Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou
Chapter 528

Sky Dragon World Arc You Want to Erase Your Memory and Watch It One More Time Aren’t You!

Behind the palace of the dragon kingdom.

It was an abominable place where a large scale cultivation of dragons was carried out in the past. But now it was completely turning into a place of relaxation.

There were also spots where the scars from Helmut VS Kuwaibel were still raw, but flowers could be seen at the outer edge, and there were also trees planted in orderly lines as though to function as fence.

Originally, this place at the opposite side of the capital sandwiching the palace in between was a place for interaction between human and dragon. It was a garden for king dragon that boasted especially huge body, so the people who knew about that time apparently felt greatly nostalgic and joyful by the revival of the “palace’s back garden”.

It was a place for dragon to land so the garden was spacious without really any building there. However, just for tonight the condition was different.

First, there was something like a big watchtower at the center.

It was made from wood and the height was around ten meters. The lower tier was covered with curtain that had dragon kingdom’s crest drawn on it while the observation platform at the upper tier was exposed to the wind.

From there wires extended to eight directions, connecting to scale downed small watchtowers that were about half as big.

And then, both the watchtowers and also the wires were decorated with countless lanterns that had sky cores inserted inside, creating a magical atmosphere.

There were also flying ships hovering at the air even further outside the outer edge to light up the night.

「Waa~! Hey, Shizuku-chan. Don’t you think this somehow looks like Japan’s summer festival, like the venue of Bon Festival Dance?」

「You’re right……. There’re also stalls……or rather simple kitchens lining up all over the place.」

Kaori’s eyes were sparkling, while Shizuku was blinking her eyes as the two stared at the rear garden secretly from the palace’s terrace.

It seemed, the dragon kingdom’s traditional festival was coincidentally similar in some aspects with Japan’s style.

The people of dragon kingdom were looking forward to the participation of Hajime’s group and the queen, even so they were also starting to dance matching the musical performance that was already played on the center watchtower.

Perhaps it would be easier to imagine the dance by describing it as a combination of Bon Festival dance and Mayim Mayim.

Close people and even people who weren’t close with each other took each other’s hand and slowly circled around the center watchtower.

The special characteristic of this world’s dance was how dragons were mixing into the dance. Most of them were quietly observing the dance attentively but, some of them were also swaying their tail, or their head, or even doing the dance step too.

「It’s even more similar with the yukata-like outfit. Is that dragon kingdom’s folk costume or something?」

That too must also be the reason why the festival felt like it had Japanese’s summer festival to them. Yuuka muttered 「What amazing coincidence」 in surprise and looked toward Roze.

Roze herself was also wearing something like yukata with white base color. Only her feet were wearing short boots, so to Japanese like them the outfit looked a bit mismatched.

People were gathering at the terrace, including Roze who was sending glances at Hajime with embarrassed look.

「No, Yuuka-san. This kind of outfit didn’t exist in the dragon kingdom until not long ago. ……This is, actually, I can’t forget that outfit of Tio-sama……and so I asked a seamstress to make this. Though the design came from me.」

What a surprise. It seemed the originator was the latest fashion of her majesty the queen herself.

At that time it was only for her own personal enjoyment (deep meaning) as her night clothes (deep meaning), but the outfit caught her maids’ attention and they asked her why she was suddenly wearing that kind of strange design……which resulted to this.

But, as expected she couldn’t say how it was because she couldn’t forget this and that from that night.

「Then……when I explained to my maids that it’s a traditional outfit from Tio-sama’s world, they all started going me too, me too……」

「Well that’s, for this world’s people Tio-san is an existence that they looked up to after all」

Shia said so with a very conflicted expression. No, everyone in this place, especially the Japanese group looked like they wanted to groan 「Achaa~」. Or else they were having a pondering look how to point out the fact without causing waves.

Those like Taeko-sensei who had handled numerous outfits till this point was feeling itchiness in her fashion soul. Her body was even trembling uncontrollably.

「M-my apologies! If it causes offense then I will immediately send out notification for everyone to change!」

「N-no no, there art no need for thee to worry about it. Rather, I even feel happy to see so many people wanting to imitate me……I do, but……」

Is she going to be furious by us copying her without permission!? Roze and Sabas behind her looked nervous. Tio calmed them down but, as expected her expression looked really complicated.

There Hajime who had been asked for his opinion this whole time through the gaze finally opened his mouth.

