Volume 3 - CH 2(2/3)
– Hey, Kane. Don’t make fun of Little Garden. Here’s why: our ability has increased. We won’t even lose against you now.
*Humph*, letting out her breath through her nose, Latia throws out her small chest.
– What, there was a small brat too? She was so small that I didn’t notice her. How someone small like you can fight against the Savage?
– Hey, don’t touch me!
Latia, who was about to be patted on the head by Kane, she dodged his hand in an instant.
It was there that Claire finally opened her mouth.
– Fritz Grantz, Latia Saint-émillion, are they your acquaintances during your dōjō days desuno?
She squints and glares at the two Slayers.
– Err.. well.. yeah, our senpais of the dōjō days.
Fritz answered.
Kane, seeing Claire with shining eyes,
– Oh, such a beautiful lady we have here. Why didn’t you introduce us, Fritz? I’m Kane, a Slayer of the Liberian Army——
– Wait a moment, Kane. That woman is..
The expression of Michael who grabbed the shoulder of Kane who took a step forward to Claire was pale and his body was trembling with fear.
– Ah, what is it Michael? Why are you cowering in fear, huh?
– That woman is the Queen of Little Garden!
Michael puts his face close to the ear of Kane and called his attention with a firm yet low tone of voice.
Then, the blood instantaneously draws from the expression of Kane.
– I’m sorry, this guy is spouting nonsense. Come on Kane, apologize!
The hand of Michael pushed his head down and Kane apologized.
– I’m very sorry!
– I’m very sorry!
Immediately after him, Michael also bowed his head.
Although Fritz continued talking with the two cowering men after that, and after a while,
– It seems other acquaintances are over there, so we’ll go with these guys for a while, okay?
So, together with Latia, Kane and Michael, he went towards the circle where the Liberian Army was gathered.
– If you think about those two, it’s a wise decision, don’t you agree?
– They are very concerned about us.
Regarding Erika, Emile shows her consent.
That’s what Hayato also noticed.
While talking with Fritz and the others, they were pointing their eyes as if they were peeking the situation, glancing repeatedly this way.
– They seem to be very afraid of the President, but I don’t get why..
– That is because Claire-sama is the daughter of the president of Warslan Company.
It was Liddy who answered promptly the doubt of Hayato.
Warslan, who is controlling the defense industry of Liberia, is in a situation where mediations are possible with the Liberian army.
It seems to be considered simple as sent flying the head of a Slayer.
– In addition to that, there are a lot of people inside Liberia saying bad things towards Warslan, like they are snatching excellent Slayers that should be soldiers of Liberia, and that they are manipulating Liberia from behind the scenes. And that Claire-sama’s older brother, Juda-sama, who is also the company president of Warslan, is likely to be the next president of the next period.
– Incidentally, there are Slayers of Al-Salaam Company, the PMC of Middle East, over there.
As she’s saying so, adding one thing to another, Erika turns her eyes to a certain group.
There are people of darkish skin in that place.
Hayato and the others also turned their eyes to that place.
– In the West and Middle East, although their place of activities is different from us, there’s no mistake that they are our competitors.
At that moment, they had the impression that one of the Slayers of Al-Salam noticed their gazes.
– Certainly, their animosities are evident, huh.
Emile reveals her impression.
– Nevertheless, don’t cause a fight. We only have to make a display of our ability on the battlefield desu.
Before long, a gray-haired man appeared on the stage, grabbed the microphone and started greeting.
The venue, which was bustling, gets completely silent in an instant.
– I am the commander of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, and the one leading the operation this opportunity, Acel Besan?on from Fran?ois Kingdom. I would like to express my gratitude to the Qin Empire, to each of the troops gathered in this place, to the organizations of Slayers and to all the people involved in this operation.
Following the greeting, the commander tells them that this rally meeting was prepared to deepen the friendship among the armies and organizations.
They noticed that women were appearing in the venue, wearing a red dress that had large cuts in the knees*, handed down by the Qin Empire.
They are holding a tray that had several glasses on it with their hands.
–?Dere’s?(There’s) a variety of beers,?jyususu?(juices)and shaoxingjiu* wine. Which?uan?(one) will you want?
