Chapter 495

The Black Demon King 495

Whats Inside That Tiny Chest (2)

Rekis been acting weird lately.

I asked Sariel, who was in bed, if she had any idea.

Weird?

Yeah, like shes avoiding me for some reason And she seems to be in low spirits as well.

Reki was usually full of energy, but had recently gone strangely quiet and even somewhat distant. Though I didnt want to think that way, the most logical explanation I could find was that I had probably done something to make her dislike me.

When did this start?

Hmm, yesterday? No, the day before yesterday.

The day before yesterday was the 11th of the Ice Crystal Month. I remember this well because it was the day I noticed Ursulas training with Original Magic had been really paying off. It was on that day that I could see how well she was able to control it after a single week.

And when we happily returned after our training session, Reki came out to greet us with a rather sad expression on her face.

I had almost asked her what was going on, but then I figured it could be one of those days, and she could have been having a hard time due to that, so I didnt. But she was still like that even today, so I had started to become actually worried.

I honestly have no idea whats gotten into her. I dont remember having done anything to cause Reki to hate me Actually, I have been spending time with Ursula only, so I couldnt even do anything to her.

Maybe the cause for her sadness is precisely that you havent done anything with her?

It might have been rude of me, but I didnt expect much of Sariels answer, considering shes basically a robot. But she still answered immediately.

You think shes in a bad mood because I havent set aside some time for her lately?

Its a possibility.

No way? I mean, Im not her big brother, nor her father. It shouldnt be that hard for her to deal with me not being around for a while, right?

Reki seems to be very much looking forward to a mock battle with you. If that doesnt happen eventually, shed logically be overwhelmed by stress by that expectation.

Ah, y-yeah Thats right

Well, that makes a lot of sense. I know better than anyone just how much Reki is crazy about fighting.

So, no matter how much Reki understands the importance of controlling Ursulas curse, having something she has been eagerly waiting for delayed for too long would eventually get her frustrated.

Okay, then Ill make sure to spend some quality time with her tomorrow. After all, its a holiday, and Ursula is going to take a day off.

Tomorrow is the 14th of the Ice Crystal Month. Compared to Earths solar calendar, it would correspond to February 14, that is, Valentines Day. Though it wasnt a day that actually meant too much for me back when I was just a regular high school student.

If I hadnt been summoned to this alternate world, I might have even been given chocolate from s.h.i.+rasaki-san No, its no use to think about that now.

However, it would be unavoidable to be reminded about Valentines Day. Because in this alternate world, the 14th of the Ice Crystal Month had been designated by the Cross Church as a holiday after the legend of a saint.

And the name of that saint is Valentinus.

It sounds like a total rip-off, dont you think?

The Valentines Day of the Earth and the Valentinus Festival of the Cross Church are completely unrelated.

Once again, I found myself asking Sariel a question. Then I brought it up a second time.

But even then, did this Valentinus guy really have to die on a day that is the same as Earths February 14th? It has to be some kind of joke.

Legend has it that Saint Valentinus was a great man who risked his own life to drive demons back and to restore the Cross Church under the right faith after it had been on the verge of succ.u.mbing to internal strife thanks to a ruse orchestrated by said demons. Of course, the holy scriptures also describe his many feats in all sorts of ventures, so I have a good idea of his story. Though that was mostly thanks to Sariels lectures.

Lectures I had to take, since I had work as a priest tomorrow talking about Saint Valentinus legend, reading excerpts from the holy scriptures aloud and explaining them. There were quite a bit of Cross Church believers in this village, so I had to know my stuff in order to sound believable enough. Otherwise, theyd soon realize that Im not a real priest.

Well, I dont care about the Cross Churchs legends, but if theres going to be a festival afterwards, thats fine by me.

I wasnt the only one who thought like that, but many villagers, and even the majority of the people of the Republic of Sinclair. The holidays origin was relatively irrelevant, and what the people wanted the most was the festival itself, as an excuse to drink, eat, and dance to their hearts content.

Are you looking forward to it?

Ive been involved in the Valentinus Festival twice in the past. Ive only been invited to attend ceremonies as a member of the church. There was nothing more to it than my job as an Apostle.

And what about now? Calling you two friends would be a bit of a stretch, but I can at least see that Ursula and you have been getting along well.

I dont know. But I understand the theory that makes the festival fun.

Well, I dont think theres any fun in understanding the theory behind it.

But was there really any other way for her? Although Sariel has regained all of s.h.i.+rasaki-sans memories, her personality is still like that of a robot. In fact, it would be quite scary if she started to behave like s.h.i.+rasaki-san all of a sudden.

Well, we should try to enjoy it a bit. After all, its the first and last time well be able to attend this festival here.

So well be leaving on the 20th of Ice Crystal Month?

Like Sariel said, I had finally set a date to leave this 202nd colony.

It would seem that the snow would start to melt at the usual time of the year. In the past week Ive been training Ursula, Id started to notice that the temperature has begun to rise sharply throughout the day.

At this rate, we should be able to see the surface of the muddy dirt road coming out of the village after the 20th.

The plan was to leave this 202nd colony on the 20th. It would take us a few days to reach the village just ahead of the Alsace Fortress, and well survey the situation there for a while. Then, the snow would have almost completely melted by the time we started climbing the Galahad Mountains.

The withdrawal of the Crusader troops from the Alsace Fortress has already settled down quite a bit as well. There would be a few occasional messengers on contact duty, or the rare small unit that had gotten the short end of the stick and ended up being sent to defend Alsace Fortress.

Then, as we move, we would buy equipment from merchants to make us look like adventurers or mercenaries so we dont look suspicious, as well as supplies needed for our ascent across the Galahad Mountains.

Unfortunately, I do not have access yet to my Dimension Magic, so I would be carrying a lot of luggage on my back. But its not uncommon for travelers and adventurers of this world to move around with a lot of gear on them, so it wont make us stand out that much.

Were ready. And the time has come.

All we have to mentally prepare ourselves and take the first steps.

Ah, Im sorry But well be leaving this village as planned.

Reki, I have something important to talk to you about.

Right after we went to bed, Ur called me with a serious look on her face.

W-What is it?

Dont tell me shes noticed that Ive been acting weird these past few days

That day, I started crying as I headed back from looking at Ur and Priest Kuroes training I was feeling completely uncomfortable. I couldnt calm down at all.

Then Sister Yuuri saw me crying as I walked into the church, but she didnt ask me anything about it, nor did she say a single word to anyone. So I might just be able to avoid drawing their attention for a while longer.

Though I know I cant hide my emotions very well, so theyll soon notice somethings bothering me.

I know Ur will eventually find someone to settle in with. But it cant be Priest Kuroe I cant even look him straight in the eye anymore I dont really understand why I feel so embarra.s.sed.

Its about Priest Kuroe.

Huh!?

I messed up and raised my voice. Urs suspecting eyes hurt to watch.

Did anything happen between you and Priest Kuroe?

N-Nothing happened! After all, hasnt Priest Kuroe been spending all day with you these days?

Well, yes

That seemed to have been enough for her, since she didnt pursue the matter any further.

Wait, does it mean that what Ur wanted to talk to me about wasnt really about me?

You know that Priest Kuroe will leave the village in the near future, right?

I learned that the very day Priest Kuroe first arrived here. He wasnt going to stay here to replace the previous priest for too long.

Priest Kuroe is planning to leave later this month.

What? So soon!?

Keep your voice down, Reki.

Ur asked me to watch my voice, but I couldnt help it. Hes leaving so soon

I-Is this true? Really?

Priest Kuroe has already got everything ready for his departure. Once the snow begins to melt, he will have no reason to stay in this village anymore.

I know that the only reason he was staying during the winter was because its hard to travel on snowy roads. And Ive also heard that this area begins to thaw during the Ice Crystal Month.

Thinking that Priest Kuroe wont be around makes you feel sad, doesnt it?

O Of course

Oh no Im already in tears.

I shouldve known from the beginning that there would come a time that Id have to say goodbye to him. I shouldve made up my mind that there was nothing I could do to stop that.

Ill be sad as well. Id like for him to stay with us for a long time.

But thats impossible

No, its not impossible. Ive come up with an idea, Reki.

Despite how dark it was in here, it felt like Urs blue eyes were full of light.

Eeeh? What is it? Tell me!

I was getting excited. If there was the slightest possibility to convince him to stay with us, no matter how ridiculous it was, I would like to put all my money on the table. I suppose I was grasping at straws at this point.

Can you help me with it?

Of course! Reki will do whatever she can!

After I spilled out my innermost feelings so frankly, I could see Urs smile or was it a grin?- very clearly, even through the surrounding darkness.

Ur is much smarter than me, so her plan will definitely succeed, whatever it is. She had outsmarted the late Priest Nikolai several times in the past.

So, what are we going to do?

Were going to rope him in so to speak.

Rope him in? Were gonna tie him up?

She couldnt have really meant that, could she? Ur likes to say things in fancy ways, so I usually have a hard time getting what she means.

No, I mean, to seduce him. To do naughty things.

S-Seduce him? N-NN-Naughty thiiiiiiiiings!?

Shh, keep your voice down!

Ur asked me to keep quiet once again, but how else did she expect me to react to that?

After all, doing naughty things means to kiss, and to undress and in front of Priest Kuroe

O-Oh

When the image came to my mind, my heart started to race.

I wont be able to sleep tonight without holding Urs hand. I cant be holding hands with her all the time, since Im weaker than her, and the power of her curse would get me a little exhausted as well. But when I get this excited, my eyes would become very big and I wouldnt be able to sleep, so when this happens, I hold Urs hand to try to calm down and help me sleep.

