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Chapter 1: Everyday Life of Shiroe Part 1 God created the world in 6 days and on the 7th day he rested.

This meant that even a god needed a vacation. Shiroe thought humans should follow god in this aspect. Take a break after work. Otherwise humans would have problems. This was common sense in society. There was no need to break this common sense just because they were dventurers! or because of the "atastrophe. Shiroe complained because he had been too busy lately. #t was not that his guildmates in $og %ori&on were bullying him. 'yanta! 'aotsugu and katsuki! even the new members (inori! Tohya! #su&u and )undelhous all wanted to help Shiroe. *ut the amount of work from the )ound Table "ouncil was just too much. +'o! this way of thinking is despicable., These tasks were not the result of insidious harassment and abuse of authority. -robably. *ut the reason lay within Shiroe himself. Shiroe was seen by the )ound Table "ouncil as a .*attle tactician with incredible foresight.! and he admitted that it was a proper description. *ut even if Shiroe were aware of this! he did not have a genius level of intellect or e/traordinary talents. Shiroe gauged that he was only normal in terms of abilities. Shiroe saw himself as a typical preparation type. %e thought his talent lay in collecting intelligence before events! analy&ing and making observations! then
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writing a proper script by taking into account any changes during e/ecution. These types were not rare. )oughly all players who checked a game.s walkthrough before starting belonged to this type. This was just a timid way of doing things! but Shiroe had a uni0ue characteristic. %e was not content with reading a game walkthrough! he would write his own walkthrough. This should be driven more by curiosity than timidness. *ecause he.s not confident! he would put in effort to prepare. #f someone re0uested something from him! he would make further preparations. Shiroe was the type who got chosen for important positions unwittingly! even though he didn.t like helping others. Timidness was often seen as a weakness! but that was not the case for Shiroe. 1hen he assumed duties like as a battle tactician! being cautious to the e/treme was not a weakness! but an advantage. lthough that was only when they had enough manpower to spare. )ight now Shiroe! who was struggling alone! was unable to breath with the pressure of his workload. This alternate world was an over2si&ed research subject for Shiroe. #t was better to have more information! and the range of information he wanted to gather was very wide. The amount of walkthrough information the world of 3lder Tales had accumulated over twenty years was enormous. There was ten times more after changing into this alternate world. lso! this was not a stationary world! it was a world that evolved every second as things interacted with each other. Shiroe tried to prioriti&e and investigate the necessary data. %e lacked the manpower and financial support! but he could garner public information through the )ound Table "ouncil. %e even had a set budget. %is efficiency in gathering intelligence was much better now than right after the "atastrophe happened. 3ven so! the data he wanted or needed was too colossal! he was unable to shake off his feeling of unease. Shiroe did not start collating data of this world purely out of his own curiosity. 1hether to go back to the original world or to give up! he would still need to live
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on in this world first4 this was the consensus of all the dventurers in kiba. #nformation could be a lifeline in many situations. 5ust as how you needed a map to navigate the oceans! the )ound Table "ouncil needed information about this world. #f you were not clear with what was happening! you wouldn.t be able to make the correct decision. %ence! Shiroe considered gathering and analy&ing data to be official business. s one of the 66 guildmasters in the )ound Table "ouncil! he needed to spend a lot of time just doing daily communications and tasks! and reviewing documents also took a lot of time. #f it were a major guild like 7.7.7 or Oceanic Systems! there would be a lot of talented personnel to assist and support the guild master. #n a sense! this was the same as having a team of secretaries supporting (ichitaka and 8rusty in their administrative duties. 3ven if it were not at the level of secretary! having reliable companions to help you review and give feedback would be invaluable. *ut $og %ori&on had only eight members! including the two new members! so Shiroe didn.t e/pect to have someone around at all times to assist in his administrative duties. The most proficient person at administrative matters was Shiroe followed by (inori! but (inori was still in her training phase. #f she helped Shiroe! her level gap with Tohya! #su&u and )undelhous would get wider! so he couldn.t ask for her help too often. So the end result was Shiroe being crushed by mountains of administrative forms and documents. 91oo wah! there is no way # can finish this:9 Shiroe sighed at the mountain of papers. #t might be in his nature to bear responsibility for everything! but that didn.t mean he wouldn.t be discouraged. Staying indoors all this while had made him depressed. Shiroe looked out the window. This window was just a s0uare opening in the wall a few days ago! but window frames and canvas curtains had now been installed.
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The time was noon! and it was raining outside. The autumn rain that descended on the city was as fine as silver threads. ;alling on every leaf of the ancient trees of kiba! it was directly wetting the ground and making a peaceful sound. This was a serene! gentle and beautiful scene. 1hen 3lder Tales was just a game! the weather in different &ones would change randomly according to the game mechanics. #t was very pretty compared to other games! but ne/t to the shiny silver threads now falling in kiba! it was only the beauty limited to games. Shiroe felt the scene in this world was better than old 5apan! in all areas. lthough they were all rain! they each had their own style4 such as the afternoon lightning rain in the Summer! or the mist2like utumn rain. $iving in 5apan! with a developed transportation infrastructure where all of the delivery couriers could show off their speed! Shiroe could only see the seasonal scenery from the news of '%8. So to him! just the weather alone was like an epic drama series that had finished airing. %e opened the canvas curtain and saw the city air that seemed to be covered with white lines that went unbroken all the way from the ground to the sky. #t was October! not too cold yet but the chill would slowly start to set in. %e could see people all over the city that were ignoring the rain and dventurers who were using the chance to clean their buildings. #t had been two months since the 1ar of Sand $eaf! but the mopping up campaign was progressing slowly. 'o! the clean up stage had already passed. They should now consider how to reinforce their relationship with the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal.! an organi&ation made up of the -eople of the $and. This had been confirmed in reports Shiroe received. ccording to the intelligence report! the number of minor skirmishes had decreased and issues related to resource transportation and trade were gradually increasing. t this stage! it should fall under the jurisdiction of the merchant guilds.

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The grand preparations for the $ibra ;estival was the evidence. Shiroe finally felt the burden on his shoulders when he thought about this. ...*ut that was only one of the burdens. 1hat worried Shiroe now was the news from other regions. %e did not have energy to spare just dealing with kiba! so he had been ignoring them deliberately for a while! but they were reaching a stage where he couldn.t ignore them any longer. The data from his sources was collated and countermeasures e/ecuted. *ut after gathering further information! he reali&ed that there had been major changes. 'o! it could be said that the changes were too intense. +# thought this might happen! but it just had to turn out this way! the other areas are really..., Shiroe rela/ed and leaned against his wicker chair while ga&ing at the ceiling. (aps! figures and reports flashed through his mind. The 5apan that had been recreated at one half of its original scale using the %alf Gaia project... This place known as the crescent archipelago <amato contained five player cities. kiba! which Shiroe and the others resided in! Shibuya! (inami! Susukino and 'akasu were known as the = major cities! the base cities for players in 3lder Tales. 1hen 3lder Tales was still an ((O game! these cities were connected by devices called inter2city transport gates that allowed instantaneous travel between the cities. This made it feel like the cities were close to one another! but the device wasn.t currently working! so the time needed to travel between cities had increased. #n this world where monsters roamed free! traveling had become risky! resulting in a decline in interactions between cities. #t had been = months since the "atastrophe. kiba! where Shiro and the others resided! had undergone major changes. #t looked the same from the outside! but the dventurers. way of life! and relationships with others! had both undergone a decisive change. 1ith their interactions with the -eople of the $and as well as the .$eague of ;reedom
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Towns 3astal.! there should be no one left who thought that this was just a game. 3veryone in this world had had the e0ual chance of e/periencing these = months of time! so Shiroe thought that the other places would have changed just like kiba did. *ut the change in kiba was influenced by Shiroe. Shiroe was aware of the efforts needed to change this city. #f that were the case! other cities could have also been influenced by the will of .someone. as well! right> Shiroe felt his heart getting heavy as he thought about this .will.. Shibuya changed the least. Shibuya held a special place among the = player cities. Simply speaking! Shibuya was the newest city to be set up. #t was added to disperse the massive amount of players in kiba. Shibuya! which was set up with this purpose in mind! was dependent on the inter2city transport gate. 1ith the gate no longer functioning! the city was almost in a state of paralysis. %ence! almost all dventurers based in Shibuya had moved to kiba. Shibuya was used by very few players! akin to the villas of kiba in the neighboring rural areas. Susukino was evolving just as Shiroe e/pected. The city.s security had been deteriorating since the "atastrophe! to the point of no return. #t had become a lawless city because of this. The dventurers who wanted to leave had mostly succeeded in these past few months. Serara was a beginner dventurer! but she still managed to hide her tracks and escape successfully. This was thanks to Shiroe.s rescue operation. Shortly after! the )ound Table "ouncil sent out several e/pedition teams over a period of time to evacuate all those who wished to leave Susukino. Susukino! which seemed set to fail as a player city! still had more than ?@@ dventurers left. They were not left behind by the e/pedition teams! but instead chose to stay in the dangerous environment of Susukino by their own will. 'ot only this! kiba and (inami also had a few dventurers who willingly migrated to
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Susukino. #n the 3lder Tales world that had changed into reality! there seemed to be some demand for .lawlessness.. Susukino had evolved into a city where the minority dventurers ruled over the majority -eople of the $and... Shiroe did not sense any evil from this. 'o! to not feel any evil at all was wrong! it was just not obvious. Shiroe sensed fear. Shiroe championed the rights of the -eople of the $and at the )ound Table "ouncil for two reasons. ;irst! it was a problem of survival. The number of -eople of the $and was ten times that of the dventurers. lmost all consumables ingredients! the resources of this world! were made by the -eople of the $and. #f they governed the -eople of the $and with an iron fist! friction and conflict would arise with the -eople of the $and. 1hether they won or lost! they would have to bear a heavy price. -rotecting the rights of the -eople of the $and was a way of protecting their own rights. #t was not based on the ideals of human rights! but was built on the idea of benefits versus losses. The second reason was fear. Shiroe still remembered clearly the -eople of the $and at the village he visited on his way back from Susukino. Shiroe had felt for the first time that the -eople of the $and were humans in that village. %e could feel their warmth! history! personality and intentions! and saw them as .humans. for the first time. To enslave an intelligent human was terrifying for Shiroe! who received a standard 5apanese education. This was too much of a taboo! skipping over reasons of justice! evil and morality! linking directly to the emotion of fear. *ecoming a slave himself was also a fear! but owning slaves and ordering them around was a psychologically repulsive thought. The chill Shiroe felt from Susukino had the same source. *ut there were only a couple hundred dventurers in Susukino! such small scale activities could still be salvaged. +*ut the problem lies over there instead...,
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(inami.s situation was... ;ar beyond Shiroe.s e/pectation and developing at an incredible speed.

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Part 2 9(r...Shi...roe:9 Shiroe who was lost in thought heard a moving voice that seemed reproachful with a hint of gratitude. 9-lease pull yourself together. re you eating your meals right> 1hat about sleep> 3h! seems like you spent the whole day sitting again.9 9# am eating right and sleeping well! # went to the dining room just ? hours ago.9 Shiroe replied casually as he stood up to take the bo/ of files from %enrietta. The strong physical abilities of dventurers were based on the game stats! so there wasn.t much of a strength difference between the ? genders. 'o! compared to Shiroe from the mage class! %enrietta from the weapon2based class was probably twice as strong. *ut seeing %enrietta wearing a secretary style mini skirt and jacket with a corsage! Shiroe was unable to bear seeing her carry so many stacks of bo/es. Shiroe turned around after leaving the bo/ on his desk. 9There is no need to trouble you with this! # will come over if you contact me by telepathy.9 93h... # guess you are right... *ut # heard (r Shiroe has been working so hard! so # thought about dropping by to visit... about that...9 9#f you are looking for katsuki! she should be coming back soon.9 9 h! ;u fu fu fu! it.s not what you think.9 Shiroe breathed a sigh of relief as %enrietta blushed. The famed accountant that was the pride of "rescent (oon lliance! %enrietta who was in charge of finance visited Shiroe like this often. The guild master of "rescent (oon lliance was (aryele! but the operations were all handled by %enrietta! her administrative abilities were beyond praises. #nstead of Shiroe
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who wasted his time on research and curiosity! %enrietta.s contribution to the )ound Table "ouncil was much more significant. 93h! this is...9 9The $ibra ;estival.9 Shiroe picked up a file as %enrietta e/plained from the side. October. The air was becoming more chilly every time it rained! but the liveliness of kiba remained warm. 1ith the normali&ation of the relations with .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal.! there had been more commercial e/changes stimulating the prosperity of the production guilds. ;ood! clothes! machines! medicine! organic materials and types of items were imported and e/ported at an astonishing rate. kiba was now a city that focused on re2e/porting after processing materials. dventurers could gather basic items like food ingredients and minerals! but it was easier to get them in bulk by purchasing them from the -eople of the $and. -eople of the $and! especially nobles and merchants! had a strong demand for goods made by dventurers. They were very interested in finding out the secrets of their production and were very active in all kinds of trade. s the production guilds became more lively! the battle guilds also reaped its share of the benefits. The .fairy ring analysis project. that started last month resulted in tons of 0uests being given out! increasing the number of players going out of town for missions. #n this situation! the une/pected project that started was the $ibra ;estival. This event that the dventurers of kiba were looking forward to was a festival celebrated by the entire city. 1hen 3lder Tales was a game! apart from events set by the developers! there were also plenty of unofficial activities organi&ed by the players themselves. There were all kinds of activities that spanned from an entire city to mega events that spanned the entire server. Anfortunately! there had been no news of such activities after the "atastrophe as no one had the energy to spare. *ut as life stabili&ed after = months! everyone should be anticipating this lively activity and
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letting go of the feelings of uneasiness after a while. Shiroe understood this point. *ut instead of preparing for this event! Shiroe was swamped with all sorts of administrative work! so he didn.t know the details. %e only took a glimpse through the memo that was sent to all the guild masters and had a very rough idea. This was a trading activity that would be held in kiba a few days later! that was what he thought. 9%ow is the liaison committee>9 9"harasin is working hard! # really take my hat off to him! the preparations are going smoothly.9 %enrietta! who was arranging the files with her back to Shiroe! replied. 9 s e/pected of the advertisement agency.9 The $ibra ;estival project was directed by the production guilds and the .production guild liaison committee.. 1ith the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil! there was a slew of new inventions bringing a boom to the economy of kiba. The )ound Table discussed issues regarding these new inventions but had finally reached their limits. The )ound Table "ouncil was the governing organi&ation that decided the general direction kiba should take! it couldn.t keep handling trade disputes or complaints. -ractical problems related to items and delivery didn.t need to be strictly handled by the 66 guild masters! so they decided to set up a dedicated department. That was the .production guild liaison committee.. .-roduction guild liaison committee. was situated ? levels below the )ound Table "ouncil.s conference room in the guild building and operated ?BC7. #t was manned by dventurers who had nothing better to do and was a laid back and kind committee. The liaison committee had the atmosphere between a conference room and an office! anyone could visit any time.
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1ith their policy of revitali&ing the small guilds! this place became the hang out for guilds with small guild halls. (ichitaka from Oceanic Systems and )odrick from The )odrick ;irm treated this place as the training ground for future leaders. big notice board was full of all sort of re0uests such as buying resources! trading items or information e/change. They could also source for new items and business partners! a noisy and lively urban community center. #t was just a liaison committee and lacked the seriousness of the )ound Table "ouncil. .-roduction guild liaison committee. was the organi&er for the $ibra ;estival. "rescent (oon lliance was one of the small guilds that was part of the )ound Table "ouncil and should have plenty to work to do. %enrietta had had more work at the .production guild liaison committee. than she had at the )ound Table "ouncil recently. 91ill "rescent (oon lliance be participating>9 9Of course we are. Our blacksmith will be selling short swords at the flea market! (c"rescent will also be making a comeback. Serara is also working hard on this as the new kids didn.t have a chance to eat it. *ut the main event will be the fashion show.9 9;ashion show>9 9<es! you didn.t know (r Shiroe>9 9'o! # did hear about it...9 The idea of the $ibra ;estival started out by someone suggesting .let.s hold a merchandise e/hibition event alright>. at the .production guild liaison committee.. The first thing the dventurers who came to this alternate world desired was normal food and drinks. 1ith this settled! the ne/t was the increase in demand for a better living environment and fashionable clothes... #n the past when this was a game! your residence was just a place you used to log out. The furniture were just toys to decorate your personal space that had
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wonderful variety but lacked functionality. #t was the same with dressing. mong the corporations that took part in 3lder Tales development! ;.O.3 +;ujimi 'etwork 3ntertainment, was a development agency reputable in design +Suitable for Otaku culture of 5apan,! but they did not consider functionality when they came up with their designs. They didn.t even include underwear as part of the items that could be crafted in the game by dventurers. *ut such inconvenience had been solved recently. The dventurers had been creative and came up with more inventions everyday. *ut the citi&ens of kiba might miss the information about unpopular items. The only way to get information about new inventions was by chance! word of mouth or the periodic advertisement fliers. The proposal to host a merchandise e/hibition event was started this way! and after much discussion! they would be holding a fashion show! underwear e/hibition! food market and an e/hibition warehouse for new inventions. There had been increasing demand to include more items for the e/hibition. (ost guilds had at least one product they recommended strongly and wanted to e/hibit to a wider audience. .Since that.s the case! let.s hold a festival centered around e/hibitions:. That was what they decided ? weeks ago. These discussions were held in the .production guild liaison committee.! but half the citi&ens of kiba belonged to production guilds so the news spread like wildfire all over the city. The production guild members were all participants! so pure tourists belonged to the minority. To be precise! only visitors from outside the city would meet this criteria. nd so! the e/hibitors were also the customers akin to a school cultural festival. Shiroe had been focusing on using the )ound Table "ouncil as a way to gather information from the outside and had been neglecting the news within the city.
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'eglecting was based on Shiroe.s standard! his knowledge of what was happening in the city was much higher than normal kiba citi&ens. Simply put! the knowledge he had did not meet his tactician level of standards. Shiroe knew the story of how the festival started out! and understood that the e/hibition would energi&e the economy +they just wanted to have fun under the prete/t of work,. The organi&er of the festival was not the )ound Table "ouncil! but the liaison committee working under it. "harasin of the Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter was the reliable director of this activity. This was the reason Shiroe decided not to be involved directly and left them alone. 9(r Shiroe.9 9%mm>9 %enrietta said as Shiroe arranged the files neatly. 9%ow is #su&u doing>9 9 h ah! ermm.... # have been meaning to talk to her properly one of these days! but # have been busy and it slipped my mind.9 9(r Shiroe is a good friend of "rescent (oon lliance! so please don.t hold back. *ut Serara has been worried about how she is doing.9 9<eah! she is doing well and keeping up with her daily training. She got a tan in the summer! since the only good thing about this place is that it.s spacious.9 The subject of the topic #su&u was a young female bard who transferred from "rescent (oon lliance to $og %ori&on. This young girl with freckles joined $og %ori&on together with )undelhous. The sorcerer )undelhous and the bard #su&u! they were the ? newest additions to $og %ori&on since Tohya and (inori entered the guild. The transfer proceeded smoothly after a peaceful discussion between the ? guild masters.
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#su&u was also a beginner confined by the nasty guild %amelin just like (inori. %er time in "rescent (oon lliance was short and there wasn.t much of a problem with the transfer. $og %ori&on and "rescent (oon lliance had always acted like sister guilds! often holding beginner training session or forming raiding parties together. 3ven though Serara worried about #su&u! they had still been meeting once every E days. 9(r Shiroe hasn.t gone out the entire summer.9 %enrietta said reproachfully. This was the truth so Shiroe couldn.t say anything to defend himself. %enrietta was a core member of "rescent (oon lliance! had similar roles as adviser like Shiroe and was also handling the accounts for "rescent (oon lliance. She must be busy! but (inori and the others said that she would occasionally show her face during beginner training sessions and participate actively. %enrietta.s words were rather harsh to Shiroe.s ears. 9Fery well! please take a look at this.9 %enrietta handed over something like a venue brochure. The copies of such printed materials could be duplicated using Shiroe.s scribe subclass. The original must have been hand written! but it was easy to make copies. Shiroe browsed through it roughly! kiba seemed to have several e/hibition areas set up all over the city. The content was mostly fashion and dining but there were also armor! weapons and furniture made from steel or wood. The festival eve events started the day after tomorrow while the actual festival would last for ? days. +The dinner party and the after festival party..., Shiroe confirmed the event dates and it overlapped with the return of the spy. The spy should be able to sneak in easily with the crowd during the festival! but it would take some effort to secure their reports. +1e can.t make any reckless movements during the festival! guess we have to wait...,

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3ven if he wanted to gather more data! the intelligence they could collate during the festival would not be reliable. 9)eally! why are you making such a face... Since (r Shiroe is reflecting on his actions! you should say something right>9 9 h>9 9;or instance! use this festival as a chance to deepen your relationships with your friends in $og %ori&on9 Shiroe was stunned by her words for a moment! but she did have a point and it was a good idea. %e should be fine doing this once in a while. 9# will.9 9 lso...9 %enrietta shook her slender finger. %er actions together with her thin frame spectacles gave her an alluring air of mischief akin to an elder sister. 9$og %ori&on is one of the representatives of the )ound Table "ouncil! please do your part to make this event lively.9 9 h... # will handle this appropriately.9 9 nd that.s a promise okay>9 %enrietta informed with a smile. 9*oth katsuki and (inori are very cute! # am looking forward to it. %eavens! really... 5ust imagining it can let me go on without food. s the saying goes! .people can.t go on with only bread! but they can endure most hardships with bread and imagination.. (y god...9 %enrietta who was twisting her body with her hands on her cheeks looked horrifying. Shiroe could not send his precious guild members to uncertain death! so he needed to find out the details of this .promise..

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91hat can they do to help>9 9#t.s very simple! they just need to help with the sales of winter clothes e/hibition.9 *eing a salesgirl should have nothing to do with being very cute correct> Shiroe saw through the blueprints of %enrietta.s future plan and apologi&ed to his guild members in his heart! thinking of how he could make it up for them.