「W-wait Nagumo! Your blunt comment that has no mercy is sometimes sharper than even the holy sword!」

「Yeah Nagumo! Sugarcoat! Don’t forget the sugarcoat──」

Atsushi and Noboru gave a warning but they were completely disregarded,

「As expected that’s……just lame……」

「Roze-oneechan……you’re so cool nano!」

There was overlap. With the daughter’s totally opposite opinion. The father and daughter looked at each other both with expression that seemed to say they couldn’t believe what the other had said.

Of course, Roze-chan too were going 「Eh? ……Eh? Lame……? Eh?」 while her eyes blinked repeatedly.

「Wait, papa. What do you mean by that nano? It looks cool no matter how you look at it nano! Something like white yukata with black dragon drawn on it is just the greatest nano!」

「Buh, you-, don’t say it out loud! Even though I had been doing my best to pretend to not see it-」

Yes, yes that was it.

Astonishingly Roze-chan’s self-designed yukata had “black Chinese dragon” drawn on it as though it was coiling around her body.

Furthermore, the dragon’s head wasn’t located at the back like the common tattoo of people with self-employed profession that started with the letters “ya”, but even the yukata’s fold had been calculated so the dragon’s head was at the front.

What’s more, perhaps because it was drawn with Tio in mind, the head even had long bushy eyelashes even though it was a black dragon. The eyes were also sparkling. It was a design like the classic shoujo manga.

The eyes were really eye-catching. Each time Roze turned her body toward them, the sparkling eyes of the dragon god-sama on her chest would met their eyes.

It went without saying that the group went 「T-this is!?」 in shock when Roze finished changing outfit and showed up. No wonder even Kaori and Shizuku hurriedly averted their gazes to look outside and divert the topic.

But, even such design seemed to pierce Myuu’s heart for some reason.

「Furthermore look there nano! The sash! The black sash has a lot of red crosses drawn on it nano! It’s undoubtedly created while thinking of papa nano! The cuff and sleeve are designed like flame, and the back is decorated with large lightning to describe a sea of lightning flame! This is superb work! Myuu can feel the respect for Tio-oneechan from it!! Nano!」

「S-stooop! Stop it! Anymore than that──ah, no good……the chuuni me that was sealed at the bottom of my heart is peeking out……uuu, my head……」

T-that’s……you’re praising it too much, Roze-chan said while fidgeting. But in contrast to that, Hajime was crouching while holding his head. Yue smiled wryly even while patting Hajime’s head and saying good boy, good boy.

It seemed Myuu’s praise that was like an art critic also affected the other boys.

「C-craap. I also recalled my damn embarrassing middle school era──ah, no, that’s not it. I recalled my damn grade school era-」

「No no, Ryuu-kun. You don’t need deflate your age there. I think it’s normal for grade or middle school student to be like that anyway. Or rather, I think it’s fine even for adult to be like that if that’s what they like you know? As long as they know to pick the right TPO (time, place, occasion) for it, I at least won’t give them any comment about it.」

Ryuutarou hugged Suzu tightly in a flash. Fuwa!? What what!? What’s wrong!? Suzu reddened even while she hugged him back. Putting aside the couple who was flirting with each other so naturally like that.

Something like a boy who disliked design of flame or lightning didn’t exist! Of course they would love something like “keychain of dragon coiling around sword” that absolutely could be found during trip!

That was why, It ain’t anything that strange! Atsushi and Noboru whispered while also looking away at the far distance with all their strength as though to avoid the topic. The festival there looks fun~~.

No wait, the people wearing yukata……don’t tell me, they all, have the same design!?

「Fumu fumu……hey, hey, Roze-chii~~?」

「Yes? What is it, Nana-chi-san」

Should it be said, as expected from the representative of cheery gal everywhere? Nana had build a very friendly relationship with Roze in just this one day. She was grinning while putting her arm around Roze’s shoulders.

And then she took out her smartphone.

「Even letter can be popular design in our world y’know? Look, what d’you think about this?」

「My! For some reason these letters seems to be dignified! So cool……I wonder what kind of meaning they can possibly have?」

「Fufuhn, these letters you see──you read them as “Supreme Ruler of the Sky” you know?」(Translator’s note: The letters in question 天空之覇者)

「S-Supreme Ruler of the Sky!! That’s just too cool!!」

「「「「Stop it dumbass!」」」」

「There’re also others like “天空之覇者(throughout heaven and earth, I)”, or “深淵卿(Abyss Lord)”……」

「I-I’m confused! These letters of your words……makes my heart dance-」

「Sonobee! Stop that maniac!」

Tossed to her was the special eye drops made by Professor Emily by the request of Hajime so his eyes could be clear and bright like spotlight no matter how many nights he hadn’t slept because of the works swamping him.

