Chapter 161 Like a Rolling Stone
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I headed back to the surface, doing my best to comfort Torakuma Ichika, who looked absolutely crushed. We’d made it back a bit earlier than yesterday, so the sky was still bright. Even if I went home now, the only thing on the agenda would be prepping dinner. Since Mitsuha-san was likely already in the kitchen having the time of her life, I wouldn’t have anything to do anyway.
”I suppose there isn’t much point in heading back yet,” I muttered.
Yohira took a moment to think before replying. “Mmm… I reckon so. Big Sister Mitsuha is likely preparing the midday meal with great gusto. There are no chores left for you or Ichika noja.”
It seemed even Yohira had noticed that Mitsuha-san loved housework and always took the lead. Still, “Big Sister Mitsuha,” huh? That was a pretty cute way to put it.
”Tatia and I should probably head back and join the training,” Yohira added.
”True,” I replied. “Going easy or not, swinging a sword is always a solid plan.”
It looked like Tatia and Yohira intended to join the Idiot’s training session. I usually saved my daily routine of creating “Sky Rift”¹ for the end of the day, so I didn’t have any reason to hole up in my workshop just yet.
”Master, do you remember that promise from a while back, I daresay-degozaru ka?” Ichika asked.
I looked over at her. “A promise?”
”Yes… that we would go buy the ingredients for your antacids together-degozaru.”
”Oh, right,” I said, the memory finally clicking. “From when I asked the Finance Chief to spare me some.”
I’d definitely promised to go with her, but with everything going on, it had slipped through the cracks.
”Asking now… does that mean you want to go right away?” I asked.
Ichika gave a small nod. I glanced at Yohira and Tatia, who both signaled their approval.
”Alright. Let’s go, just the two of us,” I said.
”Yes!” Ichika chirped, her face lighting up.
Walking around in our exploration gear wasn’t exactly a romantic date, but I’d make sure to do it right next time. For now, protecting that smile was the priority. I let Tatia take Yohira home and headed toward the Merchant Guild, shoulder-to-shoulder with Ichika. During the festival, only restaurants were really open, so you couldn’t find raw materials anywhere except the Guild. Ichika clung to my arm, resting her head on my shoulder as we walked. She looked so peaceful and happy that we were drawing warm looks from the crowd-well, mostly warm. A few were definitely tinted with jealousy.
We arrived at the Merchant Guild shortly after to look for the medicinal components. The base materials were unfamiliar to me, mostly herbs and spices. I assumed the flavor depended on the blend, though she was likely picking things with actual medicinal properties too. It was all about the synergy, but since I hadn’t studied medicine, it was all Greek to me. The best I can manage are the health potions and antidotes that Maiden popularized. Still, knowing someone was there to support me where I lacked made me feel a different kind of happy.
”Mmm… Master, what kind of flavor do you prefer-degozaru ka?” Ichika asked.
”Let’s see… maybe ginger? Or something like apple or orange.”
”Not tamagoyaki-degozaru ne?” she teased.
”That’s not exactly a flavor you want in your medicine, Ichika. Though I do love your cooking.”
She smiled, finally bouncing back from her slump. Ichika bought the materials from a female clerk who looked like she’d swallowed a lemon, but I handled the payment. I decided to just count this as a household expense from here on out.
”Um, Master?”
”In the future, just get a receipt,” I told her. “I’ll put it in the house ledger and reimburse you.”
”Kyuun… but I feel like I’m being spoiled-degozaru yo,” she murmured.
”We’re family, so don’t hold back. Besides, I’m the breadwinner.”
Even without the shop, I had a guaranteed income of at least ten million. Plus, starting next year, we’ll be getting a billion a year in usage fees for the household Mana Reactor from the Torakuma family. Ichika and her child would never have to worry about food again. I wanted to leave that kind of legacy for them, and I knew I could do it.
We took the items from the clerk-who looked like a vein was about to pop in her forehead-and left. As we walked, the rain that hadn’t fallen in ages finally began to pour. As we started running toward the house, a panicked telepathic message reached me.
’Tatara, can you hear me?!’ I shifted my focus at the sound of Yohira’s frantic voice. She was usually so calm.
’I hear you. What’s wrong?’ I asked.
’First, stay calm and listen… Ethelena has returned.’
My heart gave a heavy thud. Yohira had only just gotten back herself. For Ethelena to return already… had my mother-in-law really finished her education that fast? No, that was impossible. Ethelena must have come back on her own.
’How is she?’ I asked.
’She wasn’t herself. And the moment she arrived, she bolted.’
’What?’ So Ethelena had left the house and gone somewhere? I couldn’t read her moves. Why come back at all?
’The Matriarch came with her, but it seems Ethelena forced the teleportation gate open using her own Mana,’ Yohira explained.
’With her capacity, I guess she could manage that once.’
’Worse, she apparently drained the Mana of every guard in the mansion who tried to stop her before jumping here. The Matriarch was safe thanks to her charm, but the rest of the forces were wiped out.’
’Still the same old Sex Sorcery² queen, huh,’ I thought.
