‘Well then, over here please’, the moment those words reverberated in his head as always, the landscape around changed completely.

The faint red world disappeared, and a forest overflowing in natural beauty appeared.

The shadow of animals could be seen in the corners here and there.

At the place where a tree that was thicker than the rest was located and the sunlight was shining, Aznoval finds a stump and immediately takes action. In other words, he walked to it and sat on it.

His moves felt practiced as if this wasn’t his first time.

And then, he looks at his right, and as if this served as a signal, the contour of a pale blue woman comes out from the shrubs.

That figure didn’t have any specific individual traits, it simply had the figure of an adult woman.

At her hands, she holds 2 mug cups.

There’s no other people here.

There was no Makoto or Tomoe.

“Looks like you were beaten up pretty badly, Azu.”

“Futsu… Even though it has been so long since the last time we met, why are you appearing in such a half-assed appearance?” (Aznoval)

“There’s no point in putting on airs using my figure with you guys anyways. I have already used up all my surprises.” (Futsu)

“What a regret. Truly a regret.” (Aznoval)

“Even if it is something important, I refuse. And so, are you going to answer me? That person, did you finally piss it off?” (Futsu)

She gives one of the mugs to Azu, and while at it, points at his shoulder.

“This is the result of an unlucky encounter. The misunderstanding has been resolved.” (Aznoval)

“‘The misunderstanding has been resolved’? It is been awhile since I have heard that classic phrase of yours. Should I interpret it as your muscles pushing through? Why did you even end up fighting against an apostle of the Goddess?” (Futsu)

“…It was to protect the lineage of my little brother. Well, it was one the few connections I have. Have to treasure it.” (Aznoval)

“I see. Sorry.” (Futsu)

“Being one of the few friends that know my favorite dishes, there’s no need for you to apologize.” (Aznoval)

Inside the mug, there’s a completely white liquid.

It is letting off warm steam.

It is hot milk.

“…It is just milk. But well, it is true that providing a feast for a person that can actually eat is pretty hard in this place though.” (Futsu)

“There was no need to prepare my share, you know. It is the same anyways.” (Aznoval)

“I have to provide the best warm reception for the person that will be bringing the guests I have been waiting for after all. The matter of the shoulder is fine already. Other injuries are…from him?” (Futsu)

“…Yeah.” (Aznoval)

“Fuh~, I was prepared for this, but seriously, he truly is a fearsome outstanding one.” (Futsu)

The mug of Futsu was filled with a blackish brown liquid that looked muddy.

Without hesitating, Futsu drinks from it and sighs once.

“I completely agree with you. Truly fearsome. If I hadn’t surrendered at that moment, I wouldn’t have been able to come here for sure.” (Aznoval)

“Even in your state where you had learned the name of the Princess?” (Futsu)

“…So you really did know. No, I won’t ask you about about how you know about me knowing the name of Princess, okay?! No way I will!” (Aznoval)

Maybe Aznoval remembered something of his past, he screamed as if in a spasm.

“Yeah yeah, I said something unnecessary there. And so, about the future you might have ended up in…” (Futsu)

“First of all, Makoto-kun stopped in the middle of evading the Iai I unleashed. It is the technique that was activated when I first heard of the name of Princess Seoritsu.” (Aznoval)

Aznoval recalls the fight.

The fight that he was doing just a while ago.

It still remains vividly in his memories.

“He purposely received an attack that he could avoid? A technique that you yourself had unleashed for the first time? Isn’t that just you misunderstanding?” (Futsu)

“In my eyes, that’s how I saw it.” (Aznoval)

“What was his aim?” (Futsu)

“In order to bring me down.” (Aznoval)

“…He should have known you are immortal, right?” (Futsu)

“But I do get injured. If I receive a grave injury, there’s the need for time to recover. The worst the wound, the longer it immobilizes me.” (Aznoval)

“…”

“He stopped evading in the middle of it, and received my sword with his head. It cut the meat at his forehead and the blade slipped from his skull. But well, I don’t know at all how much of it was calculated. But for him, that must have been the ideal moment to go on the offensive.” (Aznoval)

