say so else to her, but –

“I apologize, Master, because it took a long time to 「Weave」 this into a

fashi+on of your preference”

“Haha, it’s fine, ood woman as well!”

Hearing the two voices, everyone turned around at once – suddenly, Sora’s

power levelscanner exploded and fleay

Sora and Ino didn’t have the ti their instincts,

both of the fashi+on, as though it was

obligatory for them to do so

What they sahen they turned around was – two Goddesses

The two Goddesses – one of them was Jibril

Her hair that was changing colors see to the rays of

light shooting down fro around in the sea-wind and sun,

appeared even

That structural beauty almost at the point of perfection would make any

sculptor’s heart ht

And that artwork of a body, earing the swimsuit Sora had

recommended

Jibril nor clothes as well, so Sora had selected

a swi a coverall with the abdominal area woven with silk

She had used a large female shawl as a sort of belt wrapped around her

waist, and her faintly gloings protruded from it

The halo spinning around on her head, added a sort of holy aura to her

Her indisputable beauty would unquestionably convince others that she was a

Goddess descended from the heavens

The two Goddesses – the second one was Miko

Her golden hair, ears, tail and snohite skin, under the bright glow of the

sun, was exactly like – a Buddha

With her subtle body curves, ifJibril was considered an extreme beauty –

then she would be a supreme one

Her delicate skin that was usually hidden under a kimono was now

co another hanten

But the swiht, revealing her pink

and tender shoulders,her appear unbelievably beautiful

Her golden hair and twin tails would shake as she stepped along the beach,

along with the flirtatious smile on her face would convince anyone that an

i over one actually

exists

The twodown their

cheeks

They were praying to an unknown existence for reasons they themselves did

not know

“…Hatsuse Ino, has finally realized why he lives and exists upon this earth - !”

“Oh, dear God! I don’t knohere you are, nor who you are, but you are a

God of exceptional tastes for creating Jibril and Miko upon this earth – ah,

please take me in as your disciple…”

- The creation of a religion

Steph and Izuna witnessed this precious moment, however –

“- Well, it’s true that so like this would happen when compared to

the treated a bit too far off?”

“…? Did they get sand in their eyes, des?”

Looking at the twoin complete reverence, Izuna

tilted her head in confusion

“Ah, Master, I aet up!!”

“Mm, rise, how about you lift up your heads, and properly enjoy the privilege

of witnessing me in a swimsuit?”

Jibril i Sora’s actions,

while Miko laughed aloud instead

Hearing the words spoken by the tomen, Sora and Ino stood up in

trepidation

Again setting their eyes upon the two’s sacred figures, Sora and Ino looked

up to the sky at once

“…I feel like I’ve enjoyed myself immensely already”

“…Yes, I feel accomplished as well”

“Let’s go back”

“…It’s rare that we see eye-to-eye, Sora-san”

- Both of the philosophical

The two that were usually like fire and water, at that point, didn’t have any

barriers between theed

They were instead boththe same

thoughts within themselves, sympathetic towards each other

- Why does everyone have to fight ast each other?

The world is such a beautiful place –

“No, please wait! Why did we come here in the first place?”

Steph yelled at the tworevelations in the

horizon

- Eh?

“…Why is that?”

“Please allow me to answer, Master, I believe ere here to pay a visit to

the capital of the Seirenes”

…Ah, right, Sora finally remembered

- Yes, exactly as Jibril had said, they hadn’t come here to play in the ocean

It was Plum who had said that the Seirens would send a boat to fetch them,

which hy they came

Because the capital of the Seirens – 「Oceando」 was at the bottom of the

sea

Jibril had never been there and she couldn’t see it as well, so she couldn’t

teleport them there

So, according to their earlier arrangeuide them from here,

but –

“Huide us earlier?”

“I, I’m here…”

“Whoa!?”

A soft voice drifted up fro Sora jump in surprise

He didn’t knohen it had appeared, but a pair of eyes looked up at him

from a wooden crate which presence he couldn’t detect until earlier next to

his legs

“…Eh, is this Plu, this is the sea, the sea you know”

“D, don’t be so inconsiderate… t, this is already my limit!” Plum answered

Patterns began appearing around her not unlike those when she used ic –

and tears appeared in her eyes

“Master, sunlight is fatal to the Dha in the box,

she still needs to avert the rays of the sun –“

Hearing Jibril’s words, Sora recalled the 「Disease」

Since it was trans, it would mean that the

Dhampir themselves wouldn’t be able to see the sun

“…Oceande only sends their 「Reception Boat」 at night! Why did we have to

co the day…”

- That’s right

She had said earlier, the boat would only come after sunset

Plum complained in frustration, why had they come in the daytime which was

like a hellish frying pan to her

“No, but this is the sea, you want me to skip the swimsuits in a situation like

this, are you for real?”

