Chapter 174 A Heartfelt Wish
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kalan Nahazhuto. He is the former Emperor of the Nahazhuto Empire, the homeland to which the dungeon city of Whirlwind—where we live—belongs. He is also the protagonist of the very first game from this company that I ever played.
The core simulation system used in the later titles was built on the foundation established by that game, then continuously refined and expanded over time.
The first installment told a story of revenge and conquest. The second focused on separation and resolve. According to the official history, Kalan lived a life defined by repeatedly losing those he loved most, yet in the end, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by the people he cherished.
Perhaps because of that cruel destiny, he became a severe and uncompromising person. He shows absolutely no mercy to his enemies. At the same time, however, he is astonishingly indulgent toward anyone he considers part of his inner circle.
One of his defining traits is his heritage. Kalan is a child of the night-dark race, born between a¹ Demon Lord and a human. He even possesses the potential to ascend into godhood and become a Demon Lord himself. In several bad endings from previous games, he awakened as a Demon Lord and stood against the² Godslayer. In some routes, he even killed the protagonist outright.
Although his raw potential is overwhelming, his greatest strength is unquestionably his charisma. He attracted even enemy generals to his side and transformed his homeland into one of the continent’s great powers. That alone says enough about the extent of his influence.
So what happens when someone like that suddenly appears right in front of you?
Simple.
A nobody like me passes out on the spot.
I only lost consciousness for a few seconds, but even that much could easily be interpreted as disrespect. If someone killed me for such insolence, I wouldn’t even have grounds to complain.
And I absolutely cannot die here.
If I die now, the child Ethelena carries would die with me.
I force my consciousness awake through sheer willpower, then immediately drop to one knee and bow my head deeply.
”P-please forgive my terrible rudeness!!”
I had fainted in front of him. Even if it was only for an instant, apologizing was unavoidable.
For a moment, I considered introducing myself first, but I remembered reading somewhere that stating your name before being asked was itself considered rude in noble etiquette. I couldn’t even move properly.
In contrast to my panic, Kalan remained silent.
His presence was intimidating, but strangely enough, it didn’t feel intentional. If anything, he looked more confused than threatening.
”Uh… well, I am part of the imperial family, but I’ve already abdicated. You don’t need to panic and bow like that.”
”…Could it be he isn’t scared because of Kalan’s reputation or titles?” Seras whispered.
”Yeah… am I really that scary?” Kalan asked.
The protagonist couple standing before me exchanged confused remarks, but my fear had nothing to do with titles or legends.
It was their strength.
Just standing in front of them, I could instinctively tell these two were incomparably stronger than me. If they wanted, they could kill me before I even realized what happened.
Still, remaining terrified forever would itself become disrespectful.
Besides… for some reason, Kalan’s voice felt strangely familiar.
”Well, if a member of the imperial family suddenly appeared in front of you, fainting would be understandable. I’ll forgive what happened earlier, so raise your head and tell me your name. I’ve read reports about you, but this is our first formal meeting.”
”Y-yes!”
Honestly, I should’ve felt grateful for his generosity, but I was far too nervous to think clearly.
As instructed, I slowly raised my head and met Kalan’s eyes.
(Why do I recognize those eyes?)
Not through a screen.
Not from a game.
It felt more like I had actually met him somewhere before.
”I… no, my name is Tatara Julon.”
”I am Kalan Nahazhuto. You don’t have to be so formal. If you tense up too much, you’ll only end up making a strange mistake.”
His words eased some of my tension, though not nearly enough.
(What even is this situation?)
”I am Seras Nahazhuto. Technically, I suppose that makes me the former Empress. Nice to meet you?”
Seras smiled warmly as she introduced herself.
Did I manage to smile back properly?
Seras Nahazhuto hadn’t been the main heroine in the original conquest game. She was Kalan’s childhood friend, and depending on the route, she was the woman who took his virginity.
Well, according to official history, he actually lost it earlier to a certain Sister he seduced first.
During the conquest story, Seras quietly watched Kalan and the main heroine fall in love, wished for their happiness, and eventually stepped aside to travel the world alone.
But in the sequel, her role changed dramatically.
After the death of the main heroine—the official first wife—Seras inherited that position and continued supporting Kalan as his primary partner.
Originally, she wasn’t the type to settle down anywhere. She was more like a wandering cat, drifting wherever she pleased.
Even so, she chose to remain by Kalan’s side out of love.
Later fanbooks revealed that, because of her³ Succubus bloodline, she eventually gave birth to around five children with him. The current Emperor himself is one of their children.
Honestly, she probably had more erotic scenes with Kalan than anyone else in the series.
Well… except maybe the saintess of the Goddess of Darkness.
The official materials even joked about calling her a “s*x-tess.”
”S-so… what brings you here today?” I asked.
”Your speech has become strange from nervousness… well, that’s fine.”
Kalan gave a bitter smile.
Meanwhile, I was so tense I couldn’t even fix the way I spoke anymore.
