Chapter 157 Those Concerned by Rumors of the King of the Magic Labyrinth
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A fair amount of time had passed since Aris-chan became a Slave of Love¹, and life within the Dominion² remained tranquil.
I spent my days casually messing around with Lady Vectra and Eunos-san, occasionally indulging in afternoon trysts to bolster the Magic Power⁴ of the Magic Girls³. Furthermore, with the plantation operating smoothly, it wasn’t long before I was ready for another level-up.
Considering that the Resource Point⁵ expenditure required for each level-up increases as I climb higher, I’d say this is a remarkably brisk pace. And so, without further ado, it was time to ascend.
■ Class Name
■ Ego Skills
〈Rear-Climax⁸〉〈Affection Surge – Rear⁹〉〈Oral Apphrodisiac – Light¹⁰〉
■ Slave of Love Skills
〈Malediction of Submission¹¹〉〈Holy Zero Shield¹²〉Seikou¹³〈Blessed Return of Abilities¹⁴〉
■ Dominator Skills
Water Splendor Flash¹⁵〈Color Change¹⁶〉〈Treasure Trove 2¹⁷〉〈Land of Blessing¹⁸〉〈Domain Alert¹⁹〉〈Area Movement 1²⁰〉Manifestation Fixation²¹〈Domain Clairvoyance²²〉
”Huh… no new skill…” I said.
”Well, you’ve been gaining new skills consistently since level six~. But the Dominion has expanded, and the Magic Girls’ combat capabilities should have improved as well!” Ami replied.
Bolstering our military strength was indeed vital. In our current state, we would at least struggle against the Magic Knight²³ girls. If possible, I wanted to neutralize them and spirit them away to this world, but…
Moreover, the place where I can truly exert my full power isn’t Japan, but the other world. If I’m to eventually intercept all pursuers, I’ll need to settle matters here in the other world rather than in Japan.
However, with the current state of the Dominion, we probably wouldn’t win even if we lured our pursuers to this side. I wanted to gather more Unique Individuals²⁴ like Lady Vectra, and leveling up the Magic Girls was a prerequisite.
”Ami-chan, how are the Ego Points²⁵ looking?” I asked.
”They’re looking quite good! As expected, as our numbers grow, Shou’s desires seem to bloat right along with them!” Ami replied.
Well, just debating who to sleep with every day, what kind of combinations to try, or what costumes to dress them in was entertaining enough on its own! Since my Quester level had increased, the variety of things I could manifest had grown considerably as well. I could now produce a wide array of decent clothing.
I could even replicate the various cosplay outfits I’d brought from Japan in multiple sizes and colors. Someday, I’d love to have all the Magic Girls wear swimsuits for a massive harem session.
”…You mentioned it before, didn’t you? That with the current plantation scale, we can maintain up to three Unique Individuals,” I said.
”That’s right! …Are you going to do it?” Ami asked.
”Yeah. Once I hit level 10, I’m going to focus on expanding the plantation for a while,” I replied.
That meant the Dominion would require another major overhaul… and I’d need to increase the labor force. Well, I suppose there’s nothing for it but to take things one step at a time.
With that in mind, I activated the Dominator skill Manifestation Fixation, consuming all my Ego Points to guarantee the manifestation of a Unique Individual. I wondered what kind of beauty would appear next… but then, the unexpected occurred.
”Huh…?” I muttered.
To my astonishment, no one appeared before me. I panicked, thinking I’d failed, but Ami-chan looked upward.
”It seems they manifested on the surface~,” Ami said.
”Eh? On the surface…?” I asked.
What could that mean? I climbed the stairs with Ami-chan and stepped outside the manor. There, I was greeted by a truly massive sight.
”Whaaaaaaaaat?!” I yelled.
There stood a spider. And not just any spider—it was roughly the size of a large vehicle. Furthermore, its legs and body were integrated with metallic parts, giving it a distinctly mechanical aesthetic. Rather than a living creature, it gave the impression of a robot designed for that very purpose. A mecha-spider.
If I mounted a turret on top, it could probably function as a multi-legged tank. It felt a bit romantic.
”That’s quite an impressive one that’s come out~! Shou, grant it a class!” Ami said.
”Ah… so this really is a Unique Individual… Er… As the Dominator〈Quester〉, I hereby bestow a class upon thee…” I said.
Ami-chan had mentioned before that Unique Individuals aren’t necessarily humanoid, but I never imagined something this outrageous would show up…
[Grantula]
■ Class: Lord Spider²⁶
■ Attribute: Fire, Iron, Light
■ Weapon: None
■ Attack Power: Top Class
■ Defense: Top Class
■ Mobility: Fast
■ Magic Power: Negligible
”Whoa…” I muttered.
A pure physical type…! Well, with a frame that large, simply ramming into something would likely demolish a building and crush a person to pulp.
