Side Story 'The Two Who Met'

If it pleases you, replace

ojou-chan → little miss

jii-san → mister

ohime-sama → princess

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! → Huzzahhhh!

------------------------------

間話「出会ってしまった二人」

Side Story 'The Two Who Met'

　ロキシー・ミグルディアはクラスマの町にたどり着いた。
　クラスマの町は魔大陸の北西の先端に位置する。

　クラスマの町はリカリスの町ほどではないが、栄えた町である。
　一見すると何の特徴もない、どこにでもある何もない町である。
　だが、実はこの周辺一帯に君臨する魔王は海人族と懇意であり、交易のやりとりがあった。
　クラスマの町はその交易の拠点であり、海人族の物資と魔族の物資が集まる場所である。
　海人族からもたらされる海の幸と、魔大陸特有の刺激の強い香草。
　クラスマの町では、この二つの合わさった非常に美味な料理を味わう事ができる。
　魔大陸の中では一、二を争う食事の美味しさを誇る町と言えよう。
　ちなみに、争っているのはウェンポートである。

Roxy Migurd had arrived in Kurasuma town.※ Kurasuma town was situated in the northern tip of the Magic Continent.

Though it wasn't to the extent of Rikarisu town, it was certainly a flourishing city. It didn't seem to have any special features at a glance, and was an average town that you could find anywhere. However, in truth the Demon King reigning over the town had good relations with the Ocean Race so there was trade between them. Kuramasu town was the location for that trade, and was a town where the goods of both the Ocean Race and Demon Race were gathered.

From the Ocean Race came the blessings of the sea, and from the Demon Continent were strong herbs characteristic to the area. Kuramasu town was home to an extremely delicious cuisine that made use of the two of them. It could be said that only one or two other towns on the Demon Continent could compete with it in food. Incidentally, one of those towns was Wenport.

[※Note: Leaving it as Kurasuma in case it's another contraction of a Demon Lord's name, like Rikarisu town.]

「ここの料理は酒に合うのう！」

　この町にきてからというもの、タルハンドはご機嫌である。
　クラスマの町では、魔大陸の辛い酒だけでなく、海人族の甘い酒も存在している。
　炭鉱族(ドワーフ)のタルハンドは酒好きである。
　楽しい酒であるなら、どれだけまずい酒でも大丈夫なようで、酒場に行けば必ずその場にいる荒くれ者の男たちと意気投合し、浴びるほどの酒を飲む。
　酒場はどこにでもあり、気のいい男たちはどこにでもいる。
　それにうまい料理が合わされば、タルハンドはごきげんになる。


　もっとも、いい歳をして子供舌であるロキシーには、この町の料理は少々合わない。
　元々魔大陸の料理や味付けは口に合わなかった。だから、それがどう進化した所で、美味しいと思えるわけもない。
　彼女は甘いものが好きなのだ。

　しかし、海族特有の甘い酒。これはよかった。
　基本的に酒は辛いものという認識のあったロキシーにとって、甘い酒というのは衝撃であった。
　匂いを嗅げばふんわりと磯の香りがして、口に含むとなんとも言えない甘さが口いっぱいに広がる。後味に少しばかりしょっぱさが残るが、そこでツマミを食べると食も進んだ。

"The food here goes well with alcohol!"

Having come to the town, Talhand was in high spirits. Kuramasu town not only had the dry drinks of the Demon Continent, but also the sweet drinks of the Ocean Race. Talhand, a dwarf, was a drinker. As long as it was his beloved alcohol, no matter how bad the drinks might have been, he would unfailingly head to the tavern, hit it off with the ruffians there, and drench himself in alcohol. You could find taverns everywhere, so he could find people he got along with everywhere. Moreover, as long as you gathered good drinks, Talhand would be in high spirits.

However, to Roxy who had childish tastes, the cuisine of this town was a little disagreeable. To begin with, the cuisine and seasonings of the Demon Continent weren't very palatable to her. That's why no matter how it was modified, she didn't think it'd be very tasty. Roxy was a person who liked sweet things.

However, the specialty of the Ocean Race was their sweet alcoholic drinks. This was good. To Roxy whose common sense dictated that alcoholic drinks were dry, the existence of sweet drinks was quite a shock. If you sniffed them, you'd find they had the scent of the sea, and if you held it in your mouth, an indescribable sweetness would spread across your tongue. Though it left just a faintly salty aftertaste, it was something you could get rid of with snacks.

「なんじゃなんじゃ、珍しいのう！　ロキシーも飲んどるのか！」
「はい、頂いてます」
「今日はごきげんじゃな！　飲むぞ！　店主、樽を持って来い！
　炭鉱族の飲み方を教えてやるわい！」

　タルハンドは飲んでいるロキシーを見て、上機嫌で追加注文した。
　こういう時、魔大陸の物価の安さはありがたいとロキシーは思う。
　なにせ、どれだけ大量に飲み食いしても、アスラ銅貨が一枚もあれば賄えてしまうのだから。

"What's this, what's this? Isn't this a rare sight!? You're going to drink, Roxy!?"

"Yes, I'll be drinking."

"Well aren't you in good spirits today!? Let's drink! Barkeep! Bring us a cask! I'll show you how we dwarves drink!"

Talhand saw Roxy drinking, and in a good mood, placed an additional order. It was at times like these that Roxy was glad for the low prices of the Demon Continent. After all, no matter how much they ate and drank, a single Aslan copper coin was enough to cover it all.

「じいさん、いいのみっぷりじゃねえか！」
「イッキ！　イッキ！　イッキ！　イッキ！」
「さすが炭鉱族だぜぇぇ！」
「っしゃあ、勝負だコラァ！　店主、俺も樽だ！」

　樽単位で飲み始めたタルハンドに触発され、他の客も飲み始める。
　ちなみに、すでにエリナリーゼは意気投合した男と夜の町へと消えていった。
　ロキシーはいつもならやや疎外感を覚える所だが、
　気づけば隣に座っていた少女と一緒に、騒ぐタルハンドをやんややんやと騒ぎ立てていた。

"Jii-san, you drink pretty well!"

"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!"

"As expected of a dwarf, huhhh!?"

"Alright, let's have a match! Barkeep, a cask for me too!"

Talhand who drank by the barrel had set off a trigger, and other customers began drinkign as well. Incidentally, Elinalise had already come across a man she liked, and they had disappeared into the night together. Usually Roxy would begin to feel alienated, but before she noticed, she was already cheering on Talhand with the girl next to her.

「ファーハハハ！　気持ちのいい炭鉱族じゃのう！
　樽じゃぞ樽！　炭鉱族はいつの世も変わらんな！
　なぁ、お前もそう思うじゃろ？」
「ええ、そうですね」
「おお、始まるぞ、ほれイッキ！　イッキ！　イッキ！」
「いっき、いっき！」

　タルハンドは堂々とした態度で巨漢の魔族と樽を抱えて、ガボガボと酒を飲む。
　横幅の大きな体とはいえ、一体どこに入っていくのか。
　一抱えもある樽を飲み干すと、ガフゥーと息を吐いた。
　すぐさま、次の酒が運ばれてくる。

"Huaaahahaha! He's quite the agreeable dwarf, isn't he!? A cask, you know, a cask! No matter the age, the dwarves never change do they!? Hey, don't you agree?"※

"Yeah, that's true."

"Ohhh! It begins! Drink! Drink! Drink!"

"Chug! Chug!"

After carrying over casks, along with another demon, Talhand began to chug down the alcohol magnificently. Though he certainly had a wide body, just where did the alcohol go? Having drained a cask that could barely be carried with one arm, he had burped. Immediately afterwards, he carried over another.

[※Note: Is a somewhat casual but typical old person talk. Instead of 'ne' she says 'nou', and instead of 'da' she uses 'ja'. It's an archaic way of speaking (that incidentally still remainds amongst older Hiroshima people) that is often used in anime etc. for really old characters, like Kohakuren from Kamidori or that girl in Akuma no Riddle.

Incidentally, she uses 'warawa'. The equivalent archaic English sounds too formal, so I won't do anything about it. She's speaking rather casually.]

「おい酒追加おせえぞ！」
「うるせぇ！　もう品切れだよ！」
「ねえなら隣の酒場から買ってこいや！」
「おおう、その手があったか！
　よっしゃ、お前買ってこい！」
「まかせろや！　てめえら、カンパしろカンパ！
　今日はとことん飲むぞコラァ！」
「オオオォォォ！」

　そんな調子でカンパ袋が回りだす。

"Oi! More drinks!"