- If not for Jibril’s secret 「Sunblock」, Sora wouldn’t have come in the day

either

“Oh yeah, Jibril, is the sunblock useless on Plum?”

“Sadly, Master, for the Dhaht」 is the cause of

death”

Jibrilstated that there was no possible solution, but was corrected by Plum

“Ah, no… it’s fine if an even stronger spell is cast… but it would use up too

y”

They remembered how exhausted she had looked when she had first came to

Sora’s and everyone else’s residence

Whichsun like this,

she would probably end up in that state again

“Um, about that… because of the quality of the Seirens’ blood, well, I’m

unable to use too th… so…”

Suddenly, a sweet smile appeared on Plum’s face

“Again! As long as you let me lick shi+ro-sama’s feet, I can successfully use

ic ~ ehehe ~ ☆”

“Absolutely not, you’d better stay quietly in that box”

With her suggestion iain

while sighing

“…Hey, considering that they’re ranked twelfth place, aren’t the Dhampir a

bit too weak?”

- Even when co with the preset abilities of the vampires back in his

world, Sora still thought this way

“The ability of the Dhampir corresponds with the blood that they have

consuer their power”

Jibrilreplied

“If coh affinity with confusion or

concealing ic – like let’s say, the blood of an Elf, 「assassins」 that are

extremely hard to deal ould be birthed, and those actually do pose a

large threat on the battlefield”

…So that’s how it is, Sora reht

It was a moment of carelessness, but even Jibril was tricked by her, and now

–

“- Now it’s been reduced to this…”

Looking down at the box at his feet, Sora spoke with his eyes half open

It was obvious that she was still tre within the box, with more tears in

her eyes

“- I was thinking since earlier, the Elves and the Flügel, have only a one-rank

difference, so wouldn’t your strength be about the same? She can drink the

blood of an Elf, but she would evaporate upon drinking Jibril’s blood right?”

Sora asked while pointing to the wooden box at his feet, while Jibrilreplied:

“Yes, because on the rankings there is a 「Segmentation」”

“Segmentation?”

“Essentially speaking, those below the seventh rank are 「Living Beings」,

while those above are classified as 「Life」”

“…Which means?”

“Those that possess a physical body of flesh, and use typical methods of

reproduction are cos」, which end at the

Elves that are ranked seventh; while those above possess the strength of will

or concept, which you could think of those as 「Life」”

- M –

That was a watershed inco common sense, was how Sora

interpreted it

“Also, the ones ranked just above Jibril – are the Gigants right? What’s the

difference in strength between you and that race?”

“…Let ant, it would be too inadequate to kill it

with the strength of just one, so , I think I’d need

five other co one?”

“No, I don’t, so stop looking so excited!”

This person over here with a disappointed expression on her face – could

single-handedly take down an Elf at the top of those classified as 「Living

Beings」

But she needed the strength ofsix to take down a Gigant ranked in the fifth

position

- It was a miracle that those below the seventh survived the 「Great War」

Especially the Iht

“Speaking of us… hey~! shi+ro, are you still not done?”

Suddenly, Sora realized a long period of time had passed, so he directed his

question to the shrubbery behind him

“…Mm”

Reacting to Sora’s voice, shi+ro stuck her head out from behind a tree

She looked hesitant as though she didn’t dare to come out

“What is it? shi+ro, do you still hate the sunlight? If you’re uncomfortable you

don’t have to force yourself!”

Although she had Jibril’s specialsunblock on, shi+ro still hated the sunlight

Not to reater than Sora’s, which of

course Sora knew – in response to Sora that cared for her, shi+ro –

Shaking her head continually, although still hesitant, she stillsloalked out

from behind the trees

“…Oh~ how beautiful”

“Ah, isn’t this cute?”

“…shi+ro, you’re really pretty, des”

Ino, Miko and Izuna had expressed their own opinions – but Sora froze yet

again instead

The one standing there was unquestionably his dear sister

- That’s hoas supposed to be, but –

“-…Eh?”

The one that was nervously walking out was - 「A geirl」

Her long hair that was already as white as snow usually, was tied up at the

back of her head after careful preening

Under the rays of the sun her hair wasn’t like snow anymore – but was more

like a crystal or a diamond

The skin that was revealed between her white bikini and red cap, was as

though to compliment her beautiful hair or ruby-like eyes –

“…Nii…?”

- Just like her cheeks, that flushed slightly red as well

“-Eh? Strange? Eh?”

The sense of violation fro so dreamily at his 「Sister」, made Sora

mumble questions unconsciously

While those s made shi+ro appear somewhat uneasy

“…So it really…doesn’t look good…?”

