Volume 6 Chapter 122 Family Time
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I’ve ended up back here again,” Kisarra murmured, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.
My daughter──unconditionally cute.
Uno’s Nest should feel like home to them, yet they seem untouched by nostalgia.
Is it because they’re young? They’ve spent hundreds of years training, after all.
With the effect of Exceneca’s Water of Life, their bodies remain at their peak.
But what about their minds? Leveling up and repeating simple tasks──after a hundred years, they wouldn’t gain any real-world experience.
In a positive light, they’re not jaded; in a negative light, they’re naive. Though they appear mature, they’re still children at heart.
For parents, children remain kids no matter their age.
Still, being able to teleport directly to Uno’s Nest is convenient.
Claude’s teleportation magic is extraordinary. Typically, teleportation magic requires tedious adjustments, and the locations you can jump to are limited.
To teleport anywhere without restrictions? That’s an impressive cheat. It’s no wonder Claude might get a bit arrogant.
Combining instant teleportation with the different flow of time in Uno’s Nest makes it even more of a cheat.
Even in the midst of battle, he can return for a quick break, eat, and even heal injuries. He can train or develop new special techniques too.
Losing to a strong enemy, training, and then winning is a classic trope in shonen manga, but Claude can achieve victory while enhancing himself without waiting for a rematch.
He’s undefeated. I can’t help but worry he might become too arrogant.
Regardless, it’s undeniably convenient. With this, I could even bring Ms. Floria or Sar-Sar, who is pregnant.
No, he’d excel more in administration than in battle! If he used it for governance, he could eliminate overtime! If he brought a mountain of paperwork and Shea-Shea, it would appear as if he finished his work in an instant!
But that’s not right. I’m overworking Shea-Shea. Should I work myself? That’s not right either. Even kings shouldn’t overwork themselves.
People live within limited time. Yet, work seems to multiply endlessly.
Somewhere, a balance must be struck.
Bringing governance to Uno’s Nest is merely a temporary fix. We need to either increase our numbers or rethink our methods; fundamentally, we must improve. Perhaps it’s best to give up on what we can’t achieve.
I intend to make the citizens happy, but first, I must find happiness myself. I know the story of Mito Kōmon and Kōrakuen ── the teaching of prioritizing the people’s happiness over my own ── but now, standing as a king, Confucianism feels rather constrictive.
[T/N: Mito Kōmon, a historical figure, built the Kōrakuen garden as a symbol of governance that prioritized the welfare of the people. His example is often cited as Confucian ideal—putting the people first.]
”Enjoying ourselves after the citizens?” Claude asked, a smirk on his face. “The wait for a king’s turn might last a lifetime. It’s just an idealistic notion ── it will end up mere pretense.”
”A king who can’t even bring happiness to his own family,” he scoffed, “has no right to talk about the citizens’ happiness. It’s absurd.”
First, I need to make this Happiness Family plan a success.
”Ha, Father, I see through your strategy,” Claude chuckled, mischief lighting his eyes. “You plan to charm Kisarra and Doga with exquisite desserts, don’t you? I can see through your intentions.”
Claude spoke with that obnoxious grin again. His antics dripped with villainous flair. Is he in that rebellious phase?
”Do you have a prophecy skill or something?” I mused, raising an eyebrow. “Using it so casually ── is there really no penalty?”
The cheat skill that stands above the rest is the ability to foresee the future. Because it’s so overpowered, it’s typically restricted.
A nearby example is El’s special ability ── impressive but usable only once in a lifetime.
”This is an effortless task for me,” Claude declared, confidence brimming in his tone.
Wait, no penalties? This kid is dangerous.
”Brother!” Kisarra snapped, her brows furrowing. “You know I always tell you to stop spoiling the story! If you know the future, life loses its excitement!”
Kisarra was visibly furious. Well, her point carries weight.
To them, perhaps foresight is trivial. Growing up with someone like Uno might’ve led to this low self-esteem.
”I know, exquisite desserts sound delightful!” Claude said, enthusiasm bright in his voice. “We have all the ingredients.”
