Sousetsuka

650 Where To Go

So yeah, I got them to sell me a side sword someday.
Of course, I didn't ask for one right away. Told them to work on it once they've got free time.
I'll drop by again one of these days to fetch it.
Yet the two of them were eager to start on my request right off the bat. So I stopped them.

"Err? Aren't you still working on that shield? I bet you have a lot of back orders once you're done with that too. I don't need mine anytime soon really, feel free to work on it whenever you've got time. Actually, I'd rather you don't get too eager on it."

"Mumu? Oh yeah, we got plenty of stuff left. Slipped my mind. Neglecting our current job is a sign of third rate craftsman fer' sure. Alright! I'mma put my back onto it! Gonna get it all done in a jiffy!"

"But I can't make a progress if I can't finalize the design... So! There you have it! I'd like to hear your opinion, please Saito-san!"

Makiru dragged me by my arm to her workshop.
She's far stronger than her young girl appearance would suggest. Dunno if it's cause she's fired up or that's her default power level.
She shoved the round shield in my face in the room.

"Err, do you mind settling down? I can't get a word in otherwise."

"Ah, pardon me! I got too enthusiastic. If you would please over here."

Makiru put the round shield back on the table and started pouring tea.
Dongoro didn't come with us to calculate the final tally.

"Come now! Have a long and good look! Saito-san's opinion! Opinion! Let me hear lots of it!"

Despite settling down, she didn't really.

"Err, uh? Mine's no big deal really. So you want to make a decorative round shield? Or is it for practical purpose? Which is it?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
I noticed two types of equipment in Dongoro Workshop. Extravagant ones and simple yet practical ones.
Hence my question.

"Which, you ask. It will serve as a work of art on display when it's not in use, while also be sturdy with magical enchant for when it's put to use for combat purposes. Thanks to all those mana cores you supplied, we can fulfill the latter."

"What's the client's preferences? What kind of design, or pattern they like?"

"Hmm? They didn't have a particular request, they left it up to us. That's the source of my stump. I could have come up with a design immediately if there was a direction."

Ah, the old troublesome 'up to you'.
This type of people will rev their engine to max on their own if you just give them a nudge in a direction. They'll run off without ever stopping.
An artisan through and through if you may.

"Is this client a man? A gallant type that relishes in battle, or someone who focuses on guarding?"

"Is that necessary now? Hmm? The impression I got from that person is that of a gentle person who relaxes at home watching painting while sipping black tea, I suppose?"

"Then, let's go from there. Combats mean war after all. Normally you don't want that to happen. So how about a war goddess that rules over peace? They're a fair maiden at times of peace and transforms into a gallant yet beautiful object of yearning to those who march into combat. A goddess of war that leads the way to victory."

That's quite chuuni of me if I do say so myself.
By the way, I was gonna blurt out stuff like a stern brawny old man, or a hero that challenges a dragon. Kinda like a reference to Draque 1 though. Vaguely.

I spoke with a bit more flair than usual but Makiru had stopped reacting. 
She kept staring at me with an open mouth. I might have gone overboard. Kinda regretting a bit.
But that only lasted a few seconds, Makiru was on the verge of exploding as I was worrying over her.

She ran around gathering papers and pens from all over and started drawing on them, ignoring me altogether. She ran through five, six papers in less than a minute.
I'm no longer reflected in her eyes.

(Let's scram... I'm gonna get dragged into it if I stay here. Drowned even...)

And thus I left the room as Makiru's mind steadily spat out more and more content.

Previous Chapter 

Princess Guard

There are nine princesses in Continent 1's Royal Castle, which sounds like an absolute hell but the actual place is surprisingly upright.
That is to say a prince that will inherit the throne exists so there's no succession war taking place.
...A lone man surrounded by so many women sounds hellish though. That poor prince.

You'd think these princesses would spend their day lazing around without a care in the world, but that's not at all the case either.
They're all working as the prince's supports on domestic affairs like leading the army, managing territory finances, collecting taxes and goods, all kinds of stuff really.
Considering they're also expected to show up in noble-sponsored tea parties and supports their fiance duchy houses et al. I imagine they must be mentally and physically drained.


The members chosen to protect these princesses are Hero-kun, Levia, Olivie, Aina-san, Alma Mama I mean Alma Papa (!?), Hyula-san, Alma, Reina and then, me.
...There's two, three men (foreign matters) mixed in there for some reason, but thanks to that sex-change drug, there won't be any danger of getting swept in the heat of the moment. I hope.

The reason Alma Mama got replaced by Alma Papa (♀) was so she didn't have to overexert herself during pregnancy.


"...I don't believe she'd have any issue but if by any chance she had a miscarriage, we'd forever regret it... But still, I can never get used to be in a woman's body..."

"...Y, you're quite a beauty."

