Chapter 55 Reunion in the Realm of Shadows, Part ③
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
WHOOOSH… BOOM!
A massive iron ball plummeted from the sky, exploding on impact and unleashing a shockwave that tore through the battlefield.
”Archers! Fire!” shouted the Lizardman Sergeant.
The defense squad, led by Lizardmen, waited for the blast to subside before unleashing a volley of arrows.
The projectiles streaked upward, striking down the winged beasts—bombardier birds, perhaps?—that darkened the skies. After several rounds of this relentless exchange, the birds vanished, and the bombardment ceased, signaling the end of the assault.
”Boss, we fended them off!” the Sergeant reported, his voice gruff with pride.
”Good work,” Kanata replied, nodding. “What’s the situation at the lake?”
”Well, uh… the Harpy Squad’s doing their best, but…” the Sergeant trailed off, scratching his scaly neck.
”I see,” Kanata said, rubbing his chin. “Sergeant, what if we let the Harpies handle the birds entirely and focus on the ground? The lake can wait.”
Ground-based archery was inefficient against aerial foes, forcing the squad to accept some losses. But the Harpies, with their aerial agility, could intercept the birds before they dropped their payloads, minimizing damage below.
”I get your thinking, Boss,” the Sergeant replied, “but that’d leave the waterway vulnerable to enemy incursions. I say we stick with the current plan.”
”Fair enough,” Kanata conceded. “Keep the rotation tight—make sure everyone gets rest.”
”Got it!” The Sergeant saluted sharply and marched off.
”Sorry, Kanata,” Camilla said, her voice tinged with regret. “If we Vampires and Succubi could fly higher, we’d be more help.”
Though capable of flight, Camilla and her kin were limited to lower altitudes, unable to reach the heights where the bombardier birds soared.
”You’re doing plenty,” Kanata reassured her, leaning in for a quick kiss.
”Mm,” Camilla murmured, returning the gesture. Just as they began to lose themselves in the moment…
”Ahem! AHEM!” a voice interrupted. “You planning to ignore me?”
Camilla smirked. “Oh, were you there, El?”
”I’ve been here the whole time!” El snapped through Maya’s lips, her tone a mix of indignation and playfulness. Maya’s body, currently under El’s control, trembled with mock fury.
”There, there,” Camilla teased, wrapping her arms around Maya from behind, her hands wandering toward Maya’s ample chest. “Feeling lonely, are we?”
”I’m not—ahh!” Maya gasped as Camilla’s touch sent a shiver through her. “Not there!”
A playful, intimate scene unfolded, the air thick with giggles and whispers.
”Adorable,” Camilla purred, tightening her embrace and pressing a kiss to Maya’s lips before guiding her to the bed.
”Mm… haa,” Maya sighed, her soft lips meeting Camilla’s in a flurry of gentle pecks.
”Camilla, wait—mmph!” Maya’s protest, voiced by El, was cut off as Camilla deepened the kiss, guiding Maya’s hand to her own chest.
”Mm… haa,” Camilla breathed, their tongues briefly connected by a delicate thread as they parted.
”You’ve gotten good at this, Camilla,” El said through Maya, smirking as she moved Maya’s hand lower, targeting Camilla’s sensitive spots.
”Ah! Not there!” Camilla gasped, though she retaliated with a shower of kisses, her hands exploring Maya in return.
”El… haa,” Maya moaned, her voice mingling with El’s as they called each other’s names, lost in a tangle of kisses and caresses.
On the bed, they continued, lips locked, hands wandering, until their gasps filled the room.
”Haa… Camilla!” Maya cried, her voice peaking as El’s influence drove her to the edge.
”No fair!” Camilla squealed, her own voice breaking as she countered, their playful struggle reaching a crescendo.
Kanata sighed, watching the two with a mix of amusement and exasperation. He settled in to wait until they calmed down.
* * *
Sniffle. “I’ve been sullied again…” Maya whimpered, curled up on Kanata’s lap, her face buried in his chest.
Kanata gently stroked her head, offering comfort.
”Feeling like a proper pet yet?” El whispered in her ear, her tone dripping with mischief.
A week had passed since Maya’s capture and enslavement. Though she’d initially resisted, her defiance had softened—largely because El, reveling in their compatibility, spent most of her time controlling Maya’s body.
