Azure skies and ocean plains stretch everywhere.
However, the sky and the sea are cloudy gray and never bright blue.
Still, compared to the capital of the sun kingdom (Highland), it is still blue.
Me and Queen Noel are on the move in Water Magic and Water Dragon.
………………
Queen Noel is silent, and I am manipulating magic while gazing at the sky and the sea.
I remember the last of Cain.
The experience of disappearing in front of my eyes was still intensely memorable.
Incidentally, the black armor and sword, which were Noah's artifacts, became smaller and smaller as I was troubled because I could not equip them, and quickly became palm-sized.
It also had magic that made it easy to carry.
The boulder was Noah.
Now it's in my pocket.
I have told Queen Noel about the way ahead.
If Queen Noel had any idea, I would have sent her to you, but unfortunately, the witch of disaster has fallen on the western continent.
There was unanimous agreement that going to the major cities of the sun country would end in vain.
That's why I and Queen Noelle are moving silently under the dense sky.
It may be time to talk to you about something.
"Um, Noel-sama..."
"Master Makoto..."
When I spoke to her, Queen Noel spoke to her.
What's the matter?
From Makoto-sama first.
I gave up, but the conversation didn't go ahead, so I cut it out first.
That said, there was no specific topic.
"Sakurai-kun's injuries have healed." I'm glad you're okay. "
That's what came out of my mouth.
The common topic with Queen Noel is Sakurai after all.
"Yes... but Ryowski's mind seemed to be manipulated by the witch of disaster." The others seemed to be somewhat conscious..... "
But it didn't inspire Queen Noel to cheer her up.
Indeed, Sakurai-kun could barely have a conversation, unlike Lucy and Sao-san.
"It can't be helped..." Sakurai-kun's [Light Hero] skill scares the witch of disaster. But I'm sure the princess will be fine because she won't harm Sakurai-kun. It seemed that the witch of disaster did not have complete control over the princess's body. I'll go help you later. ”
I said that in an attempt to cheer her up somehow.
But Queen Noel still had a hard look on her face.
Makoto-sama called you Princess Furiae, didn't he?... is she still thinking about Ljowski? "
"Nh......"
Speaking of which, these two are in a nuanced relationship.
More than a friend, it's a charming place.
Sakurai-kun encouraged Furia-san, who had been imprisoned before.
This time, Sakurai-kun is brainwashed by the witch of the disaster (her body is Furie-san).
The position has been reversed.
"Kill me."
Sakurai-kun, who was chained around in his brain, appeared to be resisting the witch of the disaster.
"Fufufu... it's no use. I don't need your help."
Like a villainous lady, the witch (Nevia) of the disaster laughs.
... no, this is different.
"... Makoto-sama? Are you thinking of something strange?"
"I-It's nothing." Hmm, I don't know. It seems that Sakurai-kun helped the princess when she was trapped in the land of the sun, so I seem to be grateful for that... I'm sure she won't do anything terrible. "
I had no choice but to tell Queen Noel.
I have nothing else to say.
"I see..."
But didn't Noelle say anything?
Let's change the subject.
“What I want to hear is what Cain was saying.”
"Cain...? What is it?"
I was still getting along with Cain, who stabbed Sakurai-kun, but I couldn't forgive him.
"Um... is it true you said you married Anna-sama!?"
"... erm..."
That way.
But it may be the only thing left to do.
In modern times, the "Holy Maiden" Anna is the founding king of the Land of the Sun (Highlands).
The most important person in history, alongside Savior Abel.
If you ask me if I'm married to you, it's only natural that you should try to find out the truth.
I haven't told anyone about marriage in modern times.
The goddess of destiny (Ira) is strictly instructed to keep it as secret as possible because it greatly affects history.
... and I didn't intend to say it emotionally or aggressively.
"What is Anna..."
It's easy to say that you're not married.
What I did a thousand years ago has hardly ever been recorded in modern times.
The general public does not know in the first place that the former hero of the Land of Water, Makoto Takatsuki, passed a thousand years ago.
Only some parties, such as Queen Noelle and Queen Sophia, know the circumstances.
In order not to change the original history as much as possible, I asked people a thousand years ago to replace my story with the work of Abel the Brave.
If possible, I told them that I didn't exist.
However, it was fiercely opposed by Johnny and Anna, and they were not made to be "absent".
I didn't know what I was doing because of it, but I was in the position of a "mysterious fifth wizard".
"What is the relationship between Anna-sama and Makoto-sama..."
Queen Noel is waiting for my words, sighing.
His face looked just like Anna's, and the memories of a thousand years ago would come back.
--Makoto-san...... I'm glad. I will cherish this ring for the rest of my life.
