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.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

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.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

What Must be Conveyed

Two weeks had passed since our final battle with Demon King when I came to.

The first thing I saw was Alma sleeping over my body.
...This would cause another misunderstanding if her parents were here. Alma Papa especially.
I mean, uh, it might not be necessarily wrong in the near future.

I feel bad waking Alma up but I can't get back to sleep either.
...I mean, I've got enough sleep for a lifetime. My body's creaking all over.
My arm is injected with a pipe connected to a nutrient like tube. I had no idea this world had IV tech. Kinda surprising.

Staring at Alma's sleeping face, I feel sorry for making her tend to me all this time and how cute she looks while asleep, shallow of me.
As I kept staring at her I recalled how our feelings were laid bare in the open when we were fused. I know it's too late and all but that was so embarrassing I could die.
Uoaaaaaaaa.....! Just kill me now...!!
How dare an old man reserve unit fall in love with such a delicate beauty, man.

...What's even more surprising is the fact that the feelings are mutual.
I mean, there were signs sure. But, I didn't want to take it wrong and pretended to look the other way.

Wonder when did I fall for her. I'm still not sure the moment.

Was it that time we stabbed each other's stomachs? The heck kinda splatter is that.
That time we walked around together like it was a date during the hunting fest? There's absolutely nothing romantic about that gourmand outing. Nope.
That time we went fishing? That time we were clearing a dungeon? That time we defeated a Jet Boar at Keruna Village? That time we overcame a Stampede? That time we trained together to learn Magic Swords?
Maybe I already fell at the first sight when she saved my life at Magic Beast Forest.

I think both me and Alma were attracted to one another as we spent more days together and began to harbor feelings.
I patted the sleeping Alma's head while reminiscing all that.

...I can't decide if I want to wake her up and talk about it or if I want to stare at her sleeping face forever.
My mind is a mixed mess of being scared to change our longstanding relationship and wanting to deepen it.
Even my wording is getting messy thanks to everything going on in my head. Wait, no I guess it's same as ever?


"....U...Un...H,uh...Hikaru...?"


I patted her for a while before Alma woke up. Oh jeezuz.


"...Good morning, Alma."

"M, orning... You're, up."

"Yup, I did just now. My bad for making you wait so long."

"...You wouldn't open your eyes, no matter how many times I called you."

"...I'm really sorry."


She muttered in a slightly bad mood, either a low blood pressure from just waking up or her being angry about me sleeping through all those days.
I have no idea why I slept that long either. I mean I guess I got my eyeball gouged out and all, maybe the fight with Demon King was more draining than I thought.


"How are you feeling now?"

"My head is still hazy and my body is creaking all over, probably from oversleeping. But I'm perfectly fine."

"I see... I'm so glad, you're finally up."


Alma sighed with her usual expressionless face you could mistook for being curt.
I know this question comes too late, but I wonder why is this girl like this when her parents can't stay a second without bombastically expressing themselves... No, I guess that's precisely why?
They must have an over reaction to every little thing Alma did, so she ended up learning not to be expressive.
You can tell how she feels from her gestures and intonations once you've gotten to know her better though.



We're having a little chat to get me up to speed.
Like how are the guildmasters, her parents and training members doing.

Like say, Neora-kun is apparently going around all over the world distributing goods with Item Screen and Fast Travel.
That doesn't sound like a job meant for heroes, but it's definitely the best way to use him.
...Apparently he's given up correcting locals who keep mistaking his gender.


"Menu played a prank and activated Valorous Fusion in front of many people so he's been getting marriage proposals left and right."

"Ahahahahaha, someone's popular. All of them gotta be men though."

"A little tidbit, Alan is among those men."

"Bffft!? What happened, Aizawa-kun!? He knows Neora-kun is a man, right!? Actually, wasn't he wooing you, Alma...?"

"...'I'm fully aware that I ain't meant for you. Ya go ahead and get yer' happiness', he never showed up again after telling me that."


No seriously, what happened. Heard he tried to court Alma-fused Neora-kun before the final battle, did that start the shift?
...Who'd have thought he'd woke up to that. You really can't tell what the future holds in store, scary~.


"What about Reina and Hiyoko?"

"They've been hunting down magic beasts around here to prevent Stampedes taking place during the rebuilding effort. They couldn't really level up after getting so much stronger though."

