Chapter 65 The Blacksmith Helps a Friend
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”…So that’s why there’s another bath now?”
”Yeah. I’d like to turn the bigger one into the women’s bath if possible. There are more people around these days, and it’s getting awkward for me to go in.”
”You could just bathe with us.”
”It wouldn’t be a problem if it were only you, Ethelena—but with the others there, it definitely would.”
Beside the returned Ethelena, I kept kneading the minced meat mixed with salt and pepper. From time to time I dipped my hands into ice water so the heat from my palms wouldn’t melt the fat. The meat was becoming sticky, binding together into a smooth mass. A little more, and I’d have a perfect one-hundred-percent beef hamburger steak.
”Hmm… I don’t think anyone truly hates you, Tatara,” she said.
”Still doesn’t mean it’s okay,” I replied.
The only one I could possibly bathe with was Yohira, given our closeness—but anyone else? No chance.
”Tatara, you’re so serious.”
”I think this is normal, honestly. Alright, this texture looks good. Time to grill.”
”Got it. And Ichige-san doesn’t want salad, right?”
”Yeah. She had a rough day—no need to force her to eat something she dislikes. Though, if I’m being honest, I’d love to serve it with glazed carrots and potatoes.”
”Tatara, you really are serious about everything.”
She said it with a soft laugh. I didn’t think much of it; it was only natural to care for the people under my roof. If someone ruined their health from picky eating, it’d just make that foolish fox feel worse.
I oiled the griddle, spreading the heat evenly before placing the patties. Pressing down gently in the center to make a dent was key. First, a strong sear to bring out the browning, then a slow cook on lower heat. Each patty was big, so patience mattered. A splash of red wine, then a heavy iron lid—makeshift cloche—to steam and lock in flavor.
After about fifteen minutes, I lifted the lid. The aroma of wine and meat rose, mouthwatering and rich. I tested the center with a skewer: the juices were still pink. Another two minutes under the lid, then again—clear juices flowed out. Perfect.
I plated the hamburg steaks and handed them off to the foolish fox. Her eyes sparkled when she saw them. I gave her the biggest vegetable cutter and told her she could start eating once she’d finished setting the table.
”R-really, is that alright, degozaru?”
”It’s your reward for today. You worked hard—took hits for Yohira and everything. You did great.”
I ruffled her hair roughly. A tear slipped down her cheek. Startled, I wiped it away, and only then did she realize she was crying.
Had no one ever praised her before?
”T-then, I’ll start eating first, degozaru!” she said, hurrying off with several plates in her arms.
Even flustered, her balance didn’t waver a bit. That fox had incredible core strength.
”…I wonder what happened to her,” Ethelena murmured.
”It’s better to let her talk about it when she’s ready,” I said.
”Yeah… you’re right.”
We spoke quietly as we cleaned up—me washing the pans, her finishing the soup. Somewhere along the way, I realized how much we already acted like a married couple, and I couldn’t help but smile.
”What’s funny?” she asked.
”Oh, just thinking… we talk about marriage so much, but we’re already living like we are.”
”…You’re right,” she said, giggling. “We kind of are married already.”
Her innocent remark made me laugh out loud. She blinked, confused for a second, then laughed too. Our voices overlapped, filling the kitchen with warmth.
”You two get along so well—it’s like watching a married couple!” Yohira called out cheerfully.
”No, Yohira-dono,” Tatia interjected, half-exasperated. “They are engaged, after all…”
The two had just returned, Yohira bright and teasing, Tatia trying to rein her in. Typical—she’d gone full box-pushing demon again.
”So, how was your visit with your mother?” I asked.
”It was wonderful! She watched me dance for the first time in ages,” Yohira said happily.
Even after receiving the Demon God’s Bracelet, her mother had stayed a while longer so they could spend time together. She’d coached Yohira on her dance routines and given detailed guidance. It sounded like the kind of time only a mother and daughter could share.
”Oh! And she loved your gift, Tatara!”
”Glad to hear it.”
I’d made a mithril fan for her—same weight and balance as Yohira’s—and wrapped it up along with a dryer and other small things. She’d probably open it later, but hearing that she was pleased already made me smile.
”For now,” Ethelena said, clapping her hands lightly, “let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
We all agreed and took our seats.
”Tatara-dono!” Hinagiku cried. “This hamburger—its flavor is on another level! No onions, just pure meat essence! The moment you cut it, the juices flow out! So tender it melts on the tongue! The wine’s rich aroma blends perfectly with the beef—it’s delicious down to the scent!”