Anna, who is in her memory, is smiling sadly as she puts her finger on the sacred silver (mythril) ring that Ms White Dragon (Mel) made with magic.
... Anna, I couldn't say the words to Queen Noel, who looked just like her, "I'm not married."
I fell into the illusion of being unfair to Anna-san.
I gently put my hand in my pocket.
There is a ring that Anna and I made together.
When I had frozen sleep (cold sleep) a thousand years ago, I was told by the goddess of destiny that it was better to remove the precious metal, and it stayed that way.
...... Lucy, Sai-san, I was able to learn a little in front of Princess Sophia.
"Cain's right, I married Anna a thousand years ago."
That's what I put my ring through my finger.
Looking at the ring, Queen Noel gave her a grim expression.
"Oh, that ring!? Let me see it!"
I stared at the ring like Queen Noel was eating it.
Makoto-sama... please take a look at this.
Queen Noel showed me her finger.
The ring that Sakurai-kun put on at the ceremony the other day glows.
"... you look alike."
Of course, the making is completely different.
Queen Noelle's ring is made of Divine Iron (Oriharkon) material, and is a work of art by artisans, scattered with various kinds of magic stones.
Meanwhile, my ring was made by Mr. White Dragon with "I don't really understand human accessories..." in mind, so I can't deny the feeling of making it by hand.
It seems that my ring has a twisted design, representing the branches of the world's trees and wishing for peace and tranquility.
There are many differences in the fine design, but Queen Noel's ring has the same design.
The refinement of my rough ring was Queen Noel's.
“This Highland Royal wedding ring mimics the ring design used by the first king, Saintess Anna. The original is stored in the treasure trove as a national treasure, and I've rarely seen it either....."
I see, Anna-san has been using that ring for a long time.
The sad look on my face just before I frozen to sleep flashed back.
--Makoto-san, save the world a thousand years from now.
Anna's words come to life.
At that time, I nodded tinyly.
Unfortunately, the results are mixed.
Ugh! Makoto-sama!
“Yes, yes, what is it?”.
I was immersed in memories.
I turned to Queen Noel in a hurry.
"Generally speaking, Saintess Anna is married to Abel the Brave." But the Highlanders know it's impossible. ”
It's the same person.
"I've been mysterious about my marriage partner." Daisen-sama couldn't tell me by saying, "I can't tell you about my appointment with Anna." I can't believe it was Makoto-sama.... "
"The Great Sage (Momo)...?"
I wonder why.
I think I can tell the Highland royals.
Leaning over, Queen Noel suddenly bowed her head to me.
"Lady Noel!?"
Makoto was the ancestor of our Highland Royal Family... please forgive me for all the rudeness I've shown so far.
"Wait a minute!" I married Anna, but I don't have any children!? "
I guess I didn't do anything in the first place.
From the Goddess of Destiny, she said, "Why don't you take your hand when you're married?" I was stunned.
I didn't marry for that purpose.
"Eh... is that so?"
"A thousand years ago, it was a day of battle with the Demon King." As soon as I got rid of all the demon kings, I came back a thousand years later, so I didn't have anything to do with the so-called married life. "
"Well... who was Anna-sama with then...?"
"Come on... I don't know"
Is this somebody I met after I had frozen sleep?
I don't want to hear anything that bothers me...
Momo probably knows.
But if Anna doesn't want me to say it, maybe she shouldn't ask.
"Makoto-sama! I want to talk to Anna-sama..."
Noelle-sama, I see a destination.
Queen Noel said she'd heard more about it a thousand years ago, but I blocked it.
Beyond the grey sea.
I saw small islands connecting.
- Herb Islands
It is originally a paradise island in the summer.
A little off the western continent, these islands are managed by the six kingdoms of the western continent, including the Land of the Sun.
Princess Sofia told me that the Royal Family also owns several mansions as villas.
There are two reasons why it was a destination this time.
One is because it is distant from the western continent, and it may not be affected by the charm of the witch of the disaster.
Queen Noel and I approached the largest of several mansions.
The mansion is managed by the Highland Royal Family.
He brought the dragon closer to the beach and descended to the ground with Queen Noel.
It's been a few hours.
I looked up at the sky.
Slightly grayish, but lighter compared to the western continent.
"I wonder what effect it has on the inhabitants here..."
At that time, there were several figures running towards us.
"Who are you guys!" This is land owned by the Highland Royalty and you don't know it! ”
"Identify yourself! If you don't tell me, I'll make you answer with strength!"
There were a few knights coming from the Mansion.
They seem to be guarding the Mansion.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your guard duty." This is Makoto Takatsuki. I am the hero of the Land of Water (Roses). You know the name. ”
Queen Noel came out here.
"Your Majesty, Queen Noel!?
