Heavenly Castle - Chapter 18

With a shriek and scream that can be heard over and over again, the carriage arrived at the heavenly castle.

When I look inside of the carriage, it turns into a hell painting of pandemonium, such as a person who is crying, fainting or trembling and sometimes pressing their bodies against each other.

When A1, who carried the two carriages in two tips, lowers the last carriage to the ground, there was a figure of a girl who trembles while clinging desperately onto the coachman seat.

「So a cat will still become scared even if I moved it with a vehicle」

When I’m convinced while looking at her cat ears which were laying down tightly against her head, Ayla opened her mouth as if it was hopeless.

「…… it seems like, some people already have a slave mark……」

「You can’t get rid of it?」

「No……」

Seeing Ayla who became depressed, I sigh and shift my eyes to the girl.

Then, there was a figure of a girl who was trembling while glaring this way in the coachman seat of the carriage.

「Are you okay? It was frightening, wasn’t it?」

When I approach her while saying that, the girl took out a knife and turns to my direction.

Repeatedly breathing hard, the girl intimidates me with her eyes that look scared. I will be scratched if I reach out my hand.

While thinking that sort of things vaguely, I smiled with my arms wide open.

「I’m not scary, you know? Look, I’m not even carrying any weapons.」

When I tell her that, the girl lowered her guard and shruged her shoulders.

What a cute child.

I thought that kind of thing even though it’s out of place. With a petite body that looks like a middle school student, her childlike face and big round eyes fits that figure well. Yup, I want to give her matatabi. 1

When I was smiling while thinking such things, the girl’s body suddenly leaned. She was about to fall from the carriage as if she lost her strength, but she was supported by A1 who moved naturally as if he had predicted it.

It seems like she lost her consciousness.

「For now, It’s rude but let’s lay her there. Can you destroy the carriage?」

When I say that, A1 checked the surroundings for a moment and gently lowered the girl on the ground that was shaded by the wall of the castle. Ayla sits next to her in order to look after her.

Then, A1 approached the carriage, grabbed the iron bar and spread it with both hands. The joints between the roof and the deck were broken with a loud noise, and the screams echoed from within.

They got extremely frightened.

Even if there’s a gap where one person can go out, no one is showing signs of coming out so far. Because it can’t be helped, another iron bar of carriage were also torn.

Then, as soon as a gap on the last carriage was made, a man showed his face. It’s a dark-skinned and black haired man of around fifty years old. He has a distinct facial features and unshaven face. He also had a muscular body, he is a man who has an impact and atmosphere similar to some kind of martial arts master.

However, he has a lovely set of cat ears and a fluttering tail.

「…… I am Baltic. May I ask your name?」

The man with cat ear who identified himself as Baltic have said that with a tense look.

「I am Taiki. Nice to meet you.」

When I slightly bowed my head and say that, Baltic blinked his eyes and returns a bow.

「I, I suppose, you are the one who helped us. For that, please accept our deepest gratitude……. However, what on earth is this castle…….」

While trembling, Baltic cleared his throat and looked around.

「Well… it is a castle that flies in the sky, isn’t it? It’s easy to live here, you know?」

When I answer that while laughing, Baltic looked at me with his eyes wide open and finally burst into laughter.

「Fu, HAHAHA! Everyone, it’s alright. You can come out」

When Baltic comes out from the carriage after saying that, the rest also came down from the carriage as if they were being lured. There were also old people and women who lost consciousness, but the other people carried them and came out together.

When everyone sat down in front of the carriage, they bowed their heads several times.

「Tha thank you. Thank you.」

「Somehow, it ended without everyone becoming a slave」

Being told a words from thanks by everyone, I smile wryly while being ashamed.

「It’s this guy who helped you so don’t mind me」

When I said that, everyone raised their eyes at A1 while whispering.

「This is the first time I saw this kind of golem」

「Yeah, moreover, its movement is amazing.」

「As expected, maybe he’s a great magician……」

They were making a conversation about me and A1 while glancing repeatedly to my direction. While having a very strange feeling, I looked at Baltic.

「For the time being, you may stay in this castle, but do you have any plans?」

When I asked that, Baltic looked at everyone with a complicated face. The rest are looking at each other.

「…… We are, a family called Guardian(Moribito) who protects a small shrine that suppresses the demon forest. Normally we will not fall behind and be overpowered by that kind of thieves, but after taking my family as a hostage…… in an instant, I became unable to fulfill my duty. However, by the help of Taiki-dono, I will be able to protect the small shrine again. 」

「So, will you return to that place again?」

Upon hearing that, Baltic bowed his head deeply as if he did something rude.

「I am very aware that you helped us and I will be saying something shameless. I also know that you need a great deal of magic in order to move that advanced golem.」

After saying that, Baltic raised his face.

「Even so, I hope that you can drop us off to the surface」

I stared at the serious eyes of Baltic and exchanged glances with A1. I don’t even know what magic is, but if you think about it properly, I wonder how can A1 move?

As I thought, is it because of sunlight?

I laughed while thinking about trivial things and turned back to Baltic.

「It’s okay. If it is A1, he will carry you for sure.」

「…… thank you」

When I was smiling wryly at Baltic who bows his head deeply, suddenly, an old man sitting in the back raised his face.

「Baltic」

After calling that name, the old man stands up. He looks like an old man who was carved with deep wrinkles. His grey hair is probably due to old age.

「Unfortunately, three people have received a slave mark this time. I’m sorry for that people but they can not be a protector.」

When the old man said it sadly, Baltic gnashed his teeth frustratedly.

Come to think of it, is the person who received a slave mark will become completely bound in a magical sense? Then, they will certainly be taken as a hostage again and will cause the same situation in the future.

When I’m watching them while thinking ‘This is difficult’, Baltic turned his miserable face to my direction with his brow making a character of ハ.

「…… I’m sorry. I wonder if you can shelter the three people who received a slave mark? If there’s a place where a beastmen can live somewhere, you may also drop them off in that place. Therefore……」

「Oh, no, It’s alright. Look, there are too many houses where they can live in, so If they like, they can live in the houses or the castle over there.」

「…… Sincerely, thank you very much」

Baltic deeply lowered his head again. It seems like he’s worrying too much.

「So, thoes three people are……」

When I look around while saying that, a woman in her late 20’s who looks like a strong-willed person has stood up. And, everyone’s gaze turns to the man of around thirty who supports the shoulder of the woman in her forties who lost consciousness.

「They are my wife, my younger sister, and my younger brother. All my siblings including my wife are really strong-willed and…… because they were too rampant that time…..」

Hearing Baltic says that frustratedly, I deeply understand.

Baltic’s wife and his siblings? Certainly, he will be reluctant to be separated from them. Somehow, the three people resembles the girl who lost consciousness and being nursed by Ayla, so perhaps they are siblings.

「Shall we visit you occasionally? If so, you will meet each other then.」

When I said that, Baltic raised his face delightfully.

「Is that true!? That would be great…..!」

Seeing Baltic who replied really delightfully, I also became a little happy. You really love your wife don’t you, Baltic.