Monster no Goshujin-sama - Volume 16 - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Putting the Clues Together

Katou Mana immediately started to make a move after seeing Majima Takahiro off and returning to her room. Her fellow travelers—Aker’s delegation, the Alliance Knights, the residents of Draconia who’d stayed behind, Kaneki Mikihiko, and Shimazu Yui—hadn’t come to the capital. The only others inside the room were Rose, Gerbera, and Iino Yuna.

“Are you listening, Gerbera? Be careful not to break anything,” Rose said, attaching some kind of magic bag to Gerbera’s waist.

“You don’t need to tell me that.”

Rose stared up at Gerbera’s beautiful face. Rose wasn’t actually using her eyes to see, so this would normally be an unnecessary gesture. As she was now, her movements were indistinguishable from a human’s.

“Oh, Gerbera, you’re looking a little pale,” Rose said.

“Hrm? No, I don’t think I...” Gerbera started, then furrowed her brow. “Hrm? Hmmm? Now that you mention it, my body feels a little strange. I don’t really get it.”

“How do you not understand?” Rose asked. “Actually, how did you not notice until I mentioned it?”

“I’ve never been in poor health,” Gerbera said. “Hmm. Thinking back on it, I found it a little hard to move during the battle in that labyrinth too. What can it be? I don’t believe I have some manner of disease.”

“A lot has happened lately,” Rose said. “I doubt you’ve gotten sick, but you may be more exhausted than you think. Unlike me, you do have an organic body. You should be more careful with your health.”

It was charming to watch Gerbera obliviously endure Rose’s gentle, considerate admonishment. Nevertheless, now wasn’t the time for that.

“Can I say something?”

“What’s the matter, Mana?” Rose asked, straightening herself back up and turning to face Katou Mana.

“I think it’s about time to start making a move,” Mana said.

“A move...you say?” Rose repeated, cocking her head curiously. “I believe the plan was to remain as a group like this until the others return, right?”

“Of course, that part hasn’t changed,” Mana confirmed. Even though they judged that they weren’t in any particular danger here, they weren’t going to go out of their way to show any enemies an opening. “I want all of us to move together. We should be doing what we can instead of just waiting for the others. I need to ask everyone to come along, though.”

“I see,” Rose said. “I don’t mind.”

“Neither do I,” Iino Yuna agreed. “I’m your guard, after all.”

She was still doing her duty while keeping pressure on her wounded leg. This could be interpreted as a facet of her serious personality, but she also seemed fretful to do anything of use. Katou Mana was grateful either way. Even without her greatest weapon, Iino Yuna still possessed the strength to match a warrior. The title of strongest hand-to-hand combatant in the exploration team wasn’t just for show.

“Mm. I don’t mind either,” Gerbera said, her lips curving into a smile. “So what are you scheming this time, Katou?”

“Don’t make it sound like I’m the bad guy. What kind of person do you think I am?” Mana complained, narrowing her eyes before answering the question. “I’m thinking of visiting Harrison. There’s something I want to ask him.”

The three others looked at her in shock.

“I didn’t expect to hear his name,” Gerbera commented. “But isn’t he bedridden?”

This was a state of emergency that involved the potential end of the world, so he’d gone out to give directions to the pursuit force. However, by all rights, he was on his deathbed. He wasn’t in a state to receive guests.

“Is there any reason for me to care about Harrison’s condition?” Mana asked, smiling.

“R-Right...” Gerrea said, her expression shifting uneasily at how pretty Katou Mana’s smile was.

“I have a proper reason for visiting,” Mana added. “There’s something I want to ask. Some time has passed since everyone left on the chase, so he should be done giving orders to the knights by now. I’m sure he’s left everything else to Sir Gordon and is getting some rest. If he’s not accepting guests, nobody will get in the way, so this might actually be convenient.”

“O-Oh. That’s good. So you’re not just harassing him,” Gerbera muttered.

“Of course not. I just don’t feel the need to be considerate,” Mana reiterated. “Well, I won’t deny that I’m still angry at him.”

