Volume 7 Chapter 9 Day One of the Outward Journey
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I could have chatted with Mercedes forever, but I figured I should put in some time with Cassandra, too. Unfortunately, she still despises me, but I’m genuinely hoping we can bridge that gap. Having s*x with someone who actively hates your guts is… well, it’s a bit of a mental grind.
”Cassandra, got a second?”
”…What is it?”
She was radiating a “leave me the hell alone” aura so potent it almost broke my spirit. (No, no, stay strong.) This is just how it goes. I’ve been spoiled lately by how well I’ve been getting along with everyone else; I’d forgotten that this is the default setting for most women.
”It’s nothing major. It’s just that neither monsters nor bandits have shown up yet, so I thought we could talk.”
”Mercedes is here, and you have your little circle of adventurer friends. There is no reason for you to go out of your way to speak with me.”
(I—I will not be defeated by this!) For someone who claims to hate me, she sure seemed to be keeping a close eye on what went down with Meta.
”Even just for the sake of the mission, smooth communication is essential, don’t you think? Besides, I actually want to get on your good side.”
”I am an aging Ogress¹. You are a slender, youthful man who happens to be terrifyingly strong. We are a mismatch in every sense.”
”Actually, that’s not true. Regardless of how I look, I’m about forty on the inside.”
”What? Now that you mention it, I feel like I heard something to that effect…”
Finally, the tension in her brow relaxed, if only a fraction. I couldn’t exactly celebrate the reason why, though.
”So, from my perspective, even you are a ‘younger girl,’ Cassandra. Since I wasn’t the one you were putting through the wringer, I don’t find you scary at all. You’re just… a girl.”
”…I see.”
Cassandra’s expression became incredibly complicated. Part of it was likely professional; she probably didn’t actually want to be feared, yet she clearly hadn’t been treated like a “younger girl” in a very long time. She didn’t look happy, exactly—more like she was profoundly bewildered. Was she trying to intimidate me just to get out of the Night Attendance²? Honestly, I think the other half of her grumpiness is Mercedes’ fault. Despite all the lectures, that airhead never seems to learn her lesson.
We hit a break shortly after, so I didn’t get to push the conversation much further. No need to rush, though. I’ll just keep chipping away at that icy exterior.
* * *
I decided to grab lunch with the Mirage party. Since I already knew them, I figured I’d rather eat surrounded by beauties than not.
”Meta, do you mind if I join you?”
”Yes, you are most welcome. Everyone, is that alright?”
”Yeah, fine by me,” Edda said.
”Go for it~” Daria replied.
”Don’t mind at all,” Kathe said.
”Sure. But man, you two really are tight, aren’t you?” Magda asked.
”Thanks. And yeah, I guess we are,” I replied.
From what I gathered when I rescued her, Meta wasn’t exactly “best friends” with her teammates; they were just standard coworkers. Because of that, I’d kept the details of what happened in the shack under wraps. Their dynamic didn’t seem to have changed much, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.
”Daisuke-sama³ didn’t just pull me out of a dungeon trap; he saved my soul.”
”Whoa… Meta’s acting like a total schoolgirl…”
”I’m shocked.”
”Is this even the same person?”
”Good for her~”
She didn’t specify how I’d saved her, but it clearly meant the world to her. It sounded like there were a lot of reasons for her divorce, but she’d spent a long time agonizing over whether the “painful s*x” was due to bad compatibility or her own “frigidity.” Learning that her ex-husband was actually just a “small-time, quick-shot amateur” had been a massive weight off her shoulders. Meta isn’t frigid at all; she just takes a little longer to get wet.
Apparently, that “polite but distant” vibe she had when we first met is her default setting. The rest of the unit—aside from Daria, the easygoing Tanuki girl—looked like they’d seen a ghost. The conversation was veering into dangerous territory, so I changed the subject.
”Have you guys been a party for a long time?”
”Quite a while. But we’re actually disbanding after this job.”
”What!?”
I looked at Meta in surprise, finding her with a troubled expression, resting her cheek in her hand—a habit of hers, it seemed. (Did you guys have a falling out…?)
”No, nothing like that,” Edda explained. “I’ve always wanted to join the Knights’ Order, and I applied for a vacancy a while back. I just got the official offer; I start as soon as this request is over.”
