Great Sage 36 – Twilight Maid Cafe

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The shop on the map Yuikuu sent me was in a warehouse off the main road in a government designated port city near the Lithomanmari trade association.

As I arrive at a park near the spot, the smell of the tide fills my nose and the surroundings begin to be shrouded in twilight.
According to the clock in the park, it’s almost five in the afternoon.

I thought they would aim for the opening provided by teleportation magic but my pursuer simply watched from afar.

I watch the trade ship docked in the port as I walk but nothing changes.

I arrive at the front of the store to find a sign written in strong brush strokes,

[Maid(Underworld) Cafe Scorching Hell]¹
What a suspicious sign.

――Did Yuikuu make it I wonder?

The store itself looked like a stylish cafe remodeled from a warehouse but,

“That name would make you hesitate to come in”
I take a deep sigh.

Suppressing the urge to go home, I open the door,

“Welcome back, Master!”

A maid with horns like an oni and chestnut hair comes up to me with a smile on her face. Inside the store is around ten tables plus counter seating and a number of women in similar maid outfits.

It has the same atmosphere as the maid cafes I’ve researched online so it’s safe for now,

“Ah, over here over here!”
A man with komusou clothing and a loud voice waves at me.

“Pretty good store isn’t it”

Yuikuu is eating a fruit parfait inside a beer mug covered in decorations.
I sit opposite Yuikuu and look out the large glass window behind him, past the plants to see the port.

The oni girl who came to take my order earlier had a pretty amazing body, her chest lifts up the apron dress and plump thighs stick out from under the fairly short skirt.

I ended up staring at her,
“The name’s Reina, be sure to remember it”

She points to the namecard on her chest and gives me a wink with her large brown eyes.

The parfait Yuikuu was eating looked good so I ordered one myself,

“First things first, I left the Kashizu Sect”
After giving Reina a smile, Yuikuu puts on a serious face.

“Why’s that”

“After this incident the guys in the head temple working with the Shimogami were removed but that caused a power struggle within the sect…… Although there were some that wanted me in the upper echelon, I guess they’ve lost their fondness of me”

“It seems I’ve caused you some trouble”

“Well it’s a good opportunity. The Kashizu had reached the top of the anti demon warrior organisations and was rotting away after becoming complacent. A bit of change is good for them”

A maid in cat ears brings the parfait I ordered over.
On top of the coaster was a small note.

“Was there a need for Yuikuu to retire?”
I pocket the note and stick a spoon into the parfait.

“Hey do you know the phrase, the customers are gods?”²

Yuikuu looks at the maids and throws up a peace sign with his left hand.
Looking at the note, [Your friends are here♡] is written on it.

Then there must be two people following me, and they’ve made it to the front of the store.

“I believe it’s the words of an old popular singer…..”

“I don’t know what the singer meant by that but it doesn’t mean that the people paying to listen to him are gods”

I tilt my head.

“There’s a similar thing in the teachings of Buddha. Work is something that you dedicate to the [Gods] or [Buddha] that you believe in and by following through on your ideals and beliefs, it will come around to support others and society. Therefor it’s not about the company or organisation that gives you money, or the client behind it all”

I nod my head in understanding,

“I am a practitioner of Buddhist teachings not a servant of the Kashizu. Well that’s all there is to it”

Yuikuu laughs.

“So I have a request for you”
“What is it”

“Could you look after the young ones who want to follow after me? Alona said she would take care of the finances but I need someone to organise it all”

“What will you be doing”

“I intend to wander and retrain myself for a bit. I wasn’t looking to temper my strength any further but….. I met an interesting man and changed my mind”

Yuikuu gives me a sharp look,

“When you dealt with old man Ashiya, I had yet to use my trump card. It’s just that you dealt with him first”

He makes a wide smile.

Search magic gives off a warning signal, one that didn’t sound even when I faced against the Demon Lord with the power of the gate in the other world.

The heart pounding illness strikes again, but this must be from joy.

Ever since obtaining the title of great sage, I had never fought seriously against an opponent before, but the man in front of me is clearly different from the rest.

“I understand, I look forward to seeing the results of your training”
I’m sure I too had a smile on my face like Yuikuu’s.

He looks me in the eyes and nods,

“You can get the details from my younger brothers”
He gulps down the rest of his parfait.

“Then I’ll be off on a trip but, as a tip I’ll show you something good on my way out”

He dons his hat and leaves with his robes fluttering.

…..from the maid cafe.

“See you later, Master!”

I sighed as I heard the long haired twins behind me desperately trying to hit on the maids.

“Welcome back, Master!”

The voice of the beautiful women sound out in the store once again.
It looks like a couple has arrived.

They’re both dressed in casual jeans and hoodies with the hoods up, the woman is wearing sunglasses even though the sun has gone down.

The woman stumbled slightly at the entrance,

“Tsk”

The man clicked his tongue as he supported her, causing the woman to flinch.
It seems they don’t get along.

Perhaps the woman is blind.

“Would you like to order anything else?”
The maid with cat ears that brought the parfait comes to my table to speak to me.

“I’d like to go now”
I whisper,

“Understood, Master”
Her black straight hair sways as…..


The beautiful girl in maid clothes bows deeply to me.

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Translator’s Notes:
1: The word for underworld is meido.
2: The japanese equivalent of the saying ‘the customer is always right’

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A Misunderstood Mentor 42 – Professor Deus’ Miscalculation

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Ex points the machine gun in her right hand towards me.
The thing known as a gun was developed in Southcity, it’s a tool that allows anyone to easily kill.
Bringing it into the Rushia Kingdom is strictly prohibited and those who do face a heavy punishment.
Only a select few are allowed to own them such as Super Hunter Dagan and Half Machine Machina who have permits from the guild or people given special license from the country.
Ex is probably one of the latter.
If that’s the case, there may be a traitor in a fairly high position within the Rushia kingdom.
Figuring out who that is would be a step closer to discovering the mastermind but…..

“As expected of Takumi-kun”

The one who spoke out to me was not Ex, who is pointing the gun at me, but Professor Deus at her side.

“With your power you could easily reduce Ex to pieces. However, you haven’t done so because you’ve noticed it haven’t you?”

Yeah, I can’t do that.
And it’s not like I’ve noticed anything in particular either.

“That Ex has enough explosives on her body to reduce this mountain to rubble”
“Ehhhh!?”

The exclamation of surprise didn’t come from me.
It seems that the bombs were placed without Ex’s knowledge
Shaken, she takes her eyes off me.
Making use of that opening I roll into the shadow of the stone.

“Open fire, Ex”
“What did you do!! You damn perverted fathead!!”

The angered Ex fires away with her machine gun.
I reflexively cover my ears at the sound of the gunfire chipping away at the rock.
If she’s going to shoot at someone then I’d prefer if she looked towards the one who put bombs on her but the fact she hasn’t perhaps means he has something over her?
Peeking at Professor Deus, I see him muttering to himself while taking notes of something.

“Takumi’s behavior memo, number 31. Typically does not display even the slightest amount of a strong person’s aura. His movement when retreating behind the stone was at the level of an E class adventurer. I believe he is appearing weak in order to lower my guard”

I’m not appearing to be weak, I really am!
Wait what do you mean by number 31?
Have you collected that much data since you came here!?

“Takumi’s behaviour memo, number 32. I conclude that the fact he hasn’t retaliated against Ex means that his methods of attack are unsuitable for restraining her. I believe that any attack he uses is too powerful to hold back and it is impossible for him to touch Ex without destroying her”

No no, no matter what attack, it’ll be so weak that I won’t be able to touch her.

“Aah, that’s right. You should give up on waiting for your allies to come save you. I’ve activated the complete territory isolation system in order to prevent anyone from coming”

So that’s why neither Reia or Sasha have come despite how noisy it’s been.

