Chapter 67 The Blacksmith Makes His Case
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”At last, I’ve found you, Master Hinagiku—degozaru!”
Hearing that familiar voice, I turned to see the foolish fox approaching. No visible wounds on her body or clothes—thank goodness.
”Seriously, don’t wander off like that, foolish fox.”
”Hmph, it was Master and the others who got lost—degozaru!”
”I was worried about you, idiot…”
”…”
Before I realized it, my hand was already on her head, stroking it gently. Ah, thank heavens she’s safe. She really came back.
”…I’m sorry, Master.”
Her voice trembled a little. Damn it, did I make her cry again? Even so, she didn’t seem to want to let go of my hand. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, making it easier for me to pat her. It felt like a rescued stray dog finally learning to trust its new owner. Not that I’ve ever adopted one.
”Don’t run off again, all right? It gets lonely without you.”
”…As you command, Master—degozaru.”
She caught my hand and pressed it against her cheek as she answered. Her face was like a lost child finally finding home. It seemed I’d become her place of belonging.
”By the way, Tatara-dono! I would like to try that thing over there—what was it—’twista potato,’ yes!”
”…All right, let’s go buy some.”
Hinagiku’s words made me sigh, unsure if she was joking or serious. But since she’d helped me earlier, I decided to treat her. As we started walking, I felt something touch my left hand—the foolish fox was holding it. I squeezed back lightly and headed for the stall.
Still, she’s strong and competent, I’ll give her that… but if Hinagiku keeps eating like this, she’s going to turn into Pigagiku before long.
After we bought the twisted potatoes, we went to a cheap clothing shop to pick up some plain clothes. I thought letting them choose their own outfits would be a good idea—turned out, that was a mistake.
The foolish fox, having observed the local crowd, picked something that wouldn’t stand out. Probably a habit from her days of espionage or infiltration—clothes that helped her blend in. Oddly, she also brought me some slightly masculine clothes, similar to what I usually wear. Maybe that’s her taste? Well, as long as she’s happy.
Hinagiku, on the other hand, was a disaster. She proudly held up a T-shirt with phrases like “Work Is Defeat,” “Eat-Sleep-Repeat,” and even “Pig of Peace” written in regional slang. I wasn’t sure if she was being ironic or just clueless, but no matter how many times I tried to talk her out of it, she refused to pick anything else. So, I gave up and bought it.
Maybe next time—after we browse Dahlia’s weapon shop—we’ll come back and get her something else for everyday wear. Aside from her flashy battle outfit that looks like a leotard, she doesn’t seem to have much.
Once we finished shopping, I went around the commercial district to buy scrap metal. When buying a heap of it, the foolish fox took over negotiations and actually haggled the price down. Well, I can’t really blame the old shopkeeper for getting flustered when a pretty woman leans in close like that… Still, the look on his face was pathetic.
”Foolish fox, I appreciate the discount, but don’t push yourself too hard.”
”Hmm? Did I look like I was forcing myself—degozaru?”
”You don’t like people touching you, do you? You froze up when he touched your thigh.”
”…I wish you hadn’t noticed that—degozaru.”
Whether it was embarrassment or something else, she lowered her head. Maybe I shouldn’t have said it—but if I don’t, she’ll keep enduring it. She’s the kind of person who struggles with being praised or relied on. That’s how she looked to me.
”Don’t strain yourself just to make me comfortable.”
”…Impossible—degozaru. If Master smiles, that’s enough reason to try—degozaru.”
”Then just smile. I like your carefree laugh.”
”…There you go again, flirting.”
”Wait, that counts as flirting now? Harsh!”
Great. I can’t even talk to you girls anymore.
After picking up ingredients for dinner, we finally headed home. But as we reached the gate, I saw two silhouettes waiting for us.
”…I’ve been waiting for you, Tatara.”
”Julon,” said Calmys in a much heavier tone, “our lord’s been fuming since morning. What exactly did you make?”