"Shaddap! We're out already!"

"If you don't have any then buy some from a neighbouring tavern!"

"Ohhh!※ There was that option as well!? Orright! You there, go buy some!"

"Leave it to me! You lot chip in as well! Tonight we'll drink to the end!"

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"※

Like that, a bag for collecting money was passed around.


[※Note: Sound of amazement.]
[※Note: Sound of agreement.]

「ハハァ！　お嬢様、哀れな酔っ払い目に施しを！」
「はい、今日は、わたしの、奢りです！」

　とにかく今日は気分がよかった。
　ロキシーは緑鉱銭を１枚投げ入れる。
　それを見て、男はニヤついた笑みを張り付かせたまま、ヘヘェと頭を下げる。

"Hahah! Ojou-sama! Have some pity on a wretched drunkard!"

"Okay. Tonight is... my treat!"

At any rate, the mood today was good. Roxy chipped in 1 green mineral coin. Seeing that, the men lowered their heads, laughing and grinning.

「さすがで御座いますお嬢様！　よ、お金持ち！」
「ふふ、当たり前じゃあ、ないですか」

　ふわふわと気持ちのいい気分でロキシーは大仰に頷く。
　受け答えはいつも通りっぽく聞こえるが、彼女も酔っていた。

"As expected of Ojou-sama! Oi! You're rich!"

"Huhu, that's... obvious!"※

In a relaxed and pleasant mood, Roxy gave an exaggerated nod. Though her response sounded quite similar to usual, she was drunk.



[※Note: She's drunk so her speech is somewhat lagging.]

「ファーハハハ！　妾も今日は金を持っているのじゃ、ほれたーんと受け取れ！
　そしてどんどん騒ぐのじゃ！　今日は無礼講じゃ！」

　となりの少女もまた、懐からくず鉄銭を取り出すと、カンパ袋に投げ入れた。
　普通なら、大口叩いてくず鉄銭かと軽口を叩かれるような所であるが、
　カンパ袋を持っている奴もまた、酔っていた。

"Huaaahahaha! Tonight, I have money as well! Graciously accept it! Then make merry! Tonight, we'll forget about social status!"

The girl next to Roxy produced a scrap iron coin and chipped in as well. Though they'd usually crack jokes about someone who only chipped in a scrap iron coin after all that big talk, the guy collecting the money was drunk as well.

「ウエヘヘ！　ありがとうごぜえますお姫様！
　今日はこいつで吐くまで飲ませていただきやす！」
「よしよし、たくさん吐けよ！」

　少女は偉そうに頷くと、カンパ男は周囲を巡り、金を集めていく。

"Uehehe! Thank you very much, ohime-sama! Tonight we'll drink until we hurl!"

"Good, good! Hurl lots!"

The girl nodded self-importantly, and the collector continued around the room, collecting money.

「ええのう、ええのう、この空気、昔を思い出すわ！」

　少女がいつロキシーの隣に座ったのか、ロキシーにはわからない。
　気づけば、少女は隣にいて、エリナリーゼが残したものをムシャムシャと食べていた。
　ロキシーは気にしない、酔っぱらいだから。

"Very good, very good! This atmosphere brings to mind the old days!"

Roxy didn't know when the girl had sat down next to her. By the time she had noticed, the girl was already next to her and munching on the food that Elinalise had left behind.※ Roxy didn't mind though; she was drunk after all.


[※Note: lol, this joke of a demon... How is she not everyone's favourite character?]

「まあ、どうぞ、一杯」
「おお、すまんのう。
　いやそれにしても楽しそうな気配を感じてきてみてよかった。ぐびぐび。
　ほれ、おぬしも飲まんか！」
「飲んでますよ」
「もっとじゃ！」
「もっとですか、仕方ありませんねぇ……」

　ロキシーも少女に言われ、クピクピと杯を空ける。

"Well, whatever. Have a drink."

"Ohhh, thank you. Still, it's fortunate that I had come to see what was so fun here," -gulp gulp- "Come now. Won't you drink as well!?"※

"I am drinking."

"Drink more!"

"Drink more? I guess it can't be helped..."

Since Roxy was told to drink as well, she gulped down the contents of her cup.


[※Note: uses onushi]

「ぷはっ」
「へいお嬢様に追加一丁！」
「あ、どうも」

　ドンとテーブルに杯を置くと、どこからか陽気な男がやってきて、酒を注いだ。
　本当に、この甘い酒はいくらでも飲めた。

"Puhaa!"

"Here! One more for the Ojou-sama!"

"Ah, thanks."

When she had placed her cup on the table with a bang, a cheerful man had come out of nowhere and poured her another cup. As long as it was this sweet drink, she really could drink endlessly.

「お主もなかなかのうわばみのようじゃな！　まだ若いのに素晴らしいことじゃ！」
「まだ若いなんて、あなたに言われたくはありません」

　ロキシーは少女をじろじろと見る。
　膝まであるブーツ、レザーのホットパンツ、レザーのチューブトップ。
　青白い肌に、鎖骨、寸胴、ヘソ、ふともも。
　ボリュームのあるウェーブのかかった紫色の髪と、山羊のような角。

　どう見ても自分より年下だ。

"You're quite a heavy drinker as well, are you not!? For one so young, you're splendid!"

"I don't want to be called young by you."

Roxy stared at the girl. Boots that came up to her knees. Leather short-shorts. A leather tube-top. Her collarbone, curveless waist, navel and thighs - all of her skin was pale. Voluminous and wavy violet hair, and horns like a goat.

No matter how she looked at it, this girl was younger than her.

「ふふ、世辞はよい。自分の歳はわきまえておるでな！」

　こんな種族いただろうか、と普段のロキシーなら考えただろう。
　だが、彼女は考えない。
　酔っぱらいだから。

"Huhu, thank you for the flattery. One keeps their age in mind, after all!"

Seeing this girl, normally Roxy would have wondered, 'was there a demon clan like this?'

However, she didn't consider it.

She was drunk, after all.

「わたしも自分の歳はわきまえてますよ。まあどうぞ一杯」
「おお、すまんのう。
　しかし、ここ何百年かで酒も随分とうまくなった。
　昔は魔大陸にこんな甘い酒などなかったものだが」
「海族のお酒らしいですよ。ここの魔王様が取引しているんだとか」
「なんと！　バグラーハグラーめ、妾に隠しておったな！　許せん！」
「いいじゃないですか、無礼講、無礼講」
「おお、そうじゃったな、今日は無礼講じゃった！」

　魔王バグラーハグラーはこの辺一帯に君臨する魔王である。
　でっぷりと太った豚顔の魔王で、食と酒に関しては魔大陸でも随一の知識を持つと言われている。
　穏健派であるが、ラプラス戦役においては急先鋒として参加。
　人族の領地からあらゆる食料や酒を軒並み奪い取ったことで、『略奪魔王』の称号を得た。

"I'm keeping my age in mind as well. Well anyway, have a drink."

"Ohhh, thank you. Still, the drinks have gotten quite tasty over these past few centuries. In the past, there wasn't anything like these sweet drinks on the Demon Continent."

"I hear it's the Ocean Race's drink. The Demon King here has been doing business with them or something."

"What was that!? That Baglah Haglah bastard has been hiding this from me, huh!? Unforgivable!"

"Isn't it fine? Abandon all ceremony, and forget about social status."

"Ohhh, you're right. Tonight we were ignoring social status!"

Devil King Baglah Haglah was the Demon King who reigned over this area. He was a stout and chubby, pig-faced Demon King, and it's said that he was the most knowledgable about food and drink on the Demon Continent. Though he was politically moderate, he had participated in fierce attacks during the Laplace campaign. Because he had plundered all the food and drink from the territory of the Human Race, he gained the name 『Plundering Demon King』.

「うぉお、潰れたぞ！」
「うぃぃぃっく、次は誰じゃい、誰でもよいぞ、なんなら二人纏めてかかってこい」
「誰か、誰かいねえのか！」

　タルハンドはいつしか上半身裸になり、テーブルの上にどっかりと座り込み、樽に肘をかけて貫禄を見せつけていた。
　名乗りを上げたのは、隣に座る少女だった。

"Whoa, he's smashed!"

"-Uuiiiick- Who's next? Anyone is fine, so bring it on!"