”There are several things I’d like you to make. And there are also some matters I need to discuss with you.”
”So… production requests and official matters?”
Kalan nodded once, then shifted his gaze toward the City Mayor and Calmys-san.
”First, regarding the official matters. We’ve decided to move the inspection team’s arrival forward. They will now arrive on the first day of the City Festival.”
”…Huh!?”
All three of us shouted at once.
”T-the inspection that was supposed to happen on the final day is moving to the first!?” I asked.
”Correct. Furthermore, they will remain here for the entire five-day festival.”
Kalan answered calmly while the City Mayor nearly lost her voice.
This was absurd.
Whirlwind had no large-scale military facilities. There were no barracks capable of housing Imperial regular soldiers.
And during the City Festival, every inn and lodging house in the city was already packed with tourists and performers.
There was literally nowhere for them to stay.
”Well, I am aware that this city lacks military facilities and spare lodging at this time of year. Which is precisely why I need accommodations for part of the imperial family and their guards.”
(In other words, they want to stay at my house.)
Absolutely not.
When I glanced toward the City Mayor, her eyes had already rolled halfway back into her head.
Understandably so.
She was basically the only person in the city with both the status and house size capable of hosting royalty. Calmys-san could also serve as security.
”…Tatara?” the City Mayor asked weakly.
”It’s impossible at my house. I’m already renting rooms to the Part-Time Leaders, so there’s no space left. Sure, I could buy neighboring land and expand the house, but that’s not something that can happen overnight.”
”…Wait,” Seras said slowly. “You didn’t say you couldn’t build one.”
I answered the Mayor’s plea immediately, but Seras caught the detail I hadn’t realized I’d left open.
Sharp.
”Come to think of it, Seras didn’t know,” Kalan said casually. “Tatara can build a house in an hour.”
”That’s an interesting joke.”
Seras laughed.
She was the only one.
The moment she noticed nobody else was laughing, her expression stiffened.
”…Wait. You’re serious?”
”Yes,” I replied. “Even fairly large facilities can be completed within a day.”
An arena capable of seating over a thousand people could be built in a single day with my Golems.
At that point, it wasn’t surprising people had started using “Tatara-ing”⁴ as a verb.
(Though I really wish they wouldn’t.)
”Come to think of it,” Kalan said, “did you also build that arena?”
”I left the interior work to the Merchant Guild staff, but I finished the structure itself in around half a day.”
…Wait.
Did Kalan know about the Aarem⁵ arena personally?
The way he spoke made it sound like he’d actually visited it himself.
”What arena?” I asked carefully.
”The one we discussed last night. The arena related to the new Aarem technology.”
”The thing you were so excited about?” Seras asked. “Is it really that impressive?”
”Beyond the scale alone, the equipment quality is exceptional. Frankly, it’s superior to anything in the Imperial Capital.”
I suddenly had a very bad feeling.
Could that regular soldier from yesterday actually have been—
”Um… Kalan-sama?”
”Ah, that’s still too formal. Just use ‘sama.’”
”T-then… Kalan-sama. Were you, by any chance, at the Aarem arena yesterday?”
”…What, you really didn’t notice?”
Kalan casually pulled something from his Inventory⁶ and placed it on his head.
An Imperial Scout Unit helmet.
My mind froze.
”I-I deeply apologize for my rudeness!!”
I slammed my forehead into the floor in a perfect dogeza⁷.
The person I’d casually spoken with yesterday had been the former Emperor himself.
That level of familiarity bordered on treason.
Was I going to be executed!?
”N-no, no, no!?”
Kalan looked far more panicked than I was.
”I’m the one who hid my identity! Don’t apologize like you’re preparing for execution!”
”B-but even so, speaking that casually to someone of your status is—”
”I genuinely don’t mind. Honestly, it felt refreshing. I relied on that normal interaction myself.”
”…Why are you two competing over whose fault it was?” Seras asked flatly.
That deadpan remark finally snapped both of us back to reality.
”A-anyway, let’s just treat yesterday as a special case. If you want, you can interact with me the same way you did yesterday.”
”That kind of attitude toward royalty would destroy my stomach…”
”W-well, for now, can we return to the request?”
”Y-yes…”
Trying to smooth things over, Kalan awkwardly steered the conversation forward while I desperately tried to calm my nerves.
”I’ll begin with a tactical application based on the Magic Device⁸ you created.”
The object she presented was a square pillar roughly 120 cm tall and 25 cm wide. Because the device stored map and positional data connected to the Whirlwind⁹ system, linked monitors could retrieve location information through connected sub-units.
”…This thing is going to consume an absurd amount of Mana¹⁰, isn’t it?” I asked.
”Yes. Consumption scales according to the number of managed sub-units. For now, I’m using an ‘Alchemist’s Egg’¹¹ as the power source, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
”That’s the only problem!?” the City Mayor snapped.
(I used the Egg because I wanted the system to operate independently, but apparently that decision nearly gave her a heart attack.)