“Takumi’s behaviour memo, number 33. Considering the great damage the explosives can cause, I conclude that the fact he has not attacked at all is that he is concerned about hurting his allies. I believe either Divine Possession Reia, Princess Sasha, or perhaps both have value as hostages”

Although compared to the other two, it would be much simpler turning me into a hostage.

“Ex, use the rocket launcher to blast that rock away, I want to measure his defense”
“Understood. Please remove the explosives afterwards ok”

This is bad.
I can no longer deal with them on my own.
The moment I thought that.
The bell attached to my waist rings.
Nuruhachi’s transfer bell.
Like an explosion, light flows from the bell.

“The Great Sages teleportation magic is it. Interesting. Will you be able to break through the system I constructed I wonder”

[Alert. Intruder Detected. The Intrusion Prevention System Will Now Activate]

I hear a mechanical voice from out of nowhere.
At the same time, numerous mathematical formulas float in the sky.
I don’t know if it’s calculating something but it’s a series of numbers I don’t understand.

“Calculation Complete. The Transmission Of Material That Has Been Disassembled To A Subatomic Level Has Been Detected. Executing A Reverse Transmission”

A vortex of numbers swirl around the bell of transfer, covering the light.
They rapidly constrict before vanishing along with the light.

“Alert Terminated. The Intruder Has Been Removed”

The bell gives off light no more.

“It’s my win. Great Sage Nuruhachi”

A glowing smile appears on Professor Deus’ face.
Not even Nuruhachi’s teleportation magic works?
This guy is more dangerous than I thought.

“As expected of the Professor. Then it’s my turn!”

Ex slouches over and points the rocket launcher on her back towards the stone.
I’m in big trouble now.

“Ex Launcher, firing away!”

Along with a thunderous roar, the rock before me is blown away.
I too was blown away helplessly by the explosion…..

…..huh?

I’m completely unharmed
There’s no trace of the stone before me left.
However, in it’s place, something else is protecting me.

Standing there is a dark coloured girl.
Her pointed red eyes gleam.
She’s about as tall as me, with long white hair.
She has black horns like a mou on the sides of her head and large black wings on her back.
In addition, her unusually large hands have sharp claws extending out.
She has a swimsuit like cloth over her chest, but it’s fairly small and smooth.

For a moment I mistook her for Chloe.
But there are minor differences here and there.
Plus I immediately knew who this woman is.

“Impossible, it can’t be! Summoning someone without my system even noticing!?”

Professor Deus’ complacent expression turns to that of shock.

“It can’t be, it can’t be! Takumi’s behaviour memo, number 34. Ch-Chantless, magic tool-less summoning confirmed. Un-Undetected by the complete territory isolation system. Impossible, how can this be! Not even the god of creation should be able to pass through my system!?”

Yeah, that’s cause I didn’t summon her.
She’s been here from the start.
Ever since the Great Martial Tournament, she hasn’t responded when I talked to her.
As if returning to a normal sword, she’s been sleeping quietly on my hip.

“Takumi! Just who are you! Do you mean to be the one who will overturn the foundations of this world!? Of science!?”

Distraught, Professor Deus collapses as he screams.

“Takkun”

Hearing her voice after so long warms my heart.

“Say it”

She looks me in the eyes for the first time and speaks to me.
Her voice exactly the same as the one that I’d heard in my head before.

“I’m glad you understand. That’s exactly right”

I match Karna’s gaze and speak with a smile.

Nice to meet you Karna.

I whisper within my heart.

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Translator’s Notes:

If you enjoy my work and want to support me you can make a donation here.

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Great Sage 35 – Yes or Oh yes!

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When I returned from the attack on the Lithomanmari Trade Association, I immediately went to speak with Kanako-chan, who is also a woman of marriageable age in a sense.

“I had prepared myself but this was beyond my expectations….. Sorry Tatsuya-kun, it’s going to take a while for me to sort out my feelings so can we discuss this gradually”

She made a strained smile.

Suddenly being told that your former husband was a kitsune or that I came from another world….. I can appreciate how that can be difficult to follow.

“I understand, I’m free to talk whenever you want”
So I responded at the time.

Since then, Kanako-chan has asked me questions from time to time but it’s difficult talking about the cause of her former husbands death and often I found myself at a loss for words.

It seemed like this would take a while but…..
Two days ago, Kanako-chan wandered around in front of my bedroom in her pajamas while holding a pillow.

I thought I would have to prepare myself to speak with her but it seems that she lacked the determination and eventually returned to her room.

Thinking of the past few days I lay on the futon in the room I was borrowing when one of the pawns I had left outside detected Kanako-chan near the door.

It was too early for dinner so I opened the door curiously,

“Eh, ah, Tatatatatsuya-kun, are you free right now?”

Kanako-chan in her work clothes, a jacket over her sweater, is holding a pillow for some reason and looks at me with a surprised face.

“I don’t mind, I was just thinking some things over”
Hearing my answer, she enters the room meekly.

Kanako-chan sits down near the futon and I sit next to her,

“It’s difficult to make up my mind but this isn’t something you can drag on….. besides”
She puts the pillow she was holding next to mine,

“I haven’t properly responded for the ring you gave me”
Embarrassed, she taps the pillow.

Looking at the pillow, I see a large [YES] embroidered on the cover in pink string.
Could this be the legendary [YES/NO pillow] used by newly weds?

“Before I listen to your story I wanted to convey my feelings. Um, it may seem unfair but I’d like for you to help with my fear and uncertainty”

Just in case, I flipped over the pillow…..
On the other side a large [OH YES!] is embroidered in red string.

Yeah, that’s good. This isn’t the legendary [YES/NO pillow] it seems.
I let out a sigh of relief,

“Eh, that side all of a sudden? It’s been, you know, more than ten years since I did that sort of thing, I’d like it if you’re gentle at first….. but if that’s what you want, Tatsuya-kun, then I’ll do my best”

Kanako-chan takes off her jacket causing her goods within the sweater to bounce as she wraps her arms around my neck.

Something inside Kanako-chan seems to be going haywire…..
My consciousness too is starting to go haywire and doesn’t show signs of stopping.

Her beautiful, slightly slant large eyes sway before me.
Her large chest changes shape as it presses against me and a sweet smell enters my nose. Her soft breaths cause my heart to flutter.

I take a deep breath and embrace her selfish body, gazing back into her saint like eyes.

…..Then I become aware of a certain existence.

I hear Queen tell me [that’s not fair].

Probably referring to the knowledge of the curse placed on those eyes and the affection residing within my heart by the vengeful spirit known as Ashiya.

Master also often spoke to me about happiness and the natural way of things.
Perhaps she knew that the breaks for my perverted heart lay within those eyes.

“Kanako-chan, sorry for not talking about this before”
“What?”

While whispering the words I wanted to tell Kanako-chan into her ear, I use magic to grab at the last dregs of the [curse] within her eyes.

That’s right, for Queen’s sake and for Kanako-chan’s, this isn’t fair. Besides my pride as a great sage won’t allow me to use someones curse to do something like this that goes against the natural way of things that my Master spoke of.

Continuing like this won’t bring me closer to the [precious happiness] I wish for.

The remaining dregs of Ashiya’s curse is complexly intertwined with Kanako-chan’s memories and requires delicate work to remove.

I’m a little worried about the process of removing it…..
I extract the memories related to the kitsune and the other world and the memory of my feelings that I just conveyed to her.

I had decided that was the best way in order to not damage her soul.

She shuts her eyes slowly and I lay Kanako-chan, who has lost her strength, on the futon to rest before grabbing the pawn that had been sounding an alarm since recently.

“Stop peeking and show yourselves”

Mixed with a sigh, I call out to them and the door slowly opens revealing Maya-chan, Queen, and Haruka.

“Sorry”
Maya-chan apologises earnestly,

“Darling really doesn’t understand the hearts of women”
For some reason, Queen gives a relieved smile.