The City Mayor’s calm words clashed sharply with Calmys’s grim delivery.
”…She looks like one of those serene warriors hiding a volcano of rage—degozaru,” murmured the foolish fox.
”Or a volcano quietly storing up pressure before the eruption,” Hinagiku added.
Please, don’t say things that make this worse.
If the mayor timed her visit for my return from school, she was still keeping her cool—for now. But this had to be about that Apocalypse Reactor, right?
”I’ll open the door. Please wait just a moment.”
”Of course,” she said softly. “Just a little moment… only a little.”
A chill ran down my spine.
Oh no. I might actually die today.
I invited both the City Mayor and Calmys inside, then asked the foolish fox to brew some tea. She looked uneasy, but I reassured her—the mayor’s anger was all aimed at me, after all. She gave me one last worried glance before heading to the kitchen.
”Now,” said the mayor, pulling out a rolled-up design sheet, “about this incomprehensible diagram that arrived this morning… care to explain?”
Across the front cover, in large red letters, was written “SEALED.” Yep. Definitely bad.
”…It’s a prototype power reactor, derived from my Mana Reactor experiments,” I said.
”A power reactor, not a Mana Reactor, you say… and?”
”I placed an ‘egg’—a core—between two mithril cones inside a casing filled with liquid mana stones. Then I spun the egg using a rotation spell inscribed on the cones, trying to generate mana. But the output was… well…”
”How bad?” she asked flatly.
”The measuring instruments exploded.”
It looked exactly like one of those scouters from old anime blowing up spectacularly. Really quite a sight.
”So,” she pressed, “do you know why it produced such an enormous amount of mana?”
”Honestly? No idea.”
”Excuse me?”
”Well, it’s an unknown phenomenon!”
In theory, it was similar to how a generator produces electricity by spinning a magnet. I’d simply replaced the magnet with the ‘egg,’ and the mithril cones—engraved with a spinning spell—acted as the rotating field. I figured it might produce mana the same way. And… somehow, it did. It generated mana far more efficiently than any normal core could.
”…And?”
”I showed this to you, City Mayor, to ask whether it should be destroyed or preserved. Honestly, it’s dangerous enough that I thought about scrapping it myself—but I figured, if anyone could use it for something peaceful, it would be you.”
”…Haa.”
The City Mayor pressed her fingers to her forehead and sighed. Yeah, I knew it sounded irresponsible. But used correctly, this invention could genuinely enrich people’s lives. That’s why I brought it to her—she’s far better suited to make that kind of judgment than I am.
”…You’re not treating me like some holy figure—you’re treating me like an absolute one.”
”…What?”
”I make mistakes too. I worry, I lose my way. You act like I’m some infallible mother figure, but I’m not that noble, you know?”
Why was she saying this now? Ah… I see.
”You’re saying I should be the one to decide.”
”That’s right, Tatara Julon. You decide—and take responsibility for your choice.”
A heavy weight settled in my gut. Of course. All this time, I’d been dumping that pressure onto her instead of carrying it myself.
”…I want to keep this invention.”
”And why is that?”
”Because it can make people’s lives a little better.”
In this world, industrial automation will probably never exist. But with enough energy, magic devices can run. If we can power tractors for harvesting or workshops for craftsmen, food production and productivity would skyrocket.
Sure, the reactor could cause great disaster if misused—or fall into the wrong hands long after we’re gone. But if we don’t believe it can be used rightly, nothing will ever change.
”…You’re not just trying to preserve your own legacy?”
”I haven’t told you this, but when I make something truly dangerous, I destroy it—research notes and all.”
”Such as?”
”A healing ointment that boosted recovery so much it caused addiction, for example.”
The City Mayor and Calmys both froze in disbelief.
”…A narcotic recipe, huh. I suppose you were right to erase that.”
”The recipe’s still in my head, so I could reproduce it—but I won’t.”
”Well, thank goodness your heart’s still in the right place.”
”I swear on my late parents—and on you, who became my guardian—that I’ll never walk that path.”
