23 Chapter 22 - Forward

[You don't have to do this!] (?)

[I have to, and I need to! I believe in my Master's wish.] (?)

[To put everyone in despair?!] (?)

[It's a small sacrifice to remove despair...] (?)

[I won't let you...!] (?)

[Enough! My Master and I won't listen to the likes of you. If you get in our way, then I'll be the one who will kill you...] (?)

[I will stop you,-] (?)

[Wah-!] (Zero)

That ominous dream again-!

[Good morning, Zero.] (Lichtia)

Eh? Lichtia-sama?

[Lichtia-sama, it's been a while since you've been here. I am grateful for your visit.] (Zero)

[This should be the part where I'll deny what you've just said, but it's true. I've come here to visit you. Confirming the health of my Servant is my duty as a God-Master.] (Lichtia)

My Master, the Goddess of Light, Lichtia-sama greeted me upon waking up.

This must be a good day.

[Anyway, I'm done enjoying the sight of your cute sleeping face, so I'll be going now.] (Lichtia)

[I understand- Wait what-?] (Zero)

[I'm just teasing you.] (Lichtia)

Ugh, Lichtia-sama has improved.

Our roles have immediately switched between teaser and teased.

[But Zero, you must always be careful. Remember what I've told you. If that being finds you first, then it's game over. Since I can't interfere directly, I can only watch you die by that being's hands if he's stronger than you, which is very likely.] (Lichtia)

I should bet that he or she must be at least as strong, if not stronger, than the Demon Lord.

[I understand... Ah, Lichtia-sama. Speaking of "interfering", what about that time when you removed the memories of the people inside Cathedral Insomnia, back when I defeated those three Platinum-Ranked Adventurers that tried to bother you?] (Zero)

Upon mentioning the said event, Lichtia-sama's face drooped.

[Ughhh... Yeah, I remember that time... I got scolded by my Senior God pretty badly. He knew that I had no intention to "interfere" but using any type of Magic even if my Divine Presence was disabled is strictly prohibited.] (Lichtia)

Her Senior?

He or she must be one of the three "Guardian Gods".

[Oh... I am very sorry. At that time, I was the one who asked you to do it. Please punish me as you see fit.] (Zero)

I said, as I half-knelt, bowing my head.

[Mhm. Then I shall exact Divine Punishment on you now.] (Lichtia)

I braced myself for something.

I can't imagine what Lichtia-sama would do to me, but whatever it is, I am ready.

I can feel Lichtia-sama radiate, activating her Divine Presence.

And then suddenly...

*Chuu~*

[See you later~.] (Lichtia)

And she vanished with the dazzling light.

Eh...?

EHHHHHHH?!?!

Did Lichtia-sama just...?

Damn...

She has gotten too good.

I'm furiously blushing right now...

What can I say; "as expected from a Goddess."...?

Okay, I've decided.

I won't wash my left cheek for this morning.

I went out of my room, and at the same time, Iris also went out of her room.

[Good morning Iris.] (Zero)

[*Yawn...* Good morning, Ze... ro...] (Iris)

Of course, I knew that Iris was not a morning person not just from the original series but also from our time together.

She was wearing her cute pajamas while wobbling about in a daze.

[She's adorable, isn't she?] (Joe)

[Yeah, she is- WOAH-?!] (Zero)

[Top of the morning to you, Ze-ro-kyun~!] (Joe)

[G-Good morning... Joe-san.] (Zero)

This old man...

After all that, I can't say I can talk to him with the same confidence that I had before.

[Head down, you two. Helena's done making breakfast.] (Joe)

[Yes... Papa...] (Iris)

Papa?!

[Huuu~. It's only during her hazy mornings that my cute Iris calls me "Papa", so I always want to be the one who wakes her up.] (Joe)

What a doting father.

After heading down, we saw Julie-chan helping her mom prepare.

She's such a good girl.

I wanna pat her.

*Slam*

[We're back!] (Jurio)

[Oh! Just on time, you two.] (Joe)

[Of course. I would never miss breakfast, especially if it's made by mother.] (Jurio)

Ace and Jurio-san were sweating as they went in.