”This class is… a dedicated class!” Ami said.
”They even have those…” I replied.
I attempted to communicate with Grantula-san immediately, but it seemed he was incapable of speech. However, he appeared to comprehend what I was saying. Naturally, since he wasn’t female, I couldn’t take him outside the territory. But as a guardian of the Dominion, I felt I’d gained a very reassuring ally.
”Perfect timing! Let’s have Grantula patrol the outer perimeter of the Dominion and hunt down some suitable demon monsters!” Ami suggested.
”True… even though the living area has become safe, I still want to conduct periodic culls of the demon monsters. It’ll earn us Resource Points too,” I agreed.
So, after introducing Grantula-san to everyone, he was assigned to duty outside the castle walls. Honestly, seeing that form, even a lion-headed demon monster would probably flee in terror…
* * *
”Is that information… certain?” Lady Viorga asked.
”Yes, Viorga-sama. It seems Council Member Lambdaine was keeping it hidden… but I heard it directly from one of the guardsmen,” the informant replied.
Infuriatingly, our country currently hosts several private soldiers dispatched by a Council Member of the Republic. They are here under the pretext of searching for the kidnapped Princess Liliarette, but given their standing, it is difficult to turn them away.
Of course, their search for Princess Liliarette is likely genuine. However, there is no doubt they intend to map the interior of the Kingdom and scout for information on the Hero in the process. But they, too, seem to have learned of the Hero’s extraordinary power; they won’t likely make any reckless moves. Rather, the problem is the information these men just brought.
Council Member Lambdaine. News had already reached the Kingdom that he had recently begun dealing in fruits and vegetables of magnificent quality. Since it has reached the Kingdom, it must already be a well-known fact within the Republic. I myself sampled some of the fruit wine immediately, and it was a flavor I had never experienced before. It was undoubtedly delicious.
I hear Council Member Lambdaine sells some of the fruits only to the nobility and the wealthy. The ones I received certainly possessed a flavor befitting the palates of the high-born. However, the question remains as to why he suddenly began handling multiple varieties of vegetables and fruits that no one had ever known before. Word has it that Council Member Lambdaine has begun trading with a being known as the King of the Magic Labyrinth²⁸, who resides deep within the Demon Forest²⁷.
That individual is said to cultivate rare crops deep in the Demon Forest, and the story goes that Council Member Lambdaine is purchasing them from him. It is beyond absurd. Yet, it is a fact that he is dealing in rare crops. Naturally, the other Council Members are investigating. There, they reportedly heard an interesting story from the guards of a certain town.
(It is a tale far too preposterous to believe at face value, but…)
Supposedly, the King of the Magic Labyrinth can freely use teleportation to travel deep into the Demon Forest. Furthermore, he possesses powerful maids among his subordinates, and it is said the guards were all defeated by one of them without being able to lift a finger. Also, as information that cannot be ignored, there was a story that the King of the Magic Labyrinth possessed a letter of introduction that Princess Liliarette had addressed to Council Member Lambdaine.
”…Are you suggesting that Princess Liliarette is in the Demon Forest?” Lady Viorga asked.
”Who can say… However, our investigation has shown that those guards were not lying. Council Member Lambdaine connected with the King of the Magic Labyrinth through some method and became able to deal in rare crops. This much is fact,” the informant said.
”………”
Princess Liliarette’s whereabouts remain unknown. In fact, it was precisely because her location was unknown that we have been unable to deal the finishing blow to the faction of the former First Queen, led by Marquis Egrest. Within the Kingdom, there are none other than the former First Queen’s faction with a motive to kidnap Princess Liliarette. However, the possibility that someone from outside the country snatched her cannot be denied. In any case, it is still premature to use the Hero as a pretext. Though preparations for that are underway… indeed.
(Assuming this story is all true… what concerns me is the existence of teleportation sorcery.)
This, like flight sorcery, is a magic that has never once been successfully completed. If this individual called the King of the Magic Labyrinth were a master of sorcery beyond my imagination… what if he had taught flight sorcery to a disciple or someone else? Also, if such capable individuals are gathered in number, it might not be impossible to live deep within the Demon Forest…? Then why would they go out of their way to live in such a land?
(Is it because there are crops that can only be cultivated there…? Could it be that by eating them, they are able to maintain a formidable Magic Power…?)
It is possible. Rather, unless there were such a merit, one would not go out of their way to live in the Demon Forest… and deep within it at that.
”Conveying this information to me… what do you intend to do?” Lady Viorga asked.
”It depends on orders from above, but we will likely be returning to the Republic in the coming days,” the soldier replied.
”Oh? Why is that?” Lady Viorga asked.
”We originally came all this way thinking Princess Liliarette was within the Kingdom. However, if she was snatched away by the hand of the one called the King of the Magic Labyrinth, there is no reason to linger in this land any longer,” the soldier said.
