Vol 10 Chapter 1 (2/2)

It was the following night after G.o.dou had fought Lancelot and seen

Athena off as she pa.s.sed away.

G.o.dou was greatly surprised to read the arrived letter.

'Seeing as this object piques this humble servant's interest, one shall retain

custody for now. By this simple expression of borrowing intent, your

consent would be most desirable. The object in question shall be returned

after thorough experimentation. Should the object in question be deemed

to require our protection, the experiment could possibly be extended, one

humbly prays for your understanding — Alexandre Gascoigne.'

This letter had been delivered to the History Compilation Committee.

Signed Alexandre Gascoigne, the Campione who had taken the Heavenly

Reverse Halberd by force. G.o.dou recalled that the guy was nicknamed

something like Black Prince Alec.

”...In other words, he's saying 'I borrowed it because it interested me, so

don't be offended if I happen to decide not to return it.' What the heck, this

guy!”

G.o.dou objected as he finished the letter.

It had reportedly been sent via magic to the Sayanomiya residence at

Sanbanchou in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward.

After returning from Kisarazu, he did not head home immediately but

visited the Sayanomiya residence to examine Alec's letter and discuss

their next move.

”So this is Black Prince Alec's infamous 'borrowing note'? This is my first

time seeing one.”

The one grumbling was the next Sayanomiya family head, Sayanomiya

Kaoru.

Occupying the drawing room in the house were the three: the

cross-dressing beauty, G.o.dou and Erica.

A three-person emergency meeting. Ena had been forcibly hospitalized for

overuse of divine possession. Yuri and Liliana were still at the hospital

undergoing examinations for sequelae from the petrification. Amakasu had

also gone out to oversee the handling of the aftermath.

”That guy has apparently done this kind of stuff many times, right?”

”Yes, that person has plundered sacred treasures and divine artifacts

collected by various European magic a.s.sociations. His explanation is

always 'Now this is interesting, let me check it out.'”

Erica shrugged as she answered G.o.dou's question.

”He prefers dramatically penetrating heavy security to steal after a prior

declaration of intent. Unless there was no opportunity to put on a good

show, then he simply leaves a borrowing note and takes by force. Also,

items of particular significance are never returned but kept and displayed

at his a.s.sociation [Royal a.r.s.enal].”

”It's said he boasts of imitating the style of traditional British imperialism.”

England's pride, the British Museum.

Within it was displayed a mult.i.tude of artifacts plundered from various

places around the world, a rather well-known fact...

So that Campione was deliberately imitating it. G.o.dou was reminded of the

description ”the eccentric man with dismal character” that he had heard

before.

”The English Campione, no mistake about it, right?”

”Yes. It is often rumored that amongst the seven Devil Kings, his interests

were slightly different from the others.”

Kaoru answered as she gave Erica a glance.

”Regarding this matter, shouldn't Erica-san be particularly informed?”

”That's right. We European magi have been greatly troubled ever since

that particular person became a Campione twelve years ago.”

Erica began to lead the conversation.

”Marquis Voban, Her Eminence Luo Hao, Sir Salvatore, John Pluto

Smith-sama, and Kusanagi G.o.dou. These five are all 'warriors.' They only

s.h.i.+ne with true radiance and feel satisfaction during battle. But limited to

G.o.ds or other Campiones as opponents, of course.”

”...Can you stop grouping me with those people so easily?”

Even though G.o.dou complained about the inappropriate example, Erica

continued unfazed.

”Since the Black Prince is a Campione after all, I believe he has to be a

'warrior.' But from the way he acts, he is also an 'explorer' and an

'adventurer' at the same time.”

”Explorer and adventurer...?”

G.o.dou began to ponder the unexpected description.

”So you mean that guy not only lives to fight, but also seeks meaning in life

by challenging mysteries and dangerous things?”

”An apt description. Indeed it is so. Thus resulting in this note we were

talking about.”

”It's not that different from that idiot Doni who keeps saying 'have a little

duel with me, please'...”

G.o.dou continued to grumble as he looked at the note Erica was referring

to.

”However, why did he steal the Heavenly Reverse Halberd? Could he

intend to give it to Guinevere's gang?”

”I consider that extremely unlikely. The Black Prince has been enemies

with Guinevere for many years.”

”If that's the case, then let's just put aside for now the issue of that

Gascoigne guy.”

Hearing Erica's answer, G.o.dou remarked.

”If the Heavenly Reverse Halberd is in his hands, Guinevere and her

group's attentions should be focusing on him, right? Then during this time

we can prepare for other things.”

