Volume 6 Chapter 6 Signs of Movement
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I see. So, you’re planning to send several technicians from the Spirit Clan¹ over to that side?”
At an exchange center situated near the border of the Demon Clan² and the Spirit Clan territories, Karin posed the question to Chieftain Fedelate.
[Indeed. When the Elf Queen Asuka proposed that her daughter—the princess and your younger sister—should study abroad there, voices from within our tribe argued that allowing a single nation to monopolize the benefits would violate the Three-Tribe Treaty³. Consequently, it was resolved that we too should dispatch personnel to further our understanding of their technology and culture. As it stands, we are essentially being utilized as little more than a convenient postal service.]
”Ah, but the Spirit Clan’s regular delivery service has truly been a godsend. Thanks to that, communication between this world and the other has become incredibly frequent.”
Five years prior, Utari, a member of the advance party, made several journeys between the realms. It was eventually determined that although members of the Spirit Clan do not require mana for physical reconstruction, the residual mana they carry prevents them from performing teleportation in a perfectly identical state. Frequent travel was judged to risk gaps in consciousness or memory, leading to a restriction where a single Spirit Clan member may only traverse the realms once per year. However, at the behest of the Three-Tribe Council⁴, the Spirit Clan established a monthly scheduled service between the worlds, with personnel rotating for the duty.
”That means my mother is going along with Shushu. I wish I could have gone too… but I’m sure it will be way, way more nostalgic for my mother than for me, so… I suppose I’ll just have to wait my turn,” Karin said.
[Ah, Karin. By having the Spirit Clan participate in the research of the Gate⁵, the day we can traverse them freely may be drawing near.]
”I’m counting on you, Chieftain! But please, don’t let our long-cherished wish be fulfilled solely through the technology of that other world.”
[Umu. Regarding that matter… Karin. Regardless of whether we desire it or not, the situation may begin to shift soon.]
”Huh? What exactly do you mean by that?” Karin asked.
[I cannot divulge the details at present. But rest assured. Regarding this affair, we have already established communication with the Demon Clan and the Elves. This is not a matter of us pursuing our long-cherished wish through our own arbitrary judgment.]
”I see. If that’s the case, I’m relieved. I’ll leave it in your hands, Chieftain.”
* * *
Elsewhere, within the Imperial Palace of the Apocalypse Demon Clan Empire⁶.
”Well then, Your Majesty the Emperor. Is the Empire truly refraining from sending any exchange students this time around?”
During a routine diplomatic summit between the Elves and the Demon Clan, Puruun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Zerlant Kingdom⁷, directed the question to Emperor Balmstra of the Apocalypse Empire.
”Indeed, Ms. Puruun. The Elves are dispatching Queen Asuka’s princess, and the Spirit Clan is sending a group of technicians… however, based on what Ms. Sheena previously shared, active Demon Clan operations over there seem rather cumbersome. She struggled immensely just trying to conceal her tail. Given that she is performing exceptionally well on her own, I see little necessity in sending additional personnel at this juncture. Conversely, I actually wish to invite several individuals from that side to visit us. While it is vital for us to study their culture, I want their people to properly experience our culture before they return. Naturally, we have quite a few who have drifted here by chance, but the protocols for their repatriation are still being established, are they not? For the time being, I believe inviting them as official diplomats would be far more conducive to maintaining harmony.”
”I see. I understand your reasoning perfectly. The return of humans who have drifted here is still in a phase where we provide lists to that world and wait for them to verify identities with their home countries. As Your Majesty suggests, official diplomats would provide a far more legitimate pretext. Very well. I shall proceed in that direction and consult with the Queen and the Three-Tribe Council. However… once they arrive here, it’s quite a challenge to get back to that side, isn’t it?” Puruun asked.
”But with Ms. Sheena’s innovations, it has become considerably easier than before, hasn’t it? I believe the return slots can be managed strictly by the Three-Tribe Council…” the Emperor replied.
Indeed. It appeared Sheena had devised a way to hermetically seal the area surrounding the Gate on the other side, making it easier for mana to accumulate. That said, they have not yet reached the point of actively manipulating mana from the Sistemador⁸ side and must wait patiently; however, word has reached me that whereas it once took a decade for one or two people, the mana required for teleportation now amasses in roughly five or six years.
