Page Title

478 Queen's Report, and Espionage.

 

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"Let's begin the report."

 

In one corner of Babylon's "Garden," a section called the "Queens' Tea Party," Yumina solemnly declared the start of the meeting.

 

Around the round table sat the nine queens of Brunhild.

 

Each had their preferred tea or drink prepared in front of them, along with cakes matching their individual tastes.

 

"So far, we have two children who have come to this era: Yae-san's daughter, Yakumo-chan, and Lean-san's daughter, Kuhn-chan. Yakumo-chan is still missing after setting out on a warrior's training journey..."

 

"Is there still no word from her?"

 

"None at all... How much longer is she planning to worry her parents?"

 

Yae said angrily, while voraciously eating the cake in front of her. Several more cakes were prepared next to her, indicating she had planned to eat her frustration away from the start.

 

"Any new information from Kuhn-chan?"

 

Linze asked Lean, who was the only one among them interacting with her child. The other seven, besides Yumina, also turned their attention to Lean, curious to hear any updates.

 

"Not really. Unlike Alice, that girl doesn’t share any information about others."

 

"But she often says things that are quite intriguing..." Hilda muttered, and Elze, who was sitting next to her, nodded vigorously.

 

"I know! She told me, 'Mother Elze's child is a good girl. However, as for Mother Elze... fufu. Never mind.' What does that mean!? It’s driving me crazy!"

 

"She told me, 'Mother Hilda is different from Frey-oneesama... Oh, it's nothing important, don’t worry about it.' I couldn’t focus on my training after that because I was so curious..."

 

Lean crossed her arms with an indescribable expression upon hearing this.

 

"I'm sorry. It seems that girl likes to tease us with ambiguous words. She doesn't lie, but I’d appreciate it if you could overlook it."

 

Lean sighed heavily. Kuhn clearly knew what she was doing, enjoying their reactions.

 

"She has such a nasty personality... She’s very similar to Darling in some ways."

 

Everyone thought, "It’s not just from the father," but no one said it out loud. Courtesy among the wives was important, not just between husband and wife.

 

To change the awkward atmosphere, Lou spoke up cheerfully.

 

"Um, what is Kuhn-san doing now?"

 

"She went to play with Alice. Or rather, I sent her. If left alone, she’d stay in 'Babylon' all the time. It's unhealthy."

 

Kuhn spends most of her days in "Babylon." Therefore, except for Lean, no one has had deep conversations with her yet.

 

"Hasn't Alice heard any new information?"

 

"This is from Nyantarou."

 

When Sue looked around at everyone, Sakura raised her hand slightly. Nyantarou, Sakura's summoned beast D’artagnan, controls the cats in the castle town. Any rumors or information in town flow to Sakura.

 

Not all of it, though. Nyantarou filters out what should be told to Sakura, what should be directed to King Touya, or to Tsubaki, the head of the intelligence unit.

 

Among the information meant for Sakura, Alice's actions and words were naturally incLouded.

 

"Alice is currently interacting with Kuhn. Nyantarou is nearby and spying on them right now."

 

Everyone stood up and gathered around Sakura. Her smartphone showed the inside of a cafe called "Parente" in the castle town.

 

Mass-produced smartphones were distributed to Nyantarou and others. Using the camera function, Nyantarou sent real-time video to Sakura.

 

Inside the cafe "Parente," the footage seemed to be taken from under a table, hidden by a tablecloth. It was shot from a very low angle, perhaps due to some preference.

 

At the table sat two girls. Both had beautiful white hair, one with a medium length and the other in twin-tails. They were Alice and Kuhn.

 

Next to Kuhn was Mecha-Parla.

 

["Mmm, delicious!"]

 

"No matter how far back in time we go, this taste remains unchanged. There might be fewer menu options than in the future, though."

 

The two voices could be heard clearly, despite being faint. The sound quality was fine. It seemed "Parente" also existed in the future Brunhild.

 

Alice was eating a strawberry parfait, and Kuhn was having pancakes piled with whipped cream and fruits.

 

["Thank you for coming, Kuhn Onee-chan. I didn't bring much money with me."]

 

["I left my money in the future at the guild. I didn't bring my wallet."]

 

["What!? How are we going to pay for this!? I've already eaten mine!"]

 

Alice, who had been scooping her parfait, froze at Kuhn's words. Half of her strawberry parfait was already gone.

 

Seeing Alice’s troubled expression, Kuhn couldn't help but burst into laughter.

 

["Don't worry. I may not have my wallet, but... Parla."]

 

With a nod from Kuhn, the bear golem next to her spit out several silver coins onto the table. Like a piggy bank.

 

["Don't scare me like that! You really have a bad personality, Kuhn Onee-chan!"]

 

["Fufu. I’ll take that as a compliment."]

 

"I don't think she meant it as a compliment..."

 

Yae, who was listening to the conversation through the screen, muttered. Their voices couldn't be heard from this side, so there was no worry about them being overheard.

 

"I can't believe my daughter enjoys teasing others like that..."

 

"Lean-dono, you teased me and Touya-sama when you taught us 'Recall'..."

 

"...That was a long time ago. I've forgotten about it."

 

Lean slowly turned her gaze away from Yae's piercing stare. The phrase "like mother, like daughter," which they had learned from Earth, came to everyone's mind, but no one commented. Because tomorrow it might be their turn.

 

["I wish everyone would come soon. Yakumo Onee-chan should just cut her training short."]

 

["It would be nice if everyone came straight here. Rin-ne and Yoshino might be out eating. Do those kids even have money?"]

 

At Kuhn's words, the nine queens exchanged glances. Yoshino. It was a name they were hearing for the first time, but it was clear that she must be someone's child among them.

 

"Um, Yae-san’s daughter is Yakumo-chan, Hilda-san’s daughter is Frey-chan, and Lean-san’s daughter is Kuhn-chan. My older sister's daughter is Erna-chan, and my daughter is Rin-ne, right?"

 

Linze counted off the names of the identified children on her fingers. By process of elimination, "Yoshino" had to be the child of either Yumina, Sue, Sakura, or Lou.

 

"From the sound of it, isn't it a name from Touya’s world?"

 

"Indeed. The place where Danna-sama lived, 'Japan,' and Eishen share many similarities. Yoshino is probably from 'Somei Yoshino.'"

 

"Somei Yoshino?"

 

"It's a type of sakura (cherry blossom)."

 

At Yae's words, everyone's eyes turned to Sakura. Staring at the screen, Sakura softly murmured, "Yoshino..." and smiled.

 

"...It’s a good name. Surely a good child."

 

"Well, it might be premature to decide it's Sakura-dono’s child based on that alone..."

 

"Surely it's my child. I guarantee it."

 

Turning to face Yae with a determined expression, Sakura declared with a snort.

 

"Actually, my name also comes from a type of sakura. For my second child..."

 

"Yae, you're being mean. That's why your child ran away."

 

"She didn't run away!?"

 

Yae wanted to deny it, but she remembered escaping rigorous training in her childhood because she hated it. She wasn't as fanatical about swordsmanship as her brother Jutarou back then.

 

She couldn’t be sure she hadn’t done the same to her daughter. Sakura's words were a shock to Yae.

 

["Well, those kids can find ways to earn money... And if it’s Yoshino, she can teleport here immediately."]

 

As Kuhn's words reached them through the smartphone, Sakura gave a triumphant look to Yae. Although non-attribute magic doesn't get inherited, Kuhn, like her mother Lean, possessed [Program]. The possibility was high.

 

["A-Asia would definitely come straight here."]

 

"W-w-what?! This must be my child's name! Lucia and A-Asia! It must be! Right, Yumina-san!"

 

"Y-yes, that seems right..."

 

Next to her, Yumina responded with a strained smile.

 

Everyone was slightly taken aback by Lou's sudden excitement. They understood her feelings, though.

 

["That child is very attached to her father, so if she comes, it could be troublesome. I hope she doesn’t clash with this Mother Lou."]

 

"Huh?"

 

With an ominous remark, Kuhn sighed on the screen. Hearing this, Lou's smile stiffened.

 

"W-what does that mean...?"

 

"Probably means she doesn't get along with you, Lou. That A-Asia child is very attached to Touya, and might be like, 'You're in the way, mom!'"

 

"W-w-what are you saying, Elze-san?! No way that's true!"

 

"Haha... Sorry, sorry. Just joking."

 

"That's not funny!"

 

"That's no good, Onee-chan!" Linze nudged Elze with her elbow. Lou, who had been in high spirits moments ago, now showed a worried expression.

 

["It's fine. A-chan loves Mother Lou too. When she comes, I’ll ask her to make something delicious."]

 

Alice's words brought relief to Lou. It seemed they didn't have a tense relationship.

 

["Nya?"]

 

"Nya?"

 

Suddenly, Nyantarou’s voice came through, making everyone go "?" in confusion.

 

The camera panned from Alice and Kuhn to the side, revealing a close-up of Mecha-Parla.

 

"Oh, we’ve been discovered."

 

Right after Sakura's muttered words, the smartphone screen began to shake. Nyantarou had apparently dropped the smartphone, and it showed the dark underside of the table surrounded by the tablecloth. However, the audio was still on.

 

"Nya?! What's this golem doing!? Wait, stop—Nyaaaaa—!?"

 

A sparking sound and several flashes were transmitted to Sakura's smartphone.

 

After a moment, there was a thud, and a hand reached for the dropped smartphone.

 

The screen switched to selfie mode, showing Kuhn’s mischievous smile on Sakura's smartphone.

 

"Spying is not commendable, mothers. Children have their privacy too, you know? Goodbye."

 

With a chuckle, Kuhn’s smile disappeared as the image cut off.

 

"Indeed. She's right."

 

Sakura reached for the smartphone on the table and turned it off. Kuhn was right; spying on them, even out of curiosity, wasn't proper. The queens reflected on having forgotten themselves in their excitement.

 

"Is this what it means to be taught by our children?"

 

With a sigh, Lean muttered. Similarly, the other eight sighed. The queens, who had been bewildered by the sudden encounters in the past few days, seemed to have regained some calmness.

 

◇ ◇ ◇

"Good grief, such a commotion. Parla, take this kid to the Knights' Station."

 

The little bear golem nodded and, after receiving Nyantarou's smartphone from Kuhn, hoisted up its owner who had collapsed from the electric shock.

 

Unlike Paula, Parla was equipped with some gear for subduing opponents. They weren't particularly powerful, but they were enough to incapacitate someone.

 

Parla opened the door to the parlor and walked out carrying Nyantarou.

 

"Ah, we got caught on camera. Did I say something bad?"

 

"It should be fine. Grandmother Tokie isn't that strict. As long as you don't mention *that*, you know."

 

"Hmm. Then I should be fine. I wasn't really listening to grandmother's explanation, though."

 

"You..."

 

Alice laughed, trying to cover it up. Kuhn was exasperated, but she thought, "Well, if that's the case, then there’s nothing to worry about."

 

"Do you think the 'Thread of Jersey' will really appear?"

 

"...? Ah. You leaked it just after saying not to mention it, Alice. Your little brother is really going to give up on you."

 

"Th-that's not true! He always says, 'Alice, you seem so carefree and happy.'"

 

Kuhn wondered if that was really a compliment but decided not to point it out. Knowing her brother's personality, it was probably a genuine expression of his feelings without much thought.

 

Indeed, it seemed Alice hadn't remembered any of Grandmother Tokie's explanations at all. She didn’t even get the name right.

 

Seriously, 'Thread of Jersey'? I had to think for a moment. Kuhn was exasperated but also impressed that Alice could be so inattentive even in such a dire situation.

 

"Anyway, stop talking unnecessarily. That includes our father and mothers too."

 

"Okay!"

 

Her reply was spirited. Kuhn was worried but knew there was nothing to be done at this point.

 

Grandmother Tokie had said, "The future doesn't change." However, if another 'divine power' gets involved, that statement isn't absolute.

 

Throwing a small amount of water into a large river changes nothing. The water upstream flows downstream in a predetermined path.

 

However, heavy rain upstream could raise the water level and cause the river to flood.

 

Even if the possibility is extremely low, it can't be ignored.

 

"It would be better if it didn't appear, though..."

 

Kuhn muttered softly as she cut a piece of her pancake with a knife and brought it to her mouth.

 

 

 

◇ ◇ ◇

 

 

 

"Touya, do you know what 'Thread of Jersey' is?"

 

"Jersey...? What’s that?"

 

Ende, who was fishing next to me, suddenly said something like that.

 

We were enjoying a leisurely fishing trip at the pier of a fishing port built on Dungeon Island, an enclave of Brunhild.

 

Thread of Jersey? Isn't Jersey a type of knitting rather than a type of thread? Linze said something like that before.

 

If we're talking about material, it would be wool or polyester, right?

 

"If you don't know, that's fine. Apparently, Mel heard it from Alice."

 

"...Is Jersey something that affects the future?"

 

"No idea. Ah, the bait’s gone."

 

Is it a trend for training wear? Will it become a big hit among adventurers if sold at 'Fashion King Zanakku'?

 

Adventurers in jerseys... Considering the ease of movement, it might be possible...

 

I really don't get it, the future...

 

"Oh, I got one."

 

Reeling in with a rod made in the 'Workshop', a fish resembling a horse mackerel surfaced, flapping around.

 

I removed the hook and tossed the fish into a bucket beside me. That's three now. Magic could bring in a large catch instantly, but it was more fun this way, according to Ende's request.

 

Both of us were taking a break from our wives and kids today. Though, in my case, I wasn’t exactly excluded... probably.

 

"Oh, Touya, by the way."

 

"Hmm?"

 

Ende baited his hook and tossed it into the sea. I glanced at the bucket next to him. He also had three fish. Can't lose now.

 

"I heard from the Adventurer's Guild that a dragon attacked a town in the Knight Kingdom of Restia."

 

"...A stray one?"

 

Dragons usually don't descend to human settlements. That's because Ruri, the Dragon Sovereign, and my summoned beast, has ordered them not to.

 

Unless their habitat is disturbed, they won't attack humans. So, those who ignore this rule are usually outcasts or isolated dragons raised apart from their parents for some reason.

 

"The dragon was a Spiked Dragon Young. It was probably driven out of its herd."

 

A Spiked Dragon, huh? They're huge and covered in spikes. Bigger than Ruri. Definitely a silver-rank or higher target.

 

"Are you going to take it down?"

 

Ende has been taking on big quests recently to achieve gold rank. He doesn't want to be of the same rank as his daughter. Parental pride, huh?

 

"I planned to, but it was already defeated. And the interesting part is, it wasn't an adventurer who did it. There was no report to the guild, and the dragon was just left there with a note saying, 'Use it for the town’s reconstruction.'"

 

"Well, well. That's quite something."

 

Dragon materials are valuable from head to tail. Giving them away without hesitation...

 

I also handed over black dragon materials in Mismid when I had no choice, but I regretted it after hearing how much they were worth. Ah, the memories.

 

As I reminisced, I drank from my water bottle.

 

"The person who defeated the dragon was reportedly a child. A black-haired, black-eyed girl in a samurai outfit with a sword at her waist..."

 

"Bu────────!?"

 

Hearing Ende's words, I sprayed water into the sea in an arch. The scattered water sparkled in the sunlight.

 

Wha!? That has to be Yakumo, my daughter, right!? There aren't many children who can defeat dragons!

 

What the heck is my daughter doing!? But helping people is admirable! Daddy’s proud!

 

"If I go to Restia now, she’s probably gone already..."

 

"Probably. The guild tried to find her for more details, but she wasn’t found."

 

She can use [Gate] after all... Having someone with teleportation magic is quite troublesome. I can't talk, though.

 

"Sigh... Oh, got a bite... there we go. Another one."

 

Feeling mixed emotions about my daughter's unseen achievements, I reeled in the fishing line.

 

Still, what is the 'Thread of Jersey'?