Chapter 48 Kanata, Shizuka, and Setsugekka, Part ①
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Mari-chan, Ko-chan, why didn’t you two run away?”
Hanasaki Haruka shouted that when she saw the two girls enter the room. Guards had brought them.
Lately, the soldiers at the Royal Palace had been acting strange. Haruka had felt it. She had told Maria and Kotono to escape when they had a chance.
Of course, Haruka had planned to leave the Royal Palace too. She would find some excuse. But things changed so fast. She could not grasp what was happening. Soon, guards watched her all the time. She could not leave her room alone.
Now, her best friends showed up. Yukishiro Kotono and Tsukikage Maria. Guards had brought them too.
Haruka did not think the two had been caught easily. In name, this was still “protection.” So, they had not been caught.
”We can’t leave you behind. You’re too slow.”
”Without you, Haru-chan, we’re not Setsugekka.”
When Haruka heard their words, tears filled her eyes. She did not want them to see.
The next day, after they hugged and cried all night, the three girls had to stay in one room. They were under soft house arrest.
”The other party doesn’t even try to hide it anymore.”
Kotono sighed as she said that. After a week of this, she started to worry.
House arrest meant they could not leave the room freely. They had to meet Almea at set times each day. But there were no other big rules.
Still, being stuck in one room limited what they could do.
”We need more seeds soon.”
Haruka murmured that while she watered the plants in pots.
”What plant next?”
Kotono heard her. She asked with interest.
”How about Yumemigusa? It’s Dreaming Grass.”
”Whoa, don’t touch dangerous stuff.”
”It’s fine. As is, it’s just a flower with a nice smell.”
”Ha, true.”
”I’ll tell Maria.”
”Thanks.”
Kotono went to the kitchen. She told Maria about Haruka’s request. Maria made an OK sign with her fingers. Then she left the room.
Guards stood at the door. Maria talked with them a bit. Then she came back.
”How did it go?”
”Yeah, Dreaming Grass is in demand now. They said seeds are hard, but the plant itself is easy to get. I also asked for more Magic Stones.”
”As expected from Maria, the man-killer.”
”Stop calling me that!”
Maria’s face turned red. She pouted. It looked cute. Kotono thought that was why men wanted to protect her.
In truth, because Maria asked nicely, their room had better things.
This “kitchen” was new too. Maria had asked for it.
At first, the soldiers said no. But Maria used some food they gave. She made simple late-night snacks. She said, “With a stove to heat things or a Magic Stone to make water, and more food, I could make tastier stuff. But it’s a shame.”
The next day, tools and food started coming in secret. From then on, Maria kept her promise. She made snacks, herbal tea, and treats for the guards.
Soon, every guard tried to bring what Maria wanted. They all wanted to please her.
They could not give weapons or dangerous magic items. But for herbs for tea or spices for snacks, they gave freely. For plants, seeds or seedlings were easier to sneak in. They got lots that way.
Maria said, “They’re just kind.” But Kotono knew the truth. Everyone wanted Maria to like them.
Rumor was, guards fought to watch their room. All for Maria.
From outside, it looked simple. Guards did small favors for the captive girls. To win their hearts.
In fact, Maria only asked for cooking food, tea leaves, or sweets ingredients. In return, she gave handmade treats or snacks. It helped the guards forget their dull job, even for a moment.
The bosses looked the other way. No one wanted to bully young girls.
A little slack kept the girls calm. It gave guards and girls a small break. So, why not let it go?
But behind it, the girls’ actions were not so cute. They were not just passing time.
Kotono’s Gift was Mage. A side skill was mana enchantment. Maria’s Gift was Saint. From healing, she had mixing skills too.
Haruka’s Gift was Harvester. It helped plants grow fast and strong. A side skill was alchemy.
Together, with materials, they could make almost anything.
They used the magic stove and pots from the kitchen for mixing.
After half a month of prep, they had lots of items. One hundred each of weak Potions to Giga Potions. Thirty each of anti-poison or anti-paralysis Potions. Fifty each of resistance Potions for bad states.
Plus ten Lesser Elixirs. They could heal small lost body parts.
They also had attack items like fire bottles or tear gas. And status Potions like paralyze or poison. In good numbers.
At first, the three did not plan to use them.
It started as fun. Making sweets or growing plants to kill time.
But the idea for Potions came from meetings with Almea.
