𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 ① / 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐩
The battle is over.
The 『Joker』 Albero・Rushout defeated 『Demon Emperor』 Shin Asgard. At the same time as the defeat, all the demon beasts’ brainwashing was released, and the remaining demon beasts fled all at once.
Their number, indeed in the tens of thousands. . . . . .As a result, the Asgard Kingdom and the surrounding nations were troubled by a large number of demon beasts.
ㅤ
The twenty-one heroes protected the royal family and the citizens to the end.
The heroes were sealed again and could only use Summoned beasts within the Asgard Kingdom. However, it seems that Yorha made a 『promise』 with King Zenovect, and the 『seal』 will be lifted in a few years.
ㅤ
In this 『Demon Emperor War』, many heroes were born.
The foremost among them was the S-class summoner Albero・Rushout, who defeated Shin Asgard, the root of all evil. The battle was fierce, and it is said that not even a bone of Shin Asgard remained.
ㅤ
And his sister, who holds the title of 『High Priestess』, Esterize.
She led the summoners and held back the demon beasts on the front lines, becoming a well-known hero. She was awarded various medals, and due to her achievements, the Rushout family’s rank rose, establishing their name as a Duke serving the Asgard Kingdom.
Esterize became the first female Duke in history, making a name for herself as the Rushout Duke.
ㅤ
But, not everything was good.
During the Demon Emperor War, a coup d’état broke out.
The royals who participated, Hill Climb and Euglena, were executed by hanging. The hero Gabriel, who was the mastermind of the coup and held the title of 『Judge』, was sealed with a special 『summoning seal』 and imprisoned forever.
Yorha, a member of the royal family who resolved this coup, was recognized for her achievements.
And her brother Sanbalt renounced his right to the throne. He decided to start over as a soldier and devoted himself to training. Even King Zenovect seemed to respect Yorha, and it is said that he is close to retiring.
Yorha secured her position as the next queen of the Asgard Kingdom.
By the way. . . . . .when Yorha became queen, it is said that she would release the heroes’ 『seals』, but all the heroes bowed in support of Yorha.
ㅤ
The battle with Demon Emperor Shin Asgard ended in a victory for humans.
Many summoners were injured, and many lost their lives. However, once it was over, daily life returned surprisingly quickly.
None of the students of the Asgard Summoning Academy died.
The academy took a week off and resumed without any problems.
Some female students were rumored to have been giving passionate looks to the principal, Meteore. . . . . .
ㅤ
And the S-class summoners also returned to their daily lives.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
In the S-class summoner’s building, classes were held as usual.
The teacher was Grey. In the previous war, he was one of the heroes who covered the entire Asgard Kingdom with the Summoned beast 『Orichalcum』 and protected the citizens.
ㅤ
“That’s it for today. Make sure to do your homework.”
“Stand up! Thank you for your hard work!”
ㅤ
At Ashe’s command, everyone stood up and bowed.
As Lapis put away her textbook, she spoke.
ㅤ
“What are you doing after this?”
“Oh, speaking of which, I heard a new cafe opened underground. Want to go with everyone?”
“Sounds good. I want something sweet.”
“If it’s sweet, I have to join too.”
ㅤ
Ashe made a proposal, which Ridelle and Yorha showed interest in.
Suddenly, a small red-furred tiger approached Ridelle’s foot.
ㅤ
『I’m coming too! I’m hungry!』
“Alright, alright. Come here. . . . . .you fluffy thing.”
ㅤ
Leivinia was kept as a pet, not in her human form, but as a puppy-sized red-furred tiger.
Similarly, Nisrok, the gray-furred sloth, was as well. Nisrok is comfortably sleeping on a cushion placed on a chair. . . . . .ever since turning into this form, he had become truly lazy.
Ashe picks up Nisrok.
ㅤ
“Mmm. . . . . .so cute. So fluffy.”
『Mmm… ugh, sleepy』
“You can sleep. In exchange, I’ll fluff you up!”
“Fufu. Ashe really loves fluffy things.”
ㅤ
Lapis chuckles and looks at Albero, who is packing his textbooks into his bag.
ㅤ
“Albero, want to go to a café together?”
“Hmm, ah. . . . . .sorry. I’m going out for drinks with Kid today. I shouldn’t consume too many sweets.”
“Hmph. . . . . .I’ll be sixteen soon. We’ll go together then!”
“Ah, me too!”
“Me as well. Right, Kid?”
ㅤ
As Ridelle spoke, Kid, who was wearing a thin empty bag on his shoulder, responded. He seemed uninterested in joining the conversation, as he quickly stood up to leave the classroom.
ㅤ
“If that’s the case, Ridelle, come along. I’ll teach you how to drink alcohol, kiddo.”
“Hey, who are you calling a kiddo?”
“Ha, who was the kid who fainted after one shot of tequila?”
“. . . . . .ugh.”
ㅤ
Albero turned sixteen and reached the legal drinking age.
Led by Kid, he drank alcohol in an adult bar. . . . . .the first drink he had was a high-proof tequila. Provoked by Kid, he downed it all at once and fainted. He felt like it was just recently that he was carried by Arnaud to the dormitory after that incident.
ㅤ
“I’ll pass. And Albero, if you’re going to drink, choose a low-alcohol fruit cocktail!”
“Alright. I will.”
“Tch. . . . . .I thought I’d see him make a fool of himself again today.”
ㅤ
Kid smirked as he was about to leave the classroom, speaking to Albero.
ㅤ
“Hey. Spending time with your fiancée should be more important. Accompany her today.”
ㅤ
With that said, Kid left the classroom. He’s probably going to invite Arnaud for a drink. Lately, it seems that Venus, Damocles, and others have often joined him.
Being called “fiancée”, both Albero and Lapis blushed.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
Albero got engaged to Lapis.
Albero, the hero who saved this world, was the best match for the daughter of the Duke family.
Furthermore, it seems that there’s a surge of migration requests to the 『Isavel territory』 governed by Albero. Although Albero hasn’t done anything yet, he has received complaint-like letters from Bartholomew and Yuisis.
ㅤ
“Fufu, Albero is so shy. And it’s not just Lapis, you know.”
“I, I know.”
ㅤ
Ashe hugged Albero’s arm.
Yes. Ashe also got engaged to Albero.
Formally, Lapis is treated as the main wife. While Lapis is the main wife and Ashe is the concubine, such trivial matters didn’t matter to the two of them.
Furthermore, Yorha.
ㅤ
“Albero, you’ll fulfill your promise to me.”
“You’re the most vivid one. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Yorha promised to have a child with Albero (although it was mostly one-sided).
Thanks to Sanbalt renouncing his claim to the throne, Yorha has been confirmed as the next queen of the Asgard Kingdom.
Yorha will ascend to the throne at the age of twenty. She’s currently sixteen, so it’s in four years.
During those four years, Yorha plans to have and give birth to a child with Albero.
If Yorha becomes queen, she decided not to have a spouse but to adopt. She intended to appoint the child of Albero and herself as that adopted child.
Publicly she will remain single for life. However, in reality, she’ll have a child with the man she loves.
Albero, who seeks a peaceful life, shouldn’t be involved in royal traditions and troubles. Besides, it’s easier for Yorha to say she’ll remain single for life.
They haven’t acted upon it yet, but Yorha is already prepared. She had told Albero so.
Albero stands up, grabbing his bag.
ㅤ
“Well then, shall we go eat some delicious cake?”
ㅤ
The school life of the S-class summoners continues.