As I pondered how to deepen the family bond at Uno’s Nest, it seemed wise to go along with Claude’s suggestion. My mouth started to water. All right ── let’s make the dessert.
In my magic bag, I had more than enough stocked ingredients and finished products, but cooking together with the kids would be a joy.
As long as I measure accurately, a custard dessert shouldn’t fail. Handling the stone oven might take some finesse, but I’ll discreetly guide them through it.
”Do you think I’m some cheap cook?” Claude exclaimed, offended.
”No, it’s not that,” I assured him, raising my hands in a placating gesture. “I’m just saying cooking can be a lot of fun!”
It seems the culinary profession holds little regard in Claude’s eyes. Maybe it’s Tizzy’s influence? To the nobles in this world, it’s merely a classification among servants ── a profession that doesn’t require literacy, and thus places them lower on the servant caste.
* * *
”The head chef making the dinner menu isn’t unusual for a noble’s child,” Claude said. “But he’s the third son.”
”In our country, we aim to elevate the status of chefs,” he continued, “but who knows how that will turn out?”
”Kisarra! Why aren’t you using a measuring cup?” he shouted.
”Brother, you’re being too particular,” Kisarra replied. “Look at Mother Uno. She makes things on a whim and with enthusiasm.”
Before long, Claude had joined in making the pudding. It’s easier to give birth than to worry, I suppose. He complains a lot, but he might actually be a surprisingly obedient child.
I considered lecturing him about not discriminating against chefs, but I changed my mind. It’s best if he learns through experience.
”Why! Why isn’t the pudding I made delicious? I used Appraisal and Prophecy to the max!” he exclaimed.
He measured everything precisely, so the taste isn’t bad. The issue is the texture──it’s a result of his clumsiness. The parts I helped with turned out just fine.
”The taste is fine because it was measured accurately,” I said. “If you think about it, the texture adds depth since it’s homemade. It’s a treasure for Dad because Claude worked hard on it.”
”Don’t be so lenient! I must be perfect in everything I do!” he insisted.
Did I upset him? Is he going through a rebellious phase? He looks like an adult, yet…
”Father’s pudding! It’s wonderful!” Kisarra exclaimed.
Kisarra is so straightforward. But why did she give Claude a knowing smile? Does she have something up her sleeve? Tizzy would hide it better. If she thinks I haven’t noticed, she’s underestimating me.
This child seems likely to make painful mistakes. A strategist drowning in their own schemes──didn’t Tizzy teach her that?
It’s not hard to imagine her being doted on by the wives as a little devil character. Everyone seems likely to spoil their daughters.
We all ate Kisarra’s burnt pudding together.
”Of course, I’m a terrible cook. I only made a little, just in case something like this happened,” she said.
Uno is dealing with his failed pudding himself. Taking responsibility for eating it──does that make him admirable?
I glanced over; he had added too much sugar. That’s why it turned out charred black. Despite the massive failure, he’s boldly unapologetic.
”I didn’t make anything because I didn’t want to waste ingredients. I knew from the start I couldn’t do it,” he said.
Ms. Shirakaba looks proud, but I think Claude wanted to eat the pudding you made.
The taste, the deliciousness──it changes depending on who made it. If it’s Mother’s pudding, it must be significantly better. Claude might have a bit of a mother complex, too.
”Claude, Tizzy, Nina, Exceneca’s purin is really delicious,” Nina said. “Did you measure the ingredients accurately? But the taste is slightly different.”
Uno has a sharp palate, after all.
”Baking is all about precise measurements,” Claude said. “If you understood that, Uno, you’d measure properly.”
”I don’t want to,” Uno replied, crossing her arms.
Ah, enjoyment is essential in baking. Should I come up with a recipe that’s foolproof, even with rough estimates?
”How about kakigōri [T/N: shaved ice dessert]?” I suggested. “Hard to mess that up. Uji-kintoki [T/N: matcha-flavored kakigōri topped with sweet red beans] could be fun, too—just top it with whatever you like. Worst case, you can dilute it with cold water and drink it.”
