144 Mushoku Tensei

Half a day's walk from Magic City Sharia, not even a hour by the horse, there lies a city ruin.
Or rather, what remains of a castle.
Great columns lie flat on the ground, stone slates scatter about.
This must be how the Parthenon would look after further deterioration.
It must been a sight to behold once upon a time.
It gives the impression that of a relic of history.

"What's left of the Scotts Castle, a relic from when mankind battled Laplace.  It was said that thousands came to defend against the Magic tribe invasion.  In the end, all was for naught, and it was captured."

Explains the beautiful girl with golden braided hair besides me.
Graceful exterior, clad in expensive travel wear, a charismatic figure obvious even from afar.
Indeed, the one and only Ariel Anemoi Asura.

"..."

Was that explain for me?
With that in mind, I glanced at around me.
Luke and Sylphy stand not far behind.
A little further back, Roxy, Zanoba, Cliff and Elinalise.
Nanohoshi ahead.
Ariel looks towards me, there's no one between us.

"Ariel-sama sure knows her stuff."

It would be rude to ignore her.
With that in mind I answered.  Ariel gently smiled in response.

"Folktales of this area often mention this topic."
"Are you interested in folktales?"
"To develop relationships with the aristocracy of the area, that is also necessary."

Ariel explains as a matter of fact.
Memorize local history in order to befriend the local aristocracy.
She has it tough.

"But coming to a place like this, can we really reach Perugius-sama from here?"
"To be honest, I don't really know what do we do next, but..."

I look towards Nanohoshi in front of us.
Carrying a heavy backpack, moving unimpeded by the rubble around us, she leads looking straight ahead.
She told us to just follow along, but can we really get there from here?
From what I can recall, her notes don't feature a Teleport Magic Circles in this location.

"I'm more worried that having so many people tagged along would be a bother."

Hearing what I said, Ariel laughs out loud.

"Rudeus-sama sure worry over the strangest things.  Even if he isn't king of a country, he's still called "King," a true hero!  A few guests like us shouldn't be a bother."
"If you say so..."

I glance behind us.
Me, Nanahoshi, Ariel, Sylphy, Luke, Roxy, Zanoba, Cliff, and Elinalise.
9 in total.
I thought it's a bit too much, but from a royal perspective, that should be nothing.
For royalty, guests come in tens, just us few can't count for much.

By the way, Norm refused politely because of school work.
Maybe she's worried about her promise to not slacking off her sword training and studies after joining the student counsel.
Well, if I really brought her along, then I'd have to bring Aisha too.  This works just as well.

"Perugius-sama may be living the quite life, but after the Laplace campaign he spent some time as a guest of Asura Kingdom, as an equal of King Asura.  He would bring an entourage number in the tens or hundreds to the royal palace.  Someone of his stature won't be troubled by a mere 9 guests."
"Ah, I see."

Ariel's charismatic voice is pleasing to the ear.
Anyone would be bothered to have guests arrive unannounced, but hearing this from Ariel, maybe it isn't that big of a deal.

"... If he got tired of the court life, maybe he got tired of suitors too."
"Maybe.  But if that's really the case, then Nanahoshi-sama probably won't allow me to come along."
"I don't think Nanahoshi is the kind of person that worry over these things."

Speaking of that, I recall how Ariel end up coming along.
Back then, hearing Nanahoshi mention Perugius, I couldn't contain my excitement.

The Armored Dragon King Perugius.
Even I have heard of that name before.
Not long after I came to this world, I read about him in a book.
400 years ago, a hero of the Laplace Campaign.
In it writes that he controls 12 familiars, rebuilt the ancient sky castle, and challenged Laplace with his companions.
After Laplace was sealed, as tribute to his exploits, the new era is named "Armored Dragon era" in his honor.
Armored Dragon King Perugius did not become head of a country, rather he sits afloat Sky Castle [Chaos Breaker] and travels the world.

Of course I'm excited to meet someone of that caliber.
No matter what, a castle in the sky!
Laputa ho!
I ought to be busy with research child-rearing.
But I still want to go.
Even if only once.
I'm sorry, Luci.  Papa's curiosity got the better of him.
But Papa will definitely bring something back for you!