”Master, does that mean mature women are also within your target range—degozaru?”
You’re going to die, foolish fox.
”Hey! You can’t just call the City Mayor a mature woman to her face!”
”Master—are you insulting mature women—degozaru!?”
”I’m saying don’t call her that in the first place!”
”Kyuuun… Mature women embody motherhood, refinement, experience… and forbidden allure—degozaru~!”
”That’s disgusting!”
Why does she always double down on her weird quotes at the worst times? I’m seriously going to get killed for this.
”…Tatara,” the mayor said, voice dangerously calm, “when you so vehemently deny it, it almost sounds like you’re confirming that I am one.”
”…”
”Say something.”
I’m dead. Any answer is death.
I shot a desperate look at Calmys.
”…Do you need something from a fossil who’s lived past three digits, Julon?” she said dryly, sipping her tea.
Great. I’m surrounded. This is hell.
”…You know,” I muttered, “wine only gets richer with age.”
”Oh? Then I’ll take that as your last words.”
The next moment, an explosive shock rattled through my skull. I almost blacked out but somehow stayed conscious. My head throbbed like it had been tossed into a blender.
The weapon—a frying pan, apparently made of mithril. Sturdy, sure, but lousy at conducting heat. Just saying.
”For now,” she said coolly, “we’ll call this punishment even.”
”Y-yes, ma’am…”
My brain still felt like it was wobbling inside my skull. Given the hit power, even with my defense close to forty, she could probably still fight on the front lines if she wanted.
”So,” the mayor continued, “what was that ‘mature women are also your target’ comment Ichige made?”
”…You’re fine saying that word yourself, huh?”
”You’re the one who overreacted. That’s what annoyed me.”
”I see…”
As the pain finally faded, I shook my head to clear it. Right—the foolish fox’s remark.
”Apparently, I unconsciously flirt with people. Foolish fox seems to think I’m some kind of natural-born lady-killer, so she probably thought I was hitting on her.”
”…You have my sympathies,” the mayor said.
Wait—why is she directing that at the fox and not me?
”Julon,” Calmys said with a sigh, “I strongly suggest you fix that habit of yours. I’ve had people come to me saying you ‘accidentally flirted’ with them.”
”Hold on, I just talk normally and that counts as flirting!?”
”…And the only person you’ve intentionally flirted with is Ethelena, right? That’s… serious.”
”What kind of treatment is this? Am I banned from casual conversation now!?”
Calmys rubbed her temple like she’d gotten a headache.
”Remember when you praised my weapon and fighting style once?”
”When we made ‘Fiero,’ yeah. What about it?”
”If you said that to a devout follower of the War God, they’d take it as a marriage proposal.”
”…What?”
I stared blankly. That couldn’t be right.
”You mean… just by complimenting their weapon?”
Calmys sighed again.
”To those who follow the War God, their weapon is an extension of themselves. To praise its scars or read their fighting style—it means you’ve seen into their very soul.”
”…That’s heavy.”
Seriously? Complimenting a weapon counts as a life commitment now?
”You’re not part of our faith, so I let it go. But understand—what you did was dangerous.”
”No way anyone can keep track of that!”
I probably do stuff like that all the time without realizing it. “Be careful,” she says—yeah, easier said than done when every religion has its own hidden landmines.
”How am I supposed to study every sect’s taboos? The only people I’m close to are you, Calmys, and the Healer Maiden’s order.”
”…You haven’t caused trouble with them too, have you?”
”I don’t think so. I was raised under the Maiden’s care as a kid, so I just make regular donations sometimes.”
”I see. So mostly money, then.”
”Yeah, about five hundred thousand a month. The church looks much cleaner these days.”
”…”
”And there’s this clumsy girl who keeps breaking dishes, so I sent them a new set recently.”
”…And they still haven’t officially made you a disciple?”
”If I were a devoted follower of the Maiden, I couldn’t be a crafter or merchant. Selling healing ointments would be considered blasphemy.”
