Chapter 36 Nyan-chan Returns
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A familiar face appeared among the female dwarves emerging from the village. She spotted me and raised her voice in surprise.
”…You actually came,” she said.
”Yo! Long time no see!” I replied.
It had been six months since our last meeting, mostly because I’d been preoccupied with a long stretch of leveling. The other dwarves swarmed her, pestering her for an explanation of who I was and why I was there. After giving them a brief summary of the situation, she stepped forward to face me.
”So, I heard you’re here to trade,” she said. “What exactly are you demanding in return?”
”Anything is fine,” I told her. “Crafted goods, whatever you’ve got. Or, if you don’t have items to spare, I’ll take labor. I’m tilling a field¹ relatively nearby.”
”Hah…? Even if you tilled in a place like this, there’s no way it would work,” she snapped, her eyes narrowing.
I gave her a flat, deadpan look. “Why are you being so prickly?”
”Even if you tell me to talk friendly in this state, there’s no way I can!?”
she yelled, her anger flaring. “I specifically told you not to come!”
The women around her watched us with a mix of shock and intense curiosity.
”Anyway, what’s the plan? If you aren’t interested in trading, I’ll just head home?”
”…No matter what you say, I won’t make weapon or armor-related things, okay?”
she said firmly.
”Nah, I don’t want dangerous stuff like that. Don’t you have daily necessities that seem convenient, or maybe some pretty decorations?”
”Th-there’s plenty of that stuff!!” she shouted back.
”Why are you angry!!”
As we continued to bicker, the surrounding dwarves began to relax, their wariness fading. Eventually, Nyan-chan gave a few orders, and the women headed back into the village.
”Hah… I have every right to be mad… If the people from the town² find out about this, even we will be suspected, you know!?”
”Ah, is that it? So, are you going to report me then?”
”I don’t know… we want food no matter what, and yet…” Nyan-chan looked away, her expression bitter.
”In that case, why don’t you come work at my place? If you’re already going to human settlements for work, my house isn’t any different.”
”Wh-what exactly do you want me to do…”
”Ah… mm… advice so you can set up a permanent residence over here, maybe?”
”No, even if you say that… I’m telling you it’s impossible.”
While we talked, the dwarf women returned, pulling a cart behind them. I looked over the haul: there were exquisitely carved stone statues and silverwork set with gemstones. Even to my eyes, the craftsmanship was stunning.
”As expected of dwarves. This detail is no joke.”
”Right!” Nyan-chan said, puffing out her chest with pride.
I had Maria pick out a piece of jewelry she liked, and I chose a statue of a woman who looked like a goddess.
”Alright, let’s trade for these. Sound good?”
”Which ones…”
”Everything in the cart. This food should be worth at least that much, right?”
To be honest, I didn’t know the exact market value, but the silver and gems alone had to be worth a fortune. The statue I’d picked was more detailed than anything I’d seen since coming to this world. At the very least, I wasn’t making a huge loss. My goals were different, so it didn’t really matter.
”I-is it really, okay?” Nyan-chan asked, her voice trembling.
”Yeah. You’re in a tight spot, right? I’m not looking to lowball you.”
”It… it helps… with this, I won’t have to risk my life for a while.” she said. Her eyes slightly moistened.
Once the exchange was finished, the other dwarves started chiming in.
”Hey, if that level of stuff is okay, I’d like to ask for more, but is it no good!?”
”It’s fine. Just, Nyan-chan said she’d be in trouble if it’s seen by others, so could you come to our base to pick it up?”
I explained that it was close by, and they asked for specific directions. Since it was within sight if you walked just a bit, I suggested someone come along with us. Nyan-chan and Sarasa-chan decided to follow.
As we were about to leave, an older dwarf woman with deep wrinkles stopped me.
”I’ve heard the talk about you. That you overlooked them. I also know from Nyan’s attitude that you aren’t a bad person. But on top of that, let me say this. If anything happens to my daughter, I won’t forgive you.”
So this was Nyan-chan’s mother. But given how Nyan-chan had been acting…
”Eh… with that combative tone, you mean?”
”Try to understand. In her own way, she wanted to show that she’s that much friendly.”
”Ah… she’s just a child who can’t be honest with herself…”
”Wait a sec!?” Nyan-chan shouted, and the group erupted into laughter.
With the trade concluded, we headed back to the base with Nyan-chan and Sarasa-chan.
”Hey hey, what kind of relationship do you have with Nyan!?”
