Chapter 75

Thanks to everyone, I received the [Net Novel Grand Prize]. It will be published as a book by Futabasha. I plan to update the details in my activity report from time to time.

This time, it's a bit longer.

I thought about going through the documents seized from the fortress, but then I realized it was no longer my concern, so I decided to hand them over to the king.

At first, there were some foolish nobles shouting that the Azure Dragon Emperor should be punished, but I heard they were soon ignored.

...I doubt anyone would willingly choose to fight dragons.

Regarding Professor Monica, it seems she will be working at the royal castle for the time being, not at the academy.

Apparently, she was driven by intellectual curiosity and had no interest in the evil god cult itself.

Therefore, she agreed to cooperate fully and tell everything she knew, and was eventually acquitted.

As for Luna, I conveyed that she had no choice because her family was taken hostage.

...I feel bad for the king, but I can't tell him about Inagi, as it would be troublesome, so I plan to take this secret to my grave.

There were other complicated matters, but setting those aside, the first priority is the condition of Yomi, Luna, and Mirei.

Yomi and Mirei's injuries have already healed. They haven't regained consciousness yet, but it's probably just a matter of time.

Luna is in a similar state; her injuries have healed, but she remains unconscious. Inagi said he would return Luna's body to her, but we won't know until she wakes up.

Next, regarding Luna's family, thanks to the Azure Dragon Emperor, they are reportedly much better.

Her mother has already awakened and is able to converse. From the looks of it, her father and sister will also wake up soon.

"Um, is this Luna's mother?"

She is quite emaciated, but her hair color is the same, and she has a similar aura. She must be the mother.

"Yes, thank you so much for saving our family...!"

She bowed deeply, almost touching the ground with her head.

"Please stand up! I just did what was right. I'm called Owl, by the way."

"Mr. Owl, I should introduce myself. I am Marianna, Luna's mother. Please call me Maria for short."

...Lunaria is Luna's original name, right? If so, the name I gave her is quite similar.

Still, this woman looks so young that she could pass for Luna's older sister. Are all mothers in this world this youthful?

If she weren't so emaciated, she would be quite beautiful.

"...Ms. Marianna, you're not fully recovered yet, so please rest a bit more. I'll prepare dinner, so we can talk then."

"I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll take you up on your offer."

Even though she says she's better, she's still far from fully recovered.

They say a hungry stomach is a poor listener. I'll make a meal that's easy on the stomach and nutritious.

It's been a while since I've thought about and prepared a meal... I've been busy lately and haven't had much time to relax.

"Alright, I'll put some effort into this!"

Before that,

"Azure Dragon Emperor, how is your daughter's condition?"

"She's past the critical stage, so there's no need to worry. She should recover fully with proper nutrition and rest. ...If it's not too much trouble, could you...?"

? Ah, nutrition.

"I was just about to make dinner for everyone, so I'll make two more servings."

"...I'm grateful. And, you can call me Letia. I'll have my daughter greet you herself when she wakes up."

"Got it. I'll start on dinner, so please wait a bit longer."

Now, to make dinner, with such a large group, it would take too long to prepare a complicated dish.

Something simple, easy on the stomach, nutritious, and delicious.

"...Maybe this?"

I haven't seen rice here yet, but barley is common. I'll put plenty of water and barley in a large pot and simmer it. Add salt, pepper, miso, umami seasoning, and beaten Wild Cook eggs, and simmer a bit more to complete the "congee-like barley porridge."

For those who are feeling better, I'll prepare braised orc meat as a side dish. The key is to season it a bit sweet for easy eating.

Now that I think about it, I'm impressed by the versatility of cooking. It's easy to add umami, which can elevate the taste of a dish.

I also made fried thunder eagle and eggplant for myself.

...I've worked hard, so I should be able to eat what I like, right?

When I finished the meal and was about to serve it to everyone in their room, they had all moved to the living room, apparently drawn by the smell.

It seems everyone has woken up. I guess that's a relief?

Just in case, I'll secretly cast [Area High Heel].

"Um, I'm glad everyone seems to be doing better. I'm sure everyone has things they want to talk about, but let's eat while the food is still hot."

"「「「「Itadakimasu」」」"

I, Luna, Mirei, and Yomi started eating with our usual cheer, but the others were different.

"「「「「Delicious!!」」」"

It seems everyone enjoyed it, which is good.

They say people become quiet when eating crab, but I've always wondered why.

However, I've learned something. People become quiet when faced with delicious food, probably because they focus on eating.

Well, I guess that means they really enjoyed it.

What surprised me was that the fried thunder eagle was more popular than the barley porridge, which I made to be easy on the stomach.

...Maybe the people in this world have strong stomachs.

In the quiet but not tense space, Letia, the Azure Dragon Emperor, was the first to speak.

"Owl, I am the Azure Dragon Emperor, who leads the blue dragons, and I truly apologize for the trouble I caused this time."