”I see… that makes sense.”
”Right, but let’s not forget—the one delivering five thousand of those ointments is still you, Tatara.”
For the record, I’ve only managed to restock about two thousand so far. Not nearly enough to shock our favorite rich client again.
”So, Tatara,” the mayor asked, “can you supply more of that healing ointment?”
”…I can do two thousand.”
Goodbye, surprise reaction from Miss Rich Girl.
”For now,” she said, “I’m entrusting management of the new reactor entirely to you. Just one rule—absolutely no misuse.”
”…Would it be acceptable to use my home as an emergency energy hub?”
”Not for now. I’ll need to discuss it with the Head of Judiciary first.”
”So it’s at least up for discussion…”
”Of course. Whether your invention becomes a light that warms people’s lives depends on us, too.”
With that, the City Mayor and Calmys took their leave.
I headed into the workshop to inspect the new power reactor I’d been entrusted to manage. Even with Appraisal, no information showed up—meaning I needed to give it a proper name.
But what to call it? Archangel had described it as a power source for the ultimate weapon against the world’s end.
The end of the world—what does that even mean? If it refers to an energy crisis, then yes, this device could prevent it. But if it’s a weapon’s power core, that doesn’t feel right at all.
A clear enemy. A weapon so vast it needs unfathomable energy to move. A final refuge… perhaps something like that.
”…No good. Nothing comes to mind.”
Maybe I was overthinking it, trying to force something grandiose.
”Well, since it’s made by a blacksmith… let’s call it the For-Julon Drive.”
That familiar click of connection stirred in my chest. When I checked again with Appraisal, the reactor’s name was indeed listed as For-Julon Drive.
Now, the main issue with this thing is the rotation speed of the “egg.” The faster it spins, the exponentially greater the energy output—meaning it doesn’t need to run at full speed under normal conditions. The rotation is controlled by mana, but both the fluid mana stone and the mana emitted from the core itself affect the acceleration.
To fix that, I had to take it apart. I transferred the fluid mana stone to another container and examined the mithril cones—the shaft, essentially. The rotation spell formula etched into it might be amplifying interference. Letting the formula directly touch the mana fluid could also be the problem.
So, redesign time. A little extra work, but I made the shaft modular—separating the tip that touches the egg from the section inscribed with the rotation formula.
I reshaped the glass casing, curving it inward from the top, drilling a hole at the apex, and threading it. The mithril cones were hollowed slightly at the tips, also threaded. Instead of inscribing the rotation formula with mana, I carved it by hand this time. Then I made a cylindrical connector, threaded it, and tapered the tip into a cone.
I reassembled the shaft with the glass cover in between, sealing it carefully so the mana fluid wouldn’t leak. To be safe, I used crafting magic to melt glass into the screw threads, filling every gap. Maintenance would require rebuilding it entirely, but that was fine.
I used the same design for the lower shaft and carved a deeper groove into the base to seat the glass securely, threading that as well. After that, I poured the fluid mana stone mixture inside, fitted the base so the shafts held the egg firmly, and flipped it. No leaks. Success. The mithril base that used to run inside the glass now connected externally, linking with the top mithril cap so the casing was clamped from four directions. This redesign both stabilized it and allowed mana extraction through those mithril sections.
Once I reattached the repaired instruments, I ran the test. The spell formulas on the upper and lower shafts transmitted rotation smoothly—the egg began to spin slowly. I adjusted the mana flow to maintain about twenty rotations per second. The speed stabilized, confirming my theory. According to the mana meter, the reactor was generating enough mana to power five hundred and twelve households per second.
Next, I had to find out how much faster it needed to spin to supply twelve hundred households. When I increased it by 1.5×—thirty rotations per second—the output doubled to one thousand twenty-four. Another ten rotations brought it to two thousand forty-eight. In other words, every ten rotations doubled the output. Two thousand forty-eight households’ daily consumption produced in one second—yeah, that’s insane.