"...."


Alma Papa who was originally a bundle of muscles turned into a slender middle aged beauty with no traces of his former self left.
Yet his Status hasn't changed at all. With his strength unabated, there's no better bodyguard around.
...Alma is looking at him with a really hard to describe expression though. I never knew this girl could make that kind of face...


We all went and greeted the princess we're supposed to guard.
Today marks the start of a week long continent 1 fest. We have to act as their bodyguards all the way through.
...This might be the first time I have to bear being stuck in an uncomfortable situation for so long. Days of hunting wild boars in Keruna sounds downright idyllic compared to this. 


Hero-kun, Levia, Olivie, Aina-san are to guard the first to the fourth princesses in charge of internal domestic affairs.
The princesses almost went wild trying to turn Hero-kun into their dress up doll when they laid their eyes on him. Well that should at least break the ice with the other girls.
...Actually, Levia, Olivie and Aina-san joined in and put all kinds of dresses on Hero(etc)
Live strong, Hero-kun... I mean, Hero-chan?

Alma and Reina are escorting the young eighth and ninth princesses.
I was worried they'd have to keep some real energetic little ladies company, but those princesses have royal etiquette drilled in them at such young ages already.
In fact, those princesses seemed unsure of their bodyguards instead after seeing the expressionless Alma and Reina whom you could mistake for being 11-12.
Fret not, for they are the world's strongest girls at their respective age.

Alma Papa, Hyula-san and me are guarding the fifth, sixth and seventh princesses in charge of the army.
...Aren't there way too many of them for the army? Or so I thought at first, but they had no choice but to fill in the positions due to numerous recent issues like demon invasions and stampedes.
I was worried some of those army guys would protest against having to rely on outsiders to act as bodyguards, but they were downright ecstatic about it. But why.


"Sword King Dukeris, Planet Splitting Axe Lord Hyula-dono and Kajikawahikaru-dono. We leave our princesses in your capable hands."

"I know this question's coming in way too late, but you sure you wanna leave it to us? No random riffraff ain't gonna have their way with us around I can assure that at least tho'."

"Please, we couldn't hope for better personnel."

"...You'd do well to take care on the princesses over some ruffianscough cough, never mind, yes."


Oy, I heard that ominous advice.
I do remember the princess looking at me sternly when we first met. Wonder if she's a known problem child...?