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Part 3 )aynesia was wearing comfortable casual clothes and sitting on the couch! enjoying her small lunchbo/ with pretty designs. This was a common take away lunchbo/ in kiba. +#t.s so good..., The vacation she was looking forward to. 3ven as )aynesia immersed herself in this feeling of sweetness! her supple feminine body still trembled when she recollected her recent crushing work load. )aynesia sighed heavily and drooped her shoulders. <es! she had been conned. "onned by 8rusty. She was baited by the sweet talk of .E meals provided with afternoon nap included.. She was remorseful of her rash actions. #t was obvious if you thought about it. The dventurers were the key to influencing the world. The nobles of the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal. which her grandfather chaired also knew this! and was attempting to recruit and use them in political and military terms. The reason )aynesia gave her speech in the nobles conference was because she could not stand their attitude and behavior. *ack then! she worked so hard as she wanted to protect her homeland and not force the dventurers to accept their willful and rude demands at the same time. #n a sense! )aynesia.s effort had borne fruits. 1ith the kindness of the )ound Table "ouncil and the sense of justice of the dventurers! her homeland (aihama and the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal. was saved. fter the war in Sand $eaf ended! the situation reverted back to the way it was. 'o! with the dventurers showing their might to the aristocrats! the development that follows was much more concrete. dventurers didn.t only show their military prowess! but also their advanced technology! economy and unity as well. 1ith their display of force! no nobles held any ambition of con0uering kiba and walked towards deepening their
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relationship with the dventurers in order to increase their gain through ta/es. )aynesia had seen so many e/amples this month that it irritated her. )aynesia took on the role of ambassador in kiba under her grandfather.s orders... her position was something between confinement and martial arts training. She was also the first residential ambassador from the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal. to coordinate relationships between the two groups. She often received invitations from the )ound Table "ouncil to attend events like ceremonies! and would also participate in balls as a noblewoman. Thanks to her perfect lady education! these gatherings were nothing to her +even though they were troublesome,! but the problems lay elsewhere. ;or e/ample! clans who focused on business! which the dventurers called .production guilds.! would visit her and ask her opinion on business matters. On the other hand! the merchants and nobles from the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal. would also ask her to introduce influential people in kiba to them. She needed to investigate the details thoroughly before handling such re0uests! or there would be trouble if she lost her reputation. There would be no failures if she declined them all! but there were some re0uest she could not reject in the social world. 3ven if she came from the most influential 7ukedom in northeast <amato! she was not the head of the family! just a granddaughter! so not everything went the way she wanted. t the same time! she was ama&ed at the lack of schemes in the actions of the dventurers. #n their eyes! )aynesia was a direct descendant of one of the two 7ukedoms in <amato. 3ven if they were curious and treated her with respect! they didn.t think they had to grovel at her feet. They approached )aynesia as a -eople of the $and to understand how a -eople of the $and might understand or feel about things! not to take advantage of her position for their own benefit. They probably saw themselves as powerful dventurers! and even if )aynesia was a noblewoman! she was just a -eople of the $and in the end. That was what )aynesia felt.
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;rom )aynesia.s angle! this made her sad. She was happy that the crowd didn.t treat her like an aristocrat and saw her as another human being! but this joy and the pain were both sides of the same coin. She was happy to be a common -eople of the $and! but it pained her that she was a powerless noble. +*ut! let.s ignore this for now..., This type of emotion was like a trap. To fulfill the re0uest! dignity and restriction of the nobles! she needed to learn more about the dventurers and kiba. 'ot only her! the -eople of the $and as a whole did not know much about the dventurers! even the nobles. They assumed they understood each other because they shared a common language! but their lifestyle and culture had a major gap. #n the process of trading or helping! there would be conflicts if they didn.t have the minimum amount of knowledge! which had happened numerous time. #f she didn.t advise the aristocrats and merchants this way and only help with introducing dventurers and production guilds to them! it would cause major problems one day. On the flip side! the problems with the dventurers made )aynesia feel gloomy. dventurers were very practical and wanted practical information. ll the dventurers were intelligent and educated! talking to them made her feel she and her country were ignorant of so much. +*ecause # am not with the military! because # am not a bureaucrat! because # am not a man..., )aynesia had not come into contact with the diplomatic issues facing her 7ukedom clan for various reasons! and she thought this was obvious. *ut her conversations with the dventurers made her reali&e she didn.t even know what the citi&ens on the street or the farmers were eating! where they were living. 1hat would interest them! what made them happy or sad.
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#t was acceptable if she didn.t know about the dventurers! but she didn.t know the lives and hearts of her citi&ens either! making )aynesia reali&e what a shameful e/cuse of a noble she was. #n order to seriously deal with the re0uests of the nobles and the dventurers! she would need to amass a wealth of knowledge and investigate them thoroughly. This made her so busy that the words .E meals provided with afternoon nap included. had disappeared without a trace. 91oo wah... This is never ending.9 The worse fact was there were no limits to this type of knowledge. 3ven if thinking of a brilliant plan! advice or coordination! there was no guarantee that it was the best way. #f she considered it! or investigated it even more! there might be an even better idea. Or if planned more carefully! she might be able to avoid the worse outcome. These doubts lingered on in the corner of her mind ?B hours a day! even )aynesia who admitted she was la&y by nature was unable to cut corners. 3lissa lectured her when she collapsed with a fever after studying the books too hard. She did not remember the content of her preachings! but it was nice to have E days to recuperate. 9That.s it! #.m not going to do anything:9 )aynesia enjoyed her lunch elegantly with her petite mouth. Stewed vegetables! cold dishes and the brown object known as mini hamburger steak. This was a lunch that mi/ed western and 5apanese styles. ;rom the perspective of aristocrats! the dishes packed inside the small bo/ were vulgar and shabby! but )aynesia liked it a lot. 3ven if the dining table was full of roasted meat! stew meat and fried meat! she couldn.t finish them and preferred her bread and fruits as she smiled. %er appearance! like this! had been described as delicate and ethereal which gave her a headache. "omparatively! this small takeaway lunch bo/ was a calming meal for her. The dishes after the revolution could not be compared to before! she couldn.t
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remember her pre2revolution diet anymore. -ickles and the rice! which dventurers liked to eat! intrigued her! and the sweet omelette she loved were ama&ing. )aynesia carefully replaced the cover on the bo/ after finishing and placed the fork on top. She was still trying to learn how to use the utensil chopsticks. 9(ay # have some tea 3lissa>9 The room was cool and 0uiet. Staying in this room like a bird in a nest and enjoying a meal without anyone disturbing! what more e/travagant things could she ask for> )aynesia felt that there was nothing that could match this. (aybe )aynesia thought she was enjoying a depraved moment. %aving been trained from youth! even though she was not wearing a ?2piece velvet dress! she still could wear her clothes beautifully with a feeling of class and grace. She might think she was showing the la&y side of herself! but her casual dress made with linen and chiffon was still suitable for going out in the eyes of the dventurers. %er beautiful looks! reputed as the winter rose of 3astal! were the same as usual. %er casual clothes and her drowsy smile! as she ate! looked cute and fit her age. certain naggy maid might say .your dress and attitude are outrageous.! but )aynesia was determined not to let this E day recuperating period go to waste. She must do her best to be la&y! to make up for the la&ing around she had not done recently. This was all the fault of the brain eating monster 8rusty. She ended up like this because the lying knight with slits for eyes conned her. )aynesia picked up the tea placed in front of her table and felt the steam with her face! thinking about how busy she had been. ll her joints were numbed from comfort! a deep sense of fulfillment from eating and sleeping all she wanted.
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%er sleep time had dropped recently and could only be described as cruel torture. 9)eally! # have been so busy all because of that mischievous monster... # need to let him reali&e the difference in our power relationship some day.9 5ust as )aynesia sighed happily after enjoying the fragrance of her tea! a voice that shouldn.t be there sounded out. 9# am very aware of this relationship! so there is no need to trouble the princess to teach me.9 8rusty who was seated on the couch to )aynesia.s right replied without missing a beat. %is tunic that was dyed in layers of brown just like the autumn leaves matched his black edged coat. %is dressing was suitable for taking a stroll with the feeling of autumn giving 8rusty a refreshing image. The burly knight with a broad and strong upper body akin to a giant warrior! his strong limbs were long and well proportion. So if he walked on the streets in casual clothes! it wouldn.t give off the impression of a giant! the contours of his face had the academic look of a scholar or researcher. %is appearance maintained a feeling of neatness and cleanliness with absolutely no weak points to speak of. <ou couldn.t find any even if you tried. The ominous atmosphere he gave off in the battle field made him look like a giant warrior! but he looked so gentle and 0uiet on the streets! this was definitely foul play. 8rusty appearing at an impossible timing made )aynesia repeatedly open and close her mouth in objection. 9 h! ah! ahah:9 9#t.s fine if you want to scream or fidget around! but you probably should put this down.9 8rusty said calmly as he took the ceramic tea cup from )aynesia.s hands. %is
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calm attitude made )aynesia.s blood rush to her head and her unable to think properly. 91hy.... why:9 She was unable to collect her thoughts. +1hy are you here> 1ho gave you permission> #sn.t barging into a lady.s personal room +this was an office! so this description was a bit wrong, outrageous>, The 0uestions that came along with her anger rose and disappeared repeatedly. )aynesia escaped by crawling to the edge of her couch. She moved at most 6m away. "onsidering the length of 8rusty.s arms! this was not enough! but she would fall off if she went any further. 91hat... 1hat is the...9 9#f you are asking about the time! it should be 6@ soon.9 9%ow did...9 93lissa let me in without saying a word.9 91hy! why! why did...9 9# heard you were recuperating! so # came here to harass you.9 )aynesia was speechless. +%e said harass. This monster said he came here to harass me with a straight face:, 9...ah.9 9<ou say this is a prank>9 9;orgive my insolence. There were no other nobles around! so # bit my tongue by mistake. # am here to visit princess )aynesia! who is busy with work! and cheer you on.9 8rusty was enjoying tea! from a similar teacup just like )aynesia.s! as he replied
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in a leisurely and calm way. These words seemed to be decorated with lies and could not be trusted. )aynesia maintained a defensive posture as she trembled +psychologically, at the corner of the couch. She could hear 3lissa warning her in her mind! .The princess of (aihama that is the pride of 3astal cannot act so indecently.! but even if 3lissa said that to her face now! she wouldn.t know what to do. 9 nyway! the joke ends here.9 93h...9 9... %ow is the $ibra ;estival>9 8rusty casually asked and )aynesia reali&ed this was the real topic for today. $ibra ;estival was a festival that involved the whole kiba city. )aynesia knew this was a celebration of peace and prosperity for the city. They would be displaying all kinds of items in the event to trade or sell. There wouldn.t be any religious rites for the spirits or gods. 'o matter how you looked at it! it was just a normal city fair! much different from the festival )aynesia knew about. *ut the common thing would be people congregating together to have fun! at least that was what the report said. The $ibra ;estival! where many dventurers gathered to do business! should attract a lot of -eople of the $and businessmen to visit. )aynesia had already received such letters re0uesting )aynesia to introduce dventurers to them. 9<es! it is fine.9 9So busy! so e/hausting! so much responsibility.9 %e read minds again. )aynesia was scared! but was gradually getting used to it. She plead in her heart .please don.t do that. which was definitely conveyed to him! but he didn.t show any mercy. *ut despite the feeling of fear! she enjoyed her time conversing with 8rusty. %e was able to see through things that )aynesia found hard to say or wished he would notice.

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9# am... doing my work properly9 9<es! probably.9 )aynesia retaliated slightly! but he just brushed it off with a sentence. Seemed like the mind reading monster could not tell how much effort )aynesia put in and how difficult it was. 9...9 91hat is it>9 9'othing.9 )aynesia turned her head away and adopted an ignoring attitude! disregarding the gentleman with a look of boredom on her face. +This is an act of attack. # will not be tempted by 8rusty.s sweet talks., )aynesia steeled herself as she averted her sideway ga&e at 8rusty away in a hurry. Snorting was too rude! so she would not do that +she didn.t remember ever doing that,. 9The preparation for the dinner party is going smoothly. 7on.t worry! # am doing it properly.9 )aynesia.s words surprised 8rusty. Seemed like he thought )aynesia was useless. +#f you think that! don.t throw work at me okay>, )aynesia thought. 9... hah! you mean the dinner party hosted by the princess>9 Seemed like he just forgot about it. This monster was infuriating. The dinner party on the ?nd night was organi&ed by )aynesia. The .organi&e. here meant being the figurehead! )aynesia was unable to help in terms of preparation work and cooking duties. )aynesia.s duty was to attend this dinner party as the host and entertain the guests! running the place as the host. 3ven this level of dinner party in kiba
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was simpler and less formal than many of the dinner parties )aynesia attended before. dventurers disliked hypocritical eti0uette. This understanding had slowly changed in the month )aynesia had spent in kiba. They didn.t really dislike the eti0uette! they just couldn.t see the point in them. Since there was no point they were unwilling to learn! so they didn.t have the knowledge of complicated eti0uette. dventurers seriously lacked knowledge about this world and the -eople of the $and society. )aynesia felt they were like babies in this aspect. +*ut the feeling must be mutual..., )aynesia thought. )aynesia worked closer with the dventurers than other -eople of the $and! but when discussing among themselves! )aynesia was unable to keep up with half of their topics. ;irstly! she didn.t understand their technical terms so she didn.t understand half of what they were saying. The part she did understand baffled her as to why they had such outrageous thoughts. dventurers did not even know the concept of nobles and peasants. ;rom the above e/ample you could tell that both sides still had a long way to go. *ut they would be able to close this gap in the future. t least )aynesia thought so. The reason why it was a dinner party and not a ban0uet was based on the same reason. ;or ban0uets! the invited guests would be seated according to their status for dinner. The host )aynesia would be in charge of all the activities including
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dishes to welcome her guests. The dinner party of the dventurers took a form that was unheard of! it looked like a ban0uet but was a different form of dining. There would be all kinds of dishes that would be served to the table and replenished periodically. There was no fi/ed seating for the guests and they would stand and dine like a dance party. The )ound Table "ouncil was the governing body and was very important! but in order to be accepted by the dventurers as friends! it was important to interact with all sorts of people. Since the dventurers did not like to differentiate between nobles and peasants! she would need to treat them all like nobles. )aynesia re0uested the )ound Table "ouncil for help bearing this thought in mind to organi&e this grand scale dinner party. This was her way to show her sincerity! gratitude and appreciation for the 1ar of Sand $eaf. The 1ar of Sand $eaf ? months ago still had lingering effects in this world! but the mop up operation had finally concluded. )aynesia welcomed the $ibra ;estival with this feeling in her heart. 8rusty was probably going to dump more work on her using some e/cuse! but she would not be conned this time. )aynesia steeled herself as she turned her head away. She had finally been given some time of peace +as well as the delicious food in kiba,! no matter what she wanted to avoid working or getting involved in troublesome affairs. *ut une/pectedly! 8rusty did not mention any work +which always seemed easy at a glance, or troublesome issues after a long time and just sipped his tea 0uietly. Time passed leisurely in the room. +1hat is this monster thinking about..., s )aynesia worried! the time continued to pass slowly.

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The air that seemed to have a yawn mi/ed in came along with sleepiness. The sound of the festival preparation was like the sound of the tides from far away. The monotonous sound of the clock seemed like some evil magic luring her to sleep. )aynesia had planned on spending the whole day da&ing so this was not a problem. The couch was so soft and comfortable! she wanted to spend half the day just like this. This part was going as planned! but the problem was 8rusty. 3ven if )aynesia was a noble with an adventurous heart! she could not keep on da&ing beside a man. )aynesia peeked 0uietly and carefully at 8rusty! he had placed the teacup on the table and was looking out the window at the street that seemed to be melting in the autumn sunlight. Such a handsome profile. The current 8rusty didn.t have the vicious and murderous air he had while battling the goblins. +'ow that # think about it! he is a monster so he can see through all your thoughts., )aynesia felt rela/ed as if she had just e/orcised a demon possessing her heart. 5ust a little. bout the distance of ? palms. )aynesia moved herself closer to the center of the couch. The distance between the ? closed just a little! but it was still enough for ? )aynesias to sit between them. 8rusty shrugged without saying a word and continued to enjoy his tea on the couch for a long time.

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Part 4 9# finished stacking them:9 9<eah! same here.9 "heerful voices sounded out! informing the merchant group they had finished the preparation. 9 re you ready )udy>9 9)oger (iss #su&u.9 *lond hair! blue eyes and a charming face! the handsome youth )undelhous replied to #su&u as he tucked the map and small items into his backpack. #su&u had already finished arranging her stuff! she just needed to stand up and brush off the dust on her waist and she.d be done. #n this alternate world! outdoor activities really referred to the great outdoors. .5ust a trip to the convenience shop.... such feelings didn.t e/ist. 3ven the inside of kiba city was full of ruins and debris! it was a &one where the ancient trees flourished so much that it was practically a forest. 3ven more so when you left the city! the untamed nature and the circle of human civili&ation came together in both conflict and fusion. The fashion of the dventurers was usually flashy and elegant! but this was only under the premise of their superhuman stamina and their special ability of automatic cleaning.G6H #su&u thought that neat freaks... like the girls who invested lots of effect in fingernail painting! would have a very hard time here. ;ortunately #su&u was not obsessed with cleanliness to that e/tent! she was the type who didn.t mind getting a bit dirty doing work. Transporting music instruments was tough work! a long period of performance took a lot of stamina. The wind instrument! which #su&u was not proficient in! needed a certain level of lung capacity to play! the contrabass that #su&u concentrated on was over 6@kg in weight.
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The band was a cultural organi&ation! but it was more like a sports group. +On top of that! # was a country girl., She shrugged as she finished her monologue in her heart. There would be toads croaking in the farm surrounding her school when spring arrived. #su&u was a bard with freckles on her face and had a pair of bright eyes. She wore light leather armor and tied her long hair in a braid. She carried a ? handed spear that was not suitable for bards on her back! that was her fighting style. #t had been E months since she left the guild %amelin that oppressed beginners. She had grown accustomed to life as an dventurer and was living everyday peacefully. So she did not feel any pressure even while resting in the forest like this. She was fine with sitting on the tree trunk directly and would not fret about dirtying her buttocks! she thought she was not that type of .girl.. 3ven so! #su&u.s partner still treated her like a .girl.. 9(iss #su&u> %ere.9 5ust as #su&u was about to mount the horse! )undelhous offered to give a hand and help push #su&u up the horse. %e then mounted his horse agilely with a hearty attitude that was not annoying at all. 91hat is it (iss #su&u>9 The young man turning to look at #su&u with a surprised e/pression was )undelhous "ode. %e was a -eople of the $and dventurer. #t sounded contradicting! but it made him a special and uni0ue person in this world. *lond hair! blue eyes with classy facial features! just like the prince that appeared in shoujo manga. 1ith a hint of naive nature uni0ue to the sons of rich families! his eyes were full of pride and strength. *ut he was overly classy which made #su&u see him as .a puppy youth that
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looks like a golden retriever.. This youth had a lovable temperament. 9#s this really fine sir and lady dventurers>9 9<es! of course it.s fine.9 #su&u replied. The one asking was a -eople of the $and leading a merchant caravan towards kiba. #f they left now! they should arrive in the evening. #su&u and )undelhous! who met this merchant caravan while going out in the morning to train and farm monsters! were now escorting them to kiba. They were currently at %aiko2sutoG?H D river channel! corresponding to 8eihin port near Tamagawa river on earth. This &one could be reached in ?.= hours using horses uni0ue to the dventurers! a place #su&u and )undelhous loved to visit! although their reasons differed. )undelhous who was uncompromising in training would practice by himself on top of raiding with the members of his guild. ny place was fine if it was meditation or practicing new spells repeatedly. *ut to increase his control and accuracy! the most suitable sparring partner... were monsters. *eing close to kiba and having monsters that you could solo made this &one a perfect training ground. ;or )undelhous! %aiko2suto D river channel was a convenient place to do self training. ;or #su&u! she liked this strolling route. She and her brave dog... )undelhous would choose all kinds of routes when they went for their walk. *ut the route for %aiko2suto D river channel was along the coast line! it had beautiful scenery and you could even see the ocean from here! a truly e/travagant venue. one way trip of ? hours was rather far for a strolling route! but in this period where everyone was busy preparing for the festival and battle training was on
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hiatus! this was a good place to kill time. ... #su&u did not forget their goal was to train the battle power of )undelhous and herself. The best defense in this dangerous world was to level up. <ou not only learned new skills when leveling up! your %- and all sort of defense would also increase. The damage you took from a monster was not only based on their attack strength! but also affected by its level difference with the player. Asually! the higher the level difference against the monster! the less damage you would take. #f you trained through battle and levelled up! it meant you were safer from harm. #su&u almost lost )undelhous once. She didn.t want to e/perience that again. So they went out early in the morning and started training +or strolling, for a few hours before meeting this merchant caravan in the afternoon. #t was a convoy of = horse carriages with ?@ -eople of the $and. They seemed to have come from #&u and were heading to kiba. The merchant caravan claimed to have heard news about the $ibra ;estival and were going there to sell their wares and purchase any goods that interested them. #su&u and )undelhous discussed for a while. #n the wild open &one! there was a principle to the monsters they encountered in different terrains. The monsters in deep forest and hills were stronger than those outside! the closer you were to human civili&ation! there were usually less powerful monsters as well. This &one that was close to kiba city was relatively safe. *ut that was for dventurers. ;or the -eople of the $and! every journey was a series of dangerous events. #su&u understood this. She had listened to )undelhous talk about the -eople of the $and and knew how helpless their lives were in this world full of monsters. fter a short debate! they decided to escort this caravan to kiba. The merchant caravan could make it to kiba even without their escort! but traveling
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merchants were always e/tra cautious. This would only take half a day and they were just slowing their pace on the way back. They could continue with their training while escorting the convoy by taking out any monsters they encountered. #su&u and )undelhous offered to help after considering these points. The -eople of the $and were hesitant at first but gladly accepted when they found out they just needed to treat them to a meal as reward. +So they are hesitant about this part., #su&u felt a bit sad! but decided not to brood about it since it couldn.t be helped. #n the eyes of the -eople of the $and! dventurers were an e/istence that was so close yet so far away. The -eople of the $and in kiba were accustomed to living with dventurers! but for those living in the rural areas! dventurers were like alien beings. )undelhous reminded #su&u of this point time and again. The merchant caravan continued their advance along the gently undulating slopes under the bright autumn sun. The noise the carriage made were une/pectedly loud. The wooden carriage lacked cushions or shock absorbents and reflected the uneven surface of the ground with its rattling sound. 5ust listening to this sound was enough to make you think it could fall apart anytime! but it seemed to be ruggedly made. The carriage that had been reinforced with steel bracing at all its crucial points moved slowly with its full load of cargo. 9(r (erchant! may # ask what are you carrying in the carriage>9 )undelhous asked peacefully on their leisure journey home. The leader sitting on the driver.s seat was conversing with a young man in the cargo compartment! but he looked out when he heard )undelhous. 9(r dventurer! our goods are mainly fruits such as oranges! kum0uat and olives. 1e also brought some food seasoning and wine. 1e are hoping to purchase clothes and utensils for our journey back.9 9That e/plains the fragrance:9
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#su&u nodded repeatedly after hearing the response. fresh and sweet fragrance filled the air around the carriage. There were less fresh fruit during this season! so this must be the smell of candied fruits. dventurers were basically rich and generous compared to -eople of the $and! so they were great customers for business. 9"orrect! this is the gla&ed fruit we are proud of! # hope the people of kiba will enjoy them.9 )undelhous nodded to acknowledge the leader.s business smile. 9Speaking of which! # have seen a lot of merchants these few days.9 9Of course! it is the autumn festival after all:9 #su&u thought about it after retorting to )undelhous. )undelhous was a young man who was obsessed with improving himself and had been working hard in battle magic training like an obligation. They made this long trip today for training as well! but things could go wrong if )undelhous kept going on like this... #su&u was worried. s the guardian of this silly! stubborn and straightforward young man! stopping his reckless ways was #su&u.s duty. +)udy should have a bit of fun too:, Since this was decided! the rest was simple. #su&u listed out some place she wanted to visit. ;estival meant music! music meant celebration. There were so many things she wanted to see and so many things she wanted to eat. She wanted to attend the campfire concert even if she had to drag )undelhous there with a leash on his neck. She heard that the concert also welcomed bards to join in onsite. 97o any merchants travel by sea>9 9<eah there are. $ike the merchants of 'inetails recently.9 9... h ah.9

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9Their situation has calmed down so it is safe to travel by ship. # heard the merchants from the west this time will be coming via sea. 1ith the invention of the fairy ship! their speed is now much faster. *ut common traders like us have nothing to do with these.9 #su&u concentrated on planning the schedule for the evening and didn.t notice the pained e/pression on )undelhous. face. *ut she was not at fault since )undelhous showed the restraint of adolescence and wiped this e/pression away in a blink of the eye! even the merchant talking to him didn.t feel anything out of place. The scene of a grand e/plosion collapsing structures and leaving debris described the south of kiba perfectly. They would be able to see the greenery of the ancient trees after passing through. They were still several hours away from kiba but they could see other caravans or a lone businessman walking with goods strapped to his horse. 3veryone seemed to be rushing to kiba. kiba was holding an autumn festival. The ? escorts remained alert as they headed towards their home city.

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Part 5 9# have brought your laundry my lord.9 The one pushing the door open with her back was katsuki. +# still don.t get our lord2ninja relationship., Shiroe thought as he helped her place the pile beside a table. Shiroe.s room was a spacious ?@ tatamiGEH wide area. The only good thing about the guild house of $og %ori&on was its vast amount of space. fter remodeling several times! a third of the space on the east side of the ?nd floor was used by Shiroe. computer or even a flash drive amount of information in the old world was e0uivalent to several cabinets of files in this world. 'o matter how you organi&ed them it was still inefficient to search for the data you wanted! but this was the only way to collate information. 9<ou seem to be not well>9 katsuki ga&ed up from below surprising Shiroe. This petite and beautiful girl was unaware of her own charms. She was always looking straight ahead! so when Shiroe saw her big! black and shiny eyes and lips that sparkled alluringly like pudding face to face! his heart would race and his emotions got awkward. + nd recently..., There had even been signs before! but katsuki was getting better at sneaking up on him. (aybe it was her small stature or her tracker and assassin abilities! she was always appearing in surprising places when Shiroe was distracted. 1ithout even stretching his hands! he could already feel her body warmth just by bending a little. This distance made Shiroe uncomfortable! but katsuki didn.t seem to mind as she showed her concern for Shiroe like some small animal. 9'ot really.9 9#s that so.9 katsuki did not continue after responding and started folding the laundry on the
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sofa. These were casual wear clothing that had dried after airing them on the floor above. The armors and robes that dventurers e0uipped has a set durability. #t became dirty and worn out as it suffered damage! but it became as good as new after repair by people with the corresponding subclass! so there was no need to wash them. *ut dventurers and the -eople of the $and had recently started to manually craft items by hand. These could become dirty and damaged but could not be repaired using the game menu! so it needed to be washed manually. 1hite shirts fluttering on the laundry line was not a bad sight. 7oing laundry was one of the more popular chores among $og %ori&on members. There were very few clothes. They finished folding a short while later with them working together. katsuki poured black rose tea into a glass and took out her snack of the day! seemed like red bean bun. *read was a staple food in <amato since wheat was grown everywhere. There was rice in <amato as well! but bread lasted longer without going bad after baking. 1ith the advent of cooking research! all kinds of bread started to appear in the market. The new products were e/pensive at first! but the price gradually dropped after mass production kicked in. Since the consumers. habits didn.t change! this business phenomenon remained the same in this world. The price of this plain looking red bean bread had fallen a lot! but it was still e/pensive for a snack. %olding a bun with her left hand! katsuki handed the plate with the remaining bun over to Shiroe. 9#s it fine>9 9(y treat! # hope my lord will appreciate it.9 katsuki replied curtly! Shiroe was not sure how to react to her invitation. Shiroe hadn.t been out to the field lately as he was busy with administrative
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work. katsuki who had been training with (inori and the other beginners out in the field had money to spare! so Shiroe wasn.t worried about the cost. *ut as a guild master and a young man! letting a little girl +appearance wise, treat him felt awkward. Shiroe also felt this was a childish pride! but it was an emotional problem so it couldn.t be helped that he showed some hesitation. *ut it would look bad if he declined out of pride so Shiroe accepted the bun with gratitude. katsuki started eating her share as Shiroe took the plate. The ? of them sat side by side on the sofa rela/ing their feet and enjoying the sweet red bean paste. 9...9 91hat is it katsuki>9 93h! that...9 katsuki eyes wandered around the room as she thought about how to say this. 9(y lord! do you...9 9>9 9%ave any plans for the festival>9 9 h>9 Shiroe didn.t know how to react to her 0uestion. %enrietta did ask him to help with some things. nd his guild members might forget his face if he stayed in his office all the time. 9# will be helping %enrietta with some events. # heard it is a fashion show... seems like she needs to visit several places.9 9# see... # am not asking about that.9 9>9
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9(r Shiroe:9 (inori barged into the room! holding a brown paper bag carefully with both hands. 1hen she discovered katsuki was present! she braked and stopped immediately. The stammering (inori was wearing her favorite blouse with a big bow and her knee length denim skirt. The girl wearing fashionable clothes found commonly in the streets! answered Shiroe.s 0uestioning ga&e after hesitating a moment. 9(r Shiroe! that! regarding the $ibra ;estival tomorrow! do you want to go out together>9 9Go out>9 91rong! # mean do you want to eat together>9 (inori handed him a flyer with bright words 9 ll you can eat cakes9 printed on it. Shiroe didn.t get it and turned to katsuki for an e/planation. katsuki gave a serious e/pression as she held an identical flyer in front of her chest. 97o you hate sweet things (r Shiroe>9 9'o # don.t.9 9# can tell from the way you ate the red bean bun.9 Shiroe preferred food with just the right amount of sweetness. 9$et.s participate my lord! there is no charge for mi/ed gender pairs that participate.9 91ant to join this (r Shiroe> #t.s free okay> ;ree:9 ccording to the flyer! the rules for participating was 6 male and 6 female... meaning mi/ed gender pairs! time limit was B= minutes! it was free of charge if you finished Dth place! and the top ? couples could advance to the official match. +So B for 6 person...,
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This amount should be a piece of cake! but Shiroe felt the ? of them were abnormally passionate about this. %e must be imagining things! but there seemed to be a bit of hostility between the ? of them. Shiroe was concerned about this! but for some reasons! he hesitated about asking them directly. + h! now that # think of it! in the past..., "orrect! it was the same in the past. %e recollected that it was the same in the 7ebauchery Tea -arty. #t was always the female players who made willful demands with .her. being the biggest culprit. Shiroe sighed in his heart when he thought about this. #f all the women had the same nature +and that was highly possible,! it would not be wise to decline them. 9%ow about it (r Shiroe...9 9(y lord! my lord:9 Shiroe could only raise his white flag and surrender when pressured by these ? young girls.