Satisfied that it was functioning as expected, I attached the report to a bird-type golem and sent it flying to the City Mayor. Calling this thing a “home mana reactor” felt… unsettling, but I couldn’t think of a better term for what was essentially a household appliance.
With the reactor finished and some time to spare before Ethelena and the others returned, I took out the rice cooker I’d been sent. Or rather, a rice kiln. I decided to modify it into a magical device—not too complex: inscribe a heating spell for even warmth, add time-based temperature control, tighten the seal on the lid to mimic a pressure cooker, and vent excess moisture properly. It felt rude to discard the original wooden lid, but maybe I could send them the new design so they could test it on their end. If it could make mornings easier for the mothers there, that’d be worth it.
”Um, Master? Why exactly did you drag me here—degozaru?”
”Sorry, but teach me how to cook rice!”
”…Huh?”
Unfortunately, I had zero idea about the ideal heat level or resting time. That’s why I turned to the ever-capable foolish fox.
”…I see, a magic rice kiln—degozaru.”
”I was thinking of calling it a ‘magic rice cooker.’ If I can get it working right, I’ll finally be able to serve proper meals for you and Yohira here. So—teach me how to cook it properly.”
”…Good grief, Master. Fine, I’ll cook it normally once—so watch carefully with those proud eyes of yours, and observe—degozaru.”
”Yeah, thanks. I owe you.”
She began adjusting the heat through magic, demonstrating how to judge progress by the steam escaping the lid.
”With magic controlling the flame so easily, this is far simpler—degozaru.”
”I take it firewood is much harder to manage?”
”Indeed—making it stronger or weaker takes constant effort—degozaru.”
As we chatted, the foolish fox deftly cooked the rice in the pot.
”♪ Start with a low flame, bubbling slow, then heat it up, let the steam flow! When it hisses loud, turn down the heat, Even if the baby cries, don’t lift the lid! Wrap the straw, wait a bit— That’s how you make the perfect rice, degozaru~ ♪”
A song about cooking rice—one I’d heard in my previous life. I’d only known the first line or two, but the foolish fox apparently knew the whole thing by heart.
”Master, it’s done—degozaru.”
She lifted the lid, revealing a pot of gleaming white rice. It had been ages since I’d seen such a sight, and yet—just looking at it stirred something deep inside me. Maybe the love for rice was carved into my very soul.
”Thanks.”
I reached out and patted her head. She leaned into my palm with a soft motion, almost like a big dog craving affection. Getting carried away, I tousled her hair with both hands; she squealed but didn’t pull away. Her tail swished side to side in pure joy.
When I withdrew my hands, I immediately began reconstructing the heat control through spell formulas. Using Appraisal, I’d observed the shifts in pressure and temperature within the pot; now I combined those readings with sensory formulas to create an automatic temperature regulation spell. On the lid, I added a venting mechanism linked to the heat control. With that, the prototype was complete. I’d refine it through daily use later.
* * *
”So,” Yohira said, “you suddenly wanted to treat us to proper Japanese food?”
”Yeah. The foolish fox here was a huge help—she’s an excellent teacher.”
”Even so,” the fox huffed, “I still can’t believe Master had already bought all the ingredients for meat and potato stew—degozaru.”
I’d decided to recreate a traditional meal from my past life—potatoes, carrots, onions, burdock root, and beef. I preferred pork, but feeding that to Hinagiku felt wrong for… obvious reasons.
For miso soup, I used the bonito flakes among the seasonings they’d sent me, with cabbage as the main ingredient. The centerpiece was teriyaki yellowtail—buri teriyaki. It had been a while since I made teriyaki, so I had to focus not to burn the sauce.
”…Tatara,” Yohira asked, “this isn’t your first time cooking our homeland’s food, is it?”
”Hm? Actually, yeah—it is.”
At least, since I was reborn.
”It just tastes… practiced,” she said softly.
