Published: September 10, 2025
※Merry Christmas!
※ Typo corrected on 2016/12/26.
※ This time, the perspective is not Satou’s.
“Good grief, we went all the way out to a remote countryside to punish the Weasel Empire, and along the way, God Himself dealt divine punishment first—what’s going on here?”
In the VIP observation room of the Saga Empire’s line-of-battle gunship, Hero Meiko Kaname was grumbling.
Surrounding her were knights and priests, so handsome they could rival a maiden game’s cast, attending her every move.
Originally, this was a strike fleet composed of seven line-of-battle gunships assembled to attack the capital of the Weasel Empire, but on the way, a divine oracle came from the gods, causing five ships to turn back to the Saga Empire.
“It can’t be helped. The will of God is beyond the comprehension of us mortals,” a handsome priest said calmly.
“Hmph. With a talisman like a cell phone, they could at least have sent an email. Acting all long-lived but can’t even do basic reporting,” the hero snapped disrespectfully.
The handsome priest’s cheeks twitched at her impudence.
Incidentally, the hero, who had been a middle schooler in her original world, didn’t actually know that “reporting, contacting, consulting” was what ‘ホーレンソー’ stood for—she just understood the gist vaguely.
“I wish I could have ridden one of those silver spaceships instead of this bumpy boat,” Meiko muttered.
“I apologize. It is only because our guards were inadequate that we caused trouble to the honorable hero,” a beautiful bureaucrat with puppy-like features apologized.
The “Dimensional Submersible Vessel Jules Verne,” which was like the hero’s throne ship, had been half-destroyed along with its maintenance workshop by an attack from high-rank black demons.
“That’s not your fault,” Meiko waved her hand carelessly, signaling it wasn’t a problem.
“I’d rather leave verifying the divine punishment to the old ladies on the escort vessels,” she grumbled.
To soothe the hero’s boredom, a young man from the Long-Ear Tribe began playing her favorite song on a lute.
No one except the hero knew it was the opening theme from a female-oriented idol anime.
◇
“Princess Merryest, the reconnaissance team has returned.”
On another line-of-battle gunship accompanying the hero’s vessel, Princess Merryest, who served as Hero Hayato’s attendant, received a report from the captain.
“The downed airship we discovered earlier—”
A frown formed on Princess Merryest’s brow as she listened.
“I see... there were no survivors this time either.”
“Yes, all the bodies had turned to salt, so we were unable to recover any remains or belongings.”
“I understand. You may leave.”
“Understood.”
After the captain left, Princess Merryest let out a heavy sigh.
Since entering Weasel Empire territory, they had seen several wrecks of downed large airships and cities turned to salt.
And everywhere, there were no survivors.
“Drink this, Merry.”
“Lean.”
Lean Grande handed her friend, whose face was clouded, a glass of red wine.
Without savoring the aroma, Princess Merryest downed the deep, tannic red liquid in one gulp.
“It’s expensive wine, you should enjoy it more.”
“...You’re right.”
Lean smiled wryly, and Princess Merryest’s lips finally formed a faint smile.
After a brief respite, they received word that the fleet was approaching near the Weasel Empire’s capital, and the two headed to the bridge.
◇
“It’s white... as if still inside a cloud,” Princess Merryest muttered, staring down at the capital, whitened by divine punishment.
“Merry! Look!”
“Is that the Demon King? And so many of them...”
“I don’t know what’s in the center, but there’s a battle with the Demon King. Could that be the apostle of God?”
“It’s like the final war between gods and demons Hayato called Armageddon.”
A yellow giant fought against Demon Kings radiating purple light.
The yellow giant, single-handedly holding its own against Demon Kings who had given heroic Hayato and themselves a hard time, inspired awe and fear in Princess Merryest and Lean Grande.