Heroes in the Moonlight

by Yuri Kitayama

  “...I’ve noticed that the Ricca Guild’s products are called the exact same things as they are on Earth. The people in this world don’t seem to have noticed, so I figured there must be a secret behind it and never pointed it out,” Satsuki explained.

  “You did well to realize that. You even had translation sorcery cast on you.” Rio widened his eyes in awe.

  “Well, that translation sorcery is still a mystery and I’d be in a real pinch if it ever stopped working. It also doesn’t help me with reading and writing, so I’ve been testing things out and studying. And so, I noticed that the words I hear translated through the sorcery don’t match the movements of the speaker’s mouth, except for several of the Ricca Guild’s products that have identical mouth movements and sounds. It would be one thing if it were just one or two, but I couldn’t overlook so many as just a coincidence, you know?” Satsuki explained.

  “If you’ve noticed that much, I guess it’d be safe to tell you. Like me, Liselotte has memories of her previous life.”

  “Does that mean you’ve opened up to each other about your memories of your previous lives?”

  “Yes. I’ve received permission from Liselotte to tell you this if you had noticed the secret of the Ricca Guild on your own.”

  “I see. Then that means that she can be trusted for now, right?”

  “Right. She is a noble of the Galarc Kingdom, which makes it hard to trust her unconditionally in that sense, but she will accommodate us to the best of her ability as long as it doesn’t oppose the kingdom. She’s also known for her good character as the governor of Amande as well,” Rio said, delving into Liselotte’s personality traits.

  “Got it — thank you. I want to thank her personally, too, so I’ll talk to her next time.” Satsuki smiled in relief to hear that Liselotte could be trusted for now.

  Chapter 4: Secret Reunion

  Approximately two hours later...

  “Your escort has arrived, so let’s get going soon.” Sensing Aishia’s presence, Rio called out to Miharu and Satsuki to signal their departure.

  “What escort?” Satsuki tilted her head in confusion.

  “I could carry the two of you by myself, but it would be easier with some help, so I called for backup. She’s on the balcony right now — I’m going to open it,” Rio said as he stood up and walked over to the balcony, opening the doors. There stood Aishia alone, wearing a black overcoat.

  “...Who’s that?” Satsuki blinked blankly as Aishia came into her view.

  “She’s going to help me carry you two. Her name is Aishia, and she’s a good friend of mine,” Rio said.

  “Nice to meet you,” Aishia said briefly.

  “N-Nice to meet you,” Satsuki replied, captivated by her appearance. She then turned to Miharu. “She’s very pretty and adorable. I’ve never seen anything like it...”

  “Yes. I also thought the same when I first met her. Ai-chan is quiet, but she’s a very nice person,” Miharu happily introduced Aishia to Satsuki.

  “I would love to get to know you better.” Satsuki glanced at Aishia with a smile.

  “Sure,” Aishia nodded.

  “What do you want to do? Either Aishia or I will be carrying you, but...” Rio glanced at Aishia as he asked Satsuki.

  “Hmm. Could you carry me, Haruto? Aishia can carry Miharu,” Satsuki suggested, looking between Rio and Aishia’s.

  “Sure, I’m fine with that. But are you sure you want me to do it?”

  “Yup. Miharu gets nervous when she’s around boys, you know? She’d have to cling to you to be carried, but I don’t really mind that kind of stuff. Is that okay with you, Miharu?” Satsuki answered Rio with a laugh, before looking at Miharu.

  Miharu nodded after a slight pause. “...Y-Yes, of course. I’m counting on you, Ai-chan.”

  “Sure.” Aishia nodded too.

  “Then that’s decided. There’s nothing I need to bring, so I’m ready to go anytime,” Satsuki said, walking over to the balcony where Rio and Aishia stood.

  “Then I’m going to carry you, now,” Rio said, standing in front of Satsuki.

  “Yes, please do,” Satsuki nodded softly.

  “If you don’t mind, then...” Rio said, picking Satsuki up in a bridal carry.

  “Ah...” Satsuki flinched in surprise at how easily she was lifted up.

  “We’re going to fly like this — will you be okay?” Rio asked calmly.

  “Y-Yeah. I’m fine, but am I too heavy?” said unsteadily.

