Chapter 237 Upon the Ramparts
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Laika!” Tania-san shouted.
When the elven adventurer Tania reached the summit of the ramparts encasing the Royal Capital, the dog-beastman adventurer Laika was already fixated upon “it.”
”Sister,” Laika said.
”Laika, Kento was worried about you,” Tania-san said. “To suddenly bolt like that without a word…”
”Sorry. But I just felt like I had to go, right now,” Laika replied.
She possessed a level of composure that made her seem like a different person from the girl who had been trembling on Kento’s lap. Tania-san hadn’t heard the full story yet, but for now, she breathed a sigh of relief, sensing there was no immediate cause for alarm.
”Is that ‘it’…?” Tania-san asked.
”Yeah,” Laika said.
Tania-san took a breath and raised her gaze, staring at the winged dragon—no, the Dragon—which was now visible even from the Royal Capital. It seemed the intelligence suggesting it might only be a wyvern had merely been the wishful thinking of some anonymous optimist.
”It’s massive…” Tania-san muttered.
”Yeah.”
”It doesn’t look like it’s just stopping for a rest in the northern mountains, either…” Tania-san observed.
”Yeah. It is definitely targeting this place as it flies toward us,” Laika replied.
While to Kento it would still resemble a mere grain of rice, the two of them perceived it clearly as they conversed. Much like them, other adventurers were beginning to assemble in rapid succession, eager to confirm the target’s presence with their own eyes.
”Oh, so you were here, ‘Divine Bow’¹ and ‘Fierce Dog’,” a voice called out.
”‘Iron Fist’² and ‘Deadly Poison’³? We certainly seem to cross paths often,” Tania-san remarked.
”Hehe, I didn’t exactly want an opponent to show up that forced us into a joint struggle with you lot, yoi,” Balliston cackled.
These were the ones Kento called Thug A and Thug B: Abram of the “Iron Fist” and Balliston of the “Deadly Poison,” veterans who had fought alongside Tania-san and the others in the previous war. The convergence of these titled elites, the pride of the Canarias⁴ Adventurers’ Guild, offered a profound sense of security to the surrounding adventurers and soldiers.
”Whoops, did I miss the start?” a man asked.
”That’s exactly why I told you! I said something was coming so move it—this is your fault, Carl!” a woman snapped back.
”My bad, my bad. Don’t be so sore, Aki,” Carl said.
”Oh, if it isn’t Aki. You’re joining the fray too?” Abram asked.
”I guess. I don’t know if I’ll be much help, but my tail is tingling, so I couldn’t just sit around!” Aki replied.
”Hehe, this is rich. To think I’d see the ‘Fierce Tiger’⁵ and ‘Beast Tamer’⁶ tag-team after all this time, yoi!” Balliston teased.
”Who are you calling a beast, Balliston! If you keep talking rot, I’ll grab your ankles and hurl you again!” Aki shouted.
”Hehe, heaven preserve me…” Balliston muttered, recoiling.
”You’ve got guts, man…” Abram remarked to Carl.
Arriving slightly late were Carl—whom Kento called Thug C—and his wife, Aki. Although Carl’s title of “Beast Tamer” was bestowed half-mockingly, much like Kento’s “Found in a Ditch” moniker, the prowess of these two was indisputable. Those who remembered them from their days as an active duo felt genuinely encouraged by their presence.
”Hmph… did I make it in time…?!”
”Old man Kogima?! What are you even doing here…” Abram asked.
”Nn, ‘Muscle-brain’ Abram? Good, you’re here. I’ve brought a rope down there that even a dragon shouldn’t… probably… be able to sever. It’s a bespoke weave, twisted from Earth-Spider silk and Specter-Vine. When ‘that thing’ gets close, lash it to a spear and let it fly. It should… probably… be able to drag that flying lizard down to the earth,” Kogima explained.
”No, I appreciate the gesture, but you should evacuate quickly,” Abram said.
”Have you forgotten? I am also a mage of sorts; I came to participate in the defense,” Kogima replied.
”Oh, is that so… Well, you’re an old man, so don’t overdo it, alright…?” Abram muttered.
Kento’s alchemy mentor, Kogima, maintained the banter while addressing his old acquaintance Abram by his former nickname. There was barely a ten-year age gap between them, and to any observer, both appeared as middle-aged men, yet unfortunately, no one was present to provide the necessary tsukkomi regarding such trivialities.
Even amidst the nonsensical dialogue, “it” continued its steady approach toward the Royal Capital. It flew without hesitation, as if driven by some unseen force. Its silhouette, initially no larger than a grain of rice, had now grown to the size of a pachinko ball.
Starting with the most seasoned adventurers, countenances began to grow grim. They were well aware that with monsters of that velocity, the window between them appearing large and their actual arrival was perilously brief.
Before long, a diverse crowd had congregated atop the wall. Among those acquainted with Kento were mages who had distinguished themselves in the war, including the Court Mage Satsuki and her senior, Marsetta.
Also present were several nuns from the Canarias Convent⁷, led by Sister Amelia and Mother Marian. Furthermore, there was the young lady Duke Tina Badcage and the venerable retainers who happened to be accompanying her.
From the Coalmine diplomatic mission, who had remained to witness the resolution of the “Stampede,” the Head Court Mage Kushe, Martin PopolCount of the ‘Pink Clan’⁸, and his foster sister Flearis joined the defense upon request.
Many other adventurers, those confident in their martial skills, and naturally, the soldiers of the Royal Army were in attendance. Finally, appearing with a slight delay, was the formidable bear-beastman who had also served in the war, General Oromanso.
