- Chung, Chung.
I woke up to the birds chirping.
”...... Ssssssssssssssss”
I can hear a small sleep from next door.
It was Lucy stuck in a thin blanket.
Since Lucy (...) wore (...) (...) (...) (...) (...) (...) (...) (...), the line of her body was clearly visible even from the top of the blanket.
"............"
The memory of yesterday comes back.
(Yesterday, with Lucy and Sae-san....)
I remembered and blushed.
"Ah! Takatsuki-kun, I'm awake." Ooh! "
In the middle of my thoughts, Sae-san called me.
"Oh, good morning, Sae-san." Get up early... "
I get stuck in words trying to say, "You're up early."
“What's the matter? Takatsuki-kun?"
Nikon, you look like an apron all the time.
But something is different than usual.
It's like there's nothing (...) but an apron...
You must have noticed my gaze.
From the smile that Saeko smiled, she turned into a mean smile.
"I wonder what's going on ~, did you do it so violently last night? Takatsuki-kun?"
"Huh...?"
Takatsuki-kun is a wolf in bed
W-Was that so?
Honestly, I don't remember very well because I wasn't cool.
"Fufufu" doesn't answer my question with a laugh.
"Phew..."
Lucy wakes up to our voices.
"... oh noo, Makoto... Aya..."
Is Lucy lacking sleep, or is she still confused?
Naturally, Lucy was naked, stretching her elongation.
I looked away in a hurry.
"Ru-chan is as weak as ever in the morning." Come on, take a shower! "
Sai-san pushes Lucy into the shower.
Little by little, the sound of water echoed.
"...... Aya, stay with me." Please wash your body... "
"Geez! Ru-chan, I'm already in!"
"You just have to let it in again." Here, take it off. Take it off. "
"Hey! Don't take it off." Don't touch the strange place. "
I heard Sai and Lucy's lively voice.
I put the breakfast that Sa-san had been preparing halfway to the table when I told BGM about the noise of the carcass.
Shall I wash my body and clothes?
― ― Water Magic Wash
Causes foggy water to remove dirt from your body and clothing.
It's a good magic that saves you time in the bath and immerses you in training, but it's not popular with girls.
Lucy, Sao, a thousand years ago, Anna and Momo didn't have a good reputation either.
Johnny praised me for saying, "It's a handy magic."
"Fu, I'll do it again. Makoto"
"Takatsuki-kun, you're ready!? Thank you!"
Lucy and Saeko returned from the shower.
Thank you-
Takatsuki-kun, eat too.
Lucy and Sai-san sit between me.
And they start eating breakfast.
But I can't move.
”... um... Lucy, Saiu-san?”
What's the matter, Makoto?
Takatsuki-kun, don't you have an appetite?
The two of you can look at me worriedly, but they're not.
Clothes, clothes, clothes?
Lucy and Sai just stepped out of the shower and wrapped a bath towel around her body.
The two of them stared at me strangely as I hardened.
No, why are you so defenseless?
(No, why isn't Mako okay? I'm not a virgin anymore.
A stunned voice echoed through her brain.
"This voice..."
(Ail-sama?)
(Last night, it was (...) Rakushi (...) Mi (...))
I was told something outrageous.
(Look, did you look at it!?)
(I didn't like it. I had no choice but to follow the instructions of Sister Altena. Ah, I'm sleepy)
(Please don't look at me!)
It's too much of an invasion of privacy!
(Ahahaha. You can hold both girls overnight, and Mako, who is still a beginner, is still cute)
(I don't mind! Please stop peeking!)
I complained to Eil-sama.
(Ah, I still have work ahead of me. I'm busy. Can someone help me?)
At the end of the day, I stopped talking to Eil-sama.
Yeah... yesterday, you were looking at me.
Makoto, hey, are you listening?
Takatsuki-kun, who are you talking to?
The two of them noticed the conversation with Eil-sama.
I didn't do anything wrong.
"No, it's nothing." Let's eat dinner. "
Chew on the salads, ham eggs, and toast baked with magic cookware that Saeki-san made for you.
All of them were exquisite.
Finish your meal in no time and soothe your throat with chilled milk.
Phew, I took a breath.
"Well then, today... um, Lucy?" Sai-san? "
When they realized it, they grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go.
"Hey, Makoto? You're working tonight, right?"
"You still have time, don't you, Takatsuki?"
"Um... if I have time... what are we going to do?"
There was no reply.
I was once again pushed down by Lucy and Saul, who opened their eyes sharply.
The two of them took their lips as they were.
It continued last night.
(Eil-sama might be watching you again...)
I became anxious, but I immediately got better.
Ms. Sai and Lucy are too cute.
... I wonder if it would be good for such a lousy life.