”I can’t accept that,” Claude said, frowning. “Why do I lose to Father with the same ingredients? Is it the effect of his cooking skill?”
Claude is still mumbling to himself──he’s quite the sore loser.
If his competitiveness is channeled positively, he’ll grow. I’ll leave him be for now.
”Still, I was surprised by Doga’s purin,” I said. “It’s delicious, even though it’s different from the recipe.”
I mustn’t forget to praise the well-behaved child.
They say the more troublesome a child is, the cuter they become, but that shouldn’t lead to unfairness.
In middle school, I was a student who required little attention, for better or worse. The teachers focused on a few troublemakers while neglecting the rest. That’s not right.
Looking back, those kids might have acted out because they wanted attention, but it paralyzed the institution’s function. That’s unacceptable.
So, I commend Doga. Claude might feel jealous, but I’ll clarify the reasons for my praise.
His winning factors were reducing the sugar, working carefully, and baking it slowly over low heat, allowing the flavors to develop.
Hmm, this child might have a passive personality.
”I’m not good with sweet things, so I tried reducing the sugar,” Doga said, shyly.
The shy giant──so big yet so cute.
Even with less sugar, the richness of the eggs shines through, making it truly delicious. Was it just a coincidence? No, there’s definitely talent there.
”Doga excels in dexterity,” Claude said. “It must be from Father’s blood.”
”You, too, Claude, and Kisarra have dexterity,” I replied. “You may have failed this time, but you can learn a lot from mistakes. If you keep experimenting, you’ll only get better.”
”Hmm? I’ll step back and let Doga handle the cooking, like Mother Shirakaba,” Claude said.
In a way, that’s a wise choice, but it feels a bit lonely.
”Humph, even if you’re good at cooking, you won’t become strong,” Claude said.
Claude is still a child. As my son, I can’t help but find that endearing. Am I being a doting parent?
Uno and the others seem to feel the same way, watching with smiles. However, if I keep indulging him like this, it won’t be good for him.
”I can get stronger. You know, eating delicious food grants a buff,” Claude said.
”Of course, that’s a metaphor, but it’s true that appetite fuels motivation. If the morale had faltered, our soldiers would’ve scattered from the castle long before facing the Demon King,” Shirakaba mused.
”Really? No way! It actually works!” Claude exclaimed, his over-the-top reaction endearing.
”It’s surprising you noticed now. Both Prophecy and Appraisal are wasted on you, brother,” Shirakaba added with a smirk.
”Quiet, quiet! Humans benefit from a modicum of weakness. Mother always says so,” Claude protested.
”Exactly, KisKis. If you don’t take time to relax when you can, knowing when to switch gears is crucial,” Shirakaba advised.
Hmm. Is this what family bonding feels like? The phrase ‘everyday farce’ floated through Shirakaba’s mind.
It’s nice. Family bonding is a wonderful thing.
”Ah, so Claude switched jobs numerous times to become a Sage,” Shirakaba remarked, chopping vegetables.
He learned that through becoming a priest, magician, warrior, swordsman, magic swordsman, and Sage, Claude efficiently acquired useful skills and magic. It seems vital to determine at which level to grow HP and MP.
”Initially, I aimed to create the strongest paladin,” Claude said, “but I realized my personality didn’t suit a shield class. It was a dealbreaker.”
”True, you don’t exactly scream ‘shield,’” Shirakaba replied, snickering.
His aggressive nature certainly matched his words.
”And I had a natural aptitude for offensive magic──genius-level talent,” Claude boasted.
”Wasn’t offensive magic dangerous if it fumbles? Isn’t Self-destruct a risk?” Shirakaba asked.
”Lady Uno said it’s okay because you’re his son. Equivalent Exchange, right?” Claude chuckled.
Ah, that was a thing. I can’t wield strong offensive magic (力 [strength]) myself, so it’s practically wasted potential. Though the reassurance of not fumbling magic is a relief.
”Is it like a Family discount? I wonder if Kisarra and Doga benefit from it, too,” Shirakaba pondered.
”Probably. Kisarra’s offensive magic is about as tame as Sacred Light, so fumbles shouldn’t be a concern,” Claude noted.
