I Finished Saving the World, But Then I Picked Up a Girl With Amnesia - Chapter 26

“How… how does it look?”

“It really suits you.”

Red Hair-chan’s choice of swimsuit was, surprisingly, a bikini. It was red, with a matching sarong tied around her waist. Despite her hearty appetite, her figure was well-balanced, with curves in all the right places and a toned physique that only enhanced her allure. Yes, as I said, it really suits her.

She seemed a little embarrassed wearing it as is, so when I spotted a light white hoodie on sale, I added it to our purchase and had her wear it over her swimsuit.

I, on the other hand, had equipped myself with a float, beach sandals, shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and even sunglasses. I was fully prepared for the beach. If Sage-chan saw me like this, she’d probably kill me, but thankfully, she hadn’t arrived yet. I was safe—for now.

“Hero-san, this is delicious too.”

“Food from these kinds of stalls always tastes better for some reason.”

“Yes! It’s so fresh!”

Red Hair-chan, being beautiful even by modest standards, attracted a lot of attention. I’d been prepared for that, but instead of admiration, she was drawing curious looks for a very different reason: she was carrying an absurd amount of food from various stalls in both hands and devouring it non-stop. It looked less like she was a stunning beauty and more like I was a big brother taking care of his gluttonous little sister. Yes, that was the kind of warm, amused gazes we were receiving.

“But is that swimsuit color really okay for you?”

“Huh? Why do you ask?”

“Well, there was a deeper red that was closer to your hair color. I thought that one might suit you even better.”

When I said that, Red Hair-chan blinked for a moment before breaking into a smug grin. Though, I hate to ruin the moment, there’s some seaweed stuck at the corner of her mouth.

“I like this one better.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Because this swimsuit is closer to the color of your red hair, Hero-san.”

…Huh. I see.

“Red Hair-chan, you know…”

“What is it?”

“I think you must’ve been a femme fatale before you lost your memory.”

“A femme fa—what!? What’s that supposed to mean!?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

Red Hair-chan puffed up with indignation, and before I knew it, we were chasing each other around the beach. But just as things were heating up, “it” arrived.

“Hero-san! Look over there!”

Looking up, Red Hair-chan shouted.

“A ship is flying in the sky!”

This was a port town, so seeing ships arriving wasn’t unusual. But a ship flying through the air? That’s not something you see even in other ports.

From the other people on the beach, similar exclamations of surprise and amazement echoed. As for me, I didn’t feel particularly excited. Shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand, I looked up and said:

“Well, technically, it’s not flying. It’s just being suspended by wires.”

“What… does that mean?”

Before Red Hair-chan could finish her question, a powerful roar ripped through the air. The ship, which had passed overhead, descended toward the ocean near the port and splashed down. What had been pulling it became fully visible.

The ship had been towed by an enormous creature, far larger than the ship itself.

Its size was staggering, barely fitting into my field of vision. Its ash-brown scales, mighty wings that could soar through the skies, and its long, sharp, and almost elegant tail—it was a creature straight out of myth, the epitome of strength.

Its name—

“A dragon!?”

“Yep, a dragon.”

As Red Hair-chan stared in shock, the takoyaki she had been holding fell from her hand. I caught it and popped it into my mouth.

“Our necromancer happens to control about ten of those things. She runs a business using them to transport ships and cargo through the skies. It’s probably insanely profitable.”

“…!”

Chewing on her takoyaki, Red Hair-chan could only stare wide-eyed.

—

The ship, now brought to the water’s surface by the dragon, was massive and luxurious enough to rival the finest cruise liners.

Naturally, the owner of both the ship and the dragons was in the ship’s most lavishly decorated room.

“Madam President, your guests have arrived.”

“Very well. Please show them in.”

Using the ship’s teleportation magic circle, Shana and Aria were instantly transported inside. They were guided by a servant to a set of ornate doors, which they opened.

“I believe the situation was made clear to you. How can you remain so calm and composed at a time like this?”

“Ara, ara. It’s been quite some time since we last met, yet you’re as prickly as ever. Though I can’t say I don’t understand your feelings.”

There was a woman.

She lounged on a fur sofa, her long black hair cascading down to her waist, exuding an air of seduction. In stark contrast to the usual attire Shana wore, the woman’s robe was white, accented with purple. Her refined tone—which was entirely characteristic of her—only served to further irritate Shana.

“Hero-sama is being targeted. Or to be precise, that red-haired girl is the true target. This is a dire situation.”

“Indeed. I completely agree. It is a dire situation. Which is why I must ask you both something.”

The necromancer ran her fingers through her hair and spoke.

“What exactly have you two been doing until now?”

Behind her, the red curtains of the elegant room were drawn open to reveal the scene beyond.

“What…?”

Aria was at a loss for words.

“Wha—!”

Shana’s eyes widened.

It was an unbelievable sight. Beyond the glass, three high-ranking demons lay piled upon one another, their bodies shredded and lifeless.

“You two are far too slow.”

The necromancer chuckled, mirroring Shana’s earlier scornful tone.

“Hero-sama is in danger. If that’s the case, you eliminate the threats ahead of time. You crush them utterly, leave nothing but scraps of flesh. And only after that do you sit down to calmly discuss the next steps.”

“…Three high-ranking demons, already defeated…”

“Yes, truly. One can only say it’s impressive.”

Shana made no effort to hide her sarcasm. In fact, she layered it on thick, like butter spread generously over bread, letting it seep into every word she spoke.

“Former high-ranking officer of the Demon King’s Army… The Second Seat of the Four Heavenly Kings. Liliamila Guildenstern. It seems your skills haven’t dulled, which is reassuring.”

“Of course not. I’ve been honing them, as always.”

Liliamila said with a sweet smile.

“After all, I hold Hero-sama in the deepest regard and affection.”