Kichiten 116

Chapter 116 the Wind Catches Wings


Edited by: Kanaa-senpai


 Tatia stepped into the shop, and the moment her eyes found me, her face became a canvas of warring emotions. A smile flickered, bright with joy, only to falter under the weight of grief that threatened tears. Then, like a storm rolling in, anger simmered beneath it all. Watching her expression shift so vividly, I couldn’t help but think—cruel as it was—how human she’d become. Back when we first met, Tatia’s smiles were masks, carefully crafted to hide her struggle to understand humans. Now, her heart bled openly through her face.


 ”Tatara-sa—” she started, catching herself mid-name, voice trembling with urgency. “I—I’m leaving!”


 She spun toward the door, but it refused to budge. For the minute we stood facing each other, Ethelena must have woven her barrier spell over the shop. Tatia tugged at the handle, her movements frantic, but the door held fast, trapping her inside. I approached quietly, standing just behind her, close enough to feel the tension radiating from her.


 ”It’s no use,” I said softly. “It won’t open.”


 ”What!?” Her voice cracked, sharp with panic.


 ”Look, it’s starting… there.” I nodded toward the walls. As if on cue, words began to shimmer into existence across the stone, glowing faintly. Tatia followed my gaze, and her breath caught, her body freezing as she read the message. The words were blunt, almost laughably crude in their simplicity, and I could see her mind reeling.


 ”Why…?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.


 ”Because, Tatia,” I said, stepping closer, “we don’t want to give up on you. None of us do.”


 It was the truth, raw and undeniable. Though, I had to admit, Ethelena’s idea of *catching* her through something as absurd as this barrier’s demand felt like a reckless leap. Tatia turned to face me, arms wrapped tightly around herself, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she glared.


 ”You think to… to force me like Ethelena-dono would!?” she demanded, her voice shaking with fury and fear.


 ”Not quite that intense,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “I’d never go that far.”


 ”My body is your goal, then?” she spat, her voice rising. “You’re no better than I thought, Tatara-dono!”


 ”No, that’s not it.” I met her gaze, steady and earnest. “Yes, your body is part of it, in a way—but what we really want is you, Tatia. By our side. That’s our wish.”


 Her eyes widened, a flicker of doubt breaking through her anger. She hugged herself tighter, as if to shield her heart.


 ”Even so,” she said, her voice trembling, “you think you can sully my body and claim my heart? You won’t!”


 I tilted my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Haven’t I already stolen it, though?” I teased.


 ”Don’t—don’t bring that up now!” she snapped, but the flush in her cheeks betrayed her. Despite the way we’d parted, I could see it—she still held onto the thread of what we’d shared. It warmed me, even in this moment.


 ”Tatia,” I said, my voice softer now, “you don’t have to carry the weight of your Angel race blood. Will you walk with us?”


 Her face stiffened, the question striking too deep, too fast. Maybe I’d pushed too hard, but time wasn’t on our side. The longer this dragged on, the more her guilt would solidify, pulling her further away. I had to reach her now, even if it meant being forceful.


 ”I told you before, Tatara-san,” she said, her voice low and strained. “I’ll taint you. We can’t be together.”


 ”That’s nonsense,” I shot back, stepping closer. “Your birth, your blood—it doesn’t matter. I want to be with *you*.”


 ”But my blood is cursed!” she cried, her voice breaking. “It’s the blood of sinners, of monsters!”


 ”So what?” I countered, my voice firm. “You haven’t committed any sins, Tatia. You’re not your blood.”


 I needed to break through her guilt, to shatter the false responsibility she carried. Tatia hadn’t killed anyone that day—it was Sieve, her mother in blood but not in spirit, who bore the blame. A mother who birthed her but never raised her, never earned the title. Tatia wasn’t her.


 ”Stop carrying a sin that doesn’t exist,” I said. “You’re human, Tatia. Not some Angel race.”


 ”But my wings!” she cried, her voice raw. “I have wings, just like that monster!”


 ”No,” I said, my voice steady. “Your wings are for protecting others. They’re nothing like hers.”


 Her wings didn’t make her an Angel race. She lived as a human—laughing, crying, struggling to understand people. That was enough. The Angel race crushed lives without thought, wielding power like a blade. Tatia was different, her heart too human to be anything else.


 ”If you think you’re a monster,” I said, my voice gentle but firm, “then let me ask you this: what is Sunny-chan to you?”


 ”Sunny…-dono?” Her eyes wavered, caught off guard.