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


~~~~~~~~~~~~Sixth Princess Lifilva's POV~~~~~~~~~~~







Frail. Mediocre. No backbone.
That was my first impression on this black haired woman.


"It is my honor to serve you as your bodyguard princess. I swear to guard you to the best of my ability, poor as it may be."

"...It really does seem poor."

"Hahaha please go easy on me."

"What are you laughing about. Do realize a single scratch on me and it is off with your head."


I greeted my bodyguard while we were discussing the festival programme at the military proving grounds.
She merely laughed at my unsparing chide as if she hasn't got a single nervous bone in her body.

Good grief, I can't believe I was given this dull woman as my bodyguard when the fifth princess (Vivian) and seventh princess (Nestofa) have famed names, Sword King and Planet Splitting Axe Lord as theirs.
Apparently she's supposed to be an S-ranked Adventurer but I do not sense the aura of the strong from her. Not in the least.
How could they think she's fit as my bodyguard.

Unlike the other two princesses who mainly specialize in strategics, I have been trained in the way of combat.
I started leveling the moment I came of age, reaching Lv32 now that I'm 16.
I pride myself in my capability over my peers, or even average adventurers my age.

At my level, it's possible to tell someone's strength from their aura alone.
The goosebumps I experienced when I first met Sword King (Dukeris) and Planet Splitting Axe Lord (Hyumlassa) was truly extraordinary like it was only a second ago.
Compared to them, this woman and her carefree smile has zero intensity to it. I feel nothing at all.
...I must be ready to protect myself if anything goes wrong.

I would rather have our army captains be my bodyguards than this. However, I wouldn't want to offend the hero after she went all the trouble.
That was the only reason I reluctantly agreed, but I won't stand not having at least a word in.


"You, what is your level?"

"Poor as my ability is, I would like to think I am capable enough to serve as your highness's shield."

"Are you hard on hearing? I asked you; what is your level."

"...It's 126."


...Ah, not good. She's nothing more than a moron. 
Replying my serious question with a ridiculous joke. She's definitely looking down on me.
Perhaps I should arrange for a substitute this instant. My goodness, why would Hero-sama send this crook---


"If you'd excuse me, princess."

"Wha? ...!?"


She suddenly carried me before jumping away. I have no idea what is she playing at.
W, what do you think you're doing!? Is this moron unaware that touching me without permission is a lese majeste!


As my displeasure and confusion reached a boiling point, a loud booming sound resounded.
No it's not my head exploding. A mushroom shaped cloud rose from the proving grounds this woman and I were just at.


"I must apologize for touching you without permission. It was an emergency. My humblest apology."

"W, what just...?"

"Someone somewhere had fired an offensive spell our way... Quite a high powered one at that."


A crater several meters in diameter was formed in the spot we were at.
Injuries would be the least of our worries if that hit us.

Shooting such a powerful spell without warning. It's far too flashy for an assassination.
Who would...


"Found them."

"Eh?"


The instant the black-haired woman muttered that, my body was bent backward.
I'm flying at tremendous speed toward the castle's wind, wait flying...!?


"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!?"

"I hope you could bear it in for a bit. Do forgive me."


B, bear what, no really what is going on here!?
Actually we're going to hit the window at this rate, and then into the castle, wait, I said waiiiiit!!


CRASH, I could tell we landed inside the castle as the glass broke.
There was no impact nor was I wounded by the broken glass, but it was still seriously scary!

I looked around inside the castle and saw a man wearing a black robe looking out of place between the luxurious backdrop.
This area has little foot traffic. I can't believe he'd target me from inside the castle.


"Found our culprit."

"Guh!? How, did you...!?"

"It was obvious where you shot it from. Give it up and get yourself tied up."

"Who would!!"


The black robed man magic our way with an enraged look.
A barrage of flame shots. It's far less powerful than the spell earlier but the number and speed are far superior.
This black robe must be a powerful Advanced Job holder. Comparable to royal court mages.
No, we can't avoid so many...!


"Aand stop. This way is a dead end~."

"...Wha?"

"H, how...!?"


As the black-haired woman jested, the entire barrage of flame shots stopped a few meter ahead of us.
It's like something invisible is blocking the way.
Both the black robed man and I couldn't stop our jaws from loosening up.
D, does such a Skill exist? I have never heard, or seen one.


"Alright, you can have them back."

"W, what is going on, u, waaaaaaaaa!!!"


The flame shots went flying back at the black robe.
They landed one after another and the black robed man turned charred black after the last one.


"Well now, let us get this man spill out everything."

"W, who are, you...?"

"I am your bodyguard, princess."


The question I threw in my dumbfounded state was returned with the same nonchalant reply this black haired woman first gave me.
Her face looks weak, ordinary with no fierceness to it at a glance... Yet, I could feel something bottomless from it.
Even the dread that assaulted me earlier feels trivial in comparison.

Previous Chapter 

649 Squeeze the Chance

There were 509 in total. Mana Cores placed neatly on the table.

"Ou, this one here's a teensy bit short on mana. We'll hafta lower our offer a tad. Any problem with that?"

Dongoro's quite discerning. I'm familiar with that core.
Must be the first skeleton I sliced. I let it revive once as an experiment.
This made me recall one other thing of which I fetched.

"Can you make it even with this one. This one's a tad bigger than the rest."

"Eh!? Are you sure? Even the slightest difference in size can result in a considerable price difference. Just one or two cores won't cut it. Something that big should net up to triple the price!"

