Chapter 49 Kanata, Shizuka, and Setsugekka, Part ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Maria, Haruka… wake up.”
In the darkness, Kotono’s voice echoes softly.
”Ungh… Kotono… what’s wrong?”
Haruka answers in a half-asleep daze.
”Oh dear… has it started already?”
”What? Started? You mean that?”
Unlike Haruka, Maria seems to grasp the situation right away. Her words snap Haruka fully awake.
”Yeah, I sense them. About ten, I think.”
”Well, no helping it, is there?”
Maria starts packing away the various small vials she’d placed nearby.
Behind her, Haruka opens the window and tosses small pots out one by one.
”Timing is key. On my signal… got it?”
Kotono’s words make Haruka and Maria nod.
They had known this moment might come. They prepared for it and were ready to escape anytime. No problem there.
While the three confirm their plan, the enemies draw closer. Now even Haruka and Maria can feel their presence right outside the door.
”…The second the door opens… right.”
The two nod at Kotono’s words.
Each holds a homemade Molotov cocktail from Haruka.
Originally, when the three escaped the Royal Palace, they planned to use sleeping drugs or paralysis drugs for a quiet getaway. The firebombs weren’t supposed to come into play.
But no choice now.
As Kotono mutters that, the door bursts open. At that exact moment, the cocktails fly from their hands. Fierce flames engulf the area around the door.
”Run!”
At Kotono’s shout, Haruka jumps out the window, followed by Maria.
”Don’t hate us.”
Kotono says that, tosses an explosive vial, and leaps out after them.
Right away, a huge blast erupts behind her. The shock makes Kotono’s body shake.
But soon, something soft wraps around her whole body.
It’s Haruka’s grown “Roper” and “Slime-like.”
The Roper’s tentacles and the Slime-like’s fully spread surface act as cushions. They gently catch the three as they jump from the second floor.
”Thanks. Sorry we can’t take you with us.”
For some reason, these plant-like things—small pot-sized when raised in the room—are now over two meters tall. Haruka says goodbye to them and takes something from them before coming back.
”Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go?”
”Yeah… but which way?”
They escaped the room where they were held, but this is still the Royal Palace garden.
They must climb over the surrounding castle walls, or the pursuers will catch them fast.
”It’s okay. The plants will show us.”
Haruka points to the ground.
There, under the moonlight, something glimmers faintly, scattered like a trail leading ahead.
The three dash after it and soon reach a spot at the castle wall.
”What’s this?”
Kotono stares, speechless.
Three shimmering silver threads hang down from the wall. It looks suspicious as can be.
”Don’t think—just hurry!”
A voice calls from the other side of the wall.
It’s familiar, yet not quite.
”Hurry? Well, guess I have to!”
Kotono senses the pursuers closing in from behind.
But she hesitates at this “escape tool” in front of her. No wonder.
It must mean swing across on these threads or something.
”Kotono, quick!”
She sees Haruka and Maria already gripping the threads.
”Fine! Women have guts!”
Feeling the presence grow stronger, Kotono grabs one.
It doesn’t feel too heavy.
She thinks that while holding the flimsy thread.
She knows she’s a bit lighter than average, but still, can this hold a person?
The moment she thinks it, the thread widens. It wraps her up tight and launches her into the air like a pop.
Her body sails high over the wall and starts to fall.
This is it—I’m done.
She squeezes her eyes shut, bracing for impact.
But it never comes.
”Huh?”
When Kotono opens her eyes, something odd enters her view. A shady man in a mask hiding his face.
”We’ll head to a safe spot from here.”
At the man’s voice, Kotono nods eagerly.
Looking around, she sees Maria, wrapped just like her, in the man’s other arm.
”Kanata… Haruka’s good too.”
A familiar voice comes from the dark.
”Don’t say names! They’ll hear!”
The man yells at the girl holding Haruka.
”Time to run!”
”Yeah… running first.”
She knows that girl’s voice and look.
”Shizuka…”
”Shizuka-chan…”
”Talk later… run… okay?”
Shizuka scoops up Haruka and dashes after the shady man.
* * *
”Huff… huff… how far… to go?”