After the first one, Maria and Kotono noticed something. They had strong minds. But they felt a mental attack. Maybe brainwashing.
So, they needed Mental Resistance Potions.
Lucky, they could make them from herbs they had. Before and after Almea’s visits, they drank them. It blocked her mind tricks.
When they saw it did not work, they knew attacks would come. So, they made more items to fight back.
”I hope we never have to use these.”
Haruka played with a Magic Stone in her hand.
It was Shield Breaker. It looked like a plain rock. But it held big mana. It could make the mana explode inside a barrier. That would break a magic shield.
Normal use would hurt them too. But Haruka and Kotono tuned it. It would ignore their own mana.
For the last ten days, they worked on it. They barely slept.
With this, they could escape the Royal Palace. But they had no safe place to go. So, they would not use it unless danger came close.
”No chance. Today’s Almea was suspicious.”
”Yeah. She’ll force us soon.”
”Really?”
Haruka did not feel it. Her mind was not as strong. To her, Almea seemed the same nice princess. But if the others said so, it was true.
”Sigh… So, these kids’ turn comes soon.”
Haruka looked at her potted plants.
She had grown them. But they were too dangerous. So, now they slept.
Wonder Trent, Tentacle Roper, Slime-like, and more.
These plants did not hurt people much.
What they shared was catching prey.
For example, Wonder Trent grew branches like tentacles. It wrapped them around. Then trapped you in its trunk.
Tentacle Roper used wiggly tentacles to catch and tie prey.
Slime-like spread its sticky goo to trap you.
One more thing: These plants melted clothes. They teased sensitive spots.
It fed on the energy from that. But really, it came from Haruka’s mind when she grew them.
She thought of tentacles and got excited ideas. Haruka was a secret perv.
Later, these plants sold for big money to weird nobles. That is another story.
A few days later…
Someone attacked Maria’s room. A big explosion rocked one part of the Royal Palace. It even shook the town streets.
By dawn, the noise stopped. But rumors spread. The house-arrested Hero was gone.
* * *
”Hmm, rescue them how?”
Kanata crossed his arms. He groaned and thought hard.
This was the busiest central market street in Royal Capital Alf.
From this cafeteria, the Royal Palace looked clear. Somewhere in there, the three Setsugekka girls were held.
”Will… it work?”
Shizuka stared up at him.
She was small. She had a fragile charm. Looking at her made Kanata want to protect her.
The Setsugekka girls must have felt that too. They could not leave her alone.
Kanata did not care much about others. But he knew about the three girls. Or rather, news about them came to him anyway.
Yukishiro Kotono… Her shiny black hair reached her waist. She looked like a proper lady from a noble house.
You might picture her in a kimono. Playing the koto, making tea, or arranging flowers.
But really, she was straightforward. Like split bamboo. Kind-hearted, caring, boyish big-sis type. Far from her looks.
That gap was great, the Otaku Trio said.
People who did not know her inside admired her looks. Both men and women.
Those who knew her loved her more. They called her “big sis” or “Elder Sister.” Popular with all, upperclassmen or under.
Tsukikage Maria… Her family ran a dojo for Tsukikage Style old martial arts. She trained in naginata and aikido.
You would think she fit “big sis” more than Kotono. But her looks were pure and gentle. Not like a fighter.
Some said she fit “proper lady” better. She was top in school. Social, good with everyone. She talked kindly to all. Helped those in trouble.
So, some called her “Academy’s Maria-sama.”
Hanasaki Haruka… She was pretty enough for beauty girl rank. But the other two shone so bright. She seemed plain next to them.
Her soft vibe reminded you of a small animal. She healed everyone around her.
Hanasaki Haruka…She fits right into the category of a full-on beautiful girl. But the other two have such strong personalities that she seems plain by comparison…or at least, that’s how she looks.
Her soft, fluffy aura reminds people of a small animal. She spreads gentle healing vibes to everyone around her.
Her words and actions are always so cute, one after another. She really lives out the saying that “girls are made of sugar and spice”…though it’s hard to tell how much is planned and how much is just her.
The one thing she has over the other two is her impressive, womanly figure. It makes her hugely popular with guys who have risky tastes.
That’s the impression Kanata and the people around her get. But in truth, she’s cunning, a bit dark-hearted, and secretly pervy…or so Kotono and Maria both agree.
