Breakthrough with the Forbidden Master Chapter 436: The Complete Family

A breathtaking panorama stretched out, encompassing the entirety of the Royal Capital.

Such a magnificent vista was a privilege reserved for the select few, those born with status and fortune.

Within the Royal Palace of Japone, a young maiden gazed down at the bustling town below from her chamber window.

Clad in a silken yukata, exquisitely embroidered in the traditional Japonese fashion, it was worn slightly ajar, offering tantalizing glimpses of her skin.

The room itself exuded an aura of opulence, adorned with furnishings and artworks of the highest caliber, a testament to the unparalleled privilege of her position.

That a girl, still in her formative years, possessed such grandeur was solely due to her destined role as Japone’s future young Queen.

"…… Fuuma-sama…… yet he managed to evade capture… I am so relieved……."

Clutched in her hand was a report detailing the recent events in the castle town, a document that had just been delivered to her.

"However… I ought not to concern myself with someone like him anymore… a woman as tarnished as I… but still……."

As she skimmed through its contents, a fleeting expression of relief crossed the girl's features, only to swiftly morph into one of profound anguish.

A childhood acquaintance… no, more than just an acquaintance…

"Fuuma-sama has returned to the country as well…… Outei-sama and Kagerou-sama are missing…… Mikado-sama and Koujiro-sama too…… I wonder what fate has befallen them all… And… Shinobu-chan… what is Shinobu-chan doing?"

With each line she read, her heart swelled with a complex mixture of emotions.

A friend from her youth. And their brother and parents. But to her, they represented something far more significant…

"…… Huh? …… Shinobu-chan’s…… fiancé?"

Suddenly, her gaze halted, and a completely new emotion began to unfurl within her.

"What is this… why… even though I have become so stained… Shinobu-chan remains pure…… ah…… this report even includes such details…… does Shinobu-chan love that boy? Her first love? …… I see… Shinobu-chan is happy, isn’t she……"

That emotion was ugly, deeply selfish…

"Truly…… it is not fair…… Only I…… she probably… has not been sullied by a man as I have…… My own first love never even had a chance to blossom, and Fuuma-sama never even spared me a glance… It is so unfair… This is utterly ridiculous……"

It was the venom of jealousy.

"I wonder what sort of boy he is… for that Shinobu-chan to fall for him… what kind of……?"

And it was profoundly twisted.

"""""Daa-daa-daa-daaaaan-go, Dango Family ~♪"""""

In the elven village, children who had received the dango that Earth and the others brought as souvenirs scampered about joyfully, their voices raised in song.

"Now, now, don't push yourselves. There's more than enough to go around!"

"Yay, many thanks, Miss Espie! I'll take the mitarashi~!"

"Here you go, be careful not to drop it."

"I offer my thanks as well, Brother Slayer! Hooray—mine has sweet bean paste inside~!”

The children buzzed with excitement as Espie and Slayer distributed the dango.

"Hey, you lot! Stop running around with those skewers! You might trip and fall. Sit down and eat properly… ahem, I’ll take the soy sauce flavored one……"

Larou’iph gently chided the boisterous children, all the while accepting a dango and savoring it alongside them.

Observing this heartwarming scene, both Shinobu and Amicus offered warm smiles.

"Huh, the kids here recognize the famous ‘Dango Family’ song from Japone too…… and they’re so delighted by the dango…… It somehow makes me feel happy too."

"Yes. Sister and her companions often bring us dango as gifts, and we have grown quite fond of them~"

"Really? But if you like them so much…… well, they won't be quite as good as the store-bought ones, but if you’d like, I could teach you how to make dango… if you truly wish, okay?"

"What!? Is that true!? Do you speak the truth, Shinobu dear!? Dango… we can craft them with our own hands?"

"Yes, so long as we have the necessary ingredients."

"Teach us! I implore you, please teach us, Shinobu dear!"

"Alright!"

"Hooray! Then we shall be able to enjoy dango every single day~! Truly, Shinobu dear, you are capable of anything—you are utterly amazing!"

"W, well, it’s not that significant of a feat…… It’s not as if I can do absolutely everything."

Before they realized it, Shinobu and Amicus had forged a strong bond of friendship.

Amicus grew increasingly affectionate, often embracing Shinobu without hesitation. Each time, Shinobu would blush shyly, yet she wasn't entirely averse to having such a friend. On the other hand, the sensation of being pressed against that voluptuous, yielding body induced a subtle sense of clarity within her…

Regardless, the differences in their races or species seemed to fade entirely from their awareness. There was no longer any formality or awkwardness between them…

"Then I shall also impart to you the method for creating a traditional elven sweet!"

"Oh, that would be a profound honor. I would be delighted."

"Yes, it is a dessert known as Pai Pie!"

"Yes, Pai pa—…… huh?"

"And you should know, Sir Earth himself declared it to be exceptionally delicious."

"…… Pai Pai …… Heh…… I understand. Your Pai Pai…… Yes, it must have been quite delectable indeed. And… is this some form of personal affront directed at me?"

"Huh? Um, Sh, Shinobu dear? Um… you are frightening me… what is troubling you!? W, wait—no, please cease this!"

"Did Honey enjoy these!? Did he proclaim them to be delicious!?"

Shinobu, her eyes wide with dilated pupils, began to knead Amicus’s ample chest with fervent intensity, showing no restraint or hesitation whatsoever.