“And then, before I can shift the katana and seal the battle with a reverse swing, Makoto-kun would create distance by shooting an incredibly powerful arrow that had several ring-like things added to it.” (Aznoval)

“…Was that his trump card?” (Futsu)

“Next, he would shoot four rapid-fires of the light arrows that incapacitated Rokuya at the *openings of my armor*, and in those few seconds restrained, the silver arms would be appearing at both of my sides.” (Aznoval) <pretty sure he had no armor at that moment>

“Silver arms? What’s that?” (Futsu)

“I don’t know at all. I have never seen them before or heard about them. The Elder Dwarf seemed to obey Makoto-kun, so maybe it is a treasure of them, or maybe it is something Makoto-kun had them make.” (Aznoval)

“So he is controlling armor designed for giants with magic power?” (Futsu)

“…Might be the case, but my intuition is telling me otherwise. Rather than calling it an equipment for giants, it was more like…the arms of a robot.” (Aznoval)

“Robot. Aah, an evolved version of a Golem? The Japanese people called them Robots.” (Futsu)

“Umu. But even so, I felt that even for something like that, it consumed an incredible amount of magic power. He didn’t look like the type who would wish for robots, and it didn’t looks as if he was utilizing equipment for giants. The one point I am certain of is that it possesses dreadful efficiency.” (Aznoval)

“To the point that it would make you unable to act for a long period of time?” (Futsu)

“…No doubt about it. And then, I would be captured in some sort of barrier-looking thing, my whole body would be steadily crushed by some superhuman strength, and in the end, me together with my sword Princess Seoritsu…would be wrung into meat paste.” (Aznoval)

“…Uh, that’s quite the image.” (Futsu)

“Of course, in that time, he continued looking at me with eyes as if he wouldn’t miss any sort of opposition or obstruction as he maintained his bow locked at me, and then…a bizarre conclusion was reached. Seeing that much into the future, I decided on surrendering. Because if I let him go that far, what would be waiting after would only be bad for everyone; the worst end to it all. Nothing good would be left.” (Aznoval)

“Decisive judgement…maybe?” (Futsu)

Was that honest praise, or was it sarcasm?

Futsu looks at Aznoval’s face with a bitter and complicated expression.

“I was about to be made unable to move for half a century.” (Aznoval)

“Against a youngster that hasn’t even been here for a decade?” (Futsu)

“…That’s the part that makes it the scariest. The three this time, counting the heroes, are all a group of excelling individuals. But within them, he is a special one. He is a person that I think fearsome from the bottom of my heart.” (Aznoval)

“I agree that he is special. Even from my eyes, there’s no doubt about it. Yeah, to the point that even if we were to fill up the place with warning posters all around, it would never be enough.” (Futsu)

“Well, that’s why I brought him here ‘while at it’. I wish that he will be able to obtain some sort of experience in this place.” (Aznoval)

“Yeah, I am truly grateful. You have finally brought Makoto to my place. My request has been fulfilled without room for complaints.” (Futsu)

“I am a superb adventurer after all –is what I want to say, but this time was completely a godsend. Also, don’t call it a request. I was simply fulfilling the favor of a friend. Ah, refill for the milk please.” (Aznoval)

Feeling the warm sunlight, Aznoval spends a relaxing time.

***

‘Well then, over here’, with those words of invitation, the landscape changes in an instant.

The faint red world disappeared, and what appeared was a hermitage.

She sat on the veranda, and then, looks at the woods.

There’s no one else here aside from her.

“Well well, I thought I had returned to my home, but that wasn’t the case. In this place, what we see, what we touch is all what you wish it for huh.”

Without making any special movements, Tomoe let out a clear sounding voice.

“Well, it is more like, this is the appearance, aspirations, scenery, and the projection of the heart that you wish for though. Doesn’t look like Lorel. Could this be Japan?”

This place looked like the hermitage Tomoe had made at Asora.

And that hermitage was heavily influenced by a period drama that Tomoe really liked, where the main character had retired to and was living in.

The only thing that was clearly different about it was that in the woods you can see from the veranda, there’s a conifer that has never been seen before.