”I understand the concern, but this technology has long-term potential. More importantly, any approved member can connect their equipment to the system and gain indirect access to the sub-units.”
”I know it’s useful,” she groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead, “but please stop assaulting my sanity with experimental technology.”
She sounded genuinely exhausted.
Personally, I still thought it was incredibly convenient.
”…We’ll use it during the City Festival, but only after additional testing,” the Mayor decided. “I understand how dangerously effective it is, but if this technology is abused, the consequences could be severe.”
Relief and guilt hit me at the same time.
Maybe I really had introduced too much too quickly.
”…You seem to be having a difficult time,” Kalan remarked.
”I’ve known this child since he was little,” the Mayor replied with a tired smile. “I’m used to it by now.”
Kalan chuckled quietly at that exchange.
Honestly, I still wasn’t sure how casually the Mayor was allowed to speak around him, but apparently nobody else found it strange.
”City Mayor, there’s something else I’d like to request.”
”What is it?”
”The monitor installation project we discussed with the Head of the Judiciary the other day. Is there any way we can finish it today?”
The Mayor narrowed her eyes immediately.
”This is because of the inspection team’s emergency response plans, isn’t it?”
”Yes. Information speed is going to determine everything.”
With the student movement becoming increasingly dangerous, monitor installations across major facilities had become urgent. If orders from city leadership failed to spread quickly enough, responses from the vigilante corps, immigration gates, hospitals, and research facilities would all be delayed.
And delayed responses meant casualties.
If the inspection team’s extended stay accelerated the student movement’s plans, then even if we couldn’t strike first, we at least needed to react faster.
”…Understood,” the Mayor said at last. “I’ll accompany you personally and visit each facility together.”
”…Really?”
”If we’re persuading facility managers, it’ll go much faster if I handle it directly. And if necessary, I’ll authorize household Mana Reactor¹² installations on-site.”
That support helped immensely.
The Mayor’s authority carried official weight. A direct request from her would move far faster than formal paperwork ever could.
”In exchange,” she continued, “send advance notice to every location first. Your bird-shaped Golem¹³ is faster than any courier, so use it properly.”
”Understood. I’ll summon him immediately… where should I send him?”
”That child already knows the office. Send him here.”
”Got it.”
Following the Mayor’s instructions, I contacted Cipher through ‘Telepathy’¹⁴ and called him to the office.
Kalan watched the entire exchange with obvious interest.
”You two are doing something rather impressive here.”
”Ah, well…”
”Don’t apologize,” Kalan interrupted. “This concerns the city’s public safety. What you’re trying to accomplish is entirely reasonable.”
Even after I’d effectively ignored royalty to focus on work, he responded with nothing but understanding.
Honestly, it made me feel worse.
”In that case,” Kalan said casually, “I think I’ll accompany you while you install these Magic Devices.”
”…What!?”
The Mayor, Calmys, and I all reacted at once.
”W-wait a moment, please!” I blurted out.
”Wouldn’t it be a serious problem if people discovered royalty was present in the city!?” the Mayor added immediately.
Calmys silently nodded beside her.
Kalan only smiled.
”Naturally, I’ll conceal my identity. I’ll accompany you dressed as an Imperial Army soldier, just like yesterday.”
”Then I’ll come as well,” Seras added cheerfully. “My swordsmanship is actually fairly decent.”
(You two are complete overkill for city patrol duty.)
Honestly, Kalan was probably stronger than Calmys herself.
Naturally, I couldn’t say that aloud.
At this point, even my thoughts felt dangerously close to treason.
The stress alone was starting to hurt my stomach.
* * *
After failing to persuade them otherwise, I ended up touring the city’s facilities alongside Kalan and Seras.
While the two of them changed clothes, I used the newly arrived Cipher to distribute notices across the city.
The Mayor had apparently assumed there were bird-shaped Golems assigned to every facility, but in reality, only major department heads, religious facilities, and I possessed them.
Not that I needed more.
Cipher alone was enough.
At full speed, he could cover every important location in Whirlwind¹⁵ and still have time left over. Thanks to the ‘Golem Enhancement’ effect from my ‘Golem Crafting’¹⁶ Skill, all his base stats had increased by fifty, while his movement speed had risen by five.
”…The former emperor seems unusually fond of you,” the Mayor observed while we waited.
Honestly, she wasn’t wrong.
We’d barely spoken yesterday, yet Kalan already treated me strangely well.
”To be honest, I’m confused too,” I admitted. “I don’t remember saying anything particularly likable.”
If anything, I had openly discussed my thoughts about him.
There was no way that should’ve improved his opinion of me.
”…If I had to guess,” I continued, “maybe it’s because I’m trying to improve life for the people of the Empire.”
”…Even for someone called the Bloody Emperor?”
”The reason he’s stained in blood is because he tried to improve the country.”
Despite the violent reputation attached to his name, Kalan himself fundamentally disliked warfare. That influence likely came from his first wife.