Makiru was being foolishly honest. She should have accepted my offer if she were a merchant. 
However, craftsmen appear to be a type that can't lie as Dongoro also weighs in.

"We're thankful bout it, we really do lad, but y'know. We don't wanna feel bad. Getting good stuff for free makes sitting on yer arses a pain. We're gonna pay ya the proper amount for that."

"Ah, please don't worry about it. To tell you the truth I'm actually financially stable. Just regards them as a sort of tips for agreeing with this deal. Truth is, I don't know other places to pawn these off. I'm thankful enough that you two took it up. So I don't even mind if you lower the prices below the market prices. In fact, that can work as a hush money."

"Man, you're really something else lad. Eeh? Oy... You ain't gonna mind will ya? No really, we're gonna take up yer' offer for real."

"Yes, well. Tell you what, I'm not familiar with market prices. I really don't mind whatever the final amount is gonna be. Heck, I'm not even gonna complain if you deceive me."

Makiru put her hand on her forehead after hearing my stance.

"Err, I don't get it... You really don't think this is a big deal? Now that I've regained my composure. Just who are you?"

That phrase again now of all time. How many times would this be.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Who cares about that. It doesn't have anything to do with this, does it."

I brushed it over. Dongoro joined in.

"Ain't no craftsmen place to pyr on their customers. Not unless they're criminals, but ya lad didn't do a crime did ya? Then all is swell. We'll gratefully take 'em off you."

"...Ha~. You have a point. I can tell Saito-san is not a bad man from our conversation. I won't pry further. It'd be a huge loss to us if you turned away because of my remarks. Especially for this many cores."

"Ya don't get to purchase this many every day 'fter all. Heck, our side shoulda pay extra ordinarily. Uumu..."

"You don't... Mind if we took up your offer on the prices of these cores, right? ...You're absolutely sure?"

These two are quite the kind souls it seems. Gratitude, the workshop finance and their pride as craftsmen seem to be in conflict as they're having some sort of inner struggle.
The huge loss part is probably less about the workshop's finance and more to do with missing the chance to get this many cores.
Something like 'We won't get another chance like this in our lifetime!'

Then I offered them to buy the cores cheaper since I don't really need the money.
There must be lots of but but but and but then racing in their mind right now.

That's where I come in to push their back. The result is obvious even without such long deliberations.
The two of them won't ever cancel this transaction.
And thus, I made a simple request and got them agree to close the deal.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

Nightmarish Reality

How did it come to this.


"Fuhaa. You're so pretty, Kajikawa-san, bfft...!"

"I saw that bfft-ing dangit, Reina!!"

"...But, you are pretty."


Reina couldn't hold back her laughter in the midst of praising me. Alma followed up with a word of praise.
Stop it. This is the one and only time Alma's praise isn't giving me joy.


"My bad for putting you through this, Kajikawa-san. We don't got enough people with just me, see."

"I don't buy that crap! You're so obviously enjoying this!"

<<Well your Menu was surprisingly cooperative about the whole thing. How eager are you about wanting to see Kajikawa-san as a woman?>>

<<...This measure is necessary to maintain connection with Neo Raifu. There is no ulterior motive.>>

"Come on, go and see a mirror. You're an absolute beaut!"


I almost fell down on all four when I saw myself in the mirror.
I've gotten shorter, my hair's grown to my back. My shoulders shrunk. My whole body has gotten smaller as a whole.
Yet all the curves are filled up. It's a woman's body no matter how you look at it. Thank you so much.

...No I'm not crossdressing. I've really turned into a woman.
Hero-kun's Menu transferred the 'Gender-change Medicine' Alma's parents brought back from Floor 21 and then my Menu dumped it directly in my stomach.
It's the advent of Kajikawa Hikaru (♀) *dramatic*. Just kill me.
...Like seriously, how did I end up looking like my mother during her younger day...










The reason why I'm doing all this stems from reports of suspicious shadows tailing Continent 1 princesses as of late. The princesses consulted Hero-kun to act as their bodyguard. 
A once every ten year Kingdom Fest is going to be held for several days starting tomorrow. The princesses have to frequently go out in public which puts them in danger.
...Then don't.

I was feeling sorry for Hero-kun to be stuck with another troublesome sounding job just when he finally got some time to rest from the rebuilding effort. But no more.
He came for us to ask for help with the escort mission.
I thought Hero-kun alone could ace it with the help of Menu but apparently there are more 'Continent 1 Princesses' than he could handle.


"To top it off, the bodyguard has to stay by their side and be a woman. Why'd they even go to me then. What the heck."

"Isn't it because they mistook your gender, Neora-kun?"

"I lost count how many times I told them I'm a man..."

"And since each princess needs one bodyguard, we don't have enough people to cover them all."


Levia and Olivier shrugged their shoulders behind Neora-kun.
Looks like they're not really on board with it but they can't exactly ignore a request coming from a kingdom itself.


"...How many princesses are there anyway?"

"There's nine of them in total... It's a huge family."

"But you'll only have five women even if you add Alma and Reina in the mix. I can't take part cuz I'm a man."

"Oy, don't think I'd overlook you casually counting me as a girl."

"Aina-san, Hyula-san and Instructor Lunatiara have agreed to help, so we're only short one person now..."

<<That's where this thing comes in! 'A medicine that changes your gender for 24 hours'! Let me just administer one...>>

"Eh? Wh, what, oy, Menu! What the hell did you doooooo!!"


Hero-kun crouched down with a red face.