”Furthermore, Your Majesty. While we are currently vetting our candidates, even if we were to extend invitations to individuals on that side now, would they arrive in time for the exchange program?”
”No, no, Ms. Puruun. It need not be a simultaneous exchange. Those traveling from our side could simply recruit interested students while they are there, and that would suffice,” the Emperor said.
”Ah. That makes quite a bit of sense.”
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Zerlant Royal Palace.
”Mother! Granny Akari! I’m home! Papa was doing great!!”
Displaying no signs of exhaustion from her long trek, Shushu burst into my office with exuberant energy. Ms. Sharlin poked her head in a moment later, followed eventually by Ms. Beyond, who arrived while gasping for air. “Haa… haa…”
”My, my. Has the legendary adventurer of old finally reached the age where she’s left winded?”
”Oh, Your Majesty. You’re being uncharacteristically severe today. It’s not that at all. The Princess is simply too energetic! The moment the carriage pulled up before the Royal Palace, she made a full-tilt sprint all the way here…” Beyond panted.
”Now, Shushu. From this point forward, you must learn to accomplish goals while cooperating with those around you. Abandoning your attendant, Ms. Beyond, to dash ahead like that is simply unacceptable!”
Mama Akari reprimanded Shushu in a firm voice, prompting Shushu to offer a sincere apology to Ms. Beyond. It seems this girl truly cannot hold her head up in Mama Akari’s presence.
”At any rate, the important thing is that you’ve returned safely. So… how was Mr. Yuuta?” I asked.
At my inquiry, Mama Akari, who stood beside me, also leaned in to catch every word.
”Yes. The management of his territory appeared to be in order, and his complexion looked healthy. He might have filled out a bit, though. Is that what they call ‘middle-age spread’? When I explained the details of the Princess’s study abroad and mentioned that Ms. Akari would be accompanying her, he was visibly overjoyed,” Beyond reported.
”Yuuta…”
At Ms. Beyond’s words, Mama Akari’s gaze drifted upward for a brief moment.
”I see. You have done well… Shushu. How was it, meeting your father for the first time?” I asked.
”Yes, Mother! He was exactly like the image Granny Akari has been describing to me since I was a little girl. I gave him a huge, huge squeeze! But, he wouldn’t let me share a bath or a bed with him, nano,” Shushu said.
”Honestly. Despite your size, you’re still such a child. Mr. Yuuta must have been quite bewildered,” I remarked.
”And Mother. I am the child of Mother and Papa, right? But Mother and Papa are no longer a couple? And Elder Sister Karin is the daughter of Granny Akari and Papa… Sometimes I get confused whether Yuuta-papa is my father or my grandfather,” Shushu said.
”Oh, Shushu. Mr. Yuuta is your father, plain and simple. I am not the Queen’s real mother, nor am I your ‘granny’!” Akari said with a chuckle.
”Um, Mama Akari. Regarding Mr. Yuuta. Thanks to your efforts, Shushu has matured enough to be sent over there as an exchange student. We have burdened you with countless troubles until the very end, but once Shushu makes her final return here, I believe I can finally relieve you of your duties as her wet nurse and guardian. Ah, I don’t mean that you’re dismissed! If possible, I want you to reconcile with Mr. Yuuta and live together in the Kashiwagi Territory⁹. Naturally, Elder Brother Aaron is also in favor of this. How does that sound? I would appreciate it if you would consider the proposal,” I said.
”Your Majesty… those words are far more than I deserve…”
”Mr. Yuuta won’t be able to attend Shushu’s send-off, but please make an opportunity to have a proper discussion with him… though, in truth, I must also consider Puru-chan, Ms. Melon, and Ms. Ellulu. I’ll consult with Elder Brother Aaron regarding them in due time as well.”
”Thank you. I am deeply grateful that you hold everyone’s well-being in your thoughts,” Akari replied.
At that moment, Ms. Claudel entered. “Your Majesty. Karin-san has arrived,” she announced. Her father, Lord Rainsheyn, reportedly stepped down as Prime Minister three years ago and is currently enjoying a tranquil retirement in his home territory. Karin has since succeeded him in the role.
”Well, what impeccable timing… show her in immediately.”
In short order, Karin entered the room.
”Ah, Big Sister Karin! Were you visiting the Spirit Clan again?”
Once more, Shushu launched herself toward Karin with single-minded momentum.
