247 245. The Second Labyrinth City.txt (1/2)

It's not surprising, given the calmness of the situation.

The reason we caught up with her caravan is simply the difference in numbers.

We were only three people riding in a carriage that could hold twenty. In contrast, Kounell-chan is a group activity.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're doing.

As I am enjoying my reunion with Kounel-chan, a familiar face emerges from one of the caravans. It's the legitimate princess as usual.

''Oh, is that Kanami-sama?　Hmph, you've been saved again.

In keeping with her grace, she is a little theatrical and light on the hero and princess scenes.

'Are you safe?　You all would have been able to get away from the monster ahead of you, but we weren't strangers to it, so we put our hands on it. Please forgive me.

No, thank you for the help. After all, Kanami-sama is a good-hearted person. I'm happy to see you again. Hmm.

Harmoniously we laugh. However, Kounell-chan next to me looked extremely dissatisfied and muttered, ”No, she said she'd be happy to be left alone ......”.

And it looks like she's not the only one who's unhappy. Titi came out of the crater and snarled at the situation.

'And, again, credit goes to Kanami: ....... Hmmm, I guess that's the way it is after all: ......

He's not happy with me talking to the princess, even though I've defeated the monster myself. The grateful gaze of the caravan is also gathering on Snow this time.

I can see Snow, who has become a work face in the distance, receiving thanks from her caravan companions.

''Aaaaah, I knew the Demon King is here too ....... Chairman, you didn't cast some kind of strange spell on your reliance, did you ......?　Like this, the contractual stuff that connects us to our destiny and so on: ......

Kounell-chan saw Titty's appearance and, with a reluctant look on her face, she questioned my magic.

'No, I don't think I've cast any spells, do you?

Then this is a coincidence?　No, the chairman's coincidences are worse than 'The Contract' ....... Ah, I could have escaped to the 'Second Maze City of Daryl' in just a few minutes. ......

I feel bad that I'm being spouted off like I'm an annoyance to you. I'm always trying to live my life in peace and quiet.

'Oh, and by the way, where is the next chairman's destination?　If possible, I'd like to leave the chairman as soon as possible: ......

Without hiding her true intentions anymore, Kounel asks us where she's going to go to get away from us. I'm sorry for her honesty, and I don't have to hide my destination either.

I'm sure you'll be able to help me find my way to the second mystery city, Daryl. After picking up our friends who are supposed to be there, we are going to enter the country of the Northern League and go to the north to Vyasia.

After all, the road is the same all the way to the middle. It's a good idea to go through 'The Second Maze City of Daryl' as well. ...... Ah, why did they build the country of Legia in the west?

Do you want to give up and come with me?　He said he'll be fine up to the middle. Probably because I think it's only after you join the 'Northern League' that you'll have problems.

No, my guess is as good as mine. The most dangerous thing in the world right now is ”Daryl the Second Maze City”. ......

With a mysterious look on her face, Kounell shakes her head.

Then she speaks to Titi, not me.

''I'm sure Demon King-sama would understand, but there's that dark cloud over there now, as you know. It's the same as it was a thousand years ago.

'What's that ....... You mean that indelible dark cloud ......?

It's not as dense as it was a thousand years ago, but it's definitely the same. My guess is that it's a precursor to a repeat of the horrific events of a thousand years ago.

Hmm. It certainly wasn't until a dark cloud began to form over the world, was it?

A thousand years ago, the world was shrouded in dark clouds, as Rowen and the Reapers had said. Of the few memories I can remember, I think I always saw only dark skies.

'That's why I don't want to go into the 'Second Maze City of Daryl' with the Chairman!　If the Chairman gets in there, something is bound to happen!　And they're going to have to go along for the ride, one way or another!　And then the level is raised again for nothing!　I don't want to get any more white stares from the priests during my physical exam!

Kounel-chan finished asserting her own feelings with a compelling expression.

Apparently, her level right now is not only for the amount she has raised by sucking her fellow vampires, but also for the amount she has raised by adventuring with me.

It seems that the information I got from the last 'connection' was really minimal. There seems to be more adventures of Kounel and Aikawa Uzumi that I don't know about.

It's true. What should we do, Kanamin?

'You seem to know a lot of things, so I guess I really want you to follow me halfway through. Kounel-chan, even though you say you're not a party to this, it seems you've been doing a lot of research on your own in the last thousand years.

Hmm, yes. So ...... Yes, yes, capture!

With a few preliminary movements, Titi went behind Kounell and hugged her.

'De, desyonee,'

Quuner-chan, who was easily caught, relaxed from her body. When we rescued her, she seemed to have a hunch that this was going to happen. There is no great resistance.

However, only the orthodox princess interrupted the sequence of events.

''Oh, please let go of that Kounel-chan!　Please, please!

In front of that straightforward opinion, Titty groaned, ”Mmmm,” but a white flag declaration was immediately raised by Kounell-chan herself.

''Thank you, Flora-chan. But it's fine, I've already given up. I'm sure this trip was destined to be like this from the beginning. We have no choice but to go along with it until the very last minute.

'You're sure you don't mind, Kounel?　From the side, well, it's in terrible shape, but ......

