Chapter 29: Summoned to the Castle Again Today
Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/30/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA
I go back to the guild full, and there’s a summons from Kanon.
Same as last time, I walk to the royal castle, tekuteku.
“Chiwaaas. I’m here again.”
I greet the gate guard. I come so often lately we’re fully acquainted.
“Oh, Ouka. What’s today?”
“Kanon called me.”
“Again? What did you pull this time?”
“Rude. I haven’t done anything.”
I stick out my tongue, nbe.
“Haha. Sorry. Go on, the usual room.”
“Okaaay. See you.”
I go into the castle and a maid shows me to the usual room.
I knock, knock knock, go in, and Kanon, a beauty no matter when you look, greets me.
She seems in a better mood than usual today, somehow.
Usually she’s a cool beauty, but today she’s smiling and cute.
A feast for the eyes. I’m grateful.
“Um. Why are you worshipping.”
“Ah, please don’t mind it. So, I heard from the rumors, you found Katsuragi Arei.”
“Yes, thanks to you I was able to reunite with my older brother. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad.”
Uumu. She must really love her older brother.
She’s in a better mood than I’ve ever seen. Cute.
“Yes. As for Renju, unfortunately they returned together as well.”
Ah, that part is unfortunate. Those two don’t get along, maybe.
“My older brother should be here soon, so please wait a little longer.”
“…Um, by the way, what kind of person is Katsuragi Arei?”
See. The stories I read in books and the stories I hear from all sorts of people are pretty different.
“My older brother? Let’s see. He’s more strong-willed than anyone, but otherwise he’s ordinary.”
“Ordinary? Even though he’s a Hero?”
“Yes. He can’t even do physical enhancement well, and he isn’t good at magic. In simple ability he’d be about the same as an ordinary knight-order member.”
“Uh. Was that… all right?”
I shouldn’t say it, but I really can’t imagine him joining a journey to defeat the Demon King.
Rather, I’m impressed he survived.
“Fufu. That’s the thing. This is a shared understanding among all of us Heroes, but my older brother is the strongest Hero.”
“…I’m sorry, I don’t really understand.”
“Yes, everyone says that.”
Nnh. Ordinary, but the strongest? A riddle? And isn’t the strongest the Hero?
…I don’t get it. Maybe I’ll get it when I meet him.
“Oh, speak of. He’s here.”
The moment Kanon says it, there’s a knock on the door.
Eh. How did she know? The carpet’s fluffy, so there weren’t even footsteps, right?
That’s kind of scary.
“Please. The door is unlocked.”
The door opens, gachari.
○○○○○○○○
—Auto-authentication: relevant mana visually confirmed.
—Emergency sequence start.
—Highest-priority item changed from [Survival] to [Annihilation].
—Limiters provisionally released until deletion of the target is complete.
—Type-0 [killing Abyss] restarting.
Target visually confirmed. Devices forcibly summoned. Commencing attack on target.
Rounds severed by Type-2. Attack failed.
Attempting close approach to raise certainty.
Type-7 object magic barrier confirmed, cannot be removed.
Type-2 interference confirmed, cannot be removed.
Unable to close; shifting to long-range sniping.
Execution impossible. Incapacitated by Type-2.
Requesting execution of higher-order commands on Type-2, Type-7.
Connecting to main server… judged impossible.
Switching to continuation of the mission as a single unit.
Error. External wireless connection. Command system overwrite confirmed by directing unit.
Terminating emergency sequence.
○○○○○○○○
When I come to.
I’m pinned to the floor.
…Eh? What, why am I being held down?
“Ouka!”
“Heh? Ah, yes. I’m your Ouka.”
“Thank goodness. Has your awareness returned?”
“…Awareness? Yes?”
What? What happened.
“—Ouka: you assaulted Katsuragi Arei.
You were stopped by interference from Kodama Renju and Katsuragi Kanon; I overwrote the command system.”
“…Assault? Command system?”
Uh… so, what is this?
Still not understanding, I look around.
○○○○○○○○
According to what I heard while still pinned by Kodama Renju.
The moment Katsuragi Arei came into the room, I drew the handguns and attacked, apparently.
Kanon’s blessing stopped it, and Kodama Renju pinned me, apparently.
Eeh… what is that. I don’t remember at all.
But if that’s true, aren’t I a pretty dangerous person?
“Um, I’m sorry. I don’t remember at all.”
“You didn’t even respond when we called… perhaps some kind of brainwashing magic.”
Kanon tips her head with a difficult face, and a man speaks from behind her.
“Renju. It’s all right now. Let her go.”
Messy black hair, stubble, black eyes that feel like strong will.
An older guy with a silver gauntlet on his right arm was looking at me steadily.
A face like he’s remembering, like he’s sad.
“Older brother, that’s a bit—”
“It’s fine. I know the reason.”
“Arei, is it all right to let go!?”
“Ah, I don’t mind. I’ll explain.”
The arms holding me from behind let go, and I raise my eyes again.
I don’t know. First meeting, and it feels somehow familiar.
“…Have we met before?”
“Ah. But I don’t think you remember. You were still asleep.”
He said it in a gentle tone.
“…Knowing me one-sidedly while I was asleep is pretty crime-smelling, though.”
“Oi, stop. I’m not a lolicon.”
Oi, you. Who are you calling a loli?
“…Older brother?”
“Arei!?”
“That’s why I said that’s not it.”
A big sigh. A somehow put-upon atmosphere.
“Give me a break. I’m a perfectly ordinary civilian.”
The Hero murmurs it, looking like a pain.