"Anyone!? Is there anyone who's up to it!?"

At some point Talhand had become topless and was sitting on the table, leaning his elbows against a cask and displaying his might. The who challenged him was the girl next to Roxy.

「よっしゃ、妾にまかせい！」
「なんじゃい、お嬢ちゃん、儂に勝てるつもりか？
　あと２０年は経ってから出なおした方がよいのではないか？」
「ファーハハハ！　愚かな炭鉱族よ、見てわからぬか！
　妾はこれでもすでに３００年は生きておるのじゃ！」
「そうかいそうかい、そいつぁ悪かった。じゃあ掛かって来い！」
「おうとも……と、その前に名前を聞いておいてやろう！
　妾に挑んだ愚か者として覚えておいてやろう！」
「『巖しき峰のタルハンド』じゃ」
「そうか！　貴様を倒したのは『魔眼の魔帝キシリカ・キシリス』じゃ！」

　そうして、キシリカとタルハンドの戦いは始まった。

　追加で購入した酒はあっという間に尽きて、二度、三度のカンパが募られた。
　ロキシーは自分の責任とばかりに緑鉱銭を５枚ほどカンパし、丁稚を走らせた。
　屈強な男どもによって大量に酒が運び込まれた。
　それを全員で飲み回しながら、タルハンドとキリシカが空けていく。

　ロキシーは審判だった。
　なにをどう審判すればいいのかわからなかったが、
　間に座って酒を飲みつつ、なんとなく飲んだ数をカウントする係だった。

[※Note: Talhand refers to himself as 'washi', and his speech is also old-person-ish, but much less archaic than the girl's]

"Alright! You can leave things to me!"

"What's this, ojou-chan? Do you think you can win against me? Wouldn't it be fine to challenge me again 20 years from now?"

"Huaaahahaha! Oh, foolish dwarf, can you not tell at a glance? Despite appearances, I have lived for 300 years already!"

"I see, I see. My bad. Well then, bring it on!"

"Very well... Oh, but before that, I ask for your name! I shall certainly remember the foolish one who challenged me!"

"It's 『Talhand of the Stern Ridges』."

"I see! The one who defeats you is the 『Demon Empress of the Mystic Eye, Kishirika Kishirisu』!"

And like that, Kishirika and Talhand's battle began.

In the blink of an eye, the extra alcohol was drained, and a bag for chipping in was passed around a second and third time. Because Roxy decided to take responsibility, she chipped in 5 green mineral coins and sent off the shop boy. Thanks to some strong men, a large amount of alcohol was carried in. While everyone drank and passed it around, Talhand and Kishirika emptied it.

Roxy was the referee. Though it wasn't clear what or how she was refereeing, while sitting and drinking, she was somehow left with the job of counting how many they had drunk.

「４０杯目です」

　運命の時。
　その瞬間まで、勝負は拮抗しているように思えた。
　見た目通りの炭鉱族のタルハンドはともかく、
　魔帝を名乗る見た目が少女のキシリカは、その体の一体どこに酒が入っていくのか。
　誰も気にしなかった。
　酔っぱらいだからだ。

　そして、決着がつく。

"That's 40 cups."

The fated moment.

Until that instant, the match had seemed like a close struggle.

Putting aside the dwarven Talhand who was as strong as he looked, just where on earth did the girl who called herself Demon Empress store all the alcohol she drank?

Noone at all had noticed.

They were drunk, after all.


Then, the conclusion was reached.

「むぐっ……ケピュ……」

　タルハンドが、奇妙な音を立てた瞬間、口から噴水のように酒を吐いた。
　そして、その名の通り樽のようになった腹を抱え、倒れた。
　テーブルの上から床までドウと音を立てて落ち、口から酒臭い液体をゴボゴボと漏らしている。

"Mugu-... Kpyu..."

The moment after Talhand had begun making mysterious noises, he began to throw up alcohol like a water fountain. Then, just like a cask, holding his sides he collapsed. With a noise, he fell from the table to the floor and a liquid that reeked of alcohol leaked from his mouth.

「妾の勝ちじゃ！」
「ウオオォォォ！　すげぇ！　酒飲み勝負で炭鉱族を倒しちまった！」
「妾の名はキシリカ、魔界大帝キシリカ・キシリスじゃ！
　妾の名を言ってみろ！」
「キッシリカ！　キッシリカ！　キッシリカ！」
「この世で一番偉いのは誰じゃ！」
「キッシリカ！　キッシリカ！　キッシリカ！」

　キシリカの勝ち名乗りと同時に、
　シュプレヒコールが始まり、キシリカは大層気分を良くした。

"It's my win!"

"Uohhhhhhh! Incredible! She beat a dwarf in a drinking competition!"

"My name is Kishirika! Great Empress of the Demon Realm, Kishirika Kishirisu! Say my name!※"

"Kishirika! Kishirika! Kishirika!"

"Who is the greatest in this world!?"

"Kishirika! Kishirika! Kishirika!"

The moment Kishirika was declared the winner of the match, they began chanting in unison, and Kishirika's mood became extremely good.


[※Note: Almost certainly a reference to Hokuto no Ken's Jagi. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehNwYyNJ5Rg]

「ファーハハハハハハ！　ファーハハハハ！」
「いいぞーいいぞー！」
「脱げー！　脱げー！」

　それからの事を、ロキシーはよく覚えていない。
　ロキシーも飲み過ぎてフラフラだった。
　仲間を打ち倒されたことで敵を討たなくてはと思いつつ、
　しかしそれは叶うことなく、意識は沈んでいく。

　最後に見たのは、カウンターの上に乗り、全裸で踊りまくるキシリカの姿だった。

"Huaaahahahahahaha! Huaaahahaha!"

"Bravo! Bravo!"

"Strip! Strip!"

Roxy couldn't really remember what happened after that. Roxy was staggering from overdrinking as well. While thinking about taking revenge for her fallen comrade, but thinking that it was a little impossible, she lost consciousness.

What she saw before she fainted was the sight of Kishirika on top of the counter, dancing about naked.


---


　翌日、ロキシーは目を覚ました。

The next day, Roxy woke up.

「うっ……」

　ガンガンと痛む頭、自分の吐く息の酒臭さに、顔をしかめた。
　即座に酒用の解毒を使って身体の毒素を抜き、ヒーリングを頭に施す。
　周囲を見渡してみると、酒場だった。
　乱闘でもあったのか、テーブルは壊れ、酒瓶は割れ、そして大量の空樽が転がっていた。

"Uuu..."

Finding that she had a splitting headache, and that her own breath smelled of liquor, she frowned. So as to clear the alcohol out of her body, she applied Healing to her head. When she looked around her surroundings, she found that she was in the tavern. It might have been because a brawl had broken out, but the table was broken, the liquor bottles were smashed, and a large amount of empty barrels were rolling about.

「うう、飲み過ぎましたね……」

　記憶も曖昧だった。
　飲み過ぎたという記憶はハッキリと残っている。
　ふと脇を見ると、上半身裸のタルハンドが白目をむいて転がっていた。
　一瞬死んでいるのかと思ったが、炭鉱族(ドワーフ)が酒を飲んで死ぬなどありえない。
　もしそれで死んだとしても、彼らは子供の頃には酒におぼれて死にたいと一度は夢見るそうだし、本望だろう。

　しかし、とロキシーは再度周囲を見る。
　死屍累々である。
　酒に強い種族も、酒に弱い種族も、みんな転がってうめき声を上げている。
　中には、あのカンパ男の姿もあった。
　誰もが酔いつぶれ、二日酔いに苦しんでいた。
　治癒魔術も使えないのに無茶な飲み方をするからだ、とロキシーは思う。

　そして、そんな中に二人、立っている者がいた。


"Uuu, I overdrank, huh...?"

Her memory was fuzzy. She remembered clearly though, that she had overdrank. When she had incidentally looked to her side, she found that a half-naked Talhand was lying about with the whites of his eyes showing. For a moment she had thought that he might have died, but it was impossible for a dwarf to die from drinking alcohol. Even if they did somehow die, one of their childhood dreams was to die drinking, so it would probably be a satisfying death.

However, Roxy looked around once more. She saw corpses all around. Whether they were clans good at drinking, or clans weak at drinking, everyone was lying around groaning. Amongst them was the man who had been collecting money. All of them had passed out form drinking, and suffering from hangovers.

'Even though you can't use healing magic, you were all drinking absurdly after all' thought Roxy.

