Chirem Act 6-8.1
Act 6-8: The Conference Begins!
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1: [1-3], R2[4-6]
Part 1
As the doors swung open, a new group entered the nave — soldiers of the Enzenite Allied Force, accompanied by beastfolk and other demonfolk.
They were a delegation sent from the Western Command Base, established by the Republic of Yaomikado — a nation formed from autonomous regions inhabited by many diverse races.
Among them, a dignified female officer, clearly the leader of the delegation, led one group, while another—headed by a beastfolk man with jet-black fur, likely an Inugami tribesman—walked beside her. Together, their parties advanced forward.
The officer’s unit headed toward Yuiitsu, while the beastfolk approached Sera and the others. At their forefront, the Inugami man gave Akane a faint, familiar smile.
「Long time no see, Akane.」
「Big Bro!」
Akane’s delighted voice rang out, her face lighting up with joy. She dashed forward, slipping past Sera and the others, and leapt straight into the arms of her real brother, Shinonome Erst Shadow Knight.
It was practically a running tackle, yet Shinonome caught her with ease. As she nuzzled her cheek against his chest, he gently patted her head and spoke in a teasing tone.
「Now, now… You shouldn’t be calling me "Big Bro" here, right? Call me Division Commander Shinonome in public.」
「Ah— right. I was just so happy… I said it without thinking… I never imagined Division Commander Shinonome would actually be part of the delegation!」
「Well, this time is special… Choosing the Hero is a major turning point, and our country couldn’t risk losing face by sending someone unimportant. So they needed a senior officer — which ended up being me. Still, I’m glad to see you looking well. How’s academy life? And are you fulfilling your duties as a shrine maiden properly?」
「Yeah! Academy life is really fun, though I’m still unsure how good I am as a shrine maiden… But with Sera and Rakuichi around, I’m doing fine!」
「I see… That’s good to hear. Oh, and there’s someone else who’s been wanting to see you.」
Saying that, Shinonome released Akane and quietly stepped aside.
The next moment, a small figure shot through the gap he left and, carried by sheer momentum, slammed straight into Akane’s chest!
「AKANE-SAMA~!」
「Wha—?! Eh? Ah! Chiyo?!」
「Yes! It’s me, Chiyo! It has been such a long time, Akane-sama!」
「Waaah! Chiyo! It’s really been ages! I’ve missed you so much!」
「And I too have yearned to meet you again!」
Held tightly in Akane’s arms, the small girl—bobbed hair, drooping dog ears, and a round, chrysanthemum-shaped tail—was swung around freely. She was an adorable young Inugami tribeswoman.
Chiyo Hyralden Shadowknight, a knight of the Erest Ducal Household Guard, was Akane’s distant cousin. Since childhood, they had trained together and grown close like sisters.
「Hoo… The “Guardian of the Forest,” Shinonome Shadow Knight. It’s an honour to meet such bigshots.」
Ignoring the gazes around them, Akane and Chiyo rejoiced like excited children. Shinonome watched them with a faint smile — until Judia suddenly addressed him.
「… So you are the famed “Witch of Eternity,” Judia Herodias-sama. I remember seeing you at several international summits, but this is the first time we’ve spoken directly.」
「Well, considering we rarely deal with others outside the Enzenite Allied Force, and you’re still fairly new to events like these, that’s no surprise. I’m only here to celebrate the hero’s inauguration. So let’s skip the stiff formalities for now and enjoy the evening.」
「…Aye. We can save the formal introductions for another day.」
Their light exchange became the cue for the Hero’s party and the two delegations to mingle, forming small groups for conversation.
Meanwhile, Akane and Chiyo, having calmed down somewhat, regained their composure as chatter filled the room. Once Chiyo was set back on the floor, she looked up and asked:
「By the way… Akane-sama, where is my dear big brother?」
「Hm? Ah— are you talking about Rakuichi?」
Akane cast a wary glance at Yuiitsu, confirming in a low voice. Yuiitsu, having finished speaking with the head of the delegation, now simply watched the surrounding conversations. Making sure not to attract his attention, Akane listened as Chiyo nodded earnestly.
「Yes. I wanted to greet dear big brother too, but… I can’t find him anywhere. I can’t even sense his scent… Is he not here today?」
「Well, yeah. Rakuichi’s taking the day off this time.」
「Awwuu… I see. That’s such a shame…」
Chiyo’s already drooping ears sagged even lower as she bowed her head in clear disappointment.
「What’s wrong? Were you really that eager to see Rakuichi?」
「Yes! Ever since I last returned home, I’ve been waiting for this reunion — to show him how much I’ve grown, and, if you permit it, to finally perform the sacred Rite of Fealty!」
She lifted her head sharply, determination blazing in her eyes.
The 『Sacred Rite of Fealty』—a special vow of the Inugami tribe—was a ceremony where one pledged lifelong loyalty to the person they recognized as their true lord or benefactor.
This trait was what allowed the Inugami tribe to stand out among the typically brawny, straightforward beastfolk. Akane herself, without realizing it, had already secretly undergone the rite with Rakuichi. Only he and the other three shrine maidens knew.
Yuiitsu also knew about the rite, but he and Akane had never reached such a bond. By the time he learned of it, Akane had already bound herself to Rakuichi — and so she refused Yuiitsu, giving the convenient excuse that, as the daughter of the tribe’s chieftain, she could not become someone’s servant.
「Ah, I see… Come to think of it, you said something like that the last time I came home. You’ve really held onto that desire all this time.」
「Yes! I owe that person a great debt. He showed me the path I should take. And that’s not all! There is no one as manly, as kind, and as pure — untouched by worldly desires — as him! He is truly the one Chiyo should serve! Believing that, I’ve trained ever since… and at last, although only as a lower member, I’ve been accepted into the Royal Guard!」
「Woah, that’s amazing. The Royal Guard is the elite of the elite, right? You really worked hard, Chiyo.」
「Yes! All of it was so I could earn big brother’s acknowledgement! I’m certain that now, I can live up to his expectations! Whatever orders or requests he gives, I, Chiyo, am ready to devote my very life to them!!」
Clasping her hands, eyes shining with fervour, Chiyo spoke of her devotion to Rakuichi. Her expression resembled that of a believer preaching the glory of a god. Yet Akane, who accepted that blazing gaze without any hesitation, might have been just as intense — or perhaps just as devoted.
「I understand how you feel, Chiyo.」
But the clear, unwavering look in her eyes clouded instantly — because a man stepped between them.
Needless to say, it was Yuiitsu, wearing a faintly arrogant smile.
「Ah, long time no see, Yuiitsu-sama.」