Published: September 10, 2025
※2016/11/30 Typo corrections made.
This is Satou. Like collapsing a sand dune or pulling out a piece in Jenga, the end comes crashing down like an avalanche. Even if you foresee it, that doesn't mean you can stop it—just like with disasters.
â—‡
“Lady Kuro, I didn’t realize you had returned from the Weasel Empire.”
The moment I returned to the Echigoya Trading Company, it was Tifaliza’s clear smile, sharp and beautiful, that quickly spotted me.
“I just got back when I received a message. Did something happen?”
Since it wasn’t an emergency communication, I assumed it wasn’t something urgent. But the fact that she bothered to send a message outside the regular report meant it had to be something important.
“Yes, from the Makiwa Kingdom—”
The name of the country we had protected from the Weasel Empire’s scientific weapons while disguised as dragon knights came up.
Did some trouble occur with the refugee support or reconstruction?
“—we received a message from Pippin.”
Pippin is a former phantom thief who now works as a slave informant for Echigoya.
“If I recall correctly, Pippin is—”
“Yes, accompanying Lord Kei and Lady Charlurun as backup.”
Before I could finish recalling, Tifaliza added the information.
Kei, the reincarnator and former false apostle, was on a journey to revisit her past mistakes caused by her narrow perspective and unique skill.
“Did something happen to Kei or Charlurun?”
“Yes.”
Tifaliza nodded in response to my question.
While waiting for her explanation, I checked the marker list for their names.
They’re fine, no injuries.
“According to Pippin, Lord Kei has manifested Holy Magic.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear—”
I said the congratulatory words half-heartedly, then realized the real problem hidden behind them.
“—Is that true?”
“Yes, Pippin saw it herself.”
Tifaliza answered immediately.
“I’m heading to the Makiwa Kingdom for a bit.”
With Tifaliza’s parting words of “Have a good trip” and the hurried footsteps of someone who seemed to be a manager, I left the Echigoya Trading Company.
â—‡
Using unit deployment, I moved to the closest friendly position within the Makiwa Kingdom where Kei and the others were located, and I hesitated whether to change my appearance.
If it was to celebrate her, Satou was the better suited identity, but suddenly visiting the distant Dazares City in another country without warning like the elusive Kuro might cause problems.
—Well, whatever.
Soon, no one will care about such trivial things.
I used my quick change skill to return to Satou’s form and stepped out from the mountain cabin teleport base.
“I hope there’s no storm coming—”
I muttered to myself while looking up at the clouds covering the sky, as if foreshadowing the future.
Below me, the half-rebuilt Dazares City could be seen.
“Kei and the others seem to be at the Zaikuon Temple near the castle.”
Using demonic essence camouflage, I teleported with spatial magic to the back of the Zaikuon Temple, where there was no one around.
“Glory to the name of God Zaikuon!”
“Come on, come on! Today is a celebration!”
“A festival! Let’s all dance today!”
A crowd had gathered in front of the temple, the people feverishly praising the god.
“This means the believers will return, right?”
“Indeed, finally the temple can be repaired.”
I heard familiar voices among the crowd.
“—Kei.”
“Sa-Satou-san?!”
When I called out, Kei, dressed in the Zaikuon priest robes, turned around, surprised.
“Is she an acquaintance of Kei?”
“Yes, Temple Chief. Pe-Pepin—uh, noble Satou-san.”
Apparently, she didn’t remember my family name.
“Nice to meet you, Temple Chief. I am Viscount Satou Pendragon. Although it’s a small amount, I brought this as a donation to the temple.”
I handed a small pouch containing about twenty gold coins to the temple chief.
“Well, well—how devout.”
The temple chief’s face lit up at the golden shine peeking through the pouch’s opening.
Kei and I were shown to the reception room by the beaming temple chief, who served us special Makiwa tea.