Chapter 81 Interlude – The Rise and Fall of Popularity, and the Demi-Human Hater
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Sanai Ayumu had lived his entire life without a girlfriend, updating that lonely record year after year—until now. Since coming to the Valend Cave Kingdom, everything had changed.
”Ahhh! That’s the rumored exchange student? He’s really as tall and handsome as Her Highness Princess Laura said!” one girl cried.
”They say he’s from Yugan!” another chimed in.
”Yugan? Where’s that again?”
”Don’t tell me you don’t know! The old Yugan Empire—humans colonized and built it, remember? You learned that in history class!”
From the moment he arrived, shrill voices of palace girls surrounded him. Ayumu wanted to shout to the heavens: If this is a dream, don’t wake me up. Who would’ve thought the cliché of suddenly being popular in another world would happen to him? Thank you, God—and please, no other human males show up here!
Of course, there was one small problem. He was technically here under Emperor Rai’s orders, carrying the Yugan name, so he couldn’t exactly flirt around with dwarven girls… Well, that was a lie. The real problem was that every bearded dwarf father and brother nearby glared at him with the silent promise of bloodshed if he so much as laid a finger on their daughters or sisters. That murderous aura alone was enough to freeze him in place.
Still, popularity wasn’t the only marvel. Valend Cave Kingdom itself was a sight beyond reason.
The first shock upon arrival was the vast cavern—so wide it could contain two nations—with a colossal underground city inside. Gigantic arches and supporting pillars formed dome-like structures, their durability obvious at first glance. Arches, after all, had been used since ancient Egypt, Babylon, Rome, China, and even medieval Japan—through to modern bridges and stadiums—for one reason: they were strong.
Everywhere in the city stood replicas of the forbidden dwarven tome, Kaguramagna. Citizens prayed daily before these copies to prevent misuse of its dangerous knowledge. Even on the road to the palace, pedestals holding those replicas lined the streets.
Ayumu only knew this because a kindly dwarf man had explained it on the way—though once Princess Laura suddenly confessed to Ayumu, that same man treated him like a mortal enemy. Wait, what? How is that my fault?! His frustration boiled over inside, though he kept his face calm.
His escort, Ms. Yoluminette, had already left by carriage after finishing her duty. She had been, to put it lightly, the very picture of a demi-human hater. All along the road she had muttered curses: “Savage beasts… disgusting dwarves, short-armed, short-legged pigs…” (T/N: pun on 短手短足—literally “short-handed, short-legged,” an insult about dwarves’ bodies.) Even her farewell had been dripping disdain:
”With these half-humans everywhere, I nearly went mad… Lord Sanai, though it must be lonely for you, I pray for your refinement.”
Truth be told, Ayumu hadn’t felt lonely at all—he’d felt relief. Every time she hissed insults within earshot of dwarves, he nearly broke into a cold sweat, fearing someone would take offense. Yet, despite her poisonous tongue, she had scared off both monsters and bandits, so he couldn’t call her entirely useless.
Ironically, in the end, what angered the dwarf guide most wasn’t Yoluminette’s constant slurs—but Ayumu receiving a confession from Princess Laura. Shouldn’t you be more upset about the insults than the princess thing? Your standards are messed up!
Still bewildered, wrapped once more in the shrill excitement of the palace girls, Ayumu finally reached the room lent to him. His mind swirled with relief, confusion, and the surreal knowledge that, in this world, his “popularity phase” had truly arrived.
Notes:
• Valend Cave Kingdom – Dwarven realm mentioned in the map.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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