Katou Mana sighed to expel the heat of the emotions building up within her. Seeing her like that, Rose smiled. She knew her best friend well. It was clear that Katou Mana’s compassion was deep, unexpectedly so from the point of view of those who feared her. That said, at the same time, she was prepared to cut loose all emotions and reason if it was necessary. That was precisely why she shut her feelings deep down inside and was considering visiting Harrison.

“If you say so, Mana, then it must be necessary,” Rose said. “Then shall we get moving right away?”

There was no time like the present. Just as Rose made that suggestion, Gerbera’s brow twitched. Her red eyes turned to the door. A few seconds later, a knock came from it. They had a guest, an unexpected one at that.

“Aoi?”

“H-Hi, Mana.”

With an awkward expression, the exploration team’s Stalwart Snow White, Mitarai Aoi, stepped into the room with unreliable steps. Nobody was accompanying her. Katou Mana could tell by her behavior that Mitarai Aoi was here to visit her.

Katou Mana hadn’t expected this development. She got her thoughts moving to try and figure out what this was about. The last time she’d seen this girl was during the meeting with the exploration team. At the time, Mitarai Aoi had criticized Majima Takahiro for having relationships with the women around him and had used that as a reason to object to his joining the exploration team. This wasn’t just to annoy him, of course. She’d done it purely out of consideration for her friend.

However, that same friend hadn’t wanted that at all. To protect her loved one’s position, she’d had no choice but to take on an attitude that had practically severed all relations with this girl. She was aware that this had been merciless of her and was something she’d never displayed back in their own world. Mitarai Aoi had been quite clearly shocked at the time. That was why it was unexpected for her to come to see her like this.

“U-Um... I’m here...to apologize...”

Mitarai Aoi timidly cut to the chase. There was clear fear in her voice. She was terrified that her friend hated her now. No matter how strong her muscles were now thanks to her power as a visitor, this was one thing she couldn’t do anything about. The one here wasn’t the savior known as the Stalwart Snow White. She was just a girl who’d mustered the courage to come here. Katou Mana felt that courage should be acknowledged, even if her perception of this situation was a little skewed.

“Mana, you don’t really see Majima-senpai that way, right?” Aoi said. “And yet, I jumped to conclusions and made a huge fuss...”

Katou Mana was speechless.

“I-I heard you got caught in some kinda incident,” Aoi continued. “It happened right after we fought, so I really regretted it. I kept asking myself why I did such a thing. But I’m so glad you’re okay.”

There really was something off about what she was saying, but at the very least, she was being sincere. During the battle the other day, she’d participated in the Alliance Knights’ rescue alongside Shiran and Kei. This had been for the sake of lending Katou Mana a hand. Even back when she’d criticized Majima Takahiro, it had been out of genuine concern for her friend. As for why she would do such things, it was extremely natural when going by the sensibilities of their old world.

The cause of this disconnect—the one who’d changed—was in fact Katou Mana. She knew this too. That was why she hesitated to coldly turn this girl away on the spot. She couldn’t deny that their old friendship played a part in this.

Before she knew it, Katou Mana’s eyes had naturally drifted elsewhere. She looked past Iino Yuna and right at Rose, who was watching how things progressed attentively. Rose smiled humbly, her expression so gentle one would never think it was a fabrication, then nodded. The reason she wasn’t saying anything was because she was leaving everything to Katou Mana. Understanding that, Mana felt her expression loosen up. Having received courage from her best friend, she turned once more to the girl who’d once been her friend.

“Sorry, Mana, I...”

“No, it’s fine, Aoi,” Mana said, shaking her head. “I mean, I made it all up, so there’s no need for you to apologize to me.”

“Huh...?”

“I mean, what I said back then was all a lie.”

“Wuh...?”

Mitarai Aoi’s eyes turned to saucers.

“About me not being in love with Majima-senpai,” Mana explained clearly.

She figured she should talk about her feelings for that boy, and about who she was now.

“Please hear me out, Aoi,” Mana continued. “There’s a big gap in understanding between us. I doubt you’ve noticed, though.”