“Umm, I have a message”
Then with a wry smile, Haruka spoke about the progress of the plan.

“The final preparations have been completed on this end and the pawns have indicated that that the guests have arrived. Haruka, let’s go”

My reply causes a different reaction in all three of them but,

“Understood! Then I will immediately go on standby”
Haruka runs off,

“Then as promised, I’ll stick with Maya”
Queen transforms from a young girl in gothic lolita clothing to a red ribbon.

Maya-chan takes that ribbon and attaches it to her hair,
“Hey, are you not intending to return? Removing mom’s recent memories like that”

Tears well in her Kanako-chan like eyes as she hugs me.

“Don’t worry. There’s still so much I have left to do, my goal is to obtain a modest happiness and live a quiet life after all”

I pat Maya-chan on the head as I reply,
“A quiet life? really now”
She releases her arms with an expression mixed with tears and laughter.

“I’m working towards it”

I give Maya-chan a smile as I contact Yuikuu with the improved magic smartphone,

“Sup, you got the message from miss cat? I found a store with fairly tasty looking sweets, would you like to come along with your friends”

With that he cuts the call and messages me a map.

“Then, I’ll be out for a bit”
Leaving Maya-chan those words, I intentionally leave a slight trail to follow and…..


And teleport straight to the location on the map.

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Translator’s Notes:
Imagine sticking to a consistent release schedule am I right? Sorry I was on holiday for the past couple of weeks and didn’t manage to find the time to translate.

If you enjoy my work and want to support me you can make a donation here.

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A Misunderstood Mentor 41 – A Violent Visitor

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“What’s this? There’s rice inside the chicken meat”

The meal I brought out shocked Reia.
I stuffed rice and some vegetables into the chicken’s stomach and roasted it, it’s one of my specialty dishes.
I put some more effort into making it to celebrate Sasha coming over and it seems to have gone well.

“Fufu, that takes me back. When we were adventurers, you would always make this after we finished a large quest”

Sasha eats happily.

“…..You didn’t make this when I came over”

Reia’s face, which was bright just a moment ago, darkens.

“H-Hold on Reia. That time was before the harvest so I didn’t have much rice”
“I-Is that so. I see. I was greatly welcome me at that time too”

No, if anything you were a great nuisance.
But if I say something like that she might talk about cutting her stomach open again so I stay quiet.

Sasha watched us cheerfully as we spoke back and forth.
We spent time together back when I didn’t know she was a princess, but knowing that now I feel somewhat nervous.
Even if its just for show, is it fine to start a newly married life in a dirty cave like this.

After cleaning up dinner, Reia desperately drew a line on the floor with the sheath of her sword.
Since last night, Reia, me, and Sasha were split in that order into separate areas starting from the entrance.

“Hmm? This is my spot? It seems further away from Takumi than yesterday though”

I take my eyes off them for a moment and a strange mood comes between them.

“Last night, I saw you get closer and closer to Takumi-san’s face. I won’t forgive that sense of distance”
“I’m not sure what you mean. Weren’t you the one who was watching him from close by. Takumi was sleeping facing my direction though.”
“Hm hmmph, Takumi-san has a habit of showing the back of his head to those he likes”

That’s right, I have the habit of showing the back of my to those I like….. as if!

And could the two of you please stop peeking at my sleeping face.
Knowing something like that makes it hard to sleep comfortably from now on. At the very least let me have some peace when I sleep.

“Then you also can’t enter this area. With this the terms are equal”

Sasha draws a line with her foot.
A princess shouldn’t be doing such improper things
Being provoked by Reia, Sasha tone has changed. What happened to the friendly atmosphere when she was teaching how to do laundry before.

“Hold on. That side is two centimeters closer”
“Don’t be stupid. Your side is still closer isn’t it? If you have a complaint then lets swap”
“Can’t do. I have an obligation to defend Takumi-san from attackers”

It didn’t seem like the problem was going to be settled so I redrew the lines.

“Aah! I’m even further away now!”
“You’re awful, Takumi-san!”
“It’s your punishment for fighting. We’re sleeping like this today”

I ignore the booing from the two and lay out the futon.
If they aren’t a bit further away then I won’t be able to stay calm.
I swear tonight I’ll sleep facing not left or right, but directly upwards.


Late in the night, unable to sleep, I stare at the ceiling with bleary eyes.
Is it because I woke up late yesterday I wonder.
I can hear Reia and Sasha both snoring softly.
I quietly exit the cave, trying to not wake them.
The snow has stopped falling but unlike daytime, it is quite cold outside.
I wrap the thick pelt I brought around me.
My breath is visible as I walk up to the large rock in front of the cave.
I take a seat there and look up to the night sky to see an expanse of stars that seems as if they could fall at any moment.

Back when I was alone, I would often do this on nights I couldn’t sleep.
Before Takumi Points existed, there was not just Reia, but Chiharu and Demon Sword Karna too. Chloe also visited frequently.
Furthermore, one month before the Great Martial Tournament, Miacis and Sacher, Rick and the Goblin King, and even the Hero End would stay over.
The time when I would come here to watch the night sky seems far in the past.

Just who and what are they planning.

Takumi Points, the mastermind, Rick who has gone missing.
Sasha said that some person is using me and Alice in some scheme but I wonder if that’s truly the case.
I investigated various things when Takumi Points were established but the system was unusually complex and of a large scale.
Sasha said it was finely managed through magic but it’s probably not just that.
It was well hidden with magic but, there’s monitoring devices set up in various places.
It’s probably a technology that’s been developed in Southcity.
Furthermore the devices give a presence similar to that of the Four God Pillars used during the Great Martial Tournament or Reia’s Diving Possession.
Perhaps they’re working with Reia and Yoru’s hometown, Eastpark as well.
Maybe by calling upon the power of the gods with science and magic, the Takumi Point system was made.
I don’t think it’s a system made by one person.
It’s more fitting to think of it as a joint effort between multiple people, no, multiple countries.

And there’s one thing I’ve noticed after dealing with Takumi Points this past month.
I grew famous after the Great Martial Tournament ended and many people became interested in me and came in droves to see me but, as if blocked by an invisible wall, none came close.
If not for Takumi Points, many people would likely have been coming here every day.
If that had happened, I would definitely have fled this place and looked for somewhere new to stay.
I fully appreciate how I have been protected by Takumi Points.
And it’s even somewhat nostalgic, that’s the feeling I got.

It doesn’t feel like Takumi Points were created with bad intentions.

As I was thinking that.

“Good evening, Takumi-kun”

He suddenly appeared before my eyes.
A man in a white coat and glasses.
He’s short and skinny with a large head. The balance is off.
It almost gives the impression of an adults head on top a child’s body.

How long has he been there? No, how did he get there?
It’s only possible to come here up to eight in the evening with Takumi Points. Normally he should not be able to come close.

“Professor please wait a moment, this thing is damn heavy”

With a clattering sound, a girl carrying an unbelievable amount of combat equipment appeared.
A machine gun in her right hand, beam saber in her left, and giant rocket launchers on her back.
A cross belt full of bullets is wrapped around her chest and there are two small guns and a large shield mounted on her waist.
Half her face is hidden by goggles but shes a cute girl with a small build.
She doesn’t look like someone who can move wearing all this equipment.

“With your power you should be able to move faster than that. Don’t slack off and run, Ex”
“Impossible. Absolutely impossible. I climbed the mountain with all this equipment you know. I’m exhausted. My powers at zero”

So she says but there’s no tiredness in her voice.
No matter how you look, she isn’t a normal person.

“Can’t be helped. Then before you fight how about a self introduction”

The man known as Professor turns towards me and bows.

Did you just say fight?
Could it be that these guys came here to fight.