He accepted combat when necessary, but after the Empire’s founding, he rarely pursued conquest for its own sake.
He mourned the dead.
He worried about civilians impoverished by war.
Looking back at Kalan Nahazhuto’s reign objectively, there were surprisingly few military campaigns after the Empire stabilized.
And yet history still called him a usurper seated upon a bloodstained throne.
Though honestly…
If there was excessive bloodshed anywhere, it was probably inside his bedchamber.
”…I feel like I just received a very disrespectful thought,” Kalan remarked as he entered the room.
”Hm? I thought it sounded fairly accurate,” Seras replied immediately.
The two royals walked in without even knocking.
More importantly—
Former Empress Seras, how exactly did you fit that body into Imperial armor?
I quickly suppressed that thought before my face gave me away.
Kalan tilted his head slightly, as if sensing something.
Right.
No more dangerous thoughts.
”Well then,” he said, “where are we heading first?”
”The hospital,” I replied immediately. “It’s the closest facility. I’ve already scheduled installation work in the director’s office.”
”Reasonable.”
As we discussed the installation route, we left the Mayor’s office and headed toward the city hospital.
Since the conversation revolved entirely around crafting technology, neither Kalan nor Seras interrupted much.
We installed a household Mana Reactor¹⁷ and monitor system inside the hospital without incident.
To my surprise, the physician who treated Dahlia turned out to be the hospital director himself.
When I thanked him again, he asked about her condition. I told him she was energetic enough to cause trouble again already, which earned a relieved laugh.
To repay him for saving her life—and hopefully help him save others in the future—I donated several hover stretchers I’d originally built during the battle against that bird-like monster.
The Mayor immediately ordered Calmys to hit me with a slipper for casually giving away expensive equipment.
I regret nothing.
* * *
Next came the immigration office.
After apologizing again for all the trouble involving Ichika and Hinagiku, the staff jokingly told me that since Hizuru souvenirs had become popular, I should cause more incidents more often.
I made a mental note to bring snacks next time.
Afterward, we headed toward vigilante corps headquarters.
”Excuse me.”
”Yes—wait, Tatara-san and… whoa!?”
The receptionist recognized me immediately, then nearly screamed upon seeing the Mayor standing behind me.
Understandable.
The city’s highest authority had just casually walked into the building.
Never mind the disguised former emperor standing nearby.
”I’d like to speak with the captain. Could you inform him we’re here?”
”Y-yes!!”
The receptionist sprinted off while yelling for the captain exactly like last time.
”…You’re surprisingly popular with the vigilante corps,” the Mayor noted.
”Probably because of the Sticky Launcher¹⁸.”
”It goes beyond that,” Calmys said quietly. “They treat you like one of their own.”
That part genuinely confused me.
Why was I being treated like a comrade?
”By the way,” Kalan asked, “what exactly is a Sticky Launcher?”
”…Come to think of it, am I the only person using those here?”
”Even if it’s effective for restraint,” the Mayor explained, “the Imperial Capital usually prioritizes eliminating dangerous criminals immediately. Subduing them safely is considered inefficient.”
Right.
That made sense.
People stronger than most Explorers in Whirlwind probably viewed capture tools very differently.
Honestly, I preferred staying far away from anyone like that.
”Sorry to keep you waiting!”
A different corps member approached us, visibly nervous around the Mayor and Calmys.
Hopefully none of them realized who the two disguised soldiers really were.
We were guided to a simple room labeled “Captain’s Office.”
Inside, the furnishings were sparse and practical. The captain sat behind a sturdy desk with the window at his back.
”Welcome, Mayor. And our future Chief Crafter.”
”Apologies for the sudden visit, Captain,” the Mayor replied.
The captain greeted us with a rough grin that suited his weathered face surprisingly well.
Once introductions ended, we immediately moved to business.
”Today’s discussion concerns possible incidents during the City Festival and our preparations moving forward,” the Mayor began.
The captain’s expression sharpened instantly.
Apparently he’d already heard rumors about the student movement.
”I asked about this before, but… what about the next Chief Crafter?”
”Actually,” the Mayor replied lightly, “our source is him.”
”I see.”
The captain turned a piercing stare toward me.
After receiving a confirming nod from the Mayor, I began explaining the situation.
”One of the Knight School students belongs to my party.”
”…So the information came from that child?”
Sharp.
He grasped the situation immediately.
”Yes. She’s effectively an illegitimate member of House Chutelair. They nearly used her as a figurehead for the student movement.”
”…I see. If you’re bringing this to us personally, then you managed to protect her?”
”Only barely.”
Behind me, the pressure in the room spiked sharply the moment the Chutelair name came up.
Honestly, Kalan deserved praise for restraining himself.
”How does this Knight Trainee intend to act?”
”She plans to suppress the other trainees herself.”
”Can she actually do it?”
”In terms of raw stats, she’s among the strongest Explorers her age. I don’t expect problems.”