Still, there’s something lovable about her. Even if she causes trouble, people end up forgiving her. It’s her natural charm, and the fact that she has no real malice…at least, not toward people she cares about. She’s honest and reliable with those she accepts. The two know that well. That’s why they can laugh off any mess she drags them into. Since coming to this other world, Haruka’s personality has helped them a lot. It has made the three girls’ bond even stronger and deeper.
With a group like that, you might think they draw crowds and have tons of friends. But really, their circle ends with just the three of them. They don’t have anyone they’d truly call a close friend…except for one exception: Shizuka.
It might have started as Maria’s meddling, spotting the loner Shizuka. But somehow, she climbed to the level of an irreplaceable friend. That was a happy surprise for all three, Kanata thinks, watching Shizuka talk so eagerly about them right in front of her eyes.
And…Kanata turns his gaze back to Shizuka.
Amatsuka Shizuka…Her small build and baby face make her look like a middle schooler…or even an elementary kid, if you’re unlucky. That’s why some guys…mostly the geek trio…call her “Loli Child.” But to call her that, with her plump chest armor…well, you could argue.
Of course, some shout that it’s exactly what makes it great—degozaru! Really, she’s average size. But her tiny frame makes it look bigger by comparison…or so they say.
And then there’s Haruka, same height but with even more curve. When the geek trio sees Shizuka and Haruka side by side, they go wild: “Legal loli overload—degozaru!” But hey, she’s underage, so it’s not legal at all. Kanata wants to point that out.
Kanata’s view of Shizuka…well, there’s one intense episode he can never forget.
Shizuka tends to avoid other people…or at least, she does it on purpose. Kanata isn’t the type to chase after folks either. So without something like the three girls feeding him info naturally, or Maya coming at him directly, he wouldn’t know much. He learned about Shizuka by pure chance.
On the way home from school that day, rain started pouring out of nowhere. He ducked under the awning of a shuttered shop. Then, in the shadows of a nearby alley, he spotted a cardboard box with an abandoned kitten inside.
It was a common sad story, so he tried to ignore it. But as the rain got harder, he couldn’t stop worrying. He thought about moving it to a dry spot. Just then, a girl passing by held her umbrella over the box to shield it from the rain.
She must be a kind girl, Kanata thought…until he saw what she did next.
The girl moved the box from the hidden alley to the busy main street, where people could see it. Then, maybe thinking she couldn’t stay close, she walked away…but not far. She sat down across the road and kept staring at the box.
Kanata couldn’t make sense of any of it. But for some reason, he couldn’t look away from her.
Two hours passed. Three hours. The girl didn’t budge. Kanata watched from afar.
How much time went by after that? When he noticed, the girl was gone. She must have finally gone home, he figured. He left too…
The next day, Kanata was shocked to see the late girl enter the classroom. It was her—the one from the shop street.
She was soaked and covered in mud. But the kitten in her arms meowed happily. That was the first time Kanata really noticed the girl named Amatsuka Shizuka.
Later, he overheard the story. Shizuka had stayed with the kitten all night. She vanished only to buy food. When health officials came in the morning to take it, she snatched the box and ran to school.
What a waste of effort…Kanata thought. But somehow, he felt like he’d lost to her.
Even after that, Kanata never talked to Shizuka. She never reached out to him either. So he had no duty to do anything for her. But now, after getting to know her, feeling that urge to protect her, making her his slave in a deal, taking her body, and blurting out a sleepy marriage-like proposal…he can’t just ignore her as a stranger. That’s why he’s planning this rescue for the three girls…
”Listen again? How were you planning to save Shizuka?”
”Um…Go to the Royal Palace…Find Haruka-chan and the others…Escape?”
Kanata holds his head. No good. He can’t leave her alone.
”…That’s not a plan—degozaru.”
Ichiro mutters from beside them. Right—it’s not just Kanata and Shizuka. Kimura and the geek trio came along too.
They begged for a “chance at honor recovery—degozaru.” Shizuka didn’t mind. Leaving them in the dungeon felt risky, so he brought them. Worst case, they can distract.
Even without Kanata’s help, Shizuka planned to go alone. But hearing her idea, Kanata only sees her getting caught—and used as a hostage against the three girls.
”Ahhhhh! Okay, first—secure a spot to draw the Back Alley Transfer Circle. As close to the Royal Palace as possible. Once that’s set, map the shortest route there. Then head to the palace and gather intel.”