Yuuka-chan reflexively moved because it was Hajime’s request. Even if it was just drop of water, the true power of vocation “Throwing Master” was displayed in full.

The two drops of eye drops flew in high speed and splendidly hit Nana’s eyes.

「!!? My eyes-, my eyeeeesss!? Something’s super comiiiiingg!!」

Looking at Nana arching backward like a shrimp until her head hit the ground while twitching uncontrollably and yelling 「Sho goooooddd~~」 made everyone sooo curious whether the eye drops’ ingredients were legal or not in the end but……for now, let’s ignore it.

「Remia! Your strength is needed in this world!」

「My my……I understand. Please allow me to have a long talk with the seamstresses during our stay here.」

「……Nn. For now, let’s hand over the souvenirs we bring here. Roze? Come over here. Look, presents from us.」

「Eh? Eh? What in the world……presents?」

Yue looked kind. She was looking at Roze with eyes that if it had to be described, it was like when she was looking at Hajime who charged ahead for romance and became unable to see his surrounding. She did that while gently pulling Roze’s hand.

「……Muu. Even though it’s so cool. Incomprehensible, nano.」

「Myuu-chan, she sometimes showed a side that’s like a normal elementary school student like this……it’s a happy thing but, I wonder whose influence it is that her taste is leaning toward the taste of boy」

「Aiko, there’s no need to even ask that. The one giving bad influence is always the Abyss Lord.」

「Hajime-san, even I who isn’t always living together with everyone knows. That the father’s influence is the biggest.」

Perhaps he had self-awareness. Hajime quietly averted his gaze after Liliana pointed that out.

After that, about fifteen minutes later.

「「「Oo~~~~」」」

「Wah, so adorable!!」

「My, so you chose that one. Right, it looks good on you.」

「Roze-oneechan, it’s cute nano!」

The males other than Hajime reflexively cheered (of course, Ryuutarou got his side slightly pinched though). The females especially Kaori and Shizuku also raised their voices in admiration.

「I-is that so? Umm, exposing my legs like this……is really embarrassing though……」

The souvenirs they brought──were kimono and yukata. Of course some had traditional Japanese design but, actually there were also some in the style of dragon race that was a blending of Japanese and Western styles and some miniskirt type.

The one that Roze actually chose among them was the mini skirt yukata.

Thinking carefully, they didn’t remember ever seeing Roze wearing outfit that exposed her legs. Previously she was wearing overalls for work, or in nicer term an outfit that looked like pilot suit. She was also wearing dress with long length after the reunion.

Her legs that were considerably trained as befitting a warrior queen were truly supple and qualified enough to be called as beautiful legs.

She was also wearing tabi (traditional split-toe socks) that were decorated with Sakura petals and geta (wooden sandal) with slightly thick soles. They were fixed to her ankles using the ribbon attached to them. The yukata also had Sakura pattern.

「……Nn. It really suits you. This tree called Sakura is the tree that represent Hajime’s home country. Think of it as symbol of friendship?」

「I’m so happy……truly……」

Yue sent Roze a gaze that was radiating affection while her hand was gently caressing her hair that had apparently been set using an ornamental hairpin just like the yukata. It spontaneously made Roze tearful. It looked like Yue’s kindness tightened her chest inside that she also pressed her lips tightly.

「……So, what do you think, Hajime? The figure of the queen who did her best taking the challenge of wearing mini skirt」

Mischievously, Yue-sama implicitly hinted that it was her who recommended the mini skirt.

Even though there was the matter of Roze’s illicit love toward Hajime, she was someone who was relatively weak toward girl who gave her all toward something, that she became kinder against her better judgment.

Just like when she was moved by Shia’s earnestness even when at that time they had only just gotten out of the abyss.

You know, this is why. That you’re excessively popular among girls even during high school or university. Shia and others thought with slight exasperation even though they didn’t say it out loud because it was a good side of Yue who loved Hajime.

「Yeah, it looks good on her. There’s nothing to criticize about. Surely the number of men who’ll go into offense for her heart no matter how little the chance is will increase after this.」

「! T-that’s……ehehe……thank you fo your kind wods……」

Certainly Roze looked cute the way she hid her face with her sleeves. Also, Hajime’s prediction was also accurate.

The number of men who got their heart blasted through after this by the figure of the queen who generously exposed her bare legs even while acting embarrassed would be as many as the stars in the sky.

