Volume 5 Chapter 20 Day Three: The Cleanup
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The members of Anri-san’s group had regained their wits and their legs a bit sooner than she had. I walked down the hill alongside the rest of them, now that they were back to their usual selves.
Anri-san, who was still out cold, was being carried on Mitsuki’s back.
I’d tried to offer my services, but Risa had given me the cold shoulder.
”I mean, if we coulda used Hinoki (they/them), that’d been the easiest way, but I wasn’t about to drag Hinoki (they/them) out in this mess.”
As it stood, Mitsuki—the one with the most gas left in the tank—was left to do the heavy lifting.
”Even so, I didn’t think you’d negotiate like that… Big Sister, or rather, that Shadow was caught in your trap from the very start, wasn’t she?”
I replied, keeping my voice steady.
”Well, I couldn’t exactly let Anri-san’s body get busted up, so I used the most peaceful methods I could.”
Getting it down to a contest of constraints was a stroke of luck. This whole thing got settled by a tag team of Clam and Pape.
I used Clam’s illusion to make Pape look like me. If I’d put the illusion on Anri-san, she coulda just resisted it, and it woulda been a bust. But by disguising Pape, I was guaranteed at least some kind of result.
Pape managed to take the hits for three minutes, all thanks to its Ability. It turns invincible when it stands still. Since it treats me as the target for the blink, the effect isn’t quite as potent as if the attacker was calling the shots themselves, but it was still plenty tough.
That final combo Anri-san let loose? I reckon that was a sorcery tapping into the power of the winged insects living in this dungeon. It’s gotta be a real boss-killer when used inside these walls—like one of them event-specialty moves you see in those mobile games. [[NOTE_1]] Fact that Pape took that hit clean shows how incredible its durability is. It really is a niche pick, but when it lands, it lands. That’s the real beauty of an Aberration’s special Ability.
Partway down the mountain, we ran into Shoji-kun and his crew.
Shoji-kun had already dropped his werewolf form. The white werewolf was back to lookin’ like a beat-up engineer. You’d think a Majin who finally got his head on straight would be spitting mad about being played like a fiddle by a bunch of young girls, but that wasn’t the case here.
Mostly ’cause this middle-aged fella was the one who kicked off the whole mess to begin with.
We agreed to save the nitty-gritty for when we were clear of the dungeon, so we made tracks for the exit.
We’d just pulled up to the big torii gate that marked the entrance when Anri-san finally cracked her eyes open. She hopped off Mitsuki’s back and, while she was a bit shaky, she stood firm on her own two feet. A cloud of white winged insects started buzzin’ around her.
”I’m sorry, everyone, I’m so sorry…”
Watching her talk to the little critters as they fluttered about her head and shoulders, you could tell she loved ’em to bits. Being forced to do the Shadow’s bidding must’ve been just as miserable for them as it was for her.
She might’ve even held back and softened that last attack. Heck, maybe they were even pretending not to notice Clam’s illusion—or maybe they just didn’t tell the Shadow the truth.
Just then, a chunk of that fluffy swarm drifted my way. A group of ’em, with one bug in the middle lookin’ clearly bigger than the rest, started circlin’ round me.
”What’s this…?”
’It seems like they want to come with you,’ Hinoki (they/them) whispered, actin’ as my go-between.
’Looks like the timing for a split-off. The new queen wants you to be her master.’
I squinted at the swarm.
”Do these bugs act like honeybees or somethin’?”
’They aren’t just any insects; they’re snow flies,’ they clarified.
”I mean, I get the queen, but the workers too?”
’Well, a queen is only a queen because of her subjects.’
There are so many, I can’t even tell how many hundreds there are.
’Yeah… if the sheer number is the problem, I’ll tell them that.’
”Nah, the numbers are fine. …Well, if the queen snow fly is going to lead them, that’s fine. Tell them I accept.”
’Alright, alright. ……Hmm, message sent.’
The snow flies emitted a faint, sparkling light, then, with the queen at the front, they approached me.
”I’m counting on you.”
I opened an entrance in my shadow, but they wouldn’t enter.
The first one, the queen, landed on my outstretched palm.
’Aren’t you going to give her a name?’
Almost the same time as Hinoki (they/them)’s words, Anri-san said something similar.
”It seems she has accepted you as her master, Tatemiya-san. You should give her a name as your shikigami.”
I thought for a moment.
A name, huh… this is a bit blunt, but—
”How about Yuki?”
Buzz, buzz—the sound of their wings grew louder. What was this?