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Chapter 2: Swallow and Starling Part 1 (inori was at a loss in front of the wooden chest that stored her clothes.

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This wouldn.t do! that wasn.t right either. She held each piece to her body to look! but her frantic heart felt none of them would do. She didn.t throw the clothes aside but folded them neatly instead4 this was just (inori.s style. %er mental state! however! was utter e/haustion. (inori could participate in the cake eating contest since Shiroe agreed! but her aim wasn.t the free cakes. This was all for Shiroe and $og %ori&on. +This one feels a bit childish! this one matches with Tohya.. that one is... too plain... #.m not looking for working clothes:, (inori folded the green overalls carefully. This was her private room. %aving been forced to share a common room with many others during her times in %amelin! it still seemed too e/travagant for her. 1hen she joined $og %ori&on! she wanted to share a room with Tohya since she didn.t want to trouble the others. *ut Shiroe and 'aotsugu saidI 9The building is big so there is no need to hold back9 and prepared this private room for her. #t would be rude to compare her room in %amelin to this room. The bree&es that flowed through the window were one of (inori.s joys. The decoration of the room was not lu/urious. #t was 6@ tatami large even though it was a private room and the floors and walls were made of wood. There were few furniture items in this big room4 only a few bo/es! a bed and a coffee table.G6H Since the guild acknowledged this to be her room! (inori could decorate it in anyway she wanted. #f she re0uested it! everyone would definitely help her move her furniture and might craft something for her too. *ut (inori was thrifty and humble by nature! so she was hesitating on buying anything e/pensive. %er income was 0uite lu/urious for a mid2level player. The reason for this was her living here and going out periodically to hunt
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monsters. The main purpose of hunting was to train the teamwork of (inori! Tohya! )undelhous and #su&u. 3ven if it was training! they still received loot from defeating monsters. nimal2type monsters leave meat or skins behind and intellectual2type monsters drop e0uipment and valuable items. There were many rewards from winning battles. These items were known collectively as .drop items.4 most of them could be e/changed for gold or used as crafting ingredients. ;or $og %ori&on! ingredients that either 'yanta and Shiroe could use as chef or scribe would be stored! the rest would be sold for money. They deposited large amounts of their earnings secretly to their guild account. They didn.t do this because someone suggested it! it was a habit the youth group +the name the low2level members called themselves, learned unconsciously as a way to show their appreciation. *ut they couldn.t do that when 'aotsugu and 'yanta were leading them. The money was split evenly to everyone. ccording to 'yanta! .receiving the appropriate reward is how you develop professionalism nyaJ.. (inori understood what he meant but she was unable to accept it. #t was the same with her comrades4 they felt indebted to Shiroe and $og %ori&on. This guild also had 'yanta the chef. The biggest e/penditure in kiba currently was food. Atility bills consisted of lamp oil and half the players could replace it with their magic. ccommodation e/penses! either the hotel room fee or the guild hall rental fee! was surprisingly cheap. #f one really needed to! there were countless ruins for one to camp in. So in kiba! the bulk of the living e/penses lay in eating! so the 3ngel.s "oefficient of the dventurers was miserable.G?H (ost dventurers spent half their income on food4 the ratio was comparable to housing in the old world.

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*ut thanks to 'yanta cooking the meals! $og %ori&on members could avoid the money sink for the most part. 3ven if (inori and the others deposited money into the guild account! it didn.t mean that they had no savings. (inori had accumulated 0uite a sum of money. So there was still room for further e/penditure. ;urnishing her room was easy... but she needed to restrain herself too. This world was originally a game! so there was a huge variety of items. Take beds for instance. ;rom simple wooden frames to beds carved from ivory or obsidian! or a princess bed with a canopy like a piece of art! there was a wide assortment of designs. *eds were crafted by production subclass carpenters! but as they increased their levels! they would continue to create higher level and more difficult to make beds that they could sell for a higher price. So while the same bed had different varieties! the price might differ by a hundred fold. Fery e/pensive items e/isted! but if you chose the cheaper variety! furniture was not really e/pensive. This was something that was available when 3lder Tales was still a game! so it could be made in 6@ seconds using the game menu. The factor affecting price was the difficulty in getting materials and the level of the craftsman. Time was not an issue. *eds and wardrobes crafted using cedar or oak trees could be purchased with gold e0uivalent to 6 meal. *ut (inori only bought a few wooden chests for storage! a simple but comfortable bed! a coffee table similar to a kotatsu! a futon set and some cushions. This room was very plain. (inori.s nature was not suitable for splurging. nd that was why (inori.s dresses were all tailored! well fitted! strong and durable and gave a clean and neat feeling when you walked by her in the streets. #t was not shabby or shameful to wear but... it was not eye catching enough.

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+This won.t do..., (inori placed a light blue dress onto her body but it felt too childish. She felt this dressing would not match well with Shiroe. +# need to buy better dresses..., (inori made up her mind and opened her small purse. The traditional style purse belonged to (inori. 1hen this world was still a game! money was weightless and could only be seen on the character.s screen. 'ow! they had to be carried in wallets! which had become une/pectedly popular items. (inori.s goal was to restore Shiroe.s reputation. #nstead of restoring his reputation! it was more like making public appearances and propagating his image. To be honest! Shiroe.s reputation was really bad in kiba. Shiroe was one of the eleven guild masters of the )ound Table "ouncil! so he was more famous now. The )ound Table "ouncil was set up according to Shiroe.s plan. Those who were well informed in kiba knew about this. The problem was not about fame! but rather why he was famous. Shiroe was a tactician2type character and everyone agreed with this. fter gaining the nickname .*lack %eart Glasses.! however! the scheming and merciless image had spread all over the city. The crucial blow seemed to be )aynesia.s speech. Shiroe had looked like he was bullying )aynesia in that speech. Shiroe.s image had evolved into .a competent but cold and merciless tactician.. This made (inori sad. Shiroe was a hero in (inori.s eyes. 'obody knew about the kind and gentle Shiroe. (inori believed there were very few players who were as gentle as Shiroe.

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1asn.t Shiroe the only one who tried to help the beginners confined by %amelin> 'o one but Shiroe was willing to step up and face the situation that everyone else ignored. Shiroe was a hero in (inori.s heart. (inori was sad that so many people misunderstood Shiroe. $ogically! this would also definitely leave a shadow on the future operation of the guild. $og %ori&on was one of the many small guilds in kiba and there was no telling what damage this negative image might cause. t the very least! (inori knew Shiroe was kind and gentle. She liked everyone in $og %ori&on and this was now her home! so she wished to dispel any bad rumors. This festival was the chance. Shiroe had to take some responsibility for the outside world.s strange view of him. Shiroe who did planning and research work did not attend professional gatherings like the production guild leaders. %e also had no chance to interact with other players like the battle guilds and go raiding. Guild masters of major guilds treated advertising and recruitment as an official guild activity! at least that was what (inori heard. 3ven players who didn.t like to interact with others would sociali&e without hesitation at the public events. The guild masters were usually friendly and serious players. "omparatively! Shiroe didn.t mind crowds but he rarely attended such activities. %e had been buried into his work recently and had been staying indoors all the time. So the source of the problem was that Shiroe didn.t go out enough which could be solved by introducing Shiroe to kiba. Take the cake eating contest for e/ample4 if they won in the contest! they would be invited to the large scale dinner party on the last night of the festival. She heard kikuro + kiba news, would also be present! if everything went well... (inori fantasi&ed for a while but pulled herself back into reality.
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+*ut! but! we will be eating cake together! so it will be a problem if # dressed too plainly..., Asually! the city would not change its perception of Shiroe unless he solved a major problem or gave a moving speech. *ut (inori remained optimistic. +Shiroe is handsome so that is not an issue., She conveniently forgot that this was just her personal opinion. The handsome Shiroe might just be the delusion of a young girl. t this point! no one thought the truth behind (inori.s feelings was a problem. 'o one could tell if this emotion was from the trust of a guardian or a faint sense of longing! or something even more concrete. (inori herself didn.t give a name to this feeling in her heart.

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Part 2 katsuki was aware of her symptoms. She returned to her room like (inori and sat on the tatami silently like an ornament! but her heart was in chaos. katsuki looked very cute sitting properly on her cushion. %er long black and lustrous hair that flowed behind her along with her petite body gave the impression of a small! prestigious animal. GEH 'o matter how small she was! she was still a college student. %er knowledge definitely won over a middle2schooler. *ut being unable to say she had more .e/perience. made katsuki sad. She was aware of her lack of e/perience which made her panic even more. +1hy must # feel pressure from a middle2schooler...,

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katsuki writhed+>, in depression as she hugged her knees. 1ith her lack of e/perience in love and her unnecessary inferiority comple/! she was unable to keep calm in this situation. %er restraint had not improved with age. #n the end! the culprit was her height. katsuki sighed and recollected about the past while touching her fringe+>,. Grade school was fine! she had looked her age. 'e/t! she became a middle2school girl that still looked like a grade2school girl. 1hen she moved on to high school! she became a high2school girl that still looked like a grade2school girl. 1hen she had become a college student! she was finally mistaken for a middle2 school girl! but she had lost all her strength and will to joke about it. katsuki thought her looks were fine but she didn.t have e/perience with love. (en who approached her misunderstood something and harbored a certain special interest. She had no e/pectations to date normally under such an environment. Someone confessed to her before. +*ut that is..., katsuki drooped her shoulders dishearteningly. The year she was accepted into college! a middle2school boy who lived in the neighborhood confessed to her! thinking she was a middle2school girl from another &one. Of course! katsuki rejected him! but the impact was so great that she collapsed from illness4 it still left an ache in her heart. 3ven then! it was not necessary for katsuki to get into a relationship. She was interested in boy2girl relationships at her age! of course! but she had not yet reached the point of .anyone will do! # want to try being in a relationship.. She also felt foolish to hold such e/pectations without anyone specific in mind.
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katsuki wished for a more sensible relationship based on ability instead of appearance. katsuki was treated more like a mascot wherever she went because of her cute appearance and small stature. 3ven her younger sister treated her like a junior sibling at home. So she longed for a relationships of partners! comrades! or colleagues. *eing a subordinate or henchman was fine too4 she longed for a relationship that acknowledged each othersK strengths and made up for each others. weaknesses. *ecause no one had ever treated her this way. She was hard2working by nature and would focus tirelessly and sincerely on whatever goal she set. *ut her efforts did not get the proper recognition because of her cute appearance. That was the reason why she role2played as a silent assassin in 3lder Tales. +*ut that was only until the "atastrophe., That terrible incident made everything change. The only good thing that happened in that hellish and confusing event was meeting Shiroe. fter Shiroe! there was 'aotsugu and 'yanta! as well as a guild she now called home... $og %ori&on. katsuki made true friends in the 3lder Tales that became the alternate world for the first time. These were relationships that wouldn.t ridicule or spoil katsuki because of her height. *ut she was still being treated like a mascot. %er appearance was a part of her and wouldn.t change in the future. This could not be helped and she had accepted it now. *ecause she understood strength! ability could be confirmed through .sight. just like appearance. 5ust by simply checking the status screen! one could see strength clearly... .level. was katsuki.s gospel. <ou could earn the respect of everyone simply by sincerely doing your part in
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the team. There might be many horrifying or painful things in this world! but katsuki thought this point was great. Shiroe gifted her an .appearance reset potion. not long after the "atastrophe happened so she addressed Shiroe as .my lord. to e/press her gratitude. She wanted her strength to be recogni&ed and was willing to take on the role of subordinate to prove herself. She would not accept any thoughts of .# will help you for free since you are a little girl.. *ut Shiroe was a .lord. greater than she had reali&ed. Shiroe was generous! tactically brilliant! had foresight beyond her ability and had the strong will to choose the future. katsuki was very glad to be .partners. with Shiroe. nd if Shiroe had a weakness! it was his battle prowess. Shiroe.s attack was generally too weak to end battles. katsuki was able to assist Shiroe on this point and Shiroe seemed to acknowledge her pro2level performance. s a person living in the modern world! katsuki was afraid of fighting monsters to the death! but she had learned 8endo when she was young! so this was an obstacle that she could tackle. *eing acknowledged for the ability to fight well was better than the shameful feeling of not getting acknowledgement anywhere. She might look like a fiercely loyal ninja to others! but katsuki thought there was a good reason and it matched her goal... *ut hiding her bashfulness played a big part in it too. #t didn.t take long for her feelings to grow deeper along with her trust. 1hat instigated it! when did it start! katsuki didn.t know. She just felt a ticklish and comfortable space in her heart when she was by Shiroe.s side. +So it started when we rode the griffon>, %er e/pression rela/ed as she recalled the feeling of riding the griffon. The feeling of acceleration like you were in free2fall and the thrill that she felt in the strong wind. %er feelings when she clung onto Shiroe.s back or stayed in his
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arms brought her immense e/citement and comfort. This might be the suspension bridge effect! but that was not important. katsuki felt attracted to him. She would feel happy just by staying by Shiroe.s side! she was so obsessed that she was seriously practicing hiding and walking silently. katsuki found it hard to e/press this feeling in words4 it was too embarrassing to say it even in her heart. Simply put! she liked him. katsuki was aware that their genders played a part in liking him. ;rom the way katsuki saw it! it would be fine even if she was not aware. The .partner. katsuki was searching for was someone who respected her and would accept her as a companion. 3ven though she liked him! she didn.t need him to reciprocate the same way. (ore importantly! katsuki found this comfortable feeling recently. $ike the flower she was nursing in her heart! like music without sound+>,! katsuki lived everyday filled with happiness as long as she held on to this feeling. *ut (inori appeared at this moment. katsuki held nothing against (inori personally. (inori was serious! kind! smart! and hardworking4 there was nothing for her to pick on. katsuki treated her like a good comrade and a cute junior. katsuki.s depression came from her own bad luck. ... Or rather good luck. She got away from the prejudice of being treated like a middle2school girl and met a nice group of companions who saw her as one of them. These companions moved her heart. This was a good and fortunate thing. katsuki could feel that these companions did not dislike her. This was a joyful e/perience. *ut her love rival that appeared was a real middle2school girl and it made her wonder what were the causes and effects that led up to this.

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+1oo... m # really the standard2bearer for lolis..., katsuki was tempted to throw her cushion out and use . ssassinate.. 9'ow that # think about it! this is not too bad...probably.9 katsuki had an inferiority comple/ about her appearance. She was cute! but that was the cuteness of a mascot! not as an object of love! correct> katsuki was unable to wipe away her doubts. That was why it was fortunate that (inori was her love rival. She was a real middle2school girl so katsuki wouldn.t lose in body figure. *ut still she seemed to be bound to the middle2school girl category. katsuki raised her head as she thought of this. katsuki took out a similar flyer because she was provoked and her competitive nature stirred. *ut that meant she needed to go on a date! right> She needed to be totally prepared for this. katsuki panicked suddenly and fidgeted distractedly on the cushion. Since it was a date! she would need to dress up for it right> #mpossible: katsuki shook her head. #t was really impossible in her situation! she only had clothes that were as black as ink. She had some feminine dresses for social events back on earth! but she only had dark colored costumes used by ssassins in this 3lder Tales world. She had no need to improve her wardrobe seeing as she could perform her duties as a ninja serving her lord! Shiroe! with no problems. *ut it would be bad to go on a date in these clothes. +1ait! how about the setting of a ninja accompanying her lord on a mission>, katsuki nodded her head. Shiroe was eating free cakes and she was tagging along officially as his bodyguard! this setting would work. katsuki shook her head just as she was starting to rela/. This setting was too unreasonable no matter how you put it. nd the one who proposed this out of her competitive nature when Shiroe was in trouble was katsuki herself. #f she changed her stance tomorrow and said! .7o you want to eat my lord> # am
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your bodyguard.! Shiroe would look at her with pitiful eyes. Shiroe might even be disheartened and give up on her. +1ell then! # will need %enrietta.s help..., katsuki thought about that but was reluctant to do so. 3ven if she ignored %enrietta.s doting actions! the problem was her taste in clothes trended towards young girls. fashion. #t might be useful in other cases! but she wouldn.t stand a chance in winning against a real middle2school girl this way. #n the end! it would be best to pick her own dress. katsuki sprang up from the tatami as she thought of this. The gentle rain covered kiba like a mist! but the afternoon sun still shone brightly. There must be many fashionable handmade dresses she could buy in the central s0uare.

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Part 3 n impetuous noisy atmosphere shrouded kiba. The dventurers were rushing to complete the setup of their stalls for the festival! but they were not the only ones who were busy. 5ust like katsuki and (inori! people would want to do something when there was a festival. Since this was a major event that encompassed the whole of kiba! not only the production guild players! but all the dventurers living in the city were involved. 1rong! even the -eople of the $and were also helping with the preparations. ;or e/ample! chefs who wanted to cook special food that day would need to gather resources! those organi&ing a ban0uet would need to buy ingredients or fruits. 1ith resources running low! visiting merchants had become popular in the city. There was a significant increase in dventurers out farming monsters for drop items while female dventurers worried about buying fashionable dresses just like katsuki. The clearing of debris to widen the space in the city s0uare was also ongoing in concert with the festival preparation in kiba! albeit less passionately. The notice boards were updated with new official 0uests announced by the )ound Table "ouncil everyday. The guilds would want to revamp the outside of their building to welcome the festival with a refreshing look! as e/pected of 5apanese culture. The speciali&ed jobs of carpenters and furniture craftsmen increased as well and the workshop would continue to be lively for the ne/t few days. The busiest group in kiba was the .production guild liaison committee. and its central figure was "harasin! guild master of Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter. "harasin cursed and swearedI .#t.s like # have been cursed from everywhere.. *ut he continued to use telepathy to coordinate all the necessary tasks. %e enjoyed chatting and had many friends! but he did not e/pect the telepathy calls to flood in like this. The endless en0uirers bound him to the room with no reprieve. This was all the fault of that glasses wearing young man with nasty eyes.
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dventurers revered Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter as one of the E major production guilds! but the truth was a bit different. Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter was not a production guild. #t was a chatting guild. s seen from its name! it was a guild used for chatting. 1hen the world was still a game! some of the players played this game in order to chat with others. They still went on adventures! collected and crafted items! but these were just topics they used for conversations! chatting was their main form of enjoyment in this game. The period with the biggest crowd in 3lder Tales was from Dpm to midnight after dinner. (any players logged in during this time to chat leisurely with their friends. These chatty players were totally the opposite of gaming fan players who enjoyed challenging raids. The guild formed by these chatty players was Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter. 7oing business was just a channel to talk about things! Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter started trading because it was interesting to interact with customers. "ompared to The )odrick ;irm that collected phantasmal ingredients to craft rare e0uipment! or the production guild Oceanic Systems that was formed to deal with the dventurers. need for ingredients! they had a fundamental difference. The position of the guild master also differed from )odrick of The )odrick ;irm and (ichitaka of Oceanic Systems. "harasin was the head of a congregation of merchants in Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter! not a ruler holding great authority. %e might be the representative! the face dealing with the outside! but although the members respected him! they didn.t swear their fealty to him. *ut as the head and central figure of a chatting guild! his friend list had LD@ names! barely safe from the system limit. "harasin utili&ed this network to receive reports continuously.

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9<es! understood: # will inform Mhuge $iang.9 9%mm> hah! that is too e/pensive right>9 91rong...<ou cannot... do... that. The liaison committee must not be biased towards anyone! the position of the stalls will be decided by drawing lots! we need to be firm about this.9 "harasin changed his telepathy calls continuously as he made all sorts of notes on the paper in front of him. There was an enormous pile of planning reports and application forms! the mess was larger than in Shiroe.s room. 9<o.9 9 h! (r (ichitaka.9 The burly man entering the room was (ichitaka. (ichitaka dropped the scrolls of documents he was holding under his armpits on the table and looked around the room. 9%ey hey hey! are you doing this alone>9 "harasin replied to (ichitaka with a smile. 9This is e/pected! my organi&ation that is akin to a gathering of individual merchants will be interested in doing business in a festival of this scale! # want to take part myself too.9 9 ye! you are right.9 (ichitaka had a burning smell on him. %e was a blacksmith who came directly from his workshop. Oceanic Systems might be the biggest production guild in kiba! but their leader seemed to prefer crafting items personally. 9;or my side! it is like a shared workspace with the main focus of making good items for sale! we are not proficient in trading and bargaining. # will leave this part to you! but you should enjoy this e/hibition like visiting a festival as well.9

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There were several types of players who focused on production in ((O)-G. -layers similar to "harasin who enjoyed chatting4 players like (ichitaka who mass produced items in the workshop and enjoyed the game like a crafting simulator4 or collectors similar to )odrick who gathered uni0ue and rare items. The $ibra ;estival was closely related to all sorts of production players. 9-utting that aside! everything going well>9 9'ope! # have no clue. # can.t do anything about the lack of manpower.9 "harasin gestured behind him with an annoyed face. There was an assortment of items stuffed into wooden bo/es. There were do&ens of bo/es and the stuff was piled up to the ceiling. These were all sample items for the participants of the $ibra ;estival. "harasin wanted to screen out any dangerous items by asking for samples! but it ended in failure. The participants submitted tons of diverse samples impossible for "harasin to screen through... 3ven 6@ people might not be able to do it in time. 9 hah! looks like...9 9#mpossible right>9 9#mpossible.9 "harasin and (ichitaka nodded in agreement. The burden was too heavy. 9Seems like this idea has to be scrapped. "an we leave it alone>9 9Guess that will have to do. %eavens! tomorrow will be hell on earth.9 The brooding "harasin replied cheerfully. #t had reached such a level at this point of time! and this level was a sign of things to come. $ibra ;estival was e/panding in a scale further than "harasin and (ichitaka could ever imagine.

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"harasin and (ichitaka could feel this obvious atmosphere. The guild masters of the )ound Table "ouncil should be feeling it to some e/tent. *ut the rate of growth was faster than anyone could e/pect. "harasin who was at the heart of the $ibra ;estival... .production guild liaison committee. office! felt a sense of danger the night before the festival. *ut at this point of time! even "harasin was unable to detect the malicious intent bearing concrete goals.