“So, woman, what business do you have with me-ja?” (Tomoe)

Tomoe talks to the woman that had approached her with the appearance of a village girl from the Edo period.

Being asked her business, the village girl stopped her feet for a moment, but continuing her silence, she sits at the side of Tomoe.

Tomoe, who was sitting in the veranda, stands up.

She didn’t place her hand on her katana. She simply sat back at the fireplace that was at the back.

The village girl nods once and sits opposite of Tomoe.

“Nice to meet you, I am Futsu. Aside from Root and Doma, the other Superior Dragons don’t even know of my name, a very old existence.” (Futsu)

“You are a Superior Dragon, right? It was just recent that I heard that you and Root had an era where you were acclaimed existences in the long past.” (Tomoe)

“Close. That woman -no, he is currently a man, right. Well, whichever is fine. In the old era, it ruled over the skies and harmony, and I ruled over the land and souls.” (Futsu)

“But you incurred the wrath of Root, and as a result, you were killed or imprisoned, hence, you are now here. Was it a fight over a man? Whatever it is, what a loser-ja na.” (Tomoe)

The tone of Tomoe was calm, but there was probably displeasure and hostility mixed in it.

Because she had concluded that there’s a 9/10 probability that Futsu will prove to be a harmful existence for her master.

That’s because even if there have been twist and turns and in the past they couldn’t let their guards down around him, Makoto and Root are temporarily in a cooperative relationship.

It would be better to have a shallow relationship with Futsu, who is clearly antagonistic towards Root.

“Yeah, it is just as you say. The biggest reason was because of a man. And so, now I am the manager of the world of the dead where I know only few.” (Futsu)

“Moreover, after several centuries, even in Lorel, the name of Doma and Futsu are being mixed up. And it will most likely fuse with Doma who actually exists.” (Tomoe)

“I am truly at a loss against the persistence of Root. But in this occasion, that’s of no importance.” (Futsu)

“No importance, you say?” (Tomoe)

“That’s right. My existence has already been accepted to a certain extent by Makoto –no, by Tomoe, so the next important thing is to have you lose your hostility and cautiousness towards me.” (Futsu)

“Are you saying you want to be friends?” (Tomoe)

“…I don’t hold a grudge towards Root. I was the reason why the relationship fell apart to begin with anyways. I am not in an antagonistic relationship with him, and I don’t have any intentions of involving Tomoe’s master into our problems. I promise this.” (Futsu)

“…”

“Actually, the main guest this time is you.” (Futsu)

“…What did you say?” (Tomoe)

“I have no discontent in being the manager of this world of the dead and the souls in it, but…there’s only one thing that I regret.” (Futsu)

“The manager of the world of the dead’s regret. Doesn’t give any good vibes.” (Tomoe)

Grudge of the dead.

Associating it with that, Tomoe furrowed her eyebrows.

“Fufufu, true. When put in words, even I think it wouldn’t be anything decent.” (Futsu)

“Then…Umu, Futsu, that fight between you and Root for a man, what was it that caused your failure? If you tell me that part, I would be fine with hearing what you have to say.” (Tomoe)

Maybe Tomoe thought of something, she showed interest in Root and Futsu’s relationship and an evil smile surfaced in her face.

“Ara, that’s simple. I was unable to accept being the second wife. I wanted to be number one. And, I didn’t want other women aside from me.” (Futsu)

“…I heard that the man that was the husband of Root made a grand inner palace and shut-in there drowning in carnal desire though.” (Tomoe)

“That’s why I lost against Root who didn’t care about other women as long as she were given the chance to give birth to the child of a human.” (Futsu)

“In a place where an idiot and a retard are, if a normal one tries to join in, the normal one will be repelled huh. Even when your wish was normal and humble.” (Tomoe) <Normal is Futsuu in japanese. Probably a play in words here.>

The face of Tomoe was showing clear amazement at it.

“I wonder about that. It is difficult for normal women to get close to heroes. And in truth, he married Root and lived a happy life…and died. The people that were loved by him left numerous children and he was wrapped in love and died in happiness. He truly had a nice face in his final moments…to the point that all of my unsightly emotions towards Root melted.” (Futsu)

“…Did you…meet him here?” (Tomoe)

The eyes that were always directed at Tomoe had for the first time looked away, and Futsu looks at the garden, answering with silence.