 ”Exactly. Sunny-chan’s a child, defenseless, a symbol of weakness who can’t survive alone. What do you feel when you think of her?”


 She hesitated, her gaze distant as she searched for the answer. “She… she’s someone I must protect.”


 Her voice was soft but certain, echoing the conviction she’d always held. I could see her turning inward, confronting her own heart.


 ”Do you want to crush her, like those at your school would?” I pressed. “Like a monster would?”


 ”Never,” she said fiercely. “She called me a knight, her smile so bright… I’d never let that fade.”


 ”Do you think she needs to be led, like that creature would demand?”


 ”No,” Tatia said, her voice steady now. “Knights don’t guide. We protect the world so children like her can grow up right. That’s for parents to do, not us.”


 I smiled, warmth spreading through me. “See? You get it, Tatia. You’re fine.”


 Her understanding of what it meant to be a knight—her grasp of duty, of nobility—was worlds apart from the arrogance of her peers at the knight school. She knew what it meant to protect, to serve.


 ”You’re fine,” I repeated, my voice soft. “We’ll vouch for you.”


 ”But my child might not be!” she countered, desperation creeping back. “My mother was a monster, and I was no different until I met you! What if my child—our child—turns out the same? It’d be my fault, my blood!”


 I blinked, caught off guard. Was she… already thinking about kids? I fought back a chuckle. “Okay, let’s calm down for a second.”


 ”If that happened, I couldn’t face you!” she went on, her voice spiraling. “Your heart, your ability to connect with so many—I couldn’t let my blood ruin that!”


 ”Wow,” I said, grinning despite myself. “You really love me, don’t you?”


 Her eyes widened, a chaotic swirl of emotions making her look almost dizzy. Was this the barrier’s doing? Some side effect amplifying her feelings, her desires? I pushed the thought aside.


 ”Tatia,” I said, my tone serious again, “I’m not worried about that.”


 ”On what grounds?” she demanded, her voice trembling.


 ”Because you’d be their mother.”


 She froze, confusion flickering across her face. I pressed on, unwilling to let her doubt herself.


 ”I believe you’d teach your child the pain you’ve felt, guide them to be better. You weren’t raised by that Angel race—you grew up in human society, shaped by the Defense Chief’s teachings. If we raise a child together, with Ethelena, Yohira, all of us, they’ll grow up with human hearts. They’ll be fine.”


 ”It can’t be that simple,” she whispered, her voice fragile.


 ”Parenting’s never simple,” I admitted. “It’s scary, full of unknowns. But you’re not alone, Tatia.”


 Her eyes met mine, wide with uncertainty, searching for meaning in my words.


 ”I’m here,” I said. “Ethelena, Yohira, even Sister Kareha or the City Mayor if you need them. Hell, we could ask Rachel-san for advice. You don’t have to do this alone.”


 Her confusion deepened, and I realized—she’d never relied on others, not truly. If she didn’t know how, we’d show her.


 ”It’s okay, Tatia,” I said gently. “You can let go a little.”


 ”But—” she started, her voice breaking.


 I didn’t let her finish. Words weren’t enough anymore. Stepping forward, I pressed my lips to hers, silencing her protests. She stiffened, then pushed against me, but her strength was no match for mine. Her hands struck my chest, weak and faltering, not quite rejection. The air between us held its breath, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid.


 The air hung thick with the heat of our breaths, the shop’s barrier sealing us in a world of its own making. I leaned into Tatia, my lips claiming hers with the skill Ethelena had taught me, a dance of tongues that explored every curve of her mouth—her gums, the backs of her teeth, the sensitive arch of her palate. She resisted at first, her hands pushing weakly against me, but soon her struggle faded, her body softening under the weight of sensation. When I pulled back, a glistening thread of saliva stretched between our lips, a fragile bridge that shimmered in the dim light before it broke.


 Tatia’s breaths came ragged, her skin flushed a deep rose, her eyes glassy with a haze of desire. I spread a cloth on the floor and gently guided her down, her body yielding without protest, pliant as she lay beneath me. With a whisper of *Sex Sorcery*, I heightened her senses, doubling the intensity of every touch. My lips brushed hers lightly before trailing to her neck, my tongue tracing the delicate line of her pulse. Her body trembled at the sudden contact, but I pressed on, ignoring her shivers. A gentle nip at her throat, a slow lick along her collarbone, then my mouth found her chest through the fabric of her clothes, drawing a sharp cry from her lips.