To elucidate more about it, the number of females who got their heart blasted through would be just as many. Through this, mini skirt yukata boom would arrive in the dragon kingdom, but that would be a story for another time.

「But, as I thought I wish to include Tio-sama’s figure somewhere in this……only if it won’t offend though」

「Muu? Mine form during dragon god mode? Thou wish for it that much?」

「Of course! That day, there is no person whose heart wasn’t taken captive after witnessing your true form! ……But, the majority of dragon kingdom’s people only know about it through hearsay. Should I say it that such state of situation feels vexing, or that it feels inexcusable for only some of us to know about it……」

「T-thou makes me shy……」

Tio scratched her cheek bashfully.

Roze used Tio’s dragon god mode as her design not simply as a reflection of her preference, but also because she wanted to share Tio’s majestic appearance and the emotionally moving feeling that she felt at that time with other people even just for a bit.

「Say, Roze-chan. If there’s something like this……then could it be there’s also Nagumo-kun’s cospl──cough. Is there also people who’re imitating his appearance?」

「Oi, Sugahara. Have you ever heard about the words stirring the hornet nest?」

Hajime’s eyes half-closed. His heart would die completely the day a cosplay convention like at that Tortus’s holy land (lol)──the town of Brook was held.

But, Yue and others must also harboring the same curiosity. They were paying a lot of attention at how Roze would answer.

Roze gave them an answer that was truly clear cut.

「It would be scary if he get angry so…」

That tracked. If it was the kind Tio-sama, even if she felt displeased then surely she would forgive them as long as they earnestly apologized. But, the demon god? Impossible, impossible. It gave them chills just imagining it.

Apparently it went like that.

Left the sleeping demon god alone and there would be no curse coming. It was exactly such situation.

「「「「「We totally get it!」」」」」

Ryuutarou and others chorused in great harmony. Meanwhile, Hajime was of course looking like he found it hard to accept. No, it’s great if I’m not imitated though? He was also having such conflicted feeling.

『Geez, Roze, what’re you doing? Everyone is already waiting outside! Even I have been on standby this whole time!』

Then suddenly a silver radiance faintly drifted to the terrace. Next Kuwaibel’s voice came. It looked like he used his king dragon’s power for something similar to telepathy.

「Ah, sorry Kuu-chan. We’re going there now.」

Roze replied and ran her gaze over Hajime and others. Of course, there was no reason for them to keep staying inside. Rather, they were already hungry to the degree that Myuu’s stomach let out a small growl as though it had been waiting for this moment.

Roze confirmed that everyone nodded back at her and came out to the terrace.

Cheers rose from the appearance of the queen, and next,

──!!? U, UOOOOOOOOOOOH!!

The men let out loud cheers for different reason.

「Ah, uh, nuhn」

Roze’s voice was from embarrassment wracking inside her from noticing that the cheers were caused by the exposure of her bare legs. It was a daunted voice. However, she looked back over her shoulder and met Hajime’s eyes. 「No, I’m going with this outfit! For sure!」 She said with a voice that was filled with spirit to psyche herself. Just in case.

She stood boldly. The terrace was at the height equal to a third floor, so the people had to look up to see her. Especially the people standing close to the palace.

Aah, don’t stand there! Your majesty! If you stand at the edge in such outfit, we’ll be able to see, see……it can’t be seen-. The skirt had a perfect length to provoke such reaction. The terrace’s handrail was also superbly blocking the sight!

「……Fuh. They think I will make such miscalculation?」

Skirt length of iron wall that had also calculated the situation and standing position so it felt like the inside would be visible but miraculously not. As expected from Yue.

Yue-sama brushed up her hair with a smug face. Putting that aside for now.

「My beloved people of dragon kingdom! Today is a momentous day for all of us! A great reward has arrived for us who have spent every effort for the reconstruction of the world! Yes, just as all of you have learned, our wish to be reunited with those people has come true!!」

Cheers rose once more. Roze looked back over her shoulder. She nodded with a wide smile.

Even while feeling a bit of embarrassment that reunion with them was described as the greatest reward coupled with loud cheers that rose immediately without any hesitation after that,

「Come on come oon, after all you also gave me a push when it was me telling me to act like proper hero desuu!」

「I get it I get it. That’s why stop with the pushing, Shia.」

「……Tio. Come on, lean closer? Hold Hajime’s arm」

「A-art that allowed? At the very least if Yue stand at the opposite side──」

「……Right now, that position should be occupied by her majesty the queen right? Don’t hold back. Okay?」

Hajime was pushed by Shia, while Yue did the same with Tio. They went out to the terrace holding hands together. Kaori and others followed behind them.

