Manowa - Chapter 427: Let's Have Our Friend Spoken Ill Of

◎ Auriol Sea, Crystal Galley『Kazanemaru』

A dragon came out of the sea. Then, when it flew up into the air, it gave off light and transformed into a Shorty, who did a spin while in midair and landed on the ship. Dragon Kazane had turned back into Shorty Kazane. Louise had been riding on the back of dragon Kazane, and she also landed on board. Furthermore, Tatsuo and Yumika also flew out from the sea and landed on the ship. Yui’s Water Knight had been canceled underwater.

「Aneki, there was a considerably large amount, right? Here.」

「Yeah, thank you.」

Naoki was on the ship’s deck and handed an Indestructible Towel to Kazane. It was a mysterious towel that was always fluffy, even after absorbing water. Dressed in a school swimsuit, Kazane accepted it. Yes, Kazane was in a school swimsuit. And that school swimsuit was a swimsuit made by the Skill『Arms Creation: Black Flame』.

On the first day, Kazane wore the bikini she had prepared, but as might be expected with her AAA cup, it seemed like it would slip down at any time. Human technology had not yet advanced enough to handle AAA. Unable to endure the anxiety over her cherry fruits being seen from the side, Kazane had no choice but to make her own swimsuit.

However, the only swimsuit Kazane could make and equip with the Skill『Arms Creation: Black Flame』was a school swimsuit. Everything else couldn’t be equipped. Even though they were girl-exclusive equipment, they couldn’t be equipped. It was a tough world for AAA. Miserable.

Also, school swimsuits were armor in Zexiaharts, so there was no problem. School swimsuits are justice.

「So then, we heard that Tiara called for us, but it’s about the Pilot Light of the Gods, right?」

And while school swimsuit Kazane wiped her head with the towel, she turned toward Tiara. For some reason, the school swimsuit was embroidered with『6-2 Yuihama Kazane』. By the way, Kazane wasn’t 6-2 when she was in elementary school. She tested making it several times, and it seemed the displayed numbers were random. It was a game-like specification.

「Yes. Um, before I talk, Yumika, could you show me the lantern?」

「Yeah, understood. Here.」

After those words, Yumika, who had already canceled her Complete Dragon Transformation, took the lantern out of her Item Box and handed it to Tiara. The white flame inside was burning like before.

「Ah, as we thought.」

『No mistaking it.』

Then Tiara peeped at the bottom of the lantern and muttered. Mefirus in her arms also spoke.

「Did you find something?」

「Tsuvara Kingdom’s former coat of arms, as well as the coat of arms of the Bongo Empire.」

『As we thought, it seems there is no doubt that this is the Pilot Light of the Gods that was lost 600 years ago.』

After Tiara’s words, Mefirus subsequently spoke. Apparently, Mefirus and Tiara knew about this lantern and pilot light.

「Um, does that mean I have to give it back?」

Yumika said, her desire to leave it in someone else’s hands oozing out of her. She was told it could be a source of trouble, so the reason was obvious. If possible, Yumika wanted to leave the troublesome matters to Shorty while she herself acted unobtrusively with a margin of safety. However, Tiara shook her head.

「To get straight to the point, Tsuvara’s royal family purchased that Pilot Light of the Gods, then relinquished ownership afterwards, so there’s no problem with someone possessing it.」

「Is that so, Onee-sama?」

After Tiara’s words, Yui stared with wide eyes.

「Yes. During the Human-Dragon War 600 years ago, Tsuvara borrowed a Miko and pilot light from the Bongo Empire to try and secretly make a weapon that could be a trump card.」

『However, the entire city was sunk.』

That city was under their ship. The city was sunk during the war against Gaiel.

『Apparently, at that time, Tsuvara was acting with utmost secrecy to avoid being noticed by Gaiel. I hear they didn’t know the exact location of the pilot light that sank with the city, and even though search teams were organized several times during that period, they couldn’t find it in the end.』

「And so, after that, Tsuvara Kingdom paid substantial compensation to the Bongo Empire in the form of a purchase. Then, just in case, Tsuvara also abandoned ownership rights.」

「Just in case? What do you mean?」

After Kazane’s question, Tiara replied with a slightly angry expression.

