Chapter 5

A language barrier brings some considerable pressure.

Since Ive never gone overseas on my own before, this is my first time experiencing that.

The closest I got to this, would be the first Star Tour

Back then, Adalbert had suddenly appeared and turned on my inner translator. Although his methods werent very good, you cant deny that it was convenient.

Oh, yeah, why dont we use Adalberts move by grabbing my head? I remember thats houjutsu, right? Since these children are shinzokus, their houryoku should be really good. If so, well just let them grab out heads, then we can communicate!

The condition is your soul must retain memories of that language, but these kids souls may never have left Seisakoku.

Right. AhDarn, this is hopeless!

Even though the dialect does change here and there, but the language I use in Shin Makoku also works on human lands, so I always thought there was only one common language in this world, so we dont even need translators. But then again, it seems that mazoku and human cultures are interconnected, and that doesnt apply to shinzokus.

The two children we pulled from the sea are cuddling together on Dakaskos simple bed. Since we have to be stealthy about it, we could only bring them here. The already cramp room now has five people squeezing in it, which it obviously wasnt designed for. Maybe they were even more comfortable on that little boat. But as wed brought in three chairs from the dining room, theres at least place for us to sit.

To be honest, you guys should have a hot bath first.

But its only evening now, so there should still be people using the big bath inside. All we can do now is give the pale duo clean clothes and some food, then wrapping them up in insulation, to try and warm them up a bit. If it werent for their different hair lengths, the way they look now, both hands cradling a steamy hot cup, would make anyone suspect theyre actually the same person.

Ill ask again, then. What do you guys really want to say?

The boy grabs my palm, writing mazoku and save again. It seems hes only learned these two words somewhere. I hold my head and say,

Problem is, I have no idea what you mean. I cant understand at all! Do you want to save the mazoku? Or do you want us to save someone specific? You gotta clear up this point, at least!

Looks like wed better discuss this with the captain.

Dakaskos keeps bring towels, clothes, and leftover soup back and forth, and now hes saying that as he makes his second cup of tea, eyebrows drooping. From the very start he really wanted to report to Captain Sizemore.

But if we do that, then well have to send these two back to the Shimaron ship, yknow. They purposely avoided being rescued by that patrol ship, and were even willing to be separated from the rest of the group to swim to us. Personally, I think there must a reason behind it.

Then we should at least report this to His Excellency Gnter.

Thats even worse!

Wolfram refutes this suggestion immediately too. If he finds out that we stowed away, hell definitely send us back to Shin Makoku straight away.

What a bother, why can Jason and Freddy speak the common language then?

Because they grew up in Dai Shimaron!

Oh, yeah. Even if theyre all shinzokus, their culture and education will change according to their surroundings. Speaking of which, I wonder if those twins have safely arrived back home? I asked the Dugard brothers to escort them back on the high-speed vessel. If their hometown is Seisakoku, then the brothers can only go as far as the manmade island.

If only we can ask them about real situation behind the lockdown Hmm?

The shinzoku boy says something that sounds to us like roll shit roll shit[1], shaking my shoulders. Then he grabs my arm with even more force than before.

JaJa

Eh, no, no, Im not Jason, Jason and Freddy are shinzokus, like you. Theyre not here, technically they should already be back in your home country.

Suusamarakashi!

I cant understand what theyre saying at all, but I use similar sounds to say that it is Suusamarakashi[2]. The siblings look (temporarily) relieved, excitedly discussing something. Then the boy grabs my hand and puts it to his cold chest, saying simply,

Zeta.

And he immediately moves my hand to the girl next to him, sticking it to her chest forcefully.

Zuusha.

Standing behind me, Dakaskos mumbles,

Could that be their names?

Names? I look at the two children before me, and find that theyre smiling sheepishly.

Names? Thats right, Dakaskos! Of course, those must be their names! So youre Zeta, and that girl is Zuusha? So the older sister is Zuusha, and the younger brother is Zeta? Thats great, Zeta, even though youve only told us your names, Im really happy! Im Yuuri, this pretty boy here is Wolfram, and the shiny baldy is Dakaskos. REPEAT AFTER ME.

PETER?

No, Im not Peter.

Because I spoke too quickly, they didnt get to repeat it again, but they smile happily anyway, nodding in reply.

Huh, since we can already introduce ourselves, it seems that sign language can still work as communications. I guess they know that Jason is a name.