'The terrible thing is, this is how these people express their affection: ....... I'm not going to be able to do anything about it, so let's go with the heroes of the frontier and their party until the halfway point. I'll be taking care of the chairman's place, so I'll ask Flora-chan to take care of the caravan: ......

'Ha, ha ....... If that's okay with you, Kounell, you can go to .......

Kounel-chan, sensing the demands we will be making ahead of time, quickly organizes the conversation.

And the soldiers, who have been watching us in confusion, follow the instructions of the orthodox princess and return the caravan to its original formation. Only the remaining Kounel-chan joins us in the direction of our carriage. She's alone, without a single knight escort.

You can see that Kounell-chan's trust in us is evident from this.

Everyone returns to their respective carriages and soon the journey resumes.

The sound of hooves treading on the ground starts to shake the carriage. By the way, I'm the one wielding the whip at Goshadai. It's also simply because I have a high search ability. But there was a more important reason why I couldn't leave Titi, who is next in line with my search ability, in charge of the platform.

”-But he's very frightened, isn't he? Demon Lord-sama.

The reason for this is clearly stated by Kounell.

That's what I mean.

Even now, eyes are poking out of the carriages that are running alongside us all around us.

Soldiers and other dignitaries peek out of the windows of the carriages and look at us with great interest. However, when Titi looks out to the gyoja-dai, all of their eyes instantly turn in a different direction.

Everyone is watching Titi's exploits at sea and on land, and everyone is thinking.

That was awesome, but it's bad enough to get involved. Don't ever make eye contact with .......

Seeing this blatant attitude, Titi's mouth twitched and sulked.

'Mmm. It's because that's how Kounel calls the child the Demon King Demon King. It's a good idea to call the boy the brave man because everyone is scared of him. ”My hero.

''Indeed, that might be the case. But I feel that calling Demon King-sama a heroic person is not the same as calling him a heroic person. Well, there's also the fact that what's a brave man to begin with?

”...... Isn't a child good enough for a brave man?

Suddenly, Titi asks a serious question. The perceptive Kounell-chan answers the question without any embellishment.

''To put it simply, that's right. No, it's not like the Demon King is a nickname that suits you. When I talk to him like this, he's not that scary, completely different from the impression I had when I saw him from a distance a thousand years ago. I'd like to have another nickname that's not the Demon King or the Brave ...... but more friendly and different...

I'm sure she feels the same way as Ryner and I do, that Titty is the ”weird girl in the neighborhood”. The tension is gone now, just as it was when we first met.

...... That's right. ...... It's good to hear that from a guy who lived a thousand years ago.

When Titty heard that, she looked a little disappointed - but sighed with satisfaction.

I've been connected to her before, so I understand.

The current Kounel-chan's answer of ”The Demon King doesn't suit you” was an unexpected miracle. Even though she was a citizen of another country, I was able to get a clear statement from one of the people who knew her a thousand years ago that Lord Titty was not a 'king'.

It was as if he had picked up a 'beautiful stone' that outweighed the treasures on the way back, and Titty smiled happily.

Huh. It's time to get out of here. Well...

Then, on the way home, he gives up the play he was about to try.

Titi stands up in the carriage and abruptly takes off what she is wearing.

It's time to stop,” she said. A child does not need a brave man. It is not an easy job for a child to be a brave man. It's a job that a child cannot do. --And so, pop-pop-pop.

However, I didn't take off everything. I just took off all of the 'Flying Greenstone Light Armor Louis Finelyt' that Alibers-san gave me, leaving one shirt behind.

Then, I dexterously and quickly took off the armor, and now I put it on the nearby Snow.

''Eh, eh?''

Naturally, Snow is confused.

However, ignoring her bewilderment, Titi dresses Snow in the 'Flying Green Stone Light Armor of Louis Finelyt'.

A few tens of seconds later, a new Snow is born with a combination of the national costume, the Commander-in-Chief's costume and the Green Armor. It's a bit flashy because it's Titi's sense of style, but the jacket is well layered to hide the armor and make it natural.

It's a bit flashy because of Titi's flair, but the jacket is well layered to hide the armor, which is natural and keeps the Snow look, but also gives the armor some dignity and protection. Nice work for Titi.

After completing the new Snow, Titi also presents her own sword, Brave Florite, the Demon Sword of the Founder and the Demon King, at the end.

Snow. From now on, you will fight with your own talent. Your body is in good shape. From now on, you'll be fighting with swordsmanship to prevent the demon's poison from spreading to your body. Otherwise, your body will be the closest thing to a thief.

Titi seemed to be thinking about what I was worried about too. In order to prevent Snow from becoming 'dragonized', I'm going to show him a new path as a pioneer.

''Yeah, even if you say it's just sword skills, I'm not very good at that kind of thing ......''

”Fortunately, we have a master swordsman here. And here is a sword worthy of you. The sword of the legendary hero, the Holy Sword. It's very strong.

That sword ....... Sis, are you sure?

I guess Snow knows that this is not a normal one. I'll make sure of it.

I don't mind. It seems that the job of a brave child is not suited for a brave man. I've given up using it. I've given up on using it and leave it in the hands of the boy's beloved Snow.