Hinagiku was as excitable as ever, eyes shining as she alternated between salad and bites of hamburger. She even praised the glazed vegetables I’d added for everyone except the fox.
The foolish fox had gotten a portion larger than anyone else’s and polished it off completely, now rubbing her belly with a look of bliss.
”Foolish fox, full already? There’s still Ethelena’s soup left.”
”…Ate it already, degozaru. My belly’s full, degozaru.”
”You’re not going to disappear on us, are you?” I teased.
Her satisfied tone made me half-joke like she was about to ascend to heaven.
”I still want to stay here, degozaru! I want to eat lots more tasty food, degozaru!”
”Then I’ll keep cooking plenty for you,” Ethelena said with a smile.
Yeah—she’d definitely grown fond of that fox.
”By the way, did you get a lot of new spices?” she asked.
”Yeah. I stocked up so I can try recreating some dishes from Yohira’s homeland. Got a full sack of rice, too—need to figure out how to cook it properly.”
I’d even found what looked like a rice cooker, so naturally, a new project had begun: the development of a magical rice cooker.
”…I’ve been meaning to say this,” Tatia began, brow furrowed.
”What is it?” I asked.
”Tatara-dono, aren’t you a bit too obsessed with food?”
”Food is the foundation of life itself. You can’t neglect it.”
”…That attitude of yours suits our country’s temperament more than you realize,” she muttered.
Well, that made sense—my soul literally came from there. Not that I could explain that to her.
”So, how’s the new sword working out, Tatia?” I asked.
”It’s splendid. I faced an armored Goblin Commander earlier—it pierced clean through without resistance.”
”Well, the estoc’s nickname is ‘armor piercer’ for a reason.”
Its penetrating power was exceptional for a sword. I hadn’t appraised it yet, but I’d bet it carried a high Piercing attribute.
”…And Dahlia—why are you so quiet?” I asked.
That was strange. This morning she’d been chattering non-stop about the weapons I made, and now she was sitting there like a doll, silent and still. What could’ve caused such a change?
”We reached the twenty-fourth floor today,” Yohira explained. “There weren’t any fights where Dahlia could shine. She didn’t even get to use her special corner.”
”…Her special corner?” I asked.
”We don’t know either,” Yohira admitted.
Was it some kind of special ability unique to the Automaton Maidens?
”Well,” I said, “next time we reach the thirty-first floor or deeper, I’ll let you try Sazanka again. That should cheer you up.”
”…Master, I don’t need your pity. If you pity me, then give me your seed instead.”
”Good. You’re back to normal.”
So much for worrying about her.
”Tomorrow’s a school day,” I said. “What should we do about the dungeon exploration?”
”I’ll go,” Tatia declared. “I want to polish my swordsmanship even a little more.”
”I’ll go too,” Yohira added. “I feel like Lonisera’s itching for action.”
”Of course I’ll join as well,” Ethelena said. “Andreiya’s starting to feel natural in my hands. I want to refine my form.”
”I’ll accompany everyone,” Dahlia said calmly. “Not just for safety—once we reach the twenty-fifth floor, I can crush anything in our way.”
Yohira, Ethelena, Tatia, and Dahlia all volunteered in turn.
”Then I’ll stay behind again this time,” I said. “I’ve got some things to craft—especially the shared accessories for the party.”
”Good idea,” Yohira said. “Without those sound-dampening and telepathic accessories, the noise from the sniper rifle might burst our eardrums.”
”Oh, right. I’ll hand you the prototypes I made the other day. Use them if you need.”
I pulled several small accessories from my inventory—silver gleaming softly—and set them on the table. Everyone reached out to take one.
Their requests for the finished pieces were already decided: Ethelena wanted earrings, Yohira a hairpin, Tatia a bracelet, and Dahlia a hair ornament. I’d make them all once they returned tomorrow. I also needed to design anti-stench masks for the floors beyond the thirty-fifth—mithril filters that could double as protection against poison gas.
Still, Yohira’s hairpin would be tricky. Mithril’s silver wouldn’t stand out well against her beautiful white hair. Maybe I could add a tint of color somehow.
”Guess it’s time to wrap up for today,” I said.
”Indeed,” Tatia replied, glancing at the clock. “It’s about time I headed home.”
I nodded and stood, following her to the door.
”Alright then, I’ll be counting on you to look after Ethelena and the others tomorrow.”
”Of course,” she said. “I’ll protect them—no matter what it costs.”
The steely resolve on her face irritated me a little.
”Idiot,” I snapped. “You’re coming back alive too!”
”Wh—what!?”
Startled, Tatia took a step back, but I caught her shoulders and met her eyes.
”Swear it, Tatia!”
”S-swear what?”
”That you’ll come back alive—not just them, you too! You’re one of the people worth protecting!”
”I… I…”
”Sure, you may still be a knight-in-training, but you’re also our companion!”
”I… companion…”
”And you’re the old man’s daughter. If you died, we’d all be grieving here without you.”
She looked down at my words.
”…Would anyone really be sad if I were gone?” she whispered.
”Of course they would.”
She chuckled softly. “You answered that so fast.”
”You should pay more attention to the people around you,” I said.
She smirked. “That’s rich, coming from you.”
When she lifted her face again, she was smiling, a faint tear shining at the corner of her eye. I wiped it gently with my thumb.
”…Tatara-dono, you really are a natural womanizer,” she murmured.
”That’s rude. My love for Ethelena is pure.”
”I know that. But you act that way so innocently you end up making women misunderstand.”
She nodded knowingly, which only made me sigh.
”Anyway,” I said, “how are we meeting tomorrow?”
”Hmm… how about directly at the dungeon entrance?”
”Got it. I’ll tell the others. Good night.”
”Good night.”
Tatia left, and I watched her until she disappeared down the street, then exhaled quietly.
”Foolish fox, you were listening, weren’t you? Tomorrow, bring Yohira and Dahlia to the academy’s main gate around noon. They’ll meet Ethelena there and head straight to the dungeon.”
”As you command.”
”I’ll treat you to something on the way back. Think about what you want to eat.”
”As you command.”
As expected, she’d been eavesdropping. I gave her the orders anyway. Time to let Ethelena and the others know the plan.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t opened the shop lately. That nouveau riche guy might start wondering. I’d reopen the day after tomorrow.
When I passed along Tatia’s list of team members, Yohira was the first to speak up.
”Tatara, was it really necessary to have the fox guide us? Dahlia could’ve handled that alone.”
”I agree,” Dahlia said sharply. “Master should rely on me, his loyal servant, not some beast-eared stray.”
I’d expected that reaction. But the fox’s official role was to guard Yohira. Besides, I wanted to keep Hinagiku at home—letting her wander the streets was honestly terrifying. The more I got to know that foolish fox, the more I realized how dangerous it could get otherwise.
Hinagiku was kind and capable, yes—but sheltered training had left her a bit… out of touch with the world. Considering the way that fox had once escaped the immigration office and vanished for three days and nights, I suspected her reasons had been pretty wild.
”Still,” I said, “the fox’s job is to guard Yohira.”
”That may be true,” Yohira admitted.
”My combat power surpasses hers,” Dahlia said proudly.
”Yeah, but if you handled it, Dahlia, we’d risk you blowing up half the surroundings in the process.”
”How rude. I would never kill a person with Sazanka or Elingium.”
”I said the buildings would be destroyed!”
Given how powerful the magic device I’d given her was, it was clearly not meant for use against people. In fact, the mayor herself had forbidden any human-target use of Elingium. If Dahlia ever fired it in town, she’d lose it immediately.
”Speaking of which, Dahlia,” I said, “I forgot to remind you—Elingium is banned for use against humans.”
”What? Master, that’s outrageous!”
”It’s overkill, that’s why.”
That thing could kill someone even with a grazing hit.
”You mean to take my child away from me!?” she cried.
”I mean don’t use it on people! Actually, unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t even use it above ground! Got it!?”
”Ugh…”
”Answer me!”
”…Yes, my Master.”
She looked extremely displeased. Yohira, watching our exchange, rubbed her temples, then finally nodded to herself.
”If it’s such a concern, then fine. I’ll go with Ichika. Understood, Dahlia?”
”…”
”Understood?”
”…Yes.”
Yohira sighed, seeing her reluctant nod. Yeah, sending that trigger-happy automaton alone to deal with random men would’ve been a disaster waiting to happen.
When the discussion finally ended, I returned to my workshop to continue development.
While talking with my soon-to-be mother-in-law earlier, I’d come up with an idea—using fluid mana stones to test mana transmission efficiency. Running a few experiments with a mana meter, I recorded an astonishing ninety-six percent efficiency. Incredible stuff.
I set up another experiment: a mithril cone core holding an “egg” between its tips, sealed inside a glass cover filled entirely with fluid mana stone to eliminate air. The core was inscribed with a rotation spell. When I activated it, the egg began to spin faster and faster, and the mana readings kept climbing—until the gauge hit its limit and the display exploded in a shower of sparks.
