Chapter 139 A Soft Hint of Worry
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The party with the brewery workers had reached a loud and happy high. The Acting Head of Family and my mother-in-law-to-be poured out the sunrise sake for the brewers, turning it into a kind of cultural exchange.
The brewers tasted the sake—mostly the clear kind—and studied the ingredients and method like true masters at work.
The Torakuma couple listened to the brewers speak about how “Whirlwind” made its drinks. They planned to teach the method to the workers in their land.
The god of sake did not limit the sharing of brewing methods. In fact, he wanted more new drinks to be born. Because of that, I could not complain about sharing the knowledge. Still, I felt as if a big man with a beard had clapped my shoulder and told me not to worry.
”Sorry, Tatara-dono,” the Acting Head of Family said, his face a bit red.
”You had things you needed to do, so I don’t mind,” I said.
The exchange ended a little after noon. The brewers left with some regret because they had to return to work. The Acting Head of Family and Mother-in-law gave a large donation and, in return, received a large amount of sake. Well… it was really a big purchase.
Even after at least four barrels, the Acting Head of Family still looked almost sober. As expected of an oni-level drinker.
”Tatara-san, can we ask you to make a distiller?” Mother-in-law asked.
”We may need the City Mayor’s permission for that,” I said.
”I see… then we must talk with her,” she said.
Mother-in-law, who had emptied eight barrels, showed no change in her face at all. It was scary. It had to be talent, not acting. Maybe Yohira got her strong drinking from her.
The three of us walked near the commercial district. The smell from the food stalls made our stomachs growl—two voices at once.
”Sorry, that was me,” I said. “Let’s get some food from a stall. I’m hungry.”
”It was me, ssu,” the Acting Head of Family said. “I am hungry and wish to buy something from that stall, ssu.”
We looked at each other and laughed, then shared a high five.
”…I am hungry too,” Mother-in-law said softly. “So I agree with both of you.”
All three said yes. We chose a table near the stage since the day was bright with a gentle wind.
We bought skewers, grilled seafood, hot dogs, and even fried pasta. For drinks, we found crafting ale. The Torakuma couple were surprised by the “Whirlwind” custom of mixing spices at home to make crafting drinks.
I chose a ginger base, my favorite. Mother-in-law picked a cinnamon base after hearing my flavor. The Acting Head of Family, a little unsure, chose the same ginger but with a stronger spice. A drink for heavy drinkers—fitting.
We sat and laid out the food. We put our hands together and said a short thanks before eating.
The hot dog sausage had a lot of spice. It was a strong mix with a small smell, but that smell made you want a drink—especially alcohol. The ginger ale matched it so well that it felt planned. The meat was cooked just right, keeping the juice inside. A great pick. Only skilled cooks could run a stall here because the merchant guild master was very strict.
The Acting Head of Family tried a skewer and looked shocked. The last time he ate one, it had cooled on the way home.
”I am surprised,” he said. “This taste from a stall, ssu?”
”The merchant guild master checks every food stall,” I explained. “It takes a lot of work to stand here.”
”I see. A hard place to join, ssu,” he said.
Mother-in-law ate a twist potato covered with red spice—likely chili. Another drinker’s choice.
”But the grilled seafood is a bit weak,” the Acting Head of Family said.
”Nothing beats soy sauce for seafood,” I said. “Now that trade has begun, soy sauce dishes should come soon.”
No spice mix had beaten seafood with soy sauce yet. Butter with spice was nice, but butter with soy sauce still won.
Even so, it went well with ale. Mother-in-law ate more and more.
I reached for the fried pasta, a “Whirlwind” classic. It was like a cousin of fried noodles: soft pasta fried with olive oil, onion, cabbage, and spices. Not a sauce type, more like a salty style. The stalls here used a bit more heat to help with storage and to make you full. Even with a small amount, the taste felt rich.
”It is bad… a sunrise habit. I want soy sauce,” the Acting Head of Family said.
”Why do you always pick seafood things?” I asked.
”I like to fish and eat what I catch. I clean it fresh and eat it right away,” he said. “So when I see seafood at a stall, I cannot stop myself.”