  “...No, of course not. You’re light,” Rio said with a chuckle, eyes widening. He was surprised at the contrast between the impression he had of her as an articulate and clear-headed woman compared to the girly, innocent side before him.

  “Hmph, why are you laughing? I know I said don’t mind this kind of thing, but you don’t really get carried like this at this age, so it’s like... it’s just more embarrassing than I thought it would be!” Satsuki protested with scornful eyes.

  “I’m sorry. With my physical body enhanced, it’s easier to carry you this way than piggyback. I can hold onto you properly, so it’s safer,” Rio started explaining, but Satsuki objected to Rio as she pouted her lips.

  “I-I know that. It’s not like I was feeling conscious of being like this with you or anything!”

  “Okay.” Rio nodded as he broke into a small smile. Meanwhile, Miharu had also been lifted by Aishia and was watching Rio and Satsuki’s exchange closely.

  “We’re ready as well,” Aishia declared.

  “Let’s go, then. Please hold on tight.” Rio kicked off the balcony floor with a stomp, and his body rose elegantly into the pitch-black sky.

  “Uh...” Satsuki instinctively tightened her grip around Rio at the floating sensation she felt.

  Am I actually flying? What... What is this? I’m floating? She tried to objectively analyze the gravity-defying phenomenon. However, it wasn’t long until she stopped caring about it entirely. The higher they rose, the smaller the castle below her became, until her vision was filled with nothing but the starry sky.

  “Wow! You’re kidding me! It’s so pretty!” Satsuki exclaimed in awe in spite of herself. Her voice could no longer reach the castle below her. “Hey, how amazing is this? Whoa! Look, Haruto! Miharu!” she called out with sparkling eyes. Miharu, flying nearby in Aishia’s arms, watched Satsuki with a smile.

  “I’m glad you’re having fun,” Rio said with a smile.

  “Yeah, so much fun! I’ve never seen the moon and stars so up close before! I didn’t know they could be so beautiful in this world too. Did you know?” Satsuki asked Rio, beaming innocently at him.

  “I did know. Well, I’m not really conscious of it when I’m flying alone, though. I think it’s very pretty today,” Rio replied to his excited passenger with a faint smile.

  “I see, so you knew already. Haha, I guess that’s true. You can fly in the sky any time you want. But you’re especially noticing it today, right? Right?” Satsuki accepted his response, laughing happily. She would have been a little sad to hear that she was the only one enjoying the beautiful night sky.

  “Are you cold?” Rio asked Satsuki.

  “Umm, just a little. There isn’t much air resistance considering how fast we’re flying, so it’s a lot better than being hit directly by the wind...” It was currently summer in the Strahl region, but it cooled down more at night in comparison to Japan. Not to mention, being high in the air made it all the more chilly. Satsuki hadn’t changed into her pajamas, so she was still in her day clothes, but a jacket would’ve been nice.

  “I’ll hurry to our meeting place, so please bear with it for a little longer.”

  “Yes, please make it an express ride! Ah, it’s so cold.” Satsuki nodded cheerfully and held on tighter to Rio, most likely trying to leech his warmth.

  “I’m amazed at Satsuki. She’s already bonded so much with Haruto...” Miharu muttered enviously, at the same time watching Satsuki with a look of admiration.

  “You�
��re doing your best too, Miharu. You’ve been trying to approach Haruto by yourself,” Aishia said to Miharu quietly.

  “Do you think so?” Miharu tilted her head a bit doubtfully.

  “Yup. You should remain the way you are. Haruto understands your feelings perfectly.” Aishia nodded, then followed after Rio as he quickened his pace a bit.

  ◇　◇　◇

  Several minutes later, the group had flown entirely out of the capital, heading towards a rocky area off the main road. There were no lights, nor any signs of people below them.

  “...Hey, how far are we going?” Satsuki asked Rio timidly, feeling slightly spooked.

  “We’ve just arrived. I’m going to go down,” Rio said with a huff of laughter, beginning his descent.

  “Arrived where? ...Wait, is that it?” Satsuki strained her eyes and looked down, but she couldn’t see very far because the ground was enveloped in darkness. However, she noticed that a faint light had turned on in the darkness.