”Intel?”
”Yeah. They’re under house arrest, right? Which rooms? Escape paths? Guard routes? Alert spots on exit? Tons to check.”
”Oh…really?”
”Yep! “
”Kanata…smart?”
”…Average, I guess.”
”Kanata…maybe amazing?”
”Yeah, I’m amazing. So follow my lead.”
”Okay, got it.”
After that chat, Kanata sends Kimura and the trio to scout the town and prep distractions if needed. He heads to the Royal Palace with Shizuka alone.
They arrive, gather info…but hit a wall. No way to sneak the three girls out.
”Make a scene…in the town?”
”Ah, starting a ruckus could work. If they escape during the chaos and hop the Castle Wall, we handle the rest…Sigh.”
Kanata says it, but he knows it’s a stretch. He sighs. Their situation is a mystery.
Locked together or separate? Guards or free to move? Can they even sense a distraction? Do they want to escape?
Too many unknowns. They’re stuck.
If he knew the rooms, he could sneak in and contact them…
”Kanata…I think I found them?”
Shizuka calls from her tree perch, watching the palace.
”Good. Come down.”
* * *
”…And here…that’s where the three were.”
In the shadows, they unroll the palace sketch. Shizuka adds her new info.
This map is mostly thanks to her. After summoning, Shizuka moved freely in limited areas. She remembers every spot, forming the base.
Then, tree-top recon. Using her Sniper Gift, she scoped rooms with her rifle.
It’s a one-off from the Dungeon Core, tuned for her. SR rarity, but artifact-level power.
The scope works great for spying…er, scouting. From this far spot, away from the Castle Wall, they see everything clear.
”So, this route then…”
Kanata builds the best path to their room from Shizuka’s report.
”Let’s test it for real.”
He moves with her to the Castle Wall. The math works: Scale it, sneak to the room from outside, share info, escape in the chaos…They find the route. But then, trouble hits.
”A barrier…”
Kanata glares up at the wall, annoyed. Of course—it’s protected.
It blocks intruders. Can’t climb over with it up.
It lets you out from inside, sure. But that doesn’t fix much.
They might contact the girls using guard gaps. But that’s it.
Once broken, security tightens. Escape gets harder for the three.
Ideal: They jump from windows, use this route, leap the wall here. But no way to tell them.
To signal, break the barrier—ruins the plan.
Other issues pile up: Safe drop from second floor? Wall jump method? Even if contact works, problems everywhere.
While hunting fixes and signals, three empty days slip by…
* * *
Serious waves crash on our ero-slacker hero! You’re not the only one itching to get back to that lazy, lewd slow life, protagonist.
Notes:
• Hanasaki – Haruka’s Family Name. The Harvester.
• Haruka – A classmate who have Harvester gift. She keeps her distance from Ichiro, focused on her role in training. One of Setsugekka.
• Kotono – A classmate, and a wielder of Mage.
• Maria – A healer aiding Sumire, ensuring classmates recover during intense training sessions. One of Setsugekka.
• Tsukikage – Maria’s Family Name. A healer.
• Yukishiro – Kotono’s Family Name. The wielder of mage.
• Setsugekka – Trio of Yukishiro Kotono, Tsukikage Maria, and Hanasaki Haruka.
• Almea – First Princess of Alfheim, poised and graceful, leads and guides summoned heroes, embodies calm authority and divine favor.
• May – Blonde, soft-eyed shrine girl. ch14–15. Gentle and pleading (“Please… just let us go…”), timid but loyal, relies on Mina’s strength. Came with Mina to save Sara, but was disarmed and bound by Kanata as his captive maid.
• Shizuka – Classmate, wielder of Sniper, nicknamed “Shizu-tan.” Neglected, raised herself after father’s death and mother’s abandonment. Nearly assaulted in another world, broke her stoicism with first real plea for help. Saved by Kanata, now torn between distrust and fragile hope. Reminder: hardened loner, only cracks under extreme pressure.
• Amatsuka – Shizuka’s Family Name. The Sniper Hero.
• Maya – Cheerful brown-haired girl, naturally charming and social, Kanata’s classmate and morning conversation neighbor.
• Ichiro – Miyabe’s Family Name. Another Otaku Hero, Have porter as ability.
• Kimura – Gou’s Family Name. The Ranger.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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