66 58. Hot Oaks

It was in the dark if you noticed.

There's nothing in all directions, just darkness going on. Looking around without even knowing up, down, left or right,

"Have you noticed, Mr. Ravelt Runwalker?

I heard a beautiful woman. I looked at those who heard voices and there stood a beautiful woman I had seen.

"Oh? You don't praise me like before this time ~"

and a beautiful woman who leans her neck with her right hand against her cheek.

"That would be so. It's the second time I've seen you, Astel."

Yes, it's Astel, the goddess, who reincarnated me into this world. She looks nothing different from when she was reincarnated, and she's a tremendous beauty.

"Ugh, thank you. I'd like more compliments, but I don't have time, so I'd like to move on. I'll solve the misunderstanding at the beginning, but Mr. Ray is not dead. Let me intervene in my consciousness while I'm just losing my mind. So we can talk."

Oh, that's good. I thought you came here because you died just like before.

"Then why have you intervened with me?

"That's because, of course, I met the Seven Demons."

Seven Demons. You mean him. I wanted to ask because my master seemed to know, but I lost my mind, so I couldn't.

"They refer to the Seven Demons, among the Demons, who have the protection of the Demon God. Those with the protection of the Demon God will die, but they will be resurrected after a certain period of time.

So my old protective hold made a seal, but the seal broke and I woke up. I should still have been ahead of you by appointment... "

You've got another hell of a thing coming out. Demon god. I studied the history of this continent from Mr. Helen, but there was no such thing as demon god.

"It was erased from history to keep the demon gods from believing. If we find out about the demon god, we'll have something to try to believe in. I won't let you do that."

"Why shouldn't you believe? If you just listen to me now, I can hear you turned it off because your faith doesn't fade."

When I say that, I look down sadly.

"I certainly can't help but sound like that. But the purpose of the demon god is to destroy this world. That's why I'm giving protection to the Demons to revive me. But you can't let that happen."

Sure, we can't let this world break. God has a lot going on, too.

"We don't have time right now, so let's get down to business, but there are five of us on this continent who now have the protection of the goddess. Please cooperate with those, one is you and the other, as you know, the Virgin of the Archadian pope. One more person is close to you. And the other two are the brave men of the Regalia Empire."

... what? The brave men of the Regalia Empire? When did you summon me?

"You just won't forgive me for that. Mr. Ray, I give you a piece of my power. This will make your protection stronger. Giving this to me is like forcing you to fight..."

That's what I said, Astel smiling a little spicy. I don't know about that mood, but I know you're worried about me.

"Okay. Because of the title you originally gave me, I knew I couldn't live in peace. And one or two more, you just have to get over it."

When I said that, Astel thanked me deeply.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ray"

When they said that, the sides turned bright white.

◇ ◇ ◇

Uh-huh. My body's heavy. I can't move my whole body. Why are you so sloppy? When I opened my heavy eyelid with that in mind, it was there.

"Uh-huh. Funya!... don't grip there, ehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe

and there was Ferris who uttered a mysterious bedtime speech. I was sitting in a chair, sleeping in a bed where I slept. I'm drooling. You know, watching Ferris sleep like that.

"Ferris, I'm coming in."

I hear voices. And then you came in.

"Oh, Ray, you're awake. Good for you. What are you sleeping for, Ferris?"

It was Aeris. Look me in the face, smile at me in peace, and the next time I see Ferris asleep, I slap him in the head with a sigh.

"Ouch! What? Enemy attack?"

Ferris, woken by surprise, gives a surprised look and looks everywhere. And with me and my eyes.

"Ray! You're up! Good for you!

and comes with a hug. He's happy to shake his tail. My ears are also standing peened.

"Here, calm down, Ferris. Ray's still awake, so it's gonna be tough."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ray. I'm so happy I woke up."

and Ferris, who blushes and lays low. Such a pretty face, too. I stroke Ferris' head like that. Ferris also rubs his head against the palm of his hand.

"What, this sweet space? Well, fine. Ray, how's your body?

"Uh-huh, my whole body feels weak, and I guess it's hard to move"

I say while checking my whole body. Yeah, I knew it was heavy.

"I knew it. I'm sure Ray knows, but it's fatigue due to magic exhaustion. Ellis, you're not keeping your mother's word."

and come decopin with jito eyes. 'Cause you don't have a choice. Because my life was in danger.

"... you don't have to look at me like that anymore. Because I know you were trying to protect your classmates."

and stroke my head. Aeris stroking Ferris' head Aeris stroking my head.... what is this.

With all that happening, I can finally listen to you. Looks like I slept all day. After I lost my mind, Aeris told me that my master had carried me this far and everyone else was safe. Good.

"Both Alexia and Helen were so worried, you can apologize later. He said your classmates stayed, too, but he went home."

"Really, thank you. So what about Alexia or Mr. Helen? If it was this time of year, I'd be home by now."

It was already evening that I woke up. It was a light day and the school was closed so it looks like Aerys and Ferris gave me a day of nursing. I apologize for the night off.

"Alexia would be at the royal palace with her master. I need to talk to you about yesterday. Mr. Helen is an escort."

Really? Should I report it if it gets rough near Wang Capital?

"Let's eat more than that. Ray, can you stand?"

"Yeah, I can handle it"

I manage to get out of bed. Yeah, a little sloppy, but okay. When I manage to get down to the ground floor and sit on the couch, Aeris brings me the food. Aeris isn't as good as Ferris, either, but he's good. Watching as they all look delicious, I hear the carriage stop and suddenly the outside gets noisy. Hey, what is it?

And I came in with enough momentum to break through the door to

"Ray, are you awake!

and a pretty angry master comes in. Why are you so angry? I'm so scared. Behind it was Alexia with an equally angry look, as well as Mr. Helen. What the hell happened?