Monster no Goshujin-sama - Volume 15 - Chapter 17.1

Extra Story: What He’d Staked His Life on Regaining ~Kaneki Mikihiko’s POV~

The incident was now over, all adversity had been overcome. For me, it was the end of a long battle. I’d been one step away from the clutches of death, but here I was, still breathing, and the commander had been taken back from captivity. This was pretty much the best outcome I could possibly imagine.

After escaping that world, Takahiro successfully reunited with his servants. He also linked back up with me, Iino, and Shimazu. The one exception was Kudou, who’d made himself scarce along with his servants right before the rendezvous. Well, it probably would’ve gotten complicated if he’d bumped into Iino or the like, so that was probably the right decision.

Once we were all back together, I got some genuine medical care. In the middle of that, I reached my limit and passed out.

By the time I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying down in an unfamiliar place. Quite a while had passed, judging by how dark it was. Before passing out, I’d been under the blue sky in the prairies a couple dozen kilometers away from the capital. Now, having apparently been moved, I was looking up at a cloth ceiling.

“Where...?”

“You’re inside a tent Mister Majima offered us.”

I froze upon hearing the voice that answered me. It had been so long since I’d heard it in person. In the moment, I had no idea how to respond. This was an instant I’d longed for so much that my mind blanked out once it actually happened. And as I remained frozen, an illumination runestone lit up, revealing the person sitting to my side.

“Commander...?”

“Morning, Mikihiko. I’m so glad to be able to see you again.”

With that, her face still haggard, the commander showed me a smile that was no different from how it’d been before.

◆ ◆ ◆

It was a touching reunion, but the commander immediately excused herself and left the tent. It was somewhat anticlimactic.

Still, giving it some thought, I was so shocked by our sudden reunion that I had no idea what to say. That was no good. No good at all. Even if I’d spent months living like a dog looked down upon by the Holy Order, I still had enough pride left in me to want to look cool before the woman I loved.

I waited all on my own, and next, Takahiro came by. The commander had apparently informed him I was awake. Lily was the only one accompanying him.

“What a relief. You’re awake,” he said.

“Just as you can see,” I replied. “It’s all thanks to Lily, right? I can’t really move about, though.”

Healing magic wasn’t omnipotent. I’d been beaten to a pulp. It would take a fair amount of time and rest for me to be up and about. That said, there was no need for me to fight anymore, so it didn’t really bother me.

“What happened after that?” I asked.

“Right, that’s what I came to inform you of.”

Takahiro nodded, then told me about what had happened since I lost consciousness. He’d used the long-distance communication device I’d been carrying to contact Shiran. By then, she’d finished rescuing the commander and the other Alliance Knights, linked up with Philip, the Akerian delegation, and the dragons of Draconia, and escaped the capital. The dragons were capable of flying, so it hadn’t been much trouble to get out of the city. Using the air lanes, Shiran’s entire group had linked up with ours within the day.

The few knights of the Holy Order who’d gotten caught in the teleportation, namely Gordon and his subordinates, were also safe. After Shiran had gone to save the commander in the capital, they’d survived inside the fabricated world while repelling monsters the whole time. Once they were thrown out into the prairies, Takahiro had used the Misty Lodge to locate and retrieve them.

He’d also pinpointed several former exploration team members—the ones working with the Holy Order—wandering the prairies, but had declined to contact them. That was the right decision. It was best to let sleeping dogs lie. There was no need to shelter them, and there was no point in going out of our way to attack them either.

“After that, we asked the dragons to move everyone to the nearby forest,” Takahiro said. “We didn’t want to be found by the church.”

“So once you were hidden, you set up camp,” I said. “Anyway, I’m surprised you had a tent like this with you. You’ve even got one just for me.”

“We don’t actually have one for everyone,” he said. “You and that other one are getting special treatment. You know, that knight who was cooperating with you, Lady Elena. You two were heavily injured. Well, with people using them in groups, we do in fact have enough to house everyone. Rose made them, after all.”