Mitarai Aoi’s behavior was definitely skewed, but she wasn’t aware of it. That was why it was important to correct that point first, even if it meant resetting their relationship to zero.

“Teleporting to this world with everyone from school and having lived that way ever since, I believe you see this as an extension of your school life,” Mana started. “But that isn’t the case for me. Because of the Colony’s destruction, everything I had was set back to nothing.”

“Mana...”

“So, I’m sorry. To me, that world is no more than the past now.”

After a short while, realizing what she meant, Mitarai Aoi bit her lip. “By the past...you mean me too?”

“Yes.”

This should’ve been made clear from the very beginning. Her failure to do so had been an error in judgment, as well as a sign of weakness. That said, their relationship was now back to the starting line. It was all over... Not that it would really end that way.

“That’s why I was happy to get along with you again,” Mana said. “It’s pretty selfish of me to say so, though.”

Being a thing of the past didn’t mean she thought of it as inconsequential. This girl had been such a dear friend that Katou Mana had made such an uncharacteristic mistake, after all.

“Huh? Wuh? Mana? What does that mean?”

“You don’t necessarily have to get along with an old friend, right?” Mana elaborated. “I’m with Majima-senpai, and you’re part of the exploration team. Naturally, if you acknowledge me as I am now and still want to be friends, then that’s another thing entirely.”

If she thought of her as the same friend she’d been before, it would only get more complicated. For example, if somebody met a friend from ten years ago, their environment and circumstances could be completely different, and their sense of values could have changed. Nevertheless, it was possible for them to rekindle that friendship.

“How about it?” Mana said, holding out her hand.

Mitarai Aoi didn’t seem to really understand. Still, she knew what this gesture meant.

“S-Sorry, Mana,” she said. “I’m dumb. Can I still consider us friends?”

“No,” Mana answered, shaking her head. “I’m saying we can become friends once more. If you wish to be friends with who I am now, that is.”

After explaining it as simply as she could, it seemed Mitarai Aoi finally began to catch on. Her expression regained its usual cheeriness. It was true, she wasn’t very smart, but she wasn’t a hopeless idiot either. She made mistakes, spun her wheels, and caused trouble. But she also apologized honestly, repented, and gave things proper thought when they were explained to her. That was exactly why Katou Mana had once been close to her.

“Aaah, I kinda get it,” Aoi muttered. “Mana, a whole lot has happened to you since then, huh? That’s what you mean by going back to nothing. But you came this far...with Majima-senpai. You found something precious by doing so. I can’t possibly become your friend if I refuse to acknowledge that.”

She should’ve done this from the very beginning. Mitarai Aoi timidly took her hand, and once she saw that Katou Mana wasn’t going to shake her off, she clung to her with both hands.

“Mana, I’m so sorry,” she said with a weak and pitiful smile.

“I’m sorry too,” Katou Mana replied, returning a smile of her own.

It was just like those long-gone days. Their circumstances were so different now, but they were able to smile at each other just like they had before.

◆ ◆ ◆

Rose and Gerbera watched the heartwarming scene play out.

“That settles things, then,” Gerbera said.

“Yes, it does,” Rose agreed.

By overcoming this break in relations, Rose’s best friend had regained what had once been dear to her. Rose was happy for them from the bottom of her heart. She’d been sure that things would go well. She knew Katou Mana better than anyone, after all. And she knew what came next too.

“All that’s left is to take clear responsibility,” Rose added.

“What did you say?” Gerbera said, when...

“Ah.” Katou Mana raised her voice as if suddenly remembering something.

Mitarai Aoi made a curious look, wondering what it was, when Katou Mana suddenly squeezed both her hands. That squeezing quickly turned to a firm grip. It was as if she was making sure Mitarai Aoi couldn’t get away.

“I forgot to mention one thing,” Mana said, her beautiful smile implying something entirely different now.

“Hwuh?”

“It’s fine and all that you apologized to me, but do make sure to apologize properly to Majima-senpai too, okay?”