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Part 4 Shiroe.s battle record should be very impressive to others. ;or instance! he provided tactical insight to a group of players that did not form a guild! the 7ebauchery Tea -arty! to be the fastest in the 5apanese server to complete the raid .;ields of 7ead Spirits.. ;or players who were in the know! this record was highly regarded. #n famous raids like .)hadamanthys. Throne. or .The 'ine Great -risons of the %eilos.! being the first to complete a raid with their small organi&ation made the 7ebauchery Tea -arty a legend in a way. lso! well informed people knew that the series of events that led to the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil must be credited to Shiroe.s effort. %is actions during crucial moments of large scale battles made the battle record of tactician Shiroe even more splendid. *ut that was what outsiders saw. ;or Shiroe himself! this was just a part of countless battles. Shiroe had e/perienced battles that were small in scale and pointless to recce in advance. #f you included all these battles as well! he didn.t think his success rate was very high. Shiroe didn.t think highly of his tactician abilities. +(y success rate will probably drop today too., Shiroe had been feeling uneasy while trying to avoid attracting any attention. 9-lease don.t da&e off my lord.9 9That.s right! it will be a pity since you are so handsome.9 93h...9 9%mmm. Should be... Fery handsome right>9 9(y lord is my lord! it doesn.t matter if he is handsome.9 *ut the reality was cruel.
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The two young girls on both sides wouldn.t allow him to maintain a low profile. On his right was a bright and cheerful young girl with a slender body that was acting her age. She was (inori! a kannagi in $og %ori&on. She looked more feminine today! wearing a long denim skirt! white blouse and an apricot pink cardigan. She gave the image of a daughter from a rich family! very suitable for (inori who liked to take care of people. %er black hair that turned dark brown in the sunlight was tied with a black lace ribbon which also looked cute. Sitting to his left was an old friend of Shiroe. self proclaimed ninja with an uncanny sense of loyalty! katsuki. katsuki let her black hair! which looked even more lustrous today! down behind her back! but ga&ed at Shiroe in her usual serious manner. %er dress was different from her usual pure black color. She was wearing a light purple kimono complemented by a blue hakama on the bottom. The young cat like beauty katsuki suited this school girl style dress e/ceedingly well. #f you asked 6@@ people! all of them would agree that katsuki was a beautiful young girl4 (inori was also a girl that made you bright and happy like a daughter. This was a double blessing. *ut Shiroe sandwiched in between looked troubled. %e was unable to e/plain what happened or point out a clear reason! but he felt as though he was sitting on pins and needles. This was the center of kiba! a cafe set up on a major junction. Shiroe was sitting here by the invitation of these ? girls. Shiroe was guided by his cautious nature to find out more about this cake eating contest in advance. There would be several rounds of preliminaries! so he could participate with katsuki and (inori separately by entering at different times. *ut Shiroe was not interested in challenging this free contest twice. 3ven if this was a festival! this action would be akin to a kid who ate all the food in the sampling area correct> Shiroe came up with a plan while holding this thought in mind.
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Since katsuki and (inori both liked cake! it would be fine if all E of them participated together. The rule was D for ? people! so the E of them should be fine with a do&en. ;ortunately the )ound Table "ouncil had met with the guild hosting this cake contest! 7anceteria! several times before. %e remembered she was on good terms with %enrietta and had the temperament of an artisan. The guild master 8anako welcomed Shiroe warmly when he went to apply. The reason she was receiving him with a smile was because Shiroe was a member of the )ound Table "ouncil! that made things easier so Shiroe made his re0uest directly. .There are ? girls in my guild who want to join with me! can we change the challenge to 6?>. Something like this. 8anako was surprised at the beginning and asked for the details with s0uinted eyes. #t was not something he should spread around! but there was no point in hiding it at this point. Shiroe thought $og %ori&on was a very open guild. fter e/plaining himself! the kind guild master agreed to the E of them entering the contest. *ut her smile seemed to hold some hidden intention that made Shiroe think something was not right. *ut since he got his way! he could ignore such doubts. nd thus Shiroe obtained the permission to participate in the cake eating contest as a trio. nd so the E of them waited for the cakes to be served in the open air cafe! but Shiroe was feeling a slight tummy ache since morning. %e hadn.t eaten anything yet! so this was not caused by the cakes. (inori and katsuki usually got along well! but there was some tension in the air around them. This should be one of the reasons. .1e can eat this together! so don.t worry:. 1hen Shiroe reported via telepathy! leaving (inori aside! katsuki responded in a weird tone. Shiroe thought it had something to do with ninja loyalty! but he was not sure of the actual reason. On the other hand! (inori was all revved up. She had been chatting cheerfully with Shiroe from the start! but her overly passionate and positive attitude surprised Shiroe. (inori who was always so hardworking was looking towards
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the cake so much just like a middle school girl and Shiroe thought this was very cute. *ut katsuki was fidgeting with her hakama and peeking at Shiroe occasionally. She took out kunai and other throwing weapons out of nowhere from time to time! so Shiroe had to keep an eye on her all the time. There were ?@ couples seated around them chatting peacefully with smiles on their faces. The bree&e got colder in the evening of October! the open air cafe looked so peaceful under the orange street lights. There was a bard somewhere performing a pop song that was a bit old! the music came with the wind and the nostalgic melody filled their ears. lmost all the couples seated around were lovers! Shiroe thought absentmindedly. #t had been = months since the "atastrophe. This was an alternate world! there was enough time for ? strangers to meet and fall in love. One side of Shiroe.s mind played the straight man and saidI 9%ey hey hey! this has been a hectic = months! it is impossible to find the time in this time of crisis:9 but the opposition saidI 9'o no no! it is because this is an e/citing and fantastic world! this is why the fire of love is burning bright in young couples! right>9 Shiroe never had a girlfriend before or been in a relationship. So he was unable to judge whether .this situation is being in love.! but on the bright side! it was none of his business. Since they were happy! there was no need to go too deeply into it. Shiroe made this conclusion. "ouples were an e/istence that made you smile and Shiroe didn.t hate them. %e didn.t like to talk about love e/periences or giving love consultations! but watching them from a distance gave him a warm feeling in his heart. That was why Shiroe was looking at them distractedly. 9(y lord! my lord:9 9 h! eh! sorry. 1hat is it katsuki>9
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Shiroe turned to look at katsuki who was much more restless than usual. She told himI 9<our blank e/pression is not presentable.N (inori also chipped inI 9 bsolutely right! you need to go all out:9 Shiroe thought it was weird to go all out in a cake eating contest! but he swallowed his words when he looked at (inori.s serious face. Seemed like (inori was all fired up. %er pose of clenching her fists in front of her chest was cute! like a certain comedy character. She said .$et.s do our best together:.. %er pretty face and serious e/pression made her look more like sheKs acting mature than actually trying to be an adult. #nstead of being encouraged! Shiroe felt a warmth in his heart. #t.s a mystery. 9That...9 93hh.9 9 katsuki sempai.s kimono is so pretty.9 (inori said these words as Shiroe was thinking of what to say. She probably didn.t meant to aid him! but she was a great help for coming up with this conversation topic. 9#t is very pretty. #t.s rare to see you in a kimono katsuki! did something good happen>9 9#t doesn.t suit me>9 katsuki seemed troubled and was putting on a brave face at the same time! causing both (inori and Shiroe to say .no such thing.. The kimono was light purple adorned with bell flowers giving it a mature design! and fit the petite katsuki so well it must be tailor made. She was usually an enigmatic beautiful young girl like some small animal! she looked more stunning dressed in a kimono. 9 katsuki sempai looks good in a kimono.9
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9This is like a gra...9 9The word graduation ceremony is banned.9GBH 93h...9 katsuki struck preemptively! leaving Shiroe speechless. katsuki glared at Shiroe and whispered .# will use my knee even if it is my lord.. *ut after (inori and Shiroe repeatedly complimented her saying .it really suits you well.! katsuki regained her calm mood and forgave Shiroe. 9(inori also looks good in this dress.9 The middle school girl blushed and smiled at Shiroe.s compliment. This get up seemed to be matched by #su&u. #ncluding where she bought the blouse and cardigan! how much she spent and the advice #su&u gave! (inori e/plained in detail happily. katsuki who was tense all the while was also getting interested and listened to her while holding Shiroe.s sleeve. Shiroe finally loosened up a bit at this scene. +#f women are involved! all preparations and tactics are unreliable., #t was the same during his time in the 7ebauchery Tea -arty. ;or instance with 'a&una or i! any incident related to female dventurers didn.t end well no matter how much homework or planning you did in advance. *ut if it didn.t cause too much commotion! the problem would resolve itself like nothing ever happened. This was an incomprehensible and unavoidable result from a tactician.s view. +*ut .she. is different., Shiroe recollected. .She. was the founder of the 7ebauchery Tea -arty! sort of like the guild master. *ecause the 7ebauchery Tea -arty was a gathering of free players and took care of themselves! it was not a guild and .she. was not an official guild master.

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s 'yanta said .3veryone knows what to do to build a comfortable home.! so in a sense there was no need for a guild master. She was the unofficial leader because she was the most willful person in the 7ebauchery Tea -arty. #n a sense! the 7ebauchery Tea -arty was dragged all over the place by her. +This lady can say something stunning with a straight face such as wanting to see the midnight sun in #celand..., .%er. willfulness was at the international level! causing Shiroe.s battle record to worsen. The result didn.t flatten out or end up with nothing conclusive! they usually ended up dead or on the edge of death. She once led a volunteer group on an overseas server e/pedition! but lost a key item preventing them from entering the urora &one! a really e/hausting e/perience. This was the start of Shiroe.s life of hardships. #n contrast! katsuki.s and (inori.s re0uest was much cuter. %e could fulfill their wishes if things went well. Shiroe thought.

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Part 5 91ah! it looks so delicious:9 The cakes were being served in front of (inori.s wide open eyes. They hadn.t reached Shiroe.s table yet! but cute strawberry shortcakes had been placed on several tables! the strawberries were bright and pretty. The members of 7anceteria humbly apologi&ed their work was not up to the standard of the dessert shops from the original world! but it didn.t feel this way at all. *oth the appearance and the fragrance pi0ued their appetite. 9(y lord my lord! # am looking forward to it.9 9So pretty! # am so e/cited:9 Shiroe who was stuck between the young girls was starting to feel a bit better. This might be a hectic day! but he should be able to eat B slices easily if they were this si&e. #t should be the same for (inori and katsuki! the E of them had no doubt they could finish easily. The waitress served the cake to the tables! placing a variety of cakes before each couple. #t was finally time for Shiroe.s table! the guild master personally delivered the cakes on a silver tray with a big smile. On the platter were 6? whole cakes. Strawberry! apricot! chocolate! cheese! yogurt! black current! apple pie and chestnut that was a little early for the season. 6? cakes. #t was not in slices but whole cakes. 9>9 (inori made a surprised face while katsuki.s e/pression was starting to cramp up. 9This is...9

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Shiroe asked with his ga&e! the guild master of 7anceteria replied with a big smile. 9This is special service from our guild.9 91ait! this is a bit much...9 9This is our hearty service.9 The guild master pushed down the doubts with her smile as she carefully placed the cakes on the table. The first one was an apple pie. -eople of the $and waitress said .$et me cut this into portions. and started to slice it. The round pie was divided into D familiar triangle pieces! the perfect si&ing si&e. The small table in the cafe couldn.t hold all these cakes! a dining trolley has been set up beside the table to hold the other cakes. D of them were the same as the other contestants! but the other B were specially made for them decorated with a candy figurines of a male between ? females. 9(r Shiroe...9 9(y lord...9 The ? young girls looked at the slices of apple pie with a cramped e/pression. The apple pie looked tasty and Shiroe was confident of eating B of them. #f the girls acted like normal girls and shouted .# can.t eat anymore.! Shiroe was mentally prepared to eat one for each of them! a total of 6 slices. Shiroe knew from e/perience women who claimed to have a small appetite were lying! but .she. had educated him strictly that he had an obligation to take it like a man. *ut his limit was = or 6 slices. *ut being served the whole cake meant D times the amount. nd the stunning number of cakes before him was a psychological attack far worse than mere numbers. 9 nyway! let.s start with 6 slice>9 Shiroe had no other intention other than to buy time when he said this! and the E of them started to eat the apple pie. 7elicious. The large amount of apples used
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gave it a refreshing sweetness! the faint taste of cinnamon soothed both mind and body. %e finished one slice unceremoniously as he immersed in the moistness and tenderness of the apples. +# might be able to finish this..., s Shiroe was holding this sweet optimism! the rest of the apple pie appeared right in front of him. katsuki placed it there. 91hy>9 9This is my lord.s portion.9 9<ou said portion! but this is the whole thing:9 9 h! # am sorry! # will cut it into si&e:9 That.s not the point. 1hen Shiroe was stopping katsuki! (inori had already stood up and was slicing the cake deftly with a knife. s (inori cut with a serious e/pression! her hair with a black ribbon shook near Shiroe.s ears giving off a nice aroma. + h ah! middle school students are also girls..., s Shiroe thought about this! murmurs of .8ill yourself.! .Anforgivable lolicon.! .7ie.! *reak your glasses. could be heard from all over the cafe. katsuki looked stunned. Shiroe shifted his ga&e to her side and saw the cakes were decorated with twisted words that seemed to be written with the left hand. .%ow sly to bring ? girls.! .7ie lolicon O .! .Two2timer. and other such words were on the cakes. + h..., Shiroe finally understood the situation he was in. (inefield. The moment he understood! this phrase flashed across his mind. The E of them were in a minefield set up by outsiders called .misunderstanding.. Shiroe.s reputation was already bad! but he didn.t want his ? precious guild mates to be
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discriminated against too. +'o good! this might affect the ? of them. #t is a shame to call me a tactician like this... 1e need to stay low profile! 0uiet and keep the damage to a minimum. )etreat from the cafe and reorgani&e..., Shiroe.s mind was running at high speed trying to search of ways to remedy the situation. %e didn.t know how bad the misunderstanding was! how it came about and what was their current status. #n this state! even if he grasped the situation he wouldn.t be able to control it. Shiroe was unable to use his .;ull "ontrol 3ncounter. because of this. katsuki placed her fork in front of him. 9(y lord! here.9 On the fork was a cute bite si&e portion of apple pie. 9;or me>9 katsuki nodded. Shiroe almost burst out .you want to push the rest to me right:.. *ut under the stare of katsuki.s black eyes! he was unable to speak. Asually! katsuki didn.t dress up! but she was wearing a bell flower hair ornament today! making it even harder for Shiroe to talk. Shiroe pouted to restrain his awkward mood. katsuki tilted her head with a perple/ed face as her right hand with the fork moved closer. 9-lease eat my lord.9 katsuki fed him food this way! but it was a big problem for Shiroe. ;eeding someone with a fork was what was known in the world as . h... nh. action. %e could tell from katsuki.s serious face that she was doing this with malicious intent! but the outsiders wouldn.t be able to tell. #f this went on! he would gain the reputation of a lolicon. #f he stepped on this mine! not only would his leg be broken! his lower body would be blown away. The stares from the surroundings were stabbing at him
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painfully. This was an open air cafe and the highlight of the 6st day of the festival! even the pedestrians would glance here from time to time. 9Puick! or it will drop.9 *ut this piece of pie had been forced in front of him! Shiroe could only accept it. The giggles that erupted in the background and the pointing fingers of the crowd appeared in Shiroe.s mind. %e just wanted to find a hole and hide inside. 9(r Shiroe:9 %e turned around to see (inori with sparkling eyes also feeding him a piece of golden apple pie. ;acing the pure and anticipating eyes of a girl L years his junior! even Shiroe didn.t have the heart to turn her down. + ren.t they a bit too dense for failing to read the situation> 'ow is the time to retreat! this is becoming a public e/ecution right>, 9#s it good>9 9#t.s delicious right! my lord>9 9%old on! it is tasty... *ut now is not the time to discuss this.9 Shiroe tried replying this way! but the other couples around him were repeatedly doing the . h... nh. action. Shiroe already had a faint feeling about this! but he was devastated when he saw the truth. Seemed like love was in the air of kiba! more than he imagined. The clear sounds of laughter was not directed at Shiroe! but the loving whispers of infatuated couples. There was still room to redeem himself if he e/plained it this way... Shiroe consoled himself! but this didn.t resolve the issue. )eality was moving forward with the accumulation of each tiny step. #t was symboli&ed by the cakes piled high in front of him.

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Part 6 )eality was not something you could overcome just because you had the courage to challenge it. This was shown by the failure of Shiroe.s table in the contest. There was still a chance if the trio took on 6? slices of cake. *ut 6? whole cakes was outrageous! it couldn.t be done unless your stomach was a *ag of %olding. The E of them did their best! but their limit was 6D pieces! ? cakes and a 0uarter. Shiroe ate L of them! and he was feeling so bad he didn.t want to move. The E who lost in the all you can eat battle headed back to their guild house depressed. #t was not free since they did not finish! so Shiroe had to pay for all 6? cakes. The time was about Dpm. Shiroe was resting on the Erd floor balcony of their guild house. To be precise! his tummy was so full he didn.t want to move. %e planned to kill time by strolling around the festival after the contest! but setting (inori and katsuki aside! Shiroe felt like the weight of the cakes was pressing directly on his organs. Shiroe was tired and not in any condition to walk around! so he could only return to the guild house. ccording to the message on the dining hall blackboard! 'yanta and 'aotsugu went sightseeing in the festival! #su&u and )undelhous wrote .walking the dog.! they must be out on a date. Shiroe took a glimpse at the board and walked to the balcony to rest on the cedar wood bench. #t could also be described as sinking. The world would keep spinning at its own pace! it had been an unlucky day for Shiroe. +This is why doing my homework in advance is useless., 'ow that he thought about it! that was why the 7anceteria guild master was
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smiling so mysteriously. She had planned to attack with the whole cakes from the start. Shiroe did show up with ? girls! but they were not in this sort of relationship! so there was no need for this level of jealousy. +%ow did they calculate 6? whole cakes for the E of us... h! that.s right., Shiroe had an inspiration and opened his telepathy! he was going to recommend the cake contest to Soujirou. The open air cafe would also be running the free cake contest tomorrow! so Soujirou with his harem constitution would be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Soujirou on the other end of the call seemed to be participating in the festival with his guild members to kill time. Shiroe could hear the faint female voices when conversing with Soujirou! but he couldn.t make out what they were saying. Shiroe was used to it! but Soujirou was surrounded by ladies right now. Soujirou thanked Shiroe repeatedly for his recommendation. Shiroe didn.t feel any guilt despite Soujirou.s straightforward attitude. Shiroe who brought ? members to the contest out of kindness was mistaken for being a two timer and was bombarded with cakes. So a real harem should receive the appropriate treatment they deserved! Shiroe convinced himself that way. Shiroe ended the call and felt better having vented some of his frustration. %e leaned on the back of the bench rela/ing his whole body and looked up at the night sky. The uni0ue feature of $og %ori&on.s guild house was the tree that punched through the floors and through the ceilings. The ancient tree spread its branches over the whole building covering Shiroe.s living space in its shade. #t was the same for the balcony Shiroe was resting in! the branches swayed gently in the wind like an e/tension of the roof. #t was probably because of the festival! the streets had more lights than usual. The sun had set! but the orange glow from the shop lamps and the streetlights shone on the pavement full of moss and the branches decorated with ribbons! creating a fantastic atmosphere. $og %ori&on.s guild house was modest in its decoration! but they still hung up some green banners and orange ribbons as ornaments. This was probably
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(inori and Tohya.s style of making the place more festive. +# have been neglecting my own guild recently..., Shiroe thought about this after ending the call with Soujirou. Asually! the most important duty of a guild master was running the guild itself. *eing on top of things! providing assistance to members doing activities! planning and leading teams in operations! these were all part of managing a guild. *ut $og %ori&on was different from other guilds. ;irst was their numbers. $og %ori&on had D people! 3lder Tales standard party si&e was 6! so they needed to leave ? behind if they wanted to form a team. lso! the level gap between the $og %ori&on members was big! and divided into ? groups. Shiroe! 'aotsugu! 'yanta and katsuki were the senior level L@ team. (inori! Tohya! )undelhous and #su&u were the junior party around level B@. #t was hard to form a party with their level difference. ;or normal guilds! they would divide themselves by level and operate separately! this was the natural course of action. *ut $og %ori&on was full of veterans who liked to take care of others. Thankfully! 'aotsugu and the others didn.t mind using the mentoring system to match the junior party and fill up the party roster. ;rom the perspective of training! they were a talented bunch. 'yanta was the ideal adult that was humorous and patient when guiding the low level players. -rotecting the low level players during their adventures was the duty a guild master should take the lead in! but 'yanta had done it on his behalf splendidly and was enjoying himself as well. 'aotsugu was also very suitable. %e was not as refined as 'yanta! suitable for leading a bigger group. 1hen "rescent (oon lliance brought their beginners along to form E party e/peditions! 'yanta was the most popular mentor for the other guild.
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#t was the same with katsuki! she was shy and not good with words! but she didn.t think of leading the beginners for training as a difficult chore. 1hen the beginners hunted monsters and returned triumphantly! they would not see katsuki the entire time. *ut katsuki was protecting them from the dark! stopping high level monsters from ambushing them... She was enjoying leading the party in her own way. 1hile other guilds needed the guild master to lead and plan the tasks and operations of the group! $og %ori&on members were able to do so in lieu of their guild master. That was why Shiroe could deal with his )ound Table "ouncil work. $eaving the duties of guild master to others was harmless in terms of daily operations! but it would affect the personal connections among guild members. Shiroe was the high level member who spent the least amount of time with the junior group. ;or e/ample! he would make time to eat dinner with everyone in the guild house to improve relations! but Shiroe could feel the 0uestioning looks from )undelhous and #su&u that said .#s our guild master a la&y bum who stays indoor all day>.! and thought this needed to change. +#n terms of the prestige of a guild master! # am not as good as 'aotsugu or "hief 'yanta... 3ven Soujirou is in control of his harem... correction! his guild.s operation., Shiroe felt a bit down. %e did not think it was possible to live up to everyone.s e/pectation in performing his duties! even though this was the result of everyone pitching in to help! but he still felt the need to spend more time with his $og %ori&on guild mates. Shiroe thought this was the reason why katsuki and (inori forced him to participate in this activity. +This festival might be a good chance. ;or the )ound Table "ouncil... # can.t leave it alone! but # should take a break from it at a good stopping point. # need to make more time to spend with everyone., 9(y lord.9

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9:9 Shiroe who was thinking about all this jumped at katsuki.s voice from close range. 91hat is it katsuki>9 9'othing! it.s just that...9 katsuki was still wearing her glamorous clothes as she sat down 0uietly beside Shiroe. The gentle bree&e of October brushed across their faces gently! bringing with it the leisurely sound of string instruments from the city. 9# can hear music9 9 h ah! hmmm... should be the .7th drum and bungle corps.! they have a performance tonight.9 9#s that so.9 The petite katsuki sat on the bench and stretched her legs. %er legs hung in the air even when sitting on this low bench. %er toes could be seen from the opening of her deep blue hakama as she swayed her feet slightly. Shiroe asked. 9#t.s somewhat 0uiet here.9 9# am always 0uiet.9 9That is true.9 #n this world without electric speakers! the volume of the sound was dependent on the performers. The music that came with the wind had the hint of a lively atmosphere! but it seemed so blurry and far away. Shiroe glanced at katsuki. #n the chilly wind that gently touched her face! katsuki stared into the distance as usual with an e/pression Shiroe could not see through. 9(y lord.9
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9%mmm>9 9(y lord! that...9 9%mmm.9 Shiroe replied carefully to katsuki.s every word. %is petite friend might be silent but she worried about various things. Shiroe understood her nature! so he didn.t rush her. 97oes my lord dislike cakes>9 9...9 7islike cakes> #t sounded like .you can.t finish them because you dislike cake>.! but Shiroe was not sure how to respond as well. Shiroe ate L slices! which he thought was a commendable effort! did he misunderstand her> 9Still unhappy>9 9'o way. ;orget about that! #.m sorry. # recall it was the finals> 1e didn.t make it there.9 9That is fine! # am not interested! (inori is.9 9#s that so.9 Shiroe was not sure why (inori was interested in an eating contest! but he felt that she took the initiative to invite him because it was necessary. (inori was 6B! but she was a responsible and thoughtful young girl. 9*ut...9 9%mmm>9 9 re you fine with just this amount of cake>9 katsuki turned and faced Shiroe! looking straight into his eyes. %er dark eyes on katsuki.s petite face that left a deep impression was watery but had no warmth. *eing stared at by a beautiful young girl like her was pressuri&ing.
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9 h>9 9'othing really! just that you worked hard for the cake eating contest right> re you fine with just E2B slices>9 9#... # didn.t enter the contest for the cakes.9 9#s that so>9 9...9 9The conversation dries up whenever # am with my lord.9 93ven if you say that... *ut katsuki! you don.t talk much right>9 katsuki was not a chatty person. Sometimes they ran out of things to say. Shiroe felt awkward about this in the beginning and would try to talk about things! but he was now fine with the silent katsuki. 1henever Shiroe was handling administrative work! katsuki would erase her presence and stay in his room under the prete/t of being his bodyguard. Shiroe was teasing katsuki because her tone was so cute! but the ? of them only started bickering like this recently. 9That isn.t true! # have lots of conversation topics.9 9Then please provide one.9 9%mmm>9 9-rovide a topic for us to talk about.9 katsuki pouted in silence. %er eyes shifted from side to side hesitantly. She must be at a loss. s Shiroe was thinking that it was a mistake! the hesitant katsuki spokeI 9# am happy with staying this way.9
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katsuki.s mouth was trembling in a weird shape as her white and slender fingertips touched Shiroe.s forehead. 9<ou are happy with staying like this>9 katsuki nodded. +#s this part of katsuki.s ninja2lord role play... # think #.m misunderstanding something. 1rong! # wouldn.t know since # don.t watch period dramas., 9#s that so.9 gust of wind shook the branches in the night with a sound akin to the rides. The wind mi/ed with the silence in the green lushes. Shiroe raised his head and looked at katsuki repeatedly poke at his head. katsuki pouted and focused on stroking his forehead. Shiroe didn.t understand the joy in this! but happiness was subjective! so he felt there was no point in asking. 9 re you fine with staying this way>9 9This is an important duty to my lord.9 9#s that so>9 Shiroe had spent a long time with katsuki now. The chaos after the "atastrophe4 many fights and battles4 founding of the )ound Table "ouncil4 the political drama in the ancient palace4 conversation with )i Gan4 the battle of "hoshi and )undelhous. revival. katsuki had e/perienced all this by Shiroe.s side without complaints. Shiroe thought he only made it through these fights because of katsuki.s support. Shiroe recollected all this as he continued to suffer the cute torture of the beautiful young girl in a kimono.

