Chapter 203 The Way Home
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Despite the various things being said, we were on our way home after finishing today’s work. I walked through the twilight royal capital alongside the adventurer elf Tania and the adventurer dog-beastman Laika.
”We managed to get back pretty early today! It’s all thanks to Big Sis finishing that three-sword ‘Ddo-Buddy’¹ production,” Laika said.
”Yeah, I’ve regained a fair amount of my intuition. Maybe I’ll aim for a four-sword style next…” Tania replied.
The town or streetscape was feeling incredibly aesthetic, but their conversation was completely ruining the vibe. Well, I suppose this is just how we are…
Currently, our shop is building a slow increase in production in preparation for trade with the Coalmine Kingdom² and the maritime nation of Silbaor³. I’m not sure what kind of volume we’ll need for Silbaor, but we can afford to hold some stock.
Stock control is handled by the Canarias Convent⁴, and since the war ended, we have some extra income. If something goes wrong, we could sell things through the church or find new ways to sell to other countries.
There are small things to think about, but these days are quite calm. I realized I haven’t been thinking about my old world much lately.
Well, originally I was so busy just trying to live that I didn’t have the time, but it’s even more so now. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but it seems humans are creatures that can adapt to a situation like this.
As I was feeling a bit soft inside, Laika looked into my face with a grin, not knowing my inner thoughts.
”Hey, what are we doing tonight?♡” Laika asked.
She smoothly took my arm, pressing her modest breasts against me while her tail wagged with a fast ‘swish-swish.’ It was clearly an invite for the night. She’s really gotten good at making this kind of mood…
When I patted her head, she wagged her tail even more and rubbed her cheek on my shoulder. It’s very cute, but it’s hard that I can’t always give her what she wants.
”Hmm, I wonder… we don’t know when Lily might go into labor,” I said.
”Muu, well, that’s true, but… unlike me, where you always help me during my heat, I think Big Sis is getting quite a lot stored up,” Laika said.
”N-No, that’s not true at all!? Lady Lily’s birth is our shop’s main goal… and, well, it will be my turn soon enough anyway…” Tania stammered.
Tania gave a weak answer to Laika’s words. Ah, she really does seem to feel left out. There was a time I was busy with the Coalmine group, so I might have actually ignored her too much…
”Actually, I really want Big Sis to start making a baby soon, you know? There’s a line behind her, and once a baby is born, people can just make excuses about being busy again!” Laika said.
”Ah, that’s true… Elves have a hard time having kids to start with… Right, Tania?” I asked.
Since they came back from the war, I’ve studied a bit in my free time. I had a small idea before, but elves have a hard time because they live so long. Well, if people who live a thousand years made kids at the same speed as humans, the food problem would be a disaster…
Well, I feel like magic could do something in this world, but before that, the problem of monster areas is… no, that’s not for me to worry about.
By the way, children between humans and elves aren’t called ‘Half-Elves’ here. If they come from an elven mother, they are just ‘Elves.’
There is a big range for their life length, but it’s the same for pure elves. Either way, they will have long lives that humans can’t even imagine.
”Umu, well, it happens when it can, but when it doesn’t, it can take years. Sometimes decades. If there are no signs after a month, I don’t mind if you let Laika or Aerith go first,” Tania said.
This is also about ‘personal difference.’ Those with long lives find it harder to have kids, but you don’t know until you try. It’s the same for elves, and even harder to guess between an elf and a human.
”Well, no matter how long it takes, I’ll definitely make you pregnant, so don’t worry,” I said.
”U-Umu. Don’t push yourself too much, okay…?” Tania replied.
”It’s not a push. With such a cute elf… er, wife… here, I’m going to work very hard,” I said.
”U-Umu. I-I see…” Tania muttered.
Tania suddenly started acting shy. I took the chance to put my arm around her waist and pull her close. Flowers in both hands, huh. I’m sure every man walking by is wishing for me to explode right now.
”I think it might happen in one go for me. I’m excited—Big Sis’s baby will be so cute! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a baby…” Laika said.
”Oh, did you take care of babies in your pack, Laika?” I asked.
”Of course! The kids in the pack belong to everyone. I saw lots of babies, and I took care of everyone smaller than me! I like pregnant women too, but I love babies because they have a ‘happy’ smell!” Laika replied.
I see, she’s ready to help right away. I’ve been studying, but I have almost no real experience with babies, so this is great.
”By the way, do you talk to your home pack, Laika?” I asked.
”Yeah, mostly? Our pack is nice to those who leave, and sometimes I get asked to look after kids from the same place who come here. Oh, and I told them I found a ‘mate’ too,” Laika said.
”Eh!? Does that mean I should have gone to say hello…” I asked.
”Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. Even if you went, they’d just make you drink and my dad and uncles would bother you. Well, once my baby is born, I’d like to go show them or have them come here once,” Laika said.
”Is that how it is…? Speaking of which, I haven’t asked, but is it okay to ask about your parents, Tania?” I asked.
”Hmm? I don’t mind, but I don’t really know. I haven’t seen them in hundreds of years. It wouldn’t be weird if they were alive, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were dead…” Tania said.
I wasn’t paying enough attention, but these two have such different ways of thinking that it makes me dizzy… I have to go see Duke Badcage⁵, also known as Tina’s father, soon, so maybe I should learn more about that side…?
They are both humans, but there might be special rules for this world, and I don’t know how high nobles act…
”Well, don’t worry too much, Kento. There are many people around you with different races; you can’t do it all by yourself,” Tania said.
”That’s right. We’ll ask if we need help. Your head is probably full with the shop, so it might explode!” Laika added.
”Yeah… sorry. I’ll try harder to look after things…” I said.
”That’s why I’m saying, you don’t have to try so hard!” Laika replied.
As we walked and talked about the future, the entrance to our usual back alley town or street came into view. The sun was almost gone, and the building shadows were getting dark.
Seeing this place makes me think of when I was attacked by Flearis here before… Today, Laika and Tania are with me, so I don’t need to worry…
* * *
As I went into the alley, heading for home, a woman came running toward us. Isn’t that the wife from the house across from ours…?
”There you are! You’re late! Lily-chan is… anyway, hurry!” she cried.
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Summary:
Kento walks home with Tania and Laika, discussing shop expansion and trade. The conversation shifts to the difficulties of elven conception and Laika’s experience with pack-based childcare. They touch upon the vastly different cultural views on family and parents among different races. Upon reaching their alley, a neighbor frantically informs Kento that Lily’s labor has begun.
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Character Insight:
Kento is showing signs of deep integration into this world, admitting he forgets his old life, yet he feels the weight of responsibility for his multi-racial ‘family.’ Tania’s mature acceptance of the ‘line’ for Kento’s attention highlights her elven perspective on time, while Laika’s eagerness for the baby shows her nurturing, pack-oriented nature.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Three-Sword Style’ mentioned is a playful nod to common shonen tropes, localized here within the context of the shop’s ‘adult goods’ production, implying the items are more complex than standard products.
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T/L:
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• Aerith – A wolf beast-person and Ouka’s daughter. She is intensely attracted to Kento’s creative genius and is not shy about showing her interest. Have gray fur hair and tail, wearing elegant dress.
• 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.
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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