Taking out the entire security force of a Great Noble’s mansion with a wide-scale Energy Drain… she was as terrifyingly broken as ever. I’d have to apologize to my mother-in-law later.
’The problem is, we don’t know where she went,’ Yohira said.
’Understood. I’ll find her.’
’Please. I don’t know this city at all.’
’And you’d just get lost if you tried to search alone,’ I replied.
’I’m going to hit you when you get back, you know that noja?’
’Sorry.’
I teased her a bit and got a sharp response, but my mind was already racing. Ethelena had a tiny social circle. To put it bluntly, she had no friends. The only people she talked to were people I knew. The Idiot had told me she didn’t have any close friends at the academy, either.
How was I supposed to find her without a single hint? She had top-tier Concealment skills. Could I really find her-the man who had pushed her away?
”Master!”
Ichika’s voice snapped me out of my spiral.
”Sorry, Ichika.”
”It’s fine-degozaru,” she said, cupping my cheeks with her hands. Her expression was piercing. “But Master, you mustn’t waver now.”
She was trembling. In truth, she was terrified of sending me off. She was scared I’d go to Ethelena and never come back.
”Whether you forgive her or not is up to you-degozaru,” Ichika said. “But if you don’t move right now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life-degozaru!”
”Alright,” I said. “I’m going to find her.”
”Master!”
”But Ichika, go straight home. You can’t get soaked-it’s bad for the baby!”
She nodded after a moment, though she looked unhappy.
”Promise me. If you don’t, I can’t leave.”
”Do you even have a lead-degozaru ka?” she asked.
”No.”
I answered with total confidence, earning me an exasperated look. But I didn’t need a lead. Not when it came to her. A sudden heat pulsed from my left ring finger-the proof of my bond with Ethelena. But I didn’t want it. This was something I had to do myself. ‘Back off,’ I thought. The heat from the Eternal Oath faded.
”Ichika, don’t you dare neglect your health, okay?”
”I know, husband,” she whispered.
I kissed her once, then turned and ran. My feet splashed through the puddles as I tore down the street. The rain was getting heavier, trying to drown out every sound. I traced the path from the commercial district back toward the dungeon, weaving through the crowds. After five minutes, I arrived.
There was no one else around. Except for one figure.
In a narrow gap between the buildings, someone was sitting with their knees pulled up to their chest. A white dress, soaked and translucent, clung to her skin. She was deathly pale. Violet hair pooled on the ground, and deep black wings were folded tight against her back.
”Hey. What are you doing in a place like this?” I asked.
She jolted. My voice had reached her, even through the roar of the storm.
”You’ll catch a cold. Go home,” I said.
The memory of that distant day felt heavy.
”Did you run away? Or do you just have nowhere to go?”
She didn’t answer, but she shivered.
”Is that house no longer worth returning to?” I asked.
I used different words this time.
”Is it fear? Sorrow? Regret? I don’t even know anymore.”
Since I’d separated from Ethelena, things had changed. How I dealt with people, how I faced them. I had been protecting Ethelena, but I hadn’t been “raising” her heart. My own mind was still too immature.
A child tried to support another child, and he failed. That was the reality of me and Ethelena.
Maybe Ethelena’s heart had been frozen in time since the very day we met in this place. She had the seeds of empathy, but that was it. Beyond the foundation her parents had built, I had only equipped her with the survival skills of an Explorer³. We had been physically intimate, yes, but I had failed to provide her with a real emotional education. That was why, in that moment, we both ended up acting like toddlers having a mid-storm meltdown.
”Answer me,” I said. “What did you come back here to do?”
Ethelena didn’t answer. She just stood there, letting the rain lash against her skin.
”What did you want when you stepped through those gates?” I asked again.
Still, she remained silent, weathering the barrage of my words.
”Did you just want to avoid a scolding?” I muttered. “Are you really running from your mother’s discipline because you’re afraid of being lectured like a child?”
I looked at her, searching for anything. “Did you think you’d lose your place here? Is this just some homing instinct? Please, just tell me – what is going through your head right now?”
I threw the next question at her, my voice cracking slightly. “Or do you think if you just stay quiet, someone else will come along and fix this for you?”
At that, her body gave a slight, sharp tremble.
”Tell me… back then, when I reached out to you in the rain… did I end up stealing your strength to stand on your own?” I asked quietly.
She shuddered but made no move to speak.
”Do you plan on staying silent forever?” I asked, after a pause. “Until someone else reaches out to save you again?”
At the mention of “someone else,” her body jolted violently. I let out a heavy sigh. Her silence was deafening.
”This is the last time,” I warned. “If you don’t answer, I’m taking your silence as a ‘yes’.”
I took a shallow breath, spitting out the words that had been rotting in my soul. “Back then… was I wrong to save you?”
The moment the words left my lips, a sudden weight hit my chest. Ethelena flung herself against me, clinging with a desperate strength. She looked up at me, her eyes bloodshot and swollen, and finally broke.
”You weren’t wrong! It wasn’t a mistake!” she cried.
