Hataraku Maou-Sama Volume 5 Part 4
Dbzadnen
3:23 PM
Vol 5: Final Chapter
Chiho who lying in the hospital bed greeted Maou while hiding her face reddened from embarrassment with a blanket.
“Oh…..Ah, that is, I heard from your mother that you should be discharged tomorrow…. about that, where’s your mother? She was the one who called me….”
Maou was awkwardly looking around because he could not see any signs of Riho.
“I, I think that she’ll be back soon......she said she was going to buy something just now……”
“Oh, that so, um, anyway, it’s good that you’re alright. Here, get-well flowers for you.”
“Tha,thank you.”
Chiho stretched out both her arms shyly.
“....and, also.”
“....Un.”
Maou and Chiho glanced at each other as though trying to read the other party. In the end, Maou could not help but break the silence first.
“Do you remember what happened last night?”
Chiho lightly, but surely nodded her head.
“On that day after helping Maou-san move house, I went back home to watch television. Then the screen suddenly glowed….until I woke up in this hospital room, I had no memories of what happened in between,”
Chiho started to talk about what happened to her the night before.
“And then yesterday….that is, because this is a hospital, so my handphone which should have been off started ringing, then the ring started glowing...and, it’s as though my body naturally understood that I can do those things...but, basically I was just moving based on my own will. Because after I heard what was being said over the phone, I felt that it was something that I had to do.”
After listening to Chiho’s explanation, Maou asked something that he wanted to know the most.
“Do you know who was on the other end of the phone?”
“That, about that….I think the other person is definitely a woman, and she should be someone from Maou-san’s world….”
Maou’s heart raced a bit due to the uneasiness and anticipation. However, Chiho shook her head and continued,
“The other party did not tell me her name. She just mentioned that if someone asks, just dodge the question or something. Those were her conditions for lending me those powers.
“To, to think you would actually believe the words of that kind of person and lend your body to her?”
Maou bluntly expressed his opinion while sweating cold sweat.
“Yeah, but, I think if that person was Maou-san’s or Yusa-san’s enemy, they probably wouldn’t talk to me. And the other party was strong enough to do all these things! She didn’t even take me hostage and she did not control me directly without saying anything, so I think at the very least, she shouldn’t be a bad person.
“Hm……even though I already felt this earlier, but isn’t Chi-chan becoming a bit too bold recently?”
“Because of the people I got acquainted with recently, I’ve been going through thrilling days everyday.”
Chiho gave an innocent smile.
“Also, when Gabriel-san came last time, actually I felt very frustrated.”
“Eh?”
“Did you tell me that time not to approach the apartment before the incident with Alas=Ramus ends? Even though I’m happy that you’re worried about me, and I also know that I, who cannot fight, will only be in the way if I stay there, but I will still feel a bit frustrated after all. I really feel that, it would be good if I had the power to protect the people I like, and then……”
Chiho picked up the mobile phone, raising her head shyly and looking at Maou.
“The person on the other end of the phone, said that she can lend you power?”
Even so, lending her body to someone whose did not show their face and only talked over the phone, it was not a frivolous action which Chiho would do.
Maou’s stone became a little strict, Chiho shook her head vigorously and answered,
“Of course it’s not that simple….when she heard me talking in my sleep, telling me not to be picky about my food, and the reason why I lost consciousness in my home, Maou-san and the rest coming to visit me, Maou-san and Yusa-san possibly going to Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree to battle, the opponents being Gabriel-san and an angel I don’t know, this being unrelated to Sariel-san, other people who can use holy magic making their move, and even though she knows her place in all this but because of some reasons, she is unable to appear in front of other people and so on, all these things were explained to me by her in my head.
“........”
Chiho put her fingers together and talked on tirelessly, Maou on the other hand remained silent.
“After telling me all these things, she also very seriously begged me and said “No matter what the danger is, I will definitely protect you, and then I will thank you properly. In order to protect those important to me, please lend me your strength”......That’s why I think I can trust her. If Maou-san and Yusa-san encounter any danger, and I am able to help…..”
After reaching this point in the conversation, Chiho looked up once more, trying to figure out Maou’s expression.
