Chapter 35 All of This Is To Save Red-kun, So It Can’t Be Helped, Right？
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
TL Summary:
Protagonist Shin visits the Mirrorworld to check on his sick retainer, Red-kun, and finds his condition is dire. After learning the only cure requires the elusive Dragon Witch Lin Lintuvermu, Shin immediately hatches a plan, uses gin as bait, and successfully captures the powerful but immature-acting hero. A startling revelation about a lingering curse forces Shin into an uneasy alliance.
—
My body is finally free of Lala-chan, who I’ve tied up in kikkou-shibari—turtle-shell bondage—on the clock tower rooftop of the girls’ dorm. See, I just had to forcibly stow away the ‘Oath Tome (Honorius),’ which keeps clinging to me and sniffing my body kunkakunka (sniffing noisily), into a storage charm.
Now, everyone’s happy and quiet. Even some cosmic octopus is probably rejoicing from beyond the grave, or wherever those things go.
Jokes aside, though. Right now, I’m heading into the Wonder Mirror World to check on my sick buddy, Red-kun.
* * *
(Wonder Mirror World)
”That Great Hero, Sis Lin… the one who sealed the Ancient Dragon Albion…”
I’m supposed to be one of the Twelve Apostles or something, right? The naming sense is so lame, so I think I’ll just change it myself. How about… the Star Twelve Apostles (Astorum Duodecim)? Hmm. Nah, not really hitting the spot, is it? I’ll keep thinking of a better name later.
I got a portrait of the Great Hero Lin drawn for me by Alt-kun, one of the (tentative) Astorum Duodecim members from the Dragon Kin, and I swear I’ve seen that face somewhere before… Oh! Snap! I got so lost in thought I’ve arrived at the White Castle already. I still haven’t gotten used to moving from mirror to mirror.
”Hm? That presence… is that Shin? It’s been quite a while.” Carrol, who looks youthful again and has fully reclaimed his power as the keeper of this world, greeted me.
”Shin-san! Long time no see!” Alice, the real princess of this small alternate world, chimed in, holding a teapot.
”Hello! I came today to ask for permission from Carrol-san and Alice-san to go to the Bird Cage.”
Suit-clad Carrol-san and the true, dress-wearing Alice-san were there to welcome me. They safely returned to the original master of the Mirrorworld, Carrol-san, after the whole ‘Night Alice’ incident three years ago.
What’s that? Me, the villainous heir, dominating this world? No way I’d do something so bothersome. This Mirrorworld is precious to these guys. I don’t want that utterly terrible villain, Night Alice, to ever taint this beautiful, small parallel world again.
”The Bird Cage, you say? …I’ll assign the Necrolord Gilford to you. If you have any requests, consult with him, Shin. This is your pass. Take it.” Carrol-san handed me a strange red key.
”Thank you very much, Carrol-san.” I nodded.
”Shin-san. Would you care to join me for some tea? I received some tea leaves from the Syrellus magic² Kingdom from Loran-san.” The girl who’s an exact lookalike of Night Alice, Princess Alice, Carrol-san’s daughter, spoke to me. She looks much healthier than the last time we met, which is good. I wonder if things are going well with her lover, Loran-san?
”My apologies, Alice-san. I’m rushing to check on Red-kun. I’ll take you up on that offer next time when I have more time to relax.”
”Red-chan? …Ah! I’m sorry. I forgot you were in a hurry… Sylphytte-san is looking after Red-chan, you know.”
”Sylphytte-san is? I see. Thanks for telling me! Alice-san, Carrol-san, I’m off now!” I waved.
”…Go carefully, Shin.” Carrol nodded solemnly.
”Have a safe trip, Shin-san.” Alice bid me farewell gently.
”Shin-dono. Your escort, Gilford, has arrived.” The Necrolord, dressed like an ancient retainer, appeared.
”Thanks, Gilford-san. Will you lead me to Red-kun’s place, then?”
”As you command!”
I was taken by Gilford-san to the Bird Cage.
”…He is clearly overexerting himself, isn’t he, Shin-san?” Gilford murmured to Alice and Carrol.
”…He is completely unaware of it himself, but his face is etched with utter exhaustion. He must be running all over the Regain Kingdom trying to cure his retainer, Red.” Carrol’s voice was low.
