Volume 6 Chapter 4 The Meeting Dances Wildly. And Then Runs Amok
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The meeting dances wildly. Then it runs out of control.
I wanted to spend time with Hikari-chan and Aria, but a mountain of tasks awaits me. Fortunately, having maintained a two-hour-per-day sleep schedule for several years, I’ve developed a tolerance for working through exhaustion.
Moreover, these days I even have Shiori-chan’s Stamina Recovery Potion at my disposal. I sift through reports concerning the I’m council and supplement the briefings I received from Ms. Marina and the others.
The McGaref Council consists of five powerful figures. First, me, representing the merchants’ association. The second is the representative of the Craftsmen’s Union. The third, the regimental commander of the Autonomous Government Army, holds a purely ornamental post inherited by an old noble family. The fourth is the Church Leader, which, for some reason, is also a hereditary position.
And the last one is the head-controller of the markets—turns out to be the old lady who always spoke kindly to me. “Oh my, Takumi-chan. I heard you became the merchant guild master? Such a big promotion in no time,” she used to say.
At first, I had no idea. When we met in council, I was shocked. I realized that Scaya-san and the slave market where she was purchased are also under their control. Among us, she knows the darkness of McGaref best.
”What the hell is this? Every last one of them doing whatever they want…”
To be honest, it’s a splitting headache. Instead of curbing McGaref’s independence movement, they’re inflaming it completely. Once the Lesta Kingdom forces destroyed the Seron Duchy, this place was halfway abandoned, so I understand the sentiment.
Since it was originally an independent country, a strong go-it-alone spirit is natural. The Quvarian Empire is called the ‘Two-Headed Lion,’ and one of those heads is McGaref.
Still, esteemed council members, what are you doing turning into the independence camp first? Do you think we can win an internal war after declaring independence? We only have two battalions; obviously, you’re all banking on your private armies, right?
To gloss over the irritation within my heart, I scan the documents. They spell out the hard-line arguments spreading through McGaref: Declare McGaref’s independence, ally with Councilor Nas’s new nation, and wage total resistance… It no longer makes sense.
I am already at my limit merely dealing with the former Lesta Kingdom’s famine. I have zero intention of joining a full-throttle war-game of nationalism.
Anyway, this rumor must be quelled. Let’s spread the word that I do not support independence, and even if independence were to happen, I have no intention of opposing the Quvarian Empire; rather, I plan to ally with the Quvarian Empire to crush McGaref.
McGaref is suited for war. It has splendid walls, and the Government Office has a moat. The city is intricate and perfect for urban warfare.
In other words, once war breaks out, even with considerable disadvantages, it can continue for as long as needed. Its endurance differs from that of the easily perished Seron Duchy.
But if that happens, the ones who will suffer are the citizens and the neighboring villages. If they can no longer earn from the brōtḥels, my country will come to a standstill. No one benefits from the McGaref independence theory except to satisfy the cheap self-esteem of the councilors.
Fortunately, there is a Council meeting in the afternoon. I will carefully persuade them to give up there. I will review some materials, and when dawn breaks, I will go pick up Hikari-chan.
”Good morning, Hikari-chan,” I said.
”Yeah, good morning. I’m off now,” she replied, dressed in leather armor, preparing to accompany the labyrinth exploration.
I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Come on, you shouldn’t do such reckless things.”
”I’m sorry. I caused trouble for Aria too.”
”I’m fine. Hikari has become someone I love.”
We gathered with the members assembled in the courtyard. It was an extraordinary elite unit.
The 1st Division consists of Chinatsu-chan, Haruka-chan, Weed-san, Scaya-san, and Ginga-kun.
The 2nd Division consists of Dalcur-san, Kanare-san, Kotaro-kun, and Sayo-chan.
The 3rd Division consists of Neige-san, Shion-chan, Clarice-chan, and Hikari-chan.
Out of the thirteen members, eight hold ranks. There are three witches. Essentially, the 2nd Division, centered around Dalcur-san, will act as the vanguard and search for the treasure hall. It seems that the firepower of the 1st Division will be conserved in preparation for combat with the guardians.
Haruka-chan owns three Agilaus Staffs, fully charged with magic stones. The fact that she plans to use two of these rare weapons as disposable items shows how serious she is.
”Please don’t push yourself too hard, Weed-san,” I cautioned.
”Ooh, ooh. Jagaa, now, Takumi. This is the time one should push oneself,” Weed-san exclaimed with a grin. “Of course, I will let your precious women return alive, okay?”
”That’s right, Takumi-dono. Diving into the labyrinth’s depths will be my first time as well. That in itself is cause for honor, and chances to conquer it are hardly common. Now that McGaref is holding still, there likely won’t be another chance to assemble this particular lineup,” Kanare-san added.
”I concur. Previously, when the regimental commander’s absurd order sent an entire battalion charging into the depths, it was simply dreadful.”
Kanare-san spoke of those days with distant eyes. Ahh, all that whiskered old man ever thinks about is his own honor, doesn’t he? Out of all the councillors, he’s the one I loathe the most.
Worst of all was the time he tried to sexually harass Aria while she was along as a bodyguard—that left me with the absolute worst impression. After that incident, I got dragged into the washroom by a lovesick Aria, who gushed, “The way Takkun protected me earlier was so cool and wonderful♡,” and we went one round right then and there…
”Well then, we’ll be off, Takumi-kun. Try to come back with souvenirs that aren’t freshly severed heads of ravishing black-haired beauties, okay?” Haruka-chan teased.
”I’ll do my best. Say, if I manage to make a splash like I did against the black dragon, I’d love another reward♡,” I replied.
Haruka-chan’s ‘reward,’ huh—she just wants another bout of outdoor sex, doesn’t she.
”Fine. Where do you want to do it this time?”
”Mm-hmm. There’s this wicked place where they publicly discipline slaves. I want you to ravish me there, all-out♡,” she said, her silver twin-tails bobbing like little rabbit ears as she spoke.
Her request was a little beyond anything I’d imagined. I nodded in consent and gave her a kiss for good luck.
”Honestly, save that sort of thing for after you return, Haruka. I’m exercising patience too, you know.”
”Sorry, Shion. Then—see you, Takumi-kun! We really are going this time.”
And so, the detachment for conquering the labyrinth’s depths departed the stronghold. Looking ahead to their achievements, I, in turn, headed for the merchant guild to attend my next duty.
Notes:
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Marina – Ranka’s older sister. The formal owner of Merchant Guild Katarina.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• Lesta Kingdom – A kingdom neighboring the Quvarian Empire; currently at war with the Seron Dukedom and potentially the Empire.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Chinatsu-chan – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Haruka-chan – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Haruka – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Dalcur – Mercenary leader; defects to the protagonist’s clan; physically imposing, known as ‘The Strong’.
• Sayo – A Cup. Non-virgin. The younger sibling in the fake-sibling couple.
• Shion-chan – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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