Kotono calls to Shizuka up ahead.
Shizuka, from the magic class, has stamina like any normal person.
After entering the forest, they were set down to walk on their own feet. But in this muddy, root-tangled woods, even walking drains energy fast.
”Yeah, almost there…”
True to her word, they soon reach an open clearing.
”Huff… huff… we made it?” Kotono asked.
”Huff… huff… whatever. How long are you planning to carry Haruka-chan like that?”
Maria, out of breath, calls to the masked man still holding Haruka princess-style.
Haruka had tripped on a root right after entering the woods. They had to move fast, so the masked man picked her up and carried her here.
”Ah, uh, she feels nice, so I kinda…”
Even as he says it, he doesn’t put her down.
Actually, Haruka’s arms cling tight around his neck, so he can’t.
”Huff… huff… Haruka, enough already?”
Kotono says that, and Haruka makes a reluctant face. She slowly slides to the ground.
Then, blushing, she hides behind Maria.
”Anyway, let’s take a quick break.”
The man says that and quickly starts a fire to set up a rest area.
”Huff… huff… hey, Shizuka… who’s the shady guy?”
Kotono sits, still catching her breath. She asks Shizuka beside her, trying to get a read on things.
”Shady? That kinda hurts…”
But before Shizuka can answer, the shady man speaks up.
”No way around it… I called him shady too…”
Shizuka says that, and the masked man slumps to his knees.
”No, come on, it’s cool, right? Mysterious hero in a mask saving the girls—prime scene!”
He mutters, but all the girls there shake their heads hard, vigorously.
”Sigh…”
Shizuka gently pats the slumped man’s head.
”It’s okay, Kanata. You’re cool.”
”R-right? Right?! I knew you’d get it!”
The man suddenly hugs Shizuka tight.
The three from Setsugekka watch this with looks like they’ve seen something weird.
”Hey, can we get some explanations already?”
Kotono calls impatiently to the man, who won’t let go of Shizuka.
”Ah, yeah. Right. Info swap sounds good, but let’s change spots first?”
As he says it, a strange pattern glows at his feet.
”Kotono… over here.”
Shizuka grabs Kotono’s hand—slightly off from the light—and pulls her in.
The moment everyone steps into the ring of light, it wraps around them. In a blink, they’re all in a dimly lit room.
”Where’s this?”
”Welcome to my secret base!”
Kanata says it with a bit of pride.
This is Kanata’s hideout, built away from the Dungeon.
Well, it’s still part of the Dungeon—not directly linked to the main one (though a teleport array allows quick travel).
Even so, it’s got all the basics for when he wants no interruptions. Though El, who manages the Dungeon too, knows everything. That’s just how it is.
Kotono, Haruka, and Maria eye the happy Kanata with suspicion.
”Uh, what? Flop?”
”Look, thanks for the help… but is this really help? Not sure yet…”
”Yeah… feels like we got kidnapped… what awful things are coming?”
”Shizuka’s here, so we followed… but what did you do to Shizuka?”
Maria, Haruka, and Kotono tense up, ready to fight.
Kotono especially gathers mana in her hand, set to cast a spell anytime.
”Uh… everyone… calm down?”
Shizuka fumbles, surprised by the turn.
Seeing that, the three ease up a little.
”If Shizuka-chan says so… but you’ll explain properly, right?”
Maria glares at the man… Kanata.
”Not the enemy?”
Haruka asks, and Kanata answers.
”Depends on you girls, I guess?”
At that, Kotono steps forward protectively, palm aimed at him.
”What do you mean? Depending on what you say…”
”Easy. Plus, you can’t hurt me here anyway.”
Kanata hands a knife to Shizuka.
Without hesitation, she stabs at him.
”Eh?!”
The three girls choke on their words at the sight.
But the knife stops five centimeters from Kanata’s chest, like something blocks it.
”Hey, you totally stabbed for real, right?”
Kanata says, sweat dripping from his temple.
”Kana—I mean, you said stab for real.”
”Yeah, but normally you’d hesitate, right?”
”Would… you?”
”…Never mind. Whatever.”
Kanata turns his gaze to Kotono and the others.
”So yeah, fighting here’s pointless.”
”…What do you want from us?”
”Gonna make us slaves? Like Shizuka-chan?”
”We won’t let that happen. We’ll fight back, even if it’s useless.”
As the three bristle again, Shizuka flusters and soothes them: “Calm down… it’s okay… really.”
It takes another ten minutes or so before they can talk calmly.
* * *
”…And that’s how it was. We were stuck, then you three broke out. So we just dropped the threads at the wall and waited.”
Kanata finishes his long explanation.
Before explaining the situation, he took off his mask. But his classmates didn’t recognize him and said, “Who are you?” That bummed him out, and Shizuka had to calm him down. So it took a while to finish talking.
”Well, well… thanks for the effort.”
Haruka smiles brightly as she says that.
”Okay, I get the situation… mind if I brew some fresh tea?”
Maria stands up and heads to the kitchen space with Shizuka.
Seems she didn’t like Kanata’s tea.
”Hmm, setting that aside, what would you have done if we hadn’t escaped then?”
Kotono asks, curious.
To her, that escape was pure chance. She wants to know what this guy planned if they’d stayed stuck.
”Well… probably force my way in?”
Kanata mutters, looking away.
”I… tried so hard…”
As Kotono and Kanata talk, Shizuka returns with Maria, fresh tea in hand, murmuring softly.
”What did you try, Shizuka-chan?”
Haruka asks, patting her head gently.
”Contact… light… signal…”
Her answer makes the three tilt their heads.
”After finding your room, Shizuka said she had a way to contact you.”
Kanata explains with a wry smile.
”I signaled… no reply…”
Shizuka says sadly.
”Huh?”
”Wait, what kind of signal?”
Haruka tilts her head again, and Kotono glances at Maria, who shakes her head.
”Um, Shizuka-chan, how exactly did you try to signal?”
Maria asks for the group.
”Morse code… signal… like this…”
Shizuka pulls out a small hand mirror and flashes light—flick, flick.
”…”
Haruka gives an awkward smile, Maria looks away, and Kotono shouts.
”No way we’d get that!”
Kanata thinks, I wouldn’t either.
Seriously, what high school girl decodes morse code these days? The real shock is Shizuka knowing it at all.
”Morse code… useful… Edison… proposal… dreamy…”
Shizuka blushes, mumbling with disappointment.
Oh, the Edison story.
Seems Shizuka’s into the idea of secretly whispering love through signals, unnoticed by others.
But come on.
Who knows that story nowadays?!
”Such a shame…”
Shizuka looks down.
”Hey! You made Shizuka-chan cry!”
Haruka yells, seeing her.
”Kanata-kun, that’s harsh.”
”Yeah, harsh. You gotta take responsibility and learn morse code.”
Maria says accusingly, and Kotono grins.
”Don’t worry, Shizuka-chan. Kanata-kun will talk to you in morse code.”
”Really? …Happy…”
…Don’t raise the bar like that.
Looking at Shizuka’s face, Kanata wonders if he really has to learn morse code now.
With some detours, they finally catch up on each other’s situations. It’s gotten pretty late.
”Um, Kanata-kun. I know it’s bold to ask, but…”
Haruka fidgets as she speaks, the conversation winding down.
”Well, um…”
Her face is bright red—must be super embarrassing.
It’s making Kanata shy too.
”What’s up, Hanasaki-san?”
”So, um… Shizuka-chan said… I’d like to take a bath.”
…That’s all?
Kanata feels let down but asks Shizuka to show them the bath.
Maria and Kotono’s eyes light up—they didn’t know there was a bath.
Well, after running through a forest, any girl would want one.
The bath unit’s a bit small for four, but they’ll have to manage.
Kanata watches them go, thinking that.
While they bathe, Kanata contacts the Dungeon’s Main Room.
”Big brother? What’s up?”
”Alma? Where’s El?”
Usually, El’s at the Main Room, but…
”Yup, she caught a human spy and headed your way.”
”Humans attacking?”
”Not attacking, just… spying? So the sisters are on alert, and everyone’s gone.”