“……Honestly, I’m actually a bit happy. Even though it’s quite cold flying in the sky, but it was very comfortable.”
Regardless or whether it is the relationship with Maou and the rest who reside in a different world or her own standing from where she comes from, Chiho has more insight than most other people. Therefore she will not recklessly enter the battlefield based on her feelings alone and increase the burden to Maou and Emi.
But it was because of this very same reason, that she frequently feels the pain of being powerless.
Even so, the fact that she is just a normal high school girl will not change.
“Ëh, if the same thing happens the next time, even if the other party is someone who is easy to talk too, don’t agree so easily. Discuss with me or Emi first okay? I mean no one can guarantee the next incident would end up like this one where everyone is safe and sound.”
After Maou finished talking, Chiho nodded her head with a serious look on her face.
Maou determined that that expression can be trusted so he relaxed his expression and asked,
“Were there any significant changes to your body?”
“.....well, if I really had to say, it’s like there is and yet there isn’t.”
Chiho replied with little confidence.
“My body feels very healthy as though I slept normally and woke up normally and there isn’t any pain at all. But….there are some memories that do not belong to me in my mind.
“Memories that don’t belong to Chi-chan?”
“Rather than memories, they are more like strong thought….it made me think that I was watching a movie or something and then had such a dream. But….but, these are definitely Maou-san’s….no, Demon King Satan’s memories.”
“.....my memories?”
“I saw a very small demon.”
Maou drew a breath sharply when Chiho said that sentence.
“That demon kept crying, and he had severe injuries that could kill him if he was not treated….I chatted with him during the treatment and his eyes sparkled with interest and he listened intently. That’s why I, naturally wanted to help you….”
“Chi-chan?”
Maou felt a strange atmosphere.
“But, at that time, I spent a lot of power just trying to sustain your life so I did not teach you the most important thing. I always wanted to apologise to you.”
Chiho was staring intently at Maou.
“......Who are you. What have you done to Chi-chan’s body?”
Maou shifted slightly out of his seat when he realised the reason behind the strange atmosphere and he asked in a low and stern voice.
“Thinking back, I guess I wasn’t mature enough. Running around for my ideals and lacking training in recognising the bigger picture, therefore causing you to make commit such a wrongdoing. But….my preparations have gone too far for me to return to your side, I am really apologetic for that.”
Whether it was the voice or the body, they belonged to Chiho.
But the tone and the aura given off were definitely different.
“You should, do you still remember me? Satan Jacob.”
Now Maou finally kicked the chair over and rushed forward.
“I will finish what I have to say very soon, please listen to me for a while.”
“What in the world….what….are you….!”
“I am sorry for dragging this girl into this, but I already have no other way.”
Ignoring Maou whose voice was shaking, the certain person who was making use of Chiho’s form started talking on her own accord.
“My goal is to let Ente Isla….let heaven and the demon world revert to what they are supposed to be. For this purpose, I need a large number of supporters. The reason why I helped you that time, to some extent it was because I had other considerations in mind. If it was you, pherhaps you can grasp onto the ideal I was chasing after for me….”
After saying that, “Chiho” looked out of the window.
“You coming to this world...was not a coincidence at all.”
“What?”
“This is a “Life Ground”that is closest to Ente Isla. You and that child are only drifting at the side. Because these two places are so close, so whether it is people or items, crossing over is very convenient. The more important thing is this “Life Ground”.....it has to be completed properly and inherit the seed for the next generation. It doesn’t lean towards the holy or towards the demonkind, but can encompass both, a miraculous world……”
But….“Chiho” continued to say.
“We interfered with this “Inheritance”. If this goes on, the “Disaster of the Great Demon King Satan” will befall on this world. I….want to prevent this…..But, it’s still not good. They, that kind of people, only care about themselves. So I decided to take action.”
“I don’t understand what you are trying to say! Get to the point!”
“One of the keys is being held with that child. And……that child’s father.”
Maou intentionally tried not to think who “that child” might refer to.
Now the one who is talking to this person is himself.
“Where are you now?”
“It was only a coincidence that my memories will be reflected onto this girl’s but that does not mean I am controlling her. Therefore we are unable to have a proper conversation. The remnant thoughts of mine will soon disappear. If I can give this girl the power to protect herself, that is for the best……but there is one more thing, I have requested this girl that she must pass the information to that child, about this, I ask for your forgiveness.”