She pleaded with a desperation that made her previous silence feel like a bad dream. Her face was soaked with a mixture of rain and tears.
”Because you took my hand that day, Tatara… I was able to become a person! I was able to be me!”
She screamed with everything she had, as if trying to rip her chest open to show me the truth inside.
”Maybe it’s dependency. Maybe it’s an obsession… but even so!” She winced, frustrated that words were only diluting the raw truth of her heart. She took a sharp, ragged breath. “Even so, I love you!”
She didn’t stop there.
”I hated that there was a part of you I didn’t know,” she sobbed.
I gently stroked her hair as she clung to me.
”I was so jealous of Torakuma – because she had a faith in you that I couldn’t find.”
The words coming from her sounded agonizing, like she was forcing them up from her gut.
”I was driven by that jealousy, and I said those heartless things to you,” she said. She was wounding herself with every word, laying bare the regrets she’d carried. “I know I have no right to ask you not to throw me away. I know that… but still… I just want to be with you.”
She continued her confession, her voice trembling. “I don’t have to be your wife. I’ll be your slave… or just a toy for your pleasure. Anything. Please… just let me stay by your side.”
My heart wavered. To me, Ethelena was still the person I loved most. But one thing still felt wrong. I had been the one to steer the conversation, but she still hadn’t actually apologized for what she’d done. Was I being too petty, or did she simply not realize why I was so angry?
If I accepted this now, it would be a clean break. In my mind, Ethelena would become an “enemy.” If I wanted to save our relationship, the safe bet was to let it go. But if I kept turning a blind eye, we’d just end up back here again.
That wasn’t an option. Ethelena’s heart would never grow. Eventually, this would be the wedge that drove us apart from Yohira and Tatia, too.
”Listen, Ethelena,” I said.
I had to take this step. It wasn’t about the comfort of being understood; I had to push her to think, to teach her how to actually care about others. Otherwise, she’d be trapped by these scars forever.
”Let me ask you one last thing,” I said, lifting her chin.
She raised her face, meeting my gaze with bloodshot eyes.
”Do you even know why I was angry?”
Ethelena shook her head. A sharp pang of pain shot through my chest.
”You weren’t angry because I teased you about being a virgin, Tatara,” she said softly.
She looked me straight in the eye, finally putting the pieces together.
”You were hurting because the others followed my lead and attacked you, but that wasn’t why you were angry.”
I was stunned. She realized that what I had felt – the trauma of my past life being stepped on – wasn’t anger, but pure suffering.
”You had already given up on me ever believing in your past life,” she continued.
She had been watching me more closely than I realized. She might actually understand me better than I understand myself.
”I know you felt disappointment and sadness. But Tatara, you weren’t actually angry.”
A chill ran down my spine. If I wasn’t angry… then what was I?
”You pushed us away because you didn’t want to hate us,” she said. “I only realized that after the fact.”
I felt a wave of bewilderment.
”You’ve almost never been truly angry, have you?” she asked.
I nodded. Even the “Archangel” had said as much. I wasn’t used to the emotion. Even in my past life, I only ever snapped once – the day I quit my job.
”I think for you, getting angry is the same thing as ending a relationship,” she said.
”That… sounds about right,” I admitted.
I realized then that my inability to recognize the three of them was a defense mechanism. I was trying to prevent myself from feeling hostility toward the people I cared about. Because I had acclimated to this world, my “anger” was synonymous with “elimination.” I tended to want to erase anyone who actually made me snap.
”That’s why you didn’t want to get angry. But you didn’t know what to do with all those conflicting emotions, so you lashed out to keep us at a distance,” she said.
”I see,” I whispered. “I didn’t want to hate the people I loved, so I just tried to act like you didn’t exist.”
Ignoring them because I didn’t want to hate them? How pathetic. I felt disgusted by my own immaturity.
”Tatara, I am so sorry for not believing you for all this time,” Ethelena said, locking eyes with me. “And I’m sorry that I was the one who started that attack on you. I’m sorry I did something that could have made you hate the people you care about.”
”Yeah,” I said softly. “I accept your apology, Ethelena.”
Maybe it was her Succubus nature letting her read my heart, but it didn’t matter. She had apologized for the right things. After all the drama and the long detour, the truth was I still loved her. I really am a lost cause.
* * *
”I see, I see. Things between you and Ethelena always turn out so unexpectedly, noja” Yohira said.
That was her takeaway after I brought Ethelena home, had Ichika rush her off to the bath, and explained everything. She sounded amused, but also a bit perplexed.
”I feel kind of bad for you, Yohira,” I said. “You were ready to be hated by me forever.”
”Actually, I’m quite satisfied with my current position noja,” she replied.
”Are you invincible or something?” I asked.
Yohira cackled. I was exasperated, but part of me felt she had saved me. It had been so complicated with Tatia and Yohira, yet it was so simple with Ethelena. I wondered if Yohira felt slighted, but she seemed genuinely happy.
”Actually, I’m relieved noja,” Yohira said.
”About what?”
