CH 99

Chapter 99

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : The Fairy And Great Beasts Of The Prairie, Part 9 — Aerial

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

＊＊＊

「It looks amazing out there… no tornadoes coming here?」

「Yes, it’s a strange thing.」

「But wouldn’t other magical beasts come here to avoid the tornado?」

「Here, where my father is around? A tornado is much safer.」

「How much more…?」

Euthy uttered a strange word. Apparently, this fairy is more worldly-wise than most humans. She knows more about slang than Miranda, and is a weird fairy, Alfiris thought.

It has been three days since Alfiris and her friends have been nuisances at Phalanx’s abode. During this time, Phalanx and Aerial were asked to talk about various topics, and Alfiris and her group talked a lot about the outside world.

Apparently, Phalanx has been alive for more than 500 years, and the breadth of his knowledge is astonishing. He had some familiarity with magic, and should be called a Phantom rather than a Magical Beast. His character was also very gentle, and if he was properly understood by the world, he could be revered. Of the two, it was Alfiris who was the closest to Phalanx, so close that they could almost be called friends. Last night, she even fell asleep with Phalanx as her pillow.

「Hohoh, Is that where Gwendolph is?」

「Yes, he does. Does Phalanx know Gwen?」

「I know him. He looks like a guy, but he hangs out in all sorts of places. Well, it’s not proper to call him that, but…」

「Hmmm, he was famous as expected.」

「That’s true, because a human-speaking dragon is the oldest living creature on this continent. He must have lived for thousands of years.」

「Geh…」

「Muh, what’s wrong?」

「I used to play on that Gwen’s head a lot… He told me once not to get on his head, but I said,『It’s fine, don’t be stingy!』After playing with him, he pulled off one of his scales and gave it to Master as a souvenir. Master turned blue.」

「On Gwendolph’s head… Kukuku, hahahahaha!」

Phalanx began to laugh out loud.

「W–Was it bad after all?」

「Not really… you’re just a very pleasant girl! Many creatures brag about just talking to a dragon, but playing on its head… And it’s funny how you doesn’t even show off when he likes you and even entrusts you with the dragon’s pawl… Hahahaha!」

「Is that how it is…?」

Alfiris was not sure, but Phalanx seemed greatly impressed.

「I like you too! If there is anything I can do, please let me know. In any case, I have to live with you all until the storm season passes.」

「Nhn… Well, I guess I’ll let you go along with my training, then. If you’re the strongest being on this Prairie, I’m sure you’ll be able to help me with a lot of things.」

「Hmm, that’s fine, but I think you should train with Aerial first, don’t you think? Especially if you are handling a weapon. Let her teach you first, and if that’s not enough, I’ll deal with you. But that peach-haired girl…」

「You mean Lisa?」

「Hmmm. That kid is a Sensor, is she?」

「Yes.」

「Something seems to be bothering her. Bring her to me.」

「I understand, I’ll call her right away.」

Alfiris went to call for Lisa, and not long after, she appeared.

「What can I do for you, Phalanx?」

「Mhmm, for now, sit down.」

At Phalanx’s urging, Lisa sits on a stone that is just the right height, using it as a pedestal.

「Lisa, did I say it right? You’re a Sensor, right?」

「Yes.」

「You must be having trouble getting your Sensor abilities to work well on this Prairie, aren’t you?」

「That’s correct.」

「Have you ever had another eagle’s presence undetected or suddenly stand behind you?」

「! How did you know?」

「As expected… Your Sensor abilities are completely self-taught. Have you ever studied under anyone?」

「No. Because of my body like this, this ability is something I gained when I lost my sight.」

「You have a natural talent to get there on your own, but that’s it. You don’t know anything about the advanced capabilities of Sensors.」

「Does Sensor still have the ability to be applied?? If you don’t mind, could you please enlighten me!」

Lisa’s expression becomes furtive. Her expression is serious. However, Phalanx is extremely calm.

「Don’t be in such a hurry… there is an order to things. From the looks of it, you’re not very good at being sweet.」

「…」

「So let me ask you this. Why do you seek more power? Your power is already at a considerable level as a Sensor. Any more than that and you may be entering the realm of overkill.」

「…There are people who cannot be protected without that power.」

Lisa squeezes her own skirt.

「Lisa was absolutely confident in her abilities. But in the short two months or so since I began this journey, I have learned just how egotistical that was. We are just lucky to be alive now. Lisa will be a liability if she doesn’t…」

「Hmm…」

「For Lisa, people outside of my family were nothing more than objects to be used. But for the first time, there were people I wanted to be equal with. I want to be with them, to laugh with them, to feel many things. To be with these girls in the future, to protect them, I can’t leave them like this!」

「By “them”, you mean Alfiris and the others…?」

Lisa nodded silently, her mouth set in a straight line. Phalanx stares at Lisa, but Lisa’s expression does not falter, and she stares at Phalanx with eyes that should be blind. Phalanx thought he saw the light of strong will in those lightless eyes.

「I beg you… please give Lisa the strength…」

「… Alright.」

「! Thank you very much!」

「However!」

Phalanx’ words intensifies.

「Strong power attracts even stronger power, good or bad. Keep that in mind, understand?」

「I will keep that in mind.」

「Mmh… So let me start by teaching you how to activate Sonar.」

Thus began Lisa’s special training.

＊＊＊

「Aerial, come with me for a little training.」

「That’s all well and good, but… isn’t the wind a little too strong right now?」

Alfiris goes outside with Aerial. It’s stormy outside as usual, but no rain so far. But they could fit several tornadoes in their field of vision, and the nearest objects were probably no more than a few kilometers away.

Alfiris was fine while she was in the shade of the rock, but when her face came out of the shade for a moment, the tremendous gust of wind almost knocked her off balance, and Aerial hurriedly supported her body.

「Are you alright, Alfiris?」

「Yes? I don’t know if I’m supposed to say it…」

「No, I’m told that you and your friends are equals, right? I don’t feel comfortable using that name on my own.」

「Well, how about I call something “Aery”?」

「Aery, Aery… That name is good.」

Aerial nodded yes. Apparently, she likes it.

「Is that what you want to call me?」

「Yes, it’s not bad.」

「That’s great. I was trying to decide between『Aerin』and Aery, but Aery was better, wasn’t it?」

「…No, I am glad it didn’t become an Aerin. In many ways.」

「Eh, really?」

In Alfiris’ mind, Aery had a big advantage, but she couldn’t say now that she wanted Aery to choose her, citing Aery’s side.

「Then why don’t you try calling me by that name? It might be inconvenient if you’re not used to it.」

「It’s fine. Aery.」

「…One more time.」

「Aery.」

「…One more word.」

「Aery.」

「…Once more.」

「How」

「As many times as you like. Aery, Aery, Aery.」

「…Hauu.」

Aerial turned red in the face and bam! Exploded like a hot balloon. The girl collapses in a heap, and Alfiris hurriedly supports her.

「Wh–What’s wrong, Aery?」

「No, I mean, what… I don’t know why I’m embarrassed…」

「Embarrassed?」

「Its so embarrassing… you’re not laughing?」

Aerial’s face turned bright red and she looked at Alfiris with an upward glance. The gesture was so cute that Alfiris almost hugged Aerial unintentionally.

「I’m not laughing, talk to me.」

「The truth is, I don’t have any friends my own age…the only person I talk to is my father. Maybe that’s why, when I sometimes see children of other ethnic groups playing, I feel a bit of envy. My dream was to call my friends around the same age by their nicknames. Uhh… it’s strange, isn’t it?」

Aerial is talking with her hands folded behind her back, very fidgety. She is like a different person from the one who cut down the great masters of the horsemen without blinking, raining blood down on them. Unintentionally, Alfiris stared at her blankly.

「W–What the… don’t you have anything to say? Or are you too crazy to speak?」

「How old are you now, Aery?」

「I turned 16 last month. That’s an adult in the outside world, right? I’m an adult now, and I think it’s funny that I’m being so childish about this…」

「No, not at all. Aery is very adorable.」

「A–Am I that adorable… whoa!」

Alfiris couldn’t hold back anymore and involuntarily hugged Aerial and gave her a cheek-to-cheek hug. She felt like she was getting a friend and a sister in one piece.

「（Hmm, if I had a sister, would she be like this?）」

「A–Alfiris. What are you doing?」

「You have to call them by their nicknames, or else— I won’t listen to you.」

「A–Alfie… let me go… I can’t breathe…」

「No, call me Onee-chan or Onee-sama.」

「………」

「（I–I wonder if silence is acceptable? You’re so cute, you’re getting shy, ugh♪）」

No, it’s simply that she is not breathing because Alfiris is holding her with considerable force. From the side, one could see Aerial flapping her hands, but one couldn’t see it at all from Alfiris embracing Aerial with her eyes closed. Aerial was embarrassed by being called “Aery,” blushed when she was overwhelmed by Alfiris’ ample breasts, and her brain was unable to function properly due to lack of oxygen, and even the mighty warrior of the Prairie was unable to respond normally. Aerial was let go only after Alfiris noticed that Aerial had gone limp and had lost all the strength in her body, and at the same time, her soul was also on the verge of slipping away.