“She can really pull anything out of those magic bags of hers, huh?”

“You talk like it has nothing to do with you. A pretty large majority of the stuff in there is stuff you planted in her head.”

“Oops, didn’t mean to stir that nest,” I said, laughing frivolously.

“That’s how it goes,” Takahiro replied, shrugging before his smile vanished. “We’re all resting until tomorrow. You rest up too, Mikihiko. You might not like having Sir Gordon so nearby, though.”

“To be brutally honest, the Holy Order is one group I find particularly disgusting.”

“Makes sense.”

“Still, I know I’m being unreasonable. I’m sure Gordon didn’t even know anything.”

“He didn’t. He and his men are genuinely sincere and virtuous knights. I’m betting that’s exactly why Harrison didn’t tell them the truth...”

“Takahiro?”

I cocked my head, sensing something steely behind my best friend’s expression. This was the face of a man ready to see his hopes accomplished.

“Mikihiko. Don’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. After being used like that, I believe you should know about it.”

After that preamble, Takahiro went on to explain the truth of this world to me. His story was full of nothing but surprises, but somehow, it all made sense.

“Edgar mentioned something to me,” I said. “He wanted to know why Harrison is so insistent on killing you.”

“He said that?”

“Mm-hm. If this is the answer, it kinda makes sense. ‘To protect the world.’ I get it now.”

“Mikihiko?”

“I just find it really tough. Knowing about the truth of this world and trying to protect its fragile existence. Being virtuous alone isn’t enough. To still be a knight, a personification of justice, holding the people’s survival so close at heart...but when necessary, having the ability to make critical decisions. It must require a will of steel. In other words, it requires one to be just like Harrison Addington.”

Only after saying that did I notice Takahiro looking at me wide-eyed.

“How unexpected,” he said. “You assess Harrison pretty highly.”

“Ha ha, I’ve got a different opinion of him on an emotional level. He did manipulate me like crazy. I know him better than you do, Takahiro. He’s actually really impressive. How do I put it? He’s the kinda guy you see in textbooks? That’s exactly why it was weird that he was trying to kill you so obstinately, disregarding anything there was to gain or lose from doing so.”

“I see.”

“Well, setting that aside, I wouldn’t mind giving him a good stabbing if I ever see him again.”

Even if my emotional impressions were a separate matter, there was also a facet of them that coincided with my logical impressions. The commander had survived safely to this day because the Holy Church had been desperately maintaining the world’s stability. I accepted that fact and didn’t deny the monumental effort it implied. I understood they were a necessity to this world, and I appraised them highly for that. Even taking that into consideration, I couldn’t forgive them for what they’d done. That was why it warranted a little stabbing.

“Anyway, let me know if you need a hand,” I said. “You can’t really tell a lot of people about how the world works and all... Well, so I say, but look at the state I’m in.”

“Just get some rest for now,” Takahiro said, chuckling. “When the time comes, I’ll be relying on you.”

He spoke words of consideration in a relaxed manner. However, he was the one who needed worrying about. My battle was over, but my best friend was still in the maelstrom. He stood in an endlessly difficult position, one it seemed that nobody had ever experienced before. Despite that, he seemed so relaxed. He must’ve steeled himself for what was to come already.

When he found himself in another dreadful situation, I was definitely going to be there for him. I confirmed that in my heart once more.

◆ ◆ ◆

“That’s everything I had to tell you. I’ll go let the commander know,” Takahiro said as he started leaving. “I’m sure she’ll come over right away. You have a ton to talk about, right?”

My heart leaped. I missed my chance to reply.

“What’s with that face?” Takahiro said, finding my reaction unexpected. “You finally get to see her again.”

“Well, that’s true, but ya know... Getting to see her kinda makes me really nervous. My feelings only grew stronger, so it’s like it’s scary to see her again...? Ugh, you wouldn’t understand! You and your mutual love!”

“I won’t deny that.”

“You saying that straight to my goddamn face?!”