Upon seeing shi+ro say this while looking down and preparing to retreat again

into the trees, Sora appeared to return to norain

He hurriedly – he hi so panicky –

shook his head forcefully

“N, no! No!! I was just surprised since shi+ro’s so beautiful – no, wait, shi+ro

is a coo! You

know that… right? Eh?”

Sora tilted his head, curious as to why he was so shocked earlier

Jibril and Steph ere beside him looked immersed in her beauty as well

- shi+ro looked down in embarrassment

As her heart rate increased, her expression hinted at so else – a tiny,

appeased smile

“…Really? That’s… good…”

…

“Master really is worthy of his title… isn’t this an unbelievably precious piece

of eye candy?”

“No, that’s not how it is, it’s nors ahhhh”

Jibril appeared refreshed, with her skin pale and smooth… let out a breath of

air

Steph wrapped her hands around her head, appearing to be undergoing some

sort of internal conflict

“…Nii…?”

“Oh, hreatest pride

after all!”

shi+ro walked closer to Sora, which hen Sora returned to his normal

self

Being patted on the head by Sora, shi+ro nodded her head as though finally

appeased

“-Uh, right, Pluive us an estimate of when the 「Reception Boat」

will arrive?”

Sora felt slightly aard, and reinal aim, questioned

Plum

Hearing Sora’s words, everyone at once – looked over at Plum

Pluhtly from within the box, and replied:

“Uht or so –“

“-Oh, we have quite a lot of time left”

Plum replied in a defeated voice:

“That’s e didn’t need to come so early… waaaahhhh”

After finishi+ng her sentence – ht was too

uncoain

“It’s fine, what difference does this make?”

Miko spoke casually, and undetected by everyone else, she had already lay

down on the grass bed Sora was using earlier, allowing her followers to fan

her with the giant leaves, she gave an elegant reply

“Just take this as a well-deserved vacation, relax and wait for the boat, after

all one always needs a break in life right?”

Sora and shi+ro scratched their heads while sed a

knowing glance

shi+ro nodded her head

“Thinking closely, this is the first time shi+ro and I have been to the seaside”

Sora’s eyes swept over Steph, Jibril, Izuna and Ino each briefly, then spoke

with a laugh

“Wanna try having some fun suitable for the seaside?”

Part 2

The blindingly white beach

Light shi+ the sky like a mirror

Through the blue sky that appeared as though sprinkled with paint, sunlight

pierced through, and the clouds swam in the distance

There were only the noisy sounds of the waves and in the scenery with

seagulls chirping, a few ripples sprayed about

A group of people appeared to be playing on the section of the beach where

the water was only up to their ankles, and shi+ro tossed the beach ball they

brought to the others

“…Steph…catch”

“I just need to pass this down right? I’ to pass OK, Izuna?”

Nih in the air to Izuna

Izuna stretched her hand out to catch the ballflying in her direction

She tilted her head

“…? I don’t know the rules, des”

Maybe because she was different from Steph who could read the situations

based on the actions of others, as she didn’t understand the point of the entire

affair, Izuna spoke somewhat in a confused manner

“Ah~ eren’t really going to play games in the first place… but how

about this, you can’t catch the ball, just touch it once and take turns passing

the ball to each other, whoever can’t catch it will be considered the loser –

so like that”

“…I understand, des…”

Steph sreement

“This really gives off a relaxing sensation… isn’t it great to just play relaxing

games like this once in a while?”

- Just like that, Steph still had a cheery expression on her face, but she still

hadn’t realized

Sora, shi+ro and Izuna’s gazes, had become as sharp as knives

Since the rules had already been set and elaborated upon, this – is now a

「Game」

Which means –

(-I must win-!)

Just like that, aside from Steph as still as relaxed as ever, the three of

the spirit…

“…Then…shi+ro willstart…”

shi+ro spoke while asking for the ball back, silently exchanging a glance with

Sora

- shi+ro who took the ball back, nonchalantly dipped it in the seawater

“…Here…Steph, catch…”

Just like that, the paper-made beach ball with only its bottom drenched in

water fleards Steph without twirling in the air even the slightest

It had even accurately – grasped the instant where there was no wind

“OK, I’ to pass~?”

It was a wordless exchange ofschemes, but Steph passed the ball just the

sa

shi+ro had messed with the ball – if Steph were to pass the ball directly, the

ball would slightly veer from the point she were to aim at

As a result, the ball passed by Steph to Izuna spun slightly in the air

- Because only the underside of the ball had absorbed the weight of the

water, the path of the ball would shi+ft irregularly

“-!”

Izuna instantly spotted the slight shi+ft of the ball

She kicked the floor, creating a sht up to the ball

and saved it

It was a norht by Izuna’s arm