She looked the part, honestly. Very gallant. It made the memory of how much she panicked when I exposed her secret kinks even funnier.
”I’m retiring to apprentice under an Alchemy Master,” Magda added. “I finally hit the level where he’d take me on. Now I can finally work on ‘that’… hehehe…”
She drifted off into some Alchemist delusion. It made me wonder how Aya was doing—the one who retired to apprentice under an Alchemist a while back. I haven’t seen her lately.
”I’m headin’ back to the sticks,” Kathe said. “My fiancé’s been pesterin’ me to get home, so it’s time to head back and get hitched.”
Kathe was in her early-to-mid twenties, which is the standard—if a bit late—age for marriage here. It’s different for adventurers, but if the partner has a steady job, they often wait until their income stabilizes. Most adventurers don’t start earning a stable living until around Level 33, which is the sweet spot for hunting Orcs on the 11th floor. Reaching that point takes about seven years if everything goes well. By then, you’re twenty, which is the tail end of “marriageable age” in this world.
I met Meta on the 13th floor, so they were well past that, but I assume life got in the way.
”And I’m moving over to my husband’s party~” Daria added.
Surprise—the Tanuki girl was already a married woman. Since everyone else was moving on, she’d decided to transfer. Her slow, airy way of speaking reminded me of Misaki-san, the “healer by day, skull-crusher by night” Priest, though the physical proportions were different. Misaki-san is stacked; Daria is a bit more compact.
”What about you, Meta?”
”I… haven’t quite decided yet.”
A Priest is a must-have for any party; she could find a new group in seconds if she wanted. I wondered what she was hung up on.
”What’s the hold-up?”
”I’m torn between looking for a new party… or just joining the Temple.”
”Oh, right. The Temple is an option.”
Mizuki, from the former high-schooler party, had retired to the Temple too. She had her own reasons, though Dietlinde-san had been pretty bummed about it. Meta isn’t a “Hero” or a “Saint” like Mizuki, so the loss wouldn’t be as high-profile, but the guild never likes to see its talent pool shrink.
”Could I ask for your advice a bit later?”
”Of course.”
I was surprised she wanted to talk about something that wasn’t “Instruction.” She struck me as the type of independent woman who didn’t like showing weakness. I also needed to let her know that I couldn’t do any “training” during the mission, so we’d have to make up for it all at once afterward. Having her radiate that “pink aura” the whole trip would be a problem.
* * *
After lunch, we resumed our jog. Meta ran alongside me to talk.
”In a new party, I’d have to build relationships from scratch, and there’s no guarantee we’d click. Besides… I don’t want to be around any men other than you anymore, Daisuke-sama.”
”I get that. But what about the Temple?”
”I mentioned my divorce, right? Because of how that went down, I actually did some community service at the Temple for a while.”
”Oh?”
Apparently, this world has something similar to “Oaths before the Gods” for marriage. In my Previous Life⁴ in Japan, it was just a nice sentiment, but here, breaking an Oath is a heavy deal. In fact, Meta had been branded with the “Apostasy (Conditional)” title. The “Conditional” part meant the gods recognized it wasn’t entirely her fault—there were extenuating circumstances. So while she got the title, her stats didn’t drop.
She’d moved to the capital because she couldn’t stand the gossip in her hometown, but having an “evil-aligned” title makes life difficult. The fastest way to scrub it is Temple service. Meta had spent two years juggling adventuring and Temple work to finally clear it. But the workload wasn’t the issue. Even with the “Conditional” tag, the Temple staff looked down on her. No one hit her, but the constant snide remarks and cold shoulders had been exhausting. Since it was only a few years ago, many of the same people are still there. I could see why she wasn’t eager to go back.
”That’s rough. So, what do you want to do, Meta?”
”Between the two… I’d rather stay an adventurer.”
She really seemed to loathe the Temple. I can’t blame her; being treated like a pariah because of a shitty ex-husband would sour anyone on religion.
”Well… how about coming to work for me?”
”Are you serious!?”
”Eh?”
”Eh?”
