Kouki was the first to fall, followed by Ryutarou, Suzu, Shizuku, and finally Kaori. Then, with a sigh, Yue walked out as well. Tio followed behind her, a massive grin on her face. It appeared the rest of the party had wanted to see how things developed between Hajime and Shea. The group clambered to their feet and looked away awkwardly their faces all bright red.
“G-G-G-G-G-G-Guys!? How long have you been there!?” But Shea was the most flustered of them all.
Shizuku and the others firmly refused to meet Shea’s gaze, so Hajime answered for them.
“Probably around the time I started playing with your ears.”
“So from the very start! Th-That means they saw... How come you didn’t tell me!?” Shea beat her fists against Hajime’s torso. There were tears in her eyes for a completely different reason now.
“It’s not like we were doing anything we needed to hide. Besides, the mood was too good to ruin.”
“I-I guess you’re right, but...” Shea trailed off, her bunny ears flapping around in a mixture of happiness and embarrassment.
Tio walked up to Shea, the same shit-eating grin still on her face, and started teasing her.
“So, what are your thoughts? How did Master’s passionate kiss taste? Come now, don’t be shy and tell me all about it. Seeing as you’ve made it this far sooner than us, I believe you owe it to us to give us your impressions at least. Now then— Bwaaah!?” Tio wrapped her arm around Shea’s shoulders and started poking her cheek playfully. A second later, a smack to the back of her head sent her sprawling into the ground. She looked like Frogger after he’d been run over by a car.
“Calm down, you pervert.”
“Yue is the culprit.” Tio scrawled her dying message into the dirt. Apparently, Yue had hit her with an ice bullet from behind. Yue blew an imaginary plume of smoke off her finger, and Shea turned to her.
“Yue-san...”
“Shea...”
Yue stopped making a finger gun and turned to Shea. She spread her arms wide and smiled gently at the bunny girl.
“Come here...”
“Yue-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!” Shea leaped into Yue’s arms and clung to her clothes like a little girl. Yue hugged her best friend back and gently patted her head as if she were comforting her little sister.
“Yue-san, I finally...”
“Mmm... You worked hard.”
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... Yue-san, I love you so much! Don’t ever leave me!” Shea’s heartfelt sobs echoed through the plaza. She knew that, no matter how much Hajime might have liked someone, if Yue had wanted to monopolize him all for herself he would never even look at another girl. And that was precisely why Shea was so grateful to Yue for watching over her attempts to win Hajime over and even offering advice. In some ways, Yue cared more for Shea than even Hajime did, something Shea was eternally thankful for.
“Is it just me, or are you having a more touching moment with Yue than you did with me?” Hajime grumbled to himself. But no one heard him, and Shea, overcome with emotion, buried her head in Yue’s chest.
The two girls had been trapped in different worlds. One in the abyss, the other in the vast sea of trees. The first friends they’d made after escaping from their respective prisons had been each other. Yue was the older sister and Shea the younger. Yue was the mentor, and Shea the disciple. The bond these two had forged was unbreakable. Those watching all smiled as the two girls snuggled together.
“Tio. We need to be next. Let’s both do our best, okay?”
“Indeed. I eagerly await the day Master comes to punish me of his own accord.”
“You never change, Tio.” Kaori poked Tio’s prone figure, and she looked up, eyes gleaming with hope.
Meanwhile, Kouki and Ryutarou exchanged awkward glances and Shizuku’s gaze flitted between Hajime and Yue, her expression inscrutable. Hajime smiled awkwardly upon hearing Kaori’s declaration and muttered some words softly.
“Just don’t go too far, please.”
Upon hearing that, the two girls’ gazes snapped up to him.
“Ah!”
Kaori’s eyes began to sparkle, while a confident smirk appeared on Tio’s face. The way Hajime had phrased that told them he wasn’t confident he’d be able to resist if they pushed hard enough. And in fact, their assumption wasn’t wrong.