"Ah, guess she's a Special Job now... I mean, our changes are just as drastic after defeating Demon King."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

Looking at Map Screen, Reina and Hiyoko have both reached Lv82.
They must be the youngest strongest human and magic beast in history.

Alma's Job had changed to 'End Paladin' after defeating Black Dragon.
Add exp point from defeating Demon King and things are getting out of hands.
Alma's is Level 109 now. She's ten level higher than her parents.
Her Attributes have shot up as well. Average being 4500, it's Oni-sensei's tier.

Speaking of which, mine is Lv126... Thanks to finishing off Demon King, or almost like soloing him, my level ups were just nasty.
Despite having left Neora-kun's party, my Attributes have 8000 as the lowest. I could easily reach 100,000 with Energy Control buff.

I could fight on par with True Demon Release Demon King no biggie now. No the final form though.
Well, I don't need this stupid amount of power though. Demon King is no more anyways.


"We managed to defeat Demon King relatively fast but there's still a lot of casualty I see."

"Un. Thanks to adventurers, soldiers and guards doing their very best, civilian casualty was kept at a minimum but there's still an untold number of life lost."


I thought we were given the shortest end of the stick having to fight Demon King but if you consider the strength and number of current generation demons, the people who had to face them were having it much worse.
I have nothing but gratitude for those who stood up and lost their lives despite the despairing odds... Let's offer them a prayer.


"Sounds like your parents were blasting things left and right. They got quite a few level ups."

"They kept fighting and even went after the fleeing demons in the end..."

"...Yeah, I could see that."


The damage suffered by the area under Alma's parents is the lowest among other areas.
...But their unchecked rampage might have done more damage to the cities than the demons. I get that it's inevitable though.


"They squeezed me so hard when I woke up I thought I was getting strangled to death again."

"They got way too much energy. Well, I'm just glad we're all safe and sound here."

"After that, mom told me something so outlandish I passed out again."

"Eh, what did she say?"

"...'Alma-chan is gonna be an onee-san soon', she said as she rubbed her stomach."

"O, ooh... That's gonna be quite a long year apart between the two of you."


That's an unexpected good news from Alma Mama. 
...No wonder she got knocked out hearing that right after getting up.


.....
We kept talking about that kind of stuff, but not the important one.


There was something I wanted to tell her after the battle.
...I would have raised a flag if I said it out loud though, so I kept it to myself.

Apparently the rule here states that the man must be the one telling the woman.
Only uncommon cases like multiple women going for one man prompt the woman to go for it.
Dunno who made that rule but apparently those who ignored the rules will be branded as 'a bum who can't even say love to the woman he likes', by the men side.
...This kind of rule would get torched up badly if it were introduced in modern Japan.

I gotta say it.
I'm super hesitant to open my mouth, but I gotta say it no matter what.

It's my duty, for having peeked at her heart.
It's, my feelings, laid bare to her.


"...Alma. Please calm down, I need to tell you something."

"...You too, calm down, Hikaru. Your body and voice are shaking really hard."


No no no, losing my mind in such a crucial time would be way past being a bum.
Deep breath, deep breath... No I ain't doing Lamaze technique.


"Alma."

"...Yes?"










"Speaking as a man, I love you."








Note from Author:
Thank you very much for reading this work.

This is the end of this story for now.
Next chapters will be short stories about later development. 

 Note from translator:

Still a lot to cover 

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter 

646 Exit, Entrance, Wall

I may have gotten down but I can't dilly dally.
I've still got to get back to the place where I first entered this dungeon.
It's quite a long trek. It may haven't been that long in real world thanks to Acceleration but it's already been a few hours for me.
I wanna take a break but I can't afford it. So yeah, I break into run once again.

(Aah, I've been doing nothing but running the past several days. Wonder what went wrong? Oh man.)

It's a long straight road through all the walls I broke down. Lots of crumbling walls embedded with wreckage I flung on my way here.
I jogged lightly while glancing at those. A question popped up on my mind.

(The exit's been blocked off, but it should connect outside if I dig out right? The space itself can't have been shut off, and digging should get me out right?)

Dungeons are a sub space created by mana or something. Meaning that someone was behind that blockade. Which could have a chance of the space itself being severed off.

And yet I don't have any choice but to go back there first.
I'll start fretting over after I've given it a try. It might break off to outside world right away. 
There's no harm in trying. Yet, it might very well be a wishful thinking.
Either way, that's the only venue I have now. I'm not this dungeon's master, no way to know the truth.
Might as well just smash and go from there.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
I keep running toward the entrance. I've already made a plan if that didn't pan out.
I'm gonna destroy the entirety of this dungeon till I find the exit. That's the only way.
I'm not worry free about having to stay so long in Accelerated State. But, no pain no gain.

(The exit must be somewhere in here. I gotta believe in that. Hopefully it's that place I came in, no really.)

I have no idea how vast a floor in this dungeon is.
But it's obvious it's quite big. Even this straight path is pretty long. Can't imagine the whole maze.
Thus I kept running on the tedious straight path. I kept thinking about what ifs, but nothing will be done if I don't get to it.
I'm limited on my options as someone who knows nothing about this dungeon.

I arrived at the place I got in this dungeon. It's been transformed into a wall.
I cut open a door sized hole with my sword based on memory.
The wall easily fell apart as if it was made of pudding.

I breathed a sigh of relief at the end result. The part I cut into fine pieces revealed a path connecting outside.

(Ah, that was tiresome. Now then, what do.)

I never thought what I'd do after leaving this dungeon.

There may be no avoiding the dungeon collapsing, but I don't want to let people find out it's my handiwork.
Which is simple. All I need to do is to stay in Accelerated State until I've gotten far away. Nobody will be the wiser.
This whole dungeon collapse business might have a domino effect but it's none of my business as long as nobody died.

Next up is dealing with the pile of magic cores I got from that skeleton army.
Selling them as is will only invite suspicion linking me to this incident.
Once the news spread, I'm definitely gonna get myself involved in a mess that will ultimately force me out of this Dwarf Kingdom.
No way. I just got here. Therefore, I have to dump these cores to someone I can trust.
Someone that doesn't exist.

(No wait. What about Dongoro Workshop?)

That's the only place I can rely on. I have no connection in this new land besides there.
These cores are a compressed form of mana and can't go in the magic bag. You need a special bag to store them.
I don't want to carry around a bag full of pebbles like this everywhere.
So yeah, I'll be heading for Dongoro Workshop.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

End and Future Also Dormant

This chapter starts from Souma Ryuta (what was once Demon King) POV

Castle of Demon King is crumbling down.
My body is also gradually disappearing into dust.


According to the 'memory when I was Demon King', the 'Hand-mirror of Reincarnation' got activated after my head blew up and I died.
Just like how Kajikawa Hikaru's Menu fetched Efi Fruit, Demon King's Menu also fetched the hand-mirror a moment before he died.


That hand-mirror has different effects depending on the amount of mana and life force from sacrificed humans it has stocked up.


My reincarnation inherited my memory, knowledge and Status but not 'Souma Ryuta's Personality' because the mirror lacked a bit more mana and life force.
In a cruel twist of fate, my reincarnated form was a Demon King at that.
The result was the worst possible Demon King with the added strength of a hero.

So, what if the mirror had enough sacrifices?
I would have reincarnated with all the above intact. A perfect reincarnation.
I should have aimed for that, but I did not have it in me to sacrifice more humans back then.

Another thing. The last feature the hand mirror possesses.
Once it has gained sufficient sacrifices, it can resurrect its user in the same exact state as they were before death by sacrificing the hand-mirror itself.
Humans killed all over the world by demons were more than enough sacrifices. The prerequisites were over fulfilled.

In other word, Demon King had two insurances, 'Talisman of Scapegoat' and 'Hand-mirror of Reincarnation'.
He did not have much expectations on the latter though.


'Talisman of Scapegoat' is an ornament that has the effect of 'Voiding a fatal wound'. It's an equipment that lets you cheat death once.
While 'Hand-mirror of Reincarnation' has the effect of 'Resurrecting from death'. You might think they do the same thing.

But, they almost can't be further apart.
The moment Demon King has been deemed dead, every single demon in the world enters hibernation and vanishes from this world until the birth of the next generation Demon King.

'Once a Demon King is dead, its body shall disappear into dust'. That is one of this world's rules.
Getting resurrected doesn't change that fact. It is in effect once they are dead once.
The rule was probably made in order to prevent people from abusing Demon King's body as a puppet through necromancy and the likes.
True enough, my body is crumbling down into dust starting from extremities. I likely won't last several minutes more.


Dunno how the Hand-mirror works, but my personality as Souma Ryuta has resurfaced while Demon King is gone. And here I am now.
...Finally awake only after everything is over with no way to correct what I've done.

In the end, I never got my wish. Well, it was an impossible one to begin with.
I was just too hard-headed to quickly abandon my promise to Yukana.
The result of my half baked attempt to fulfill that wish was the birth of the worst Demon King.

Demon Kings are a being that exists to regulate humanity, but one misstep and they might very well go extinct.
More people than necessary died because of me. My death is nowhere near enough to make up for such a grave sin.
I shall accept my fate and fall to hell.

I am meant to disappear. I have no regret crumbling away along with this castle.
But those two, Kajikawa Hikaru and the young miss supporting him still have their future ahead of them. They must not be allowed to die here.
...Glad I got to learn Teleportation Magic. I didn't think it was necessary with Fast Travel at my disposal. I suppose raising my Skill Level an inordinate amount didn't come to waste in the end.
Demon King cannot be targeted by Teleportation Magic so that guy never used it though.



As I sat down waiting for my end, I caught sight of something near my legs.
...Ah, right, he did take that out.


"...Haha. I can't believe my last supper is a hamburger."


I unwrapped, bit on the content and started chewing.
The hamburger I'm eating alone in this collapsing castle tastes awfully light.
Nevertheless, he took the trouble of bringing this to me. I won't let it go to waste.
I kept eating through sheer willpower.


I thank you for the feast, Kajikawa Hikaru.

May you live your life to the fullest.
Make sure you don't leave behind foolish regrets like I did.


Good bye.











Oh and, burn down that note will you. I'm begging you.



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



~~~~~~~~~~~Alma's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~







I was in Daijel's inn by the time I came too.
Mom and dad tearfully hugged me as I lied on my bed.
...Reina and Hiyoko overheard the racket and jumped on me. I thought I was going to get trampled underfoot.


I'm told we managed to escape the crumbling Demon King castle.
It's been a week since then.

Originally there was no way we could have made it in time. I believe the one who brought us away was Teleportation Magic cast by Demon King.
I don't know why he chose to save us but I remember the face he had at the end... was awfully calm and gentle. 
Maybe that was the past hero... No, it's all in the past now. I should keep this to myself in order to prevent unnecessary confusion.


Neora's group apparently got out safely as well.
...They got blown away right outside the castle when it blew up.
Alan suffered a minor injury but it was nothing particularly bad. Then they all went back home with Fast Travel since Menu woke up.


Countless people fell victim to demon invasions all over the world while we were fighting Demon King.
Continent 4 suffered least damage thanks to 'Sensei' whom Hikaru asked for help with.
I wonder what's that Sensei like. I would like to meet him and say my thanks one day.

All the guildmasters we know being safe and sound is the silver lining in all of this mess.
Daijel's guildmaster has been supervising rebuilding effort while screaming his lungs out every day. He's so enthusiastic for someone his age.

Vinfitt's guildmaster was swallowed up by that black slime once but thanks to Hikaru's 'Sensei' swiftly defeating the slime, she got out alive.
...She unintentionally bared herself since her clothes were melted though. She's apparently doing her work despite being depressed about it.

Randorainam's guildmaster suffered wounds all over her body. She should be recuperating still but she won't stop doing deskwork.
The receptionist Naima is giving out orders on site in guildmaster's stead. She's apparently seriously giving her all, there's not a shadow of her former lazy self left.

The rebuilding effort has been going smoother than expected.
It seems Hikaru had warned Kanakkmatt-san beforehand that there would be a need for a huge amount of construction materials in the near future, so he has been distributing them all over the world.
Where did Hikaru even find time to think about what comes after the final battle.
Kanakk Company's reputation shot up thanks to this, he was half grumbling he received a lot more consultations unrelated to the rebuilding effort.



A week after I came to, right just as everybody started feeling weary with the rebuilding effort despite the smooth sailing so far, a certain broadcast streamed in.
The program is set to be 'Hero Neo Raifu's Pep Talk'.


『Aah, aah, test test, can you hear me?』


He sounds high strung, you could tell he's nervous even though there's no image.
He actually didn't want to stand out but reluctantly relented because it's a tradition every hero does after the defeat of Demon King.


『...Looks like there's no problem. Well then, let's start this. To all the people in the world, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Hello, I'm the chosen hero of this generation, my name is Neo Raifu. Pleased to make your acquaintance.』


He covered all greetings due to time difference.
...You'd think he was a girl from hearing his voice alone.
I mean, he'd look like a girl on the screen even if we supposed there was an image. This will just cause more misunderstandings...


『A huge scar has been left in the world by the invasion of demons that took place about half a month ago. Humanity might have been driven to extinction if Demon King was not defeated even a day sooner.』

『The swift defeat of Demon King on the same day the invasion began is what made this rebuilding effort possible.』

『...But, before we toast for victory, I ask for a moment of prayer for all the people and the cities as well as many others we lost.』


No sound could be heard from the broadcast magic device for around a minute.
All the people in the city, no, in the world must be praying with their eyes closed right now.


『...I will proclaim here and now that it is not through my power alone that Demon King was defeated. No, everything is thanks to the comrades who fought with me, those who pushed my back, and everybody who never stopped fighting in the world.』

『I may have been granted the Special Job known as 'Hero', but I'm actually nothing special as a human. I laugh at superficial things, I get mad easily, I fear the unknown, and I cry at the the most trivial stuff. I am nothing special, I swear.』

『If even someone like me is qualified to be called a hero, then every single person who fights and supports those who fight in this world is fit to be a hero as well.』

『An innumerable amount of 'Heroes' are fighting, working and living in this world this very moment.』

『That's precisely why I believe all of us can get back on our feet and walk on toward the future no matter how beaten up we are. I swear I will do everything I can to make that into reality.』

『I apologize for my long winded speech. Lastly.』


『All of you, thank you for fighting. All of you, thank you for giving your all in the rebuilding effort... All of you, thank you for being alive!!』


Cheers erupted all over the town after that loud word of gratitude in the end.
Vigor returned to the faces of the weary. Bright smiles, as if saying 'we can do this' are now plastered there. 


It's okay. The world will get back on its feet once again.
I can tell from seeing people's faces visible from this window.


That's why-----


"...Hikaru."

"....Zzz.... Just five more days..."


....Please wake up already.

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645 Peering Inside

I groped the walls in this dungeon core room to see if I could find a hidden door.
But I found nothing. Or rather, it'd be way too plot convenient if there were one. Reality is a harsh mistress.

"What do I do? Go with yet another primitive method for the return trip? Like retracing my path here."

That's gonna involve shoving aside the pile of blocks I used to get up here somehow and go down.
I'm getting depressed. It took me so long just to get here. I don't wanna have another go.

I regained my composure and undid Acceleration for the first time since I reached this room.
The fatigue hit me all at once.

"So I really have no choice but to destroy the core here, and face the dungeon collapse. No other way out. It's no sweat with MAX Acceleration but if I want to go back, I'd have to, ugh...."

I can't think up of any other choice or tricks. Still holding on to hope, I ended up cutting up the entire room and found zero hidden passages. Same with the ceiling.
The ceiling is pretty low here, less than 170 centimeters. Inversely, it's got a lot of horizontal space, quite a badly balanced room.
Groping in the dark ended up taking more time.

"...That's enough. Let's just accept it."

I gave up and entered Acceleration. Then I sliced and diced the core into fine fragments. A way to vent my pent up stress.

What if I didn't ride on Griffon like I was taking a field trip to the dwarf kingdom?
My on-foot speed is way faster than Griffon. Wouldn't that small difference result in me avoiding this situation?

What if I delayed leaving the Coliseum City by a day?
The Dwarf Kingdom would have suffered more and I probably wouldn't be able to have my katana maintained.

Heck, what if I declined Makiru's request and left their workshop early?

I traced my way back while thinking all kinds of 'what ifs'. I threw the blocks I used as my foothold into another pile and sometimes cut some up before hurling them somewhere else to get back down.
Of course it's all done in Accelerated State. The Dungeon Core has been destroyed already. Undoing Acceleration would start the dungeon collapse and drag me in it. Who knows what fate await if I do that.

(At the end of the day, this is the price I have to pay in order to be burden free from carrying on avoidable regret in my future life.)
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
If only I did that, if only I was faster, if only, if only.
I'm stuck in this situation to avoid that future of me.
This 'power' affords me to not overlook these situations.

Most problems can be solved if I just wield this power. Things that happen outside my awareness are one thing, but I can't just look away when it's right in front of my eyes.
The problem is solved if I meddle in. People are saved if I jump in. Grave issues are no biggie if I agree to help.
Apparently I can't just pretend to look the other way.

I don't need power, I just want to be 'ordinary'. That wish of mine will never be fulfilled no matter how hard I hope.

If I were ordinary, I could have just said 'it was inevitable', 'there's no helping it' no matter how sad or pitiful the conclusion is.
There's no doubt in my mind that's how most people live their life until their demise.

But I can't cut myself from this power which is precisely why I keep poking my nose in these businesses nothing to do with me.

(Most risks become risk-free with this power.)

My sense of crisis and alertness have certainly gone down the drain due to this power.
I was originally never the kind of person that'd put myself in danger. Me thinking all this is the proof that shows how much this power has changed me.
The power in me is abnormal enough it could easily alter someone's mindset. It's just that hugely influential.
I bet nobody can oppose the change.

Thus, I progressed through the way back as I was having a look back internally.
Then, I finally reached the room below.

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Why

This chapter starts from Aizawa's POV

"Hurry it up! The ground's starting to fall off!"

"Ah crap, there ain't even a window to jump outta from! The castle's layout musta shifted during the fight!"


I'm running with all my might to escape the crumbling castle of Demon King.
Dammit, it took us no time to get in here with that brat's shadow skill.
I'm so irritated at my own slow legs.


"Okama, quit movin' so slow will ya! You girls too, the hell yer' staggering about for!"

"Shut it! We got no stamina left after fighting Demon King, okay! We're already giving our all here!"

"I got none either after y'all siphoned my stamina! Less complains, more leg it!"


I could tell my Attributes went up several tiers after receiving the huge amount of exp from Demon King's defeat.
My level easily went up by ten just cause I stopped one spell. My Job changed to 'Sword King' too.
If even I got that much. Okama and his friends musta got over Lv100.

Your mana and life force replenish when you level up.
But not stamina.
I'm starving like never before, can't put strength in my running legs.

Used up all Stamina Potions I got on hands ages ago and ain't nobody's carrying around meals here.
But I'mma get crushed underfoot if I don't run, gotta use every trick in the book to deceive myself. No, I ain't feeling famished or lethargic.


"Haa, haa, haa... Hikaru, still, not up...?"


Alma is keeping up with our pace while carrying the knocked out Kajikawa-ossan.
...She's holding him in one hand like he's the lightest thing ever. How high did her STR go up after all the level ups anyway.

This old man dealt the finishing blow on Demon King... Heck, he prolly coulda beat him alone...
I'm kinda getting peeved up looking at him leaning on Alma but this ain't the time for that crap. I'mma settle our scores after we got to safety.


"I gotta ask, you sure this way's the exit!?"

"Baredo and Rasfi-dono are waiting outside! You can tell we're closing in on their mana reading, can't you?!"

"Oh, you're right! ...Huh? Is it just me or is there a huge mana reading coming our way...?"


Hearing Radia, I tried to Mana Search and sensed something heading in this direction for sure.
This reading, it's...!?


That thing came out of the dust cloud as we were dashing to safety.


『Giiyiyiiiii!!』

"Uwaah, what the heck!?"

"G-Goblin...? No, that ain't it!"


What showed up looked like an ordinary goblin at a glance.
But, that's wrong. Thing's way too fast for a goblin, and its mana pool is beyond any goblin.


"Watch it! This thing's a Unique Magic Beast that was summoned during the capital's defensive war! Not only it's Lv90, it can also copy its opponent's Skills!"

"I-is that the same goblin that attacked me while I was fighting aniki back then...!? Why's it here of all places!?"

"I bet Demon King brought it here! Was wondering where'd it gone off to. Demon King must've assigned it as the castle's guard!"


Hero (Okama) is making a racket while watching the goblin sham.
...Blast it, we ain't got the strength left to take care of this thing.

Over Lv90 means its Attributes should average around 3000-4000.
Double that if it uses True Beast Release. Ain't no foe we coulda handily beat regardless of our power up, all the more without Energy Control.


"What a pain in the arse, die already!"

『Gii!!』


I slashed at it with 'Mana Blade Gale' but it didn't feel like I cut at flesh.
Nah, the feedback felt hard followed by a sound of clashing metal.

Goblin sham was holding a sword out of nowhere. It used it to block mine.


"The heck it's hiding that thing at...!?"

"You idiot, what did you do that for! That thing can transform its bones into weapons! You've just let it copy Swordsmanship and Celestial Swordsmanship!"

"The hell would I know that! Why didn'tcha tell me!"

"I was about to before you jumped at him dangit!"

『Gigiii!!』


Goblin sham slashed at us while we were arguing.
Fast, the speed it swings its sword is on par with me.


"Kuh! Pretty cheeky for a goblin...!"

"Now that it's got your Skills copied, it might be a tad too much for us without our stamina. "

"Might as well we all go all out even if it means getting our Skills copied then!"

『Gii!?』


Radia slashed at the goblin with his daggers.
Hero and the girls next to him attacked altogether with spear and magic.

That's the correct choice.
Take it slowly and the castle will fall on us. If it's gonna copy our Skills anyway, we might as well gang up on it.


Just as we were all about to finish the goblin off----


『Giyii!!』


The goblin hit the ground below it with the magic it copied.
The blast blew everybody away. That should hurt itself as well but that was its best course of action in that situation.


"...Ah...!?"


The blast hit Alma and the old man who got blown away from Alma's arm.
A moment after he landed, the ground below him collapsed, taking him under the hole that opened.


"U, uaaaaa!!"


I caught Alma's arm just before she was about to jump in the hole without a moment of hesitation while screaming.


"H, hold it! Who knows where he went to!"

"Let go!"


A dull pain ran through my belly as Alma shouted.
Her fist sank in my stomach.


"Gah...! You'd, die, too, if you, jump, in there...!!"


I squeezed out the remaining air in my lungs to persuade Alma.
There ain't even a grain of me that wants to abandon the old man. I wanna go to his aid too.
But we really have no time left. We won't make it if we don't get out right away. The castle will go down while we're busy fetching him, game over.
Alma shook off my hands before I could put all that into word.


"...I won't abandon Hikaru. If Hikaru dies, I'll go with him."


Once she said that, she jumped into the hole after the old man.
I couldn't stop her. Not me.


"Al, ma..."


She didn't just say that in the heat of the moment.
Alma is prepared to... die along with that old man, Kajikawa.


"Dam, mit...!!"


I was about to jump into the hole as well out of pride but then the castle started exploding all over the place.
I got blown away by the shockwave and----



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



~~~~~~~Alma's POV~~~~~~~~~



I frantically look for Hikaru with Mana Search in the hole he fell into.

Why, why, why is it always Hikaru...!

He worked harder than anyone in preparation for the fight.
The one who saved Neora's group when they were sent into the future, the one who made the plan to defend against the demon invasion and the one who defeated Demon King was all Hikaru.
He ran himself ragged every single day and slept like a log came night. I can't even imagine just how hard it must have been for him.

It's time for him to get rewarded.
He should take a break now. He doesn't have to work so hard now. He already worked harder than anyone. He was doing his best more than anyone.

And yet, this is just, too much.
I absolutely won't accept it if he's the only person that doesn't come back alive.
I will rescue him, no matter what.


I have no regret if it means dying with him in the process.
Hikaru is going to get angry with me though. 'Why didn't you leave me behind'.
...I'm not sure if you can get scolded after death though.


I proceeded ahead and came out of the hole into a really big space.
Isn't this, the Demon King's chamber? Why here...?

...I can sense unusual mana readings all over the place.
The castle's structure transformed when Demon King entered his final form back then. Now that he's dead, everything must have gone haywire.

I saw Hikaru lying in a corner.
He must have gotten blown there after all the explosions from the goblin and the castle's collapse.


Then I caught sight of the goblin about to swing its sword down at Hikaru.


What, do you think you're doing!!


I reflexively activated my 'Finisher' and slashed at the goblin.


"Noooooooooooo!!!"


The biggest scream of my life came out of my mouth.
My view was dyed red. I know my face must be warping hideously from anger.


『Gigyaaaaaa!!?』

"Diee!! Die! Die!! Dieeeeeeee!!!"


I kept shouting as I swung my sword.
The sheer hatred and bloodlust I mustered up surprised myself.
I couldn't help shouting in anger.... As if I was the one facing the crisis myself.


『Gigiiyiiii!!』

"Kuh...!!"


As our swords kept clashing, the goblin's sword suddenly got wrapped in light.
That's 'Laser Blade'... It could even copy 'Magic Sword'.

The goblin apparently has activated True Beast Release as well. Its Attributes are slightly higher than mine.
With my energy depleted, I likely won't be able to defeat it before the castle entirely collapses.


Nevertheless, I will protect Hikaru until the very end.
I was always the one getting protected by him. Every time, I kept wishing I'd get stronger, strong enough to defend him.
...Yet he kept getting ahead of me, I never got the chance.

I could finally be on the protecting side now.
...With everything crumbling down, I can't extend that to his life though.
Till death do us apart, I will keep you safe, my dearly beloved----










"Move aside."

『Ba, gya...!!?』


The goblin's head suddenly popped off.


"...Eh?"


I couldn't help making that dumbfounded voice.
Someone is standing next to the headless body of the goblin.
The moment I understood that 'someone' was the one who killed the goblin, my head was filled with question marks and despair.


"W, hy...!?"


Why, is he here,
Why, is this man alive.
Why, did he kill the goblin.


The man standing in front of me is all beaten up yet his feet are firmly on the ground.

I could sense him converging mana in his hand while glaring hard at us.


"Get lost already."


Demon King shot a magic spell our way.
It's too fast. I can't dodge it. Can't block it. No, we're de----



Our bodies were wrapped in a blue light before vanishing.





I clearly heard the word Demon King murmured right before his magic hit us.










"Sorry for all the trouble, young 'uns."

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644 Primitive Tech

I sliced off dungeon wall into the shape of a block. Then I bring the block to the room earlier. All done in Accelerated State of course.
More and more blocks gradually pile up. Into the shape of a stairway.
I made a simple calculation before starting to stack these blocks enough to reach the ceiling.
I couldn't come up with any less primitive tech.
I diligently keep at the routine. Normally this would have been a hard labor. This stuff can't be done in an hour or so too.
Yet I eventually piled enough blocks to reach the hole in the ceiling.

(This is where things start getting annoying. My work is far from over... What a pain.) 

I stacked enough blocks to reach the hole. But I don't want climb up the hole the same way. Hence I cut.
I slice and dice the hole walls into blocks and stack them into another scaffold. I stack and stack and finally get it tall enough to reach my current foothold.
The square hole is around 150 cm big. I cut the walls in all directions into blocks and turn them into my foothold.
It's hard to stack them right. The confined space means there's a limit to it as well. And yet I couldn't think up any other plan.

I'm not going to rock climb these walls. Falling could mean my death considering there's no lifeline.
This is the best idea someone with no modern and handy tools on hands like me could come up with.

If the space is limited, then I just gotta expand it. Despite not really knowing what I'm doing, I'm somehow managing to simultaneously cut the walls into blocks which get stacked into a scaffold while enlarging the hole in the process.
It worked even when the stack almost got toppled over due to the bad balance yet the blocks somehow stabilized themselves when they knocked into one another inside the hole.

As you might have guessed, I spent too long in Acceleration my thought process went haywire again. I got too absorbed in the routine.
I had another idea once I was around two third done. The plan changed to carving the walls into stair steps till the end.
Block stacking is over, it's now time for a new play, I mean, work routine.

In Accelerated State, my sword slides through the walls like they're made of tofu.

(Aa, I wanna eat cube tofu in cold water. White rice and curry exist here. Meaning that too should, right? I can't wait.)

I don't know the full extent of this world's culinary progress.
But there's no harm in having an expectation.
I continued carving walls into stairs while mulling over unrelated topics.
I carefully and steadily carved stair steps one by one as I come closer to the room with the core.

Once I carved out the last perfectly shaped stair step, I finally made it into the dungeon core room.
I couldn't help but ridicule my own childishness.

(I'm here and all now, but what do? Destroy the core and then get outta here... But how?)

I am now faced with the fact that I never considered about my way back.
Yep, my head was full of reaching the destination, nothing about returning. I'm dumb.
I finally snapped back to myself as I stared at the volleyball-sized core shining blue.

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