They asked them with their local accent.
Though the shape of the glasses were the same, there seemed to be various kinds of drinks inside them.
– We are minors, so alcohol is absolutely prohibited, but you can choose whatever you like other than that desuwayo.
– In that case, I’ll go with this.
Following the advice of the president, Emily quickly picked up a glass with orange juice.
Hayato also picks the same and turns his eyes to the stage once again.
Acel, the commander, as well as everybody else, received a glass containing frothy foamed beer.
– The sortie will be tomorrow afternoon. Why don’t you deepen your friendship to the point that you, the Slayers, will not be affected by the search-and-destroy operation? I sincerely hope you don’t overdo it and act carelessly——with that said, let’s pray for the success of this joint operation——cheers!
– Cheers!!
Toasting with Emile and the vice presidents who turned their glasses following Acel’s shouting, he and the president are the last ones to make a toast.
Dance performed by women of the Qin Empire, accompanied by ethnic music, is developing on the stage in the venue.
– Hmm? The president is drinking wine?
Emile asked so because it looked like the president was drinking wine from the glass.
– It is not masuwa. It contains white grape juice desu.
Answering, Claire continued.
– By the way, I got to know this recently, but your rooms at the hotel are next to each other, correct desuwayone?
– Yes, they are, so what about it?
– I imagine that you understand but visiting each other’s room is of course prohibited desuwayo. If that happens, I will have to give you severe punishment masu.
– And why? We aren’t doing anything strange.
– I can’t trust your words masenwa. Besides, if you weren’t doing strange things, then it shouldn’t be necessary to visit each other’s room desuwayo.
Saying that clearly, Claire turned her back on Emile.
– Then, we will greet the people of the UN Peacekeeping Forces and respond the interviews of the TV stations masuwa. Particularly you, Emile Crossford. Even if people of other countries and organizations say something, you should never get in a fight.. understood desuwane?
Making sure of it, Claire went to greet with Liddy and Erika.
– Humph, I know that, you don’t have to say those things more than once. Besides, I don’t want to stand out too much.
Emile turned her back on Claire, distancing herself, then spat out and turned sulky, and right after that,
– Well then, I’ll be off for a while too.
With a complete change and saying that with a cheerful voice, she tried to walk towards the circle of Slayers.
It’s there that Hayato grasps her shoulder in a hurry.
– Wait a moment, where are you going so suddenly? Are you going to greet the guys of your country?
She was just told by the President to not be careless.
He doesn’t think that she will cause any problem right away, but because he was worried, he thinks that it might be better if he accompanied her.
– That’s not it. I definitely don’t want to say hello to the Britannia Integrated Army.
– If so, where are you going, huh?
– I’m just going to get some food. So, just wait here with confidence, Hayato. Because I’m going to choose some delicious-looking things!
Hayato sees off Emile who’s separating from the table, feeling relieved.
Following that, the other girl who remained in this place opened her mouth.
– Kisaragi-san, I will also go and greet for a minute. There should be friends of mine in the back unit of the Qin Empire’s army.
Shuemei also left the table, and Hayato became alone.
(Wha-what do I do..?)
There’s only people he doesn’t know around him.
He also hesitates to start a conversation.
Since there’s nothing else he can do, he asked the female waitress who happened to pass by if he could get oolong tea to drink, right when Emile was coming back with two round big trays on her hands.
– Thanks for waiting, Hayato.
– Yeah, welcome back.
Honestly, he was grateful that she was coming back this fast.
Emile puts the trays cramped with dishes that had a lot of food on the table.
Hayato decides to receive the oolong tea of Emile from the female waitress who’s serving them.
This as thanks for going and getting food.
– Well then, shall we eat?
Emile loosened her mouth so much, to the point that she looked like she was drooling, looking at the dishes placed on the table.
Hayato begins to prepare gyoza* for two people using a small dish placed in the center of the table and seasonings like soy sauce, chili oil and vinegar.
– Here.
– Thanks.
In response, she pierced the gyoza with a fork, dipping it into the tare* she received and put it into her mouth.