Hajime had no intention of letting anyone Yue didn’t approve of into his harem. But both Kaori and Tio were people Yue had accepted and cared for, though she and Kaori often fought. Hajime, too, cared quite deeply for these two. Since Yue had already approved of both of them, he could no longer say with confidence that he’d be able to deflect their advances. Especially since now that he’d accepted Shea’s confession, he could no longer use the excuse that Yue was the only girlfriend he’d ever have to get them to give up.
Not that any of them gave up before, either... Their unshakable resolve was something Hajime was acquainted with better than anyone. That being said, Hajime’s polyamorous mindset was something that would be considered abnormal by normal Japanese standards, so he couldn’t help but be a little disappointed at himself.
Seeing that things had calmed down somewhat, Suzu, who’d awkwardly been standing at a distance from everyone else, looked nervously at Hajime. She seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to say something. Noticing her odd behavior, Hajime started speaking.
“So, what’d you peeping toms all come here for? It’s too early for dinner still, so there must be something you guys wanted.”
“Err, well we met up with Yue and the others mostly by accident, but we actually...” Shizuku trailed off awkwardly and turned to Suzu.
It appeared she had some business with him after all. Now that’s unusual. Hajime mused. So she’d been looking for me and just ran into Yue by coincidence? Her expression a mixture of nervousness and resolve, Suzu walked up to Hajime and screamed.
“Nagumo-kun! Please take me with you to the next labyrinth too. Please!” Suzu bowed her head deeply, conveying the sincerity of her request. Kouki and the others looked at her in shock. Apparently, she hadn’t told them what she’d wanted to ask Hajime. Hajime, too, was surprised. He’d expected a request like this to come from Kouki maybe, but not Suzu.
“Suzu, you can’t just...”
“Kouki-kun, I’m sorry. But this is my request, so please don’t butt in.”
The intensity in Suzu’s voice made Kouki falter. The negative feelings that had been swirling inside him since the labyrinth trip grew stronger, but he couldn’t match the fire in Suzu’s gaze. When Shizuku realized Suzu wanted Hajime to take just her and not the whole party, she blinked in amazement.
“Why do you want to come so badly? Even if you don’t do anything, I’ll still take you all back to Japan. And if you just want to get stronger, the upgraded artifacts I’ll be giving you guys should be able to help with that.”
“Yeah, I know. But Nagumo-kun...” Suzu faltered, unsure if she should keep going. But then she found her resolve again and continued, “You won’t help Eri, will you?”
“Nakamura, huh? Yeah, not a chance. In fact, if she shows her face in front of me, I might end up killing her instead. She’s the main reason Kaori died.”
Suzu smiled awkwardly when she heard the venom in Hajime’s voice.
“I thought so. But you know, I want to try talking to her one more time. That’s why I need more power. And that’s why I want to try challenging a labyrinth again. Whether I get the ancient magic from it or not... once we’re done there, I’m going to go to the demons’ country.”
“Suzu, you can’t—” Shizuku grabbed Suzu’s shoulder. As Suzu’s friend, Shizuku couldn’t allow her to charge into Garland alone. However, Suzu refused to back down. Overwhelmed by the intensity in Suzu’s gaze, Shizuku reflexively let go of her shoulder.
“I see,” Hajime mused. Regardless of whether Suzu found a way to convince Eri or ended up parting ways with her for good, it’d be easier for her to reach the demon lord’s castle from the Fros
t Caverns than if she went back to Heiligh and tried to sneak into Garland from there. After all, the location of the Frost Caverns, the Schnee Snow Field, was in the eastern part of the demon continent. Garland was only a stone’s throw away from there.
Suzu knew Hajime would show Eri no mercy, so she had no intention of turning back even if Hajime refused her. She’d make it to Garland with or without his help. Once Hajime conquered the Frost Caverns, he’d start making preparations to go back home. Suzu had no idea how long that would take, but she knew she didn’t have much time. No matter how weak she was, no matter how reckless this plan was, even if she had to do it alone, Suzu was going to get to Eri by the fastest means possible. She turned her gaze back to Hajime and asked desperately, “Also, if... If I can convince Eri to come back with me...I want you to take her to Japan along with everyone else. Please! I’m begging you!”
“.....” Silence followed Suzu’s heartfelt entreaty. Honestly speaking, Hajime was certain if he ever saw Eri’s face again he’d undoubtedly pull the trigger on her. Even now the sight of Kaori’s lifeless body hanging limply in Shizuku’s arms was burned into his memory. Knowing that Eri had been the cause of her death brought forth such raw hatred that he could barely contain it. He couldn’t care less what Suzu did or didn’t do with Eri, but he had no intention of helping her help his enemy. As far as Hajime was concerned, Eri Nakamura was an enemy. And the only things enemies got from him was death.
The only reason he didn’t refuse Suzu’s request outright was because of a certain girl’s piercing stare. The same girl Eri had tried to kill... Kaori. Though she hadn’t said anything, Hajime knew what she was thinking. And seeing Hajime’s hesitation, Kouki also spoke up.
“Nagumo, I’m begging you too. Eri’s after me. I need to talk to her too... No, perhaps I’m the one who needs to talk to her the most. And I can’t let Suzu go into Garland all on her own. Besides...” Kouki balled his hands into fists, knuckles white. He bit his lip and spat out the source of the negative emotions that had been whirling inside of him.
“I won’t let it end like this. If Shizuku was able to obtain ancient magic, then I should be able to too. This time I’ll show you I can be useful! As long as we don’t have to deal with another set of cowardly traps that mess with your mind, I can do it too! That demon guy was able to conquer this labyrinth, wasn’t he? Then there’s no way I can’t!”
“Kouki...” Shizuku shot him a worried glance. She had successfully received the magic Kouki had failed to obtain. That had been one of the biggest contributing factors to the complex maelstrom of negative emotions he was struggling with, and she knew it. She’d been worried about that ever since they’d returned from Haltina, but in the end, she hadn’t known what to say to him. However, seeing her childhood friend’s current frenzied state, Shizuku couldn’t help but worry.
“Well, you’re right about how we can’t let Suzu go alone. And I won’t be satisfied until I get to sock Eri good. Sorry Nagumo, but I’m gonna have to ask you to take me too!” Always one to look out for his friends, Ryutarou cheerfully asked Hajime to take him along as well.
Shizuku didn’t know if he’d timed his entrance on purpose, or if that was just how he was, but she smiled gratefully at him. He’d been able to do what she couldn’t. And so, she turned to Hajime and bowed her head apologetically.
“Nagumo-kun... can you find it in yourself to take us one more time?”
Hajime swept his gaze over each of them. Suzu, who was staring determinedly at him despite the tears streaking down her cheeks, Kouki who looked like he was trying his best to keep his emotions in check, Ryutarou, who was trying to sound more cheerful than he felt, and Shizuku who was trying her best to support her friends. He then turned toward Kaori, who seemed genuinely worried for Suzu. Finally, he heaved a weary sigh and turned to Yue, Shea, and Tio. He gave them a questioning look, and the three of them simply shrugged their shoulders. At the very least, they didn’t seem against the idea. And Kaori seemed to look forward to the prospect of traveling with Shizuku and Suzu again. That was why Hajime scratched the back of his head and spoke reluctantly.
“If you bring Nakamura back and she shows even the slightest hint of animosity, I’m killing her on the spot.”
“Nagumo-kun! Thank you so much!” Suzu’s face lit up, and Shizuku and Kaori breathed sighs of relief.
“I can’t tell if I should be glad I’ve become more merciful, or mad at myself for going soft. It’s hard to decide,” Hajime muttered to himself.
After they conquered the Frost Caverns, Hajime didn’t know how much time it would take to create a concept spell that would take him back home. Considering he was planning on also creating concept magic that would prevent him from ever being forcibly summoned again as well, probably a decently long time. Furthermore, now that he’d obtained evolution magic, he’d grown exponentially stronger. He doubted that Kouki could become an even greater burden than he had been, so he should be able to handle anything the Frost Caverns threw his way. I guess if I’m trying to come up with excuses for bringing them along, I really have gone soft.
