Chapter 325 Social Studies Field Trip ④
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kento’s social studies field trip ¹ with His Highness Roland continued. While I spent the walk dodging the “womanizer” suspicions cast on me by a series of unfortunate coincidences, we finally arrived at my shop.
”I’m home!” I called out.
”E-excuse me for… intruding,” Roland said tentatively.
The bell hanging on the door gave a sharp metallic jingle as we entered. True to form, the young Prince stepped into my dubious magic circuit shop ² as if he were walking into a lion’s den.
”Welcome home, Master,” Lily said.
My beloved slave Lily emerged from the back. Completely ignoring Roland’s presence, she immediately leaned in, pouting for her usual “welcome home” kiss. Well, yeah, I have my reservations about doing this in front of guests, but when she asks like that, I can’t exactly say no. I wrapped a hand around her waist and kissed her. Roland turned bright red, fidgeting restlessly as if he’d stumbled into a private bathhouse.
”And who might this be?” Lily asked.
”Ah, right. This is him. While we’re in the castle town, we’re calling him Roly, so keep that in mind. Roly, this is Lily, my shop assistant,” I said.
”Ah, yes! P-pleased to meet you…!” Roland stammered.
The Prince greeted Lily with flushed cheeks. Honestly, was the beauty of my beloved slave too much for a boy his age? Or maybe he was just still reeling from the display he’d just witnessed. Between his older sister and the maids at the palace, he’s surrounded by beauties, so he should be used to it. Then again, he might just be thinking: The rumors are true… he really does keep a harem.
”So, what brings you back? I thought you had classes all day,” Lily noted.
”The bags were getting in the way. I figured I’d have Muse look after them,” I explained.
”I see. Well, she should be here any moment then,” Lily replied.
Right on cue, the door swung open and Muse, the maid serving Her Majesty the Queen, walked in. I hadn’t sensed her at all, but she must have been tailing us from the shadows the whole time.
”Good work, Muse. Sorry to bother you, but could you take these? They’re the first things Roly’s ever bought for himself,” I said.
”Of course. I shall guard them with the utmost care. Lady Cecile is pacing the palace floors in anticipation, and I’m sure Roland’s personal maids will be relieved to see these,” Muse said.
”Relieved? They’re just overpriced junk from a street stall,” I pointed out.
”Sir, knowing those maids, they’ll probably start a petition to have these declared National Treasures ³,” Muse joked.
Muse headed back to her duties with a playful parting shot. I thought she was kidding, but Roland turned beet-red and whispered, “Knowing them… they actually might.” Man, being a Prince sounds exhausting.
With my hands finally free, I was about to suggest our next stop to the Prince when an angelic wail erupted from the back of the shop. Enter: my beloved daughter, the Great Lady Momo.
”Ahhh! Baaa! Uuu-uuu!”
”Muu… What is it, Momo? Daddy’s working right now, you know,” I said.
”Momo is such a good girl,” Tania added, “she knew the moment her papa was home. Umu.”
Since Momo isn’t walking yet, she arrived with a full escort: my beloved elf, Tania, and my loyal dog-girl, Laika. As they got closer, Momo began squirming in Tania’s arms, desperately reaching out until she practically launched herself into my chest.
”Aww, who’s a daddy’s girl?! Did you miss your papa that much? You’re so cute! Such a good girl, yes you are!” I cooed.
”Ai—! Nn, ah!” Momo chirped.
I couldn’t help it; I started fussing over her like I always do – spinning her around, giving her airplane rides, and nuzzling my face against her soft, squishy cheeks.
However, Lady Momo seemed to have a point to make. She grabbed a fistful of my hair and let out a sharp cry. Following her pointing finger, I saw a very stunned young boy.
”Um… P-papa? You mean…?” Roland asked.
”That’s right. This is my daughter – the hope and salvation of all living things, the Great Lady Momo,” I declared.
”The… salvation of all things?” Roland repeated, confused.
”Go on, Momo. Say hello,” I said.
”Nn-ah!”
”A-ah, h-hello…?” Roland stammered.
Momo gave him a little “Yo, what’s up?” wave, while the Prince gave a formal, polite bow to a literal infant. It was already clear, but this girl is definitely going to be someone big one day.
”A baby… It’s the first time I’ve ever actually seen one,” Roland whispered.
”Oh, I guess that makes sense. People don’t exactly bring babies to the royal palace for fun. Here, want to try holding her?” I offered.