“Nice to meet you, Takumi-kun. My name is Deus. Professor Deus”

He’s completely different from the strong foes I’ve met before.
He looked so weak that if we fought, I would have a slim chance of winning.
However, compared to everyone who’s come before, he’s the most frightening.
It’s the eyes. The way he deliberately observes me, it’s not how one looks at a human being.
As if looking at a laboratory animal, his emotionless eyes send a shiver down my spine.

“I wanted to discover your strength so I utilised a secret password to come here. It was outside my calculations that Machina would come back with basically no information of you”

To discover my strength?
Secret password?
I had basically no contact with Machina but she was investigating me?

“That’s why we came to investigate directly”

Before I knew it, the girl named Ex was standing behind him.

“Then let’s begin”

Ex turns her gun towards me as a sickening smile appears on Professor Deus’ face.

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Translator’s Notes:
Sorry for the missing updatesm I was on holiday the past two weeks. I brought my laptop to translate but never managed to find the time.

If you enjoy my work and want to support me you can make a donation here.

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Great Sage 34 – A Woman of Marriageable Age

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“That was fast, welcome back”
“Good job at work today Darling”

The operation was proceeding smoothly but two of the three culprits behind the the troubles in my private life are laughing behind the counter.

“What are you doing?”

Maya-chan, in her school uniform, and Queen, wearing a frilly black lace gothic dress are looking in a catalog from the store.

“Choosing Queen-san’s pajamas”
Hearing Maya-chan’s words, I take a peek.

“I was looking for some sexy nightwear that would excite you Darling but none of them stand out”
Queen flips the page with a sigh.

I left the Dragon King with Kanako-chan and Queen with Maya-chan as a bodyguard.
Queen is normally a ribbon in Maya-chan’s hair but from time to time she’ll take human form and the two will play together.

Back when she went to get sweets together with Queen in human form as a reward,
“It’s the first time I’ve seen a young girl order a cake whole and gobble it down so quickly”

She was pretty surprised…..
Apart from that it seems they got on pretty well.

“This might not be the catalog. Can’t you use magic to make pajamas like how you turned that straitjacket into a dress?”

“It’s not that I can’t do it, but the problem of how it feels remain. In the astral plane it doesn’t really bother me but in human form it’s a lot more direct. If possible I’d like to use magic on existing pajamas and give them the properties of that straitjacket”

“Then what about changing the size of adult pajamas?”
“Yeah, that would work”

Maya-chan pulls out a catalog titled [Sexy Nightwear] from the back of the shelf,

“Then let’s pick together. Ah, I also, you know, have….. a bit of interest in this”

She peeks at my face before turning away.

I look at the catalog to find nothing but transparent one-pieces and underwear lined up.

“Hey, ho-how about this?”

The photo the embarrassed Maya-chan pointed at is known as babydoll I think?
The lace bra and one piece are joined together and in a thin blue outfit.

“I-I wonder”

The image of Maya-chan wearing that floats in my head…..
My cheeks gradually turn red and Maya-chan’s face reddens as she looks to the ground.
The mood turned strange, I was about to flee from the room when,

“Maya, I think that’s nice, boyish clothes suit you but that also could work. A woman should be aggressive when they need to”

“I-I-I-I-I see”

I heard them talk from behind me.
Ever since the [Malice] was drawn out of Maya-chan’s eye, she’s had a change of personality and become strangely meek.

When we returned home after the Lithomanmari Trade Association raid, Maya-chan said,

“Until now I’ve been unable to hold myself back and I hit you and um…… t-tried to seduce you….. sorry”

She gave me such an apology.
It’s not strange that those things would be affected.

“As long as you understand then it’s fine, I was also affected by the Shimogami’s curse and took me too long to notice”

I apologised to Maya-chan,
“But….. y-yeah, that’s just like you. Thanks”
Her face turns red as she fidgets.

While I understood it, Maya-chan’s change felt a bit strange.

Since then she no longer walked around the house in her underwear but she peeks at me from time to time and won’t calm down when I’m teaching her.

She wears sweatshirts and a blouse now and keeps more distance from me…..

When I was teaching her mathematical formulas yesterday, she was staring at my face absent mindedly,
“You don’t understand?”
I asked,

“Eh, wh-wh-wh-what? I-I’ts not like I was captivated by you or anything”

When solving problems from the reference book she was fidgeting under the table so I took a look,

“Aah, you know I’m not used to wearing skirts apart from my uniform….. I got this from mom quite a while ago, does it look weird?”

She smiled shyly as she pulled on her skirt.
That Maya-chan did.

Her slender healthy thighs that couldn’t be fully hidden, the pink panties peeking out and her bashful smile…..

Caused the chronic increase in heart rate that had been plaguing me recently.

I stayed silent,
“Come on, you like short skirts don’t you. As expected, I can’t do loose socks but kneesocks should be fine so I tried to dress more girly”

Her face gradually turned red as she muttered quietly.
…..that Maya-chan.

By kneesocks she means those socks that go up to her thighs I suppose?
Combining them with the miniskirt raises the value of the thighs.

Worthy of being called a national treasure.
Because of that, I don’t really remember what I taught her after that.

The past few days, I’ve bumped into Kanako-chan in her underwear in the changing room,

“You dummy”
Maya-chan would only tug on my hems after catching me…..

Queen in her young girl form storms into the bathroom while I’m taking a bath and despite being used to her smooth flat body, awkwardly washes my hair,

“M-Me too, um, should I wash your back”
Opening the bathroom door, an embarassed Maya-chan pokes her head in unexpectedly…..

I can’t understand the basis of her actions at all.
The one thing I’m certain is that Maya-chan definitely came to peek on me in the bath.


――In the end, the thoughts of a woman of marriageable age is a mystery even to the Great Sage.

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Translator’s Notes:

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A Misunderstood Mentor Interlude – Great Martial Tournament: Great Alice War 1 [Machina]

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I don’t care about the outcome of the Great Martial Tournament
Obtaining combat data.

That is my mission.
It costs money to maintain my mechanical body.
So I try to take on jobs that pay well.
No matter how dirty it may be.

In the fight against the demon known as Azathoth.
I still had plenty of strength remaining.
However, fighting any further would produce too much strain on my body.
If the camera in my right eye is destroyed then I won’t be able to complete the request making it all meaningless.

There’s two sets of data that are the most important from this tournament and the Meeting of the Ten Greats.

Takumi and Alice.

Compared to the others, the data of the two shrouded in mystery is extraordinarily more valuable.

“Miacis, charging in nyaaaaaa!”

The cat type demon, Beastman King Miacis charges towards Alice.
With her fights against Sacher and Dagan, I more or less have her data.
Strength and speed are top class, rank S.
Endurance: A, magic: B, special abilities: SS.
Overall evaluation: S.
The thing to watch out for is her kinetic vision.
The fact that she caught a bullet with her teeth in her match against Dagan means that even a bullet traveling at high speed probably appears frozen to her.

Miacis rushes at Alice with incredible speed.
Like a cat aiming for its prey, Miacis’ pupils turn long and narrow.
No matter what attack Alice throws at her, it looks like she’s confident she’ll avoid it. However…..

A low sound like that of the earth rumbling can be heard.

At the same time Miacis goes flying at a speed much greater than when she was charging.
She flies right past where Takumi is standing on the stage into the waiting room, scattering it about as if hit by an explosion.
Miacis lies there with not even a twitch.

It’s to this level!?

A shiver runs through me.
I haven’t felt fear like this before.
It looked like Alice lightly hit Miacis, as if swatting away a fly.
That small motion overpowered Miacis completely.
I probably didn’t see even a portion of her true power.
And it’s not just that I can’t see it’s depths.

It was a small change, enough to be considered a malfunction.
But the device used to measure the opponent’s strength changed as she attacked Miacis.

“Impossible…..”

I unconsciously let my voice out.
It’s hard to believe but, in that moment, Alice grew stronger.

