Volume 9 Chapter 64 Day Four (Kahoru’s Resolve)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
By the time we linked up with Eris-san’s group, it was the dead of night, and dawn was only just breaking when McGaref’s walls came into view. Bathed in the morning glow, the northern-facing fortifications looked stubbornly unchanging—solid, stern, almost nostalgic.
The farmland around the city had emptied, villagers fleeing, but I didn’t see signs of looting. That was something. Still, from here on out, this was enemy territory. Everyone’s faces were taut, their hands white-knuckled around their weapons. Honestly? Too taut. From where I stood, even I could tell they were weak soldiers.
”Looks like the intel was right. The war’s at a halt.”
”Yeah. That’s what it seems. But Nyx, I need you in the rear, waiting.”
”I apologize. I’ll only drag you down.”
”No—you’re not. I’d be the same. Thank you for coming with me despite the risk.”
We peeled off a small escort for her—three knights from the elves’ Order and a hundred Seron soldiers. Losing the numbers hurt, but if anything happened to Nyx, morale would shatter instantly. Besides, she was my wife. That fact alone made her irreplaceable.
”I’ll scout ahead,” Eris-san said, already striding out. Always fast—too fast. Honestly, “impatient” fit better.
”My mother has always been reckless like that,” Meruru sighed. “Please just let her be.”
”You’re awfully harsh on your own mom, Meruru.”
”Well, thanks to that temperament, I became queen much earlier than planned.”
No war drums, no clashing steel, not at this hour. We crouched in the hills, peering north. The army massed at the gates moved sluggishly.
”Have they noticed us?”
”Not much cover out here. I’ve put up a Defensive Barrier, but still…”
From this distance, I couldn’t count numbers. They said an army unit was ten thousand, and this didn’t look any smaller. I figured I’d wait for Eris-san’s report, but she was back too fast.
”They’ve raised a messenger’s flag. A group is approaching us.”
”A… messenger?”
I blinked. Even under a ceasefire, the Ghost Army sending envoys? That had to mean Naje.
”What’s your call?”
”If they want to talk, it’s worth hearing. The war’s against them right now—maybe they’ll stall for peace while negotiating. Can’t hurt.”
Assassination was the real fear. Aria and Meruru pressed close to either side of me, their twin curves (seriously, identical minus the elf ears) squashing into my arms. Wrong time, wrong place, but the tension in me cracked just a little.
”Takumi-sama. Your safety is everything.”
”Tak-kun. Promise you’ll use me as your shield if it comes to that.”
”…I know. But who’s coming? Please, just don’t let it be Cartera…”
Hope betrayed us. A cry tore down from the scouts.
”‘Eternal Witch’ Cartera has been spotted among them!”
Sweat rushed cold down my neck and spine. Worst-case scenario. Against Cartera, nothing we had mattered. Eris-san, Meruru—they’d be swept aside. No force existed that could stand face-to-face with her.
”We run,” I said, instantly. Reflex, instinct.
Even Eris-san, for all her hot blood, wouldn’t challenge the strongest in the world. We’d already agreed: if Cartera appeared, put distance first.
”Yes. Ready the carriage!”
We had one wagon turned rearward just for escape. I lunged toward it—only to see Aria stop.
”Go ahead, Tak-kun. I’ll distract her.”
”Wait. No. Don’t, Aria—!”
I knew the math. Meruru had to stay beside me for her magic defense. Aria’s guard wasn’t technically necessary. But… leaving her behind? Leaving the girl I loved? I hadn’t lived this long just to abandon her. And yet—the lives of everyone in McGaref hung on my back too. Damn it. Damn it, damn it!
”I’m sorry, Aria…”
The words barely left my lips before another shout came.
”Three girls at the front of the envoy! One of them appears to be Asakura Chinatsu-sama!”
”Chinatsu-chan!?”
”Also confirmed—Lord Ginga Kitou!”
A trap? But Chinatsu-chan wasn’t someone you could just… leash. My heart tugged two ways—run, or stay and see. That hesitation was all Aria needed. She dashed off ahead.
”Takumi-sama.”
”…Yeah. We move. If it’s safe, she’ll return.”
Despair bit down hard as I turned away from my childhood friend, my first love. Powerless, useless, I hated myself. I wanted strength. I wanted it so badly. As those thoughts burned in me, a message came quick on its heels:
”It looks okay, Tak-kun. Hikari’s here too.”
Relief, sharp and sudden, almost dropped me to my knees.
* * *
Morning crept even into Seron Castle, though the air was thick with blood. Livia, sated from her slaughter, teleported away to hunt Date Haruka’s group.
”…She’s gone, right? It’s safe now. See?”
”Thank you. If you hadn’t grabbed me then, I…”
”…Sorry. I couldn’t save this one.”
Nagai Kahoru had hidden in a secret chamber with a few young maids. When they finally emerged, her eyes fell immediately on two bodies: a maid she’d worked beside until yesterday, and Endo Saki.
The room they’d crouched in adjoined Nyx’s quarters—Livia and Saki had spoken there just before the killing. The hidden guardroom beyond had shielded them. Because Kahoru and the girls carried almost no Magic Power, Livia’s senses had overlooked them.
”I’m so sorry, Saki-chan. I left you to die…”
She pressed her palms together, whispered a prayer. But the words Saki had forced out at the cost of her life—they were invaluable. Kahoru clung to them, swallowed back bile, forced herself to listen, to remember.
”So… Livia-sensei’s a god, and the villain of this world. I don’t really get it, but… we have to tell someone.”
Terror had wrung her out through the night. Still trembling, still reeling, she pushed forward. She searched through the castle, and in the familiar Office she found more: Shimizaki Kurumi, Ranka, Rusty—all lying still.
She touched each cold hand, one by one.
”I’m the only one left, Kurumi-chan. You know, according to Livia-sensei’s stories, Kahoru-chan always dies early. Flat-chested, forgettable. But here I am, living this long. Thanks to Takumi-chi. Thanks to everyone. So… let me give something back, even a little.”
No answer came. But her heart didn’t break. Saki, the shyest of them all, had shown courage. Kahoru couldn’t waste it.
”I’ll leave you now, but I promise, I’ll clean you up later. …Oh, this? This might help. Did Ranka-san copy this down herself?”
She picked up the paper, tucking it close. Then she began searching, steady and intent, for other survivors. The truth she held couldn’t die with her. She had to carry it forward.
—
”Hey hey, Takumi-chi!”
”…What now, Kahoru-chan.”
”Whoa, someone’s sulking. Guess I get it, though—abandoning Aria like that, ouch. But compare that to Kahoru-chan’s heroic glow-up… I mean, come on. Clearly I’m the true heroine★”
”Not listening. Anyway. Time for announcements. ASMR’s new release ‘Reijou Inda’ drops today, voiced by Tsukimi Lemon-san. Link’s down below.”
”Wow, Takumi-chi really is sulky…”
Notes:
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Eris – Rusty’s daughter and commander of the all-female Order of Knights, loyal elf warrior with a widow-like warmth. Mother of Meruru, thus Rusty’s granddaughter, tying three generations to Takumi. Beautiful with short golden hair and armor, she blends practicality with tenderness. First appears v9c12. Reminder: Knightly daughter balancing steel and maternal grace.
• Nyx – The First Princess of Celon Dukedom, who escapes to McGaref; next in line to the throne after the Queen’s expected death.
• Naje – First princess of the Lesta Kingdom and deputy commander. The tragic princess of the Lesta Kingdom who was executed for her country.
• Cartera – Eternal Witch — The First Emperor’s mistress and a resurrected sorceress of immense power. Cruel and seductive, she takes pleasure in destruction and defilement. Her loyalty to the Emperor is absolute, and she shares his desire to end the world. First appears in v9c3.
• 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.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• 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.
• 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.
• Nagai Kahoru – Former gal, courtesan. Desperate relationship with Takumi.
• Kaho – 3rd Army leader. Worried, ceremonial magic.
• Saki – Endo Saki. C Cup. Virgin. Actually…
• Endo – Endo Saki. C Cup. Virgin. Actually…
• Saki-chan – 3rd Division, virgin, grateful to Takumi.
• 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.
• Rusty – Golden-haired elf courtesan of McGaref’s Night Butterfly, famed for beauty and skill-reading. Becomes Takumi’s lover, quits brothel, joins harem under slave bond. First appears v1c36. Reminder: Sultry elf who chose devotion over luxury.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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