 Tatia’s arms instinctively pulled my head closer, her soft curves muffling my breath as I continued, undeterred. My hands slipped beneath her shirt, fingers gliding over the smooth, toned planes of her abdomen before finding the generous swell of her breasts. They weren’t as large as Ethelena’s or Ichika’s, but they carried a firm weight, a faint hardness that spoke of her strength. I kneaded them carefully, mindful to coax pleasure rather than pain, and soon her voice rose in soft, high-pitched moans, her body responding as the peaks stiffened under my touch.


 I pinched one gently, and Tatia gasped, her voice sharp with unfamiliar sensation. Her nipples, rigid and unyielding, seemed almost too sensitive, as if rarely touched even by her own hands. A stray thought crossed my mind—something about hard nipples being mistaken by infants as foreign, hindering nursing—but I brushed it aside. Ethelena’s were firm yet soft, a succubus’s balance, but Tatia’s were raw, reacting to every touch with an intensity that stole my focus. I rolled them between my fingers, teasing, flicking, until her arms loosened around me, her strength ebbing away. I pulled back, gasping for air, the effort of holding my breath leaving me dizzy.


 Tatia lay limp, her denim jeans betraying a damp stain at their center, proof of her body’s surrender. The tight, wet fabric clung stubbornly, but I peeled it away, taking her thin green shorts with it. Beneath, her body revealed itself—a soft tangle of red-gold hair framing the slick, quivering evidence of her arousal. *Sex Sorcery* had done its work, her body ready, pulsing with need. I swallowed hard, the sight stirring something primal in me.


 Stripping her clothes fully, I positioned myself above her, freeing my own straining need. Its size startled even me, a towering presence that pressed against her lower abdomen. Tatia’s gaze drifted downward, sluggish, catching sight of it. Her eyes widened, a weak protest escaping her lips.


 ”No… please…”


 Her voice was frail, her body too spent from climax to resist, though her words felt more like a reflex than true refusal. Was I reading too much into it, seeing consent where there was none? I leaned close, kissing her again, and her tongue met mine, hesitant but eager, entwining as if by instinct. Whether it was habit or desire, I couldn’t tell, but her body relaxed further, tension melting until she lay open, accepting.


 ”Tatia,” I murmured.


 ”Stop, Tatara-san…” she whispered, but the plea sounded hollow, almost inviting, as if her heart spoke a different truth. Her body didn’t move to escape, didn’t push me away, and I let myself believe it was agreement.


 I positioned myself, pressing against her entrance. Her eyes squeezed shut, bracing for pain, and a pang of guilt hit me for the fleeting thought of my own fickle heart. But I moved forward, the sensation tight and unyielding, like breaking through a barrier—similar to when I’d taken Ethelena’s virginity in her childlike form. Tatia’s cry was sharp, laced with pain, but I wove *Sex Sorcery* to transmute it into pleasure, easing her burden. Her voice softened, sweetness blending with her gasps as I pressed deeper, only halfway in before meeting resistance. Ethelena could take me fully, but Tatia’s trained body wasn’t ready for that. I could almost imagine her toned abdomen bulging under the pressure.


 ”Tatia, I’m in,” I said softly.


 She opened her eyes, tears shimmering as she looked at me, a faint smile breaking through. “It hurts… like the rumors said.”


 ”I’m sorry,” I said. “I tried to ease it with the sorcery.”


 ”No, it’s okay,” she murmured, her hand brushing my cheek before pulling me into a kiss, bolder now. “It’s your pain, Tatara-san. That makes it okay.”


 I withdrew slightly, knowing we couldn’t stay locked like this—it’d be too much for her. Slowly, I moved, careful to keep my restraint, mindful not to lose myself and hurt her. Her reactions guided me, her body’s responses helping me find the spots that drew soft gasps of pleasure. Her breasts swayed with each motion, their hardened tips begging for attention. I leaned down, tongue teasing them, and her sweet, high cries nearly broke my control. Her sounds alone threatened to unravel me, but I focused, seeking her climax before my own.


 The rising tide of my release came too fast, overwhelming my restraint. I pulled out just in time, my climax spilling across her body, from her abdomen to her chest, even reaching her face. Tatia lay there, breathless, staring at the evidence of my release with a dazed expression.


 ”It’s… warm,” she said, her voice soft as she scooped some with her fingers, uncertain what to do with it.


 I chuckled, catching my breath. “I’ll get a towel, Tatia. We’ll clean you up.”


