Volume 6 Chapter 7 The Joint Gate Research Institute of the Three Tribes
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Akari’s POV
”Uahhh! This is so cool! Akari-baba, look, look down! The forests and the houses are like little toys!” Shushu shouted.
”Shushu, it’s dangerous! Don’t lean out! You’ll be blown away if you try to stand up!” Akari yelled back.
”I’m fine! My body is strapped tight into the chair and everything…” Shushu said.
”No! Stay still! I’m losing my mind just watching you! Besides, I… I was never very good with heights to begin with…” Akari muttered.
”Ooh! I found Akari-baba’s weakness!” Shushu laughed.
Leaving from the Territory of Sir Yōmo, we were strapped onto the back of a chartered flying dragon ¹. Our group – myself, the Dwarf Engineer Princess Shushu-sama, Karin, who was seeing us off, and our bodyguards Lady Beyond and Ms. Sharlin, along with Ms. Claudel’s witnessing party – was heading toward the Joint Gate Research Institute of the Three Tribes ². It was located in the mountains about a hundred kilometers south of Desmostown, the Imperial Capital of the neighboring Apocalypse Empire. Last year, Queen Asuka-sama decided to send Princess Shushu to study in my original world for a one-year term. Now that the year had turned, the preparations were finally complete.
I’ve never been good with heights. Even in my old world, I’d only flown on a plane a handful of times – barely enough to count on one hand – and those were all domestic trips. Besides, this flying dragon just had chairs bolted directly to its back. No walls, no ceiling. I wondered what they did if the weather turned sour. To top it off, last night was the Princess’s send-off party. The Queen and the nation’s dignitaries had gathered for a banquet in the Territory of Sir Yōmo. Sir Aaron had practically poured the drinks down my throat, and now my hangover was brutal. Ugh… I feel sick.
”Ms. Akari? Your face is pale. Are you alright?” Lady Beyond asked concernedly.
”Yeah… I’m hanging in there,” Akari replied feebly.
”Mom! Is that it?” Karin asked, pointing. In the distance sat a massive building that looked remarkably modern for this world – it felt like something from back home.
”That’s it. That’s the Joint Gate Research Institute of the Three Tribes. Ms. Ellulu and I designed it to look like a building from the other world,” Ms. Claudel said with a hint of pride.
Finally… solid ground. At the dragon’s landing pad, Mr. Sistemador was waiting to guide us inside. The moment we touched down, Shushu looked ready to bolt, but Lady Beyond caught her by the wrist.
”Hey, Princess. No wandering off!” Lady Beyond warned.
”Ah, there they are! Mama Akari, long time no see. You look… wait, is something wrong? Your face is ghost-white,” Puruun said.
”Oh, PurPur, you’re here too? I’m fine. Now that I’m back on the ground…” Akari said.
”I see. Well, I’m staying for the send-off, so let’s catch up tonight. Chancellor Claudel, thank you for your hard work,” Puruun said.
”Ms. Puruun. Are you the Empire’s official witness? Don’t let His Majesty the Emperor work you to the bone,” Ms. Claudel teased with a dry smile.
”Hahaha! This is Mama Akari’s big departure! There’s no way I’d miss it. Honestly, I think Melon wanted to come too,” Puruun laughed.
”I’m sure. It’s a shame she’s so busy,” Ms. Claudel replied. In reality, ever since that bear abduction incident, MelMel had been kept under tighter security than most royalty. She wasn’t allowed out of the country easily.
”So, Sistemador. Has the spirit clan ³ party arrived yet?” Ms. Claudel asked.
”Not yet. We got word they’ll arrive tomorrow before noon. As scheduled, departure will be tomorrow evening. We’ve prepared the large conference room for the party from Zerlant Kingdom to stay in. It’s not exactly a hotel, so please bear with us… Also, uh… Yuuta didn’t come to see you off, did he?” Mr. Sistemador asked.
”No. It’s an all-female group, so it’s probably for the best,” Ms. Claudel said awkwardly.
* * *
The next day, just before noon.
Right on schedule, the two students from the spirit clan arrived, escorted by Utari.
”Oh, Utari! You’re coming too?” Karin asked.
”No, Karin. I’m just an observer and here for the send-off. These two are the ones going. I’ll have them introduce themselves later. But Karin… why do you have a bruise around your eye?” Utari asked.
”Oh, this? The conference room was so big, Shushu and I ended up having a pillow fight that got a little too intense… Anyway, Utari, this is my mom,” Karin said, introducing her.
”So you are Mr. Utari of the spirit clan. Thank you for looking after Karin. I know she can be a handful, but I hope you’ll continue to guide her,” Akari said politely.
”Mom, stop! It’s not like that… I don’t need ‘looking after’…” Karin stammered, turning red.
”Spirit clan-san, hello! This is my first time meeting one of you! I am Shushu-Dwarf Engineer-ria of the Zerlant Kingdom. Nice to meet you!” Shushu shouted.
”Ah… so this is Princess Shushu… Hahaha, it’s true. Just like I heard, she’s even bigger than Karin,” Utari noted.
”Seriously, Utari? Give it a rest…” Karin grumbled.
After lunch, everyone gathered in the conference room for the briefing.
”Since many of you are meeting for the first time, let’s start with introductions,” Mr. Sistemador suggested.
”I am Zau of the spirit clan. I’ll be participating in this study abroad program. My goal is to study physics and electromagnetism,” Zau said.
”And I am Karua of the spirit clan. I want to learn about pharmacology, physiology, and meteorology,” Karua added. Both spirit clan men looked to be in their late teens – handsome and clearly intelligent. The Chieftain had promised his best, and it showed.
”I am Shushu-Dwarf Engineer-ria, the First Princess of the Zerlant Kingdom! I’m going to study hard and eat lots of delicious food!” Shushu declared. God, she’s my sister, but she’s so unrefined for a princess, Karin thought. But with Mom and Big Sister Tomori there, she’ll be fine.
”I am Sakura Akari. Being able to return to my hometown is more than I can put into words. But this is a job, and I will give it my all,” Akari said.
”Aww, Akari-baba! You should relax a bit and cut some corners!” Shushu teased.
”No! If I leave you alone, there’s no telling what you’ll do!” Akari snapped back. They really did act like mother and daughter.
Mr. Sistemador then explained the logistics.
”The Gate ⁴ will be Zau-san, Princess Shushu, Ms. Akari, and then Karua-san. spirit clan members are less affected by mana ⁵, so they’ll take the front and back to stabilize the load. On the other side, the AWCC ⁶ staff, Lieutenant Sheena, and Attaché Saran are waiting. Follow their instructions. And please, keep your luggage to a minimum,” Mr. Sistemador instructed.
”Hear that, Shushu? Let big sis check your bags for any junk,” Karin said.
”I’m fine, Karin-onee-chan! But why do we have to pack light? I even had to leave my favorite body pillow behind!” Shushu pouted.
”It’s for safety,” Karin replied. Too much luggage could cause a glitch in the Gate. Apparently, in the past, a stray potted plant once hit a bear right in the face during a transport – it saved Big Sister Melon’s life, but it wasn’t exactly standard procedure.
”Mom, are you okay with your bags? I know you wanted to bring souvenirs…” Karin asked.
”I’m fine, Karin. Just seeing Tomori again is enough for me. But I’ve got plenty of photos of you on my digital camera,” Akari said with a smile.
”I see. Give Tomori my best. And her husband… and Halt. Man, it’s weird to think I’m an ‘Aunt’ to Halt,” Karin mused.
”That’s right. This time, I’m going back as a true-blue grandma!” Akari laughed.
—
Summary:
Akari and Princess Shushu travel by flying dragon to a joint research institute to prepare for their transfer to the modern world. They meet up with various allies and the Spirit Clan students who will accompany them. The group undergoes a final briefing before their scheduled departure through the Gate.
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Trivia:
- Akari is terrified of heights and currently hungover.
- Karin and Shushu had a pillow fight that resulted in Karin getting a black eye.
- Spirit Clan members are specifically chosen for the transfer because they are resistant to mana fluctuations.
- The ‘Bear Abduction Incident’ is the reason Melon is under heavy guard.
- A previous transfer accident involved a potted plant and a bear
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Character Insight:
Akari shows maternal growth by accepting the role of guardian for Shushu despite her own physical discomfort. Karin’s realization that she is an ‘aunt’ to her sister’s child highlights the complex familial web created by the cross-world relations.
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Behind the Scenes:
The research institute’s design is a deliberate piece of ‘reverse-isekai’ architecture meant to comfort those from Earth.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• 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.
• Melon – Puruun’s younger sister who is close with Ms. Akari and wants Yuuta and Ms. Akari to be together and have children.
• 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.
• Saran – An elf; part of the joint team working on the Gate. A Royal Palace Guard Officer from the Zerlant Royal Family. She has very white skin, is small in stature, and is described as incredibly cute. Despite her appearance, she is a master of all martial arts and exceptionally strong. She is described as ‘stiff’ or serious.
• Halt – A sixteen-year-old high school sophomore living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. He is the grandson of the President of the United States and is recognized as a severe otaku by his peers. He attends a prestigious high school for children of celebrities and elite families.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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