”The sheer ‘purity’ of my ship! The fact that you could love only Ethelena this much and forgive her instantly!”
”You’re a total hardcore shipper. I can’t believe you’re satisfied with that,” I said.
Honestly, I’d underestimated her. I thought she’d be at least a little annoyed that repairing things with Ethelena was so much easier than it was with her, but apparently, being a “shipping demon”⁴ means those petty feelings don’t stand a chance.
”Your mind is seriously made of steel,” I said.
”Not really. I can only handle this because I accept the relationship between you and Ethelena. Anyone else, and I would have cut them off noja,” she said.
”I was seriously in the danger zone, then,” I muttered.
I let out a sigh of relief. Knowing Yohira, if she’d cut me off, she’d probably have followed it up with ritual suicide. My “shippers” literally saved my life.
”By the way, Yohira. I’ve been meaning to ask…”
”Yes?”
”Why are you in the ‘Married Couple’ bath⁵ washing my back?” I asked, catching her gaze in the mirror.
She narrowed her eyes mischievously. For the record, she had a towel wrapped firmly around her. I guess I was lucky the erotic “Swimsuit?” equipment hadn’t dropped yet.
”It’s one of the techniques my mother taught me back home. I’m quite good, aren’t I noja?” she asked.
”You’re literally hitting every itchy spot, but seriously – what is an unmarried girl like you doing?”
”Don’t worry,” she said. “Even if you were to pin me down right here and deflower me, I’d accept it. In fact, bring it on!”
”Don’t turn into a total horn-dog,” I snapped. “You’re supposed to be a noble lady.”
”Wait, didn’t your dad stop you?” I added.
”Father was being disciplined by Mother for taking his frustrations out on you, so he was occupied. Big Sis Mitsuha was just smiling, and my other sister was too busy watching Mother’s ‘techniques’ to notic
e noja,” she explained.
”So Mitsuha knows everything,” I sighed.
That woman is way too tolerant. Then again, her parents are pretty wild, too.
”Well, you have some great muscles,” Yohira said, running her hand softly over my back. “I guess that comes from swinging your hammer every day.”
”It doesn’t show up in my stats, though,” I said. Being praised like that actually made me a little embarrassed.
”Hehe. Beyond what you can see with your eyes, Tatara-kun, your hard work truly lives within you,” Yohira-san said, her voice echoing in the steam. “I quite like it, you know… this back of yours.”
”…Is that so?” Tatara replied.
I was starting to feel more than just a little embarrassed. Seriously, this girl is a natural-born charmer.
”You’re the last person I want to hear that from, Yohira-san,” I muttered.
”…Did I say that out loud?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
”No, I just felt like that was what I ought to say-no ja,” Yohira-san replied playfully.
I get the feeling the number of people who can read my mind is on the rise lately.
”Umu. I’ve finished washing your back nicely. You’ve been keeping your hair and body surprisingly clean, Tatara-kun,” Yohira-san noted.
”That’s mostly because I’ve been getting in with Ethelena and having her wash me,” I explained.
”Umu! I’m eating well tonight, then-no ja!” Yohira-san exclaimed.
Is there literally any story about me and Ethelena that she won’t find delicious? As expected of the ultimate Shipper Demon. Well, since she did my back, it’s my turn to wash Yohira. I had her sit in the chair I’d been using and undid her hair, which had been bundled in a towel.
”Looking at it again, your hair really is beautiful, Yohira,” I said.
”Hehe. It is my little point of pride-no ja yo,” she replied with a smug grin.
I carefully washed her hair as she accepted the compliment with her usual composure. I felt a bit bad that we were just using the same shampoo Ethelena and I use, but I guess she really is a ‘stan’ – she seemed thrilled to be smelling like her ‘fave.’ Isn’t that a bit too much of a pro-tier move?
I applied the rinse after the medicated shampoo washed away the grime and mended the damage. I handled each strand with care, working the conditioner in thoroughly. She’s going to look radiant once we’re out of the bath.
Next, I moved on to her body. Her shoulders and back were so slender and dainty it was hard to believe she possessed such terrifying Physical Attack power. However, the Physical Defense dwelling there was the real deal; if I didn’t scrub with some serious elbow grease, the dirt wouldn’t even budge from her skin.
”Does it hurt?” I asked.
”Fear not. My defenses won’t take so much as a scratch from your puny attack power, Tatara-kun-no ja,” she teased.
It was the truth, but it still stung my pride a bit. Still, once I’d scrubbed away the sweat and dirt, her amber skin shimmered under the bathhouse lights with a beautiful luster. I felt a sense of accomplishment, like a specialist cleaner polishing a masterpiece sculpture.
”Do you not feel any lust for the woman right before your eyes-no ja?” Yohira-san asked suddenly.
”Unfortunately, I was just ‘saved’ by Ichika a bit ago,” I replied. “I’m not pent up enough to make a mistake.”
I talked a big game, but in reality, I was pushing my luck. Yohira has a slender, top-tier figure; based on looks alone, it felt like I could just pin her down. In practice, however, her physical stats – skills included – were at least fifty percent higher than mine. I might have stood a chance if I used Sex Sorcery, but that’s not something I’d do against her will.
