Author: SS Samurai	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: rm31439	English Source: Re:Library

“Wha-…? You’re… you’re fine with not returning home?”

Kanata’s statement was met with doubt.
Sakura, on the other hand, who was still in Kanata’s embrace, found herself unable to think properly, thanks to the boy’s words and actions.

“It’s simple. If you’re using your ability to send us home as a means to order us to fight the Black god, I will want to shield Sakura, who is more important to me than anything else, from harm. I will choose to escape without going home or fighting. In other words, your threats no longer work… that’s what I’m saying.”

When he finished speaking, Kanata finally stopped hugging Sakura. Though her mind didn’t work well right now, she had heard everything and blushed horribly at being called “important” in front of so many adults. She was about to demand an explanation from the boy via message, but stopped herself, when she saw his serious expression. All she did was watch his face intently.

After checking the situation around him for a while, Kanata continued speaking again.

“So, Mr. Loukis? For what reason do you not want to use my safe plan, to the point where you are resorting to threats? Going back to what I asked earlier… Is it really true that you aren’t trying to use the Black God for something?”

Loukis stayed silent. He just glared at the boy.

In his stead, Dace spoke up. Loukis looked relieved, as if he’d just been saved from certain death. At this point, he inwardly decided to later apologize to the seeress for striking her.

“…Kanata. We have made various preparations. That’s the reason King Loukis rejected your proposal and-”
“In that case, why are you telling me this only now? I think that’s something you should’ve told us well in advance. It should’ve been easy to mention this during our talks the past few days.”

However, her attempt was handily crushed by the boy. This time, Kanata alluded to the things the seeress had said.

“So, for the time being, what might these preparations be, Mr. Loukis?”
“Uh… erm… t-there’s potions… MP recovery medicine… s-s-s-soldiers…” the king stammered in a desperate attempt.

Only to be shot down by Kanata.

“We have Sakura for healing, and on top of that, we gathered a large amount of the highest-level recovery items that exist in this world, so there’s no need. Moreover, you just said you are planning to use soldiers, didn’t you? In that case, I think my safe plan would be better. It would end this without causing any deaths.”

Kanata advanced another step towards Loukis.

“…Let’s assume there’s no way to defeat the Black God, other than to seal it.”
“Ah… right. That’s true!”

Kanata had said it himself. Loukis considered this a good opportunity, so he agreed with the boy, for now.

“Additionally, he cannot be sealed without you being there… that’s what you said¹, Mr. Loukis.”
“E-Exactly! Ha-ha-ha, sorry for not-”
“So, we can take Gungnir and move to an uninhabited island, just you – Mr. Loukis and Miss Dace – and I. We need to do this, or people in the country might be injured, right? An uninhabited place should work best.”
“-telling you…?”

Loukis froze with his eyes wide open. He kept thinking, even in his rigor. To begin with, how did it end up like this? For now, he had to turn the situation around.

From his perspective, Kanata’s ability to teleport freely was completely unexpected. Of course, this was the reason Kanata had kept this ability secret until now, lest it be used as some kind of weapon.

He likely could have criticized the boy’s earlier proposals with the fact they had no precedent. However, he was unable to object to the plan to move to an uninhabited island and fight where no bystanders would be injured. He couldn’t think of a possible reason. And even if he were to say something, Kanata would break it down.

Still, bringing the Black God to an uninhabited island would cause issues. He wouldn’t be able to use the resurrected Surtr as a weapon.

Loukis frantically racked his brain. Up till now, he had never used his mind this much, except for the times when he was forced to study. He desperately kept thinking.

Meanwhile, Kanata continued.

“To think you’d refuse even this plan… There is something going on, after all, isn’t there? What does everyone else think? …Oh, you have your position and such to consider, so it’s fine if you just think about it and keep your thoughts to yourself.”

After the verbal exchange that just took place, the kingdom’s officials had all made up their minds. The dialogue between the boy and the king, with the latter being clearly shaken, made it easy to conclude who was right.

A minute later, Kanata spoke up again.

“Our discussion convinced me that Mr. Loukis has some kind of guilty conscience concerning the Black God. I will, to my best ability, ensure your… no, the safety of you and your loved ones. Do you agree with this? Anyone with an opposing viewpoint, please raise your hand… as long as you can give a compelling reason, of course.”

Not a single person raised their hand.

Some of them looked at Loukis apologetically. Some of them seemed impressed by Kanata. One felt happiness, though the boy’s words and actions had sent her into a fluster. One glared at the others, chewing on his lip so strongly, he might bite it off at any moment.

And one person showed no expression at all.

TL notes:
Kanata finishes deconstructing Loukis’ arguments and now has the kingdom’s officials on his side. I’m sure Loukis will listen to reason if they all tell him to stop, seeing how mature he is. Oh, wait…

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