Chapter 129 Himuro Yukiko ⑤
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
We finally reached Draguoth, the capital of Wrathfiria¹.
Even from a distance, the walls were impressive, but up close, they were a goddamn marvel. They stood maybe twenty meters high. At first glance, they looked easy enough to scale, but a closer look revealed a nasty overhang. The profile was shaped like a bracket-designed specifically to keep climbers from reaching the top.
The main gate was massive, easily wide enough for a vehicle, so we drove straight toward it. Two guards stood at the entrance. I felt for them; standing watch with no foot traffic in sight is a special kind of hell. Still, they weren’t slackers. The moment they saw an unidentified metal box on wheels rolling toward them, they went into high alert. One of them sprinted off to call for reinforcements before we even came to a halt.
I parked and signaled everyone to get out. By the time I stepped onto the dirt, the first guard had returned with a dozen soldiers in tow, swords drawn and ready.
”Lower your steel! They’re merchants from Greedia!”
Leonardo stepped forward, his voice carrying the practiced authority of an officer. The soldiers caught sight of him and immediately snapped into a salute. He was a Major, after all.
”But, Lord Leonardo… that thing…” one of the soldiers gestured to the camper.
”A magic tool from Greedia,” Leonardo barked.
”No way!” the men buzzed, whispering among themselves. I couldn’t blame them. A carriage that moved without horses looked like pure sorcery to the uninitiated. To make matters worse, this was the only camper in existence. While Tatei had been using Materialization Alchemy² to sell light trucks at a premium-three gold coins a pop just to avoid putting local coachmen out of business-this rig was one of a kind.
Anyway, Leonardo handled the introductions.
”So, that’s the long and short of it,” Leonardo finished.
”I see. Understood, sir,” the guard replied. “However, regulations are regulations. I’m afraid we’ll have to ‘Appraise’ everyone.”
Something about his phrasing felt off.
”Fine by me,” Leonardo said, stepping up. “Start with me.”
”Right. You! Appraiser! Get over here!”
A soldier stepped forward and focused on Leonardo. I watched closely. So this is how they do it.
”It’s standard procedure,” Leonardo explained to me. “Anyone entering the city has to prove their identity.”
That made sense. Places like Plaudix and Greedia were way more relaxed, mostly because Foxia saw thousands of people a day. If they checked every person’s status at the gate, the sun would go down before the line even moved.
”Our appraisers all have the ‘Advanced’ skill,” Leonardo added. “Disguises, fake stats-they see through it all.”
”Impressive,” I said. I meant it. You saw plenty of basic Appraisers in Greedia, but the Advanced ones were rare. I think Georg had one working for him back in the day. Of course, even an Advanced skill didn’t stand a chance against the ‘Perfect Camouflage’³ I’d wrapped around myself and the girls.
”Identity confirmed. No issues,” the Appraiser announced.
He moved through the rest of Leonardo’s squad quickly. Once they were cleared, he turned his gaze toward me.
”Next. If you please.”
He stared. I knew exactly what he was seeing on his mental HUD:
Name: Sieben Totzünd
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Class: Magic Swordsman
Level: 41
LP: 9000/9000
MP: 1500/1500
Condition: Normal
STR: 1000 (×1.5)
VIT: 900
DEX: 500
AGI: 650
MAG: 1000
MIN: 500
Skills: Magic Sword (UN), Item Box (R), Sword Mastery Lv4 (R), Whip-sword Lv5 (UC), Short Bow Lv1 (C), One-handed Axe Lv1 (C), Throwing Lv1 (C), Dual Wield (R), Lifestyle Magic (C), Earth Magic Lv3 (UC), Fire Magic Lv3 (UC), Wind Magic Lv3 (UC), Lightning Magic Lv3 (UC), Summoning Magic Lv1 (R), Jump (C), Great Strength (R), Acceleration (R), Leadership Lv4 (UC), Sexual Technique Lv3 (C), Dismantling Lv2 (C), Horse Riding Lv2 (C), Carriage Driving Lv1 (C), Vehicle Driving Lv2 (SR)
Titles: Monster Hunter (Black Iron), Casino Guild Master, Clan Leader, Giant Ant Killer
Familiar: Lili
I’d scrubbed my real name, hidden the heavy-hitter Unique Skills, and swapped them for more “believable” alternatives. I also made sure to hide things like ‘Training’ or ‘Torture.’ As for why I kept ‘Sexual Technique’ at such a low level… well, use your imagination. If it were any higher, people would mistake me for a pimp or a “specialist” trainer. And for the record, my version of training has nothing to do with taming monsters.
