Chapter 283 Divine Radiance
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The members of the Holy Labor Corps¹ stood speechless, necks craned toward the sky as a sudden bolt of white light skewered the dragon. They watched in a daze as the ferocious beast lost all lift, stumbling through the air before plummeting toward the earth.
”Wh-what was that…?” one member asked.
The light had been far too divine. Compared to the shimmering arrows or lances of light typically conjured by holy mages, this was something else entirely-magnificent, blinding, and incredibly thick.
For those devoted to the Subjugation Church of Demons²-especially those who adhered to the ancient liturgy-the sight was hauntingly familiar. No, it was a scene they had memorized from the scriptures of old.
”The ‘Light of God’…” someone muttered.
Perhaps everyone had pictured it in their hearts at that moment. It was one of the legendary Holy Relics said to have existed in the primordial era. A sacred radiance that could purge any and all “evil.”
Though, for a holy miracle, it had seemed a bit… slimy. And a few of them felt as though an indescribably vulgar, squelching sound had echoed across the heavens, a noise that certainly didn’t belong in this world.
Could it be? Had they truly witnessed the hand of the Almighty? Just as several members were on the verge of sobbing with religious fervor, a group of men emerged from the direction the white light had risen.
”Ah! Just as I thought! It really is the group led by Lady Marian!” Oromanso shouted.
”And you… you’re General Oromanso of the Canaria Royal Army, aren’t you?♡” Marian replied.
It was the leader of the Zil Meina³ subjugation force, the bear-beastman General Oromanso, traveling under the Queen’s decree. He spotted Mother Marian standing at the center of the Holy Labor Corps and hurried over.
”It hasn’t been… that long, has it? To think we’d cross paths in a place like this…♡” Marian said.
”I had a feeling we might! We’ve been hearing reports of your progress since before we reached this sector. Our goals are likely the same, after all…” Oromanso answered.
While they had known each other by reputation, they were more than just acquaintances; they were comrades who had stood together during the recent dragon assault on the capital. Meeting now, in a land so far from the city walls, they shared a moment of genuine relief.
”I see. Does this mean you’ve brought the main army with you?♡” Marian asked.
”Well, between defending the capital and the need for speed, it’s not exactly a massive host, but…” Oromanso said.
He glanced back just as several carriages came racing toward them. The Holy Labor Corps had been traveling on foot since veering off the main road, so it was only natural for the cavalry to catch up.
The soldiers of the subjugation force immediately moved to recover the fallen dragon. Marian didn’t realize it, but they weren’t just looking for meat and materials; they were checking the wound to confirm the weapon’s sheer destructive force.
Marian watched the troops assemble. She was curious why a few dog-beastmen who didn’t look like regular soldiers were mixed in, but there was a more important question she had to ask.
”So… was that white light your doing, by any chance?♡” Marian asked.
”…… Yeah. It’s our country’s newest magic-tech weapon,” Oromanso muttered.
Oromanso hesitated for a moment as he looked at the faithful members of the Holy Labor Corps surrounding Marian. It wasn’t exactly a fact he wanted to broadcast to the religious, but after a display like that, he couldn’t very well lie.
The reaction from the Holy Labor Corps was more chaotic than he could have imagined.
”Im-impossible! That was a… a magic weapon!?” one cried.
”It wasn’t the ‘Light of God’?” another whispered.
”No, but… how could it…!?”
For those who worshipped the ancient ways, “magic” was, to some degree, something that simply didn’t mesh with their faith. They didn’t outright persecute it like the zealots of old, but a lingering disdain remained. They looked down on it. To these people, the idea that such a magnificent light came from a mere “magic-tech weapon” was unbelievable.
”A… ‘magic-tech weapon,’ was it?♡” Marian asked.
”Y-yeah. Is that… a problem?” Oromanso asked.
”No, I’m not about to complain after you’ve saved us… But… may I ask who the developer is?♡” Marian asked.
”Why does that matter to you?” Oromanso asked.
”Oh, forgive me. I mean no offense, truly. But I must know. That light… for those of us in the Church, it was simply too ‘radiant.’ Tell me, it was his invention, wasn’t it?♡” Marian asked.
”……”
Oromanso’s silence was as good as a “yes” to Marian. I see, she thought. If that magic circuit shop owner was behind this, the man was destined for a life of hardship. He seemed to have been born under a very busy star.
”M-Mother…” Amelia whispered.
”It’s alright, my dear Amelia♡. It might lead to some headaches, but I’m sure it won’t be all bad. You should probably do what you can to help him out, too♡,” Marian said.
”Yes, Mother!” Amelia replied.
Marian stroked the head of her favorite disciple, Sister Amelia. As the girl gave a firm response, Oromanso watched them with an unreadable expression.
He had clearly sparked something he couldn’t put out, but after that massive test-fire back at the capital, it was already too late for secrets.
”Anyway, moving past that. Since we’ve met and our goals are aligned, I think it would be best if we traveled together,” Oromanso suggested.