◇The evening of the day◇
... Don! Don! Don!
……♪♪♪
...... Gaya Gaya
You can hear the festival in the village from a distance.
It's exuberant and seems like fun.
I watched the village from a small island on Lake Shimei with the skill of "Chiri-eye".
Makoto, do you want to join?
Lucy asks.
"I won't participate." I'm going to do my job. "
I replied with a bitter smile.
I'm interested in the festival, but even if we were outsiders, it would just float.
More than anything, I continued last night, and even during the day, Lucy and Sai-san's (...) phase (...) hand (...) made me very sleepy.
Even if I became a god, I still needed to sleep.
"But the festival lasts a few days, right?" If I were to get a sacrifice, would that be the last day? "
"Well, that's usually the case. But this time I don't think it's a good idea because we're here to watch.”
Well then, I'll have to keep an eye on you.
Sai and Lucy are having a conversation about how they're used to it.
Their vast experience as battle-scarred adventurers in modern times is reassuring.
It was quite a hard adventure a thousand years ago, but it was more a survival (survival) from the Demon King than an adventure.
We took turns watching the village from our tents.
After a while nothing happened, the night went on.
It's time to change the day.
There was movement!
Lucy let out a sharp voice.
The festival in the village is much quieter.
It was just when I was a little distracted.
"... a small boat from the village is heading towards the back of Lake Shimei." There are three adults and one child on the boat. Maybe the child is raw. "
Mr. Night Eye's cleverness taught me.
"What do we do? Stop?"
Hmm, I think it's just a deception.
Then we can hold the scene.
That's right!
Well then, let's go!
The three of us nod and start moving.
― ― Hidden Skill
Using a hidden skill that has become divine, me and Lucy and Sao walk up the lake.
By water magic, it is easy to walk on the surface of the water.
The boat caught up with the larger of the small islands dotted around Lake Shimei.
There is a small forest in the middle of the island.
They got off the boat and disappeared into the woods.
My vision is blocked and I don't know what's going on.
(What if there was a monster called Mizugami in the forest?)
(It's okay, Makoto. There's no sign of a monster on that island.)
(But I'm worried about my child. Let's approach slowly)
Me and Lucy nodded to Saiu-san's words.
They say we're getting closer to the island to make a big detour from the boat they were using.
(Oh, look, it's coming out.)
(I don't have any children with me!)
(Did you leave it as a sacrifice...)
Unfortunately, the rumors were true.
In the land of water, sacrifice is illegal.
But we're not the police, so we can't arrest the villagers.
It is the duty of the Knights of the Temple.
The three adults on the boat slowly left the island.
At the same time, I landed on the island without solving the secret skill.
In the middle of the island, about 100 meters in diameter, trees grow.
Squeezing through it, I went deeper.
In the middle of the forest was a small temple.
A torch was sitting there by a stone lantern, and a roped child was rolling next to it.
Looks like he's fainted.
Oh my God!
I'll help you!
Lucy and Sara jump out faster than I do.
Shh! Andsa-san cuts the rope with her sword.
Lucy is giving her child medication for recovery.
"...... nh"
The child woke up.
”Phew!!!”
He looks at us and screams like he's scared.
"It's okay! We're on your side."
Princess Sophia asked me to help her.
"Sophia-sama's...?"
At first, she was a child who looked frightened, but she looked strange compared to Lucy and Sae-san's face.
And finally, you stared at me.
"We heard that there is a 'sacrificial custom' in this village." I guarantee your safety. So, can you tell me? "
"...... Yes......"
When I asked, the child started to talk pimply with a dark face.
◇
This is what children talk about.
I'm sure I'm a sacrifice
My parents died of an epidemic disease and lived in the houses of the village's leading people
It seems that once every few years in the village, a child who is not close to her like herself is sent to Mizugami-sama for sacrifice.
It is certain that there is a "Mizugami Faith" in the village, but the meaning of "mouth control" is stronger than that.
"I see... thank you for telling me such a hard story"
I thanked the children and stopped them from telling me anything more.
Unfortunately, there was still a custom of sacrifice in that village.
In addition, there was a monster that was glorified as a water god, and it certainly protected the village.
Sometimes, when other monsters attacked the village in the past, Mizugami-sama defeated the monsters.
And the identity of the monster called Mizugami-sama -- apparently, it was an ancient dragon.
An ancient dragon with a beautiful aqua scales.
It was said to be called Mizugami-sama.
"Ancient dragon..."
One of the most powerful monsters on the western continent.
You won't get a hand or a foot in a village on the periphery.
Makoto, what are you going to do?
"We should evacuate him to a safe place first."
"No way! When I'm gone, Mizugami-sama won't show up!" "And the next candidate will be sent..." Even though I saved her.... "
She's a sweet girl.
