Volume 7 Chapter 29 You Reap What You Sow
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Do… ku…”
I woke up at an unusual hour before dawn. Looking over at Cassandra, I saw she was trapped in a terrible nightmare, moaning in her sleep. “Doku”? It wasn’t the Japanese word for poison, so I couldn’t be sure what she meant.
I couldn’t stand seeing the pain on her face, so I pulled her close and stroked her head to soothe her. I even cast a Refresh¹ spell-it should have at least some effect.
Gradually, Cassandra settled down, her breathing leveling out and her expression turning peaceful. I truly hope she was able to escape from whatever darkness was haunting her.
Every human carries some form of trauma, but Cassandra’s seems to be rooted in something involving her father. For it to haunt her like this, I have to wonder-is he dead? Or perhaps he was abusive? I won’t know unless I ask, and I highly doubt she’d give me an answer right now. She let a single word slip, but I don’t think we’re at the stage where she’s ready to open up about the deep-seated trauma. (This is frustrating…)
I stayed there, stroking her hair until I eventually drifted back into a light sleep.
* * *
”Wake up, Daisuke. It’s time for breakfast.”
”Nnh? Fwah… Morning, Cassandra.”
”Yes, good morning.”
By the time I woke up again, Cassandra was already fully prepared for the day. She’s always been such a morning person. She didn’t seem to show any lingering effects from the nightmare, which was a relief. I’ve become quite the early bird since coming to this world, but at my core, I’m still a night owl. I’m just not built for the early hours.
During breakfast, Cassandra seemed preoccupied, occasionally glancing my way as if something was weighing on her mind. “Cassandra, if something is bothering you, I’m here to listen. Honestly, if it’s something I can fix, I want you to tell me without holding back.”
”No,” Cassandra said. “We don’t have the time right now, and this isn’t the kind of conversation I want to have in front of these eavesdropping Knights.”
The moment she said that, several Knights snapped their heads away in a panicked rush. We were in the dining hall of the inn where everyone was staying, after all. Whether it was out of morbid curiosity or a love for gossip, we were clearly the center of attention.
I could sense a subtle prickle of malice coming from them-likely a mix of jealousy and resentment. Even if she wasn’t as brutal as Captain Mercedes, I’m sure plenty of them had been broken down by her “strict guidance” at some point.
Still, most of the Knights looked more confused than anything. Some seemed to be offering silent blessings, while others looked like they were desperately hoping Cassandra might finally go soft on them. I personally don’t see her personality doing a 180 anytime soon, so for their own sake, they should probably just focus on their jobs.
After breakfast, we gathered for roll call. Except for Vait, the rest of the Golden Dragon’s Breath party looked like absolute death. They might have been nursing hangovers, but at least they showed up.
Even if they were miserable, it wasn’t my problem. Nobody forced them to drink; that’s their own cross to bear. The Mirage Party and Her Funf, on the other hand, were perfectly fine. Once everyone was accounted for, Captain Emily greeted the village head, and we departed Eierschecke Village. We were looking at another two and a half days for the return trip.
We hadn’t been on the road long before the Golden Dragon’s Breath group started making a scene. Another trouble? Vait had finally pulled himself together, but Moritz was proving to be a total disaster.
”What’s the holdup?” I asked.
”Ugh, this is all your fault!” Moritz barked. “No, wait-you’ve got nothing to do with this! Get lost!”
”My fault? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I replied. “Look, as the coordinator, I can’t just ignore a problem. If something’s wrong, report it. Vait, what’s the deal?”
”…It’s Divine Punishment²,” Vait said, his voice dripping with bitterness.
”Wait, what? Divine Punishment?”
I knew they were going wild last night, but seriously? “The other four broke their Vow and were struck by Divine Punishment,” Vait explained. “Their ability scores have been cut in half. Besides Moritz, the other three can’t keep up with the march’s pace.”
Vait looked absolutely disgusted. It was clearly the truth; Moritz was glaring at me with pure rage, while the other three looked completely dejected. They were struggling just to stay on their feet.
Moritz is level 50, and the others are around 40. With the penalty, they’ve been dropped to the equivalent of levels 30 and 24. They’re basically D-rankers now. Moritz might be able to tough it out, but for the other three, keeping this pace is going to be a nightmare.
”And what exactly was the reason?” I asked.
”S*xual pleasure,” Vait sighed. “They were invited by the village girls serving them drinks, and in their drunken stupor, they completely forgot about the ‘Vow’ and slept with them.”
”So they’re just reaping what they sowed,” I said.
”Exactly,” Vait replied.
Vait let out a long, weary sigh. In my previous life, I heard plenty of stories about people cheating while drunk. Alcohol makes you cocky and trashes your judgment; that’s common knowledge. Whether it’s getting preachy, harassing people, or missing your stop on the train, everyone has a “drunk mistake.” But they drank knowing the risks. “I was drunk” isn’t an excuse that works here. It’s entirely on them. And since the gods handed down Divine Punishment without a grace period, it’s clear they weren’t interested in mercy.