"No, it couldn't be helped. Your daughter was taken hostage. Besides, there were no major casualties."

Well, the landscape has changed a bit, but no one died, and the academy's terrain can be fixed later.

"I'm relieved to hear that. ...The one next to me is my daughter."

"This is Tiara, the daughter of the Azure Dragon Emperor. Thank you for saving us this time."

I had a major misunderstanding. I thought her daughter would be a child because Letia's human form is young.

But in reality, she looks like a college student in human terms.

Compared to Letia's blue hair, Tiara has long, slightly purple-tinged blue hair.

"I'm Owl. I'm glad the curse was lifted in time. Is there any problem with your health?"

"Mr. Owl... Yes, there's no particular problem... No, I suddenly feel a tightness in my chest...!"

What? I just cast [Area High Heel], so it didn't fully heal?

As I started to panic, Luna, Mirei, and Yomi took Tiara upstairs, sensing something.

"Um, do you need healing magic?"

"...I'm sorry about my daughter. The curse is lifted, and she can use healing magic, so it's fine. ...We might cause you trouble in the future, though."

"Huh?"

"No, it's nothing."

Last part, what did she say? But as expected of the Azure Dragon Emperor's daughter, she can use healing magic. Water attributes have high affinity with healing magic, and Yomi can use it too.

"I will definitely repay this favor. If you like, I can grant you a blessing, just like the Red Dragon Emperor did?"

A blessing. I'd be happy to receive it, but what does "just like the Red Dragon Emperor" mean?

"What do you mean by 'just like the Red Dragon Emperor'?"

"Didn't you know? ...That lazy dragon, he granted you a blessing without even explaining it."

Ah, the Azure Dragon Emperor also calls Gra a lazy dragon. I feel a sense of familiarity.

When I shifted my gaze to Gra, who was still lying at the entrance, he certainly deserves the title of lazy dragon. Yeah, I wasn't wrong.

According to the Azure Dragon Emperor, it goes like this:

- A blessing is a favor granted by a dragon, and humans receive the favor of the creator god through baptism.

- The favor of the creator god and the blessing of a dragon cannot be received simultaneously; instead, the existing favor or blessing is enhanced.

- My favor has already been enhanced by the Red Dragon Emperor.

- A dragon can grant a blessing only three times in its long life.

- A secondary effect of receiving a blessing is gaining an affinity for the attribute governed by the dragon emperor. If the recipient already has an affinity, it is strengthened.

Gra apparently granted me a blessing at some point, using one of his three chances.

...Sorry, Gra, for calling you a lazy dragon.

"I haven't granted a blessing yet, so I can't say for sure, but that's what my mother taught me."

Granting a blessing to me... But if I could, I'd like to...

"Thank you, Letia. But can you grant the blessing to my companions instead?"

"Companions? ...Hehe, you really care about your friends. It's fine."

"Thank you, Letia."

I feel bad for Mirei, but I intend to have Letia grant her blessing to Yomi.

I hope there will be an opportunity to get along with the thunder dragon, but that might be too much to hope for.

"Hehe, we're back."

It seems the discussion has ended, but what happened?

Somehow, Tiara looks more energetic than before, but I'll let it slide for now.

...She's looking at me with sparkling eyes, but I'll ignore it.

"Yomi, Letia says she'll give you a blessing."

"A blessing? I already received one from Tiara..."

Eh... What are you guys doing? Tiara is smiling widely.

"...Is that okay, Tiara?"

"It's fine. I... Yomi and the others became friends with me just now!"

She almost called you "big sister," didn't she? What happened in those 15 minutes you were away?

"Then, then, Mirei, Letia's blessing for you?"

"Ah, I'm fine. I already received one from Tiara."

......What's going on with you guys! And Tiara, don't just hand out your three blessings like that.

"Luna is more suited to lightning than water, and there's the Inagi issue. Can I receive the blessing instead?"

"Yes, it's fine."

Letia murmured something as she placed her hands on me.

"It's done."

"Huh? That was fast!"

"A blessing is just that. ...Awakening the blessing depends on your own effort."

"Mom!!"

"Oh, I talked too much. Please pretend you didn't hear that."

Awakening. Professor Monica mentioned it too, but what exactly does it mean? Is it different from the evolution the former prime minister talked about?

"Thank you, Letia. Then, next..."

"We'll talk."

The one who raised her hand was Marianna.

"Let me introduce myself again. I am Marianna, Luna's mother."

"I am Franz, Luna's father."

"I am Moulan, Luna's sister."

"I'm Owl. Nice to meet you."

"We are..."

Summarizing what I heard from Marianna and the others:

- The Ininitium family, including Marianna, has sealed a part of the evil god within them for generations.

- This seal is almost synonymous with a curse, and it cannot be escaped even if one wants to.

- The only way to escape is through the highest-level holy attribute curse removal magic.

- The seal is passed down to children, generation after generation.

- The evil god will manifest only if the curses of all family members are lifted.