Just as I was about to ask him what's up, I noticed a change in his body.

His hair grew a bit, his naturally dainty body got even slimmer, he got more woman-like curves as a whole.
...You can't call his, no, her body a man's anymore.

A beauty blonde has taken up the stage, unfused.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Ne, Neora...?"

"Neora-san, became a girl...!?"

"Oy, Menu, dammit!! The hell were you playing at, turn me back nooooooooow!!!"

<<Uhyaa, you're cuter than ever...>>

"Shut it! Turn me back already! Back, nooow!"

<<You will in 24 hours. Ah, taking another pill will just prolong the effect, so let's just wait for it au naturale okay.>>

"Now now, Neora-san. Asides from your hair growing a bit and your tits and butts poking out more, you haven't changed much, you know~."

"...Is that supposed to console me?"


Hero-chan got on all fours. This is just terrible.
And by that I mean, I don't feel anything different with his usual self despite his gender change. Heck, this feels more at home instead.


<<So yeah, the last one is gonna be Kajikawa-san. Ah, Default-ko over there. I'll be transferring the gender-change drug over to you, give it to Kajikawa-san.>>

<<Affirmative. Administering in progress.>>


"Eh, wha!? H-h-h-hold it right there, why do I haftaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"



And thus born, Kajikawa (♀). 
...I'm a newlywed y'know. Why's first thing after getting married is undergoing a sex-change.
Heck, the fest starts tomorrow, what needs is there doing this now! Get a grip!


"The schedule today is to go meet the princesses, so."

"Bear staying like that until the end of the fest."


...Hero-chan, just you wait.


Afterward, we went to greet the Continent 1 Princesses and I went to my room in a huff.
...I had to do stuff like toilet break and bathing, but I've no willpower left to narrate that...


I saw a weird dream, likely due to this gender change.
I went to kill a furless gorilla, then proceed to roast a fire breathing huge bird with my own fire breath as a girl.
When I almost got myself killed by a huge turtle, I had already become that girl and fought the turtle by time I realized.
...Looks like you get to see a weird dream when you're in an unfamiliar body sleeping in a new environment.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

648 Counting

I crushed the army of skeletons. Beat the troublesome dungeon master. The dungeon proceeded to collapse on itself and then here I am.
Thus I explained the chain of events before showing the content of a bag full of mana cores as a proof.

"I couldn't afford to take the Dungeon Core out so I had to destroy the thing on site. I know it's a bit of waste. So, how about it? Is this considered illegal?"

"I find yer story hard to believe lad... Also, I ain't gonna tell this to no one. It ain't nothing illegal long as nobody's the wiser. Besides, not like what ya did was a crime there, I see no fault. Ya haven't said a pep bout this to anybody else yeah? Then, ya don't hafta worry."

Wonder if dwarves are all this broad minded.

"Dungeons are mainly dealt by registered adventurers, however the situation was such that manner of process wasn't feasible. I believe it should be fine... Your story does indeed sound like a tall tale, but considering the amount of these cores... There can be no other explanation."

Makiru kept staring hard at the bag filled with the cores. Like she's charmed by it.
As for Dongoro, he's been muttering something nonstop, seemingly making some sort of calculation.

"Can I get you to buy them off me then? Ah, I don't mind if you can't afford everything."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Ye dumb or what! Look all these cores! They're even of uniform quality! Who knows how long we gonna find another chance like this! Nay, there ain't gonna be another in this lifetime! We takin' errythin'!"

"That's right! We won't leave a single one behind! All of it! All of it! Let us purchase them all!"

The two suddenly went in my face.
Losing to their zeal, I could only say 'yes' meekly and agreed to have this transaction. The two immediately started counting the cores and sorting them out by quality and size. 
They have this frantic look on their eyes.

"Oooou! Wel I'll be damned!? Every single one of these cores have got uniform size and internal mana!"

"This will make it easier to use them! Ah, if I superheat the mana furnace and process the surface, then the enchant... or we could cut them and use them as gems... But that's much harder than it sounds!"

Looks like these cores really do have a lot of use, the two of them keep imagining what they'd do with them out loud as they count the cores.

"Truly craftsmen and their crafts... It's all beyond me..."

Right after I muttered that, Makiru suddenly turned her head in my direction.
It was so shocking, almost terrifying even.

"Let me hear your thought on the sword and shield later, okay! Please wait a moment! I'll finish counting this first! We'll get right to it afterward!"

After which she went back to counting.

(Craftsmen are scaaary... Thought she'd eat me or something...)

Thus I was reminded again about the terrifying nature of craftsmen.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

Finale, For Now

"Err, sorry about it, I've brought you twenty more variations than usual. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."

『....』

"No uh, I didn't forget, see? I just worked myself to exhaustion fighting Demon King, I got bedridden for about half a month, see?"

『....』

"Ah, right right, look at this steak here, I used the most delicious meat of Black Dragon for it. It's my best masterpiece ever, tastier than any meat dish I've ever made. Err, are you listening?"

『.......』

"...Huh? Sensei, aren't your Attributes rising? Eh, Unique Skill? You just got like ten times stronger. Eh, Why'd you further use True Beast Release there? You're pretty much stronger than Demon King in his True Demon Release form now."



『Guruggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!』

"Hiiiyyiiii!? If I knew you were hiding that power, you could have come along with us to fight Demon King, nooooo!!!！ Hidebua!!?"





