Chapter 59 The Blacksmith Knows
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Dahlia couldn’t calm herself, no matter how much anyone tried. We were in the middle of explaining the structure of the Arcane Armor when Yohira appeared to call us for dinner.
Even as Dahlia bounced with excitement, Yohira and I exchanged a look of quiet exasperation, then each grabbed an arm and half-dragged her toward the living room.
Her enthusiasm didn’t wane. She kept chattering about magical conduction and gear ratios while we ignored her and started eating. Tonight’s dinner was omelette. My omelette had a little heart drawn on top, and for a moment I felt both embarrassed and oddly happy. Yohira smirked, while Ethelena smiled brightly at me.
Yeah… no chance of winning against these two.
The outside of the omelette was firm, while the inside was soft and creamy. Beneath that, sautéed ground meat, onion, green pepper, and carrot simmered together in a tangy tomato sauce.
I took a spoonful. The egg melted gently on my tongue—must be the milk mixed in. The vegetables were sweet and fragrant, the minced meat rich with flavor, the tomato’s sharpness softened just enough to make everything blend.
It might sound childish, but I’ve always liked omelettes and omurice. I love anything Ethelena cooks, but when it’s one of my favorites like this, I can’t stop eating. Three, four bites, and before I knew it, the plate was clean.
”Too fast, Tatara. Look, you’ve got some on your lips… don’t move, alright?”
Her gentle voice brushed against my ear. Yohira took a paper napkin and wiped the corner of my mouth with care. Ethelena’s expression twitched slightly—she’d clearly wanted to do it first—but Yohira’s face lit with innocent satisfaction, and I couldn’t bring myself to stop her. My face felt hot.
”…Thanks.”
”Good boy. Proper manners suit you.”
She reached out and patted my head. I didn’t brush her hand away. It was embarrassing, sure, but Yohira looked so happy that it felt right to let it be.
”Muu, Torakuma! I am Tatara’s wife!”
”Hah, love is war, Ethelena. Strike first and victory is yours!”
As they started playfully bickering again, I poured myself a bowl of consommé soup and sipped at it. The warmth spread through my stomach, relaxing me completely.
”Master! Are you listening!?”
”Nope.”
Apparently, Dahlia had been talking this whole time. Honestly, eating came first.
”Why not!?”
”I was thinking about designing another close-range weapon besides Auto Eizul. Something like a chainsaw sword. I was building the schematics in my head, but then you kept talking, and I almost scrapped it.”
”Tell me everything!”
Dahlia propped her elbow on the table, covered her mouth with her hand, and gave me the kind of look you’d see from a commander issuing orders.
”Eat first. We’ll talk after.”
”…Yes, my Master.”
She began eating reluctantly—but the moment she took a bite of omelette, her pace exploded. Come to think of it, when was the last time Dahlia ate properly? She’d definitely skipped lunch.
Meanwhile, the foolish fox tried to separate her vegetables again. Hinagiku-san caught her red-handed, scooped the vegetables up with a spoon, and shoved them straight into the fox’s mouth. She even held her nose and mouth shut until she swallowed. Guess she really can’t tolerate picky eaters. Moments ago, that same fox’s eyes had been sparkling with joy as she ate omelette after omelette.
Ethelena and Yohira had stopped play-fighting and were now sharing cooking tips, laughing softly together. Ethelena asked about the recipe, and Yohira described dishes from her homeland. It was such a peaceful sight that I couldn’t help smiling into my soup. Somehow, it tasted even better.
After the meal, we cleared the table and relaxed for a while. Dahlia, exhausted from the day’s excitement, began to doze off mid-sentence. I asked Ethelena to help her bathe and then headed back to my workshop to work on the weapons.
There, I built nine prototype Rapid-Fire Type Sticky Launchers for the vigilante corps. No particular trouble in assembly, though the compact model and the cartridge-expanded version were both mechanically demanding. Maintenance would be a pain. Simplification could come later—maybe after hearing field feedback. Perhaps another workshop under contract with the corps could refine it further. It would be nice if they used my designs as a base to create something even better. Supporting the people who defend others—that’s what real craftsmanship should do.
Next, I began making a magic sword for Dahlia. I couldn’t risk full new design—too much chance of exile-level overengineering. So I used an existing base. Still, the urge to optimize and tinker was strong. I shaped the grip slightly differently, forming it to fit her small hand—the same feeling I remembered when she’d taken the “egg” earlier. This one would mount on her Arcane Armor’s sub-arm and swing like a tonfa, letting her channel mana directly through it. That part was done.
Then came the second sword. Its concept was drawn from a chainsaw, but heavily reimagined. The blade, a hundred centimeters long—slightly oversized for Dahlia’s height—would run on a compact, high-output mana motor. Despite its name, it didn’t really look like a chainsaw: rows of small blades lined along its edge gave it a vicious gleam that almost felt alive.
The spine of the blade was covered by a sheath that doubled as a mechanism to strip off blood fat, maintaining sharpness after each strike. The steel was Demonsteel—mithril would’ve been too light and thrown off the balance during rotation.
I attached a handguard, strong enough to crush an enemy’s skull if needed. The sword ran entirely on the user’s mana—perfect for Dahlia’s control and capacity.
”Hmm, finished already?”
The voice came from behind—and then arms wrapped around me in a sudden embrace.
”Didn’t expect that from you, Yohira.”
”Truth is, I’ve always envied how Ethelena hugs you all the time. Wanted to try it myself.”
She chuckled, pleased with her little prank.
”It’s nice, isn’t it? Feeling the warmth, the scent of someone you care about.”
Her voice was calm, gentle, almost sleepy. Something mischievous stirred in me.
”Then how about this?”
”Eh—kya!?”
A soft yelp escaped her lips as I caught her hands, drawing her body closer, sliding her around until she rested in my arms. Light, warm. Her arms looped around my neck, and our eyes met.
”Tatara, this is a bit…”
”I kiss Ethelena all the time. Not doing it with you is… my way of keeping a line.”
”…You’re an idiot.”
Her arms loosened, and she rested her head against my chest. I stroked her hair carefully, feeling her breathing slow.
”So this is the warmth Ethelena always feels, huh?”
”Yeah. It’s her special privilege.”
Yohira shifted slightly, pressing her ear against my chest.
”I can hear your heartbeat… it’s a comforting sound.”
”And yours is warm too.”
”I’m glad.”
I kept stroking her hair as her breathing deepened into soft, steady rhythm. Before long, she was asleep.
”Good night, Yohira.”
I call out like that. Well, I can’t enter the room, so what should I do?
”Good evening, degozaru!”
At such a time, the Foolish Fox enters the workshop, subtly lowering their voice as they come in—a sign of their inherently kind nature.
”Are you here to pick up Yohira?”
”Yes, degozaru. Yohira-jousama was quite excited, you know.”
The Foolish Fox lifts Yohira from my chest area, their eyes filled with kindness.
”…Why did you come to pick up Yohira? You were told not to, right?”
”It’s a trivial matter, degozaru. In my hometown, I’m an outcast, but Yohira-jousama treated me without prejudice. I was worried and rushed here.”
”…There’s more to it, isn’t there? Hinagiku-san isn’t used to traveling, right?”
”…How do you always notice these things, Master?”
Somehow, it feels like the Foolish Fox came not only for Yohira but also because they were worried about Hinagiku-san—and perhaps because they had nowhere else to go.
”Hey, can I ask something silly?”
Ichika paused, her eyes flicking away. “What is it, degozaru? If it’s about breast size—”
”No, it’s not that. Don’t get cocky just because you’re not Ethelena-level.”
”Bringing her up is unfair, degozaru!?”
”Hey there,” I called out. Now, the question was how to get into the room.
”Good evening, degozaru,” came a voice, cheerful yet polite.
Just then, a foolish fox slipped into the workshop, her voice hushed, a sign of her inherently good nature.
”Are you here to pick up Yohira?” I asked.
”Yes, degozaru. Yohira-jousama was quite excited, you know,” she replied.