“Chiho”extended a hand towards Maou.
“I’m begging you……find Ente Isla’s “Knowledge”……the key, it’s in that child and that child’s father’s hands……somewhere……together……”
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
The other person’s words were becoming broken, as though it has been interfered with stactic and “Chiho”’s voice started becoming hoarse.
“...The same...and...please….only….”
“Chiho’s” face started to have a pained expression but it still managed to squeeze out a smile and said,
“Let the world return to the way it should be. Good luck, Demon King Satan!”
In a blink of an eye, Chiho returned to normal.
“....then, after that, I was thinking about the memories when Maou-san was younger,is there something wrong…..Maou-san?”
“.....nothing.”
The Demon King gently shook his head, lifted the chair he kicked over and sat in it.
Chiho was still wearing the ring with the purplish stone on her left hand.
“If it was modern Japan, even if you don’t use such a roundabout method, you could at least use a tape recorder.”
“Eh?”
“Nothing.”
Maou smiled bitterly and shook his head lightly once more.
“The owner of that ring, did she mention anything about what would happen next? It can’t be possible that Chi-chan became someone who is able to use the fragment of “Yesod”?”
Faced with Maou’s question, Chiho looked at the ring on her left hand with a slightly troubled expression.
“I feel like I did hear something...and yet I didn’t….but, I just feel that I need to tell Yusa-san about something.”
“....Is that so.”
Even though he already gotten approval, but Maou still started to worry whether this method will bring burden to Chiho’s body.
“However, according to Suzuno, Chi-chan doesn’t have a large capacity for holy magic, so it’s best not to be reckless. Or you might cause your mother to worry again.”
“I know that. And I’m also an amatuer. Even if I can use a bit of supernatural powers, I will not be able to take on an enemy alone.”
“That’s right. Real enemies will not appear and fight us according to our levels.”
Maou nodded his head with satisfaction, accepting what Chiho had said.
“This, how about Maou-san pass this to Yusa-san instead?”
Chiho gazed at the ring with the fragment of “Yesod”. Maou thought for a while--
“Nah, I think it’s better for Chi-chan to hold onto it, treat it like an amulet.”
Whether it’s Gabriel, Raguel or Sariel, it does not seem that they are paying particular attention to the fragment of “Yesod”. And the reason why Chiho became as such the previous night, it is without doubt due to the ring. Since “she”had already said that she will garuantee Chiho’s safety, then it will be safer to let Chiho hold onto that ring just in case.
Chiho’s relationship with Maou and the rest had already reached a stage where it was difficult to break.
“Ah, but! Maou-san!”
“Hm?”
“Doesn’t Maou-san already have an enemy who grows according to your level?”
“Eh?”
“Yusa-san! Yusa-san is the Hero! Don’t the Demon King and the Hero have this kind of relatioship?”
“It’s not as if that person is growing to match me specially….”
“ Definitely, I also kinda want to have the same battle ability as Yusa-san!”
“Ugh, how did things turn out this way!”
“I do want it! Because I do not want to lose to Yusa-san!”
“No, this is already not a case of winning or losing…..Besides, you just recovered, don’t get so excited!”
After that, Chiho’s and Maou’s argument on “Whether to enter battle” went on until Riho finished her shopping.
※
After that, speaking of the Hero with the Holy sword.
“Yes, yes, many apologies for that. About the time that corresponds with the period of intereference, we will count according to the number of days….”
“Pertaining to every client, we will send a message to apologise about this matter in written form……”
“Message, internet and calls……you’re right, we really apologise……”
After the three ladies finished their calls simultaneously, they sighed deeply from the bottom of their heart.
“E, even though I was already prepared for it when I saw the news in the morning.”
The employee currently studying at university Shimizu Maki said while crying.
“That, that’s right, this is a bit strenuous.”
Perhaps it was a psychological issue, but Suzuki Rika’s face also looked rather frail.
“……………………………”
As for Yusa Emi, she had remained silent the whole time.
The lines at Docodemo customer service centre were totally filled to capacity.
