“Uhm~….” (Makoto)

“What is it?” (Sofia)

“Are you angry, Sofia?” (Makoto)

“Not really, Hero Makoto.” (Sofia)

I am currently alone with Princess Sofia in a room of the Highland Castle. 

And I am being made to do a *seiza* on the floor. <Sit on your knees>

Princess Sofia is looking down at me with cold eyes. 

No, this is an exasperated expression.

“You were supposed to only be spectating today, right?” (Sofia)

“That was my intention.” (Makoto)

Until midway. 

Also, that was the fault of Momo.

“The basic policy of the Water Country towards foreign countries is to cooperate.” (Sofia)

“I will cooperate.” (Makoto)

“No matter how you view it, the others will see it as us trying to get ahead of the other countries. Well, you are somewhat acquainted with the Sun Knight Captain, so there shouldn’t be that big of a problem if you coordinate with them…” (Sofia)

She explains in detail about the warning points of the time when I go to the northern front base. 

I keep it in my heart in order to not forget it. 

I can’t go troubling Princess Sofia. 

At that moment, the door opened with a loud *bang!*.

“Makoto~! I have come! …Wait, why are you sitting on your knees?” 

“Aah, Takatsuki-kun is being scolded by Sofia-chan~.” 

“Lucy and Sa-san?” (Makoto)

Why are the two here? 

“I called them here. You have to explain it to the two of them, right?” (Sofia)

“…Yes.” (Makoto)

I will be going to the Northern Continent. 

That would mean the cooperation of Lucy and Sa-san would be necessary.

As expected of Princess Sofia, she really misses nothing. 

“Hm? What’s the matter, Makoto? Did you do something again?” (Lucy)

“Aah, got it. You are being scolded by Sofia-chan because you got along with a new girl, right?” (Aya)

“Eeh, again?” (Lucy)

“Takatsuki-kun really is one troubling child… Gotta punish him.” (Aya)

“Aya…your eyes are scary.” (Lucy)

“Same goes for you, Lu-chan. You are gathering mana into your staff, you know?” (Aya)

“No need to worry, you two. This time around, it doesn’t have to do with a woman.” (Sofia)

Lucy and Sa-san were having a scary misunderstanding there, and Princess Sofia corrected them. 

… ‘This time around’?

“So that wasn’t it? I believed in you, Makoto!” (Lucy)

“Geez, Lu-chan, you shouldn’t doubt him.” (Aya)

“You two…” (Makoto)

I stand up and throw a retort at the two who were having a skit there, and then explain the situation. 

I explain to them about me going to challenge the Ancient Dragon King Astaroth that is in the Northern Continent. 

“I see, that means we are going to the Demonic Continent.” (Lucy)

“The Ancient Dragon King, huh… Sounds strong.” (Aya)

“Sorry for deciding this on my own.” (Makoto)

When I apologized, Lucy and Sa-san made shocked expressions. 

“What are you apologizing for?” (Lucy)

“Yay! It has been so long since the last adventure with Takatsuki-kun!” (Aya)

“Lucy, Sa-san…” (Makoto)

Even though I decided this on my own, the two gave the ok cheerfully. 

“We have to prepare then! So I say, but Aya and I have our usual adventuring set, so only Makoto will need to prepare for the trip, I guess.” (Lucy)

“Eeh, we have used that set so much that it is all worn-out though. The tent is also only for 2 people.” (Aya)

“Now that you mention it, that’s true. The tent was burned a bit from the fire breath of the fire dragon the other time, right? Also, that tent would be cramped for us 3.” (Lucy)

“Also, we have to buy new underwear for you, Lu-chan. You are always sleeping naked. Do you plan on doing the same with Takatsuki-kun present?” (Aya)

“I don’t really mind.” (Lucy)

“Eh?” 

“We will be taking it all off anyways, right?” (Lucy)

“…True.” (Aya)

“Uhm…you two?” (Makoto)

Lucy and Sa-san’s conversation was steering in a strange direction.

Also, the eyes of Princess Sofia were cold. 

At that moment, the door opened with a *bang!*.

“Takki-dono! I heard about it. You are heading to the Northern Continent?” 

“Leave the preparations for your journey to the Fujiwara Store!” 

Fuji-yan and Nina-san. 

Looks like Princess Sofia called them too. 

“Takki-dono! That was so sudden-desu zo. It surprised me, you know?” (Fuji)

“It was on the flow.” (Makoto)

“I am surprised you could say that on the flow.” (Sofia)

Princess Sofia retorted to my conversation with Fuji-yan. 

When I told Fuji-yan about how I flipped the strategy meeting, Fuji-yan made a wry smile. 

“You are the same as always.” (Fuji)

“Really?” (Makoto)

“Didn’t change one bit.” (Sofia)

According to Fuji-yan and Princess Sofia, I haven’t changed. 