I lifted Yohira from my chest area, and the fox’s eyes softened with kindness.
”Why did you come to get Yohira? Weren’t you told to stay back?” I pressed.
”It’s a silly story, degozaru. Back home, I’m an outcast. Yohira-jousama was the only one who treated me without prejudice, so I had to come,” she explained.
”That’s not all, is it? Hinagiku-san, you’re not used to traveling, are you?”
”How can you tell so quickly, master?” she muttered.
It was clear: this foolish fox had come not just for Yohira but also because she was worried about Hinagiku-san—and perhaps because she had nowhere else to go.
”Can I ask something silly?” I said.
”What is it? And no, it’s not about breast size,” she quipped.
”Not that. Ethelena’s already in a league of her own, so don’t get cocky.”
”Bringing her up is just unfair!”
”Keep it down, or you’ll wake Yohira.”
”That’s just unreasonable, degozaru…”
Dodging her teasing, I asked the question that had been on my mind.
”Is life here fun for you?”
She froze.
”Not fun?” I probed.
”It’s fun, degozaru… like a fleeting dream,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
She looked like she was about to cry. She’d left her hometown, found someone dear, and was smiling—but she called it a dream.
”Then stay here as long as you want, until the dream fades. Laugh for real. Don’t hide behind fake smiles. You’re cuter when you’re genuinely happy.”
She stared at me, stunned.
”Is that… okay?”
”I just said it, didn’t I?”
”But I’ll be a burden, degozaru.”
”You already are.”
”And my way of speaking is weird, degozaru.”
”It’s your personality.”
”But—”
”Ichika,” I interrupted, calling her by her name for the first time. She froze.
”Do you want to stay or not? That’s all I need to know.”
”…I want to stay here.”
”Then stay.”
”…Understood, degozaru, master,” she said, her voice trembling.
I pretended not to notice the moisture in her eyes. Pointing it out wouldn’t make anyone feel good.
I returned to the room to change the sheets. I’d forgotten about the mess Ethelena and I had made earlier. We’d left the sheets untouched before heading to the bath, and let’s just say we acted like animals.
Thankfully, only the sheets were ruined, not the mattress itself. This mattress had seen a hundred battles—it had a certain gravitas to it.
As I thought this, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Ethelena standing there, wearing gym clothes and bloomers.
”Dahlia’s in the bath, and her room isn’t ready, so I let her sleep in mine. Can I… stay here?” she asked, her tone playful.
Something snapped inside me.
I grabbed her wrist, pulled her into the room, and locked the door. I embraced her roughly.
”You’re being rough, Tatara,” she said.
”Sorry, but you’re just too damn sexy right now,” I admitted.
Her healthy thighs peeking out from the bloomers were unbelievably erotic. Her thick, opaque gym clothes couldn’t hide her curves, and every move she made teased a glimpse of her navel.
”You really love this outfit, huh? Pervert,” she teased.
”And you’re ready for me, so you’re a pervert too,” I shot back.
”Yeah, I’ll be a pervert for Tatara,” she said, her voice strong.
”Your mind’s too strong…”
I couldn’t hold back. I groped her through her gym clothes, her large breasts and her hidden core. Ethelena, always sensitive, trembled at my touch.
I shifted behind her, embracing her tightly. I kneaded her breasts and slipped my fingers inside her. Even though she was used to me, her walls clenched tightly around my fingers. I added another, then a third, thrusting in and out. I explored her walls, finding a spot that made her gasp. I focused there, tweaking her hardened nipples through her clothes.
As her breathing grew ragged, I whispered in her ear.
”What do you want?”
”Be… rough with me,” she panted.
I led her to the wall, pressing her hands against it and lifting one leg. With her balance off, I exposed her core and thrust inside, her bloomers barely shifted aside.
I moved roughly, as she’d asked, but controlled my strength to avoid pain. I pulled down her gym top, revealing her breasts, and groped them fiercely.
With each thrust, her breathing grew wilder. Lost in the moment, I suddenly felt her walls tighten around me, and I couldn’t hold back, climaxing deep inside her.