”This man always takes a small bottle of soy sauce or salt when he goes fishing,” Mother-in-law said with a sigh. “He brings the rest home, but he never takes me with him.”
Eating like this felt like a family meal. I felt a bit guilty. Should I be doing this without Yohira?
Someone ruffled my hair.
”Do not think too much, Tatara-dono,” the Acting Head of Family said. “There is nothing wrong with eating with your future family.”
”But you also have your real family time,” I said.
”You worry too much. Our bond will not break over something so small,” he said.
His warm smile eased my heart.
After eating, we stopped by our usual clothing shop. I bought him a polo shirt and jeans. His muscles stood out a lot. I bought the same outfit in another color for Mother-in-law so they could match. She looked happy as she stood close to him, while he stood stiff with nerves.
We bought a few more common outfits and walked home. Even in new clothes, they stood out, but the looks they got were warm, like people were happy to see a loving couple.
”Hmm, we are getting looks, ssu…” he said.
”It is because you both wear the same clothes,” I said. “Here we call it a matching look. Close couples do it a lot.”
”I see. That is why Tatara-san and Ethelena-san sometimes had the same style,” Mother-in-law said.
I had not planned that. Ethelena did it in secret.
”Hmm, then Ichika wore a similar style too?” she asked.
”To be honest, I tried to buy her clothes she liked, but she picked something close to mine,” I said.
”I see. So she began to close the distance that way,” Mother-in-law said with a small smile.
Mother-in-law nodded at my answer to the Acting Head of Family’s question. I could not tell if she saw Ichika’s actions as clever or simply sweet.
We chatted on the way home. At the gate, a bird-shaped golem from the City Mayor was waiting. It was the first time it had come since Cipher took over its task. The Mayor really worked her golems hard.
”Long time no see. What brings you here?” I asked.
The golem flew to my shoulder. A letter was tied to its leg.
”I’ll take this. Thanks,” I said.
I had been told not to send reports until the city festival ended, so I thanked the golem and tried to send it off. But it did not fly away. It looked at me as if it wanted something. What was it?
”I don’t have anything to report now. The City Mayor told me to stop for a while. If something happens, my golem will send a letter to her. You don’t have to come here anymore, okay?”
At that, the golem drooped and then flew off toward the Central Administration in a shaky way, almost like it had feelings.
Worried, I opened the letter. It said that a guest would come tomorrow morning with a request to make a weapon. I hoped the Mayor had explained that, unless they brought the right material, the only magic metals I had were demonsteel and shape memory alloy.
Depending on the job, I might skip tomorrow’s exploration.
”May I hear the letter’s contents?” Mother-in-law asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
”It just says the City Mayor is sending a guest to me tomorrow. They want a weapon made, but nothing more,” I said.
”Then they must be important if the request goes to you,” she said.
”No way. If it were a VIP, the City Mayor would make it herself,” I said.
Even if busy, she would make time for a VIP unless the guest asked for me by name.
As we reached the yard, the jerk and the fool were sparring fast, using forms that aimed at weak spots. Since their bodies could not be hurt, they trained with no fear. Idiots.
A little farther away, Ichika and Hinagiku were also sparring. Because Hinagiku held a katana like the other two, she seemed to be training to receive Ichika’s attacks. I would need to make a katana for her soon.
”To clear my head, I should move as well. I’ll ask Munenori to face me,” the Acting Head of Family said. The fool would suffer.
I watched Ichika fight. She wore the ninja clothes I made yesterday and was testing how they moved. Thanks to her new Flight skill, she kicked off the air to chase Hinagiku when she tried to fly away. It was scary but amazing.
”Foolish fox, you have grown this much!” Hinagiku shouted.
”Your sword is sharper too-degozaru yo. Is this the power of love-degozaru ka?” Ichika answered.
”Hah, same for you!”
”Of course. My body is full of my master’s love-degozaru yo!”
Their words were embarrassing, but their blades were sharp. I wondered if Ichika still planned to learn Sex Sorcery once her Physical Attack Boost ranked up.