 She smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “It feels… wasteful, doesn’t it? It’s yours, after all.”


 Her playful tone threw me, and I hesitated, unsure how to respond. But then I noticed the barrier still held, its magic unyielding. We’d met the conditions—her virginity taken, my release complete. So why wasn’t it breaking? My eyes flicked to the glowing words on the wall, and my stomach dropped.


 The conditions had *changed*. New demands had been added, and I could practically feel Ethelena’s hand in this—maybe Ichika’s too, judging by the last line’s phrasing. It was absurd, almost laughable, but unmistakably their work. Tatia noticed my expression and followed my gaze, letting out a startled yelp as she read the new text.


 ”Tatara-san?” she asked, her voice tentative.


 ”Sorry, Tatia,” I said, rubbing my temple. “This situation just got a lot worse.”


 She blinked, confused, then stood, turning to face the wall. With a deep breath, she placed her hands against it, arching her back and presenting herself. “It’s… embarrassing to face you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please, like this.”


 The air still thrummed with the barrier’s strange energy, the shop a cocoon of heat and unspoken promises. Tatia’s request caught me off guard—standing rear entry wasn’t exactly beginner’s territory, but if that’s what she wanted, I’d meet her there. My hands found her hips, steadying her as I pressed forward in one smooth motion. Her body yielded more easily this time, my manhood sliding halfway, parting her with a raw, scraping sensation that *Sex Sorcery* must have spun into pleasure. Her voice, sweet and unrestrained, echoed through the room, a melody of surrender.


 I gripped her hips, moving with deliberate rhythm, then wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close until our bodies melded. My hands roamed, teasing her breasts, her hardened nipples, every touch calculated to drown her in sensation. Even if my technique faltered, the sorcery ensured her pleasure, transforming any clumsiness into bliss. Her moans, soft and honeyed, reassured me I wasn’t hurting her—though the sight of her, so unused to this, made her seem fragile, like my presence inside her was too much for her untrained body. Her inner walls clenched, not caressing but resisting, squeezing me tight in a way that sent waves of pleasure through me, pushing me toward the edge.


 I reached my limit, the sharp friction driving me to release deep inside her. At the same moment, Tatia arched like a bow, her climax crashing through her, amplified by the *Sex Sorcery*’s mana. Then, without warning, wings burst from her back, flaring wide and filling my vision with shimmering feathers.


 ”Whoa!” I yelped, jerking back to avoid them, but the motion drove me deeper, pushing past her limits. Her abdomen shifted under the pressure, a visible bulge forming—what I could only describe as a *thud* of impact. Tatia let out a sound, raw and unformed, something like a guttural cry, but I refused to label it. Calling it an *oho* would’ve shattered her dignity, and I wasn’t about to do that.


 ”Tatia, you okay?” I asked, my voice tight with worry.


 She nodded weakly, her eyes half-lidded but conscious, clinging to her knight’s pride even in this state. Her resilience was unreal—her knight’s defense must’ve kept her from breaking under the strain. This world’s rules made it plausible, didn’t they?


 I withdrew slowly, my release leaving her open and vulnerable, a slow trickle of my seed spilling from her. It was a mess, a disaster of my own making, and I winced at the sight.


 ”Is… is it over?” Tatia asked, her voice faint.


 I glanced at the wall. The crude curse’s words had vanished, the barrier finally broken. “Yeah, it’s done.”


 She laughed, a tired, breathless sound. “Tatara-san, you’re… too much. I thought I might die.”


 ”Sorry,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “Your wings startled me, and I… pushed too hard.”


 I pulled her into my arms, settling her on my lap as I sank to the floor. Her head rested against my chest, her body limp with exhaustion. I held her close, her warmth grounding me.


 ”Now I can’t escape you,” she murmured, a faint smile in her voice.


 ”After a first time like that? You’ve got every reason to run,” I said, half-joking.


 ”But it felt good,” she said softly. “Knowing this pleasure… I can’t walk away. Not after you held me like this.”


 I sighed. Binding her with pleasure to overwrite her pain and guilt felt like a cheap tactic, straight out of some twisted eroge world. Yet here she was, nestled in my arms, radiating a quiet happiness that made it all too real.


 ”Words weren’t getting through,” I said. “Everyone pushed me to do this. Still, I’m sorry it was so… forceful.”


 ”It’s fine,” she said, twisting in my lap to face me. Her arms looped around my neck, her face close enough to feel her breath. “I’m done hesitating.”


 She kissed me, a soft, fleeting press of lips before settling back onto my lap, her body still weak. “I’ll be your shield, Tatara-san. For you and everyone you cherish.”


 ”Don’t forget,” I said, my voice firm, “you’re part of that group. I told you that before.”


 ”I know,” she said, her eyes bright with resolve. “So I’ll try to value myself too. This body, marked by that monster’s blood… it’s still mine. And you loved it.”


 Her gaze held no waver, her doubts burned away. Maybe it was too much change for one act, but I let it slide. She’d found her path.


 ”Even if I’m cursed, I’ll protect you and the world you love,” she said. “If I can save innocent people along the way, there’s nothing better. They might hate me for the tragedy my blood caused, but as long as you’re by my side, I can endure it.”


 Her words were steady, her eyes locked on mine. I met her gaze, unflinching. “Tatia, you need to know—Ethelena is my first love. That won’t change.”


 ”I know,” she said, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “It stings, but I was too late to meet you.”


 ”I’m not built for a harem,” I admitted. “I can’t love equally. Ethelena will always come first.”


 ”And that’s why I love you,” she said, laughing softly. “I’ll be jealous, but seeing you and Ethelena-dono happy puts me at ease.”


 ”This… thing we did,” I said, gesturing vaguely. “I’m not great at it. Probably too rough, too selfish.”


 ”I… might like it rough,” she admitted, her cheeks flushing.


 I blinked, thrown. Had *Sex Sorcery* rewired her preferences? If the Defense Chief found out, I’d be dead—or at least unconscious. “Uh, right.”


 ”If you’re okay with my flaws,” I said, “then protect us, Tatia. Be our shield.”


 ”I will,” she said without hesitation. “You and everyone you hold dear.”


 Her answer was so immediate, it carried a hint of obsession, like she thought she was only way to atone. If she ever veered off course, we’d pull her back. We were companions, after all.


 ”This isn’t official,” I said, a thought striking me. “But between us… maybe it’s enough.” I stood, pulling up my pants and grabbing a sword from nearby. Kneeling, I tapped her shoulders with the flat of the blade, mimicking a ritual from another life. “I name you a knight.”


 Tatia’s eyes widened, and she scrambled into a formal bow—still stark naked, which almost broke my composure. I kept my voice steady, grave. “May you stand as a pillar of protection, with your body, your sword, your wings, and your pride. Do you swear?”


 ”I swear,” she said, her voice trembling with conviction.


 A pulse, like a heartbeat, rippled through the air. Her wings seemed to glow brighter, larger, though I told myself it was my imagination.


 ”Dame Orsaia,” I said, smiling. “You’re mine now.”


 She laughed, a soft, joyful sound. “Yes, my Lord.”


 ”Lord?” I raised an eyebrow.


 ”You knighted me,” she said, her tone teasing but earnest. “You’re my Lord. And… perhaps my master, in another sense.”


 I groaned inwardly. First Dahlia’s *master*, then Ichika’s *goshujin*, now *Lord*? Ethelena was going to kill me. But I’d known the consequences when this barrier went up. Too late to back out now.


 ”Fine, Dame Orsaia,” I said, playing along. “What’s your knightly title?”


 ”My knight name?” she mused. In this world, knights often bore titles—Magic Knights, Holy Knights, even Princess Knights, though those always seemed destined for trouble. “What about… Wing Knight?”


 ”Fits you perfectly,” I said, grinning. “My Wind.”


 ”Lord or Wind?” she teased, her smile bright.


 I laughed, the weight of the moment lifting. The barrier was gone, but something stronger had taken its place—a bond forged in chaos, sealed with a vow.


 Tatia’s laughter spilled out, bright and unstoppable, as if she couldn’t hold it back any longer. Her joy was infectious, and despite my initial grumbling, I found myself chuckling too, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep. There it was—her smile, finally returned, radiant despite the shadows of guilt that still lingered in her eyes. It wasn’t everything, but it was a step forward, a crack in the wall she’d built around herself.


 Before the barrier fully dissolved, I helped Tatia into her clothes, her movements still sluggish from exhaustion. I turned to the shop, locking up for the day. Business had been slow—only the nouveau riche, the catgirl, the Head of Judiciary, and the merchant guild leader had stopped by. Tomorrow was a school day, the last before the city festival shut down classes until it ended. The festival would likely drag me into its preparations—public buildings, religious orders, maybe even the liquor god’s temple requesting another distillery like last year. And then there was the matter of crafting mithril drinking vessels for Master (T/N: Female) and Mother-in-law’s send-off banquet. Maybe a statue for the gods, too? My mind spun with the possibilities as the [Sex-Or-Leave Barrier] finally faded, its oppressive hum gone. I sent Tatia to the couple’s bath to clean up, then pulled down the shop’s shutters and locked the door.