Even their intimate moments with Kanata were dictated by El’s whims, leaving Maya flushed with embarrassment. Afterward, she’d seek solace in Kanata’s arms, a habit that sparked jealousy from Rena and Amisa. Whether this was Maya’s cunning nature at play remained anyone’s guess.
”Alright, let’s focus,” Kanata said, addressing the group gathered before him.
Maya sat on his lap, while Princess Sakura claimed the spot beside him. Across the table sat May, a High Elf; the Lizardman Sergeant; and Camilla of the Vampire Tribe.
Nearby, Kuu-chan, the Arachne Queen, and Lane, the Harpy Tribe’s representative, sipped tea. Alusia and Leticia sat beside Kuu-chan, with Misia standing attentively behind Leticia. Annamira, meanwhile, offered Rena a tea refill at a distance.
This assembly—Vampires, Succubi, Ogres, Lizardmen, Harpies, High Elves, Spiders, and Humans—represented the leaders of the tribes united under Kanata’s banner.
Known as the “Southern Forest of Evil Federation (Temporary Name: Elzard),” what began as a simple dungeon operation had grown into a sprawling settlement encompassing the Forest of Evil. Though vast, it paled in comparison to the former tropical frontier nation ruled by El’s mother, the Queen Succubus.
The current situation was as follows:
The southwestern region, centered on the Forest of Evil, housed the Main Dungeon, with tunnels extending outward.
The southern forest grew denser and more dangerous, home to ferocious Magical Beasts, and remained unexplored, though rumors spoke of a sea beyond. Expansion was planned once the situation stabilized.
To the north lay a lawless no-man’s-land, once part of the tropical frontier nation. Auzawler, a rival, had designs on it but was preoccupied with skirmishes elsewhere, leaving it unclaimed.
Kanata aimed to secure this territory before Auzawler could act. Beyond it, a rugged mountain range loomed, rumored to be a dragon’s lair.
To the west, the town of Milan served as a stronghold for Auzawler’s subordinate, Angula, who had fled there to regroup.
Protected by a makeshift castle wall and barrier, the town was guarded by High Elves, but internal issues prevented any immediate invasion. Kanata hoped for a non-aggression treaty, though the odds seemed slim.
Annamira had been tasked with overseeing the western front, so for now, Kanata’s forces could only watch and wait.
The Forest of Evil’s Northern Region, where Demonkin and Human territories met, housed a dungeon managed by Kuu-chan. To the northeast lay the Flora Kingdom, bordered by rugged mountains to the west and north, and the dense Guardian Forest to the north and east. Beyond these natural barriers stood the Empire, home to ferocious beasts that deterred any invasion.
As a result, the Empire and Flora Kingdom, though technically neighbors, had little contact. The Flora Kingdom’s only exchanges were with the Rubia Dukedom to the east and scattered settlements across the Aaren Plain (Border Plain) to the southeast. This isolation made the Flora Kingdom a de facto closed nation. Founded by demi-humans fleeing Human persecution, its seclusion had rarely posed issues—until recently.
East of the Rubia Dukedom lay the Mercuria Kingdom, a land born from small villages pooling resources for mutual survival. What began as a cooperative council evolved into a kingdom, with its king little more than a figurehead coordinator. However, the Empire to the north and a merchant-led Free Union to the east began vying for influence, reshaping Mercuria’s identity.
Past kings had deflected external pressures with diplomacy or defiance, but under Alusia’s father, a coup fractured the nation. The current regime, led by the coup faction, appeared unified but was a shaky alliance of Mercuria’s radicals, Empire-backed agents, and Free Union puppets. Any misstep could collapse this fragile coalition.
The Aaren Plain, the practical border between the Forest of Evil and Human territories, was a battleground. A fortress at the forest’s edge served as Kanata’s base, clashing with the Human stronghold of Aran across the plain.
”That’s the situation,” Kanata muttered, a wry smile on his face. “We’re stuck fighting both Humans and Demonkin. I’d prefer to focus on one, but the lake we built to deter Humans hasn’t worked as planned.”
The lake was meant to block Human incursions, buying time to negotiate with Auzawler and secure the southern region. Instead, Humans persisted, launching aerial bombardments to sow chaos while sneaking troops through side waterways.
