Read Novel Full Vol 19 Chapter 4 Part 1
Vol 19 Chapter 4 Part 1
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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 4 – First Shrine Visit
Part 1
“Phew…”
Arnold had just finished delivering his New Year’s address to the people of the Kingdom of Arcelia and was now resting in his private quarters.
Then, his guard, Owen, offered words of encouragement.
“Your Majesty, you must be exhausted.”
“Yeah… For now, I’m relieved we made it through the year peacefully.”
“Indeed. Last year was quite eventful…”
Owen said, his thoughts drifting back to the previous year.
It had been nothing short of tumultuous: the revival of the “Evil,” the emergence of Ouma the Genesis Dragon, and the “Katana Saint’s” domination over humanity.
Above all else…
“Meeting Yuuya-dono was the most shocking event of all.”
“Hmm…”
Arnold wore an expression that defied description at Owen’s words.
Owen tilted his head at Arnold’s reaction.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“No, I understand. I understand, but…”
Thanks to meeting Yuuya, his son, Prince Rhaegar, was saved, and they were able to weather all the national crises last year.
But…
“That’s…”
“Eh? What?”
Owen asked back in a small voice.
“That’s why! It’s because of Yuuya-dono that Lexia left me!”
“Huh?”
Owen was utterly dumbfounded by the king’s unexpected outburst.
“No, what are you—”
“Don’t you understand? Ever since Yuuya-dono appeared, Lexia has been infatuated with him and hasn’t paid any attention to me!”
“Well, I thought that was always the case…”
“Haaah!?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Seeing Arnold’s terrifying expression, Owen decided it would be best to not provoke him further.
But Arnold’s words continued.
“And what’s more, Lexia went off to study abroad in another world to be with Yuuya-dono! It’s another world, I tell you! Studying abroad in another country is a tough decision, let alone in another world!”
“Still, once Lexia-sama has made up her mind, there’s no stopping her, is there?”
“I know that! But couldn’t she at least come back for New Year’s?”
“Ah…”
Faced with Arnold’s heartfelt plea, Owen was at a loss for words.
Until last year, the New Year’s address had been given by Arnold and Lexia, but this year it was delivered by Arnold and Rhaegar.
Trying to calm the agitated Arnold, Owen attempted to placate him.
“Now, now. It just shows how much fun that other world must be.”
“What!?”
“I just poured gasoline on the fire…”
Facing an even more agitated Arnold, Owen gazed off into the distance.
Then, Arnold commanded Owen.
“Owen! Go to Lexia immediately and tell her to come see me, even just once!”
“No, no, no, that’s impossible! You want me to go all the way to Yuuya-dono’s house, which is deep in the Great Devil’s Nest, just for that?”
“Of course! It’s a royal decree!”
“I won’t stand for such a decree!”
Arnold grabbed Owen, and their usual master-retainer comedy routine began.
Then, all of a sudden, there was a knock on the door.
“Huh? What is it? We’re in the middle of an important conversation.”
“Come in!”
“Hey!”
Owen answered for the room’s occupant, Arnold, and Iris entered.
“Wha… Iris-dono!”
“Hello… Were you two busy?”
Seeing that the two were still grappling, Iris gave a wry smile.
Arnold immediately released Owen and cleared his throat.
“Hm! No, we’re fine. But what brings you here today?”
“I came to offer New Year’s greetings. Right now, all of us from the ‘Holy’ are checking the situation in each country and making the rounds to greet everyone.”
“I see. Sorry to trouble you.”
Currently, Iris and the others from the “Holy” were travelling the world to annihilate evil beasts, whose numbers had steadily decreased.
After the greetings, Iris briefly informed Arnold about the damage caused by the evil beasts and monsters.
“Hmm… From what you say, Iris-dono, it seems the situation has calmed considerably since the incident with Shu.”
“Yes. While Shu’s method was extreme, it ultimately led some nations to reconsider how they treat their people. Because of that, the situation should now be stable in every country.”