After all, in the whole 23rd district of Tokyo, all of Docodemo’s mobile phones had a telecommunication malfunction for more than one hour.
Even since work started in the morning, the complaint calls came endlessly. Requests to decrease the call rates are still considered alright, but when businesses and legal personnel start to ask for damage compensation, it was already something which was out of the scope of authority for Emi and the others.
The reason for the telecommunication malfunction which became the headline news of the morning news, was without a doubt, the sonar emitted at Docodemo Tower by Suzuno yesterday as well as Chiho’s light halo.
Using the mobile phone waves to counter the television waves, with regards to this thinking, Emi did not have any intention to blame anyone.
But without knowing whether it was Urushihara’s calculation error, or the effect of Suzuno’s spell being too strong, or Chiho’s power causing this result, anyway it seemed like the frequency range was continuously being supressed.
As a result, during a period of time, some mobile phones were unable to communicate, and due to a chain reaction for various reasons, it resulted in today’s commotion.
From this morning, the shift manager called in an almost pleading manner to trouble all the employees which did not have any arranged shifts to activate as much as possible, and the customer service centre entered a corresponding situation where all the seats were filled.
Of course, Emi also felt a strong sense of responsibility, but for this part, she could not push all the responsibility of the Demon Fortress, so she could only work in continued silence.
Most importantly, in Emi’s heart, she was still unable to sort out everything which happened last night.
The shocking fact which Gabriel revealed, did have the power to cause a great disturbance in her heart.
Her father was still alive.
Once she thought about the meaning behind this and the effect, it made Emi so afraid that she could not move forward.
So Emi would only find excuses for herself, thinking that if she switched her thoughts and buried herself in work until she had no time to think, she would actually handle the issue more effectively.
“With things like this today, will it be possible to go for lunch break?”
Rika mumbled in frustration because of picking up the never ending calls, and the pale faced Maki also followed and said,
“I watched television until very late last night, and my stomach felt very uncomfortable from morning, so I was unable to eat at all.”
“Television……that’s right, Rika, Maki.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes?”
Emi, who suddenly remembered something, asked the two colleagues on her left and right,
“When you watched television yesterday, did anything strange happen? Such as……the screen will suddenly glow or something……”
Emi lightly probed deeper, and Rika nodded like she thought of something.
“Ah, so such a thing can happen other than in the mobile digital television function. Sigh, though I had no mood to watch television at all, so I’m not too sure about that……”
For unknown reasons, Rika said so with much regret.
“I haven’t bought a model which pertains to digital television. I’m still accepting analog signals now, there weren’t any special situations.”
“I, I see.”
Emi let out a sigh of relief when she found out that Rika and Maki did not encounter any kind of particular trouble. “Speaking of which, Rika-san. Why didn’t you have the mood to watch television yesterday? Was a drama serial you liked showing yesterday night?” “Ah--!”
Maki’s question made Rika jump in fright from the bottom of her heart.
“I completely forgotten….”
“….Don’t tell me you got yourself a boyfriend?” Maki asked a completely direct question causing Rika to go into panic. “Oi, oi, Maki, what are you talking about! He’s not at that stage yet…..” “~~….!” Emi hugged her own head feeling frustrated. See Rika working very hard to dig her own grave, Maki’s expression lit up in an instant. “Yet? Rika-san, did you say “yet” just now?”
“Eh, ah, wr,rong, lo, look, Maki! Phone, the phone’s ringing! Get to work quickly.”
“Tell me in more details later! Hello, sorry for the wait, my name is……”
Seeing Maki’s high spirits, Rika showed a tragic expression to ask Emi for help.
“……Impossible, I can’t help you.”
“Emi is so cold!”
Enduring her headache, Emi picked up her own phone.
That’s right, even though it was an undisputable truth that Rika likes Ashiya, there was no need to care too much about this.
If she believed Gabriel’s words, once Emi considered the reason for her banishing the Demon Army with all her might, she could possibly deny her past self.
But, even so.
“Time cannot be rewinded.”
Regardless of whether she is denied by others or not, she needs to continue moving forward as long as she lives.
Wouldn’t it be better to say, being able to find a new goal other than challenging the Demon King, it should actually be something to feel happy about instead.