  “Did you notice something?” Rio, slightly wide-eyed, asked Satsuki.

  “Yeah. The light of magic essence...”

  “I’ve put up a sorcery barrier where we’re about to land. It has a weaker effect from above, but even then, only humans who can detect magic essence can notice the barrier. I guess you’re able to see magic essence.”

  “...Yes. I can see it. I’ve heard that the people of this world are typically unable to see it, though,” Satsuki said, staring at Rio’s face in interest.

  “This isn’t known among the general public, but you can learn to see it with some special training. Though in your case, it’s probably an effect of the divine arms’ power,” Rio guessed.

  “I know I’m not one to speak, being a hero and all, but you’re a pretty extreme oddity,” Satsuki said to Rio with a wry smile. Rio grinned along with her.

  Rio touched the surface of the barrier — immediately after, two voices called out for Satsuki. They belonged to, of course, Aki and Masato. Inside the barrier, the residents of the rock house had all lined up in anticipation of their arrival.

  Furthermore, Orphia had created a ball of light to levitate in the air, illuminating the inside of the barrier in a way that was invisible to the outside.

  “Aki! Masato!” As soon as Satsuki spotted Aki and Masato’s faces, she called their names with a bright grin. Aishia also entered the barrier carrying Miharu, and Rio landed in front of Aki.

  “I’m glad that you two seem to be doing well!” Satsuki exclaimed happily.

  “You too, Satsuki!”

  “I’m so happy you’re okay!”

  Masato and Aki ran over to Rio, delighted to be reunited with Satsuki after a long time of being apart.

  “Yes, thanks to Rio. I wanted to see you two so much, I asked him to bring me here!”

  “I missed you too!” Aki said happily.

  Meanwhile, standing a slight distance away was Celia, Sara, Orphia, Alma, and Latifa, all staring at Satsuki with interest; she’d also noticed their presence.

  Oh, wow. Aishia was already unbelievably adorable, but these other girls are all something else, aren’t they?? I’d heard he was living together with girls, but with girls like these... Is Haruto collecting pretty faces? Satsuki directed her gaze at the lineup with interest, then looked up at Rio’s face with scornful eyes.

  “Umm, yes?” Rio tilted his head in a slightly worried manner.

  “...No, it’s nothing.” Satsuki shook her head hesitantly before realizing she was still being bridal carried. She blushed. “Wait, how much longer are you going to carry me for?”

  “Umm, I’d love to let you down, but I need you to let go of me first,” Rio said with an amused smile.

  “O-Oh, I’m s-sorry!” Satsuki realized she was the one holding onto Rio and released his clothes in a fluster.

  “OK, I’m going to let you down, then.” Rio gently placed Satsuki on the ground. Aki and Masato laughed in amusement, watching Satsuki.

  “W-What are you laughing at, you two?” Satsuki asked them, blushing in embarrassment.

  “Hmph, I’m sensing the arrival of yet another formidable rival,” Latifa muttered, puffing her cheeks up adorably.

  “Well, since it’s Rio we’re talking about, it can’t be helped.” Celia pouted her lips a little before giggling softly.

  ◇　◇　◇

  Rio introduced Celia and the others to Satsuki. Celia, Sara, Orphia, and Alma introduced themselves to Satsuki in order, leaving only Latifa.

  Incidentally, because of the limited time they had at the stone house, they cut the extra explanations: Celia used her alias, Cecilia, and the others introduced themselves using artifacts to hide their true species.

  “I’m Latifa, Onii-chan’s adopted sister,” Latifa said, concisely, to Satsuki.

  “Haruto, you have an adopted sister?” Satsuki’s eyes widened slightly.

  “Yes. I’m very proud of her. Although I wanted to introduce everyone in more detail, our time tonight is limited. Let’s go inside. The four of you from Earth should spend some time talking,” Rio said, inviting Satsuki into the house.

  Satsuki nodded cheerfully, before tilting her head in confusion. “Yeah... Wait, house?” As far as she could see, there was nothing but boulders before her eyes — both inside and outside the barrier.

  “It might be hard to tell, but this boulder is a house. The entrance is over there,” Rio explained, looking up at the stone house beside them.

