Volume 6 Chapter 6 Winter Daily Life
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
In late January, we made good progress in the Sword-Hammer Cave.
To get to the dungeon and back, we use the bus driven by the lady from the Onigahara family. Once we enter a dungeon, we stay for several hours. I feel bad asking her to wait in the parking lot the whole time. She says not to worry. But I plan to get her a gift as a thank you.
Recently, we often travel with the Komoda group. We share the same starting point and ending point, so we help each other out.
The Shoji group has not entered a dungeon since their first time. Just like during the 2nd semester, they focus on conquering the Tower Dungeon.
Lately, I have been using the travel time to exchange information with the Komoda group. This has improved how well we both explore. Right now, we are on our way back after finishing dungeon training. I am in the back row of the micro-bus owned by the Komoda family, talking with Komoda. I decide to ask about their progress right away.
”How far did you get with today’s exploration?”
”The 6th floor. New Aberrations have started appearing. How about you guys?”
”Still on the 5th floor. You guys are fast… We feel like we are making good progress, too.”
”Some of our members keep pushing ahead. I am just doing my best to keep up.”
So the leader follows along, and the “Strong-Females” (Shoji’s group members) decide the exploration strategy? That is exploration unique to a “Counter-attack” group. It is like an organization where the field workers are good at their jobs while the head is just a figurehead. I know some organizations like that. But the result is that the conquest is going smoothly. I suppose that is the correct approach for the Komoda group.
”Come to think of it, we ran into a rare Aberration.”
”No way. Which one?”
”A grasshopper mixed in with the crickets. A giant migratory locust. I knew it right away.”
”Whoa… a migratory locust… I am jealous.”
”It was golden. A rich lord.”
Rare Aberrations with “Migratory Locust” in their name drop high-value items. I had heard rumors, but I did not think they actually appeared. I want to meet one too. If I can, I want to tame it.
”Crickets are hard to see when it is dark around them. Grasshoppers are hard to see in the dark too. But when it is bright, it is hard to know where they are because they reflect the scenery around them. That is about all you have to watch out for.”
”Dungeons really are built to help Aberrations, huh?”
”Yeah, they really are.”
Maybe there is a gimmick where the number of Aberrations that appear changes based on how bright the passage is. It could be true that there are unknown spawn conditions, like the Unique Variant in the Commercial District.
Compared to major dungeons, the Sword-Hammer Cave is not very popular. It is natural to want to dive into a bright dungeon rather than a dark, gloomy one. So not many sorcerers dive into the dark Sword-Hammer Cave. There is not enough data to do a proper study. It would not be a bad idea to try different things.
The bus stops in front of the Tatemiya family home. After thanking the lady who drove us, the whole group gets off. We are all planning to have a sleepover today.
As we walk through the gate, small lights flicker on in a line, lighting up our feet. The Snow flies light up the path to the detached house. Minoru’s younger sisters call it the “runway.” It is especially useful this time of year when the sun sets early.
Mitsuki lets out an admiring voice.
”They light up in a flash, sensing that their Master has returned. Impressive.”
”I always think about this, but~ how do the Snow flies-chan spend their time normally~? These are not the ones you took into the dungeon, right?”
On our way, I answer Chifumi’s question.
”They are divided into those who stay behind to guard the nest and the exploration team that acts with me. These guys are the ones on duty.”
When I look back, the Snow flies where we just passed have stopped glowing. It seems they will wait on the grounds like that.
When they need to light up, they move to a spot you can see from outside. When waiting, they move behind leaves to hide. If something unusual happens, they send a report through the Poplar⇒Hinoki route. The Snow flies are also useful for security.
”The queen, Poplar, stays behind. The ones diving into the dungeon with me are the active task force.”
”Hmm. Can you tell the insects apart, Minoru~?”
”No, I cannot tell them apart one by one. I can tell Poplar and the task force captains apart because they are different sizes and have different amounts of Mana. But I cannot recognize the others as individuals.”
While I was explaining this to everyone, I thought of something. I ask Risa.
”I wonder if Anri-san can tell the Snow flies apart?”
”Older sister? I wonder. I have not heard much about how she uses them, so I do not know. Minoru, have you not asked? You were talking about the bugs on the final day, were you not?”
”I just confirmed the technique that Shadow used. I asked for the name of the queen that Anri-san uses. I did not talk about how she handles the individual worker bees.”
”I see. By the way, what is the name of the queen at your sister’s place?”
”Snow White.”
”…That sounds like something my sister would pick.”
Risa looks convinced. I wonder if Anri-san is a romantic at heart, despite how she looks?
What bothers me a little is that “Yuki” (Snow) is a no-go, but it is fine if I translate it. The queens also have different traits as individuals. I tell myself that the one Anri-san uses just happened to be an individual that was not picky about names.
As we keep talking, we arrive at the detached house. We unlock the door. Everyone enters. The moment I close the entrance door, I activate my Inherent sorcery. I replace the space in the Doma while organizing our equipment and luggage. By the time we take off our shoes and step onto the tatami, I am returning the Aberrations to their spots at the same time. Some drift in the water tank. Some help the others tidy up their luggage like servants. Others wait in a group on the beams.