「It was to dispel any doubts that our Tsuvara intentionally stole the Pilot Light of the Gods. Therefore, even though the pilot light was found, it cannot belong to Tsuvara, Kazane.」

『However, it has been paid for. While it cannot belong to Tsuvara by contract, there is no obligation to return it to the Bongo Empire.』

「So that means there’s no problem with me possessing it?」

「Well, even if the Bongo Empire asks you to return it, you can brush them off. Moreover, if Yumika becomes a smithing Miko belonging to Queen Yuuko, I think that problems will certainly be prevented to some extent.」

After those words, Yumika said「Ohhhh」with a bright expression. By the way, simply being able to reject a return request from the Bongo Empire wouldn’t particularly prevent the problems Louise spoke of earlier, but she thought (Well, she’s happy, so there’s no need to rain on her parade?).

Anyway, the discussion from Tiara and Mefirus seemed to be over.

「Hmm. For now, if using it is fine, it seems likely we could have Master melt the ingots with that pilot light and make us weapons.」

Then Kazane, remembering the items they had just obtained, said that.

Presently, Master should be in Gordios City, where Kazane and others were planning to head next. Kazane thought it would be very convenient if he processed the ores like Orichalcum for them.

「Ah, I also want Master to make something for me.」

And after Yumika heard Kazane’s words, she muttered that.

「Nn? You’ve already decided?」

「Yeah. I also want Kazane to cooperate. I’ll pay.」

Yumika replied. After Yumika’s words, Kazane tilted her head, but Yumika subsequently spoke to her, and Kazane said「Ah, that’s fine.」What does Yumika want to make that requires Kazane’s cooperation?… when Naoki, who was unable to hear what she said due to being a slight distance away, was about to ask that, it suddenly appeared.

『Mother! Something’s coming!』

Tatsuo shouted, and everyone looked outside the ship.

Then, it emerged from the sea. One huge battleship… then a second, and then a third violently rose to the sea’s surface.

「Uhh, what’s that?」

Kazane’s eyes opened wide as she looked at them. There were no reactions from『Dog’s Sense of Smell』or『Intuition』. Consequently, she knew that the things in front of her were unusual.

「Their Astral body signs are strong. Ghost ships?」

Louise frowned as she looked at them. And among the skeletons on the decks, the skeleton in the most magnificent armor stood at the bow and looked down at the crystal galley as he asked a question.

『Let’s ask. Are you bastards the abominable dragons who destroyed our city?』

After those words, Kazane tilted her head.

「What is that person talking about?」

「Hmm. They’re the ghost ships of warships, aren’t they? Which means they’re sailors from Tsuvara of old who were sunk, right?」

After Louise’s words, Kazane nodded and said「I see.」

「Does this happen often?」

After Tiara’s question, the butler Benha shook his head with a pale face.

「No, and there’s no story of this ever happening in our records.」

(But he said abominable dragons… ah, does he think we’re Dragon Emperor Gaiel’s minions?)

Dragon Emperor Gaiel, and likely his dragon minions as well, should have been defeated by Tatsuyoshi and the others in the war 600 years ago. The ghosts didn’t seem to know that.

(But why now… ah, is that so? A moment ago, we…)

A short while ago, three dragons were exploring the city. Sensing our Dragon Spirit, they thought we might be Gaiel’s subordinates, and revived as ghosts… Kazane thought that might be what happened.

『Answer. Are you servants of the Dragon Emperor? Are we enemies?』

In that case, it was simple. If Kazane showed they weren’t hostile, it would be fine. Furthermore, there were also Tsuvaran Princesses Tiara and Yui in this place. She thought it shouldn’t become a battle.

「No, we’re not enemies. Dragon Emperor Gaiel has already been defeated. Tsuvara won.」

Kazane spread her arms, taking a posture that showed no hostility, and her eyes were filled with affection as she appealed to the skeleton in front of her. Her eyes were slightly sparkling. (I’m persuading the dead with words alone… aren’t I amazing?) Kazane thought.

『Tsuvara won? Is that true?』

Those words agitated the skeletons. Sensing the signs of their sworn enemies, they resurrected from the abyss of death, so they didn’t know that the war had already ended and 600 years had passed.