“How ironic. Still, if a peaceful tide has arrived, we need only maintain it.”
“Indeed. If I can assist in that, even slightly—”
It was the instant Iris spoke those words.
“Huh!?”
Suddenly, a strange sensation overwhelmed Iris’ entire body.
It felt as if her entire body was being pulled somewhere else entirely.
“Huh? Iris-dono?”
“Ah… No, it’s nothing.”
The sensation lasted only an instant, however. Now back to normal, Iris tilted her head.
(Was it just my imagination…? But it felt so distinct…)
She seemed to ponder it for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t make sense of it.
“For now, even though things are peaceful, please don’t let your guard down. It would be helpful if you could stay alert and ready to handle anything that might happen.”
“Understood. Of course.”
──And so, the discussion between Iris and Arnold came to an end.
＊＊＊
“──Welcome, Teruyoshi-dono.”
The Kagurazaka family shrine was bustling with worshippers.
Amidst them was Sougen, the current head of the family and Mai’s father, who warmly welcomed Teruyoshi, the head of the Komyouin family.
“Oh, Sougen-dono. Thank you for coming out to greet me.”
“Not at all. It has been quite some time.”
“Indeed. Since our last meeting, I believe.”
“In any case, thank you for coming such a long way. I sincerely hope you will stay and rest at my home during the first three days of the new year.”
“Yes, I am grateful for your hospitality.”
As Sougen and Teruyoshi continued their conversation, Teruyoshi introduced Yuzuki, who had been waiting behind him.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve introduced him. This is my foolish son, Yuzuki.”
“My name is Yuzuki.”
“Hmm…”
Yuzuki stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Sougen narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed Yuzuki.
“Well, now… I’d heard rumors about the Komyouin family’s son, but he exceeds my expectations. To possess such power at his age…”
“I’m still very much an amateur.”
Teruyoshi was slightly flattered by Sougen’s words.
Then, Sougen introduced Mai, who had been waiting respectfully behind him.
“Then, allow me to introduce my daughter… Mai.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Mai Kagurazaka.”
She also stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Yuzuki-kun and Mai seem to be close in age. While you are staying at our home, I will have her look after you.”
“That is most kind. Yuzuki, don’t you dare misbehave.”
“…Understood.”
“Very well. Now then, Sougen-dono. Let us discuss the matter at hand.”
In response to Teruyoshi’s words, Yuzuki bowed again. Sougen and Teruyoshi then left the room to confer.
Yuzuki was left behind with Mai. She waited until they were completely gone before letting out a deep sigh.
“Haahhh… Seriously, this tension is killing me.”
“Huh? Eh?”
Yuzuki’s eyes widened in shock at Mai’s sudden change in demeanor. Mai tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-no, it’s just…you changed so suddenly…”
“I’m taking care of you for the next three days, so I can’t talk to you like that forever. You don’t need to worry about it either.”
“R-really?”
Pressured by Mai’s momentum, Yuzuki relaxed her tone, too. Mai casually added,
“But seriously, why are you pretending to be a guy?”
“Huh!?”
Yuzuki’s body stiffened at Mai’s words.
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
“Did I say something I shouldn’t have? Come to think of it, Teruyoshi-san introduced you as his son, too. Well, I guess there must be some reason for that.”
Seeing Yuzuki’s reaction, Mai realized she had carelessly blurted something out and flushed with embarrassment.
Seeing this, Yuzuki concluded that Mai had figured out that she was a woman.
“How did you realize I was pretending to be a man?”
That was precisely why Yuzuki admitted she was a woman and asked that question.
Mai then looked completely bewildered.
“Eh… Don’t you get it?”
“Today’s the first time in my life someone’s seen through me as a woman.”
“No way!?”
Mai was startled by Yuzuki’s words but quickly understood.
“Ah, but maybe it’s because I’m the one who noticed,” said Mai.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Because you possess ‘shamanic power,’ right?”
Yuzuki was speechless at Mai’s words.
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