"It is good to see you have returned safely, Fuuma. It has been some time, Iga and Kouga as well~"

"Hmm…… Well, above all else, it is a relief that you are all safe."

“I did run away from home after talking big to Father and Mother, and now I’ve come crawling back… but anyway, I’m just relieved that both Father and Mother are safe……”

Meanwhile, Fuuma and his companions had successfully returned with Earth.

Fuuma’s parents, Outei and Kagerou, along with his sister, Shinobu, were initially taken aback by their return. However, their primary emotion was an overwhelming sense of relief upon seeing Fuuma safe and sound.

“I was nearly apprehended in the Royal Capital once, but thankfully, Earth Lagann intervened and saved me… He had rescued me before, too……”

“I see~. Mwahaha~, isn’t that just wonderful, Earth O ani-han. I still really wish you’d embrace Shinobu and become my son-in-law already~”

Both Fuuma and Shinobu had previously absconded from Japone, venturing out into the world without a clear direction. Thus, their reunion with their parents after such a significant period might have been expected to carry a heavy atmosphere of tension and awkwardness.

However, this particular family defied any such expectations, showing absolutely no sign of discomfort.

“Na~, Shinobu~, instead of being envious of Amicus’ endowments, wouldn’t it be far more beneficial for you to deepen your connection with O ani-han? You’ll surely regret it if you let this golden opportunity slip through your fingers, you know?”

“He saved us as well… and Shinobu herself has fallen for him… As a father, I find myself with no objections whatsoever.”

“I honestly never anticipated that Father and Mother would also meet him and come to accept him so readily…”

“Ufufufufu, Amicus~, did you happen to feed Honeydew these amazing breasts, this fantastic posterior, and these divine thighs~~!?”

“Shinobu, seriously… So, what about you, Fuuma? You’ve certainly traversed the globe, but have you encountered anyone special? Or perhaps you’ve been busy sowing your wild oats during your journeys?”

“…… While I admit that is rather a vulgar topic… I have already made the decision not to concern myself with your succession or any other matters pertaining to Japone. You should live your life as you see fit. What are your thoughts on this?”

“Father…… Mother …… I couldn’t possibly… I spent my days utterly consumed by conflict… at times acting purely on selfish impulses… causing distress to kind-hearted demons… I endured a great deal during my travels, but to think that such things……”

“Huh!? ‘Pai pie’ doesn’t carry any lewd connotations… it’s simply a type of snack… ah, this is all so incredibly confusing, Amicus! I, I genuinely believed… Please forgive me. Um, your… boobs… huh? Are you implying they were fondled… What’s this about your crotch, your panties!? Honeeeey!?”

Somehow, the air of lingering tension had completely dissipated. The scene had transformed into what appeared to be an utterly ordinary, everyday gathering of a typical family of four.

At the very heart of this lively conversation was Earth.

He found himself showered with praise, and the discussion had even veered into surprisingly romantic territory.

Under normal circumstances, this would be a situation calling for blushing, shielding his face, and curling into a ball of mortification.

However, rather than feeling embarrassed at this precise moment, Earth’s gaze was fixed upon the sight of Shinobu and the other family members reunited and safe….

“The family that once fled has now returned… what a thought…”

A subtle, melancholic thought flickered through his mind, and despite the smile gracing his lips, a faint twinge of sadness accompanied it.

『What troubles you, my boy? Experiencing a moment of loneliness?』

Tre’ainar’s voice chimed in, teasingly, from beside Earth.

「Hmm…… n, no, it’s nothing…」

『Is that so? I distinctly recall you reminiscing about Hiro, Mamu, and that particular maidservant……』

「…… .N, no… Nothing of the sort!」

『Well, I can literally hear your thoughts, you know.』

「Ugh!」

Attempting to deceive Tre’ainar was an exercise in futility. And, truthfully, it was indeed as he suspected.

It wasn’t precisely loneliness he felt, but rather the sight of the four family members gathered so harmoniously (or perhaps not so harmoniously) before him inevitably led him to draw comparisons with his own circumstances.

But that was an entirely natural reaction.

「Well…… but I’m not feeling lonely or anything… because……」

It was a truly heart-wrenching realization.

Nevertheless, Earth resolutely shook his head once more, affirming that he was not lonely.

“Big brother~? Up to your old tricks again~?”

“Hmmm… are you ‘two’ engaged in another clandestine mental conversation?”

『”Ah…”』

Precisely at that moment, Espie and Slayer, having concluded their distribution of dango to everyone present, approached Earth from either side, their faces adorned with somewhat intimidating smiles.

「Kuhahaha… Ah, I suppose I’m not entirely alone after all.」

『Hahaha, indeed, it would appear so.』

「I was merely a touch curious. Wondering what my father and mother might be up to~. And whether Sadiz was still residing at Cacretale~」

『They would certainly be astonished if they were made aware of the child’s current daring escapades unfolding in Japone.』

「That is most certainly true.」

Earth briefly allowed his thoughts to drift towards memories of his own family.

“Ah! That expression means you’re at it ‘again’! You two, cease conversing solely within your minds!”

“This is quite troublesome, Brother! We are standing right here, and you are having a conversation that only the two of you can comprehend!”

“Yeah, yeah, I understand perfectly. Honestly…”

『Oh dear me.』