”It seems she is protesting. She doesn’t like it because it’s the name of a previous queen.”
”So these guys have their own pride, their own ego.”
”By the way, I think Koyuki, Sayuki, or Miyuki won’t work either.”
”She beat me to it. Then… hmmm… how about Poplar?”
The queen flared with a bright light when she heard my choice.
”She seems to like it.”
”Good. Nice to have you with me, Poplar.”
With a buzz, the snow flies let out one sharp, high-pitched wing beat before diving into my shadow, led by Poplar.
”A boost in combat power, that’s great~”
”You’re matching Big Sister now. Might be good to have her teach you how to use them later.”
Listening to Chifumi and Risa, we exited the dungeon.
We emerged from the cave and returned to the area near the management office. Yuu, standing in front of the iron door, noticed us and waved vigorously.
”Hey, welcome back~☆”
At that sound, Manaka, Yui, Megumi, and Miku poked their heads out from inside the management office.
”You were able to meet up with Anri-san. And that’s the werewolf over there. Does that mean the problem has been solved?”
”Just about. We’ll deal with the cleanup after we get back up.”
”Understood.”
Peering into the management office, I saw Sawa glued to a computer monitor, typing away.
She turned toward us and let out a sigh.
”So you’re back. My investigation was a waste of time, then.”
”Not at all. We couldn’t have opened the door without you. You were a big help.”
”Really? Thanks.”
Anri-san took over after Sawa finished her final keystroke and closed the iron door.
After that, we borrowed a conference room for hotel staff to align our understanding of the situation.
Here is a brief summary of what was revealed.
First, the cause of today’s incident.
Everything began when the current manager found the sealing shrine yesterday.
While roaming the snowy mountains, the manager found a small stone mound.
It was in a place he didn’t usually visit. He had wandered off to pioneer a new spot for collecting wild vegetables and found a place where the snow had unnaturally melted. There lay a small stone mound. Covered in moss, it was clearly a sorcerous artifact.
Intuition told him it was related to a kekkai, so he decided to confirm it with Risa’s mother, the former manager. During that process, he found a jewel that had lost its power inside the mound and took it with him.
And then, today.
The manager met with Risa’s mother and showed her the jewel.
Her face drained of color, and she brought out another jewel. When the two were together, he felt a sensation as if he were being sucked in. It seems the manager’s memory ended there.
The next time he regained consciousness, he was in his werewolf form, being restrained by Shoji-kun, who was also a werewolf. He returned to his senses for a moment, but then his memory blanked out again, only to fully recover inside the sealed dungeon.
Most likely, the residual will of malice was dwelling within the two jewels.
The Shadow possessed the manager, first starting its activities by impersonating him. Having mastered the manager’s group, the Shadow sought to break the seal.
However, to break the seal, both Anri-san and Risa were necessary.
So, the Shadow possessed Anri-san, thinking it could lure Risa out—that is our working theory.
Why the two of them were necessary remains unknown. With the Shadow’s dissipation, the truth remains in the dark.
Regardless, this incident was the result of the dungeon-related personnel messing up. In particular, the Dungeon Manager and Risa’s mother were terrible. Both refused to abandon the stance that their own mistakes were unavoidable accidents, and the other person’s mistakes were the real problem. Even though both jewels had been lost.
Anri-san, deciding that this would get us nowhere, intervened.
The final conclusion was that “this incident was resolved by the sorcerers present here.”
In other words, she found a middle ground in a full-scale cover-up.
Nothing happened. Okay? That was the deal.
Anri-san agreed to handle the reports to the four families: Shoji, Ogura, Naruse, and Yukitsuki.
I’m sure these kinds of incidents are happening all over the country.
By the way, Risa’s mother had been caught off guard by the returning Anri-san and was locked in a hotel locker while unconscious. I’ll keep it a secret that I felt a bit refreshed hearing that the mother, who had been blaming the manager, was so easily neutralized by Anri-san.
Since we are in front of a student group consisting of me, Anri-san, and Shoji-kun, I really wish the working adults would act a little more mature.
By the time we aligned everyone’s understanding and disbanded, the sun was already setting.
The third day of the trip was coming to an end.
While I was sitting on a sofa in a corner of the hotel lobby thinking about what to do next, Chifumi spoke to me.
”We were just supposed to go check out the dungeon, but it turned into such a big deal~ I’m glad we could solve it~”
”Yeah. We climbed the mountain twice, both inside and outside the dungeon, and had a sorcery battle at the top. It was a dense day.”
”It’s not over yet, though~”
”Do you have the energy to go out and play? Because I don’t.”