We soaked in the bathtub together to warm up. Since towels in the water are a no-go, we were both completely naked. The sensation of Yohira’s rear pressed against me as she sat on my lap was stimulating my manhood in all sorts of ways. Exhaling a sigh of pure comfort, she leaned her weight back against me. If I moved my gaze even slightly, I could see her modest but perky breasts and the pale tips that contrasted with her skin. I had to keep my eyes averted. Between the visuals and the physical contact, my lust was redlining; it was seriously painful. If I hadn’t been using Sex Sorcery to control the blood flow, I’d have been rock hard and buried inside her by now.
”This feels wonderful-no nou,” Yohira-san whispered.
”Yeah. You can say that again,” I replied.
I answered her, but my heart wasn’t in it, and she noticed.
”What is with you-no ja? Are you unhappy with the temperature?” Yohira-san asked.
”Idiot – don’t move!” I barked.
She spun around to face me. Naturally, that movement ground her against my manhood and dragged her n**ipss across my chest. There was no way I could hold it back after that.
”Ho-hoh. Robust as ever, I see… this ‘Tatara-Rambler’ of yours-no nou,” Yohira-san noted, looking down.
”Hey, didn’t you used to call it the ‘Ogre Kitchen Knife’?” I asked, trying to breathe.
”That would be an insult to the Ogre Kitchen Knife, given its inferior size-ja rou ga,” she replied.
”That’s the reason!?” I shouted.
Comparing it to a blade and feeling sorry for the blade… that’s a bit much. Also, maybe don’t bring cutlery into this conversation?
”But truly, it is massive-no nou. It’s caught right in my crack, spreading me open, you know?” Yohira-san said.
”Stop the play-by-play,” I groaned.
I was fed up with her teasing. I tried to use Sex Sorcery again to force the blood flow away and kill the erection, but Yohira sensed it. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight embrace, and my focus broke. Feeling my manhood grow even harder against her backside, she let out a delighted giggle.
”Well? Why not just do it right here-no ka?” she whispered.
”You… what happened to that oath you swore?” I asked.
”…That thing? It ceased to have meaning the day I wounded you, Tatara-kun-no ja,” Yohira-san replied.
The playfulness vanished from her face.
”I told myself I didn’t care if you hated me for eternity… but that oath is birthing a pain deep in my chest. It’s making the wound fester-no ja,” she said.
Her voice was quiet, trembling with agony.
”I never knew the pain of being hated by the man I love would be like this. It’s a suffering that feels as if my body is being torn apart… I have no right to say this after what I did, but my regret is bottomless-no ja,” she continued.
”Don’t press my tip against your v**inal opening while you’re giving me a ‘dead serious’ speech,” I said, gritting my teeth.
”Tch,” she clicked her tongue.
She actually clicked her tongue. Still, it was clear she was genuinely hurting. Maybe she was trying to force a connection just to drown out the pain in her heart with a different kind of sensation.
”At least wait until I’ve properly leveled up Sex Sorcery,” I said.
”Muu… Tatia seems like she’s handling it fine-no zo?” Yohira-san countered.
”Even though she’s got one foot in the deep end of being a total masochist?” I asked.
”I take it back-no ja,” Yohira-san said instantly.
I couldn’t even manage a dry laugh. It was my fault, but seeing a serious girl like Tatia turn into a semi-hardcore masochist was some heavy karma. Honestly, it’s a miracle she’s kept her personality intact. While we talked, my manhood finally calmed down. Thank you, and I’m so sorry, Tatia.
Once we were warmed to the bone, we dried off and left the private bath. We headed to the living room for a post-bath drink, where the rest of the party was waiting. In the muddy garden outside, our Part-time Leader was being tossed around by Mother-in-law, his screams echoing in the background. Ignoring that, we started our meeting to plan our next move.
”Alright. Looks like everyone’s back in top shape,” I said.
”Umu. It feels like it’s been months since we were all together-no no. Even though it’s only been a few days,” Yohira-san remarked.
Strangely, it felt like I hadn’t seen Ethelena in months, even though I knew it was just my own intense longing making the time stretch. Regardless, we had to discuss the full-party exploration and the Student Movement during the City Festival.
”First, let’s get Ethelena up to speed,” I suggested.
”Yeah. Please do,” Ethelena agreed.
As I explained everything that had happened over the last few days, Ethelena’s face went through a dozen different expressions – surprise, anger, concern. She looked especially conflicted when I mentioned Ichika’s promise to extend my life by another ten years. She probably felt guilty that someone else had to clean up the mess they’d made.
”So, the biggest thing is that Tatara-kun built a new facility and spread a new way to play?” Ethelena asked.
”Yes! The ‘Aarem’ created by Master is the greatest invention yet – it will bring dreams, hope, and passion to this city!” Dahlia answered proudly.
I gave a wry smile and pivoted the conversation toward the dungeon.
”For Ethelena, the priority is gathering items to boost any stats that haven’t hit the cap yet. Though with the City Festival starting in five days, I don’t know if we’ll make it in time,” I said.