”You are loved, Tatara-san,” Mother-in-law said.
”I hope I am loving her enough in return,” I replied.
She laughed softly, maybe trying to tease me. I did hope Ichika felt my love.
”By the way, Mother-in-law, is there a magic device you want?” I asked.
”That was sudden…” she said.
”If it’s simple, I could even make a concept weapon,” I said.
”What is ‘simple’ for you, Tatara-san?” she asked with a weak smile.
To me, building a complex magic device and making a concept weapon were nearly the same. Maybe I should not try to explain.
After thinking, she nodded once.
”It may not count as a magic device, but I want armor like Yohira and Ichika,” she said.
”Armor, huh.”
Her eyes showed clear resolve. Was she planning to join the student action?
”To tell the truth, I do not have battle clothes,” she said.
”Isn’t that normal for a noble’s companion?” I asked.
Well, in my country’s royal family, all side wives had battle clothes. In fact, many noble girls had them in this world. Maybe not having them was strange.
”Even without making the same type as Yohira’s… I don’t want to make armor for a woman,” I said.
”Oh? Why?” she asked.
”Because I would need to measure the body. I can do it for Yohira and Ichika because we are close, but for you, it would be rude to the Acting Head of Family,” I said.
A noble might not mind a commoner seeing their body, but I would. Seeing my future mother-in-law’s body would be even worse. She looked troubled, not sure why.
”Tatara-san, would you feel desire for my skin?” she asked.
”That’s not the point. The Acting Head of Family would not like another man seeing his companion’s skin. I would not like another man seeing Ethelena’s or Yohira’s either,” I said.
It was simple: if I hated something, I would not do it to others, especially to the person they loved.
”I sense my master is in trouble-degozaru,” Ichika said.
”You came at the perfect time,” I said.
She arrived with speed sharp enough to make a “whoosh” sound. In the yard, she and Hinagiku were still fighting… Had she made a clone?
”I am a ninja-degozaru. A clone is easy-degozaru yo,” she said.
”Please stop reading my mind so casually,” I said.
Ichika often knew what I was thinking. It helped, but still.
”Most likely the same as with Ethelena-sama-degozaru. Our souls match well, so your thoughts reach me-degozaru,” she said.
”What even is that?” I said.
”In simple words, heart-to-heart talk-degozaru na,” she said.
”I never thought that phrase was literal,” I said.
”…My master also sees through my lies with one look-degozaru. That is strange too,” she said.
”Is it?” I asked.
Her reason had no proof. A succubus partner should not match with many people. And the reason I could see through her lies was because her eyes could not lie. Her pupils and color changed, and she hated lying deep inside.
”Well, leave our match aside. Can I ask you to handle Mother-in-law’s measurements?” I asked.
Ichika tilted her head.
”You measured me and Yohira directly-degozaru, right?” she asked.
”I can measure my lover’s body, but doing that for her parent is impossible. It feels wrong,” I said.
Ichika gave a small laugh. Was it that strange?
”My master is in trouble, so I will help this time-degozaru. Come, Okusama, we will measure over there-degozaru,” she said.
”Yes, let’s do that,” Mother-in-law said with a smile.
She laughed too. Was I really the only one who thought it was strange?
”…Sorry about Kasumi,” said the Acting Head of Family.
”What—Acting Head of Family!?” I said. I thought he would be sparring to clear the alcohol.
”Munenori and he will be at it for a while. Their exchange was interesting, so I watched,” he said.
”I see…”
”Kasumi seems to see you as family already, so she feels no shame. Also, she was born a noble, so she is used to servants seeing her body,” he said.
”I see…”
”To be honest, I am glad you have normal shame,” he said with a sigh.
He must have had his struggles.
”So, is it really fine for me to make battle clothes because she asked?” I asked.
”If you ask right or wrong, it is wrong. If she needed them, the Emperor would send them,” he said.
”Then… Mother-in-law’s place in sunrise is very heavy, isn’t it?” I asked.
”Very heavy. It is a little after the founding, but she still leads one of the oldest rites in the land,” he said.
