Chapter 44 The Hero of ‘One,’ Plus Alpha’s Adventure？
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The story rewinds a bit…
Months had passed since Maya and the others were summoned as Heroes to Alfheim Kingdom. Taichi and his trio had hatched a plan: “Let’s become Adventurers!” The otaku trio—Nomura, Taichi, and Miyabe—felt uneasy about the Royal Palace’s attitude.
Their beloved “Bible” (Light Novels) [T/N: A term for genre fiction, often isekai] often described heroes being manipulated by royal powers, so their caution was natural. They suspected they’d be used as pawns. Already, some, like Sayaka, were dragged into “field training” missions.
So, Nomura’s group, whose Gifts weren’t combat-focused, decided to use their day off to register as Adventurers. The Adventurer Guild operated independently from the Royal Palace, meaning registration would shield them from being controlled later.
Only Taichi was a combat class among the three, so adventuring alone felt risky. Nomura recruited Kimura Gou, who shared their discontent, and Shizuka, a girl he’d had his eye on. They succeeded.
Kimura’s frustration with the Palace made him an easy recruit, but why Shizuka agreed was a mystery. No matter—it was enough that a girl was in their party. Taichi and Ichiro Miyabe were thrilled, boasting, “With Shizu-tan here, I could eat three bowls of rice!”
On the fateful day, they stormed the Adventurer Guild in the town’s streets… only to hit a wall: the registration fee. Penniless in this world’s currency, Taichi’s group was stuck.
”Ugh, a registration fee? Seriously…” Taichi groaned.
”My mistake-degozaru,” Ichiro Miyabe muttered.
”One silver coin for five people… how much is that in yen?” Nomura asked.
The trio crouched, defeated, as Kimura sighed. “You guys were so confident, and now this? Useless otaku trio.”
Ichiro Miyabe snapped back. “You’re broke too, Kimura-shi-degozaru!”
”We’re all in the same boat-degozaru.”
Kimura wanted to argue but couldn’t deny his empty pockets.
The four slumped, dejected, until Shizuka spoke. “Registered. Want to take a quest?”
”Wha—?!” Their shocked voices overlapped.
”Sh-Shizu-tan, you had money-degozaru?” Ichiro Miyabe asked.
”Haruka and the others gave me some,” Shizuka said, shoulders drooping. “They asked for souvenirs from the town, but… I spent it all. No souvenirs now…”
”Leave it to us-degozaru!” Nomura shouted, dragging Ichiro Miyabe to the quest board. Shizuka’s money had saved them, making them official Adventurers. If she was in a pinch, they’d step up to prove themselves! They searched for quick, decent-paying quests.
Day-trip jobs were slim—rabbit hunting or herb gathering—but they grinded enough to earn one silver coin. Shizuka bought a large, durable pie from a stall, delighting Haruka and the others back home.
Thus, Nomura’s group began their Adventurer life, taking quests for fun between training. But four guys and one beautiful girl like Shizuka? It was natural for impure thoughts to creep in. Still, Shizuka’s strength kept them in check. They valued her as a reliable teammate, but their desires grew, though only in their minds… for now.
Taichi’s dark plan sparked one day while strolling the town’s streets after a quest. A shady alley vendor caught his eye, selling a pile of junk. Among it was an unremarkable collar. “How much-degozaru?” Taichi asked.
”That? It’s got some mana, but it’s useless junk. Three copper coins for anything here,” the vendor said.
Taichi grabbed the collar and two rings, paid, and left. The vendor, puzzled but cheerful, called, “Come again!” Taichi kept calm until he was a few meters away, then sprinted.
”Huff… huff… for real-degozaru?” In a quiet alley, he checked his purchases. They looked like trash, but his Appraisal skill revealed their true nature.
Collar of Subjugation
Artifact-class SR
- Forces a master-servant contract when mana is applied.
- Obedience ranges from “loyal subordinate” to “mindless puppet.”
- Disobedience causes intense pain.
- Can choke the wearer on the master’s command.
Ring of Concealment
Master-class R
- Grants wearer a level 7 concealment skill.
Ring of Domination
Legend-class SR
- Dominates a target when mana is applied, preventing resistance.
- Single use until mana recharges.
Taichi trembled. Magic items had nine classes, from common to god-class, and nine rarity levels, from Normal to Super Ultra Rare. Human-made items capped at master-class; legend-class was rare, and artifacts were only found in ancient ruins. His finds were extraordinary.
For example, even an R-rank fireball from an artifact-class item could carve a three-meter crater. So, a high-class item with low rarity could outshine a low-class, high-rarity one. High-rarity items, though, were never low-class.
Back to the point—this Collar of Subjugation… If Taichi and Kimura caught her off guard from behind, even someone as strong as Shizuka could be restrained. Once immobilized, slipping the collar on her… Taichi shivered at the thought. That night, he gathered the others and secretly shared his items and plan. At first, the three hesitated, but the fantasy of controlling Amatsuka Shizuka consumed them, and they agreed to the vile scheme.
On the day of action, the five took a quest and ventured deep into the forest. Kimura and Taichi slipped away casually. Nomura and Ichiro Miyabe kept Shizuka distracted with idle chatter. Then…
”Why are you doing this?” Shizuka asked, pinned down by Taichi and Kimura, unable to move.
”It’s your fault, Shizu-tan-degozaru,” Ichiro Miyabe said.
”Yeah, you’re too cute-degozaru,” Kimura added.
A flicker of fear crossed Shizuka’s usually stoic face. That sight snapped the last shred of their restraint, and they lunged at her…
”…Right after that, monsters attacked, and here we are-degozaru,” Taichi recounted in one breath.
Now, Taichi and the others were captured by Millie’s patrol and dragged before Kanata. Normally, except for Shizuka, they’d have been left in the Dungeon as DP fodder [T/N: Dungeon Points, a resource for Dungeon operations]. But Millie recognized them as Summoned Heroes, so she detained them and sought Kanata’s orders. That’s why Kanata now faced the four.
”By the way, Kanata-shi, could you loosen these ropes for a bit-degozaru? I swear I won’t run or hide-degozaru!” Taichi raised his bound hands with a pathetic grin.
”We’re pals, right, Kanata-shi-degozaru?”
His earnest tone and teary eyes were pure theatrics. Kanata frowned but relented after repeated pleas, grudgingly loosening a rope. “This good enough?”
”My thanks!” Taichi’s eyes gleamed as he swiftly pulled a silver ring from his item box [T/N: A magical storage space] and slipped it on. “Fuhahaha! Too soft, Kanata-shi-degozaru! Take this—Ring of Domination!”
He aimed the ring at Kanata, pouring in mana. But… nothing happened.
The air froze.
”…Huh? …What?” Taichi glanced at the ring, then Kanata, then back, trying again and again. Nothing changed.
”Pointless,” a calm voice cut through. El, standing nearby, stifled a laugh. “Kanata’s mental resistance is stronger than that cheap ring. No chance it’d work.”
”Wh-What…” Taichi paled.
”Cheap? It’s SR! Why…?” His shoulders slumped as his final trump card proved useless.
”So, ready to talk?” Kanata asked.
”Wait, we can explain-degozaru! Mercy, please… just spare us…!” Taichi dropped to his knees, forehead to the ground, begging shamelessly. The room’s mood turned ice-cold.
Notes:
• Alfheim Kingdom – A demi-human realm of Elves, positioned among the powers bordering Florence. Its existence, along with Alefgard and Mercuria, kept Florence trapped in a triangle of stronger neighbors. Reminder: the elven neighbor whose presence tightened Florence’s cage.
• May – Blonde, soft-eyed shrine girl. ch14–15. Gentle and pleading (“Please… just let us go…”), timid but loyal, relies on Mina’s strength. Came with Mina to save Sara, but was disarmed and bound by Kanata as his captive maid.
• Maya – Cheerful brown-haired girl, naturally charming and social, Kanata’s classmate and morning conversation neighbor.
• Miyabe – Taichi’s loyal friend with the Porter gift, carries goods safely, bound by the Oath of One. Appears: During morning exercises, discussing plans with Taichi. Reason: Summoned as a hero, supports Taichi’s ambitions. Event: Joins Taichi’s scheme to accompany Hajime to town for trade.
• Nomura – The cunning otaku hero, wields Analyzer to master information, plotting a lavish harem empire in a foreign realm. Appears: A scheming figure amidst maids and training fields. Reason: To exploit his summoning for wealth and pleasure. Event: Enjoys maids’ service and schemes with friends for a harem.
• Taichi – A fierce friend of Otaku Hero with the Brawler gift, protects Taichi’s group, united by their sacred oath. Appears: Mentioned in Taichi and Ichiro’s plans, training with others. Reason: Summoned as a hero, serves as group protector. Event: Set to go to town with Kimura, accompanied by Taichi and Ichiro.
• Saya – Orphanage sister of Maya and Miyako, later adopted into the wealthy Kitahara family for a political marriage. Holds rare Gift Princess Knight (Valkyrie): versatile fighter-leader with light magic, stronger than Morita’s Commander. Quiet in Class A but bound by childhood oath to protect Maya and Miyako. Torn between duty as Kitahara heir and hidden first love for Kanata.
• Sayaka – Athletic blonde with sharp presence, expert in multiple martial arts, Kanata’s lunch-time sparring partner and admired distant figure.
• Gou – A Ranger who coordinates attacks, balancing aggression and caution in training.
• Kimura – Gou’s Family Name. The Ranger.
• Shizuka – Classmate, wielder of Sniper, nicknamed “Shizu-tan.” Neglected, raised herself after father’s death and mother’s abandonment. Nearly assaulted in another world, broke her stoicism with first real plea for help. Saved by Kanata, now torn between distrust and fragile hope. Reminder: hardened loner, only cracks under extreme pressure.
• Ichiro – Miyabe’s Family Name. Another Otaku Hero, Have porter as ability.
• Haruka – A classmate who have Harvester gift. She keeps her distance from Ichiro, focused on her role in training. One of Setsugekka.
• Amatsuka – Shizuka’s Family Name. The Sniper Hero.
• Millie – A desperate female knight, sheds pride for survival, her trembling pleas and fiery spirit captivating Kanata’s interest. Captured on Chapter 19, when squad raiding the dungeon.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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