”Fumu. If we do make it, will we descend to the 80th floor-no nou?” Yohira-san asked.
”Honestly, we’re relying on Ichika and Ethelena’s detection skills. The real problem is the enemy types. From the 75th floor up, we’ll be facing ‘Evil Shadows,’ and the Acoustic Mapping skill becomes mandatory. Currently, only me, Ichika, Ethelena, and Yohira have it. Is that right?”
They all nodded in confirmation.
”Should I try to acquire it as well?” Tatia asked.
”If possible, yeah. It’d be best if you could max out one skill level while we’re grinding through the 71st floor to pick it up. Worst case, we’ll cover for you,” I said.
Yohira-san thought for a moment, then turned her gaze toward Tatia.
”Hey, Tatia. Isn’t it about time you underwent Sublimation of Existence-no ka?” Yohira-san asked.
Tatia’s face darkened at the suggestion.
”Honestly, I want to… but I can’t ignore the drop in my ability to react if my stats plummet. From what I’ve heard, they’ll drop even lower than my initial starting stats. Doing that now is… terrifying,” Tatia confessed.
I jumped in to support her.
”I’ve already given instructions regarding Tatia’s backup for the Sublimation, so it should be fine. Even with her current stats, she can hold her own if you factor in her equipment. Between that and our training, the Student Movement shouldn’t be an issue,” I said.
”Tatara-kun, coming from someone with zero talent for interpersonal combat, that’s not very convincing-no zo,” Yohira-san teased.
That one went right through me. But hey, this world is governed by the laws of “Status.” While tactics can bridge the gap, if the raw stats are doubled, there’s almost no way to win. Though, this being an eroge world, female characters often end up in “unfortunate” situations due to some weird karmic twist…
”I know Calmys-san told me I’m bad at fighting people – she literally told me to just run away – but still…” I argued.
”Exactly how much of a lost cause must you be, Tatara-dono, to get that kind of ‘seal of approval’ from a Saint-sama?” Ichika asked, joining in.
She basically judged me as having “no room for growth.” Still, Ethelena was given a similar judgment, and she’s one of the best sword talents in the world. Maybe there’s something hidden in me too.
”Master’s crisis shall be dispelled by this humble one-degozaru! You may rest easy, as if you were aboard a great ship-degozaru yo!” Ichika declared.
”Your stats are definitely reassuring, Ichika, but the fact that you’re pregnant feels like a magnet for ‘bad situations,’” I replied.
If Ichika got cornered because she couldn’t move properly, I might actually burn this whole city to the ground.
”Then it is my turn,” Dahlia said firmly.
”In your case, the city would burn down anyway from excessive firepower,” I countered.
With Dahlia, even if I gave her non-lethal Magic Devices, the effect would probably scale up into a literal explosion. Dahlia looked away guiltily.
”Aren’t you going to prepare any capture tools, Tatara-kun?” Ethelena asked.
”I’m working on Torimochi-Projectiles for the magic cannons, but I’m not sure how effective they’ll be,” I said.
They’re designed for dive-bombing, but the spread might be too wide. It’s honestly such a pain – it’d be so much easier just to burn everything with liquid Mana Stone and be done with it.
”Regardless, we have to settle this issue, or we can’t hope to go any deeper into the dungeon-kara nou,” Yohira-san said, her tone becoming serious. “For the sake of Tatara-kun’s lifespan, we must overcome this without losing a single soul.”
”My lifespan… I see.”
Yohira had brought up my remaining time. It seemed the group had already decided I would undergo the Sublimation of Existence⁶ to extend my life.
”I don’t intend to use the Sublimation to linger on anymore, you know?” I said, hoping to clear up the misunderstanding.
The air in the garden turned brittle.
”…What?”
I couldn’t tell who spoke; it might have been a collective gasp. I could guess why they assumed I’d keep going, but it felt like a shallow assumption.
”B-but… why?” Ethelena stammered.
”Why? Because I can’t think of a single reason to stick around,” I replied.
I would stay long enough to see Ichika’s daughter grow up, but the spark to live beyond that hadn’t returned.
”Ah, right. If I go, Ethelena goes with me…” I realized. “Don’t worry. I’ll forge a ‘Severance’ concept-armature soon to set you free.”
I could feel the possibility in my hands. After months of honing my ‘Sky Rift’⁷ technique, shattering the ‘Eternal Oath’⁸ that bound us was within my reach. Such a weapon would be a godsend against Demon Lords or the Divine, so it was worth the effort regardless.
I noticed Ethelena, Yohira, and Tatia looking at me with ghostly expressions. Ichika and Dahlia, however, remained as still as a dark pond-they had already known.
”Something wrong?” I asked.
The three of them moved their lips, but no sound came out. Before I could press them, a massive, crushing pressure descended upon the yard.
I rushed outside just as a violent shockwave tore through the earth. I shielded my eyes from the flying mud, waiting for the vibration to settle. The rain had stopped. Looking up, I saw a jagged hole punched through the storm clouds. The Part-time Leader stood nearby, shielding her mother-in-law while leveling her ‘Agave’ rifle at the center of the yard.
