NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 139
What.
Anyway, the conclusion is that I ended up calling the Dragon Slayer by her name.
Zumiya.
I can’t tell if I’m really crossing an uncontrollable river, but maybe it’s all going to be alright now.
The Record Keeper is in a position that’s close to a deity.
I’m practically friends with Nutricha.
The Cook is just Mom.
And Bell is a dog.
Technically, being more than two means we’re out, but if you look at it from another angle, it also means we really can’t go any further here.
“My lord.”
The way Zumiya calls me hasn’t changed.
Considering that the term ‘my lord’ carries a rather special meaning, I doubt there’s any cuter nickname than that.
“It seems my lord doesn’t yet understand why everyone wants to stick close to you.”
“Why do they want to stay close to me?”
Well…
Isn’t it just simple possessiveness?
According to the Saint’s explanation, it doesn’t really seem like there’s anything else to it.
Thinking that way, Zumiya smiled as if she expected that answer.
“Even though we bicker in front of you, we all have the same goal.”
“What goal?”
“To befriend the humans who misunderstand Outsiders.”
Zumiya said this while wearing a somewhat sad smile.
To befriend humans, huh.
Zumiya actually came down to this land and wanted to get close to humans out of curiosity.
Of course, she couldn’t fulfill that wish due to the differences in races.
“Do you mean you want to get close to other humans through me?”
“…Well, that does seem to be the case if you look at it from a results-oriented perspective.”
I wondered if she was saying that in context, but Zumiya shook her head, seemingly disappointed.
“You’ll find out soon enough, but to put it simply, we each have our own domains. To explain like that Mystic guy did, it would be something called ‘concept.'”
And then Zumiya started to share a deeper conversation.
How should I put it?
It felt jarring that someone who always plotted ways to abduct me suddenly began speaking such scholarly words.
“…What’s with that expression?!”
“No, no. Just finish what you were saying.”
“Ugh, it was just an uncomfortable gaze.”
“That’s really not true.”
Anyway, Outsiders are really too perceptive.
As I forced myself to focus on Zumiya’s appearance, trying to beam honeyed glances, she finally blushed and started speaking again.
“Ahem. Anyway, we need to think of becoming closely acquainted with other beings as a form of ‘fusion.'”
“Fusion?”
What does fusion mean?
Does it mean that two Outsiders blend into one being?
Suddenly, an image of Bell and Fiore becoming friends and merging like a Pokémon monster sprang to mind.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but that’s not the feeling at all.”
“Oh.”
R-Right?
That felt a bit off.
Imagine the combination of the dignified Fiore and the noisy and restless Bell.
Nope, that’s not it.
“To clarify, it would be like how that weed blocked off the area where that flower brat was living, right? In that sense, fusion refers to the phenomena that arise when those powers mix together in the surroundings, or abilities.”
Hmm.
That’s a bit of a difficult concept.
“So, if they share the same kind of ability, it gets amplified by two, and if it’s completely different, it mixes and takes on strange traits. Is that the gist of it?”
“Exactly right!”
Zumiya grinned and made an ‘OK’ sign with her finger.
I see.
In short, the closer the relationship between the two beings, the stronger that phenomenon becomes, and unusual abilities may emerge.
“But what’s the relation between that and me becoming close to you?”
“Hm? That’s all thanks to the unique point residing in my lord.”
What unique point could I possibly have?
Is she talking about my cowardice mode?
…How does Zumiya even know I have a cowardice mode?
When I shot her a confused glance, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
“Whoa! I almost broke my promise with the Record Keeper.”
“What do you mean?”
“Those things exist! Just know that for now! It means everyone is trying to focus their strength on you to stop that Outsider loner!”
…What?
Why are there so many things being kept from me?
It isn’t just Fiore; even Zumiya knows about it.
Sigh, this is frustrating.
For now, I understood what Zumiya was trying to say.
It seems like they’re aiming to strengthen through me first, then dispel the Giant of the Snow Mountain to eliminate these disruptions and break down the barriers between Outsiders and humans.
But what can be done by stopping the Giant of the Snow Mountain?
Isn’t the actual problem caused by mental contamination when approaching Outsiders, meaning we shouldn’t even be able to act together?
I don’t know.
Suddenly, with this complicated subject, my head starts to spin, and nothing seems to settle into it properly.