The moment Hajime and Tio showed up and stood beside Roze, another loud cheers that couldn’t be compared from before rose and shook the air.

The dragons roared, and the surrounding flying ships also had soldiers leaning out from the deck and whistled. Light bullets were fired to act as firework. The night sky was filled to the brim with colorful lights.

At the same time, a silver light flew up from a flying ship. It then hovered far above the central watchtower and showed itself as Kuwaibel in his adult dragon form.

He let out a loud roar befitting his gallant figure. Silver light was let out from his whole body like shower, decorating the beginning of the welcoming party and festival radiantly.

『Allow me the king dragon Kuwaibel to represent the queen and people of the dragon kingdom for conveying our warm welcome with the greatest gratitude and respect!! Welcome to our country! ──Once again, we’re really happy to be able to meet you two again!!』

It was a statement that even made them felt majesty from the dragon as though his still young age was just a lie. But, as expected at the end a honest feeling befitting his age leaked out.

While cheers were thundering through the air, Hajime and Tio looked at each other and smiled.

Hajime raised his hand. The rear garden instantly fell silent like soldiers following command.

Hajime and Tio’s hairs started fluttering even though there was no wind. That was because Tio used wind magic to amplify their voices.

「My thanks for the warm welcome. I had already told this to her majesty but, please let me say it once again.」

The voice mysteriously echoed clearly even until the back of the palace’s rear garden. And then, everyone must have guessed from the pleasant breeze caressing the skin, or the dragon scale. That it was the wind under Tio’s control.

The eyes of the people and dragons sparkled. Meanwhile Hajime spoke.

Surely, it was the sentence that they all wanted the most, just like Roze and others.

「It’s a nice country.」

*Hyuu* It felt like there were the sounds of sharp breath going through the throat.

「I think it’s amazing that this country has been rebuilt to this degree in just less than a year. I applause your ceaseless effort.」

Finally some people even started crying.

At the end Hajime made a speech that was short but certainly heart-filled.

「Though our worlds differ, I hope that we can stand close with each other even from now on. I pray that the future of both worlds──」

In accordance with the wish of the king of dragon who gave his words as the representative,

「「Shall be a thousand years of peace!!」」

He brought his speech to finish like that together with Tio.

A beat passed.

It went without saying that the loud cheers, no, the roars that rose after that were the loudest ever.

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After that.

Hajime and others went down to the “palace’s rear garden” and sat at the dining table if nothing else.

Numerous traditional cuisines were brought without pause to their table. The foods included the super luxurious version of the local foods that were once served to Hajime and Tio in the nation aboard ship Avenst. No, surely these were the actual form of the cuisines.

The cooks who displayed their ability that day had apparently become able to display their skill sufficiently this time after taking back their home country.

Several cuisines that were already delicious even at that time felt like they had evolved by several steps. Even Yue and others were quietly eating with relish faced with that.

The entertainment didn’t stop even while that dinner was going on. The dragon knights and soldiers decorated the night sky with their acrobatics. It was an aviation festival, other world version.

Bovid and others weren’t with them apparently also to prepare this.

The surrounding ships were also firing colorful light bullets with interval that was just right, making the festival even more bright and beautiful.

After enjoying so much meals their stomachs almost burst, Myuu and Nana and others joined into the dance circle.

For the sake of the dragon kingdom’s females who were hopelessly interested with the mini skirt yukata (of course, the males were also hopelessly interested but old Sabas didn’t allow them to approach), Remia and Tio and others were holding a fashion exchange with them.

The story of Avenst becoming a luxury cruise ship, and later Hajime declaring that it would be publicly unveiled raised cheers.

Like that everyone enjoyed the festival each in their own way for a while and,

「Do you have a good time?」

Hajime and Yue had returned to their table and leisurely wet their throat. Roze walked toward them with a slightly tired look while dragging Sabas with her.

「Yeah, we manage to have a good time.」

「……Nn. Thank you for the lovely reception.」

It was clear from their smiles that they weren’t just being polite. Roze patted her chest in relieve and then her face broke into a broad smile.

「Actually, I have a request.」

「Request?」

「Yes. I heard that starting from tomorrow, everyone plan to go watch the battle of that time. Using the power to see the past that you showed us at the temple this afternoon.」

From the start Roze was already included in the plan for sightseeing. Her request shouldn’t be for to come together with them. And then, there was also this timing.

Hajime and Yue somehow predicted the flow of the conversation and looked at each other.