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Part 7 Anable to breathe. The night air seemed to solidify in her chest while her blood seemed to flow like mud noisily near her ears. ....# am happy with staying this way.. ....<ou are happy with staying like this>. The gentle conversation lingered in her heart. The young girl with black hair desperately hid her embarrassment as she said tender words of love. The voice of the guild master seemed pu&&led but was still very gentle. %er knees seemed to be disappearing like bubbles! as she endured these feelings on her way to the kitchen. She was holding dandelion barley tea on a tray in her hands. She wanted to bring it to the balcony for Shiroe! but she was now walking subconsciously. She could not stay there. She could not look at that scene. Thousand of noises seemed to be sounding out in her head! everything seemed so confusing to her. She seemed to be driven by her ethics and had used up all her strength just leaving the scene. The first was the sense of impact! the ne/t was crushing confusion... 3ven though there were no concrete problems! her heart was full of 0uestions. She wanted to ask! but didn.t know who or what to ask. %er confused emotions and her desire to seek help filled her chest. #t moved slowly to her abdomen evolving into a heavy and uncomfortable feeling. (inori returned to the kitchen subconsciously! placed the tray on the table and sat down on a chair. She didn.t understand why she was so upset. *ut she saw something between Shiroe and katsuki just now on the balcony of the Erd floor. She could see the special feelings katsuki had for Shiroe on her
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face. #t was not visible from her actions but it was obvious. 1hen (inori noticed the love her senpai bore! it felt like she touched an open flame accidentally and shrank back from the shock. This shock made her run away to this refuge. #t was like a sandstorm went through her mind! blowing her thoughts into a mess and she was unable to construct any specific 0uestions as she sat. (inori looked at the surface of the table not knowing what to do. fter a long while! the first thing that came to her mind was . katsuki is in love with Shiroe.. +That.s right! (iss katsuki likes (r Shiroe., This was a simple truth. Today was a sunny day. fter summer came autumn. The guild house was shrouded in greenery. 5ust like these things! it was clear! without doubt! a natural fact. 3ven if it was obvious! when she thought about it in her heart! the shock she felt just now returned! its noise nearly obscuring her awareness. The facts constructed from these few short sentences broke down into words and were chopped into pieces becoming a total mess. #f you lost focus for a moment! the thoughts and their meaning would fall apart. (inori picked up the pieces of thoughts scattered on the floor and molded it into a ball as she took several deep breaths. ;rom her chest to her abdomen! there was a feeling of discomfort! she found it hard to breathe. She felt as though she had hypothermia! even her heart felt like it was being s0uee&ed.
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#n this an/ious mood where she had difficulty breathing and felt as though her chest was slowly being pierced from the back! (inori finally faced another truth. +# also... like (r. Shiroe., The first time she acknowledged her feelings! it did not have the faint fragrance of lemons. #t had the taste of burning metal just like her gloom and depression from the start. ll of (inori.s joints seemed to loosen as she trembled as if her bones were going to fly off as she faced these unbearable emotions. The last time she felt this crippling sense of helplessness was the night Tohya spent in the hospital.s intensive care unit. She just sat down! but she felt like running and crying! it was so uncomfortable restraining this impulse of hers. Growing up with her twin brother and aiding him with his physical disabilities! (inori knew she was calm! mature and had a strong sense of responsibility. *ut she didn.t know about these strong feelings of hers that she couldn.t hold back. ... liked (r Shiroe. +# thought (r Shiroe was always going to be by my side... and be my teacher forever., This thinking was too arrogant. The superficial nature of her ugliness made (inori feel as if her organs were full of mud. $ike coal burning her from inside her skin! this agony made (inori feel like rolling on the floor. *ut crying and screaming would not ease the pain. #t was painful and annoying. (inori was holding this feeling all this time! she felt di&&y just thinking about it. 3specially thinking of Shiroe as her own belonging! she wanted to kill that part of
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herself for thinking of something like this. (ost importantly was her failure to notice and discard these feelings! (inori was disappointed at her arrogant subconscious self. +# even thought that was crafty! # really... how..., fter a long while. (inori endured this grinding psychological pain in the dark and kept breathing. The air was still sticky and heavy! as uncomfortable as breathing sand. (inori didn.t know how many hours passed as she faced the suffering in her heart. 9(inori>9 Tohya came with a .bug light lamp. and it illuminated the kitchen. (inori didn.t notice until her twin was by her side! thinking it was an illusion as she ga&ed dimly at Tohya. 91hat is it (inori! why are you making such a face>9 Tohya took a handkerchief from his bag and wipe (inori.s face roughly. %e pinched her nose with a handkerchief and shook it side to side. (inori reali&ed she was crying when she heard the sound of her runny nose. 9Tohya...9 91hat is it>9 9Tohya.9 9%mmm>9 Tohya sat on a chair beside (inori and loosened his belt strap. %is armor and bag fell heavily to the floor. Tohya was the usual brother (inori was proud of. 3ven though he was acting indifferently! she could still feel his concern. She just reali&ed her arrogance a moment ago. 3ven though she had no right to bear this feeling! no matter how much she cautioned herself! she was unable to
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suppress this feeling of jealousy. The usual profile of her brother.s face soothed this jealous emotion slightly. 9Tohya! that! #...9 9<eah.9 9# think... # like (r Shiroe.9 9That.s right.9 9 h>9 9That.s right! you like him.9 Tohya tied his armor with his belt and replied without facing (inori! as natural as talking about the weather. 93h> 3h eh> 1hy is your reaction like this>9 9(inori has always liked teacher Shiroe! you just didn.t reali&e it.9 97idn.t reali&e>9 She didn.t reali&e. She probably didn.t. So she didn.t reali&e... (inori.s feeling changed gears E times and sank deeper. ccording to Tohya! this agony was also because she .didn.t reali&e.. *ut even so! the feeling of chewing sand had alleviated a bit with Tohya by her side. 9#t.s so troubling.9 91hy>9 (inori.s words made Tohya look her way for the first time. %e looked more mature than usual! shrouded in white light. 9<ou ask me why...9 97on.t you feel troubled (inori> #t is not troubling! just painful right>9

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%er heart jumped. Tohya.s words stabbed into (inori.s heart. feeling of being seen through. (inori recollected katsuki e/tending her fingers gently. She looked hesitant but unable to restrain herself as she touched Shiroe.s forehead with her fingertips. This made (inori aware of her jealousy. #t was an incorrect way of thinking but she was unable to suppress it! as these ugly emotions kept on accumulating. This bitterness and pain was unbearable. *ut she could not leave it alone or throw it away. (inori reali&ed her feelings for Shiroe for the first time through this pain! these feelings bloomed with a sweetness in her heart. 9#s it... okay>9 9<ou can.t help it right>9 +# can.t help it>, (inori wondered. She was not searching for an e/cuse! she was attempting to find something useful in the abyss of darkness and pain. She was digging through the ugliness filled with mud! hunting for something that had not been corrupted. (inori imitated Shiroe.s action and took a deep breath while listening to sounds from far away. +(r. Shiroe..., (inori recalled everything about Shiroe. Shiroe.s words and his eyes behind his round frame glasses. %is cautious use of words when answering 0uestions! how he looked when
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e/plaining things with a map. %is slightly troubled face while adjusting his glasses. %is pout when he was putting on a brave face. %is pale profile when he set his mind on something. %is steely voice when he said .leave it to me.. s (inori was tortured by confusion and pain! in the deserted plains of her mind! only these memories were bright and vivid. #n order to not lie to these memories! in order to not betray these memories. (inori was willing to give up all the other grey noise in e/change. ;rom the kitchen! (inori and Tohya could hear the bu&& from the city in the distance akin to its breathing. fter spending a long time in the swaying shine of the bug light lamp! (inori nodded her head. 9<ou are right! there are no troubling feelings! only pain. That is it... # did not lose anything or get anything wrong! or did anything at all... <eah! # haven.t accomplished anything right>9 ;or the first time she reali&ed her feelings were like a colorful candy. #n the darkness filled with crude signals and noise! the flames were spreading like bleeding blood! so sharp that it cut you when you touched. (inori was holding feelings that contrasted so strongly in her heart! but she still managed to s0uee&e a smile for her twin brother. The tears on her cheeks were still wet! but she didn.t want to deny their e/istence. (inori thought it was useless to hold on to these worries without doing anything to remedy them. She gave up on thinking it would not have an end if there was no beginning. She was unable to repay Shiroe or catch up to him. The (inori like this would of course be suffering in pain. (inori spent the long night accompanied by Tohya.
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This was the first night of tempering a strong blade! but (inori knew very well that it was not the last.

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Chapter 3: The Sor erer!" #pprenti e Part 1 The chilly autumn air gave the sky a cool and refreshing feel. kiba.s night sky was filled with twinkling stars as far as the eye could see. The stars were brighter and more numerous in the world of 3lder Tales than in the original world. 1hether it was due to the clean air here or the game.s aesthetic design! the nightscape of this alternate world was illuminated by the stars. On this night of the $ibra ;estival! kiba was still abu&& late into the evening. s kiba was the main city for dventurers! its functions were e/tremely speciali&ed. Said functions encompassed the portal system! banks! guild halls! cathedral! and the marketplace. 1hen 3lder Tales was still a game! dventurers just needed these five facilities in order to survive. #n other words! kiba had no other facilities besides these five. This was what was meant by the description .speciali&ed.. *efore the "atastrophe! kiba had lacked proper living facilities. 1hile places such as taverns and inns could be found within the city! they were mostly included for decorative purposes in order to give players the feeling of an alternate fantasy world QQ they were akin to stage props which were not truly usable. *ut after the "atastrophe! dventurers set out to make the city livable in the true sense. #n this manner! just staying in the city meant that a number of facilities were re0uired. The thriving restaurants were the earliest changes. fter that! all sorts of stores! individual shops! and services started appearing as well. 1hile a portion of these outlets were run by dventurers! most were either run jointly by both dventurers and -eople of the $and or were businesses set up by the -eople of the $and themselves. This phenomenon was due to several reasons! the biggest being the income
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gap. "ompared to -eople of the $and! dventurers were capable of earning more in a shorter time. 5ust by grinding mobs! even a mid2level dventurer could earn more in one day than what a -eople of the $and farmer could earn in a month. lthough the disparity in production ability was not as drastic as combat ability! it was still significant. #n the eyes of dventurers! even a -eople of the $and hailed as a master of his or her craft would just be the e0uivalent of an dventurer whose subclass level was around si/ty. Of course! regardless of whether you were a chef or a tailor! as long as you reached level twenty! the product would be good enough for normal consumption. chef of this level was capable of making fresh steaming bread! delicious soups! crispy fries! as well as chicken fried to a perfect golden2brown. tailor of this level could make comfortable shirts! loose2fitting pants! coats dyed with bright colors or leather vests. -eople of the $and could also create these sort of .generic products.. s a result! it was only natural that dventurers would focus on tasks that only dventurers were capable of doing! leaving the more generic and mundane tasks to the -eople of the $and. fter these changes! kiba was incomparable to its limited .in2game version.! now hosting a great multitude of shops and facilities. 'aturally! the population of the -eople of the $and also multiplied! increasing in a geometric manner. This resulted in shops which were run e/clusively by -eople of the $and opening up one after the other. There was another reason for the growth of the city.s -eople of the $and population. ;rom the viewpoint of the dventurers! this player city was just a stronghold for them. 'early all the dventurers simply viewed this place as a convenient staging ground! a point of departure. *ut this place held a different meaning to the -eople of the $and. dventurers were completely different beings compared to the -eople of the $and! having both superior combat abilities and immortal bodies. ;rom the viewpoint of the -eople of the $and! this player city was the frontier settlement for the dventurers in this world.
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(ost of the -eople of the $and treated dventurers with gratitude and respect. 1hile the large number of dventurers who dealt with the various wild beasts and monsters in the land of <amato were considered a reliable military force of this world! their strength also created a strong sense of fear. This fear was also directed towards the city which housed their revival mechanism! the cathedral. #t was possible that they were more awed by this forbidding city than by the dventurers themselves. The original -eople of the $and who lived in kiba were of a special breed! descended from ancestors who lived in kiba a long time ago. #n a sense! they were like priests or priestesses who served gods in shrines. These special -eople of the $and performed various duties such as retail and banking. %owever! the age of such fear had ended. The dventurers used their frightening strength to defeat goblins! beast men! and even various powerful monsters such as dragons! saving the -eople of the $and.s lives numerous times. On the other hand! dventurers seemed to adhere to the temporary role of .0uest takers.. #t was common knowledge that dventurers could only form superficial relationships with -eople of the $and. *ut recently! the dventurers and the -eople of the $and signed an agreement with each other. The significance of the agreement signed between the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal. and the )ound Table "ouncil was definitely not small. #t signified the declaration of the dventurers to the -eople of the $and! that dventurers were not just .friendly passersby. but .a part of this world.. #t also showed that the -eople of the $and accepted the dventurers as such. )aynesia was sent to kiba as a symbol of this agreement. )aynesia did not just represent the nobles! she was also a living e/ample of a 9-eople of the $and living in the dventurers. city9 to the masses. *ecause of this reason! the population of -eople of the $and in kiba increased each day. Originally! kiba was a city strewn with the ruins of buildings. %owever! after the
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-eople of the $and were included into kiba.s society! even this streetscape started to change. The rubble was gradually cleared away! the spooky abandoned buildings were also cleaned up. 'early all the dventurers living in kiba were 5apanese. #n both a good and a bad sense! when these meddlesome people noticed the -eople of the $and were busy clearing up the streets! they decided to help out since they were bored and had nothing better to do. 1hile working together! they naturally started to converse! becoming familiar with each other. #n the current kiba! the number of dventurers who employed -eople of the $and increased greatly. Similarly! the number of -eople of the $and doing business with dventurers increased more than tenfold. QQThe 9$inguine9! a tavern run by -eople of the $and. This establishment! which normally had few customers! was packed to the brim on the night of the first day of the $ibra ;estival. 9This is high 0uality tomato stew nya.9 9#t.s delicious:9 1ithin this bustling establishment! two people were seated opposite each other at the innermost table of the restaurant. They were consultants from $og %ori&on! "hief 'yanta to be e/act! and the "rescent (oon lliance novices. caretaker! Serara! who herself was a beginner. The place was filled with customers to the point that it was nearly overflowing. 3ven though it was now October and the night air was chilly! the interior of the store felt stifling even without the use of heaters. Over the course of the past few days! many -eople of the $and came to visit this city for the sake of the festival. ll accommodations within the city had been fully booked! even the temporary ones specifically set up for the festival by the )ound Table "ouncil. #t was the same for restaurants! all of them were overflowing with customers. Small eateries within the alleys were filled with both dventurers and -eople of
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the $and! toasting to the success of the upcoming celebrations which would officially start the ne/t day. The new cooking method publici&ed by the )ound Table "ouncil spread like wildfire throughout <amato. 7espite this! not many dventurers or -eople of the $and could utili&e it. 7ue to skill restrictions! less than ten percent of the population could be considered good at cooking. Asing limited ingredients! these people came up with new dishes daily. dventurers tended to try recreating normal 5apanese food. #n contrast! the -eople of the $and! who had no prior e/perience! combed through their e/isting repertoire of recipes! creating dishes which struck their fancy. lthough the method of preparation could be relatively simple! some stores were e/tremely popular due to the rustic flavor of their dishes. 9$inguine9 was one such place. The dish known as 8anto2style Tomato2flavored Stew was the speciality of this store. dding the fact that it was currently happy hour! the tavern was filled with a vulgar din. 1hile it was rather inappropriate for young girls to visit this sort of place! Serara was e/tremely pleased that she was able to have a late dinner together with her favorite 'yanta. 3ven though the place was packed! the thought that their knees were nearly touching under the table made her both happy and flustered at the same time. 9#s 'yanta2san tired>9 9'ot at all nya.9 lthough 'yanta gave such a reply! it was as though he had a superhuman performance that day. "rescent (oon lliance had set up several booths for the $ibra ;estival. #t was not just for the returning "rescentR (oon 8iosk! their tailors. sewing department would be selling clothes and providing fitting services! their blacksmiths would also be selling weapons with personali&ed engravings. "rescent (oon lliance was just a small guild! the si&e of its departments was not more than five people. This time! 'yanta was acting as the assistant instructor for the fitting department. 9%ave #... done well>9
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9<ou did well! Serara.9 9# can.t wait for tomorrow:9 9That.s right nyaJ9 -assing a busy day together with 'yanta in this manner! having to spend the whole day manning a booth come daybreak! Serara was filled with anticipation and happiness as she thought about these. Given the circumstances! it could be said that her anticipation came from 9being able to spend the whole day manning a booth9! or more accurately! 9being able to spend the entire day with 'yanta9. %onestly speaking! Serara was able to sympathi&e with #su&u when she decided to leave "rescent (oon lliance. Serara adored 'yanta from the day she was rescued in Susukino. #t would be a lie if she said she had not considered doing the same to be with 'yanta. %owever! Serara was in charge of looking after the beginners in "rescent (oon lliance. Anlike #su&u who could start afresh after leaving %amelin! Serara had comrades who relied on her. Serara had already apologi&ed to 'yanta! after declining his offer to join $og %ori&on. She did not want this resolution of hers! which she treasured! to be viewed as a hollow statement. t that time! 'yanta only smiled and commented 9Serara is an ama&ing child nya.9 'yanta the mature gentleman had always been a warm person! however! he became much warmer after that... even listening attentively to everything Serara had to say. %ence Serara was e/tremely content despite her conflicting interests. The delicious stewed tomatoes with seafood and vegetables were refreshing yet faintly sweet. $ike the stew! the orange juice with added ice was very good. "hatting with 'yanta was also delightful. Serara embraced these happy feelings as she had her meal. Suddenly! the sharp noise of something breaking was heard! silencing the clamor of the store for a moment. #t seemed that a waitress had dropped a plate. The tavern.s famous tomato stew was spilled onto the floor! dyeing the stone
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with red geometric patterns. white plate lay shattered on the floor. This was a relatively common occurrence in the restaurant. %owever! just as the clientele were about to resume their normal activity! they were interrupted by the sound of violence. Serara looked up from the table in time to witness a waitress falling to the ground. man was towering over her. 97on.t joke with me: %ow are you going to deal with this since it.s been stained like this>9 The man roared indignantly. Serara 0uickly checked their descriptions and noted that both of them were probably -eople of the $and since their job descriptions did not match any of the dventurer classes. #n addition! the young man wore e/pensive clothes. The man who seemed to be a noble chastened the waitress for her negligence in a disgruntled manner! remarking that a lowly waitress like her could not possibly afford to compensate him. The silence within the establishment seemed to encourage the man. %e began to critici&e the tavern in a haughty manner! commenting on how small! dirty and noisy the place was! how this establishment lacked taste. %e scoffed at how it didn.t live up to its reputation even after he had bothered to go there himself. %e went on and on about the tavern.s various shortcomings in a loud and garish manner. Serara felt a sense of distaste. She had been enjoying her meal. The food here was delicious. 1hile it was indeed rather noisy! this sort of ambience was not a bad thing. #n truth! did it not seem that everybody here enjoyed themselves> This place was simply the way it was. 1hether you liked it or not! there was no reason to disturb the dining e/perience of other people! Serara thought to herself. 9#s this guy an idiot>9 Somebody whispered.

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This man was mistaken. This place was not this man.sQQmost likely a noble QQusual eating place nor a restaurant e/clusive to high society. )ather! it was an 9alleyway restaurant9 famous for its delicious pot of tomato stew. %e was also mistaken about another fact. The clientele was not speechless because they were intimidated by his status or authority. They were simply stunned by the sheer foolishness of his actions. 91ho is it: 1ho insulted me just now:9 #n response to the man.s shrill cries of indignation! three dventurers rose from their seats. ;eeling threatened! a -eople of the $and warrior who looked like the man.s guard also stood up. This sudden development caused the atmosphere within the establishment to be filled with tension. 9'yanta2san...9 Serara cried out as she huddled in her seat. #t was not out of fear. Serara had taken part in the battle at Sand $eaf peninsula and had even been involved in its worst part! the defense of "hoshi. She was a 0ualified dventurer who had also fought against undead creatures and monsters. %ence in terms of fighting! the level of danger at the present moment was not frightening to her. %owever! the tension resulting from people.s conflicting emotions and the tension of the battlefield were two completely different things. Seeing her wish to get along with everybody being trampled upon in this manner! Serara felt as though she was being swallowed by an indescribable! oppressive atmosphere. 9'o need to worry nya.9 s 'yanta turned to leave! he grabbed the young nobleman by the scruff of his neck at the same time! in the same manner as how one would grab hold of a cat. The young man was stupefied at being held in this manner. 97on.t cause a commotion nya. This is a place for people to enjoy dining nya.9 9Shut your mouth! commoner:9 9<ours truly is an dventurer nya.9
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'yanta.s response caused the man to be at a loss for words. flustered look appeared on his face. #ndeed! even if the number of -eople of the $and had increased in the city! this was still kiba where more than half the residents were dventurers. 1ith great difficulty! the man made a neutral e/pression. %e had probably forgotten this fact. 9This concerns you even less in that case:9 9OooJ9 9This is a private matter amongst -eople of the $and. There are differences in social status among us -eople of the $and. Since this matter does not concern you dventurers! please don.t butt in. # have no wish to start a dispute with you people.9 9OhJ #t doesn.t seem that way to me.9 9*ut you behaved in such an outrageous manner within this establishment which we fre0uent regularly eh>9 The three people who had came forward from the depths of the tavern were indeed dventurers. One of them performed a healing spell on the young waitress. The nobleman.s guard appeared uneasy. %e licked his lips nervously! looking around warily. The disparity in strength between the two groups was evident just by glancing at their e0uipment. This would not have been the case if he was a member of the 8nights of #&umo or a knight serving a lord or even another high2level dventurer. %owever being a guard of such a trashy noble! he was only around level ten or so. s far as Serara could tell! this particular guard was only good for decoration. 9<oung master! it would probably be better if you...9 9This is kiba nya. kiba has its own rules and regulations nya! don.t cause a
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commotion here nya. 9 'yanta walked towards the entrance! interrupting the guard. t first! it seemed as though the young nobleman was going to throw a tantrum4 however! the fact that the tall and slender 'yanta could effortlessly carry him with one hand despite looking middle2aged caused him to open and close his mouth wordlessly. 1hen 'yanta reached the door! he swung the young man in front of him with ease. 97on.t worry about the bill nya: "onsider it my treat this time nya. Since today.s a celebration! it.s better to enjoy yourself instead of going around starting fights nya.9 The guard shouted 9young master! young master9 repeatedly in a panicked voice as 'yanta proceeded to throw the young nobleman out the door. The city guard of kiba would not react over this small an incident. #t was common knowledge that as long as there were no weapons drawn or any physical injury inflicted! the guards would not treat it seriously. 9'yanta2san...9 97on.t worry! don.t worry! just continue to enjoy your meal nyaJ9 Serara sighed in relief after hearing these warm words from 'yanta. Soon! the hustle and bustle of the tavern resumed as the tense atmosphere dissipated. The waitress went about issuing apologies to the other customers. )eceiving replies such as 9no need to worry9 and 9it couldn.t be helped9! the girl.s face was flushed with embarrassment as she gave her thanks. 9That incident just now was certainly une/pected though.9 9That.s because the -eople of the $and have changed drastically nya. ;urthermore! since today is a festival! this city will be filled with people who are unfamiliar with it nya.9 'yanta took a finely cut piece of bread and ate it in one large bite after dipping it in tomato sauce.