It was an illustrious assembly. With such a concentration of power, defeat seemed inconceivable. It almost felt like an excessive allocation of force—the total military capacity of the Royal Capital Canarias. Yet, despite this, the expressions of those gathered remained universally somber.
* * *
Let us consider a somewhat peripheral point. For example, in this world, there is no such entity as a “Hero.” To be precise, there are individuals called by that name, but it is not the archetype of the “Hero” from the previous world that the summoned Kento would envision.
One who, alone or with a meager party, defeats the Demon King—the progenitor of monsters—at the conclusion of a vast journey. A “Hero” of such legends simply does not exist in this reality.
Or perhaps consider this: centuries ago, numerous “Kingdoms” emerged in this world. This occurred because the threat of monsters diminished through the endeavors of the Church of Demon-Subjugation⁹.
Common to several of these is a foundational myth involving the subjugation of a mighty monster that once dominated the land. However, these “Kings” are never termed “Heroes.” Instead, the chronicles of the “Founding Heroes” are invariably woven alongside the Kings.
They eventually became “Nobles,” bequeathing the honor of having once fought beside the King. Those who were common infantry during the founding era became Barons; those who performed with distinction among the regulars were titled Viscounts; and the commanders followed as Counts, Marquises, and Dukes.
Every single one of them was a “Founding Hero.” Sometimes hundreds, or even nearly a thousand “Founding Heroes.” The individual who unified them and slew the apex monster was heralded as the “King.”
This implies that the act of founding a nation was essentially total warfare.
And in this world, there exist monsters that cannot be overcome unless such a concentrated force is mobilized. Could “that thing” be one of them…?
”Tania-dono…! How do you assess ‘that thing’…?” Oromanso asked.
General Oromanso of the Royal Army hurried toward Tania-san—a genuine “Founding Hero”—to inquire. In response, Tania-san replied while scrutinizing the horizon intently.
”It’s large, but it’s somewhat smaller than ‘him’,” Tania-san replied.
”Is that so? Well, that is a relief…” Oromanso sighed.
It had to be so, or they would be in dire straits. Oromanso exhaled and focused his own eyes on the Dragon that was apparently smaller than “him.” Then, he shuddered as he visualized the Dragon the “Founding Heroes” had originally defeated, which was purportedly even more gargantuan than the one approaching.
”Hey, is the ‘Dragon-Piercing Bow’¹⁰ still operational?” Tania-san asked.
”Yes, we have maintained it according to tradition, but…” a soldier replied.
”The last time it was deployed was two centuries ago, correct?” Tania-san asked.
”Yes… We cannot exactly perform test fires, so it is just what the veterans heard from those retiring back when they were still recruits…” the soldier added.
”There’s a knack to aiming that contraption. I shall provide the instruction. Furthermore… the secret techniques of the Convent were already lost three hundred years ago… It would have been far simpler if we could have utilized those,” Tania-san muttered.
Gritting her teeth, Tania-san led Oromanso away to inspect the siege engines installed upon the ramparts. Left alone, Laika stared at the Dragon, which had grown to the size of a ping-pong ball, and whispered.
”Nn… it’s fine. That thing isn’t scary at all…”
Then, what was it that she had truly been afraid of…? The thought flickered through her mind for a heartbeat. But she shook her head vigorously, casting the doubt aside.
—
Summary:
Tania and Laika prepare for the arrival of a massive Dragon at the capital’s walls. They are joined by a powerful assembly of adventurers and mages, forming the kingdom’s total military response. The narrative provides lore on the nature of ‘Kings’ and ‘Founding Heroes’ in this world, revealing that major threats require total warfare rather than individual heroics. Tania leads the defense with ancient siege weapons while Laika contemplates her own strange lack of fear toward the monster.
—
Character Insight:
Tania steps into her historical role as a Founding Hero, showing authority over the military. Laika exhibits a significant shift in perspective; facing a legendary Dragon, she finds it ‘not scary at all,’ confirming that the terror she experienced previously with Kento was triggered by something far beyond mere physical power.
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Behind the Scene:
The author establishes that national founding is a collective effort, subverting the ‘lone hero’ trope common in Isekai. The ‘Dragon-Piercing Bow’ serves as a narrative anchor to the world’s 300-year history.
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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.
• 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.
• Balliston – An A-Rank adventurer known as ‘Deadly Poison.’ Has a kidnapper-like face and a servile laugh. Specializes in toxins.
• Kogima – Kento’s alchemy master. A middle-aged man who is a henpecked husband to his wife, Josephine.
• Marsetta – A senior court mage and specialist in magical weaponry. She has disheveled hair tied back, wears glasses, and has deep dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. She hasn’t eaten in two days and is under heavy pressure to find a countermeasure for the enemy’s weapons.
• 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.
• 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.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• Marian – A ‘Mother’ and supervisor from the Church of Demon-Subjugation. Her appearance and demeanor defy the Church’s purported ‘chastity,’ instead she has wavy purple long hair, busty, black nun, tear mole under eye, and monroe walk. She has arrived with a clear purpose: to confront Kento about the ‘Devil’s Stick.
• Flearis – A member of the diplomatic envoy and guard. Has pink hair.
• Martin – Lily’s non-blood-related younger brother. Considered the strongest candidate to succeed the Popol family due to his lineage and manifested ‘power. He has pink hair.
• Kushe – The Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom. She has dark green hair grown out haphazardly and wears a mage robe loosely over her shoulders. She has a blunt, informal, and somewhat insensitive personality, focused on her ‘thinking experiments.’
• Oromanso – A General serving as the assistant to Duke Roost. Bear beastman.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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