”Well, I was watching for signs of overcooking through Appraisal. When the sugar in the sauce starts to caramelize too fast, that’s when the fish is about to stiffen up. Catch that exact moment, and you get this result.”
”…Appraisal is a convenient thing, isn’t it?”
”Not really. You’ve got to check constantly, or you’ll miss the subtle changes. If you want to see the process itself, you’ve got to use Concept Appraisal.”
I took a bite of the fish. The white flesh crumbled gently on my tongue, releasing its stored oils. The sweetness of the teriyaki glaze blended in, filling my mouth with the rich harmony of soy and fish. After so long, the taste of soy sauce and mirin nearly brought tears to my eyes. I lifted a small portion of rice—cooked by the foolish fox—and tasted it. Firm on the surface, tender inside, perfectly drawing out the grain’s natural sweetness. The rich sauce and the clean rice mellowed one another beautifully.
Setting down my bowl, I took up the miso soup. The combined aroma of miso and bonito reset my palate. I’d used a red-and-white miso blend, four parts white to one part red. Personally, I preferred white, but it felt a bit flat on its own—so the red added that depth. Across the table, Yohira murmured something appreciative about the flavor, while Hinagiku—our “Pigagiku”—was enthusiastically praising the stew.
Still, tonight’s meal had two casualties: Ethelena and Tatia, who couldn’t handle chopsticks. Dahlia, on the other hand, watched us for a few seconds and somehow started using them perfectly. Learning ability, perhaps?
”…This flat plate makes it hard to eat rice.”
”Indeed, using a fork causes the fish to crumble apart.”
Exactly. And the unfamiliar flavor of miso left them slightly uneasy—it seemed I’d need to balance Western and Japanese dishes more carefully next time.
”Tatara-dono! Seconds, please—rice and miso soup!”
”…After the third bowl, I’ll start serving in silence—degozaru,” the fox muttered.
Hinagiku cheerfully held out her bowls while the fox whispered beside her. I’d already given up trying to stop them. Raising Hinagiku felt less like feeding a crow and more like fattening a goose for foie gras.
”Foolish fox,” I sighed, “don’t you start calling her that too.”
”Wait—I only said it in my head!”
”Ah, my mistake… huh?”
”I mean, yes, I get called foolish, but unlike Pigagiku, I’m not fat, degozaru.”
Oof. That was a direct hit. Still, I couldn’t deny she’d been an enormous help—always covering for others quietly from the background. As a bodyguard, she was exactly what I needed.
”I am not fat!” Hinagiku exclaimed. “When I bought new underwear today, my waist hadn’t changed at all! Only my chest and hips filled out slightly!”
”Why would you say that during dinner!?”
And I’m the only man here, by the way. Do they just forget that?
Maybe this was what worried the foolish fox back then—in Torakuma territory, people probably got the wrong idea about me being overly friendly.
Thinking that, I picked up a piece of potato from the small dish. It fell apart easily under my tongue, releasing a broth rich with soy, sugar, and the gentle sweetness of vegetables. The burdock root added a strong aroma and firmness, giving the stew a satisfying texture. I’d browned the beef first to remove excess fat before simmering it, so the flavor stayed clean. With Pigagiku praising it so loudly, I could afford a bit of pride.
When everyone finished eating, Ethelena and I cleared the dishes, then prepared tea for the evening meeting. Nothing formal—just a small talk to end the day.
”And so, it seems the foolish fox and Hinagiku are being targeted by some shady individuals. Yohira, you be careful too. Youkai are rare around here, and you’re quite beautiful.”
”Understood. I’ll be careful.”
For some reason, Yohira’s face seemed flushed. Was she embarrassed at being called beautiful? No, she’s heard it plenty of times; she should be used to it by now.
”As long as we’re at home, we should be safe, but let’s increase our defenses a bit.”
”I think it’s already like a fortress as it is.”
”Actually, the shop’s walls are a bit thin. I’m thinking of making shutters out of the surplus mithril.”
