Book 5: Volume 1 Chapter 10, Return

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Sylvia and her companions returned almost immediately after the third battle concluded.

 

Mitsuki’s magic made instant travel possible, regardless of the distance. Their slight delay had only one possibility, shopping! They had taken the time to purchase materials and small tools difficult to find locally.

 

Some of these items were for Collete’s future child. Upon learning of the pregnancy, Collete had Kousuke tell them via divine oracle.

 

As Sylvia and the others returned carrying these gifts, with Kousuke offering words of appreciation.

 

“Thank you for your hard work.”

 

“Thank you. Though we relied almost mostly on Mitsuki’s magic to make the trip so it wasn’t that difficult.” Sylvia spoke with a gentle smile, and Kousuke shook his head.

 

“Even so, you did well. How did the meeting go?”

 

“I believe we successfully conveyed our message. I’m grateful Mitsuki was there.”

 

Without Mitsuki’s presence, King Pedro might have been swayed by his advisors toward disbelief. But when Mitsuki revealed her true identity, the atmosphere had transformed completely. Now, almost no one would claim Sylvia had been lying.

 

Kousuke turned to Peach, who stood behind Sylvia. She nodded in confirmation.

 

“There’s no problem. I don’t think they will be pressured to abandon the battle due to public sentiment now.”

 

Kousuke had sent them knowing there would surely be those who considered this act as disrespectful to a God. It seemed his precautions had succeeded.

 

After a brief discussion about the Conquest Battle situation, the conversation concluded. Sylvia’s expression shifted to concern.

 

“How is Collete doing now?”

 

“She’s recovering in the village.”

 

“I see.” Sylvia nodded with visible relief.

 

Having given birth herself, Sylvia understood it wouldn’t be good for Collete to remain in the management floor indefinitely.

 

“Staying here, she wouldn’t be able to help getting emotionally involved. I think leaving is better for her. In the Elf village, Kousuke can visit whenever he wants.”

 

“So you think so too, Sylvia.”

 

“Yes. It’s not about you specifically, Kousuke, but staying here means living surrounded by various people.”

 

The management floor had individual rooms, of course. However, most of the time, members didn’t stay in their rooms but moved through the common areas.

 

This inevitably led to various interactions with other members. Conversations with other members usually centered on Tower matters. That was hardly ideal for a pregnant woman.

 

Sylvia believed it was best to distance oneself from the management floor from the start.

 

Incidentally, Floria had also insisted, and her experienced opinion had carried considerable weight in the decision to send Collete to her hometown.

 

“Actually, could you check on her while delivering the things you bought?”

 

Among all the management floor members, Sylvia somehow had the closest relationship with Collete. Furthermore, having given birth to two children, Kousuke hoped a visit from Sylvia would ease Collete’s concerns.

 

“Yes, I’ll do that gladly.”

 

Sylvia had no objections whatsoever. She had not been present when the pregnancy was discovered, so she had not even been able to offer congratulations yet. She was grateful for Kousuke’s suggestion.

 

Sylvia nodded to Kousuke and immediately departed with Kouhi, who frequently visited the village.

 

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After seeing Sylvia off, Peach voiced a question that had been troubling her.

 

“So, how is the battle progressing? Can you tell me more?”

 

Since Peach had departed for the Santo Emingo Kingdom before the battles began, she had no knowledge of their progress. Kousuke had initially intended to lose, so he’d deliberately withheld information beforehand.

 

“Well, there have been some unexpected developments, but we’re losing steadily as planned.”

 

Peach blinked rapidly at Kousuke’s casual tone.

 

“You’re losing?”

 

“Yes. I decided to lose early on because there were several things I wanted to investigate.”

 

“I see.”

 

He did not specify exactly what he wanted to learn, but Peach didn’t press for details either. Still, she was more curious about something else.

 

“More importantly, what was the unexpected development?”

 

“Right. We’re losing as expected, but the opponent’s attacks have been surprisingly coordinated.”

 

With that introduction, Kousuke explained to Peach the enemy monsters’ movements during the third match.

 

Peach listened with a thoughtful expression.

 

“I see. So you were concerned about their teamwork.”

 

“Exactly.” Kousuke nodded, and Peach tilted her head.

 

“Can I see the recording?”

 

He wondered if they’d recorded it since it was visible on the control panel screen, but Kousuke shook his head.

 

“Unfortunately, recordings don’t seem to be available.”

 

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate.”

 

Even as she said this, Peach did not look particularly disappointed. She had simply been hoping to see it, not absolutely requiring it.

 

Watching Peach tilt her head thoughtfully, Kousuke sensed she must have had some realization.

 

“You seem to have thought of something. Do you have any ideas?”

 

“Hmm. Not exactly an idea, but perhaps you’re simply ‘overthinking it.'”

 

“Huh?” Kousuke couldn’t suppress his confused exclamation at the unexpected response.

 

“But the enemy monsters were definitely moving in a very organized way, right?”

 

Kousuke was not the only one who had watched the third battle. The others had formed the same impression as him. If it were just him, it might be a misunderstanding, but it was hard to imagine everyone sharing the same misperception.

 

Kousuke spoke with this reasoning in mind, but Peach shook her head.

 

“Is it possible the monsters only appeared to be moving in an organized fashion?”

 

Kousuke looked genuinely taken aback.

 

“No, that can’t be…”

 

From what they’d observed on screen, it had certainly resembled a human-controlled army, leading them to conclude the movements were coordinated.

 

However, Kousuke realized Peach was suggesting the monsters had simply moved that way coincidentally, without deliberate coordination or enemy instruction.

 

Kousuke scratched his head and considered this for a while before finally giving up with a sigh.

 

“No, that won’t work. I don’t have enough information to draw any conclusions.”

 

“I see.” Peach didn’t have solid evidence supporting her perspective either, so she immediately agreed with Kousuke’s assessment.

 

“Anyway, let’s keep what you said in mind for the next match, which would be the fourth battle.”

 

“That sounds good.”

 

“Oh, and don’t mention this to the other members yet. They might be right.”

 

If Peach’s prediction proved correct, the other members’ preconceptions might differ from Kousuke’s and hers in revealing ways.

 

“I understand.”

 

Peach, grasping Kousuke’s intentions, nodded in agreement.