“I think my thoughts are too serious, I can’t do anything about it now. Thinking randomly is actually about the same as resting.”
It was a situation where she can start from what she is able to do first, then clearly see what time will arrange for her later.
After Emi made up her mind, a voice suddenly spoke to her within her mind.”
“Mama, Mama, going to hospital where Chi nee-chan is to ‘bea-sit’, is it referring playing in the water together?”
(T/N: In the Chinese translation, Alas=Ramus mixed up 探 (visit) with 滩(shore), so she thought it referred to beach and playing in the water.)
It looks like the girl was awake.
Emi started to worry if she could settle down Alas=Ramus in this busy hecticness while staying focused on work, but once she thought that was still able to worry about such a thing, she subconsciously laughed.
Anyway, after work today, she would need to teach Alas=Ramus the meaning of ‘hospital visit’, and partly because she wants to know about the situation last night, Emi decied to visit Chiho. Emi thought about whether there were any dessert stores which Chiho might like on the way home while making a list in her mind.
“Senbei! Senbei!”
Perhaps she sensed Emi’s thoughts, Alas Ramus started to insist on Senbei.
※
“Welcome back, Demon King-sama. Is the condition of Sasaki-san’s body still alright?”
After Maou returned to the Demon Fortress, he discovered that Suzuno, for unknown reasons, was waiting at home together with Ashiya.
“You’re back, it’s nothing much right?”
“Yeah, Chi-chan has already regained her spirits, it’s more like she is too energic, which is rather troubling. I’m alright as well, why did you ask this all of a sudden?”
Even though the threat this time wasn’t directed at Maou or Ashiya, Maou going out by himself still caused Suzuno some worry, but sonce she considered by happened just yesterday, she did not think that anything will happen to Maou.
If Suzuno went out with Maou when Ashiya stayed at home, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings, so she could only wait for Maou to come home with some anxiety.
“No, nothing……”
Suzuno replied vaguely and tried to change the topic.
“Then again, Demon King, the television! The television can play!”
Considering that she would actually feel unhappy with the other party thought that she was worried, Suzuno intentionally turned up the volume.
“Which Street’s Sunset Are You huh……oh, it can be watched.”
(T/N: Which Street’s Sunset Are You is a parody of the long running series “Always: Sunset on Third Street”.)
“……Yeah……it can.”
Maou’s cold and mild reaction actually caused Suzuno to feel a sense of embarrassment she could not get rid off easily instead.
“Unexpectedly, there’s not much reaction. I thought you would be so excited that you’ll shout loudly at the sunset.”
Urushihara said with a laugh. But Maou only shrugged.
“Because those disorderly people spoilt the fun halfway. Sigh, even though it’s good to get another avenue to discovering strange situations, but they should not be dumb enough to use the same method twice in a row right.”
Even though it was a small television by normal standards, it was already enough for the Demon Fortress.
“Ah, that’s right, Ashiya, this.”
Maou seemed to remember something suddenly and threw something which was stuffed in his pocket to Ashiya.
“Yes? Is something wrong?”
The thing Maou threw to Ashiya was a bankbook.
Ashiya, carelessly flipping through the contents, realised that the newest entry had ‘Deposit: 50000’ written and widened his eyes.
“De, Demon King-sama? What is with this deposit amount?”
“Ah, weren’t we unable to work because of Ooguroya’s sudden disappearance?”
Maou opened the fridge to take out the small amount of wheat tea which was left and drank straight from the PET bottle.
“Even though there’s still some time until MgRonalds opens again, but because Ciriatto returned to the Demon World, so perhaps Barbariccia and those guys might send two or three more waves over. In the worst situation, even we will be in danger, so I don’t think it’s a good idea for the three of us to separate to work one day part time jobs.”
Suzuno, who stood at the side, looking at the bankbank, also got a shock because of the special income which was really too high for the Demon Fortress.
“Because other than the fragments of ‘Yesod’, the sheath which Kameo brought over also had other jewels on it, so I picked some which looked more normal to bring back, and changed it for money at the pawn shop at Shinjuku. Like this we would be able to offset the money used to buy the television and use it for the household fees for the next month, as for the remaining money, you can use it to buy a mobile phone.”