”Other things?”

”Yes. To prepare for the battle against that guy — Lancelot.”

G.o.dou a.s.serted in response to Kaoru's question.

Hearing the war G.o.d's name, both the cross-dressing beauty and Erica

nodded.

”Even though it is baseless intuition... I believe that guy will come to j.a.pan

again for a fight. I want to be ready when the time comes.”

Lancelot du Lac who had killed Athena.

Without even thinking, G.o.dou had declared he will fight that G.o.d again.

Furthermore, his heart believed that day would not be far away.

Or perhaps, it was a G.o.d-slayer's instincts that made the prediction.

In that case, forging the [Sword] in preparation for Lancelot's duel was

imperative.

The following day was Monday.

Yuri and Liliana missed cla.s.s because their checkup at the hospital had

been extended.

Then came Tuesday. a.s.sured that they were fine, the two had returned to

school.

On this day, G.o.dou and the rest were having lunch in the courtyard.

Even though they had been meeting for lunch on the roof all along, it was

now the middle of November.

The blowing wind had become rather chilly so they changed their lunch

location to the courtyard. Since the surroundings were enclosed by the

buildings' walls, it was quite warm as long as there was direct sunlight.

Having sat down for lunch, G.o.dou received the report of ”Black Prince

Alec, whereabouts unknown.”

”G.o.dou, you asked me to express your displeasure concerning this

incident, right?”

”Ah yes.”

”Hence, [Royal a.r.s.enal] had been contacted. As their second-in-command,

Sir Iceman acknowledged the Black Prince's appearance in j.a.pan which

occurred two days ago.”

Erica reported with a glum expression.

”They expressed ignorance as to the Black Prince's current whereabouts.”

”Normally, when an organization's leader is absent, shouldn't they know

exactly where he is instead?”

G.o.dou exclaimed in surprise.

Where did Black Prince Alec disappear to after stealing the Heavenly

Reverse Halberd from Amakasu? The History Compilation Committee's

special agents also seemed unable to find out. What a mystery.

”In actual fact, Sir Iceman happens to be acquainted with my Esteemed

Uncle since childhood. Here are his exact words.”

A legendary knight on the same level as Erica's uncle, Paolo Blandelli.

'My utmost apologies. Alexandre Gascoigne has completely ignored our

efforts to contact him for the past few days, and his status is currently

unknown. It is most regrettable, but it happens quite often unfortunately.'

'In that case, the only option is to wait for him to contact us. Our chief's

location, what he's doing, facing what kind of danger... We usually find out

only after the fact. And this time, even j.a.pan's Campione has expressed

his displeasure. Really, my stomach pains are going to kill me...'

Those were the words of the man known as Sir Iceman.

Listening to the voice through the phone, Erica could not discern any intent

to conceal the truth. Rather, it felt like she was catching a glimpse of a

loyal va.s.sal's troubles over an excessively unruly master.

”I too, have heard stories of Prince Alec's excessive preference for acting

alone, often leaving his subordinates behind. In that case, it could very well

be the truth.”

Liliana spoke as she opened the lunch basket.

”Of course, the possibility that he is deliberately hiding the truth remains.

But still, their explanation is quite plausible.”

Liliana glanced at G.o.dou as she handed the hamburger over to him.

Held between two pieces of bread was a beef patty, tomatoes, lettuce,

bacon, avocado, and cheese, secured with a plastic toothpick.

Other than that, she had also prepared pickles, onion rings and more.

Despite the sumptuous menu, rather than eating, G.o.dou was more

concerned about the knight's att.i.tude.

”What's with that strange look?”

”Ah, no. I was just thinking whether all the various Campiones were natural

troublemakers without exception.”

”It really is true. They are a group to whom common sense cannot be

applied.”

Why was even Yuri gazing at G.o.dou as she spoke?

Recently, it felt like the girls around him were increasing the frequency of

such biting commentary... It always gave G.o.dou an uneasy feeling.

”Anyway, it's unclear where in the world Black Prince Alec is currently

located. That person has the ability to fly around like lightning. Even if he

had been traveling from the Arctic to Antarctica these few days, it would

come as no surprise.”

In a rare moment, Erica declared defeat as she gracefully received and

sipped the tea handed to her by Yuri.

”A genius who can move and act instantaneously in a composed manner.

Acting as if the surrounding people would just get up and follow him. Had

he been the boss of Amadeus Mozart, he would have made a really good

role model.”