Alma explains: no attack yet, just an attempted infiltrator caught. The lake’s working fine, and Aaren Plain’s Dungeon expansion is on track. No need to rush back.
”Good. I’ll probably return tomorrow or the day after. Prep three rooms for us.”
Kanata adds, but Alma huffs, “More girls, big brother?” and cuts off.
”What was that?”
Kanata, confused, flops down.
”Phew, nice hot bath. Thank you.”
It’s Maria.
”No problem. That was quick. Where’s the others?”
Kanata sits up.
”Kotono and Shizuka-chan have long hair. Takes time to dry. Haruka’s helping.”
Maria glances at the kitchen.
”I’ll make some food.”
”Nice, thanks. Need help?”
”Sure, if you don’t mind.”
They head to the kitchen space together.
”…Quite a stock of ingredients.”
Maria sounds surprised, checking the storage.
”Yeah, just ingredients, though.”
Food’s useless without cooking skills. Only Shizuka’s used this kitchen before, making meals before the Setsugekka rescue.
Chop, chop, chop…
Simmer, simmer…
They cook in silence for a bit.
”Hey, Kanata-san.”
Maria speaks up suddenly.
”Yeah?”
”What’s next… any plans?”
She asks, eyes on the pot.
”Next? Join up with my crew, I guess.”
He’s told them about being sent to this world, becoming a Dungeon Master, and meeting demons and demi-humans. Also, how Shizuka accidentally became his servant.
Honestly, they didn’t care much about him—most of the talk was about Shizuka’s situation.
Or rather, Kanata getting scolded for it.
Shizuka mumbled something about a “proposal,” so it ended with Kanata supposedly taking care of her forever. He didn’t agree, but saying that would stir trouble, so he stayed quiet.
”Got it… no plans to return to our world?”
”Return? Not really dying to, unlike you all.”
”Like the Otaku Trio?”
”Nah, not quite. Kinda insulted to be lumped with them.”
”Oh, sorry. Thought you were the ‘isekai harem!’ type.”
”No harem dreams here.”
”So, you’re set to stay here forever?”
”Not that set either.”
”You’re so vague.”
Maria sounds exasperated.
”What about you, Tsukikage-san? Got a firm plan?”
”Call me Maria. I’m dead set on going back.”
She states it firmly.
”Got it. Lots to ask, but one thing: why?”
”Why? This world’s got perks—Gifts, powers we can’t get in Japan. Play it right, life’s better here than there.”
Kanata’s picked up from rumors and talks that their lives in Japan weren’t as great as they seemed. Like Maya and Shizuka, they might find this world easier.
”Strange question. Isn’t it normal to want to go back to where you were born, to not worry your loved ones, to return to them?”
Maria smiles as she says it.
She’s right, and Kanata can’t argue.
He has no big ties to Japan, but even he wants to let his stepsister know he’s okay.
That’s his only lingering tie.
”Yeah… sorry for the weird question.”
Maria makes a slightly troubled face.
”…Fine, a bit of honesty. It’s for Kotono and Haruka.”
Kanata nods silently, urging her on.
”How many have you killed here?”
Her words hit, and Kanata gets it.
”That’s it, huh.”
”Exactly.”
Maria smiles brightly.
To Kanata, that smile feels dazzling—and deeply sad.
Notes:
• Haruka – A classmate who have Harvester gift. She keeps her distance from Ichiro, focused on her role in training. One of Setsugekka.
• Maria – A healer aiding Sumire, ensuring classmates recover during intense training sessions. One of Setsugekka.
• Kotono – A classmate, and a wielder of Mage.
• 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.
• Setsugekka – Trio of Yukishiro Kotono, Tsukikage Maria, and Hanasaki Haruka.
• Hanasaki – Haruka’s Family Name. The Harvester.
• Aaren Plain – Grassland east of Florence, flanked by Mercuria (south), Alefgard (north), and Alfheim (west). Trade artery for food, steel, and elven goods; lifeline in peace, choke point in blockade. Reminder: Florence’s survival hinges on this crossroads.
• Tsukikage – Maria’s Family Name. A healer.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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