Plus one more thing.
I detected an abrupt rise in body temperature, perspiration, and heart rate for the Demon Lord Linden, Great Sage Nuruhachi, and the remaining two of the Four Heavenly Kings (not including Dogma), Dark King Azathoth and Bloodsucking King Carmilla.
The overwhelming strength of Alice caused an extreme reaction in the four.
The mechanical half of me is trembling, and various organs are giving off abnormal readings.

However, there was one man who stood completely unperturbed.

Universe’s Strongest, Takumi.
His body temperature, perspiration, and heart rate did not change one bit.
It was the same at the Meeting of the Ten Greats and the match against Chairman Barbaroy too.
It felt as if he was watching a play from far away rather than an event happening to him.

No matter how much pride you have in being the strongest, upon seeing strength of Alice’s level, you would respond in some way.
However, Takumi did nothing of the sort.
As if he had no interest in what happened, he simply watched Alice.

Something in my right temple burst.
An error in the device that measures an opponents strength.

Takumi is a threat even greater than Alice.
I always believed that the strength you can see can be overcome by the power of science.
However, looking at Takumi, it felt as if I would not be able to defeat him even in a million years. Such was the mysterious and ominous strength I felt from him.

“Azathoth. Bring forth the dark night!”
“Understood”

Carmilla of the remaining Four Heavenly Kings (Not including Dogma) turns towards Azathoth and shouts.
At the same time the darkness covering Azathoth spreads towards the sky.
Carmilla’s power rises explosively.
Her fangs extend, hair stands on end, and eyes glow red.
I heard that being a vampire true ancestor, Carmilla can only bring out around half of her strength during the daytime compared to night.
However, it’s not half.
Carmilla’s current combat strength is far beyond the data from her match against Chloe.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited. It’s time for revenge”
“That’s right. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”

With Takumi between them, Alice, Carmilla, and Azathoth face off.
Even then, Takumi does not respond.

Standing to the sides of Takumi, Carmilla and Azathoth jump towards Alice.

This time two low sounds ring out.
In the same manner, the two who approached Alice fly back to the left and right of Takumi at incredible speed.

Takumi doesn’t even move an eyebrow at the two people suddenly flying by him.
I almost begin to think he’s sleeping on his feet at this point.

The two crash into the same waiting room as Miacis and the Four Heavenly Kings (not including Dogma) are destroyed in just a few seconds.

I’m shocked at Alice’s power, which is enough to overturn my definition of strength.
Even the heartbeats of the Demon Lord and the Great Sage have risen to the point that they can be heard from here but Takumi walks towards Alice as if nothing had happened.

“It’s been a while Alice. You’ve grown bigger”

I hear a violent sound, not of Takumi’s heartbeat but Alice’s.
On the surface nothing has changed, but Takumi’s words alone causes her to tremble inside.

Even with all her power, it’s as if Alice thinks that she’s no match for Takumi!?

Impossible.
I cannot measure Takumi’s power.
Not even a glimpse of his strength can be observed.

There’s no choice but to give up on the extraordinary reward.
Further prying may endanger my life.

The moment I thought that.
Although he was looking at Alice this whole time, Takumi suddenly turns my way.

All my functions cease for a moment in shock.
Takumi’s gaze towards me is as if he has seen through each and every thing.

“I’m glad you understand, that’s exactly right”

As if he was repeating those words I had heard before, during the Meeting of the Ten Greats and Chairman Barbaroy’s match.

“Eek”

I unconsciously let out my voice and try to flee.
But my body doesn’t move as I wish and I fall on my rear.
I frantically crawl on the ground, flailing just to get a bit further from Takumi.

I can’t die yet.
Not until the remaining ugly human left half of my body is removed, along with the ugly feelings and memories.
My final wish is to obtain a perfect mechanical body.

I fill out Takumi’s file with [Unknown] and abandon my mission.

---

Translator’s Notes:

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Great Sage 33 – You Still Can’t Understand

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After Queen’s old memories finished playing, I was in a bright white void.

Only Queen is here, cuddling close to me in her mid twenties form…..
It appears I’m still in the spirit world.

“As promised, I’ll remove a [Shackle], Darling”

Queen takes the spiritual body of the onmyouji known as Ashiya that I had absorbed within myself from out of thin air and opens her mouth wide before eating it whole.

“That’s bad for your stomach”
I speak with a sigh,

“Yeah, but this isn’t enough to give me a stomachache I think? If they weren’t Darling’s fated enemy then it would be better to just squish him”

Certainly, if I wasn’t oblivious to the existence of magic at the time, I wouldn’t have fallen for such a simple trap.

“With this, the curse that was cast on Darling has been removed, so I figured I’d take this as one or my rewards or something”
The way she narrows her red eyes and licks her lips is strangely erotic.

“It can’t be helped, don’t worry I’ll properly reward you this time”

Thanks to those precious metals, my wallet is full.
No matter how great of a glutton Queen is, I should be able to manage.

“Yaaay! Then maybe I’ll ask for the sweets of this worldー”
I watch the delighted Queen,

“Then, wait a moment”
She rests her hand gently over my head and speaks an incantation.

“This will probably please that parent and child with the eyes but….. the one closest to Darling is me so I definitely won’t lose”

Queen rests her head on my shoulder while speaking.


My body slowly awakens and when I open my eyes, I find myself still in the Lithomanmari Trade Associations branch manager office.

Queen shines a pale light and begins to disappear.
Our eyes meet and she winks at me before her body vanished and turns back into a chess piece.

“Are you alright”
Yuikuu comes up to me.

“I’m fine now. How long was I out for”
“Just a few seconds……”

Looking at my surroundings, not much has changed since before I lost consciousness.

Facing up, a large hole has opened in the ceiling.
Yuikuu cuts the rope binding Alona-san and she straightens out her clothes with a strained smile.

Just in case I deploy search magic but the traces of the Shimogami and the other world have both vanished from the building.

Just a dozen unconscious people on the rooftop.
Checking on the first floor, it seems that Maya-chan and the others have finished evacuating.

The headache and chills are gone, and the curious discrepancy in my search magic is gone too.
If anything the magic is more stable than before and swelling with strength.

――Queen must have turned that vengeful spirit into energy and completely eliminated the curse.

I take a deep breath, the mission is over for the time being,

“Leave the guys on the roof to me, they’ll be useful in negotiating with the head temple and Shimogami later. Could you look after the young lady and the other employees that evacuated?”

Yuikuu smiles and pats me on the shoulder,
“Oh yeah, I’ll also look for a store that serves sweets”

He whispers in my ear in a low voice so that Alona-san cannot hear.


　　　×　×　×　×　×


It’s been five days and I can’t track down the people from the other world.

Based on their personality I thought they would attack again without delay but it seems there are some circumstances on their side.

I’m concerned about Ange but I have no choice but to reorganise and prepare so that they won’t be able to run away again.

I’ve come to the Lithomanmari Trade Association once again to cleanup the aftermath of the attack and meet for what to do next.

“Don Silent, comrade Alona is currently on the phone. My apologies but could you please wait here for a moment”

Ever since then, the attitudes from the black suits have grown even more exaggerated and spiraled out of control in a strange way.
They lead to me an extravagant reception room next to the branch head office, rather than tea, I smell the rich scent of brandy and caviar.

I sit down on the sofa and tilt my head as if to ponder having alcohol in the morning,

“Is it not to your liking….. Vladimir, there’s still some platinum Don Perignon left right, bring it over immediately!”

The young man names Vladimir runs out in a panic but stops when Alona-san enters the room.

The black suits with blond hair lower their heads before leaving,
“Sorry about that. Those guys are in high spirits….. after losing the lives of so many comrades in civil wars and wars of aggression, they’re probably happy to find someone they can truly respect”
I can’t agree with the direction their respect is taking though,

“What’s with Don Silent”

Alona-san sits on the sofa opposite me and elegantly takes the brandy glass I didn’t touch.