~~~~~~~





"Rasfi, where we heading to next?"

"Heard strong Lv80s magic beasts made a nest in a beast cave on Continent 2. Let's go subdue 'em... What's with that look, you don't wanna?"

"Nah, I'm fine with it, but y'know... Haven't you turned into a battle junkie ever since that war?"

"I might have. That exhilarating feeling when you're fighting strong opponents is dangerously addicting."

"Yeah, it's not like I don't get ya, but remember you don't go overboard. I'm seriously gonna stop you when things look real bad."

"You will protect me if it comes down to that, no? Baredo."

"...Yeah yeah. Geez, how did I fall for this gal..."



~~~~~~~~





"Radia-san, please come to Alma-san's birthday party tomorrow!"

"Eh, birthday? Uh, how old is that nee-chan again?"

"She's gonna be 17 tomorrow. Kajikawa-san is cooking up a storm for the party. It's an all you can eat buffet!"

"I see. I should go buy something for her present."

"Oh, I'm thinking of buying some liquor. Wanna go shop around together with me?"

"O, ou. Don't drink too much now, okay?"

"A gal gotta sit back and relax every once in a while specially in a special occasion like this. Let's drink lots together, Radia-san."

"Aren't you just eager to drink over celebrating the birthday...?"

"Fufufu, I'm a bad girl... Actually, rather than a birthday, it's actually---"



~~~~~~~



"Please give me, your daughter."

"...Long have I steeled myself for this very day. Neither has there been a single day I forgo ruminating over what I would do on that day." 

"...I can hazard a guess, may I hear your reply."

"See this thing here, still don't get it? I will never accept it unless you've proven yourself stronger than me. Come and demonstrate your mettle."

"I mean you've got sword at the ready and all. I figured... Haa, Alma might have stayed single all her life if it weren't me."



"Well then...... Defeat me in battle if you wish my daughter (Alma) you greenhooooorn!!!!!"

"Knewthiswasgonnahappeeeeeeeeeen!!!!"





~~~~~~~





"Hero-sama! Please be my brid---"

"Menu, send him to another continent with Fast Travel."

<<Hear hear... You've gotten pretty used to driving those suitors away, haven't you.>>

"I'm so done reacting to every one of them. Dangit, it's all because you fused me in front of so many people. They keep coming at me every single day now!"

<<And there's barely any female suitor too, which is kinda... Wonder if you're really gonna turn into a hot guy once you're all grown up. It kinda feels like you're actually growing up into a fine lady there.>>

"I will! I will make it happen! I'm so fed up of getting mistaken for a woman! Levia and Olivie would definitely like a hot guy face than this girlish one too, for sure!"

"Nope, I'm fine with your current looks."

"You're already very cool the way you are, Neora-san."

"...Thank you."

"In fact, I'd rather you stay a cutie-coughcough."

"Hm, come again?"


<<...I guess I should stay silent on the fact that his body not only has an abundance of female hormones but it's also been made to age slowly so the chance of him turning manly as he grows up is hopelessly low. What a shame~...>>



~~~~~~








Alma showed her brightest smile ever when I told her my feelings.
Heck, right after confessing, Alma ran and hugged me, stole my lips and then... Let's not go there. Yup.


Afterward, I overcame many trials and tribulations (chiefly from Oni-sensei and Alma Papa), and tied the knot for real.
That said, we're not letting ourselves drown in romantic feelings.

Heard lots of stories about couples who only see their partners' good points only to see the cracks after marriage.
You gotta put in the effort to know your partner better and let them know you better. Try to fix each other flaws and aim for a happy life for many years to come. 
Marriages are no child play. You gotta have the resolve to take it seriously, both as a human and as a couple.


...Well, I should drop all that formal stuff and focus on cooking.
I'm just gonna suffocate myself if I keep overthinking that. I'd rather enjoy my time with Alma.


"Hikaru, I'm done chopping onions."

"Alrighty, time to stir fry 'em."


I'm making ginger fried black dragon meat right now.
There's also steak, hamburger, teriyaki, smoked meat, cubed stew, cartilage dango, all of them made from black dragon.

I splurged out the black dragon meat I had been keeping in my storage for Alma's birthday. 
Most of the dishes were made by me, but the ginger fry is a joint effort with Alma.

Think the first meal I had together with Alma was ginger fried pork. Really takes me back.
....Feels like it's been two years and two months since then, but it hasn't even been a year yet... What terrifyingly dense days those were.


『Pipi!』

"Hey now, no food sampling today. You can have all you want when it's time to eat at the dinner party... Just please don't turn into a giant and guzzled down everything, you hear me."

『Pii...』

"Hiyoko looks like she can't wait anymore... Speaking of which, when is your birthday, Hikaru?"

"Who knows? I was already 26 when I came to... Must be one of the days while I was asleep. Well, birthdays are kinda a sore spot when you're my age."

"But it's still the special day you were born on, Hikaru. We have to celebrate it."

"...Do we now, thanks."

"That settles it. I'll cook everything for your next birthday. So please teach me how to cook."

"Ou, I'll be with you every step of the way."


...When was the last time I even look forward to my next birthday, I wonder.
I'm so glad I got thrown in this world and met Alma. Sniffle.


