Chapter 92 That, surely, was an ending
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Hinagiku knelt on the ground. My mother-in-law stood before her, hiding her mouth with a folding fan and scolding her in a flat, cold voice.
”Hinagiku, injuries in training sometimes cannot be helped. But why did you strike so hard at someone who just learned? And you smashed his shoulder to pieces. Do you not know how to hold back?” she said.
The fool who took Hinagiku’s wooden katana lay pale and sweating, clutching his ruined arm. His shoulder had been crushed so badly he might never swing a sword again. I watched the mother-in-law, watching Hinagiku, and felt the air tighten.
”Don’t move. I will use a healing draught at once,” I told him.
”B-bad… Tatara,” he muttered.
”Don’t push yourself. The pain’s hell,” I said, and crushed the salve over his shattered shoulder. Bones I had set before joined cleanly, but I had never healed crushed bone. I prayed it would hold.
Slowly the shoulder knit. The swelling faded. He turned the arm in a careful circle and gave me a thumbs-up like a child.
”Fully healed. Damn that salve,” he cried, all relief.
”Thank Maiden for it,” I said.
He breathed out so hard I could hear the worry leave him. We might have lost Whirlwind today, for real.
”If you cannot control yourself in drills, then I will take over your lessons. Watch how a grown woman moves and measure yourself against that,” the mother-in-law said.
”O—Okusama! That’s a bit—” Hinagiku began.
”Yesterday a concussion, today a crushed shoulder. Tomorrow will it be internal organs?” the woman snapped.
Her scolding hit hard. The fool wanted to plead; his guilt at neglecting the one who first asked him to train showed on his face. But he could not argue with the cold fact: he had caused injuries that made further training impossible. He stood frozen.
”Friend, I am sorry, but for a while train with me,” the mother-in-law said.
”Eh, ah… yes,” the fool stammered.
He looked between Hinagiku and her, and seeing Hinagiku utterly crushed, he agreed to be taught by the mother-in-law. He might have meant for Hinagiku to learn, but the goal was to master the katana and grow strong. He chose the better path—people must choose or they will not survive as Explorers.
The lessons began. Right away his learning sped up in a way anyone could see. The mother-in-law had a soft way of correcting him: when Hinagiku’s intended opening appeared, she would place the wooden katana gently against the spot and stop the attack, pointing out the fault. She taught him without shouting, but with sharp truth.
”You focus too much on the attack. During drills, keep the form and the blade path always in your mind,” she told him.
”Yes!” he answered.
The terrifying thing about her was how slow she moved. To the eye, the fool moved faster overall, but the mother-in-law moved with no waste, and although she moved later, her wooden katana arrived first. No motion wasted, and yet she reached him before he reached her. That’s how it looked to me.
The fool watched, traced her moves in his head, and took them at once. His motion gained rhythm, his relaxation turning into power at the right time. The mother-in-law gave a small look of surprise. Had Hinagiku misjudged the strength she expected?
”Good God, that growth is fierce. This is not the motion of someone who began katana only yesterday or today,” she said.
”Thank you!” he cried.
But in that moment of praise he tightened up. The mother-in-law flowed his extra strength aside and his body spun and he fell, rolling on the ground.
”If you add needless force, it will be flowed away and your body will be broken. If I had killing intent, the moment you rolled I could have cut your neck. Learn to show the right force. That is technique,” she said.
”Yes!” he answered.
It was not training for the second day, but she matched his speed. Hinagiku had failed to judge him and hurt him; the mother-in-law adjusted with the care of one who has taught many. That difference was plain.
”I… this was my work,” Hinagiku moaned.
”Wail less and watch how I do it. Practice until you can do it. Torakuma will leave for home soon,” the mother-in-law said.
I could not help but pry when I heard Hinagiku on the verge of tears. Don’t just cry because you lost the work; the elder showed you the path. Learn from it.
From where I stood, the fool’s katana skill had become not just better but almost evolved—sharper and faster. He kept the forms, but he could swing without stance and still surprise me. Even with rank and status differences, his talent in combat outshone mine. My chest warmed at the sight of my friend’s talent. I could not let him outshine me; I had to make gear worthy of his shine, or the name Chief Crafter would be shameful.
”You have good sense. How about coming to our domain?” the mother-in-law asked him.
”I’d be honored, but I am swamped in this city!” he said.
”That’s a shame. I thought perhaps of a match with Hinagiku,” she smiled.
”What!?” he gasped, losing his focus and flushing red. His wooden katana sailed off target and the mother-in-law’s blade knocked it away. He fumbled words, face aflame, and she smiled a sly smile at what she saw—a sure sign she thought there was a chance.