”Mmm, I suppose you’re right…♡” Marian said.
Marian weighed the offer. Cooperating with them was certainly the fastest way to resolve the “Stampede,” but it would dilute the spiritual significance of their pilgrimage. Moreover, she wasn’t sure if the army would truly help them exterminate every last monster.
However, Marian felt she had to go with them. She wanted to know more about this “new magic-tech weapon” that had fired that white light. At the very least, she had to see if that light could actually pierce “Zil Meina,” the source of the disaster.
She tapped her lip with a fingertip and glanced at the leaders of the group. The Martial Monk Katz nodded, as did the Holy Knight Kuroalmante. Only the Priest Samarefuoso was still staring blankly at the sky.
”Very well. We would be delighted to join you on the road♡. If possible, I’d like us to handle the monster extermination during the night, but we can talk details later♡. First, we really should clean up this mess…♡” Marian said.
”Yes, quite. It looks like you’ve been fighting a hell of a battle here…” Oromanso said.
Oromanso replied while looking at the monster blood and carcasses strewn across the ground. Then, with a look of concern, he turned his attention toward Amelia.
”Come to think of it, our court mage Satsuki was worried about you, Sister Amelia. Would you mind going to see her?” Oromanso asked.
”Oh, is that so?♡ That’s perfect. Amelia, why don’t you go have a chat with her?♡” Marian asked.
”Is Satsuki here!? O-of course! I’ll go right now!” Amelia said.
Marian’s instruction was a silent order to go gather info on the new weapon, but Amelia was purely happy to see her friend. Satsuki felt the same.
”Amelia! Thank goodness you’re safe!” Satsuki cried.
”S-Satsuki!” Amelia replied.
As Amelia approached the carriage, Satsuki ran out and hugged her tightly. It was a level of emotional vulnerability she never would have shown before she met Kento. Amelia was surprised but hugged her back just as hard. If Kento had been there, he probably would have been moved by how wholesome the scene was.
”…Kento was worried. He told me to make sure you were safe if we ran into you,” Satsuki whispered.
”Kento was…? I see. Thank you,” Amelia said.
”And guess what? We ran into Laika’s pack and we’re all traveling together now! The ones who can’t fight stayed behind in the Nixfen territory, so it’s not everyone, but Laika’s parents are here. I’ll introduce you later! It’s been so crazy-we were hit by a mini-stampede, a chimera, and even a dragon back in Nixfen!” Satsuki said.
”I… I see. That sounds like quite the ordeal,” Amelia said.
Amelia struggled to keep up with the flurry of information. It seemed Satsuki had survived a journey just as difficult as her own. As they stepped back, Amelia noticed a glint of light on Satsuki’s left ring finger. She wanted to ask about that, but she had to get to the point.
”Um, about that white light from before… I wanted to ask…” Amelia started.
”Oh! You mean the ‘Ddo-Buddy Cannon’⁴! Yeah, that was a whole thing…” Satsuki said.
”……Excuse me?” Amelia asked.
”Hmm? What’s wrong?” Satsuki asked.
”Could you… say that name one more time?” Amelia asked.
”The ‘Ddo-Buddy Cannon.’ It’s the new magic-tech weapon Kento designed,” Satsuki said.
”I… see… Is that… how it is…” Amelia whispered.
Yep, that’s definitely his sense of humor… Amelia thought. Satsuki has been completely corrupted. As the image of the faithful crying out about “God’s Light” flashed through her mind, Amelia felt a wave of dizziness at the sheer absurdity of the name.
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Summary:
A mysterious white light shoots down a dragon, leading the Holy Labor Corps to believe it is a divine miracle. However, General Oromanso reveals it is actually Kento’s new magic-tech weapon. The two groups decide to travel together toward the source of the Stampede.
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Trivia:
- Oromanso is a bear-beastman.
- Satsuki is wearing a ring on her left ring finger.
- The dog-beastmen among the soldiers are noted as unusual
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Character Insight:
Satsuki shows significant emotional growth, being much more affectionate and expressive than before meeting Kento. Marian shows keen intuition regarding Kento’s involvement.
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Behind the Scenes:
The name ‘Ddo-Buddy Cannon’ is a crude pun on the Japanese onomatopoeia ‘dobadoba’ (overflowing/splashing liquid).
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Oromanso – A General serving as the assistant to Duke Roost. Bear beastman.
• 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.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• Kuroalmante – A Holy Knight; one of the elites in the hodgepodge unit.
• Samarefuoso – A Priest and strategic advisor for the unit’s night watches.
• Katz – A Martial Monk and veteran described as an ‘outdated’ relic with immense physical strength, older male and muscular build.
• 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.
• 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.
• Nixfen – A viscount aristocrat who has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district. He is described as a ‘pretty boy’ or ‘gentle-looking man’ (yasao) but is a territory-holding noble likely trained in combat.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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