”Against Ann’s undead and spirits, there’s a special effect, but for ordinary humans, it just improves circulation,” Claude continued.
”Um, about that, I have a request for Father,” Doga said, shyly peeling a potato next to them. Was he bashful? As a father, it’s a bit lonely.
He apparently opened his eyes to a higher form of Sacred Light magic but couldn’t think of a fitting name, so he’s been troubled by it.
”If you had just said something, we could’ve all brainstormed,” Shirakaba said, shrugging.
Still, since he actually consulted me, I’ll take charge of this one.
”Profane Annihilation Ray, how about that?” Doga asked.
Killing intent felt a bit embarrassing, but it should be within the general public’s tolerable level. I could phrase it differently, perhaps as exorcising or something, but evil exorcism annihilation ray sounds quite painful, doesn’t it?
”Evil Exorcism Annihilation Ray──nice name. It sounds strong,” Ann remarked, smiling.
Good, she seemed pleased. If she’s satisfied, then all is okay.
Some people are hopeless at naming, and my sister took about a week just to name a game character. In the end, the entire party ended up named after popular idol group members, which I know all too well.
Is Doga’s struggle with naming due to our family’s genes? I’m good at it──though I suppose there’s also such a thing as recessive traits.
”Since this is my first time using magic, I’m going to practice at the training hall. I still don’t know the extent of its power,” Doga said.
Ms. Shirakaba reprimanded him sternly. So this is what mother-son conversations sound like; I’m reminded once more that I’m in a different world.
”Okay, I’ll do it where Kisarra or Tizzy, Mom, is,” Doga replied.
Both of them are saintesses after all. If we prepare Dragon God’s Herb, we’ll be even safer.
”Kisarra isn’t changing jobs, right?” I inquired.
”According to Tizzy’s ultimate saintess training plan, that’s right. She’s a genius who was destined to become a saintess from the start.”
Saintesses fall under the Advanced class, so normally they would train in lower classes like priest before changing jobs. However, since Kisarra met the requirements from the get-go, they say she starts as a saintess.
”Are you aiming for the fixed bonuses when leveling up?”
It seems that the Advanced classes have more perks.
”That might be part of it, but I’ve heard that continuing to accumulate virtue as a saintess brings some benefits too,” Doga added.
I guess that applies to clergy-type jobs too.
My Stargazer class doesn’t get talked about much since it’s so unpopular. It sounds cool, so you’d think someone would mistakenly choose it, but apparently not.
Stargazer relies on skill proficiency for its benefits, so leveling up doesn’t yield much. I should actually maximize the proficiency bonuses when at a lower level. I made the right choice by not leveling up.
I had a gut feeling that leveling up was a bad idea. If I had, I’d have died the moment I returned to Earth.
”Doga, you’re also a clergy-type, right?” I asked.
”Druid,” he replied. “I’ve earned the title of Forest Guardian.”
Oh, that sounds pretty cool.
”Titles, huh? If you live in this world, everyone will eventually acquire some kind of title,” Shirakaba said.
”There are also titles with special effects. They’re kind of like kago [blessing], but unlike blessings, you can’t have multiple titles active at once. Blessings stack—so that’s probably the key difference,” she continued, tilting her head thoughtfully.
”I’ve heard there’s a skill to swap titles, but I can’t use it. Or maybe I can? It feels like they switch automatically depending on the situation,” he mused, scratching his head.
”I get random buffs during tasks, so I can kind of tell by the sensation,” he added, recalling the effect.
”A druid’s specs are sort of a downgraded priest [priest], but if you get a class-specific title, you gain a sub-job [sub-job]. With the Guardian title, you can basically function like a paladin [paladin],” Shirakaba explained, a hint of excitement in her voice.
”Ms. Shirakaba, that wording! Saying ‘downgraded’ might hurt Doga’s feelings,” he interjected, concern crossing his face.
”He looks okay, but if it were me, I’d be totally bummed,” he added, shaking his head.
”A tank with healing, huh. I wonder how it stacks up against a proper paladin?” he asked aloud, intrigued.