The release left me weak, but my desire wasn’t sated. I lifted Ethelena, carrying her to the bed.
She lay there, limp, but I wasn’t done. I sat her on my lap, spreading her legs wide and holding them in place. In a reverse cowgirl position, I watched us in the mirror as I guided her down onto me.
She took me in slowly, without resistance.
”Tired already, Ethelena?” I asked.
She shook her head, but she was clearly spent.
I pulled up her gym top, stuffing the hem into her mouth, and thrust upward.
”If you’re not tired, you can move, right?”
She nodded, still holding the fabric, and began to ride me. Unable to make noise, her silence only heightened her pleasure. Despite her unstable position, her hips moved expertly—a trait of her succubus nature, perhaps.
Her movements matched mine, and soon I was at my limit, climaxing again. She reached her peak too, her walls milking me dry. After thirty seconds, I pulled out, and her still-open core spilled my seed.
”Oh… no…” she whispered.
Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Ethelena reached down to stop the semen from flowing out. I held her hands, observing the lewd scene mirrored before us.
”No, Tatara’s leaving me… stop,” she pleaded, her body twisting desperately.
Her resistance only fueled my lust further. I positioned her on her stomach, lifting her hips high. Grabbing her exposed rear, I thrust back into her, her core still leaking my seed. Over her shoulder, she whispered weakly,
”Please, Tatara… be gentle.”
Her vulnerability triggered my sadistic side, and I deliberately moved roughly. Ethelena made no attempt to resist, her voice sweet with surrender.
We changed positions repeatedly, and by the time I finished thrusting up into her in cowgirl, sanity returned.
Ethelena collapsed on top of me, her hair cascading over my chest. I wondered how my libido had spiraled so out of control. Surely, it couldn’t just be the gym clothes and bloomers—or could it?
”…Tatara’s a pervert, a freak, a sex maniac,” she muttered.
”I know, I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop myself,” I admitted.
Earlier with Ethelena, I’d at least pretended to be in control. Or maybe I’d just been more restrained?
”I said earlier, my power’s gotten stronger,” she explained.
”…You can read minds, right?”
Uh-oh.
”Tatara, ever since I saw your bloomers, I couldn’t think of anything but sex. All the things I’d never let you do because I thought I’d hate them—they’ve been flooding my mind. My body and heart feel like they’ve been under your control this whole time!”
”I’m so sorry,” I repeated.
Ethelena’s exhaustion wasn’t just physical—her mind had been overwhelmed by forced fantasies. It was like that ultimate technique from the blind warrior, but imposed by her succubus nature.
”Perverted teachers, forced scenarios—I’m happy you find me sexy, but don’t think of those things!”
”Sorry.”
It was an old trope from my past life.
There’s something oddly artistic about watching a beautiful woman like Ethelena being corrupted. That artist who drew women being attacked by female octopuses—they understood human nature. Or maybe I’m just a pervert?
”And the lines! Why am I still head over heels for you, losing my virginity? That implies no chance of us being together!”
Her words were returning to normal, a distraction from reality.
”Your dad had stuff like that too… do you like it?”
”Neither taking nor being taken works for me. Unless they’re alone, I guess.”
”Then why imagine me being taken from you!?”
”Well, if I’m taking from myself, it’s tolerable…”
It’s just imagination, after all.
”And the line, ‘Is it bigger than your boyfriend’s?’ If it’s bigger than me, that’s Ogre-sized! That’d kill a normal person!”
”Wait, you’re comparing it to my manhood!?”
I thought my size was average here, like a French bread. But in-game texts said Ogres and giants were absurdly huge. Female characters taken by Ogres had distended stomachs in the art. Surely I’m not in that category?
”Plus, with Sex Sorcery, my body naturally feels good… I can’t stop either…”
”It’s like I’m drowning in your body, and you’re drowning in mine.”
Apparently, our compatibility is off the charts.
I climax whenever Ethelena does, thanks to that. Though it’s embarrassing I lack technique.
”And Tatara, your Sex Sorcery can probably rank up.”
”What?”
Checking my status, I saw Sex Sorcery IV was maxed. I upgraded it to V.
”I’ve only had sex with Ethelena, and I haven’t even used it in combat lately…”
”Well, I’m half-succubus. The exp’s insane,” she boasted, smiling on my chest.
She looked so cute I pulled her in for a kiss. Startled at first, she cupped my cheek.
”…Sneak Attack’s cheating,” she teased.
”You were adorable,” I admitted.
”Hmph? Am I cute to Tatara?”
”Cute, lovable, beautiful, and approachable. I want you by my side always.”
”…Okay♪”
I kept stroking her hair as she smiled happily. My eyelids grew heavy.
”Tatara’s sleepy, huh?”
”Yeah, really sleepy…”
”It’s okay. Sleep well. Sweet dreams?”
”With you here, even nightmares are fine.”
Sleep overcame me, my last words hanging in the air.
In the darkness, I felt a gentle touch on my forehead—a kiss, or perhaps a caress. Either way, I slept soundly.
The next morning, I woke to see Ethelena still in her gym clothes. Mischief sparked, and I intended to tease her, but it escalated into sleep sex. Whispering about my one-sided love, not wanting to share her, offering everything for her to stay—her face turned red. Turns out she was pretending to sleep, giving me a stern look.
The tables turned, and she rode my stomach, declaring her own one-sided love, never wanting to part, begging me to love her forever. I couldn’t help but climax.
We bathed together, washing away the sweat, and discussed breakfast. Ethelena insisted on her scrambled eggs and onion soup, but I refused to let her cook alone, suggesting corn potage instead. The debate ended unresolved.
We decided to settle it in the bath, and corn potage won.
”…Good morning. You two seem busy since last night?”
”That’s my role…” Hinagiku-san pouted, her line stolen by Yohira.
Ethelena, realizing they’d heard us, turned bright red.
”Good morning. Can’t help it when you’re young,” I shrugged.
”Don’t make excuses,” Yohira chuckled.
Despite everything, my relationship with Yohira hadn’t changed much. Our old dynamic was already ideal.
”Tatara, could you bend down for a moment?”
”Yeah, what’s up?”
As I leaned in, a soft sensation brushed my cheek. Startled, I looked up to see Yohira smiling, her face flushed.
”Lips are Ethelena’s privilege, so I’ll take this,” she said.
Blushing furiously, Yohira lowered her gaze. I smiled and leaned closer, pressing my lips gently against the tip of her horn.
”Wh–what are you doing, Tatara!?” she yelped, her tail flicking wildly.
”Just a counterattack. You gave me a sneak attack earlier, remember? Now go on—head to training. I’ll make breakfast for everyone.”
”Muu… fine! Ichika, come!”
”Ah, wait! Please don’t pull so hard-degozaru!”
Still flushed to the ears, Yohira grabbed the foolish fox by the wrist and dragged her toward the garden for morning drills.
Ethelena chuckled softly behind me. “Torakuma, you all looked so happy.”
”Did we? Well… if everyone’s happy, that’s all I could ask for.”
We shared a smile and moved to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The corn potage took some work—boiling the corn right on the cob until it softened, then blending it smooth. We strained it through cotton cloth, removing every bit of husk, and let it simmer again with a touch of cream and salt. When I took a small taste, its sweetness and velvety texture filled my mouth. Ethelena tried it too, her face lighting up. “Perfect.”
Before long, Yohira and the others returned from training, taking turns in the bath before entering the living room. The foolish fox, who once hated baths, now accepted them without fuss—though her eating habits still needed work.
”Ethelena-dono! The egg—it melted away on my tongue!?” Hinagiku exclaimed with theatrical astonishment.
I laughed quietly. Her scrambled eggs were one of Ethelena’s specialties, so the reaction wasn’t surprising. The breakfast lineup was a classic: fluffy eggs, thick bacon, crisp salad with tomatoes, and the golden corn potage. Bread rounded out the meal, and Hinagiku devoured everything with innocent delight.
