Once we’d gone back, Kayla quickly eliminated the remaining skeletons, which seemed to be the last of the monsters in this area.
Down at street level, people looked up at us, pointing and talking excitedly. Many of them looked scared, and again, it made sense; our familiars looked like monsters.
“Now that we’re not in any immediate danger, maybe we should let the familiars go,” Shiki suggested. I nodded, reducing Nahan to a size small enough to fit in my hand and dismissing the others. Maybe Nahan would be less scary if people thought he was a stuffed animal.
“Hey, Kazu-san!”
“Finally caught up with you!”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Just then, Arisu, Tamaki, and Rushia flew up next to us. They were using Wind Walk rather than Fly, which was probably why it had taken them a bit longer to get here. Beside Tamaki stood a creature resembling a black panther. It was Coeurl.
You… why are you following along like it’s the most natural thing in the world? Well, it’s fine.
“You’re safe too, then?” I asked it.
“Um, yes. I presume my master is safe as well… but this world does make one dizzy.”
“Aren’t you linked with Algrafth?”
Coeurl looked away hesitantly. It was pretty obvious.
“Did the link break? It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“I appreciate your concern.”
“Are we still teaming up, then?”
“Without question. After witnessing what we did, my master would undoubtedly say the same.”
Coeurl kept glancing nervously toward the east. I followed his gaze, but all I could see was a massive building—nothing unusual for this part of the city.
Well, we might be spotted by enemies, but we had no other choice. We increased our altitude, with Shiki and the others following.
As soon as we got high enough to see over the buildings, we saw it hovering over Tokyo Bay.
“What… what is that?”
It was a gigantic black sphere, several kilometers in diameter. In the sunlight it occasionally shimmered silver. This clearly artificial object floated hundreds of meters above the sea, and it gave off an overwhelming sense of alienness: there was technology there far beyond human capabilities.
“That’s the Demon Lord!” Kayla cheerfully announced, causing everyone to turn toward her in surprise. My daughter puffed out her chest proudly. “That’s the Demon Lord!” she repeated.
“Indeed, the entity residing there is the Demon Lord. The human girl speaks the truth,” Coeurl added.
✦ ✦ ✦
Next, we took care of the remaining eleven skeletons that were still wreaking havoc in Shibuya. In the process, I, Arisu, Tamaki, and Shiki leveled up.
I boosted my Enhanced Summoning to 6, my Familiar Enhancement to 6, and reduced the mana cost for Familiar Maintenance to 3. Arisu’s Holy Spear Technique reached Level 2, with both Enhanced Spear Techniques and Spear Shield Techniques also reaching Level 2. Tamaki likewise improved, her Heavy Swordsmanship to Level 2, along with both Enhanced Sword Technique and Dragon Slayer Slash.
Shiki’s skill points were saved to improve her Reconnaissance skills further. Given that we no longer expected her to contribute to combat, this wasn’t a problem.
We spent our time in the White Room discussing our situation. I wanted to know why the Demon Lord was there, and what he was doing. Kayla innocently replied, “I don’t know!”
“Sounds like we need to find out what’s happened on Earth since we left,” I said, and the others agreed. That meant our best course of action was probably to head to Shiki’s place as soon as possible.
“Hey, by the way, Kazu-san, why don’t we go to the police?” Arisu asked.
“Given the circumstances, we’d probably be detained, and we can’t afford to be tied up in investigations for days or weeks,” I explained.
“Ah, right… What a hassle, dealing with the police.”
Well, to be fair, I thought, we are the odd ones out. Disappearing, then showing up with creatures that look like monsters, using magic, scattering skeletons… Really, how did things end up like this?
✦ ✦ ✦
Less than an hour later, we found ourselves in front of Shiki’s house. Since we had flown here invisibly, hopefully no one would identify us as the same group who had caused a ruckus in Shibuya. Her home was in a corner of a neighborhood where old houses lined the streets, just a five-minute walk from the Komaba-todaimae Station on the Inokashira Line. The property was surrounded by a fence, and it boasted a sizable garden.
“Truly a life of luxury…” I commented.
“Come on, if we’re talking about high status, Rushia here is practically a princess.”
“By the way, Shiki-san, are you nervous?”
“Of course I am.”
After dispelling our invisibility, we all stood in front of the gate. To avoid any complications, we’d also sent back all the familiars, at least for now.
Shiki stood frozen in front of the gate’s intercom.
“Even Shiki-san gets nervous, huh?”
“You can tell? Ah, this is so frustrating.”
After ruffling her hair in a burst of frustration, Shiki finally jabbed out a finger to press the intercom. Sounds of hurried movement came from inside the house, followed by a woman’s voice through the intercom.
“It’s me, Yukariko. I’m back.”
“… What? Wait, really? Oh my!”
The hurried sounds turned into heavy footsteps, and after a short moment, the gate opened. A woman in her late forties, rather plump and wearing a floral apron, rushed out and immediately embraced Shiki.
“I’m so relieved. I heard there was an accident at school, and I’ve been so worried… but you’re safe, and that’s all that matters.”
“Mom…”
For a moment, Shiki looked unsure what to do. Then, with a resigned sigh, she wrapped her arms around her mother in return.
“I’m home,” Shiki whispered softly, as if only now realizing it. Strength suddenly surged into her arms. “So, I… I’ve actually come back.”
Tears began to spill from the eyes of our leader, who had always stood firm and resolute. They streamed down her cheeks and landed on her mother’s shoulder.
“I’m finally home…”
I could only imagine what emotions had been pent up inside her these last five days. Once the tears started, they didn’t stop, and soft sobs escaped from her.
✦ ✦ ✦
A moment later, we were all invited inside the house. Rushia looked somewhat puzzled as we took off our shoes at the entrance, but as she walked on the wooden floors with bare feet, she seemed to understand and appreciate the cultural practice.
We were led to a spacious living room, where Shiki’s grandparents sat. They looked surprised to see us. Shiki’s mom told the bald grandfather that he should call her dad, who was at work. The man struggled with an old-fashioned mobile phone, apparently unsure how to dial.
Meanwhile, the mother and grandmother went to make tea.
“I know it must feel strange to be here, but please, take a seat,” we were told.
The room was large, about twenty tatami mats in size, with a luxurious black table set on the tatami floor, adorned with snacks. The TV was on, showing the news.
I could see my familiars on the screen, along with clear footage of Kayla defeating monsters. And then the camera panned… Whoa! Just for a moment, we saw me and Shiki.
“The TV!” Kayla said excitedly.
“Ah, so Kayla, you’re familiar with modern conveniences… Have you used a TV before?”
“I mostly only know about them!”
Still don’t know exactly how this girl was raised… but that’s not the immediate concern.
Looking at the date displayed on the TV, I saw that it had been six days since our transition to the other world. Apparently, there was no time difference between that world and this one.
“So, for now…” Shiki began as her grandmother and mother reappeared with tea. “I’m sorry, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma. We’re short on time. Can you give us a quick rundown on what’s happened since we disappeared?”