They must've done some early morning exercises.

[Take your seats now. Here, Iris. Have some coffee.] (Helena)

[Thank you... Mama...] (Iris)

Iris face was absolutely beautiful at that moment when she received the mug of coffee.

With that face, she smiled in the most natural way that a girl could ever smile.

Along with her absent-minded look and hazy yet crystal clear eyes, it brought about a sight that can collapse cities in seconds.

What is this adorable creature?!

HNNNGGG~!!!

[She never changes, does she?] (Ace)

Ace was looking at her warmly.

His eyes were telling me that he knows everything about her; that when it comes to her, he's always there, the first among others apart from her family...

I felt my chest tingle... and I know the reason.

But should I really act on this feeling?

My mind is telling me that I should just drop it and continue supporting them in the name of the AceXIris Ship.

The ZeroXIris Ship won't be a reality -not in a million years.

Hell, it doesn't even exist.

(AN: It does. Beyond the 4th Wall.)

But my heart tells me... that I would absolutely regret not telling her how I feel.

[*Slurp~*...] (Iris)

As Iris sipped a mouthful of coffee, her dazed appearance suddenly changed.

[Ah-! Good morning, mother, father, nii-san, and Julie!] (Iris)

[Onee-chan's awake!] (Julie)

Wow... That was a new sight, even for me.

And so, we started eating.

[I heard that they're building a Guild Branch here in Zanuck Town.] (Joe)

[I heard about it, too.] (Jurio)

[Ehhh...] (Ace)

[That's good news. Aspiring Adventurers from our town don't have to travel to either Racaria Town or Ilram Town in order to register anymore.] (Helena)

[Well, Zanuck Town's Magic Academy is getting pretty well-known. It's not surprising that His Majesty, Fharanor-sama would want to nurture more youths from this area, especially since some of them just move to Ilram Town, which is in the Zephyrine Kingdom's domain.] (Joe)

[It will surely be a loss for the Escalandria Kingdom if talented Adventurers serve the other country.] (Zero)

I said, looking at Ace and Iris.

[Mhm. It is truly a loss.] (Helena)

Helena-san smiled as well.

But it was a smile that even Joe-san cannot figure out.

Only the three of us knew what she meant.

We just laughed bitterly and continued eating.

The Escalandria Kingdom.

It is the neighboring kingdom beside Zephyrine.

Their current twenty-first king, His Majesty, Fharanor von Escalandria III is forty-nine years old, like old man Tyreon.

The two could also be considered as, more or less, acquaintances.

Escaladria's Royal Family is composed of him, his wife, Queen Vanessa Rose Escalandria, their eldest son, Prince Genji Armand Escalandria, their eldest daughter, Princess Carmilla Rose Escalandria and youngest son, Prince Benedict Armand Escalandria.

King Fharanor also has some concubines with their own sons and daughters.

King Tyreon's wife, Queen Hildegard Zephyrine and daughter, Princess Saffrina Zephyrine are currently living inside the Escalandria Capital City as commoners in order to get away from the dangers that the old man sensed a year ago.

So, his wife and daughter have been living in Escalandria for about a year now.

Our party's mission is to check the state of that "Ancient Scroll", and if it's gone from where it should be, we will assume that the Demon Lord has already gotten his hands on it.

And with that, we will instead gather as much artifacts, weapons and scrolls as we can to help the anti-Demon Lord forces get stronger.

Fufun~.

Of course, Ace will be the one who'll be leading the pack once that happens.

Zorn can just suck on his cute sword and help from the side.

Main Protagonist-kun will take the spotlight in the future!

For now, we promised King Tyreon to check up on Queen Hilda and Princess Saffy.

Since I know where they are, there wasn't any need for specific instructions.

It also made the probability of anyone else knowing their location close to non-existent.

Some time passed...