「That’s right. Umm, under King Tatsuyoshi, Tsuvara gained victory. It was an overwhelming victory.」

After Kazane’s words, the skeletons suddenly stiffened.

「Huh?」

As Kazane tilted her head, the Skeleton General asked a question with a clattering jaw.

『… King Tatsuyoshi?』

She could see that his anger was seething for some reason. However, Kazane didn’t understand the meaning. Tatsuyoshi should have been Tsuvara’s king. However, they didn’t know that.

『Tsuvara won? And so that fat bastard Tatsuyoshi became King?』

While overwhelmed by his strange intensity, Kazane nodded. According to historical fact, that should be what happened.

After retaking the country from Soldard, Tatsuyoshi defeated Dragon Emperor Gaiel, married Princess Mintia, and became king.

『Pri, Princess Mintia… it couldn’t be…』

「Umm, King Tatsuyoshi’s Queen, right?」

After Kazane’s words, there was the sound of something breaking. After that snapping sound, something rolled under Kazane’s feet.

(Teeth……?)

Kazane looked at the fallen teeth. Then, she looked at the Skeleton General. Apparently, those teeth fell from the Skeleton General in front of her. It seemed he clenched his teeth in anger too hard, so his teeth cracked and fell.

『That son of a bitch…』

『That fatty who suddenly appeared, King?』

『That pig who doesn’t know his place and seduced our Princess… is King?』

『That lolicon bastard had the nerve to rob our princess’s ●●●』

『That adorable princess… with that fatty?』

『That lady who smiled at us and that ●● bastard!』

The respective grudge-filled voices of the skeletons resounded. And with a trembling voice, the Skeleton General opened his mouth.

『Everyone, listen well.』

After those words, the voices of the skeletons stopped. They knew the wrath of the Skeleton General. If they talked now, they would be smashed.

『I’m also already at the limit of my patience. By all rights, I should stay silent about this; I was told not to say a word to anyone, but I can’t do so anymore.』

Then, like he had resolved himself, the Skeleton General informed them.

『Our princess, the beautiful Princess Mintia; as a matter of fact, she was kept as a slave by that mass of fat…』

『『「「「『『『『Wha, what did you say!?』』』』」」」』』

Voices other than the skeletons were mixed in, but that mustn’t be minded. Everyone on their ship was similarly shocked.

『I hear that bastard made the young princess serve him as his exclusive slave. It was something known at that time, so it’s a definite story. He used such a small child as an outlet for his lust, and moreover, he broke her in so he could use her as a tool to rise up in the world. That kind of guy is King. Unforgivable. There’s no way such inhumanity can be allowed!』

「I thought it was impossible, but his true character emerged when he came over here.」

「No… it’s a misunderstanding. Tatsuyoshi-kun isn’t that kind of person.」

After Yumika spit, Kazane backed him up.

However, inwardly, Kazane thought that she couldn’t refute the lolicon part. Tatsuyoshi’s created character Killing Bewitcher had a loli body equipped with swimsuit armor that had a high amount of exposure; the character also used large, powerful weapons. Tatsuyoshi said that it was limited to 2D, but honestly, that was questionable.

『We’re going to march towards the royal capital right now. This is not a rebellion. For the sake of showing justice to the world, for the sake of removing that lolicon bastard from Tsuvara’s royal family, this ship will head for the royal capital!!』

『『『『『『『『『ooOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH』』』』』』』』』

After the angry Skeleton General’s words, the Skeletons shouted. Then, the warships started to move.

As a side note, Hero King Tatsuyoshi amply demonstrated his abilities in the process of defeating Dragon Emperor Gaiel. His achievements led to him being truly revered as a hero by the people, but until then, he was seen as a lover who was suddenly brought along by the princess. The fact that the princess was a slave was a secret in the present world, but at that time, it was easily found out if investigated. And in those days, Mintia unsparingly continued conveying her love to Tatsuyoshi.

However, Princess Mintia was a 12 year old girl at that time.

Therefore, as Tatsuyoshi was approaching 30 at the time, from an onlooker’s point of view, he was obviously in a criminal position.

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』

Kazane: 「I believe in him.」

Yumika: 「… Nnーquestionable.」