“A hero from an old Japanese comic it seems. Mikhail said that you we’re just like him and it spread within the group”

Mikhail was with my brother for the first raid so it seems he’s part of the the top in this mafia.

I shake my head slowly,
“I’ve received contact from Yuikuu. We can’t allow ourselves to be hit and not retaliate so please allow us to assist you”

Alona-san mumbles before returning the glass to the low table.

“I’ll be bothering you again though”

“It’s not a bother at all. Your magic is what restored the building back to normal and healed the wounds of our comrades. If anything, everyone’s too fired up”

Alona-san brings her elf like well featured face close to me.

“Besides it’s a chance to stand up to the superpowered of this country. You probably don’t understand how great of a deal this is though”

She takes the glass into her hand once again and smiles.

Just in case, I scattered some chess pieces around the Lithomanmari Trade Association and my brothers place of work.
I’m worried about various things but I left a pawn in a place that would stand out by magical means.

My brothers workplace [Bright Urban Planning], has been successfully restored too but the president got scared from that incident and resigned so the Lithomanmari Trade Association seems to be buying it as another base.

“First you should do something about that name and vulgar mascot”


I complain to Alona-san


　　　×　×　×　×　×


In the afternoon I transfer over to the Chiyo Onsen Inari Shrine,
“Master over here, over here!”

Haruka, with cat ears and wearing a maid uniform, notices me flying in the air and waves at me happily.

Doing so the beautiful girls in shrine maiden clothes doing cleaning or preparing food around the shrine raise their heads. The youma that were being controlled by the Shimogami are currently taking refuge at Onsen Inari.

“Even though I was using simple concealment magic, you did well to notice me”
I pat Haruka’s head,
“I could smell masters scent after all”
Her two tails wag happily.

There were beastfolk in the other world with good noses too but none that could detect me in the air from this distance. Her combat sense is high and she has leadership skills too, so the others have been calling her [Older Sister] recently.

“Good afternoon Boss!”
It’s a spectacle seeing over twelve beautiful girls bow towards me but…..

It seems that they’ve started calling me Boss at their leader, Haruka’s, instructions.

“Why Boss?”

I once asked her,
“Because Master is my master only”
Smiling, she took my arm and happily said something I didn’t quite understand.

As of late, the sensation of Haruka’s well shaped chest on my arm causes my heart to pound…..

I felt like I would lose if I thought about it too deeply so I left it at that.

The superior officers of the Shimogami were taken by Yuikuu,
“Can I take them as bargaining chips? Don’t worry, I won’t do anything bad to them”
He said with an evil face as he dragged them to the Kashizu’s head temple or whatever along with the twin brothers.

I can’t help but wonder what happened to them…..

Chiyo san watched over the noisy state of Inari,
“They’re all energetic and polite so it’s been fun everyday”
Or so she says.

Although I may be paying for their living expenses right now, they won’t be able to take advantage of my kindness forever.

“Haruka, I got Alona-san’s approval for that plan”
I relayed to her what I spoke about this morning,

“Leave it all to me, Master!”
She hits her chest.

I feel somewhat concerned but she has the skills so it should be fine.
“You can contact Yuikuu for the details”

With that, I left Inari.

I wanted to meet Chiyo-san too but with the [Shackle of Affection] removed, I have no way to oppose that huge breasts attack.

“My Lord, there is some rubbish here…..”

Yesterday when we were alone, she pressed the previously mention items of destruction against me and gazed upwards at me.
As a result it took all I could to not push her down and I wasn’t able to talk to her properly. She probably heard from Moulin about the circumstances in the other world and thought I was getting troubled that things we’re not progressing and tried to cheer me up in her own way.

Since then my magic may have stabilised but the rhythm of my personal life has been disrupted.

Good grief, just what did Queen do?
As I ponder, the greatest source of my worry appears…..

I’ve returned to Kanako-chan’s home.

---

Translator’s Notes:

If you enjoy my work and want to support me you can make a donation here.

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A Misunderstood Mentor 40 – Nu Rushia Hashtall Chilt

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“Let’s get more party members”

That was what Nuruhachi said after the two of us were in a party for a month.

I somehow managed to become an adventurer after failing the guild’s exam thanks to Nuruhachi, the guild’s rank one, forcibly passing me but there wasn’t anyone who would join a party with a dropout like me.

The guild classes went from S rank to E rank but only I was even lower at F rank.

I only found out later that it was because Chairman Barbaroy took the F from fool.
Of course, my rank was the lowest.
I was unable to take even the simplest quest on my own.
Who would want to party with a useless person like me.
I may have become an adventurer, but my goal was just as far.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll form a party with you”

Saving me once again, I initially thought of Nuruhachi as a goddess.
However I was greatly mistaken.

[Quest rank AAA Subjugating the Salamander Queen]

Just seeing the quest Nuruhachi took was enough to make me feel faint.

“Eh? This is my first quest(Debut)?”
“Yup. It’s your first after all. I picked a somewhat easy one”
“You’re joking right?”
“I don’t make jokes”

That was certainly true.
The quests Nuruhachi accepted were all severe legendary class quests, causing me to face death every day.
Not just from the enemies attacks but also collateral damage from Nuruhachi’s magic.

“Hmmm, you’re even weaker than I thought. I won’t be able to defend you on my own”

Seeing me worn out, Nuruhachi decided to increase our party members.


Since we were going to increase our allies I thought we would head to the Guild Associations Headquarters but the place she brought me was outside of my expectations.

“Nuruhachi, why are we at the Rushia Royal Palace?”

However Nuruhachi didn’t answer and walked briskly towards the gate.
Upon seeing her, the gatekeeper saluted exaggeratedly before opening the gate.

“What’s wrong? Hurry up, Takumi”

Panicking, I followed her.
It seemed that Nuruhachi had some ties to the Rushia Kingdom.


The inside of the castle was dazzling and everything seemed to glow. As someone who grew up in the countryside, I scurried about following after Nuruhachi.
As I walked down the long, red carpeted corridor, I noticed portraits lined along the wall.

Looking at the inscriptions underneath them, they all bore the name of Rushia.
It seemed these photos were of the past queens.
As we proceeded further down, the portraits grew older and older.
Then, the final one…..

“This is you isn’t it”

Placed there was a picture of Nuruhachi, looking as young as she does now.
The name engraved below was [Founding Queen Nu Rushia Hashtall Chilt].

“You’re the first queen of this country?”
“Not exactly. I destroyed the previous Rushia Kingdom and took on their name”

She said something outrageous.


The long hallway led to a large atrium with a a staircase in the center.
Beyond it was an ornate double door bearing a silver eagle, to its left and right stood soldiers clad in silver armour.
Nuruhachi walked up the steps and the soldiers opened the door.
At the back of the room was a throne upon which a beautiful woman sat elegantly.
It was the woman in the most recent portrait.
Basically she was the Queen of the Rushia Kingdom.

“It has been a while. Nu Rushia Hashtall Chilt-sama”

The queen stands up and lowers her head to Nuruhachi.

“Just Nuruhachi is fine. I don’t like formalities”

“Understood, Nuruhachi-sama. For what reason have you come today?”

Compared to the dignified queen, Nuruhachi looked like the younger one.
Even though Nuruhachi is thousands of years older.

“I came looking for party members. I’d like people who are outstanding in defense, recovery, and threat detection”
“Hmm, none of those sound like something you’d need….. ah, it’s for that person over there”

The queen grinned and spoke in a teasing manner.
Nuruhachi peeked at me before immediately turning back to the queen.

“I’ve known past queens who’ve said worthless things and retired the next day”
“Aah it seems I shouldn’t touch on this much more. Understood. I’ll prepare them immediately”

A few minutes later, three men and women appeared.
A knight in black armour, a graceful nun, and a prisoner bound in chains, all three of them had quite strong personalities.