「Are you going to ask so that the past replay for Tio’s dragon god transformation can be watched here?」

「You are really sharp as usual. Yes, that’s right. Is that possible?」

「……Nn~, if you ask whether it’s possible or not than the answer is yes. But Roze, is it okay?」

Yue looked at Roze with eyes that radiated concern. Roze too was able to predict her meaning. She looked back toward Yue with gratitude for her concern while nodding.

「Certainly, that place was a battlefield. It won’t be just Tio-sama’s majestic appearance, everyone will also be able to witness so many lives extinguished.」

The current dragon kingdom also included the people of the former divine country. Some of them must have also lost friend or family in that battlefield.

Was it a sight that they should go out of their way to display during a festival? That was Yue’s concern which was only natural.

「But, that is exactly why.」

Roze looked back over her shoulder. She narrowed her eyes at the bright and cheerful festival going on.

「Just I mentioned previously, today is a commemoration day. We are reunited with our saviors and received their compliment of our efforts. Our expectation to a bright future will become even firmer, no, it will surely heighten to a never seen before level.」

However, Roze said while looking toward Hajime and Yue once more. Her face was already the face of a queen.

「We have received a great hope. In that case we should also embrace a despair as great.」

「Shizuku-chan. Roze-chan is speaking like a demon king for some reason.」

「Roze? What’s the matter? Did Hajime do something to you?」

Kaori and Shizuku returned when they saw Roze talking to Hajime and Yue and blinked in surprise. Shizuku even looked at Hajime with eyes that seemed to say 「Are you being a bad influence to a young and innocent girl again?」.

To Hajime it was very upsetting to be accused like that. His eyes spontaneously half narrowed. Though he had a lot of ideas of what might caused this.

「Humans are creature that forget. No matter what kind of pain it is. Therefore, I want them to remember once again, exactly because this is a day of turning point. That hope and also despair of the same amount are always right beside us.」

Forgetting couldn’t be forgiven. It wouldn’t be forgiven.

Neither embracing only dream, nor embracing only hope.

They had to constantly keep both bright outlook and heavy self-admonition inside their heart.

Their savior saying that they would stand beside them gave them the greatest hope. But, that was exactly why, this day, she thought that the scale was leaning toward hope far too much.

Therefore, she wished to share the despair of that day with everyone once more right now. To drive in the nail until the bottom of their heart. That they couldn’t fix their eyes to just the future.

「W-what a harsh thinking.」

「But, it’s a fine thinking. I should learn from it as a royalty.」

Aiko and Liliana also returned. Their words and gazes were filled with respect for a queen.

「I think it should be fine to be positive at least in this festival day though……but, Roze-san was a “warrior queen” wasn’t it?」

Then, it might be natural for her to be harsh desu. Shia said as she returned along with Yuuka and others too. The rest were also nodding in acceptance.

「Yes. I think the role of kind king can be taken up by the next king after me, or the next king after that after the world’s reconstruction is accomplished.」

「Myuu think that way of thinking is already kind nano.」

Myuu whose hands were held by Remia and Tio also returned and said that with cheerful smile. The face of Sabas who was standing at the back split into a wide smile hearing those words. Isn’t that right? He looked proud like the praise was directed toward himself.

「In short, you also want to show them the battle against Helmut at the capital?」

「Yes. If it’s not too much trouble.」

「……Nn, I understand Roze’s thinking. Leave it to me.」

「Thank you very much!」

That way of thinking must be likeable to Yue and Hajime too. They nodded seeing there wasn’t really any problem with fulfilling the request.

「However, Roze. In that case, wouldst not it be better to only show the duel in the capital?」

After all the hope would grow bigger than the despair if the people saw the battlefield with the dragon god mode Tio in it.

For Roze to want to show that scene too despite that……

「Mayhaps, there art some remnants of the divine kingdom getting ideas and scheming?」

That’s why, she want to discourage those people by showing the scene of Tio overwhelming Gregor’s fleet? Everyone wondered. Tio’s question came from her worry that perhaps the internal situation of the dragon kingdom actually wasn’t as peaceful as it looked on the surface.

Roze’s eyes blinked in admiration at Tio’s deep prediction. However, she denied that concern with a wry smile.

「Certainly, I would be lying if I say that I don’t have that kind of thinking at the slightest but, my main purpose isn’t that. There’s also no risk of coup at all.」

「So it’s just mine needless fear. Pardon me.」

「Fufu, thank you very much for your worry.」

But, if that’s the case then why? What’s your main purpose? Yuuka and Atsushi opened their mouths.

