Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. Sometimes when you do something casually, and others highly praise it, you don’t quite know how to react, do you?
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“After greeting His Majesty in the Royal Capital, I’ll be heading to the Tenion Temple in the Duke’s Capital.”
After breakfast at the Isolated Island Palace, I told everyone my plan while drinking the tea brewed by Lulu.
I was going to ask the chief shrine maiden at Tenion Temple if there was a way to communicate with the gods.
“In that case, instead of heading straight to the airport in the Royal Castle, it’s better to land the airship once at the mansion or circle the Royal Capital before going to the castle.”
“Why is that?”
I asked Princess Sistina the reason.
“It’s better for you to see it directly.”
She said that after a moment of thought and stood up.
Though I was suspicious, I figured I’d understand once I arrived, so I headed to the Pendragon Mansion in the Royal Capital.
“What’s going on here?”
There was an enormous crowd in front of the mansion.
Looking closely, not only people but even food stalls were set up.
“Everyone’s come to see Satou.”
“To see me?”
“Yes. ‘Demon King Slayer’ is such a great title, after all.”
Princess Sistina’s explanation made sense.
She looked incredibly proud.
I’d been desensitized recently, but slaying the demon king was indeed a great feat.
I was only intending to help Hero Hayato a bit, but apparently, just helping had a huge impact.
Her advice about the airship’s landing spot was probably to make a show for these onlookers.
“Thank you for the advice. I suppose I was a bit inconsiderate.”
I thanked her and began to map out the return route for the airship in my mind.
――Pipiru! Piru! Piru!
While gazing out the window and pondering, a bird with emerald green feathers suddenly appeared, perched arrogantly, chirping loudly.
“Jade, did you get permission from His Highness?”
――Pi! Pirupi! Piru!
Jade diverted its gaze slightly, chirping as if making an excuse.
This bird was kept by Princess Doris, Sistina’s younger half-sister. Ever since an incident transformed its species into a “divine bird,” it had begun to frequently escape Doris’s care to come visit.
I’d return Jade when I went to the Royal Castle.
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“Royal Capital Air Defense Squad, squad leader Suisos reporting. It’s an honor to meet Lord Pendragon.”
When the airship approached near the Royal Capital, a unit of ten bird tribe warriors clad in flying armor appeared.
I heard on the deck that they had come especially to escort us.
“I’m thinking of circling the Royal Capital once before heading to the Royal Castle. Is that alright?”
“Yes! Of course! The citizens have been flocking to the mansion every day to catch a glimpse of Lord Pendragon. It would be most appreciated if you could wave from the deck.”
He spoke very formally.
Even though he’s a bird tribe member, he was sweating oddly. Maybe he was nervous?
“Understood, let’s do that. Please lead the way.”
“Yes! I will accomplish this mission even at the risk of my life!”
That’s a bit much.
You don’t need to risk your life just to escort us.
When we passed beyond the city walls, soldiers climbed so high on the walls they looked like they might fall, waving to us.
They were shouting “Pendragon,” so they were welcoming me.
Then, when we flew past the outer military facilities—
“‘Pendragon!’”
The crowd’s voices calling my family name were so loud my ears hurt.
Because so many people were shouting at once, the sound fluctuated, but their voices were strong enough to almost shake the airship.
When I waved back, the cheers grew even louder.
I spotted someone fainting in the crowd, so I discreetly extended a “magic hand” to support them.
“Arisa, can you call everyone who went with me to slay the demon king?”
“Okay!”
Taking advantage of the moment, I used distant vision to call my friends waiting at the Isolated Island Palace.
“Whoa, really great~?”
“This is amazing! Everyone’s shouting Master’s name!”