67 Episode 67 "I tried to hunt down a little by the wall to save the shrine maiden's heart.".txt

............ ah, ah, ah!

Iris, who had turned pale, backed away from me as if she was frightened.

With tears running down her cheeks, she shook her head like a idle child - is she trying to escape?

'Iris ......?　What's the matter, Iris?

............ and scary. People............ scary. I am ............ and I am ............

Iris hugs herself and trembles as she backs away.

It's as if he can't hear me.

What did you do, Kelkator the sea dragon?

"I gave you the memory of my daughter who fell in love with a brave man.

The sea dragon does not change its expression. I don't know what a dragon's expression is.

''Is this the 'Test of the Sea Dragon' ......?

'Left. My daughter, who was disguised as a man, was persecuted and frightened by men.

I know.

There's only one story in that book I borrowed from Iris.

I thought it was the most authentic thing in the world.

Because that's how it is in my world. There was a custom to worship an old warlord who had lost a battle or an old man who had lost his country as a god. I instinctively felt that the more beautiful the "Legend of the Sea Dragon" was, the more beautiful the love story was, the more hidden truths there might be that weren't being revealed.

Does that mean it was the right thing to do ......?

'My daughter fell in love with a boy who was trying to understand dragons and chose to sacrifice his abilities as a dragon, his lifespan, and everything else to take on human form. But people did not understand it.

They attacked their daughter as an evil thing disguised as a man. The daughter endured it and sought the boy she missed.

And in the end, she was reunited with the boy - a brave man - and fulfilled her desire. The brave man saved her daughter from despair.

That's how people finally understood them both. That is why I have decided to give people a blessing. Because the brave man and his daughter wanted to do so--

If you want to re-enact the ritual, you will have to go through the same ordeal.

'You should have told me before you did ......, you can't do ......?'

Sea dragons are neither human nor demi-humans.

They think on a different scale from us. Their lifespans are different. Their very existence is different.

It's a miracle that you're listening to me.

"I know that people detest things that are different.

I know that. I know that.

Successive generations of priestesses have been imprisoned as tools for rituals.

Iris was also hated by her family and called a monster by her brother.

'If you are a qualified 'Sea Dragon Brave', then accept this girl. Save your heart and prove that you will always be with her. With that, I'll call it a 're-enactment of the first ritual.'''

It's easy for you to say.

Saving people is not my forte.

...... Ilis.

'Hee!　Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ...... and don't come here.

purposefulness

Iris paid off my hand.

'Just because you have scales, why can't you ...... become ...... without being hit with a stone? I like people and I wanted to be one of them, so I had ............ my father turn me into a human form.

Why can't ............ why ...... why is Iris ......... ...Everyone has to hate you ......!　Didn't Father want a maiden!

Iris groans with her head in her hands.

Are the memories of the sea dragon's daughter and Iris mixed up ......?

"Iris, relax. I'm Iris' 'friend' because I'm .......

I said. But...

Huh!

I couldn't get through to Iris now.

'...... Oh no. No. Scary...... human............ scary......... ...

Maybe my words aren't reaching you because of the old memories that are raging inside Iris.

Then...

"Cecil?　Can you hear me?

I called Cecil in my head.

"I'll check. Is the mind linkage still working?

'............ Yes, Mr. Nagi. I can hear you. Are you okay?

'The sea dragon showed up as planned, but we're having a bit of a problem.

Alright, it got through.

Even in a space filled with sea dragon magic, 'consciousness sharing' is effective.

Well, we'll see if we can manage it.

''I'm going to calm Iris down now, I'm going to turn off the skill. I'll talk to you later.

"Yes, it's just that... Nagisa..." ────

Unconsciousness Sharing Level 1.

I turn to face Iris.

"Iris.

──────!

A frightened Iris backs away. Like a child of her age.

What is the point of persecuting Iris's family and the ancient people of this world for having scales?

It's just cool to have the blood of a dragon. If it were a game, it would be the star of the show.

"────────!　And ............ ah. I'm sorry, my dear. I'll be back with my dad. I don't want to be part of the human race .......

Iris will work ............ to get the job done. ...... Don't call me a monster. Please, read your name ......!

Iris tried to escape further - and stopped.