This time Zeta starts echoing me. Hes holding his (possibly) older sister, Zuushas hand, both of them looking proud and pleased. Since their voices are filled with such liveliness, I cant help but repeat after them.

Jason.

Jason!

Jason.

Edison.

Its just like a party on Friday the 13th, except that last name has nothing to do with any of it.

But the foreign children who went through so much trouble just to tell me their names suddenly turn serious, the siblings start whispering to each other. Perhaps after coming to some conclusion, the two of them nod their heads firmly. Zuusha reaches into the clothes they discarded aside, pulling out a piece of pale white paper folded into a tiny square, and hands it to me.

Is this for me?

Jason Freddy

Hmm? What? What are you saying? That Jason and Freddy wrote this?

I desperately try to calm my shaking fingers, struggling with the wet paper folded four times. It took a while to for me to get it open without tearing it, but the words are already blurred by the seawater. This piece of paper might have been torn from a larger sheet, because its not a complete rectangle.

Looks like another unreadable letter.

Although its an extremely simple piece, the handwriting is big and slanted, so ugly its like they were written with the left hand No, I mean, the handwriting is very unique. The whole paper is dyed by the reddish-brown ink, becoming nothing more than a dyed piece of paper, though there seems to be something that looks like a signature at the bottom.

Ahhvaguely I can see Ja-son, and the other is Freddy. Its true, this was written by those girls! Why would you have a letter they wrote? Do you know them? Did you make friends with them in Seisakoku? Are the twins all right? What about the other children we sent back?

Give me that!

Seeing as I didnt even look at the letter before bombarding the children with questions, a hassled Wolfram snatches away the paper. Hes careful not to damage it, though, and then he carefully spreads it over a chair as a replacement for a table.

Seems like those twins really did grow up in Shimaron, because this is written in the common language. Judging from these words, though, they probably never received a proper education.

Most of the words are illegible, why didnt they use an oil-based ink to waterproof it?

As soon as those pompous words left my mouth, Wolfram glares at me fiercely. Thats right, the spoiled and stubborn former prince.

Sorry, oil-based inks werent invented here yet, right? Even so, you dont have to look at me like that.

Its blood.

He touches the part that he painstakingly deciphered, sniffs it a little and repeats,

Its written with blood.

Blood? Whose blood? What does this mean? UhAre you talking about a curse or something?

Dakaskos moans painfully, then, beginning with, Please, no offense, milords, he says,

Im afraid they went to such drastic measures because they couldnt find any stationary, Im guessing there were no pens, ink or paper ready then. This paper looks like it was torn from a paper bag, and they probably wrote it using a fingernail stained with blood on a paper that doesnt absorb water, thats why the words vanish once they touch seawaterbecause I received a letter like this once.

He rubs his head, his expression complicated.

This type of letter is usually found on those returning from the battlefield, only most of the time they can only be found on those killed in action.

Da--

I cant even say his name in one breath. The two children stand shoulder to shoulder, looking our way.

You mean, these are usually found on corpses So, Jason and Freddy

I swallow the painful words are already deadback down.

Dont jump to conclusions, Yuuri. For now we can only be certain that they arent in the most optimistic of situations. As for soldiers, they have that kind of will because they already prepared themselves mentally before going to war. Those twins arent in the middle of a raging battlefield, and besides, if they really are dead, how can they write a letter?

Wolfram thumbs the recognizable part, helping me deduct the name and simple contents.

And here, this should be the word save. Theyre not using the verb properly, though. And see here, Yuuri, this is your name Aah!

Next to my name, theres a vaguely visible word.

Apologize.

Whats there to apologize for?

I spread my right palm out wide, wanting to cover up this tragic letter. Because I dont want to read it anymore, and I dont want anyone else to know what it says, either.

Why would those children want to apologize to me? Theres nothing to apologize for, right? Why the hell would they go to all those lengths to write a letter like this? All they wanted was to go home, and all I did was send them home, why the hell would they need to apologize to me?

Im remembering the time we first met. They were surrounded by a thin veil of pure white, perhaps a trick of the weak winter sunlight, so that I could not pull my eyes away. However you look at it, theyre perfectly symmetrical, and if you look closely, their irises are deep gold, scattered with faint green. That beauty is already beyond human, and, different from the forceful nature of the mazoku, theres a sickly yet fantastical sense in their beauty.

The unique way they talk, without any suffixes, honestly left me frustrated in the beginning.

But they

The chair that I sweep away in my anger crashes into the wall with a violent noise.

Damn!

Still angry, I ram my fists into the wall, scaring the two on the bed to the point of shaking once. Their faces are so close to each other theyre almost sticking together, and theyre holding each others hands tightly, heads lowered without a word. Thats when I realize that theyre afraid.

No, Im not blaming you two.

But I still cant suppress this feeling. What Im doing must be terrifying these poor children, who just had to fight for their lives, even more. If we could understand each other, at least I could still explain the reason. But under these circumstances, acting so emotional in front of them, really is a very bad move.

Since I cant explain, I walk out of the room and lean on the railing in the night, noting that Wolfram had issued simple orders to stop Dakaskos, who wanted to chase after me.

Damn! You gotta be kidding me! What kind of a world is this?!

I punch the walls, kick the deck, even throw around the life preservers on the hooks.

I even toss the rope we used earlier into the sea, stepping into the puddle we left behind.

Sensing my extreme emotions, the maseki on my chest starts heating up.

Although the weather is not hot in the slightest, cold sweat beats up at the area next to my right eye. When Im miserable to the point of using my shoulders to catch my breath, an energetic voice comes from behind me.

Gotten it all off your chest yet?

As if!

I grip the cold white railing, staring into the black waves as I speak, not looking at Wolfram no matter what. Then I purposely release a deep breathseems like my heart rate has gone back to normal.

Sorry, I get too angry too easily. My personality really is straight and forward, heh.

I know.

His calmness surprises me. Did he always sound like this? No, I should say the way hes talking now sounds more like his oldest brother.

I noticed that Im always losing control in front of you.

Really? But youre feeling upset for the injustice those children have met. Thats worth respecting.

Dont compliment me. Its only right.

Before I regain my normal ability to think, I hope the sea and the night sky can comfort me. At least let me relax my fingers, holding on to the railing with an unnatural strength. The Shimaron ship is still nearby. And there are still small rowboats going back and forth from there to Friends on the Sea, on the ocean right under the large ships decks.

I remember saying so before.

He should be leaning on the wall, arms crossed. Lord von Bielefeld uses a stance similar to that of the gentler of his two brothers, saying with a level tone,

Whatever it is, as long as it involves the shinzoku, it wont be good.

I heard you, and I know that, I experienced it myself in Dai Shimaron. Even though I didnt go into shock, the situation back then really was something else.

That feeling was completely different from your average sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, leaving only weariness and weakness. Its true, whenever I get involved with the shinzoku, the Maous soul inside me becomes sorta off. But still

But still you wont just sit by and watch, right? Fine, fine, I dont need to ask to know.

Blonde hair glittering in the lamplight, the former mazoku prince shakes his head in surprise, or should I say, faking a surprised look.

You want to go to Seisakoku and save those twins, right? I really cant stand you, you just want to help every Tom, Dick and Harry you meet! The way this is going, Im guessing youre probably gonna say something like all for one, and one for all[3]!

What should I do if it really gets to that? Wait, in that case I wont have anything to eat.

Just thinking about me going vegetarian, I almost force myself to change my mind. But that letter of blood is already engraved into my mind, and its really not that easy to convince me to change it.

But, Wolf I promise you, I wont leave your side halfway through, this much I can guarantee.

Right.

So let me go.

Whats the point of you telling me?

Wolf lifts his chin as he speaks, looking like a patriarch lecturing the disappointing son.

But dont forget, Yuuri, youre the Maou, the king of the Shin Makoku. You want to fix all the injustices in the world, fine, but you cant forget your country and people.

I never forgot.

Never once have I thought myself capable of solving all the problems in the world. Because even if I have strange and wonderful powers I never would have even dreamed back on Earth, even if I was lifted onto the throne, I still dont think I can save anything. After all, I have absolutely no confidence in myself, to this day thinking of myself as nothing more than your average baseball kid.

But Shin Makoku has Gwen Lord von Voltaire, right? And then theres you, Gnter, and Lady Anissina. Even if Im not doing enough, you guys will help me solve the problems, right?

About that, who asked you to be one of historys rare nooby kings? Thats why even Brother has to constantly put his all into helping you.

Mm, but sometimes

Sometimes Ill feel uneasy too.

Wondering, what role do I play? Where do I belong?

Yuuri?

Aah, sorry, its nothing, nothing. God! How did it get this messy?! Just looking at it makes me embarrassed.

Once Ive calmed down and looked around, I realize that the mess I made really is unbearable. The life preservers on the deck are all over the place, buckets have been kicked over, if you walk without paying attention you stand a real chance of tripping over them. So I obediently pick them up one by one and return them to their original places. The third son, whos friendly despite his appearance, helps, and just when we are getting ready to roll the rope back

Please hold on! EeekHelp, young masters! Aah, please dont be so rough--

Dakaskos tragic voice is obviously a cry for help.

I jump over the buckets we havent cleaned up yet and into the corridors, where I see him with his back pressed firmly against the door. Hes blocking five men, protecting the cabin with his life.

And standing at one side, having brought a subordinate with him, Captain Sizemore looks shocked at his stubborn protests. I was just going to say why, even though his face is obviously very familiar, theres just something off. Turns out hes grown out a light brown beard, probably because hes too concerned about the Saint Javier LEVELP[4] hairdo.

Although I can only see the back of one of the men, but he should be a soldier from Shou Shimaron. Just seeing that cropped ponytail from afar makes his identity fairly obvious. If I walk to the front, Ill surely see a neatly-trimmed beard, connected to his sideburns by a thin line.

Because the cropped ponytail is the standard hairstyle for Shou Shimaron soldiers.

Weve searched all the cabins nearby, this is the only one left. We suspect that you have hidden refugees from Seisakoku inside.

I-I-I t-t-t-told you there arent a-a-a-any refugees--

But there were people who saw someone on your ship pull two shinzoku children onboard with rope!

What on earth are you doing, Dakaskos? If you say there arent any, then just let them search the room and be done with it! Otherwise these patrolmen cant report back to their ship!

Icant--! No matter what you say, I cant. There arent any children in the cabin! Anywayif my wife finds out about this, shell skin me alive--!

At least Captain Sizemore has accepted what he said. I put the words good going, using your wife as a shield! aside for later, and decide to intervene as the person responsible. I wont hand those children over to you. Zeta and Zuusha specifically looked to the mazoku, to me, for help. After living sixteen years, a simple lie should be easy as pie.

Wait a moment, you people, stop acting like the boss on someone elses ship! We didnt rescue any kids!

At that moment the captains eyes are staring at me, mouth falling open in surprise, and the fingers plucking at his beard tangled into a mess.

Y-Your Majesty? But of course he didnt make any noise. Wolfram puts his chefs hat over my head, thanks, Mr Stubborn. Because itd be bad if humans from another country saw my black hair. As for my eyes, I can scrape through as long as I keep my gaze on the ground, but hiding my hair completely is another matter altogether.

I was listening to you from a side, you really like spouting nonsense, dont you? Were not hiding any refugee children, nothidinganychildren--! Even if we really did save any refugee children, we dont have to have to hand them to you, do we?

Faced with a rude and anxiously protesting me, the three Shou Shimaron patrolmen scoff in contempt.

Captain, this dishwasher seems to be making a fuss about something.

What did you say? Dishwasher? Stop joking around!

Thats right, what are you saying? So rude, I didnt wash those dishes myself!

After hearing what they said, though, I just realize that Im wearing a kitchen apprentices clothes, and since I look like a child just only in my teens, I must be the rookie of rookies, at the most in charge of peeling potatoes. But to Captain Sizemore, its a different story. He knows the pissed off my and the angry Wolframs true identities, but since he has no idea how to react to this situation his eyes have gone almost all white like a dead fish, even those they arent really white.

But even so, the Shou Shimaron patrolmen are still relentlessly pushing Dakaskos, whos dead set determined yet still doesnt know what to do. This man is by nature gentle and passive, his shiny scalp gleaming even shinier under the coat of cold sweat, but it seems to me hes close to the breaking point, shivering uncontrollably.

The captain must have noticed somethings up when I showed myself, so he rejects Shou Shimarons request solemnly. But the patrolman seems to be of surprisingly high rank, so he isnt shaken off so easily. I didnt think that someone of such a high positions would come here personally, and in their conversations they even call him Admiral.

More and more people gather around to see whats the commotion. Some yell that they forced their way onto our ship, others even swear at them on purpose. The tipsy soldiers reach for their weapons, making the atmosphere so tense a spark could cause a full-blown confrontation. Things cant go on like this, I dont care if youre an admiral or an admirer, you should be nicer when talking to a king. I mean, please be nicer to me, Im asking you nicely.