Just days ago, a bridge spanning three kilometers appeared overnight across the lake—a feat only possible with a Hero’s Gift. Leading this strategy was almost certainly another Summoned Hero, like Kanata himself.
”It’s probably because I haven’t returned,” Maya said hesitantly, glancing at Kanata. “I’m pretty sure this plan came from one of our classmates—a Hero. Those bombardier birds? They’re Miyako’s summoned familiars. No one else could pull that off.”
She suggested there might be room for negotiation. Maya shared what she’d learned in the Alfheim Kingdom: the reasons behind the Hero summonings, the kingdom’s precarious position, its king and nobles, and Almea’s character.
She described the Human perspective on the Demon Territory and the circumstances forcing the summonings. Her words, offering an outsider’s view, captivated the group. Discussions weighed both sides, and the idea of talks gained traction—until recently.
”If all Humans thought like that, maybe,” Princess Sakura said, her tone skeptical.
”You’re against it?” Kanata asked, raising an eyebrow.
”Not exactly,” Sakura replied. “It’s just hard to trust them.”
The Lizardman Sergeant and Camilla nodded in agreement.
”Humans… lie,” Kuu-chan murmured, her voice soft but firm. “Trust… bad.”
”Sure, plenty of Humans lie and betray,” Kanata conceded, “but that’s not unique to them. There are just as many you can trust. Shouldn’t we take the first step toward peace?”
Having spent months in the cutthroat Demon Territory, Kanata knew negotiations with Auzawler required a show of strength.
But Humans were different. Based on Maya’s account, talks with the Alfheim Kingdom might be tough, but the Hero leading the current assault could be approachable.
Details were scarce, but Aran’s town had recently declared independence, led by a Summoned Hero. Whoever was in charge had a plan, suggesting an opening for dialogue.
Cooperation, even limited, could be possible—especially since most Heroes were Kanata’s classmates. He’d rather ally than fight. His passionate argument won nods from the group, who agreed to follow his lead.
Kanata dismissed the meeting, planning to speak individually with the Heroes on his side: the Otaku Trio—Nomura, Taichi, and Miyabe—along with Ranger Gou, Shooter Shizuka, Setsugekka, and Maya. Of the sixteen summoned Heroes, nine, including Kanata, were here—a majority.
Some might want to return to the Human side. If talks were possible, Kanata was open to letting them go, especially given the Mercuria coup. At the very least, sending a classmate as a negotiator could be the fastest way forward.
Notes:
• Camilla – A vampire appearing during the defense of the Forest of Evil after a siege led by human armies commanded by a summoned hero seeking to reclaim lost lands. She joins Kanata’s army during that conflict and becomes both his subordinate and close companion. She shares a physical bond with Maya and works alongside Lane in the allied forces.
• 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.
• Maya – Cheerful brown-haired girl, naturally charming and social, Kanata’s classmate and morning conversation neighbor.
• Amisa – Fallen Demon noble of Grayladd, joined Angula’s Aaren Plain campaign with maid Saria , captured with Rena, Annamira, Sheila; spared by Kanata, now loyal aide with maid Saria, calls him “Master/Big Brother.” Reminder: ex-heiress turned submissive servant.
• Rena – A silver-blue haired commoner drafted for water magic. Brave but naive, she tried to save Annamira and was recaptured. To spare others from ogres, she volunteered first as a slave. Her trademark is the imouto archetype, calling Kanata “Onii-chan” in her shy-yet-clingy water-mage way.
• Sakura – Sent with her Ogrekin tribe in Angula’s Aaren Plains war, Sakura was captured with Annamira’s 18th Squad. Meeting Kanata, she boldly claimed the role of his “Second Consort~desuwa”—an Ojou-sama whose teasing elegance hides a cruel, playful edge.
• Alusia – Fallen princess of Mercuria, clings to royal pride while navigating slavery, seeking vengeance. Appears: In a cramped slave trader’s carriage, shackled and reflective. Reason: Captured after her kingdom’s fall, now a slave. Event: Transported by slave merchants, intercepted by Kanata, beginning her servitude.
• Annamira – The noble princess-squad leader of the Miller family. Drawn into the human–ogre war, a conflict where nobles were bound by duty and commoners drafted as expendable tools, she was captured in battle and delivered into Kanata’s dungeon, where her compassion for even commoners marked her first meeting with him.