The captain questioned me one point after another, though his expression grew increasingly troubled.
(As expected. He doesn’t like involving children.)
”Future Chief Crafter,” he said slowly, “isn’t there some favoritism involved here?”
”Probably. But objectively speaking, her abilities are exceptional.”
”…Specific numbers?”
”Level 5. Every stat exceeds 100.”
The captain’s eyes widened.
A Level 50 individual with stats above fifty would already qualify as a genius.
Stats above one hundred placed someone far beyond normal human standards.
At that point, people entered the realm of monsters.
Personally, after seeing the true ‘Undead King’, I preferred not using that word casually.
”…I see,” the captain admitted. “If her abilities are truly that high, then favoritism becomes less concerning.”
”More importantly, the student movement intends to use her as a puppet. They’ll definitely try to secure her.”
”If that’s the case, we can arrest them the moment they make a move.”
The captain was already organizing countermeasures in his head.
Unfortunately, I still had worse news left.
”There’s another issue. It seems they’re planning to invite five thousand officers from neighboring Diacastes to suppress Whirlwind.”
”…What?”
The captain, Kalan, and Seras all reacted at once.
”…They’re risking execution for treason involving a foreign nation, and they’re still moving forward with this?”
”Apparently they became careless while speaking around my companions.”
We still lacked hard evidence against the Knight School students, but the situation had already become dangerous enough to demand full vigilance.
And frustratingly, without evidence, we couldn’t forcibly investigate the school.
Legally, that was correct.
Strategically, it forced us entirely onto the defensive.
”From a technical standpoint, I’d prefer to bring them back to the Imperial Capital,” Kalan said elsewhere, “but if the fanatics at the research institute spotted them, they’d probably start chasing them immediately.”
”You’re right,” Seras replied with a sigh. “If Elise were here, she might get so obsessed she’d outright kidnap them.”
Elise Etudié.
One of Kalan-sama’s companions during the Empire’s founding wars.
Despite her childlike appearance, she was actually older than Kalan-sama himself—a complete magic fanatic who devoted her entire life to magical research.
After the Empire was established, she became the first director of the National Magic Research Institute and later even served as principal of the Magic School. Official materials also stated that she eventually bore one child with Kalan-sama.
At the moment, she was supposedly wandering the world conducting magical research, so she shouldn’t have been anywhere near the Empire.
That said, persistent rumors claimed she occasionally returned just to drain Kalan-sama dry.
Despite looking like a little girl, she was apparently terrifyingly aggressive in that department. I distinctly remembered several scenes where even Kalan lost to her.
Still…
Would Elise-sama even care about someone like me?
(At most, she’d probably get interested in the Egg. Once I explained the manufacturing process, she’d likely lose interest immediately.)
”And now then, future Chief Crafter,” the Mayor said, turning toward me, “what exactly are the construction and equipment costs going to look like?”
I froze.
If I answered honestly, the Mayor was absolutely going to get angry.
The moment I glanced toward her, she seemed to read my thoughts instantly and released a long, exhausted sigh.
I was truly sorry.
”Since Tatara is personally preparing the equipment, materials, and labor, personnel costs are extremely low,” the Mayor explained before I could speak. “However, once you account for reinforced copper, barrier pillars, household Mana Reactors¹⁹, and all related infrastructure…”
She paused briefly.
Then sighed again as if surrendering to fate.
”Approximately eight billion.”
”…Eight billion!?” the captain shouted.
Honestly, her estimate was pretty close. Mine had been around seven billion.
Still, the captain’s face visibly changed color upon hearing the number.
Red.
Blue.
Then pale white.
To be fair, it was an absurd amount of money.
”This entire system is a long-term investment to protect the city,” I explained quickly. “So I plan to provide it as a donation.”
The Mayor and the imperial couple both wore expressions that suggested they’d already heard this argument far too many times.
The captain, meanwhile, looked utterly horrified.
”That is…!?”
”All the raw materials came from my own exploration²⁰ work,” I continued before he could stop me. “Since I didn’t spend money acquiring them, it doesn’t actually damage my finances.”
Technically, I could’ve made the Mana conduits from Mithril instead of reinforced copper.
I chose not to solely because the Mayor would probably punch me.
Even so, I understood perfectly well that the equipment I was casually donating would’ve buried most noble houses in debt.
But this was one thing I refused to compromise on.
The vigilante corps protected this city.
Because of them, Ethelena and the others could live peacefully.
If that was the case, then supporting them properly only felt natural.
”Captain,” I said quietly, “I told you before, didn’t I? I wanted to create reliable partners for the champions of justice. That doesn’t just mean capture tools like the Sticky Launcher. Support equipment matters too.”
The captain listened silently, his expression gradually sharpening.
Honestly, I knew part of my motivation came from childish compensation for my past.
Even so, I couldn’t back down on this.
”We are the vigilante corps,” the captain said firmly.
”Yes.”