Meanwhile, Ichika cautiously built herself a sandwich—stacking salad, bacon, and eggs on bread—and bit in hesitantly. Her chewing was slow but determined.
”Ugh… vegetable conquest, vegetable conquest-degozaru,” she muttered, almost chanting it like a mantra.
The effort was endearing. Even her usual catchphrases disappeared under the weight of determination. When she sipped the potage, her eyes widened. “It’s sweet! I can drink this vegetable juice-degozaru!”
I smiled. “So, it’s just the bitterness you hate, huh?”
”Exactly-degozaru! This one’s gentle and tasty!”
That was good to hear. Maybe I could make more dishes like this—easy for her to enjoy, but still healthy.
As we ate, a thought struck me. “Now that I think of it, Dahlia’s not up yet?”
”Ah, you’re right,” said Ethelena.
”Indeed,” Yohira added, blinking.
Just as we spoke, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall.
”Apologies for my delay, master,” Dahlia said evenly, though her forehead gleamed with cold sweat.
”Morning, Dahlia. Glad you rested well.”
”Good morning, Dahlia,” Ethelena added.
”And a fine morning to thee,” Yohira chimed in cheerfully.
Hinagiku and Ichika were too focused on breakfast to notice, still battling food and personal challenges alike. I couldn’t help but smile. Dahlia’s sleepwear—one of my old shirts I’d given Ethelena long ago—made me nostalgic.
”Master, may I have breakfast?”
”Of course. Wash your face first—you don’t want to ruin that maidenly image.”
Her hair stuck out in odd angles, and there was a faint drool mark near her cheek.
”Master, you lack delicacy,” she huffed.
”That’s supposed to be your department, Automaton Maiden,” I teased.
From across the table, Ichika piped up, “If you’re embarrassed, wake up earlier-degozaru!”
Touché. Dahlia blinked and left the room without a word. When she returned, freshly washed, she ate quietly but completely. She especially loved the scrambled eggs—though when she found out Ethelena had made them, her mechanical composure cracked a little.
Ethelena simply smiled. She always had a soft spot for anyone who enjoyed her cooking. Honestly, I don’t think anyone in this house could dislike her food.
Once the plates were cleared, Dahlia sat up straight. “Master, may we begin discussing weapon enhancements?”
”Not yet—Tatia’s supposed to arrive soon.”
”Processing… insufficient comprehension,” she replied blankly.
”Don’t start lowering your resolution on me now,” I sighed.
She pouted slightly. “Master, I wish to bear your child.”
”Don’t say it like that!” I groaned.
”Tatara, I want your baby too,” Ethelena added innocently from the side.
”Not you too! Please stop stabbing me from the flank!”
Yohira chuckled. “I’ll wait my turn then. Once you’ve gained some childcare experience, of course.”
”Yohira!” I rubbed my temples. “Don’t encourage them!”
Dahlia’s “child” was clearly meant to refer to a new weapon, but Yohira was definitely doing this on purpose.
Soon, we’d be heading out with Tatia to explore a Dungeon—me, Ethelena, Yohira, Dahlia, and Tatia herself. Hinagiku and Ichika would stay behind to clean the house. I felt a little bad leaving them, but they seemed genuinely content.
”Very well,” Dahlia declared, her eyes gleaming. “With this Auto Eizul gifted by my master, I shall build mountains of corpses and rivers of blood in your name!”
”Yeah, that’s… not efficient. Here, take these instead.”
I reached into my inventory and handed her the two magic swords I’d finished the night before. Dahlia gasped, especially when she saw the reworked chainsaw model. Her eyes lit up.
”Master! This is magnificent!”
As expected, the floodgates opened again—her excitement nearly shaking the walls. I sighed, plugging my ears.
Tatia would arrive any minute. Hopefully, Dahlia’s performance would be over by then.
Notes:
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
• Hinagiku – Karasu Tengu warrior appearing during Julon’s test battle. Fights him under Acting Head’s orders to gauge his skill. Later assists in arresting Ichige. Serves Torakuma clan. Allies with Julon. Fastest Tengu, proud but fair.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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