I think she realized that behind her is a wall. There is no way to escape.

I'm sorry to have frightened you," he said, looking at me with tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry for scaring you. I'll have you back on your feet in no time.

I continue to corner Iris against the wall.

She shrinks back, holding her breasts and trapping her small body between the wall and my torso (...).

Iris's small head touches my chest. Now.

I stick my hand against the wall - and activate my skills!

Activate.　'Saving Heart Embrace [Heart Healing Hug], LV 1'!

The day before, I made this skill with Rita's "Binding Singing [Song of Binding], LV1".

I didn't expect to use it for something like this.

"Saving Embrace of the Heart, Heart Healing Hug, LV1" (UR (Ultra-Rare))

(The skill to 'move' the 'human mind' with the 'torso')

The target's 'Sleep', 'Enchantment', 'Stunned', and 'Confusion' are lifted.

Also, due to the effect of heart massage, the person the skill is used on will have a faster heartbeat and an increase in body temperature for a certain amount of time. Furthermore, it forces the skill's owner to focus his or her consciousness on the skill's owner.

The condition for activating the skill is that the opponent's head must touch your torso. Hugging him is the quickest way to do it.

It is originally a reworked version of the "Large Serpent" skill, so if you make your opponent's head touch your torso without using your arms and legs, the effect is quadrupled.

In other words, this skill shows its true value in a close 'wall-don' state!

With a thud, a vibration was transmitted to Iris' body.

Her small body jumped with a jolt. The blood returned to her once-blue cheeks.

Iris, who had closed her eyes tightly, looked up. She looked at me.

"............ Souma, sama............

Iris, you okay?

"............ Oh, yes ............ what is... I can see why you had .......... But ...... ah. This, my memory is ......?

Iris, you're still scared.

It's not like the memory of the sea dragon's daughter has disappeared. Also, I've had my own trauma.

It's good that she's regained consciousness, but she's still shaking.

If I don't, I'm going to be swallowed up by my memories again.

'So, Iris. I'm sorry, but can I kiss you?

I said.

Iris looked up at me and opened her mouth with a pop.

And then her face turned bright red and...

............ Huh?　So, Mr. Souma?　Big brother?　In here?　What?　Why?

Because we need it.

Hi, yeah. ......

I want your answers while you're conscious. May I?　No?

'What do you mean by that?　Souma-sama──Oh, your brother is!

Iris raised her eyebrows and replied in a slightly angry tone.

''Isn't it obvious that it's a good idea!　Iris is now your brother's.........

Since I got the approval, I kneeled down - and brought my face closer to Iris.

And then I activate it──『Shared Consciousness (Mind Linkage) Lv 1』!

I need to concentrate. You're about to invade the will of Iris, looking into the memories of the Sea Dragon's Daughter...

"Father. I have fallen in love with a man.

"He is your father, one of the men who scorned the dragon.

"He said I was beautiful in the form of a dragon.

"Rather than live forever as something close to God, I will take on the form of a man and live among men...

This is the memory of the sea dragon's daughter...

"It's a monster disguised as a man!　Kill ────!

"Just like the demons. "This powerful magic is a threat to us all.

Chain up!　Sign me up!　You will be used as a tool against the demons!'

This is the memory of the time when the sea dragon's daughter was attacked by a human...

'It's a weird thing, even though I knew it was coming. That something like this could come from your own bloodline.

"Iris's mother is dead?　So what's the point?　The blood of the maiden was passed down to Iris, wasn't it?

"There is a physical aspect to this. I'll take you back to the main family, but you will not be allowed to roam free.

"Excellent?　So what does it matter? She only needs to be a festival maiden.

"The best thing about ritual dolls. Well, if you want to work, I'll let you.

"Visit your mother's grave?　I don't blame you. You're special. Why don't you bow to my father. I made a concession for you. You don't really think you're the equal of your brother and sister, do you ......?

This is the memory of Iris, which came out in response to the memories of the sea dragon's daughter.

It's not just words. It's also an image.

This is the worst. This is what's going around inside Iris?

She's got her arms around me and she's desperately clinging to me.

I can feel the thought that I'll break apart if I let her go.

Words aren't enough. Such things won't stop Iris' fear.

