Arc 21: Womens battle

Chapter 174: The Warriors, and A Second Older Sister

Then, Touya-sama is Karen-samas

He is my younger brother down here ~nanoyo. He is also a person who has been granted divine power by the Worlds Kami-sama ~nanoyo

Thats a lie. I wasnt granted it. It was a result of a chance. An honest mistake.

Well, the spirit of the great tree seems also convinced, so its fine either way.

Why is this kind of person at something like [Pruning Ceremony].

Im here to cheer at my relatives since they are participating. Ah, please keep the judgment fair

Haa.

But then, the Jaja tribe is the one doing the judging so she may not have any relation to it.

Besides that, Karen-nee-san can apparently completely suppress her divine power. It seems that in my case because I cant do that, I was discovered by the spirit of the great tree. Well, it is not like it is harmful, and I should probably leave it alone for now since its something I may come to be able to do eventually. That the thing called Divine Power isnt apparently something that can be taught.

Nevertheless, Pruning Ceremony? Is it a festival ~nanoyo?

Originally, duels were arranged as means to settle disputes, but then I began granting my divine protection to protect their lives. It certainly can be considered a festival now. Though now it involves honor and rights

If I am not mistaken, the spirit of the great tree had the special ability to nurture life. I see. I am convinced ~nanoyo

Fumu. Does the spirit of the great tree have the power to protect life? Even if thats so, it doesnt look that almighty as well when I look at the instances where people start dying.

If it could protect anyone and everyone, there shouldnt have been any conflicts between the tribes in the Great Forest Sea.

It looks interesting. I also want to watch this Pruning Ceremony ~nanoyo. I must cheer for Yae-chan and the rest since they appear in it!

Eh!? You are not going back ?!

You know, that remark of yours is a little frustrating after you forcefully summon a person here ~noyo?

Adadadadadadadadadadada!

I was pinched again.

==================Scene Change================

The second day of Pruning Ceremony.

The tribes that have advanced to the second round are going to compete with their prowess again. Two matches will be held today and the eight winning tribes will advance into the final round to be held tomorrow.

To tell you the truth, I cant yet see any tribe that could become an opponent for the Rauri tribe.

By the way, which tribe won the previousPruning Ceremony?

I was told that they called themselves the Panao tribe, but they have already been defeated

Oh, my. Well, ten years have passed since the last ceremony. The members may be different as well.

There were also seemingly strong tribes present, but I think we have been surpassing them overall. Rue is most likely the weakest in our team. I guess I can say that Pam is slightly stronger than her, and Elsie without using [Boost] is stronger than Pam. But Yae and Hilda are even stronger. If Elsie uses [Boost], she will be equal to Yae and Hilda in strength.

I cant even imagine for a moment that someone can beat this lineup of three people. However, the compatibility of their opponents and weapons are also present, which has to be considered as well. For example are scenarios wherein an excellent and agile dagger user fights against Pam who uses an ax, or a spear user against the short ranged Elsie. There are also changes based on the fighting order.

Are such things also included? Todays order is different from the one yesterday. Yae is the vanguard, Pam is the spearhead, Hilda is the center, Elsie is the vice commander, and Rue is the captain.

Look-look. Yae-chans match is about to start ~noyo! Lets cheer for her ~noyo! Knock him ~out Y-A-E-cha~n!

Neesan, it isnt baseball so

While standing beside me, the frolicking Karen-nee-san is shrewdly wearing traditional clothes of the Rauri tribe. Well, even though I would be embarrassed if she stayed in that pajama, these clothes are also.

In a certain sense, Karen-nee-san stands out too much due to her considerably good figure. Though I can say it is natural because she is the goddess after all.

While I was thinking of such things, Yae easily knocked down her opponent. It seems this match is all right. The surprise on the opponents team can be seen. I suppose their vanguard was on the strong side. If their strength is only to the point of being easily defeated by Yae, they wont likely to be difficult opponents.

In fact, our team got three straight wins with Pam and Hilda just like that.

However what is it were they always so strong ?

Though they occasionally completed the guild commissions, they have been practicing almost every day. Even if they were also going to the training room which was made underground, the speed of their growth during those several months is amazing.

Karen-nee-san tilts her head in puzzlement towards my murmuring.

Hm? Are they by chance. changing into [Dependants]~noyo?

[Dependants] ?

Hmm, the thing called [Divine Power] is just the [Power of God], but Touya-kun still hasnt awoken it, so you may not use it ~noyo. If I am still to describe your state, you are half-god something like a demigod~nanoyo

Eh. Has it already progressed this far !? Certainly, I have heard that my body is becoming closer to that of god. Somehow, Im gradually moving further away from being human.