Sylphy's concerns were the complete opposite my selfish self.
She inquired Nanahoshi.

"Can Ariel-sama come along as well?"
"Ariel?"

Nanahoshi looked troubled.
Ariel has solicited her on many occasions.
Nanahoshi weld tremendous influence within Asura and Ranoa kingdoms, so Ariel has long sought to bring her into her circle.
But Nanahoshi want to avoid entanglement with this world.  That just would be a bother.

"Yes.  Peruguis-sama may have lived in seclusion for a long time, but his name still holds pivotal weight within Asura court.  Ariel-sama, she... looking towards the future, I'm sure she would want to meet someone like him."

Ariel has connections all over the place.
All preparations to one day take over the Asura throne.
It would be a tough fight, possibly an impossible one.

I don't know her plans after Ariel graduate in a year.
Will she continue to gather strength here, or will she head back to Asura for a fight to the death?
As long as it doesn't endanger my family, I'd give her a hand.
But her position there is still uncertain.
To be honest, I don't want to involve myself in that mess either, but I do genuinely want to offer support for my wife.
However, Ariel doesn't seem to plan to bring Sylphy back to Asura Kingdom.
Sylphy has a kid now, so I doubt she plans to leave Luci behind for something so risky.
Still, I doubt she's ready for goodbyes yet, and has been giving her all for Ariel's sake right now.
This is probably of those cases.

In the battle for the throne, connections are everything.
Particularly, if she can obtain the backings of Armored Dragon King Perugius, hero of Asura Kingdom, then her path for the throne would surely be easier.

"Well, I have been in your care.  That's fine, bring her."

I thought for sure that she would refuse, but Nanahoshi okay it.
Afterwards I heard that while I was away, Nanahoshi got a lot of help from Sylphy.
Bringing her meals, help with shopping, casting detoxification magic when she got sick.
Although she stopped after Luci was born, she used to come by often for baths.

"Really?  Thank you very much!  I'm sure Ariel-sama would be please..."

Sylphy clenched her fist and brightly smiled.

As a result, Ariel and Luke joined the party as well.
Sylphy said Ariel was unusually excited about this.
No matter their station, everyone reacts the same way when meeting someone so famous face to face.
I'm excited too.
He's the real deal, a genuine hero.
Hopefully he's easy to get along with.

... Speaking of which, I just remembered.
A long time ago, I did met one of Perugius' subordinates.
Just before the Metastasis Event.
I met with Arumanfi of the Bright.
If I recall, back then he suspect me as the person behind the Metastasis Event and attacked me.
Ghyslaine was able to talk him down.  He doesn't seem like a bad person, but he did tried to kill me once.
That makes me nervous.
No, no reason for the master to be dangerous just because his subordinate was.
Besides, if Perugius-sama had detected the Metastasis event and wanting to stop it...
Then he deserves praise for acting on his own initiative.
But if I was killed back then...
Forget it, what's done is done.
Water under the bridge.
For our initial greetings, I shouldn't be looking to fight.
Forgive and forget.

"We're here."

While I was worrying over these things, Nanahoshi stopped at the center of the ruins.
Middle of nowhere.
Despite what I think, if looking carefully on the ground rests a stool-sized stone.
A stone monument.
Monument of "Seven Great Major Powers."
The faint light that extrude from it hints of terrifying powers of the names engraved there.
Seems like these are everywhere, even here.

"Now what?"
"Call him."

Having said that, Nanahoshi drops her baggage and takes out a golden flute.
Not a finger hole on it, so more properly a whistle.
Nanahoshi place it against her lips and blew.

Fuu-!

No whistling.
Just the sound of blowing air.
Maybe a dog whistle?

"No sound?"

Cliff exclaimed.

"Human can't hear it.  Just wait, he'll be here soon."

Having said that, Nanahoshi sat on a rock besides her.
A sound human can't hear.
Yet it can reach Perugius.
That should be impossible in normal circumstances.
In other word, that flute is a magic item too.

