Chapter 269 ⑭th Stratum Guardian Battle
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…Tester Life, Day 134. Morning. 14th Stratum, Castle Front Plaza. Yakumo Sanada…
”So that’s the guardian, then—behind that gate. Everyone ready?”
We’d just finished clearing the orcs from the plaza. I turned back to the group, standing before the massive gate that looked like the castle’s main entrance.
”Yeah! Finally, the guardian battle!”
”I’ll feed them to my Light Ring.”
”Hmm… Considering no general-class monsters appeared on the way, it’s almost certainly an Orc General.”
”That seems likely. Dungeons are dense with mana, so it’ll be stronger than the generals we fought on the surface. The Princess, please don’t let your guard down.”
”Indeed. It was tougher than the orcs we fought before. The Orc Wizard was using Stone Balls instead of Earth Balls too, just like the adventurers said back in the day.”
Karen and Leticia were fired up, while Lunaria and Sheena took a more cautious stance.
Probably because dungeon monsters are stronger than the ones we fought on the surface.
I get it. But why are you pitting Earthlings with lower base mana capacity against otherworlders? Still—the enhanced uniforms and the cheap weapons they’d sold us suggested Succubus Management had thought this through.
The martial arts manuals were definitely prepared for Earthlings, and you could even buy Magic Tomes—normally dungeon treasure—with DP.
Better than being thrown in blind, I supposed.
Reassuring myself they were actually serious about testing us, I pulled the gold-plated Entry Permit from my Magic Pouch.
I walked over to the rectangular slot beside the massive gate.
When I’d used Appraisal on it—just to be safe—it’d shown me the instructions. Slip it into the slot beside the main gate, and the doors would open. It also mentioned there was a limit to how many testers could challenge the floor.
That’s right—the 14th Stratum guardian battle had a cap. Eight people.
Probably because the designers assumed testers reaching this floor would have full teams of familiars. When multiple parties challenged it together, the guardian would be outnumbered on the familiar front too.
Two parties meant six familiars—kobolds, goblins, orcs. And there was a chance those familiars outranked the enemy orcs.
Even with a cap, you could still borrow familiars from other parties. But nobody loaned them out for guardian battles—too much risk of losing them.
Most familiars were lower rank than their testers anyway. Few people would lend out their precious companions—the ones they’d poured experience into—to someone else. Well, except for me and the Gozaru-crew Leader, I suppose.
I also doubted the system accounted for this many slaves participating in combat. They were meant to be sold off as non-combat assets from the start. Still, with athletic girls on the team—better physical ability than the average guy—Succubus Management had at least prepared female equipment. But they probably never expected we’d raise them this far. Losing a s*x slave was a risk, after all.
Soul-less Dolls were even more unlikely. By this point, they’d awakened egos, and it wasn’t likely they’d been combat classes in life.
Beastmen, though—that was possible. But getting one required a high evaluation from Wall-Butt. The fact I was the only one with a Beastman Soul-less Doll showed the bar wasn’t low.
And yet—I’d done it all.
Truth was, I just didn’t have any viable companions at the start.
But then Sayaka and Hajime—they all said they’d fight with me. Even after vomiting from their first kill—even pale-faced and shaken—they stuck with me through the life-or-death battles and brutal explorations.
And on top of that, they’d satisfied my heart and my desires during those nights.
I was grateful to Sayaka and the others. My familiars too.
Bottom line: I had good luck with women.
Before I came back to Japan, it was rough. But since returning, it felt like fate had been smiling on me.
My gacha luck was terrible in exchange, but that was a cheap price to pay.
I slid the Entry Permit into the rectangular slot, lost in thought.
With a heavy groan, the massive gate swung inward.
It didn’t open all the way—just wide enough for two people to pass side by side.
We readied our weapons and approached the entrance, peering into the courtyard beyond.
Spacious. Open. Fifty meters ahead, a massive formation of orcs waited in ranks.
On the stairs at the far end—in front of what seemed to be the castle’s entrance—stood an orc far larger than the rest. Clad in glossy black full-plate armor, carrying a silver shield.
That had to be the Orc General Lunaria mentioned. Which meant it was D-Rank—one step below Hanako.
Flanking the general were four robed Orc Wizards.
At the base of the stairs, thirty or so orcs in matching leather armor stood in formation.
And along the walls—at least four archers visible from the entrance. Probably more on the near side too, out of sight.