“Demon King-sama……”
Maou’s words caused Ashiya to do into a daze which surpassed the feelings of being touched.
“Why did you just take one? If you want to take it, then just take everything back.”
Urushihara asked the obvious. But Maou rebuked it immediately.
“Think about it, a 20 plus year old poor looking lad wearing UNIxLO bringing a pile of jewels to change for money looks too suspicious right? If someone starts to investigate my personal information, it would be troublesome, so this standard is just right. Also transactions which are too high value will actually be taxed.”
After Maou finished the wheat tea, he washed the PET bottle and after putting in a new wheat teabag and adding water, he put the bottle back in the fridge.”
“After starting work, Sariel will be opposite, if anything happens, we can drag him in for protection. Before that, treat it as a holiday after a few hundred years and take it easy for a while. It’s not as if it can only be called work if the itinerary is all filled up.”
After saying this, Maou picked up the television manual and the remote control, and after comparing the two, he started to awkwardly practice operating it.
Seeing Maou’s slouched form, Suzuno subconsciously mumbled,
“……Looks like he is also thinking about various things.”
As for Ashiya, he did not react to Suzuno’s voice, and only froze on the spot, staring at the ‘Deposit: 50000’ on the bankbook.
※
“Hi, Satou, you look like you’re in a good mood, did you find another good job again?”
After Gabriel discovered that Satou had returned to the cybercafé “CYBER@SAFE” where he was temporaily staying at, Gabriel greeted him. Satou, who looked like he was still just drinking Oolong tea, raised a hand and replied while drinking tea,
“Oh, Greek guy. Do you know that the mobile phones and televisions had issues recently?”
“Ah, y, yeah, roughly.”
Even though Gabriel, who could be considered a culprit for the incident replied in a rather awkward way, it looked like Satou, who looked happy, did not feel bothered by it at all.
“Because of that incident, telecommunication companies simultaneously started to conduct maintainence and checks on their facilities, so there are now a lot of vacancies for construction site traffic controllers and safety! It looks like I won’t need to worry about not being able to find a job for the next two weeks!”
“O, oh, is, isn’t that very good?”
“Yeah, even though I pity the employees of the telecommunication companies, but not only will I be able to eat because of this, I am one step closer to my dream, I even started to think that this is the gods rewarding me for working hard normally.”
“I, I see.”
For Gabriel, he could only reply in this way.”
“Then again, you look like you’re in a good mood as well. Did you find a job which you can earn money?”
Satou seemed to treat Gabriel as a person in the same situation as him. Even though because this wouldn’t particularly cause any trouble, so Gabriel did not specially correct him, but Satou will still occasionally see into his inner thoughts with surprisingly good vision.
“Yeah, even though it’s not really related to earning money or not……but……”
The large built archangel stood next to Satou and like Satou, poured Oolong tea, smiling lightly at the same time,
“perhaps a just comrade who can save the world will appear.”
“Ah? Is it a job to dress up as a mascot and perform or something?”
Satou was confused because he did not understand Gabriel’s words.
Gabriel’s red eyes observed Sataou’s reaction, and at the same time, gave off a childlike light like he was enjoying a prank.
Vol 5: Afterword
Thx To Mittens-220 Who Translate All Of The Hata Maou Volume On This Blogs!!
Author, Afterword---AND YOU--- ( i do not own this work i just translated it )The new landmark of Japan, Tokyo Sky Tree, surpassed its senior Tokyo Tower’s height of 333 metres in late March of 2010, and the observation deck will only be completed three months later. Since it will become 634 feet one year later, in March 2011, it means that this tower grew 300 metres in only one short year. Japan is amazing. The Sky Tree also developed well!
And after that, excluding some areas, Japan will fully enter the digital television age in July 2011.
When this book reaches the reader’s hands, it should be after June 2012, at that time, not only will digital television be broadcasting for a year, even Tokyo Sky Tree will be officially operational. Time really flies.
Wagahara, in various places, had boasted exaggeratedly----
“For the world of “Hataraku Maou-sama, true descriptions of Japan must be included!”
but with regards to the Japan where Maou and the Emi and the others are living in this series, as for which year of Japan this is set in, there wasn’t any concrete setting.