On the other hand, Tomoe was at a loss of words in a different meaning.

Because the experience of Futsu was the one that Tomoe had been fearing the most since the time she met Makoto.

“…Ara, I might have found an ingredient for a deal. But it might not be needed…hmm. For now, let’s leave it aside! Well then, can I finally talk about this regret I have?” (Futsu)

Maybe Futsu was aiming to blow away the heavy mood that was going on, she continues the conversation with a pretty cheerful tone.

“Umu, let’s hear it.” (Tomoe)

“I have something I govern that I want you to take over. Even though I’m the manager here, for a long—-a truly long—-time I have uselessly held a treasure of an ability. Isn’t it a waste?” (Futsu)

“What an outrageous thing to say. There’s no way a Superior Dragon can pass over the powers they govern over.” (Tomoe)

“It is possible. Azuma, Doma, Ryuka, Grount, Lancer, and you are the proof of this. For Root and I, it is possible.” (Futsu)

“In other words…you are saying our powers are things that Root had passed onto us? Are you saying that those were originally a part of his powers?” (Tomoe)

Tomoe showed a truly displeased expression.

She didn’t even show any signs of trying to hide it.

“Don’t hate it that much. It already cannot be affected by Root, it is your own power now. Also…” (Futsu)

“What more is there-ja?” (Tomoe)

“Your master will in time -in a not so far future- be breaking into a domain that is the most dangerous within the Wise that have arrived to this parallel world.” (Futsu)

“…The Goddess huh.” (Tomoe)

“So it goes without saying. At that time, it wouldn’t be troubling to have as much power as possible, right?” (Futsu)

The curtains of silence fall.

Futsu waits for the answer of Tomoe.

It was a silence as if everything that had to be said had already been spoken.

Tomoe thinks; about Futsu’s aim, wish, and what she is plotting.

The silence continued for long.

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Reigokai

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View Comments

  • Thanks for the chapter regokai, a great way to star the wee for me. Now I really hate Root ex, I don't know if its because of my highstandard morals or because I am bitterly jelous of him (problaly the second) That guy had it good. Wondering what will be Makoto view and what could Futsu want from him, and since when has she been waiting for him????

    • It's a classic value clash.

      I can't say I approve of him as well, but we also don't know what exactly happened so I'm willing to limit my judgement to "a bad impression". Root also said that her husband and Makoto would probably have gotten along.

      ...Actually, you know what? The story of how the two most powerful dragons in the world(universe?) fell in love with a wise sounds like it has potential as a good read in and of itself.

      • No scratch the high values moral, I am just plain jelous of that bastard the two most powerfull dragin had the hots for him, an the one he choose even let him have his fun with other people. That guy had it way to good!!!!!!!!!!

  • Awesome news on the bug Goddess bitch slap/punch, now how long is the "in a not so far future" in terms of chapters?

  • Tomoe becomes the Grim Reaper maybe? And also rule over the land??? Thanks regio-sama!

  • Reading the chapter made me think that Futsu is either:
    a) joining with Makoto's side against the Goddess.
    b) trying to trick Makoto for her hiddden motive.

    She is unusually informative for someone who has been trapped in the world of the dead since thousands of years ago. This makes me very curious.

    The chapter also made me realize that all dragons and superior dragons are indeed descendants of Root and Futsu.
    Both of them must've been the original high dragons that inhabits the world before Goddess takes over the world from it's previous diety. Root as Uranus and Futsu as Gaia. The only twist in this story is that they're both female dragons that fall in love with the same man (the first Wise).

    The fact that they can grant their powers to other dragons (and that Root had granted/divided powers to other superior dragons) piqued my interest. I suspect that when Root took Futsu's power in the past, he couldn't handle all of it in his body and had to release part of them out (to the superior dragons who were still young and it gave birth to their powers). The only power that Root couldn't steal must've been the control over the souls and the dead. If she give that to Tomoe... *shudder*

    It seems that Futsu uses her domain or powers to meet each of them separately. Aznoval in a different place, Tomoe in a different place, and most probably Makoto in a different place. Next chapter will be her meeting with Makoto.