”Your disregard for rarity is as strong as ever…”
Ethelena murmured that in response to Hinagiku’s question. It was normal for this party, but most people wouldn’t make shop shutters out of mithril. They probably wouldn’t even do it if they could.
Then I addressed the party members.
”I’ll be making the shutters now and installing them tomorrow morning. I won’t be able to join the exploration tomorrow either… Also, I’ll be opening the shop, since it’s been a while.”
The party members nodded in agreement.
After seeing Tatia off, I headed to the workshop.
I need to make a shutter measuring 2.5 meters high, 3.5 meters wide, and 2 millimeters thick. Including the guide rails, I’ll need about 100 kilograms. For the lifting motor, I’ll use the same small, high-power one I used for Dahlia’s weapon. I considered inscribing spell formulas on both the guide rails and the shutter itself to create something like linear rails, but it seemed too dangerous.
First, I’ll create a single plate with some allowance for processing. A mithril plate, 4.5 meters long, 3.8 meters wide, and 2 millimeters thick.
I got carried away and started forging. Given the size, I used a warhammer. I equipped the ‘egg’ and ‘Black Iron’ I’d prepared separately from the power reactor, and hammered it carefully to achieve a uniformity that would make a press machine blush. After about eight folds, I had a mithril plate, uniformly 2 millimeters thick, 4.5 meters long and 3.8 meters wide. Then, I cut it into 10-centimeter wide strips with interlocking edges. Unlike in my previous life, I used my ‘Crafting’ skill, so it cut cleanly without sparks.
I made about 45 strips, then processed the edges. I rounded the convex parts, shaped them to interlock, and inserted a core into the rounded section. This core was also made of mithril. Thus, a 2.7m x 3.8m accordion-style shutter was completed. I further processed the bottom section, incorporating a shock-absorbing mechanism and inscribing a spell formula to detect impact and send a stop signal to the motor. The top section was designed to connect to a thick shaft for hanging. I fabricated the guide rails to ensure the shutter descended correctly and also made the shutter casing.
Once the work was done, I stretched with all my might. Checking the clock, I’d been working for nearly two hours. I felt too sweaty and grimy to continue, so I headed for the bath. Since the women were using the large cypress bath, the smaller, old bath was now exclusively mine. I headed to the changing room with a spring in my step.
”I’ve been waiting, Tatara.”
I froze at the voice that shouldn’t have been there.
”…Why are you here, Ethelena? I told you to let the women have the cypress bath.”
”But you never said I couldn’t use this one, did you?”
She was right. I hadn’t. But I refused to accept such a flimsy excuse.
”Besides, Torakuma gave this place a wonderful name.”
”Oh, really…?”
Honestly, I didn’t want to hear it. But I had no choice.
”It’s called the ‘Couple’s Bath.’ Isn’t that a great name? ♪”
”…Yes. A great name, DEATH.”
My brain had simply shut down. Ethelena, with practiced ease, began undressing me. Once we were both naked, we stepped into the bath.
Frankly, I was exhausted from fixing swords and building reactors and shutters all morning. I would have loved to just collapse into bed and sleep, but I couldn’t get into the bath with the smell of sweat, workshop, iron, and fire clinging to me—the sheets would be a disaster tomorrow morning.
So, as I went to take a bath, Ethelena was waiting for me. Why was my life turning into such a hellish cycle?
Ethelena pressed herself against me, sniffing.
”Mmm, you smell so strongly of sweat from working hard all day, Tatara. I’ll wash you properly ♪”
Saying that, Ethelena reached for her trusty mat. Seeing her back, I felt a surge of desire. I reached out from behind and cupped her large breasts.
”Hya!? Ta, Tatara?”
Ethelena called my name, bewildered. But my mind was already half-dead. My exhausted body, sensing imminent danger, instinctively urged me to plant my seed in the woman before me and procreate.
”I’m sorry, Ethelena. You can be angry later… I can’t hold back anymore.”
Without waiting for Ethelena’s reply, I thrust into her vaginal canal without any foreplay.
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply