Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 21: Licia and Fiona (After Several Years)
On a holiday, they were inside a carriage moving aimlessly through the capital.
Three people were inside the carriage: Ren, Radius, and Ragna, who came to share information about the status of the key’s repairs.
Right now, Radius was informing the other two about an incident where a temple in a certain country had been attacked.
“As requested by Ren, I’m doing whatever I can to investigate.”
It would have been best if Ren could have stopped the attack or if he knew where the enemy would appear so he could prepare for battle. However, Ren didn’t know how the Demon Cult would operate in foreign countries, and their actions were unpredictable.
“Even the Holy Palace Knights dispatched from the Holy Land were completely wiped out. The temple turned into rubble, and all the holy relics stored there were confirmed to be either destroyed or taken away.”
“How did you get this information?”
“We had to use various means, like keeping our sources hidden.”
Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to share information. Even though they were on the same continent, every country had its own secrets, so there was no way around it.
“What else? Do we know more about the extent of the damage?”
“There is one more thing. According to people who managed to escape from the town, the man who came had the appearance of a noble. Even though he was pierced by the Holy Palace Knights multiple times and burned by magic, he never died.”
Ren, who briefly appeared to be deep in thought, was thinking about a certain individual, a powerful member of the Demon Cult. Since the timing matched the appearance of the Seven Heroes in the legend, Ren could make an educated guess.
He recalled the existence of a priest from before.
“It’s the Demon Cult. Maybe that man ordered his subordinates to target the Water Goddess’s Ring.”
Even as he spoke, Ren was convinced that the man was a member of the Demon Cult.
He wanted to share this information with Radius and Ragna as soon as possible. While thinking about these matters,
“Seems like quite a formidable member of the Demon Cult. Perhaps he has some ulterior motive. If that man was indeed after the Water Goddess’s Ring, it’s concerning.”
Ragna spoke up.
“The cave that Ren and I found was quite ransacked. There must be a reason why they desperately want the Water Goddess’s Ring. However, on the other hand, it’s a secret that we took the Water Goddess’s Ring. The Demon King’s cult probably doesn’t know about it, so there’s a high chance they’ll come back for it. They’re a strange bunch, collecting sacred relics.”
“I agree with him. In this situation where we can make these assumptions, it would be foolish not to take any action.”
“But it’s also dangerous.”
Ren interjected, and both of them turned their attention to him.
“Hey Radius, do you have any idea how strong this person might be?”
“It’s difficult to say, but it’s clear that he’s a far more powerful individual compared to previous members of the Demon Cult. The Holy Palace Knights are formidable warriors. Even if the strongmen of the Holy Lion Sanctuary joined forces, it’s hard to imagine what the outcome would be.”
“…So, we can’t decide how to proceed.”
Ragna sighed.
“Radius is probably thinking the same thing. There are many things to consider about military preparations.”
“…That’s right.”
They didn’t intend to be complacent, but they also didn’t lose their composure.
“The discussion here has come to an end, and Ragna changes the topic.
“ The magic tool that indicates Mudi’s hideout. There was a broken key, right? It’ll probably be repaired within a month, but… What’s wrong, Radius? You’re looking at me with such suspicious eyes.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t suspecting you. I was just surprised by the amount of time it will take.”
“That means it’s a key carefully made. From what I can tell, it was probably made by Milim Altia.”
“Then both the items used for repairs and the items to be repaired must be quite valuable.”
“That’s why I’m curious. We’re still considering how to handle the Water Goddess’s Ring, but for now, let’s continue to receive assistance for our sake.”
“After that, it will probably be managed secretly.”
“No doubt.”
Today’s discussion has come to an end with this.
After this, they will stop the carriage somewhere without a specific purpose, and then Ren and Ragna will get off and we’ll go their separate ways. However, it felt too lonely to end it like that, so they continue with some casual conversation.
“What are your plans for the upcoming Imperial Capital Conference?”
“I’ll be participating in the conference from the first day to the last. I also plan to attend the party.”
“I’m only going to the party. I was invited by Lessard-sama.”
“How about you, Ragna?”
“I won’t be going. Right now, I’m only interested in repairing the key.”
“I see. Aren’t you concerned about the Demon Cult?”
“I won’t say I’m not concerned, but I’m leaving that to you. I’ll do what I should do. Simple as that.”
“That’s very much like you, Ragna.”
Their calm conversation on this peaceful morning continued for about thirty minutes.
“What will you do from now on, Ren?”
“I’m going to the academy.”
“The academy? It’s a holiday, you know?”
“I know. But since Licia and Lady Fiona-sama are here, I thought I’d go check on them.”
This morning, Ren had brought Licia to the capital, and before boarding this carriage, he had taken her to the academy.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
A little before 1:00 PM.
Ren hadn’t heard the details, but he assumed Licia and Fiona were probably studying in the library.
However, when Ren arrived at the school gate, Edgar, who was waiting for him, called out.
“Ren-dono, Licia-sama and Fiona-sama are at the training grounds.”
“The training grounds? Why are they there?”
“If you’d like, it might be better for you to see for yourself.”
With those words from Edgar, Ren followed him, still curious about what was going on.
After walking for a few minutes to the training ground, I found a doorway that was half open.
“Wha——“
And there, Ren heard a deafening shockwave, felt the chill at his feet.
He continued.
“Huh… Are you still able to fire!?”
“Licia-sama, you’re the one who keeps slashing magic! How many times?!”
He heard the voices of the two girls and hurriedly stepped into the training ground.
“This time it’s from me!”
“I-I can’t lose either!”
Licia was wielding a training sword with graceful movements.
On the other hand, Fiona her opponent, who excelled in ice magic just as she did when Ren first met her, was creating a spectacle.
This was different from the ice magic techniques that Edgar had shown Ren before. Fiona’s ice appeared in mid-air, grew on the ground, or sometimes transformed into a dazzling ice wind reminiscent of diamond dust.
…Amazing.
Ren couldn’t help but admire the beautiful battle unfolding before him. He had forgotten to ask why the two were doing this in the first place, lost in the mesmerizing spectacle before him.
Licia, a swordmaster in her own right, could also wield the Star Killer technique like Ren. However, relentless ice magic was closing in on Licia.
It appeared to be a fierce back-and-forth battle, but in the end…
“I win.”
“I… I lost.”
Fiona’s back slumped as she fell to the training ground floor. Licia stood over her with her sword raised.
Almost unconsciously, Ren applauded.
When they heard the applause, Licia extended a hand to help Fiona up. They brushed the dirt off each other’s uniforms and then approached Ren.
In the meantime…
“So, how did this situation come about?”
Ren asked Edgar.
“The two of them are concerned about the increased activity of the Demon Cult,”
Licia had been practicing anti-magic combat, while Fiona had been honing her sword skills. They had decided that, as powerful individuals, it would be beneficial for them to train each other in areas where they had weaknesses.
Now, the two of them, after finishing their training, were by Ren’s side.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ren.”
“Sorry, Ren-kun. Thank you for waiting.”
The memory of their impressive battle was still fresh in Ren’s mind, especially Fiona’s fighting style, which he hadn’t seen recently. Ren expressed his amazement at their performance and then asked Fiona something that had been on his mind.
“By the way, Fiona, who have you been learning magic from?”
“I’ve been learning from Klonoa-sama for a long time. Edgar also gives me guidance occasionally, but it’s mostly Klonoa-sama.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
When it came to powerful magicians, the first person that came to Ren’s mind was undoubtedly Klonoa.
Now, the two exhausted girls took a break and prepared for their second round of training. Ren left his seat for a moment, exited the training ground, and headed to the school cafeteria.
Even on holidays, the staff was present, and the cafeteria was open for students engaged in various activities.
He selected a few light meals, had them packed in a paper bag, and returned to the training ground. Licia and Fiona had just finished their training again. It was already dusk, a convenient time to have a light meal. Cold drinks were also available.
“So, here you go.”
Instead of sitting in the training ground’s chairs and eating, the girls who had feelings for Ren opted for a different approach. Having just finished their training, they had some things they were concerned about.
“Um… We have to wash off the sweat first!”
“Y-Yeah, that’s right!”
“I understand. I’ll wait here with Edgar.”
They hurriedly took showers and made their way to the shower room adjacent to the training ground.
Ren, left behind, sat down on a chair with Edgar, waiting for Licia and Fiona.
As they sipped tea, they engaged in casual conversation.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After finishing their baths, they took some time to dry their hair.
Both Licia and Fiona had long hair, which made the drying process quite an endeavor.
This wasn’t the first time they had faced such a situation. Previously, Licia had simply let Fiona comb her hair, but today, they used magic tools to dry their hair and then took turns combing it.
The shower room attached to the training ground was clean, with bright, white-tiled walls. Steam still lingered in the air. The two girls sat side by side in front of a large mirror.
“…”
“…”
A few minutes passed in silence as they went about their preparations.
While getting ready, they talked about recent events in their lives. Licia mentioned her daily training sessions with Estelle at the Holy Lion Sanctuary, which had greatly improved her skills, and her determination to become a Sword Saint. Fiona, on the other hand, talked about learning magic from Klonoa.
Both of them had accumulated countless hours of training to reach their current level of proficiency, far surpassing their peers. Although today’s training had been their first encounter with each other, they had enjoyed it and wanted to create similar opportunities in the future.
“Next time, I’ll win,”
Fiona declared after her previous defeat.
“No, I’ll win next time,”
Licia responded.
“…But anyway, because it was our first time in this kind of situation, I got carried away,”
Fiona said with a cute, embarrassed smile, making Licia genuinely chuckle. It seemed that the excitement from their training had not entirely worn off.
However, something seemed to be bothering Fiona, which prompted Licia to ask.
“…Is it just because it was our first time in this kind of situation?”
Their gazes, which had been locked in the mirror, shifted away from each other. Fiona avoided eye contact, clearly hiding something.
“Aha! Don’t look away! Is it because Ren came here?”
“I-I don’t know! What are you talking about!?”
Fiona stammered, her voice trembling.
“Your voice is shaking! Look at me and give me an answer!”
Perhaps due to their relaxed state or the lingering excitement from their training, Licia couldn’t help but tease Fiona in the same manner she did with Ren. It was reminiscent of the time when they first confessed their feelings for Ren, and she had acted nonchalant.
However, Licia soon wore an apologetic expression and said, “Sorry.”
Hearing her apology, Fiona quickly returned her gaze to Licia and reassured her.
“Don’t worry about it! I actually like it when you talk to me like this occasionally, Licia-sama!”
Truly, Fiona was a cunning one, with her cuteness and charm.
“Alright then… What if I talked like this all the time?”
Licia playfully asked, intentionally making it sound exaggerated.
Despite it being a joke, Fiona appeared genuinely puzzled. She brought her index finger to her lips, contemplating for several seconds before finally giving an answer that left Licia bewildered.
“…In that case, it might feel strange if you called me ‘sama.’ Maybe just ‘san’ or addressing me without honorifics would be better.”
Licia and Fiona. Their relationship, which had been established through their conversations in the girls’ dormitory years ago, was still as complex and straightforward as ever.
They couldn’t put into words what it meant, but it was clear that their connection was unique.