Chopsticks are also provided, but the western people like Emile weren’t very good at it, so she ate the gyoza with a fork.
– Uwaa, this is a real gyoza, it’s delicious.
Emile looks happy, enough to relax her cheeks with a slovenly appearance.
Hayato also grabbed the gyoza with chopsticks and put it into his mouth.
– Oh, it’s true. It’s very good.
Not only the gyoza.
Yodare* chicken and sugatani* of shark’s fin, yakuzen* soup and so on, it was impossible for the dishes to not be super delicious, so Emile is eating them very satisfactorily.
– This Peking duck is also deliciou?s. The food of Qin Empire is the best.
Emile carries the food one after another into her stomach.
Going beyond the admiration, her impetus was enough to leave him astonished.
– You sure eat properly, huh..?
– Because this is to replenish?energy, you know.
– Even if you say that, we haven’t used?sense energy?recently so..
Hayato smiled bitterly and,
– Emilia-sama!
There, a suddenly voice called her out.
It’s a woman’s voice.
– Eh..?
The movement of Emile stops.
Hayato does the same.
(Did she say?Emilia?right now?)
That’s the real name of Emile Crossford who is eating with Hayato.
When Hayato turned his eyes towards the one who gave that voice, he saw a girl with bobbed, light brown hair that is rushing over to where they are.
She’s short, has a baby face, but is wearing a blue uniform.
She belongs to the Integrated Army of Britannia.
– Uh-oh..
Like Hayato, Emile, who saw the appearance of the girl, raised her voice, and put the fork and knife in a panic on the table.
Looking at her, Hayato thought.
(Does this mean that she’s an acquaintance of?Emilia?in Gudenburg?)
He wonders so, since it’s very probable due to the uniform.
If that’s the case, then this is very problematic.
Only Hayato, the president and the vice presidents, those four people, the members of Little Garden, know that Emile Crossford is actually a woman and that her name is Emilia Hermit.
There are a lot of people apart from them in that place.
– Let’s run away, Hayato.
As a matter of course, and in the blink of an eye, Emile turned her back on the girl that is heading this way, so she tries to walk towards the exit of the rally place, but it was too late to move.
– I wanted to meet you, Emilia-sama——!
The girl clung tightly to the back of Emile.
– Emilia-sama, Emilia-sama, Emilia-sama!
The girl is rubbing her upper body against the body of Emile like a dog.
–? Stop, and I don’t know such Emilia. My name is Emile Crossford!
Emile tries desperately to pull apart the body of the girl, but she doesn’t give up.
Naturally, the gazes of their surroundings were directed to Emile and the girl.
What’s happening over there??Some people came close to them.
– What are you saying? Even if you look like a man, even if you are saying something to me like “Boku”, even if it were a relative of Emilia-sama, these eyes of mine, her disciple, cannot be deceived!
– Argh fine but be quiet!
– Ngh, gg, ngh???!
Emile rapidly closed the mouth of the girl.
– Let’s get away from this place for now. I want to talk calmly in a place where there’s nobody. Hayato, come with us.
– O-okay..
Emile was also noticing the surrounding eyes.
Certainly, it’s risky to be in this place.
They don’t know that there’s a girl in front of their eyes, but it’s obvious that this will get way worse if they keep talking in this place.
– Claudia, you are coming with me, right?
– Of course, since it is a request of Emilia-sama!
– I’m telling you, don’t call me Emilia!
Thus, Hayato decided to leave the venue of the rally meeting with Emile Crossford aka Emilia Hermit and the mysterious girl named Claudia.
– .. so, what do you want?
Hayato and the girls asked the soldiers of the UN Peacekeeping Forces to drive them in a car, with that, they returned to the town area, and by following the proposal of Emile whose stomach wasn’t full yet, they entered a small restaurant.
For the time being, the staff are in the venue, and they think that this place is better than the hotel where they can be asked by their acquaintances, therefore making the story even more complicated.
– Well, even if you say “what I want”, my name is Kisaragi Hayato and——
– Hayato is my classmate in my Little Garden.
Emile complemented, extending her hand to Hayato who answers while being embarrassed.
