Chapter 134 Himuro Yukiko ⑨
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Lil and I followed Leonardo through the winding corridors of the castle. We were finally on our way to meet Himuro and the others.
”I never would’ve guessed you were a prince,” I said.
”And here I was, certain we’d meet again,” Leonardo replied with a boisterous laugh. It was incredible how much a shave had changed the man’s entire vibe.
”I knew it was you,” Lil added. “I recognized the scent.”
”Really? By my scent?” Leonardo paused, bringing his arm to his nose and sniffing tentatively. “Do I really smell that bad?”
”Lil’s nose is a custom build,” I explained. “It’s not that noticeable to anyone else.”
”I see. Well, that’s a relief. Lately, my granddaughter has been telling me I’ve got that ‘grandpa funk,’ so I was worried…”
The guy had a granddaughter? A grandchild!?
”You have a grandkid!?” I asked, stunned.
”What? For royalty, leaving an heir is part of the job. My old man is even more of a beast. Including half-siblings, I’ve got fifteen younger brothers and sisters. My youngest sister is the same age as my granddaughter.”
Good grief. The King was certainly vigorous in his old age.
”Even so, he seemed like a relatively decent King to me,” I muttered.
”Well, sure. As long as he isn’t doing anything ‘extra,’ the old man is fine,” Leonardo said.
”Extra?”
”Take the invasion of the Demon King’s Domain. Officially, it’s to improve the lives of the people, but really, he just wants to conquer. And now that he knows about those potatoes of yours- if the harvest looks like it can sustain the whole country, he’ll likely scrap the alliance and try to turn you into a vassal state.”
I went silent. Those potatoes were Materialization Summoning¹ hybrids perfected by Yokoo. They were easy to grow, produced massive tubers, and thrived in poor soil. Of course, the sprouts were still poisonous, but they were a game-changer.
”Then there’s that ‘horse-less carriage’ you have- the Prydwen²,” Leonardo continued. “If he finds out about that, he’ll seize it for sure. A transport that ignores the weather is perfect for a forced march. He’d probably try to make you a national hero or force his youngest daughter on you as a bride just to get the keys.”
”Are you serious!?”
I might have messed up. It would take a few years for the harvest to matter on a national scale, but the car was another story. I was just a regular guy from Japan; I wasn’t built for political marriages.
”Well, I’m her brother, so I’m biased, but she’s a beauty. Though she doesn’t hold a candle to my granddaughter,” Leonardo roared.
If I married the King’s daughter, I’d be Leonardo’s brother-in-law. A man old enough to be my father… I was curious about the princess, but that was a bit much.
”Anyway, we’re here. See them?”
Leonardo pointed his chin toward a set of heavy doors. Two men stood guard like the twin stone sentries of a temple. Suzuki Morio and Sato Kyosuke. Both were built like tanks, but Suzuki had a rugged, ox-like face, while Sato had a long, horse-like mug. They looked less like divine guardians and more like the jailers of hell- the Gozu³ and the Mezu⁴.
”Hey. What are you lot doing here?” Suzuki challenged as we approached.
”Nice to meet you, Heroes. I’m Sieben, from Greedia. I just wanted to get a look at the famous Champions.”
”Hmph. You’ve seen us. Now get lost,” Sato said, waving his hand as if shooing a fly. I felt a spark of irritation but kept my voice steady.
”That’s strange. I heard there was one more Hero being sheltered here.”
”The Lady sees no one,” Sato growled. “Especially not an unidentifiable maggot like you.”
Of all the things to call me… a maggot?
”Is there no way you’ll let us through?” I asked.
”Don’t be tedious! As long as we’re standing here, you won’t lay a finger on the Lady. You won’t even step into her line of sight!” Suzuki barked.
”I see. So… if I want to meet your Lady, I just have to go through you?”
”If you think you’re man enough to try,” Sato sneered.
”My, how reckless,” Lil chimed in. “To pick a fight with my husband.”
”Reckless? I wonder which of us is the reckless one,” Sato countered. “Keep this up and you’ll be a widow before the day is out.”
”Impossible,” Lil said with a smirk.
”What, do you want her for yourself?” Suzuki scoffed at me. “I’ve got no use for a bitch who reeks like that.”
”Same here,” Sato added. “We’ve pledged our lives to the Lady. We don’t want your leftovers.”