I summoned my ‘Obsidian’ shroud and raised my elemental hammer, my eyes adjusting to the new crater in the garden. Right in the middle of the wreck, a pair of legs was sticking straight up out of the muck.
”…Huh?”
I let out a confused noise. It was a ridiculous sight. A skirt was flipped upward, exposing a pair of white-and-purple panties featuring some bizarre mascot character.
”(Master Tarashi-sama, it has been a long time,)” a voice echoed in my head.
”It’s Tatara,” I corrected automatically. “And yeah, it’s been a while, Seisouchou.”
The ‘Pure-Winged Bird’ descended silently from the sky. Her presence alone told me exactly who the ‘Sukekiyo’⁹ in the mud was.
”(We have a request for you today…)” Seisouchou said, before glancing at the crater. “(Hey! How long do you plan on staying face-down like that?!)”
Seisouchou delivered a sharp smack to the upturned backside. A crisp smack echoed through the yard, and the legs began to flail wildly.
”(Fue!?)”
”(Are you awake now?)” Seisouchou asked.
”(Everything is black! Where am I?!)”
The legs kept moving, but the girl was wedged tight. It was a pathetic, comical display. Even if she was the designated ‘clumsy one’ among the Poster Girls¹⁰, seeing it happen in real life was something else.
”(What do I do? I’m stuck!)”
The mud had her pinned. It didn’t look like she could wiggle out on her own.
”(Master Tarashi-sama,)” Seisouchou prompted.
”I’m Tatara,” I sighed. “Fine, I’ll pull her out.”
I could hear the ‘help her already’ in Seisouchou’s tone. Never mind that her stats were higher than mine.
”Lord Tatara-dono?” the Part-time Leader called out, her rifle still raised.
”It’s fine, she’s an acquaintance,” I said. “I don’t know this specific one, but she’s probably the other girl’s sister. You can stand down.”
I waded into the mud, gripped the girl firmly by the waist, and braced myself.
”(Hya, what are you doing!?)”
”I’m pulling you out. Just stay still,” I grunted.
”(Wa, wa-wa-wa-wa help me!?)”
”I am helping. Relax.”
”(He’s going to do something lewd to me! This has to be against the guidance rules!)”
”Are you panicked or complaining? Pick one,” I snapped.
I poured strength into my legs. Without the ‘Obsidian’ assist, I never would have moved her. With a wet, heavy squelch, she finally popped free of the earth’s grip.
”(Hyowaaaaaaa-desu!?)”
She went flying back with the momentum, sailing straight toward Seisouchou. The older sister simply sighed and swatted her down with a well-aimed hand-chop.
”(Desu-u!?)”
”(Honestly, compose yourself,)” Seisouchou muttered.
The new ‘Poster Girl’ stood up, her maid uniform caked in filth. Beneath the mud, I could see deep purple hair and wings. She was the youngest of the set-the one born under a localized storm of bad luck and clumsiness.
”(Uu… I’m a mess,)” she whined.
”(I truly don’t understand how your flight skills can be this abysmal,)” Seisouchou said.
The elder sister brushed a hand over the girl’s clothes. The mud vanished instantly-the ‘Perfect Cleaning’ trait in action. I wouldn’t mind having that ability myself.
As the new girl straightened her posture, the purple tufts on her head-which looked like animal ears-twitched in time with her emotions. Unlike the others, her uniform featured a miniskirt, which explained the ‘panty-flash’ upon impact. There was an old legend among the ‘users’ that she chose the short skirt for mobility, but her constant stumbles made the fans eventually lose interest in the fanservice entirely.
”(Nice to meet you-desu, Mr. Tarashi-san.)”
”It’s Tatara.”
”(I am the youngest of the sisters. Since I cannot give my true name, please just call me ‘Part-time Leader’.)”
She clearly wasn’t listening to a word I said. This was the ‘Part-time Leader’-the last of the Poster Girls, forever treated as a temp due to her blunders, despite her supposedly high potential.
”(Now then, Master Tarashi-sama,)” Seisouchou said, “(Please look after this child from now on.)”
”Excuse me, what?”
===
Author:
**Bonus that breaks many things**
**Stroking technique lewd talk start**
**Stroking technique lewd talk start**
”I am a Succubus!”
”Yeah, I know.”
”None can match my Succubus techniques!”
”Stop that lowest-tier Khurda-style.”
”My hip work is invincible!”
”You’re gonna get seriously scolded.”
”Ethelena-style Mating Method: ‘Sekkuma’!!”
—
Summary:
After a domestic shopping trip for antacids with a pregnant Ichika, Tatara receives a frantic telepathic message that Ethelena has returned to the city. Ethelena reportedly went on a rampage at her family mansion, draining the guards’ mana before fleeing. Tatara rushes into the pouring rain to find her and discovers her shivering in an alley, mirroring the day they first met.
