MaruMA:Volume07:Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The Dougard’s speed craft was zooming ahead at three times the normal speed (compared to usual boats/ships).

Its hull was painted bright red because it was a gallant ship that was covered in the blood of its enemies in the second Central Red Sea naval battle. Therefore, people call it ‘The Red Sea Comet’ as a way to instill that fear.

“We Dougards have been warriors of the sea for generations, and this would have to start from the tale of Lord Dougard Mindair, who fought the pirates in the north by himself...”

And with that, the long story of the Dougard family began.

There was a golden sign mounted on the entrance way with some small text inscribed on it. I read the text by tracing it with my fingers. It would be great if all the books in Shin Makoku were like this.

“But still, ‘The Red Sea Comet?'”

"It's like Char."

“Who's that? Some german athlete?”

Since I’m a complete idiot with regards to soccer terminology, what I said made Murata frown. Probably deciding that there was no point in continuing our conversation, he just waved his left hand.

Hey, don’t look down on me! I at least know Bundesliga and about the Series A.

Anyway, if I had to describe how it feels like to travel across the sea at three times the normal speed, I would immediately think of watching a video recording at three times the usual speed. Our surroundings slid past us in a blur. There was the ocean, the waves, the sky, the clouds, the seagulls and the algae. As we were going round the coast of the southern shore, a normal ship would take nearly fifteen days for us to get to make the trip. However, as this was the incredible ‘Red Sea Comet’, it would only take us approximately five days to get there.

“Five days is still too slow, we need to get there in four days!”

The captain, Lord Dougard Hicks II, told me assertively, “That’s impossible.”

“... Then I guess five days would do just as well...”

I just wanted to pretend that I was doing the thing from when the Enterprise was in danger. In other words, “Captain, we’re going down!”, “How long will it take to repair the speed device?!”, “We’ll need five hours!”, “That’s too slow, make it happen in 30 minutes!” In reality, Captain Picard's methods won't work. It's a weak attitude you would never expect from a king.

Prepared to leave the Gilbit business harbor the next day, we had been busy making preparations to embark on the journey.

I, forced to wear a mask when there was anyone else around, had been detained by the children who had risen early. In just a few moments I had been surrounded by a large crowd of them. These few days I had been playing the part of a good leader, constantly meeting with the people.

“Lord Norman, where’re you going?”

“Are we ever going to see you again?”

From their perspective, they had just undergone a sudden and incredible disaster. It was perfectly natural for them to start to have their doubts again when they learnt that their leader was going to leave the land, especially since the Calorians hadn’t seen Norman Gilbit for more than ten years. Just as their regent had come back, he had wanted to take his wife out for a trip on sea. No wonder they felt uneasy. Those little hands red with cold had been about to grip at my clothes, but they shrank back almost immediately.

Probably those children were hesitant to touch an important person because it would be rude.

“Please don’t go, Lord Norman...”

“You’ll come back, won’t you?”

"Don’t worry, I’ll come back, I’ll definitely come back.”

I felt an emotional turmoil inside me as I answered them.

It was because the real Norman Gilbit would never ever come back to this land. He was now lying in a cold grave, or maybe he was enjoying himself in paradise. The person wearing the silver-colored mask was not the scar-faced regent. It was the newly crowned Demon King from the kingdom of the demons several days away across the ocean.

At this moment I felt that I was betraying these children’s trust with this huge lie of mine. You're being fooled. Fooled! Don’t look at me with those clear eyes. This isn’t the real Norman Gilbit standing in front of you! However, all these children and their parents and their parents all believe that this unknown stranger is their regent. They had handed over their land and lives to a stranger.

“Hey, your big brother here," Murata started as he was about to board the ship. He was turning around to talk to the children and his voice floated down from above. “Is about to represent Caloria in a battle with Big Shimaron, you know!”

“Battle? Is there a war?”

“No, no war, just a sport... Hm, I should say a competition. He’s going to participate in 'Use your knowledge, speed and skill to win! The World’s Best Fighter Tournament.' That really needs talent, you know…! We might even have to use phrases such as ‘For the honor of Caloria’!” The children’s eyes shone.

“Representing our country in a tournament?”

“Because Norman Gilbit is our regent, he's the strongest in Caloria.”

“That’s right, remember to tell your friends! Tell them he’s going to participate in the World’s Best Fighter Tournament.”

“Hey no, don’t exaggerate so much.”

Although baseball has been the larger half of my life, I hadn’t even qualified to become a catcher on my middle school team. Now I was being treated like the regent of a country and also about to represent that country in an important competition. Isn’t this the equivalent of skipping past state championships and the leagues to represent Japan in the Olympics?! I don’t think there's anyone on Earth who had taken such a great leap ahead.

