Volume 11 Chapter 5 Granny and Me
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Alright, Aria,” I said, letting out a heavy sigh, cutting her off mid-sentence. “I get that your story sounds completely absurd.”
Ever since I came to this world and gave up my virginity that first night, my only real joy has been getting tangled up with Ginga-kun. Honestly, with how cheap and foolproof contraceptives are here, having him fill me up feels like a genuine treat. Ginga-kun wants me, and I want him just as much.
Lucky for us, Ginga-kun’s “Master Swordsman” skill makes him a powerhouse in this world. And me? I’ve got rare healing magic, so if push comes to shove, the two of us could survive on our own. The only reason we’re still sticking with our classmates is to figure out if we can actually make it in McGaref—and because Ginga-kun’s still clinging to Takumi-kun like some kind of emotional crutch.
I’ll give credit where it’s due: Takumi-kun’s been the class’s moral backbone since elementary school. But let’s be real—too many of our classmates are already dead, and things are an absolute mess. His efforts feel like they’re just spinning wheels, going nowhere. It’s about time someone like Kano-kun or Haruka stepped up to lead. Ginga-kun? Hard pass. I’m not here to carry dead weight.
Speaking of dead weight… Aria, standing right in front of me, is a total mystery. She’s head over heels for Takumi-kun but can’t bring herself to confess, playing the shy little princess locked in her tower. As her friend, I’m like, just jump him already! There’s no room to be tiptoeing around Kadokura-san’s feelings in a place like this. Her whole “let’s all be equal” vibe is just proof she’s too nice for her own good.
If it were up to me, I’d hire Aria as a maid—on the condition she doesn’t cheat with Ginga-kun. She could use her pay to support Takumi-kun if she wanted. Her call.
”No, Shion, you don’t get it,” Aria said, her voice firm, her eyes practically sparkling with conviction. “Takkun is going to become a king. So you need to get on board and help him, like, now.”
”Takkun, huh?” I raised an eyebrow. “Been a while since I heard you call him that.”
”Oh, absolutely,” she said, a smug little smile creeping across her face. “I showed him my naked body today. I’m second in line to offer my virginity, right after Shiori, so I’m basically counting down to being his woman. Oh, and earlier, Kurumi had s** with him, and he finished all over our faces.”
”You… showed him your naked body?” I blinked, stunned.
Aria’s obsession with fairness is no joke, so that’s a bold move, even for her. And Kurumi—Shimizaki-san—had s** with him? Okay, even I couldn’t hide my shock at that one.
”But, like, I’m not buying it yet,” I said, crossing my arms. “I need to see a bit more before I believe this whole ‘king’ thing.”
”That’s fine,” Aria replied, unfazed. “Takkun’s going to show incredible results soon enough. You’ll see.”
”Alright, whatever,” I said, waving her off. “I’ve gotta go take care of Ginga-kun. He needs his healing, you know?”
I cut the conversation short and left the room. Ginga-kun was tied up and waiting for me, and it’d be a shame to keep him waiting too long for some attention.
”Wait for me, Ginga-kun,” I murmured, a smile tugging at my lips. “Tonight, we’re gonna love each other lots…♡.”
And so, another night in McGaref passed for me and Ginga-kun, just like always. Before dawn, we were up, gearing up for the Labyrinth. From morning till night, we put our lives on the line, fighting to survive. That’s the reality of our life here in McGaref.
* * *
The day after we found ourselves back in the old McGaref, I was seeing everyone off to the Labyrinth. I gave Aria a quick hug and a kiss to thank her for taking over my chores, then headed out toward my destination.
At this point, my Discount Skill was a measly 42%. If I wanted to boost it fast, I’d need funds to buy Chinatsu and the others as “slaves.” And to stand a chance against Livia if she came for us, I needed to seize control of McGaref’s power structure—pronto.
That meant I had to meet with a few key people and secure their cooperation. Ms. Marina and Ranka-san would be easy enough if they had their future memories. The tricky part? Getting to them without Katarina catching wind. Mr. Ralph, head of the Merchant Guild Kinvale, would listen if I went through Shiori, but he’s a cautious guy. I’d need to prove my worth.
So, I decided to make my first big gamble to do just that.
”Good morning, Granny,” I said, approaching the woman who greeted me with a leisurely smile in the bustling market.
Councilor Anne—McGaref’s shadow ruler, overseer of the market and the dark underbelly of the city’s operations. Her face lit up when she saw me, but there was a sharpness in her eyes, a flicker of suspicion. Good. I’d caught her interest.
”Well, well, Takumi,” she said, her voice warm but calculating. “That’s a different look on your face today.”
”Yeah,” I said, meeting her gaze. “I’ve made up my mind to kill a few dozen people to save a hundred thousand.”
”I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her smile unwavering, “but that’s a fine man you’re becoming.”
”Oh, you think so?” I said, leaning in slightly. “Then how about making me part of the McGaref Council, Councilor Anne?”
Back then, Anne-san used a body double and kept her councilor status under wraps. Her smile didn’t falter, but her voice dipped into a shadowy tone—not quite killing intent, but close enough to make me brace myself. I steadied my breathing, keeping my own voice low and my smile intact, matching her in this game of veiled threats.
”You came alone?” she said, raising an eyebrow. “That’s some guts.”
”Yup,” I replied, my tone casual but firm. “So, maybe hold off on sending your dark operatives after me for now.”
”Oh? Since when did you know enough to talk about the dark side?” she said, her eyes narrowing.
”Boys can change overnight,” I said with a shrug. “Well, in my case, it’s more like three years disguised as one night.”
As someone who’d once been called the ruler of McGaref, I knew the faces of the dark operatives—at least a few of them. I gave a subtle nod to three of them in the crowd, their eyes meeting mine with the same calm smiles. That was enough for Anne-san to get the message.
”Hmm,” she said, her tone laced with amusement. “Not bad, Takumi. So, what’re you here to buy today?”
”For starters,” I said, my voice steady, “McGaref itself.”
”That’s a big ‘starter,’” she said, her smile widening. “Sounds like there’s more.”
”Yup,” I said, leaning closer. “First, McGaref’s independence. I’ll take over as its ruler and bring Quvar, Seron, and Lesta to their knees.”
”That’s a hell of a pitch,” she said, chuckling. “I like a kid who can spread a tapestry that wide.”
I let out a silent sigh of relief. So far, I was holding her interest. Anne-san’s dark operatives were critical to my fastest strategy.
”So,” I said, lowering my voice, “I’m gonna need to borrow your hips, Granny.”
”Yeesh,” she said, feigning exasperation. “No respect for an old lady’s creaky bones, huh?”
”Sorry about that,” I said with a grin. “I need to have a private chat at Mr. Ralph’s place.”
”Fair enough,” she said, nodding. “This isn’t the kind of talk for a place like this.”
”And one more thing,” I added. “I need you to get Ms. Marina and Ranka-san out of Katarina’s clutches—without her knowing. You can do that, right, Granny?”
”Oh, I can manage,” she said, her eyes glinting. “What else you got?”
”The next one’s the big one,” I said, my tone turning serious.
Up until now, I’d kept my hands mostly clean. Sure, I’d forced Sheryl into submission through rape, but before that, I was all about naive ideals. I had to execute Naje and her crew, no way around it, but people like Nyx and Ms. Natalie? I let them live. No regrets there.
But this time, I wasn’t holding back. The longer I waited, the more time Livia had to scheme, and the longer it’d take to address Lesta’s great famine.
”I need you to lend me your dark operatives,” I said.
”That’s a steep price,” Anne-san said, her voice sharp. “Purpose first. No prepayment, no deal.”
I met her gaze, unflinching, and she grinned—a wicked, knowing grin—as she heard my answer.
”You’re a different beast now, aren’t you?” she said, her voice low and approving. “More ruthless than this old granny.”
”Yeah,” I said, nodding. “I think so too.”
”I liked the cute, earnest Takumi,” she said, almost wistful.
”Sorry,” I said. “But to become McGaref’s ruler… you know how it is.”
”Say it again,” she said, leaning in. “Who’re you killing, and who’s next?”
I took a quick, steadying breath, but my resolve didn’t waver. I put my decision into words, clear and final.
”Katarina,” I said. “And the traitor Mafat. Though I might need to deal with Mafat later, since I want Priest Korn to take over the church first.”
This world isn’t a place where you can live carefree. To gain anything, you have to wield power. I’d seen enough tragedy born of powerlessness to know that assassinating scum like them wasn’t a hard choice anymore.
* * *
”Hey, Takumi-chi!” Kahoru’s voice burst through, bright and brash.
”What’s up, Kahoru?” I said, turning to her.
”You freaking nailed it!” she shouted, throwing up a double thumbs-up.
”Whoa, what’s with the sudden hype?” I said, laughing despite myself.
”I mean, come on!” she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Killing Katarina? That’s, like, the best idea ever!”
”Well, letting him live isn’t exactly an option…” I started, then paused. “Oh, right, Kahoru, didn’t you—”
”Yup!” she cut in, her grin turning sharp. “Katarina’s mansion dragged a whole brothel in for one of his crazy orgy parties. They dosed me with some weird drugs, totally messed me up… and the side effects? They wrecked Ms. Marina’s heart.”
”Sounds like killing him’s the right call then, huh?★” I said, matching her energy.
”Well, sixth-chapter Kahoru isn’t a Courtesan, so that future’s been reset.* * *” she said, winking.
Her laughter echoed as we walked, the weight of my plans settling in alongside the spark of her enthusiasm.
Notes:
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Haruka – Witch of Destruction — Silver-haired, F-cup. Former class vice-president, now a powerful witch. Wields the Agilaus Staff, capable of devastating ritual magic. Became the world’s strongest after acquiring the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss’ as a familiar. Exhibits exhibitionist tendencies, often seeking public intimacy with Takumi. Deeply devoted to him, balancing her role as a leader with her desires. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Chinatsu – White Wall — Black hair, B-cup. Adventurous, masochistic, Takumi’s first slave & lover. Master of Asakura-ryu Iaijutsu, wields cursed sword Chisame (blood-powered). 12th-ranked fighter, close to Hikari. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Livia – 8th-ranked imperial witch, heir of Cartera and friend of Lilus (Neige’s sister), whose death drove her to hate Quvar. Austere, sharp, and feared, she opposed the Ghost Army and toppled Emperor by using then betraying Gritch, secretly backing Princess Sheryl. First appears v9c3. Reminder: Brilliant witch who twists loyalties to save the world.
• Merchant Guild Kinvale – Largest drugstore in McGaref, managed by Nasselle. Regular shopping destination for Takumi with 5% discount.
• Marina – Ranka’s older sister. The formal owner of Merchant Guild Katarina.
• Ranka – She’s a guild shop assistant with a friendly demeanor and a practical mindset. Ranka’s recommendations are based on logical, merchant-minded suggestions, catering to the buyer’s needs.
• Ralph – Shiori-chan’s foster father; eccentric; treated the mc to the brothel.
• Anne – Grandmother of the councilor representing the Market in McGaref.
• Natalie – A famous courtesan and former noblewoman; platinum blonde, busty, and elegant; known as Natalie Barklem, daughter of the Duke of Lesta Kingdom.
• Sheryl – Second Princess of the Quvarian Empire, a striking beauty with red hair. Initially appears as a diplomatic envoy, but she is a reformer within the empire, seeking to atone for Quvar’s past betrayals, particularly the destruction of the Northern Kingdom. Sheryl is highly intelligent and politically savvy, using her position to gather secrets and undermine the empire’s plans to destroy McGaref. She is also a slave to Takumi, bound by enslavement magic, and tasked with sowing chaos within Quvar. Despite her circumstances, she maintains a sense of duty and hopes to bring about change. First appears in v6c26.
• Naje – First princess of the Lesta Kingdom and deputy commander. The tragic princess of the Lesta Kingdom who was executed for her country.
• Nyx – The First Princess of Celon Dukedom, who escapes to McGaref; next in line to the throne after the Queen’s expected death.
• Priest Korn – Humble cleric of McGaref who stepped in to manage the church’s duties after Councilor Mafat’s disappearance. Loyal to the city and respected despite lacking political cunning, he stabilized resurrection rites during the siege. First appears v9c30. Reminder: Steady priest who filled the void when betrayal left chaos.
• Kaho – 3rd Army leader. Worried, ceremonial magic.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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