”You are a fine match in skill, Hinagiku is very beautiful and strong,” he blurted.
”Calm down. With your talent you would match her well,” she said.
”Sorry—my friend has no luck with women, so can you handle that through the office?” I cut in. I was worried she would roll him like a ball in her palm. Honestly, if he chose freely I would not stop him from leaving—though I would be very lonely.
”Oh? There is a chance, then,” she said.
”Only in looks, Hinagiku is fine,” someone murmured.
”Tatara-dono, why emphasize only the looks?” Hinagiku asked, voice small.
”You wanted me to say it?” he replied.
”No. That will do,” Hinagiku said.
As talk spun, the mother-in-law’s thrown wooden katana came spinning down. Without much thought she matched its spin with her hand and gripped the hilt cleanly. I felt a chill run down my spine. Could that katana be meant for her own use?”
”Someone like me, just a kid, doesn’t suit a woman as amazing as Hinagiku-san,” the fool said, scratching his head.
If only he knew—behind that beautiful face and skill with a sword, she’s dry as a salted fish. But I kept that thought buried deep.
”So you do have feelings for her,” the mother-in-law said softly. “Are you seeing anyone right now?”
”No. My family’s poor farmers, and whatever I earn from exploration goes straight to food. No time or money for romance.”
”Liar,” I cut in. “You get confessed to by freshmen and classmates every damn year.”
”Didn’t accept any, so it doesn’t count!” he barked back.
In the academy’s secret polls—the ‘most wanted to hug,’ the ‘most wanted to marry,’ and the ‘most wanted as a big brother’—this idiot was a triple crown winner.
For comparison, Ethelena held five titles: ‘woman most wanted to sleep with,’ ‘most wanted as a side lover,’ ‘most wanted as a little sister,’ ‘best bust,’ and ‘most tempting to steal.’
I still regret not erasing every one of those bastards who voted.
”Oh my,” said the mother-in-law with a smile. “Then why not bring your whole family to my domain and live there till your bones turn to dust?”
”Please, stop recruiting him,” I groaned.
Told you, woman—go through the damn office first.
”…Nyu~, Tatara-chan.”
The small, sleepy voice came from the hall. The youngest daughter had woken up, dragging a blanket as she toddled toward the veranda. The twins still slept.
”What’s wrong, little one?”
”Nyu… need to pee,” she murmured.
”All right, the toilet’s this way.”
I led her down the hall. No child-sized seat, but she managed fine. I stood outside—no interest in watching a girl’s business. I figured she’d flush and come out once done.
Then came the shriek.
”PyaaAAAAAAHH!?”
The sound ripped through the quiet house. My blood froze.
”What the hell happened? You okay in there!?”
”Tatara-chan!? Something’s hitting my butt!!”
Ah. The bidet. The curious child must’ve pressed the wrong button and got her first taste of the water jet.
Ethelena and even the city mayor had done the same, screaming like banshees their first time.
”There’s a red button near the one you pressed—see it?”
”Nyyaa!? Tatara-chan, help! My butt feels weird!!”
Too much stimulation—she couldn’t even hear me. What the hell now?
”…Yo, Tatara,” came a voice from behind, low and furious, like it had crawled up from hell itself.
I turned. The fool stood there, eyes blazing.
”Oh, perfect timing.”
”AaAah!?”
”Your sister’s meeting the bidet for the first time and she’s begging for help. Go handle it.”
”…Ah.”
He sighed like a man surrendering to fate and went inside.
Funny thing—I remembered him doing the exact same damn thing when we were kids.
After a few minutes they came out, the little one’s face swollen from crying. Well, first time shock—can’t blame her.
”Tatara-chan, what was that thing?” she sniffled.
”That’s called a bidet. A magic device that washes your butt.”
”…Sorry for using it without asking.”
”It’s fine. Just check before pressing buttons next time.”
If she understood, there was no need to scold more.
”I forgot about the death trap in your house,” the fool muttered.
”Harsh. It saves paper and money—it’s practical,” I said.
”Yeah, but what if someone develops a weird fetish from it?”
”No one has,” I snapped.
So far, no resident had discovered pleasure from the damn thing. Yohira and the mother-in-law once asked to install one themselves, and even my master admitted it was useful. If anyone said they got hooked on the ‘sensation,’ I wouldn’t know what face to make.
”Wait—don’t tell me you, as a kid, with the bidet—”
”I’ll punch you.”
I gave him a look; he glared back. Good—at least my best friend hadn’t awakened to that.