They will return to their home country once they have obtained a certain amount of necessary information… or so it seems. Furthermore, the one who holds the most information regarding the King of the Magic Labyrinth is Council Member Lambdaine. They likely believe that returning to their own country would yield more beneficial information than gathering it here in the Kingdom.
(What concerns me is the movement of the Empire…)
Although only in part, the Republic also engages in commerce with the Empire. Surely information regarding the crops Council Member Lambdaine handles has already reached them as well. After all, the fruit wine has even reached my hands. Some nobles in the Empire must also have obtained it. Will those people simply believe it comes from the Demon Forest? And if they do, will they attempt to make contact with the King of the Magic Labyrinth?
(As a matter of fact, among the three countries bordering the Demon Forest, only the Republic has been able to make contact with the King of the Magic Labyrinth…)
Whether that leads to an advantage is unknown, but… no, Council Member Lambdaine is already seeing results. Furthermore, it is unthinkable that the Holy City²⁹ is unaware of this information. They too will move eventually. That said, it is hardly realistic for us to head deep into the Demon Forest ourselves…
(…Come to think of it. In our country, we have the Barnail³¹ who can ride upon the back of the magic bird Skygoon³⁰. Furthermore, forty members of the White Lily Holy Knights³², led by Lady Alvia, are still deployed nearby…)
Our country’s superiority lies in our ability to collect information from the sky. I do not believe all the stories of the King of the Magic Labyrinth, but… let us prepare a few moves.
—
Summary:
Shou reaches level 9 and summons a gargantuan mechanical spider named Grantula to guard his expanding Dominion. He sets his sights on improving his agricultural output and military strength for a future showdown. Meanwhile, Lady Viorga investigates rumors of a ‘King of the Magic Labyrinth’ trading rare crops with the Republic. Concerned by reports of teleportation magic and kidnapped royalty, she considers using her country’s aerial knights to scout the forest.
—
Character Insight:
Shou’s strategic mind is starting to balance his hedonism as he prepares for international conflict. Lady Viorga is established as a cold, shrewd political operator who views even gourmet food through the lens of national security and magic theory.
—
Behind the Scene:
The introduction of Grantula indicates that ‘Unique Individuals’ can be non-humanoid mecha-monsters. The chapter shifts the focus from internal base-building to external global politics, setting the stage for the Kingdom, Republic, and Empire to clash over the Demon Forest’s resources.
—
T/L:
Notes:
• Vectra – A Unique Individual maid with white skin and white hair. Height 170cm, Bust Size D. Class: Duelist. Attribute: Darkness. Weapon: Star-Strike Battle Axe Volkein
• Eunos – Height 164cm, Bust Size C. A Unique Individual Maid summoned by Shou. She has long silver hair of a darker, steel-like shade and a pair of white wings on her back. She wears a modest long-skirted outfit resembling a nun’s habit. Her class is Magic Flash Gunner (El-Gunner).
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
• Gin – A friend of Kiraurumi who craves excitement and is secretly a ‘lolita enthusiast’ complexed about her own tall stature. She sees the world-saving mission as a ‘plane ride over a river’ of boredom.
• Grantula – A Unique Individual in the form of a giant mechanical spider. It has metallic parts and serves as the guardian of the Dominion’s periphery.
• Viorga – The First Princess of the Emmeld Kingdom. She is a beautiful, young woman with long golden hair and sharp blue eyes, always dressed in an elaborate crimson and gold royal gown. She is utterly ruthless, viewing all people—including the summoned Heroes and her own family—as disposable assets in her political games. Looks like Aileen Lauren from certain series.
• Lambdaine – A powerful Councilor of the Shital Republic and a successful merchant who built his fortune from nothing. He is the grandfather of Iris and Aris.
• Liliarette – The other Princess, who sacrificed her ability to walk and her sorcery talent to save her sister, Cleonora. She is imprisoned in the East Tower and is being used as a political and monetary pawn by Viorga. C-cup, true golden hair, waist-length hair, the fringe was a slightly blunt, hair on her left side was braided to the chest.
• Barnail – The only man in the kingdom capable of riding the Skygoon magical bird. He is a crucial asset for fast information delivery between the capital and the frontiers.
• Alvia – A Captain in the White Lily Knights, a private military force loyal only to Princess Viorga. She is deeply devoted to Viorga and views all others, especially the exiled Cleonora and the incompetent Heroes, with disdain and suspicion. She is on a mission to verify Cleonora’s safety and the progress of the exile camp.The protagonist’s classmate and long-time crush since middle school. She is charismatic, a bit strong-willed, and has strong leadership qualities. She is considered one of the ‘idols’ of the high school. Her hair is black long haired. Daddy’s girl.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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