Until recently, I used to bring in Aberrations through shadows. But with the addition of a large number of Snow flies, things have become more complex. Now I turn the whole room into an entrance. This lets me store and release more at once, saving time.
”Is everything okay now~?”
”Yeah, it is all good.”
When the Aberrations finish moving, I deactivate my sorcery. The members scatter to their rooms.
I see a Centipede crawling across the Doma floor. I call out to Hinoki, who is about to head outside the detached house.
”Hinoki, wait a second.”
”?? What? What is it?”
”I just remembered something, and I have a question.”
”Did something happen?”
I ask the Centipede, who has turned toward me, about what I remembered while talking to Komoda earlier. It is about the conditions for taming Hinoki.
”Majo’s Tears. About the Crystal of Power. Is it done yet?”
”Aye, it’s comin’ along…”1
I can tell Hinoki is lost for words as they lift their upper body with a ‘jerk.’
”Don’t tell me, you haven’t made it?”
”No, no… that’s not… not the case! But, you see…”
”But?”
”It’s a little delayed. My schedule got a bit packed… to put it more precisely, it’s because of the materials.”
”What do you mean by materials, specifically?”
”That’s…”
Hinoki watches my expression. It is rare to see them truly apologetic. This is different from their usual reaction. I thought they would answer casually. So this serious reaction makes me worry. Maybe they sensed my feelings. Hinoki hurriedly made excuses.
”There’s something I need to make the Crystal of Power. It uses the power of the Leylines. But the places where I can get it are limited.”
”The power of the Leylines… that is the stuff I use up when I use my power as a dungeon master, right?”
”Aye, that’s the one. I use it to make Aberration-like things appear in that Otherworld. So I make them when there is extra. But I got much less than I first expected…”
”Is that all? If that is the situation, it cannot be helped if it is delayed. I thought it was a more serious problem. No issue. If anything, I am relieved.”
”You’re not mad?”
”There is no reason to be mad in this situation.”
”…Thanks. It will take time until it is finished. But I am making it properly, so do not worry!”
Hinoki moves their upper body as if bowing. They do not need to be so worried.
”Well, do it at your own pace. That is all I wanted to talk about. So, Hinoki, where are you going now?”
”To Poplar’s place. Since it is accepted that I am the head of the Aberrations, I have to hear the reports from when I was away.”
”I will leave it to you.”
”Aye, leave it to me~!”
Returning to their usual bright tone, Hinoki scuttles out through a gap.
”Minoru~. Please do the bath~”
”Coming.”
I reply to Chifumi, who has started preparing dinner. Then I head to the bath. I could not help thinking that I felt like a husband whose wife tells him what to do.
”Minoru-sama. Where are the batteries? The clock in the washroom has stopped.”
”Top shelf of the closet in the living room. I think there should be some AAs.”
”…Ah, found them. Here they are. Thank you.”
I answer Yurina’s question while cleaning the bathtub.
The others are also doing their jobs, split into roles. We have been living in this detached house for a long time now. Maintenance is important for a comfortable life.
Among the members, Mitsuki and I were messy with our belongings. The rest of the members are clean-freaks who organize things properly. I am grateful that they tidy up the things I leave lying around without complaining. But I felt like I was being silently criticized. So I naturally started tidying up as well. I guess you could call it a reverse Broken Windows Theory. The atmosphere of a place is important.
After dinner, everyone does their homework. Then we do light Mana manipulation training as sorcery training. After that, we have free time after the bath. This has become our routine.
”Risa, you ready?”
”Is it me today? Okay♡”
During free time, I call Risa and read a book while getting a lap pillow.
Everyone else spends their time as they like in the next room. Some read books, watch TV, or sharpen blades. This is how I usually spend my free time. I choose a partner at random and read while getting a lap pillow.
After free time, “sexy time” is waiting. So we do not go all the way. The rule is that we are only allowed to hold hands. Risa’s hand gently strokes my head and shoulders.
Of course, I enjoy the sexual acts. But sometimes I want to feel sure about our feelings for each other through actions that do not involve physical pleasure. Because of this wish of mine, we set aside this time on days when everyone stays over. This time makes me enjoy the sex with a fresh feeling again.
We spend the time lazy and slow. Then the night finally comes. Here, I try my best to love everyone passionately.
That is how the winter days passed.
—
Summary:
Minoru returns to his detached house with his group after a successful day of training in the Sword-Hammer Cave. He coordinates with his subordinates and Aberrations, including a conversation about progress on the Crystal of Power with Hinoki. The day ends with their established evening routine of shared chores, study, and intimate downtime before the night.
—
Trivia:
The bus service is provided by a lady from the Onigahara family.
The Snow flies create a path known as a runway for Minoru and his group.
Hinoki serves as a field leader for the Aberrations and reports to the queen, Poplar.