”Let's just put that guy's issues aside for now. No matter what, handling the

problem of Lancelot would be the most practical course of action.”

”Heretic Lancelot is a very difficult to understand divinity.”

Liliana said to G.o.dou as he pondered.

”He only acts as a guardian for an extremely rare number of top witches,

protecting them secretly. Neither Erica nor I know what his prototype is.”

”I have something to say to G.o.dou regarding this.”

Erica interrupted.

”If you want to find out the secrets of witches, just go ahead and ask a

witch. Since this is a secret not even Liliana knows, the candidates for

counsel are obviously limited, right? Hence, I've already attempted to

contact that person, and received a response of 'I can offer a.s.sistance on

a personal level.”'

”That person?”

”Yes. The highborn one in London.”

G.o.dou nodded. After the battle with the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, he

had heard about her origins. Amongst those he was acquainted with, the

only witches surpa.s.sing Liliana were Lucretia Zola and that person.

”That person also said, 'if you want to approach the mystery of Heretic

Lancelot, bring the miko over.'”

Hearing Erica pa.s.sing along the message, G.o.dou looked to the Yamato

Nades.h.i.+ko sitting on his left.

Miko. Of course it meant Mariya Yuri. G.o.dou immediately spoke:

”May I trouble you, Mariya?”

”Y-Yes. Of course you may!”

Yuri nodded and blushed for some reason.

”As long as G.o.dou-san wishes... No matter where, I will always

accompany you...”

”That'd be a great help. Thank you very much.”

”Even though it bears no mentioning, I will come as well. To take on the

role of contacting that person, the prime candidate is obviously your knight,

Erica Blandelli.”

”Of course. Things would be difficult without you there.”

G.o.dou instantly agreed to Erica's interruption. The thought of the blonde

red maiden not accompanying him never crossed his mind.

”Liliana, can I leave travel preparations in your hands?”

”You, Erica and Mariya Yuri. That is three in number, right? ...Umm, can

you tell me if you will be needing one more person...?”

The one who called herself Grand Chamberlain, Liliana, answered rather

awkwardly.

”Isn't that a strange thing to ask?”

”Y-Yes. Well then, it is decided.”

After hearing G.o.dou's deliberately ambiguous response, Liliana

immediately brightened up in mood.

Travel preparations would be made for four people. Next they only had to

wait for the day of departure — Just as G.o.dou nodded to himself...

”But G.o.dou-san, are you planning to go this weekend?”

”Ah yes, that's the plan.”

”You already spent last weekend away from home. Will everyone in the

Kusanagi household allow this?”

Only when prompted by Yuri's worried reminder did G.o.dou finally realize.

Last week he had spent two consecutive nights away from home on Friday

and Sat.u.r.day due to the battles with Athena and Lancelot. If he set off after

school this Friday, it would be having excursions two weeks in a row.

Any normal high school student's family would never allow such a thing.

In this regard, the Mariya family which supported their daughter's

responsibilities as a Hime-Miko, as well as the Blandelli and Kranjcar

families which do not have guardians in the first place, were quite atypical.

However.

”I don't know if I should feel lucky or not, but the guardians in my family are

quite unusual so there shouldn't be a problem.”

As he imagined the responses of the Kusanagi household, G.o.dou

explained without a worry.

If his mother Kusanagi Mayo was being asked for permission to go on a

trip:

'Oh? Don't bother bringing back souvenirs. I'm not interested in food I don't

like. If you insist on a gift no matter what, I'll only accept alcohol.'

Something like that. She would answer without even caring to ask where

the destination was.

If his grandfather Kusanagi Ichirou was being asked for permission to go

on a trip, he would probably smile suddenly and gaze at G.o.dou like some

sort of accomplice.

My legal guardians are truly extraordinary. G.o.dou marveled in surprise as

he imagined.

”However, would your little sister s.h.i.+zuka not say anything? Actually

yesterday, during the tea ceremony club's activities, she was very angry

because G.o.dou-san spent the night outside without even telling her where

you went.”

”...Eh? Her, something like that happened?”

Little sister Kusanagi s.h.i.+zuka. G.o.dou was greatly surprised to hear the

unexpected name.

Now that he thought about it, she did complain to him when he returned

from Kisarazu.

”Right. She's the one person who belongs in the normal category.”

G.o.dou muttered as he hugged his shoulders.

Well, she was also the little sister who had shown remarkable potential

during the Kusanagi clan's new year celebration by nonchalantly opening a

bottle of whisky.