But now, I have to calm down without Urs help. I had to calm down and talk about these naughty things. Keep calm

B-But Do you think itll work?

Dont worry, Ive read all about it in a book.

Oh yeah, the romance novel that Priest Kuroe bought for me! Wow, Ur, youre so smart!

This book has detailed instructions on what to do and how to do it. Theres no way it could go wrong if we follow these to a T.

S-S-So W-W-What d-d-do we have to do!?

Its easy. According to the book, the woman goes to bed together with the man at night.

Eh? T-Thats it?

Isnt that the same as we are now?

But we go straight to sleep. Once in bed, the woman should hug him.

Hug him? L-L-Like, r-real close?

Yes, thats it.

Oh no, I can feel my cheeks getting hotter.

Then she should kiss him.

Whoa! A k-k-k-kiss!?

This is definitely naughty.

Yes, kiss him many times.

Oh my G.o.d!

Me? Doing those adult things? With Priest Kuroe? My heads about to burst

Then, after that, the woman and the man will feel really good and then theyll fall asleep peacefully in each others arms. Then, before they realize it, itll be already morning.

S-So t-that Thats how you actually do naughty things!

But the most important thing starts after that. After doing naughty things with a man, the man is expected to take responsibility and marry the woman.

M-M-Marry!?

Even Ur had a hard time finis.h.i.+ng that sentence. She too must have been thrilled by the thought.

If we do that Priest Kuroe would have to stay here forever With us. Hell never leave

Well, with Priest Kuroe married, things would certainly be like Ur says. He would give up on his idea of leaving, and will have to stay in this village and live with us.

Instead of having him for just a moment, he would stay here for the rest of his life. Its hard to believe, but its like a dream a story that I really want to believe.

B-But After all, it is impossible

Why?

Because Priest Kuroe already has Sister Yuuri.

It was none other than Ur who told me that Sister Yuuri and Priest Kuroe are not really related, despite the fact that they pretend to be siblings. And her love for him is so clear, so transparent, I cant believe Ur would forget about that tiny little detail

Thats when you come in, Reki.

Can Reki do something about that?

Id like to get Sister Yuuri away from Priest Kuroe at night

According to Ur, tomorrow is the Valentinus Festival. A festival where its not weird for unusual things to happen. And thats why tomorrow will be our one and only shot at roping Priest Kuroe in.

When the sun starts to go down, I need you to start drinking, Reki.

Theres going to be a lot of wine and ale at the festival, so everyone is going to drink a lot more than usual. Everywhere you look, there will be people drinking to their hearts content.

Therefore, it wont be unusual for a child like me, who shouldnt be drinking alcohol, to be drinking with everyone else in the spirit of the festival.

Then Id have to drink enough to get drunk. Awfully drunk. And even if I dont get drunk, I would pretend to be very drunk. Ill most likely drink only a little bit, so chances are Im probably going to have to pretend.

The idea is to be so drunk that Id ask Sister Yuuri to help me get back to the church. According to Ur, Priest Kuroe has an image to keep, so its unlikely that hell offer to take a conspicuously drunk child like me back to the church.

And even if Priest Kuroe ends up bringing my drunk self and Sister Yuuri back to my room, the plan is to have Sister Yuuri stay with me. And then Priest Kuroe would leave, because hed know how embarra.s.sing it would be for me to have him look at me sleeping in that condition. I dont know whats so embarra.s.sing about that, but Ur says so, so Ill believe her.

Then, at the right time, while I lay alone with Sister Yuuri, Id ask her to stay and sleep with me.

By keeping Sister Yuuri in the same bed as me until morning, Priest Kuroe would have to sleep by himself.

It was only after I finished hearing Urs plan that I realized.

T-Then, what are you going to do, Ur?

Im going to be the one doing naughty things with Priest Kuroe.

You cant!

After I blurted that out, I immediately regretted it.

Why?

Well, thats because

I cant answer. I cant think of a proper answer as to why she cant do that. I had to convince her somehow

I-If you do that, then Ur and Priest Kuroe will have to m-marry! Youll have no other choice! You should get married to someone you like!

But I like Priest Kuroe.

She said that so nonchalantly that I couldnt find the words to say anything back at her.

Priest Kuroe is very strong, cool and kind. Whats so wrong about me falling for someone like him?

W-Well But

But love shouldnt be for such mundane reasons.

And only Priest Kuroe accepts all of me for who I am.

I had to push the words of denial that rapidly climbed up my throat all the way back to the depths of my lungs.

Yeah, thats right, Ur. Thats certainly more than enough reason to love someone, to love them enough to want to marry them.

Ur, are you Are you sure about this?

Im dead serious. Ill definitely get Priest Kuroe to marry me. So, Reki, please Help me.

At that time, all I could do was nod in agreement.

Oh, but why Why does my chest hurt so much?