Chapter 66 The Blacksmith Understands
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Senpai, the number of confessions doesn’t equal your popularity.”
”Listen, senpai—just because someone who’s usually stern or expressionless suddenly smiles at you, that can be enough to hit them right in the heart.”
”Besides, senpai, you keep saving younger girls all the time, don’t you?”
”For starters, there’s no way anyone could challenge you with Ethelena right beside you, senpai.”
”Fine. Just… please stop crowding me. You’re scaring me.”
They were both merciless. Me, getting grilled for stuff I had no idea about. I didn’t remember doing any of it.
”First off, senpai, you flirt with women like you breathe.”
”Wait—what are you talking about?”
”No, seriously. In my class, there are girls who said you complimented their looks.”
”And some of the boys said you praised their sword technique, or their viewpoint in battle.”
”I didn’t know any of this.”
My juniors were talking about me like I was some other person. Am I being impersonated by a doppelgänger or something?
”It’s no wonder you’re clueless. Those things are practically natural habits for you.”
”So you say—you flirt like it’s as normal as breathing. Not a charmer for women, but a charmer of people, huh.”
Shamir and Est didn’t let up. I was on the verge of tears. Why was I being treated like this?
At that exact moment, as if heaven itself had intervened, the school bell rang.
”Tch—saved by the bell, huh, senpai.”
”This won’t end with just this, you know.”
”Am I really that hated by my juniors?”
Est’s tongue click almost broke me. Maybe they really did resent being taught by me.
”Anyway, learned something today. Thanks, you people-charming senpai.”
”Just watching you strike steel made me feel the difference in class. Thanks, you people-charmer.”
Shamir and Est said that as they left the workshop.
What was I supposed to do—my heart hurt and I couldn’t move.
I sat there for ten minutes, frozen, when an idiot came by.
”Hey—Tatara… you okay?”
”Sorry. Their words hit me hard.”
”What did they say that would put you down like that?”
While listening to his exasperated questions, I pulled the reforged sword from my inventory. The idiot took it, drew it from its scabbard, and stared at the blade.
”…Damn, it’s better than before.”
”My skills are improving every day. I’ll forge something even better tomorrow.”
”Ha. That’s the spirit, Tatara.”
After those words he pulled out five thousand coin from his inventory and handed it to me.
”You heading into the dungeon soon?”
”Yeah. Need to earn funds for supplies.”
”Right. Good luck.”
”You bet. When I’ve saved enough, I’ll commission some Demonsteel armor from you.”
So he was growing too. That made me feel a little better.
”I’ll make you a masterpiece.”
”Can’t wait.”
He left, and I realized I couldn’t stay moping forever. Time to pull myself together.
When I finished tidying the workshop and went to the classroom, Ethelena was surrounded by several boys. She looked annoyed—more like she didn’t want to deal with them—but the boys kept smiling and talking to her, oblivious.
”Come on, join an exploration with us for once!”
”No thanks. Not interested.”
”Don’t be like that! Come on—we’ll protect you!”
”I’m not so weak that I need protecting from you.”
”Ouch, cold.”
”You’re persistent.”
What a cliché. The whole scene felt painfully scripted.
”Ethelena, sorry I’m late. Let’s go.”
As I stepped into the room and called out, her face brightened into a smile.
”Yeah!”
”Wait—!”
Ethelena started to run toward me, but one of the boys grabbed her upper arm.
Hands off, buddy.
”Hey, the conversation isn’t over yet!”
”I already said no. You’re creeping me out.”
”Hey!?”
She sounded fed up, and rightly so.
”Don’t touch my woman with those filthy hands.”
I grabbed the wrist of the guy holding Ethelena and gave it a light twist. His grip went slack.
”Ugh… you—!?”
”…You should die, you punk.”
I might have been told I had no talent for fighting humans, Calmys-san once said, but I was almost forty points across all stats. Some random low-level student who didn’t even know my face wasn’t worth my trouble.