”If you can swap titles mid-battle to shift modes, that could be cool—but you’d probably end up dexterity [dexterity] poor,” he remarked, stroking his chin.
”Tanks tend to have a lot of passive skills that trigger when taking damage, but Forest Guardian’s amazing. There’s even one that grants temporary immortality—I’m jealous. The penalties are brutal, though,” Shirakaba said, eyes gleaming.
”Paladins are famous for the one where your armor class spikes when your HP drops below half. When Ms. Shirakaba goes all-in with her gear, she gets ridiculously tanky against physical attacks. I’m guessing that’s why she had the guts to challenge Schulz one-on-one. She still lost instantly, though,” he noted with a crooked grin.
”How immortal are we talking?” he asked, leaning in.
”It’s an active skill that only triggers when you’re near death—The Promised Death. You’ll definitely die five minutes later, but until then, you’re completely unkillable,” Shirakaba explained, her tone matter-of-fact.
”While Ms. Shirakaba is proudly explaining it, Doga’s fidgeting beside her,” he observed, noticing Doga’s discomfort.
”Total invincibility, huh. Not just physical—magic [magic], too. That’s wild. But if the price is death, it’s basically a no-go skill,” he muttered, brows furrowing.
”That’s where his cheat [cheat] comes in. Doga’s unique skill is called Awakening of the Giant. It auto-triggers when his HP hits zero, fully restores his HP, and multiplies all stats by four until the battle ends,” Shirakaba explained, eyes wide.
”In games, that kind of ‘survive at 1 HP’ mechanic was common. You’d have to chug an elixir [elixir] fast or get one-shot again, but if you played smart, it was powerful,” I recalled with a nostalgic smile.
”That’s incredible. You basically undo death and go full beast mode? No penalties?” he asked, blinking.
”The cooldown’s about a year—but if you trigger The Promised Death, it resets all buffs, debuffs, and cooldowns,” Shirakaba replied, her expression serious.
”Wait, what about The Promised Death‘s own cooldown?” he pressed.
”There isn’t one. I mean, once you die, a cooldown doesn’t really matter,” she said, shrugging.
”Then… those two skills—could you loop them infinitely?” he asked, voice rising.
”Exactly!” she said. “Doga’s not a full-on nuker, so it doesn’t feel broken, but low-key? You’re kind of the strongest.”
”Well, if [luck] hears about it, they’ll probably intervene. But since it’s a unique skill, as long as I don’t abuse it, they might look the other way,” he said, cautiously hopeful.
”Combining skills to grow stronger is legit. In the end, it all hinges on the gods’ whims,” I added, voice softening.
”Doga, what do you think?” I asked, turning.
”On Earth, the hero Achilles was slain by an arrow to the heel, was he not? Even an immortal demigod can die if he lets his guard down. Someone like me… I worry about when my own weak point will be struck,” Doga said, his voice quiet with concern.
”You’re pretty humble,” I replied, impressed.
Who’s Achilles? Some anime character? Wait—heel shot… Achilles tendon! Greek mythology! That’s what you’re referencing?
”Don’t ever lose that humility. Pride comes before a fall. That skill of yours—The Promised Death—it’s active, right? If you misjudge the timing, that infinite loop’s over,” Doga warned, tone firm.
”Skills like that are notoriously hard to manage in games, too. Especially when you’re near death—it’s risky. One stray attack and you’re done,” I cautioned.
”Don’t worry. There’s Super Armor and stuff—I use it all the time,” Doga said with a reassuring nod.
”There are also skills that cut your own HP when activated—what they call self-damaging skills. People treat them like drawbacks, but it’s actually a safer way to adjust HP than tanking a hit,” I explained. “Tanks are often seen as muscle-brained brutes, but mastering the role takes serious finesse. You need tight HP-MP management and sharp hate [aggro] control based on the battlefield’s tempo. Someone like me had no business butting in. I even tried giving advice—how embarrassing.”
”You don’t need to worry. These kids won’t get lost,” Doga said confidently. “You know about the Alexander Experiment? They tested it hundreds of times using death-row inmates. As long as your stats are high enough, even if you die and return, you won’t be lost.”