Panicking, I deactivated the spell formula, slowing the spinning “egg.” The surge of mana gradually faded until, at last, it stilled completely.
”…Guess copying the structure from that old anime wasn’t such a great idea after all.”
(So, Tatara-san, you really do have a death wish, huh?)
”Whoa!?”
A voice that wasn’t mine made me jump. I turned to see the Archangel standing there, looking on the verge of tears.
”Uh—hey, it’s been a while.”
(It’s not ‘been a while’! I warned you to be careful, remember? You could have been banished from this world! Why would you build something this dangerously powerful!?)
”It’s for the sake of improving people’s lives…” I offered weakly.
(The goal is noble—but why this of all things!?)
Watching her clutch her head in despair made me realize I might have done something seriously wrong.
”Wait—has something like this ever existed before?”
(It was the energy source for the ultimate weapon designed to stop the end of the world in another universe!)
”…You’re kidding.”
So this thing actually existed somewhere out there? What kind of situation would even need such a weapon?
(Tatara-san! You promised to let me hold your baby someday! Are you trying to break that promise!?)
”No, I swear I wasn’t trying to cause trouble! The mana reactor worked fine before, so I thought this would be a safe extension of that.”
(And how did you end up thinking the same way as people driven to the brink of extinction in another world!?)
”Maybe because we’re just built the same way?”
(So… you are feeling cornered, then!?)
”Well, not that cornered,” I muttered. “Sure, I was under pressure for a while, but it’s not like the fate of the world’s resting on my shoulders or anything.”
(Tatara-san, do you even realize how far your influence reaches!? I honestly thought I’d get expelled from the system because of this!!)
”Am I really that close to falling off the edge?”
And yet somehow, I was still here. How?
(Please, just promise this will be the last time! If you try something like this again, I’ll cry! I’ll bawl my eyes out right in front of Ethelena-san and the others!)
”I’m sorry! Really! Please don’t!”
I bowed deeply in panic. If the Archangel started crying where everyone could see, I had no idea how they’d react—Ethelena and Yohira would probably throttle me in unison. Terrifying thought.
(Listen carefully! If you ever create something that risks getting you banished again… I’ll kill you myself and drag your soul back to the Mansion!!)
”That’s horrifying!”
What kind of company protocol was that supposed to be!?
(Just make sure I never have to become the ‘Tatara-slayer,’ alright?)
”Yes, ma’am. I’ll be careful.”
With that final warning, the Archangel vanished.
Not a “murderer,” but a “Tatara-killer,” huh? …Wait—am I not even considered human anymore?
Well, for now, I’d better send the blueprints and reports to the mayor before deciding whether to seal the device away. As long as I wasn’t exiled yet, things should be fine… I hoped.
When I tried attaching the mechanism to a bird-type golem, the thing practically refused on instinct. For a golem, it sure had a strong will of its own.
Morning came, and Ethelena and I began preparing breakfast. I hadn’t slept well after the Archangel’s scolding, so I’d gotten up early and started on fillings for both breakfast and lunch sandwiches. When Ethelena woke and saw the sheer amount, she was startled—but once I mentioned it was partly in case Hinagiku accidentally destroyed the kitchen again, she accepted that explanation a little too readily. Maybe she’d witnessed one of those incidents firsthand.
While cooking, I resolved that I would finish the magic rice cooker once I got home.
Yohira was the next to rise, now dressed in her traditional kimono—the one her mother had sent back along with yesterday’s delivery. Apparently, the clothes she’d worn here had been taken home for mending while I’d been busy building the bathhouse. Her mother was efficient as ever.
Then came Dahlia, claiming she’d sensed a new magic device. She insisted on seeing it, so I promised to show her that night—though honestly, it wasn’t the sort of thing she’d usually be interested in.
Last came Hinagiku, dragged in by the foolish fox. The reversal of roles was… concerning.
”…Master, I want to bring Hinagiku along as guard today-degozaru.”
”…You sulking?”
”I decline to answer-degozaru.”
”So you are sulking.”
Could this be about yesterday’s visit from the mother-in-law?
”Hinagiku-san, breakfast is ready,” I called.
”…”
”Today’s menu is bacon and eggs, salad, and carrot potage.”
”…”
”It’ll taste even better after your morning exercise.”
”……”
”Don’t tell me you’re tired of my cooking already?”
”When did I become the ‘always hungry’ character!?” she burst out.
”Uh… pretty much from the start?”
Maybe the fox had said something while waking her up?
”I merely told her, ‘It’s time for the breakfast you were looking forward to-degozaru,’” the fox said flatly.
”…Right. That does sound like you.”
”…You can tell I’m not lying just from eye contact-degozaru.”
Yeah, I’d learned her tells well enough by now to know she was being honest. So why had Hinagiku taken that so hard?
”Oh, right,” the fox added. “Yesterday, Okusama said, ‘I couldn’t tell through the screen, but has Hinagiku gotten a bit plumper?’”
”That’s it, isn’t it?” I sighed.
Still, she’d eaten normally yesterday.
”Fine! Maybe I am a bit rounder for a Karasu-Tengu!” Hinagiku exploded. “I’ve been binding my chest so hard it’s flatter than Yohira-sama’s, and it’s still bigger! I like good food, and yes, I snacked my way through every town we passed! But I can still fly just fine!”
”…Let’s just leave her be-degozaru,” the fox murmured.
”Yeah, if she’s that lively, she’ll burn it off in training anyway,” I said.
Probably fine. She’d perk up as soon as breakfast started.
Meanwhile, Yohira and Dahlia were quietly gesturing at their own chests in comparison, hands moving up and down like they were measuring invisible weight. I quickly looked away before the air itself cracked from tension. Come to think of it, the mayor and Calmys-san had done the same thing once…
Sure enough, once we began eating, Hinagiku recovered completely. She declared she’d just train harder to burn the calories. Maybe I’d start cooking more high-protein, low-fat meals for her.
After breakfast, Yohira and I handled the dishes together.
She’d asked to learn household chores recently, and she was a fast learner—humming softly as she rinsed off the suds and handed me each plate to dry and stack.
Behind us, I could feel the aura of despair. Yeah, that had to be Hinagiku—realizing that despite all her effort, Yohira had already surpassed her domestic skills. Poor thing. Some people just weren’t built for chores.
”Well then, we’re heading out,” I said.
”See you later!” Ethelena called.
Yohira and the others waved us off as Ethelena and I walked side by side down the street.
”Things have gotten lively at home lately, haven’t they?” she said with a soft laugh.
Ethelena smiled as she said it, her voice warm and full of life.
”Yeah,” I agreed. “Since Yohira showed up, I’ve been saddled with two guards… then Dahlia joined us. Tatia drops by often, and even the city mayor and the old man have been visiting more lately.”
”Even though I have so many memories from when it was just the two of us,” she said softly, “I really love how lively the house feels now.”
She meant it from the heart—but for me, the feeling was a little different.
”Still,” I admitted, “sometimes I find myself missing those quiet moments when it was just you and me.”
”…I see,” she said, smiling faintly. “That’s because you love me, right, Tatara?”
”Yeah. Sorry.”
”It’s fine. I feel that way sometimes too.”
Yeah. Time spent with someone you love really is something special—that much, I think, everyone understands.
”But, we’re still alone when we make love,” she said matter-of-factly.
”Ethelena, maybe don’t say stuff like that out loud in the middle of the street.”
She really did have a way of being perfectly serious about the most embarrassing things.
”Morning—ssu!”
”Morning!”
As Ethelena and I stepped into the classroom, someone came rushing toward us, their footsteps loud and frantic.
”Tatara! Help me, man!!”
No time for greetings. The idiot was in a panic. What now?
”Calm down. Tell me what happened.”
”S-sorry—here!”
He pulled a sword from his inventory. Not one of the custom orders I’d made for him, but one he’d bought. When I drew it from its scabbard, I saw it was broken clean in half.
”…What the hell did you do to this thing?”
”I was exploring the seventeenth floor—ran into this little guy, fought him, and managed to take his head off. But right before that, he threw a punch and I blocked it with the sword—”
”Wait, you fought an Ogre Grapple alone!?”
Seriously, what kind of battle instincts did this guy have? If he kept this up, he’d end up rivaling Yohira in strength.
”…’Ogre Grapple’?” Ethelena asked.
”A rare variant of the ogre species,” I explained. “Technically weaker than the floor boss, the High Ogre, but in reality—honestly stronger.”
Tatia had her arm broken by one of those things back in the early days. Its raw power wasn’t quite on par with the boss, but the way it used that strength was far more dangerous.
”So, this split sword…”
”Can you fix it?”
”Honestly? Better to reforge it. Even if I weld it, the weak point will just stay fragile.”
”I see…”
He looked so dejected I couldn’t help sighing and scratching my head.