- The source of the curse that affected even the dragons is believed to be the evil god's power leaking from Luna's family.

- It's unclear what will happen to the evil god inside Luna once the curse is lifted.

- Luna was unaware that she was cursed.

...There's so much information, I don't know what to say, but Luna's knowledge of curses came from knowing her parents were cursed.

So, by lifting the family's curse, I inadvertently concentrated the power in Luna.

And I lifted the last curse as well.

Thinking about it, it was a close call, even though it worked out.

"...By the way, isn't it amazing that I named her Luna?"

"Yes, at that time, I really felt a sense of destiny with you, Master."

Of course, it is. Her original name was Lunaria, and the next name was Luna. It's almost as if her true identity was revealed.

"...Um, what do you mean by 'Master'?"

Why does Franz have a vein popping on his forehead? ...I understand that he's upset, even if it was necessary, that his daughter became a slave...

"Dad, I became a slave by my own will, and I was bought by my current Master. But don't worry, I'm very happy now!!"

"「...Luna」"

Hearing this from her daughter must be quite a shock. Marianna and Franz both have complicated expressions.

"Technically, the slave contract was nullified by the evil god's power."

I'll correct that just in case.

"Is that true?! Master, let's go and re-sign the contract right away!"

Luna quickly stands up and tries to grab my hand, but what should I do?

It's nice to meet her family and live together, but it seems cruel to make her my slave again.

But then, Inagi is still inside Luna... It's a dilemma.

"Luna, don't you want to live with your family again? ...Now that the contract is nullified, it's possible."

However, Luna answered much faster than I expected.

"No, I want to stay by Master's side. Besides, I can support my family now! ...If Master allows it..."

If there's a slave contract, the money the slave earns belongs to the master. Well, I have more than enough money, so I don't take it.

"That's not a problem... But, why do you want to be my slave again?"

"To have a solid connection with Master. And to repay the favor for saving me when I was injured."

Of course. In [Altria], values are very different from those on Earth.

...Yeah, it's about time.

"Luna, I won't re-sign the slave contract with you."

"?! Did I cause you trouble...? Or is it because of the evil god...?"

"Also, I plan to have Yomi's slave contract nullified at the guild tomorrow."

"Me too?! Did I do something wrong?! I'll fix it right away..."

"No, it's not that. This might not be the right time to say it, but Luna, Yomi, if you're okay with it, I want you to be by my side for the rest of your lives."

"......? I already intended to...?"

"!! ...S, so, is it okay?"

Luna doesn't seem to understand yet, but Yomi seems to get it.

I need to confirm with her too.

"Mirei, I've fallen in love with multiple people, and I hope you can forgive me."

"Haa~... I knew this would happen. I even thought it was a bit late. If Owl wants it, it's fine. But! Everyone must be treated equally!"

This is such a convenient turn of events for me, but this is my life, including this.

I've met such wonderful people.

"I'm not an adult yet, but when I grow up, let's get married."

"「～～～～!!」"

The two of them hugged and started crying, but I guess they're crying because they're happy?

"Sorry for the delay, but I want to ask for your daughter, 'Lunaria'!"

"......"

"You, say something? The boy is trying his best."

Encouraged by Marianna, Franz finally spoke.

"...She's a kind girl. Serious and devoted, a bit clumsy, but she has good judgment."

"Yes."

"...We, as parents, made Lunaria suffer a lot. It must have been a hard and painful time. ...We want her to be happy now."

"Yes."

"...Owl, please make 'Luna' happy!"

"Of course! I'll make her as happy as possible!"

Franz, sobbing loudly, and Marianna and Moulan comforting him.

These people must have suffered a lot, yet they bless us without a word.

Such pure-hearted people should be happy too.

"About the future, do you have any preferences?"

"Well, Moulan will be 10 next year, and I want her to attend the academy, but..."

Marianna wants Moulan to attend the academy, but it seems they don't have the money.

"I seized a lot of money from the evil god cult's fortress, so I'll give it to you. I don't know how much there is, but there's a lot, so I think it's enough."

It might be as much as half the budget of a small country.

Wait... Could this money belong to Franz's country?

"I've heard a bit from Luna. If you need to rebuild, you'll need a lot of money, so please take it all."

"!! ...Thank you so much. I will definitely repay this favor! Definitely!"

"Thank you, Brother Owl!"

Guh...! What kind of destructive power is this...? I thought I was into older women, but do I have a younger sister complex too?!

...Can I call you "Brother" again...?

"Owl...?"

Killer aura!?

"Mirei, I'm innocent."

"! S, sure... If that's the case, it's fine."

Huh? She's backing off so quickly. What's going on? She's even repeating her name, "Mirei, Mirei..." Women's hearts are complicated.

The next day, I took Yomi, Luna, and Mirei to the guild early in the morning to nullify the slave contracts of the two. For Luna, it was also to confirm if the slave contract was really nullified.

"Now, you two are no longer my slaves. Thank