As I recall, the first "Hero of the Sea Dragon" saved the heart of the sea dragon's daughter with his feelings for her.

If that's the case, then ...... this one does the same thing with skill.

What I'm thinking about, I'll pour my thoughts into Iris. I'm going to redirect Iris's preoccupied mind towards me. It's faster. I don't care what it is. All I need to do is send a flood of data to stop the virus that's filling Iris's body, called the Sea Dragon's Daughter, from activating.

"Iris...

What should I say?　Something that would have a quick impact, something that would grab Iris's attention. ...... The thing that would make Iris's day...

'My beautiful slave, Iris-Hafeumea.

Your body is mine, from a hair to a fingernail, and you need not listen to a word from anyone but me.

Therefore, you need not listen to a word from anyone but me.

............ Yeah.

The green hair, the yellow eyes, the white skin, the beautiful scales, the smooth back, the faintly swollen breasts, the straight legs, the slender fingertips, the belly, all of it, I saw it, I saw it during the bath, and I'm still pretending like I didn't see it, but it's all in my memory, and I want to keep it. 'I am', 'I won't forget', 'Iris now', 'Iris now', 'Iris who will grow up'.

"I shall have Iris as mine in all time.

"────── big brother - Goshujin...

Iris's consciousness turned to me.

'You're a slave.' 'My wife is next.' 'My slave can be.' 'Iris.' 'You can stay here, you can be by my side.' 'Actually, I'm a visitor.' 'I'm unfamiliar with this world.' 'I need help.' 'I need Iris's knowledge.' 'She's a good girl.' 'She's a good girl.' 'She's righteous.' 'So let's stay together, Black. I want to save you from,' 'I want you to be there for me,' 'I want you to be there for me,' 'cause we're all like family.

I let the images flow through the Iris as they come to mind.

Concentrate. I read Iris' thoughts.

The Memories of the Sea Dragon's Daughter and Iris's past memories are still there, but Iris's consciousness is responding to the message I sent her through the "Mind Linkage".

Her face, which had just returned to blood, is turning bright red. The body is burning. Your body, which clings to you, is heating up. Iris's breath catches on her chest. It's hot. She's responding.

I'm almost there.

...... Come to think of it, Iris was avoided by her family because of her dragon blood in the first place.

But 'dragon blood' is just cool to me, after all.

Let's show Iris that. I should let Iris know that I think so.

For example...

'Iris should be more confident.

The game - but not the game, if it's in the story, Iris is the support behind the scenes. She's the one who secretly supports the protagonist and gives him important hints. She is the slightly younger and more curious neighbor. She always supports the protagonist with her unconventional ideas and schemes.

At first, I thought she was a girl in a different position, but before I knew it, she became an important friend. Eventually, she awakens to the dragon's blood at a crucial moment and they fight side by side. She is wise and has the courage to try to change her position. She's old and delusional, and before you know it, she's making it a reality. She's that kind of dreamy girl.

She is a little devil who plays with her tiny body and her loveliness soothes the tired protagonist - wait a minute, Iris. You don't have to come up with a specific fantasy!　Now that it's getting through to me, I'm getting a picture!　I mean, that's a game and you can't display it!　I'm stuck in all sorts of codes!'

At the same time that I'm sending images of the game before I know it, Iris is also sending her own fantasies with images into my head.

I knew you were smart, Iris, but you're too quick to understand how to use your skills!

And your imagination is too detailed. My image is a vague image, but Iris' image is a 4K image with too many details. And it's a version that can't be shown in the all-ages version. I'm delusional, I know. But what is Iris doing in this fantasy?

"...... big brother ...... Iris's ...... soul (tamashii) big brother ...... ......

But Iris' thoughts are so full of it before she knows it, she's no longer conscious of her memories of the sea dragon's daughter or her own trauma. Memories of the past are just spinning in Iris' mind.

'Listen to me, Iris. What I'm trying to say is that...

Finishing touches.

I put a hand on Iris's shoulder.

'It means that I want Iris to be one of my people, and I want her to be with me.

'............ yes!　Big brother!''