”Hey—don’t get cocky just because you’re some crafter, all right? We’ve cleared down to floor twelve—if you died, it’d be your fault.”
They were bragging about diving twelve floors like it proved something. My friend and I had cleared that as kids—back in middle school, the two of us had pushed through those levels. When I set a condition for Ethelena to reach level ten to join me on an exploration, she hit it within two months. Yes, we got eaten alive in the process, but she made it.
”Are you scared, crafter?”
”No. I’m just stunned at how weak you all are if this is all you can do with that many people.”
”Do you even have a balanced party setup? If not, can your knowledge make up for it? Five people and the best you can reach is floor twelve—did you get beaten by orcs and run away?”
”What did you say? I’m level fifteen!”
”‘Low,’ Ethelena and I said at the same time.
I was level thirty and Ethelena was past twenty. If you specialized in exploration, your level would be even higher. Someone I’d heard about before was only twenty-three.
”You’d only be able to ride on Ethelena’s coattails. Try again.”
”What did you say!?”
The self-important leader swung his fist at me. The movement was slow. I placed the guy he’d been holding in the path of that punch and let them collide.
”Ow!?”
”Why are you stepping forward—?”
”Shut up. I got dragged—!”
They turned on each other, and the sudden brawl broke their ranks. Time to go. I urged Ethelena to move and we left the classroom quickly.
”Hey, wait!”
One of the boys who’d been messing around lunged out and grabbed my shoulder. Reflex took over; I backfisted him.
”Oh, damn.”
Too late. The guy who grabbed me flew and slammed into the wall, not moving. Thank goodness—he was still breathing; he wasn’t dead.
”That’ll do.”
I set a healing ointment at the knocked-out kid’s feet and finally left. No one tried to stop us.
”Ethelena, you okay? Your arm?”
”Yeah. He wasn’t that strong.”
If the earlier group had heard that, they’d probably have cried.
”If it happens again, I’ll use Energy Drain on every one of them. They won’t die, but it’ll look like an accident.”
”That’s terrifying…”
”You should learn that skill as self-defense—besides me, you make you look attractive to others.”
”I wish only Tatara would find me attractive.”
”I feel the same.”
We talked like that while Ethelena took my arm. We were still in the academy.
”You’re… my woman, right?”
”That’s right, isn’t it?”
She laughed, delighted.
”We’re heading for an exploration now.”
”Yeah—be careful.”
”You’re so dense, Tatara.”
”Stop with the sudden insults.”
I’d already been insulted by my two juniors today, so I could do without more.
”I get why a girl might want to make sure of someone’s love, you know?”
”If you started making out in the academy, you’d probably get suspended.”
”Hmm.”
”Don’t sulk—I’ll kiss you.”
”Yeah!”
”Don’t respond so cheerfully.”
I glanced around, half-exasperated. No one was nearby. Not a single hint of movement or presence. In one swift motion, I slid an arm around Ethelena’s waist and brushed my lips lightly against hers.
But she didn’t let it end there—her arms looped tightly around my neck, pulling me into a full, lingering kiss. Damn it. If anyone saw us like this, we were done for.
”Uh—S-Sen…pai!?”
That sounded like Shamir’s voice.
…Yeah. We were done.
Ethelena finally pulled away, eyes bright and lips curved in satisfaction. “Mmm… that was delicious.”
I could almost feel my academy life crumbling. If it stopped at a childish rumor that we were like a married couple, I might survive. But if a crowd started forming around Ethelena because of this, I’d be ready to kill someone. And yet—
”S-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-senpaai!”
”Calm down, Shamir.”
Right now, I had to deal with my poor junior, who was practically a broken radio.
”Senpai! If you kiss, you’ll make a baby, and then a stork will bring it from a cabbage field!”
”…You seriously need a basic biology lesson.”
How was I supposed to fix this level of misunderstanding?
”Senpai, what’s going on?”
At that perfect moment, salvation appeared—Est. Thank goodness.
”Help me. Shamir’s sense of how life works is beyond repair.”
”Huh?”