They’d been calling Lil a “bitch” and a “female” for a minute now. It was better than them hitting on her, but it still grated on my nerves.
”Honestly, you’ve got a lot of nerve insulting another man’s wife,” I said. “Though I seriously doubt guys like you can actually protect anyone.”
”Then why don’t you test us?” Sato smirked.
I shrugged off my jacket and handed it to Lil. I pulled out a greatsword and held it in a high-guard stance. Suzuki and Sato didn’t even move; they just kept those smug smiles. I swung the greatsword down at Sato- a heavy blow, but not a lethal one. Or so I thought.
”‘Aegis’!” Sato barked.
There was a sickening thud, and I felt the air leave my lungs.
”Darling!?” Lil cried out.
”I figured…” I wheezed.
I was the one who took the hit. I dropped to one knee, gasping. I wasn’t bleeding, but it felt like my own slash had turned into a shockwave and bounced straight back into my chest.
”Too bad for you,” Sato mocked. “My Unique Skill, ‘Aegis’, reflects all attacks. And not just attacks- it reflects anything harmful. It’s impossible for you to hurt me. Now beat it.”
Sato laughed at me. The sudden pain had forced me to a knee, but the actual damage was negligible. I stood back up smoothly, as if nothing had happened.
”Are you okay?” Lil asked.
”Yeah. The surprise was the worst part,” I said. “More importantly…” I glared at Suzuki.
”That’s right,” Suzuki grinned. “My Unique Skill is ‘Aias’. The strongest shield that blocks every attack. No matter what you do, it’s useless.”
I see. Two of the ‘strongest shields’ from legend. I already knew that, though.
”Hey, I’m the strongest shield here,” Sato snapped at Suzuki. “In terms of fame and performance.”
”Hmph. Says the guy who’s only good for reflecting things.”
The two of them started bickering, completely ignoring me. They were definitely underestimating me- especially since both of their skills had clear weaknesses.
Why did I take the hit earlier? I just wanted to confirm the mechanics. Plus, because I’d been “injured,” my Enmity skill was ticking up. It was a tiny scratch to me, but I wondered how they’d handle the return.
First: Sato’s ‘Aegis’. There are a few ways to beat it, but I decided to do it without using my Seven Deadly Sins powers. I tossed the greatsword aside and equipped a rapier. I held the blade before my eyes like a French Chevalier.
”…So cool,” Lil whispered.
Alright. Here we go.
”Changed your toy? It doesn’t matter,” Sato sneered. “Stop struggling.”
”We’ll see about that.”
I lunged with the rapier.
”I told you- it’s useless! ‘Aegis’!”
Sato deployed the skill. I’d already mapped its position. Just as the tip of my blade was about to touch the wall of force, I yanked the sword back with everything I had.
”Gah!? W-what…!?”
Sato was blasted backward as if he’d been hit by a truck. He skidded across the floor, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out cold.
”Y-you! What did you do!?” Suzuki yelled.
”What? I just pulled my sword back right before it hit the wall. I honestly didn’t think it would be that effective.”
As it turns out, ‘Aegis’ isn’t actually “reflection”- it’s repulsive force. My pulling motion was caught in the repulsion, and that force hit Sato as a massive shock. Score one for the guy who reads too many light novels.
Now, as for Suzuki… he was even easier.
”Hmph. I don’t get what you did, but my shield is different. ‘Aias’!”
Suzuki deployed his wall. I dropped my rapier on the floor and walked toward him empty-handed.
”Giving up? Wait… what!?”
Suzuki gasped as I walked straight through the Aias barrier like it was smoke.
That’s the secret to ‘Aias’. As long as you aren’t “attacking,” the wall doesn’t trigger. I grabbed Suzuki’s right hand and gave it a sharp twist.
Crack.
”GAAAAAAAAAH!”
I dislocated his shoulder. Suzuki collapsed, screaming on the floor. It was common sense- Aias was useless against grappling. Both ‘Aegis’ and ‘Aias’ were full of holes.
”Phew- I didn’t know you could do that,” Leonardo whistled.
”Well, hacking and slashing aren’t the only ways to fight.”
”True. I guess it really only blocks attacks. That’s a hell of a blind spot.”
I reached for the doorknob, but Suzuki- still conscious- grabbed my ankle with his good hand. “I… won’t let you…”
I sighed. “You’re just a loser groveling in the dirt,” I growled, glaring down at him. “Unhand me, you lowlife.”
I used Intimidation. Suzuki broke into a cold sweat, his breath hitching as he choked on his own fear. He let go. At least he didn’t piss himself.
”Lil, Leonardo, tie these idiots up.”
”On it!” Lil said.
”Yeah, yeah. Working royalty like a dog, aren’t ya?” Leonardo grumbled, but he started binding them with some ultra-sturdy Tiger Rope.
With the nuisances gone, I stepped into the room the Ox and Horse had been guarding.
The interior was lavish, filled with opulent furniture. But in the middle of all that gold, there was something… different. Sitting in a chair like a porcelain doll was a figure with long white hair, blood-red eyes, and skin so pale it was almost translucent.
”Greetings,” she said, tilting her head with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Who might you be?”
The girl was Himuro Yukiko herself.
—
Summary:
Sieben and Lil are guided by Prince Leonardo to confront the Hero guards, Suzuki and Sato. Using meta-knowledge from light novels and clever tactics, Sieben bypasses their ‘strongest shield’ Unique Skills. The chapter ends as Sieben enters the room to find the mysterious Himuro Yukiko.
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Trivia:
- Leonardo is actually a Prince, which was revealed through his shave.
- The King (Leonardo’s father) is potentially a threat who wants to seize Sieben’s potatoes and car.
- The potatoes are a Materialization Summoning hybrid and have poisonous sprouts.
- Sieben’s Enmity skill is a passive that triggers upon taking damage.
- The Tiger Rope is a specific brand (Tatei) known for being ultra-sturdy
—
Character Insight:
Sieben shows his growth by utilizing technical finesse and psychological intimidation rather than just raw ‘cheat’ power. His dismissal of the Heroes as ‘lowlifes’ highlights his increasing confidence and lack of patience for bullies.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author explicitly references the character ‘Accelerator’ from A Certain Magical Index to explain the physics of the Aegis skill.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Leonardo – A Major and squad leader in the Wrathfiria military. Large build like a bear with brown hair like a lion’s mane and a thick beard. Friendly and boisterous. Actually, a prince, and now his beard has been shaved.
• Lil – One of the heroines. Height 166 cm, B-W-H: 90-56-90. She is a top-tier beauty with long indigo hair down to her waist, a large scar on her abdomen and sharp golden eyes. She has wolf ears and a tail.
• Yokoo – Natsumi Sasaki’s otaku friend. His appearance is based on ‘Yoko’ from ‘Comic Party.’ Possesses ‘Materialization Summoning’. Accompanied by a Living Armor.
• Kyosuke – Tall man. Muscular with a horse-like face. Himuro Yukiko’s guardian.
• Suzuki – Suzuki Morio. Height 192 cm, weight 102 kg. The largest student in class. He has a terrifying face like a bull. Along with Sato, he ‘guarded’ Himuro Yukiko, controlling her every need including meals and bathing.
• Morio – Height 192 cm, weight 102 kg. The largest student in class. He has a terrifying face like a bull. Along with Sato, he ‘guarded’ Himuro Yukiko, controlling her every need including meals and bathing.
• Sieben – Young man with black hair and a mask covering his eyes. He purchased Honoka and Ria.
• Himuro Yukiko – The ‘Young Lady’ and daughter of a Yakuza family. Currently in the palace of Wrathfiria. The primary target of Sieben’s plan for downfall. A Hero summoned from Japan. Albino with white hair reaching her knees, large drooping eyes with double eyelids, and small crimson lips. Wears a Manabu Academy uniform and a hooded coat. Sheltered and dependent on Suzuki and Sato.
• Yuki – Yuki Chihiro. Height 178 cm, weight 70 kg (Male). Natsumi’s childhood friend. A handsome, athletic top student in the soccer club.
• Tatei – Tatei Kozoo. Height 186 cm, weight 52 kg. Natsumi’s otaku friend. Originally a tall and sturdy man, but he became skin and bones due to anorexia. Possesses the skill ‘Materialization Alchemy’. Created equipment for the class.
• Tate – Male Otaku friend of Reese. Gaunt and thin, wears glasses. Possesses Materialization Alchemy skill.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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