[It is truly unfortunate, but you three should go now.] (Helena)

[Eh? But it's so soon!] (Joe)

[I'm sorry father, mother, nii-san, and Julie too. But we're currently on an expedition. It was already a miracle that our destination required us to passed by Zanuck Town, but we must go now.] (Iris)

[Sigh... I understand.] (Joe)

[Truly unfortunate. But before that, I believe Zero-kun hasn't forgotten.] (Jurio)

[Of course, Jurio-san. Why don't we head towards the location right now?] (Zero)

And so, we trekked to the said place where the two of us can spar.

It was a plot of land with the size of a volleyball court.

It was on the edge of the town but some townspeople stopped by seeing Jurio-san.

As a Diamond-Ranked Adventurer, he's bound to be one of the most popular guys in town.

[Ho... It's Jurio Kinsley...] (?)

[Isn't he the strongest Adventurer in Zanuck apart from Rona?] (?)

[Yeah. Those two are close in terms of strength and rank...] (?)

[He's about to have a spar with Iris' party-mate!] (?)

[Aren't they all Silver-Ranked? Talk about overkill.] (?)

[Jurio is an honorable guy. I'm sure it's just a friendly spar, so of course he's gonna hold back.] (?)

[That guy sure is lucky. He'll surely learn a lot just by exchanging a few blows with a Diamond-Ranked Adventurer.] (?)

The townspeople are spectating the fight.

There were girls as well; yelling "Kyah~ Kyah~ Jurio-sama!" or something.

As expected, no one would even try to spout insults to either me or Jurio-san.

The Kinsley-folks' reputation in Zanuck is really nice, and that's good to know.

[Zero-kun, are you ready?] (Jurio)

Jurio-san asked while brandishing an ordinary sword.

The two of us were in casual clothes, and I brought an ordinary sword as well.

[Yes!] (Zero)

[Then, let's get started. Attack me as you wish.] (Jurio)

[Okay.] (Zero)

He should be trying to size me up.

But from the stance that he's taking, this guy isn't underestimating me one bit.

Well, he knows someone that looks stronger than what his appearance might initially show.

And that is his childhood friend, Ace.

Dashing forward, I sliced the sword upward.

Jurio-san dodged by stepping backwards.

He retaliated by plunging his sword straight towards my chest.

I just pivoted my foot like I did, fighting some insignificant fodder back then.

I slashed my sword towards his neck.

In the end, he forcefully dodged it tumbling forward.

Okay, sword skill-wise, he's already above Diamond-Ranked.

The way he tried to stab me was clean and pristine.

Time for hand to hand combat.

Before he could recover, I threw my sword like a knife.

Hitting his sword along the base of the blade and it's hilt, I successfully disarmed him.

I ran up to him with a right jab.

He dodged, tilting his head to the right while doing a cross counter.

I recovered fast enough before his fist could reach me.

I ducked, leaped backwards.

We, then, dashed towards each other to continue the fight using martial arts.

After some minutes close combat...

[Ha!] (Zero)

I let out small cry while doing a left jab.

He dodged it and did a cross-counter; this time, hitting me across my face.

I got knocked down.

Jurio-san approached me, lending a helping a hand.

When I grabbed his hand, he pulled me up and put his mouth close to my ear.

[Good job making your loss seem more natural.] (Jurio)

[So you knew?] (Zero)

[More or less. That's why I didn't hold back one bit right from the beginning.] (Jurio)

[I see. Ace, huh?] (Zero)

[Yeah. He accidentally showed me how strong he was this morning, but right before that, he blabbered on an on about how you were his rival. Fighting someone that rivals Ace... I can't afford to hold back.] (Jurio)

[I see. So, did you learn something?] (Zero)

[Yeah. It was an amazing fight. I don't know what you guys' true rank is, and I won't pry, but after you're done with your Quest, I hope you can find time and spar with me again.] (Jurio)

[No problem, Jurio-san.] (Zero)

[Did you see that?!] (?)

[It looked they were evenly matched!] (?)

[For a second, I thought the other guy was at the advantage.] (?)

[Idiot, that's because Jurio was letting him attack!] (?)

[In the end, he dealt the finishing blow and won!] (?)

[Diamond-Ranked Adventurers are scary!] (?)

[Kyah~! Jurio-sama!] (?)