 When I stepped into the living room, Ethelena and the others were waiting, their eyes sharp with curiosity.


 ”Welcome back,” Ethelena said, her tone teasing.


 ”Yeah, you really did it, huh?” she added, grinning wide enough to make me wince.


 Yohira, sitting beside her, puffed out her cheeks in a sulky pout. Fair enough—her vow to hold off on anything serious until the student movement was over didn’t make it any easier to be outdone. Ichika, meanwhile, seemed calm, probably unbothered by the pecking order since Yohira’s feelings were at play.


 ”For now,” I said, leaning against the wall, “Tatia’s back with the party.”


 ”Looks like it went well,” Ethelena said, her eyes gleaming with approval.


 ”And… she’s calling me her lord now,” I added, scratching my neck.


 Ichika’s expression flickered, a mix of joy and complication. “A knight and her lord, -degozaru. It’s… complex.”


 She was happy about Tatia’s return, no doubt, but the whole “lord” thing probably stung, given she called me *goshujin*. Still, her smile held steady.


 ”With this, our party’s complete,” Ethelena said, clapping her hands together.


 ”Right,” I nodded. “We can start planning for the student movement with Tatia back.”


 The knight school’s schedule was a mystery, but they’d likely be drilling for a ceremonial inspection soon. If I had to guess, the movement’s leader would strike during the ceremony—perfect timing for chaos.


 ”We should grind for levels in the final push,” I said. “Any thoughts?”


 Yohira leaned forward. “I say we rely on Tatia’s skills for rare material gathering while leveling up. I’m all for it.”


 Ethelena and Ichika nodded in agreement. With Ethelena’s hammer and mine upgraded, we could tackle the 31st Floor and beyond for serious grinding. Yohira and I were at the right level for it, and if we could push to the 45th Floor, where elemental spirits spawned, we might snag some core stones. I wanted to experiment with adding elemental defense to Yohira’s *Hydrangea*, maybe even channeling attributes from armor to weapons to boost our abilities. Of course, running into rare enemies past the 45th Floor would mean begging Dahlia for help—otherwise, we’d be toast.


 ”Tomorrow’s the last school day for a while,” I said. “After that, I’ll be tied up with city festival prep until it’s over.”


 ”As Chief Crafter, -degozaru?” Ichika asked, tilting her head.


 ”Yeah, something like that.”


 Last year, they had me building stages and enduring the saccharine flirting of that idiot couple’s parents—punching a wall nearby was a highlight. Ethelena, sipping straight tea, had this dreamy look that made it all weirder.


 ”I’ll probably get requests from the City Mayor (female) or the merchant guild leader by letter,” I said. “Sorry, but those take priority.”


 ”Can’t be helped,” Ethelena said with a shrug.


 Public commissions brought in decent coin, and while I didn’t love the idea of becoming a full-time crafter after graduation, hoarding all the crafting work would stunt the growth of *Whirlwind*’s other crafters. I’d figure it out later—maybe hire a secretary to handle the mess.


 ”Tomorrow, let’s aim for the 40th Floor boss to mark Tatia’s return,” I said.


 The boss awaited beyond the undead-infested 35th Floor—a rotting, colossal *Dragon Zombie*. That would be Tatia’s first test back with us, a fitting challenge to cement her place.


 The room fell quiet, the weight of our plans settling over us like the fading hum of the barrier. Tatia’s laughter still echoed in my mind, a fragile but real promise of what we’d fought to reclaim.


Notes:


• Sunny – Cheerful, artistic young girl under Rachel’s care. Bonds with Mother-in-law through drawing; admired by Tatia as symbol of the town’s hopeful future.

• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.

• Kareha – A human paladin and nun appearing in ch.71. She requests new weapons from Tatara after past battles damaged hers. The order sends her under church duty. Works with Tatara and Dahlia as ally. Close to Ranka. Strong, polite, and fearless.

• Rachel – Female character agreeing with Albert’s praise of Tatara’s father. Happy to join Tatara’s close-knit group. Sunny’s mother—grateful guest, financially struggling but resilient.

• Ichika – The fox girl. Kunoichi.

• Dahlia – The automaton.


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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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