Book 7: Chapter 32
Book 7: Chapter 32
Going *ririririri*, the cry of some sort of insect could be heard.
What could be seen in the night sky was a crescent moon. The faint amount of clouds that were floating about were dyed in the color of the night sky, and quietly drifted by.
The twinkling stars, just how much time would be needed to count all of them?
What was here was a night sky that didnt exist in the Dark Continent.
That, which looked like a jewel box, was simply beautifuland slowly, he extended his hand out.
What, are you doing?
Lumon, who had extended a hand to the night sky, was surprised by the voice that called out to him from behind, and hurriedly pulled his hand back.
After he pasted on a smile and turned around, the owner of the voice poked their head out from the edge of the inns roof, and it was Margaret.
No, um. Same to you, what are you doing?
The place that Lumon was at was on top of the roof of the inn that was reserved for the use of the Zadark Kingdom delegation.
The roof was flat, but there was no stairway or ladder that connected to this place, and it could only be reached by going through the window.
Margaret climbed up the edge of the roof with a bit of difficulty, and at the same time she finally climbed up, she rolled onto the roof. And then, she got up.
I wanted to see the stars. So, I came up here.
I see.
Making a short nod, Lumon looked back up at the night sky.
Its been so long, since Ive looked at the stars.
Margaret sat down next to Lumon, gazed at the night sky, and muttered that.
Is that so.
Yes, in the Dark ContinentStars, cant be seen after all.
Hearing that, Lumon recalled and thought come to think of it, Margaret should have been born in this country.
To Margaret, was this a return home after a long time?
How does it feel? To come back after such a long time.
NnSince this place is a bit distant from my hometown, I cant really say much about it though.
Margaret expressed a complicated smile.
How should I put it. Im not as sad as I thought I would be, and that being said, Im not happy about it either.
Lumon couldnt replied to those words. No, he had no idea on what he should reply with.
However, its your birthplace, isnt it?
Yes, its my birthplace.
Saying but, Margaret smiled with a sad looking face.
I, dont have anygood memories in this country after all.
Margaret had abandoned her birthplace.
Having been washed ashore on the Dark Continent, it was a place that she thought she would never return to again. It was a night sky that she thought she would never see again.
It was there that she wasnt as deeply moved as she thought.
Is that so.
It is.
Saying that, the two of them looked up at the night sky.
What came was a bit of silence.
The one who broke that, was Lumon.
Margaret-san, why did you come to the Dark Continent?
Eh?
I dont mind if you dont want to talk about it. Im simply curious after all.
While gazing at the Lumons profile as he asked that without taking his eyes off of the night sky, Margaret made a troubled looking face. And then, after a short while, she turned her eyes to the starry sky just like Lumon.
Its because I was betrayed.
After a long silence, Margaret muttered that.
And then, Margaret narrated a single tale.
It was a story of a mundane and cheap-sounding tragedy that could be found anywhere.
A young half girl who couldnt be a companion to the Metalio nor a companion to the Sylphid. She also had a person that understood her, and that she could place her trust in. Forming an emotional bond with them, she thought that she could live as long as that person was there.
However, all of that was an illusion devised in order to scorn the young girl.
That was all to it, a common story.
And then, the young girl, she rowed to the Sea of Farthest Ends with a small ship. Neither a Sylphid nor a Metalio. If it was the country of darkness that she heard of in stories, then even she who didnt know what she was, might have a place to belong to. Thinking that, the young girl departed the port, and was swallowed up by the Sea of Farthest Ends and vanished.
It was there that Margaret cut off her words for a bit, took a deep breath, and made her voice cheerful.
That young girl was washed ashore on the Dark Continent, and was picked up by one splendid Mazoku. Seeing that persons cool gaze, the young girl fell in love.
As for that Mazoku, he didnt think of the young girl as anything other than some sort of unusual pet.
However, the young girl gave it her all in making appeals to him. She threw everything she could do at the Mazoku.
Various things happened. That Sword Demon idiot came along and tried to make her Gramfia-samas wife, and Mazoku that acknowledged the young girls skill in blacksmithing would come to steal her away.
Surmounting various hardships, the young girl and the Mazoku became bound together. And they lived happily ever after.
That was probably Margarets tale.
Within that story, Lumon discovered a stupid truth.
Right now, there was something called the Demi-Human Argument in this Shutaia Continent. It was something that claimed that the members of mankind other than HumansSylphid and Metalio, the Beastmenwere similar to Mazoku in that they were heretical beings that went against the God of Life Philias will. The Demi-Human Argument, which could also be rephrased as a Human Supremacy Argument, also seemed to indicate the arrogance of Humans within mankind.