I’d also passed ‘Superhuman Strength’ off to Nadja. She needed the muscle for hauling heavy ingredients and butchering oversized monsters in the kitchen. Besides, I didn’t exactly need a base STR of 35,000 for a simple border crossing.
”Clean record. Everything seems to be in order,” the Appraiser said. “Now, about this familiar…”
”Hee-ere! Lili is Master’s familiar, ssu!”
Lili gave a playful wink and a mock salute. She was wearing next to nothing, and I watched as half the soldiers suddenly found their boots very interesting as they leaned forward to hide their… reactions. Typical.
”I see…” the guard cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “Standard protocol requires all familiars to wear a registration collar while inside city limits.”
”I understand,” I said. “If that’s the rule, we’ll follow it. We don’t have one on us, though. If you have a temporary one we can borrow, that would be great.”
In Wrathfiria, the collar served as proof of ownership-if a familiar caused trouble or got snatched, the authorities would know exactly who to call. Greedia was much more relaxed; Sango didn’t even have one. But Wrathfiria lived and died by its discipline, and I wasn’t about to start a fight over a piece of leather.
”So, the others aren’t yours, then?”
A different soldier-the captain of the reinforcement squad-stepped forward with a sneer. He had a real “tough guy” attitude that was already grating on my nerves.
”Excuse me?” I asked.
”The dog-eared bitch,” he said, pointing at my companions. “If she’s not a familiar, sell her to me. I’ll sign a contract and make her mine-“
The air went cold. Before he could finish the sentence, the tip of my sword was pressed firmly against his windpipe. I moved so fast the other soldiers didn’t even see my hand move; they just stood there, blinking in confusion.
Slowly, the rest of the squad reached for their hilts. They knew their captain had messed up, but they couldn’t just stand by while I threatened him. Leonardo’s men, on the other hand, just looked at the idiot with pure disgust.
”These women are my wife and daughter,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “If that was just a stupid mistake born of ignorance, apologize and I’ll let it go. If not…”
”I-I get it!” the captain stammered, his face turning pale. “It was a mistake! Just… put the steel away!”
”Put it away?” I narrowed my eyes, letting a sliver of killing intent leak out.
”P-please!” he choked out, his knees finally buckling. “I’m sorry! Please, put it away!”
I sheathed the blade with a sharp click. The captain collapsed into the dirt, trembling. He didn’t piss himself, so I’ll give him credit for that much. Professional soldiering, I guess.
”Sorry about that,” Leonardo sighed, walking over. “Don’t think everyone here is as much of a moron as this guy.”
”I’d hope not,” I muttered. “I know how it goes.”
”Do you? Because honestly, there are plenty of people in this city who’ll look at Lil or Leki and think the same thing. And legally, if they aren’t marked as yours…”
I went quiet. He had a point. I hated the idea of treating them like property, but if it kept the bottom-feeders away…
”Darling, I don’t mind,” Lil said, stepping up to my side.
”Lil, come on. You shouldn’t have to-“
”No, really,” she said with a soft, mischievous smile. “Just the thought of you putting a collar on me… it makes me feel like I belong to you even more. It’s kind of exciting.”
I blinked. Oh. She’s into it.
”Leki wants one too!” the kid chimed in, tugging at my sleeve. “Leki belongs to Papa!”
”…Leki too, huh?”
”Come on, Darling,” Lil teased, her voice dropping to a playful purr. “Put your mark on us so everyone knows. wan♪”
”Papa, please! Leki wants to be your good girl! wan♪”
I felt the heat rising to my face. That “wan♪” was a critical hit. I was ten seconds away from a massive nosebleed.
