Shinwa Densetsu no Eiyuu no Isekaitan

 

The last chapter of this volume! ^^

Have fun! ❤

Chapter 2, Epilogue

 

A prairie land on the southwestern edge of Soleil, the central continent.

There was a prosperous and glorious country which was set in this fertile land for over 400 years where they worshipped Alkitas*, the creator of elves, as their god.

TL note: Kanji is fairy king.

Their head temple is in the western continent of Enjambre, and like Soleil with its vast population of humans, there are scores of elves living in the nation there— It is the head nation of the Union of the Three Knight Nations, the Holy State of Ys.

 

Erected atop a low hill, the capital— Carlila is overflowing with people visiting to worship at the cathedral as usual. There is a long and wide stone paved road with clear water flowing through canals on either side. The people walk towards the cathedral against those streams. As they do, an enormous garden boasting a countless number of blooming flowers takes over their field of vision, then they catch sight of white buildings standing in rows.

 

When you step foot into the cathedral, you are welcomed by tiles with complicated designs, and if you look in all directions, there are columns supporting the ceiling. There is stained glass embedded into white walls, and the sunlight shining through not only brings in light, but almost seems to bless the visitors.

 

Farther inside, there is an altar for worshipping Alkitas.

Normally, this place is completely filled with worshippers, but currently, there are only two women and no one else. They made no sound. Other than the sound of their soft breathing, it was dead silent.

A woman prays before the altar— Behind her, a bishop opened her mouth to speak.

 

「What did you think of the person from the oracle?」

「Hmm~ let’s see~…」

「Was he as our Lord told you?」

 

The woman smiles wryly at the bishop’s continuous questioning and stands.

 

「Nope. Alkitas was vague, after all.」

 

The woman turns around to face the bishop, waves a hand, and laughs for some reason.

 

「He seemed like a good natured young boy. I have no impression other than that for now.」

「Is that so…?」

「Oh, you seem disappointed.」

 

After saying that, she cheerfully slanted her lips.

 

「Ahh… could it be that you misunderstood my reason for coming here?」

「Th-That is…」

 

The bishop’s face revealed that she hit the nail on the mark. Her face overflows with joy as the corners of her lips curl up.

 

「Not~ yet. That’s what Alkitas is saying, too.」

「Why is that? Humans are prideful and avaricious. They are a lesser race which only pollutes Aletia. They are not fit for this world. I don’t understand why our Lord allows them free rein. Is now not the time to bestow divine punishment upon them!」

「That’s easier said than done~」

「Then… when will our Lord take action?」

「I’ll tell you when the time comes, is all he’s saying.」

「Are you fine with that, Oracle?! Did you not come here because you share the same intentions as us?!」

「Of course not. I just happened to stop by.」

 

The woman sighed disappointed. She placed her left hand on her hip, and pointed at the bishop with her right hand.

 

「For starters… you say humans are prideful and avaricious, but we elves aren’t that different. Every race has greed.」

「What? Are you grouping humans and elves together?!」

「I won’t say that, but you overreact about every little thing.」

 

After saying that, the woman snorted, seemingly displeased.

 

「And humans are a lesser race? Hah, don’t make me laugh. It’s been ages since humans were called an inferior race. If you still say that now, you’re not different from the elderly people of the mother country. Look at the bigger picture. Even if it’s just for show, you bear the title of bishop.」

「Th-Then, even if only you, Oracle…!」

「Shut~ up. Give it a rest. Contempt is not allowed. Things should be carried out carefully, subtly, and soundly. That’s the way of us Four Oracles.」

 

Jingle. The sound of bells ring out from nowhere.

 

「Ah…」

 

The bishop’s knees gave out and she fell to the floor.

The woman stooped down and peered into the bishop’s face.

 

「So just wait patiently until the time comes. Puppets should hang quietly on the wall.」

 

The woman stood back up, and in her hand was a khakkhara*.

*TL note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khakkhara

 

「Now then… Where should I go next?」

 

She mutters as she looks upward with a smile. Then, her face quickly turned grim.

 

「Fine. I just have to go back, right? Seriously, you’re so stubborn.」

 

Looking disappointed, she pouted and struck the tip of her khakkhara on the floor.

 

「Well, I guess it’s better to have a souvenir for that person.」

 

Jingle. The sound of bells shook the world and the woman disappeared.

The sanctuary was enveloped in silence once more, but in a brief moment, it became noisy with priests who discovered the collapsed bishop.

 

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

 

Under a verdant sky, columns of men and horses march along a desert painted brown.

They all had bright faces, and their hearts were filled with thoughts of their distant hometown.

 

Imperial Year 1023, September 4. The Fourth Imperial Army was en route back home.

 

There were a number of different flags raised here and there, but the ones that stood out most were the ones of the Sixth Imperial Princess and the Fourth Imperial Prince. Under those battle flags, were the members of the Grantz Grand Empire’s Imperial family.

 

「… I wonder if Cerberus is doing okay.」

 

Muttered Liz, the crimson haired Imperial princess, on her horse.

 

「I hope he’s not sulking. I wonder if I should buy him something on the way back.」

 

Riding beside her is the Fourth Imperial Prince, Hiro.

 

「I’ve never been away from him for over a month, so I‘m not sure.」

 

Liz looked lost for only a moment, then she immediately had on a cheerful smile.

 

「But I guess it’s okay. I did make sure Cerberus wouldn’t be bored.」

「Ohh~… What did you do?」

「I appointed him commanding officer of Fort Belk until I returned.」

「… Eh, the temporary commanding officer is Cerberus?」

「Yup. He was happier than I thought he’d be.」

「No, but, being a commander officer is a job, not just a title.」

「I sent Uncle a letter about that. He should be taking care of any paperwork.」

「I guess it’s okay then… Even though I don’t think that should be okay.」

 

There’s no end to Margrave Grinda’s compassion.

But because he adores his niece like his own daughter, maybe it’s no trouble for him.

Even so, it’s the role of those close to Liz to stop her from getting out of control. As he looked reproachfully at the old soldier Tris, wondering what he was doing while all this happened…

 

「Sir Cerberus is doing a splendid job as the temporary commanding officer. I know of no creature with as much spirit as he.」

「… Is that so?」

 

True, he’s probably overflowing with spirit. Though it could probably considered instincts, too.

Tris has a fault of being a little too lenient when it comes to Cerberus.

 

「Haha, it seems you have it rough.」

 

Second grade enlisted officer Doryx laughed as he joined the conversation.

 

「Please rest as ease. I will be here from now on. I’m proficient with document work.」

 

Hiro opened his mouth to say something, but he saw Tris gleefully approaching.

 

「That’s reassuring! We’ll be counting on you!」

「Guoh!」

 

An intense slap fell on Doryx’s back.

 

「Really, it’s embarrassing, but I’m horrible with document work. His Highness Hiro did most of it and I felt bad about it.」

 

It’s not mostly, it’s all.

Is what Hiro wanted to scream out, but he suppressed it at the last moment.

 

「U-Umm, I’m a higher rank than you— Why are you acting so familiar?」

「More importantly, can you handle alcohol?」

「More importantly—?」

「Well, can you?」

 

Tris drew in with a stern face making Doryx draw back.

 

「W-Well, it’s not that I can’t.」

「Then when we return to Fort Belk, we’ll call it a welcoming party too and drink the night away.」

 

Tris’s laughter is carried off by the wind.

Liz looks at them while enjoying herself, and Hiro places his hand on his forehead as he feels a headache coming on.

 

「I want an administrative officer…」

 

A large shadow fell on Hiro who was looking down.

 

「One-eyed dragon, what’s going to happen with Milieu?」

 

As he lifted his face, there was Gahda.

He was a man with an enormous frame, large enough to be mistaken for a boulder.

 

「If it’s about that, there’s no problem. It’s a village on the way back, so we’ll send her off with an escort once we get there.」

 

He looked at the worried Gahda and added to that.

 

「Ahh, if you’re worried about her identity being discovered, there’s no need for that either. I’ll have Liz choose someone she trusts, so relax.」

「Will it really be okay?」

「Of course. After this, her village— Sures Village will become part of the Grand Empire’s territory, too. The number of bandits and monsters should dwindle, and it’s close to Fort Belk, so we can race over if anything happens.」

 

When he heard that Milieu was from Sures Village, he realized why he had that strange feeling when he saw her.

Sures Village is the village which Hiro saved from bandits before joining with the Fourth Imperial Army.

Even though he had suppressed the bandits, Hiro was still a stranger, but there was a man there who kindly allowed him to stay the night at his house— That was Milieu’s father, the village chief, Kukuri.

 

「You know, you’re more of a worrywart than I thought.」

「It may be strange for me to be saying this, having exposed her to many dangers, but I want to return her safely to her parents. I want her to live a peaceful life without anyone discovering her identity.」

 

Gahda sent his gaze towards a carriage in the rear. Milieu is riding in that carriage.

This heat is too much for a young child, and riding a horse for a long period of time would be nothing but torture for her. Most importantly, Hiro couldn’t possibly be rough with the daughter of a man he owes a favor to. He doesn’t want to repay kindness with evil.

As these thoughts went through his head…

 

「So, what should I do from here on out?」

 

Gahda tossed out a problem. He has no place to return to.

He is a zorosta who drifted from a southern island country— Ambyssion.

It seems that Ambyssion is currently in a state of constant disputes. Dozens of kings are fighting for supremacy, and they are rushing into a warring period. Apparently, Gahda governed a number of those countries, but he was defeated in battle by a powerful king. While he was planning a restoration, he was betrayed by one of his subordinates, and his life had come to an end.

Or so he thought, but when he woke up, it seemed he had drifted into the Lichtein Dukedom.

There, he saw the slave situation and decided to carry out a new ambition with Milieu as the leader, but this also ended in defeat. And now, we come to the present.

 

「Well, I am thinking of a number of possibilities.」

 

Even if he has lost his Demon Emperor Sword, there’s nothing lacking in the knowledge he’s cultivated as a king, or his battle prowess as a warrior. And judging by the fact that he defeated the duke of the Lichtein Dukedom, there’s likely no problems with his ability to lead.

 

「Well, I won’t do anything bad, so don’t worry.」

「It’s hard for me to believe that when I look at you…」

 

Leaving behind a weary face, Gahda falls all the way back to the carriage.

Hiro smiled wryly and looked forward. His thoughts went to the distant Imperial Capital.

 

(I’ll probably be called sometime soon. I wonder what they’ll make me do this time.)

 

That thought brings him down. If he’s unable to resolve the problem pushed onto him, there’s no doubt that those who are displeased with him will persecute him at every crucial turn.

But a part of him enjoys planning out how to pull through that.

 

(I have to make sure I don’t get too worked up. That’s a bad habit of mine.)

 

He has no choice but to keep focused, gain achievements, and move up in social standing.

As a soldier, his rank is third grade enlisted officer. He also has the title of Fourth Imperial Prince on top of that, but it’s an unstable one.

The journey to the final goal is long. He’s done nothing more than reach the starting point.

 

(Speaking of which…)

 

Hiro suddenly remembered something and took a card out from his breast pocket.

It was given to him by First Emperor Altius before he returned to earth.

At first, it was plain and white, but—

 

— Now, about a third of it was dyed black.