Manowa

 Episode 439 - Let's Meet That Person

「Kazane, it's been a long time.」

『GURURUU』

「Yo.」

Kazane greeted the descending Karza and Prince Sieg with a smile like Buddha.

The Kazane who was previously frightened by the passionate gaze from Prince Sieg was no longer present. Now, Kazane had checked the degree of her own sexiness and was stupidly self-aware that her ability had improved dramatically. She believed that her travel experiences had caused her to grow. Therefore, it was natural for her charm to make him become a lost lamb and start courtship behavior. Moreover, she thought being unperturbed was part of her sexiness.

It was a peerlessly irritating matter, the thinking of a child. Furthermore, everyone had a roughly shared recognition when it came to Prince Sieg, so no one cut in. No, there was just one person who couldn't keep silent.

The royal palace's knight leader, Roger Lutberg, had appeared after Prince Sieg and Karza's arrival, and when he started guiding them into Royal Castle Delgura, Naoki went forward.

「Naoki...」

Yumika looked worried when she saw Naoki go forward. Naoki replied「It's okay」to Yumika. Yumika was worried that Prince Sieg might be killed by Naoki, which would cause Naoki to be killed by Yuuko-nee. A negative chain reaction.

「Master Naoki, it's been a long time.」

Prince Sieg bowed to Naoki with a tense expression. For some reason, he was looking at Naoki with respect.

「Sieg? Chatting with Aneki is nice, but could you show me whether or not you've grown a little?」

「Yes. But...」

It was a valuable opportunity to talk with Kazane. Prince Sieg glanced at Kazane...

「Are you still a wimp, Sieg? With laughable guts only suited to hiding behind your mother's back?」

「That's not the case!」

After Naoki's provocation, Prince Sieg's lips tightened as he looked at him.

「Could you give me guidance?」

「All right. I'll assess your growth!」

After those words, Prince Sieg nodded. He finished greeting Kazane and the others, then was taken away by Naoki, who seemed strangely pompous.

「Somehow, Naoki seems to have calmed down.」

After Yumika's words, Emily beside her tilted her head.

「What do you mean?」

「So, Naoki. Yuuko-nee, no, Queen Yuuko asked him to train Prince Sieg.」

There was such an exchange while they were in Tsuvara for the coronation ceremony. It was at a time when Naoki was acting separately from his companions due to being treated as part of Minshiana's royal family, so Emily didn't know about it.

「Heeh. As expected of Naoki. He's relied on by even Minshiana's royal family.」

Naoki had become part of that royal family, but Emily had no real feeling of that. Also, in Naoki's view, on top of being able to do a favor for Yuuko-nee, he would be able to use training as an excuse to eliminate Prince Sieg's already scarce opportunities to meet Kazane, which was a matter for great congratulations.

Naoki met Prince Sieg after the coronation ceremony and sensed his feelings toward Kazane from his attitude. When he first saw Prince Sieg's behavior, he wanted to beat the hell out of him to make him stay away from his older sister, but Yuuko-nee anticipated that and beat the hell out of Naoki first, so he couldn't do that.

He glared at the prince of a country, so it was something that couldn't be helped, but even so, Naoki thought Yuuko-nee was merciless. The memory of Yuuko-nee saying「Did you know there's a torture method in this world involving constant usage of recovery magic while tormenting someone?」(which caused Naoki to cry「Please pardon me!」in response) had created a deep trauma in Naoki's mind. The Queen had used every strategy she could to keep her current position, which had required her to become proficient in torture.

In any case, Naoki only had moderate skill in actual swordsmanship, but as a magic sword user, he had the Skill『Magic Sword Ruler』and could deeply analyze magic swords to handle them freely as his own power. In particular, the『Magic Sword Unleashing』state that turned his magic swords into energy bodies was the result of Naoki's efforts sublimating into a Skill.

In other words, he was the right choice of master for a user of the White Sword. Also, except for matters related to his older sister, Naoki was fundamentally an all-rounder handsome man. It was a sad story, but as long as his older sister wasn't involved, he was an ideal older brother figure. And Naoki was separated from Kazane when he came into contact with Prince Sieg. It was obvious how he looked from Prince Sieg's point of view.

In short, for Prince Sieg, he was the handsome master he should use as the model for his own life.

Yuuko-nee had only met Naoki while Kazane was around, so that was a major miscalculation. One that put Naoki on the path to victory without any effort on his part: namely, the creation of a mass-production model Naoki.

And speaking of Kazane,

「Tatsuo, it's your uncle!」

『GURURUu』

『It's been a long time, Uncle Karza. I see, Uncle is a beautiful white dragon, exactly as I heard.』

Tatsuo and the white dragon Karza rubbed against each other for a moment as a greeting.

Karza was a being born from Black Rock Dragon Gieve's Childstone, and since they were both dragons influenced by Gieve's Factor, he and Kazane were siblings. So for Tatsuo, he should be called his uncle.

「Err, then we're also brothers?」

『More or less. It's not something to overly care about.』

Lyle and Gieve's spear conversed. The dragon tribe relationship diagram from Kazane's point of view is as follows.