However, that is not something that started only now. Similar stories were scattered about everywhere, its just, it simply didnt develop to the point of being a dispute that swallowed up the world until now.
In that case, what about the Mazokuno, what about Demon King Gramfia?
Could it be said that Demon King Gramfia, who kidnapped multiple races with culture that the Dark Continent didnt have in great numbers, didnt have a baseless superiority complex towards mankind in a similar manner?
Is that so. So thats, why. And so
Margaret looked at Lumon, who muttered that, with a curious-looking face.
However, she immediately turned her eyes to Lumons waist. Seeing the single black sword that was there, Margarets eyes lit up.
Um, Lumon-san.
Heh?
Lumon, who was thinking about things, replied to Margarets call with an idiotic voice.
And then, seeing Margarets face, he was startled by the shining of her eyes.
Before Lumon could say what is wrong?, Margaret opened her mouth.
That sword on your waistCould you show it to me!?
Lumons sword, it was something that the Black Knight Claude once possessed.
Its name was, Black Sword Velgan. By pouring magical power into it, its form will changethat was all to its abilities, but it matched Lumon extraordinarily well.
It was something he obtained by coincidence, but now he had come to like it to the point that he had no intention of parting with it.
If he were to speak frankly, he didnt really want to let others touch it, but however, he couldnt find a good enough reason to refuse.
Eh, ermIs there something wrong with this sword?
Reluctantly, Lumon said that and tried to pass it off.
Somehow, it has a very interesting presence to it! Could you please show it to me!?
P, presenceyou say.
Yes!
Just where in the world did the atmosphere from earlier go.
Even for Lumon, having heard Margarets personal story, he felt that he could listen to one of the things she asked of him.
After worrying over it a bit, Lumon took off the sword along with its scabbard and handed it over to Margaret.
Waah, thank you very much!
After taking the sword from Lumon looking delighted, Margaret started examining the handle decorations while going fumu fumu and nodding. Before long, she drew the sword and examined the sword blade as wellthen suddenly, she raised her head.
Um
Yes, what is it?
Thinking what is it this time, Lumon made a wry smile.
This sword, where did you obtain it?
Eh?
Somehow, its structure is similar to the weapons that Yklsaas-sans knights have. Its to the point that I could understand if you were to tell me that they were made by the same person.
It was just as she said. However, it was unexpected that she would notice such a thing just by looking at it for a bit.
Although he was surprised by the height of Margarets abilities, Lumon replied with a smile.
Youre right. Since it was something that the person called the Black Knight who was Ykslaas-sans subordinate possessed, it might only be natural that theyre similar.
After he answered honestly since it wasnt really something to hide, Margaret nodded looking like she could understand.
I seeUn. But, it sure is a mysterious buildIts manufacturing method is also a mystery, but its somehow different from a normal swordWhat is this, it feels like some strange function was incorporated into it
She was correct once again. This sword had a transformation function incorporated into it.
UnUm, Lumon-san. Could you leave this with me for two or three days
Eh, I cant. That would mean that I would be unarmed, wouldnt it?
If youd like, I have some substitute swords, so Id be really happy if you could give this to me though.
Its getting even worse. Please, give it back already.
Dont say that. If I could thoroughly study this, I might be able to create something similar, you know?
Margaret looked at the sword with slightly absorbed eyes.
After Lumon quickly took the sword away from her hands, he once again hung it on his waist.
I already told you, I cant. If you want to, wouldnt it be fine if you get one from that blue person. He has two swords after all.
Mumu, thats a good idea but. Ive already been refused. Its because the sword granted by ones master is a knights pride, is what he said.
Margaret, who was pouting her mouth looking disappointed, went around to Lumons front, and cutely tilted her head.
Thats whykay? Lumon-san, wont you contribute to the advancement of blacksmithing technology?
I, am not a blacksmith, so that sort of thing is a bit
Dont say that, okay?
Well
Hey, hey, Lumon-san.
With Margaret pulling on Lumons sleeve, Lumon made a troubled-looking face and averted his eyes.
Seeing the face that was at the place he averted his eyes to, his movements came to a complete stop.
Just when I thought that you werent around, just what are the two of you doing
Altejio-san, what great timing. Please save me.
Seeing Altejio breath a sigh with a refined face, Lumon spoke those words out loud.