  “Oh, I see it now. I thought it was just an oddly large boulder...” When Satsuki spotted the entrance, her eyes widened in wonder. Upon closer inspection, there were window-like sections and benches and ladders placed here and there, showing the area was lived in.

  “This way.” Rio guided Satsuki towards the entrance, but Latifa walked there first and opened the wooden door ahead of them.

  “Here you go!” Latifa brightly invited Satsuki inside.

  “Thanks, Latifa,” Rio and Satsuki said, then one at a time they went inside. Everyone else followed after them.

  “Could you please take off your shoes? The shoe box is right over there,” Rio said to Satsuki. Before them was a huge living room.

  Incidentally, while the interior looked nothing like Japanese-style architecture, because Rio was the owner of the house and a former Japanese person, everyone made sure to remove their shoes inside. Thanks to that, the inside of the house was clean enough to relax anywhere.

  “Wow, it actually functions as a house. It looks even more comfortable than my rooms at the castle... it makes me want to lay on the floor and relax.” Satsuki stood frozen at the entrance, staring at the living room in awe.

  “I know, right? I’m living here more comfortably than I was in Japan. Though we don’t have any electronic appliances here,” Masato said earnestly, standing behind Satsuki.

  “Oh, wow. I see.” A slightly strained smile appeared on Satsuki’s face.

  “Aki, can you show Satsuki to my room? I’m going to go prepare some tea.” Miharu instructed Aki before heading to the kitchen.

  “I can prepare the tea, Miharu, so you should go talk with Satsuki, since you have to return in the morning,” Orphia urged.

  “...Okay, thank you, Orphia. Follow me then, Satsuki.” Miharu started showing Satsuki the way to her room with Aki and Masato. Rio and the others were left in the living room, and Orphia headed to the kitchen to make tea.

  “Professor, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Could we discuss it in my room?” Rio asked Celia.

  Celia paused for a second, but replied with a nod. “...Yes, of course. I have something I wanted to discuss too.”

  ◇　◇　◇

  “So, what did you want to talk about?” Once they’d moved to Rio’s room, Celia sat down on the chair that he’d offered to her.

  “It’s about the banquet. I heard some information regarding the Beltrum Kingdom, so I wanted you to be aware, just in case.”

  “Really?” Celia’s eyes widened quit
e a bit.

  “Yes. You already know that the hero of Duke Huguenot’s faction will be attending, but it seems like the main hero from Beltrum Kingdom will be there too. In other words, the government of the Beltrum Kingdom may come face-to-face with Duke Huguenot’s faction at the banquet.”

  “...The current Beltrum Kingdom has been keeping a distance from the Galarc Kingdom, but they aren’t very peaceful with each other. Could they possibly have an underlying diplomatic motive?”

  “That, or something could’ve happened within the kingdom itself. Even if that weren’t the case, the heroes from Galarc, Centostella, and Duke Huguenot’s faction will all be in attendance, so there’s the possibility of some kind of military ploy,” Rio explained, listing all the plausible options.

  “Something could’ve happened after I ran away. ...No, something could’ve happened because I ran from the wedding. Duke Arbor’s family must’ve lost their honor entirely, making it difficult to control the dissatisfied nobles, or something like that?” Celia’s face clouded with regret as she considered that she might be to blame for causing the drama.

  “Even if something did happen, it wasn’t your fault. That is, even if the suspension of your wedding had impacted domestic affairs,” Rio stated firmly.

  “Rio...” Celia bit her lip as an indescribable pain ran through her chest.

  “If there’s anything you wish to do, please tell me. If there’s anything I can do, please tell me. I’ll make it happen. I took you away from there for this purpose. So please — don’t forget the decision you made at the wedding. Please rely on me.” Rio looked Celia dead in the eye. Before Celia knew it, the pain in her chest had disappeared, replaced with the intense throbbing of her heartbeat.

  “O-Okay. Thank you. Right, I remember now. What I felt back then...” Celia smiled bashfully, her cheeks blushing faintly.

  I don’t want to cause Rio any trouble. But I’m allowed to, right? I can rely on him, right? She stared right back into Rio’s face.

  “Umm, Rio. I... I want to go back home to see my father. That’s why...” Celia mustered up her courage to speak frankly.