Chirem Act 6-3.2
Act 6-3: Various Changes
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1[1-2], R2[3-5], R3[6-8]
Part 3
「Hey now. If you run off too far ahead, you'll get lost.」
「Ehehe. I mean, it’s not like I get many chances to look around the city of Danshelmare!」
When I hastily warned her, Bell flipped her low side ponytail as she turned around and gave me a bright, cheerful smile.
Did she get that in the Heavenly Realm, or did she buy it in this world? Her outfit, a sleeveless blouse with fluttery frilled collar and a sky-blue skirt matching her hair color, was a pure and refreshing summer style. It looked a bit childish overall, but it suited her youthful appearance perfectly. Even passersby were casting admiring glances and warmly smiling her way.
Was she simply pleased by the attention, or was she, like me, a little giddy from having a rare day off? With light steps, she kicked off the ground and skipped over to the skewer stall. Letting out a wry smile at her antics, I followed her and stood in front of the stall.
「So, are you going to buy this?」
「No, I don’t have any money. Since I usually don’t have a physical form, I can’t earn any either... Well, it’s not like I can’t create currency or valuables... But if I did that, it would throw the economy out of balance...」
As she stared intently at the skewers sizzling on the grill, Bell gave her answer. And from time to time, she shot me a longing glance... Seriously, she was so easy to read.
「... Can't be helped I guess. I'll pay for you.」
「YAAAAAAAAAAAY! I love you Rakuichi-san.」
「Yeah yeah.」
Holding Bell back with one hand as she clung to me, I paid the stall owner for the skewered-grilled meat. When I handed it to her, she immediately began devouring it. Seriously, we just had breakfast, where did all that food even go in that tiny body? ...Well, I guess all the nutrients go straight to that one unnecessarily well-developed part of her body. If even a little of it went to her brain, that’d be nice.
Thinking such things as I stepped away from the stall and merged back into the crowd, I spoke to Bell, who was happily munching on her skewer beside me.
「More importantly, keep in mind about how you address me, alright?」
「Nom... Uhm, kay... Rakuichi oniichan... Right?」
「Yeah. Call me that in front of Ein and the others. For the time being, you’re supposed to be my little sister, remember?」
Due to a certain incident in the past, Ein and the others found out about Bell’s existence. At the time, I ended up introducing her as my little sister to smooth things over. So for this outing, now that she’d taken on a physical form to accompany me, I had made it clear to her beforehand that she absolutely had to stick to that story.
Well, if I just had her follow me while being invisible like usual, I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble… But that would leave this one all alone, and even I’d feel guilty about that. They need a break every now and then too, after all.
Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately?), Bell had been spreading the image of herself as a beautiful adult, so no one realizes she was actually a goddess. Sharp individuals might sense something’s off, but only someone truly exceptional—like Arcana—would catch on. At the very least, Ein and the others didn’t show any signs of suspicion before, so it should be fine this time too.
――OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!
「Uhm? What?」
As we strolled through the bustling shopping district, taking in the sights, a loud cheer suddenly erupted from beyond the row of shops. Wondering what was going on, I led Bell through a narrow alley onto the main road. There, a grand procession of carriages was parading by, greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd lining the streets.
「This...」
「Judging by that emblem resembling the Snowtail, a creature native to cold regions, it appears to be a delegation sent from the Northern Command Base. They’re probably on their way to the academy.」
「Rakuichi-kun!」
Just as I was listening to Bell’s explanation, a bold voice cut through the noise of the crowd, calling out my name. Reflexively, I looked up, and I spotted a young man dismounting from his horse and running toward me among the group at the tail end of the procession.
With strikingly handsome features like a sculpture devoted to the pursuit of beauty, and a muscular physique evident even beneath his majestic armor, the young man approached us. His presence caused a stir among the nearby women, but he paid them no mind, his eyes fixed solely on me as he extended his right hand.
「Sup! Long time no see, Rakuichi-kun! I always wanted to meet you again!」
「Julio! Are you coming to the meeting?」
And so, I firmly shook hands with Julio Emperio, a fellow classmate, former hero candidate, and now one of the academy’s most exceptional students, having surpassed even Yuiitsu as he reached the Diamond Class.
「I never expected to run into you in a place like this! What are you doing here?」
「I'm on a break today. And what about you? You're supposed to take a post at the Northern Command Base, right?」
「Ah, that mission was successfully completed, and now I’m accompanying the delegation participating in this meeting and... 」
「KYAAAAA! JULIO-SAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」
「LIGHTNING KNIGHT-SAMAAAAA! LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEEEEE! PLEASE SHAKE HAND WITH ME TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!」
「I've read about your exploits in the newspapers and magazines many times, Julio-sama! I'm a huge fan of yours! Um, could I please have your autograph?!」
Julio’s response was drowned out by the shrill cries, almost like screams, of the women rushing toward him.
Seeing that scene, Julio gave a wry smile and leaned in toward me.
「Ah… Sorry, but would you mind walking with me for a bit?」
After saying that, he gestured behind him with his thumb. The line had already passed in front of us, leaving only Julio behind, and foot traffic on the road was beginning to resume.
「Well.... It's fine I guess.」
I responded while exchanging a glance with Bell. Noticing my intention, Bell gave a small nod and silently turned around, disappearing into the crowd.
「Uhm? Where's the one that with you just now?」
「Well it might be just your imagination. Probably just a kid who came to see the parade.」
「I see. In that case... Everyone, thank you for your warm support! My deepest apologize, but I must excuse myself now as I'm a bit busy! Please continue to support me, even though I may be lacking in many ways! Farewell for now!」
Then, taking a step away from me, Julio gave a deep bow to the crowd of gathered women, turned around, and quickly began to walk off. Feeling the sharp, resentful stares from the disappointed women, who let out despaired wails a moment later, on my skin, I quickly followed behind him.
「...So, what was it again? Something like, you finished your mission and returned together with the delegation for this meeting... Right?」
Walking up beside Julio, I quickly picked up where our conversation had left off earlier. Julio nodded before replying.
「The Diabolo hideout that had been confirmed on the mountainside of the snowy peak. We launched an assault with a specially assembled unit made up of soldiers from the Northern Command Base and our dispatched forces, and succeeded in wiping it out. All members were captured, and our mission was officially concluded. Also, the timing just happened to coincide with the departure of the delegation attending the gathering.」
「Ah, now that you mention it, that was in the news. That's impressive, another successful mission. Haven’t you completed every mission without a single failure since you started working as a field trainee?」
When I praised him honestly, Julio scratched his cheek and gave an embarrassed smile.