• Kuu-chan – Arachne Queen who ruled her own dungeon until Kanata named her, forming a binding contract that shifted her loyalty and dungeon rights to him. Reminder: the dungeon master who became his by name.
• Lane – A harpy warrior first appearing in the same siege commanded by human forces under a summoned hero’s leadership. She leads her tribe’s aerial units to intercept bombardier birds and serves as an ally and subordinate of Kanata. She works closely with Camilla and other tribal leaders.
• Leticia – Princess-regent of Florence, captured in failed bandit talks and collared into slavery, later bound to Kanata by contract that gave him her kingdom. Reminder: the princess who lost both crown and freedom to a collar.
• Misia – Leticia’s loyal maid, captured alongside Leticia and enduring torment to shield her mistress, later drawn into Kanata’s control as well. Reminder: the maid who suffered first to protect her princess.
• Auzawler – A demon lord of the eastern frontier, appearing during the Southern Uprising after Succubus Queen Earluza’s death. His subordinate General Angula invades the south to seize the Aaren Plain Dungeon and rally southerners under his name—exploiting a power vacuum—setting him against Kanata; relations: Angula’s superior, Westone’s rival, Earluza’s former foe, maternal ties to Grayladd family; lauds success, disowns failure.
• Angula – The leader of the enemy squad that raided Kanata’s dungeon about a month after he met Alusia. His three-hundred-strong force sent a smaller unit that was defeated by Kanata’s traps and fifty elite warriors, after which Kanata mocked their leader’s name and sent a warning to him.
• Flora Kingdom – A small demi-human majority realm, politically fragile and reliant on trade, undone when Leticia’s capture and contract ceded it to Kanata. Reminder: the kingdom that fell with its regent’s collar.
• Aaren Plain – Grassland east of Florence, flanked by Mercuria (south), Alefgard (north), and Alfheim (west). Trade artery for food, steel, and elven goods; lifeline in peace, choke point in blockade. Reminder: Florence’s survival hinges on this crossroads.
• Rubia Dukedom – A small nation between Mercuria and Flora, first cited in Chapter 38 during Kanata, Elriese, and Alusia’s dungeon-strategy talk. It hosts one ruin-linked Dungeon targeted because Kanata—following Elriese’s advice and Kuu-chan’s records—seeks control of Dungeons (direct cause) to gain their power (underlying cause); Kanata plans to pressure swift surrender; connection: future conquest; no known direct relationships; defining trait: strategically sandwiched.
• Mercuria Kingdom – A neighboring human realm, introduced through Princess Alusia’s approach to Kanata after Flora’s fall, seeking advantage amid shifting power. Reminder: the kingdom that moved in after Flora Kingdom collapsed.
• Miyako – Quiet library girl with golden hair, intelligent and book-savvy, occasional silent companion to Kanata.
• Alfheim Kingdom – A demi-human realm of Elves, positioned among the powers bordering Florence. Its existence, along with Alefgard and Mercuria, kept Florence trapped in a triangle of stronger neighbors. Reminder: the elven neighbor whose presence tightened Florence’s cage.
• Almea – First Princess of Alfheim, poised and graceful, leads and guides summoned heroes, embodies calm authority and divine favor.
• Gou – A Ranger who coordinates attacks, balancing aggression and caution in training.
• Miyabe – Taichi’s loyal friend with the Porter gift, carries goods safely, bound by the Oath of One. Appears: During morning exercises, discussing plans with Taichi. Reason: Summoned as a hero, supports Taichi’s ambitions. Event: Joins Taichi’s scheme to accompany Hajime to town for trade.
• Nomura – The cunning otaku hero, wields Analyzer to master information, plotting a lavish harem empire in a foreign realm. Appears: A scheming figure amidst maids and training fields. Reason: To exploit his summoning for wealth and pleasure. Event: Enjoys maids’ service and schemes with friends for a harem.
• Setsugekka – Trio of Yukishiro Kotono, Tsukikage Maria, and Hanasaki Haruka.
• 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.
• Taichi – A fierce friend of Otaku Hero with the Brawler gift, protects Taichi’s group, united by their sacred oath. Appears: Mentioned in Taichi and Ichiro’s plans, training with others. Reason: Summoned as a hero, serves as group protector. Event: Set to go to town with Kimura, accompanied by Taichi and Ichiro.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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