Arifureta Vol 7 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1 : G.o.ddess Advent?
Ul town. The mountain range area in the North and Uldeia lake in the West brought abundant resources to the town. Currently, the town was encircled by an “outer wall” that didn’t exist last night as the town was wrapped in a strange atmosphere.
This “outer wall” was something Hajime instantly built. Using the magic-driven two-wheeler, he ran around the town’s outer circ.u.mference and trans.m.u.ted the “outer wall” without leveling the land. First of all, the wall’s height was only four meters tall because it was the range limit of Hajime’s trans.m.u.tation, it was not a really tall one. If it was a big-sized demonic beast, it would easily be able to climb over the wall. Tentatively, there’s no problem because it made the people feel better in such an emergency. To begin with, Hajime wouldn’t depend on such a wall.
The thing about the approaching army of tens of thousands of demonic beasts was already known to the townspeople. Considering the demonic beasts’ movement speed, the vanguard would arrive right before evening. Naturally, the townspeople panicked. People began to insult the town leaders including the mayor; others cried and collapsed on where they were, people closely embraced the person next to them, some scrambled to escape even among companions, and there were those who started to blame each other. Tomorrow, this town would be destroyed and they knew they’d lose their lives if they stayed here, so they didn’t have the luxury to remain calm. The way they were acting couldn’t be helped.
But there was someone who made them regain their composure. It was Aiko. Finally arriving at the town, the guard Knights received the briefing and they shouted “G.o.ddess of Good Harvest.” With her dignified appearance showing she didn’t fear anything, coupled with her originally high popularity made the people regain their composure for now. Hatayama Aiko, in a certain way, was more hero-like than a hero.
The people who regained their composure divided into two groups. Those who wouldn’t throw away their hometown and would share the same fate as this town; the stay-behind group. The other one was as planned in the beginning, escaping to safety until rescue came; the shelter group. Even among the stay-behind group, a lot of women and children were put into the shelter. They believed Aiko’s words that the demonic beasts would be repulsed, and they wondered if they could help somehow and the stay-behind men decided to help while the wives and children would stay inside the shelter in case of an emergency. Although it pa.s.sed midnight, the appearance of people embracing each others for separation in tears could be seen everywhere.
The shelter group went out of the town while carrying their luggages before dawn. The sun had raised high now, the people were divided between those who prepared for the battle and those who took a nap. Most of the stay-behind group believed in the “G.o.ddess of Good Harvest”‘s party, even so, we will protect our town ourselves!, we’ll do what we can!, they were filled with such strong spirits.
Even if the people had decreased, there was more liveliness than usual so Hajime sat on the instant rampart behind the town, it was unknown where he was looking as he looked at the distance. Naturally, by his sides were Yue and s.h.i.+a. They sat beside Hajime, they thought of something, then the two quietly drew closer to him.
Them, Aiko, the students, Tio, Will, David, and several guard Knights arrived there. Even though he noticed Aiko and the others approaching, he didn’t turn around and made David and the Knights frown, but Aiko called on him earlier than them.
“Nagumo-kun, how are your preparations? Did you need something else?”
“No, there’s no problem, sensei.”
Of course Hajime simply answered so without turning around. Unable to endure his att.i.tude, David snapped on him.
“Oi, you. What’s with your att.i.tude towards Aiko… towards your honored teacher. Normally, I wouldn’t overlook the details about the artifact you carry and the details about your method of repulsing the army of demonic beasts, but I didn’t do that because Aiko had asked me earnestly, you know? At least…”
“David-san. Can you keep quiet for now?”
“Uh… affirmative…”
However, when Aiko told him to “shut up” he dejectedly shut his mouth. His appearance was just like a dog. Even though he wasn’t a demi-human, one could see dog-ears and a tail. Now, those things seemed to hang down dejectedly because the owner was angry.
“Nagumo-kun. About the black-robed man…”
Apparently, that’s the subject. Anguish oozed out from Aiko’s words.
“Are you going to confirm his ident.i.ty? Even if I find him, you’re telling me to not kill him, right?”
“… Yes. It’s necessary to confirm his ident.i.ty. That’s… if it’s an unreasonable thing for Nagumo-kun…”
“For the time being, I’ll just bring him here.”
“Eh?”
“I’ll bring the black robe to sensei. Sensei is thinking as a teacher… so I’ll do just that.”
“Nagumo-kun… thank you very much.”