Thirteen more minions than the 13th floor’s guardian, plus the wizards added. The archers were likely doubled too—probably eight in total.
”That Orc General… clad in black iron full-plate.”
”The Greatshields appear to be mithril as well. Magic won’t be very effective.”
”Right, mithril has high magic defense, doesn’t it?”
Sheena’s words reminded me of what I’d heard about mithril. High mana conductivity—if you channeled your own mana into it when hit by magic, it’d reduce the damage.
Meaning even my Fire Shell and Lightning would have limited effect.
Sayaka’s Ice Lance—physical ice attacks—would probably only freeze the shield at best. And even if we got past the shield, there was black iron full-plate. I didn’t expect to pierce that. Slowing him down would be the most we could manage.
”Fine. Everything inside is as expected. We’ll go with the plan. Hanako—you ready?”
I turned back to confirm with Hanako, who’d been breathing heavily behind me.
”Huff! Huff! ♡”
She nodded vigorously without taking her eyes off the orc army.
Sheena was keeping her unsheathed rapier pressed against Hanako’s rear from behind—otherwise she’d have bolted out already.
That was the plan: Hanako charges in alone, triggers Provocation, and while the enemy focuses on her, the rest of us take them down from range.
We’d figured the guardian would be inside the castle walls, surrounded by archers and wizards targeting us from all directions.
So we’d let Hanako absorb the attention. While they were occupied, we’d thin out the regular orcs and take out the wall units.
The general being magic-resistant was unexpected. But everything else was standard orcs. Cut the numbers, and we could handle it.
”Good luck, Hanako!”
”Charm them to death with your poses!”
”Huff! Huff!”
Hanako wiggled her hips as if to say, “Leave it to me! I’ll charm them all!”
”Don’t push yourself, Hanako. If it’s too much, call for help immediately, alright?”
”Huff…”
But Sanae—worried about Hanako—was met with a disappointed shake of the head, as if to say, “As if I’d do that. You really don’t get it, do you, my dear blonde Doll owner.”
”Oh, Hanako! To think you’d risk your body that much for us… Leave the archers to me! I won’t let a single arrow reach you!”
But Sanae took Hanako’s gesture as self-sacrifice—facing danger for everyone’s sake.
At those words, Hanako furrowed her brow as if to say, Don’t do anything unnecessary.
Karen and Leticia giggled at the exchange. Sayaka smiled awkwardly.
Sheena and Lunaria looked exasperated. Lunaria especially—at first she’d been confused, “A perverted orc?”—but then seemed to recall some buried memory and understood.
Even so—two masochists, and they still couldn’t see eye to eye. Maybe that was the difference between psychological and physical masochism?
Sanae just couldn’t seem to understand the kind of pervert who got off on pain.
Which meant I could use Hanako as a meat wall without hesitation. If this were Rock, I’d never allow it.
Anyway—enough about the perverted master-servant pair. Time to get started.
”Go, Hanako! Show those orcs exactly how terrifying you are!”
I stepped aside, clearing a path for her.
”Huff! Huff!”
Hanako raised both Greatshields and charged through the gate like a beast unleashed from its cage.
Arrows rained down from both sides instantly.
Eight of them.
Just as I’d thought—archers were posted on the walls just inside, where they’d be hidden from outside view.
But Hanako caught every single one on her shields. She even swatted away the hail of Stone Balls from the Orc Wizards with a timed swing.
Then, while the archers and wizards prepared their next volleys, she slammed her Greatshields into the ground, quickly popped the chest plate of her black iron armor, leaned forward, cupped her exposed breasts with both hands—and unleashed The Queen’s Temptation in all directions.
A pink glow emanated from Hanako’s body.
Every single orc in sight flushed red.
With rage.
Then she let out a short grunt and activated The Queen’s Favor—Rock and Saizou’s bodies glowed pink.
I smiled wryly at their disgusted expressions, then raised my buckler.
”Let’s move!”
I charged into the courtyard, spotting the Orc General and its thirty soldiers charging straight toward us—caught in Hanako’s Provocation.
”Protect the ones I love! Sanctuary!”
Leticia followed as planned, deploying her Sanctuary.
Sheena, Lunaria, Lucy, Feli, Karen, Rock, Sanae, and Sayaka all dashed through the gate and into the sanctuary’s area of effect, readying their weapons.
The main gate remained open. We could always retreat—but that meant trying to get another Entry Permit from the gacha. And that would be far worse than fighting.