So after referencing to the growth process of the Sky Tree before and judging from the events which occurred in “Hataraku Maou-sama 5”, and comparing it to the situation in the real world, it can be confirmed that the time set in the world of the series is “August 2010”.
However……
What cannot be denied is, if the background ever since the first volume is traced, it can be discovered that for the events which occurred around Maou and the others in the summer of 2010, most of them are impossible situations.
Because everytime I write the various volumes, I will reflect the current affairs at the time, in addition, before I submit for Dengeki, I had written many different works on the internet under different names which then became the foundation for this series, and partly because when I was working on it, it was actually set as before the construction started on the Tokyo Sky Tree, so a lot of inconsistencies started to occur between the world in the series and what actually happened in real life.
Of course, because this is a novel, we can overlook these mistakes and say ‘please do not mind these small things’, but this isn’t where the problem lies, since the year in the series can already be determined, then all the characters related to this series have a face a certain problem.
In the first volume, Hero Emila and her friend, Suzuki Rika, had mentioned an unforgettable historical event which happened in 1995’s Japan.
Even though she should not forget, but troubling her to bring up the overly painful memories, actually reflected what one of Wagahara’s friends said.
Assuming that the Japan which Maou and Emilia live in reflects the ‘actual Japan of August 2010’.
Then another seven months later, something which left a mark in the world history will occur. And even if we wait until this book is published, this memory and effect should not have been faded or reduced.
So Wagahara, as the author, who used ‘Suzuki Rika’ as the role of the recaller in order to enrich the series, would like to express to all the readers----
From now on, the worldverse in the series with ‘Hataraku Maou-sama’ as the title, no matter what method was used, would not use the great earthquake of Eastern Japan as a key element to build the story.
Since ‘Hataraku Maou-sama’ is a story, then it will definitely end one day.
Even though it is not known how far ahead the world within this series at that time will progress from ‘what people think is the period of August 2010’ in this book, and it can’t even be confirmed if these guys would even stay in Japan, but no matter what, in the ‘realistic Japan’ of ‘Hataraku Maou-sama’, the great earthquake of Eastern Japan will definitely not happen.
Of course, this is definitely not comparing the seriousness of this incident that the Kobe Earthquake mentioned in this series.
But whether it is a ‘record’ or ‘history’, the great earthquake of Eastern Japan is a problem which belongs to ‘now’, and it is still far from the period where we can chase memories, including the good and bad ones, for the novel who treats leisure as the most important thing, I personally judged that this is material which cannot be used lightly.
The Japan which appears with the series ‘Hataraku Maou-sama’, is a ‘modern’ Japan where unfortunate incidents will still happen continuously after the Kobe Earthquake, where the height of the Tokyo Sky Tree will surpass the Tokyo Tower, a Japan which will soon move towards complete assilmilation of digital television, where the mobile phone market ratio held by Silmphone starts to increase, and a place where even the Demon King and the Hero needs to work in order to be able to eat, besides that, it is nothing else.
Even though it is similar to the real Japan in front of the readers, but the history marked on this Japan is something which only exists in the story.
Therefore, after today, this story will continue in the situation where the actual time settings of the worldverse is unknown. But as arranged, the age of the appeared characters will still increase, and because this is something which happened before the start of digital television, there will still be settings which are related to the era, even so, the world they live in is a history which only belongs to them, and if the readers who pick up this book can also continue to protect this period of history, it would be great.
The story this time, has nothing to do with the will which the author personally expressed in front, it is a story about the Demon King and the others who work hard everyday in order to be able to eat delicious things, taking the rare chance of their leisure time to do some shopping.
Even though it is not especially troubling whether you own one or not, but owning this kind of thing can expand one’s view. I am also a normal person, so compared to buying the bare minimum of daily necessities and maintaining them well, it is better to messily place various things in the room and let them gather dust.
However, since even Emi also feels some surprise, perhaps it is about time to help those people buy futons.
Here, I look forward to meeting the you who can also pick up the next volume, and with regards to the rude words of the useless General, I give my deepest apologies to everyone in the world who is related to sports as a conclusion to this afterword.
See you!
