𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏
(11)
That was a phenomenon worthy of being called a small storm.
Despite being inside the living room, wind swirled, the room shook, and the walls and floors warped.
Everyone was too busy clinging to the table, but the inexplicable phenomenon soon stopped.
While the former Star Princesses were on alert and everyone was immobilized, only Funyapippi curled up and yawned.
ㅤ
“I’m glad it’s over.”
ㅤ
It seems there’s no danger. They whispered among themselves and decided to check the situation outside.
As Aroma stood up, Luo and Tweney entered from the entrance.
ㅤ
“We’re back.”
“We have returned.”
ㅤ
They were holding hands affectionately. Even though they were supposed to have shared a sad farewell, both wore radiant, happy smiles.
The former Star Princesses, who were inwardly puzzled, widened their eyes as if sensing something and began to tremble.
ㅤ
“What happened?”
ㅤ
They couldn’t look directly at the questioning.
ㅤ
“N, Nothing.”
ㅤ
Sorcier managed to ask.
With her hands clasped on the table, she asked with a strained smile.
ㅤ
“What’s with you two? You both seem so happy.”
“Yep. We got married.”
“Married? What’s that?”
“Becoming a family.”
“Ah, marriage. Marr━━cough?!”
ㅤ
Ignoring the coughing Sorcier, Tweney, as if demonstrating, made a formal announcement.
ㅤ
“We are pleased to announce that Luo and I, Tweney, have gotten married.”
ㅤ
It wasn’t a matter of formality.
Everyone was speechless and confused. Amidst the tense atmosphere, Luo quickly noticed a plate on the table.
ㅤ
“Ah, Pippi, did you eat alone?”
“Mmph.”
ㅤ
During their journey in the “Great Hole”, it was a rule to eat together. Luo frowned, and Funyapippi bristled.
ㅤ
“Come on, “Number Three”. Hurry up with the food! I want seconds!”
“Y, Yes.”
ㅤ
While Luo’s appearance remained unchanged, something fundamental about him had changed.
His depth of power was invisible.
Furthermore, Tweney had visibly transformed.
Her hair shimmered, and every sway released sparkling particles. The former Star Princesses instinctively realized that it was the sparks of condensed holy power.
Fortunately, enough food for three had been prepared, so in no time, Seto returned with the moss dolls.
ㅤ
“If you’re not hungry, we can make something light. Don’t hesitate to let us know.”
ㅤ
The mental state of a Star Princess about to fulfill her role was usually very serious and heavy. Some faced it with pride, others with bravado, some cried, but none were seen enjoying their meal.
Until now.
ㅤ
“Ah, Luo, this is delicious.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
Tweney picked up a forkful of her meal and offered it to Luo.
ㅤ
“Mmm, you’re right. Here.”
ㅤ
In return, Luo took the same dish from his plate and offered it to Tweney’s mouth.
ㅤ
“Delicious?”
“Very much so!”
ㅤ
Vengeous watches the two having a highly inefficient meal with a slight smirk on her face.
Tweney asked with a somewhat solemn expression.
ㅤ
“Is this dish prepared by Seto-sama?”
ㅤ
“Yes. I love cooking. The ingredients are fetched by the spirits from the “Great Hole”. The earth spirits can even neutralize the poison in the meat of demon beasts.”
“I tried my hand at cooking a little, but it was not good at all.”
ㅤ
The food at the bottom of the “Great Hole” was far from premium. The ingredients were edible wild plants and fruits that Tweney had seen in the picture book and only the tail meat hunted by Luo. With limited seasonings, Tweney, who had no cooking experience, could only stew.
ㅤ
“That’s not true.”
ㅤ
Luo desperately tries to cheer up.
ㅤ
“Peppoko――. I love Twenetie’s cooking.”
ㅤ
Tweney’s hair shone as she blushed and looked down, with sparks of light scattering around.
Vengeous asked again with a slight smirk.
ㅤ
“Does Luo-san address Tweney by her true name?”
“Yes. When discussing something important, one must call by the proper name.”
“Indeed, that’s right.”
ㅤ
While wondering if this was an important conversation, they reminded that a true name isn’t something to use casually and that it might be better to consider another nickname.
Vengeous cleared her throat and adjusted her posture.