As for Saizou—he’d already climbed up the wall, kunai in hand, and was scaling toward the archers above.
While emitting a pink light.
’Fire Shell’
’Ice Lance’
’Stone Bullet’
’Fireball’
’Fireball’
I, Sayaka, and Karen activated our magic, while Sheena and Lunaria used Scrollmagic, all aimed at the Wizards and the Orcs swarming toward Hanako.
Sanae also loosed an arrow at the Wizard.
The result: Ice Lances pierced three Wizards’ chests, while the fourth had an arrow through its throat from Sanae. The Orc horde charging toward Hanako—we managed to cut down about ten of them.
”BU-GIIIIII!”
Then the Orc Queen’s Provocation ability strengthened—and the Orc General, who had been caught by Hanako’s Provocation due to her lower rank, came to his senses and roared at his subordinates.
The Orcs that had been charging toward Hanako—and the archers on the ramparts—snapped back to reality.
”BU-HIII♥”
But when Hanako cast Provocation again—this time in the guise of seduction—the Orcs’ faces flushed crimson as they turned toward her. The Orc General also fell under Provocation’s sway once more.
Hmm. As expected, Hanako’s skill is strong.
Still, maybe because he’s a Guardian despite everything, Provocation didn’t seem to last as long on the General.
Even so, not a single Orc attack came our way.
All of them were focused on Hanako, so we just had to fire magic and arrows from the safety of our barrier-protected rear.
Feli had nothing to do—she just stood there beside Leticia. I mean, she’s supposed to be a bodyguard, but she won’t get a chance to act unless it turns into a free-for-all.
Eventually, Sanae and Saizou wiped out all the archers on the ramparts. A few bodies hung over the edge of the wall like they’d been strung up—definitely Saizou’s handiwork.
The Orcs that had swarmed Hanako were down to six, including the General, thanks to our magical assault.
Only the General remained clear-headed—catching all our magic on his Greatshields and taking virtually no damage.
I’d like to try Lightning, but Hanako’s out there. With an ally in the line of fire, I’d risk hitting her—so I’m just firing off Fire Shells.
Those Fire Shells, though—the General blocked them with his Greatshields. They sent him flying, sure, but they couldn’t break through the shields. Mithril shields are a pain.
And then—just as the last normal Orcs were down to three—it triggered.
”BU-GIIIITT! BU-GITT! BU-GITT!”
Hanako, her entire body dyed crimson, swung her Greatshields wildly—smashing the Orcs, the General included, into the air.
She rammed her Greatshields into the ground and started stomping furiously.
The Orcs lay motionless, knocked flat; the General knelt on one knee, frozen solid.
That was the result of Hanako’s The Queen’s Tantrum.1
”Feli! The General!” I shouted.
”BAUW!” Feli barked in response.
I called out Feli’s name, and she shot forward like a gray blur—wind whipping through her fur—sprinting straight for the General.
She sank her fangs into the exposed throat of the General, still kneeling, unable to move.
”BU-GYAH!” the General screamed.
”BU-GITT! BU-GITT!” Hanako kept stomping beside him.
Feli, her powerful jaws locked on the General’s throat, wrenched her head violently and tore it clean.
Blood sprayed as Feli pulled back.
The General’s body was rigid—paralyzed—unable to move. All he could do was stare at the blood gushing from his own neck.
In the meantime, Sanae moved among the downed Orcs, driving arrows into their necks.
Gotta let her farm that experience when an opening presents itself.2
And then, the General collapsed, strength leaving him.
Ah. Figures.
I felt a flicker of understanding—it hadn’t even been ten seconds since he fell.
The fact that he’d gone down meant the paralysis had worn off.
Just as Lunaria had said: when the rank difference isn’t significant, fear-based effects don’t last long.
We’d only ever used Hanako’s Tantrum on regular Orcs before. If they’re only about one rank lower, the duration gets cut in half? Good to know.
Even after the paralysis broke, the General probably couldn’t move from the massive blood loss.
His body twitched spasmically—jerk, jerk—and the light faded from his eyes. Finally, black mist rose from his body.
”Combat’s over. Good work, everyone,” I announced.
”Woo-hoo! …Wait, I only used Stone Bullet,” Sayaka said, pumping her fist before deflating slightly.
”I didn’t get a chance to cast Light Ring. I was just maintaining the Sanctuary, but… well, that’s a Holy Maiden’s duty, so I can’t complain,” Leticia remarked with a resigned smile.
”Hehe, thanks to Leticia-chan, I could cast spells without worrying about our defense. Thank you,” Karen said warmly.
”I was able to focus on backing up Hanako because of you too, Leticia,” Sheena added.
”Yeah! Without Lety and Rock, there’s no way I’d have been brave enough to jump into a surrounded position!” Hanako exclaimed.
”Right. Leticia’s indispensable to this team. There’s a reason she calls herself a Holy Maiden. I acknowledge that,” I said firmly.
”She’s right. Leticia and Rock really let us fight without worrying about the rear guard. Leticia is a genuinely wonderful girl,” Lunaria agreed.
”Hehehe—I’m so happy to be praised,” Leticia said, beaming with joy.
Leticia was radiant, basking in everyone’s praise. Rock wagged his tail enthusiastically.
Technically Rock didn’t do anything, but that’s what insurance is for. At least he—the dog—didn’t seem bothered.
Now then. A Silver Chest appeared at the castle entrance.
I hope it contains something better than the silver capsule…
Well, Guardian treasure chests have usually held something useful for the next Stratum—like the Magic Tome for Mana Capacity Detection.
Let’s hope this one lives up to that pattern too.
—
Summary:
The party faces the 14th Stratum Guardian after clearing the orc plaza, with Hanako preparing to charge alone as a distraction. Yakumo reflects on his luck with women and the various dungeon mechanics that have shaped their journey. The guardian appears as an Orc General with a full retinue, setting the stage for the upcoming battle.
Hanako triggers The Queen’s Tantrum, paralyzing the Orc General and his remaining forces after the party has already reduced the swarm through coordinated magic and arrow fire. Feli tears out the General’s throat while he’s frozen, and Sanae finishes the downed Orcs. The team celebrates their victory with mutual praise, Leticia’s defensive contributions receiving particular acknowledgment, and they anticipate looting a Silver Chest.
—
Trivia:
The 14th Stratum guardian battle has a strict 8-person limit.
Hanako is D-Rank, making her one rank above the Orc General.
Mithril equipment provides high magic defense by channeling the user’s own mana.
Succubus Management prepared female equipment and martial arts manuals for Earthlings.
Soul-less Dolls can awaken egos over time.
Beastman Soul-less Dolls require high evaluations from Wall-Butt to obtain.
The Orc General carries a silver Greatshield and black iron full-plate armor.
The Orc Wizard uses Stone Balls instead of Earth Balls, indicating increased strength.
Hanako’s The Queen’s Temptation causes all orcs to flush red with rage.
Saizou scales walls with kunai to engage archers.
Hanako’s Provocation ability was strengthened by the Orc Queen’s own Provocation, creating a layered taunt dynamic.
The Orc General resisted Hanako’s Provocation better than normal Orcs because of his Guardian rank, but still succumbed to The Queen’s Tantrum.
Mithril Greatshields blocked all magic attacks, including Fire Shell, though they couldn’t prevent the General from being thrown back.
Hanako’s Tantrum lasted only about ten seconds on the General, compared to much longer durations on regular Orcs due to rank differences.
Leticia’s Sanctuary barrier protected the rear guard, allowing magic users to attack freely without defensive concerns.
Rock served purely as insurance for emergency scenarios and contributed nothing during the actual battle.
Saizou eliminated rampart archers by hanging their bodies, confirming his stealth-based assassination style.
The party intentionally left downed Orcs for Sanae to finish so she could gain experience points.
Silver chests from Guardians typically contain useful items for the next Stratum, like the Mana Capacity Detection Magic Tome.
The Wizard monsters were all eliminated in the initial attack wave, leaving only Orcs remaining.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Sanada – Sanada Yakumo is a scarred, battle-torn veteran, male tester, and pragmatic strategist leading students and subordinates in the Nightmare Guild’s 14th Stratum. Wielding dimensional magic, Mana Capacity, and a drill organ, this mansion owner manages a succubus dungeon and a complex harem with his crush. He protects his bonds, having saved Leticia and guided Gozaru to save kuLulu.