I’d meant it mostly as a joke, but her immediate, intense reaction caught me off guard. Still, it wasn’t a bad idea. I have the space, and she’s a good person. There’s a level gap between her and Ines and Juliet, but if she joined the Gale party as a dedicated healer, their safety would skyrocket.
I had to make sure she knew she wouldn’t be partying with me directly, though.
”Sorry, I just didn’t expect you to be that into the idea.”
”Was it just a joke to you?”
”No, I’d genuinely love to have you.”
”Really…?”
She gave me a suspicious, sidelong glance that was actually pretty cute. I’d clearly accidentally tripped her “distrust” alarm. Time for some damage control.
”I mean it. You’re hardworking, you’re kind, and honestly, you’re adorable.”
”Adorable? Daisuke-sama, I am significantly older than you.”
”I don’t really see it that way, but I’ll explain the ‘why’ behind that later. More importantly, the party of lovers I live with is actually missing a Priest, and we’ve been looking for one.”
”I see… and what level is this party?”
Once I explained the situation, she started looking at it more practically. Ines and Juliet are around 34 or 35; Sylvie is about 40. Meta is 38. I gave her the rundown on their combat styles. I figured I’d let the four of them hash out the reward splits and hunting grounds themselves.
”Understood. If the invitation comes from you, Daisuke-sama, I have no reason to say no.”
”Thanks.”
”But… living together… it’s almost like I’m becoming your lover.”
”If that’s what you want, I’m certainly not going to complain.”
”Oh! Then I would be delighted! As of today, I am your lover then! ♡”
”A-Ah, yeah. Looking forward to it.”
Well, that was easy. I had to go through hell and back to win over the Gale trio—especially Juliet—so the lack of resistance here was a little jarring. Still, everyone’s situation is different. I’ll take the win.
”I can’t really… ‘attend’ to you during this job, but I’ll make it up to you once we’re back.”
”Yes! I’ll be counting down the days! ♡”
Meta was so thrilled she started radiating that thick, “pink” atmosphere again. I didn’t have the heart to tell her to stop, even though the knights nearby were giving me the “What the hell are you doing to that woman?” look. I’ll have to get her to dial it back eventually.
—
Summary:
Daisuke spends the first day of the journey building rapport with Cassandra and the Mirage party. He discovers the Mirage party is disbanding due to members pursuing individual goals like marriage and military service. Daisuke successfully recruits Meta, the party’s Priest, to join his household and her future party, solidifying their relationship as lovers.
—
Trivia:
- Daisuke is mentally 40 years old.
- Oaths to Gods are legally and magically binding in this world.
- Meta has an ‘Apostasy’ title that was previously more severe.
- The ‘Mirage’ party members are all around level 38+.
- Adventurer marriage often waits until Level 33 for financial stability
—
Character Insight:
Daisuke shows emotional maturity by proactively addressing Cassandra’s hostility. Meta displays vulnerability and deep trust in Daisuke, choosing a new life with him over the stifling environment of the Temple.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author notes the popularity of ‘payback’ (samaa) tropes and mentions a future side story regarding Ines.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Cassandra – Ogress with a sharp, intimidating aura, short brown hair, 175 cm tall, muscular and sturdy. Former instructor, Vice‑Captain of the Royal Knights, niece of Günther. Once called ‘The Ogress’ for strictness and Iron Claw. Lost a duel to Daisuke, became his slave and neutral Guild witness, now leads the Third Unit and despises adventurers.
• Mercedes – Mercedes—also called Mel—is a brown‑haired, white frilled‑dressed noble, Home Secretary of Maultasche, and mother of Patrizia. She is Daisuke’s talkative, gluttonous Knight Order ally, loves sweets, fears Vice‑Captain Cassandra, despises goblins, feeds him intel, seeks a Reincarnator boyfriend, views dungeons as divine trials, and often breaks walls.
• Meta – Mature, divorced priestess with long blonde hair and a curvy, well‑endowed figure. Once thought herself frigid, she now radiates a pink aura of gratitude toward Daisuke, her lover and fellow adventurer. Ally of the Mirage party, she fights beside him, cherishing his trust.
• Edda – A swordswoman and ‘closet pervert’ joining the Knights’ Order. Cat-type Beastman and leader of ‘Mirage’.
• Daria – A ‘Tanuki-girl’ and blunt-force Priest who is already married.