Alma's birthday party turned into a much grander thing than I anticipated.
Apparently Alma Mama also cooked meals for the party, we got several hundreds servings between the two of us.
Almost made it look like some high society noble party... I'll store away everything unconsumed in my Item Screen for later date.

They also made the preparation for the venue. Actually they booked the entire guild's tavern, fully ready for a full blown party.
Ah, the signboard on the Adventurer's Guild has been replaced with a sign that says 'Alma's Birthday Party'... Wonder if it was made hastily. It looks like it's gonna fall apart anytime.


Attending the party is Reina, Alma's parents naturally, Hero-kun's party, the rest of training members, Aina-san, orphanage kids and the director, Reina's mom, Gen-san, his disciple and Julian. The assorted guildmasters and even Spadia-san are here too.
I'm glad they could make the time in their busy days but are they sure they've got it covered.


"...I'm stuck in work work work every single day, not sure if I could go on if I don't blow off steam every once in a while. Ah, more booze please."

"Oy, you elderly. Why're you getting your arse drunk already."

"The party isn't on yet, no drinking. No demanding seconds either."


Daijel Guildmaster and Scarymast admonished the already drinking Lolimast... Dang you drunkard lil girl.
Gotta remind Reina not to get too wasted too. Nah, it's not happening... Dang you alcoholic lil girls.


I'm wearing quite a nice suit I bought in Japan for the occasion. Hope it doesn't look out of place.
Heck, where's the main star of the show, Alma anyway.

<<Putting on her dress takes time.>>

Is there even a dress code for birthday parties. People here sure get spirited when it comes to birthday parties.
...But Reina's birthday was quite somber. I feel kinda sorry...

As I was thinking that, Alma came out of the changing room.

.............


A beauty wearing a pure white dress you could mistake for an angel stood there.
...Isn't she getting TOO much into it? That looks like a wedding dress to me.

Alma asked me while blushing slightly.


"H, ho, how do I look...?"

"A, ah... You're so pretty I can't bear to look away."


Oh no, what's with this mood.
It's as if we're gonna have a wedding ceremony or something.
Everybody present is looking at the two us with a grin on their faces, sheesh.
...We should grab our seats.


The party began, Alma opened with a casual greeting and then Alma Mama entered the venue while carrying some sort of huge box.


"...? What's that?"

"Ufufu. Oh I've made the bestest of cake just for today."

"Oh, a birthday cake I see. You must have been really fired up."

"Ufufu, oh I was blazing up for my cute and lovely daughter. And there we go!"


The box revealed... An incredibly huge super sized cake.
Hold up. That thing is no birthday cake.


It's a wedding cake no matter how you slice it.


"Here you go, hold on to this together Hikaru-san, Alma-chan."

"...Eh?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

Alma Mama handed us a sword, no, a cake cutter?
What's going on. What's starting here?


"Hmph!"


While my mind was trying to catch up, Alma Papa shot a farslash at the guild's signboard with his sword.
The 'Alma Birthday Party' signboard got cut in two and fell apart to show another signboard behind it.


The words 'Kajikawa Hikaru & Almatina Wedding Party' is written theretheretherethere.


.............


THEY GOT ME


Alma Mama was the one who brought up this whole birthday party to me. Who could've imagined they were scheming this.
Actually, this kind of surprise isn't right! It's gotta be more proper and--


"Hikaru, your hand."

"Eh, ah, yes."


I got swept in the flow and cut the cake together.
Is this really gonna be our first joint effort.


"...I wanted to have a proper planning for this if I could."

"Nope. Hikaru-san would definitely bring up stuff like rebuilding effort or adventures to keep dilly dallying the marriage forever. Duke was exactly like that."

"Ugu..."


...She saw right through me.
It's true. Wedding ceremony sounds so intimidating and a hard work I only had a hazy planning of it in my mind.


"Now that's out of the way, you may proceed with the kiss of vow."

"?!!!"


For real.
I mean, we got our first long ago, but in front of so many people?


I look at Alma. She's already standing by with the 'Kiss OK' face.
Everybody present is wordlessly staring at us without making a sound.

....


I'll do it. I'mma show you how to do it. Yeah.



I gently put my palm on Alma's face


...Press her lips, with mine.

A loud cheering started booming in the venue just as we did. This is super embarrassing.


"Each one of you needs to prepare your ring in the next month for the ring exchange. Don't forget to head for the nearest church once you're done okay."


...Man, I still don't get how weddings work in this world.


"Alma-chan, make sure you grab him tight."

"...Un."

"Hikaru-kun... Our girl is in your hands now."

"...Yes."


The birthday party, or rather the surprise wedding ceremony is done. And now it's feasting time.
My mental state is a chaotic mix of embarrassment, frustration from being set up and bliss.