“Knight Captain Rick, Priestess Sasha, Great Thief Bartz. Each of them specialise in defense, recovery, or detection. Would you like to test them?

Nuruhachi glanced at each of them before shaking her head.

“No that’s fine. I have no complaints. But, is it really fine for me to take them?”
“Of course, if it’s you, I feel safe leaving them in your hands”

I thought Nuruhachi was concerned about taking the Knight Captain or the Great Thief.

“Got it. I’ll be borrowing these three”

At that time, I had no way of knowing that Sasha was the queen’s daughter.


“That sure brings me back. At that time, I was put in a convent for various reasons”

Having finished the laundry, Sasha came to help me out with lunch.
Not being able to cook, Reia bitterly watches from afar .

“A convent? why?”
“It’s a secret. Well that was around when I had escaped from the convent too”

What did she do I wonder. I’m interested but it feels like something I shouldn’t know so I was unable to ask further.

“That reminds me, what about Rick? Will he come visit?”

I didn’t think about it back when we were in a party because he didn’t act that way at all but, being the Knight Commander of the Rushia Kingdom, he must have been there as an escort for Sasha.

“Rick won’t come. No, he can’t come. He’s been missing since the Great Martial Tournament ended”
“Eh!?”

That reminds me, I haven’t seen the hero, End, since the tournament ended either.

“I’ve been asking Rick for a long time to keep an eye out so that no one suspicious approached you or Alice”
“…..And he’s disappeared”

Sasha nods meekly.
Perhaps Rick had grasped the masterminds true identity?
At the very least, it’s clear hes been caught up in something.

“Is there anything I can do?”
“Don’t worry, you just need to stay here and flirt around with me. If the rumour that I’ve married you spreads, the mastermind with definitely come to confirm with their own eyes”

Is it my imagination or is the way Sasha looked up to me somewhat seductive?
Plus unusual amounts of killing intent is leaking from Reia who is watching from afar.

Pretending to be married to Sasha and spending my days flirting.
To me, this was my greatest SSS Class mission.

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Translator’s Notes:

If you enjoy my work and want to support me you can make a donation here.

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Great Sage 32 – The Queen of Darkness and the Valley of Death Part 5

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Merging your consciousness with another person…..
It’s an extremely strange sensation.

Half a lifetimes worth of memories from a beautiful and gifted woman surged into me.

Born into a wealthy family, loved by kind parents, the young girl was brought up like a princess.
After receiving the trial of the gods, she wandered the forest and repeated the cycle of life and death over and over, united the demon tribes and became the Demon Lord, then sealed herself within the deep valley.
Her great pain and suffering became my own experience and engraved itself upon my heart.

I turned my head to find a blank white space with a woman with fiery red hair and tears streaming down her face.

“Your life was also full of hardships I see”
Her appearance was that of her mid twenties but her way of speaking was that of a young girl.

“Well I do have experience dying but it’s nothing compared to you Hera”
There was a time in her memories, back when she was human, where she was called that.

“I’ve already discarded that name so I would like it if you could call me by something else”
Wearing nothing but my robe, she wrapped her arms around my neck and shut her red, well proportioned eyes.

Various things touched me so it was troubling in multiple ways.

“Witch and Demon Lord are both not quite right. Then how about Queen?”
I spoke,
“Sounds good, Darling”
She smiled at me happily with upturned eyes and hugged me harder.

Is that really what she’s going to call me from now on?
I was about to demand a change when,

“I’m sorry Darling but I still think it’s best I depart from this world. It’s impossible to keep enduring this pain, besides…..”
She slowly released her arms.
The agony that Queen felt, as that god had said, reached me as well. It seems that she’d noticed it too…..

“Sorry but it seems that’s not possible anymore”

I grabbed the sword that was floating around in this space.
Its shape was still that of a sword, but its function had become a [Shackle] that connected the two of us.

“I’m sorry, even after being given a chance to run from that pain”
I apologised to her,

“You’re a really something aren’t you Darling”
Large tears fell from Queen’s eyes.

And then, as if becoming free of something, she smiled,
“That’s right, you don’t have much self awareness about how your soul got broken, it might be painful but you need to remember. I know because I’ve seen the depths of your heart. ――If you don’t it’ll become even more dangerous”


Queen gazed into my eyes and gently and lovingly cast a spell on me.


　　　×　×　×　×　×


I awoke in my room from my previous world.
As if dissolved into the air, I watched myself from above.

There were reference books and textbooks scattered around the room and at the desk in the corner, a thin boy wrote away with a mechanical pencil.

“At least my studies….. no, if that goes well…..”
His frantic muttering suggested that something was already broken.

“Remember, what happens after is an important key”
I heard Queen’s voice from somewhere but I couldn’t see her.

Eventually the thin boy stood up and attempted to open the door.
If I remember correctly, I realised that I was hungry and tried to leave the room.

He sighed when the door did not move.

My younger brother Ryuuki had brought his girlfriend over to play and tampered with the door in order to prevent me from leaving.

Thinking that someone would eventually come, I gave up on food and returned to my desk.
However an hour passed, then more, until it became late at night and the door had still not opened.

There was a simple toilet that my mother had left behind so I could at least do my business but…..

“For now let’s study and everything will work out”
I turned back to the desk and studied to run away from the issue of the door.

Then the next day, I awoke to the unusual sound of my parents and brother leaving in the car.

I thought about shouting towards the parking lot but I was scared of being scolded for being an “embarrassment to the neighborhood” by my mother and brother so my voice would not come out.

I checked once again but the door would not open.

For a while I was delirious with thirst and heartache but after vomiting over and over, for some reason my thirst faded and I began to feel calm.

It was easy to tell when watching from above but I was dehydrated to a dangerous degree, enough to numb my senses.

“Hey Darling, what were you thinking about at that time”

“The bullying at school perhaps. The bullies would say [This much is fine] [We’re just playing around] [The one at fault in the first place was you so this much payback isn’t a problem] slowly breaking me down”

“I see, then?”
Queen’s gentle voice resounded.

“This is the same thing….. Ryuuki just happened to forget that he rigged the door, my parents just happened to leave without knowing that”

Queen giggled.
“There’s no way that’s true, the bullying at school and this event too. They’re filling Darling with hatred and malice. That’s not how bullying works”

Of course I knew that.
But somewhere in my heart, I didn’t want to accept it.

“The same thing occurred in schoolhouses in this world. In order to discover why it happens, a certain sage ran an experiment”

In that study they found that rats living in harsh environments protected each other and bullying type behavior could not be observed….. however when rats were kept in a small well fed environment free from predators, bullying was observed.

“That sage called it a distortion of an animal’s survival instincts I believe. What’s interesting is that the rats that bullied were the type to be eaten by predators while the rats that were bullied were the type to be leaders”

“It can’t be”
I smiled bitterly,

“That’s exactly it, survival instincts are hatred and aggression to those who could threaten your existence”

I felt Queens warmth around me.

“So that’s why Darling took such an attitude towards your enemies. It’s dangerous to harbor such kindness against malice”

But I suppose I didn’t have the courage.

If I felt like it I could have kicked down the door, or jumped from the second story window and called for help.

That’s why the one who killed me wasn’t Ryuuki, or my mother…..
Or my father, who ignored it all with no interest.

“This was nothing but suicide”

“I understand how you feel Darling, but you need to take a closer look at reality. There are many unforgivable evils lurking nearby in this world, quietly targeting the unprotected. I’ve eaten more than enough of such evils”

“Then what should I do…..”

“Stand resolute against sin. Otherwise Darling will soon lose your life….. besides”

“Besides?”

“I sense someone’s strong malice from these events, there might be something else going on”

Then below me, as I was on the verge of death from dehydration, a goddess appeared.

“Having no choice except to live on sharing pain with someone like me….. Sorry”

My memory ended, and before my eyes the beautiful woman appeared.