We returned to the yard. Under the mother-in-law’s watchful eye, Hinagiku and the fool faced each other again, repeating their kata. Slow and exact, meant to engrain the movements. Maybe she wanted to rebuild his basics after his rapid progress. Whatever her aim, his form was becoming sharper, cleaner with each motion.
”Big brother’s sword is prettier now!” chirped the youngest, sitting beside me.
Even a child with no training could see the change. It reminded me how much a true teacher mattered. Both the fool and I had grown from the people Hizuru brought into our lives—strange how fate shapes us.
He swung until sunset. No wild moves, but he drenched himself in sweat. Before leaving, I let him shower and handed him thirty thousand for his family. He left with his siblings, the three little ones begging to come again tomorrow. He gently told them no—today was special. They had to learn restraint. Even kindness must teach limits, or it rots into weakness. That was family love, in its hard form.
”That’s how the day went,” I said over dinner.
”Sounds wonderful,” Ethelena sighed. “I wish I could have helped with the children—good practice for later.”
Yohira just gave her a look that said, you hopeless woman. She didn’t need to envy anyone else; she was already a fine mother.
”Master,” Dahlia asked, “do you wish for a big family, with many children loving each other?”
”I don’t mind a large family,” I said, “but too many, and some might be neglected. That’s the fear.”
I’d heard such stories even in my past life—parents giving all attention to the first child, or the last, leaving others starved for affection. If Ethelena doted on the younger, I’d need to care for the elder. Love must be balanced or hearts break.
”Master, then leave childrearing to me!” Dahlia declared. “Better yet, I could bear children myself and raise them as the first of a maid lineage—let’s make them together—Guh!?”
”Oh, pardon me,” the mother-in-law said calmly. “A bug landed on your head. My hand slipped while swatting it.”
”…That’s happened before,” someone muttered.
Dahlia slumped over, twitching. The strike had been so fast even I barely saw it. Ethelena missed it completely.
”Still,” said the mother-in-law, “Tatara-dono’s friend brims with talent. To absorb katana technique in two days—rare indeed. Even Hizuru lacked such ability.”
”And because of that, Hinagiku gave him a concussion and a crushed shoulder,” I said. “You sure it was wise leaving him with her?”
”Ugh…”
Turns out Hinagiku’s level was over eighty—more than triple the fool’s. She’d lost sight of the gap in her excitement.
”Hinagiku, excuses won’t do,” her mother-in-law warned.
”When you say that, Okusama, I… can’t really argue,” she murmured.
The moment that stood out most that day was the fool’s training under the mother-in-law. His growth then—it was something to behold.
”Get a grip, Hinagiku-san. That fool—he admires you more than you think. You might even end up marrying him someday,” I said.
”Wha—m-m-m-marry!?” she shrieked, face flushing crimson.
Oh, she’s shaken to the bone. The idiot’s reaction toward Hinagiku is something I’ve never seen before—he’s clearly taken with her. I don’t yet know what his little sisters think, but at least for that fool, Hinagiku’s already someone worthy of walking beside him.
A woman’s shadow in the life of a man who dives alone into dungeons—it’s strange to see, but if he can seize happiness with his own hands, I’ll cheer him on.
”He seemed ashamed of his family’s poverty,” the mother-in-law said, “but I see no fault in that. The fruit he brought during the break was delicious. I see no reason to scorn such roots.”
”Yeah. He only brought the misshapen ones that wouldn’t sell, but the taste is fine. His family’s fruit is a recognized brand,” I said.
Their house is old and creaking, and with so many siblings, money’s tight. But the fruit sells well—his parents’ orchard is thriving. I remember when he gave me some, and I baked a pie for Ethelena—she was hooked after the first bite. Though later, his eldest sister and Ethelena started glaring daggers at each other for some reason.
”So, he has a farm yet still became an Explorer,” the mother-in-law mused.
”Yeah. He was born with a skill suited for exploration. His parents said, if it’s a gift from God, he should use it—and pushed him forward.”
That, and the fact his younger brother was a prodigy with farm skills—it worked out. He first came to my house back in primary school, wanting to hear about adventuring from my parents, who were mid-rank Explorers. That’s how our friendship began.
”His whole family’s the helpful sort,” I said. “Maybe that’s exactly what Hinagiku’s dried-fish personality needs.”
”Tatara-dono, I am not a dried fish,” Hinagiku protested.
”No, dried fish indeed,” Ichika said flatly.
”Dried fish,” the mother-in-law echoed.