Hey hey hey, dont you know Im--

Whats the ruckus so late in the night?!

A loud and clear voice resounds from behind the crowd, and I lose my chance to bare my fake fangs.

The wall of seamen start splitting to the sides. A tall man with floating pale grey long hair and a long robe walks over elegantly.

The beautiful Prime Minister, the super bishie Education Minister, the pretty man whose killer move is the Nosebleed Bomb--- Lord von Christ Gnter.

Lord von Christ uses an annoyed yet still beautiful low voice to ask,

What happened here, captain?

Your Excellency Gnter!

Theres Sizemore, who looks obviously relieved, and Dakaskos, whose overwhelming sense of relief has caused his tears and snot to flow freely. And then theres Wolfram and I, holding my head and squatting on the ground, screaming Aaaaaaaaaaaaah, its all over, hes here.

The education minister was probably busy with his documents, because theres a pair of small thin-framed glasses sitting on his nose. If he doesnt open his mouth to speak, his knowledgeable and feminine beauty, suits silver lens perfectly. Problem is, once he notices Wolfram and I, who theoretically shouldnt be here, his long and beautiful brow jumps upwards abruptly. Were surprised, though, that his reaction isnt anywhere near as big as wed anticipated.

He purposely bends down, whispering in my ear,

What is milord doing here?

UmmUhh, about that. Those old people glasses No, those spectacles look really good on you, youre three times even prettier than normal.

Your Normally if I got your praise, my heart would rise into the heavens. But today sucking up to me at the last minute wont cut it, you know, and Wolfram too.

Im real sorry, Gnter. Im repenting, and Ill explain to you properly later. But now isnt the time to talk about that, were facing a rare crisis here.

I send my strong help me, please waves to Gnter through my gaze, trying to make my eyes look moist. Its a trick I used on my family back in middle school when I wanted them to get me new baseball shoes. Since Ive grown so much since then, I dont dare to expect much in the way of results.

Mmph!

Gnter puts his hand by his mouth, half squatting as he leaves my side.

T-the reason you two are here, I-I-Ill get it out of you later!

Seems like it works. After all, to a centenarian like Gnter, sixteen-year-old me am like a grandson. No matter how tall they grow, a grandson is still a grandson, and even if the kids a little spoiled and stubborn, he wont mind. If Id known this earlier, I couldve just used the teary-eyed technique to convince him to take me along.

Lord von Christ clears his throat deliberately, returning to his efficient official expression, and uses a commanding tone to scatter the gathered crowd. Although many people look unsatisfied, but since its the beautiful prime ministers orders they have no choice but to obey. And so, one by one they go back to their respective stations, cabins, and drinking spots.

All right, whatever it is, please say it, Admiral.

The Shimaron patrolmans mood has obviously been soured, but even he should have noticed the newcomers high status. In short terms he explains his suspicion that were hiding refugees, and most likely in that cabin, as well as incidents such as how Dakaskos refused to budge from the door.

I see but I, Lord von Christ Gnter, Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku with Full Authority under Orders of the Maou, would never allow a riot on my ship. And you are suspecting Friends on the Sea, the vessel that I, Lord von Christ Gnter, Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku with Full Authority under Orders of the Maou, am aboard. Not only is this an act of humiliation against me, Lord von Christ Gnter, Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku with Full Authority under Orders of the Maou, but also against the entire Shin Makoku navy. Are you clear, you admiral or patrolman something? Our ship declares here and now, that we never rescued any refugees. Or do you not believe what I, Lord von Christ Gnter, Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku with Full Authority under Orders of the Maou, say?

Probably scared by the overly long Special Ambassador of the what-and-what, Ponytail shakes his head with a complicated expression.

B-but, you have to give face to us Shimaron patrolmen too!

Honestly, you have a point, so

The patrolmen take a step back and brace themselves for the Special Ambassador of the dot dot dot summarize the rest.

How about we do it this way, you may send your Shou Shimaron soldiers to search the entire ship. Be it the dining hall or the regular toilets, or even the for-display-only golden toilet, you are welcome to enter. Of course, the captains wig room included!

Sizemore presses his head frantically.

You can go ahead and search everywhere, you can even get down on all fours to search. But, with the sole exception of my, Lord von Christ Gnter, Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku with Full Authority under Orders of the Maous room.

What?

The Shimaron men look timid. Gnter lifts his beautifully carved chin, his presence overwhelming everyone else.

That much should be obvious, no? After all, I am the Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku

Y-yes. We believe your reputation, we wont search your room, or any other rooms of high ranking officials.

Perhaps because he doesnt want to hear that motto again, the patrolman hurriedly interrupts Gnter. I just never thought Gnter was so happy to be chosen as ambassador.

T-then, would this kitchen apprentice quickly make way? Weve checked all the hiding areas near the deck, this is the only room left.

That wont do.

The mazokus excellent Prime Minister doesnt even glance Dakaskos Noo you cant expression, replying without hesitation.

Because this is my room.

What--?

The ponytailed patrolmen arent the only ones surprised. With Wolf and me at the helm, even those few remaining onlookers are shocked to the point their feet stop in mid-air on the way to the door. As for Dakaskos, his jaw fell open too wide and became dislocated. Poor Captain Sizemores eyeballs have gone out of focus, one pointing left while the other dangles right, making hid overall appearance rather scary.

W-wait, arent you Lord von Christ Gnter, Special Ambassador of the Shin Makoku with Full Authority under Orders of the Maou? An official with a status as high as yours, theres no way you could have been allocated a room in the low level quarters with normal soldiers, or mostly new recruits and apprentice crewmen, right? Even in our Shou Shimaron army, that is unimaginable.

To be honest, I was originally allocated a guests suite next to the captains quarters. But dont judge me by how I look, I am also a man. I have a mans rights, and an adult relationship that Id rather the captain and crew not know about!

Adult

Thats right, and a very passionate one, at that.

What--? Does that sentence mean you have a lover?

You say you dont want others finding out, but you said it yourself, Gnter. Captain Sizemore claps his hands over his ears in a delayed motion, but its too late.

S-so youre saying this room is for that kind of thing Wait, w-wait a second!

The Shou Shimaron soldiers expressions of panic are hilarious, and the middle-aged man who seems to have the highest position scratches the beard on his chin as he says,

B-but even if this is a room for adult relationships, the location isnt too logical, is it? Theres a humid sea breeze blowing, the floorboards are covered with seagull droppings, and the walls are so thin than any bedroom conversation can be heard clearly. Its hard to imagine that you would hide a mistress in a place as bad as this!

At the word mistress, the patrolman with the textbook beards neck turns red with embarrassment. Looks like hes an innocent old uncle, completely unlike what his appearance suggests.

However, Lord von Christ Gnter replies firmly,

I just happen to have that sort of preferences!

Amazing! Gnter, its so rare for you to be so macho. Let me just remind you, the room number is 108[5].

T-that sort of preferences, huh No, no no no, wait! I still dont get it. Even if Your Excellency has that sort of preferences, just if! Ladies still hope for a romantic love, the woman in a profane relationship with Mmph, sorry , I mean, the lady sowing seeds of love with Your Excellency would never

He tosses around his brown ponytail, pointing to the men around.

This is the kind of place seamen and buff musclemen wander around, covered in sweat, dust and muscles, there shouldnt be any romantic atmosphere Ah. D-d-d-d-d-dont tell me? Your Excellencys partner is?

Lord von Christ Gnter replies agitatedly,

I said it before! I just happen to have that sort of preference Eh?

Interestingly, the Shimaron mans face turns from red to blue, then finally to a bleached white. But the only one wavering now seems to be the middle-aged patrolman with the highest position. The other younger subordinates are desperately trying to hold in their laughter.

I-if s-so, this door cant be opened--

The Shou Shimaron patrolmen start imagining what kind of character would be in that room, then they turn around and slip back to their own ship in a hurry.

Bet you their hearts are filled with headlines like The Shocking Truth! Mazoku Officials Fancy Sexual Preference, only they cant discuss the gossip on the spot. Once they get back to their ship, though, theyll definitely chatter excitedly about it nonstop, telling it to everyone who would listen. Maybe for this reason alone, the group of ponytails leaves the ship even faster than they boarded, without once turning back.

Eh, wait? Please wait a second, have you misunderstood something?

I show my gratitude to the impressive Prime Minister, and pat his shoulder lightly.

Dont be so upset, Gnter. Liking musclemen isnt a thing to be ashamed of.

Eeeeeh?

Thats right, Gnter. Like Mother, she super loves them.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh--?

I suddenly feel like Im seeing Lady Cheri under a faraway sky, yelling,

Isuperlovemusclemen-- Its probably better if Gisela never found out about this.