However, amongst them stood two figures.

「だから、弁償だよ弁償。
　さすがにこんなにめちゃくちゃにされたんじゃ、商売なんてできやしねえ」
「いや、あの、しかしな」
「なんだ、払えねえのか？　あんた、自分の奢りだって言ってたじゃないか」
「そうじゃが、最初に支払った分で足りるかと思ってな……」

　怒れる店主としょぼくれるキシリカの姿があった。

"Like I said, it's reparations, you know? Reparations. With my shop all messed up like this, I can't open up business, you know."

"No, well, but-"

"What, you can't pay? You had said it'd be your treat, right?"

"That is true, but I thought I'd have enough at the start..."

They were the figures of the angry shopkeeper, and the dejected Kishirika.

「金はねえんだな？」
「いやその、すいません、スッカラカンじゃ……」
「じゃあ、奴隷市場に売るしかねえな」
「なんと！　妾を売るじゃと……！
　まてまて、今すぐハグラーに連絡を取るゆえ、しばしまて」
「待てねえよ。そういって逃げるつもりだろ」

　ロキシーはため息をついて、自分の懐を探った。
　そして、金貨袋を取り出して中を見て、顔をしかめた。
　酔っぱらいつつ、かなりの量をカンパしてしまっていた。

（いや、実際に飲んだのはタルハンドさんですから）

　ロキシーはそう言い訳しつつ、気絶したタルハンドの腰から、金貨袋を外した。
　中を見て、十分な量があることを確認し、ロキシーは立ち上がった。
　肩の辺りから酸っぱい匂いがして顔をしかめつつ、店主に近づいた。

"So you don't have money?"

"No, well, sorry, I'm completely broke..."

"Well then, I guess there's no option left but to sell you at the slave market."

"What!? Sell me, you say...!? Wait, wait, I'll immediately contact Haglah so please wait for but a short while."

"I'm not waiting. That's just a plan to escape, right?"

Roxy sighed and felt for her purse. Then, finding that there was only a single gold coin, she frowned. While drunk, she had chipped in quite an amount.

(No, the one who was actually drinking was Talhand-san after all.)

With that excuse in mind, she unfastened the coin purse from the fainted Talhand's hips. Looking inside, she found that there was plenty, and Roxy got up. Frowning about the sour smell near her shoulder, she approached the shopkeeper.

「どうぞ、お代です」
「ん？」

　ロキシーは金貨袋から緑鉱銭を６枚ほどとりだすと、店主に握らせた。

"Here. It's payment."

"Mn?"

Roxy produced 6 green mineral coins from the coin purse and slipped them into the shopkeeper's hands.

「ちと足りねえぞ」
「この店の酒を飲み尽くしてあげたんですから、売上もあるでしょう？」
「…………まあ、いいか」

　店主はそう言うと、踵を返し、厨房へと入っていった。
　ロキシーはため息をつきつつ、金貨袋をタルハンドの腹の上に放った。

"This isn't quite enough."

"This tavern completely sold out, so you've made quite a bit right?"

"...Well, it's fine I guess."

Saying this, the shopkeeper turned around and headed into the kitchen area. While sighing, Roxy tossed the coin purse onto Talhand's hips.

「おお……おおお……すまん、すまんのう！」

　キシリカがわなわなと震えつつ、ロキシーを見上げていた。
　ロキシーはそれを見下ろしつつ、その昔村長から聞いた事のある、魔界大帝のことを思い出していた。
　少々イメージと違ったが、特徴は酷似している。
　長寿の種族なら、見た目と年齢が一致していなくてもおかしくはない。
　昨晩は酔っ払っていたので気にもとめなかったが、魔王とも懇意なようだ。

"Ohhh... Ohhhhh... Thank you, truly, thank you!"

While trembling all over, Kishirika had looked up at Roxy. Looking down on this sight, Roxy remembered what she had heard long ago from the village chief about the Great Empress of the Demon Realm. Though her image was a little different, Kishirika's characteristics resembled what Roxy had heard. If she was from a clan that possessed longevity, it wouldn't be strange for her age to be different from her appearance. She was drunk last night so had paid it no heed, but Kishirika seemed to be on good terms with the Demon King.

「失礼、今一度お聞きしますが、
　魔界大帝キシリカ・キシリス様ご本人で間違いありませんね？」
「ん？　おお、そうじゃぞ。最近は信じてもらえんがな。お主の名前は？」
「申し遅れました。ビエゴヤ地方のミグルド族、ロキシーと申します」

　ロキシーが名乗ると、キシリカはおお、と頷いた。

"Excuse me, I'd just like to ask once more but, you're the true Great Empress of the Demon Realm, Kishirika Kishirisu-sama, correct?"

"Mn? Ohh, that's right. Not many believe me these days though. Your name is?"

"Ah, excuse me. I'm from the Migurd clan of the Biegoya region, Roxy."

When Roxy named herself, Kishirika exclaimed 'Ohhh' and nodded.

「ロキシー？　おー、知っておる知っておる。ルーデウスの師匠じゃな！」
「…………ルディを知っているんですか？」
「ウェンポートで偶然にも出会った事があるのじゃ。
　中々面白い男じゃったな！」
「そ、そうですか……」

　一体、彼は自分のことをなんと話したのだろうと疑問に思ったロキシーだったが、恐ろしくて聞けなかった。
　実は、キシリカはここに来るまでの情報により、知ったかぶりをしているだけなのだが、ロキシーにはわからない。

"Roxy? Ohh, I know you, I know you. You're Rudeus' master, aren't you!?"

"...Do you know Rudeus?"

"We met by chance in Wenport. He was quite the interesting man."

"I-, is that so...?"

Roxy was wondering just what he had said about her, but she was too afraid to ask. In fact, Kishirika was just pretending to know, and had heard about Roxy on her travels here. Roxy didn't know this, however.

「ふむ、ルーデウスにも助けてもらったし、お主らは本当によい師弟じゃな。
　お主にも助けてもらった、どれ、褒美をやるとしよう」

　褒美と聞いて、ロキシーは心を踊らせた。
　魔界大帝から下賜される魔眼といえば有名だ。
　その能力があったからこそ、魔界大帝は魔王ではなく魔帝と呼ばれ、人魔大戦を引き起こせるほどの戦力を得たのだ。
　と、そこまで考え、ロキシーはふとあることを思いついた。

"Hrm, I was saved by Rudeus as well; you're a truly splendid teacher and student, are you not? I've been saved by you as well so, let's see, I'll grant you a reward."

Hearing the word 'reward', Roxy's heart leaped. The mystic eyes that the Great Empress of the Demon Realm bestowed on others was famous. It was because she had this power that she wasn't a Demon King, but a instead called Demon Empress, and possessed enough power to start a Human-Demon Great War, thought Roxy, when she suddenly recalled a certain matter.

「その、陛下の魔眼で、行方不明の者を探すことはできますか？」
「うん、できるぞ、この間は偶然にもバーディと出会えたからの、この世で妾の見つけられぬ者はおらぬ」
「そうですか……では、ルーデウスとその家族の居場所を。彼らは現在行方不明なのです」

　ロキシーは、迷うことなく言った。
　キシリカからもらえるであろう魔眼は惜しいと思ったが、キシリカのもつ上位魔眼の一つ『万里眼』であるなら、この世で見通せぬものはないと聞く。

"Um, can Your Majesty's mystic eyes be used to search for missing people?"

"Mn. They can. Just the other day I had met Bardy by chance, and now there isn't a person in this world that I can't find."※

"Is that so... In that case, please look for the whereabouts of Rudeus and his family. His family is currently missing."

Roxy had spoken without hesitation. Though she had regretted not being bestowed mystic eyes by Kishirika, Kishirika had a high level mystic eye called the 『All-seeing Eye』※, that purportedly held the ability to see anything in the world without fail.

[※Note: Bardy Gardy is the Demon King of the region that Rikarisu town is in.]
[※Note: Actually 'eye of ten thousand of miles'. Incidentally, the one she offered Rudy was the 'eye of a thousand miles', which Kaito and I both translated as 'eyes of clairvoyance' and the like. Should we go back and change that one to 'eye of a thousand miles', and have this say eyes of 'ten thousand'?

The description made me translate as 'all-seeing eye', since unlike the one offered to Rudy, it seems that it's rumoured to be able to see anything in this world.]