”Is there anything we can do to help, Father? Shin-san is our benefactor, the one who saved this Wonder Mirror World.” Alice’s voice was filled with concern.
”I know. That’s why I have Sylphytte examining Red… but it’s only buying us time. Only the Dragon Kin understands the rare diseases of their own. If only we could capture the Dragon Witch Lin Lintuvermu, that would be the best option.”
”The Dragon Witch Lin Lintuvermu? …Is she a very great person, Father?” Alice inquired.
”Indeed. She’s one of the Great Heroes of Alysphere who stopped Albion, and the one who knows the very roots of this world.” Carrol explained.
* * *
(The Bird Cage)
Gilford-san gave me a gentle piggyback ride to the Bird Cage, where Red-kun was resting.
”………Kyurarh…” Red whimpered.
”We’ve slowed the progress of his rare illness by placing him in the Time-Stasis Crystal, but it is only a temporary fix, Benefactor-dono.” Sylphytte, Red-kun’s temporary physician, sighed with frustration.
”…Buying time? How long until Red-kun can be cured?” I felt my flippant mask start to crack.
”If I knew that, I wouldn’t be struggling so much. I can examine and cure the undead and human bodies, but Dragon Kin diseases are entirely beyond my expertise. To properly cure him, we would need to bring in the Dragon Witch of the Albion Empire or a Dragon-Kin specialist physician, but I cannot say how much time Red has left for that.” Sylphytte sighed again, her voice tight with professional failure.
”I see… Red-kun.” I gazed at Red-kun, who was miserably curled up inside the crystal, and the memory of our first meeting flashed through my mind.
.
..
…
(Kyuaah!)
(What the heck? I tried to make scrambled eggs with dragon eggs, but a baby dragon hatched instead. What should I do? Hmm. Guess I’ll raise you until you’re big enough to be a dragon steak, maybe?)
(Gyuaa?)
(Pfft! Just kidding, little dragon. Let’s be friends from now on. Your name will be… Red-kun, since you’re red.)
(Kyururu!)
.
..
…
…It’s been nearly four years since I met Red-kun. He’s always let me ride on his big back to take me all over the place.
”Shin-dono… Are you alright? You look quite pale.” Gilford-san, who had carried me, watched me with a concerned gaze. He’s such a consistently kind person.
”Yeah… I’m just going to take a walk around here for a bit. See you later!” I mumbled, needing to get away.
”Shin-dono! …He’s gone. Sylphytte, should we not just kidnap one of the Dragon Kin from the Albion Empire? I cannot bear to see Shin-dono looking like that.” Gilford pleaded with the healer.
”How are we, the dwellers of the mirror, supposed to kidnap someone, Gilford? I can provide a place and time for healing, but Carrol-sama’s orders are to completely sever ties with the outside world, save for a few exceptions. I cannot violate that.” Sylphytte’s voice was firm.
”…I know. I know, but it’s a grown-up’s duty to not let a small child look so sad, isn’t it?” Gilford lamented.
* * *
Red-kun was clearly weaker than he had been a few days ago. Why would he suddenly be afflicted with a Dragon-Kin rare disease?
(Kyururuu… Kyuuu!)
(Huh? Red-kun, what’s wrong? What’s that purple bruise? And why do you look so listless?)
”Sylphytte-san says we need the Dragon Witch or a Dragon-Kin doctor… It’s not like I can find someone like that right away, is it?”
(Ka-Ka! Tonight, I’m gonna drink all the booze in the Regain Kingdom!)
”Huh? That voice? …Is that Lin-chan, one of the heroines from Maidens x Cross-dressing? Why is her voice coming from a mirror in the hallway?” I peered into one of the nearby mirrors and checked out the Alys Magic Academy on the other side.
(Grandma Lin. Too much drinking is bad for your health.)
(I ain’t scared of dyin’, so I’m gonna drink my liquor! Now, quit naggin’ me, Granddaughter!) the voice roared.
”…That loli girl is an exact match for the adult woman in the portrait Alt-kun gave me. Dragon Kin are experts at transformation. So, that loli girl has been using an adult form to fool Alt-kun, huh?”