Only the two us could hear our conversation, so every single person from the crowd thought that Jurio-san won.

That's the better outcome.

I don't want to stand out all of a sudden.

I leered at Ace.

He looked spooked and terrified.

He repeatedly bowed, showing that he knew of his offense.

Sigh, he doesn't know the details of our top secret mission so it's probably fine.

Even though it's ideal that only Helena-san knows, we can probably trust Jurio-san.

Some time later, at the Zanuck Town gate...

[Are you sure you don't want to stay until lunch time?] (Helena)

[It's alright mother. We need to go as soon as we can.] (Iris)

[Huhu! My girl is all grown up!] (Joe)

[Iris is such a big girl now!] (Jurio)

[Uuuuu~!] (Joe/Jurio)

The two men shamelessly hugged each other while bawling.

[Ara ara~. There's no need to worry. Iris has two capable men protecting here, you know?] (Helena)

[Julie, onee-chan's gonna go now. Take care of everyone for me, okay?] (Iris)

[Got it, onee-chan! And... And... Zero-onii-chan, I'll miss you too!] (Julie)

[Eh? Ah, I'll miss you too, Julie-chan.] (Zero)

[Ehehe...] (Julie)

This eight year old girl is fidgeting bashfully after my reply...

Oh god...

Jurio-san and Joe-san were suddenly glaring at me.

On the other hand, Helena-san just covered her mouth with her right hand while muttering "Ara ara~".

[Ehhh? How about me, Julie-chan? You won't miss your Ace-nii-chan?] (Ace)

The blockhead, Ace, suddenly talks.

Nice save!

[I will, but I'll miss Zero-onii-chan more!] (Julie)

No, Ace, no!

Don't ask any further!

[Ehhh, why's that?] (Ace)

[Ace-nii-chan isn't really my type, and furthermore, you already have onee-chan. Zero-onii-chan is a lot cooler! And even though I'm not as beautiful as onee-chan right now, when I grow up, I won't lose!] (Julie)

ARE YOU REALLY EIGHT YEARS OLD?!

Joe-san and Jurio-san's eyes were on fire while glaring at me.

Helena-san said and did nothing.

Iris, who was about to talk, was instantly eliminated when she heard the words: "-you already have onee-chan.".

[E-Eh...] (Ace)

Ace looked at me with complicated eyes.

Man down, man down!

He doesn't know how to respond!

It's all up to me.

I walked up to her and knelt on one knee.

[Julie-chan. You're still too young to think about these things. For now, just focus on enjoying your childhood and study hard. It'll make your family happy, and make me happy.] (Zero)

What...?

What is it that I did to get the affection of this girl in a span of one day?!

[Mn! I understand. I'll follow what Zero-onii-chan says.] (Julie)

[Good, good.] (Zero)

I said as I pat her head a couple of times, which delighted her.

After getting on our carriage, we exited Zanuck Town with the Kinsley family waving their hands goodbye.

[Alright, to the Escalandria Capital City we go!] (Ace)

[Yeah!] (Zero/Iris)

Iris is really lucky.

Even though Helena-san told me the truth of Iris not being her and Joe-san's real daughter, they showered her with love and affection.

The Kinsleys are really kind.

Wait, the Kinsleys...

WHAT ABOUT THE WILLIAMS- ACE'S FAMILY?!

[ACE!] (Zero)

[Ah!!! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to one-shot the Monarch-Class Magic Beast that attacked me and Jurio-aniki earlier this morning!] (Ace)

[Wut-?] (Zero/Iris)

[Y-You know what, whatever. That's not what I was trying to say.] (Zero)

[Eh? Then, what?] (Ace)

[We forgot about your family!] (Zero)

[Oh, them...] (Ace)

Ace's expression suddenly became... melancholic...

[My mother and father are buried in the Capital City. We can finally visit their graves once we get there.] (Ace)

[I see...] (Zero)

That was all I could say as my head was in turmoil...

That's because in the original series, Ace's parents should've been living near the Kinsleys, alive and well.

So why...

Why are they dead in this world?