「ほう、たった一つの願いを他人のために使うとは、あっぱれな奴じゃな！
　世が世なら魔王の地位を与えてやってもよいぐらいじゃ」
「いえ、それはいりません」
「そうかそうか、謙虚な奴じゃ。どうれ……」

　ぐるりと。
　キシリカの目の色が変わった。
　それから彼女は、あちらこちらへと首をめぐらし、うむと頷いた。

"Oh? To use your only wish for the sake of another; you're quite an admirable one, aren't you! Had times not changed, I'd have offered you a position as a Demon King."

"No, I don't need that sort of thing."

"I see, I see. You're a modest one. Let's see..."

With a spin.

The colour of Kishirika's eyes changed. After that, she turned her head this way and that, and nodded with an "mmn".

「ルーデウスは現在、中央大陸の北部におる。
　身軽な格好で走っておる。訓練でもしておるのかのう」

　ロキシーはそれに、こくんと頷いた。
　どうやら、彼はあの伝言の通り、中央大陸北部を探す事にしたようだ。
　ミリシオンからそのままベガリット大陸に行く可能性もあるかと思ったが、やはり故郷の様子は見ておきたかったのだろう。

"Rudeus is presently in the northern parts of the Central Continent. He's wearing light clothes and running."

Roxy firmly nodded. It seems that somehow or other, he was searching in the northern areas of the Central Continent like the message had asked him to. Though he could have gone from Milishion to the Begarit Continent, he had probably wanted to confirm the state of his hometown.

「父親はミリシオンにおるな。メイドと一緒じゃ。
　……ふむ、このメイドはリーリャというらしいの。
　っと、娘二人も同じ建物で暮らしておるらしいな」

　ほう、とロキシーは息を漏らした。
　リーリャとアイシャはまだ行方不明だと聞いていたが、無事見つかったらしい。
　もしかすると、ルーデウスが魔大陸で発見し、送り届けたのかもしれない。デッドエンドは三人だったが、パーティを組んでいなければ他に二人いることなどわかるまい。

"The father is in Mirishion. Together with a maid. ...Hm, this maid seems to be called Lilia. Oh, and his two daughters are in the same building."

A sigh leaked from Roxy's mouth. Though she had heard that Lilia and Aisha were still missing, it seemed that they had been found safely. It's possible that Rudeus had found them on the Demon Continent and escorted them over. Dead End was a group of three, but there might have been two others outside of the party.

「母親は……ちょいまて」

　キシリカはむむむと顔をしかめ、目に力を込める。
　そして、見た。
　ゼニスの居場所を。

"The mother is... wait just a moment."

Kishirika frowned making "mumumu" sounds, and put more power into her eye. Then she saw Zenith's location.

「ベガリット大陸、迷宮都市ラパンじゃな」

　ロキシーは顔を輝かせた。
　ここからは遠い位置だが、これで全員の生存が確認できた。
　一人か二人は死んでいてもおかしくないと思ったが、さすがグレイラット家というべきか。
　運が強いらしい。

"It seems she's in the Begarit Continent's Dungeon City Lapan."

Roxy's expression brightened. Though it was a place far from here, at least she had confirmed that all of them were alive. Though she had thought it wouldn't have been strange had one or two of them died, she also thought 'as expected of the Greyrat family'. They had great luck, it seems.

「じゃが……ちとおかしいのう」

　キシリカは顔をしかめ、ぐりぐりと目を動かす。

"However... It's a little strange, huh..."

Kishirika frowned, and her eye turned.

「何か問題が？」
「いや、ふーむ、ちとよく見えん」
「よく見えない？　陛下の目を持ってしても、ですか？」
「妾もまだ本調子ではないからのう……ま、行ってみればわかるじゃろ」
「それでは困ります。何か問題があるなら詳細を……」

　何事もなく言うキシリカだったが、
　ロキシーはさらにつっこんで話を聞こうとする。
　これまで旅をしてきた中で、難民が悲惨な目にあってきているのは見てきた。
　魔界大帝の魔眼を持ってしても見えない大変な事。
　その内容によっては、今の喜びが、ぬか喜びになる可能性をあるのだ。

"Is there a problem?"

"Well, hmmm. I can't see very well."

"You can't see very well? Is it because it's underground?"

"I'm still not in my best condition, you see... Well, it'll be fine if you just head there and look yourself."

"That's a little troubling. If there's a problem, please tell me the details."

Though Kishirika had spoken as if it were nothing, Roxy furthered the conversation. On the journey thus far, she had seen the tragic conditions that the refugees were in. It was something tragic that you couldn't see even with a mystic eye from the Great Empress of the Demon Realm. She was currently happy thanks to what Kishirika had told her, but it was possible that it would be a short-lived happiness.

「なんじゃ……そんな事言われても、見えんものは見えんのじゃ。
　おお、そうじゃ。案外、迷宮の中におるのかもしれんぞ。
　迷宮都市じゃし、妾は行ったことないけど」
「迷宮の中は見えないのですか？」
「うむ。ベガリットの迷宮は高濃度の魔力で満ちておるからのう」

　ロキシーは考える。
　ゼニスはかつて、パウロやエリナリーゼ、タルハンドと共に迷宮探索をしていたと聞く。
　エリナリーゼ、タルハンドの実力はこの旅の間で十分にわかっている。
　彼らと旅をしていたのなら、迷宮にも潜れるだろう。
　しかし、なぜ今まで連絡もせずにいたのか。
　もう三年も経つというのに……。

"What? ...Even if you say that, things that can't be seen just can't be seen. Ohhh, that's right. She might be inside a dungeon. It's called Dungeon City after all, though I've never been myself."

"You can't see into a dungeon?"

"Mmmn. The dungeons in the Begarit Continent have a thick mana concentration after all."

Roxy thought things through. She had heard that Zenith, along with Paul, Elinalise, Talhand and some others had gone dungeon exploring. During their travels together, she knew very well about Elinalise and Talhand's strength. If she had journeyed with then, then she'd probably be able to survive even a dungeon. However, why hadn't she made any contact? It'd already been three years...

「とにかく、生きてはいるんですね？」
「うむ、それは間違いない」

　ロキシーはその言葉を信じることにした。
　何らかの理由があって、迷宮に潜らなければいけない事になっているのだ。
　そう考え、ロキシーは頭を下げた。

"At any rate she's alive isn't she?"

"Mmn. There's no mistake."

Roxy had decided to believe in those words. It seems that for some reason or another, she was unable to leave the dungeon. Thinking this, Roxy nodded her head.

「わかりました。ありがとうございます」
「よいよい。助けてもらった礼じゃ」

　キシリカは大仰に頷くと、ややフラフラとしながら、酒場を出て行った。

"I understand. Thank you very much."

"It's fine, it's fine. It's my thanks for being saved."

Kishirika nodded exaggeratedly and tottered out of the tavern.


---


　その日の午後。
　何事もなかったかのように起き上がって迎え酒を飲み始めたタルハンドと、
　首筋に大量のキスマークをつけて帰ってきたエリナリーゼ。
　二人と一緒に会議を行う。

That afternoon.

Talhand who had begun drinking again as though nothing had happened, and Elinalise who returned with a huge number of kissmarks on her nape. Roxy was having a meeting with the two of them.

「魔界大帝に出会えるなんて運がいいですわね」

　キシリカについて話した時、エリナリーゼはそう静かに笑っただけだった。
　ロキシーもあまり大事件とは思えない。
　酒場で酔っ払っていた時に出会ったからだろうか。
　それとも、あまりにも威厳がなかったからだろうか。

"To be able to meet with someone like the Great Empress of the Demon Realm, your luck is quite good, isn't it?"

When Roxy spoke of Kishirika, Elinalise just laughed quietly. Roxy didn't think of it as a big deal either. Perhaps it was because she had met her while drunk in a tavern. Or perhaps it was because she wasn't particularly dignified.

「じゃが、これで我らの旅も終わりじゃな」

　タルハンドが少々名残惜しそうに言った。
　これからミリス大陸に戻るまで、急いでも一年ほど掛かる。
　だが、旅の目的は達成した。
　パウロの家族全員の生存を確認し、残った一人の居場所も特定した。
　終わりだ。

"However, this brings our journey to an end, doesn't it?"

Talhand had spoken a little regretfully. It would still take at least a year to return tot he Miris Continent. However, the purpose of the journey was achived. They had confirmed the lives of all of Paul's family, and had pinpointed the location of the last member as well. It was the end.

