Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Amano - Prince of Akagura - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Man Who Was Gifted a Bow by God
Kingdom of Weapons, Akagura, April...
A waterfall was pouring down to the bottom of a naturally abundant land surrounded by mountains. I heard that naturally majestic spot was hard to reach. Among it, a bright light emitted from a ring as it filled my vision.
MC: ...!
Within the divine light, I narrowed my eyes and at that moment...
??: Mm...
With his long, beautiful hair lightly fluttering, the prince has woken up from a deep slumber.
??: A monster... No, wasn't it a dream eater? I...
MC: ...Are you okay?
When I held his hand as he was feeling hazy, I saw that he had a bow that's longer than his back.
(What a big bow... I wonder if he uses it.)
??: You... I see. You woke me up with your power...
When the prince that had a warm air around him slowly shook his head, he elegantly got up from the ground as the cloak he had on was flowing with the wind.
??: Pardon me. Thank you for saving me. I'm Amano. The archer of Akagura, who uses the bow that was gifted by God.
MC: By God?
Amano: Yes.
Without his expression changing, Amano-san lightly nodded.
(God...)
I blinked from the outrageous conversation...
Amano: ...Did I say something strange?
MC: Ah... No, sorry.
(Even though what he said was strange... Did he really receive it from God?)
As I was confused from his unchanging expression, he held out his white gloved hand to me.
MC: ? Um...
Amano: How you saved me... It doesn't make sense. If it's all right, may I invite you to my kingdom?
MC: Sure...
When he said that very politely, I held his hand. In Amano-san's other hand, the bow shined divinely in the sunlight...
Chapter 2 - The Dangers in the Neighboring Kingdom
In the vast land, a refreshing breeze blew...
With Amano-san escorting me, we arrived at the town of Akagura that was surrounded by colossal defensive walls.
Amano: This is the town of Akagura.
(It's so lively...)
Aside from how it is outside, behind the defensive walls, it was filled with the people's liveliness and was like another world. Among the many shops that were arranged like a bazaar, the merchants' energetic voices were going all over the place.
Amano: Is something wrong?
MC: It's different from what I've seen earlier...
Amano: The outside of the defensive walls stays naturally majestic...
When I looked around town, I saw some people that were in the same uniform as Amano-san.
MC: Everyone seems to be carrying a bow barrel.
Amano: Yes, we are-
At that moment.
Akagura Townsperson 1: Oh! Amano-sama has returned!
Akagura Townsperson 2: Amano-sama!? How wonderful! We were so worried!
Amano-san immediately became surrounded by people when they saw him. Even so, Amano-san's expression didn't change as he showed a smile...
(They seem to really idolize him...)
While Amano-san was standing calmly, I caught of a glimpse of him. Then...
Amano: My apologies for making you all worried. But, I've returned, so it's all right now. Thank you so much, really.
Receiving the people's welcome, Amano-san deeply bowed.
Akagura Townsperson 2: Y-You don't have to! Please don't bow to us!
Amano: But, like what you said just now, I've made everyone worried. If there's anything I could do to apologize...
Akagura Townsperson 2: N-No! You don't have to do that.
Akagura Townsperson 3: Honestly, you're too modest.
Once the people were glad about his safety, they left one after another.
(Amano-san... is a really dedicated person.)
Feeling like I understood him a little, at that moment...
MC: !?
When the heavy sound of a bell run among the town, the people's expressions instantly stiffened up.
Soldier: A monster has been sighted at the front of the defense line! Defense team, attack immediately!
MC: Monster!?
Feeling fear from that unfamiliar word, I strongly gripped my own hand.
Amano: It's okay, please calm down.
MC: Eh...?
When I turned towards that serene voice, Amano-san was looking at me with a soft smile.
Amano: It'll be okay...
As I gripped my stiff hand, he gently placed his hand on it. With uneasiness running through my heart, I regained my composure a little.
Amano: The defense team that are stationed at the defensive walls will deal with it soon. There's no need to feel nervous.
MC: But... It's a monster!
Amano: We're used to this sort of situation. Please calm down.
MC: Used to it...?
Amano: Yes.
After that... Until the emergency alarm stopped, Amano-san continued to hold my hand...
......
Once peace has returned, the townspeople went back to their everyday lives soon after.
(A kingdom that changes between peace and danger...)
Amano: ...Do you find this kingdom strange?
MC: Eh?
///Choices///
- No (☼)
MC: No... Not at all.
Amano-san lightly sighed in relief.
Amano: I see... You saying that reassures me.
- Yes (☽)
MC: ...Yes.
When I responded reservedly, Amano-san silently casted his eyes down.
Amano: It can't be helped.
///Choices///
Amano: After all, this continent of monsters was originally a kingdom that was ruled by colossal creatures.
MC: Colossal creatures... You mean monsters?
Amano: Yes. Even so, we must protect this land.
Amano-san looked at the beautifully polished bow that he was carrying.
Amano: The manufacturing skills in bows that Akagura has is highly recognized.
)So that's why there are so many people carrying bows in town.)
Amano: But, I...
MC: ? Amano-san?
Amano-san was about to say something, but he didn't continue those words.
Amano: I'll take you to the castle. Now then, let's go.
He softly placed his hand on my back. As he had a warm smile on his face, I couldn't figure out Amano-san's true thoughts...
Chapter 3 - The Messenger from Another Kingdom
-Flashback-
Amano: But, I...
MC: ? Amano-san?
Amano: I'll take you to the castle. Now then, let's go.
-Flashback-
I was kind of brooding over about Amano-san's true thoughts that were hidden behind his gentle smile.
After that, the two of us arrived at the Akagura castle...
??: Prince Amano. You've finally returned.
A mustached man with a stern face was waiting for Amano-san.
(This person is...?)
Amano: He's a messenger from another part of the Kingdom of Weapons.
Amano-san softly whispered that to me.
Messenger: Honestly... As sworn allies of the same Kingdom of Weapons, I visited for the sake of our alliance, but you've made the messenger wait!
As the messenger became irritated, he heavily glared at Amano-san.
Messenger: You can't just hold off the subjugation of the monsters that are still living on this continent. Don't you understand that?
Amano: ...?
(He's being really harsh, but... What is he talking about?)
After Amano-san looked at the messenger, he lightly bowed.
Amano: My apologies for making you wait. But, the next time you come over, I'll meet with your kingdom's expectations...
Messenger: Again with that? But... Oh?
(Eh?)
When the messenger suddenly looked at me, he oddly grinned. I...
///Choices///
- What is it? (☽)
MC: ...What is it?
I looked straight at the messenger with a determined gaze.
Amano: ...
At that moment, Amano-san stood in between me and the messenger.
- Step back (☼)
(What's with that look...)
I took a step back from that judging gaze...
Amano: ...
To protect me from the messenger, Amano-san hid me behind him.
///Choices///
Messenger: Pardon me. It's just so rare for His Highness to be with a woman. Still, I underestimated you, Your Highness. You should've announced that you have a fiancée.
MC: !?
(Fiancée!?)
Amano: W-What are you saying!? She's...
MC: ...!
Just as Amano-san shouted that, our gazes met. As the calming atmosphere continued crumbling down, his cheeks turned red a little.
(Amano-san?)
Amano :Ah...
When Amano-san held the hem of his hat and hid his eyes with it, he cleared his throat.
(To think that he could make that kind of face too...)
Forgetting about the atmosphere here, that unexpected expression caught my eye. Although, shortly after...
Messenger: Fu...
As soon as we heard a creepy laugh, I looked at the messenger over Amano-san's shoulder. While the messenger had a satisfied smile on his mustached face...
Messenger: Your Highness, what'll happen if your wife gets attacked by a vicious monster... How about you try thinking about that? Even so... Should I continue this sweet nonsense?
Amano: ...
Lightly... Amano-san gripped his bow that he was holding even more. His lips were closed tightly...
Amano: ...First off, we'll talk about this later. You shouldn't let a guest hear about this sort of thing.
Messenger: Hmm, I'll go do as His Highness says. Well then, please excuse me.
After the messenger bowed to me and Amano-san, he walked into the castle. Just as he disappeared into the corner of the hallway, Amano-san's body eased up.
///Choices///
- Are you okay? (☽)
MC: Are you okay?
Amano: ...? Did that make you worry about me?
MC: ...? Of course.
- He's got the wrong idea (☼)
MC: Um, he seemed to have gotten the wrong idea...
Amano: ...My apologies! Did that rub you the wrong way? I'll clear up the misunderstanding later.
MC: No, I'm okay.
///Choices///
Amano: ...
As Amano-san furrowed his brow troubledly, he hid his mouth with his hand.
Amano: My apologies. I'll give you a tour of the castle later. I need to go discuss about the matter from earlier, so please wait for a while.
When I caught a slight glimpse of his face, it was red...
(...Is he embarrassed?)
Since his expression hasn't changed up till now, seeing an unexpected side of him gave me a ticklish feeling somehow...
Chapter 4 - Akagura's History
After that, I passed the time in the castle courtyard with a servant showing me around.
By the time Amano-san came to see me in the courtyard, the sky has turned orange completely...
In the guest room that I was led to, there were a variety of lively colorful flowers in a vase on the table near the bedside.
MC: They smell nice... What a nice room.
Amano: It was nothing, I really wanted to do something to apologize somehow. In the end, I couldn't give you a tour of the town nor the castle, so the least I could do was decorate the room...
As Amano-san faced me apologetically with his lips closed, I...
///Choices///
- Don't worry about it (☼)
MC: Don't worry about it. It seems like I came at a bad time.
Amano: That's... I ended up showing you something disgraceful.
As he looked apologetic wholeheartedly, he looked down.
- This is plenty enough (☽)
MC: This is plenty enough. I was just thinking that the flowers I saw in the courtyard were nice.
Amano: You saying that helps.
As he smiled, he hid his eyes with his hat.
///Choices///
Amano: But, having you, the Traumerei Princess, as my fiancée is such a rude misunderstanding...
MC: ...! Don't worry about it.
WhenI remembered what happened at noon, my face became warm.
Amano: Still, instead of treating you with hospitality, I had to take care of some diplomatic issues with another kingdom... ...How troubling... Uh, me getting affected by that sort of misunderstanding too...
As his voice became hoarse by the end of his sentence, he looked a little red.
(It's embarrassing, but...)
As Amano-san was talking, I noticed that his true self was showing.
Amano: ...
MC: U-Um! Won't you tell me more about Akagura and this continent?
Amano: ! ...Sure. Of course. Since you're going to be in this kingdom, you should know about it at least.
Just as Amano-san sighed in relief, he picked up a book from the top of the nearby sideboard.
Amano: Here, sit here.
Sitting in the nearby couch, he lightly patted the spot next to him.
MC: Okay.
When I slowly sat down next to him, he opened the book on top of his lap. As he looked down, his beautiful long eyelashes hung over his eyes.
(He has a really beautiful face... But.)
I glanced towards the large bow that was showing off it's nobility.
(If a monster attacks, he uses this bow to fight.)
-Flashback-
Amano: I'm Amano. The archer of Akagura, who uses the bow that was gifted by God.
-Flashback-
(...A bow that was gifted by God.)
Amano: ...? MC?
MC: ...!
When he said my name for the first time, my heart throbbed sharply.
(I ended up looking at it...)
I...
///Choices///
- It's nothing (☼)
MC: It's nothing. I'm sorry, I was in a daze. Please tell me about this kingdom. I hope the story about your bow comes.
Amano: ...Sure.
Just now, his voice became soft.
- I was thinking that it's a pretty bow (☽)
MC: I was thinking that it's a pretty bow.
Amano: ...
(Huh?)
A dark look was made on his handsome face.
///Choices///
Amano: My apologies, now then, look at this page first...
......
Amano: ...In other words, the sky is blue because this world is within the blue eyes of Gaia. Thinking about it, we've been walking alongside such rare nature in this kingdom.
By the time he closed the book, night was already hanging.
Amano: Next time, I'll show you the facts of Akagura. But, it's already late for today, so...
MC: Yes, thank you very much.
As my eyes were feeling a little drowsy, he chuckled and broke into a smile.
Amano: ...Goodnight...
When he softly whispered that, he gently placed some of my hair behind my ear.
(Amano-san...?)
That comfort made me look at him in a daze and...
Amano: Ah...
He immediately removed his hand from me and got up.
Amano: My apologies! ...You just look so defenseless...
As the moonlight shined on him from the window, I noticed that his face was redder than it was at noon.
Amano: ...I'll be going.
I didn't feel any warmth from his gloved fingers, but... It felt like my heart was touched by them as there was a slightly warm feeling in my chest...
Chapter 5 - The Scent of Wisterias
The next day... He took me out of the castle to give me a tour outside of the defensive walls like he said he would.
Amano: The defensive walls are at the back of the courtyard, so we'll get there sooner.
When we left the courtyard, a sweet scent immediately tickled my nose.
MC: This scent is...
(It's the scent that was drifting in the courtyard that I was in while I was waiting for Amano-san yesterday...)
Amano: Yes... The wisteria flowers are in full bloom...
As Amano-san narrowed his eyes from the wind that was blowing in the courtyard, he calmly sighed.
MC: Wisteria flowers?
Following his gaze up ahead, a smal wisteria trellis was set up in the corner of the courtyard. As the light purple flowers looked so graceful... The lovely flowers were hanging peacefully as they were in full bloom.
Amano: Shall we go look at them a little? I like flowers... Especially the ones in this season...
As he sounded more gentle than usual, my heart throbbed loudly. When we approched the wisterias, the sweet scent got stronger.
Amano: ...MC.
MC: Eh...?
When I turned towards him after he softly called out to me, those lips that said my name again were smiling.
Amano: ...MC... I feel like the wisterias would look good on you. Here.
As his long fingers lightly touched my hair, he placed a wisteria flower that he plucked in my hair.
///Choices///
- Thank you (☽)
MC: Thank you.
Amano: ...
When I thanked him, he stared at me. Within those gentle eyes, I could see my face turning red a little.
- Does it look good... (☼)
MC: Does it look good...
Amano: Yes... You look really beautiful.
When our gazes met, a moment went by. Then, he looked down away from me...
Amano: ...My apologies. I did something inappropriate...
///Choices///
Amono: Your smile is unexpectedly like a flower that's blooming in a field...
His mouth softly said that to no one.
MC: Amano... -san?
Amano: ...!
Just as he instantly furrowed his brow, he covered his eyes with his hat.
Amano: ...Let's go. The defensive walls are right over there.
......
When we went through the defensive walls to the outside, there was a vast grand view of nature that I saw from when I arrived at this kingdom.
MC: Pretty...
(Although...)
It felt like I was being swallowed up by that far our vast scenery.
(It's scary... Despite that I didn't think of that when I first came here.)
Amano: ...It's okay, I'm here.
As my body was trembling, Amano-san softly smiled to calm me down.
Amano: It's because I was talking about that sort of thing to you last night... My apologies.
MC: No. I was just thinking that something dangerous could've happened if I walked here by myself again.
Last night, when I listened to him talk late into the night... The Monsteat continent's mysterious ecosystem of all the colossal living creatures besides humans. Also, the colossal monsters that stride in the majestic forest that's on the top list of monsters.
MC: Ferocious monsters being in such a pretty looking forest...
Amano: ...Yes. They're a threat to people's lives, so we lay out a line of defense in the kingdom. The neighboring kingdom that requested an alliance with Akagura are especially zealous in subjugating monsters.
MC: Could it be that the messenger from the other day was...
Amano: Yes...
When Amano-san paused, he looked at the waterfall that's connected to a chasm in the ground.
Amano: But, Akagura is... I'm not fond of their aggressive subjugation ways.
As he held the bow to his chest, he told me that troubledly. Within those eyes, the grand nature of Monsteat was reflected in them...
Chapter 6 - His Agony
Underneath the far out vast blue sky, a waterfall was falling into a chasm in the ground without pause...
-Flashback-
Amano: The neighboring kingdom that requested an alliance with Akagura are especially zealous in subjugating monsters. But, Akagura is... I'm not fond of their aggressive subjugation ways.
-Flashback-
MC: ...You're not fond of it?
Amano: ...Yes.
When he moved his gaze from the waterfall to me, Amano-san closed his eyes troubledly.
(Ah...)
-Flashback-
Amano: But, I...
-Flashback-
(It's the same expression from that time.)
///Choices///
- You don't need to talk about it (☼)
MC: I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about it...
Amano: Ah, no...
When he raised his face from my voice, he looked at me.
- Ask about the reason behind the subjugation (☽)
MC: May I ask about the reason behind it?
Amano: The reason...
Amano-san covered his mouth with his fingers and thought about it deeply.
///Choices///
Then, after taking a deep breath lightly, Amano-san showed me the bow in his hand.
Amano: It's because of this bow.
MC: The one that was gifted by God...?
Amano: Yes.
Amano-san silently held up the bow in the sunlight.
Amano: This divine bow that's been passed down in the royal family of Akagura for generations is just as it's old title says, the bow that was gifted by God. It's been said that it can send a wish from the ground to the divine land above the sky.
MC: Divine land...?
Amano: It's a legend. Come to think of it, you didn't seem to believe in it either, MC.
With a chuckle, Amano-san puts down the bow as he smiled mischievously at me.
-Flashback-
Amano: I'm Amano. The archer of Akagura, who uses the bow that was gifted by God.
MC: By God?
-Flashback-
MC: I-It was just so sudden that...
Amano: Fufu... I guess so. My family were the ones that told me that. Of course, it had a big influence. Being the inheritor of this bow is my pride. That's why...
Amano-san showed a stern look that he's never shown before.
Amano: For such a sacred bow that's for protecting people being used for pointless subjugations...!
His voice was filled with anguish.
MC: ...Then, you don't want to be in an alliance with them?
Amano: ...It was my father's idea to be in an alliance with them. It wasn't of my own decision. But...
With an anguished look, Amano-san tightly gripped the bow.
Amano: If I could, I would want to use the bow to protect people. The bow that was gifted by God... I didn't choose to use it for such pointless killings.
MC: ...
I gently placed my hand on Amano-san's hand that was filled with strength.
Amano: !? MC...?
MC: From the start, I thought you were the kind of person that doesn't show his feelings much.
Amano: Eh...
MC: But, when we went to town, everyone looked at you with adoration... Like this, I'm understanding your true feelings. I think you're a really wonderful person.
When I said that honestly, Amano-san's face instantly turned red.
Amano: U-Um...! What should I do, how troubling... I'm... happy.
Without meeting my gaze, Amano-san murmured that. Right now, I felt his warm hand through his glove.
MC: This bow is doing exactly what you wished for... It's something that you use when protection is needed, that's what I think.
Amano: MC... Thank you. I'm so happy. But...
Suddenly, Amano-san strongly gripped my hand.
MC: Amano-san?
Amano: Every time you smile... Spending time with you... The words that messenger said, they were like unremovable sharp thorns that pierced my heart. I worry that if the life of someone dear to me disappears...
His voice got drowned out by the waterfall that was falling to the bottom of the ravine...
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