Oh my God, where has my normal life gone?

I guess asking God about the fate of the Demon King is a bit absurd...

“Lady Flynn, are you leaving too?”

“Yes, Carla, but I’ll return as soon as the tournament is over. And Meg too, go and help your mothers. Your fathers, brothers and the other men will be coming back soon, but your help will still be needed for now, you know!”

Flynn was stroking the cheek of the little girl, her long hair almost dragging on the ground. All the children were reluctant to leave, looking back frequently as they made their way back to the shelters.

“You know their names.”

“They always come around the estate. Of course, I don’t remember all of their names, but it would be nice if I could.”

“Hm.”

With the sudden feeling that I had lost to her, I slid my gaze away. She really was a good leader. If the suzerain hadn’t had a law forbidding women to rule, she might have been a wonderful leader, maybe even a good wife.

“This question might be a bit weird... well it's not really anything important.”

“What?”

"... Do you like children?”

Flynn looked confused, then shook her head quickly. Her bangs floated up in mid-air.

“Wh-what? I don’t have any!? I don’t have any illegitimate children!”

“No, I'm not asking that. Actually, I'm the one who has an illegitimate child.”

“Eh?! Y-you have a child?! Then that must mean... you’re married, Captain?”

“Well, I’m a single parent….. Aah!”

A familiar knife had cut the air between us and stuck into the cracked pavement.

“You dirty human female!”

“... Dirty...”

“Don’t think about flirting with my fiancé!”

The beautiful 82-year old bishounen was glaring at us with his veins popping out from his forehead.

However, it seems Flynn had been more shocked by the complicated demon relationship rather than the thrown weapon. She was pointing at Wolfram and me with her mouth moving like a fish.

“F-fiance? So…that must mean one of you had given birth…..”

“Aah! I'm begging you please don't ask about that!”

Especially where Murata can hear us!

Just then my friend sauntered over to us, beaming and holding an iron box in his arms.

“Wow, Shibuya, you’re engaged? You’re just a high-school student! Then that’s why you aren’t interested in girls your age.”

“What?!”

“Really, I was wondering why you were only ever interested in older women and lolitas. So I see, you’ve reached the age for marriage while I wasn't looking?”

Talking about age, Wolf was a lot older than I was... I just realized now.

“W-wait, wait, Murata! Actually this is very complicated... Pretend you didn't hear about it.”

“Your Majesty, what’re you talking about? The engagement between His Excellency Wolfram and you is a great event throughout the country!”

“The whole country?!”

I was dealt a killing blow by the third passerby. It was Gunter’s bald underling. He was holding a stack of boards in his arms. I wonder what he wants to do with them.

“No no no! Really the whole country?”

“Of course, I His Excellency Gunter was so happy, he was dancing in the midst of flying feathers! They say he tore open seven pillows!”

“Your Majesty, when are you going to celebrate this grand event?”

Even that usually silent Captain Sizemore had butted in on the conversation.

Everyone knows... too many people know for me to take it back anymore.

“Ugh, Picascos... Please don’t talk about this anymore.”

“I'm Dacascos, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, right, Tecascos. This might be public news in our own country, but please don’t talk about it abroad.”

“Why’re you stopping him from talking about it?! Yuuri! I’m not allowing you to keep it a secret!”

Are you the one who spread the news everywhere?! Is there anyone who can interject here!? We’re both boys!

Unlike Flynn, Murata wasn't surprised at all. Maybe he had a relative in that kind of relationship.

"Well, they say that a secret affair is more passionate.”

“Murata... are you really my enemy? Or my friend?”

As the speed craft was preparing to leave, a crowd appeared at the harbor. The children were reaching out to touch the ship, they were busy waving their handkerchiefs or jackets, shouting the name of Norman Gilbit simultaneously. There were even people who burst out crying from emotion.

The grand farewell party continued for a long time.

The journey on sea was quite alright. Although this was a craft designed for maneuvering through narrow spaces, The Red Sea Comet still had enough facilities for a few dozen people. As it was basically a craft built for war, there were no semi-double beds. Although the three of us slept in the Captain’s quarters, it was hard to call comfortable.

Not only were my days spent out on the deck, even my nights were spent in my stargazing. In other words, we were outside nearly all day long. We really would have to make winter preparations.

Josak had concentrated on his beloved woodwork from the very first day. Dacascos, with his pencil behind his ear, was helping him with the coloring. Maybe Sizemore was not used to spending his time on board someone else’s ship as he kept pacing around the deck. Only Flynn spent all her time in her cabin. She was probably worried about leaving the rebuilding of Caloria in the hands of a foreign rescue troop.