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9The -eople of the $and seem to have an aristocratic society nya! they would probably be shocked after seeing how things are in kiba nya.9 1hy would they be shocked... Serara was stumped. Serara had almost never lived anywhere outside of kiba. She had lived in Susukino for only a short period of time and was unfamiliar with its urban atmosphere! as she had spent that time hiding in 'yanta.s residence. Therefore! she was completely ignorant of the culture and habits of -eople of the $and towns. Serara felt that it would be tragic if the discrimination and abuse she saw were common practices among their nobility. %owever! -eople of the $and were a part of this world. They had the right to freely promote their own culture and lifestyle. 'yanta had mentioned this to Serara before. t that time she had not understood the true significance of those words. 9%owever! this city is ours nya. <ou need to follow its customs4 good food should be eaten with a smile! the fun and entertainment of festivals should be enjoyed nya... 1hen it looks as though conflict is inevitable! people just need to be careful and it should be fine nya.9 Serara sighed in relief after 'yanta finished speaking! nodding her head in agreement. 1hile this festival was for dventurers such as Serara! it was also the first time an activity had been organi&ed with the -eople of the $and in mind. 1hile situations such as the one before might arise in the future! there was no reason for them to turn back! this was a necessary transition. Serara came to this conclusion by herself. The hustle and bustle resumed and the tavern recovered its warm ambience once again. 1hile this small storm might have left an impact on people! it did not dampen the hearts of the dventurers. #f such a small incident affected them! they would be unable to survive in this alternate world. kiba.s dventurers had faced many trials and tribulations over the past five months. %ence! there should not be any problems. Serara rela/ed and smiled at 'yanta.
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Part 2 On the same night! at a different location! a different pair was working! wallowing in dejection from the amount of work they had to finish. They were the beautiful duo leading the "rescent (oon lliance! (aryele and %enrietta. They were constantly giving instructions in preparation for the temporary shop.s opening and fashion show the ne/t day. "rescent (oon lliance presently had si/ty five members. lthough the %amelin incident increased their numbers! it was still moderately2si&ed and definitely did not have the manpower to set up stands in the same manner as the three large2 scale production guilds. Then again! it was a little2known fact that this festival was the suggestion of the medium and small guilds. 'ew ideas did not just come from the large guilds. s long as an artisan with enough skill had inspiration! he or she could come up with all sorts of new products. This was the current kiba. #f such emergent products came from the large guilds! they would be publicised and spread by these large guilds. *ut if the artisan came from one of the smaller guilds! it would be harder to do the same. Such points were given much consideration and formed the basis of this $ibra ;estival. #n other words! by attracting participants and customers in the name of the $ibra ;estival! not only the booths of the small and medium guilds! but even new products could get e/posure and popularity from both dventurer and -eople of the $and merchants. "rescent (oon lliance had been hoping for such an outcome when they registered their booths. %owever! what was truly motivating them was plain and simple enthusiasm. *oth (aryele and %enrietta worked long hours simply because they hoped to enjoy the cultural festival2like atmosphere. 3ven though that was the case! they were not going to totally neglect the issue of profits while having fun.

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"urrently in kiba! the small and medium guilds had an opportunity to make a fortune. The small2scale guilds led by "rescent (oon lliance were all looking forward to this. 7aybreak was just moments away. The e/hausted members of the "rescent (oon lliance had probably collapsed around various parts of the guild hall. #n the center of the room which the duo were in! there was a table big enough to play ping2pong on with wooden crates piled to its side. 7ue to the ample space of the new guild hall! it was possible to partition the workspace in such a manner. fter stuffing a shirt which had been dyed with plant dyes into a wooden crate! (aryele stretched and took a deep breath! then began talking with %enrietta. 9# say! shall we finish up>9 9 greed.9 t the other end of the table! %enrietta was e/amining a modest number of documents. fter recording figures on the tally ne/t to her! she attached them to crates. 9$et.s end here.9 fter hearing these words! (aryele gave a long sigh. The grand opening of the $ibra ;estival was scheduled the ne/t day. #n kiba! there were two main roads which ran perpendicular to each other! dividing the city into four 0uarters. The liaison committee allowed stores to set up shop along these streets based on ballot results. "rescent (oon lliance had managed to obtain one such store. #t was a small booth located at the central junction where they planned to revive "rescentR (oon. )eturning after a long absence! "rescent *urgers would obviously be sold at a substantial discount this time around. 9 t that time! the price was akin to robbery.9 9#t was robbery indeed.9
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The two who were e/hausted from packing continued their dialogue with drained e/pressions. 3ven though 9the confident! beautiful and big breasted! 8ansai2ben guild leader9 (aryele and 9the bespectacled! confident onee2sama who you wished would scold you9 %enrietta were the pride of the "rescent (oon lliance! they were la&ing around the office as it was just the two of them. #n this manner! they were indistinguishable from any other female dventurer. %enrietta felt as though she would do&e off if they continued like this. She shook her partner by the shoulders shouting 9(aryele! pull yourself together.9 *ut (aryele was not a disciplined person by nature and even though she nodded repeatedly in acknowledgement! she was totally wasted. %enrietta gave up and assisted (aryele onto the sofa. (aryele looked as though she had taken root there. 9#f you feel like sleeping! go sleep on your bed.9 %owever! she insisted on wanting to take a bath first! stretching %enrietta.s patience to its limit. 9#f you feel like bathing! why don.t you go ahead and do so>9 9#.ll rest a bitJ my %- is critical.9 9<our %- bar is completely within the green safe &one. 3ven if it weren.t! can.t you just heal yourself>9 The bodies of dventurers had e/cellent physical characteristics. 3ven for %enrietta who was a *ard! the e/ertion of packing for ten hours straight was no different from light e/ercise. She was still far from the point of collapse. 3ven though (aryele said and looked like she was physically e/hausted! %enrietta suspected that it was just mental fatigue. 9$emme rest a while:9 %enrietta gave a deep sigh at her shameless friend and sat beside her. 9(aryele! what.s the matter>9 9'othing.9
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97on.t try to lie to me.9 %enrietta shrugged. (aryele was too cute! so she lost the motivation to make a witty comeback. She could roughly guess the reason why (aryele was being so troublesome. #t probably had something to do with a certain topic of entertainment which had come up repeatedly over the past month. %enrietta accessed the in2game menu and cursor mentally. 9QQ<es! it.s me. <es! that.s correct... 'o! sorry for troubling you since it.s already this late. %ence it.s been like this ever since! that.s right.9 %enrietta seemed to be talking to the empty air after calling someone through telepathy. s she was receiving the other party.s voice directly in her ear! it looked as though she was talking to herself. )egardless of that! this form of magical communication could be used to communicate with faraway friends. (aryele was aware of this fact! so she was not worried about her friend.s mental health. #nstead! a look of seriousness replaced her absent2minded e/pression and she began to panic. 9%enrietta> 1ho is it> 1ho are you talking to>9 9 hahaha. #ndeed! indeed! it.s as you say! # can.t stand it! la&y to the point of being insufferable. (aryele is acting in a troublesome manner again and it.s really cute22when she does that she even jiggles her breasts:9 91ho is it: 1ho are you talking toooJ:9 9(aryele! #.m talking using telepathy! can you 0uiet down a bit>9 9<ou.re obviously talking about me! how do you e/pect me to be 0uiet:9 (aryele grabbed the smirking %enrietta by her shoulders and shook her. %owever! %enrietta was e/perienced enough to deal with such a situation! having known her for such a long time. Asing her pale and slender fingers! %enrietta tickled her behind her ears! mercilessly pushing her away before
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pinning her to the couch. 9<eah! that.s right. The merchandise is piling up! # hope that 'aotsugu2san can help outQQ indeed! (aryele will also be happy.9 The mention of 9'aotsugu9 caused (aryele.s body to shrink. %enrietta continued her telepathic conversation leisurely! completely ignoring (aryele. 9Sorry to trouble you. Okay! okay... see you some other time.9 %enrietta had a bright smile on her face. She noticed (aryele pouting awkwardly. 91hy is %enrietta such a bully...9 9*ully> (aryele must be mistaken.9 1hen (aryele heard these words! a hesitant e/pression appeared on her pouting face. Set within the contours of her smooth! oval face! her sparkling eyes! full of e/pression! were e/tremely bewitching. %owever! %enrietta had no intention of spoiling her or letting (aryele off the hook. %enrietta.s hobbies included both teasing and encouraging her. 9 re you sure it.s okay to continue being like this> 'aotsugu2san should be here in roughly an hour to help out.9 9%e.s coming over to help out even though it.s so late>9 9#ndeed. Since it.s hard to just rely on ladies to do all the moving.9 %enrietta replied without changing her tone. (aryele stood up suddenly as though she had received an electric shock! grabbing her cardigans which lay beside her before running off! most likely to go back to her room to shower. 9#... #.m going out to pick some flowers:9 Attering something which was obviously an e/cuse! (aryele left the room in a hurry. 9Try your best!9 %enrietta waved at the departing figure and proceeded to sit down on the vacated sofa.

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+(aryele is still as cute as ever! it looks like # won.t have to worry about this for a period of time. SeriouslyQQ this might be for the best., %enrietta retrieved a document from her bag and looked through it. The vague details about Shiroe that 'aotsugu disclosed reminded her of something which bothered her. The document contained records which had been collated by the liaison committeeI the guilds! businesses! groups and individuals who had applied to set up booths. The sheer scale of this festival e/ceeded e/pectations. This was mainly due to the -eople of the $and. #t was not just the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal.4 merchants and nobles from the west also came to visit kiba. kiba.s economic potential was far greater than its population would suggest. The -eople of the $and were captivated by this fact and scrambled to kiba for profits! resulting in this grand e/odus. The members of the liaison committee led by "harasin had foreseen this. %owever! they reali&ed that the actual figures e/ceeded their estimates by a wide margin. 3veryone would be in for a shock come the ne/t day.s festival! especially the small and medium guilds. The school festival2like booths that the dventurers had set up would probably sell out their products in a flash. The intentions of the -eople of the $and and the dventurers could not be more different. 1hile the former came for the sake of 9making bulk purchases9! the latter bought singular items which caught their fancy. +%owever..., %enrietta readjusted her glasses with her inde/ finger. The silver2rimmed glasses which were one of %enrietta.s defining features shone on her face. There was something amiss. 1hile %enrietta did not have an e/tensive work history! she was still well2read and had a fair amount of accounting e/perience4 she felt as though something une/pected was going to happen. %enrietta bit her lip. The fear of the unknown was disconcerting.
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+#f it was Shiroe2san..., She could not remember when she started being able to recall that young man.s face with such clarity. s she thought about this carefully! his profile appeared from the depths of her mind. 1hile %enrietta never had the opportunity to have a frank conversation with Shiroe! whenever that youth was dealing with a crisis and putting up a brave front! she had always just been watching from the sidelines. #n the conference which led to the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil and the one in which )aynesia was brought forth! %enrietta had observed his profile while staying by his side as only an assistant. This keen and resolute youth might be able to uncover the reason for the uneasiness in %enrietta.s heart. 1ith such thoughts in mind! %enrietta opened her contact list. %owever! in the end! she chose not to contact him. #t was a decision that she made after much consideration. Shiroe was already bearing the burden of multiple responsibilities from the )ound Table "ouncil. Shiroe should be spared from chores related to the festival if possible. This was something that both "harasin and %enrietta had agreed on. 1hile it was not something that either of them had openly voiced out! both agreed that the )ound Table "ouncil had piled too much work onto Shiroe. *esides! Shiroe currently had katsuki and (inori. ;rom %enrietta.s point of view! these two young ladies possessed incomparable charm. The sparrow2like katsuki was an elegant and beautiful young girl. %er long! flowing black hair was like a traditional doll.s. The pure and flawless (inori was delicate yet strong. She looked like someone that needed to be doted upon! yet her sense of responsibility made her distinct to other girls her age.

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8nowing how they felt about Shiroe! %enrietta felt that she had no place among them. %enrietta had always believed that she lacked appeal. She had difficulty understanding the primal emotion of love. She felt she had no chance at intimate relationships like (aryele.s. She had the desire to doll up katsuki! but %enrietta understood that those kinds of feelings were nothing like the romantic ones that couples shared. 1hile she did pay special attention to Shiroe! even thinking 9could it be...>9 at one point! her feelings were not truly romantic in nature. She did not feel a need to be wed to him or even crave for his presence. There was a lack of such burning desires. 9The most outstanding amongst men.9 %enrietta had given Shiroe such as assessment. 1hile she was still far from certain! she had at least verified that it was 9those9 sorts of feelings. +#n other words! my personality is too plain..., This fact did not cause her to feel forlorn. She felt happy that thoughts of him came to her mind so often. 3ven though she felt that it wouldn.t become anything more serious! she was content with the way things were. To %enrietta! katsuki was a cute friend whom she wished to cherish! while the newcomer (inori was someone whom she hoped to form a deep friendship with. She was thankful that she was not in the way of either. 1hile she was unable to favor any side! she had already resolved to congratulate the one Shiroe chose. She hoped that ShiroeQQ That the lonely! overly2serious trickster would find happiness. -erhaps Shiroe was the type who could spread happiness to the people around
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him once he himself was happy> %enrietta certainly believed so. + lthough # do wish the three of them would speed things up., %enrietta sighed. #n regards to such matters! the two girls and Shiroe were all e/tremely dense. #t was highly probable that they would encounter difficulty even under smooth2 sailing circumstances. This was rather tantali&ing since nothing could be done! even though it was hard not to feel concerned for them. s %enrietta contemplated the love issues faced by the members of the sister guild! she had all but forgotten the sense of unease that she felt just moments ago. There was just too much work to be done in kiba and too many things to consider.

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Part 3 The sky was stained with a shade of gray. refreshing October bree&e enveloped kiba early in the morning. The sun had not started its proper ascent yet4 the atmosphere was laden with moisture and tran0uility. *oth the kiba of this world and the kiba of the old world were similar in topography and geographical layout. %owever! they obviously had their differences as well. The city was covered with ancient trees! the roads and pla&a were enveloped in greenery4 various parts had become moss patches or grass fields. "oncealed throughout the city were deciduous trees! as well as plants which bore gem2like fruit. kiba.s ruined buildings were fused together with nature! turning the city into an intriguing scene. The autumn dew dripped gently throughout the green streets. (inori could feel the dew on the tips of her toes as she hurried towards the guild building. #t was the morning of the second day of the $ibra ;estival. Today was the second day. Anlike the first day! where there had been a gradual build up in anticipation for the night.s festivities! today would be marked by a series of standard activities. The activities from the second day onwards included various conventions! a dinner party hosted by )aynesia! and the 9 kiba ;air9 that would run continuously from that night till the third day. These were the highlights of the $ibra ;estival. #ndeed! the festival.s main events would start today. (ost likely due to such anticipation! the streets which were normally deserted in the early morning were filled with a flurry of activity. -eople were moving packages around! obviously to stock their booths! or in certain cases to restock goods which had been sold out.

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rriving at the entrance of the guild building! it was clear that the level of activity present was even greater. (any dventurers could be seen passing through the doorway! both entering and leaving. Giving greetings full of energy and spirit! (inori entered this obsidian2black building. $og %ori&on was one of the eleven guilds that comprised the )ound Table "ouncil. ;urthermore! (inori came here fre0uently in order to help Shiroe. #ncluding the -eople of the $and lady who manned the front counter! many of the dventurers who worked here were familiar with (inori. (inori headed to the floor where the reference room and office of the )ound Table "ouncil were located! heading for the .production guild liaison committee.. Shiroe had asked her to retrieve documents from there once! so she knew of its location. This place had been filled with a panicky! disorgani&ed atmosphere since early morning. There was an ungodly number of wooden bo/es. They spilled out through the wide open door and into the corridor. The .production guild liaison committee. played a central role in the festival. %ence it was already busy! even at this hour. Things that sounded like curses could be heard from within and people could be seen moving goods and frantically running in and out the door. (inori entered the room 0uietly! greeting an dventurer who she knew. She remembered he was a smith from Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter. 91hat.s the matter (inori2jouchan>9 93hSumQQ may # know if "harasin2san is around>9 (inori felt out of place. The correct description would be the feeling that she had .carelessly stepped into someone else.s territory.. The smith! noticing (inori.s an/ious appearance! smiled and said! 9 h! he.s inside! why don.t you come in> -lease e/cuse the mess:9 %e said this rather loudly! as he was probably high from pulling an all2nighter. (inori timidly stepped into the depths of the office. t such an early hour! (inori had come to this place for a certain reason.
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fter (inori witnessed the private scene between katsuki and Shiroe last night! she had become depressed at her own shallowness. %owever! there was something she wished to accomplish during this $ibra ;estivalI that was to rectify Shiroe.s negative image. %er initial plan was to have Shiroe attract attention by making him participate in the cake2eating competition. There would subse0uently be an opportunity to get him an invitation to the Grand 7inner -arty. Then by having him mingle with the other participants at the dinner party! she had hoped to make Shiroe more favorable to the public. That had been her original strategy. +#n the end! though! it failed..., (inori felt that finishing twelve whole cakes was an insurmountable task. 3ven though she felt that way! nothing could be doneQQit was aggravating. %owever! a failure was still a failure. Since giving up was not an option! she had to find an alternative way to accomplish her goal. The plan that (inori had conceived within the unfamiliar portions of her mind was to get the .production guild liaison committee. to help out directly. #t was fortunate that she knew the guildmaster of Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter! "harasin! personally. #f "harasin had spare invitation cards to the Grand 7inner -arty! was it possible to obtain one from him> %aving this thought in mind! (inori had headed for the .production guild liaison committee.. %owever! it seemed that "harasin might be too busy for such matters. (inori had arrived at the central office +or was it the meeting room>, of the .production guild liaison committee.. 1ithin this big room was a wall of documents. (inori was accustomed to such a scene. Shiroe.s study was also strewn with large amounts of documents. #n this world without computers! it was easy for documents to pile up. %owever! the mess in Shiroe.s study paled in comparison to that of this room. t least in Shiroe.s study! it was evident that effort was taken to tidy or minimi&e the mess. The only thing evident within this room was chaos and disorder. t one corner of the office table in the center of the room! "harasin and his young assistant were trying their best to defend the borders of a territory known
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as 9work space9. %owever their efforts were in vain. 7ue to the encroaching barbariansQQ which were the mess of reports! they were at the edge of defeat. (inori was hesitant to disturb "harasin due to the situation he was in. t this moment! behind (inori! a young man entered the room and reported energetically. 9"harasin2san: %ere are the southern district.s inventories and ledgers: #.ll leave things to youJ:9 The youth simply added these to the stack of documents and left. %owever! that simple action triggered a massive change in the battlefield that was the table. The scene likened to a horde of barbarians charging forward at full speed while blasting their battlehorns. The unstable pile of documents promptly collapsed like dominoes. 9 rrggh:9 93ek:9 "harasin and his assistant screamed aloud! their faces went pale with despair. fter swearing simultaneously! the two of them proceeded to restack the fallen documents. (inori decided that it was a good time to help! and timidly raised her voice. 97o you need help>9 9This is screwed up. 3h> ren.t you...9 9<ou.re someone from Shiroe2san.s side. #f # recall! (inori2jouchan>9 9That.s right. $et me give you a hand.9 (inori rolled up the long sleeves of her outfit. She could not bring herself to leave this messy mountain of documents alone. ;urthermore! if she helped out now! "harasin might develop a good impression of her and might be more willing to grant her .re0uest.. (inori had these considerations in mind. 9<eah! that would be great! thanks... <uro! make me a cup of tea! make it a strong one please.9 9<es! right away:9
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The youth who had been working non2stop for an unknown length of time left the room unsteadily. fter watching him leave! (inori and "harasin started gathering the sheets paper strewn around the place. (ost of them looked like booth application forms. There were also trade2related applications! letters of in0uiry! letters of instruction! ta/ forms and various other documents. ll of these had been lumped together under the rationale that 9the contents are roughly the same anyway9! forming the mountain of documents. 9"harasin2san... um! these are all different types of documents.9 9# know they.re all different! but we lost track of their organi&ation. (oreover there was no proper format or standard to begin with. 3ven documents of the same type have completely different contents.9 "harasin sighed dejectedly. 9# never knew it would be so troublesome. Seriously! -eople of the $and can be so hard to deal with. # wonder if we should ta/ them as well...9 9-eople of the $and> 1hat about them>9 9#t.s nothing! really. #n business! it.s normal to add on or even to change! your merchandise at the last minute. *ut # never e/pected such a large number of people. Or the fact that the documents would be written in such a hapha&ard manner. This is probably due to a difference in culture # guess. #f it were our own guild! it wouldn.t be much of an issue. *ut the )ound Table "ouncil wanted this festival to be properly documented.9 .<ou can see the rest! #.m sure>. "harasin indicated with a shrug. The mess in front of them was rather intimidating. 3ven though they understood the importance of an efficient filing system! the influ/ of various in0uiries and tasks made it almost impossible to organi&e the documents properly. "harasin was someone who Shiroe held in high esteem. %e had an e/cellent ability to think critically and! when needed! could come to a decision 0uickly. The people under him! too! seemed very diligent. 7espite the lack of organi&ation! they were able to set aside the problem and continue their operations due to his sound judgment. The current situation was still manageable! but "harasin was becoming desperate. There were delays in
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the processing of documents! regardless of whether they were old or new. 9#.ll stay here and help out today.9 9 re you sure> #sn.t $og %ori&on also busy today>9 (inori gave a moment.s consideration before offering to help. The plan involving the cake2eating contest had been discontinued! hence she truly had time to spare. 9#.m 0uite free right now.9 9#n that case! even though it.s rather embarrassing! we.ll be relying on you... To be honest! # don.t have time to sort out these documents. %enrietta also seems rather busy today.9 (inori nodded in response to what "harasin had just said. Shiroe had mentioned to her that %enrietta was also involved in the business of the liaison committee. -erhaps the current mess was due to her absence! having gone to one of the conventions. 9# guess #.ll just have to sort them out one at a time.9 (inori shifted the documents ne/t to her onto the floor. )eaching into her bag! she retrieved a piece of parchment and ink. lthough her level was not high! she had crafted these herself. Asing her unsheathed knife as a paperweight! she started to go through the pile of documents! starting from the top. There was no need to rush! however speed was essentialQQ this one was a warehouse receipt. (inori nodded to herself! placing it within an area which had been partially cleared. That made one receipt. This here was a report made by patrol officers regarding the discovery of a security breach. That made one report. This was just the start and it was only the first step. 3ven if it was a small step! it wasn.t cause to be discouraged. The results would obviously be small in the beginning. The important thing was to remain focused and consistent while moving forward. + fter all! # haven.t done anything yet.,
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3ven though she worshipped ShiroeQQand even had feelings for himQQshe had not taken any steps. The searing pain that (inori had felt when she had discovered this truth was still burning within her heart. Since it was like this! she needed do something about it. Since she had feelings for Shiroe! she wanted to do something for him. She was just an ordinary middle schooler. *ut in order to meet these feelings of love head2on! (inori hoped that she would be able to offer something to Shiroe. This was the resolution that (inori had made after she overcame the agony that had seared in her heart on that particular night. *efore! she just blindly worshipped him and chased after him! seeking to reach his level without any other consideration. *ut now! her heart held a new objective. %ad she only wanted to follow in Shiroe.s footsteps! wanted to see the same scenery that he saw! then reaching his level would have been fine. *ut if she wanted to help him! she would have to ac0uire other abilities. 1alking down his path but seeking to ac0uire a different set of abilities would definitely be hard! however the current (inori wished to move forward on such a path. The physical abilities of the dventurers! such as their sight and refle/es! had been greatly enhanced. (inori used these abilities to separate the documents with astonishing speed. Skimming through their contents! documents that she thought took priority were placed in a wooden bo/ to the side. These were documents which needed to be checked by "harasin immediately. Other documents were sorted into appropriate categories. The subclass which (inori now had was apprentice. (inori hated the tailor subclass and wished to switch out of it as soon as she was able. %owever! she had found it difficult to decide on a new subclass. 1hile she was deliberating! Shiroe suggested that she choose the apprentice subclass in the meantime. The apprentice was one of the 9subclasses9! however! it was 0uite different from others. #t was similar to role2playing subclasses like accountant or fortune teller!
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but was even more special. n apprentice could register another player as a 9teacher9 and receive abilities based on that player.s subclass! 9copying9 over a few low2level skills. (inori could craft parchment and ink because she had registered Shiroe as her teacher QQ that was to say! those skills were copied over from Shiroe. pprentices received e/perience bonuses! so it was not hard to level up. ;urthermore! the fact that skills were copied over from the teacher made it even more easy. %owever! because an pprentice could only copy skills that were mid2level and below and the subclass lacked its own 9uni0ue set of skills9! it was not very popular. n apprentice.s true defining feature was only evident after maturity. part from some special subclasses that had specific re0uirements! an pprentice could switch to any subclass! and the skills pertaining to the new subclass would carry over along with all their current subclass e/perience. ;or e/ample! when a level E@ apprentice switched subclasses to a chef! he or she would become a level E@ chef with the same level of e/perience as an dventurer who had been a chef since level one. #t was perfectly fine to start out as an apprentice if you wanted to be a blacksmith! which was 0uite tedious to train. %owever! a teacher was re0uired and the list of items you could make would not increase as you leveled up so you would have to resort to other methods to increase your repertoire! which was one of the problems. (inori was not concerned with such issues. She had chosen this subclass to follow Shiroe! so those limitations were not really an obstacle. %aving access to Shiroe.s scribe abilities was a great help in tackling this mess of documents in the current situation. (inori roughly GformattedH the ine/pensive parchment. Taking a sales application form! she listed down its items one by one. fter she verified them! she made a 9duplicate9 and placed the original into a wooden bo/. 3/tracting desired information from documents was a task which (inori was very familiar with as it was something she had learned while assisting Shiroe with his work.