”That’s right, Shushu. That is my job, after all… so, Shushu. Did you get to meet Father?”
”Yes! I already gave him a huge rub-rub, nano!”
”Hahaha. If you rubbed against him like that, Father must have been completely overwhelmed, right? Honestly, you’re taller than me and your chest is bigger too… but your temperament and behavior are still purely that of a child’s,” Karin said.
”Ah, Elder Sister! That’s mean! I’m studying hard to become a proper adult too, you know. Right, Ms. Beyond?”
Being suddenly put on the spot, Ms. Beyond looked visibly flustered… highly suspicious, indeed.
”Yes, yes, Shushu. Your sister has a report for the Queen… so, Your Majesty. Regarding my discussion with Chieftain Fedelate…”
Karin concisely relayed the details of her visit to me… that ‘things might begin to move’ must refer to that matter, then. Looking at Ms. Claudel’s face, her expression warned me to keep silent for now.
”Um, Your Majesty. Do you happen to know the specifics of what he meant by ‘things moving’?” Karin asked, searching my expression.
”Eh? Ah. Well… but it’s not as if something is going to happen this very second, Karin-san. When the time comes, I’ll explain everything to you again,” I replied.
* * *
Around that same time, within a particular tent in the Spirit Clan’s territory.
”Very well, Elder Zea. Just as we discussed.”
”I’m counting on you, Berylart. Chieftain Fedelate surely has his own designs, but if we are too sluggish, our clan risks being placed at a unilateral disadvantage when the situation shifts. I have no intention of making force our primary option, but I wish to ensure we have contingencies for any eventuality. Above all, take the utmost care that our intentions are not detected by the Three-Tribe Council—or even by those within our own tribe,” Elder Zea said.
”I understand. I will embed our finest members among the exchange students, so please set your mind at ease.”
”I’m counting on you. For the sake of our long-cherished wish…”
—
Summary:
The major powers of the fantasy world are finalizing plans for a student exchange program with Yuuta’s world to study culture and technology. Shushu returns from visiting Yuuta and learns of a plan for her nanny, Akari, to eventually return to live with him in his territory. Meanwhile, Karin takes over as Prime Minister and suspects that the world leaders are hiding a major upcoming shift in the status quo. In secret, a faction of Spirit Clan elders plans to infiltrate the exchange program to ensure their tribe isn’t left behind during the ‘long-cherished’ change.
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Character Insight:
Shushu’s comedic behavior hides the underlying confusion of her multi-family dynamics, showing she still processes complex relationships through a child’s lens despite her physical growth. Queen Asuka exhibits a ruler’s foresight, not just politically, but in trying to secure a happy retirement for Akari, showing her deep emotional intelligence. Karin’s immediate professional report despite being greeted by a chaotic sister shows her growth into a competent statesman, though she remains sharp enough to sense the secrets held by her superiors.
—
Behind the Scene:
This chapter bridges the gap between the exploration phase and a new political arc. The mention of ‘Sistemador’ suggests a mechanical or game-like underpinning to the world’s physics, a common element in ‘Girlfriend’s Mother’ that grounds the high-fantasy elements. The reveal of Berylart and Zea’s conspiracy adds a necessary layer of tension to the otherwise peaceful ‘school exchange’ plotline.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Fedelate – The clan leader of the Spirit Clan. He is kind, gentle, and shows a unique interest in Sofia. Fedelate is powerful, capable of using telekinesis and healing magic. He is intrigued by human emotions and experiences, especially love.
• Utari – A member of the Spirit Clan that being captured by Sharlin and Karin. His appearance varies depending on the observer; Karin sees him as a human boy of similar age, while Master Sharlin perceives him as a bug-like monster. He communicates through physical touch, directly affecting the minds of others.
• Sheena – A Lizardman from the Apocalypse Empire, specifically a junior researcher in the teleportation research team of the empire’s army. She is the 47th resident (hence ‘No. 47’) of the secret underground facility in Nevada, where she has been living for several years after accidentally being transported to this world through a failed gate experiment. Yuuta’s saffle too. Grey hair, long hair.
• Melon – Puruun’s younger sister who is close with Ms. Akari and wants Yuuta and Ms. Akari to be together and have children.
• Rainsheyn – Male. The prime minister. He assists Asuka in preparing for defense.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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