”Man, I'd better find a suitable excuse, or else...”

He could not let his family worry. G.o.dou grumbled as he thought to

himself.

”So, would you like me to intercede with s.h.i.+zuka on your behalf?”

”Mariya?”

”Yes. I shall tell her that a matter urgently requires G.o.dou-san's

a.s.sistance, and that you need to go somewhere a little far.”

Yuri suggested with a calm smile.

That's right. Under the pretext of helping friends, perhaps s.h.i.+zuka could

empathize. Because the younger sister had such a compet.i.tive spirit, she

loved making fusses over nothing.

”That could work. Thanks a lot, Mari — ”

”I don't want to rain on your parade, but I would suggest otherwise. If you

seriously go that route, it will only pour oil over the fire.”

”It is as Erica says. Please do not make unnecessary provocations towards

an injured beast.”

Erica and Liliana both voiced their objections to Yuri's proposal.

”Actually, I think if this reason was used, my little sister wouldn't object.”

”Yes. Little sister s.h.i.+zuka is a person with a gentle heart...”

G.o.dou and Yuri were mystified.

”Gentleness is irrelevant here.”

”The problem here lies in using Yuri to bail you out. Naturally, using either

Liliana or my name won't work either. You're going to have to find a more

effective excuse, G.o.dou... Well, if worse comes to worst, you can simply

leave without saying a word, thereby preventing any resistance in

particular.”

The genius negotiator, the [Diavolo Rosso], shrugged.

No matter what, ignoring the little sister too much was a bad idea. What

should G.o.dou do?

Wednesday arrived the following day, but G.o.dou had yet to come up with

an explanation for his sister.

G.o.dou went to visit Seishuuin Ena.

Having fought desperately on her own in the battles a few days ago, Ena

was about to return to her ancestral home at Chichibu for recuperation.

G.o.dou had heard that her body had acc.u.mulated an extraordinary amount

of fatigue and injury due to overusing divine possession.

”Yes, even though it's true my body continues to feel quite heavy, it's still

barely okay, and I'm fine with going along with Your Majesty. But I can't

believe everyone wants to lock up poor Ena in the old home!”

The Hime-Miko of the Sword voiced her displeasure to the visitor G.o.dou.

She was on a hospital bed.

”Seishuuin, you worked very hard already and should rest properly now.

Erica has returned so you don't have to worry about me.”

”That may be true, but Ena still wants to stay with Your Majesty.”

In a rare moment, Ena was acting cute like a spoiled child as she pleaded

with G.o.dou.

Maybe she was feeling lonely and worried due to her weakened body?

G.o.dou placed his hand on Ena's shoulder and persuaded her gently.

”If you force yourself too much and wreck your health, I will be very

troubled. I want to be together with a lively and healthy Seishuuin. So

please, get some rest obediently during this time.”

”Mmm, come on... I can't believe you'd say it like that, Your Majesty is so

sly.”

Faced with G.o.dou's sincere request, Ena pouted as she nodded.

”No matter how reluctant I am, this is the request of my husband after all.

Ena will rest properly.”

”1-1 see. I'm sorry it has to be like this.”

Even though G.o.dou grew frantic at being called her husband, he smiled

with rea.s.surance.

”However, if there is a next time... Ena needs a kiss, oh? Otherwise, Ena

will not listen to Your Majesty's orders ever again.”

Shyly throwing a little tantrum, Ena was irresistibly cute. Nevertheless, that

was a truly problematic demand.

Panicking as he tried to come up with an answer to muddle through

ambiguously, G.o.dou was instantly trapped by Ena.

”Because this is a promise. Keep your word properly!”

Despite the unexpected development, G.o.dou managed to convince Ena to

recuperate obediently without issue.

The remaining problem was s.h.i.+zuka. He was in big trouble this time.

Would he need to resort to departing unannounced? G.o.dou continued to

contemplate the troublesome issue.

Part 4

Thursday arrived at last, the day prior to departure.

Walking home from school, G.o.dou had almost resigned himself to leave

without telling s.h.i.+zuka, but an encounter with the childhood friend changed

the situation.

”Hey G.o.dou, you came at the right time.”

Walking along the shopping street in Nezu Sanchoume, he was stopped

by his twin-tailed childhood friend with the forceful personality, Tokunaga

Asuka.

She must have just returned from school as well, since she was still in

Tokyo Metropolitan High's uniform.

”Early next month is s.h.i.+zuka-chan's birthday, right? Have you prepared a

gift?”

”...Now that you brought it up, yeah you're right.”

Asuka instantly frowned at his answer.

”Look at you. You must have forgotten completely. Unbelievable! So of

course, you still haven't gotten a gift, right?”

”Uhyeah, nothing at all.”

”Oh come on! If you take such sloppy care of girls, even if it's

s.h.i.+zuka-chan, she will be angry for sure. You're a really useless older

brother!”

As always, Asuka was scolding mercilessly.

”Taking care and whatnot... She's family, my sister, right? I shouldn't need

to take great pains, right?”

”It's how you should act as a man.”

Really? G.o.dou began to ponder Asuka's words with a ”Hmm.”

”Well, fine. How about going shopping for a gift with me this weekend?

Which day would be better for you, Sat.u.r.day or Sunday? But I'll need to

work on Sat.u.r.day, so only the morning is free.”

Making plans on her own before G.o.dou could respond, Asuka proposed

with great ferocity.

”Sorry, I've already got plans this weekend. Neither Sat.u.r.day nor Sunday

works.”

G.o.dou refused.

Since he had long distance travel plans, there was no time to spare for

Asuka.

”Shopping only takes an hour or two, right? You can't even spare a little

time like that?”

”I need to make a brief trip abroad... And all sorts of troubles will be coming

up later. I feel like it'd be a disaster if I can't handle that guy properly, so I

have no choice but to go.”

Unable to give out any details, G.o.dou could only word things ambiguously.

Will she accept this explanation? Just as G.o.dou worried over what he

should add to the explanation, Asuka sighed deeply with a great ”hah~”

”Oh fine. Then let's go shopping the following week. That's not a problem,

right?”

”Right. Nothing's planned. But I can't guarantee emergencies won't come

up.”

”Worry about it when the time comes. We'll just adapt flexibly as things

change. Then let's decide the details next week.”

G.o.dou was amazed at the childhood friend's response. He could not

believe she did not raise a fuss over his explanation.

Asuka was someone whose scoldings had always been as common as

greetings to him. She proceeded to remark knowingly:

”Since you described it that way, you must be going on a trip for the sake

of friends, right? All things considered, you were a guy who went all the

way to Kanazawa to help out a friend in need back when you were only in

sixth grade.”

”Ah yeah. Now that you brought it up, something like that did happen.”

It was a nostalgic memory he had almost forgotten.

At the time, a friend of G.o.dou and Asuka's had run into trouble after

transferring to Kanazawa (the one in Is.h.i.+kawa prefecture, naturally)... And

G.o.dou departed after leaving a voice message of ”Just gonna have a

look.”

G.o.dou had originally planned to go alone, but Asuka went along because

she was worried.

The Tokunaga family went into an uproar, believing ”Could they have

eloped!?” As a side note, the Kusanagi family seemed to have reacted with

”Nothing special really” in complete nonchalance.

”Those fleeting footsteps of yours really scared me. And I was completely

awed by your savings which did not match your ident.i.ty as an elementary

schooler. By the way, I've heard about your victories in the strange

contests held during the Kusanagi clan's New Year gatherings, who knew

you could gamble and win money from that...”

It was true indeed. The entire travel expenses of the two elementary

schoolers were borne by G.o.dou alone.

Asuka had not brought enough money but G.o.dou turned out to be rather

well off.

Every New Year's, the entire Kusanagi clan gathered for a banquet

followed by a mix of oriental and occidental games including Hanafuda,

cee-lo, backgammon, poker, mahjong. Children were supposed to be

forbidden from partic.i.p.ating, but somehow G.o.dou was able to slip past that

restriction at the age of six.

In the beginning, he partic.i.p.ated mostly for fun.

However, after trying it out and winning big, he was forced to partic.i.p.ate

every year thereafter as the adults said ”this year you will be defeated” in

their quest for restored honor. G.o.dou's successes were probably thanks to

the tricks taught by the elderly distant relative who had been the subject of

the legend of Kantou's strongest gambler in his youth.

G.o.dou kept his winnings as rule-breaking ”New Year's money” and saved

it all up. This became something of a tradition.

Next New Year's, it's probably time they start giving me a break, thought

G.o.dou.

”So, make sure you're free next Sat.u.r.day. Since her birthday will be here

soon, do try to be more mindful of s.h.i.+zuka-chan's affairs, okay?”

Asuka went home after offering this advice.

Well, Asuka's not that bad after all. G.o.dou once again reaffirmed the

qualities of his childhood friend.

Arriving back home, he found s.h.i.+zuka who happened to be drinking tea in

the living room.

”Ah, Onii-chan. Welcome home. You came back early today.”

Seeing his sister, G.o.dou suddenly had an idea. Why not try out Asuka's

advice for once?

”Hey s.h.i.+zuka, I'm going to be spending this coming weekend at a friend's

place, so I probably won't be home from Friday to Sunday.”

”Eh!? Onii-chan is staying outside overnight again!?”

As expected, s.h.i.+zuka entered a rather dangerous mood.

”I'm sorry, there was something planned last week that couldn't be

cancelled no matter what. However, I will be free on the 3rd of next month.

Where should we go out for some fun? Let's also ask Asuka out as well

since it's been a while.”

December 3rd was the birthday of Kusanagi s.h.i.+zuka.

s.h.i.+zuka was unimpressed by G.o.dou's sudden proposal.

”W-What do you think you're doing? Could it be, you are trying to use this

to hide something!?”

”There's nothing to hide. Since I've been away from home so much

recently, we haven't had as much time to spend together. Wouldn't it be

nice once in a while?”

G.o.dou recalled his childhood memories when the two of them would often

play together.

Since both parents were always busy with work, the mother had moved

back into her old home after the divorce, and so the grandfather became

the ”guardian,” resulting in a decrease in opportunities for the siblings to

spend time together alone.

This was one of the reasons why s.h.i.+zuka was overly sensitive about her

brother's conduct.

Perhaps in her mind, the brother was the only one who would never leave

her side. But that was too naive a notion. Hence, G.o.dou would try as much

as possible to show her some care.

Finding her brother slightly repentant, s.h.i.+zuka angrily turned her face

away.

”Onii-chan is really terrible, saying something like this, you don't treasure

me at all. I have plans too, so don't just suddenly say this kind of stuff.”

”Suddenly? Isn't this advance enough in notice?”

”Despite how I look, I'm actually quite occupied. However, if Onii-chan

repents your infamous poor conduct by that time and goes out with the little

sister for some joyous fun, it's not like time can't be squeezed out from her

schedule.”

In other words, going out together was fine?

How troublesome of her. But then again, this style of speaking was very

much in s.h.i.+zuka's character. As he pondered how this obvious lack of

honesty made her unbelievably cute, G.o.dou replied:

”Ah yes, I've repented and changed my ways, so let's make things like old

times once in a while, okay?”

”Hmph, suddenly saying something so reasonable, it's very suspicious. But

it would be a shame if Onii-chan's repentance were to be wasted. Let's

spend this year's birthday together. But you have to remember! If your

conduct becomes strange again, I will mercilessly ignore you next year!”

The little sister declared as she furiously continued to keep her face turned

away.

G.o.dou replied 'Til remember.” At the end of his wits, he displayed a smile

at the same time.

And so G.o.dou finally resolved all the pressing personal problems, and was

prepared to set off.

At last, the weekend arrived — it was Friday after school.

Kusanagi G.o.dou brought his luggage and left for Haneda Airport.

Accompanying him were the three girls, Erica Blandelli, Mariya Yuri and

Liliana Kranjcar.

The destination was England's Heathrow Airport. Plane tickets and other

preparations had all been arranged through the History Compilation

Committee's hospitable efforts.

Towards London, for the sake of meeting the witch of the highest rank,

Princess Alice. A journey began once more.

References

1. t Min Nan(IIM): a family of Chinese languages spoken in Taiwan

and parts of mainland China such as southern Fujian, eastern

Guangdong, Hainan, and southern

Zhejiang. en.wi kipedia.org/wiki/Min_Nan

2. t Nuwa(:£JE): a G.o.ddess in ancient Chinese mythology best known

for creating mankind and repairing the wall of

heaven. en.wiki pedia.org/wiki/N%C3%BCwa

3. t Leech Child(4i-?-): p.r.o.nounced ”Hiruko,” the original name of

Ebisu(HJ:b2I), the j.a.panese G.o.d of fishermen, luck, and workingmen,

as well as the guardian of the health of small children. He was born

without bones and the first child of Izanagi and

lzanami.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebisu_(mythology)

4. t South Seas(j^n¥): the Chinese name for the geographical region

south of China, particularly Southeast Asia. The term came into

common usage in self-reference to the large ethnic Chinese migrant

population in Southeast Asia, to be more precise, in Singapore, the

Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and

Vietnam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanyang_( region)

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