Seeing Hajime’s self-deprecating smile, Yue wrapped her fingers around his.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve gone soft or not, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve become stronger.”
“Yue.”
“I’ll protect you, and you’ll protect me. As long as we have each other’s backs, we’re stronger than anyone. Isn’t that right?”
Hajime’s eyes went wide. Those were the same words he’d told Yue when they’d left the abyss. Shea and the others chimed in as well, reassuring Hajime.
“That means if we include me, we’re not just the strongest, we’re invincible! At least now that Hajime’s admitted he loves me too, I definitely feel invincible!”
The world’s strongest rabbitman was overflowing with confidence. Her words alone were enough to make people think she was invincible.
“I-I’ll protect you too! Don’t worry, I’ll disintegrate anything that comes close!” Kaori declared her intention to obliterate any problems that might arise. Out of everyone in Hajime’s party, her growth had been the most explosive. She might have even been the most reliable of their group at that point.
“Fear not, for my black scales are here to protect you and everyone else, Master. Fufu, for once I believe Shea isn’t exaggerating. Together, we might just be invincible.”
There wasn’t even a hint of the usual, perverted Tio as she reassured Hajime. Her words carried with them the weight of her unbreakable resolve and centuries of wisdom. A fitting closing line for the party’s guardian. Deep down, she was still a responsible, reliable older sister, so Hajime knew he could trust her to save them when they needed it.
The end of their journey was in sight. There would likely be a few more obstacles getting in their way, and they’d most likely be pitted against the unreasonable unfairness of the world. But after being encouraged by these girls, Hajime truly believed that they could overcome anything. They were invincible, after all. Just then, Hajime remembered something.
“Once we’ve conquered the last labyrinth, I’m going to need to go get Myu too.” He’d promised to take her with him once his journey was over. Besides, he wanted to show his beloved Myu the wonders of his world. The more he thought about it, the more he realized there were a lot of people he needed to also at least meet before heading home. Cam and the Haulia for one, and probably Tio’s family as well.
I wonder how my parents are doing back home? And I wonder what they’ll say when I bring home four girlfriends?
“Oh man, our journey’s almost over, but now I’ve got even more things I need to worry about.” Hajime smiled. It wasn’t his usual fearless smile, but a gentler, more peaceful one. However, he wasn’t worried about losing his edge. Because Yue and the others had seen the changes in Hajime, and it made them happier. Their warm, caring gazes were all he needed to keep going. So long as they were by his side, his fangs would never
dull.
He looked up at the sky, wondering what the future had in store for him. Though he didn’t realize it, he was actually looking forward to it.
Epilogue
The Demon Empire, Garland.
A feral, bestial howl rang out across the parade ground outside the castle. But the creatures standing on the parade grounds were no beasts... No, they were people. There was, however, one strange thing about them.
As this was the demon empire, the people standing there should have been demons. However, these figures all had animal traits, whether they be a goat’s horns or tail, or a tiger’s fangs or claws, or a snake’s narrow, slit-like pupils. And they dashed across the parade grounds much faster than any demon or human was capable of. With a single blow from their fists, armor crunched and swords shattered.
They were obviously beastmen. However, they were doing something no beastmen should have been able to do. Using magic. They had the reflexes and agility of a beastman, and the same ability to use magic that humans and demons possessed. But that wasn’t all. While the beastmen were loosing murderous howls as they trained, every single one of them had dead, empty eyes. They lacked the spark that living creatures were supposed to possess, and they appeared to have no will of their own.
“Such pitiful creatures.” Freid Bagwa made a disgusted face as he looked down on the beastmen from an adjacent building’s terrace. His soft muttering was barely a whisper on the wind, but the person responsible for creating the twisted scene below him heard it clearly.
“Oh, what are you doing here, Freid? Come to see the fruits of my labor?”
Eri Nakamura said from behind him. She was the necromancer responsible for killing Meld and Kondou and decimating Heiligh’s knights. Freid turned around to see her leaning against the terrace entrance, an arrogant smile playing about her lips. He hadn’t even noticed her walking in.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 8 Page 28