I'm worried about other children even though I've been chosen to live.
Alright, let's wait for Mizugami here.
That's what I said.
Suddenly, it was dark around me.
It turns out that the giant creature was right next to us, blocking the light of the stars in the night sky.
Makoto!
Takatsuki-kun!
― ― Fate Magic Mental Acceleration (Mind Axel)
I activated my magic in response to Lucy and Sai's impatient voice.
Looking upward, an ancient dragon with a beautiful light blue scales looked down on us.
I guess you used advanced magic to get this close without me or Lucy or Saiu noticing.
In addition, it seems that there is an intelligent aspect such as demanding a sacrifice instead of helping the village from the story of the child earlier.
This ancient dragon did not intimidate the villagers to demand their lives.
Showing the price of protecting the village, he created the custom of raw sacrifices.
I think it's quite cunning.
This is about 0.1 seconds of thinking.
It would be possible to summon the Great Spirit of Water from here and unleash the Great Magic of Water with a pre-emptive attack.
But I got lost doing it.
For a while now, this ancient dragon didn't respond to its [Danger Sensing] skill.
In other words, it's not murderous.
(Do you want to have a conversation?)
For once, it was a guardian god who protected the village in exchange for a sacrifice.
Crusading without answering questions is a bit unnecessary.
I solved the fate of magic and mental acceleration.
As expected, the ancient dragons didn't attack.
"Lucy, Saru-san, wait."
I will stop the two of them from attacking the ancient dragon.
"... eh?"
"... but..."
He took control of the puzzled two and approached the ancient dragon one step closer.
Now, if I thought I'd talk to you...
"Huh? Isn't that Makoto-san!!" It's been a long time!! "
Unimaginable from the look of the magnificent ancient dragon, a light voice popped up.
◇
"...... So this ancient dragon is an acquaintance of Makoto?"
Takatsuki-kun, introduce yourself to me...
"I'm a young Luke of the Ancient Dragon Clan." Since Makoto pickled me with ice in the Great Labyrinth about a thousand years ago, I can't defy Makoto-san. "
…………
With such a light tone, Lucy and Sao, the battle-scarred adventurers, were puzzled.
Incidentally, the dead child lost consciousness when he saw the ancient dragon.
Sae-san is taking care of her body.
I remember a thousand years ago. [M]
"Indeed he is..."
I remember. It was definitely the ancient dragon that was in the deepest part of the Great Labyrinth the first time with Anna and Momo.
"That's right!! Did you remember me?!" At that time, it was hidden behind everyone's back, but it was an ancient dragon that was put together by the water spirits of Makoto (Undine) and pickled in ice. "
Haha, Luquichi-kun, the ancient dragon who smiles nostalgically.
I felt nostalgic, but I couldn't get used to it.
I have something important to tell you.
"Mr. Lukic, I came to investigate the fact that there is still a ritual in this village at the request of the Princess of the Land of Water (Roses)." Are you sure you're receiving sacrifices from the village? "
I asked a serious question.
…………
Lucy and Saiu listened to it in silence.
Now, what are you going to say to me?
I've known him for a thousand years, but I can't laugh at him if he was eating the people of the Land of Water as a sacrifice...
"That's what I'm talking about!! Makoto-san, I'm really sleepy (...) (...) Please listen to me."
Without noticing my serious voice, the ancient dragon's tone didn't change.
Trouble?
"You regularly send me sacrifices from the villages around here, but there's nothing you can do about it." That's why I'm going to return it to the village, but the child who died doesn't have a place in the village anymore, so I don't want to go back. I can't help it, I take care of my children and try to be independent when I grow up, but it's quite difficult... well, sometimes the child I took care of gets a good look at and greets me, and that's fun. What am I supposed to do with this? "
"" "...... Eh?" "
Not only me, but also Lucy and Saiu-san were surprised by the words of the ancient dragon.
"Are you... looking after a child who has become a child of childbirth?"
Why is that?
"Of course. You said it to Makoto-san a thousand years ago, right?" From now on, in the western continent, ancient dragons and humans should get along with each other. "
"Ah, ahhh... you did say that."
Big Mother Dragon, you mean Mr. White Dragon.
At that time, he was the Lord of the Great Labyrinth.
"The Ancient Dragon Clan takes pride in keeping their promises!" I swear to Goddess of Destiny, I've never attacked a human race in the last thousand years! "
Fufu, Lukich-kun's chest is stretched out.
Me, Sao and Lucy look at each other.
(Makoto. Is what this ancient dragon is saying true?)
(It is true that I made a promise a thousand years ago. It's just evidence.....)
(Well then, why don't you let me see the girl who's taking care of you?)