Aiko was a little surprised because of the unexpected cooperation from Hajime. Hajime didn’t even turn around even now, and thinking Hajime had a lot to think about, she decided to receive his goodwill. She muttered I am powerless as she sighed secretly, then Aiko said her grat.i.tude with a bitter smile.
It looked like Aiko’s talk was over, and this time Tio moved forward and called Hajime.
“Fumu, I wonder if it’s okay. This one mas-… gohonh! matter to talk… is a request, will you hear it?”
“? … Tio huh”
“Th-Thou, don’t tell me that this one’s existence was forgotten… haa haa, there’s also something like this…”
Because it was an unfamiliar voice, Hajime inadvertently looked over his shoulder, and there was black clothes with golden embroidery which resembled a kimono and splendidly slipped down, white and smooth shoulders together with an enchanting valley, followed by the beautiful leg which peeped from the cut from the knee; a black-haired, golden-eyed beautiful woman. For a moment, his eyes seemed dubious and he remembered with “Aa, now that you mention” then called her name. Obviously, Tio whose existence was forgotten was far from getting angry, she was blus.h.i.+ng and her breathing became rough. Her “something like this” was unknown, but it’d be better to not asked her about it.
“Nnh, nnh! That’s, after this battle end and thou sent Will back, art thou going to continue to travel?”
“Aa, that’s so.”
“Fumu, this one’s request is that… this one want to accompany thou…”
“I refuse.”
“… Haa haa. I-Immediate answer just as expected. As expected of mas-…kohonh! Of course it’s not for free! I’ll call thou “Master” from now own, and dedicated all of this one to thee! Body and mind, all of them! How is it?”
“Just return, rather just return into the ground.”
While spreading her arms, Tio declared to become Hajime slave with an expression of ecstasy, and Hajime, who looked at her as if looking at a filth, immediately casted her away. Tio’s body shook again. Her cheek became rose-colored. No matter who saw her, they’d thought of her as a pervert. Even the surrounding people were taken aback. Especially Yue who had strong yearning and respect towards Ryuujin tribe, her noh mask-like expression crumbled with all of her feelings.
“That’s… cruel… Master was the one who turned this one’s body into this… this one want thou to take the responsibility!”
Everyone became “Eh!?” as they looked at Hajime. As expected, he couldn’t just leave that ridiculous and false accusation alone, Hajime immediately looked at Tio’s direction and he glared at her with veins popped. His glare asked what she meant by that.
“Au, to be seen as filth by those eyes again… haa haa… gulp… that’s, look, isn’t this one strong?”
Her body shuddered again because of Hajime’s glare, then Tio began to explain her thought process that reached extraordinary conception to declared herself as Hajime’s slave.
“Even in my hometown, this one only have one, two fights, and this one’s particular endurance surpa.s.sed them. That’s why, to be held down by other and even to felt pain-like pain never happened until now and only until now.”
Because the guard Knights nearby didn’t know Tio came from Ryuujin tribe, Tio’s words trickle down with some omission.
“That’s why, when this one fought Master, it’s the first time this one was knocked down, being held down, and tasted the pain and defeat for the first time. That’s right, that fist which resonated with this body’s core! The impacts that always aimed at unpleasant points! The pain that could felt throughout this one’s body… haa haa”
Although Tio said that herself, the Knights who didn’t know she was from Ryuujin race turned their gaze towards Hajime as if they looked at a criminal. If ones heard it objectively, it was a completely like a woman a.s.saulting case. “How could you a.s.saulted such beautiful woman!,” was the noise raised by the Knights. They didn’t plainly blamed him because they felt pity on the victim; Tio. Rather, the Knights with strong sense of justice were perplexed because she look so happy.
“… In other words, Hajime opened a new door for you?”
“That’s it! This one’s body is already useless without Master!”
“… Gross”
Yue’s expression was distorted as if she saw something unpleasant, her tone no longer carried respect when Tio said her agreement. Spontantly, Hajime revealed his feeling. He was completely taken aback.
“Furthermore…”
Tio’s perverted look suddenly changed as she began fidgeting while she held her hip with her hands in embarra.s.sment.
“… This one’s first time was stolen already.”
With those words, everyone’s faces showed their surprise as they looked at Hajime. Hajime said “There’s no such thing,” as he shook his neck while his cheeks were convulsing.
“This one had decided to only admit stronger man than this one as companion… but, there’s no such person in this one’s hometown… To be defeated, and to be held down like that… was the first time… to suddenly used this one’s a.s.s… Moreover, such intensity… that’s why thou art this one’s Master. This one want thou to take responsibility.”