However, Gisela and a group of professional healers and relief workers were in the rescue troop from Shin Makoku. It was definitely better to leave the rescue mission in their hands rather than let someone inexperienced handle it. Flynn just had to trust me on this.

“I-i-i-i-i-i-t's really q-q-q-q-uite c-c-c-cold."

"A-a-a-and when you t-t-t-try to t-t-talk, you b-b-b-bite your tongue."

As we were moving forward at three times the usual speed, we would have to be prepared to face three times the wind. The motor of this little craft was in really good condition. The inner portions of the motor had a strange smell. According to the engineers, this proved that the magic speed device was functioning properly. If it's being powered by maryoku, why does it smell like sulfur?

This device was the proudly made product of Lady von Karbelnikoff Anissina. It was definitely different from the other products on the market.

“W-w-w-what ‘s the p-p-p-p-pretty boy d-d-d-doing?”

His voice sounded like Kitarou.

“Wolf? H-h-h-h-e’s t-t-throwing up overe there! H-h-he gets s-seasick v-v-very easily. Ouch!”

"H-h-h-h-he’s t-t-trying h-his very b-b-best, huh?”

Murata was gripping the railings tightly as he faced the sea. His fairly-faded, bleached blonde hair was floating in the wind, revealing his forehead. Thank heavens he wasn’t wearing a wig.

“Wolf is t-t-t-trying his b-b-best? W-why would h-h-he try his b-best?”

“To help you become a good king.”

He was still looking at the ocean.

“I just hope that his eagerness doesn't have the opposite effect.”

After that he looked over to me slowly, blinking with his black eyes no longer obscured by contacts. The two of us have the same eye color.

“... Who are you?”

I had my back to the waves, my hands reaching backwards to grip the railings. I could feel the cold steel bars of the railings against my waist. There was no more space for me to back up. Beyond that was the ocean. I would only fall.

“Who are you really?”

“Hey, that’s not nice! Shibuya, what’re you talking about? We were classmates in middle school-”

“That's wrong, isn't it?!”

Josak was looking up from the deck while waving a saw and calling out.

“Your Highness, is this alright?"

“Hm, I’ll go and take a look-”

“Don’t go!”

I grab the arm of my friend that I supposedly knew.

His name is Ken Murata. A classmate with glasses from my second and third years in middle school and now an honors student in a super elite private school. Since he had no girlfriend, he had been working part time in a shop of his relative’s at the beach to get through his summer vacation. It had seemed that way.

It really would have seemed that way.

“Who is ‘Your Highness’? Why can you communicate with Josak when it’s the first time you’ve come to this world?! Is the reason Wolf refuses to respond to your comments due to this title of yours?!”

As my questions burst out from my mouth, I couldn’t stop myself anymore.

“And your language! Even if you know a little bit of German, it’s impossible for you to speak so fluently as soon as you come to a foreign country! And don’t you think it's strange at all when the others call me King or Your Majesty?!”

Murata... or at least the person I had thought was Ken Murata remained silent while I grasped his arm. When I put a little force into my grip, his muscles reacted slightly.

“Also… in Small Shimaron… what was that thing you said in the stadium? What did that mean? It might be because you’re smart, so you could speak glibly about international matters, social problems. You might have been swept along and answered seriously!”

But he had said that.

He had said that we travelled together in the past. We were in a dry land and were brought along just like that time.

“... I don't remember anything like that. I've never seen a cactus with you. The sun and the moon and guardians, I don't remember that at all!”

“But I said that right? That you probably didn't remember.”

“Then why do you know?! When was this? Where is this desert? Who was my guardian?!”

“Lord Weller.”

Hearing the name that I half-guessed he would say, my voice was shaking as I asked, “How could you have met Conrad, Murata?”

“I never saw him face to face. At the time you and I weren’t even in human form yet and even our destination hadn’t been determined.”

Josak, who had realized something was wrong and ran over, gently touched my fingers.

“Your Majesty.”

Embracing me from behind, he was pulling my fingers off of Murata's arm. Suddenly all the strength left my body and I didn't even try to resist. An unpleasant lethargy washed over me and I collapsed backward. I could feel a pair of strong arms supporting me instantly.

“... Are you just pretending to help me while actually preventing me from attacking him?”

“No, Your Majesty. I don’t think you'd do such a thing.”

“I don't get it. Even if you say so…. Murata, he….he's smart and persuasive… plus he’s Japanese so he’s got black hair and eyes. I'm just a wimp and a newbie and a useless guy unable to perform the duties of a king. Maybe you’re all thinking that it was a mistake to let someone like me become king so you’re trying to find another candidate, that’s why you’ve brought this fellow over here, isn’t it? I'm short-tempered and stubborn and won't do what you want so you're going to switch me out for someone better and more talented. That’s why Murata’s here, isn’t it?!”