Ethelena finally breaks her silence in the rain, confessing her deep-seated jealousy and dependency on Tatara. After a tense exchange, she provides the apology Tatara needs, leading to their reconciliation. The scene then shifts to a humorous bath sequence where Yohira reveals her ‘hardcore shipper’ mentality and serves Tatara.
Tatara and Yohira share an intimate and emotionally heavy bath where Yohira confesses her regret for a past betrayal. Afterward, the full party reconvenes to plan their next dungeon descent and prepare for the upcoming City Festival student movement. Tensions remain high regarding Tatara’s limited lifespan and the risks of the ‘Sublimation of Existence’ process.
Tatara stuns his companions by revealing he has no desire to extend his lifespan through ‘Sublimation of Existence.’ This somber moment is interrupted when a new clumsy ‘Poster Girl’ crashes into his yard. Seisouchou arrives to deliver the new girl, dubbed ‘Part-time Leader,’ into Tatara’s care.
—
Trivia:
- The protagonist is currently very wealthy due to a Mana Reactor agreement with the Torakuma family.
- Ichika is pregnant and sensitive to the cold rain.
- Ethelena’s magic is specifically ‘Sex Sorcery’ which allows for broad Energy Drains.
- The ‘Eternal Oath’ ring pulses with heat to guide Tatara, but he consciously rejects the magical assistance to find her on his own terms.
- The setting is during a City Festival where most shops are closed.
- Tatara’s anger is actually a defense mechanism to avoid hating people.
- Ethelena’s jealousy was specifically directed at Torakuma’s faith in Tatara.
- Yohira’s mother is the one disciplining the father for his attitude toward Tatara.
- Tatara’s ‘Explorer’ training for Ethelena was purely practical, lacking emotional depth.
- Yohira is willing to be ‘deflowered’ on the spot as part of her ‘ship’ commitment.
- Yohira’s guilt stems from wounding Tatara in the past.
- Tatara is using ‘Sex Sorcery’ specifically to control his physical arousal, not for pleasure.
- Ichika is pregnant, which Tatara fears will lead to trope-heavy ‘bad situations.’
- Ethelena’s swordsmanship was judged as ‘lacking talent’ by the same Saint who judged Tatara.
- The ‘Aarem’ is Tatara’s invention that has become a major deal in the city.
- Tatara’s refusal to live longer is tied to his lack of ‘willpower’ after a certain point.
- The ‘Eternal Oath’ means Ethelena dies if Tatara dies.
- Tatara is actively developing ‘Conceptual Weapons’ to counter Demon Lords and Gods.
- The new character is sticking out of the ground in a ‘Sukekiyo’ pose.
- The term ‘Tarashi’ is a nickname/insult for Tatara.
- The ‘Poster Girls’ are modeled after game/screen characters
—
Character Insight:
Tatara realizes his previous failure with Ethelena: he was merely a protector who failed to nurture her emotional growth. Ichika shows immense maturity by pushing Tatara to find Ethelena despite her own fears of losing him.
Tatara realizes his own immaturity in handling conflict through ‘erasure.’ Ethelena shows significant growth by identifying Tatara’s true feelings (suffering over anger) and offering a genuine apology. Yohira cements her role as the chaotic but supportive ‘meta’ character who views the protagonist’s harem through the lens of ‘box-pushing’ (supporting the whole group).
Yohira shows a vulnerable side, revealing that her playful ‘shipper’ persona hides a deep-seated agony over her broken oath. Tatia’s descent into masochism is confirmed as a semi-permanent personality shift caused by Tatara’s actions.
Tatara shows a deep existential weariness, yet his sense of responsibility (watching over Ichika’s child) keeps him going for now. His blacksmithing skills are evolving into the realm of metaphysical ‘concepts.’
—
Behind the Scenes:
The chapter title ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ and the final line are thematic nods to Bob Dylan and the recurring motif of isolation and failure in mentorship.
The ‘Box-Pushing’ (Hako-oshi) concept is a direct reference to Japanese idol fandom, where a fan supports an entire group rather than just one member. The bath scene uses typical light novel tropes to transition from heavy drama to fanservice and comedy.
The term ‘Tatara-ran-bou’ is a complex Japanese pun involving the protagonist’s name and ‘ranbou’ (violence/wild), localized here to maintain the crude humor typical of the genre.
The author references the ‘Sukekiyo’ pose from ‘The Inugami Family’ and compares their own writing pace to a tuna that dies if it stops swimming.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Mitsuha – Second daughter of the Torakuma family (Yohira’s sister). She is quiet, awkward, surprisingly deadpan, and possesses a gentle, nurturing side (shown with Cornremu). Hair so long it trailed across the floor like Tomie Kawakami (Junji Ito), face half-hidden by hair, single dark horn (above brow), loose violet robes.
• Ichika – The fox girl. Kunoichi. Virgincest⚠️, becomes pregnant immediately.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name. Oni warrior.
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Calmys – War God’s knight, Mayor’s guard chief, whip-master hiding as a swordswoman; sharp tongue, big-sister vibe to Tatara, grants him and Ethelena church protection.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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