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(inori looked at the mountain of documents. (ost likely this particular battlefield contained 9something9 that Shiroe had already ac0uired! that one was not able to obtain from the fights in 3lder Tales. (inori currently was unable to grasp or understand what this 9something9 was. The knowledge which Shiroe had imparted to her held many clues. The 9Teachings of Shiroe9 that (inori listened to contained many battle strategies from the time when 3lder Tales was still a game. *ut it did not contain just that. %ow to run a guild! records of past battles! the emotions e/perienced when playing online gamesQQhappiness! sadness! injustice! forgivenessQQthe conflicts beyond the game itself! and the situations that would arise when different interests clashed. The secret of 9that9 was probably hidden within the things Shiroe had taught her. %owever! (inori was ine/perienced. She had to rely on such information like a crutch. QQThat was why she wished to stay here and help out. So as to not become a burden! (inori decided to stay here. She resolved to keep on fighting. This had once been Shiroe.s battlefield! but it was now the target of her objective. 9(inori2jouchan has such a neat techni0ue.9 9That.s because #.m Shiroe2san.s disciple.9 (inori replied with a smile on her face. She had a steadfast e/pression which was not present the night before.

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Part 4 9ThanksQ:9 9 cknowledged! there.s five leftJ9 9%ey! #.m out: *ring some more here:9 On the morning of the second day of the festival! the city was filled with the clamor of activity. Such a festival was unprecedented. 'o one was able to grasp the overall situation4 not even "harasin! the head of the .production guild liaison committee. which oversaw the festival. fter all! this festival had been initiated at the behest of the small and medium guilds who had wanted an opportunity to publici&e their new products. 7ue to the large scale of the festival! the .production guild liaison committee. had its hands full. #t was easy to assume that the city was in a similar state of chaos. %owever! the reality was rather different. This was because the city.s dventurers were filled with spirit and vitality. #n this alternate world! many of the dventurers did not know what to do with their enhanced capabilities. Or rather! they were just bored. There were two ways they could go about their boredomI fall into depression or! in a case like the festival! help out and work. *ecause the latter was the default choice! the festival received a large amount of assistance. $ocated on 9The *ridge of 3ternity9! a main road in kiba! there was a large tent set up beside the parking space for carriages. lthough this structure was called a tent! it was open on all sides! simply consisting of a roof supported by heavy metal struts at its four corners. #t served as a simple field %P. (embers of the *lack Sword 8nights could be seen constantly coming and going and the person sitting on a folding chair planted in the middle of the tent! sticking out like a sore thumb! was their guild master! 9*lack Sword9 #saac. 9Give me a drink:9 9There aren.t enough Summoners! dispatch some more:9
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9There are no more Summoners available! so if you need more manpower! you.ll just have to make do with what.s availableQQif you need hot water or ice! go find yourself a Sorcerer.9 91e.re not just replacements for Summoners! you bastards: h! the ice is ready! go on and take it.9 #n a manner similar to the city.s current bustle! the tent was also filled with incessant activity. kiba had a handful of combat guilds and *lack Sword 8nights was one of them. #t was famed as the guild e/clusive to . dventurers of the highest caliber who have been specially selected.. #t was also known as a guild which speciali&ed in completing challenging! high level 0uests. (ost of its members were obviously hard2core gamers and the guild possessed a steadfast unity. This was the impression given to outsiders. %owever in truth! they were just a rowdy bunch. 9%ey! you guys are damn noisy:9 loud coarse voice silenced the warriors. racket. #t was the guild master! a guardian named #saac! who was famous throughout kiba. %e had a head full of blood2red hair and a confident! contemptuous smile on his face. 9<ou.re really naggy! commander.9 9<ou should just stay in your seat! boss.9 9"hief is an idiot! his manner lacks consideration.9 The comments made by the people who surrounded him caused #saac to laugh heartily! as though he had been complimented. This was the way things were in *lack Sword 8nights. #saac! who was given reproachful looks by his surrounding subordinates! yelled things such as 9%a: <ou guys seem rather energetic as usual:9. 9The third sector.s patrol team had returned.9 9Great! thanks for your hard work.9

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#saac greeted the three2man team which had just returned to the city. . in.t # a great guy! who shows concern> Greeting my men immediately shows that # have the mark of a true leader.. This was the internal monologue that played out in #saac.s mind. )egardless! #saac did indeed have the appearance of a leader. 9So how did it go> %m! did anything happen>9 9#ndeed. 1e rescued a carriage which was stuck in a ditch! appeased a few brokers who were 0uarreling with each other! settled a payment dispute... things like that>9 9Good! that.s the way:9 #saac nodded like a boss! responding to his guild members. report. #ndeed! *lack Sword 8nights had taken the initiative to patrol the downtown area. The small and medium guilds were unable to handle the unprecedented number of -eople of the $and nobles and merchants who had heard of the $ibra ;estival. (any merchants and businessmen had come in order to sell their wares. There was a need to deploy personnel to handle them and settle the disputes which broke out. The .production guild liaison committee. was e/tremely hardworking4 however! they were just an organi&ation which coordinated the interests of the guilds. ;urthermore! their main duty was related to matters regarding the booths! so they had no capacity to handle the disputes in the downtown area. Given these circumstances! #saac had formed a patrol force responsible for policing the -eople of the $and. This place was the 9*ridge of 3ternity9! erected over the 8anda "anal! south of the downtown area. Travellers coming from #&u or from areas further west would have to cross the bridge to enter kiba. The 9policing9 duty was actually rather simple. They would note down the merchants. names! the number of personnel in the group! the number of carriages as well as their contentsQQand that was it. "ompared to an immigration checkpoint in the old world! the checks were rather
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la/. #saac believed that the only re0uirement for this job was an intimidating appearance. That was to say! you just had to be bold and resolute. *lack Sword 8nights intentionally wore imposing armor suited for travelling. This was a preemptive tactic. Their striking appearance put 9the fear of the law9 into the hearts of those who came to visit the city! sending them a clear messageI 9if you try anything funny! someone is going to get hurt.9 3verything was handled using a combination of intimidation and prudence. 9Someone looks really free.9 97on.t bother me for nothing. %ow are things at your side>9 #saac appraised the approaching figure with a keen ga&e. This well2built man who wore glasses was #saac.s peer! one of the eleven members of the )ound Table "ouncil and the leader of 7.7.7. %e was someone whom #saac did not wish to trifle with. 1hether as a guild master or as a guardian! he was the only one in the server who could match #saac. 9There are no problems on my side as well.9 8rusty raised the corners of his mouth slightly. #saac judged this was how this bespectacled man smiled.

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They had known each other since the days when this was a game. Though they belonged to different guilds! they were both highly ranked and competed for the <amato server.s top position. They had also spoken to each other 0uite a number of times. #t would be completely wrong to say that they did not give a damn about each other.s e/istenceQQthey were rivals. $arge combat guilds such as the *lack Sword 8nights and 7.7.7 were e/tremely concerned with being the best at raids. The new raids which were included in every new e/pansion provided new challenges. These fresh battlefields were like virgin snow! untouched by the intrusion of anyone. Their difficulty was obviously high. Since these raids were designed to challenge skilled players accustomed to completing both individual and group objectives! the difficulty was e/treme. The difficulty was designed with skilled players in mind. #n order to beat them! players had to train to the highest level! have the best e0uipment! and needed to possess the strongest resolve. #n other words! they had to be insanely hardcore players. These new raids were an amalgamation of five to seven separate types of dungeons! the difficulty of these dungeons normally varied. #t was a rule that the first ones to attempt these raids would end up completely wiped out! even if they had started from the easiest dungeons. #n those days! #saac and his comrades did not fear such dungeons. #nstead! they licked their lips fearlessly. 9This is going to be an enjoyable feast.9 This was the meaning behind that gesture. )epeated battles! accumulated e/perience! beating the powerful final boss! these were accomplishments that couldn.t be described with plain words. s a bonus reward! they earned -hantasmal2class items with potentially powerful abilities! resulting in an increase in their comrades. battle2strength. Asing the item drops to increase their battle strength! they would then take on an even more difficult dungeon. They constantly repeated that process over and over again. This race did not just involve the *lack Sword 8nights. <amato server.s
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strongest! 7.7.7! competed with them as well. 1ho would be the first to defeat this boss> 1ho would be the first to clear that dungeon> The large scale guilds were competing for such bragging rights. guild which fought for the sake of reputation. This was how #saac envisioned a large2scale combat guild. Obtaining -hantasmal2class items was just a bonus. #n #saac.s opinion! greedy gamers who played just for the sake of getting rare items were not considered warriors. *lack Sword 8nights denied such players from joining its ranks. 9<eah. *ut...9 #saac eyed the man in front of him as he sat in his chair. 9This calmness is making me lethargic. 1on.t it be better if something happened! to spice things up a bit>9 9That.s hard to say.9 9"an.t the -eople of the $and start a dispute with us>9 This well2built! e/pressionless and indifferent man was also similar in nature to #saac. )ank! ability! e0uipment and gold were all means to an end. %e was a true player! one who had aimed to make his guild the top one in the <amato server. *ecause of this! he was also willing to involve himself in mundane tasks like patrols. *ecause he could increase his reputation in this manner! but above all! because it gave him something to spend his time on. 9The difference in military strength is so great... the chances of this happening is roughly fifty percent # guess.9 9%a: 1hat an assessment.9 #saac had learned to e/pect certain things from this bespectacled youth. #f he said something! then it was likely to be true. #saac personally felt that his statement was accurate as well.
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9%ey.9 91hat.s up>9 9That fellow. 1hat.s with .*lack %eart.>9 91hat do you mean>9 8rusty returned #saac.s 0uestion with another 0uestion in his infuriating manner. #saac glared at him! however it did not seem as though 8rusty was trying to act dumb. #saac shrugged and continued with the topic at hand. 9# can.t really say if .*lack %eart. is smart or stupid.9 9#t.s not impossible for him to be both>9 9# offered .*lack %eart. an invitation to join my guild once.9 #t was not known if the aforementioned person remembered this event. #saac had decided to play along during the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil. %owever! he remembered a certain incident with clarity. That was a few months after the 7ebauchery Tea -arty had suddenly disbanded. -eople had speculated that it would eventually reform itself in the form of guild! however that had not been the case. The Tea -arty vanished! its members either left the game completely or resumed their solo player styles. Shiroe was one of the rare players who had maintained his fre0uency of gameplay. 9 fter the Tea -arty broke up! that .*lack %eart. participated in various raids as a mercenary. # invited him when he came here to form a party. nd # invited him .cause of his playing style! not .cause he was associated with the Tea -arty.9 91hat happened in the end>9 8rusty asked. #saac cracked his neck causally and replied. 9%e rejected it! with something like .sorry! #.m unable to meet the e/pectations such an invitation implies.. #n the end! # wasn.t bothered by it. Of course #.d want
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such a monstrous sonuva bitch like him in my guild! but # had no need for a player who had lost his resolve.9 #saac had indeed given up on inviting Shiroe. *ut he had been unable to foresee the e/tent of Shiroe.s growth! as well as the fact that he would cause such a scene in kiba. "ould it be that his initial evaluation had been a mistake> #saac was bothered by this matter. #f he were asked whether he wanted to side with Shiroe! the answer would be a resounding <3S. *attling alongside that eccentric! bespectacled fellow would probably prove to be an interesting e/perience. #t was likely that he would use methods as twisted as his visage to alter the outcome of the battlefield to the limits of what was possible. That had been the case when #saac had partied with him. 1here he was present! in a situation wherein people were normally running out of (-! they found that at least ten of them could leisurely recoverQQit was mind2boggling. 9#s he a schemer or a gambler... someone who will burn out or someone whose ability improves over time>9 9That guy ShiroeQQ is probably the sort who performs the best in a situation with .no limits..9 9'o limits! huhQQ9 9# wouldn.t consider him a schemer. %e.s reckless! unscrupulous! and doesn.t care about the rewards4 he just wants to accomplish his goals. #n a situation with no limits! his strength is incomparable. #t.s akin to a demonic blade.9 Ap to this point! #saac had been unable to follow the things which 8rusty said. *ut upon hearing it said in this manner! he e/perienced an epiphany. 1hat #saac had observed of the past Shiroe was just his shell. The imposing man they had seen at the conference that led to the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil was Shiroe.s true form. #saac was e/hilarated at this thought4 he laughed out loud while facing the big man standing ne/t to him.

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9So that.s why the demonic blade is currently groaning under the pile of work we buried him in. #n that case! when will you unsheathe it again> Since that fellow has his uses. 1ell then... # think #.ll go around and take a look at the festival. %ey 8rusty! join me will you:9 fter #saac gave an earful to a reporting subordinate! he invited 8rusty to come along. They left together in the direction of their city! filled with both dventurers and -eople of the $and.

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Part 5 Going a short while back in time. On another corner street! the ladies of "rescent (oon lliance were preparing for the winter fashion show. The location was at a place known as the 9Silver %all9. #t had been renovated to create this e/hibition space. #n the old world! the building which contained the e/hibition hall faced a large electronics store. %owever! in this alternate world.s kiba! these had been replaced with ruins. The current Silver %all was the result of two month.s worth of time2consuming renovations. lthough it was in ruins! only the upper floors had their access cut off. Other than that! it was more or less intact. The high ceilings of the place! similar to a hotel lobby.s! made it even easier to renovate. -ouring cement into a frame made with wooden planks! then using plaster to shape the e/terior. 1ith the successful implementation of such a method! the renovation work had been made much easier. This method was invented after the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil. *ecause dventurers had the ability to craft items 0uickly! the work could be carried out swiftly. nother assisting factor was the fact that the labor force was headed by elves. Silver %all had been partitioned into various areas for respective events and other purposes. The place set aside for the main activity of the autumn festival was the largest hall in the building. (any guilds had set up booths within this space and were busy with last minute preparations. "rescent (oon lliance.s clothing retail team was just one team among many others from different guilds. They were currently sprucing up their own booth. The booth.s area was five s0uare meters. This was all taken up by the table which contained the cash register and the bo/es which stored their merchandise. They set up the display cases! which had been converted from cupboards! arranging their signature products withinQQshirts colored with plant2based dyes. part from (aryelle! there were others who were manning the booth as well! acting as sales assistants. katsuki! who had been dragged here early this
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morning! was at one corner of the store! being dressed up by a fanatic %enrietta. 9 katsuki2chan is really cute: Seriously: # think # might faint:9 9This outfit is fine! # guess...9 katsuki protested in this manner while raising her ga&e! causing %enrietta to swoon in adoration. O s were popping out from her body. 1hen katsuki tried to escape! %enrietta grabbed her by her wrist. 9#t.s not over yet!9 she declared mercilessly. katsuki was wearing the booth.s merchandise. She wore a waistcoat colored with plant dyes complementing a black top worn underneath! and an asymmetrical cotton skirt. The tassels on the hem of the skirt and the wooden2 bead necklace created an ethnic feel. #t was very cute. 91hy don.t you apply some makeup since you rarely have the opportunity.9 9Such a thing... uu! #.m not really used to it.9 9#t.s not a problemQQ)ela/.9 %enrietta kneeled down so that she was eye to eye with katsuki. katsuki looked e/tremely uneasy and was planning to escape! however %enrietta gave a .no. gesture with the eyeliner in her hand. She blocked katsuki! sealing off all her escape routes. 1omen had much better comple/ions in this alternate world. #n katsuki.s opinion! there was no need for makeup at all. %owever! makeup was not something which was applied because it was 9needed9. 9<ou look great9. Girls were not satisfied with just achieving this level QQthis was part of their nature. katsuki was not averse to makeup herself. #n the old world! she applied makeup! albeit sparingly. + fact she hid out of embarrassment,. ;urthermore! in this alternate world! it made one feel vain to appraise one.s own face in a mirror.
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#n their original world! applying makeup was something done without a second thought. %owever! when you considered it carefully! it may have actually been a symbolic action. 1asn.t it e0uivalent to changing skin te/tures in game terms> #n a sense! it was similar to changing one.s identity. 1hile katsuki had used makeup in the original world! her e/perience was limited to the application of lip gloss. She had never painted her lips or used mascara before. 9GuuJ9 9 katsuki2chan is the image of 5apanese beauty.9 1hile katsuki was busy reminiscing on her personal e/perience with makeup! %enrietta had been swiftly applying it on her. katsuki was helpless and sat stiffly as %enrietta used a fine lipstick to define the lines of her lips. 9)ela/! #.ve only applied a light layer of makeup. Though! it still looks natural enough to fool those stupid men who can.t tell the difference anywaysQQ ;urthermore! katsuki2chan fits the image of a 5apanese beauty! so if you wear this sort of ethnic2themed outfit or an outfit that is too casual! the effect would be rather clashing. %ence we need to intensify the colors a bit. 1e.ll also fi/ up your hair with a hairpin.9 katsuki could only nod her head in response. #ndeed! as katsuki looked downwards! she noted that this sort of dress which was ethnic2themed or village2themed did not match her black hair. ;ollowing %enrietta.s directions! katsuki used a few pieces of blotting paper! removing most of the oil on her face. %enrietta e/claimed 9%u hu: So cuteJ9. She grabbed katsuki and hugged her with a TU7N e/pression on her face. Antil recently! katsuki would have felt offended at being treated as a mascot. %owever! for some strange reason! she could tolerate such treatment in this world of 3lder Tales. +#s it because # don.t feel like #.m being looked down on>, 1hile that might have been the case! katsuki still resisted slightly. 'oticing this!
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%enrietta released her after tidying up her hair with a hairpin. The hairstyle which she saw in the mirror consisted of her normal straight long hair! however as it had been affi/ed with the hairpin! it gave her the feel of an onee2san. katsuki used to think that such a hairstyle did not go well with her short stature! so she had avoided it. %owever! that did not seem to be the case once she actually saw it. katsuki rela/ed her e/pression involuntarily. +The feel of an onee2san... # like the sound of that:, 9%ow is it>9 91ell... ah.9 katsuki was speechless. She felt delighted inside! but to actually admit that would make her uncomfortable. She didn.t want to look like she was showing off. t the same time! though! it would be ungrateful of her to deny her feelings after %enrietta had spent so much time on her. %er clothes and makeup were all products featured in this e/hibition. 97o you not like it>QQShiroe2san! it.s cute isn.t it>9 9Ah! eh>9 katsuki.s hesitation was erased by %enrietta.s words. #t was as though she had been petrified by (edusa.s ga&e. chill ran down her back. 9#t couldn.t be>9 she thought uneasily. 9(m! # think it suits her.9 deep calm voice appeared from behind herQQa voice which always sounded a bit troubled. #t came from katsuki.s lord! Shiroe. 91hen did youQQ9 9# just arrived. fter all! #.ve been asked to help out as well.9 Shiroe shrugged while he continued. katsuki was unable to meet his ga&e. katsuki.s mouth was trembling in a weird shape! it was as though it was not her
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part of her body. Anaware of the hidden feelings that were present! %enrietta asked! 9%ow is this current getup>9 pushing the reluctant katsuki +who felt like hiding, forward. katsuki frantically tried to hide behind Shiroe.s back! however %enrietta gently grabbed hold of her and held her tight. 1hile katsuki could easily push %enrietta away and escape! that was too e/treme a course of action. #n the end! katsuki had to put up with her current appearance! she looked accusingly at both %enrietta and Shiroe. 1hat she thought to be an obvious e/pression of her hatred looked like puppy eyes to the other two. #t was simply gorgeous. 9)ela/ katsuki! that look suits you.9 Shiroe placed his hand on top of katsuki.s head. 1henever Shiroe did that! her temperature would rise easily. katsuki hated that part of herself. Shiroe might have replied out of refle/ or courtesy! but katsuki was delighted nonetheless. This caused her some conflict. + gh: # don.t have the right to be considered a ninja:, katsuki frantically tried to restore her original e/pression. %owever! she lacked her usual confidence today. 91hat do you need me to do>9 9Shiroe2san! please wear these clothes.9 Shiroe gave a dejected e/pression when he looked through the clothes that %enrietta had given him. 1hile they appeared comfortable! Shiroe did not seem to like them. katsuki felt a tiny bit of happiness with regard to this fact. +(y lord! this is your punishment for humiliating me., Since Shiroe was always seen wearing fancy clothes! katsuki wished to see how he looked like in casual clothes. 5ust as katsuki was about to open her mouth to say something! she was interrupted by a clear ringing sound that came from outside.
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There was a brief moment of silence. Then it was broken by what sounded like cheering! and clapping also started from an unknown source. (aryele! who had appeared in front of the three of them! was also clapping her hands happily. QQ#t had begun. This was the first festival organi&ed by the dventurers in this alternate world. t this e/hibition which was one of the main events of the festival! the large hall was filled with all sorts of clothing and accessories. 9 lright! who.s coming today> # hope business will be great... though making a hundred pieces might have been too much! just try your best everybody:9 9The show.s about to start. Shiroe2san! katsuki2chan... please help out for this half of the day. The two of you are the models for our booth! try hard to achieve good results:9 Shiroe and katsuki lost to the bright smiles on the faces of those two. They could only nod repeatedly in response. #t was the second day of the $ibra ;estival. The curtains were rising. The highlight of this e/hibition was about to begin.

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Chapter 4: Conf$"ion Part 1 The entire floor was jam2packed right from the start. There were teams of dventurers representing their guilds! girls shopping for the lowest prices! traders 0ueuing to buy the works of renowned artisans! and noblemen merchants dressed in their splendor. lthough the crowd had been e/pected! few guilds had foreseen that it would be such a grand spectacle. The scene was chaotic! with various stalls busy touting customers. This large hall was the venue for the clothing e/po. Since the wares here were limited to 9clothing9! not all the production guilds had set up booths here. #t was a matter of course that the three big production guilds! who had at least five hundred members each! had various departments that catered to different industries and needs. %owever! the small or medium2 si&ed guilds would usually choose to speciali&e in a specific type of product. ;or instance! nemona was a weapons production guild that was known to all of kiba.s insiders. #t speciali&ed in the production of 5apanese swords. ll of its members were high2level blacksmiths. Their dedication! which stemmed from their near2freakish obsession with 0uality! allowed them to rediscover the techni0ues for manual forging in this post2"atastrophe world. Such a guild would obviously not have tailors! and would naturally not partake in the e/hibition held within this building. %owever! the entire $ibra ;estival was a big opportunity for all sorts of guilds and artisans. This floor was a market which speciali&ed in clothing and was indoors at the re0uest of the female dventurers. %owever! a .flea market. was also being held outside concurrently! centered along the main streets. The open2air stalls there were selling all sorts of different wares. The clothing market was held in the building.s interior! but the market outside sold weapons! armor! and even jewellery. To be honest! the heart of the festival
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was obviously the .flea market. being held outside4 however! the clothing e/po also received a significant amount of attention as well. The clothing market.s main event was the .fashion show.. *asically! it was an event featuring the clothing various guilds had designed with as much attention to detail as their ingenuity. (odels would wear these fashion items and parade on a runway. The models were dventurers famous in kiba for their popularity or appearance. 1ith so many of them gathered and appearing in the show! it wouldn.t be surprising if a good portion of the crowd were actually here as fans instead of shoppers. The booths were split into two categoriesI large and small. The large booths had more personnel and had a greater variety of wares on display. These were the booths of the large2si&e guilds. They were situated against walls! making the transportation of goods an easy task. The area in the middle of the floor had been partitioned into semi2open spaces for the small booths. These were used by the small and medium2si&e guilds. "rescent (oon lliance.s booth was not situated in a good location. #t was rather far from the center of the floor! but it was not close to the walls either. 1ith regards to the crowd.s traffic! it was a rather unfavorable location! it was also far from the fashion show.s runway. %ence! it was e/pected that their business would be a bitter struggle. %owever! "rescent (oon lliance was different from the pure production guilds. 9$et.s try anything as long as it interests us:9 That was the sort of guild it was. #n fact! its booth was only set up by the members who had e/pressed an interest in doing so. #t was not a concerted effort by the entire guild. Since the "rescent (oon lliance was a friendly guild full of e0ually2friendly dventurers! players! even council members! were willing to lend them a hand if they asked. %owever! when compared to pure production guilds! their e/perience in business was a little lacking. #f! perchance! they got a good location! rumors of them abusing their position in the )ound Table "ouncil were bound to come up. #n this sense! their location was very appropriate. 9Say! isn.t this crowd a bit ridiculous>9