「In other words, you just want to share the emotionally moving feeling of watching Super Tio-san Time?」

「Even we haven’t gotten the chance to see the dragon god mode, so I’m really looking forward to it.」

The two nodded in understanding of her feeling. Roze recalled while saying 「That too is one of my main purposes. That form, it was truly moving to see……」 with her cheeks reddening in ecstasy.

But, her expression immediately returned to the expression of queen.

「My biggest purpose is comparison.」

Comparison? Yuuka and co wondered with tilted heads. But Hajime and co, and of course Tio herself got a look of realization. The way they looked at Roze changed slightly. There was color of admiration in their eyes now.

「The two both possesses the immense power to control heaven and earth, and the color of their dragon scales are also similarly black. And yet, one is the black of despair that vividly resemble a bottomless swamp, while the other one is the black of hope that remind you of the grand night sky. Why is there so much difference despite both being black dragon……」

Roze’s eyes looked straight toward Tio.

「Why were you fixated with Helmut-sama despite being completely unrelated with this world? ……Forgive my rudeness for saying this but, I believe that perhaps it was because you saw yourself in him.」

「……Fumu. Thou hath good eyes. Thou art right on the mark.」

There wasn’t anything like indignation or the like in Tio’s eyes, not at the slightest. Rather, there was admiration toward the queen’s keen insight, and respect toward her profound feeling.

「I have no intention to pry at Tio-sama’s past. Just, if something went differently then perhaps you would end up like Helmut-sama. That was why you couldn’t leave him alone. You wanted to bring an end to him living as an evil dragon……」

「Umu, it’s exactly as you said. Both of us hath similar circumstance, to the degree that I saw myself in him.」

The people she trusted committed betrayal, her beloved family were massacred, and exposed to the open. That day, “black flame” definitely was born inside Tio.

What if, her grandfather and her surviving clan weren’t there with her? What if, her meeting with Hajime and others didn’t happen?

「Mine difference from him, must be……how I hath someone at mine side.」

「Yes. I also think so from seeing you standing close beside Hajime-sama.」

In reality, her father’s last words and her grandfather and surviving clan members protecting the young Tio’s heart played a large part. But, she was able to completely control, no, sublimating her desire for vengeance despite not being unable to discard it completely even after five hundred years had passed into even greater power was certainly because she had her encounter with Hajime and others.

Tio nodded deeply. Roze also nodded deeply in response.

「Human, can help dragon. Just like how dragon helps human.」

Kuwaibel had returned back into small dragon and returned to press his body close to Roze before anyone realized. Roze softly caressed his body.

「A situation where a second Helmut-sama is born will never happen again. But, in the one in a million chance that kind of situation happen, at that time I want so that we don’t turn our back on it, run, or fight from it……but become able to choose the path of salvation. So that even the dragon scales become completely dyed in the black of fury and hatred, they won’t be dull like a bottomless swamp but radiant like the night sky.」

Tio Clarus is the living proof that such thing could be done. Roze said.

That, that was exactly the one thing that she wanted to carve into the heart of the dragon kingdom’s people.

「Right now, I want everyone to burn into their eyes once more, the sight of Tio-sama being surrounded by family and friends like this, of hope and despair……and also, that even if despair is born there is still salvation, no, that we can bring salvation ourselves.」

That, was the queen’s true motive of her wish to share with everyone the past where tragedy and despair were mixed during this happy festival.

「Truly……thou art a magnificent queen.」

「Please don’t praise me too much. I’ll get carried away.」

Roze laughed jokingly. Tio’s eyes squinted fondly even more toward her. It was like affection was overflowing like rivers from her gaze.

「……Nn. It’ll shock everyone if we do it suddenly so, make announcement?」

「Thank you for the consideration. We’ll do it right away.」

Sabas quickly made a call. The people were stirred knowing that they would be able to see a miracle from the demon god’s family, even so they directed their gazes toward the palace with expectation in their eyes.

The musical performance also stopped. Also the people dancing, or cooking, and even the ships’ crews came out to the decks……

Right after that, a huge membrane of light manifested in the air.

It was rectangle shaped, like an outdoor movie theater’s screen. Of course, its size was unprecedented. The stir spread out through the crowd.

The spatial “huge window” was opened while taking care to be able to look over the whole battlefield from bird’s eye view. It was connected with the airspace of a distant land.

Naturally, nothing could be seen because it was night. But, even that only lasted a moment. The other side of the “huge window” suddenly turned bright.