“Lucy-sama, Aya-sama, this is the latest catalogue of the Fujiwara Store.” (Nina)

“Ah, this magic cottage is nice. It looks spacious and comfortable.” (Lucy)

“More importantly, you have to buy clothes, Lu-chan.” (Aya)

“Hmm, then, this?” (Lucy)

“That’s string! So lewd!” (Aya)

“No good?” (Lucy)

“Let’s choose a cuter one.” (Aya)

“What do you think would be good, Aya?” (Lucy)

“This! It would match with mine!” (Aya)

“Isn’t it too frilly and cute? It doesn’t suit me.” (Lucy)

“You expose too much skin, Lu-chan.” (Aya)

“This much is fine. Makoto won’t do anything anyways.” (Lucy)

“That’s not tru—it may be true. Takatsuki-kun is a sheep in sheep’s clothing after all.” (Aya)

“What a sweltering man.” (Lucy)

“Uhm…what will you be buying?” (Nina)

A rude conversation is unfolding. 

Who are you calling the sheep amongst the sheep? 

The door opens with a *bang!* again.

“My Knight!” 

The one who came was the Queen of Laphroaig, Furiae-san. 

She looks agitated. 

“Princess? What’s the matter?” (Makoto)

“Oh my, isn’t that Furi?” (Lucy)

“The usual Fu-chan.” (Aya)

When Lucy, Sa-san, and I directed our gazes at Furiae-san, she lowered her gaze as if feeling awkward about this. 

“…I am sorry about yesterday. I thought that you would be dragged into trouble if you were to get involved with me since I am a queen. That’s why I wanted My Knight to live in a safe and peaceful place…” (Furiae)

“Makoto is already getting involved in trouble, you know?” (Lucy)

“He is lunging straight at it on his own.” (Aya)

“Why?!” (Furiae)

“Because he is Makoto.” (Lucy)

“It is Takatsuki-kun after all.” (Aya)

“Why?!” (Furiae)

Furiae-san is holding her head in pain.

Looks like she has returned to the Furiae-san I knew before. 

I watched this sight with nostalgia. 

“By the way, Makoto, when are you heading to the Demonic Continent?” (Lucy)

Lucy asks me. 

Hm? Right…

There’s no real reason to not go as soon as possible. 

“How about tonight?” (Makoto)

“That’s quick. I don’t mind though.” (Lucy)

“Then, we have to be quick about our preparations too. Nina-san, what is it you have in your inventory currently?” (Aya)

“Uhm…aside from the products that have to be ordered, it would be the ones over here…” (Nina)

Looks like Lucy and Sa-san don’t really have any objections.

“Wait wait wait wait wait! Tonight?! You are kidding, right?!” (Furiae)

Furiae-san flails her arms around flustered. 

“Furiae-sama, I don’t think that behavior is appropriate for a queen.” (Havel)

Havel-san at the back points out flatly.

Or more like, he was here, huh.

“My Knight! You just recently woke up, right?!” (Furiae)

“I woke up the day before yesterday.” (Makoto)

“Take more care of your body!” (Furiae)

“That’s why I was thinking of moving around for rehabilitation.” (Makoto)

“You don’t have to go to the Demonic Continent of all places! Moreover, fighting the Ancient Dragon King!” (Furiae)

Looks like Furiae-san is against me going to the Demonic Continent. 

At that moment…

…*Knock knock*

Someone knocked on the door, and it opened slowly. 

“Takatsuki-kun. That’s a relief. You are still here.” (Sakurai)

“You are worrying too much, Ryosuke. There’s no way he would have left that fast.” (Saki)

The ones who came were Sakurai-kun and Yokoyama-san. 

Furiae-san said with a cold voice towards the smiling Sakurai-kun.

“My Knight is planning on departing this very night.” (Furiae)

“…Knew it.” (Sakurai)

“You are kidding, right, Takatsuki-kun?!” (Saki)

“The traversal takes time too, after all. Also, I would like to confirm the state of this era.” (Makoto)

I have noticed differences here and there in history after returning to the present. 

Since I have the chance here, I would like to confirm what has changed.

Sakurai-kun and Yokoyama-san made baffled faces at me. 

“That’s just like Takatsuki-kun.” (Sakurai)

“There’s no need to leave in such a hurry… Aya will be going with you too, right?” (Saki)

“I am currently preparing for the journey~, Saki-chan.” (Aya)

“You sound like you are having fun.” (Saki)

“Cause you know, it has been a while since I have been on a trip with Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)

“Trip?! …You are heading there to fight a Demon Lord, right?” (Saki)

“Ah right, right, it is an adventure.” (Aya)

I am told often that my sense of danger is in shambles, but Sa-san isn’t any better.

“Lucy-san, aren’t you stopping them?” (Sofia)

“Makoto would go alone otherwise.” (Lucy)

“Wouldn’t he listen to you since you have been together with him the longest…?” (Sofia)

“He won’t, he won’t. Also, my love isn’t allowing me to deny him.” (Lucy)

“…Haah.” (Sofia)

I hear the conversation of Lucy and Princess Sofia.

I feel like I am being treated as a troublemaker. 

“Ryosuke, stop My Knight! You are childhood friends, right?!” (Furiae)

“No, I feel more reassured fighting together with Takatsuki-kun.” (Sakurai)

“You idiot, idiot, idiot! You can easily defeat the Great Demon Lord, right?!” (Furiae)

“Ow ow.” (Sakurai)

Furiae-san drums the chest of Sakurai-kun.

They get along well.

At that moment, Yokoyama-san whispered to me. 

“Hey hey, Ryosuke and Furiae seem to be having a good atmosphere there. Is that okay with you, Takatsuki-kun?” (Saki)

“Hm? I don’t really mind.” (Makoto)

Looking at how she is acting, I don’t think she is the reincarnation of the Calamity Witch Nevia.

She wouldn’t want to get along with the Light Hero who killed her 1,000 years ago after all. 

“You are one mysterious guy, Takatsuki-kun.” (Saki)

“Really?” (Makoto)

Yokoyama-san looked at me in wonder. 

But I also have the same opinion.

“What about you? Is it okay for you if Sakurai-kun gets along with other women?” (Makoto)

“He already has 30 wives anyways. Also, Ryosuke being popular is not anything new.” (Saki)

Wait…the wives of Sakurai-kun have increased…?

Wasn’t it 20?

Is that okay? 

Yokoyama-san and I looked at each other as if looking at a strange creature. 

“Sorry for the wait, Sofia-san. Is Makoto-san he—” 

The one who came now is Queen Noel. 

And then, she saw Furiae-san hitting Sakurai-kun and her face went expressionless.

Furiae-san shifted to my back and made her body smaller as if hiding. 

“What are you doing, Princess?” (Makoto)

“A scary woman came. Protect me, My Knight.” (Furiae)

“Who are you calling scary? Also, you should act more like a queen. What was with you in the meeting before? You were not paying attention at all…” (Noel)

“It was boring. Also, the hatred of the Moon Country towards the Sun Country has seeped deep into their bones, so they won’t listen to what I say.” (Furiae)

“Even with that! Doing something is the job of a queen, right?!” (Noel)

“It would be easier if I just Charm everyone though.” (Furiae)

“…Furiae-sama, please refrain from such remarks.” (Havel)

“I know, Havel. It was a joke.” (Furiae)

“Noel, leave it at that.” (Sakurai)

“If Ryosuke-san says so…” (Noel)

I was listening to the conversation of Queen Noel and Furiae-san while feeling a strange sense of comfort. 

It is by no means friendly, but there’s not that same thorny feeling like the strategy meeting of before. 

I direct my gaze at Yokoyama-san by my side to ask for her help. 

“The Sun Country and the Moon Country have a terrible relationship between their citizens, right? The meeting of before was terrible too. That’s why the queens have personal meetings. I simply heard from Ryosuke though. Isn’t that right, Ryosuke?” (Saki)

“Yeah, they are having 1 meeting each month.” (Ryosuke)

“I see…” (Makoto)

In the strategy meeting before, I feared that maybe the two countries would begin a war between them or something, but the very tops have their feet properly on the ground, huh. 

That’s a relief. 

While I was thinking that, Queen Noel approached me. 

“Makoto-sama, about what you said before in the meeting, are you really going to the Demonic Continent? Even though it still hasn’t been long since you woke up… I think Sofia-san is also worried, you know…” (Noel)

She said with a worried expression. 

“Right…” (Makoto)

I direct my gaze at Princess Sofia. 

Her gaze was somewhat cold.

“Worried?” (Makoto)

“…”

The eyebrows of Sofia twitched. 

Ah, this is a sign of when she is angry. 

She walked close to me and pi~nched my cheeks. 

Ouch.

“Uhm…Sophea-san?” (Makoto)

“If you thought I wasn’t worried, that’s upsetting, Hero Makoto.” (Sofia)

“My apologies for such rudeness.” (Makoto)

“Be careful on your journey. Listen to what Lucy-san and Aya-san tell you, okay?” (Sofia)

She stopped pinching me, but she faced away with a pout. 

“You really get along well with each other. Ah, now that I think about it, you are wearing the royal knight badge. It looks good on you…is something I don’t know if it is okay to tell you.” (Noel)

“Wait a moment! What do you mean by My Knight being a royal knight?!” (Furiae)

Furiae-san cut in.

“Yeah, I got it from Queen Noel in order to participate in the strategy meeting of before.” (Makoto)

“What did you say?! Hey Noel, don’t put your hands on My Knight!” (Furiae)

“…What a terrible accusation. If you don’t like that, it is okay for you to give one to him, right?” (Noel)

“T-True! Havel! Procure a royal knight badge for personal use at once!” (Furiae)

“Furiae-sama, there’s only mages in the Moon Country, so there’s no knight system.” (Havel)

“Kuh! …How can this be?” (Furiae)

Furiae-san glared at the royal knight badge in pure hatred. 

Even if you look at me with those eyes…

“It can’t be helped, right? I am a commoner, so I can’t participate in the meeting without a badge.” (Makoto)

That casual remark of mine made Princess Sofia, Furiae-san, Sakurai-kun, Yokoyama-san, and Queen Noel make shocked expressions. 

Not only them, even Lucy, Sa-san, Fuji-yan, and Nina-san were looking over here. 

The place suddenly went silent. 

What’s with this awkward atmosphere? 

The first one to speak was Princess Noel. 

“Could it possibly be that you think of yourself as a commoner, Hero Makoto?” (Noel)

“Am I not?” (Makoto)

I am a retired former Hero.

In other words, a commoner, right? 

“Makoto…you are making a terrible misunderstanding here.” (Lucy)

“I did think what he was saying was weird~.” (Aya)

Lucy and Sa-san came over here. 

What does this mean? 

Fuji-yan answered briefly, most likely because he read my mind. 

“Takki-dono is being treated as a Legendary Hero, so you are completely different from a commoner-desu zo.” (Fuji)

“Legendary Hero?” (Makoto)

“The same as the Crimson Witch-sama and the Great Sage-sama. It refers to a person that has made an outstanding achievement.” (Sofia)

“That means…?” (Makoto)

I don’t really get a grasp of what that standing is. 

“Legendary Heroes have no duties, and so, depending on the necessity, the representatives of the countries would give ‘requests’. You are a Legendary Hero of the Water Country, Takatsuki Makoto, so your standing is higher than mine.” (Sofia)

Princess Sofia told me a shocking truth. 

W-What did she just say?! 

“Then I was made to sit on seiza even though my standing is higher than Princess Sofia…?” (Makoto)

“Please don’t dig that matter back up!” (Sofia)

Princess Sofia pinched my arm with a red face. 

“You were already a Legendary Hero in the strategy meeting of before, and it ended up with you looking for more achievements by fighting the Ancient Dragon King, so everyone was confused.” (Noel)

Queen Noel explained. 

“The Sun Country’s big shots must be scrambling around right now -thinking about the possibility that the Water Country’s Legendary Hero will be taking all the glory.” (Furiae)

Furiae-san says to Queen Noel with a provoking tone. 

“The Moon Country people seemed to be flustered as well though?” (Noel)

Queen Noel said with a frown. 

“Everyone from the Moon Country is showing open opposition to My Knight and it is troubling…” (Furiae)

Furiae-san said with a weary expression. 

Looks like I am still her only Guardian Knight and that’s something they don’t like. 

Even if you tell me that…

Whichever the case, it looks like I am a Legendary Hero. 

A standing where it is allowed some degree of whim.

However, because of that, other countries are wary of me. 

Would it be better to be more careful about what I say…?

When I was thinking that…

“Oh, so you were gathered here.” 

“The related people are gathered nicely here.” 

Suddenly, in a space where no one was there, people showed up.

Teleport. 

One was a girl in a white robe. 

The other one is a small Oracle. 

Momo and the Destiny Oracle Esther-san. 

“What’s the matter?” (Makoto)

I could tell the two had something important to say judging from their faces. 

“I have something to talk about regarding the Calamity Witch.” (Esther)

Furiae-san’s expression stiffens at the words of Esther-san.

“Looks like after the Great Demon Lord, the Calamity Witch has come back too.” (Momo)

Momo said flat out. 

— “The one I am going to be reincarnating in the future, you already know them.” 

The smile and voice of the Calamity Witch Nevia-san resurface in my mind.

So she succeeded in her reincarnation…

Unfortunately, it looks like our fate of 1,000 years ago hasn’t been cut off. 

■Comment’s Response:

>The treatment of the higher-ups towards Makoto is weird considering they should have heard the oracle of Althena. 

-> Regarding this, only the amount of people that could fit the Sun Country’s Great Church was present at that time Makoto went to the past. 

The number of people present were far lower than in the meeting in chapter 298. The participants in the strategy meeting were several hundred. 

Also, there was a gag order for the matter of Makoto going to the past. 

And so, most people were only told that Makoto had received a severe injury in the battle against a Demon Lord, and was recovering. 

■Author’s Comment: 

Liked Light Novel 2021 first half is ongoing! Zero Believers Goddess 7th Volume is accepting votes! 

I am waiting for your vote! 

TLN: Removed the link because the competition is over. If only I had known sooner! >-<

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