“Then don’t mention it in the first place...” Takahiro said with an exasperated smile. “I hope it goes well.”

“Mm. Thanks.”

A friendly conversation where we fooled around. Even after such a desperate fight to the death, our relationship remained the same. This truly was a tremendous gift. And just as Takahiro left, perhaps having held back so that the two friends could talk, Lily spoke up for the first time since coming here.

“Oh, right. I have a message from Gerbera,” she said.

“From Gerbera? What is it?” I asked.

“‘I left you a gift as a thank-you,’ or so she said. I don’t know what she meant, but there you have it.”

◆ ◆ ◆

Now then, what could this gift be about? I looked up at the tent’s ceiling and puzzled over it. I couldn’t think of anything. There wasn’t much I could do about that. I’d been so desperate these last few months. I couldn’t really remember the peaceful days before that. I felt totally burned out too, and despite having gotten some sleep, my brain still wasn’t really functioning. What’s more, my head was full of the commander.

Well, I could just shelve that for later. I could also ask her about it when I got the chance. Right as I came to that conclusion, the commander returned. She had a somewhat large leather bag in one hand, and a sandwich in the other.

“You must be hungry,” she said. “I brought you a meal. You still can’t move, so I’ll feed you.”

“Huh? You’ll feed me personally?”

“Who else is here?”

“H-Hang on a sec! I’m not ready!”

“Ready for what? You can’t move, can you? Quit being foolish or I’ll jam it in there.”

I wasn’t really being foolish. I needed to mentally prepare myself for how heart-pounding this was. It was the same as always. I had no idea what to say.

Incidentally, despite saying all that, the commander fed me courteously—my heart beating like a hammer the whole time. Once she was done, she had me drink some water. I could die with no regrets now. Not that I would actually be okay with dying at this point, obviously. I still had things I had to do, after all.

“Now then,” the commander said, straightening her posture by my bedside and looking down at me. “Do you remember what I said?”

“Yes.”

“I have something to tell you. It’ll take a while, so... Mikihiko, make sure to come back alive. You hear me? That’s a promise.”

I was well aware that I’d acted without being asked to. It sounded nice saying I’d risked my life to protect the commander, but it was a different matter whether she’d wished for such a thing. It made sense for her to be angry. If I hadn’t been okay with that, I wouldn’t have thrown myself into battle to begin with. I quietly awaited my sermon.

“Um, you know,” she said.

“Yes.”

“Umm, you see...”

“Yes?”

Oh? What was with her? She wasn’t scolding me. She wasn’t acting as decisive as she usually did. Her eyes wandered, and after hesitating for a good while, she asked me a question instead.

“Right. Do you have something you want to say?”

“Me?”

“You got me back. There must be something.”

I hadn’t expected this. Still, if she was going that far, I had no choice but to comply. After thinking it over a little, I answered honestly.

“I don’t,” I said.

“Y-You don’t?” The commander acted a little flustered, her eyes looking somewhat shaken. “But despite saying that, you’re, um, in...”

“Love with you. I’m head over heels. Enough that I don’t mind throwing away my life for you.”

“O-Oh. Right.”

“But it’s not like I want some kinda compensation for saving you or anything.”

“In other words...” the commander said, knitting her brow. “You have no desire to enter a relationship?”

“No! I totally want that! I want it like nothing else! But that, like, goes into a different stomach? It’s like a difference in interpretation? Like I don’t mind being a houseplant in a corner of a happy household?”

“You’re not making sense. Explain it in a way that I’ll understand too.”

“I’m saying... So long as you’re happy, that’s fine with me.”

It was a pretty immature thing to say. It was embarrassing, but these were my true feelings.

“I’m no more than a brat to you,” I said. “I’m not a man. I’m not of any romantic interest. I’ve known this for a long time.”

It was frustrating, but I still had a long way to go. In truth, I hadn’t even been able to protect her. I hadn’t been able to become her knight in shining armor.