”Wait, Sarasa! There is no ‘kind’ or anything!”
”Well, I caught a member of an underground organization, and it just happened to be Nyan-chan.”
We chatted as we walked, but the two dwarves froze the moment we reached the area where I’d replaced the soil.
”Wh-what is this… why is the soil… and vegetables are starting to ripen…”
”Eh, wh-what does this mean… why…?”
”Fuhaha! This is my power. I replaced all the soil around here.”
”…About the field, you were serious,” Nyan-chan said, staring up at me in disbelief.
”Yeah. I told you food wasn’t a problem, didn’t I?”
”Y-yeah. If you can do this kind of thing, it really isn’t a problem.” Nyan-chan muttered, looking at me with a restless look.
”Does that mean you still have more food in stock!?” Sarasa-chan asked.
”I do, but you don’t need it all at once, right?”
”We do! Because even the surrounding villages are all in trouble!”
”Ah… is that how it is. But, even if I distribute a large amount, can you actually hide where you got it from?” I asked. “Isn’t it dangerous if it’s found out you’re trading with a human?”
”I don’t know about that… but it’s already the limit. If we don’t distribute it even if we have to force it…”
She explained that because they could pass for humans, they could go to the cities to earn money, but the other demi-human villages were desperate. She couldn’t stand the thought of monopolizing food while her friends were wasting away.
”I see. Well, that can’t be helped then.”
”Sorry. Even though it’s our convenience, I said something unreasonable…”
”No, it’s fine. If that’s the reason, I can accept it.”
Besides, I could run away whenever I wanted. It wasn’t a huge risk for me. I was more worried about what would happen to them.
When we reached the mansion, I invited them inside and served them a meal.
”What is this!? It’s delicious! Delicious!!”
mogu mogu³
Sarasa-chan shovels in the pork bowl like a naughty child. “God!”
she cries, brandishing her spoon.
Nyan-chan looked mortified. “I’m somewhat sorry…”
”It’s fine. This is just that delicious,” Amelia said, looking proud.
After we finished eating, the conversation turned back to the world at large.
”I heard the languages were different over here…” Luna-chan started.
”Ah… I knew about that, but it was convenient so I kept quiet. Sorry.”
I guess she really hadn’t wanted us coming here.
”So, how does the government work on this side? Is it split into different countries like our side?”
Since this was a world of demi-humans, I wanted to understand the power structure.
”Technically, we’re unified as a sort of single country,” Nyan-chan explained.
”In ancient times it was just a federation, so it seems there were people raising their voices not to trust it, but at least since we were born, there are no barriers, right?” Sarasa-chan added.
Long ago, the races had been completely segregated, but they had formed an alliance to resist human invasions. Over the centuries, the different races had intermingled to the point where the towns were melting pots of various species. The heads of the major races formed a council to choose a leader, but an Elf had held the position for so long that it was essentially an Elven kingdom.
”Are they bad people?” I asked.
”Well, the stories are all over the place. Some say they’re incredibly merciful, others say they’re heartless.”
”Wait, they’re monopolizing the food, but people think they’re merciful?”
Nyan-chan clarified. It seems it wasn’t always like this. That’s why the older generation sees them as benevolent protectors, while the younger people see them as heartless dictators.
”If the elders’ evaluation doesn’t change, does that mean the leader hasn’t changed either?”
”Yes. Because Elves are long-lived. Even when there are re-elections, the same person has won for over a hundred years.”
That suggested there might be more to the story. If there was a legitimate reason for the shortage, maybe I could negotiate with this Elf leader. Getting an audience, however, sounded like a nightmare.
”Are you not getting any food from the dungeons⁴?” I asked.
”Of course we are!! At full operation!! If not for that, everyone would have starved to death long ago…”
They were even hunting down every low-level monster on the surface just to survive.
”I realized it when I went to work away from home, but you guys have so many dungeons. I hear there’s usually one even in villages, and it’s way too enviable… Well, I hear they were destroyed in the distant past, so they probably were over here too.”
Without dungeons, they were well and truly stuck. There was no sea, and surface monsters didn’t respawn fast enough. According to Lisha’s story, in the uncharted lands, monster populations usually just crashed when they ran out of mana.
I learned that they had plenty of salt thanks to a massive rock-salt deposit, but everything else was scarce. In the larger towns, the Elves used magic to maintain managed farms and distributed the produce. It used to be enough to get by, but as the wars intensified and more Elves were killed, the harvests dwindled.
”Eh… then, the Elves aren’t bad. Even so, they are distributing the food they made, right?”
It sounded like the Elves had taken the brunt of the fighting, and the loss of their mages had tanked the food supply.
”Th-that might be so, but… even though our men are being taken away as a price, only food at a level where you can’t live reaches us, you know?”
”Ah… that’s right. I’d forgotten they were hauling the men away,” I muttered.
If the situation was so dire that they couldn’t even maintain a basic standard of living, it was no wonder the people were reaching a breaking point.
”I see. Honestly, though, I expected something a bit more… dictatorial,” I said.
”Don’t compare us to humans,” Nyan-chan⁵ shot back. “It isn’t some hellscape. The land is just dead, that’s all.”
Actually, there are plenty of decent people among the human race, I thought. I’d done enough business with them to know that most of the folks I encountered were good-natured.
Perhaps because Nyan-chan had also interacted with humans while in disguise, she seemed to register my point quickly. “I suppose that might be true… Sorry,” she said, bowing her head in apology.
”Well, it’s a safe bet that whoever is running the Duchy of Dole⁶ is a total disaster, regardless.”
With the conversation reaching a natural stopping point and the sun beginning to dip toward the horizon, I wrapped things up and headed back outside. I began piling supplies onto the cart, making sure they saw every crate of food.
”Here. Consider this payment for the information.”
”Wait… information for what?” Sarasa-chan asked, her expression completely stunned.
”I’m gathering the intel I need to live here in peace. If we become your primary food source, it opens the door for a real partnership-a win-win for everyone.”
Of course, I had no intention of letting them use me. While I’d make them pay a fair price, I planned to simply swap out the dead sand for fertile soil and call it a day. Still, the information I’d gathered suggested that if their ruler truly cared for the people, there was a real chance we’d be officially welcomed.
”Now, next time, if you show up empty-handed, I’ll expect you to either help out in the fields or work as servants in the manor. I can’t just give this away for free forever.”
”T-That’s only fair… but are you really sure about this?” Nyan-chan murmured, staring at the mountain of food.
”Yeah. Just look at the fields. With enough hands, I can mass-produce food like it’s nothing. I’ve got more than enough, so I’m looking for something else in exchange.”
”Something else? Like what… a place to settle down?”
”Exactly. That’s the bare minimum. I want a good life, and I want a bit of status. I want friends, and it’d be nice to have some friendly neighbors. Think of this as the groundwork for that.”
The explanation seemed to satisfy her. “If you really don’t mean us any harm, then I’ll cooperate,” she said, reaching out. I shook her hand, and the two of them bowed before pulling the cart back toward the village.
”Alright. Stage one: Complete.”
I turned back toward the girls. Luna-chan showed a relieved face. “That went surprisingly smooth, didn’t it?”
”It helped that they were desperate for food, but…” Luna-chan paused, her eyes widening. “Ah! You already knew that because you investigated them beforehand, didn’t you, Ibuki-sama!”
”You really are incredible, Ibuki-sama!” Charlotte cried, clinging to my arm.
I figured anyone could have connected those dots, but since Charlotte made a habit of this every time, I didn’t bother correcting her and moved the conversation along.
”Master… what’s the next move?” Maria asked.
”Hmm. I want to make contact with the elves, but I’m drawing a blank on a method. They’ll probably come to us if we wait long enough, but I’m wondering what to do in the meantime.”
If the ruler of this land noticed us, they’d likely scramble to figure out our motives. Whether they’d opt for military suppression or attempt a dialogue would drastically change my next move.
Normally, an ‘enemy’ appearing inside your borders would warrant an immediate strike, but they’d likely give their right arm for the technology that turns sand into soil.
I wondered what they would choose. Their response would be my final evaluation of whether this place was worth staying in. If they made the right call, we could all walk away happy.
”So, if they attack, we’re leaving?” Luna-chan asked.
”Depends on how bad it is, but yeah, that’s the plan. It’s a pain, but it would be easier to just build a place of our own elsewhere.”
If the rift was so deep that they’d attack even after seeing us revive the land, then they were a lost cause. In that case, it would be simpler to join up with Erina-san and her group to form a new faction.
As we discussed the future, Amelia tugged on my sleeve. “Lord, if we aren’t fortifying the exterior, we need to set a night watch.”
”No need for that. We’ll be sleeping in the basement.”
I had no intention of being careless. I’d built the basement to be completely inaccessible without using my Storage ability to unseal the entrance. By setting up a few sensors to detect intruders, we’d be the ones launching the surprise attack.
Besides, my Mana Detection⁷ already covered a range of several miles. I knew there were no immediate threats. When I’d scouted from the air, I’d noticed that everyone’s mana levels were so laughably low it wasn’t even worth a comparison.
”Just because we’re safe doesn’t mean we should be defenseless, but this level of security should be plenty, right?”
”You should have said that sooner,” Amelia muttered, nodding in satisfaction. “I was starting to worry.”
”Sorry, sorry. I’ve got a few blind spots myself, so I’m counting on you to keep me sharp.”
Amelia gave a small, contented nod.
We moved down to the lower levels, where I’d installed a full set of facilities.
”Wow… the basement you just built is actually nicer than the house upstairs,” Maria whispered, looking around.
”Perks of the job. I’m evolving too, you know. I used the latest tech on this place.”
I’d gone all out-designer wallpaper, hardwood flooring, and carpets so plush you could sink into them. It was a subterranean mansion. It had full ventilation, a modern bath, and indoor plumbing. I’d even upgraded the lighting from basic lanterns to magical LEDs. It had climate control, comfortable furniture, and a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and an oven.
It was basically a luxury penthouse, just underground.
The only downside was the lack of windows, but with enough high-end lighting, it didn’t feel claustrophobic.
”If someone hits the door knocker upstairs, the sound travels directly down here. I’ve also rigged the tripwires in the field to sound an alarm. If someone breaks in upstairs, we’ll know instantly.”
Even if they trashed the place, I could rebuild it in seconds. The entrance to this level was sealed with massive stone blocks; an intruder would have to spend hours digging through solid rock to reach us.
”I’d still like some traps for the upstairs,” Amelia added. “The thought of someone trashing the home I share with you is… unpleasant.”
The other three girls nodded in solemn agreement.
”Fair enough. We’ll handle that tomorrow.”
Since night had fallen, Charlotte stood up. “Well then, I believe it’s time for our ‘night-time,’ isn’t it?” She headed toward the kitchen, with Luna-chan trailing close behind. Amelia went to start the bath, leaving Maria behind.
”I missed my chance again…” she whispered.
I noticed her speech was still flipping between formal and casual. “You don’t have to use the ‘Master’ talk with me if you don’t want to,” I said.
”Do you… prefer it when I’m casual?”
”Yeah. It’s easier to talk. I want you to be comfortable, but I won’t know what’s on your mind if you’re always being formal.”
”I understand. But… I’m still not great at talking when everyone else is around.”
So that was it. She could be herself when we were alone, but the group setting made her retreat into her shell.
”Don’t force it. If there’s something you need to say, you can always tell me in private.”
”Okay… thank you.” Maria sat down beside me, her fingers trembling as she reached out to touch my hand. When I met her halfway and took her hand in mine, she turned bright red and looked away.
She was so incredibly shy. It was endearing.
We sat there in silence, holding hands and waiting for dinner, until Amelia returned. The moment she walked in, Maria jerked her hand back, her face flushing even deeper.
She really is bashful, I thought, watching her. Or maybe she just doesn’t want to get caught?
Either way, she was cute. As I was observing her, Charlotte and Luna-chan arrived with the food.
”Hehehe! Tonight we have beef steaks!” Charlotte announced, placing a sizzling plate and steaming rice in front of me.
Amelia’s eyes lit up. “Oh! This is my absolute favorite!”
The steak was incredible-almost aggressively delicious. Charlotte’s cooking was improving by the day, and her steak sauce was a masterpiece.
”Erina-san and the others back home are going to have a rough time with the food there,” I noted.
”Erina-san was brave to stay behind. I have to work hard here too,” Amelia said firmly.
”I-I’ll work hard too, okay?” Maria added, her voice uncharacteristically loud.
Amelia gave a dignified nod of approval, while Charlotte and Luna-chan watched on with smiles.
Our first day in this new land ended in a rare moment of peace.
—
Summary:
After six months apart, the protagonist reunites with Nyan-chan, securing a thriving trade of food for dwarven craftsmanship while unveiling his miraculous ability to transform barren soil into fertile fields—a revelation that stuns the famine-ravaged dwarves and cements vital alliances.
Ibuki seals successful negotiations with Nyan-chan and Sarasa-chan, bartering food to forge cooperative foundations, before proudly revealing his ingeniously hidden, fortified underground luxury mansion to his companions. The chapter closes with a quiet, intimate dinner that lays bare the group’s evolving dynamics and Maria’s blossoming affection, set against the broader political and ecological tensions of the demi-human lands under their long-lived Elf leader’s rule.
—
Trivia:
- The protagonist has been leveling for six months since their last meeting.
- Dwarves in this world specifically refuse to make weapons or armor for the protagonist.
- The ‘Uncharted Lands’ (demi-human side) lacks dungeons because they were destroyed in an ancient war.
- Elves are the primary food producers via magic-managed farms.
- Nyan-chan’s ‘combative’ attitude is her way of showing friendship (according to her mother).
- The men in the village are being conscripted (taken away).
- Ibuki can detect mana from several miles away.
- The basement is sealed with massive stone blocks accessible only via Storage.
- Erina is currently leading a separate group elsewhere.
- Ibuki’s ultimate goal is status and friendly neighbors, not just survival
—
Character Insight:
Nyan-chan shows extreme vulnerability and selflessness, willing to risk her safety to distribute food to other starving species. The protagonist demonstrates a pragmatic but generous nature, trading food for art rather than exploiting the dwarves’ desperation.
Ibuki is showing a strategic shift from pure survival to long-term community building. Maria’s shy attempt to hold hands shows her developing emotional bond with Ibuki, contrasting with Charlotte’s overt physical affection.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The generational divide in political opinion regarding the Elf leader mirrors real-world political shifts where long-standing stability is viewed as benevolence by the old and stagnation/dictatorship by the young.
The author uses the contrast between the high-tech underground ‘penta-house’ and the desolate surface to emphasize the protagonist’s ‘cheat’ abilities.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Nyan – A Dwarf girl, daughter of Doran. 20 years old but looks like a child. Dark-skinned, cat-like vibe. From the mountains.
• Maria – A 16-year-old swordswoman. Has long, lustrous red hair and a sharp, dignified facial structure. One of the new recruit.
• Sarasa – A female dwarf and friend of Nyan-chan. She is high-spirited, energetic, and extremely enthusiastic about food, specifically pork bowls. She views the protagonist’s cooking as ‘God-tier’. A young native girl accompanied by Nyan-chan. She is stunned by the protagonist’s ability to produce food.
• Ivy – A thirteen-year-old Knight Academy student in the Royal Capital, direct retainer of a minor noble house with blue-collar vibes; daughter of Lean from Yada Village, she’s a small-built, energetic aspiring swordswoman and temporary shop girl, deeply doted on by her family.
• Amelia – Quiet, expressionless white short-hair girl with red eyes—smallest in the crew but arguably strongest—once robotic, now opening up, happy with Master’s food/clothes, craving to repay kindness. Ibuki’s loyal CQC bodyguard who goes full deredere lovey-dovey post-intimacy, struggles with personal dreams but sticks by his side.
• Luna – A 15-year-old girl with rose-pink hair, roughly 155cm tall. A Priest who suffered trauma and physical abuse (welts on her arms) due to her inability to use recovery magic during previous forced training. A companion who recently received armor and weapons from the protagonist.
• Lisha – Mature native babe with killer curves, huge rack, long brown hair, big-sis vibes—polite shy type who hangs back gathering intel on other Heroes. Head of Sha-sha brand, acting chair, runs group logistics/training with authoritative feminine flair.
• Ibuki – Broke high‑schooler from Earth who got tossed into another world with the “Crafter” class he first thought was useless—turns out it’s totally busted. Black‑haired, germaphobic, and low‑key bitter but sharp as hell. Uses Synthesis, Processing, and Inventory skills to survive, craft gear, and haul loot while exploring. Currently a Level 10 otherworlder, wielding a stone axe, traveling the frontier forest with Charlotte, and just trying to stay alive long enough to find a bit of peace.
• Charlotte – Short, skinny late‑teen slave girl with messy brown hair, feline eyes, and a soft, slender body. Was an Ex‑Level 8 farmer, now Level 10 and bound to Ibuki, who she calls “Master” and calls herself his wife. Wears rags at first, then pretty clothes he makes, plus his bat‑wing hairband. Blushy, clingy, protective, and easily emotional, she follows him on runs, fights, and flights while always worrying if she’s useful enough.
• Erina – A 17‑year‑old swordswoman and slave under Ibuki’s contract, originally from Paul, with drill hair, a refined noble‑like air and speech suggesting she was once a high‑born lady.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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