「ロキシーはどうしますの？」
「わたしはミリシオンに戻って、パウロさんにこの事を話すつもりです」
「そう、じゃあ途中でお別れになるわね」

　エリナリーゼとタルハンドはパウロとは顔を合わせたくないらしい。
　別れ際の大げんかが理由だそうだが、何があったのかはついぞ話してもらえなかった。
　ロキシーもそれほど興味はないので、しつこく聞きはしなかったが。

"what are you going to do, Roxy?"

"I plan to return to Mirishion and talk to Paul about this matter."

"I see. Then it seems we'll be parting on-route."

It seems that Elinalise and Talhand didn't want to meet with Paul. Though it seemed that they had parted following some big fight, Roxy never heard the details. She wasn't that interested in it though, so she never did press for details.

「ふうむ、しかし、ルーデウス一人だけ、遠いな」

　タルハンドは顎に手をやり、ぽつりと言った。
　それを聞いて、ロキシーもハッとなった。
　これからロキシーはミリシオンに戻る。
　恐らく、そのままパウロたちにくっついてベガリット大陸へと赴くことになるだろう。
　そうすると、ルーデウス一人だけが事情を知らないまま、中央大陸北部を探すこととなる。
　捜索中ということは所在地もわかっていないので、手紙も届くまい。

"Hmmmm, still, Rudeus is pretty far away by himself."

Talhand had brought his hand to his chin, and said that in a sigh. Hearing this, Roxy suddenly realised as well. From here, Roxy would return to Mirishion. She would probably then accompany Paul and the others to the Begarit Continent. In that case, only Rudeus would be out of the loop, and would continue to search the northern parts of the Central Continent. Because he was in the middle of searching, it meant that they wouldn't know his location, nor could they send letters.

「どうにかして知らせてあげたいですわね……」

　エリナリーゼもそう言って悩む。
　しかし、方法はない。
　中央大陸北部は近いように見えて遠いのだ。

　ロキシーもまた、考える。
　ルーデウスは優秀だがまだ若い。
　今の時期を徒労で過ごさせるのはさすがにかわいそうでもある。
　家族と合流するにしても、そのまま一人立ちするにしても、
　せめて一言、もう探さなくていいよ、と伝えてあげたい所だ。

"It really would be best to let him know somehow, huh...?"

Elinalise spoke worriedly. However, there was no way to do so. Though the northern parts of the Central Continent looked close, they were far.

Roxy sank back into thought. Rudeus was outstanding but he was still young. It really would be pitiful for him to waste away this period of his life. Even if he was going to meet with this family, or even if he was going to do things independently like that, at least a few words... Roxy wanted to tell him 'It's fine for you to stop searching'.

---


「そこに妾がババババーン！」
「そして我輩もバンババン！」

　唐突に。
　唐突にその二人は現れた。

"And there I※ went BABABABANG!"

"And then I※ also went BANGBABANG!"

Suddenly.

Suddenly, these two had appeared.

[※Note: Warawa - archaic humble way for females to speak. I think typically used by females in samurai families. ]
[※Note: wagahai - Literally "my fellows; my class; my cohort", but used in a somewhat pompous manner as a first-person singular pronoun.]

「話は聞かせてもらった！」
「盗み聞きでな！」

　バンと扉を開けて入ってきたのは偉丈夫だった。
　一目で魔族とわかる黒曜石のような肌に、六本の腕。
　一番上は腕組みされ、中段は矢印を作ってビシっとロキシーを差し、下段は腰に当てられている。
　腰まで伸びる長髪は紫。

　そして、その肩の上でふんぞり返っているのは何を隠そう、魔界大帝。

"Tell me about what happened!"

"We overheard!"

The door opened with a bang, and there entered a great man. He was someone you could recognise as a demon in a glance, with obsidian skin and six arms. His topmost arms were folded, his middle arms were pointed towards Roxy, and his lower arms were placed at his hips. He had violet hair that stretched down his back.

And on top of those shoulders of him, sitting there as if a matter of fact, was the Great Empress of the Demon Realm.

「よし！　妾はキシリカ・キシリス！
　人呼んで、魔・界・大・帝！」
「そしてその婚約者、魔王バーディガーディ！」

　唐突に現れた二人に、ポカンとした三人。
　まず最初に反応したのは、エリナリーゼだった。

"Alright! I am Kishirika Kishirisu! A.K.A. THE GREAT EMPRESS OF THE DEMON REALM!"

"And I am her fiance, Demon King Bardy Gardy!"

The two who had suddenly appeared, and the three who were stunned. The first one to react was Elinalise.

「えっと、今朝ぶりですわね、お兄さん」
「フハハハハ、最高の一晩だったぞお姉さん！」

　グっと拳を握り、人差し指と中指の中に親指をいれ、バーディが答える。
　ロキシーが冷や汗をたらしつつ、聞く。

"Um, we haven't seen each other since this morning, huh, Onii-san!"

"Huhahahaha, it was quite a night huh, Onee-san!"

Bardy had replied while making a vulgar gesture with his hands.※



[※Note: clenching his fist with his thumb between his index and middle fingers. Represents pussy/sex.
http://p.twpl.jp/show/large/1BxEW
http://i1.pixiv.net/img13/img/orionproject/21311640_m.jpg?1314283549]



With a cold sweat, Roxy asked,

「し、知り合いなんですか？」
「ええと、一応、そうですわね……？」

　なんでも昨晩、男と一緒に酒場を出てから、エリナリーゼは別の酒場に入ったそうだ。
　男は下心たっぷりでエリナリーゼに飲ませまくり、エリナリーゼもまた下心たっぷりで飲みまくった。
　ぐでんぐでんに酔っ払ったエリナリーゼはそのまま宿へと連れ込まれ……。
　気づいたら、この真っ黒い男の腕の中で目覚めたそうだ。
　そして、なんとなくそのまま突入して、午後までヤっていたそうだ。

"I-, is he an acquaintance?"

"Umm, I guess technically speaking...?"

It seems that after leaving the bar with a man, Elinalise then visited another bar. With ulterior motives, a man had gotten Elinalise to drink, and also with ulterior motives, Elinalise drank. Dead drunk, Elinalise was brought to an inn...

When she had come to her senses, she was in the pitch-black arms of this mean. And then somehow or another, there was penetration and they did it until afternoon.

「えっ？　でもいま、婚約者って……あれ？　あ、挨拶が先でしょうか？」

　ロキシーは目を白黒させつつ、とりあえず頭を下げた。

"Eh? But just now, he said fiance... Huh? Ah, should I greet you first?"

In a fluster, Roxy lowered her head.

「うむ、ロキシーよ、面をあげい。
　なぁに、バーディはモテるゆえ、こうした事など日常茶飯事じゃ」
「うむ、というよりキシリカにはまだ物理的に入らんから仕方がないのだ！」

　そのフリーダムな発言に、ロキシーの脳の処理能力は追いつかない。
　最近ではエリナリーゼのせいで相当な耳年増に育ちつつあるロキシーだが、魔界大帝の婚約者の魔王を名乗る二人が自分の仲間と不倫、となれば、理解の範疇を超えていた。

"Mmmn, dear Roxy. Raise your head. Bardy is popular, so this kind of thing is an everyday occurence anyway."

"Mmn. Rather than that, since I can't enter Kishirika sexually yet, it can't be helped!"

Roxy's mind couldn't process such uninhibited words. Thanks to Elinalise, Roxy had recently amassed quite a bit of superficial knowledge about sex, but this Demon Empress and Demon King finance pair who were fine with adultery exceeded Roxy's comprehension.

「しかぁし！　そんな事はよいのだ！」
「うむ、どうせ通り過ぎあっただけの関係だしな！」

　テンションの高い二人に、正直ロキシーはついていける気がしなかった。

　魔王バーディガーディ。
　知っている。
　ビエゴヤ地方に君臨する魔王だ。
　『不死身の魔王バーディガーディ』。
　ラプラス戦役で暴れまわった『不死魔王アトーフェ』の弟。
　ラプラス戦役においては穏健派に属し、キシリカ城にて魔神ラプラスと戦って敗れている。
　現在行方不明だが、偉い人であるはずだ。

"Howeeever! That's fine!"

"Mmn. It was just a passing relationship anyway!"

Honestly speaking, Roxy didn't feel that she could understand these rather high-spirited two.

