第４８０堀：新しい始まり (Part2)
With those words, the four usual suspects—Aslin, Firia, Labyris, and Shera—poked their heads in.
I suppose it makes sense; if Dressa and the others have returned, it’s no surprise that Aslin and her group would be back as well.
"Ah, we were just chatting with the pregnant ladies."
"Yeah, we all gathered in Milly's room."
"I want to eat fried tofu."
"…Kaya, you really are consistent, aren't you?"
But why did Kirue know exactly where we were? This inn has quite a lot of rooms.
Ah, the monitoring function of the Call.
Now that the children have started walking, I remember someone saying that the Call's monitoring is a lifesaver for things like that. We aren't the type to be boorish enough to monitor someone's actions while we're at home, and I’d never even thought to do so.
"Oh, come to think of it, big brother is coming back soon, and..."
The moment Aslin started to say that, we heard footsteps running down the hallway, and my door swung open once again. People really do love visiting today.
But that thought vanished instantly. Because standing there was...
"I'm home. Milly, Tori, Riel, Kaya, is your belly doing okay?"
"Are you okay?"
"Are you okay?"
It was my beloved Yuki-san. He appeared carrying Sakura and Schans in his arms.
"…Father. Running in the hallway is forbidden."
"Indeed. Please stop, as the children will imitate you."
The ones scolding him were Akiten, who should have left earlier, and his guard, Jessica.
"Well, I'm just glad everyone looks healthy. I'm going to go put my luggage away."
Ria, the other guard, confirmed that Yuki-san was unharmed and headed back to her room to drop off her bags. Come to think of it, what happened with the Betan side?
"Hey, Samantha. How did things go with Betan?"
"It went off without a hitch, my lady. Tonight, as planned, Seraria-sama, Eris-san, Ratz-san, and Deryu-san are stationed over there."
"I see. That's good. So there were no problems at all?"
"…It wouldn't be accurate to say there were no problems."
"Eh? Did something happen?"
"Mm. They didn't understand that the languages weren't compatible, so I believe problems will arise in that regard in the future."
"““Ah…””"
At Cleena’s words, everyone nodded in realization. Thanks to Yuki-san, we haven’t had any trouble with the New Continent’s language, but it seems those kinds of issues will be cropping up from now on.
"We might be called upon for interpreting and translation, then."
"Ugh. I really don't want to do that."
"Well, they’ll probably only call us when they need to speak to the higher-ups, but since they’re talking about creating a joint language analysis department, we might have to teach them a thing or two."
I see. I wonder if "New Continent Language" will be added to the school curriculum? The amount of studying the children have to do is going to increase... it sounds exhausting.
"Mama? Are you okay?"
"Are you thinking about something?"
As I was lost in thought, Sakura and Schans, having climbed down from Yuki-san’s arms, hugged me, perhaps worried.
So cute!! They’re just so cute!!
So, I hugged them back...
"Milly-mama is just fine. Soon, your little sister will be born, too."
"Yay! A little sister!"
"Little sister!"
"Wait, what if it’s a boy?"
Ah, I’m sorry. Yuki-san, personally, I’d really like the first one to be a girl.
We were in the middle of that usual, warm family conversation when it happened.
*(No matter how many times I try, it’s no use... Ugh!! Maybe other worlds don't exist after all!!)*
Suddenly, a voice echoed directly inside my head. Judging by the tone, it sounded like a young woman.
"Eh?"
"What was that?"
"Unyu?"
"Mama... can you hear a voice?"
Everyone in the room looked around. This wasn't a Call; it felt like it was resonating directly inside our skulls.
"Can everyone hear that?"
At Yuki-san’s question, everyone nodded.
"Tch, so it wasn't an auditory hallucination. Jessica, immediately contact Seraria..."
While Yuki-san was giving orders, the voice spoke again.
*(Then!! They do exist in this world!! Those who possess the power of the ancient heroes, capable of breaking the hardships I face!!)*
The moment the voice ended, a magic circle appeared beneath our feet.
"Tch!? So that's how it is!! Everyone inside the magic circle, get close to me!!"
We followed his instruction and immediately gathered around Yuki-san.
"Yuki!?"
Jessica, who was outside the magic circle, tried to rush toward him, but...
"Wait!! We don't know when the summoning will trigger!! Don't jump in blindly; we don't know what might happen!! Jessica, stay there so you can explain the situation to the others!!"
"But!!"
Eh? Summoning?
*(You're there, aren't you!! Japanese people!! Save us!! Just like the First Hero did!! Please!!)*
My room was engulfed in a flash of light emitted from the magic circle...
"Listen, Jessica!! Emergency declaration!! All command authority is transferred to Seraria!! Explain the situation to her; Taiki-kun or Taizou-san should know the details..."
"Yuki!? Everyone!?"
Jessica’s pained voice was drowned out by the light, and my vision turned pure white. Even so, I held Sakura and Schans tightly in my arms, determined never to let them go...
***
**First day of the unofficial visit to Roschur, Gartz, and Ritea to Betan.**
**Evening, at the Weed residence.**
Yuki, Milly, Tori, Riel, Kaya, Cleena, Samantha, Aslin, Firia, Shera, Labyris, Dressa, Vilia, Hiiro, Akiten, Sakura, and Schans—a total of 17 people—have vanished and are currently missing.
"If it's not another world, that would be fine, wouldn't it!"
A reversal of thinking.
In a way, this is the result of asking Luna to interfere with other-world summoning.
Well, let’s see what happens next.