Only the other side of the space that was framed in golden light was illuminated by morning sun. That sight, along with the figures of the past Roze and others facing off against Gregor’s fleet caused the stir to become even louder……

「……ah」

The voice came from Yue. It sounded so insecure like a doctor who made a careless blunder during a surgery. Right after that.

『Ahahn!!』

The air turned heavy. For the whole venue.

『C’mon, do your best hopeless dragon. Even though you’re the dragon race’s princess, you’re moaning in front of a large army you pervert』

『I-I’m moaning, because of Goshujin-sama……』

*Schlapp* A truly nice sound rang out! The buttocks of dragon god-sama who was crawling on all four midair were rippling fiercely drom demon god-sama’s heavy slap!

What kind of treatment is being done to our beloved dragon god-sama! No, wait, that’s a battlefield isn’t it!? Just what in the world! That kind of thinking could be clearly seen running through the jumbled mind of the dragon kingdom’s people.

Apparently, human would become blank faced when witnessing a sight that their mind really couldn’t comprehend.

『Ahiiih. Something amazing art rising from inside-』

『How dare you blame other people despite being a pervert』

What in the world are they showing to us all here……

There’s no way that’s Tio-sama after all……

Was such thought a type of escapism from reality? With a terrifyingly synchronized movement, everyone of dragon kingdom’s eyes turned toward the one in charge of the footage.

Shia and Kaori and others were also turning toward said person with eyes that were asking 「Eh, from here!? At the very least give the explanation about the pain conversion skill, or at least one or two prior explanations!」.

Remia mama was covering her daughter’s eyes with the speed that rivaled a gunman’s quick draw. Hajime-san was covering his face with his hands. It seemed he was embarrassed.

「……S-sorry. It’s not intentional! Really! Rather, I was going to skip this part right to the transformation scene!」

That was what she was going to do but,

The battlefield this time was vast. And so, Yue didn’t only prepare a large scale spatial window, but also used space magic so the window could be expanded or shrunk, and also magic to make conversation audible clearly, etc. She did that by casting various magic simultaneously as well as attempting to do video editing at the same time for this screening.

She did that because of Roze’s feeling that they had been told just now, and also because she wanted to show Tio in the best light even more than now but……

Because of that she apparently went off-point by several seconds for the opening scene.

Yue-sama who generally blundered when doing something with good intention.

But, her panicked expression, as well as the extreme close-up shot of a hardcore pervert’s expression of rapture that couldn’t possibly have any reasonable excuse for it due to her flustered attempt to stop the footage temporarily, these two factors proved to everyone looking at her that the footage was 100% real.

「……Hajimee! Please! Right now is the time for Ne*tralizer New!!」

The last resort. Erasing memory and then Take 2!! Requested Yue.

In the middle of that,

「T-there art not a single thing for me to be ashamed about though!?」

Tio brazenly held her head high. However, her cheeks and ears were bright red.

She wasn’t lying that she wasn’t ashamed of her reward time, but the atmosphere right before this simply made it unsuitable for this moment.

Coupled with the faintly smiling Roze and Kuwaibel who averted his gaze to the faraway horizon at the corner of her eyesight, as expected even Tio-san apparently couldn’t help from feeling some embarrassment just for this moment.

.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

For now, the plan is for sky dragon world arc to end next chapter. At the same time I also plan to pause other world trip arc there. Next will be Abyss Lord side and Kouki side while Hajime and co were in their trip. Incidents are happening at each side that would be connecting to Hajime side……that’s the idea. Plot-kun is already on his knees and breathing hard so a lot of revision will be needed but……best regards!

※Sorry but please let me put an advertisement here. Anime 3^rd season’s Blu-ray vol 3 & 4 were released at 9 and 30 April!

Like always I wrote special perk story for them. The whole 4 volumes of 3^rd season’s Blu-ray Box have 45 page of story attached each. The aftermath of the “surviving children” who have deep connection with Miledy and co, the history of battle of those descendants, Hajime and co learning through an incident in the middle of their journey……that kind of content. There’s also Miledy and co VS Hajime and co where Liliana’s ancestor is also deeply involved. If you’re interested please check it out!

Best regards!

Blu-ray vol 3：https://arifureta.com/bluray/4438

Blu-ray vol 4：https://arifureta.com/bluray/4440

※About chapter 526 [Right Now, We’re Urgently Watching Memory~], I revised the reason Higgs-kun got saved to match chapter 238 Tio arc [The Queen’s Resolve] where he escaped with his own strength rather than getting rescued. Thanks to those who pointed it out!

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