"You're safe!" Suddenly I couldn't get in touch with my home country, and the people who said they were going directly to my home country didn't come back... "
"What the hell is going on...?" Since a few days ago, the sky and sea have changed to strange colors, and I feel that something strange is happening..... "
“I'm going to explain that to you. Collect what you can move. Not just in the sun, but also in the neighboring islands. You may give me the name of King Noel of the Highlands. Tell him it's an emergency.”
Hah!
Soon the knights ran.
The other maids also ran from the mansion, and immediately stood by the side of Queen Noel.
From what Makoto read, it seems that this island is not under the control of the witch of disaster.
"It's a long way from the western continent." I'm glad..... "
"I will confirm the battle forces on this island in the future and think about future operations. Makoto-sama is joining us....."
"Before that, Queen Noel, please rest. You look terrible."
I don't have time for that!
If you fall, isn't the western continent over?
"That's......"
Queen Noel looked troubled.
"I have something to look into, so I'll do something different." Meet me at the Mansion in the evening when the sun goes down. Please restore your strength by then. "
"I see..."
He looked disgruntled, but he nodded to me.
I was under house arrest at Highland Castle, but I had a very different degree of exhaustion from Queen Noel, who was trapped in a dungeon.
And Queen Noel had never been on an adventure.
I could tell by the look on my face that I was going to be pretty tired.
Well then, later, Master Makoto.
Please take a good rest, Noel-sama.
In fact, I don't think I'm in a very good mood to rest.
Queen Noel left the Mansion with a bitter smile.
"Well......"
Seeing Queen Noelle leave, I stretched.
Back to the sand again.
I slowly stepped into the sea.
― ― Water magic Water surface walking and water flow.
I manipulate the water on the surface and move the sea.
The acceleration was sudden, and it exploded over the water.
If you're traveling at sea, you're actually faster than the Water Dragon.
Queen Noel was with me, so I stopped her.
I went around the islands of the Herb Islands for a while.
Royalty and nobility from the western continent are only using it for resorts, and the large mansion stands out.
I looked sideways at them and looked for the island of interest.
Is that so?
I found a small, familiar island.
It is related to the current, and drifting alone can't reach it.
A small deserted island without a hundred meters in all directions.
But at the time, every island was deserted, and we chose this place as our base because there were no monsters.
Unspoiled rough sandy beaches.
I set foot on a deserted island and found stones arranged in a circle.
It is a stone bamboo used to start a fire and set it on fire.
The moss grows and the stones are scattered by the wind and rain, whether it has not been used for the longest time.
I rearranged it one by one.
"This place hasn't changed much."
A thousand years ago, this was the base that Cain and I used to conquer the submarine shrine.
The second reason I came to the Herben Islands.
Because this is an island close to the undersea shrine.
Because it is the final labyrinth (last dungeon) of the highest difficulty through which most adventurers pass, there is not even an adventurer's guild.
You can't recruit allies, and I'm sure they won't get together.
I wanted to come with Lucy and Sai if possible.
I'm sure the two of you who have become the greatest adventurers in the Land of Water have given you good advice.
Or perhaps with the help of the Great Sage (Momo), who became the best wizard in the western continent, we could have gotten closer to the attack.
But now they're trapped in a witch of disaster.
I need to get my friends out of here.
However, as it was, I could not take on the witch of disaster.
I don't know how to solve the fascination, and above all, it is said that it covers all the stars.
Once this is complete, the fate of all life on this planet will be controlled by the Witch of Disaster.
"What should I do..."
All I could think of was what the goddess (Noah) once said.
... if the world becomes Makoto's enemy, I will be your only ally.
Was Lord Noah aware of the situation?
At that time, I thought it was some kind of word, but now it's as it is.
I want you to lead me now, but I can't hear Lord Noah.
This was probably the effect of the Disaster Witch's barrier.
Even though it didn't have the fascination effect on this island, the goddess's voice seemed to be interrupted.
The Witch of Disaster hated the God who gave her an unfair fate.
You don't think God's guidance is necessary for the people of the earth.
In that case, to hear Lord Noah's voice, we had to go straight to the ground.
Aim... for the submarine temple.
As usual, I didn't feel like I could conquer them at all.
But no other plan comes to mind.
If Master Noah had anticipated the situation, he might have told us what to do.
It was a maneuver that God was asking for too much.
Slowly approach the beach.
Looking up at the sky, a gray sun floats in the gray blue sky.
I wonder if it's a little past noon.
My appointment with Queen Noel is at sunset, so I have a few more hours to go.
It was the first time in a thousand years that I was aiming for an undersea shrine.
(Before a full-scale assault, we should investigate on site......)
I approached the slightly rough surface of the sea and jumped in without hesitation.