Aka (eldest brother)

Lyle・Gieve (next eldest brother)

Kazane・Yuuko-nee (older sister) Tatsuo (son) Naga (husband)

Karza (younger brother)

Gieve and Yuuko-nee respectively shared their same Factors with Lyle and Kazane, so they were treated the same, but it was only related to how they were called within the dragon race, so it wasn't deeply meaningful.

After Naoki left with Prince Sieg, they passed through the courtyard to the entrance of the castle, where their guide Roger stopped.

「So then, Karza, you wait here.」

『GURUu』

After Roger's words, Karza nodded obediently. Although he couldn't speak, Karza could share knowledge with Prince Sieg in a manner similar to the Dragon Knight Contract, so he could understand human language to a certain extent. Upon hearing that, Kazane addressed Tatsuo, who was riding on her head.

「What will you do, Tatsuo? You can stay with Karza.」

『That's right. There probably won't be very many chances to meet Uncle Karza.』

After Tatsuo thought a little, he said『Then I'll also wait here, Mother.』

「Then shall I stay as well?」

『That's probably best.』

Tatsuo flew over to Karza, and Lyle also told them he would remain. It was a dragon relative meeting. Though it was unclear what they would talk about.

Then, telling Tatsuo's group「See you later」, Kazane and the others entered the castle.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

「That's right. Before we join Her Majesty the Queen, there's one thing I have to say.」

「What?」

It happened a while after they entered the castle. When Roger suddenly spoke, Kazane tilted her head. Roger looked at Tiara, then Mefirus in Louise's arms.

「Please keep what you're about to see a secret from everyone. There's currently a man with Her Majesty Queen Yuuko.」

「A scandalous story?」

When Kazane asked that, Roger shook his head.

「That's not the case... I think, but it's something that doesn't just impact our country; I especially want the members of Tsuvara's royal family to try and stay calm.」

Roger knew Mefirus' identity. That may be why he said those words, but the reason was unclear.

『Hm, Tiara. Please.』

「Yes, Grandfather.」

Tiara listened to Mefirus' request and sent magical power to Mefirus.

「What are you doing?」

『If there is some kind of situation, it would be best for me to be in my formal dress.』

While saying that, Mefirus separated from Louise. Then, when he descended to the floor, he gradually started changing from a juvenile Griffon to a Flame Knight Leader. He was a Flame Knight wearing heavy armor, but he wasn't wearing a helm, so the face he had when he was still alive was exposed.

「Ooh, King Mefirus.」

Roger was obliged to bow his head in response.

Roger recognized it as the advent of Tsuvara's late King.

『It's fine. I'm already nothing more than my granddaughter's summon. I have no other fetters. I'm a free existence.』

As Mefirus said that, he was making a face as if he had been liberated. Then he hugged Louise's shoulders. Since he wasn't in combat, those flames were phantom flames that wouldn't burn anyone. There was only a bit of warmth.

「Oh my, it's warm. This would be nice at night.」

『Regrettably, no sexual desires are welling up.』

His withered state from when he was alive continued, so it seemed that such a thing didn't come out in Mefirus even after he became a humanoid.

「Or rather, Gramps finally has a chance to shine, right?」

『Truly... the path has been long.』

After Kazane's earnest words, Mefirus earnestly nodded. Basically, Mefirus was a useless summon as a juvenile Griffon; depending on the battle situation, he either silently watched or was sometimes even unsummoned. "Finally" truly was the right word to say.

『Anyway, let's go. That man has some kind of connection with us, correct?』

「Yes. Her Majesty Queen Yuuko recently traveled to Reisan City.」

From Roger's words up until now, Kazane understood. Kazane had also heard in an email that Yuuko-nee briefly traveled to Reisan City's Sesu Inn.

(Which means, that together with Yuuko-nee...)

「Roger-san, quickly!」

「Ah, yes. Please, wait!」

Then Kazane's pace sped up. If Kazane's thinking was correct, then waiting in the throne room with Yuuko-nee should be...

「Tatsuyoshi-kun!」

Beyond the door that she forcefully opened, next to Yuuko-nee sitting on her throne, a plump young man who looked fainthearted was standing.

「Yo, Kazane. It's been a long time... I suppose?」

Standing there was Tatsuyoshi Kenji with the unmistakable appearance Kazane knew.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Dragon and Beast Ruling Tenma Monarch (Apprentice)

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator, Guardian

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor (True), Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, White Magic Accumulator (Revised) ×2, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 40

Health: 156+20

Magic Power: 378+520

Strength: 81+45

Agility: 83+39

Endurance: 45+20

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 53

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Apprenticeship Cancellation』『Nil Principle』『Skill Hand (１)』『Halo』『Evolution Hand (１)』『Kick Devil』『Kick Decapitation Wave』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv3「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv3』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey's Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』『Flexible』『Magic Power Absorption』『Red Body Transformation』『Friendship Tag-team』『Battleship Tonfa Summoning』

Yumika: 「Urgh.」

Kazane: 「No, don't say urgh.」