ch61-ch80 · 067-ch66

Chapter 66: Malicious Blade

The days of battle with the Demon King Army.

During that time, my only enjoyment was helping with the cooking duties.

Especially when the front lines drew closer and we had to move with just the main forces away from the rear support unit, I was mainly the one cooking, so I enjoyed being able to make things however I liked.

"What a great smell, Rock!"

The one who approached me as I stirred a pot over the campfire was the White Knight Satchio. We'd only known each other for a year, but I'd already decided we were best friends.

"It'll be ready in just a bit, Satchio."

"Oh! Your pronunciation has gotten better, hasn't it?"

The White Knight Satchio... Satchio came running toward me, looking happy as I stirred the pot. He's stronger than anyone in battle, but at times like this, he's like a dog wagging its tail.

"Well, that's what happens when you practice so much."

"I'm just happy that you practice with me. Just you and Iris, right?"

Satchio sat down next to me and turned his usual friendly smile toward me.

He says that, but unlike Princess Iris who could pronounce things smoothly right away, I'm clumsy and it took me months. Satchio's intonation is just difficult somehow.

"It's strange, isn't it? In this world, Japanese is understood, but only the pronunciation of names is strangely different."

"I think it's strange too, that Ceylo's common language and Japanese are almost identical."

Satchio had said he'd never had trouble communicating since coming to Ceylo.

But since most people of the Ceylo Kingdom can speak both the common language and their regional languages, and Satchio only knew the common language, I get the real feeling that he's not really a person of Ceylo.

"Ah, speaking of which, we can communicate orally, but it's completely different when written down. Look."

Satchio took one of the branches placed for firewood and scratched characters on the ground.

They were four characters I'd never seen before.

"W-what is this? It's ridiculously complex, isn't it?"

"Haha, I wrote 'Shirakawa=Satchio'. In Japanese, there are thousands of characters like this."

"Thousands!!? How could you possibly memorize that many?"

I looked back and forth between the characters written on the ground and Satchio's face. I can't imagine memorizing thousands of such complex characters.

"Hmm, somehow?"

"Somehow isn't a level where you can memorize them, is it...?"

"Also, one character can have multiple readings."

"No way, what's wrong with you Japanese people..."

Satchio gave a wry smile at my astonishment and pointed to the characters he'd written.

"Look, for example, the given name 'Rokuro'. This can also be read as 'Rokuro'."

"Satchio and Rokuro, those aren't the same at all, are they?"

"Right? It's strange, isn't it?"

Apparently, Satchio doesn't really understand the reasoning behind it either.

"Hey, if you ever come to Japan, you can use these characters. Rock and Rokuro, they're similar, aren't they?"

"Is it no good as just 'Rock'?"

"Just like 'Satchio' is rare here, the name 'Rock' isn't very common in Japan."

"I see. Then, I'll use 'Rokuro' if you don't mind."

As I said that, I probably won't go to that other world. My dream is to become a proper chef in Ceylo, after all.

Satchio must have said it as a joke. We looked at each other and laughed.

...But Satchio, will you return to Japan once the war is over?

If so, what will happen to Princess Iris?

Princess Iris is in love with Satchio.... And surely, Satchio is too.

But as a princess of the kingdom, I can't imagine that Princess Iris would be allowed to leave the country to follow Satchio.

Perhaps, Satchio might remain in this world.

If so, then everyone won't have to be lonely, I suppose.

...But if Satchio wishes to return to Japan, and the princess chooses to abandon her country to go with him.

Then, I will help the two of them with all my strength.

That was my... my own secret oath to my best friend and the one he loves most.

　　―　◆　―

"Ai!"

I hurried toward the area under the trees outside the park, and I could see everyone's figures.

Just as I'd thought, Charru and the other female knight were closing in on Ai.

'Charru, what are you people doing!!'

I'm severely depleted. I can feel my armor gradually vaporizing.

But I can't worry about that now. I absolutely won't let them lay a hand on Ai. I'll protect her even if it costs me this life.

No matter how far away, I have to make it in time――

But just before I reached the spot, Charru's voice flew into my ears.

"Why is Rock's daughter using the name Satchio!?"

"!?"

My body froze for an instant. But it was only for a moment.

I gathered my remaining strength and slipped between Ai and Charru at the fastest speed I could manage.

"Papa!!"

"Rock!?"

Hearing Ai's healthy voice from behind me, I felt relieved as I spread both arms and stood in the way of Charru and the female knight before me.

I told you, I will absolutely not tolerate you laying a hand on Ai!"

"P-please wait, Rock...-san. We won't target your daughter anymore! More importantly, there's something I want to ask..."

As Charru spoke in a cornered tone, I saw the female knight draw a short sword from behind her waist.

I instantly took one step back toward Ai, standing in a position to protect her.

...But the target of that blade was――

"Charru, watch out!"

"E―――"

Zashuu!!