I wished someone would stop important people from moving so freely. Gods, rulers, and high nobles came to my house too often.
”For someone who receives gifts from the highest seat of the land, for me to gift something feels rude…” I said.
”It depends on the item. In your case, you might make something better than the Emperor’s treasure,” he said.
I did not know if that was comfort or a warning. My concept weapons could be named national treasures, so I could not deny his words.
”For example, that fishing rod I gave you—” I began.
”That is a family treasure,” he said at once.
The pressure jumped. He really liked that rod.
”No, I mean… would the Emperor see it as a national treasure?” I asked.
”In value, yes. You may not feel it, but true silver is rare. Items made from it can be family or national treasures,” he said.
Did that apply to dishes and fishing rods too?
”We are back, Tatara-san,” Mother-in-law said.
”Returned-degozaru yo, master,” Ichika said.
They came back with a memo full of measurements. Ichika handed it to me… I wished she had left out the bust numbers.
”I can make it with this. Should I use the same structure as Yohira’s ‘Hydrangea’?” I asked.
”Oh? Is a mother-and-daughter pair look rare?” she asked.
”It’s normal. Mother–daughter matching outfits are a thing,” I said.
Their faces were very alike, so with matching colors, people might think they were sisters.
”Do you have a wish for where to add the element?” I asked.
”In that case, could the top be fire with a light pink, and the hakama be water with dark blue?” she asked.
”Color request, huh.”
I had never tried that, but a crafter should try if asked. It would end up more like a kimono than armor, unlike Yohira’s Hydrangea.
I went into the workshop to begin. Mother-in-law and the Acting Head of Family came to watch. The clone of Ichika faded away to focus on training.
I strengthened mithril silver thread with royal gems. I made threads with different elements. Then I wove the fabric, using a different method for top and bottom.
To make light pink, I mixed fire threads with plain mithril silver threads. Ice would make white, but fire and ice would cancel each other, so I avoided that. Saint mithril was another option, but youkai and angel auras might clash.
The color came out more like cherry pink. It still kept element absorb, but I was not sure if it matched her wish.
”Oh my, it is a lovely cherry color,” she said.
”S-sorry,” I said.
”Do not worry, Tatara-dono. Kasumi loves cherry blossoms,” the Acting Head of Family said.
I turned. He was honest; his eyes showed no gentle lie.
”I thought cherry pink would look silly at my age,” she said.
”It suits you. You look young,” I said.
”Kasumi is beautiful at any age. Hold your head high,” he said.
She had avoided the color because of age, but it fit her. If someone pointed out her age, the City Mayor or Sister Kareha might kill them. And Rachel-san would wear matching outfits with Albert-san for sure.
After that, I wove the hakama cloth. I used water-element thread and earth-element thread, layering water on top and earth under to make a deep blue. It came out very well.
When I began sewing, Mother-in-law guided me. In sunrise, making clothes from cloth was a must-have skill for women. Her teaching was strict but clear, and we made a fine kimono. I wove the belt with wind-element thread. Last, I used mithril thread to add cherry blossoms on the top and white waves on the hakama.
For someone without fashion sense, I felt proud. A good teacher changed everything.
”Thanks to you, it came out well. Thank you for teaching me how to make a kimono,” I said.
”No, I never thought I would receive such a wonderful outfit. Hehe. New clothes make my heart beat fast no matter the age,” she said with a girlish smile.
Seeing that smile made me glad I made it. Yes, now was the time.
”So, Mother-in-law, may I ask for a reward for making it?” I asked.
”Oh my, that is rare from you. What is it?” she asked.
I glanced at the Acting Head of Family and grinned.
”I’m going to make the Acting Head of Family’s arcane armor ‘Daiguren’, so please adjust the artificial muscle and spell formula,” I said.
”Yes, with pleasure,” she answered at once.
”Wait, what!?” the Acting Head of Family shouted.
Mother-in-law and I both looked at him with the same confused face. We were oddly in sync.
”What is wrong, dear?” she asked.
”What is an arcane armor!?” he asked.
”Oh, should I call it a mobile armor instead? It is a magic device, so I say arcane armor, but it has a power core, so mobile armor ‘Daiguren’ also works,” I said.