Apparently, Vait had kept his head, knowing the risks of the Vow, and turned the girls down. Good for him. Or rather, that should just be the bare minimum.
But since the original duel that led to this Vow was caused by Vait’s own ego, the other four probably feel like this is his fault. I’m guessing that’s what the arguing was about.
”So, what’s the plan?” I asked.
”Moritz can still move, so he’s staying with us,” Vait said. “The other three are going to break off from the main group and try to catch up later.”
That seemed like the only logical move. There was no way we were slowing down the entire expedition for three idiots who brought a divine curse on themselves.
Honestly, I wonder if they’ll even be allowed back into the Royal Capital after this. Not that I care enough to look after them; they’re on their own. I’m sure the Kojima family will find some way to sweep it under the rug.
”Understood. Let me know if anything changes,” I said.
”Yeah,” Vait replied.
Moritz was still shooting daggers at me, but he was the one who acted like a big shot before. He’s the one who challenged me without knowing who he was dealing with.
If Vait had been in his right mind back then, he might have listened to Moritz if the guy had tried to stop him. When I reported the situation to Captain Emily, she just shook her head. “What a bunch of losers. The monster hunt is done, so I’ll still give them their reward, but honestly…” Even Cassandra looked appalled beside her. It was unanimous: they played stupid games and won stupid prizes.
* * *
Despite the drama, we made good time and finished the first day of our return journey. Because of our pace, we ended up staying in a different town than we did on the way out. Not that there was much of a difference.
”And so, another night with Cassandra begins…” I said.
”…Who are you talking to?” Cassandra asked.
Tonight’s place was a short-stay inn. The rooms actually had showers, which was a huge win. Since we had the privacy, I figured I’d offer to help Cassandra clean up. “Let’s shower together,” I said.
”…Fine,” Cassandra replied.
She probably saw it as part of my “reward,” because she followed me into the bathroom without a fight. Standing there in the steam, I was struck again by how beautiful she was.
Her body was lean, tight with the kind of functional muscle you only get from years of training. She had that sharp look in her eyes and a permanent scowl, but there was no denying her beauty. If I looked closely, she didn’t actually seem to hate being here.
”I’m going to wash your whole body tonight,” I said. “I know it’s a bit late to ask, but if you’re really uncomfortable with this, you can still say no.”
”…It’s fine. Do what you want,” Cassandra said.
She accepted, just like that. She was being unusually honest today. I wondered if it had something to do with whatever was bothering her this morning. She’d said we “didn’t have time” then, so maybe she’d talk now. As I started washing her hair, I decided to nudge her. “You seemed pretty down this morning. Want to tell me about it? It had something to do with me, didn’t it?”
”Why do you care so much about me, Daisuke?” Cassandra asked. “Even if I am ‘your type,’ as you claim… most people would have given up or gotten angry after being treated the way I’ve treated you.”
”My perspective might be a bit different from the people in this world, but honestly? It’s because I think you’re cute, and I want us to be on good terms,” I replied.
I’ve told her this a dozen times, but the answer is always the same. I’m just being blunt.
”That’s the part I don’t get,” Cassandra said. “You think I’m ‘cute’? Me? The one they call the ‘Ogress’? The ‘Old Maid’? The woman who’s been ‘Left Behind’?”
”Let’s break those down, shall we?” I said. “One: they call you an ‘Ogress’ because you’re a hard-ass with your subordinates. But that just means you’re serious and passionate about your job. To me, that’s a massive plus. It’s one of your best qualities.”
”I… well…” Cassandra stammered.
”Two: the ‘Old Maid’ thing,” I continued. “Like I told you, I’m about forty on the inside. To me, you’re the younger one here. And three: ‘Left Behind.’ Where I come from, being single at your age is completely normal. I don’t see you as ‘left behind’ at all. In fact, the fact that you’re single just means you’re available for me to pursue. That’s nothing but a win in my book.”
”…Our values really are worlds apart,” Cassandra said.
She was right about the cultural gap regarding age and marriage, but it went deeper than that. I finished with her hair and moved down to her body. Since we were having a real conversation, I kept my hands to myself-no wandering into “fondling” territory just yet. “I’ve told you before: I like you because you’re a charming, attractive woman. Your age doesn’t change that.”
”You’re the only one who says such things… well, perhaps not the only one,” Cassandra admitted. “But I see now that you don’t look at me with the same prejudices as the others.”
”Wait, ‘not the only one’? Is someone else hitting on you!?” I asked, caught off guard.
I didn’t think any of the other Transferees would have the guts, so it must be someone from this world. They’d have to be a real eccentric. Was some old noble looking for a trophy wife?
”A rookie who’s been with the Knights for about two years,” Cassandra explained. “He claims to love me, but he’s likely just looking for a mother figure or a big sister to look after him. More importantly, he’s pathetic. He’s so weak I have even less interest in him than I do in you.”