”We are not champions of justice. We are guardians of the law. We act according to the law—equally and fairly.”
”Of course.”
”But.”
The captain suddenly raised his voice.
”But if the people of this city can live peacefully, then that’s thanks to you too, Tatara-san.”
My chest tightened unexpectedly.
”You gave us the means to fight evil,” he continued. “Your inventions changed us. To us, you are a champion of justice.”
”That’s not—”
”I also heard about your parents.”
The captain’s voice softened.
”And even after everything that happened, you still chose to help people.”
My throat tightened.
What started as selfish compensation on my part… he was accepting completely sincerely.
”As for the City Festival incident,” the captain continued, “the vigilante corps will commit its full strength as well.”
”…Thank you.”
”If Imperial Army personnel are already involved, then reinforcements will inevitably arrive during the festival,” he said. “Even someone as muscle-brained as me can figure that out.”
To be fair, the captain really did resemble some action-movie star from my previous life.
Then again, he also dual-wielded rapid-fire Sticky Launchers by brute force alone, so maybe “muscle-brained” wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
”But we also have our pride,” he declared. “We’ve protected this city for years. So let us stand together with the Imperial Army and stop this terrorism before it spreads.”
”Please.”
I answered him seriously.
Even if our individual strength wasn’t enough, having people like this beside us made me believe things would somehow work out.
In the end, we exchanged salutes before leaving headquarters.
I hoped mine looked at least slightly more respectable than before.
* * *
The final stop was the city’s Magic Research Institute.
Despite only recently finishing renovations, I somehow found myself modifying the facilities again already.
We headed straight to the director’s office.
Inside were three familiar faces.
Papa Entier wore the same gentle expression as always.
Mama Entier looked openly excited about whatever new invention I had brought this time.
And Mia—
Mia visibly brightened the moment she saw me.
Papa Entier noticed that expression immediately.
Then his eyes shifted past me toward Kalan and Seras.
His face froze solid.
”I apologize for the sudden visit,” I said.
”Ah—n-no problem,” Papa Entier replied stiffly. “I heard you needed to install some kind of Magic Device urgently.”
While answering me, he kept glancing nervously toward the disguised imperial couple.
(Does he realize who they are?)
”So,” Mama Entier said excitedly, “what kind of Magic Device are you showing us today?”
Apparently she either hadn’t noticed or simply didn’t care.
Ignoring Papa Entier’s increasingly strange behavior for the moment, I placed the monitor device on the table.
”Today I’d like to install a Telepathy-style communication monitor.”
”What exactly does it do?” Mia asked curiously.
”It allows direct communication with Central Administration and connected facilities—”
Mama Entier and Mia listened with fascination.
Papa Entier, meanwhile, wasn’t listening at all.
He kept staring at Kalan and Seras.
”…Director?” I asked carefully.
”T-Tatara-kun…” Papa Entier said stiffly. “May I ask something first?”
The movement he used to turn toward me looked painfully mechanical.
Mama Entier and Mia had apparently noticed his reaction by now as well.
”…Who exactly are those two?”
”…Uh.”
For a moment, I completely failed to answer.
Fortunately, Kalan stepped in smoothly.
”We’re assisting with the current situation.”
The instant Papa Entier heard Kalan’s voice, his expression spasmed violently.
The Mayor reacted even faster.
”…Wait.”
Kalan looked between us with exasperation.
”You seriously didn’t tell them?”
Then he glanced toward Papa Entier again.
”Though admittedly… having this guy here should make things easier.”
At first, I didn’t understand what he meant.
Then I looked carefully at Papa Entier’s face.
The details weren’t identical.
But the structure…
The outline…
The shape around the eyes…
I recognized it immediately.
It strongly resembled Elise Etudié.
One of Kalan-sama’s founding companions.
Which meant—
”…Father!?”
My voice cracked completely.
I had unknowingly gotten involved with the grandchild of the previous game’s protagonists.
No—
Worse than that.
Their actual child.
…I really wish someone had told me sooner.
====
Tatia Event in Progress.
”Poster Girls” Event in Progress.
====
”Kalan,” Seras said quietly afterward, “is that child really going to be alright?”
”What do you mean by ‘alright’? Well… he should manage somehow.”
”If you hand him noble-level authority, won’t he completely lose control?”
”…There is a possibility he’ll overwork himself out of responsibility,” Kalan admitted. “But still.”
”I see.”
Seras smiled faintly.
”Then if you force him into anything reckless, I’ll squeeze you to death from exhaustion.”
”…Please spare me,” Kalan muttered weakly.
—
Summary:
Former Emperor Kalan Nahazhuto and Seras Nahazhuto arrive unexpectedly at the dungeon city ‘Whirlwind’ to demand housing and assistance from Tatara Julon. Tatara, overwhelmed by their status and combat prowess, finds himself pressured into an impossible logistical situation. The scene closes on the revelation of Tatara’s unique ability to build houses quickly.