As I devoured the food half from venting up, Alma spoke.


"Hikaru."

"Yes?"



"I love, you."


"....!! ...Me, too."



And yet, I can assert that.

I'm the happiest man alive right now.


For the sake of many more happy days for both me, and for her. We'll walk this road called life together hand in hand.









"Hiyokocha~~n, let's drink and drink and drink~ Uhehe~."

『C, cluck!! Clucleeeeuck!!』

"Reina, don't bottle down a chicken! You're gonna kill it!"

"Oy, fuse now and turn into a beauty. Marry me after."

<<Youbetcha!>>

"Who the hell gonna. Oy, hold it, why'd you fuse me on your own agaiiiin!!!?"

"Ah to be young again. Haa. I'd love to have a wedding myself, preferably soon. What about you Raiza?"

"...Sadly. All my marriage interviews ended with my potential partners fleeing the scene."

"Raiza-chan's got this incredible pressure to her after all. Why put that terrifying face as your default anyway? At this rate, you might stay single fore--buberaa!"

"Waai! Elf-oneechan flew away!"

"Now now, mind your manners children. It's a wedding ceremony, you must remain composed and---"

"Uh Director, you're saying that with that heap of meat on your plate. How about you take your own advice."

"Fuhahahaha!! Congratulations on your wedding, My Customer and your partner! I shall peruse this occasion to demonstrate my newest invention, the magic mine fireworks--"

"Higuro, stop him!!"

"That ain't no fireworks, it's a bomb! Don't you dare set that off dangit!"



...Looks like there's gonna be quite a lively future ahead of us, yep.


Ah, oy, Julian, don't do it you! I said, wait-----

Author's note:
Thank you very much for reading.
The only reason I managed to finish this (for now) is all thanks to all supports from my readers, truly.
I'm grateful for all of you. Thank you ever so much.
I will be writing after story so this is not yet the end. Thank you for your understanding.

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647 Suddenly Poofing Out and In

Fortunately there wasn't a single person on my way so I didn't have to worry about bumping into someone in the narrow passage.
And then I got back to the spot I crushed the skeleton army at and saw around thirty soldiers smashing the bones on the ground.

(This looks like a stop challenge...)

I recalled an image I saw on the internet. Everybody stops in their tracks while I'm under Accelerated State.
I found them interesting as I left the place behind. I have no more business here.
I legged it to Dongoro Workshop. The ground shook the moment I undid Acceleration.
I put a calm face on as I knew it must be from the dungeon collapse.
Someone called out to me as soon as I decided to wait outside the workshop for Dongoro to come back.

"O, ou! Yer' the katana guest from earlier! Why'd you suddenly went poof? Then poof, there you are again. Does it got to do... with this tremor?"

Someone suddenly vanished and suddenly appearing out of thin air, immediately followed by an earthquake.
Of course anyone's gonna link them.
A string of utterly unexplained phenomenon happening right before your eyes is gonna make even the most dimwitted person to put two and two together.

"Ah, I'll tell you all about it. I've also got a request if you will. Please keep everything to yourself. Please."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Then I asked Dongoro if I could go in.

"Yer'... Nah, I ain't gonna ask. Come on in. Judging from yer' demeanor, it's already safe... ain't it?"

Good guess. He's quick on the uptake. No wonder his workshop's hailed as this dwarf kingdom's finest.
Makes things easier for me too.

"E, err, are you alright? This tremor... is over it seems. But, what are you?"

Makiru who came with Dongoro looked at me worryingly. But she doesn't seem scared.
I wouldn't even blame her if she suspected someone as shady as me. Wonder what she saw me in me.

Thus we got in the workshop. By the way, their disciplines have all already taken shelter in an acquaintance's workshop far away from this place.
That's convenient. The less people who know about my story, the better.

We returned to Dongoro's workroom where I showed them my katana.

"So, lad. I ain't gonna ask what yer deal is, but I'mma say this to ya. Will this request of yours get us in hot water?"

Dongoro glared at me right away. Naturally. Some suspicious fellow is asking them something after all.

"Err, can you buy cores, you know mass of mana, off me? I don't really get how that stuff works."

I started from the least friction one.

"...Here I was wondering what ya got in store. Yeah sure, we can. Got lots of uses for that stuff. How many and how's the quality? They ain't from illegal channels are they?"

Dongoro pointed that out which I should explain.

"Ah, err. I'll tell you how I get my hands on them if you can promise you won't tell anyone. And I'm not really sure how to deem their legality, so please point it out for me."

"Err? What are you going to tell us? ...Ah, also on an unrelated note, we never get to finish our business didn't we? Please let me hear your thoughts later."

Makiru who came with us shrewdly reminded me about the matter with her sword and shield while pouring tea.
I smiled wryly at that before I narrated everything I did from the time I went poof to now.

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