    • It seems that Futsu and Root were or similar power levels but probably different in nature, one more suited for granting life, the other for bringing destruction. Root the holder of destruction ended up winning the battle and claimed the prize (hubby 1).

      I really doubt that Root claimed any of Futsus powers. The implication of the explaination that Futsu gave Tomoe is that all of the abilities granted to her by the "Land" portion of her portfolio have been left unused since the time of her death a LOOONG time ago. After her death Futsu was able to continue using ther ability that granted her power of the dead and it is how she came to be the ruler of the place they are in now.

      Root split his powers as an experiment and because he was bored (I think he mentioned it back when he was killing Sofia) , not because of his reaching some sort of limit on how much power he could possess.

    • I don't think "descendant" is the right word so much as "creation".

      For example, Lancer was apparently a weapon that Root placed her power into for shits and giggles. I think it's more likely that the two...hmm..."Supreme Dragons" released offshoots of their power which eventually became sentient and took the form of the rest of the Superior Dragons.

      Some of the Superior Dragons formed intentionally and some were not. After they reincarnated a few times themselves, these offshoot powers got stronger and developed their own identities.

      This is all speculation, but I think it probably went something like this? Either way, Futsu is about to pour her power into Tomoe (Huehue), which is an unprecedented thing. Something that's itself an interesting experiment.

  • Thank you for the chapter.

    I wonder if this is the sign of a new follower, and what Root would say about it.

  • Holy hell... that was brutal Makoto, you really got carried away in that fight. Aznoval really did a good thing by surrendering and avoided worst case scenario.

  • mmm what need of dragons when he has some friendly over the top gods and goddess from his former world?... i mean SHIVA, ATHENA.... well lets see what "power" is she talking about, and root keep getting far away from the friendly realm chapter by chapter... mad scientist....

  • This people...... what the heck is wrong with them!?
    That Waterfall Dragon and now this Futsu? Are they really so afraid of Makoto?
    Though they don't know the full potential of Makoto and him being visited by the gods of the Earth, they suspect, scheme, plotted against him because they can't trust someone with that kind of power and only means sealing or killing him. They don't believe Makoto true desire to lived a good easy life instead they're just disillusioned themselves as he is someone that power beyond their imagination and turning it against the world.
    Least the gods of Earth accept Makoto's power and fate but the beings in the world govern by b***h Goddess have so many disillusioned upon themselves of Makoto's power including his female friend a Hero.
    This guys are so a headache that need some therapy that knowing the person they feared is not that gonna let the darkness inside of him overtake him completely.
    And this Futsu is now trying to conspire Tomoe..... such delusional head of her....

    "Your master will in time -in a not so far future- be breaking into a domain that is the most dangerous within the Wise that have arrived to this parallel world." (Futsu)
    - Dangerous for others but not for Makoto.
    - He's power already surpassed the Goddess but he is unknown how to unleashed or use it all.
    - Remember the deities of Earth and the Fates have mentioned that Makoto have the power of a God inside of him and in no time break away from his mortal shell and deified to a God.

    • So far there has been no indication of Futsu conspiring aginst Makoto, heck she is offering Tomoe the oportunity to power up so she can be of more use to him in his confrontation with the Goddes. Now I don't know in the future or if this is a well thoug complex plan, but for the time been she hasn't attacked him or laid a plan for such a thing.

      • Yeah, and that's really suspicious for this world. Not that I view her as antagonistic, it's just she's the losing end of the original Dragon duo with Root. Scheme. Scheme. Scheme.
        Just what is the regret Futsu wants to push onto Tomoe?
        Just a thought but is she hoping to get pregnant?
        Thanks for the chapter

    • I can't see anything that futsu did that could anger you. all she did was supportive to makoto.
      what did you see? I don't understand you.