Tatara discusses his rapid construction capabilities with Former Emperor Kalan. The conversation turns to the Aarem arena, revealing that Kalan had personally inspected the facility. The situation escalates when Kalan reveals his true identity, leading to a tense exchange of apologies.
The protagonist presents a new monitoring device powered by an Alchemist’s Egg, causing friction with the City Mayor over Mana consumption. Despite the stress caused, the City Mayor agrees to a limited deployment for the City Festival. The protagonist gains her direct support to accelerate the installation of monitors in critical city facilities to counter potential student movement unrest.
Kalan and Seras join Tatara to tour city facilities and install Mana Reactors. They visit the hospital and immigration center before reaching the vigilante headquarters. The scene concludes with the group facing the vigilante captain to discuss upcoming festival security.
The protagonist informs the city leadership about a rogue element within the Knight school involving the Chutelair house and a highly capable student, Tatia. A strategy for mass arrest is formulated to counter the internal threat. The situation escalates with the revelation that the conspirators intend to import foreign military aid, leaving the authorities in shock and without a clear legal path forward.
Tatara presents a staggering 8-billion-value equipment estimate to the City Mayor and Captain. To minimize political and financial backlash, Tatara declares the equipment a personal donation sourced from exploration spoils. The interaction leaves the city officials resigned and the Captain in shock.
The protagonist secures support from the vigilante corps, cementing their alliance through shared purpose. He then visits the Magic Research Institute, where the unexpected presence of royalty shocks the staff. The chapter concludes with the protagonist realizing the surprising generational connection he holds to the previous heroes.
—
Trivia:
- Visual fanbook details regarding offspring
- The exact nature of the Sister caught in the first game
- The specific ‘s*x-tess’ nickname joke
- The exact psychological impact of the dogeza beyond the surface level
- The history of the Nahazhuto Imperial Scout Unit
- Protagonist’s internal monologue regarding the bird-shaped Golem’s familiarity with the office
- The exact nature of the inspection team’s schedule
- The specific type of ‘bird-like creature’ defeated by Tatara.
- Details of the ‘Hizuru’ souvenir popularity.
- The specific rank of the City Mayor is not stated.
- The reason for the specific pressure from Kalan-sama regarding the Chutelair name is implied but not explicitly explained.
- The specific ‘egg’ object is mentioned but its nature remains unexplained
- The exact magic-related ‘child’ setting mentioned regarding Elise
- The exact military rank of the collaborators
- The nature of the protagonist’s relationship with his parents mentioned in internal dialogu
—
Character Insight:
Tatara shifts from paralyzing fear to pragmatic problem-solving, while Kalan maintains a calm, authoritative persona that masks a deeper, potentially manipulative or testing intent.
Former Emperor Kalan shifts from a composed observer to a flustered individual trying to minimize social distance, while Tatara shifts from professional pride to terrified deference.
The protagonist shows a growing sense of responsibility and guilt for technological proliferation, while the City Mayor transitions from a stressed critic to a decisive ally.
Tatara shows increasing anxiety regarding his proximity to royalty, while Kalan displays a surprisingly casual and protective attitude toward the city’s inhabitants.
The Captain shifts from skepticism regarding the involvement of a child to professional acceptance upon learning of Tatia’s exceptional status, demonstrating a pragmatic prioritization of capability over traditional concerns.
Tatara displays a pragmatic and self-sacrificing attitude, leveraging his high-tier exploration capabilities to bypass the financial constraints typical of noble-governed systems.
The protagonist moves from feelings of performative compensatory behavior toward a more genuine sense of responsibility as he discovers his place in the historical legacy of the world.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Kalan Nahazhuto – Kalan Nahazhuto, also known as Kalan, is the founding king of the Nahazhuto Kingdom. He has deep navy hair and a handsome, refined appearance. A Kin of the Night, born of a human mother and a Demon Lord father, he is Protea’s father and once served as the founding emperor who overthrew the previous kingdom, remaining hidden during a crucial meeting.
• Nahazhuto – The family name of the Former Emperor, tied to the lineage of the Nahazhuto Empire.
• Kalan – Kalan Nahazhuto, also known as Kalan, is the weary yet authoritative founding king of the Nahazhuto Kingdom, with deep navy hair and a refined, handsome appearance. A Kin of the Night born of a human mother and Demon Lord father, he is Protea’s father and once overthrew the old regime. He shares a deep, brotherly bond with the smith Tatara, having survived the era of national founding alongside him, and remained hidden during a crucial meeting—his quiet presence still shaping the realm from the shadows. Severe and formidable, he possesses immense charisma and the latent potential to awaken as a Demon Lord.
• Ethelena – Tatara’s primary wife and fellow academy student, this voluptuous, long-haired Succubus is obsessively devoted to his future, sharing his bed and wielding Sex Sorcery. She boasts of their high intimacy count and uses manual techniques or extreme measures to bind him. She trains her ‘Steal’ skill near level 50, creates Mana clones, shifts forms, and earns praise from a noble companion for her cuisine.