”WHAT?!” Roland cried.
Ignoring his panic, I tucked my hands under Momo’s arms and held her out. It wasn’t exactly on the lesson plan, but this is a different kind of education. Her neck is stable now, so as long as he supported her bottom, he’d be fine.
”S-she’s so warm…” Roland said softly.
”That’s because she’s alive. Cute, isn’t she?” I asked.
”Y-yes…” Roland replied.
Roland looked like he was having a minor existential crisis, but he held her securely nonetheless. Momo, sensing his nervousness, was surprisingly well-behaved. After a minute, I took her back. Roland stood there dazed, staring at his palms and rubbing the shoulder where her chin had rested. When he finally spoke, he sounded breathless.
”Life is… incredible, isn’t it?” Roland asked.
”Heh. You got that right. Next time you see her, she’ll be even bigger and heavier,” I said.
”Right… yeah, I suppose she will be,” Roland replied.
He watched Momo in my arms with a hollow, thoughtful expression. I didn’t want to weigh him down, but if he’s going to be King, the lives of thousands of kids like her will one day rest on his shoulders. I hope he learns to carry that weight, bit by bit.
”Anyway, I should introduce the rest of the family. Roly, this is Tania the elf, and Laika the dog-beastman,” I said.
”A-ah, yes. Pleased to meet you,” Roland said.
”Indeed. I am Tania. I look forward to our acquaintance. Umu,” Tania said formally.
”I’m Laika! Nice to meet ya!” Laika chirped.
Tania and Laika were as casual as ever. They definitely know he’s the Crown Prince, but compared to Momo, even royalty is just another face in the crowd. Then again, I’m one to talk.
”Wait… h-hold on…! Tania… an elf… and her name is Tania…!?” Roland gasped.
The gears finally clicked. Roland began to panic, looking Tania up and down – from her boots to her pointed ears and silver hair. His mouth hung open. He looked like he was staring at a living statue.
”Yes. I am Tania,” she said simply.
”R-really?! The Founding Hero ⁴ Tania?! The one who served the First King, built the very foundations of our national magic, and has guided the kingdom for generations?! The legend?!” Roland exclaimed.
I looked at Tania, who was shifting uncomfortably under the praise. To her, she’s just keeping a promise to an old friend, but to a normal person, she’s a god.
”I-it is the greatest honor of my life to meet you!” Roland cried.
”Umu. Well, I am glad to meet you too. It seems the next generation is growing up with a good head on its shoulders,” Tania said.
Roland looked at her with the sparkling eyes of a puppy. Tania softened her gaze, seemingly not minding the adoration.
”Your spirit reminds me of the First King… He was a man who loved his people and was loved in return. And… you have the look of the Eighth in your eyes. Even after all these centuries, the blood doesn’t lie,” Tania said.
”The First… and the Eighth?! You mean the Wise King Carlyle?! Oh… oh wow…!” Roland breathed.
Tania might have been laying it on a bit thick, but it made his day. The kid clearly knew his history; he looked like his heart was about to burst from pure joy. He wanted to keep talking, but we had a schedule to keep. I told him he’d have to wait for her stories another time. Tania isn’t much for reminiscing anyway.
”Um, Mr. Kento… could I ask one more thing?” Roland asked as we stepped out of the shop.
He looked up at me, and I had a bad feeling about this, but I told him to go ahead.
”I-if I’m not mistaken… Tania and Laika… their bellies looked a little… large?” Roland asked hesitantly.
And once again, I found myself completely at a loss for words.
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Summary:
Kento takes Prince Roland to his shop, where the Prince experiences a series of ‘firsts.’ He meets Kento’s family, including his infant daughter Momo and the legendary hero Tania. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Roland notices something physical about Kento’s companions.
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Trivia:
- Muse has been guarding them from the shadows the entire time.
- Roland has never seen a human baby before despite living in the palace.
- Tania is a ‘Founding Hero’ who has lived for centuries.
- The Prince’s incognito name is ‘Roly.’
- The protagonist’s name in Japanese order is Kento
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Character Insight:
Roland shows significant personal growth and awe when confronted with common life experiences (a baby) and national legends (Tania). Kento continues to balance his identity as a doting father with his role as a shop owner with powerful, non-human companions.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the Prince’s perspective to re-ground the reader in how extraordinary Kento’s ‘normal’ household actually is to a resident of this world.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• 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.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
• 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.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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