”Fine! Fine,” I groaned, waving the guard over. “Lend me three collars. And try to find something that doesn’t look like it belongs in a dungeon.”
”Right away, sir,” the guard said, stifling a laugh as he ran to the guardhouse.
”Hehe… I can’t wait for our ‘owner and pet’ games later,” Lil whispered.
”Did you say something?” I asked, though I was pretty sure I knew the answer.
”Nothing at all, desu-wan♪”
I rubbed my temples as a headache began to form. I could hear the soldiers behind me muttering things like “Must be nice” and “I hope he trips and breaks that mask.”
I decided to ignore them.
”Um, Sieben…?”
I looked over. Mihiro was standing there, face bright red, fidgeting as she looked up at me through her lashes.
”What is it, Mihiro?”
”Can I… can I have a collar too…?”
I just stared at her, my hand firmly over my face. Absolutely not.
—
Summary:
Sieben and his group arrive at the capital of Wrathfiria, Draguoth. After a tense standoff with a disrespectful soldier at the gate, Sieben decides to have his female companions wear collars to comply with local laws and prevent further harassment. The chapter ends with a comedic moment as the girls embrace the idea, much to Sieben’s embarrassment.
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Trivia:
- The walls of Draguoth have a specific ‘]’ overhang design.
- Tatei sells light trucks for 3 gold coins to preserve the horse-carriage industry.
- Sieben’s actual STR is 35,000, but he hides it.
- Wrathfiria is much stricter with laws compared to Greedia.
- The term ‘Training’ has a specific s*xual connotation in this world’s skill system
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Character Insight:
Sieben demonstrates his protective nature and overwhelming power when his family is insulted. Meanwhile, Lil and Leki show a playful, slightly submissive side, using the ‘collar’ situation to tease Sieben and deepen their bond.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the meta-concept of ‘Mana’ representing reader comments to encourage engagement.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Leonardo – A Major and squad leader in the Wrathfiria military. Large build like a bear with brown hair like a lion’s mane and a thick beard. Friendly and boisterous.
• Tatei – Tatei Kozoo. Height 186 cm, weight 52 kg. Natsumi’s otaku friend. Originally a tall and sturdy man, but he became skin and bones due to anorexia. Possesses the skill ‘Materialization Alchemy’. Created equipment for the class.
• Tate – Male Otaku friend of Reese. Gaunt and thin, wears glasses. Possesses Materialization Alchemy skill.
• Georg – Master of Merchant Guild Foxia, silver-haired middle-aged gentleman.
• Sieben – Young man with black hair and a mask covering his eyes. He purchased Honoka and Ria.
• Lili – Sasaki Natsumi’s familiar. She is a Lilim, a type of succubus, and has no fighting power. Of course, she only thinks about erotic things. Blonde hair, blue eyes, twin-tails, and a petite but busty (‘loli-bakunyuu’) physique
• Lil – One of the heroines. Height 166 cm, B-W-H: 90-56-90. She is a top-tier beauty with long indigo hair down to her waist, a large scar on her abdomen and sharp golden eyes. She has wolf ears and a tail.
• Nadja – A female goblin. She was treated as a breeding bed for orcs and was r*ped, but Natsumi (Sieben) saved her. Now, former goblin who underwent Anthropomorphism. Sun-kissed skin, milk-white short-cut hair, large golden eyes, a single small horn on her forehead, and small pointed ears.
• Sango – A bunny-girl with long white hair and red eyes; younger sister of Torimaki Ichigo.
• Leki – Lil’s daughter. Height: 140 cm, B-W-H: 70, 54, 69. She looks more like a Siberian Husky puppy than a wolf. Honestly, she just looks like a stuffed toy, recently transformed into a human form. Now use great axe as weapon.
• Mihiro – Post-gender swap of Yuki Chihiro: Height 160 cm, B-W-H: 82-55-80. Futanari. Short haired black hair, handsome.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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