I was repeating what someone, I forgot who, had once told me before. My head was starting to prickle with heat and my voice sounded so far away. Actually, it might be because of the humming in my ears that I couldn’t hear the noises around me anymore.

My sight was tinged with red, just like a blood pool spreading outwards.

A part of me separated from my consciousness was just blabbering on.

“... But…that's too bad. He’s Japanese just like me and he's probably almost completely human. It's not even certain if he actually has that demon blood you all love so much flowing in his veins! In the end, the two of us are both 'pseudo' demons. We might be Twin Blacks or people who have the darkness, but our bodies are made up of the flesh and blood of filthy humans. We're not fit for the role of Demon King! Because we were borne from the bodies of lowly human women-”

Suddenly, a force hit me from the left making me bite down painfully on the inside of my cheek. It took me several seconds to realize that I had just been hit. I'd been the one doing the slapping and it had come in at a nice angle and made a loud noise.

The other person just looked at me dumbfounded, unable to react for a while.

Just like him, I just stared at the person who slapped me in the same way.

“Insulting someone’s parents is a despicable act!”

“…Wolf.”

“Wasn’t that what you told me?”

He was looking at me directly with his emerald green eyes which reminded me of a lake. Like I had been silenced with an overly strong mint, the back of my throat and my head hurt a bit.

“… What did... I just say... to Murata..?”

“The exact same thing I said about your parents last time.”

I obviously remembered what I said. But, I hadn't meant to say that at all. Really. I’m not just stubborn, I’m also impulsive and a coward. No matter from what angle you look at me, I’m inexperienced and useless. It’s obvious that he would make a better leader.

But even so, I wasn't thinking that the demons would abandon me.

I don't think that the many people I've forged relationships with are that heartless.

That's right.

“I’m sorry, Murata.”

Gripping something with my right hand to regain my balance, I somehow looked my friend in the eye.

Of course, my face was burning red.

“It’s alright. There aren't any high school students who would get angry over someone saying that about their mother.”

“Eh?! But he got angry!”

The pretty boy grabbed at my collar at once.

“You were raging mad. As a result, you couldn't control your feelings of inferiority and love towards me."

“Wh-what about inferiority and love?! And what do you mean by I couldn’t control them?!”

“Even though it was backed by anger, it was a good thing you proposed right away. If not, then you'd be in the middle of a one-sided crush on me right now. And by the way," he put the hand he used to slap me on his hip, cleared his throat and said confidently, “That right now was an old demon tradition called a ‘reverse proposal.'”

“Reverse root?”

What is that? Is it the type of root that you dig up after it blooms in spring, then replant the next year?

Or is it the last single recorded by my father’s favorite band before they split up?

"Shibuya, it was like you confessed to him while you were drunk?”

“N-no!”

“Well, all's well that ends well. But that part that sounded like you valued your social status. Have you started to want authority? But Shibuya...”

“Uwah!”

Like in the beginning of an eye exam, he flipped my eyelid inside out.

“You're not the type to be attached to things like that.”

“Your'e talking like a psychiatrist again.”

“Now is a good time to get things clear. Murata, who’re you really?”

Josak was trying to explain in an apologetic tone.

“Your Majesty, actually he is….”

“I'm sorry but," I cut him off abruptly. “I want to hear it directly from him.”

“If that’s the case, we should go somewhere else.”

After undergoing three tremors, the boat’s speed suddenly reduced dramatically. Captain Sizemore came running towards us, cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting, “Everyone please go into the cabin! Quickly!”

Wolf was asking, “A giant squid?!” while drawing out his sword. Why does he seem so happy?

“Has something gone wrong?”

“No, Your Majesty. Can you see it, right there?”

Looking towards where Josak was pointing, I could see the rocky surface protruding from the shore in the distance. There were yellow sails flapping in the wind while approaching us.

“It’s the shore patrol, nothing to worry about. We were invited by them, remember? Nothing wrong will happen!”

“If that’s the case, why do we have to hide?”

The Red Sea Comet had almost completely stopped.

Josak was incredibly happy as he pushed Murata and me along by the shoulders.

“Those who get selected for patrolling the sea are mostly really bad-tempered. If something should happen to either of you, we’ll get torn to pieces by the True King. Well, even if there is an issue it will only be a minor scuffle, and won't be all that troublesome.”

In order to avoid any trouble, it seems that we had better listen to him. Pushing open the cabin door with my foot, I tugged at Wolfram’s sleeve.

“Wolf.”

“Go on.” He shook his head lightly. “I’m not part of that.”

“Huh…?”

Before I could ask him about that, he pushed me inside and closed the door.

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