– So, Claudia. Before asking a person for their name, you should give your name first.
– If Emilia-sama says so..
Then, Claudia clears her throat with a cough and,
– I am Claudia Lowetti. I am a Slayer belonging to the Imperial Army of Britannia and the childhood friend of Emilia-sama.
– Childhood friend?
– I just taught her how to use the Hundred for just a minute in Gudenburg. Before that, we only met here and there for a few seconds.
While Emile supplemented so, the ordered goods arrived.
Everyone had the same, chilling tantanmen*
Its appearance is different from the common tantanmen seen in Yamato, as it has no juice. It has noodles mixed with minced meat, green onions as vegetables and seasoned with spicy sauce; it’s similar to a mazesoba*
– Thanks for the food.
And, Emile slurps the noodles.
Hayato and Claudia also began to slurp the noodles.
Even though h ate a fairly quantity at the venue of the rally meeting, the spiciness of the noodles stimulates his appetite, fitting into the stomach of Hayato one after another.
Four chairs are on the square table.
Emile is on the front of Hayato across the table and Claudia is sitting diagonally to the right of him.
– Nevertheless, Claudia joined the army, and came to this joint operation, yes?
– It’s thanks to Emilia-sama who trained me that I joined the army. Because of that, I volunteered myself for this operation.
Claudia continued, stopping her hand and the slurping.
– In fact, since the figure of Emilia-sama disappeared from Gudenburg, I was always looking for her whereabouts. At that time, I caught sight of a bulletin board on the?cybernet?about a rumor of a Slayer using a phantasmagoric weapon when fighting the Savage in the Zwei Islands——
– I see, so that’s the reason.
Emile sighs profoundly.
– It was then when I understood. That’s definitely Emilia-sama.
Apparently, someone who was in the Zwei Islands and was watching the fighting style of Emile, wrote information about it on the?net’s?bulletin board that such person was using a strange Hundred from Little Garden.
There, Hayato remembered what he heard at that time, about that conversation with Sakura.
Sakura has a video of Hayato.
Claudia found her way to Emile with the bulletin board.
Hayato thinks that the?net?is truly terrifying.
– I investigated information of Little Garden after that. The intelligence department of the Kingdom of Gudenburg also moved.
– The intelligence department you say..
– .. that is to say, the country is seriously searching for me, isn’t it?
– Exactly. The disappearance of the hidden princess, Emilia Gudenburg, hasn’t been made public yet, so that’s why Gudenburg wanted to deal secretly with this.
– *Spits out*!
Hayato spouts out the water that was contained in his mouth without thinking, being choked by that.
– Hayato, are you okay!?
– Ye-yeah..
*Cough* *Cough*, while still coughing, Hayato replied.
There’s something he wants to ask more than anything.
– More importantly, what does she mean with 《hidden princess》..?
– Err.. well.. I’m sorry..
Laughing with a “ahaha”, Emile hung her head.
– Why are you saying sorry..?
– To be honest, I’ve been keeping something in secret from Hayato in the last 10 years.
– Eh..?
*Ba-dump*, his heart beats fast.
From some time ago, he had been suspecting that Emilia kept something in secret.
Then, that secret was the story about her being a 《hidden princess》?
– Hayato, will you listen to me?
– Ye-yeah..
Hayato nodded after swallowing spit.
Gazing firmly at the face of Hayato, Emile opens her mouth.
– The name that I gave you at that time, Emilia Hermit, is not my real name. My real name is Emilia Gudenburg.
– Emilia Gudenburg..?
– It’s the same name as the country of Gudenburg, and the family name of the royalty. That means that I’m descending from the King of Gudenburg.
– Then that means that, you are a “princess”..?
Emile nods.
It seems she is the《hidden princess》.
– .. hahaha, I thought that you were a daughter of a high-class family from the dress at that time, but, to think that you are indeed a princess..
Hayato could do nothing else but to laugh like that.
To think that he was enjoying himself with the princess of Gudenburg..
– But, even if I’m saying that I’m the “princess” and the third one, I was robbed of the name of Gudenburg and I was given the name of Hermit, so I don’t think it’s a big deal.