• Seras – A former Empress and childhood friend of Kalan. She carries Succubus blood and is a strong, independent woman who traveled before settling into her role as the main wife. A former Empress who carries herself with grace and remains surprisingly fit, wearing restrictive armor that she handles with ease. She is a capable combatant with impressive sword skills. The Former Empress who keeps her cool during social tension. She provides critical commentary on others’ interactions.
• Tatara – Tarashi, the legendary Divine Smith Tatara Julon, is a reincarnated Earth salaryman and the Imperial Kingdom’s unassuming, godlike inventor. This young man—currently sporting scorched clothes—over-engineers devices like Mithril wagons, HD monitors, and speakers in his workshop. Now also a small-time citizen of dungeon city ‘Whirlwind’, he works as a localization editor and reviewer with the unique ability to construct houses in under an hour. Armed with conceptual blades and past-life knowledge, he analyzes time loops, acts as a festival commentator, protects his household companions and the Poster Girls, and values individual character over race.
• Julon – Lean, cloaked alchemist-reincarnate with sharp eyes beneath alchemical robes, bearing the Tatara family name and the Crafting skill that bypasses all limits; plagued by chronic stomach pain from stress, he once served the City Mayor, now hosts at the Tatara Aarem Arena with infectious enthusiasm, delivering vivid play-by-play commentary for high-stakes combat matches while carrying the legacy of his lineage.
• City Mayor – The female City Mayor, perpetually stressed by Tatara’s boundary-breaking inventions and prone to stomach ulcers, oversees the city and the City Festival. Quick to react to high-ranking collaborators’ presence, she maintains a protective, direct relationship with Tatara and shields Julon. Fiercely autonomous, she defends citizens’ privacy against Imperial military pressure and was shocked by historical footage revelations—her authority and concern for her people define her role.
• Calmys – Lithe, sharp-tongued, and fully armed in the God of War sect’s Magic Metal armor, this high-ranking Mayor’s guard official is secretly a whip-wielding War God’s knight. Pragmatic yet deeply emotional, her fierce expressions mask a protective, big-sister authority toward Tatara and Ethelena, to whom she grants sanctuary. Closely tied to Julon, she reacts instantly to threats with grace and steel. Physically capable and vigilant, he often serves as mediator and enforcer when tasked with keeping order, complementing her authority with steady, watchful presence.
• Mayor – Serious‑looking female mayor governs the city, fiercely autonomous and protective of its citizens’ privacy against Imperial pressure. She oversees the Festival, shields ally Julon, and is constantly stressed by Tatara’s boundary‑breaking inventions, suffering stomach ulcers. Her authority and concern define her role.
• Leader – The Part-time Leader, also referred to as Baito-chou, is an actor and performer who struggles to memorize lines but possesses an incredible memory for things he enjoys. He once expressed deep disappointment over missing out on an Aarem battle.
• Cipher – Tatara’s familiar, sent to guard Tatia. A high-speed bird-shaped Golem capable of rapid travel and facility visits, it serves as a crucial assistant for communication and logistics, recently enhanced with increased movement and basic statistics via the Golem Crafting skill.
• Dahlia – Chrome-finished automaton maid, Machina Saint, and fiercely loyal partner to Tatara. Despite low domestic skills, she expert pilots Valkyria, overclocking in combat using martial arts and magic tools. Obsessed with mecha footage, she manipulates others and prefers direct battles over Aarem toys. She cheerfully secured an upcoming City Festival date with Tatara and is a companion to Julon.
• 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.
• Ichika – Fox-girl kunoichi of noble lineage and loyal household attendant with a slender tail, pointed ears, and amber eyes. Clad in ninja garb, she uses formal, archaic sentence structures. Fiercely devoted yet exasperated by Tatara, she secretly carries his child while harboring intense romantic desires. Jealous of other women, she addresses Ethelena as Okusama and reacts with extreme anger to charity.
• Captain – A military leader tasked with city security and intelligence gathering. He is pragmatic, skeptical of involving minors in political conflicts, and highly focused on legal procedures.
• Elise – Elise Etudié. A magic user who looks young, though she is older than Kalan. She is a magic maniac who dedicated her life to the pursuit of magic, served as the first director of the National Magic Research Institute, and once taught as a principal.
• Entier – A director at the city’s Magic Research Institute. He displays gentle expressions but reacts with visible shock when recognizing the true identity of the protagonist’s companions.
• Mia – Daughter of the Entier couple, who is observant of her mother’s antics and shows clear affection/happiness when interacting with the protagonist.
• Tatia – A student at the Knight school and an illegitimate child of the Chutelair family, she possesses exceptional combat ability with a level of 50 and statistics exceeding 100. As an member of the adventurer group preparing for the City Festival through dungeon exploration, she joins the dinner table dispute and expresses immediate irritation at Ethelena’s continuous listing of marital facts, prompting her to officially align with the opposition faction.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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