Chapter 174

Chapter 174 – With My Brother (1)

Well, for the time being, we’ve been in a flurry of activity due to too many things happening, but for the time being, we’ve made it to our destination, the sphere continent and the small country of Dailan located in the southeast of it.

Our goal here is to find and secure the ‘Azinanka’ ore that will release the spirits stored in Jaja and Nana’s bodies.

Alba Germain says that we also need another type of ore, but we don’t have any information about it, so we’ll put it off for later.

Azinanka, a rare mineral, is apparently a restricted export item, so it won’t be easy to obtain.

That was what I was thinking.

“Hmm? Azinanka ore? I don’t have a huge amount, but you can take a kilo or so with you.”

“What?”

The second night.

I was explaining the purpose of my trip to Prince Atol in the parlor before my bath, and I got it easily.

“We banned the export of the ore because it was too scarce and too important. The amount offered to the royal family was not of much use, and it was accumulating year after year. I’ve been told that if it’s allotted to me, I’m free to use it as I please. No one would complain if I gave it to you guys.”

“Are you sure? I thought you said you’re not allowed to export it.”

“What are you guys talking about now that you’re smuggled into the country with the royal family’s approval?”

I see.

No, not really.

I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to give it away so easily.

“The Azinanka stone has the property of absorbing the magic power of anyone who touches it and dispersing it into the air. Processed accessories are used as a safety measure to prevent criminals from using magic. This itself is very important as a source of income, since only Dailan has the know-how to manufacture it, but the profits are not that huge. It wouldn’t be a problem if some of it made its way to other countries.”

“I-I see.”

“If you’d told me first, then I wouldn’t have had to come to Dailan.”

“I thought you knew about it.”

I didn’t even know how much that rat was going to explain.

What a half-baked sage.

I don’t really get it, but I guess I had achieved the goal of my trip.

To be honest, I was prepared to cross a dangerous bridge, but now my father will be relieved.

So, what should I do now?

I thought it would take a long time, but now I have nothing to do at all.

“Hmm. Nana’s condition is still not back to normal, so can we stay at the mansion for a while?”

“Ah, that’s fine. As for the royal plane that will take you back, it hasn’t come back to Dailan yet. I heard that it’s currently in New York with third brother. If someone has interfered with the transference magic circle in Dailan’s royal tomb, it is not possible for him to return by transference.”

“You still don’t know what happened?”

That transfer accident had never happened since the beginning of Dailan, and it seemed to be affecting many things.

It’s not my fault, but I feel bad about it.

“…No idea at all. The transference magic of the Royal Tombs are a kind of ancient magic that is half lost. The activation formula and how to access the system has been handed down in the royal family for generations, but the crucial transfer logic is a black box. There is no way to know how the transfer formula was rewritten, or even if it was truly man-made. I don’t even want to think about the fact that there are people who can interfere with it. It’s a magic circle made up of the bodies of more than several hundred thousand demons. Normally, the backflow of magic power would cause the body to explode from the inside, killing you.”

“So… you have no idea?”

“If you don’t understand, just say so.”

“I didn’t even understand half of what you said!”

Don’t talk to me with technical terms! Go easy on the amateurs!

I think it’s time you understood the level of my brain.

“I’m sure that Riot, who is a collector of magic tools, is more familiar with the theory behind the… magic system. The demons who can use magic originally use it with their senses and instincts, so it’s tough to explain to a layman.”

He’ll definitely look at me like I was an idiot with a smug look on his face!

I can’t stand that!

“This may have implications for your daughters, the dragons, in the future. There’s no harm in knowing about it, right?　I’m sure you’ll be able to understand that the power of dragon qi and spirits, which is unknown energy to us, is essentially the same as magic power, as the sage said.”

“Oh, yeah, I think I’ve read something about that, too… Oh, right. That’s why we need Azinanka, right?”

“You…”

Oh, stop it.

Don’t look at me like that.

“For now, I don’t care what you do here until Nana-sama’s health improves. As long as you stay in this country, I will be happy to give you any help you need. I won’t complain even if you bankrupt me.”

“What the hell do you want me to do?”

I’m glad you feel that way, but… It’s too heavy, Atol.

The only luxuries we can think of are good food and good lodging.

If you want to bankrupt royalty, you’ll have to buy a city or a plane or something, right?

Ah, but Shouhei wanted a new game console…

And my dad’s golf set, and Aoi and Rouge’s clothes…

Oh yeah, the kids’ clothes!

I thought it was time for a new look.

They’ve been growing so fast lately.

Their animal sets also looks tight.

Is that okay?

Atol says he’s willing to help in any way he can, so that’s fine, right?

We can also buy some souvenirs for Wera and Azui, and the total amount would be around 100,000 yen, right?

No, but you know what?

As expected, wouldn’t that be too reliant on others?

How is that for a Kazamachi?

Be modest in everything you do, and don’t cause trouble for others.

Do what you can on your own!

…I’m sure even my dad will overlook a few things.

Alright.

I’ve got nothing better to do and I’m bored.

I’ll just enjoy my first trip abroad until Alba says we can go home!

I’ve heard that the southern coast of Dailan is a bit of a resort area, and there’s even a shopping mall for tourists.

And it looks like they’re going to show us the royal capital, which is only a short distance from here!

I’ll take the girls shopping there!

“With Atol’s money!”

“You’re too dumb to realize it, but you just voiced your thoughts halfway through, okay?”

“What?”

“Well, that’s okay.”

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“That’s why. We’ll stay here until Nana is feeling better.”

“Dah!”

After the bath, I gathered everyone together and announced today’s decisions and the schedule for the future.

As I sat on the couch, Princess Jaja on my lap cheerfully gave me a few words.

Thank you.

I’ll give you a belly rub in return. There you go.

“Kya!”

Oh, you’re pleased, aren’t you?

“Hmm. That’s good, because Nana’s fever hasn’t gone down yet.”

Rouge, her wet red hair unkempt, sat in a chair and flapped her shirt across her chest.

Stop that!

In the first place, you don’t usually wear underwear or anything like that, so we’ve got glimpses of something that are bad for me and Shouhei!

Don’t try to tempt adolescent boys like that!

Please!

“Ru-anesama, you need to dry your hair.”

“Hmm. I’m fine.”

“No, it’s not. Come here, please.”

Holding the hairdryer and hairbrush that were provided in the room in both hands, Aoi called Rouge to the three-sided mirror on the wall.

It’s a big, needlessly extravagant, three-sided mirror.

It’s so big that it could completely reflect me.

“You have such beautiful hair, but you’re too careless.”

“Aoi’s hair is more beautiful.”

“No, Ru-anesama’s hair will be even better than mine if you take good care of it.”

Aoi is not going to deny that her hair is beautiful.

Aoi is proud of her mysteriously long, natural and shiny hair, and she never fails to take care of it before going to bed and after waking up.

It is the only thing that this quiet girl, who doesn’t want to put herself forward too much, is proud of.

No, she’s the only one who thinks so, but there are many other things she can be proud of.

She’s a hard worker, she’s honest, she’s cute.

Well, it’s my fault for being too embarrassed to praise her, isn’t it?

I think it’s okay to have a little higher self-esteem.

“So, are you going to stay in Inteira for a few more days?”

Shouhei was sitting cross-legged on the bed while holding Nana, who was nodding off in his arms.

“What? Do you want to go to the capital as soon as possible?”

“When Kayone showed us around today, there was a place I was curious about, so I thought maybe we could go there.”

Ah right, Shouhei and Rouge took a look around this city of Inteira territory with Kayone’s guidance.

The city of Inteira, ruled by Kayone and Utai’s family, is the most rural city in Dailan.

However, it’s a bit more prosperous than the city we live in.

It’s amazing that there are streetcars running through the city.

I can see the tram line from the window of this room, and it seems to be called a magic tram, which is being operated on a trial basis with technical support from Japan, and has revolutionized the traffic situation in Dailan in the past few years.

I heard about something slightly difficult so I didn’t really pay attention, but I heard that Dailan is improving the accuracy of the new magical technology that is scheduled to be used in Japan by operating it on a trial basis.

I heard that Dailan, which supports its country with magic technology, is more interested in this kind of technology that combines science and magic than other countries.

Well, I’m not sure.

“If there’s anything you want to see, ask them to show you tomorrow. We’re finally overseas, it would be a waste of time if you’re hesitant.”

“But you and Aoi haven’t left the house at all…”

“Well, we can’t take our eyes off Nana.”

Don’t worry about it, my brother.

“Hmm. Kunpei is dense.”

“What?”

Rouge, who was being blown around by the hairdryer in front of the mirror, looked at me with a rare scowl.

That hairdryer is a magic tool, so it emits air very quietly.

“Shouhei wants to go sightseeing with Kunpei. Even when he was going around town with me, he kept talking about Kunpei.”

“Is that so?”

While combing Rouge’s hair, Aoi asked Shouhei while looking into the mirror.

‘R-Rouge-neechan!”

“Hii!”

Shouhei’s loud voice, startled Nana, who was being held, awake.

Oh, she was almost asleep.

“Oh, Nana, I’m sorry, okay? It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“Fu, fuah, hic.”

Oops, the way she’s straining and breathing… it looks like the countdown to her crying has begun.

“Alright Jaja, let’s swap with Nana. Here’s Shouhei-nii-chan.”

I picked up Jaja, got up from the sofa and approached the bed.

“Da!”

I sat Jaja down next to Shouhei and took Nana, who looked like she was about to start crying, instead.

I gently pressed Nana’s head against my shoulder and rocked her body while patting her back.

She’s a little startled, but she’s already half asleep, isn’t she?

So, if you do this, you can let her know that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

There, there, go to sleep.

Hmm, she’s still a little hot.

Poor thing.

“I think it’s good for you and Shouhei to go out together once in a while. Shouhei loves his big brother after all.”

“N-no, it’s not like that.”

I see.

Well, I haven’t been able to give him much attention since the twins were born.

“Well then, you two should go out together tomorrow. Ru-anesama and I will take care of Jaja and Nana.”

“Leave it to me. Or rather, let me.”

The two dragon girls were telling me that.

I guess I’ll take their word for it here.

“Alright then, Shouhei. Let’s go out together tomorrow.”

“Uh-uh, yes!”

Oh my, your eyes are shining so brightly, so easy to read.

He’s such a cute little brother.

“Dah!”

“Jaja is staying home.”

“Dah?”

Jaja tilted her head at Aoi’s voice.