Chapter 158 Those Left Behind
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been a few days since I visited Master’s house. I thought about it a lot but couldn’t find an answer, so I decided that I simply have to meet the “Sacred Artificer”¹ in person. I’m certain I’ll be swayed, but if a personality could be changed that easily, life wouldn’t be such a struggle. I’ll just have to wing it when the time comes.
And while I was doing that, a message arrived from Lady Tina Badcage. So, I headed out today to meet her, but…
”It’s as massive as ever…” I said.
I sighed as I looked up at the Badcage Ducal estate, which was far larger than Master’s house. I wondered if my “Ddo-Buddy Palace”² would ever look like this… probably not.
I asked the soldiers guarding the main gate to announce me. The man who came to collect me was a middle-aged man who looked exactly like a stereotypical “Sebastian.” He was likely a butler. A surprisingly long white beard suited him perfectly.
”Welcome, Kento-sama. I am Sebastian, the butler serving Lady Tina.”
”Ah, yes, nice to meet you…” I replied.
”He’s really named Sebastian?!” I thought to myself, resisting the urge to deliver a tsukkomi as I followed him into the mansion. We were taken deep into the interior, along a route completely different from the one I had been shown during the previous social gathering.
Then, Sebastian stopped in front of an particularly elegant door. It reminded me of when I was led to Her Majesty’s office. As I was thinking that, he gave a deep bow.
”Kento-sama, please… take care of the young lady…” Sebastian said.
”…Yes.”
I responded, caught off guard by the emotional, trembling quality of his voice. For a split second, I thought he might be resenting me for getting intimate with Tina, but that didn’t seem to be the case. I wondered if something had happened to her in the time since we last met.
Feeling a bit anxious, I passed through the door Sebastian opened for me. It appeared to be Tina’s private room. There was a canopy bed, a desk, and two chairs. And standing by that desk was, of course, Tina, but…
”Kento-dono, you have done well to come noja. I apologize for not showing my face for so long and for summoning you like this noja.” Tina said.
Her tone was her usual “noja,” but her voice and expression were stiff. To put it kindly, she looked noble; to put it harshly, the atmosphere was strained. What concerned me more was her dull silver hair and the dark circles under her red eyes that she couldn’t quite hide.
It wasn’t that she had neglected her appearance. Her dress was slightly finer than her daily wear, and she wore hair ornaments and earrings. Yet, despite her best efforts to groom herself, she couldn’t hide how haggard she looked.
She reminded me of Her Majesty when she’s overwhelmed by work, but in the Queen’s case, that’s her normal state, and there’s a sense of security that she’ll get it done regardless. Tina’s presence, however, felt so fragile that she might snap at any moment. No wonder Sebastian was worried…
”Tina, have you been sleeping properly lately…?” I asked.
”Wh-wha? To offer no greeting after such a long absence is a bit boorish, is it not noja?” Tina said.
When I instinctively stepped closer and asked, she stammered in confusion. I’d clearly hit the mark. Or perhaps she was startled by my stern voice and expression.
”Answer the question. Are you sleeping properly?” I asked.
”Well, I mean, of course noja. Every day, I am in bed before the date changes…” Tina replied.
”Just getting into bed isn’t enough. Are you actually… sleeping?” I asked.
”Ugh, w-well…”
I pressed in close, looking directly into her red eyes. She gave a small flinch and quickly averted her gaze without answering. As I thought—she hasn’t been sleeping.
I knew she was busy, but that wasn’t all. Her family members are involved in the war even more than mine are. She must be worried sick.
I should have noticed sooner. I felt a surge of anger at myself for being so distracted by Lily’s pregnancy that I let things slide. That expression of mine must have looked terrifying to Tina. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
As I stood before Tina, who continued to look away, Sebastian, who had been waiting by the entrance, spoke up.
”Kento-sama, I shall take my leave now. I will ensure no one approaches for a while, so please, take care of the young lady…” Sebastian said.
”Se-Sebastian?!” Tina cried out.
She called out as if seeking help. Normally, I’d be rejoicing, thinking, “Wow, she’s served on a silver platter!” but this was no time for that. I gave a firm nod as I caught Sebastian’s eye before he exited, and then I closed in on Tina.
”Ke-Kento-dono?! Um, that is…!” Tina stammered.
But as I moved closer, she backed away, keeping the distance between us from shrinking. Eventually, the back of her legs hit the bed. I approached the stumbling girl, made her sit down, and sat beside her.