(That's right, Sai-san. Let's do that)
"Mr. Lukić, can I see the person who looks after your house?"
Nice. Do you want to ride on your back?
Spoiled by the words of the ancient dragon, we decided to let him ride.
◇
"Here we are. Here we are."
Lu Keichi, the ancient dragon, guided me to my residence.
Almost in the middle of Lake Shimei.
A large island was hidden by barrier magic.
A large mansion is built on the island.
Since Luke dropped us off, we've been human.
He was a good young man with a model-like slender face.
He is over two meters tall.
The White Dragon, too, seemed to grow taller when the Ancient Dragon Clan became human.
Mizugami-sama ~
Welcome back ~
People come out of the Mansion all at once.
From the looks of it, it was a young group from a young child to a teenager.
Where are those people?
"Are you a new person?"
Even though it's a sacrifice, the clothes are fine
From today on, you are also Mizugami-sama's family!
……
We'll keep quiet about what they say.
Yeah, I don't have to ask.
The ancient dragon, Lukich, protected the children of the Water Nation.
In any case, it's a lot of people!!
Apparently, they accept graves from other villages as well as the villages we went to.
"The darkness of the land of the water..."
"Thank you, Luke. You promised me... no, you did more than that."
"What the hell!" Makoto-san is the hero who defeated the Great Demon King! It's not a big deal what I'm doing. "
Hahaha! Ancient dragon Lukich-kun laughing.
Incidentally, it seems that the Great Demon King he is referring to refers to a thousand years ago.
He didn't seem to know much about the modern world.
"What should I do, Makoto?"
You should talk to Sophie once, right?
Yeah, that's right.
I looked around at the ancient dragons and the children.
Lukić is admired by his children.
And they won't want to go back to the village where they were buried.
(The investigation is over, but it looks like it'll take some time to resolve...)
I'm sorry to hear about Princess Sophia's troubles.
◇
"Makoto, Aya and I will return to the capital of the kingdom of water once and for all." So I'm going to explain the situation to Sophia and see what's next. ”
He said that he would accompany me as a witness.
Thank you very much!
The oldest girl in the Ancient Dragon Mansion was holding hands with Sae-san.
It seems that she was once put to death and has lived here.
"So, I can't teleport to a very large number of people, so I can only take two people with me." Makoto, can you wait here for me? "
"I don't mind if I answer the phone, Ru-chan"
"Then Aya will touch Makoto, so don't do it."
"Kecy. It's okay, right?"
"I won't let you run away." Well then, let's go! "
"Eh, already!? Takatsuki-kun, come..."
Here, the three of them disappeared into "schwinn."
Looks like the space has shifted.
I'll be left with nothing. [M]
When I was alone, my drowsiness struck me.
Can I rest somewhere?
I asked Lu Keichi, the ancient dragon who was the owner of the mansion.
Of course! Rooms without name tags in the Mansion are vacant, so please use them on your own.
"Thank you."
I entered the mansion to thank you.
Going upstairs and into the back, there were several spare rooms.
There was a simple bed in the room, and I lay there.
When I closed my eyelids, I was struck by a sleeper in an instant.
◇
The next moment, I was in the world of dreams.
(Go to bed early!!)
I was surprised at the speed with which I slept, but I thought about it carefully and I hardly slept since last night.
Mainly because Lucy and Sarah didn't let me sleep.
And once again, observe the scenery of the dream world.
Looks like it's not just a dream.
Looking around, the pink carpet and plenty of dolls are busy working in the Merchen space.
However, it is actually a black workplace that operates 24 hours a day.
Too familiar.
― ― It was the space of the goddess of destiny (Ira).
Huh? Takatsuki Makoto?
Ira-sama was looking at us as she ran her pen and sat in front of the office desk.
Ira-sama, can I help you?
"Something... you"
When I asked you my question, you gave me a big, dumb sigh.
What's that?
Did you have an appointment with Ira-sama?
"No, it's not me, it's your Lord (...) God (...)"
What happened to Lord Noah?
I just came to say hello about a week ago.
After the seal was lifted, I heard that I was usually fluttering with the goddess of water.
As I was bending my neck, Ira-sama continued to speak.
"I don't like the (...) evil (...) or the (...) bad (...)"
Huh?
Although Master Noah was in a mood, he was unexpectedly less likely to push his mood across the board.
Maybe he looked good in front of his followers.
"Just come face to face with Noah." This is a gift.
"Um, but I'm in the answering machine right now..."
Let's go! You're the lowest of the gods!
"Brutal!!"
I tried, but it was in vain.
The Divine Clan could not defy Ira-sama in sequence.
Ira-sama was the only one who blatantly harassed me.
Therefore, the next consecration was to "go to see Lord Noah, who seems to be in a bad mood".