"Cliff."

Suddenly Elinalise yell at Cliff with a straight face.

"What is it?"
"While we're still here I have to say this.  Where we're going isn't a place to joke around at.  Please watch your mouth a bit."
"... I get it.  I am not a kid anymore."

Cliff pouts like a kid that just get lectured.
Then Elinalise presses herself against Cliff, whispering into his ears.
Cliff seems to have calm down, probably some sweet nothings as an apology.

"What sorts of statues will a castle in the sky have, I can't wait to find out!"

Zanoba is his usual self.
Once set to to visit Perugius, he immediately start to say "well, let's bring some of our results to show Perugius-sama" and pack up the Ruijerd that I made and other figures into his luggages.
I doubt there's an opportunity, but he probably want to do some promoting like I once did with Badigadi.
Truly enthusiastic for his work.

By the way, Ginger isn't here.
Zanoba orders her to protect my family.
Even though Giner obviously want to come along.
Well, for me the more protection for them the better, so one more doesn't hurt.
But it's not like I'm taking a long leave of absence either.

"Don't always push your hobbies onto others.  After all, that guy is over 400 year old already."
"Hahaha, isn't Badigadi-sama even older?  The older they are, the more they can appreciate the craftsmenship of Sensei's figures."
"Oh... Really?"

Far in the sky, something is shining.

"He's here."

Just as Nanahoshi said.
He appears.
Literally, in a twinkle of an eye, he suddenly appears.

Golden hair, an buttoned-up, white outfit like a student's uniform.
Probably a handsome face hidden behind that yellow mask.
The mask in shape of a fox.
A large dagger hang down his waist.

"Arumanfi of the Bright, present."

Truly abrupt.  Feels like he just materialized in the center of us.
I guess he flew?
At the speed of light, he flew all the way from the castle in the sky.
Just the way he showed up when Fedoa Region disappeared.

"..."

Abruptly, Arumanfi turns towards me.
Does he remember me?
I'm scared he's going to attack me again.
Secretly I open my demon eye and grip my staff.

But Arumanfi doesn't seem to remember me.
Instead of me, he walks before Nanahoshi.

"... A lot of people today."

Arumanfi looks around him, as he said to Nanahoshi
Nanahoshi said "Oh" as she nod.

"It's fine, right? As long as under 12 people."
"The number doesn't matter, but..."

Arumanfi looks towards Roxy.

"No Demon Race."
"Eh, W-why?"

Roxy looks like a cat with water poured over it.

"Demon Race no allowed in Sky Castle."
"I-is that so."

Roxy sunken, her shoulders droop.
Perugius waged battles against the Demon Race during the Laplace Campaign.
Can't be helped if some prejudice towards the Demon Race remain.

"No matter what?"
"Perugius-sama is kind, but he hates the Demon Race."

I have forgotten, since this area doesn't share much prejudice against the Demon Race, but hatred towards them still run deep.
Perugius may be a person of legends, but he's also a witness to war.
Perhaps like Ruijerd, he has memories that can't be erased in those battles.
But only Roxy is left out, I feel bad for her.

"No, it's fine.  In that case, I'll stay home.  Since I was a little scare of meeting Perugius... -sama as well.  I still have school work to do, so just as well."

Her shoulders drooped, a flat refusal.
But looking carefully, I see some lingering regrets.
She turns to me with a forced smile.

"Rudi, I'll take care of the house."
"Okay.  I'll make sure to bring some gifts back..."
"Don't worry about that, just a kiss is fine."

That, I do immediately.
A whole ten seconds, Roxy's heart races, my ATOMIC BAZOOKA engaged, its nuclear warhead loaded, fire! <ref>RX-78GP02A Gundam reference</ref>

"Thanks."
"No, the pleasure is mine."

Still a little upset, but with her face red, Roxy backs away with a slight smiles.
I will shower her with affection when I get back.

"Are you done?"

Arumanfi approaches us as Roxy and I say our goodbyes.
He hands me something like a baton.
I turn around to look, seems everyone else are holding a similar one.