”Come here.” I said.
”Wha?!” Tina squeaked.
I pulled her into the middle of the bed, pulled the covers over us, and got in with her. She was flustered, but I didn’t give her a choice.
”Ke-Kento-dono?! My—my dress will get wrinkled noja…” Tina said.
”Then take it all off.” I replied.
”Eeeeh?!” Tina cried.
I took off her hair ornaments and earrings and forced her out of her dress. I was probably committing an outrage for which I couldn’t complain even if I were beheaded on the spot, but I didn’t care. Her exposed skin was somewhat rough, and her underwear, though high-quality, was a plain, unsexy design.
”Ah, I—I did not intend to show you this noja! That is why…!” Tina said.
”It’s not about that. Now, be a good girl and close your eyes.” I said.
”Ah…” Tina sighed.
I pulled her close in the bed, giving her my arm as a pillow, and stroked her eyelids to make her close them. She finally seemed to realize my intention and timidly snuggled closer. I stroked her head and spoke as gently as I could.
”Is it… that bad in the North?” I asked.
”I do not know, I simply do not know noja… Detailed battle reports cannot be written in letters. But every time a letter arrives, the bright, brave words decrease. What started as saying the Coalmine³ were nothing to fear changed to saying everyone is safe, and finally, they transparently ask about the state of the Royal Capital… I keep thinking that something they do not want me to hear has happened! That someone I know has finally… l-lost their life noja!” Tina cried.
She must have been unable to vent these feelings to anyone. Tina let the words overflow all at once, clinging to my chest and sobbing uncontrollably.
”For a while now, the writing in Father’s letters has been trembling. And no letters arrive from Grandpa Kario, who taught me Sorcery⁴! Father writes that he is busy with important work, but I—I can only think he is lying to me noja! Everyone, why, ugh, aaahhh…!” Tina wailed.
I simply continued to listen to her words and sobs. I stroked her hair, kissed her forehead, gently wiped away her tears, and pulled her shoulders into a tight embrace. Eventually, she began to calm down, rubbing her head against me and stroking my hand.
”I am sorry noja… You must be worried about Tania-dono, Laika-dono, and Satsuki-dono as well…” Tina said.
I wondered what I should say to her. I couldn’t tell her to cheer up, and I couldn’t say something as irresponsible as “everything will be fine.” I was as worried about Tina as I was about everyone on the battlefield, but if I told her that, she would just push herself even harder to avoid being a source of concern.
I’ll protect the shop properly for when everyone comes back. Even those words I promised Tania and the others started to feel like a hollow deception.
I hadn’t received any letters from the three of them either. There was likely no room to transport the letters of rank-and-file soldiers. So, I didn’t know the state of the war; I only had the Queen’s word that she would guarantee the safety of the three of them to rely on.
”Hey, Tina…” I said.
”Eh…?” Tina asked.
After thinking it over, I decided to swallow all those words and emotions. I chose just one thing to pull out and share with her softly.
”…I’m lonely.” I said.
”…Yeah.” Tina replied.
I don’t know if that was the right answer. However, after a short while, she began to let out the small, soft sounds of sleep…”
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Summary:
Kento visits the Badcage estate to meet Tina after receiving a message. He finds her physically and mentally exhausted from worrying about her family at the front lines. To help her rest, Kento forces her into bed and comforts her as she finally lets out her suppressed fears. Tina eventually falls asleep in his arms after sharing her anxiety over the war’s progress.
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Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Tina’s vulnerability beneath her noble exterior; the ‘noja’ speech pattern acts as a thin veil for her crumbling composure. Kento shows growth in his emotional intelligence, realizing that his own stress from Lily’s pregnancy made him overlook Tina’s suffering. His decision to admit his own loneliness instead of offering empty platitudes shows a deepening bond where they share their burdens as equals rather than protector and protected.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Sebastian’ trope is a common meta-joke in Japanese media, referring to the ‘Black Butler’ or stereotypical high-class butlers. The contrast between the ‘Sacred Artificer’ plot and this intimate moment emphasizes the toll the war is taking on the characters’ domestic lives.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Tina Badcage – Silver-haired, red-eyed woman with a very formal, old-fashioned way of speaking, often ending sentences with ‘no ja’. She is the only daughter of the Duke Badcage, tasked with guarding the North for the Canaria Royal Family. She is described as a beauty. Her inexperience suggests a slender build, and her dress is likely formal and aristocratic, though not explicitly stated.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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