- Chung, Chung.
I woke up to the birds chirping.
”...... Ssssssssssssssss”
I can hear a small sleep from next door.
It was Lucy stuck in a thin blanket.
Since Lucy (...) wore (...) (...) (...) (...) (...) (...) (...) (...), the line of her body was clearly visible even from the top of the blanket.
"............"
The memory of yesterday comes back.
(Yesterday, with Lucy and Sae-san....)
I remembered and blushed.
"Ah! Takatsuki-kun, I'm awake." Ooh! "
In the middle of my thoughts, Sae-san called me.
"Oh, good morning, Sae-san." Get up early... "
I get stuck in words trying to say, "You're up early."
“What's the matter? Takatsuki-kun?"
Nikon, you look like an apron all the time.
But something is different than usual.
It's like there's nothing (...) but an apron...
You must have noticed my gaze.
From the smile that Saeko smiled, she turned into a mean smile.
"I wonder what's going on ~, did you do it so violently last night? Takatsuki-kun?"
"Huh...?"
Takatsuki-kun is a wolf in bed
W-Was that so?
Honestly, I don't remember very well because I wasn't cool.
"Fufufu" doesn't answer my question with a laugh.
"Phew..."
Lucy wakes up to our voices.
"... oh noo, Makoto... Aya..."
Is Lucy lacking sleep, or is she still confused?
Naturally, Lucy was naked, stretching her elongation.
I looked away in a hurry.
"Ru-chan is as weak as ever in the morning." Come on, take a shower! "
Sai-san pushes Lucy into the shower.
Little by little, the sound of water echoed.
"...... Aya, stay with me." Please wash your body... "
"Geez! Ru-chan, I'm already in!"
"You just have to let it in again." Here, take it off. Take it off. "
"Hey! Don't take it off." Don't touch the strange place. "
I heard Sai and Lucy's lively voice.
I put the breakfast that Sa-san had been preparing halfway to the table when I told BGM about the noise of the carcass.
Shall I wash my body and clothes?
― ― Water Magic Wash
Causes foggy water to remove dirt from your body and clothing.
It's a good magic that saves you time in the bath and immerses you in training, but it's not popular with girls.
Lucy, Sao, a thousand years ago, Anna and Momo didn't have a good reputation either.
Johnny praised me for saying, "It's a handy magic."
"Fu, I'll do it again. Makoto"
"Takatsuki-kun, you're ready!? Thank you!"
Lucy and Saeko returned from the shower.
Thank you-
Takatsuki-kun, eat too.
Lucy and Sai-san sit between me.
And they start eating breakfast.
But I can't move.
”... um... Lucy, Saiu-san?”
What's the matter, Makoto?
Takatsuki-kun, don't you have an appetite?
The two of you can look at me worriedly, but they're not.
Clothes, clothes, clothes?
Lucy and Sai just stepped out of the shower and wrapped a bath towel around her body.
The two of them stared at me strangely as I hardened.
No, why are you so defenseless?
(No, why isn't Mako okay? I'm not a virgin anymore.
A stunned voice echoed through her brain.
"This voice..."
(Ail-sama?)
(Last night, it was (...) Rakushi (...) Mi (...))
I was told something outrageous.
(Look, did you look at it!?)
(I didn't like it. I had no choice but to follow the instructions of Sister Altena. Ah, I'm sleepy)
(Please don't look at me!)
It's too much of an invasion of privacy!
(Ahahaha. You can hold both girls overnight, and Mako, who is still a beginner, is still cute)
(I don't mind! Please stop peeking!)
I complained to Eil-sama.
(Ah, I still have work ahead of me. I'm busy. Can someone help me?)
At the end of the day, I stopped talking to Eil-sama.
Yeah... yesterday, you were looking at me.
Makoto, hey, are you listening?
Takatsuki-kun, who are you talking to?
The two of them noticed the conversation with Eil-sama.
I didn't do anything wrong.
"No, it's nothing." Let's eat dinner. "
Chew on the salads, ham eggs, and toast baked with magic cookware that Saeki-san made for you.
All of them were exquisite.
Finish your meal in no time and soothe your throat with chilled milk.
Phew, I took a breath.
"Well then, today... um, Lucy?" Sai-san? "
When they realized it, they grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go.
"Hey, Makoto? You're working tonight, right?"
"You still have time, don't you, Takatsuki?"
"Um... if I have time... what are we going to do?"
There was no reply.
I was once again pushed down by Lucy and Saul, who opened their eyes sharply.
The two of them took their lips as they were.
It continued last night.
(Eil-sama might be watching you again...)
I became anxious, but I immediately got better.
Ms. Sai and Lucy are too cute.
... I wonder if it would be good for such a lousy life.