…And then, I remembered Sylphytte-san’s earlier words: Dragon Witch of the Albion Empire… Dragon Witch of the Albion Empire… Dragon Witch of the Albion Empire. The phrase echoed repeatedly in my brain.
”I see. All I have to do is make that loli girl my new best friend! Now that the plan’s set, I just have to spread a whole bunch of gin across the path and lure her out… Well, no idiot would fall for a simple trap like that, right?” I grinned to myself, already anticipating the success.
* * *
(A room in the Bird Cage, present time)
”You ain’t no good, ya little runt! What in the blazes d’ya think you’re doin’, huh?! I’m gonna wallop ya! I swear I will! Let go! I’m gonna full-swing yo’ cheek! Let me go!” The Great Hero, Lin-chan, was completely beside herself, thrashing madly.
”Now, now, calm down, my sweet little lady. Just chug this gin, won’t ya? Here ya go!” I tossed a bottle right at her face.
”Gu-wah?! What is that? …Is that liquor? You gonna give me that? …And did you just call me a ‘sweet little lady,’ ya brat? Nobody’s called me that in nearly five centuries! That’s a compliment!” The girl’s eyes were tearing up with joy as she spoke, and she proceeded to down the high-proof gin I’d forced into her mouth in one go. Wow, the Dragon Witch is intense.
”Um. My name is Shin Seyfried.” I introduced myself.
”Oh-ho. Shin… Seyfried? …Well, I’ll be. You related to Merlin? …You don’t look much like him, no. Wait, no. The soul lineage is a dead ringer. Are you his grandson or great-grandson or somethin’?” Lin immediately stopped thrashing, her eyes narrowing in recognition.
…Wait? Did she just say my grandfather’s name was Merlin? And she knows Grandpa Merlin? This Dragon Witch loli girl?
”Um. Grandson, yes. I’m Shin, Merlin-Ojii-sama’s grandson. Lin-san, as a token of our budding friendship, I’ve taken your panties.” I admitted sheepishly.
”Oh-ho. I don’t know how you knew my name, but you’ve got manners, boy! Merlin, he’d snatch my whole outfit and throw me buck-naked out in some town in the name o’ ‘shame-play’ or some such nonsense!” Lin cackled, seemingly unbothered by the theft.
…Just like my grandfather. What an unbelievable pervert. What a monster.
”Merlin Seyfried-sama’s grandson? Ah! You’re that Merlin-sama’s grandson? …Huh?! Kyaaa!!” With a sudden THUD! the girl who’d been on the ground beside the Dragon Witch fell over. Was that the loli’s older sister?
”Who is that? Is that the loli’s older sister?” I asked, mildly confused.
”Nah, that there’s my granddaughter, Yulize… But listen up, boy. As thanks for that gin, I’m gonna give you a word of warning.” The loli girl’s face immediately snapped from drunken joy to a deadly serious expression, Makoto³ (sincere) as a judge, as she glared at me. Stop that. Point those eyes at the Hero, Alexia, not me, the villainous heir.
”Yes? A warning? For me?” I swallowed, feeling the sudden shift in atmosphere.
”Aye… Boy. Where and when did you get that strong curse? Any normal person would be dead from a curse that powerful, unless you’ve got some kinda divine blessing or somethin’ cancellin’ it out?” She observed, her eyes like needles.
”A curse? On pure, innocent, completely clean me?” I stuttered, my heart sinking.
”Yes. The ‘Curse Maiden (Shino-Alice)’… That forbidden curse is slowly eating away at your body. It’s strong enough that it’s lookin’ to dominate you eventually.” The Great Hero, Dragon Witch Lin Lintuvermu, pointed a gnarled finger right behind me as she spoke.
────Ah, I see. So the battle wasn’t over yet, then. That last curse I took from Night Alice… She’s been fighting me all this time, from the shadows… trying to kill me.
As I thought so…
[Hee hee hee… I’m going to… kill you… you sh—]
”Get outta my way, ya ghost! Begone. ‘Two-Winged Merciless’” Lin roared, cutting the ghostly speech off.
[This is… you… why are you here? …Existing… KIEEEE?!]
I heard something shrieking behind me. Was that the ghost’s death throes?
”Huh? My body feels lighter?” I instinctively noticed the change.
”Ka-ka! Good for you, boy! I paid my debt for the liquor! Now, you gotta pay me back in turn.” She smirked.
”A debt? Should I give you your stolen panties back?” I offered immediately.
”Don’t be an idiot! I don’t want ’em. Keep that as a token of our friendship. More important, you gotta shelter me and my granddaughter. Shelter us!” She demanded.
”Shelter? No, thanks. I don’t want to get involved in any more troublesome stuff!” I pushed back, exasperated.
”You’ll do it whether you like it or not… And you’ll protect my granddaughter from those idiots in the Albion Empire!” Lin pointed to the still-sprawled-out girl on the floor.
Honestly, what the heck am I getting myself into now? My head is already spinning just thinking about Red-kun!
Notes:
• Lintuvermu – The full name of Lin, the Dragon Witch and Great Hero who sealed the ancient dragon Albion. She is a powerful, millennia-old Dragonkin currently captured by Shin to cure Red-kun. She reveals a lingering curse on Shin and strikes a deal for shelter.
• Lin – Alt’s mentor, described as the ‘Great Hero who sealed the ancient dragon, Albion, who resides in the Dragon Country.’ He is suggested as someone who might possess knowledge of a cure for the dragon race’s strange disease.
• Lala – Delusional saint candidate from the Lax Empire who becomes fanatically devoted to Shin, founding a religion in his name and often speaking with the quirky suffix ‘~desuwa’
• Right – An upperclassman frustrated with ten-year-old Alexia’s presidency who initially supported Lilith (‘Lili-tan’) for the role. He represents the ‘cute girl fetish’ faction, rips up the magic paper in anger, and engages in heated debates with Left about the academy’s bizarre political landscape and student obsessions.
• Star Twelve Apostles – Shin’s proposed, rejected renaming of his cult’s core followers (the ‘Twelve Apostles’). He suggests ‘Astorum Duodecim’ but finds it lacking, reflecting his casual attitude toward the grandiose title.
• Astorum Duodecim – The Latinized version of ‘Star Twelve Apostles’ proposed by Shin as a more impressive name for his group of followers, though he ultimately dismisses it as not fitting well.
• Twelve Apostles – The core group of twelve devout followers in the Religion of Shin (Shin-kyō) who revere Shin as their founder. They are shown gathered in prayer around his colossal statue and participate in the formal ceremonies within the Shin Cathedral.
• Alt – A Dragonkin member of the Twelve Apostles who was researching Dragonkin-related Divine Artifacts. He becomes Shin’s primary source of information and suggests consulting his mentor, Lin, for a potential cure.
• Night Alice – Hidden Gimmick Monster/Boss of the Maidens x Cross-dressing RPG, one of the founders of Alys Magic Academy. Hijacked the Mirror World (Wonderland) and ruled as the Student Council President. Her initial forms included Slaughter Doll and Alice Slaughter (centipede/alien).
• Gilford – The Necrolord and retainer of the Mirrorworld who escorts Shin to the Bird Cage. He is kind and concerned for Shin’s well-being, showing a paternal care for the distressed youth.
• Syrellus – An allied nation to the west of Regain, serving as an “asylum for researchers who went just a little too mad for normal academia.”
• Loran – A character mentioned as sending tea leaves from the Syrellus Magic Kingdom to Princess Alice. Implied to be her lover or a close associate from another realm.
• Sylphytte – The temporary physician caring for Red-kun in the Mirrorworld. She specializes in undead and human ailments but is unable to cure Dragonkin diseases, only able to slow the illness with a Time-Stasis Crystal.
• Time-Stasis Crystal – A magical crystal used to slow the progression of Red-kun’s rare Dragonkin disease, buying time for a cure. It is a temporary measure implemented by Sylphytte.
• Albion Empire – A nation to the east of Regain where dragonkind is revered as divine. It is currently locked in “bloody, territorial chaos” with the new Demon King’s forces in Schwert.
• Two-Winged Merciless – A powerful spell or technique used by Lin to exorcise the lingering curse (Shino-Alice) that was afflicting Shin, severing Night Alice’s last influence on him.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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