– Emilia-sama, that is..
The expression of Claudia turns depressed.
– It’s fine, since I’ll tell everything to Hayato on this occasion.
– .. tell you say? There’s more?
– Kisaragi Hayato, do you know that the Federation of Britannia consists of four countries, yes?
It was Claudia who asked that question.
– The Kingdom of Gudenburg, the Kingdom of Scotia, the Kingdom of Wenz and the Kingdom of Alicia, right? I was taught that in elementary school and I also studied it by looking at the map before going to Little Garden.
– .. if so, you also know that the relationships between those four countries is basically bad, don’t you?
– I’ve learned a bit about it in world history classes. Certainly, the war over 300 years ago has left some traces, correct?
– Affirmative. If you know that much, then you also know that the Kingdom of Wenz is really on bad terms with Gudenburg, no?
– No, I didn’t know to that extent, but..
– The Kingdom of Gudenburg, the Kingdom of Scotia and the Kingdom of Alicia were invaded by those who came from the continent before the medieval times and created a country. On the other hand, the Kingdom of Wenz is a country of people that inherited the blood of the natives who lived on the island of Britannia, so their races were different from the start.
– That’s why the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Wenz are people that respect their traditions and the customs of the aboriginals, unlike the people of the other three countries. In other words, they are the inhabitants of the old Britannia Island.
Emile added so.
Subsequently, Claudia opens her mouth again.
– But because of that, they failed to keep up with the industrial revolution that happened in the 18th?century and now they are being despised by the other three countries, they are being told things like barbarians, bumpkins, etc.
– They did massive killings of aborigines, even though the barbarians they drove away were themselves.
Emile spat out that out of nowhere.
– It’s unusual for the princess of Gudenburg to speak and stand from the side of Wenz. Why is that?
At any rate, when talking about Wenz, Emile was showing strange emotions, she seemed to be angry and then delightful.
– That’s because, as a matter of fact, my mother was born in Wenz.
With that said, that she was born in Wenz is unusual, and the reason is that she was attending the university of Gudenburg. During that time, she met Granald Gudenburg, who was the prince of Gudenburg, and fell in love.
However, their love wasn’t allowed, of course. Because Prince Granald had a fiancé, the Princess of the Kingdom of Scotia.
– Even so, my father continued his friendship with my mother in secrecy and gave birth to me. It seems that every one of the royal families, as well as the higher-ups, were at a complete loss. Fundamentally because it’s no good for the Kingdom of Gudenburg to have a child that is tied together with a woman of the Kingdom of Wenz, due to the right of blood of Gudenburg.
Therefore, the girl that was born was named Emilia by them, and together with her mother, were confined in a residence in the outskirts of Gudenburg.
– After that, the health of my mother got worse and passed away, so I was taken back to the central part of Gudenburg, but I was also confined there. Still, I could go outside freely to a certain extent. It was then that I met Hayato.
– But, wait a moment. The royalty of Gudenburg wanted to hide the existence of Emilia, right? Then, it’s necessary for you to bring her back, correct?
– .. it is just as you said.
It was Claudia who answered with a mysterious expression.
– Right now, Emilia-sama is in a politically important position. I don’t want to do it, but it’s for her own sake..
While looking at her, the facial expression of Emile also became gloomy.
Wondering what is happening here, Hayato swallowed saliva.
– If it becomes to this, then it’s fine if you want to talk about the matter in question.
– I said we were going to tell everything, right?
– Understood, if that’s the case, then I will talk.
Claudia began to talk again after receiving the reply of Emile.
– As a matter of fact, when it comes to Slayers, the people of the Kingdom of Wenz have more of them than Gudenburg and the other two Kingdoms. It is said that the primary factor for that are the big fragments of meteorites that fell into the Kingdom of Wenz during the?First Attack.
Therefore, now the position of the Kingdom of Wenz is strengthening among the major four countries that form Britannia.