”It sounds cool, but that is not the issue!” he said.
I had shifted the point a little on purpose, and his big reaction was perfect. Mother-in-law hid behind him and laughed quietly.
”Fine, maybe another name would be better. Aarem called his a Telekinesis Armor, but the merchant guild master said it sounded too heavy and scared children away,” I said.
”Hmm. I like ‘Telekinesis Armor Aarem’. It sounds like the title of a tale… no, that is not the point!” the Acting Head of Family said.
”Then how about ‘Mobile Gusoku Daiguren’?” I said.
”Oh, that stirs my heart—no, that is still not the point!” he said.
After so many outbursts, he was out of breath. Time to explain the real purpose.
”Let me tell you the specs of this Arcane Armor ‘Daiguren’,” I said.
”That interests me, but… why ‘Daiguren’ all of a sudden?” he asked.
”When you showed it to me, I promised to analyze it and make a better one,” I said.
I had fired him up to secure his help, but I already intended to repay him. I had planned to gift a mithril armor to celebrate his succession. Even if early, it would not cause issues unless he belonged to a hostile faction.
”You forced me to buy Aarem for 1,000,000, so this much is fair, right?” I said.
”Tatara-dono, why does your smile carry pressure!?” he said.
A smile was originally baring fangs, or so some said. True or not, mine probably looked like that now.
”All right, I will measure you for the armor,” I said.
”Very well,” he said.
”Mother-in-law, strip him,” I said.
”Leave it to me,” she said.
”I am not undressing myself, Kasumi is stripping me!?” he cried.
Mother-in-law grabbed him and began removing his clothes. He struggled, but she completely overpowered him. She had impressive physical skill.
In minutes, he was left in just a loincloth, hugging himself and quietly weeping.
”Dear, you are not a maiden. Do not cry,” she said.
”You are cruel!” he said.
He protested with his powerful oni body. They really were a different level of being.
”Let’s measure you,” I said.
”T-Tatara-dono, mercy exists—”
”I tried to refuse, and you still forced 1,000,000 on me,” I said.
He froze. A taste of his own medicine. I began measuring with thread. His left arm and leg were slightly thicker from training with the blade and kicking, yet the balance was beautiful. Oni lived long, so he must have trained for decades, maybe centuries. Yohira inherited his blood, so her devotion to training made sense.
”…Your expression changed completely,” he said.
”When you face the sword seriously, your expression changes too. I face the forge the same way,” I said.
”Then it is like mother and daughter both fell for the same type of man,” he said.
”Hehe, that may not be wrong,” Mother-in-law said.
I heard them talk, but focused on the blueprint.
I redesigned Daiguren using what I had learned from Aarem. I matched the format to my ‘Kokkou’ and made it like a Japanese armor.
For an upgrade, I added large shoulder guards and combined a levitation stone with a resonance spell formula to create floating shields like Sister Kareha’s. That would reduce interference with his katana style.
All cords were twisted mithril thread for strength, but enchanted so they could be undone instantly in emergencies. Better for Mother-in-law, who knew both magic and crafting.
The armor was thick from copying the old Daiguren, but lighter thanks to mithril. To offset weight further, I engraved anti-gravity inside.
”Tatara-san, let’s start the inner structure. We will inscribe the artificial muscle spell formula. Watch Master’s technique like your life depends on it,” Mother-in-law said.
I had not formally become her student, but I listened seriously. I even activated Concept Appraisal.
I forged orichalcum joints and layered Evil Mithril inside. After placing them on his arms, Mother-in-law engraved the spell formula. The detail and information far surpassed what I used in Kokkou. Her devotion to making it for the one she loved was incredible. I would learn all of it.
She finished the arms, then back, waist, legs, filling each with dedicated formulas. When the inner frame was ready, we began attaching armor.
Piece by piece, we built the Japanese-style plating and tied it with cords. I covered the artificial muscle with mithril cloth and embroidered subtle cherry blossoms, matching Mother-in-law’s. She hid behind him and gave me a thumbs-up only I could see. Truly a loving couple.
For the head, horns made helmets tricky, so I made a hachigane and menpō integrated like a hunting-game set.
Finally, I added elemental gems. Fire to the headpiece for flame-like hair. Water to the cuirass for defense. Earth on the arms for durability—the Ryūzetsuran already excelled at offense. Wind to the legs for mobility.
”…Finished,” I said.
”It resembles Daiguren, but is completely different…” he said.
He stood before a mirror wearing the armor. With no helmet covering the horns, he looked every bit like a mythical oni general.
”Tatra-san, what is the name of this Daiguren?” Mother-in-law asked.
”It works as is, but to set it apart, perhaps ‘Fūrinkazan’,” I said.
”Tatara-dono, have you not known too much about our land for a while?” he said.
”Do I?” I said.
Oops. I used the famous banner phrase. Time to bluff.
”I saw it when reading old texts. It looked like a war principle. Was it from sunrise?” I said.
”Hmm, that general took it from continental strategy texts. Then it could reach here too,” he said.
Good, that worked. Mother-in-law still looked slightly suspicious, but fine.
Once both armors were done, we went to the yard. The fool and Hinagiku were meditating. The jerk supervised. Ichika cooked.
”I’m back, I’ll help,” I said.
”Master’s here—now we win-degozaru!” Ichika said.
”Is that a dialect from somewhere?” I asked.
I had not heard that phrase from Ichika in a while. Her smile was bright as always. I looked at what she had cooked—shigureni, by the smell. It would be rich and sweet, so I made a light miso soup to balance it. I used white miso with tomato, cabbage, and onion. No broth—just bringing out the vegetables’ flavors. Sweet from the onion and cabbage, fresh from the tomato. Almost dessert-like, but still refreshing. With shrimp or squid, it could be a main dish.
When training ended, Hinagiku walked the fool home, and the jerk returned to the Central Administration. We waited for Ethelena and the others to come back, washed up, and ate together. Mother-in-law guided Ethelena on how to use chopsticks while I ate Ichika’s shigureni. Its rich sweet-salty taste made rice disappear fast. She must have added sesame to the meat as well—it was aromatic. The meat was tender yet springy, and each bite released savory juices.
When my mouth felt heavy, I sipped miso soup. It could not match the strong flavor of shigureni, but it cleaned the palate perfectly. Sweet vegetables first, then tomato’s acidity.
”Hmmm, master’s miso soup is delicious-degozaru, but it loses to my shigureni today-degozaru,” Ichika said.
”Then shall I add a little lemon peel?” I asked.
”Yes please-degozaru!”
”Tatara-san, may I have some too?” Mother-in-law asked.
Cipher picked a lemon from a pot, and I grated some peel into their soup. I added some to mine too. The citrus scent made it even lighter and left a fresh aftertaste.
”Tatara, I want some too!”
”And for mine as well!”
Father and daughter held out their bowls. I smiled and shared. The mood at the table made Ethelena smile too.
Our dinner was full of warmth again.
After we cleaned up, Ethelena stayed at the table and said, “We’ve gathered enough status-up items for everyone.”
Yohira, sipping tea, added, “My Steal skill reached IV. I must pick the next one soon.”
”That was fast,” I said.
She had mastered it in days. Almost like Ethelena’s speed with sex sorcery. Maybe strengthening the skill with Concept Appraisal and the increased kills from Tsubamegaeshi had multiplied the experience.
”Then Torakuma should take Sex Sorcery next,” I said.
”Hmph, Temari-bana is enough to counter charm,” she said.
”No, yesterday Ethelena said something terrifying…” I said.
I explained how my Sex Sorcery nearly broke Ichika and Tatia. Yohira pressed her forehead like she had a headache.
”…Tatara, were you reincarnated as an incubus?” she asked.
”Please stop. After hearing I’m five times stronger than a normal succubus, I’m questioning my humanity already,” I said.
Even I wondered if my manhood had cheat magic from some forbidden game. If Yohira didn’t learn Sex Sorcery soon, she might lose her sharp mind because of me. What a weird problem.