'But I don't want to be a 'brave' ...... or rather a 'hero'?　Because my dream is to be a wife.

Yes, that's fine. No, that's why the boy would want to give it to Snow.

'............?　...... All right. Thanks, sis.

Snow nodded her head, but took it with the understanding that her intentions were firm.

Seeing that, Titi nodded her head repeatedly, ”Yeah, yeah” and was pleased. It seems that guardians (guardians), perhaps because of their age, have a tendency to want to leave something behind. They are truly happy to be able to leave something that they have used to their sisterhood.

And it was also the moment when he gave up on the existence of the brave man he had longed for since his childhood. It's as if you're looking at a child who has risen from junior high school to high school and found out the reality ...... that Titi's profile looks a little different.

Afterwards, after expressing her joy by raising Snow and Kounel in the carriage to the fullest extent, Titty continued her story.

''Phew. I'm glad that the masterpiece that Kanamin and I created didn't go to waste. ...... But if bravery is not the child's vocation, what is the child's goal? I suppose you can disappear without knowing, but I'm a bit curious.

Satisfied, the two girls were standing on either side of me, and this time they spoke to me on the gyoja-dai.

I thought the content of the conversation was unusual and mature.

If you were in the second year of junior high school earlier, you must be in the second year of high school now. At that age, you suddenly start to wonder about your future. This is the realm in which Titi is finally entering, after a thousand years of delay.

You said it yourself. ”No, you said it yourself, you're not a 'gardener'?

First of all, I mention 'The Gardener' that I used to do in the labyrinth.

Oh, the gardener. ”Ah, 'gardener'. It's not a profession to be entrusted with one's whole life. Hence, he was looking for a cooler and better job.

'Don't call me crappy. Apologize to all the 'gardeners' in the world. I think 'gardener' is your true calling. You're more suited to a detail-oriented job like 'The Gardener' than a fancy job. Otherwise, you'd be doing too much.

What Titi calls ”cool and awesome” can be ”terribly annoying” to those around you. If that's the case, a job as a gardener would be best. Even in the labyrinth not so long ago, everyone was grateful to me, even if it was in a city without a soul.

'Is that so?'

Yes.

Really, really?

'Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure Reiner would say the same thing.

Again and again, Titi checks.

I nod my head over and over again.

After all that, Titi finally seems to agree.

I see. I knew it would be better if he continued to live his life as a gardener.

Yes. It would have been a confirmation.

This wasn't strictly a 'future dream' - a confirmation of a 'past dream'.

During this journey home, she wanted to confirm it.

It's not ”The King” or ”The Brave”, but ”The Gardener” is the path that she should live by.

It wasn't so much as an unfinished business, but it was certainly an important part of Titi's life. With the answer to that question, he seemed to enjoy thinking about me next, not himself.

'Hmmm. But, as a 'gardener', the child is ....... Then I wonder what Kanamin's vocation is.

What, me?

Future profession (dream) ......?

That is, after I saved my sister and her friends.

I hadn't thought about it much, but Titi pointed it out to me and I'm thinking about it a little more seriously.

Like Titi, I want to choose something that fits my size. Of course, like Snow, I don't want to be a 'hero' at all.

Therefore, after the incident with the slaves and the Jewelcruise, I also thought it would be a good idea to seriously pursue a career as a doctor. As I recall, even when I was in the original world, I think I was thinking about something similar to that.

However, that would be denied by Kounel-chan.

''Hmm, the Chairman is a craftsman, so he's better suited to be a dressmaker or a craftsman. In the past, he said he wanted to work in the clothing business with Ate. To tell the truth, the chairman is a craftsman's type of person just like Ochi.

The type with Kounell-chan - I mean, he's a little thing at heart, so he's not suited to be a 'hero' or a 'doctor' who's in charge of people's lives.

But a clothing job or .......

Indeed, if it weren't for my sister and the other world, I might have thought so.

I reassess my thoughts on the opinions that I would never get from Titi and her friends. As I did so, Snow was nipping at Kounel-chan's side.

Naturally, Kounell-chan's face turns blue.

Although she's inferior to me and Titi, even Snow is a natural disaster level competitor. It would be scary if she approached me with a grim face.

''U, Acting Commander-in-Chief Walker-dono ......, what is it ......?''

'I'm done with that, so you can call me Snow. More importantly, I was just wondering, what is Mr. Kounell, Kanami's ......?

Since the two of us knew each other, I didn't need to introduce myself in detail, but it seems that Snow was curious about my relationship with her. Indeed, the way she speaks now, you can't blame her for being curious.

'It's a long story, but ....... Well, it's like we know each other. You're the guy from ”A Thousand Years Ago” that we talked about yesterday. It's not very familiar to me, though.

I'll explain it lightly. I don't want to complicate things too much, so I decide to keep the relationship shallow.

Kounel-chan agrees with that.

'Very good, Snow. By the way, you can rest assured that there really is nothing going on between you and the chairman. In fact, I don't want to participate in that kind of suicidal race, even if it kills me. From the bottom of my heart.

Kounell-chan reads deeply and starts to say very rude things.