Chapter 19 The Instructor, Breaks the Shell

The Instructor, Breaks the Shell

Apparently, the barrier Arisu and I are trapped in is called “Jiz’s Egg”.

It uses the magic power of the Great Sky Bird Jiz to maintain a semi-permanent time-stopping barrier.

When I asked what a time-stopping barrier was, Arisu explained it in an excited tone.

When she challenged me to ask in detail, I couldn’t help but accept, and she ended up explaining a bunch of incomprehensible theories for three hours straight.

I’m sorry; it was my fault.

According to the wonderful conclusion I received from Arisu-sama, it’s a barrier where the flow of time is different inside and outside.

It seems that no matter how much time passes inside, not much time passes outside.

Arisu didn’t want to talk about why she was trapped in such a barrier, so I didn’t ask.

If she wants to talk, she’ll tell me.

Because from now on we’ll be together forever.

So I thought we should try to get out right away, but Arisu made an unexpected suggestion.

“This place is full of Jiz’s magic, so I think it would be good to master Danna-sama’s Demon Lord skill, don’t you think?”

I see.

If I go out with skills I can’t use properly, I’ll just become a Demon Lord who can’t do anything.

I’d probably be hunted down immediately.

With only strength and no real power, I would be an easy target.

If I’m the only one to die, that’s fine, but I have to protect Arisu.

If I’m hunted down by Sieg, I won’t be able to die in peace.

“Actually, I have an idea how to get through the barrier. I’ve been sealed in here for a long time, but I doubt that any of my acquaintances outside are still alive… So I’m lazy about getting out. See, my basic needs are taken care of here….”

Arisu smiled slightly as she said this.

Ah, I shouldn’t let her show such a face.

With her strength, she could live alone in the outside world.

But surely, she can’t keep her spirits up by herself.

That’s why I have to protect her heart.

I thought I gave her a light hug.

As I gently stroked her head, Arisu muttered softly.

“You are so easy to manipulate.”

No, I’m not easy to manipulate.

I can see that her ears are red.

After that, I worked hard to master my Demon Lord skill.

Well, if I was told that taking time wasn’t a problem, of course I would do it.

Surprisingly, I quickly understood what kind of skill it was, but I’ll reveal it another time.

It’s hard to put into words.

Well, it’s a unique and unusual skill.

Well, to be honest, I think it’s rather quite a troublesome skill.

Arisu laughed and said, “Ufufu, it’s a modest, sneaky, and skillful skill, just like Danna-sama!”

Is that a compliment…?

In addition to acquiring my Demon Lord skill, I also worked on things I couldn’t do before due to a lack of power.

At the same time, I taught Arisu modern knowledge.

Since we were going to travel together, I wanted to give her the minimum amount of knowledge.

Someone who is ignorant of the world is likely to cause trouble.

Well, I’m pretty sure Arisu would cause trouble even if she acted normally!

“I will cause trouble!”

Arisu smiled.

Don’t read my mind.

Please don’t cause trouble.

Seriously, stop it.

After spending some time here, I realized a terrible fact.

My body has become that of a Demon Lord, and sleep and meals are supplemented by magical power.

At this point, I have no sense of time at all.

After all, the magic of the Great Sky Bird Jiz was overflowing all around us.

We could do whatever we wanted.

Both Arisu and I had researcher-like personalities, and we spent our days as if we had forgotten that we were trapped.

Well, we had some “playful” moments too.

And then one day, when I was relaxing on the sofa, I realized.

“If we stay like this, won’t we end up stuck here?”

It’s just too comfortable.

“I feel like this might actually be okay.”

She’s draped herself over me from behind where I’m sitting.

You’re a little heavy.

“I’m not heavy at all!”

Stop it; don’t read my mind.

“No, that’s not good. I want to show Arisu the world.”

I stroke her head as she presses against my back.

Her hair is so soft.

Yes, my “nightly” care is paying off!

“Let’s travel together. Let’s see many beautiful things. Let’s eat lots of good food. Let’s learn new things.”

I gently persuade her.

“Alright! Let’s go!”

You’re a little annoying, aren’t you?

…Well, to be honest, I thought it would be happier if we just lived here together forever!

We were quite similar….

As we prepared to leave, something occurred to me.

This place is too comfortable.

Come to think of it, this barrier was not only a cage to confine Arisu but also a shell to protect her.

When I think about it for a moment, I realize how strange that is.

It’s too well equipped for a prison.

I can feel the consideration of the person who prepared this place.

The location at the back of the Great Sky Bird Jiz, which is probably the safest place in the world, clearly shows an intention.

Arisu probably had no complaints other than loneliness.

Ahh, there’s no doubt about it.

Someone close to Arisu was probably involved in the construction of this place.

I can feel a prayer for her comfort and peace.

People call this love.

I told Arisu this….

And when she heard this, her eyes widened in surprise, and then she quietly let tears fall.

One by one they fell.

I gently wiped away the tears that were a mixture of sadness and joy.

It’s okay; you were loved.

I guarantee it.

I won’t ask what happened in your past.

I’ll just stay quietly by your side.

Until you stop crying, forever.

Arisu sniffed and wiped her nose on my clothes.

Please, don’t do that.

Anyway, we have to get out of here.

The time has come for the chick to hatch from its egg and spread its wings to the sky.

Arisu draws a magic circle in the corner of the room and channels her magic.

The magic of the barrier is partially blocked, and a distortion occurs.

There is a buzzing sound and the barrier pulsates.

“Now! Please channel your magic into the wall!”

Arisu points to a corner of the wall.

Indeed, the magic is stagnant only there!

“Leave it to me!”

I run up and slam my magic into it with all my might!

Crack!

A crack appears in the room!

Through the crack, I can see outside!

“Break it open!”

Arisu screams as she holds the magic circle.

“Oouu!”

I wedge my fingers into the small crack and break it open!

Crack! Crack!

It widens slightly.

“Uryyaa!”

Gyaaarrrrrr!

With an indescribable sound, a hole opens wide enough for a person to pass through!

I can see outside.

A bright blue.

Ah! It’s the outside!

I take a deep breath of fresh air.

“I can see outside, Arisu!”

I turn around and scream with joy.

Arisu looks confused, not sure what to do.

She has a look on her face like a lost child in the woods like she’s about to cry.

Ah, I understand.

You’re scared, aren’t you?

Being in the unknown is scary, isn’t it?

You’re so scared that you can’t move, right?

On that starry night ten years ago, Monica had the same expression at the entrance to the village.

“Let’s go, Monica. I’m sure everything will be okay. Trust me.”

“Let’s go, Arisu! I’m here! Let’s go together!”

I hold out my hand.

Arisu takes my hand slowly but firmly.

“Uryyaa!”

I pull with all my might!

“Kyaa!”

I pulled her out of the hole and caught Arisu as she fell.

Roarr!!!

The room closes with a deafening roar.

That was close.

““Haha-haha… hahahaha!!!””

We sat there hugging for a while, both laughing uncontrollably.

“We did it… We really did it….”

Arisu muttered softly.

“What are you talking about? This is just the beginning.”

I stood up and held out my hand to Arisu.

“Let’s go, together.”

Arisu gently took my hand.

“Yes, Danna-sama~”

Arisu smiled softly, full of relief.

How are we going to get down from Jiz?

Just as I was thinking that we might be able to use [Fast Travel], the ground suddenly shook.

AGAAAAAAA!!!!

“W-What’s happening!?”

I grabbed the feathers beneath me.

“It looks like Jiz is in pain!”

And, why do you look so happy?

“Why is Jiz in pain?”

I was confused.

“I heard that the source of the barrier’s power is its heart, so I think the backlash from breaking it is affecting the heart.”

I heard something terrible.

“Ah, it hurts….”

Somehow, I also started to feel a pain in my heart.

It’s like suddenly getting hit in the heart.

Well, the heart doesn’t have pain receptors, so it shouldn’t actually hurt… but that’s not the point!

As a result, Arisu and I were blown away by Jiz writhing in pain.

Goodbye, Jiz. See you again sometime.

Although Jiz probably won’t want to see me.

Blown away into a cloudless sky, I asked Arisu as we fell.

“Arisu, can you fly?”

“No!”

“I see.”

“Let’s fall together.”

“Why are you so happy?”

We held hands and fell.

We kept falling.

“Danna-sama! Don’t let go of my hand!”

I won’t let go even if I die.

Together with Arisu, who was somehow happy, I fell from a great height.