With words and thoughts, Iris answered clearly.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

I'm not sure if you're going to be able to find out what's going on. May I stay with you? ''When I've taken care of my duties at the lord's house, can I roll in?'' "Can you wait until Iris is ready to go to ...... for various things?

The answers are '...... no comment', 'yes' and 'yes' - well, that last one could mean a lot of things, so 'hold off'!

Sohma-sama: "Sohma-sama ...... soul brother.

Iris pressed her little head against my chest.

'Iris-Hafeumea swears. That this loyalty and love will not waver until the time this body and soul disappear. ......

lightly

The central wall flashed with light.

And the reenactment is done.

I heard the voice of Kerkator, the sea dragon.

I look into Iris again. The memory of the sea dragon's daughter has been wiped clean.

The "sea dragon's test" is over.

Ker-kator makes a pact with a maiden and a hero. You are the only one who can help me. To the priestesses of Kondai, ...... there is no longer a need for the festival ......'

Saying that, the sea dragon Kerkator extended his long clawed arm.

With a gulp, he scratched at the door leading to the dungeon. The ground shakes with the impact, and another splash of waves falls from above us. When the sea dragon returned his arm, the door was marked with a text in words that we could understand.

'The sea dragon Kerkator writes.

From now on, there is no need for a festival through a priestess. Blessings are guaranteed for 100 years.

If the priestess does not leave any offspring, the lord shall take over the festival.

The sea dragon Kerkator nodded in satisfaction.

'Are you sure?　So,

'In the first place, the festival is to make sure that my bloodline is safe. As long as you know that there is someone you can trust to be by your side and protect your blood clan, there is no need.''

So that's what the sea dragon's test is for.

'Even if there is no festival, I will come to this town. 'Even if there is no festival, I will come to this town. Daughter of my blood.

Surprisingly nice guy. Kerkator, the sea dragon.

"Because I am long-lived. "I am long-lived and in need of such a pleasure.

Do you have to deal with people and stuff?

"If I don't get involved, how will I ever know who I am?

That's about it.

'The priestess and thou didst confirm each other's existence because of each other's presence, didn't they?

I don't know about that part.

'You seem to be quite a contradiction in terms. Sea dragon hero.

It's not much of a stretch, I'm afraid.

............ more fun.

Roll-roll-roll-roll-roll.

The wind began to blow.

'This ceremony was a breakthrough. Delightful. Now I shall leave.'

The light in the central wall dimmed.

The blue-scaled dragon brought its face close to Iris's and made a gesture as if it were sniffing her scent.

'You have my daughter's blood flowing in you. Breathe well. My kindred.'

'Thank you, Kerkator, the sea dragon.

Iris hesitated and touched the tip of the sea dragon's nose.

The sea dragon narrowed its eyes and then looked at me.

''I recognize you as my relative. I want you to make this girl happy.''

Can I ask you one thing, Kerkator, the sea dragon?

"I forgive you.

Can't you use your powers to defeat the Demon King?

I've been thinking about it for a long time.

I thought that if the Sea Dragon was close to a god, then it could fight the Demon King, at least on an equal footing.

With the Demon King gone, the king would have no reason to summon visitors. All sorts of problems should be solved.

"That's ...... and therefore impossible ...... because it's from a different realm.

I don't know why, but the sea dragon Kerkator looked a little lost.

Then the sea dragon shook its head and slowly immersed itself in the water.

''Don't get involved in that one. You are a member of my bloodline. To those who are my kindred and have been ...... living in this world, it's a different realm. ............'

Another realm of conversation: ......?

With that, the sea dragon Kerkator disappeared into the water.

Before I knew it, the light on the walls disappeared as well, leaving only a vague blue-white glow in the area.

''Souma-sama,''

Iris, who had been clinging to my stomach, looked up.

'You will take responsibility, won't you?

"Responsibility?

I'm responsible for making Iris happy.

With that, Iris closed her eyes happily.

'Shiawase, I got it. I won't give it back, will I?　If we take it away, Iris will go ballistic, right?

...... I'll do my best.

From now on, Iris is going to do her best to be a girl who is anything but.

Then he took my hand in his.

'So please wait until Iris is ready. Master ...... soul brother.

He stroked the scaled choker that adorns his slender neck.

Iris laughed, the first time she had ever seen such an innocent face.