"Hold it."

I take it and follow his instructions.
A golden baton around 20 CM in length, some intricate patterns engraved on its surface.
Magic crystals nested on top and bottom.
Another magic item?

"Now what?"
"Just hold it still.  Perugius-sama will use teleportation magic to bring you to the Sky Castle."

Ah, teleportation magic, so this is a magic item for that.
So this exists as well.
How convenient.

Eh?  I thought human cannot be summoned..?
No, this is teleportation.
What's the difference?
Use this baton to teleport over to the Sky Castle, is that how it works?

"Ah, what about the return trip?"
"Something similar for the way back."

Arumanfi replies as a matter of fact.
In that case, then it can be done.
If I have to walk home, by then Luci would grew up already.
I feel reassured with that said.

"Everyone got it?  Make sure to hold it tight."

Nanahoshi nods after checking up on everyone and confirms with Arumanfi.

"Just a moment."

Arumanfi nods and disappears in the light.
Report back to Perugius that the preparations are ready, I suppose.

"... This is kind of exciting."
"Indeed."

Ariel and Sylphy banters.
It is kind of exciting.
A wry smile from Luke.

Say, with teleportation.
If it fails, where would we end up?
Kind of scary.
Even someone as powerful as Perugius could make a mistake.  After all, he's only human.

"...Oh?"

While I was thinking about it, I suddenly feel heat coming from the baton.
Feels like my palm is getting sucked in by it.
What happen if I let go right now?
Would it fail?
But for this to happen all the sudden, some people would let go by instinct right...

"Eh?"

I look around.
Everyone's gone.
No, I caught the moment when Sylphy disappeared.

Only Roxy and I remain.
Eh?
They left without me?

At that moment, my conscious fell into the baton.

---

When I came to, I find myself flying in a world completely white.

Nothing at all, a completely white space.
I feel myself flying towards something in the distance.
Like a fish hooked on a powered fishing pole.

Some distance before me I see Sylphy reeling towards the same location.
So that's how being summoned feel like.

Speaking of which, this space.
Feels like I been here before.
Ah, when was it?
Oh yeah, Hitogami.
It feels a little vague, but this looks just like when Hitogami appears in my dreams.
The only exception, is my body isn't from my previous life.

Like running in a marathon, I keep flying that way.
Then, light appears before me.
The light outlines a sophisticated magic circle, which sucked me in.

---

Returning to my senses, I stand grounded.

"Ha!"

Like waking up from a dream.
Did I lose consciousness?
No, not at all.
I really was flying in a space of nothingness.

"So this is... Perugius' teleportation magic."

What a strange sensation.
But, I have experience something similar once before.
The Metastasis Event.
Back then, it felt like flying in the air as well.

Well, there's one difference from then.
A sense of assurance.
If the Metastasis Event is jumping out of a speeding car, then this is like riding a taxi.
A feeling of safe travels.

"... This feels familiar."

Sylphy murmurs softly.
Ah, she felt it as well.

"Yeah."

I look around as I replied.
Ariel, Luke, Zanoba, Cliff, Elinalise, and Nanahoshi.
Everyone but Nanahoshi and Elinalise look baffled.
Regardless, everyone arrived safely.

"What an incredibly large magic circle..."

Cliff, speaking to himself.
Finally I noticed my surroundings.
We stand above a giant magic circle.
Maybe 10 meters radius.
Carved directly from of a marble-like floor, with water gushing throughout.
Faint light shone from the water.  Some kind of magic.
The water aside, I have seem these lights before, exactly the same as when we teleported to the Begaritto Continent.
In other words, another type of Teleport Magic Circle.
This baton and that water magic circle.  Looks like teleportation magic requires all sort of preparations.

"Wow..."

Stealing my attention, far behind the magic circle.

Sits a gigantic castle.
Taller than a 50 floor skyscraper.
Wide too, not lanky, but full-frame and sturdy.
Not unlike a movie backdrop without going in to check.

Even with memory from my past life, I can't recall a building of this size.
Like building a castle atop of the Tokyo Dome.

This is the castle in the sky?
Although I saw it from the ground before... to think it's in reality that huge.
No, of course, considering the presence of its just from a distance.

"Incredible, it's even bigger than the Asura palace!"

Hearing Sylphy's voice, my looked down.
In from of the castle is a equally large garden.
Trees of all kinds and flowers of all colors planted everywhere like a maze.
Before the garden a small river shining under the sun.
Even from afar, it's easy to see how manicured the garden is.

"R-Rudi... Look back."
"Oh?"

I turn back as Sylphy instructed.
Out of the magic circle, behind a golden fence.
A sea of clouds extend in every direction.

"Clouds..."

Past life, I rode an airplane once during elementary school.
What lies before us looks just like that.
But, to see it with my own eyes, without a window obstructing us, that's a first for me too.
Why is watching the clouds from above such an moving experience?
This must be why mountaineers climb mountains.

"..."

Cliff and Luke stunned, their mouth open ear to ear.
Ariel too, her eyes wide, looking towards the open sky.
A scenery that takes your breath away.

It can't be helped.
No airplanes in this world, no concept of mountain climbing either.
No chance of ever experiencing a scene like this.
Suddenly, Sylphy grabs me by the hem.

"Ugh... I don't do well at high places."

I look down, Sylphy's legs have gave out.
If you knew, why did you come in the first place?
Such a hard worker.
Well, if she couldn't walk anymore, then I can carry her over.

"Sky Castle [Chaos Breaker], everyone enjoying the view?"

Suddenly an unfamiliar voice rang behind us.
I look back in a hurry, a female figure stands before us.
Like a statue, just outside of the magic circle.

Her near-white, golden hair drapes down her shoulders, wearing a white mask of a bird.
Can't be sure if she's human or not, but her figure looks female.
She wears a gown-like white robe, holding a magic staff.
The staff carries a magic stone, opague and dark.
Without a doubt, a particularly expensive one.
In my opinion, not everything is about money, but that's definitely something expensive.
Even more expensive than my precious.
What's exceptional about her isn't her gown or staff.
But what's behind her.

Startlingly, from her back grows a pair of jet black wings.

"A Heaven Race...?"

That pair of wings hold an overwhelming presence.
Despite that, her person is that of eerie calm, hiding her presence.
A female that gives out a strange sensation.

She quickly bow her head once we exchanged a glance.

"Everyone, it's an honor for you to come."

How well mannered.
Even with someone as ignorant of etiquette as me can tell that her movement is well practice.

"I am the first Familiar of Perugius-sama, Sylvaril of the Void.  Please allow me to lead everyone towards Sky Castle [Chaos Breaker]."
"Guardian Knight of the Second Princess of Asura Kingdom, Luke Notos Greyrat at your service.  It's an honor be at your presence.  I'll be in your care."

Luke returns the greeting.
He stands before Ariel, flash a gentle smile towards the woman named Sylvaril.
Sylvaril isn't particularly tall or short, but she should still be within his strike range.
No, no.
That's not what he means, this is just courtesy.

"This is the Second Princess of Asura Kingdom, Ariel Anemoi Asura."

With Luke's introduction, holding her skirt, Ariel curtsey.
Also a practiced motion.
Not something I could learn.

Afterwards, each of us make our self introduction.
Cliff and Zanoba both made their greetings gracefully.
Perhaps among the people here, I know the least of etiquette.

"Oh, everyone, it's an honor."

Although her thoughts are opaque, her actions have been courteous to us.
Finally, Nanahoshi answers her casually.

"Been a while, Sylvaril-san."
"Em, you too, Nanahoshi-sama... are you feeling well?"
"Just a slight discomfort."

Only a short conversation between them.
But they seem comfortable with each other, so it's probably fine.

"Then, please this way."

Sylvaril turns and start walking forward, without a sound.
Her head almost without any bobble.  Her legs covered in gown, she moves like a ghost.
Nanahoshi follows behind without any concern.

Exchanged a glance between us, we follow as well.

---