“I don’t regret anything anymore. We’ve been connected deep within our hearts and knowing that, I love Darling even more”

Queen came closer while smiling.

“The problem is that a dense darkness has distorted the expression of love? I’m sure if the problem of the darkness or the problem of love is solved then it’ll return to its original form”

I put my hand on the sword as I spoke.

“So that Darling is not broken further, let’s create shackles for us both with this sword. For me it will alleviate the pain and it will prevent the darkness from consuming you”

Then Queen’s body began to shrink as chains and belts wrapped around her.

“Also not just the darkness in Darling, let’s place shackles on your affection too. It’s already twisted as is and there’s something that concerns me”

“Concerns you?”

“I know it’s selfish of me but it’s safer in more ways than one. I don’t want to get beat up by that person calling themselves your master any more….. It’ll put a brake, or more like control, your perverted nature”

Some what bashful, Queen put her hand on my head and chanted some form of incantation.

“You know Master?”

Queen had turned into a young girl.

“Back when I first started to get called a witch she appeared before me but….. despite having the strength to defeat me, she just looked at me with pity and left. She’s a unpleasant person”

She puffed out her cheeks,

“Also the shackle on your affection will be released whenever an issue is resolved. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise”

I tilted my head.

“For example?”
“Like when the issue behind the [Malice] that drove Darling to death is resolved”

Thus we made our oath.
The first clause was…..


No matter what happened in the future, neither of us would try to take our own life.
――That was our promise.

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Translator’s Notes:

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A Misunderstood Mentor 39 – The Princess’ Overnight Stay

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“Nice weather we have today, Takumi. Perfect conditions for doing the laundry”

Sasha smiles as she washes my clothes.
The snow that was falling yesterday has completely stopped, revealing a pure blue sky.
Using a pail of water, she washes a great load of clothes.
She used to wash clothes like this for the whole party too, back in our adventuring days.

After changing from her dress into more casual clothes and tying her hair up behind her head, she looks like a completely different person than the princess who came yesterday. This feeling of returning to the past is somewhat calming.


“…..It’s cloudy in my heart though”

Standing behind Sasha, Reia stares at the laundry enviously.
When she first came here Reia also attempted to do the laundry but being unable to control her strength, the clothes ended up in tatters.
After that, the housework was all mostly done by me but…..

“Come here Reia. I’ll teach you how it’s done”
“A-Are you sure”
“Of course. You’re a girl so you should be able to do laundry at least”

Reia’s face brightens in an instant.
It’s a bit embarrassing watching the two of them wash my clothes.
Looking at me, Sasha whispers quietly.

“Reia kinda resembles Alice”

That reminds me, Nuruhachi said the same thing.

“Definitely, it feels somewhat nostalgic”

Thinking back to the time of adventuring with Sasha and Alice brings a smile to my face.

“Sasha-dono, how’s this. It seems to be gradually becoming smaller though”
“Aah! Stop! You’re destroying it!”

This might give the illusion that my peaceful daily life has returned.
However, the turmoil caused by Takumi Points hasn’t been resolved at all.


“Become mine, Takumi”

The moment Sasha said that, I turned rigid in my seat.
If I recall correctly, it costs 5.67 billion Takumi Points to get married.
It’s a simple price to pay for Sasha with her 10 billion Takumi Points.
Amidst the long silence, Sasha stares at me the whole time.

“…..Are you serious? Sasha”

She doesn’t answer my question.
Instead she stands up from her seat at walks towards me.

I swallow my spit.
Looking down at me from where I’m sitting, she brings her face closer.

Thinking back to the time the Demon Lord kissed me, I prepared to dodge but she grabbed the back of my head. Sasha brings her mouth close to my ear and whispers in a soft voice.

“Hug me, kiss me. Just pretending is fine. Spies from the enemy nations are mingled with my subordinates”
(Eh!?)

It’s probably best to follow Sasha’s instructions.
Holding back the urge to scream, I stand from my seat and hug her timidly.

“Gyaaaaaa! Not good not good!! I’m going to turn into my final dragon form!!”
“…..I no longer feel the urge to call upon divine possession…..”

Crestfallen, Reia collapses.

“Wha- Reia! What do you plan to do with that dagger!?”

Stop. Seriously, stop immediately turning to seppuku.¹
Chloe and Reia, who usually are the first to jump to action, cannot do anything due to Takumi Points and are panicking.
It seems that Chloe managed to stop her but I’ll explain properly afterwards.
If I tried to stop her it would’ve turned into a double suicide.


From an angle that no one can see, I hold Sasha and pretend to kiss her.
Even though it’s an act, my heart pounds noisily as I tighten my arms around her.
At that moment.

Click.

Slightly further from the round table, something shined from the dense grass.

“Sentence Spring Bazooka(Perfect Photograph Artillery)! Saria-sama!”²

Nanashin throws the short sword at his waist towards the grass.
At the same time, a shadow flies out of the grass at an incredible speed and runs away as if walking on air.

“!? A secret agent! A ninja from the east is it!”
“Wait, Nanashin. No need to chase”
“Are you sure?”
“Indeed, knowing their identity is enough. There’s a limited number of people who employ secret agents”

Sasha frees herself from my arms.

“Was that a spy just now?”
“Well one of them. Likely just an underling intelligence operative. There’s probably still more around”

Are there that many spies amongst her subordinates!
Reia and Chloe, not knowing the situation, look at us with vacant faces.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to force you into marrying me. It’s a disguise. For the time being, if the rumour that Takumi belongs to the Rushia Kingdom spreads, the other nations will stay away”

After saying that, Sasha looks towards the two and smiles.


In the end, Sasha didn’t use the Takumi Points on marriage.

She just exchanged for a large number of ‘overnight stay at Takumi’s cave tickets’ which cost 100 million points each. Nanashin and the other soldiers returned, leaving only her behind.
Perhaps being vigilant, Chloe and Reia watched over the two of us from afar.

“I’ll be in your care for a while. Until the mastermind behind this incident can be found”
“Mastermind? Was it not Alice who came up with the idea of Takumi Points?”

Sasha shakes her head slowly.

“In order to ensure that there is no cheating, the Takumi Points are monitored closely via magic. Do you think Alice would be able to create such a system?”

That’s true. I can’t imagine Alice, who can’t do complex equations, to be able to create such a thing.

“Why did you think Alice participated in the Great Martial Tournament after avoiding you for so long? Did you not feel anything going on beneath the surface?”

Ah, sorry, I didn’t feel a thing.

“They planned for the Great Martial Tournament, no, even further before that. It’s a meticulous plan on a grand scale. I’m sure they’re planning to use you and Alice for something”

Eh? Just what have I been caught up in this time?
I’d rather commit seppuku.

Ignoring me as I hold my head in my hands, Sasha prepares for her stay.

“As expected I shouldn’t use the bed. Ah, I forgot my toothbrush. I’ll have Nanashin send one over later”

She seems to be in high spirits but that must be my imagination.

“Doesn’t it seem like that woman is humming?”
“Yup, I heard it clearly”
“Where will you be sleeping today”
“In my days, the boundaries were clearly drawn. As your senior I won’t allow you to be closer than me”

A restless atmosphere flows from the two watching Sasha.

“By the way, Sasha, is the kingdom alright without it’s princess?”
“It’s okay. I have a substitute in place”
“Substitute?”

It’s been ten years since I heard that name.

“Nu Rushia Hashtall Chilt. The founding queen of the Rushia Kingdom”

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Translator’s Notes:
1: Seppuku is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment originally reserved for samurai in their code of honour.
2: Sentence spring is the literal translation of the two characters that make up the word bunshun in Shunkan Bunshun, a weekly news magazine that focuses on scandals. ‘Bunshun Hou’, literally ‘Bunshun cannon’, is a term used to refer to damaging articles published by the magazine.

If you enjoy my work and want to support me you can make a donation here.

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