• Yakumo – A scarred, stoic C+-ranked human Guard Captain and Nightmare Guildmaster on his 123rd day of a Tester Life, introduced as a companion to the princess. Cynical yet pragmatic, he uses high mana, tactics, and elemental magic to lead dungeon parties. In his facility, he is an absolute leader, coordinator, and blunt provider for a growing harem of female companions, students, and dependent slaves.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Leticia – Leticia-chan is a short, stoic, blonde 13-year-old animation-department princess and cloaked Holy Maiden in Yakumo’s household. This blunt yet vulnerable party member wields defensive magic like Sanctuary alongside healing and offensive light attacks. Sanada’s companion and a past supporter of Lunaria, she forms a rearguard duo with Karen, competes with Sheena, and dotes on familiars.
• Lunaria – A silver wolf-kin Beastman commander with long blonde hair, rabbit ears, and a regal, doll-like demeanor, she is the Third Princess of the fallen Fangrion Beast Kingdom. A Great War survivor with high combat capability and tactical leadership, she was once Yakumo’s soulless slave. Having recently regained her sense of self, she shares an evolving, healing bond with Sheena.
• Sheena – A 165cm rabbit-kin maid and former Soul-less Doll with long white hair, distinctive ears, and terrifying eyes. A stern, rapier-wielding combatant (C+ power), she is Yakumo’s “second wife” and Sanada’s jealous yet devoted follower. As a sharp-tongued tactical advisor, she supports and disciplines Hanako, manages the harem, oversees the household, and ultimately dies to save Lunaria.
• Karen – An energetic, busty American animation major and soldier’s daughter, Karen is a loyal member of Sanada’s circle who braves dungeons in Yakumo’s party. She utilizes defensive earth magic and firearms, wielding a dual-slot Rapid-Fire Magic Gun. Allied with the protagonist and amused by Hanako, she is hostile to the Voice Actors Hunter Guild and turns volatile if her familiar is harmed.
• Hajime – A male member of the group identified as Mika’s boyfriend, though Mika prioritizes her time with Ogata during the orgy.
• Sayaka – A 17-year-old Rank-1 Head Slave, C-Rank/mid-level mage, and the academy’s top beauty. As Sanada’s head wife and a perceptive mediator, she manages group dynamics and shows deep concern for Lunaria. She is Yakumo’s devoted caretaker, handling his gear and training. Specializing in four-element magic, she controls the battlefield using spells like Tornado and Ice Lance, and douses flames.
• Hanako – A D-Rank homunculus Orc Woman General and Sanada’s stoic tamer subordinate. This frontline defender wears black iron armor exposing massive pink breasts and a wagging pig tail. Wielding twin greatshields, her masochistic combat style uses Provocation and The Queen’s Tantrum for dungeon crowd control, absorbing projectiles to safeguard her party allies as a durable meat wall.
• Sanae – Tall, model-like with a black ponytail, Nijyuuki is a 1st-Rank Slave, Archery Club vice-captain, and Yakumo household member seeking the Third Concubine title. As a rearguard archery and defensive wall magic specialist, she fights from within Leticia’s barrier. She is best friends with Sayaka, close with Karen, teases Sheena, and joins Lunaria in the Anti-Sheena Alliance.
• Rock – A grey-furred, Shiba-Inu-eyed male Kobold from the Magic Sealing Crystal who wears a leather jacket and pilot’s cap. As a lazy yet reliable older-brother figure, this frontline defender wields a greatshield and short-spear to anchor formations and break charges, but also acts as a silent party member who assists with combat operations and guards the backline spellcasters on higher floors.
• Saizou – An E-rank monster party member, this taciturn, highly polite male goblin vanguard wears ninja garb, featuring a small horn and jagged teeth. Using stealth and high-speed mobility across rooftops, this daggerman/bowman eliminates priority targets like Orc Wizards. He loyally excels at scouting, trap-disarming, and logistics while acting as Lucy’s master and Sanae’s dedicated training partner.
• Feli – A large, green, exceptionally intelligent D-Rank Gray Wolf-girl who has undergone a second evolution, gaining enhanced physical traits and specialized claw skills. As Leticia’s obedient familiar and a lethal combatant, she accompanies Lunaria on the battlefield to finish off foes. Deeply loyal to Yakumo, she playfully nips at Hanako and provides emotional support to other summons.
• Lucy – A 170cm, slender-muscular canine kobold Rogue Queen serving as Saizou’s scout and Karen’s combat-supporting familiar. With a cute, bratty face, whiskers, and wagging tail, this former thief acts like a mischievous little sister. Alongside Hanako and Lunaria, she defends the front line, wielding daggers and a massive black-iron knife while shrugging off traps to collect Magic Stones.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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