The Demon King Bardy Gardy. She knew of him. He was the Demon King that reigned over the Biegoya area.

『The Immortal Demon King, Bardy Gardy』

He was the younger brother of the one who rampaged during the Laplace Campaign, 『Immortal Demon King Atohfe』.

He was of the moderate faction during the Laplace campaign, and had fought and been defeated by the Demon God Laplace at Kishirika Castle.

Though he was currently missing, he was said to be quite an important person.

「ロキシーよ、妾もルーデウスには恩のある身。
　ルーデウスが道に迷っているというのなら、余も力を貸そう！」
「といっても、我輩の権力を使うがゆえ、又貸しだがな！」

　混乱するロキシーより先に、タルハンドが蘇った。
　彼はたっぷりと蓄えたヒゲを撫でつつ、訝しげな視線をキシリカに送る。

"Dear Roxy, I also owe a debt to Rudeus. If Rudeus has lost his way, then I will also assist!"

"Though she says this, she's still just borrowing my political power, you see!"

Talhand had recovered quicker than Roxy, who was still in great confusion. He was stroking his ample beard whilst looking at Kishirika doubtfully.

「よろしいのですかな？」
「おお、そなたは昨日の炭鉱族！
　よいともよいとも、なあバーディ？」

　キシリカが頭をポンと叩くと、魔王はこくりと頷いた。

"Is that really fine?"

"Ohh! You're that dwarf from yesterday! It's fine, it's fine, isn't it Bardy?"

Kishirika hit him on the head, and the Demon King nodded.

「うむ、我輩もキシリカが事あるごとに凄いというルーデウスというクソガキのことは気になっていたのでな！　本当にすごいのかどうかこの目で確かめてやるのだ！」
「なんじゃなんじゃ、嫉妬かダーリン？」
「おうとも嫉妬さハニー」
「まったく、バーディはまだまだ子供じゃのう。妾が愛しているのはお主だけだというのに……」
「ふっ、我輩は愛の上にあぐらをかかんのだ。恋敵は叩き潰すのみ」

　叩き潰されると困るのだが、と思うロキシーだったが、この二人は聞いてくれる気がしなかった。

"Mn. I'm also quite interested you see, in this brat named Rudeus that Kishirika says is so amazing! I'm going to see with my own eyes if he's actually amazing or not!"

"What's this, what's this? Are you jealous, darling?"

"Indeed this is jealousy, honey."

"Goodness, you're still a child, aren't you Bardy? You're the only one I love..."

"Fuu, I'm not above being influenced by love. I'll smash up any rivals I have."

'It'd be troubling if you smashed him up...' thought Roxy, but the two didn't seem in the mood to listen.

「ふふふ」
「フハハ」
「ファーハハハハ！　ファーハハハ！　ファーハぐげほげほ」
「フハハハハハ！　フハハハハ！　フハ……大丈夫か？」

　ロキシーの理解が追いつかないまま、話がグイグイと進んでいった。

"Huhuhu"

"Huhaha"

"Huaaahahahaha! Huaaahahaha! Huaaaha-COUGH COUGH-"

"Huhahahahaha! Huhahahaha! Huaha... Are you alright?"

Though Roxy still couldn't catch up, the conversation progressed regardless.


---


　この世界の常識の一つだが、
　世界中の海は海族に支配され、地上に住む人々はその通行を制限されている。
　これはラプラス戦役の戦後処理中に起きたゴタゴタが関係しているのだが、それはおいておこう。

　魔王バグラーハグラーは海族の王と個人的な交友がある。
　交友があった所で海族全体で決められた掟を破るわけにはいかないのだが、そこはそれ。
　個人的な友人のみをこっそりと通すことは黙認されているらしい。

　魔王バーディガーディと魔王バグラーハグラーは旧知の仲である。
　そのツテを使えば、天大陸を経由せずとも、中央大陸へと渡ることは造作もない、という事だ。

　しかし、ここでロキシーを含め三人が海を渡ってしまうと、ミリシオンへの報告が遅れることとなる。
　誰かはミリシオンへと向かわなければならない。
　そして、魔大陸は一人では通過できない。
　安全な中央大陸ならまだしも、魔大陸は危険な魔物が多い。
　例えば、ロキシーは優秀な魔術師だ。
　判断も素早く、詠唱も速い。
　戦闘だけならロキシー一人でも切り抜けられるかもしれない。
　だが、夜は眠らなければならないし、集団で襲い掛かってくる敵相手に、不覚を取る可能性はある。
　最低でも二人は必要なのだ。

The common sense of this world dictated that the seas were ruled by the Ocean Race, and that those who lived on the ground were restricted in crossing them. This was related to the confusion that occurred during the Laplace Post-War Period, but we'll leave that aside for now.

As an individual, the Demon King Baglah Haglah was friends with the Ocean Race. Though it wouldn't be good for a friend to break a law that was decided by the whole Ocean Race, it was a different story for them to quietly consent to a friend breaking the law in secret.

Demon King Bardy Gardy and Demon King Baglah Haglah were old friends. Using this connection, it was easy to travel to the Central Continent, and they wouldn't even need to pass through the Heaven Continent.

However, if Roxy crossed the seas with them, then informing Paul in Mirishion would be delayed. Someone had to head to Mirishion. Moreover, you couldn't travel the Demon Continent alone. Unlike the safe Central Continent, monsters were abundant on the Demon Continent. Taking Roxy for example, she was a powerful magician. Her judgement was quick, and her chanting was quick as well. If it was just battle, then Roxy might be fine on her own. However, she would have to sleep at night, and if she were attacked by a huge number of monsters, there was still the possibility that she'd be defeated. At the very least, the Demon Continent had to be travelled in pairs.

「私は嫌ですわ。パウロなんて顔も見たくない」
「儂もじゃ」
「わかりました。ではわたしが行きましょう」

　二人にわがままを言われ、まずロキシーはミリシオンへと向かうこととなった。
　ロキシーとしては、ルーデウスの顔を見たかったのだが、仕方がない。
　そして、もう一人。
　二人は顔を見合わせ、すぐにタルハンドが折れた。

"I don't want to. I don't want to see Paul's face." said Elinalise.

"I don't want to either." said Talhand.

"I understand. In that case, I'll go."

Faced with the two's selfishness, Roxy decided to head to Mirishion first. Although she had wanted to meet with Rudeus, it couldn't be helped. Now she just needed one more person. The two looked at each other, and Talhand immediately gave in.

「ふむでは、儂かの。
　実を言うと、船には乗りたくないしのう……」
「悪いですわね、タルハンド」

　肩を落とすタルハンド。
　別にミリシオンまで赴いたら手紙でも出せばいいと思うロキシーだったが、二人には二人の考えがあるので、深く考えないことにした。
　自分には、パウロに会いたくない理由などないのだから。

"Hmm, then I'll be going with you. Honestly speaking, I really don't want to get on a boat..."

"Sorry, Talhand." Elinalise said.

Talhand's shoulders drooped.

'There's no need to head all the way to Mirishion. We could just send a letter at some point.' thought Roxy. However, these two had their own ideas, so there was no need to overthink things. As for Roxy herself, she had no reason to be against meeting Paul.

---


　そうして、ロキシー一行は二手に別れることとなった。
　ロキシーとタルハンドは来た道をもどり、ミリシオンへと。

　そして、エリナリーゼは魔界大帝キシリカ・キシリス、魔王バーディガーディと共に中央大陸北部へ。
　船が出るまでは少々時間があった。
　だが、ロキシーは先に出立する事にした。

Like that, their party split into two. Roxy and Talhand were going back the way they came, to Mirishion, and Elinalise was heading to the Central Continent with Great Empress of the Demon Realm, Kishirika Kishirisu, and Demon King Bardy Gardy. There was still a little time until the boat departed. However, Roxy departed first.

「エリナリーゼさん、今までありがとうございました」
「こちらこそですわ。ロキシー」

　エリナリーゼと固く握手を交わすロキシー。

"Elinalise-san. Thank you for everything."

"Thank you for everything as well, Roxy."

Roxy firmly shook hands with Elinalise.

「ロキシー、いいオトコを見つけたら、逃がしてはいけませんわよ。
　上の口と下の口の両方を使ってガッチリと捕まえておかないといけませんわ」
「またその話ですか？」
「いいからお聞きなさいな。
　本当に好きな相手にはグイグイいきなさい。
　愛なんてその後にゆっくりと育んでいけばいいんですから」

　エリナリーゼの言葉に、タルハンドがため息をついた。

"Roxy, if you meet a good man, don't let him go, okay? You have to use both your upper mouth and lower mouth※ and properly catch him."

