Chapter 61 Unexpectedly Friendly?
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The carriage came to a halt at the castle entrance after passing through the gates of the outer wall. Isaac, who had been acting as our driver, looked back at us.
”Ibuki-sama, please wait and exit last, as we discussed,” Isaac said.
Apparently, there was a strict protocol for disembarking; those of lower status were expected to exit first. For this act of diplomatic theater, Sylpha would step out first, followed by Isaac, with my wives following behind them.
Once they were on the ground, Isaac placed a hand over his heart and bowed deeply to clear a path. Yui performed a graceful curtsy, spreading her skirts as she lowered her head.
As I finally stepped down, Sylpha – who had moved to the opposite side – also greeted me with a curtsy.
”Welcome, Ibuki-sama,” Sylpha said. “Allow me to escort you to the guest chambers so you may prepare yourself.”
She offered her hand to me. When I took it, a happy smile played across Sylpha’s lips. She led me toward the castle interior with a gentle tug.
As we walked through the halls, the servant kids greeting us seemed to freeze the moment they caught sight of me, their eyes go wide with shock. They stayed perfectly still, as if they were playing a high-stakes game of freeze-tag¹.
What is with them?
I’d been told I might be “attacked,” so I’d expected them to be blushing or flustered. Instead, they looked at me like I was some kind of alien creature. It was unnerving.
Once we reached the guest suite, I finally let my posture relax.
”That didn’t feel like an ‘attack’ at all,” I said, glancing at the others.
Yui shook her head at me. “Honestly, you can be so dense about these things.”
”Hold on. Don’t turn me into some ‘dense protagonist’ trope,” I replied. “They were looking at me like I was a freak of nature!”
”With all due respect, I believe they were simply overwhelmed with surprise,” Isaac said with a strained, polite smile.
”I’m just grateful no one caused a scene,” Sylpha added. “Ibuki-sama, I must ask you to maintain that dignified air. There will undoubtedly be some who try to overstep their bounds tonight.”
”If you say so,” I muttered, taking a seat in the guest room, though I remained skeptical.
According to the plan, once preparations were finished, we would move to the ballroom to join the Queen in the VIP section. It was a relief to be treated as a proper state guest. We were killing time with idle chatter when a Beast-kin man – a Divine Beast-kin² – entered the room.
”Oh…” The sound escaped me before I could stop it.
”Is… something the matter?” the man asked, looking perplexed.
”My apologies,” I said quickly. “You just look a lot like a friend of mine, Kordo.”
He really did. He looked almost exactly like the werewolf man who had worked the fields at our first base. His fur was a different color, so I knew he was someone else entirely, but the resemblance was striking enough to startle me.
”I see,” the man said, bowing his head. “I am not his kin, but I know of Kordo. I heard you have been quite a help to his village.”
”Not at all. It’s a give-and-take relationship,” I replied. “I’m just returning the favor for their help.”
He offered a small smile, informed Sylpha that everything was ready, and bowed once more before exiting.
As Sylpha began to lead us out, she looked at me curiously. “The Human race usually holds quite a bit of prejudice against the Divine Beast-kin. You don’t seem to share it.”
”I was a little intimidated at first,” Yui admitted. “But after seeing Ibuki-kun laughing and working with them, I realized there’s no real difference.”
”I see… In this country, they are often treated as inferiors. Has Isaac explained that to you?” Sylpha asked, glancing toward him.
”I’ve briefed him on the situation,” Isaac said. “Ibuki-sama understands perfectly. He called it ‘idiotic but unavoidable discrimination’ that crops up everywhere.”
”Hey, don’t talk about me like I’m not standing right here,” I said with a laugh. “It’s embarrassing.”
We reached the entrance to the ballroom.
”Alright, I’m switching gears now. Don’t laugh or tease me, okay?” I said, looking specifically at Yui.
”I won’t! But what do you mean by ‘switching gears’?” Yui asked, tilting her head.
I just grinned and offered my arm. Yui realized I was playing the part of the escort and took it.
”This is what I mean,” I told her.
”Hehe, how charming,” she whispered.
I stepped into the ballroom, walking behind Sylpha with as much regal confidence as I could muster. The nobles in the room, dressed in their finest, froze mid-conversation. The noisy hall suddenly fell into a deafening silence.
Give me a break. This is awkward. Is there no music?
I scanned the room and saw a group of musicians in the corner with their instruments, but they hadn’t started yet. Following Sylpha, I was led directly to where the Queen stood waiting.
”I am Kisaragi Ibuki. I am deeply honored by your invitation today,” I said.
I gave my cloak a crisp snap as I bowed my head slightly, my hand over my chest, keeping a practiced smile on my face. Since I had left the alliance, we were technically two sovereigns meeting. To her, my national power was an unknown variable. I made sure to carry myself as her equal.
I watched the crowd for a reaction, but the surrounding Elves kept their expressions carefully neutral. Even Sylpha’s older sister, whom I’d met before, wore a polite, public mask.
Good. It seems the Elves aren’t as hostile as Sylpha feared. And since the dragonewts aren’t here, maybe this will actually be a peaceful night.
”You are most welcome,” said the Queen. “I am Fianna, the Queen of this land. Please, everyone, take your seats.”
We sat in the designated area, and after the Queen introduced her kin, I introduced my wives. She expressed her gratitude for the food supplies and the rescue of the Prisoner Girls³.
”I wish to offer you something in return for your services,” Queen Fianna said with a refined smile. “Do you have any requests?”
Her speech was much more formal than Sylpha had led me to believe. If I spoke too casually now, I’d look like a boorish peasant. I adjusted my tone accordingly.
”There is no need,” I said. “What we did, we did of our own volition. We didn’t act on a prior agreement, so your gratitude is enough.”
”Oh? You refuse a reward?” The Queen kept a perfect poker face, watching me closely.
”If there is something you wish to give that doesn’t feel like a forced demand, I will accept it with thanks. But it feels wrong to make demands for a favor you never asked for, doesn’t it?”
”I see… I suppose that is true,” Fianna said. “In that case, would you be willing to listen to a request from my side?”
I could see where this was going. She wanted to ask for something, but she couldn’t maintain her dignity if she didn’t pay off her “debt” first.
”Of course. I’m listening,” I said.
”I am grateful. As you are likely aware…” She began to explain the severity of their food shortage. “I wonder… would it be possible for us to have a field of our own?”
”I don’t see why not,” I replied instantly.
The Queen’s composure cracked slightly. “And… what would the price be?”
”Well, if you want something on par with what I built for the dwarves, how about this: instead of acting as a Guard, Sylpha-hime acts as a diplomatic bridge⁴ between our people?”
”I… beg your pardon?” she stammered. “That qualifies as payment?”
”Yes. The Princess has been very good to me. Having a royal I trust as a bridge between our nations is far more valuable to me than gold.”
To be honest, Sylpha was the only one on the Elven side I could actually trust for intel. Even if someone like Mari-chan didn’t lie, her position would force her to keep secrets. Sylpha was honest to a fault, even when the truth was ugly.
”Ah, so you are asking for Sylpha’s hand?” the Queen asked.
”What? No, it hasn’t gone that far… though who knows what the future holds,” I replied.
The Queen tilted her head, clearly confused. From her perspective, my motives probably seemed suspiciously vague. I decided to be blunt.
”To be honest, I have the power to fight, but I have no desire to. I want to build a partnership with the Elves who lead this region. Especially since we might end up at war with the dragonewts if they keep attacking my fields.”
Fianna looked thoughtful. “I see. It would be difficult to convince my people to support you against the dragonewts if we have no formal ties…”
She had a point. This was a coalition; she couldn’t lead if she couldn’t persuade her subjects. If I was going to live here, I had to put in the work to change their minds, however tedious it might be.
”Then let me add one more thing to the price,” I said. “I want you to attend a party at my place. Once your people see us interacting, their perspective might shift.”
”The Cat-kin and Dwarves won’t be an issue, but you might only get the Dog-kin or Divine Beast-kin to attend from the other races,” the Queen warned.
”That’s plenty. I’m not expecting the world to change overnight,” I said with a smile.
Fianna nodded slowly. “If that is acceptable to you, then I agree. When can you begin construction on the field?”
”If you have a location picked out, I can start right now. It won’t take long.”
The Queen stood up so abruptly her chair scraped loudly against the floor. “I – pardon me. If that is the case, would you stay the night and begin tomorrow?”
”Certainly,” I said.
Suddenly, a voice drifted from behind us.
”Oh my, Your Majesty. Who might this be? Won’t you introduce me?”
For a second, I thought a dragonewt had crashed the party, but the figure approaching was a Fox-kin woman. I remembered then that the Fox-kin held a deep-seated grudge against humans.
A Dog-kin woman acting as the Queen’s guard stepped forward to intercept her. “Stand back! It is unacceptable for you to interrupt like this!”
”Be silent, you little mutt. All you’re good for is wagging your tail,” the Fox-kin woman spat. “Do you need to be disciplined?”
The air in the room turned electric with tension. The Dog-kin guard refused to budge, and the Fox-kin woman signaled her own guards to draw their weapons.
I didn’t need a bodyguard. I looked at Sylpha. “Can I handle this?”
”But… we invited you here. We can’t just let you fend for yourself,” Sylpha whispered.
”That’s why I’m asking. I’ll handle it peacefully.”
”Peacefully? She’s incredibly difficult. She won’t listen to a word you say.”
”Just watch,” I said, then turned to Yui. “Give me permission to use a bit of ‘Magical Thrust’⁵ discipline.”
Yui snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. “Are you seriously going to do it?”
”It’s the only way this ends without a brawl,” I said. “Besides, I need a connection to the Fox-kin. Might as well start at the top.”
Yui gave me a knowing look. “Fine. Just… try to be ‘peaceful’.”
I stood up, my cloak snapping behind me. The Fox-kin woman’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. She was striking – long, straight golden hair, impressive fox ears, and a white dress that complimented her haughty expression.
”Is it me you wish to be introduced to, my lovely lady?” I asked.
I dropped to one knee and took her hand, pressing a light kiss to the back of her fingers. Her face instantly flushed a brilliant red. She dropped her weapon with a clattering sound, but I didn’t stop.
”My name is Ibuki. Might I have the honor of knowing yours?”
”Eh!? M-Me!?” she stammered, her voice trembling. “I… I am Sheila…”
She looked down, her face burning. I stood up and pulled her into a close embrace. I gripped her waist and pressed myself firmly against her lower abdomen. At the same time, I began to channel my mana, sending a low, vibrating heat directly into her.
She was already shaking like a leaf. I leaned in and whispered in her ear.
”May I call you Sheila?”
”H-Hyai…” she gasped.
”Thank you, Sheila.”
”Hyan!”
She let out a sharp, involuntary yelp and stiffened, her legs giving out. Before she could collapse, I swept her up into a princess carry.
”Your Majesty,” I said, turning to the Queen. “May I borrow a private room for a moment?”
”Eh… Yes… of course,” Fianna stammered, looking completely lost.
Sylpha understood exactly what was happening and led the way to a waiting room. She gave me a look of pure, icy judgment before she left and closed the door behind her.
I carried Sheila over to the bed and sat down, pulling the dazed fox-girl onto my lap.
—
Summary:
Ibuki arrives at the Elven castle for a formal banquet, where he negotiates a food production deal with Queen Fianna. The diplomatic atmosphere is interrupted by Sheila, a haughty Fox-kin representative who expresses racial hostility. Ibuki neutralizes the threat using a ‘Magical Thrust’ mana technique that leaves Sheila physically overwhelmed and submissive.
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Trivia:
- The social order of exiting a carriage in this world: lowest status first.
- The ‘Daruma-san ga Koronda’ reference highlights that the servants weren’t just still, but looked frozen in shock.
- Ibuki specifically requests Sylpha-hime to be a ‘pipe’ or diplomatic bridge, prioritizing trust over material wealth.
- Fox-kin have a specific historical grudge against the Human race.
- Ibuki is technically acting as a King/Sovereign because he left the alliance, making this a meeting of equals
—
Character Insight:
Ibuki demonstrates growing political savvy by choosing long-term diplomatic ties (Sylpha as a bridge) over immediate rewards. His handling of Sheila shows a willingness to use ‘corrupt’ or intimate methods to quickly resolve complex racial and political conflicts.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Magical Thrust’ technique’s efficacy on different races is being tested here, showing it works even on high-status Fox-kin.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Isaac – The chief of the Wing-kin tribe. He has a tragic countenance due to the loss of his people while searching for food. The male clan chief of the Wing-kin. He holds Ibuki in high regard for restoring their land.
• 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.
• Sylpha – Youngest daughter of the Elf Chieftain. A blonde elf princess sent as a monitor. Blunt, realistic about her people’s desperation, and enjoys Ibuki’s food.
• Yui – Female student from Earth—one of the summoned companions, upperclassman designated as the Sage. She expresses deep romantic feelings for Ibuki despite the polygamous culture.
• Kisaragi – The family name of the protagonist Ibuki.
• Fianna – The Queen of the Elven nation. She is a polished diplomat with a poker face, deeply concerned about her country’s food shortage.
• Mari – A girl associated with the prisoners/warriors. She feels a sense of shame regarding her sexual encounter with Yuki the previous day. A young girl who accompanies the group, acting as an escort for the Princess. Vice-commander of the Third Division. An Elven woman with blonde hair. Previously had a large jagged scar on her cheek before being healed. Disciplined but shows a flustered, tsundere-like personality when her authority is undermined.
• Sheila – A Fox-kin girl and top leader/Queen figure of the Fox-kin. Initially resistant to humans but affected by Ibuki’s Mana. A Fox-kin woman of high standing. She initially displays a strong grudge against humans and a haughty attitude before being ‘disciplined’ by Ibuki.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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