”Tomorrow morning, I have a guest because of the City Mayor,” I said.
”Then Tatia, we, and I will finish the status boosts and go explore,” Yohira said.
”If the request ends early, I want to join. Train a little with the three of you in the yard,” I said.
”Sure,” she said.
Tatia had gone home for curfew, but I could contact her by telepathy. Speaking of training—
”How was the sword today, Ethelena?” I asked.
”Uh… normal?” she said.
She seemed unsure how to judge herself. Yohira looked troubled.
”To be honest, I cannot evaluate her sword skills,” Yohira said.
”Really?” I asked.
”Yes. Her talent is on another level. She swung as if cutting was guaranteed. I lost count of how many heads she would have taken today,” she said.
It sounded like how Yohira used Concept Appraisal to guarantee critical hits. Was Ethelena that skilled?
”But there is a problem,” Yohira said.
”What problem?” we both asked.
She nodded and continued.
”Ethelena likely cannot swing at humans. She can only fight monsters.”
The words left me conflicted. Not being able to cut people was both good and bad—especially with the student movement ‘Whirlwind’ approaching.
”Torakuma, what makes you think that?” Ethelena asked.
”When you fought the little oni, I suspected it. When you faced the orc and vampire, I became certain,” she said.
So something happened when she fought humanoid monsters.
”But she cut the neck cleanly from behind, right?” I said.
”Eh?” Ethelena said.
”She can cut weak points easily—likely more skilled than me. But having the talent to cut people is different,” Yohira said.
She felt that Ethelena lacked the instinct for human combat. Her empathy might stop her blade.
”When you say it like that… yes, she may struggle against people,” I said.
”So you agree with Torakuma?” Ethelena asked.
”I still don’t think you’re suited for battle,” I said.
Maybe Baral had seen that too, which was why he did not teach her swordsmanship directly.
”If you two worry, I’ll keep using it for self-defense only. The skill leveled up again today anyway,” she said.
”You’re kidding,” I said.
Another ridiculous growth.
”And Tatara, make me a mithril single-edged sword. I prefer a thinner blade, unlike father,” she said.
Her self-awareness was good. The fool’s evaluation had been correct.
We set tomorrow’s plan. I went to the forge to make her sword. I checked the scratches on the returned iron sword and it confirmed she fit a single-edged blade. I forged a mithril katana and a single-edged sword, then added Sky Rend. After that, I slept, hoping to see her sword skills myself tomorrow.
Morning came. I was making breakfast when the doorbell rang. So early? The Mayor’s guest must have arrived. I went to greet them and saw three figures.
I opened the gate and froze.
”Ku-ku, a fine morning, Tatara Julon. I shall impose on you today,” said the first.
”Hm, the young man from back then. You were Tatara Julon after all,” said the second.
”Eeeeh!?” I said.
The Immortal King stood in formal wear again. Beside him, a dark-skinned woman with an eyepatch around the City Mayor’s age, and the blonde woman who had guarded them before.
I should have realized those two were related from the start.
Notes:
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name. Oni warrior.
• Ichika – The fox girl. Kunoichi. Virgincest⚠️, becomes pregnant immediately.
• Cipher – Tatara’s familiar, sent to guard Tatia.
• Hinagiku – A tengu woman as Ranka’s potential companion. She stays with Tatara’s group after travels. Joins household scenes only. Linked to Ranka by shared gluttony jokes. No direct tie to Tatara beyond cohabitation. Cheerful eater.
• Albert – Male character who fondly recalls Tatara’s father’s sincerity and popularity. Valued member of Tatara’s circle; has significantly helped Tatara more than he realizes, embodying the city’s supportive community spirit.
• Kareha – A human paladin and nun appearing in ch.71. She requests new weapons from Tatara after past battles damaged hers. The order sends her under church duty. Works with Tatara and Dahlia as ally. Close to Ranka. Strong, polite, and fearless.
• Rachel – Female character agreeing with Albert’s praise of Tatara’s father. Happy to join Tatara’s close-knit group. Sunny’s mother—grateful guest, financially struggling but resilient.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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