"You're saying things like that again?"

"It's fine, so listen up. If it's someone you really like, you have to come on strongly. You can just worry about making him love you afterwards."

Talhand let out a sigh at Elinalise's words.

[※Note: genitals]

「おぬし、それ、ゼニスにも言っとったじゃろ？」
「そうですわ。それでゼニスはパウロを手に入れた。
　わたくしの教えは完璧ですわ」

　そう言われ、ロキシーはなるほどと思った。
　ロキシーにとって、パウロとゼニスは理想の夫婦だった。
　エリナリーゼの助言でああいう風になったのであれば、聞く価値はあるだろう。

"You... Did you say that to Zenith as well?"

"I did. Because of that, Zenith got her hands on Paul. My teachings are flawless."

Hearing this, 'I see' thought Roxy. To Roxy, Zenith and Paul were the ideal couple. If they ended up like that because of Elinalise's advice, then there might be merit in listening to her.

「わかりましたエリナリーゼさん。グイグイいってみます」

　手を離す。
　ロキシーは背が低いため、エリナリーゼを見上げる形となる。

"I understand, Elinalise-san. I'll come on strongly."

Their hands parted. Because Roxy was short, she was looking up at Elinalise.

「ルディには私がよろしく言っていたと、伝えてください」
「もちろんですわ。ロキシーが夜中に切なくなってゴソゴソやっていた事を教えてさしあげますの」
「ちょ、なんで知ってるんですか、やめてくださいそういう事をいうのは。
　別にルディを想ってやっていたわけじゃありませんし」
「はいはい」

　そこでふとロキシーは思った。
　もしかすると、ルーデウスとエリナリーゼが出会うと、そのまま一緒の宿に泊まってしまうのではないだろうか、と。
　今から北部を探せば、一年ぐらいでエリナリーゼはルーデウスを見つけるだろう。
　あれから10年近い年月が流れている。
　ルーデウスはもう、13歳か14歳ぐらいのはずである。
　それぐらいなら、エリナリーゼの目にとまってもおかしくはない。
　それは、ちょっとだけ、嫌だった。

"Please tell Rudy that I send my regards."

"Of course. I'll make sure to tell him about how your were moving about at night from the loneliness of being apart from him."

"Wai-, why do you know that? Don't tell him such a thing. After all, it's not like I was dreaming about Rudeus or anything."

"Okay, okay."

Then, suddenly Roxy thought,

'What if Rudeus and Elinalise meet, and like that they head off to an inn together?'

If he was searching in the north, then Elinalise would probably meet with him in about a year. It had been close to 10 years since Roxy had last seen him. Rudeus was already 13 or 14 years old. In that case, it wouldn't be strange for him to catch Elinalise's eye. That was just a little unpleasant.

「なんですの、唐突に黙りこんで」
「いえ、その、やっぱりルディがいい男になっていたら、手を出すんですか？」

　さり気なさを装って聞いてみると、エリナリーゼは「ハッ」と息を吐いた。

"What's wrong? You suddenly went quiet."

"No, well, actually, if Rudeus turns out to be a good man, are you not going to make a move on him?"

Roxy was pretending to be casual about it and asked, and Elinalise sighed in response.

「わたくし、パウロの娘になるつもりは毛頭ございませんことよ」

　本気で嫌そうだった。
　ロキシーはほっとしつつ、「そうですか」と答えた。

"I don't in the least plan on becoming Paul's daughter, you know."

She really did seem displeased about the idea. While feeling relieved, Roxy replied 'I see.'

「では、そろそろ出立します」
「行ってらっしゃいロキシー。お元気で」
「はい、エリナリーゼさんも」

　エリナリーゼはちらりとタルハンドを見る。
　虫けらを見下ろすような目で、自分より背丈のちいさな炭鉱族を見下ろした。

"Well then, it's about time that we depart."

"Take care, Roxy. Stay well."

"Yes. You too, Elinalise-san."

Elinalise glanced at Talhand. She looked down at the dwarf who was shorter than her, with eyes like she was looking at an insect.

「タルハンドはどっかで野垂れ死になさいな」

　タルハンドは心底不愉快な顔をして、ペッとつばを吐いた。

"Don't die in a ditch somewhere, Talhand."

Talhand made an unhappy expression from the bottom of his heart, and spat.

「その言葉、そっくりそのままお返しするわい」

　ロキシーはそれを見て、この二人はそこそこ仲がよかったんだな、と再認識した。

"I'll send those words right back at you."

Seeing this, Roxy once again thought that the two were pretty close.


---


　そして、エリナリーゼは船に乗る。
　大昔から存在する、海族の船。
　海の魔獣によって牽かれる船は、人族のそれに比べるとややみすぼらしく見える。
　だが、人族のそれよりも高速で、安全性の高いものであった。

　エリナリーゼはバーディガーディと共にタラップを渡る。
　すると、背後からキシリカの笑い声が響き渡った。

And then, Elinalise got on the boat. It was a Ocean Race boat from very long ago. It was a boat drawn by marine magic beasts※, and compared to the boats of the Human Race, it was a little shabby looking. However, it was faster than human boats, and very safe as well.

Elinalise and Bardy Gardy crossed the gangway together. When they did, Kishirika's laughter resounded from behind them.

[※Note: 魔獣 magic beast, in contrast to 魔物 monster]

「ファーハハハハ！　ではまた会おうバーディよ！
　会いたくなったらすぐにでも魔大陸に戻ってくるがよい！」
「うむ、我が婚約者殿も達者でな！　またいずれ会おう！　フハハハハ！」
「今度は何年後になるかわからんがのう！　ファーハハハハ！」

　魔界大帝キシリカ・キシリスは船には乗らなかった。
　エリナリーゼはそのことに首をかしげた。

"Huaaahahahaha! Well then, let us meet again, oh Bardy! If you start to miss me, then feel free to immediately return to the Demon Continent!"

"Mmmn. Stay healthy, my fiance! Let us meet again someday! Huhahahaha!"

"Who knows how many years we'll be separated this time! Huaaahahahaha!"

The Great Empress of the Demon Realm, Kishirika Kishirisu didn't get on the boat. Elinalise tilted her head in confusion.

「あら？　あのお方は乗らないんですの？」
「うむ、キシリカは魔大陸から出られんのだ！」
「そう、呪いですの？」
「似たようなものである」

　魔界大帝キシリカは魔大陸からは出られない。
　ゆえに、今日も今日とて、魔大陸を彷徨うこととなる。

　ロキシーはそんな事とはつゆ知らず。
　キシリカは一緒に船に乗り、ルーデウスに出会いに行ったのだろうと考えていた。

　エリナリーゼは、そんな事ならロキシーの方についててほしいと思った。
　魔大陸はあれでいて、危険が多い。
　タルハンドが一緒なら万が一もないだろうが、もう一人ついているだけで安全性が上がる。
　それが魔界大帝ともなれば、安全は確保されたようなものだ。
　が、直後にその考えを打ち消した。

　あんなのにまとわりつかれたらロキシーがかわいそうだ。

"Ara?※ Will the lady※ not be getting on?"

"Mmn. Kishirika can't leave the Demon Continent!"

"I see. Is it a curse?"

"Something like that."

The Great Empress of the Demon Realm couldn't leave the Demon Continent. As a result, today as well, she would be roaming about the Demon Continent.

Roxy didn't know about this at all. She had believed that Kishirika was boarding the boat with them, and was probably heading to meet with Rudeus.

Had she known about this earlier, Elinalise would have wanted Kishirika to accompany Roxy as well. The Demon Continent was rife with dangers. With Talhand with her, the worst was unlikely to come to pass but it would have been even safer with even one more person. If that one person was the Great Empress of the Demon Realm, then their safety would have been virtually guaranteed. However, Elinalise immediately changed her mind.

Had such a person followed her about, Roxy would surely be pitiable.


[※Note: as in, esteemed woman]
[※Note: I've been translating these (ara, ohhhh, uohhh, hahhhh, etc.), but having a look at Kaito's chapters, I've decided to go with the assumption that you guys are a bunch of weebs, and will leave all these Jappy sounds and expressions in. (:]

---


　ロキシー・ミグルディアの旅は続く。

Roxy Migurdia continued her journey.