◇The evening of the day◇
... Don! Don! Don!
……♪♪♪
...... Gaya Gaya
You can hear the festival in the village from a distance.
It's exuberant and seems like fun.
I watched the village from a small island on Lake Shimei with the skill of "Chiri-eye".
Makoto, do you want to join?
Lucy asks.
"I won't participate." I'm going to do my job. "
I replied with a bitter smile.
I'm interested in the festival, but even if we were outsiders, it would just float.
More than anything, I continued last night, and even during the day, Lucy and Sai-san's (...) phase (...) hand (...) made me very sleepy.
Even if I became a god, I still needed to sleep.
"But the festival lasts a few days, right?" If I were to get a sacrifice, would that be the last day? "
"Well, that's usually the case. But this time I don't think it's a good idea because we're here to watch.”
Well then, I'll have to keep an eye on you.
Sai and Lucy are having a conversation about how they're used to it.
Their vast experience as battle-scarred adventurers in modern times is reassuring.
It was quite a hard adventure a thousand years ago, but it was more a survival (survival) from the Demon King than an adventure.
We took turns watching the village from our tents.
After a while nothing happened, the night went on.
It's time to change the day.
There was movement!
Lucy let out a sharp voice.
The festival in the village is much quieter.
It was just when I was a little distracted.
"... a small boat from the village is heading towards the back of Lake Shimei." There are three adults and one child on the boat. Maybe the child is raw. "
Mr. Night Eye's cleverness taught me.
"What do we do? Stop?"
Hmm, I think it's just a deception.
Then we can hold the scene.
That's right!
Well then, let's go!
The three of us nod and start moving.
― ― Hidden Skill
Using a hidden skill that has become divine, me and Lucy and Sao walk up the lake.
By water magic, it is easy to walk on the surface of the water.
The boat caught up with the larger of the small islands dotted around Lake Shimei.
There is a small forest in the middle of the island.
They got off the boat and disappeared into the woods.
My vision is blocked and I don't know what's going on.
(What if there was a monster called Mizugami in the forest?)
(It's okay, Makoto. There's no sign of a monster on that island.)
(But I'm worried about my child. Let's approach slowly)
Me and Lucy nodded to Saiu-san's words.
They say we're getting closer to the island to make a big detour from the boat they were using.
(Oh, look, it's coming out.)
(I don't have any children with me!)
(Did you leave it as a sacrifice...)
Unfortunately, the rumors were true.
In the land of water, sacrifice is illegal.
But we're not the police, so we can't arrest the villagers.
It is the duty of the Knights of the Temple.
The three adults on the boat slowly left the island.
At the same time, I landed on the island without solving the secret skill.
In the middle of the island, about 100 meters in diameter, trees grow.
Squeezing through it, I went deeper.
In the middle of the forest was a small temple.
A torch was sitting there by a stone lantern, and a roped child was rolling next to it.
Looks like he's fainted.
Oh my God!
I'll help you!
Lucy and Sara jump out faster than I do.
Shh! Andsa-san cuts the rope with her sword.
Lucy is giving her child medication for recovery.
"...... nh"
The child woke up.
”Phew!!!”
He looks at us and screams like he's scared.
"It's okay! We're on your side."
Princess Sophia asked me to help her.
"Sophia-sama's...?"
At first, she was a child who looked frightened, but she looked strange compared to Lucy and Sae-san's face.
And finally, you stared at me.
"We heard that there is a 'sacrificial custom' in this village." I guarantee your safety. So, can you tell me? "
"...... Yes......"
When I asked, the child started to talk pimply with a dark face.
◇
This is what children talk about.
I'm sure I'm a sacrifice
My parents died of an epidemic disease and lived in the houses of the village's leading people
It seems that once every few years in the village, a child who is not close to her like herself is sent to Mizugami-sama for sacrifice.
It is certain that there is a "Mizugami Faith" in the village, but the meaning of "mouth control" is stronger than that.
"I see... thank you for telling me such a hard story"
I thanked the children and stopped them from telling me anything more.
Unfortunately, there was still a custom of sacrifice in that village.
In addition, there was a monster that was glorified as a water god, and it certainly protected the village.
Sometimes, when other monsters attacked the village in the past, Mizugami-sama defeated the monsters.
And the identity of the monster called Mizugami-sama -- apparently, it was an ancient dragon.
An ancient dragon with a beautiful aqua scales.
It was said to be called Mizugami-sama.
"Ancient dragon..."
One of the most powerful monsters on the western continent.
You won't get a hand or a foot in a village on the periphery.
Makoto, what are you going to do?
"We should evacuate him to a safe place first."
"No way! When I'm gone, Mizugami-sama won't show up!" "And the next candidate will be sent..." Even though I saved her.... "
She's a sweet girl.
I'm worried about other children even though I've been chosen to live.
Alright, let's wait for Mizugami here.
That's what I said.
Suddenly, it was dark around me.
It turns out that the giant creature was right next to us, blocking the light of the stars in the night sky.
Makoto!
Takatsuki-kun!
― ― Fate Magic Mental Acceleration (Mind Axel)
I activated my magic in response to Lucy and Sai's impatient voice.
Looking upward, an ancient dragon with a beautiful light blue scales looked down on us.
I guess you used advanced magic to get this close without me or Lucy or Saiu noticing.
In addition, it seems that there is an intelligent aspect such as demanding a sacrifice instead of helping the village from the story of the child earlier.
This ancient dragon did not intimidate the villagers to demand their lives.
Showing the price of protecting the village, he created the custom of raw sacrifices.
I think it's quite cunning.
This is about 0.1 seconds of thinking.
It would be possible to summon the Great Spirit of Water from here and unleash the Great Magic of Water with a pre-emptive attack.
But I got lost doing it.
For a while now, this ancient dragon didn't respond to its [Danger Sensing] skill.
In other words, it's not murderous.
(Do you want to have a conversation?)
For once, it was a guardian god who protected the village in exchange for a sacrifice.
Crusading without answering questions is a bit unnecessary.
I solved the fate of magic and mental acceleration.
As expected, the ancient dragons didn't attack.
"Lucy, Saru-san, wait."
I will stop the two of them from attacking the ancient dragon.
"... eh?"
"... but..."
He took control of the puzzled two and approached the ancient dragon one step closer.
Now, if I thought I'd talk to you...
"Huh? Isn't that Makoto-san!!" It's been a long time!! "
Unimaginable from the look of the magnificent ancient dragon, a light voice popped up.
◇
"...... So this ancient dragon is an acquaintance of Makoto?"
Takatsuki-kun, introduce yourself to me...
"I'm a young Luke of the Ancient Dragon Clan." Since Makoto pickled me with ice in the Great Labyrinth about a thousand years ago, I can't defy Makoto-san. "
…………
With such a light tone, Lucy and Sao, the battle-scarred adventurers, were puzzled.
Incidentally, the dead child lost consciousness when he saw the ancient dragon.
Sae-san is taking care of her body.
I remember a thousand years ago. [M]
"Indeed he is..."
I remember. It was definitely the ancient dragon that was in the deepest part of the Great Labyrinth the first time with Anna and Momo.
"That's right!! Did you remember me?!" At that time, it was hidden behind everyone's back, but it was an ancient dragon that was put together by the water spirits of Makoto (Undine) and pickled in ice. "
Haha, Luquichi-kun, the ancient dragon who smiles nostalgically.
I felt nostalgic, but I couldn't get used to it.
I have something important to tell you.
"Mr. Lukic, I came to investigate the fact that there is still a ritual in this village at the request of the Princess of the Land of Water (Roses)." Are you sure you're receiving sacrifices from the village? "
I asked a serious question.
…………
Lucy and Saiu listened to it in silence.
Now, what are you going to say to me?
I've known him for a thousand years, but I can't laugh at him if he was eating the people of the Land of Water as a sacrifice...
"That's what I'm talking about!! Makoto-san, I'm really sleepy (...) (...) Please listen to me."
Without noticing my serious voice, the ancient dragon's tone didn't change.
Trouble?
"You regularly send me sacrifices from the villages around here, but there's nothing you can do about it." That's why I'm going to return it to the village, but the child who died doesn't have a place in the village anymore, so I don't want to go back. I can't help it, I take care of my children and try to be independent when I grow up, but it's quite difficult... well, sometimes the child I took care of gets a good look at and greets me, and that's fun. What am I supposed to do with this? "
"" "...... Eh?" "
Not only me, but also Lucy and Saiu-san were surprised by the words of the ancient dragon.
"Are you... looking after a child who has become a child of childbirth?"
Why is that?
"Of course. You said it to Makoto-san a thousand years ago, right?" From now on, in the western continent, ancient dragons and humans should get along with each other. "
"Ah, ahhh... you did say that."
Big Mother Dragon, you mean Mr. White Dragon.
At that time, he was the Lord of the Great Labyrinth.
"The Ancient Dragon Clan takes pride in keeping their promises!" I swear to Goddess of Destiny, I've never attacked a human race in the last thousand years! "
Fufu, Lukich-kun's chest is stretched out.
Me, Sao and Lucy look at each other.
(Makoto. Is what this ancient dragon is saying true?)
(It is true that I made a promise a thousand years ago. It's just evidence.....)
(Well then, why don't you let me see the girl who's taking care of you?)
(That's right, Sai-san. Let's do that)
"Mr. Lukić, can I see the person who looks after your house?"
Nice. Do you want to ride on your back?
Spoiled by the words of the ancient dragon, we decided to let him ride.
◇
"Here we are. Here we are."
Lu Keichi, the ancient dragon, guided me to my residence.
Almost in the middle of Lake Shimei.
A large island was hidden by barrier magic.
A large mansion is built on the island.
Since Luke dropped us off, we've been human.
He was a good young man with a model-like slender face.
He is over two meters tall.
The White Dragon, too, seemed to grow taller when the Ancient Dragon Clan became human.
Mizugami-sama ~
Welcome back ~
People come out of the Mansion all at once.
From the looks of it, it was a young group from a young child to a teenager.
Where are those people?
"Are you a new person?"
Even though it's a sacrifice, the clothes are fine
From today on, you are also Mizugami-sama's family!
……
We'll keep quiet about what they say.
Yeah, I don't have to ask.
The ancient dragon, Lukich, protected the children of the Water Nation.
In any case, it's a lot of people!!
Apparently, they accept graves from other villages as well as the villages we went to.
"The darkness of the land of the water..."
"Thank you, Luke. You promised me... no, you did more than that."
"What the hell!" Makoto-san is the hero who defeated the Great Demon King! It's not a big deal what I'm doing. "
Hahaha! Ancient dragon Lukich-kun laughing.
Incidentally, it seems that the Great Demon King he is referring to refers to a thousand years ago.
He didn't seem to know much about the modern world.
"What should I do, Makoto?"
You should talk to Sophie once, right?
Yeah, that's right.
I looked around at the ancient dragons and the children.
Lukić is admired by his children.
And they won't want to go back to the village where they were buried.
(The investigation is over, but it looks like it'll take some time to resolve...)
I'm sorry to hear about Princess Sophia's troubles.
◇
"Makoto, Aya and I will return to the capital of the kingdom of water once and for all." So I'm going to explain the situation to Sophia and see what's next. ”
He said that he would accompany me as a witness.
Thank you very much!
The oldest girl in the Ancient Dragon Mansion was holding hands with Sae-san.
It seems that she was once put to death and has lived here.
"So, I can't teleport to a very large number of people, so I can only take two people with me." Makoto, can you wait here for me? "
"I don't mind if I answer the phone, Ru-chan"
"Then Aya will touch Makoto, so don't do it."
"Kecy. It's okay, right?"
"I won't let you run away." Well then, let's go! "
"Eh, already!? Takatsuki-kun, come..."
Here, the three of them disappeared into "schwinn."
Looks like the space has shifted.
I'll be left with nothing. [M]
When I was alone, my drowsiness struck me.
Can I rest somewhere?
I asked Lu Keichi, the ancient dragon who was the owner of the mansion.
Of course! Rooms without name tags in the Mansion are vacant, so please use them on your own.
"Thank you."
I entered the mansion to thank you.
Going upstairs and into the back, there were several spare rooms.
There was a simple bed in the room, and I lay there.
When I closed my eyelids, I was struck by a sleeper in an instant.
◇
The next moment, I was in the world of dreams.
(Go to bed early!!)
I was surprised at the speed with which I slept, but I thought about it carefully and I hardly slept since last night.
Mainly because Lucy and Sarah didn't let me sleep.
And once again, observe the scenery of the dream world.
Looks like it's not just a dream.
Looking around, the pink carpet and plenty of dolls are busy working in the Merchen space.
However, it is actually a black workplace that operates 24 hours a day.
Too familiar.
― ― It was the space of the goddess of destiny (Ira).
Huh? Takatsuki Makoto?
Ira-sama was looking at us as she ran her pen and sat in front of the office desk.
Ira-sama, can I help you?
"Something... you"
When I asked you my question, you gave me a big, dumb sigh.
What's that?
Did you have an appointment with Ira-sama?
"No, it's not me, it's your Lord (...) God (...)"
What happened to Lord Noah?
I just came to say hello about a week ago.
After the seal was lifted, I heard that I was usually fluttering with the goddess of water.
As I was bending my neck, Ira-sama continued to speak.
"I don't like the (...) evil (...) or the (...) bad (...)"
Huh?
Although Master Noah was in a mood, he was unexpectedly less likely to push his mood across the board.
Maybe he looked good in front of his followers.
"Just come face to face with Noah." This is a gift.
"Um, but I'm in the answering machine right now..."
Let's go! You're the lowest of the gods!
"Brutal!!"
I tried, but it was in vain.
The Divine Clan could not defy Ira-sama in sequence.
Ira-sama was the only one who blatantly harassed me.
Therefore, the next consecration was to "go to see Lord Noah, who seems to be in a bad mood".