With that in mind, the ones called dependants are those who received a divine protection of a god. Touya-kun must be unconsciously distributing divine power to the people whom you think of as family ~noyo. Its slightly insignificant, but is that what you call as [Gods Love]? That feels like it ~nanoyo. Speaking of that on a much larger scale, we are the dependants of the Worlds Kami-sama. His family ~nanoyo

Ah, I feel like I get it for some reason. I definitely think of everyone as my family. I believe in that I want to protect them. Am I giving them power as dependents? I see. The love goddess, Karen-nee-san, can also be called the dependant of the Worlds Kami-sama.

Those kids wont wake up a [Divine Power], but they are may acquire some unique ability ~noyo. They will absolutely reach the class of the strongest humans if they continue like this

Will they reach that far!?

You shouldnt make light of a [Gods Love] you know ~noyo? The [Existences loved by God] are like that ~nanoyo. By the way, they will naturally lose its effect if they are hated by Touya-kun ~noyo

Well, I dont think that will happen. It is impossible for me to come to hate everyone. However, what an absurd blessing it grants.

But, even if its within the level of a demigod, that much is..Ah

?

Hmmm~ Huh? Is that so ~nanoyo? Muumuu. I guess thats fine ~nanoyo

Dont be convinced by yourself. Please explain things properly

I reflectively thrust a tsukkomi at Karen-nee-san who crossed her hands for some reason and began to mutter by herself while tilting her head.

Ah~ those kids probably. became my dependents at the same time they became Touya-kuns dependents ~noyo

Eh?

I am perceiving Touya-kun as my little brother, as a family so to say ~noyo. Thus, I see those girls who are your brides as a family too ~noyo. Though that love is not on the same level as Touya-kuns ~ne

Ah, so its like that? The love goddess has twice as much [Gods Love] compared to the demigod. The girls definitely have good relationships with her. Well, shes their [Sister-in-law-sama] after all.

Is something wrong?

Lindsey called to us as if being curious about our discussion. She likely couldnt hear the contents of our talk with all the cheering around. Well, she might not understand its meaning even if she heard it though.

Ya, there is nothing wrong

I was confirming that Touya-kun loves Lindsey-chan ~noyo

Rea~! Is that right? I-I also l-love yo..!

Ah~ how cute ~noyo~! Giyu~!

Karen-nee-san hugs Lindsey who turned red while stammering her words.

I see. She is definitely receiving [Gods Love]. I can agree that she has become a Dependant.

Touya-san, please look at that

Eh?

When I looked towards the direction Yumina, who was observing the match, was pointing at, two men were fighting at the stage. A big man was waving around a greatsword and a bojutsu user with a shaved head was nimbly dodging him.

The giant man was clearly someone from the Great Forest Sea, but the bojutsu user was different. That skin color, isnt he someone from the east? Is he a helper same as us?

While continuing to avoid the attacks, he is obviously exhausting the giants stamina. Not missing this gap, the shaven man sharply and brilliantly thrust his pole through the giants chest. The giant collapsed on the spot. The shaved man has won. After bowing to his fallen opponent, the man returned to his own area.

He is strong. He has a considerable skill. Was that strength of his bought by the tribe and he was called in as a helper? Although this doesnt have any relation to what is going on, saying [Shaved head Boujutsu ()] is a tongue twister. I cant say it three times.

As I continue watching the stage while thinking of something stupid, another person who is not part of the tribe from the Great Forest Sea comes out of the shaven heads camp. I was surprised to see a woman who had probably been recognized as a comrade to that tribe, much less in the position of a representative.

She has pointed ears, golden pupils, a pattern made of scales floating on a reddish brown skin. Furthermore, there are two horns growing among short black hair and a thick tail growing from her waist. That is.

She is from the Dragon Clan, isnt she?

Yumina whispers. The Dragon Clan. It probably is so. If I am not mistaken, do those demi-humans belong to one of the seven leading clans of Misumido?

The Dragon Clan has few numbers. Even among the seven tribes of Misumido, they have the fewest numbers. However, they possess high combat ability and are a race of proud warriors, arent they? This also my first time seeing one

Now that I think about it, I didnt see any of them when we visited Misumido. The dragon clan is politically indifferent and most of their interest is gathered and directed towards combat and training. I havent met one since they also dont hold any important positions in Misumido.

She is holding dark gray gauntlets. Is she a melee fighter same as Elsie?