      >they’re just disillusioned themselves as he is someone that power beyond their imagination and turning it against the world.
      yeah, it's not as if it was what happened in every paralleled worlds, amirite?
      remember that makoto is very cold and distant about lives in battles, and very emotional in making his decisions. e.g: he invaded a country in demon's territory on a whim because he was in bad mood after a talk with the goddess.
      Zef know it and it's the reason what he acted that way, he know that bringing makoto to his side can bite him back in the worst way, as well as he can anger him unknowingly on an indirect way. so the best he could do was to offer him gifts and be buddy-buddy to make him feel indebted and reluctant to turn against demons.

      >Least the gods of Earth accept Makoto’s power and fate but the beings in the world govern by b***h Goddess have so many disillusioned upon themselves of Makoto’s power including his female friend a Hero.
      No. Shiva prepared himself to destroy the world if makoto where to go berserk.
      and the dreams he sent to makoto with his advice showed a real concern about that part.

      >This guys are so a headache that need some therapy that knowing the person they feared is not that gonna let the darkness inside of him overtake him completely.
      yeah, they need a therapy because they aren't omniscient. seem legit.

      >And this Futsu is now trying to conspire Tomoe….. such delusional head of her….
      when?

      >Dangerous for others but not for Makoto.
      so, makoto can fights gods without any risks? since when?
      and it go against your words when you said "they’re just disillusioned themselves as he is someone that power beyond their imagination"

      > He’s power already surpassed the Goddess but he is unknown how to unleashed or use it all.
      since when did he surpass the goddess?
      and you're saying he can't use his power as well as a god, so he is obviously at disadvantage in a fight.

      >Remember the deities of Earth and the Fates have mentioned that Makoto have the power of a God inside of him
      When? citation needed

      delusional
      ADJECTIVE
      1.Characterized by or holding idiosyncratic beliefs or impressions that are contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder.
      1.1 Based on or having faulty judgment; mistaken.

      TL;DR: aren't you a bit delusional?

      • It IS suspicious that the first thing Futsu did was separate Tomoe and Makoto. Also, Aznoval's discussion with Tomoe was specifically crafted to make her more receptive to both Futsu, and her offer. That's a fairly hard pitch to sell something with no strings attached.

    • While I find Futsu a bit suspicious overall, I don't really have a bad feeling or anything regarding her.

      Her motive is vague, but she's shown no sign of malice, nor scheming, nor ambition. Unless you see something really dodgy with her, I say we give her the benefit of the doubt for now and see where her consultation with Makoto takes us.

      • I see many things and sometimes mistaken it but sometimes schemes can be hidden underneath that very obvious kind intention. I see the part that Futsu want Tomoe to be the new head of the underworld but also found suspicious why she's offering that to Makoto's subordinate. Even there's says she letting Tomoe become the new head that can help her master trained his power, there's also that kind of an unknown trap or plot to them. Not everything is fair and goodies especially in a world governed by a bitchy goddess who only prizes her children and brushed off the other races, such an ugly goddess that's not even worth to call it a goddess.
        Futsu may be well a forgotten existence in the surface but it doesn't mean anything from there has only a beautiful smile. Makoto's situation after all is very harsh that's also correlating to his incredible bad luck from his title that Root known but not the holder himself. His existence is proven that can shift the very essence of the world and found by others as dangerous it can be and often plotted dark thought that can harm the innocence of Makoto's followers and residence, acquaintance on his side. Although the gods and goddesses and even the Fates of the Earth found no wary of Makoto's existence. They are more profoundly interested of what the young boy more capable to do beyond as they say that even before he was given power from the Moon god, he was already holding a unique strength and talent that can shift the modern world. And by adding up a god's power his existence is completely well beyond that can tilt the balance.
        And I say Futsu is either have no intention or has a hidden intention.
        Let just see in the next chaps and want their faces gaped opened wide of the unexpected things they seeing...

        • Well i didn't saw Futsu offering Tomoe rule over the underworld, I though that what she wanted Tomoe to hineret her powers as the Earth Dragon as contrabalance to Root Heavenly Dragon, but I can be mistaken. Besides the Goddes excistence shoudn't affect the Superior Dragons way of thinking giving that she wasn't the one to create them, they were in that world before she came so her character should be unrelated to the way of the Superior Dragons to act.

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