Well, I was way off. Apparently, this kid has been pestering her since he joined. Captain Emily teases her about it constantly and even told her to “give him a fair shot” once. This was her “fair shot” analysis. I guess in this world, physical strength really is a dating requirement.
The kid’s been a Knight for two years, so he’s probably seventeen and somewhere around D or E rank. If he’s been at it for two years and this is her reaction, the poor guy has zero chance. My condolences to him, I guess. Though, for me, it’s a total relief. That might explain the malice I felt this morning-he probably has a few buddies in the unit who are “Team Rookie.”
But more importantly, from the way Cassandra was talking, it sounded like she was actually starting to get interested in me. And honestly? That made me feel like a million bucks.
—
Summary:
Daisuke helps Cassandra through a nightmare before the party departs the village. During the march, four members of Vait’s party are hit with Divine Punishment for breaking their ‘Vow’ of celibacy with village girls. The chapter ends with an intimate moment in the shower where Daisuke and Cassandra discuss their budding relationship and a young knight rival.
—
Trivia:
- The term ‘Doku’ is definitely not poison.
- Divine Punishment cuts stats by half, making Level 50 adventurers effectively Level 30.
- Daisuke is mentally 40, which shifts his perception of ‘age’ and marriageability.
- Captain Emily is surprisingly lenient about the adventurers’ failures.
- Cassandra values physical strength as a baseline for romantic interest
—
Character Insight:
Cassandra shows vulnerability through her nightmare and begins to acknowledge Daisuke’s sincerity, distinguishing him from a younger rookie knight who also pursues her. Daisuke displays maturity by managing group dynamics and providing emotional support without pressuring Cassandra sexually.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Cassandra – 175 cm tall, short brown hair, muscular frame; stoic Krieger heir, daughter of a Knight‑Class father and Housekeeper mother, once ‘The Ogress’ and Royal Knights VP. B‑Rank defense specialist leading the Third Unit, bound by oath to serve Daisuke as a slave. Cold aura hides trauma from her father, hatred of Otto and traitorous adventurers, and a thawing intimacy with Daisuke.
• Daisuke – Mid-40s Japanese B-Rank adventurer with a youthful face due to the Green God’s blessing, he hides his overwhelming strength while mastering Earth/Wind magic, regeneration, stealth, speed, transformation, Item Box, healing, and unique fire magic—plus the rare Ordeal and Foresight skills. Wields a one-handed sword and buckler, excels as a chef, and quietly dominates the adventuring world. Coordinates teams, mentors Rin and Cassandra—whom he’s romantically pursuing with deep empathy for her trauma—while dating Ines, pursuing Regina and Dietlinde, and managing slaves Ilse, Liese, and Camilla. Leads lake investigations and Royal Knight missions, travels toward the Royal Capital, and is revered as the knight-saver who vowed to protect them all.
• Mercedes – Mercedes (Mel), a brown-haired noblewoman and Home Secretary of Maultasche, is a highly-leveled knight known as the “Disappointing Beauty,” wearing a white frilled gown and traveling as Daisuke’s companion—feeding him intel while snacking enthusiastically. She fears Vice-Captain Cassandra, despises goblins, sees dungeons as divine trials, loves sweets, and seeks a Reincarnator boyfriend; her regal poise clashes with chaotic charm, often breaking walls in exuberance, and she is the devoted mother of Patrizia.
• Vait – Twenty‑year‑old former pseudo‑noble of the Kojimar family, leader of Golden Dragon’s Breath and C‑rank adventurer. He clings to noble pretensions despite his low birth, seeks Daisuke’s mentorship to restore his family’s prestige, and fights “beautifully” with a sword—though he is a Bludgeoneer—driven by entitlement. Recently more level‑headed after sparring with Daisuke.
• Emily – Thirty‑year‑old Captain of the Knights’ Order, B‑rank adventurer‑equivalent, sports wavy purple wolf‑cut hair tied back, a powerful aura and wicked older‑sister‑like smile. Married, leads the Third Unit, chaperones a high‑school girl party, teases Daisuke with disciplined charm. Recently recovered from battle, unconscious and being carried by Cassandra, wielding a segmented great scythe.
• Moritz – Mid‑30s deer‑type beastman, B‑Rank magic swordsman and leader of Golden Dragon’s Breath (formerly Shining Horn). Serves Vait as instructor, guard and sycophantic attendant, proud and resentful. Broke his own horns in a duel with Daisuke, took a hostage, was brutally beaten, and now holds a grudge.
• Mai – 175 cm tall, toned and athletic, she dons thick chest armor and a single ponytail, giving a slightly masculine look. War Saint Vanguard of the Working Women Party and Leemans member — former gym instructor, adventure lover, brisk speaker — also in the transferee party, recalling martial‑arts tournament knowledge from a past life.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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