ㅤ
“So, Tweney, did you bestow a “blessing” upon Luo-san?”
“I don’t really know.”
ㅤ
“I haven’t done it in the proper manner,” said Tweney.
ㅤ
“What I did was━”
ㅤ
She stumbled, blushing furiously.
ㅤ
“━gave everything.”
ㅤ
Luo spilled the beans.
ㅤ
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything.”
ㅤ
Tweney next to him looked down, scattering a large number of light sparks.
ㅤ
“Well, thank you very much for that.”
“Ah, I can’t hold back anymore!”
ㅤ
With her eyes sparkling, Mildy joined the conversation.
ㅤ
“How did the proposal happen? Who initiated? Could it be from Tweney? Under what circumstances? Explain everything from the start!”
“That’s enough.”
ㅤ
Mildy, who was about to run rampant, was restrained by Aroma.
After the meal, Vengeous provided an explanation of what would happen next.
It was unthinkable that the Star Princess who reached the “Miniature Garden” would abandon her role here. It’s because the “Blood of the Goddess” wouldn’t allow it.
However, time was needed to make up one’s mind.
This was supposed to be the occasion for that, but the situation turned around when Tweney apologized for discarding her “Tears of Lament” into the spring.
ㅤ
“What have you done!”
ㅤ
Vengeous turned pale blue, her eyes bulging.
ㅤ
“Tweney, do you understand what you’ve done? That is a precious thing that protects your soul━━”
“Vengeous!”
ㅤ
The scolding voice of Sorcier, sounding like a whisper, blew away Vengeous’s anger.
Sorcier had been silent during the meal and after, elbows on the table, her forehead on her folded hands, immobile like a statue.
ㅤ
“Could you please be quiet?”
ㅤ
Her eyes weren’t closed. In fact, they were wide open, staring at the table’s surface.
ㅤ
“Please. I don’t want it to collapse.”
ㅤ
Sorcier pleaded as if a frightened child.
ㅤ
“Sorcier-oneesama?”
“It’s not just a mere ‘combination’. The four great spirits, the demonic bird dwelling in the ‘great abyss’, and the blessing of Star Princess in its prime. This is impossible.”
ㅤ
Sorcier’s entire body trembled.
ㅤ
“In the human world, there is no better combination. Please, Vengeous. This might be a miraculous balance.”
ㅤ
Luo yawned, ending the situation.
The next day.
In the living room where everyone gathered, Tweney announced that they would depart with Luo. There was no trace of solemn determination in their faces. They looked as if they were simply going out for shopping, holding hands firmly.
Ophelia would be their guide. Passing through several wooden passages, they descended a deep spiral staircase.
At the bottom, reminiscent of a well, stood a massive metallic door engraved with intricate designs.
ㅤ
“This is the ‘Gate of Transference’. Beyond this gate lies the dwelling place of the malevolent god in the heart of the ‘great abyss’. The demonic energy is strong, so stay focused.”
ㅤ
When Ophelia used what seemed to be a spell, the patterns shone brightly, and the door slowly opened.
A cold black mist crept in over the floor. However, the mist did not touch Luo and Tweney, and was dispelled.
Beyond the door lay a different landscape.
A mountain of sharp, dark-red minerals.
The sky was dark, with ceaseless lightning.
ㅤ
“The sixth window.”
ㅤ
Luo whispered softly.
The grand cathedral of Akkare Castle. The story depicted in the stained-glass windows. The sixth window was broken, but surely this was the landscape, Luo said.
The hero Maltheus could not go any further.
Perhaps he returned to the surface and conveyed this view to someone.
ㅤ
“Let’s go, Tie.”
“Yes, Luo.”
ㅤ
The new names they had decided upon for each other.
Without hesitation, the boy and girl entered the gate. Ophelia watched their figures depart with a whirlwind of emotions.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Hidden Villages, Hidden Countries? Where’s the Rest of the World in Naruto?
- Goku Goes Yandere: A Dragon Ball Z Nightmare
- What if Disney Princesses Were Real? (Spoiler: Not So Magical)
- Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
- My Gacha Gaming Habit is Bleeding My Bank Account Dry: How to Stop Before You Go Broke
Leave a Reply