”Me neither~ I just want to go back to the cottage and relax~”
”If you want, we can still make it to the hot spring facility, you know?”
”The open-air bath at the cottage is enough for me~”
Mitsuki and the others listening nearby nodded in silent agreement with Chifumi.
Then Risa and Anri-san returned.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. We’re going back to the cottage for now, is that fine with everyone?”
”Yeah.”
”They said they’ll take us by bus. Let’s move. …What about you, Kuga-san?”
Risa’s gaze shifted to Manaka and the others, who were relaxing at the next table.
”We plan to go to the hot spring facility as scheduled.”
”Understood. I’ll ask them to drop us off at the cottage and then take you directly to the facility. I’ll arrange for a shuttle bus for the return trip, too.”
”Thank you very much.”
We all traveled by bus.
The driver was a woman belonging to the manager’s group.
We saw the bus off and entered the cottage.
”…Tired…”
I heard Risa whisper as she locked the entrance door.
”Let’s have a bath and relax until dinner~”
Chifumi proposed to everyone. I thought I had no objections, when a bolt of lightning struck my brain.
”…Right, everyone to the bath!”
”””””………”””””
Everyone had a look on their face like, Huh? Seriously? You’re doing it? Now?
Yes, I am serious. At times like this…
”Yurina.”
”Y, yes!?”
Following my beckoning to come here, Yurina hurried over.
I poked the position of Yurina’s n**ples with my index fingers on both hands.
”Ah♡ M, Minoru-sama!?♡”
I caught the bewildered Yurina with one hand, and with the other, I stimulated her swollen n**ples through her clothes. Whispering into the ear of Yurina, who was shrinking away, worried about the smell of sweat.
”Could you wash my back?”
”Nyu♡ O, of course, nya! ♡”
”I’m going to the bath first, so get ready immediately. Understand?”
”Nya, yes♡ I will, prepare, and come immediatelyぅ♡”
”Good girl.”
”Nyau♡♡”
After biting her earlobe gently once and pinching her n**ple, I let Yurina go.
”See you there.”
I turned on my heel and returned to my room to get a change of clothes and a towel.
I heard the sound of everyone scrambling up to the second floor behind me.
Notes:
• Anri – The fourth Naruse sister and Risa’s sibling, this private-school leader’s body is controlled by the personality Yukizuki Anri. Her family guards a District 5 dungeon. Wielding a spear and staff, she commands Aberrations, white winged insects, and mind-manipulating incense. She guides Minoru’s group as a mentor but was briefly kidnapped by Ogura’s group during an investigation.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Mitsuki – A tall, short-haired, dark-skinned Oni girl with a muscular build, this haughty transfer student and wealthy Sumo member is a powerful front-line vanguard in Minoru’s group. A Witch and assassin candidate, she wields Oni-fication, recovery magic, and a Kanabo. She is Minoru’s clingy childhood friend, rival, and protector who carries Anri, though she is absent from the current excursion.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Naruse merchant student, skier, and Yukizuki sorcerer raised as Plain-folk. Bold and decisive, she is Aikawa’s sister and Anri’s protective yet opposing younger sibling who understands her sorcery. Sharing authority in Minoru’s group, this disciplined Onibara practitioner wields a grenade rifle, guides Yurina, cares for their mother, and distrusts Komoda and newcomers.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Hinoki – Sharing Minoru’s consciousness, this sharp-tongued, non-binary Oni-fied centipede Aberration is a 30cm, sharp-eyed, metallic-shelled prime-body advisor. Speaking telepathically from his shadow, they interpret insect swarms, monitor seals, and bridge him to a nostalgic mountain power. They can also transform into massive reptilian forms to draw aggro using dungeon sorcery, venom, and chains.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Clam – A newborn Phantom/Aberration evolved from a clam via a stone, taking a large mollusk form or a toddler guise with limited speech. Capable of advanced illusion sorcery, she communicates with water tank entities, was educated by Tempura, and is deeply attached to Asari. She tends to get drunk on carbonated drinks.
• Pape – A dedicated mannequin Aberration with a completely blank, featureless face who serves as a loyal butler. It becomes invincible while motionless, can shape-shift, and wields magic dictated by its current attire. Deeply devoted to its master, it displays immaculate skill in managing household chores and traditional games, tailoring its unique abilities to perfectly assist others.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Shoji – An ancient clan member sealing the dungeon via Anri and Risa’s lineage, this dry, top-ranked student from the 5th District wears a white uniform. A tactical Strong-Male and silver werewolf beastman, he tracks scents, detects mana/mind control, and uses magic pistols. He leads werewolves and a snow exploration group, associates with Kotoha’s group, and met Minoru at an airport.