As soon as the match started, the woman from dragon clan could be seen agilely step forward. But in the next moment, she was already drawing extremely close to the ax user. And then, she struck out her right palm in a flash. The roaring sound echoed and her opponent was blown out of premises with even being touched.

What is that.? Is this [Internal Power Release]? I dont think it was magic because it was used on stage.

She did same as the shaved head and returned to her camp. She is a polite warrior. Is it a school which requires showing manners to a defeated opponent similar to Japanese Kendo or Judo?

Look that that. It looks like it wont be simple to win after all

Looks like it

As we tried looking at the other stages as well, we could catch glimpses of groups with skilled warriors. However, I still think that those two from a while ago are excelling above the others.

Naaa!?

Karen-nee-san lets out a strange voice while looking at the contestants grounds. Why? Are there any strange contestants?

Two people were fighting with swords at a place which Karen-nee-san was looking at. One person is from the tribe of the Great Forest Sea while the other seems to be a helper from another region. The helper appeared to be a female swordsman who skillfully handled her opponents attacks while carrying a sword with one hand. She had a short purplish silver hair and a white porcelain skin.

Oh my, why.?

Amazing. Whats amazing is that woman didnt take a single step. She even prevented attacks coming right from behind her with the sword without even looking back as if she could totally see them. What has she done to be able to do that? Moreover, she handles everything with one hand.

Eventually, her opponent stopped moving after he attacked as much as he liked, and she finished him by lightly hitting his shoulder. With only that blow, her opponent couldnt stand anymore with just that, and the female swordsmans victory was decided.

Oi-oi, she had won without moving at all. I dont think that her opponent was weak either though.

But because the tribe of that female swordsman couldnt defeat the other three people, they lost here.

Umm Mou~ Why is that kid in such place ~noyo?

Eh?

Is she acquainted with Karen-nee-san? As we were looking at the retreating figure of that woman going out from the Deity Tree region, she suddenly looked back, lightly waved her hand and smiled at me.

Hmm? Huh? Does she know me?

Touya-kun, I will borrow you for a while ~noyo. Yumina-chan, I will be borrowing Touya-kun for a while ~noyo

Eh? O-okay

After being taken by Karen-Neesan, we go out of the Deity Tree region. The one waiting for us in the shadow of rather large tree was the woman from before who had her hands on her waist while expressing a smile.

Ya~

Do not Ya~ ~noyo. Why you are here ~noyo?

Karen-nee-san folds her arms with an expression that looked more amazed than angry while confronting that swordswoman. The swordswoman just laughed in a parched voice against that retort without any fear.

Officially speaking, I am here to help you. And the actual reason is that it looks interesting

Umm Mu~

The moment I thought that the swordswomans voice sounded familiar by chance, an idea came to me. No way, but. Everything else is impossible.

Karen-nee-san.Say, that person, could she perhaps.

Yes. Shes a companion of mine. The Sword God ~nanoyo

Sword God!?

As I thought! Moreover, you have said she is the Sword God! And did she just tell that she came down because she found it amusing? Shes definitely one of the gods! Oi-oi, do the gods have that much free time? Well, though capturing the subordinate god does look like a work too, it also looks like some sort of convenient excuse to mention.

Nice to me you, I guess. Though I think I dont really feel that way since I peep at the ground from time to time. Touya-kun

Haa Glad to meet you, I am Mochizuki Touya

Ah, pleased to meet you. Nevertheless, Love Goddess. What is the deal with Karen-nee-san?

I am Touya-kuns Oneesan down here ~nanoyo. Mochizuki Karen. Fufun, doesnt that sound good?

Karen-nee-san throws out her chest with pride after clearing her throat with an Ahem, but its not something to be proud of, you know. Although its not something to brag about, the Sword God Onee-sans reaction was different.

Thats nice~ Ah, then I will also be Onee-san

You are not allowed ~noyo~ The Onee-sans position is mine ~nanoyo

Karen-nee-san turns her face away while laughing as if shes joking around. With regards to that, the Sword God Onee-san puts her hands together as if shes praying.

Isnt that fine? Ah, that means Im your younger sister since Im the second Onee-san. I beg you, Karen-nee-san

I am the elder Onee-san? ~nanoyo?

Um, yeah. I am the younger sister

Karen-nee-san ponders while making a thinking gesture. She then clicks her tongue and gazes directly at us. What this little play?

If thats the case, then I guess its fine ~noyo. Its special, right? ~nanoyo

I did it. And because of that, Im now also an Onee-san. So please take care of me

The Sword God, with the position of my second Onee-san, turns towards me with a smiling face.

For whatever reason, I dont understand why the number of my onee-sans increased by one moreWhats with this?