Minoru practices a form of intimacy that excludes sexual acts as a way to refresh his relationships.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Onigahara – An older woman of disciplined austerity, she is a stern mentor from the influential Onigahara (formerly Koki) sorcerer family, famed for their estate and Oni-fication. Maintaining close, hierarchical bonds with dojo students, she manages logistics and drives the family microbus for Minoru’s group during dungeon training, fiercely preserving her lineage’s legacy of strength.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male classmate and sorcerer from the influential Michinori family’s Komoda house. Met at the administrative building, this pragmatic leader commands a group in the Sword-Hammer Cave. He keeps secret dungeon mechanics for house prestige, but coordinates travel, exchanges intel, and pursues an alliance with Minoru, while occasionally interacting with Ryota’s group.
• 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.
• 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.
• Shoji – A serious, top-ranked 5th District sorcerer and silver werewolf beastman wearing a white uniform. This ancient clan member seals dungeons via Anri/Risa’s lineage, uses magic pistols, and tracks scents. He leads an exploration group alongside Ryota and Komoda, associates with Kotoha, shares critical intelligence on dungeon irregularities, and focuses on conquering the Tower Dungeon.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• 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.
• Strong-Females – A social designation within the world’s hierarchy.
• 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.
• Tatemiya – Minoru Tatemiya is a sorcerer, protagonist, and head of a prestigious family traditional lineage house. Specializing in electrical defensive sorcery, he guides a powerful group of women and witches, including Kotoha, to search for powers. He also converses with Megumi and Minoru about regional gathering spots, utilizing the Tatemiya household as a central setting to live, bond, and interact.
• Minoru – Minoru Tatemiya is a lean, black-haired student sorcerer, hidden Demon Lord, and reincarnated mob protagonist with adult memories. In a world of reversed gender dynamics, this proud, analytical leader rules the 5th District using spatial, illusion, and Shock magic. He possessively manages dungeon logistics and a harem household, hosting Hinoki and guiding Majo allies (Mai, Risa, Mitsuki).
• Mitsuki – A tall, short-haired, dark-skinned Oni girl with a massive, muscular build, this haughty yet shy transfer student is a wealthy Sumo member and vanguard/healer in Minoru’s squad (also aiding Ryota’s). Koki’s younger sister, she provides info on his past. Wielding a Hama Kongou kanabo or gavel, this assassin candidate uses Oni-fication, manages logistics, and is Minoru’s clingy, rough childhood friend.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s beautiful, kimono-clad childhood friend, devoted romantic partner, and lead witch. Wielding a staff with immense Mana, this tactical sorcerer uses ice/binding magic to manage strategy, admin, and dungeon entries for Minoru and Ryota’s groups. A helpful older sister figure who loves cooking and photography, she struggles with heat and is fiercely hostile if Minoru is threatened.
• Hinoki – Sharing Minoru’s consciousness, this sharp-tongued, non-binary Oni-fied centipede Aberration serves as his interpreter and field leader, currently crafting a Crystal of Power for him. This 30cm, metallic-shelled advisor submerges into shadows to speak telepathically, monitor seals, and guide smaller insects. Using dungeon sorcery, they can also transform into a massive reptilian form.
• Poplar – An Aberration who serves as the queen of a snow fly colony and Minoru’s shikigami, she remains at the detached house to guard the nest.
• Risa – A tall, slender Naruse student with twin-tails and a fashionable, well-endowed physique. Bold and sharp-tongued, this Onibara practitioner uses magic pistols and a grenade rifle in Minoru and Ryota’s dungeon groups. Aikawa’s sister and Anri’s protective younger sibling (offering lap pillows), she guides Yurina, distrusts Komoda, and is often anxious or complaining about unfair rules.
• Anri – The fourth Naruse sister and Risa’s older sibling, this private-school leader and sorcerer is controlled by Yukizuki Anri. Her family guards a District 5 dungeon. Wielding a spear and staff, she commands mind incense, Poplar’s white-winged insect swarm, and Aberrations like queen Snow White. She mentored Minoru’s group, was kidnapped by Ogura’s group, and brought premium meat as an apology.
• Centipede – A former high-level Apparition currently reduced to a powerless, disembodied state. It speaks with a manipulative, merchant-like tone.
• Majo – A member of Minoru’s group whose presence is noted to be vital for success.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student wearing an apron, cat ears, a collar, and tail. A disciplined Kendo vanguard using a katana, iaijutsu, and Severing Sorcery, she leads dungeon entries for Minoru and Ryota’s group. Risa’s sister, Chifumi’s protector, and Anri’s trainee, she has a complex history with a childhood friend. She handles chores and is fiercely devoted to Lord Minoru.
• 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.
• Mai – Younger sister of Yui and Yuu, possessing a deceptive, snake-like gaze. She displays a shift from cutesy behavior to predatory indifference and is associated with unusual arthropod-related occurrences. A girl who accompanied the protagonist from the morning, only for her existence to be questioned as a potential manifestation of the protagonist’s inner psyche or a Phantom’s trap. A young girl who remembers specific lore from the museum and is determined to assist in the fight.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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