This was this. That was that. Watching it from the sidelines, Gerbera shrieked in fear. One had to take clear responsibility for what they’d done. This was Katou Mana’s nature, and it was amplified whenever it came to the boy she loved.

“You’re seriously, seriously pissed?!” Mitarai Aoi screamed fearfully as all the color drained from her face.

◆ ◆ ◆

Immediately after reconciling with Mitarai Aoi, Katou Mana went on the move.

“Huh? Mana, you’re gonna go see Sir Harrison? You’ll be glad to have an escort on the way? Mm, I’ll go too. Leave it to me.”

And just like that, she had one more traveling companion. Mitarai Aoi was exceedingly reassuring to have along. Despite her recent behavior, she was the Stalwart Snow White, one of the foremost combatants in the exploration team.

“Hee hee, I’ll do my best to make up for Yuna-senpai being injured too!”

“Yes... Right. I’ll be relying on you,” Iino Yuna said, having far less energy by contrast.

“What’s up, Yuna-senpai?” Aoi asked.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about how I couldn’t do anything earlier.”

“You don’t gotta worry about that,” Aoi said. “That was my problem and all.”

“Our problem, Aoi,” Mana corrected. “I’ll also be relying on you.”

“Relax,” Aoi said with a tremendous smile. “Even if Jinguuji-senpai comes at you, I’ll beat him to a pulp.”

Jinguuji Tomoya had traveled to another world, so there was no way he would show up, but there was no point in saying that when she was so motivated. The girls left the room and made their way toward Harrison.

“Waaah?! Mana, you confessed to Majima-senpai? Huh? Really? B-But you seem to really get along with Rose and Gerbera too?”

“I don’t see why that should bother us?” Gerbera chimed in.

“I mean, I’ve been supporting Rose’s love this whole time,” Mana said.

“I’ve also been rooting for Mana’s love,” Rose added.

“Huh? Wah? What does that mean?”

Because of her animosity toward their master, Mitarai Aoi hadn’t had many interactions with his servants. However, perhaps due to a change in perception, she was eager to talk with them while on the move.

“Now that I think of it, Ishida isn’t around,” Mana commented. “How rare. He’s usually always with you, Aoi.”

“Aah, Tetsuo went after those Dimensional Cornerstone things.”

Ishida Tetsuo was a nicknamed cheater of the exploration team and Mitarai Aoi’s childhood friend. They spent enough time together that his absence seemed an aberration.

“He’s the Indomitable Will and all,” Aoi continued. “I didn’t go along because of this thing with you.”

“All we’ve been talking about is me and Senpai, but what about your side of things?” Mana asked.

“With Tetsuo? Ha ha. Nothing at all. We’re like siblings. I’ve gotta look out for him as his big sis, though.”

“Is that so...? Poor Ishida...”

“Hm? What’s that mean?”

So they kept chatting as they made their way to Harrison’s room.

“Oh yeah, Mana,” Aoi said. “When we left the room, you asked the knight there to let Sir Harrison know that we were on the way. What’d you mean by ‘If you won’t allow it, I’ll go wild’ at the end there?”

“Insurance in case of the unlikely,” Mana answered. “That said, it was just a bit of a joke. Don’t worry about it.”

It hadn’t come across as a joke at all, but they’d gotten permission. Upon arriving at their destination, the knight guarding the way let them through.

“Okay, take care!”

Mitarai Aoi hadn’t been informed about the truth of this world, so she couldn’t participate in these talks. Katou Mana felt bad for making her wait and had told her that she could leave, but Mitarai Aoi insisted on being a proper escort and waited outside the room. She puffed herself up and stood next to the door, getting a bewildered look from the knight who was also standing guard. She seemed satisfied with this role, so Katou Mana let her be. The peaceful atmosphere only lasted until they entered the room, though. Hazel eyes stared at them as they came through the door.

“What did you want to talk about?” Harrison asked.

He was covered in bandages and lying down in bed. He’d forced himself to get things ready for the operation to chase down Jinguuji, and his exertions had drained all the color from his features. His eyes were sunken and he looked practically on the verge of death. Nevertheless, his sense of duty had driven him to accept this meeting.

