Moto Sekai Ichi’i no Sub-chara Ikusei Nikki

135　A proud welcome

“Hinodejima……? “

“Huh?　Don’t you know it? “

“Yeah. I’ve never even heard of it.”

　Yukari seemed to have no idea what I was talking about.

　That’s strange. Hinodejima, I’m pretty sure it was in Mobius.

　Oh, yeah. Let’s ask my compatriot.

“Hey, Ras. You know Hinodejima, don’t you? “

“I know. It’s all the way east from the port of Koula, right?　It is called Hinodejima (Island of the rising sun) because it is located in the direction where the sun rises.”

“Yes, yes! “

　I knew it was there.

　I made a face that said, “See?” and Yukari put her hand on her chin and made a face that said, “Mmmm,” before opening her mouth.

“East of Koula, is it?”

“Yeah. Please check it out for me.”

“As you wish.”

　Immediately after I asked, Yukari spread a map all over the living room table. A map I’ve never seen before. In other words, a map of this world.

　……What is this map? The feeling of unease is tremendous.

　The terrain is different, the borders are misaligned, the dungeons that are supposed to be there are not labeled, and the names are slightly different.

　Is this right for this world, or is it simply wrong?

“Yukari. What is this map? “

　I was curious, so I asked.

“I got it in the capital.”

“Is this commonly used? “

“No, it is not easy to find such a large and elaborate map. A typical one would be about one-eighth of this size.”

“How much, by the way? “

“1.98 million CL. I purchased it as an operating expense.”

　Expensive.

　No, but if it’s that high, the odds of the map being wrong are getting slimmer. I mean, I would have been too scared to even sell Yukari a fake map in the first place.

“Well, whatever. So, how about Hinodejima? “

“Please wait a minute.”

　Yukari pulled the map to the left of the table and unfolded the rolled-up right edge.

　We looked at the right side of the map. From the port of Koula, go out to sea, right, right, and more right.

“……It is strange. It shows the island of the Eight Swords.”

　There was only one small island in the Far East Sea, the island of the Eight Swords.

　Island of the Eight Swords. I still have never heard of it.

　Ras was also tilting her head. This means that it is definitely an island that was not in Mobius.

　The Eight swords island, which Mobius people do not know, and Hinodejima, which people in this world do not know.

　……Maybe.

　Eight swords island = Hinodejima, isn’t it?

“What shall we do?”

　Yukari asked for a decision.

　But my answer had already been decided.

“Let’s go, to the Island of the Eight Swords.”

　The next day.

　After silencing the wannabe female knight, the cat fisher girl, and the Kansai-speaking girl, Yukari and I made our way to the port town of Koula.

　It’s been a while since Yukari and I have been alone on a trip. Moreover, it was an unusual and distant trip.

“Master, over there.”

“Huh? “

“This is the inn where we once stayed together. A room on that second floor. Do you remember? “

“How nostalgic. I couldn’t sleep because you snored so loud.”

“…………”

“Ou-Ou-Ouch!　Sorry, I’m kidding! “

　My arm, which was crossed with Yukari’s, was twisted like a rag, and I apologized profusely.

　Yukari made an angry face with her bottom lip sticking out a little while her cheeks were lightly tinted. She usually doesn’t change her facial expression, but when I say mean things to her, she makes this kind of face. I see. Cute.

　It feels refreshing. This is the first time, perhaps, that I have ever walked leisurely with Yukari in such a peaceful mood.

“Well, the boat to the Island of the Eight Swords is……”

　I discovered where the boat was anchored when I was fishing yesterday.

　I think the ship leaves at 3:00 p.m., right? I decided to talk to the man who seemed to be the captain for the time being, since I would probably need to make an appointment.

“Hey, can I ask you something? “

“What?”

“Can I make a reservation for the boat to the island of the eight swords? “

“I don’t mind, but it’s still a month away.”

“One month away!? “

　A shocking revelation.

　Are you serious? I can’t wait for a month.

“Can’t you do something about it? “

“There’s nothing I can do.”

　It looks like a no-go.

　Then let’s buy a boat already…… and as I was thinking about that, a voice suddenly called out from behind us.

“I’ll give you a lift.”

　It was an old man I didn’t know.

“Sanbei-san, that’s dangerous.”

“Don’t worry, they’ll overlook it if I tell them I forgot to bring him on yesterday.”

“But.”

　The old man was apparently called Sanbei. Sanbei-san tapped his chest and said, “Leave it to me.”

　In contrast, the old man captain had some words of concern for Sanbei-san.

“What’s so dangerous? “

　I asked, and the old man opened his mouth.

“The island is very strict about outsiders. Only certain people are allowed to come in and out once per month. And when you break that rule……”

“Don’t worry about it!　We’ll manage, we’ll manage.”

“Haa. I don’t care what happens to you anymore, Sanbei-san.”

　The old man looked dumbfounded, patted Sanbei-san on the back, and left.

“Now that the nuisance has gone, you two, get on my boat! “

“Sorry, thanks.”

“It’s fineー. But in return……”

　Whoa, I thought that was very kind, but I guess he wants something in return. I wonder what?

“……Can you sign this for me?　”To Sanbei-san, of the fishing gear shop,” please! “

　Sanbei-san brought out a large fishing flag, about a meter long.

　Ahhhhh, I see that store……

“Yeah, yeah.”

　I wrote my signature in huge letters and added “Huge haul! ” Then returned it to him. Although yesterday I ended up not catching anything with his fishing gear.

“I’m so happy!　This is sure to become a thriving business! “

　Sanbei-san looked excited and skipped along as he led us to the boat.

　Perhaps he is the manager of the fishing gear store himself. He looks like he won’t fall behind that girl from yesterday.

“Now we’re leaving! “

　As soon as we boarded the boat, it started moving.

　The port became smaller and smaller in no time at all.

“Master. In the future, please do not casually sign your autographs to stores.”

“What? Why?　It’s just a signature.”

“One from a Triple Crown Winner. It is worth hundreds or thousands of times more than what you think it is worth, Master.”

“Is it really?”

“Yeah. If it’s not done right, people will die.”

“……That much?”

　Oh, man. That was certainly thoughtless.

“There is no end to the number of companies that now want to sign a contract with you and take advantage of your popularity, Master. We, the maids, will do our best to stop them, but there will be times when they will come at you when you are alone.”

“Popular, huh?”

“Yes, you are very popular. Now, in this kingdom, most of all. Hence, every company wants a piece of your popularity, Master. Don’t ever forget it.”

“I’ll be careful. But whatever ties there are, if I want to sign it, I’ll sign it.”

“……Haa Seriously.”

　Yukari looked at me with a cold stare that said, “You’re a troublesome one.”

　I smiled deceptively and hugged her shoulder from diagonally behind her, saying, “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

　Yukari then said, “It can’t be helped,” and leaned back with the back of her head against my chest.

　The next thing I knew, all I could see was the ocean.

　Looks like reaching the Island of the Eight Swords is going to take some time.

“Oh, is that it?”

“Yeah!　You have good eyes! “

　After three hours, the island of the eight swords came into view.

　No mistake. That familiar shape, that’s the Hinodejima I know. The Island of the eight swords, after all, was Hinodejima.

“Well, where shall I drop you off?　Secretly on the backshore, safely on the shore, or proudly in the harbor.”

　Hey, hey, if you ask me that, I can only answer like this.

“Right in the middle of the harbor, please.”

“Roger!　Like a man! “

“――Who are you?”

　A ridiculous island.

　That was my first impression.

　As soon as we arrived at the port of the Island of the Eight Swords, we were confronted by three men dressed in kimonos.

　What a generous welcome!

　And on the men’s waists were “katanas”.

　……Yes, the one thing I have been looking for, a katana.

“Even if you ask me that……”

　I tilted my head and gestured stealthily behind my back, thinking about what to say.

　To Sanbei-san.

　Run away―― and pointed toward the boat.

　The reason being, the three men have been in a fighting stance ever since they came up to us. They were constantly gushing with killing intent. He could be cut down at any time.

“I’m sorry…… I wish you luck! “

“I won’t let you go! “

　One of the men in kimono followed Sanbei-san, who turned on his heel and boarded the boat.

　The thumb of the man’s left hand pressed firmly on the tsuba.

　That guy’s going to draw it.

　How barbaric. I won’t let that happen.

　I immediately used 《Spirit Summoning》 to call for Angolmois to stop the guy in his tracks――

“Fuwahahahahaha!　It has been a long time!　It’s been a long time, my Second!　RIGHT!? “

　――Ahh, not good. He is very angry.

“W-Who are you……!? “

“Don’t move, you little worms!　Go sleep there! “

　Angolmois, as if to give the three men in kimonos a little lesson, knocked them to the ground with the “crawling gale” and then turned to face me.

　A yellow shirt with a blue star pattern, pants with the same pattern, and a nightcap.

　……If you look closely, this guy is wearing pajamas.

“My Second. I have been neglected for a long time, haven’t I? “

“Yes.”

“That’s why. I thought I would not be summoned for a while yet. That’s a given; wouldn’t you say? “

“Yes.”

“…………”

“…………”

“……I was caught off guard.”

“Yes……”

“It couldn’t be helped, right!? “

“Yes, I think so.”

　I don’t know what his life is like in the spirit world, but it seems that he had been sleeping carelessly and seriously thinking that he would not be summoned.

　Thanks to this, even though he was lecturing with an angry face, he had no dignity at all, which was the most important thing. This is fatal for the Great King……

　Then, for about 15 minutes.

　After listening to Angolmois’ accumulated complaints, permission to  《Unsummon》 him was finally granted. As Yukari next to me looked at me with a blank stare, I managed to quiet him down, saying, “I’ll summon you again soon,” and then I sent him back with 《Unsummon》.

　……Meanwhile, the three poor men in kimonos were left crouched on the ground.

“Damn, you are a foreign sorcerer, aren’t you? “

“Strange……! “

“What a tragedy! “

　What are you talking about? You’re making some kind of strange misunderstanding.

　……Eh?　Foreign sorcerer?

　…………Foreign?

“Hey, isn’t this the Castall Kingdom?” “

　The men answered my question with their hands on their katana.

“What a crazy thing to say! “

“This is the Land of the Eight Swords! “

“This is the birthplace of sword-drawing! “

======

Thank you for reading.