Hinagiku’s denial was cut down at once. Ethelena and Yohira chuckled quietly, while Dahlia looked indifferent. My master, hearing “dried fish,” seemed to crave sake—he always did love dried mackerel with a cup of rice wine. The mother-in-law would probably love it too, but we didn’t have any. Maybe I should slice some frozen tuna from storage and make dried cheek meat instead. Back in my old life, the ones I grilled near the harbor were incredible. Hell, I could even make mirin-dried ones.
But there’s not enough daylight for sun-drying. Maybe I should build a proper food dryer.
”Master,” Dahlia said, her eyes gleaming, “you’re thinking of a new magic device, aren’t you?”
”Not wrong.”
”Then out with it! The birth of a new device is the highest joy for us Automaton Maidens—it is our lifeblood! And when it’s one made by you, whose works are like miracles themselves, it might even elevate us to a new form of existence!”
”…It’s just a kitchen tool. A device to dry fish and meat easily. Why does that excite you?”
”As one who cannot cook, it’s irrelevant to me,” she said flatly.
”You wear a maid outfit and say that?”
Well, her maid outfit came from her being bound to the Machine God, so maybe it made sense in a twisted way.
Then the mother-in-law leaned forward with interest. “A device for making dried food without sun-drying? May I hear more?”
”Sure. Basically, you control the internal temperature and humidity, keep them steady, and blow warm air to draw out moisture—”
As I explained, not only she but even my master started listening like students before a sage. They seriously wanted a dried-fish maker.
”So it would be the Hinagiku-model food dryer, yes?” Ichika quipped.
”The glutton’s model, more like,” I muttered.
”Excuse me, that hurts!” Hinagiku protested.
”Then stop wandering around in a baggy shirt with no bra or underwear,” Ethelena said coolly.
Hinagiku’s gasp told me she’d been hit square in the pride. Still, Ethelena’s tone meant she didn’t mind Hinagiku eating her food—so at least there’s that.
”To condense flavor by drying food is fine,” Ichika said, smirking, “but to condense flesh by eating—perhaps that’s a different sort of dried thing, degozaru.”
”Foolish fox, even I have limits to my patience!” Hinagiku snapped.
”Well, until you started training that man, you did nothing but eat, nap, and spar at home, didn’t you? Dried Hinagiku fits, degozaru.”
”Damn it, just because I can handle housework—!”
”If you want to prove yourself, learn to wash dishes and sort laundry. Even if you marry someone caring, they’ll lose patience if you can’t manage a household, degozaru.”
Ichika’s words were sharp, but beneath them was real concern. She knew Hinagiku wouldn’t change unless someone hit her with truths that stung. Still, she’d already endured her mother’s strict training and hadn’t improved much… that was worrying.
If she’s to marry that fool someday, I hope she fixes at least the basics—but I’m not holding my breath.
”Then foolish fox, you too should fix your fear of men and hatred of vegetables before marrying Tatara-dono!” Hinagiku countered.
”Ugh, you strike hard, degozaru,” Ichika groaned.
”It’s fine, Ichika. Take your time. I know you’re trying,” I said gently.
”M-master, please don’t spoil me too much! But I am getting used to the vegetables here, degozaru!” she said.
”Why does that sound like favoritism, Tatara-dono?” Hinagiku muttered.
”Hinagiku,” the mother-in-law said suddenly, “go find yourself a man—like Ichika did.”
”Okusama, that’s my line…” Ichika mumbled.
When even the mother-in-law starts quoting her, chaos is near.
Ichika’s fear and aversion came from her past, so I couldn’t blame her. She was family now, and I couldn’t help being gentler with her. She wanted to overcome it, but I wouldn’t push her too hard. Besides, we’d shared skin once—no fear then. She’s come a long way.
”And Ichika,” said the mother-in-law, “you’re no longer of the Torakuma house. Stop calling me Okusama.”
”Ah—habit, degozaru.”
”You’ll be sisters with Yohira soon enough, so call me Mother instead.”
”Absolutely not, degozaru!”
Please, woman, don’t say terrifying things so casually.
”I still respect you, Okusama,” Ichika said. “Your New Year’s dance was divine.”
”Right,” I added. “Yohira mentioned you perform in rituals.”
The mother-in-law smiled faintly. “On New Year’s Eve, I dance from dusk until sunrise to cast away misfortune.”
”To be exact,” Yohira added, “the role is that of the goddess Ame-no-Uzume herself. Since Okusama took the mantle long ago, some generations know no other dancer but her.”
My master’s quiet explanation struck me: the mother-in-law’s role wasn’t just family duty—it was national. In this world where curses, magic, and gods are real, a woman who dances to ward off evil for her people isn’t just a performer—she’s a living pillar of protection. And if Yohira inherited that divine dance, the responsibility would be immense. If she’s marrying me, does that mean I’m dragging a holy successor away from her sacred post? Gods, that’s heavy.
”Ah, Tatara-san, you seem uneasy,” the mother-in-law said, smiling. “Don’t worry—there’s no problem.”
”Ugh, you read my face!?”
”You’re honest, Tatara-san,” she said gently. “Your face tells the truth. You were worried for Hizuru through Yohira, weren’t you?”
Was I that obvious? I touched my face without thinking, unsure what gave me away.
”Fear not, Tatara,” my master rumbled. “Only those close to you can read your thoughts.”
”Yeah,” Yohira added softly, “you’ve got that calm, cool face most of the time. It’s nice.”
That broke me—I laughed. Ethelena was serious, Yohira was too pure, and Ichika stood in the back with her arms crossed, nodding like she understood my soul. She’d known me the shortest, but somehow acted like a sage.
”Anyway,” I asked, “why is it fine for Yohira to come live with me? Isn’t she your rightful heir?”
”Well,” the mother-in-law said, “as long as Yohira returns to Hizuru for the New Year’s rites, there’s no issue. And though she’s the first successor, there are other candidates as well.”
”If Yohira’s fine with it, I’ll send her home for the New Year,” I said.
”I’d love to spend it with you all too,” Yohira said wistfully. “Maybe you and Ethelena could come to my homeland instead?”
”‘Whirlwind’ doesn’t have any big New Year festivals,” Ethelena said. “I’m fine with that.”
”If she’s fine, then so am I. Ichika? Dahlia?”
”No issue, degozaru.”
”I’d like to visit my parents for New Year,” Dahlia said softly. “Other than that, I’ll stay here.”
So Dahlia would be away—that was fine. Still, I should greet her parents when I drop her off and when she returns.
”Master,” she said, tilting her head, “you do realize if you meet them, there’s a chance you won’t be allowed to come back?”
”…You read my mind naturally, didn’t you, Dahlia? And wait—what’s that supposed to mean about your parents?”
”They’re as warm and sociable as I am,” she said calmly. “Before you know it, they’ll win you over. You might end up staying forever.”
”Warm and sociable, huh?”
”You doubt that?” she said, narrowing her eyes.
Her words were normal enough, but Dahlia had a knack for making even normal things sound strange. I should probably set up a teleportation gate before going, just in case.
”Dahlia, does your hometown have a teleportation gate?”
”No. It’s a small rural village. I checked the maps—it’s about a week’s journey with my current speed. I’ll be gone for a while, I’m afraid.”
”That’s… far. Mother-in-law, how much would it cost to make a gate like the one here?”
A week was too long. If we built a home gate for her family, she could visit freely.
”That’s classified tech,” the mother-in-law said. “It’s expensive.”
”If it helps a family stay connected, I’ll pay. You know I can’t stand needless distance.”
She sighed. “Then barter. Ten ‘Alchemist’s Eggs.’”
”Deal. Dahlia, collect the materials.”
”Yes, my Master… honestly, you’re too kind,” she said—but her smile betrayed quiet joy.
Dinner ended peacefully after that. Later, I found myself in the forge. My master had summoned me. When I arrived, he stood before the furnace in ritual garb, the air around him utterly still. His presence was so solemn it made me hesitate to speak.
”Forgive the delay, Master. Tatara Julon, reporting,” I said.
”Good,” he replied simply.
I’d finished washing dishes and setting the laundry before coming, but I still felt I’d kept him waiting. The mood made me revert to formal speech, something I never did. He only nodded once.
What did he want to show me?
”…Tatara,” he began quietly, “since I came here, I have taught you many arts. You learned them all—and even forged new ones beyond them.”
His calm voice carried weight. Gratitude? Warning? I couldn’t tell. But behind it burned a heat like a forge ready to consume all.
”You’ve shown talent beyond what I imagined,” he said. “So I judge you worthy to see my greatest failure.”
”My master’s greatest failure…?”
Why would he call something his greatest failure—and still want to pass it on? What kind of thing did he consider failure?
”What I will show you now,” he said, golden eyes opening and fixing on me, “is a craft that even a god could not perfect. The final art of Ame-no-Mahitotsu-no-Mikoto, the god of smiths—his highest, and his most flawed creation.”
A dead-end craft, a path with no further growth—and yet he meant to show it to me. Was it a warning? Or did he want me to rise beyond it?
”I understand,” I said. “I’ll witness it to the end, Master.”
He nodded once and turned to the furnace.
Before he returned to Hizuru, the final lesson began.
Notes:
• 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.
• Dahlia – The automaton.
• Ichika – The fox girl. Kunoichi.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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