• Tatemiya – Minoru Tatemiya is the protagonist and head of a prestigious family who specializes in electrical defensive sorcery. Leading a group of powerful women and witches, including Kotoha, he guides their search for powers. The Tatemiya household serves as the central setting and social core where this group returns to live, bond, and interact.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Poplar – The queen of the snow fly swarm and Minoru’s shikigami.
• Chifumi – A support sorcerer allied with Minoru who uses ice and binding magic to restrain enemies, intercept attacks, and assist dungeon exploration. This Majo possesses immense Mana and a hostility that abruptly emerges whenever Minoru is threatened.
• Yuu – Energetic and bubbly, this Futami twin is Mai’s sister, Yui’s twin (tied to Yui’s personality change), and a Mid-guard who guards the management office. Wearing a striped high-leg swimsuit, this Manaka group member coordinates activities with sharp commentary, loves meat, diffuses tension with cards, follows Yui in combat, and playfully teases Minoru before being eaten by the Phantom.
• Manaka – An elegant, aristocratic Shisei High beauty and Kuga family sorcerer, Manaka Kuga is the calm, strategic leader of the Manaka group and a trusted advisor in childhood friend Minoru’s faction. Wielding spatial and sound magic, she assists with security, coordination, recruits, and oaths. This support ally acts as a liaison, manages hotel info, and eavesdrops on the Naruse family.
• Megumi – Satsuki is a young magic-world sorcerer, leader of the Manaka group, and member of the group near the management office. Part of Minoru’s household, she serves him with shy devotion and is Miku’s romantic partner. Formerly broader, she lost significant weight from Break-Lock and Breach-Lock, and bears a grudge over being framed for tampering with a dungeon generator.
• Miku – Miku Kaharu is a devoted sorcerer, Strong-Females member, and maid-like companion in Minoru’s household, spotted with the group near the management office. Initially a newcomer seeking Minoru’s help to clear her name in a school incident, she now manages meals and tasks with her partner Megumi and assists Sawa with snow construction.
• Yui – Yuu’s sister and one of the Futami twins, this blunt Shisei group student has short hair with a white lock, wears pink/black attire, and was previously transformed into a Jirai-kei personality. Minoru’s objective childhood friend and a mocking monitor in Manaka’s circle, she uses knives and curse arts to manifest Clams and diffuse tension, but was ultimately eaten by the Phantom.
• Sawa – Voluptuous and bespectacled, this relaxed, IT-savvy Nieda student gamer is an original Shisei member, Onibara disciple, and core strategist who controls the management office’s security systems. Safely planning in hotel lobbies while eavesdropping, she belongs to Manaka and Mitsuki’s circles, bluntly reads childhood friend Minoru, and uses plant/mana magic to ease severe motion sickness.
• Naruse – Naruse is the public surname and paternal lineage of sisters Anri and Risa, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by their influential mother—a hotel and dungeon manager—this prestigious, understated old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild resides in a modest private estate featuring an integrated, mysterious dungeon and a dojo smaller than the Onigahara family’s.
• Ogura – A distant Shoji-branch sorcerer, engineer, and longtime dungeon manager providing resort mountain resources. Identified by Shoji through scent, they can alter their outward appearance by transforming into a werewolf via beastification sorcery. Currently manipulated by hypnosis, they are suspected of searching for the shrine.
• Kuga – The Kuga family name, worn on the garments of Manaka and Marin to symbolize their kinship, marks the farthest point from the narrator’s home. A member of this distant family also works as a hotel staff member, who reports Anri’s visit to the sealed dungeon.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student, sorcerer, and loyal member of Tatemiya’s group who assists with household duties. Wearing an apron, cat ears, collar, and tail, she is Risa’s sister, Chifumi’s protector, Anri-san’s trainee, and devoted to Lord Minoru. A Kendo vanguard with a katana and nightstick, she uses Severing Sorcery for support, though absent from the current excursion.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Minoru – Minoru Tatemiya (Majin) is a lean, black-haired student sorcerer, hidden Demon Lord, and calm, tactical protagonist with adult memories. Ruling the 5th District as a methodical Dungeon Master, he uses space magic, illusions, and defensive sorcery to control Aberrations. Protective of his companions, he hosts Hinoki and guides his Majo allies (Mai, Risa, Mitsuki) via resort instruction.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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