”One iron ingot and five thousand.”
”…Huh?”
”I’ll reforge the blade using this one as a base. That’s all it’ll cost—one ingot and five thousand.”
”You sure about that?”
”Yeah. I checked the balance. This sword was too light for you anyway.”
The sword’s wear told me the truth—it couldn’t handle his growth. Once he’d saved up enough, I’d have him come back for a demonsteel blade. Until he reached mithril-tier, that would suit him best.
”I’ll take it for now. I’ll reforge it during the smithing class. Pick it up after school.”
”Y-you can do that!?”
”Forging a sword in an hour’s easy—even without my home forge.”
His face lit up immediately. Seriously, such an easy guy to read.
”Thanks, man! You’re a lifesaver!”
”Yeah, yeah. Don’t mention it. Pay me when I hand it back.”
”Got it!”
He jogged off, cheerful again. I slipped the broken sword into my inventory. Ethelena leaned close and whispered in my ear.
”You’re so kind, Tatara.”
”…Just leave it.”
He was my only real friend. Of course I’d help him when he needed it.
Time passed, and before I knew it, I was in my workshop for the practical session. Time to get that sword done.
”Senpai, we’re ready!”
”Please take care of us!”
”Oh, hey, you two. Welcome.”
I greeted Shamir and Est absentmindedly while checking the forge fire. As expected, the school’s furnace was nothing compared to my own.
Shamir tilted her head. “Um, senpai… what are you making today?”
”Oh, a classmate broke his sword. I’m reforging it during this period.”
”…Huh?”
Est’s reaction was priceless. Well, yeah, reforging a sword in under an hour did sound crazy when most people said it took a week.
”Est,” Shamir whispered, “is it even possible to forge a sword in an hour?”
”Impossible,” he muttered back. “Even a katana blade takes several hours.”
Their whispered doubts reached my ears, so I decided to make things clear.
”I’m going to focus now. Don’t talk to me until I’m done, got it?”
”Y-yes, sir!?”
Both of them straightened up instantly. Why did they look so nervous?
I removed the broken blade from its hilt, along with the snapped tip from the sheath, and placed them in the furnace beside an iron ingot. The heat was weak—too weak—so I’d have to take a different approach.
When the metal reached a dull red glow, I pulled them out and infused them with mana—just like when forging magic metals. My mana filled the steel, softening it until it was pliable. Then I hammered them together, flattening and stretching the pieces into a single plate.
Once the form matched the original sword’s dimensions, I folded it again, each strike infused with the will that it would never break again.
After twenty folds—roughly 3.15 million layers—the blade was done. I quenched it quickly in water mixed with non-flammable oil, watching as steam hissed up around it. Once the appraisal showed the heat was gone, I lifted it out, cleaned it, and began sharpening.
Stroke by stroke, from base to tip, the edge took shape, gleaming with a faint wavelike hamon pattern. I wiped it dry, fitted it back into its hilt, sheathed it, and glanced at the clock—ten minutes before class ended.
”…Sorry, you two. I didn’t get to actually teach anything today.”
”N-no no no no!!”
”Why… why does just watching feel like such an overwhelming gap in skill…” Est muttered, hand pressed to his chest.
Both looked like they’d seen a god. I’d just reforged a sword, though. Nothing special.
”With ten minutes left, no point in a new lesson,” I said. “Let’s just chat.”
”That… was senpai’s normal level?” Shamir whispered.
”And we’re supposed to catch up to that someday…” Est groaned.
They both looked utterly defeated. I tried to lighten the mood.
”By the way, a friend of mine called me a womanizer recently,” I said. “You guys think that’s unfair slander?”
”Not at all,” they said in perfect unison.
”…That was synchronized. Should I cry now?”
Seriously, what was it with everyone calling me that? My confession count here at the academy was literally zero. How could that possibly make me a womanizer?
Notes:
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
• Ichige – Fox youkai ninja who sneaks into the city illegally. Captured after Hinagiku and Julon subdue her during an immigration clash caused by her infiltration. Serves Torakuma clan but disobeys orders. Calls Julon “Master.” Clumsy and childish.
• Hinagiku – A tengu woman as Ranka’s potential companion. She stays with Tatara’s group after travels. Joins household scenes only. Linked to Ranka by shared gluttony jokes. No direct tie to Tatara beyond cohabitation. Cheerful eater.
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Calmys – War God’s knight, Mayor’s guard chief, whip-master hiding as a swordswoman; sharp tongue, big-sister vibe to Tatara, grants him and Ethelena church protection.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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