“Regarding the Dimensional Cornerstones, of course,” Mana said. Despite the heavy atmosphere, she didn’t falter. “There’s something I want to ask you. You’re going to answer me.”

“If it has to do with a threat to this world, then I won’t refuse.”

“Then let me go straight to the point. I want to know how the storage vault’s location was identified. Do you have any ideas?”

“Like I thought...” Harrison sighed. He’d apparently somewhat expected such an inquiry. “I’ve been asking the same question.”

“Meaning, at the very least, that situation wasn’t one where it could’ve been identified.”

“Of course,” Harrison declared. He was certain of it. “The only ones who knew the whole truth about the Dimensional Cornerstones were Lord Gerd and I. Naturally, the same went for the storage vault’s location.”

“What about the knights who guard it?”

“They only knew that the Dimensional Cornerstones possess the power to create other worlds. They weren’t told about the storage vault. It was also impossible for them to identify its existence on their own. The path to that world only opens when a Dimensional Cornerstone is used on the Dimension Door. If you go through that door without knowing anything, it leads to a plain room with nothing in it.”

“Meaning it was kept strictly confidential.”

“Exactly. That’s why I find this inexplicable too. How did such sensitive information get leaked...?”

“Isn’t it possible that nothing leaked at all?” Katou Mana asked.

“What...?” Harrison gave her a dubious look.

“It’s easier to consider the possibility that someone discovered it without hearing a secret that nobody knew. In truth, Majima-senpai was capable of sensing it, right? Naturally, that’s something he can only do because of his contract with the Misty Lodge Salvia, a being capable of creating worlds.”

“You’re implying another being like the Misty Lodge exists?”

“Not necessarily. Salvia really is an exception among exceptions. However...I want to know if there are other ways of finding out about the truth of this world.” Katou Mana’s tone remained sincere. “Majima-senpai is with the exploration team chasing Jinguuji Tomoya. I’m sure he’ll succeed and stop him. So, we must identify who instigated Jinguuji Tomoya. If we don’t...the fundamental problem will remain unresolved.”

“To protect the world, you mean...” Harrison closed his eyes.

“Does the Holy Church possess any knowledge about that kind of being?”

“As far as I know, it doesn’t...” After thinking it over for a while, Harrison opened his eyes. “But the same might not apply to Lord Gerd.”

“Archbishop Gerd?”

“Yes. He was the one to tell me about the truth of this world. He only taught me what I needed to know to fulfill my duty, but Lord Gerd was privy to secrets that he never shared with me.”

“...”

Archbishop Gerd was dead, meaning his knowledge was lost.

“No.” Reading her intent, Harrison shook his head. “It’s not entirely gone. Lord Gerd left behind his knowledge just in case the worst came to be.”

“Meaning there’s something in writing?”

“Of course. We couldn’t allow all those who knew the truth to vanish due to some unforeseen accident, after all.” Harrison nodded. “The reason the Holy Church didn’t know about the truth until the Grand Calamity was that knowledge inherited from the first savior had been lost over the ages. In all likelihood, during the dawn of the church before it had any real power, monster attacks or the like wiped out such knowledge. The knowledge we now possess regarding the truth of this world has been reconstructed over the last eight hundred years. We couldn’t allow the same mistake to be repeated.”

“Meaning Gerd has some kind of insurance?”

“Yes. He left behind a will in case anything happened to him. There should be a safe in his mansion that contains all documents related to the truth of this world. I’ve been entrusted with the key. The safe has been passed down in the Kruger family for generations, so it’s made to be impossible to open so long as Lord Gerd is alive. There might be some kind of clue inside.”

Harrison came to a quick decision.

“Let’s go to Lord Gerd’s mansion,” he said. “I have connections with the Kruger family. They should have been given detailed instructions in case this happened. If we show his will, we shouldn’t have any problems getting through.”

“You’ll go personally?” Mana asked.

“Of course,” Harrison answered. Despite being deathly pale, there was clear determination in his eyes. “There’s no way I’ll let Lord Gerd’s sacrifice go to waste.”