“…Anyway, what I wanted to say has been covered. Now that my business is wrapped up, I will send my lord back to his original world.”
As Zumiya said this and stood up, I followed suit.
The emptiness of Zumiya’s space was likely because anything created would vanish, so rather than allow that, she opts to leave nothing behind.
It was the complete opposite of Fiore.
When Zumiya’s hand began to glow brightly, I smiled at her and said, “Zumiya, some people change their interiors once a year in the human world.”
“…?”
“The dragons are living beings, so it might be a slightly different story. Still, if those things can turn into memories, like bubbles that disappear after a while, isn’t that enough?”
Being in a space filled with nothing can drive even a normal person to madness.
While Outsiders are divine beings far beyond mere creatures, that doesn’t mean they’re unaffected in this way.
At my words, Zumiya pursed her lips in slight surprise before breaking into a warm smile.
“My lord is indeed a wonderful person. That’s why I must have gone crazy for you.”
“Uh, um.”
“Thanks to my lord, I’ve gained some courage. I will try to redecorate my space once again.”
Zumiya beamed brightly.
“I’m saying it in the spirit of redecorating, like you mentioned.”
With that statement, light radiated, and before I knew it, we had returned to the Branch.
“…Are we back?”
It seems my relationship with Zumiya has been restored.
…Now it’s really time to go back to doing what I need to do.
#
Since I was going on a long journey this time, I was busy filling out some paperwork at the Knights Headquarters.
Since I would be absent for quite a while, the Knight Commander said it was a process to facilitate smooth handovers.
Well.
To cut to the chase, the top authority in the headquarters has now switched to the Knight Commander.
Somehow, the Deputy Director’s Office was located inside the Knight Commander’s office space, but Deputy Director Maren Burstian didn’t show his face.
“Um, Commander?”
“What is it?”
“Where did the Deputy Director go?”
“Beats me.”
Then I saw it.
In the Knight Commander’s gaze, a sticky, certain emotion glimmered.
“He’s probably worn out from work.”
“Uh-huh.”
That’s what it was? I instinctively held back the words I was about to say.
…I felt like knowing wouldn’t bring any good.
Still, one thing was sure: my pure love detector in my head was blaring violently, indicating a very satisfying situation.
I was having a hard time keeping my lips from curling upwards without realizing it.
On the other hand, I was struggling a bit with writing the paperwork.
Of course, I was stuck because I couldn’t figure out what to write in the reason box.
Writing, “I’m going to investigate the Watcher,” in a place where there’s no record of a Watcher would definitely get it rejected.
That’s how critical a Knight’s absence is to Rondan at this point.
I’m in trouble.
Who knew being a Knight would tie me up like this when it mattered?
As I kept mumbling, the Knight Commander was stroking her chin while looking at me.
Then, she let out a small grunt and started speaking.
“So, you’re heading to the empire’s capital. It will be a dangerous journey.”
“…Yet I have no choice but to go.”
“It seems you can’t explain why?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm. Normally, I wouldn’t send you without a proper reason, but…”
Even though the Knight Commander said that, she snatched my paper, scribbled something hastily in the reason box, and piled it on top of the stacked documents.
When I managed to look up at the paper, it simply read, “At the Knight Commander’s discretion.”
What that implies is that no matter what happens, the Knight Commander will take responsibility.
“Commander…?”
“An attitude that walks towards the truth is very commendable. Isn’t it absurd to block your shining path as a Knight with mere procedures?”
The Knight Commander said with a grin.
Sigh.
These romantic fools, seriously.
For a moment, I felt a bit teary-eyed.
“Thank you, Commander!”
“Go on, then.”
Just as I was about to heed the Knight Commander’s words and exit, the door swung open violently, and someone strode boldly in front of the Knight Commander, presenting a piece of paper.
“I’m heading to the empire’s capital. I hope to be granted permission.”
A familiar voice echoed, and I turned to look at the person, who also faced me simultaneously.
“Who?”
“…..”
I was a bit surprised to see them, but the other person seemed unfazed, merely glancing at me before returning their gaze to the Knight Commander.
Then, pointing at me with their finger, they spoke.
“Can I take this guy with me?”
The Hunter said this, wearing a distinctly meaningful smile as he looked at me.