Chapter 420 Triumphal Return ④
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Shortly before the massive “tent” was unveiled within the Great Cathedral, the battle between the unit led by Lady Muse¹—Queen Cecile’s head maid—and the assassins from the Wielope Empire reached its breaking point.
The invisible war of “Stealth Magic”² was a grueling war of nerves. Both sides were forced to thread a needle with every movement. As the defenders, Muse’s team was already at a disadvantage; they were barely maintaining the stalemate by layering “Defense Spells” and “Holy Abjuration” over their positions.
”Lady Muse…!” one of the guards cried out.
”I know! Stay focused!” Muse barked back.
Muse grit her teeth, weaving through the interference of the enemy’s cloaking fields to hunt her next target. The real problem was the enemy’s endurance. In a standard tactical magic engagement, she wouldn’t lose. She had sworn to protect every soul in the Cathedral and the crowds gathered outside.
But recalling the earlier strike on the Holy Carriage, it was clear the Empire had developed a branch of magic unknown to the Kingdom. She couldn’t be certain what kind of shroud they had used then, or if they would unleash it here.
That unknown variable was the pivot point. Muse and her team weren’t just waiting to be hit; they had auxiliary units scouring the perimeter for irregular mana circuits or suspicious figures. They needed a prisoner—someone to squeeze for information.
But so far, they had nothing. The frustration was palpable as the minutes ticked away against an enemy whose true hand remained hidden.
”Brother! They aren’t breaking!” one of the assassins hissed.
”Damn it… we underestimated the Canaria Kingdom,” the leader replied.
The man who had posed as the carriage driver during the initial ambush felt a surge of impatience. He watched his “brothers” struggle. He hadn’t expected the Kingdom’s shadow units to be this elite. The speed and precision of their leader—Muse—was terrifying. With a single lunge, she could gouge out two or three weak points in their formation.
He was so busy protecting his subordinates that he couldn’t find an opening to strike. But the feeling was mutual; Muse felt the same looming threat from him.
”This is why mortals are so entertaining,” the man muttered to himself. Though he was a mortal man, he couldn’t help the thought. It was a perspective ingrained in him by the Elf who had raised him.
”Should we…?”
”Brother, are you serious!?” the others gasped.
”Don’t show your trump card.” That was another teaching from the Elf they loved. But failing to keep that teaching was a small price to pay if they failed their “Great Wish.”
The man steeled his resolve. He unleashed a crushing blow to force Muse back, buying himself a few seconds of preparation. She dodged it—naturally—but it forced her into a defensive crouch. She stopped, wary of his next move.
That’s it. Watch me, the man thought, a cold smirk playing on his lips. He began kneading a massive amount of mana within his body.
The spell they had used during the ambush required the runic seals inscribed on the carriage. However, by burning through high-grade mana stones and specific incantations, they could achieve a similar, devastating effect. It was an ancient technique lost to modern, “convenient” magic. It required brutal training and innate talent—things the average person lacked. But these men were different. They had been taught directly by the very Elf who had brought magic to the world of mortals.
”Let’s go!” the leader roared.
”Yes, sir!” his brothers echoed.
Driven by pride, they lunged forward. Using a modified version of Elven cloaking, they moved with “Super-Stealth”³—a high-speed, high-precision movement through the shadows. In a mortal body, the strain was immense; they only had seconds.
”Everyone, get back!” Muse screamed.
She felt the shift in the air, but she didn’t know how many of her people would hear her through the magical interference. Even if they heard, could they react?
She braced herself to see her subordinates cut down in a spray of blood. If the Kingdom’s elite fell here, the ceremony would turn into a massacre. The union between the Church and the Crown would be stained forever.
Worst case, the King, the Princess, or the Holy Figure themselves would be next.
But the slaughter never came. Before the assassins could bridge the gap, their movements suddenly faltered.
”W-What is this!?”
”Brother, I can’t move!”
Their legs turned to lead; their arms refused to obey. Even the mana they were kneading began to dissipate. The “brothers” were bucked out of their own shadows and violently dragged into the shadows of their surroundings.
In that moment, they realized the true meaning of their “Mother’s” teaching: Don’t show your trump card. It didn’t just mean “keep a secret.” It meant that if your ultimate move is broken, you have nothing left to save you.
”It really happened, didn’t it? I didn’t think mortals could actually use that kind of magic,” a melodic voice drifted through the alley.
”So, like, who is that shopkeeper anyway?” another asked.
”I haven’t been this surprised in a century,” a third added.
”Well, he did manage to get an Ancient Elf pregnant. That counts for something.”
If the assassins had more men, or more time, they might have noticed the Elves scattered around the area. But the Elves had been hidden too well.
”Hey, don’t say it like that. That girl isn’t so different from me,” one of the Elves argued.
”Sorry, sorry.”
”Don’t apologize. This is why you half-bloods are so sensitive.”
”Whoa, watch the discrimination!”
”Give me a break. If we keep this up, people will start saying ‘This is why those tree-huggers with roots for feet are so annoying…’”
”My bad. I’m a bit out of touch with modern social norms.”
Cracking jokes that only their kind understood, the Elves began to emerge. These were travelers and residents of the capital who had answered the call of Tania—Kento’s lover. Some were over a thousand years old; others hadn’t even seen their first centennial.
They were all here for one reason: they were captivated by Tania. In the Elven world, a pregnant woman was a miracle, but an Elf living happily among humans was even more fascinating. To them, her happiness was “sacred.” They had come to protect that peace with a very different look in their eyes than the assassins.
”Thank you for the assistance,” Lady Muse said, stepping into the back alley as her subordinates began zip-tying the paralyzed enemies.
”Don’t sweat it! This was easy!” a young-looking Elf waved her off.
”Yeah, we got to see a good show and get some advice from the shop. It was a fair trade.”
”If that shop closes… I’ll be very upset,” another whispered.
Muse nodded, though she was internally reeling at how easily they had neutralized the threat. “May I ask… what kind of magic did you use?”
”Magic? It’s more like an old Elven blessing,” the eldest replied. “It’s about intent and prayer. A mortal couldn’t copy it if they tried. We only gathered because Tania asked us.”
”I see. That is… a shame.”
Muse didn’t push further. She knew when she was looking at a power beyond her pay grade. The immediate threat was gone, but she couldn’t let her guard down.
She slipped back into the shadows, returning to the Great Cathedral. Inside, the massive “Ddo-Buddy Cannon”⁴—proudly displaying its oversized “tent”—was being wheeled toward the altar. The crowd erupted in cheers.
—
Summary:
Muse leads a defense against Wielope Empire assassins in the Cathedral. Just as the assassins unleash an ancient ‘Super-Stealth’ technique, a group of Elves mobilized by Tania intervene and effortlessly neutralize the threat. The chapter ends with the celebratory revealing of Kento’s adult-goods-based ‘cannon’.
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Trivia:
- The assassins were raised and taught by an Elf, which is why they have ‘lost’ magic.
- Tania is the one who organized the Elven intervention behind the scenes.
- The ‘tent’ is actually the shape of an adult toy (the Dildo-Buddy Cannon) being displayed publicly.
- The Elves are helping primarily because they find Tania’s situation ‘precious’ (toutoi)
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Character Insight:
Muse shows professional humility by admitting the Elven power is beyond her, while the assassins’ leader shows a tragic irony in failing to follow his mentor’s final ‘trump card’ warning.
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Behind the Scenes:
The term ‘toutoi’ (precious/sacred) is used here to bridge the gap between fan-culture and high-fantasy elven reverence.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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