• Kathe – Adventurer retiring to her hometown to marry her fiancé. Human adventurer with a distinct regional accent.
• Magda – A Gnome and aspiring Alchemist. Likely a Gnome adventurer; prone to delusions.
• Daisuke – Mid‑40s Japanese reincarnated adventurer, youthful look but mental age ~40, blessed by the Green God as Class ‘Onanist’, B‑Rank (Lv69). Wields one‑handed sword & buckler, high Fortitude, Lust Control, Item Box, Earth/Wind magic, stealth, speed, transformation, cleaning. Manages slaves Ilse, Liese, Camilla; mentors Rin & Cassandra; dates Ines; pursues Regina & Dietlinde; runs a harem, cooks expertly, coordinates Royal Knight missions. Traveler from a ‘Previous Life’ in Japan, B‑Rank adventurer and Transferee, appointed coordinator for joint quest, previously reached D‑Rank, possesses extreme strength and an Item Box skill.
• Aya – Standing 165 cm tall, slender with long hair and a flat chest, she wears simple, armor‑free attire — clean, prudent, serious. An apprentice alchemist and former pharmacist, she serves the Working Women Party and the Leemans Party, handling store‑location data. A Yamato Nadeshiko transferee, she appears in the protagonist’s delusions as his lover.
• Misaki – 165 cm tall, standard build, semi-long hair, thick chest armor; calm, kind older-sister aura. Priest of the Working Women Party and former nurse, also Leemans member who cared for elders and does physical labor. In combat she surprises with fierce mace strikes. Laid-back transferee noted for a large chest and relaxed demeanor.
• Dietlinde – Slender sheep‑beastwoman with fluffy white curls, tiny spiraling horns and subtle ears works as a receptionist at the Maultasche Royal Capital Guild. Composed yet weary, she hides self‑disparagement, an orphan who survived the Dungeon Upheaval, her low heels echoing the halls. Once cold toward Daisuke, she now shows quiet concern, drawn to his recovery magic, small gifts and calming scents, nurturing secret affection and dreams of cosmetics.
• Mizuki – A 165 cm, standard-built high school transferee and Saint-class member of the JK Party, with long hair and modest armor. Polite and deeply pious, she despises vanity and defends the vulnerable, confronting slave abuse when needed. With high MP and MND growth, she volunteers at an orphanage and serves at the temple, respected within the protagonist’s circle and Nanami’s party.
• Juliet – A 150 cm cat-kin beastwoman of the Gale Party with blue bob hair, expressive cat ears, a fluffy tail that puffs when teased, and a large chest; wears hot pants, a crop-top, and a short jacket. Prickly tsundere with sensitive hearing, blunt and prone to teasing Daisuke, yet deeply attached and consenting to their shared living and romantic bond after her first sexual experience with him—once traumatized and averse to intimacy, she’s slowly warming, disliking lewd talk and criticizing his “broken” combat style while relying on him in battle. Twin Winds instructor and scout, dual-wields a two-handed sword, possesses the Idaten skill, has a nekojita palate, and is easily lonely, finding solace only in Daisuke’s presence.
• Ines – 170 cm tall, voluptuous swordsman (Level 21+, D-Rank) and leader of the Gale Party, with long emerald-green hair, blue eyes, and a statuesque, erotic silhouette. She wears heavy armor styled like a college girl, radiating a goddess-like smile despite her shy, naive nature and easy embarrassment. Logical yet deeply affectionate, she adores Daisuke—her first lover and shield-vanguard—worries she’s a nuisance, yet boldly asks to bathe with him, her warmth and devotion shining through her armor-clad grace.
• Sylvie – Elf, 140 cm, petite loli‑like with pointed ears, long wavy blonde hair and a fairy‑like smile. Usually in a white blouse and embroidered yellow skirt (forest‑scented); for dates she wears a gothic‑lolita dress with lace‑up boots. Top‑ranked Gale adventurer, Daisuke’s spirit‑magic teacher, scout and trap‑expert who drinks MP potions. Motherly, observant, mediator of the household, and older‑sister figure to girls like Camilla. Playful, assertive about her crush on Daisuke, ears twitch with mood, cheerful, recently left her village.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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