”Listen, Est! Senpai—senpai and Ethelena just made a baby!”
”…What?”
”Wait! That’s not what happened!”
”Five times!?”
”It wasn’t five times!”
When I explained that Shamir had seen the kiss, Est gave me a look I couldn’t quite describe.
”Shamir, kissing doesn’t make babies.”
”Huh? It doesn’t!?”
”If it did, we’d all have a hundred kids by now.”
”Still! You two should pick a better place for that kind of thing!”
”Yes, ma’am. Sorry.”
Getting scolded by Est made me bow my head automatically. Pathetic.
”Honestly… please be careful, senpai. You have no idea how awkward it is when the girls in my class start asking me about what they saw.”
”Wait—what?”
”…Tatara?”
”Hold up, Ethelena. I really don’t know what she’s talking about.”
Est and Shamir just sighed, gave us matching looks of exasperation, and walked off—leaving confusion in their wake.
”Tatara, you’re quite popular, huh? Meanwhile, the only people who approach me are pushy and can’t think past their hormones.”
”No, seriously, I have no idea what they’re talking about. This is terrifying.”
”Sure, sure. You probably flirt around like always and don’t even realize you’re adding to your harem.”
”What do you mean, ‘like always’!?’”
Why was I being treated like some womanizer? Totally unfair.
”Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m the only one who gets to sleep with you when we go home.”
”That’s… not something you should say out loud at the academy.”
Please, Ethelena—have a little restraint.
As we talked, we reached the front gate—and four familiar figures were waiting there.
”We’ve been waiting for you, Ethelena! Tatara!”
”Good work, master. You’re a bit late.”
Yohira waved energetically, dressed in her full Hydrangea gear, graceful as ever. Dahlia stood calmly beside her, wearing the long coat-style cape I’d given her before—probably over that leotard-like outfit of hers. Behind them, the foolish fox waved timidly, while Hinagiku was… eating something skewered. Of course. The bottomless tengu was at it again. She was going to get fat at this rate.
”Sorry to keep you waiting, Torakuma! Dahlia!”
Ethelena called cheerfully and hugged Yohira. The two of them laughed in such a similar way that, despite their different hair and skin tones, they looked almost like sisters. Dahlia, on the other hand, hadn’t earned a nickname yet—still being cautious, I guessed.
”Sorry we’re late.”
”Hmm. Did something happen?”
”Got hit by some verbal assault from my juniors…”
”…What exactly happened?”
So I told them—how my juniors had called me a flirt, and how Shamir had caught the kiss and assumed we were making a baby.
”The juniors were right,” Yohira said, nodding sagely. “You’re a natural-born flirt.”
”You seduce people as easily as breathing, degozaru,” the foolish fox added.
”You disguise it as kindness, but it’s basically smooth-talking,” Dahlia said coolly.
”…You’re all awful.”
”I think that’s a fair assessment, master.”
Even Dahlia was siding with them. Their coordination was brutal.
”Tatara, you probably don’t realize it yourself. Try to imagine how it feels for the person on the receiving end.”
”So what, I can’t even have a normal conversation now?”
How was I supposed to handle it if my regular words sounded like flirting?
”…Tatia’s probably waiting by the Cavern of Eternal Night. Go meet her.”
”Hey—you’re changing the subject.”
”That was a pretty clumsy deflection.”
”Just go already.”
I sighed. My heart was in pieces.
”Fine. I’ll head out.”
”Leave Ethelena to us. We’ll bring her back safely,” Yohira said.
”Make sure you come back safe too, Yohira. You’re important to me as well.”
”…See? That’s what I mean, Tatara.”
Yohira gave me a look halfway between amusement and disbelief. Ethelena just smiled wryly beside her.
”You can count on us,” Dahlia said firmly. “If needed, I’ll wield every weapon I possess to ensure both Tatia-sama and Ethelena return safely.”
Something in her words irked me. She probably meant well, but still—there was something I had to say.
”Dahlia, as your master, I’m giving you a top-priority command.”
”Yes, my master. What is your order?”
”Survive. You’re family now. I won’t lose you, either.”
”…Yes, my master.”
She bowed deeply, graceful and proud, and I nodded. Her back was straight, her presence strong.
”That,” the foolish fox said dryly, “was another example of flirting, degozaru.”
I groaned. “If wishing for someone to live counts as flirting, then I’ll flirt as much as it takes. If that keeps them alive, I’ll gladly bear the reputation.”
If they could come home alive, that was enough. I never wanted to feel again the pain I’d felt looking at my unmoving parents.
”Then you should stay just like that, master,” the fox said softly, her eyes filled with warmth.
And meanwhile, Hinagiku was still chewing through skewers beside us. Seriously, what was with her?
”…Hinagiku, if you keep eating like that, you’ll get fat. I mean it.”
”Hmm, but the sauce keeps tempting me. I can’t resist.”
”Do I need to give you an insulting nickname like I did with the foolish fox to make you stop?”
She just kept eating happily. It was nice seeing her enjoy the food I made, but come on—there were limits.
”You did pack sandwiches for lunch, right?”
”She ate a ton already, degozaru.”
”Yes! Those golden fried sandwiches on soft white bread were absolutely divine!”
”…So it didn’t even help curb her appetite.”
And yet, the foolish fox—who I’d promised to treat later—looked completely calm. What was going on here?
”I mean, Hinagiku eating like that is kind of cute in a healthy way,” I said, “but she’s going to overdo it eventually. I’m responsible for her since the Torakuma family entrusted her to me.”
”Master, your sense of duty is too strong, degozaru.”
”Is it?”
”It is.”
The fox gave off the air of someone who thought I was too kind for my own good.
”If we think Hinagiku’s overeating, maybe we can stop her by changing what we call her,” I mused.
”By giving her a mocking nickname, like mine?”
”Would that even work, degozaru?”
”Only one way to find out.”
I looked over at Hinagiku, still devouring her skewers. How many had she bought, anyway? If it had to be a teasing name for someone who was overeating… something like—
”What if I called her ‘Porkgiku’?”
”Wow. Harsh.”
The foolish fox muttered under her breath, and Hinagiku froze completely. Oh no. I’d landed a critical hit right from the start.
”B-but she’s a Karasu Tengu! Her stomach’s still flat!”
”Keep that up and she’ll be the ‘plump Tengu’ soon enough.”
”Master, did you leave your sense of ethics in your mother’s womb, degozaru!?”
Tears welled up in the corners of Hinagiku’s eyes, her whole body trembling. Even the foolish fox looked panicked. Yeah… I might have gone too far.
”I’m sorry.”
”I-it’s fine. I’m okay… DEATH.”
”H-Hinagiku is dying, degozaru!”
To make it up to her, I bought her a crepe from a nearby stand. That revived her quickly enough, though when the foolish fox glanced at me, her expression said clearly: Keep it up and she’ll really turn into that plump Tengu you were talking about.
I’d been thinking for a while that both Dahlia and the two guards needed casual clothes they could wear around the Whirlwind base. Maybe even some stylish outfits, like I’d bought for Dahlia. And since I’d promised to treat them today, I figured I’d let myself enjoy dressing them up a bit. If Ethelena had been free, I’d have liked to bring her along too.
”Welcome,” the clerk greeted.
”Sorry for dropping by again. I’ll be buying for these two.”
So here we were again—our usual lingerie shop.
”You don’t see many customers like these two,” the clerk said, eyeing them curiously.
”Do you remember the dark-skinned girl with white hair I brought here before?”
”Yes, the one who hugged you naked, right?”
Of all things to bring up, she had to pick that one. That stung.
”They’re from the same homeland, just living in a different country. I wanted them to experience the local culture.”
”So… your version of cultural exchange is giving them underwear?”
”I thought it’d be odd to start buying clothes without getting the basics first.”
”How surprisingly thoughtful.”
Okay, maybe it was strange to start with underwear. But Yohira actually liked this world’s lingerie and wore it daily. Once, after a bath, I’d caught a glimpse of it under her yukata and nearly had a heart attack. She’d noticed and promptly dubbed me “Pervert.” Fair enough.
After a while, we bought a few sets of lingerie recommended by the clerk. I paid, of course. Hinagiku panicked, but the foolish fox accepted it without fuss—though she did clutch the shopping bag to her chest like it was a treasure.
Next came clothes. I brought them to the same upscale boutique where I’d bought Dahlia’s outfit.
”Welcome!”
The same cheerful clerk from before greeted us—the one who’d helped coordinate Dahlia’s boyish look. I decided to rely on her again.
”Master, um…”
”What’s wrong?”
”I don’t like anything too revealing, degozaru.”
Said the woman who usually dressed like a ninja. Then again, maybe that was exactly why.
”All right, give me a second.”
I already had an outfit in mind. Modest, not too flashy. I picked a thick T-shirt, jeans, and a short leather jacket. For shoes, I chose mules since she was used to tabi and sandals.
To be honest, the foolish fox had a great figure—tall, long legs, graceful posture. I’d wanted to see her in something like an old-school rock outfit, a style from my previous life.
”Um, master… my stomach’s showing, degozaru!?”
I’d underestimated her curves. Once she switched from her usual binding to an actual bra, her chest immediately filled out the shirt—lifting it just enough to expose her midriff.
”Sorry, I got the size wrong.”
”Oh, but it looks adorable on you! Don’t you think so?” the clerk said, beaming.
”It does suit her,” I admitted, “but if she doesn’t like it, we’ll pass.”
Even if it looked perfect, she had to feel comfortable wearing it.
”Master… does it really suit me, degozaru?”
”It does. It shows off your great posture and how well-proportioned you are.”
”…Then I’ll take it, degozaru.”
So that settled it.
”Maybe some accessories too,” I said. “Could you pick something that fits?”
”Of course—but you’re not choosing yourself?”
”I don’t have much sense for that kind of thing. Besides, I think she’s beautiful as she is, so I can’t really choose.”
”…Haaah.”
The clerk let out a deep sigh. The foolish fox froze again.
Still, I made a mental note to later craft some mithril accessories for her—something simple and silver, to match her look.
Now for Hinagiku. I couldn’t help thinking she’d look good in something bold—maybe a gothic outfit, something dramatic to match her wings. A ✝fallen angel✝ vibe could be fun.
”…Excuse me, sir,” the clerk asked suspiciously, “you’re not thinking anything indecent, are you?”
”He’s mischievous like that,” said the foolish fox. “Flirting without realizing it is one of his skills, degozaru.”
”Wait, was that just now—”
”He says those things sincerely, degozaru.”
”Creepy!”
I ignored the chatter. They were probably calling me an oblivious Don Juan again.
I settled on gothic lolita style for Hinagiku. After browsing for a while, I found a double-breasted, military-style dress—paired with thigh-high boots. When I wondered what to do about her wings, the clerk offered to modify the outfit on the spot if we bought it. She temporarily shortened the wings so Hinagiku could try it on.
”Hmm. It actually suits her, degozaru.”
”The waist’s a bit tight. It’ll help her control her appetite and get some exercise.”
”Brutal, degozaru.”
The clerk got into the mood and brought out more accessories—a black eyepatch embroidered with red roses, a big black bunny plushie. It looked like something straight out of a chuunibyou phase—or a landmine-type fashion trend.
The foolish fox started picking out jewelry, while I added a headpiece and scarf. We were basically having fun playing dress-up at this point.
”Clerk, we’ll take these.”
”You’re not even going to ask for her opinion!?”
”She clearly loves it,” said the foolish fox. “You can tell, degozaru.”
”And what makes you say that!?”
”Well, if she didn’t, she’d have put down that crow plush by now.”
Hinagiku, realizing it, blushed and buried her face in the stuffed toy. The clerk chuckled warmly.
The alterations were done in just thirty minutes—the clerk’s tailoring and stitching skills were incredible. I really needed to practice more myself.
With the fancy outfits done, the next step was casual wear. Since we hadn’t received any references for traditional clothing or armor-making last time, I brought the two of them along to the commercial district outside the central area.
”It’s been a while, degozaru.”
”It hasn’t even been a month.”
The foolish fox and Hinagiku both smiled as they said it. It felt like longer because of how busy things had been since they arrived—Dahlia’s appearance, the meeting with the Torakuma family, and everything else that followed.
”This was where you first bought us skewers, wasn’t it?”
”Yeah. You tried to rope me into a crime right after that, remember?”
”Surely the statute of limitations has expired by now, no?”
”I waited three whole days and nights to finally track you down, foolish fox.”
”You actually waited that long, degozaru? I thought you’d come chasing after me within a few hours.”
When I looked into the foolish fox’s eyes, I realized—she’d never actually expected me to chase after her in just three hours. Maybe two days, three at most. The third day was slower than she’d predicted, that’s all.
But something felt wrong. There were eyes—malicious ones—watching us. The same kind of intent that had likely driven the foolish fox to run away in the first place. Maybe this was what she’d been hiding from.
After all, both she and Hinagiku were rare kinds of youkai in this country—and both were stunning. For traffickers, foreign beauties with unclear citizenship made easy targets. If they’d falsified paperwork to leave unnoticed, it all made sense: her “escape” was probably a cover-up to protect their identities.
Damn it. Spending so much time around her had made me too good at reading her. And she hated that—being seen through, being thought of as capable or considerate.
”Master! Which stall had the skewers and the drink shop, degozaru? I want to taste them again!”
”Mm, I’d like to as well!”
”All right, this way. And don’t spill sauce or juice on your clothes, got it?”
They both laughed at my warning. Still, that prying gaze made my skin crawl. I bought several skewers and grabbed drinks from the nearby crafting beverage shop too.
”Ahh, I’d forgotten how amazing these are, degozaru!”
”Mmmph! …Indeed, the sauce is superb. You can tell it’s been refined over time—the flavor of rendered fat, the rich umami soaked into every drop. The meat itself, tender yet firm, the perfect balance of texture. Each skewer combines several cuts, creating a progression of taste like a full-course meal! Truly worthy of the sign that reads ‘One Skewer, Complete Satisfaction!’ Bravo, shopkeeper!”
”…You’re seriously doing food commentary to advertise the stall?”
Hinagiku’s clear, projecting voice carried through the street, drawing a curious crowd. The stall owner, busy as ever, looked up long enough to flash me a thumbs-up. Guess that counted as good publicity.
”Master,” came a quiet voice from my side, “I’ll speak plainly, assuming you already know. There are eight of them. I can’t determine gender, but they’ve been watching us since we entered this street. Their gaze feels the same as the hostility we sensed at immigration. With your permission, I’ll separate from you—make it look natural. Please allow it.”
”…Fine. But come back. If you call me your master, that’s my one command.”
”…Understood.”
With that, the foolish fox veered off, as if nudged by the flow of the crowd. My acting wasn’t great, but I raised my voice in mock panic.
”Hey! Foolish fox! Damn it—don’t wander off!!”
”W-wait, master—the crowd’s strong!?”
Her figure disappeared into the flow of people, and I clenched my fists, silently praying. Please—just come back safe, with that same smile. I’ve gotten used to having you around.
”Mmm, that foolish fox…”
”H-Hinagiku-san, stay close! It’d be bad enough if one of you got lost, let alone both.”
”I’m not going anywhere!”
Yeah, she was fine. Still, hearing that while she held a skewer made the whole scene absurd. She was too earnest—it almost looked like a gag.
”Guess we’ll walk around the district for a bit. The foolish fox will pop back up when she’s done.”
”So that’s how Tatara-dono sees her now, hmm…”
If that’s the way she wanted to be treated, I’d play along. If this life of hers was a fleeting dream, then I’d make it as comfortable a dream as possible.
That’s what being her so-called master meant, after all.
”Mmm! This one’s delicious too!”
”You’re seriously still eating?”
”What do you mean? My stomach can still fit more!”
”…Where in that tiny frame are you putting it all?”
Thirty minutes passed, and still no sign of the foolish fox. I chose crowded routes to keep Hinagiku safer. Every time something caught her eye, I ended up buying it for her. Classic case of “gentle neglect,” wasn’t it? Maybe I wasn’t cut out to be a parent after all.
”Oh! Grilled seafood!”
”Impressive. Whirlwind’s far from the ocean—you don’t see seafood often.”
The prices were fair for the setting. Manageable enough.
”Tatara-dono!”
”Yes yes, one of each recommendation, please.”
I handed the plates to Hinagiku, who looked ecstatic. At this rate, she really was going to turn into that ‘pork Tengu’ I’d joked about earlier.
”Tatara-dono! Scallops! They’re scallops!”
”Yes, yes, enjoy them slowly, okay?”
Whether she heard me or not, she popped one into her mouth, eyes sparkling with happiness. The number of watchers had definitely decreased. Foolish fox had said there were eight; now fewer remained. I worried—was she safe?
”Tatara-dono.”
”Yes?”
”Three attackers incoming. Skilled ones.”
”Damn it. They’re really going to strike here?”
So, the royal guard instincts weren’t just for show. She must have noticed them long ago—and the foolish fox probably left on purpose, so Hinagiku could guard me. Don’t worry about my pride, damn it. I’ll cooperate if I have to.
Three directions—front, back, and from between two stalls. Fast. For a second, I hesitated about drawing my baton. That was all it took for them to close in.
”Sorry, but you’re too slow.”
And just like that, Hinagiku neutralized them effortlessly. What I thought was a skewer stick in her hand—something she’d been “looking for a trash can for”—became a weapon. With a single, near-invisible flick, she threw it. The stick pierced the shoulder of the closest attacker, dropping him like a puppet with its strings cut.
”Hmm. Seems the foolish fox is still busy. These opponents are formidable.”
”Yeah… looks that way.”
Maybe this calm, domestic side of Hinagiku was just her surface. The truth was, she was one of the elite guards of Hizuru’s emperor—and for the first time, I really understood what that meant.
”Tatara-dono! What’s that fluffy thing they’re grilling on that iron plate!?”
”…That’s a pancake. You want one too?”
”Yes!”
…Or maybe not. Maybe she really was just like this.
I had a feeling the foolish fox had always looked out for her because of this exact side of her—the unguarded, childlike one.
Yeah. She was definitely hopeless.
Tatia Event — Ongoing
[God introduction Dahlia] “Automaton Maiden Dahlia Julon will introduce the gods of this world. Today’s god is this one: the ‘War God.’ This is the largest religion in this world, with forces comparable to a military. The statue depicts a stern-faced goddess holding a spear and shield, with a sword at her hip. The reason for her worship is that conflict, in one form or another, is ceaseless in this world. She bestows fairness and justice equally upon street brawls and wars between nations. Of the approximately 90 million adherents, only about 100 are recognized as saints, the foremost among them being Saint Calmys, who serves as the City Mayor’s guard chief in ‘Whirlwind.’ However, it seems she cannot protect her stomach, even if she can protect her body. Originally, she is not a stern goddess, but a divine being who stood up to protect those she cherishes. Therefore, tales of her particular fondness for children can be found. The statue enshrined in the Head Temple was created about 1000 years ago, gathering faith for a long time. The master saw her with a compassionate expression, holding scales of fairness and justice in her right hand and a large shield, but if he had processed Mithril instead of seeing the statue, it is said she would have appeared bathing in a bathtub, healing her fatigue.”
Notes:
• Calmys – War God’s knight, Mayor’s guard chief, whip-master hiding as a swordswoman; sharp tongue, big-sister vibe to Tatara, grants him and Ethelena church protection.
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• 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.
• Yohira – Torakuma’s first name.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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