Thereupon, Hayato remembered what the president said before, and that is related to this story: 『The change of the power balance of the world due to the Slayers』
– So, the Kingdom of Gudenburg is thinking of strengthening the relationship between them and Wenz by marrying the third Prince of Wenz and Emilia-sama who has blood of Wenz and who is also an excellent Slayer. If the Kingdom does so, it will be in a more politically superior position than the other three countries, and the Kingdom of Gudenburg can acquire a lot of Slayers. It is a relationship where both win. That’s why this plan achieves even more prosperity and stability to Britannia, don’t you agree?
– But, I don’t care in the slightest such a thing.
Suddenly, Emile spat out something like that.
– Isn’t the worst, to suddenly try and take charge of me, when they dealt with me as if I was an unwanted child until now, because my utility value has “grown”? Aside from that, no one will listen to my opinion.
– I also share that opinion. The matter with the Prince of Wenz is, to be honest, the opposite. However, all that Emilia-sama has to do is to return to Gudenburg. If the person who has the blood of Wenz is in Gudenburg, then the negotiations with Wenz, and the relationship between each other will..
– I already said that I don’t care in the slightest such a thing. Both Britannia and Gudenburg, I simply don’t care, okay?
– Then, please return for me.
– ..eh?
– I love Emilia-sama.
– No, Claudia.. what are you saying..
– Because, Emilia-sama is the only one who has never look down on me. Besides raising me as the Slayer I am now..
– But that’s an overestimation of Claudia towards me. I just wanted to practice my Hundred, so I merely wanted a person to keep me company.
– Umm, what are you talking about?
Hayato throws a question, because this was incomprehensible to him.
– Actually, I was practicing together with Claudia while I was secretly receiving teachings about how to use the Hundred from Charlotte.
– I wasn’t good at exercising, my reaction value of the Hundred wasn’t high, so I dropped out from the dōjō and Emilia-sama tempered me thoroughly until I joined the army.
– But, that was because I also wanted to practice myself. Moreover, Claudia is a girl of the house who’s a relative of the royal family, and who knew about me..
– Notwithstanding, I am grateful. Instead of secretly doing practice of the Hundred, you taught me how to use the Hundred. I truly believe that meeting you was like a miracle. Coincidentally, I met Emilia-sama while practicing at night..
– As for me, I was surprised because I didn’t expect at all to get to know someone who would come to practice at night so..
Emile sighs deeply.
– But I’m grateful. I really am. From the bottom of my heart. For this reason, I wanted to serve Emilia-sama. And In order to do that, I joined the army to get stronger, so Emilia-sama could spend her days easier, trying to reform Gudenburg..
– I realized the readiness of Claudia.
– If so, will you come back to Guudenburg? And then, together with me in Gudenburg——
– No, I can’t do that. At any rate, I like Hayato as much as I think Claudia likes me. So, I’m not returning to Gudenburg. Tell that to the royal family as well.
– Hey, wait..
– In other words, because of that man, Emilia-sama says that she will not return to Gudenburg, yes?
Claudia stares at Hayato.
– Hey, I’m not saying that.
– If so, Kisaragi Hayato, let’s wager Emilia-sama with a duel——
– .. huh?
*Clatter*, the emptied porcelain bowl made a sound on the table.
Claudia stood up and points her index finger to Hayato.
He feels that he has the memory of having done this somehow, so he remembered that he was challenged to a duel by Claire in the middle of the entrance ceremony.
– Don’t “huh” me, Kisaragi Hayato. If I win, I will bring Emilia-sama back to Gudenburg. But in case you win the match, then Emilia-sama will stay here.
– it’s troubling that you are saying such a thing to me. Besides, I don’t understand the development of this anymore..
– It’s a simple story. Emilia-sama seems to be mortified for falling in love with you.
– Well, falling in love you say..?
– Am I wrong?
– Um, I’m falling in love.
Emilia smiles carelessly.
– Hold on a second, why are you adding fuel to the fire!?
– It’s fine, I like how this is flowing.
Emile muttered with a small voice into the ear of Hayato.
He has no idea what she meant.
Maybe what she was saying is that she will become submissive once he shows off his true strength?
– I understand, Kisaragi Hayato. If that’s the case, let me show you how good-for-nothing and pow-->>