“I have no interest in entering that kinda relationship by taking advantage of a debt of gratitude,” I said. “There’s no point to it unless you’re happy.”

“Is that so? Very well,” the commander said, sighing and scratching her head. “What a fool. I am still royalty, remember? It’s normal to get married without feeling any love. And here I owe you enough that I wouldn’t be able to refuse if you pressed me for marriage. Good grief.”

“Ha ha ha. Sorry for being stupid.”

Would I come to regret this? No. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking of idiotic ideas like that.

“But you know, Mikihiko, you misunderstand,” the commander said. “People grow. Sometimes, they do so when you’re not looking. As such, you might not even realize that you’ve changed yourself.”

“Huh?”

I didn’t really get it. I cocked my head as she faced me with gentle eyes.

“You’re a man. That’s what I believe.”

I was speechless.

“Now then, that’s all for today. Sorry this dragged on,” she said.

“H-Hang on?!”

Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait a tick!

“One more time! Say that one more time.”

“I said that’s all for today.”

She shut me down coldly. However, illuminated by the runestone, the commander’s face looked red.

Huh? Seriously? Can I actually be hopeful? I felt restless. The commander was acting bashful too, making the air deeply awkward.

Aaaah! I wanna bring it up again! I really, really wanna quip and bring it up again! But she was sure to get angry if I did. What’s more, it would definitely trouble her. I couldn’t do it. I absolutely couldn’t do it. But I felt so awkward not saying anything. I tried to think of a topic we could shift to, when something suddenly caught my eye.

“Oh yeah, Commander?”

“What is it?”

“It’s been bugging me for a while now. What’s that?”

I turned her attention to the leather bag she’d brought in here. I’d been curious about it this whole time.

“Aah, this?”

The commander also looked relieved. It seemed this was the right answer. Freed from the awkward tension, I let out a sigh of relief.

This turned out to be a tremendous failure, though...

“Gerbera handed it to me,” the commander said, holding up the bag. “What was it she said...? ‘As thanks for the advice Mikihiko gave me, I made this based on what we discussed. Please open it together and enjoy it. Mikihiko will be pleased.’”

“What...?”

Thanks? For advice I’d given her? I wondered what it was. Now that I thought of it, Lily had mentioned something similar. “I left you a gift as a thank-you.” That was her message from Gerbera. So this was what she’d been referring to? What was she thanking me for, though? Advice I’d given her? Now then, what advice had I given Gerbera?

“Ah...”

I remembered. I’d definitely given her advice. It’d happened during our journey from Fort Tilia to Serrata. She’d come to me to discuss what kind of clothes she should make for Rose. I remembered giving it my all to draw up a plan on a piece of loose-leaf paper. I was actually pretty good at drawing. That said, I was still at the level of a sprouting amateur.

Anyway, she didn’t really need to thank me for that. When she was so innocently grateful about it, it actually made me feel guilty. After all, what I’d drawn was a slightly sexy maid outfit brimming with frills and lace. I’d insisted that all men loved it and that Takahiro would be pleased. It’d been a bit of a prank. Well, I was pretty sure it would’ve pleased him either way. Takahiro was a man too. Still, he was pretty straitlaced, so it was questionable on that front.

So, um... What did she say again?

“As thanks for the advice Mikihiko gave me, I made this based on what we discussed. Please open it together and enjoy it. Mikihiko will be pleased.”

I turned pale. Judging by the way she’d worded it, Gerbera had no ill intent. She genuinely believed that “all men loved it” meant “I loved it.” And to thank me for teaching her, she’d created one and had given it to the woman I had my heart set on. There was nothing but gratitude behind this act. If she’d designed it exactly as I’d drawn it, I was simply reaping what I’d sowed.

“Miki...hiko... This is...”

With a slightly sexy maid outfit brimming with frills and lace in hand, the commander trembled. I trembled too.

“Mikihikooooooo!”

“I’m sorryyyyyy!”

A roar and scream resonated over the campsite. And just like that, the everyday life I’d staked my life on recovering had come back to me.