”Alexander Experiment? That’s ringing a bell… Still, what a horrifying thing to do. Leave it to another world to trample all over human rights,” Tizzy muttered, shaking his head.
”Ah, but you mustn’t let your guard down, Mother. There are still plenty of ways to erase someone permanently. I’ve already proven that much,” Claude interjected, stepping forward.
Claude had stormed off earlier saying he’d never cook again, but now he was suddenly butting in. This kid really loved his mother—definitely a mama’s boy.
Mama’s boys are the worst. The one who’ll suffer most? Claude’s future wife. Thinking ahead, family dynamics are a nightmare.
Once you start talking grandchildren, having multiple wives turns the whole relationship chart into a mess. No wonder royal families struggle.
”I’m sorry for thinking all nobles are fools,” Claude said. “It seems everyone is struggling, bound by blood ties.”
”Stress builds up, leading to bullying commoners, becoming a villainess, or even breaking off engagements,” I added, sighing.
I wanted to say, “Just throw away your status and be free,” but as someone from modern Japan, I found it hard to claim that was the right answer.
After all, no world could truly be called a utopia. It all came down to compatibility.
Some people are satisfied with easy mode, while others find purpose in hell mode. Those born into a world that suits them are simply lucky.
”Father, don’t you want to hear about my heroic exploits?” he asked, a grin spreading across his face. “I defeated a despicable summoned hero with Prophecyskill and Skill Theft using wisdom and courage. I can tell you while cooking──surely you want to hear, right? Then let me share.”
”Is this child a bit of a daddy’s girl?” I wondered. “Or is she just seeking attention?”
”Forget that for now,” I said, dismissing the thought. “Parents are always willing to listen to their children.”
”Now I can’t help but be curious after hearing that,” he replied. “Please, tell me more.”
Skill Theft is one of the top-tier cheat skills. It’s clear that gods or beings of a similar class are involved.
They likely find it amusing to grant a despicable person such overwhelming strength, watching as the surroundings and the individual spiral into ruin. It’s not a hobby I would endorse.
While it sounds noble to call it a trial from the gods, it’s mostly for entertainment purposes.
It’s not that I dislike entertainers. It’s an honor for the audience to be gods. But to have life and death hang in the balance for that is unbearable.
Well, the fact that Claude is safe here means he must have won.
If the opponent was a despicable hero, the outcome is almost predictable.
Still, if my son is willing to share his heroic tales, I must listen intently.
After all, my father and grandfather happily listened to my stories about catching cicadas and the time I caught a ton of sardines with sabiki.
Notes:
• Kisarra – A beautiful girl, daughter of the narrator and Uno, named after a legendary saint.
• Exceneca – Lady Uno’s butler girl
• Claude – A handsome boy, son of the narrator and Uno, with a flashy name possibly inspired by ‘The Tale of Genji’.
• Shea-Shea – Mauro’s daughter. Hurt by Alexander. Became an eager fiancée after advice from protagonist.
• Doga – The tall giant youth, son of the narrator and Uno, who resembles a priest warrior.
• El – She is a giant woman, appeared as Saburou’s captor, living alone in a large tent, skilled in hunting and cooking, proposes marriage to Saburou.
• Tizzy – Claims to be Duke’s daughter, a noble with advanced magic skills. MC and Ms. Shirakaba lover.
• Shirakaba – A paladin who seems to be a skilled fighter. He’s introduced as someone with a strong defense and healing abilities.
• Nina – Doll Princess (Auroora 217), renamed by the protagonist. Beautiful blonde, ~168 cm, slim waist. Wears adventurer attire. Made from artificial parts and wooden limbs, resembling a princess. Knowledgeable, can read, write, and use basic healing magic. Reliable partner, often saves the protagonist with her skills.
• Ra – The blue-skinned Demon King; a self-proclaimed scientist and explorer whose spaceship crash-landed; fights with childish enthusiasm.
• Schulz – A male dragon who collects human women and holds the rank of Duke within the Anti-Magic Alliance.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply