CH 16

Half a month has passed since I made a deal with Alona of the Lithomanmari National Trade Association.

Even if I tried to turn down the 500 million yen,

“There’s no way we can do that. The value of those minerals is over 30 billion and we haven’t given you even 10 billion. Besides the main office has requested that we pay you more, it’s a matter of keeping face”

As expected they wouldn’t accept it.

The impurities I was worried about is a metal similar to platinum that hasn’t been revealed to the public yet. It’s been found to work as a catalyst for decreasing environmental pollution so many countries and corporations have been contending over it at a high price.

If that’s the case there’s no need to fight.

Within my storage magic there’s still over 100 kilos of the same mineral after all.

It’s good to know that it’s not a rare metal being used to make things like weapons or narcotics,

“We don’t deal with the drug or weapons industry. We do maintain some amount of armed force for the sake of work but, in the first place, our mission is to save our motherland, impoverished from civil war and disputes with other countries, through economic means”

Alona-san makes a strained smile.

As part of my patrol, I come here every morning but the Shimogami have yet to take action. While drinking tea with Alona-san, we make small talk like usual.

If there was a problem it would be that whenever I leave, people in black suits will line up,

“Thank you for your hard work!”

And yell in a loud voice while lowering their heads.

In the early afternoon I make my way to Onsen Inari.

According to Chiyo-san,

“No matter how much I contact them, I never receive a proper reply…..”

I thought we could be able to settle this amicably with a conversation but it seems that won’t work.

When you consider the situation with Alona-san too, the silence from the Shimogami is unsettling.

Doing what I can, I focus my efforts to increasing the security of the shrine.

Azan and Unzan’s coordination with the pawns is improving everyday, to a level that can’t easily be reached even by high level adventurers in the other world.

I also rebuild the magic barrier.

The blade that was reconstructed with a bishop, along with the two rooks, utilise the mana flowing from the onsen to function even more firmly than before.

It’s enough to compare to the barrier of the castle in the imperial capital of the other world.

I probably won’t budge even if tens of thousands of the demon army swarmed it.

Chiyo-san has also recovered from the attack and we are now exchanging information of the kitsune’s spells and my magic.

“I’m only ever receiving things from you, my lord”

My only concern, if you can call it one, is that Chiyo-san will press her oversized chest against me from time to time.

And my biggest gain would be Haruka, the cat.

Apparently Haruka is a name she gave herself but she seems to like it so I’ve been using it recently.

Haruka kept bringing games and manga she borrowed from Maya-chan into my tent, fulling enjoying the shut in life, so I drilled magic into her saying it was for training.

However things like…..

“Master! I’ve become able to fly in the sky”

or

“I’ve added combustion magic to my shikigami! Now they can be used to attack not just for sealing”

or

“I’ve become able to change the length of my skirt at will! Now when we’re alone I can change into the panty shot miniskirt version”

began to occur…..

In a short time, her true ability rose rapidly.

Being in servitude to me resulted in an increase in her mana but Haruka’s sense also plays a big part.

She’s currently a bishop but I might need to think of ranking her up.

The problem with Haruka is that she trespasses into my futon night after night..

“It’s just a habit, Master”

The sight of the sleeping two tailed black cat is cute but once when I turned in my sleep and crushed her,

“Fugyafugyafugya!”

She transformed into human form with a shriek, and a beautiful naked girl appeared before my eyes.

“Ahahaha, my bad”

Haruka probably also felt awkward, considering she immediately turned back into a cat but…..

The sight of her fine upward facing breasts was burned into my eyelids.

Since then I created a magic barrier around my room to keep her out but when I sense the dejected black cat I feel sorry and end up opening a path in.

Apparently she was abandoned many times while she was a cat and when she became a human she was used as a tool by the Shimogami so she’s probably just looking for some warmth.

Well as a result her intrusion skill has increased so I’ve given up on this one.

I’ve started giving Kanako-chan monthly living expenses.

She refused at first but,

“I’ve begun something like a job recently and I don’t want to be a burden on you”

After talking to her I manage to convince her.

Now that she’s feeling better I’ve tried multiple times to clear the misunderstanding but,

“Could you wait a bit longer, I need time to organise my feelings”

She stealthily runs away.

I’m concerned at how she will absentmindedly think something to herself from time to time but all I can do is wait for her answer.

Maya-chan is as energetic as always and comes to study in my room every night.

Her grades aren’t the best it seems but she’s the type to improve drastically once she gets the hang of it,

“I might enjoy the end of term tests a little this time!”

She’s having fun studying.

In her school there’s a serious problem known as the [Loss of Haruka] apparently.1

“She’s friendly with everyone and has a nice face too so she was popular with both the guys and girls. I didn’t like her but many of my friends are sad she moved schools”

It seems the Shimogami School made it look like she transferred schools.

According to Haruka “Me and Maya we’re the two most popular in the school”, due to that their surroundings formed something like cliques and “It was hard to associate with each other”

However the two seem to be quite similar, Maya-chan likes games and manga which Haruka also has an interest in, so the two will often game together.

Admiring two beautiful girls get along is true bliss.

Right now I’m teaching Maya-chan math but it’s starting to get cold and the fact she’s going around wearing virtually underwear is concerning in many ways.

“Hey, how do I do this”

“If you apply the formula I just taught you here…..”

“Ah, I see”

When she comes close her large bulges push against me and her healthy arms and legs are laid bare.

She’s wearing a shirt wide around the neck so the valley of her chest can be seen, and the sensation of knocking into her along with the way they sway makes me wonder if she’s wearing a bra. Plus the short pants shes wearing and the way she sits cross legged means that I can see her pink panties.

I’m glad that she trusts and can relax around me but I’m not sure what to do about this.

I shake my head like a yareyare type protagonist when…..

With the sound of the store’s bell, the situation begins to move once more.

×　×　×　×　×

“T-Tatsuya-kun!”

I head towards Kanako-chan’s panicked voice to find a man collapsed before the store.

Looking closely, their clothes are torn and covered in burn marks and bloodstains, in addition their wig is falling off.

“Are you alright”

I rush up to him and speak out,

“The company was suddenly attacked by a swarm of monsters….. we fought back but that wasn’t something we could deal with….. I know this is unreasonable to ask of a complete stranger, but if its you then maybe….. please, save my comrades”

Onsen Inari and the Lithomanmari National Trade Association is protected by a barrier and surveillance magic but the development company that Ryuuki works for was left unmarked.

While I grind my teeth at my carelessness, I confirm Ryuuki’s condition.

“Keep yourself together!”

He must have put up a good fight, his arms and abdomen are covered in wounds and multiple ribs are broken.

One of them has damaged his lung, leaving him in an precarious position.

I make do with my limited recovery magic and perform first aid treatment.

“It’s dangerous Kanako-chan, you should stay back”

Using flashy magic may have a bad influence on her eye and it would be a difficult to explain to her afterwards.

“Y-Yeah. Should I call the police and fire department?”

Not wanting to involve normal people, I’m unsure what to say,

“I know you, Maya, and Chiyo-san are hiding something from me. I didn’t have the courage to ask and I was afraid to find the truth behind his death but….. I won’t run anymore”

Kanako-chan looks at me with a strong gaze.

Then the one who has to strengthen their resolve next is me.

“Sorry, keeping this from you all this time”

Finishing with Ryuuki’s emergency treatment, I carry him into the store,

“We can discuss the details later, right now time is of the essence”

I open my storage magic and don the jet black cape given to me by my master.

Kanako-chan gasps and covers her mouth with her hands,

“Oh proud king of dragons, in accordance with our oath….. lend me your power”

My robe flutters when I raise my voice and and as my mana begins to rise, Kanako-chan’s finger shines.

“I’ll leave her and this house to you”

I confirm the dragon lord has covered the house then call Chiyo-san with my smartphones improved communication function.

“What is it, my lord”

“The banquet of villains has begun, strengthen your defenses. Also I’ll be sending you some injured people”

“As you wish”

When I go to transport Ryuuki,

“Brother, sorry….. it’s my fault…..”

In his unconscious state, such groaning could be heard.

It seems that he hasn’t recognised me as his brother but he’s starting to become aware of his sin.

The image of a troublesome young Ryuuki flashes across my mind.

“Don’t worry, leave it all to big brother”

At my murmur, Ryuuki’s anguished face loosens slightly.

As I fix his wig before sending him off to Chiyo-san with transfer magic, Kanako-chan comes up.

“Tatsuya-kun, just who are…..”

“The disciple of the master of wisdom, Kate Monblanchet, and the one who has inherited her skills and will. Great Sage Saitou”

With that reply I turn my back to Kanako-chan and fly off into the moonlit night.

Translator’s Notes:

1: Loss of X is a term used to refer to a feeling of loss or hopelessness, like when a series ends or a celebrity gets married.

This chapter marks the end of the second act. The next act is titled ‘Saint’s Conceal Sorrow Within Their Chest’.