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%enrietta grabbed hold of (aryele! who had lost her composure and was e/claiming 9wuahJ! wuahJ9. She took this guild leader! who had such a voluptuous body that it incited hatred from others! dragged her back to the counter! and sat her down on a stool. 9(aryele! you are a guild master! how can you lose your cool like that> 7o me a favor and sit here 0uietly.9 9<ou.re right. #t.s just that! how do # put it in words! # haven.t seen so many people in 0uite a while...9 (aryele felt restless inside and was unable to settle down. 1hat she had said was indeed true. #n the original world! taking a crowded train was a common routine. #n the heart of Tokyo -refecture! it was a common sight to see thousands of pedestrians going about their business in front of train stations or at crossroad junctions. %owever! ever since they came to this world due to the "atastrophe! they never had the opportunity to see such scenes anymore. 7espite the fact that kiba.s central pla&a was filled with activity! it never felt crowded due to its spacious open area. This place made people reminisce of the crowded conditions back in their original world. The crowd had rushed in immediately after the opening! gathering around the myriad booths to shop. The fact that they could still afford to 0uarrel despite this ongoing commotion proved that "rescent (oon lliance.s booth was away from the main traffic of the crowd. $ike a waterfall splashing against the rocks below! the bulk of the crowd first swarmed the booths of the large2scale guilds situated ne/t to the walls. Subse0uently! smaller streams of people made their way towards the booths of the small and medium guilds which were located near the stage. %owever! they were only able to afford the lu/ury of observing the crowd in such a detached manner for roughly half an hour. fter the large guilds had attracted long 0ueues! a significant number of people
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started to think in the following mannerI 9#sn.t it better if we looked at the smaller booths rather than line up now>9 %enrietta had initially planned to deploy (aryele +or rather her smile, on the frontline! with herself serving as the cashier and accountant. %owever! current circumstances made this increasingly difficult to do. The number of -eople of the $and was greater than e/pected. The members of "rescent (oon lliance who were stationed at this stall were (aryele! %enrietta! and two tailors. part from this booth and the fashion show! the "rescent (oon lliance had also set up an al fresco restaurant and a weapons shop at the flea market. s (aryele was the guild master! it was e/pected of her to make an appearance at every one of their booths. %enrietta had decided that it would be best to keep (aryele here only until this afternoon after the fashion show. *y doing so! only the two ine/perienced guild members would be left to man the booth. %enrietta snuck a look at the aforementioned two. They shook their heads in response. The meaning behind it was clear. 9'o way! no way! we.re not familiar with this:9 The two of them were e/pressing this through their ga&es. %enrietta was negotiating business and sighing internally at the same time. #f the other party was an dventurer who simply wanted to buy outdoor clothes for daily use! there would hardly be an issue. Since they were all from another world! they were all e0ually unfamiliar with conducting such business. Thus what they were doing could be better described as merely 9playing business9. *ut that was more than enough for dventurers. On the other hand! the -eople of the $and were mostly merchants and traders. ;urthermore! the purpose of their visit was not simply to pick out clothes that they liked. They were here to gather information! make new contacts! and! if possible! to negotiate the establishment of a supply line. %ence! they would make in0uiries about the price! the materials! and even in depth details such as how things were sewn.
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+%owever! # have neither the e/perience nor the know2how for such a responsibility..., 1ith this thought in mind! %enrietta politely refused the in0uiries of the middle2 aged -eople of the $and merchants with a smile on her face. +7uring the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil! having put one over the three big production guildsQQcould it be that #.ve developed a taste for this kind of situation>, %enrietta thought to herself. %enrietta was currently in her twenties. One could not regard her as e/perienced. lthough she was technically a .professional.! she knew a person in his or her twenties! like herself! was like a newly hatched chick with its eggshell still stuck to its head. *ut she also knew that in order to graduate from being a hatchling! one had to gain e/perience in the frontline. %enrietta understood this through personal e/perience. +# can.t just leave this to my juniors... # have to at least take care of the troublesome merchants before # try making sense of the situation., %er guild mates could probably sense %enrietta.s concerns. #t might have been a result of their subconscious team spirit! but while %enrietta handled a -eople of the $and merchant! the remaining three "rescent (oon lliance members arranged themselves into formation to handle an dventurer. The ine/perienced pair packaged the wares while the smiling (aryele received the payment. The transaction was then completed after the three bowed in appreciation. %enrietta observed this scene from the corner of her eye as she handled the in0uiries of the -eople of the $and. Given the scale of the "rescent (oon lliance! even an order of a hundred pieces a month was far too large for them to handle. #f it needed to be refused! it needed to be refusedQQthis was something that %enrietta had put her foot down on. +#f # agreed to such a contract! # have no idea what the conse0uences would be
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like. Since a man who has such a pitch black nature like Shiroe e/ists! # truly cannot afford to let my guard down... eh>, %enrietta e/amined her surroundings. She had just reali&ed that Shiroe had disappeared. She remembered throwing him the clothes that he was meant to wear! but now! that overbearing man was currently nowhere near the booth. There was no sign of a certain black2haired chibi either. 9QQShiroe2sama>9 fter checking that there were no troublesome customers coming or going! %enrietta straightened her back and scanned the area. 1hile %enrietta was taller than (aryele by a bit! the endless traffic in front of the stall obscured her vision. 91here isQQ9 9<es! the items this time are e/perimental. Therefore! for the sake of getting as much feedback from as many people as possible! every customer is restricted to two items.9 9#.ve already made it clear that #.m willing to pay:9 9That.s not the problem.9 %enrietta! who had craned her neck to search! heard Shiroe.s bland voice. #t sounded like he was dealing with somebody.s complaint. %enrietta e/amined the endless streams of people and finally spotted Shiroe.s figure at a booth located opposite the passageway. Shiroe was wearing a long sleeveless hooded vest. This! coupled together with a thin long2sleeved T2shirt worn on the inside! made him look 9presentable9. %e was holding his ground! with a steady e/pression! in front of a merchant who looked impatient to the point of releasing steam from his head. 1earing "rescent (oon.s apparel! Shiroe looked more like a normal 5apanese
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youth than a character from medieval times. That appearance gave %enrietta a nagging feeling that she was getting a sneak peek into Shiroe.s private life back in the original world. 9Sorry! please let me through:9 %enrietta only managed to get a glimpse of him before losing him in the crowd again. She cut through the mass of customers enjoying the e/po and rushed towards the opposite booth. That was the guild "ocoa *rown.s booth. Shiroe stood among the staff! facing a merchant who was shaking in frustration. katsuki was ne/t to him! but it seemed as though Shiroe was stopping her rather than protecting her. "ocoa *rown.s clothing stall seemed to speciali&e in small accessories! selling beautiful precious stones of various colors as well as delicately2crafted necklaces and earrings. %enrietta felt that the items on display were very classy. She had already seen them earlier! before the e/po.s opening! when she was greeting the booths around theirs. ;urthermore! the items were priced shockingly low! to which the "ocoa *rown staff e/plained that .this is in gratitude to the battle guilds that have been taking care of small guilds like ourselves.. 9#t.s like #.ve been saying! right> #f you sell them to me! your crafters will be known among the -eople of the $andQQ9 9#.m sorry! please leave.9 Shiroe continued to reject the merchant.s offer. *y this point! the crowd nearby had noticed the commotion and naturally formed a semicircle around "ocoa *rown. This ill2mannered merchant was trying to buy "ocoa *rown.s goods in bulk. #t was okay to buy just one or two items! but a bulk purchase would make the stall unable to continue its operation for the remainder of the e/po.

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#f their aim had been profit or to sellout! then "ocoa *rown would have sold everything by then. *ut that was not the case. #t was their heartfelt wish that their products would prove useful to kiba.s local dventurers. Thus! their policy of limiting the items sold per customer didn.t sit well with businessmen. dventurers had superior physical and magical capabilities in comparison to the -eople of the $and. Their subclass level could allow them to achieve crafting capabilities comparable to a master artisan.s skill. %owever! haggling and negotiations did not depend on physical abilities. fter all! the proficiency of some skills depended entirely on one.s personality and traits. ;urthermore! the issue at hand had nothing to do with physical capabilities and instead was about interpersonal skills. This was why Shiroe had intervened. %e decided to lend a helping hand. +This line of reasoning shouldn.t be too far from the truthQQahhh! this -eople of the $and2san is 0uite unlucky., 97on.t get so cocky! kid:9 5ust as %enrietta managed to s0uee&e her way through the crowd to reach the area in front of "ocoa *rown! the -eople of the $and finally snapped and tried to punch Shiroe. The onlookers that gasped were mainly -eople of the $and. Some of them even averted their eyes. %owever! the result was as %enrietta had e/pected. Shiroe stopped the punch with his fingers. Shiroe was an enchanter. $ike the other magic classes! an enchanter.s stamina and strength were lower than the other classesQQhowever! that only applied when compared to an dventurer of a different class and of similar level. 1ith a level difference of over =@! and up against a -eople of the $and no less!
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even as a magician! the difference in agility and strength was overwhelming. #n Shiroe.s eyes! the haughty merchant.s fist was nothing more than a balloon. *ecause Shiroe caught the -eople of the $and.s punch! it was not judged as an 9attack9 and there was no sign of the city guards appearing. s he caught the punch from the middle2aged merchant with his left hand! Shiroe stopped katsuki with his right! probably to keep her from drawing her dagger. katsuki gave Shiroe a displeased look. 9%ave you had enough>9 Shiroe asked with a smile. #n spite of his smile! the bard %enrietta could clearly sense a formless energy being focused in Shiroe. Shiroe was gathering the mana in the air. *ecause both bards and enchanters were similar in that they could provide mana to their party! %enrietta was keenly aware of what was happening. The e/pressions on the faces of other dventurers also changed as they became aware of Shiroe.s actions. *randishing a friendly smile on his face! Shiroe gradually amplified the oppressing atmosphere. ll around them! a look of horror could be seen. Shiroe was not casting any spell. %e was merely accumulating mana without casting one. Therefore! it was not an act of combat and the city guards would not appear. (oreover! his e/pression was kind and did not contain even a hint of aggression. nd even though the -eople of the $and weren.t as sensitive to magic as dventurers! at that point! they too should have felt the enormous amount of mana emanating from Shiroe. The middle2aged merchant.s face rapidly grew white and withdrew his fist from
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Shiroe.s hand. 9This is unpleasant! #.m leaving:9 %e hastily muttered these words and fled the scene. 9That mister lost his cool so easily.9 9(y lord! didn.t you also force him into a corner>9 9#f you had dealt with him! wouldn.t he have lost his head>9 9 fter all his limbs got broken.9 Shiroe appeased katsuki as she tilted her face up. Shiroe shrugged helplessly as members of "ocoa *rown thanked him. The cute and round face of the dwarf girl had tears of gratitude in them as she held his hands tightly. 9Shiroe2sama.9 %enrietta was startled when she heard her own voice. That was because it contained a somewhat displeased tone. 91hat.s the matter>9 9'othing! it.s just that...9 9(y lord! it must be time for us to go back to work.9 9That.s right.9 Apon hearing katsuki.s reply! Shiroe scratched his head! his previous aura having totally disappeared. The crowd nearby had also begun dissipating as though satisfied with the ending. 9(iss %enrietta>9

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9<es! Shiroe2sama>9 9QQThis e/po is so chaotic.9 %enrietta instantly set aside her musings on 9why am # feeling unhappy>9 and considered the meaning behind Shiroe.s statement. chaotic e/po. The disturbance in this incidence should be referring to the -eople of the $and incident just now. Thinking back! she had also just handled a business transaction that nearly turned into a fight. #t was because on one side! there was a -eople of the $and! while on the other! it was an dventurer that was lacking in e/perience... that was what %enrietta suspected. 7id Shiroe think differently> +Shiroe2sama saw something> #f that.s the case..., %enrietta was in doubt. She couldn.t decide whether or not to inform him of her bad premonition from earlier. 93rm! Shiroe2sama...9 9#ndeed! the actions of the -eople of the $and are suspicious! but given that we don.t know enough! we simply cannot make anything out of this situation.9 She understood the things which Shiroe had just whispered. #n other words! he too had felt some sort of unknown machination. katsuki looked at him worriedly. %enrietta wanted to talk to him so that perhaps! with his insight! he could shed new light on her doubts. %owever! Shiroe had already begun to act. Speaking softly! he definitely was not talking to himself! but was contacting others through telepathy. %e focused on his secret conversation. ;inally! he nodded and turned towards %enrietta and stated his deduction clearly.
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9#t seems as though someone is attacking kiba.9

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Part 2 Today! )aynesia had been in a rush since the break of dawn. Of course! this was not of her own volition. She had believed that she could let her hair down while the festival.s preparations were taking placeQQat least eventually. She had planned to become 9plant2like9! to be a la&y2bum! to act like a 9spoiled child9 to her heart.s content. %owever! dealing with a near constant stream of invitations and guests made her unable to make time for an afternoon nap. 3lissa was bustling around the room like a bee! taking out dresses and accessories from everywhere and considering how to pair them with each other. The reason why 3lissa was behaving in this manner was not because she was one of those airheaded girls who enjoyed dressing up. #n the nobles. society! an event such as a dinner party or a formal meeting was an important gathering which was used as a show of prestige. mere trinket could convey multiple meanings and messages to other parties according to its value! its color! and what gemstones it contained. This was how nobles sociali&edI with subtlety and allusion. ;or instance! )aynesia was the second daughter of a duke. %owever! because the eldest daughter had already married out of the family! she was considered the oldest daughter in the family line. lso! while the reason for her deployment to the city was publicly announced as 9a sincere and personal apology to the dventurers9! in reality! she was there as the representative of both the members of the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal. and the "orwen clan. This was a rather evident fact. Therefore! in situations like a formal reception! she had to make absolutely certain that 3astal.s most prestigious noble familyQQclan "orwenQQwould not be shamed. On the other hand! using her status as a representative as a shield! she could then leave subtle hints under the table. 1hen meeting with merchants! she had to don jewelry of the appropriate value so as not to be despised! and when she was meeting with nobility! accessories that stressed her
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family.s lineage and status were in order. #f both parties knew each others. family situations! one could choose to avoid a fashion fau/ pas by wearing something that clashed with the other party.s! or one could even intentionally dress to compliment their attire. #n the end! it was a game of comple/ psychological warfare. Given that such a task needed a meticulous eye for detail and it could not be performed by the ine/perienced maids who served as her helpers! the choice was left to 3lissa to handle. #t had to be e/ecuted by someone who was familiar with the mannerisms of nobles! as well as the customs of the clan. Such was 3lissa. #t was obvious that she could not wear the same attire the entire day. She had to change her clothes and accessories for each new guest! making her very busy. 'obles were very particular about keeping appearances. ;or instance! among the nobility! it was considered bad form to refuse the re0uest of another party right on the spot. This was true even for cases like a minor noble making a re0uest to a higher2classed noble. 3ven if it were just for show! she had to follow such customs to satisfy the demands of high society. Thus when making re0uests! a lower noble would have to be more careful .not make a re0uest the other party cannot agree to.! and if you were the higher2 classed noble to whom the re0uest was made to! one had to show subtle .hints reminding the other party to know their place.. #n this political dance! clothes! gossip and gifts were the tools of the trade. 9 h! really... 1hat am # to do about the dinner party> # really have no idea what these dventurers find tasteful.9 9"an.t we just go with the usual>9 9 nd what is this .usual. you speak of>9 9Am... light and airy>9 9-rincess )aynesia! really>9
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3ven 3lissa! it seemed! had not fully grasped the social eti0uette dventurers. adhered to. #n the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal.! how one could convey gratitude was common sense. *ut for the nobility! who would give thanks by giving awards or by asking someone to kneel down to be knighted! giving their thanks to dventurers was a complete mystery. To know how to dress or how to act for people you did not know was utterly impossible. Since this was so! the dinner party was modeled to resemble what was popular as closely as possible. The food too was done in this fashion as apart from the food the palace chefs that came from (aihama made! half of the cuisine was from restaurants around kiba. #f such an event were held in (aihama palace! scandals like 9they are making fools of their guests:9 were bound to come up. ;ortunately! it seemed that for dventurers! such an event was alright. Since the general direction of the party was plain to see! )aynesia saw no need to worry about anything whatsoever. To her! it served no purpose to get fra&&led over things that hadn.t even started yet! so she decided to la&e about to pass the time. *ut it was an undeniable fact that )aynesia had such a disposition because she lived a life of indolence while avoiding people as much as possible. %owever! the situation changed. 9This should be on the listQQne/t! coupled with a jade necklace! please wait. )emember last year! you received a birthday gift in...9 3lissa.s voice contained a hint of nervousness. 9<ou.re right! # have to pay attention to status... right>9 #t was all too sudden. )aynesia received notice that the western merchant (arvis was about to visit. (arvis was a merchant by trade! but was also an important member of .%oly 3mpire 1estelande.s nobility. lthough her family.s standing was not inferior to his! she still could not afford to be careless. nd judging from the timing of his visit! he was most definitely sent here by order of the palace.

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+The rumors that the west had changed were certainly true., )aynesia bit her lip. Of course! there was a good reason for her stress. bout ?D@ years ago! the <amato archipelago was a single! unified country. "ommonly called the ancient dynasty! the 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty was ruled by a royal family which dominated the whole archipelago by use of force. *ut during the chaos incited by the si/ scrapped princesses! the royal family came to ruin. ;ollowing its annihilation! the unified <amato split apart after the power that was keeping it together was lost. %owever! <amato.s current nobility continued the system of .dynastic succession. used in the ancient dynasty. fter the death of the royal family! being the core of the former social strata! <amato.s people were then ruled by the feudal lords that served the former 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty. To the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal.! this fact was also very significant. The title .7uke. of the "orwens! )aynesia.s family and one of only two dukedoms found in <amato! was originally bestowed during the 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty. $ikewise! the lords of the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal. inherited their .right to rule. the -eople of the $and from their ancestors. Of the areas of <amato that were once under the 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty! the two most influenced! .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. and the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal.! practically split the archipelago in two. The .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. had recogni&ed the #tsuki clan as the successors to the 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty. 3ven though )aynesia was not too familiar with history! she did know that the #tsuki clan was a 9branch family9 of the ancient dynasty.s royal family. The origins of the #tsuki clan came about from a political sacrifice. s their clan had moved to #se! they survived the destruction of the 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty. 'aturally! the #tsuki clan was put forward to be leaders of the %oly 3mpire 1estelande as their name alone held a strong appeal to rulership! being the
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9legitimate successors9 of the 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty. %owever! not all of <amato.s nobility recogni&ed the #tsuki clan as royalty. #n fact! both kiba and the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal.! to which )aynesia belonged to! did not acknowledge the #tsuki clan as their rightful rulers. #n the end! the #tsuki clan was only a branch of the royal bloodline. Once the clan split from the bloodline! its title could not be reinstated. *esides! if it only were a 0uestion of having royal lineage! then even the "orwen clan had royal blood in their veins through a number of political marriages as described by the records kept by the aristocracy. 1ith the way things were! the "orwen clan did not recogni&e the #tsuki clan as the successors to the royal bloodline. %aving said that! the fact that they were still a branch family of the royal bloodline could not be taken lightly. Ander the hierarchical system of the previous 1estelande #mperial 7ynasty! the #tsuki clan outclassed the "orwen clan. ;rom this political standpoint! even though both the eastern .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal. and the western .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. both branched out from the royal lineage! they always had a tense relationship. This (arvis person! the man that was sent here by the .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. this time! was a highly ranked noble. )aynesia had once heard that he was the head of the merchant nobility and that he was in charge of maritime trade. lthough this dinner party was intended to improve relations with dventurers! if this person wanted to drop by! they could not refuse him an invitation. %e was not the kind of man that could be refused with a 9maybe later! when we.ve got time9. )aynesia shook her head to clear her dark thoughts. fter all! both (arvis and )aynesia were -eople of the $and! and by the culture left behind by the royal family in <amato! they were both nobles. *ecause of this! it could be said that they were of e0ual footingQQmeaning
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both needed to adhere to the norms of eti0uette and culture high society demanded. + t least..., 1hat she could do right now was do her duty! that was what )aynesia was thinking. s a daughter of the "orwen clan in kibaQQcalled 9)aynesia2hime9. She felt that doing her best here was a way to repay kiba for saving her home. )aynesia stood up! with her snowy2white dress flowing with her. lthough she did not know the intentions of this noble from the west! she had decided to be the vanguard in this battle.

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Part 3 9%mm...9 9This is an attack. s they are using propaganda or psychological warfare! this is really leaving a bad taste in my mouth.9 Shiroe sighed softly. side from the taste! it was also incredibly bad mannered. The intent of such actions was obvious. This attack on kiba by an unknown entity seemed to be an attempt to discredit the )ound Table "ouncil and to weaken the unity of the city. %owever! this approach was too crude. 1as it because of the 9enemy.s9 incompetence> Or... 9... Or arrogance>9 katsuki turned her head upon hearing Shiroe muttering to himself. %e waved his hands hastily upon seeing the situation. 9#t.s nothing! put away your dagger.9 9*ut! my lord...9 9<ou will have no opportunity to use that this time.9 katsuki unwillingly hid the ice2cold weapon under her skirt. Shiroe averted his eyes from her thighs and looked at %enrietta. 9 kiba is under attack.9 9<es.9 %enrietta gave a stiff! curt nod.

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Seeing that %enrietta had already noticed! Shiroe decided it was best if he shared some information. 9Our enemies should be making use of the ruckus to spread rumors. They aim to undermine the authority of the )ound Table "ouncil.9 9... 1e have to counter this 0uickly! maybe even stop the festival if necessary.9 9That might not be the best strategy.9 Shiroe calmly replied to %enrietta! who was hastily trying to find a solution. 9#f we halt the festival! the public will doubt the )ound Table "ouncil.s ability to handle emergencies! resulting in our loss of authority! and our enemies will have achieved their goal. Thus! the best thing we can do at this time is to reduce the number of disruptions to a minimum and to resolve them as well. The festival must continue.9 9True... that makes sense.9 %enrietta looked pale. *eing under the indirect attack of mysterious assailants had produced 0uite a bit of stress. nd it was not as if Shiroe wasn.t under the same amount of stress! but rather as Shiroe had a better grasp of the situation! he appeared calmer. Shiroe.s instincts told him that the -eople of the $and were behind this attack. There were numerous reasons for such an assumption! but his primary basis was the 9intent to weaken the authority of the ruling organi&ation9. #ncluding Shiroe! <amato.s dventurers were 5apanese from the real world. 'ot to sound boastful! but the 5apanese saw no value in undermining the authority of its governing body. #n fact! they viewed those in politics or in the police force as people who provided world2class service. #f such organi&ations failed! it would only inconvenience them. So for most 5apanese! they would rather leave these organi&ations to their own devices. So such notions as .the 5apanese government being incompetent is only natural. did not originate from the 5apanese people themselves. #n other words! kiba.s dventurers! who were also 5apanese! would not think of .undermining the authority of the ruling
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organi&ation.. ;urthermore! the unrefined manner of this attack provided another clue. The -eople of the $and behind this would not e/pect this attack to physically harm kiba.s dventurers. That was to be e/pected! as it would at most cause the failure of the festival and worsen the security of the city. #t could only result in the criticism of the )ound Table "ouncil! but would not weaken the dventurers themselves. This level of attack wouldn.t achieve their goal! even if that were to .undermine the authority of the )ound Table "ouncil.. #t should be viewed as merely a phase in their plan. #n that case! what was their real objective> nd how would they benefit from it> They probably wanted to use this chaos to get an advantage during negotiations with kiba. This should be the aim of the .merchants from the west.! as mentioned when (inori reported in via telepathy. Since the )ound Table "ouncil and the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal. signed an agreement! naturally the -eople of the $and from the west also wanted the same to prevent the benefits from being monopoli&ed. #n order to achieve better terms and conditions! they conducted a preemptive strike. #f the mastermind were able to mobili&e such a large number of merchants! then this person should be a merchant or noble who possessed 0uite a bit of wealth. The only person who could fit this criteria had already entered the city beforehand! a conclusion Shiroe drew after confirming it with #saac. Shiroe could understand this. ccording to the current situation! this attack was certainly effective. %owever! Shiroe felt that if that were all there was! then it was too crude and inelegant. They only gained a slight advantage in price negotiation through intimidation
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and gossiping after mobili&ing so many people. That was the e/tent of their capability. 9So it.s the west! huh...9 9-lease keep it a secret for the moment.9 Shiroe re0uested this of %enrietta after e/plaining it to her back at "rescent (oon lliance.s booth. 9# don.t mind! Shiroe2sama! but what should we do ne/t>9 9%mm...9 Shiroe paused again. Shiroe was one of the eleven founding members of the )ound Table "ouncil. %owever! it was mostly an autonomous organi&ation that was trusted by kiba.s residents. #f he acted alone! based on his own judgement... Shiroe broke his own train of thought. %e was dead2set that 9there would be no easy solution.9 +Seems like there is no need for bloodshed this time... since the foe is causing trouble with such arbitrary means! they should be prepared for our retaliation too., %e also had this slightly reckless idea. 1e might fight when beaten back! this was only right and proper. #n this place! the cause and effect would be more severe than back home. 'o! he had to take the defensive4 defending oneself was a right that needed no e/planation. 9Of course we.re going to fight back.9 The out2of2place feeling Shiroe felt since yesterday.s 9chaos9 cleared up after asking the .production guild liaison committee.. The number of cases they needed to handle had increased. The disputes in the city and the minor incidents that escalated to 0uarrels were
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merely the tip of the iceberg. ;or e/ample! they would split a re0uest that normally took only one form into two! take up the staff.s time by making them go through unnecessary paperwork! not pay the e/act amount in ta/es! and attempt to bribe the officials. 1hen you looked at them separately! they were all trivial issues. *ut there was someone pushing these minor issues to their limits as a means to attack kiba. #t was difficult for dventurers to determine if such actions were malicious. *ut these silly contacts continued to accumulate! trying to bind the .production guild liaison committee.QQ and even the )ound Table "ouncil. The enemy would mercilessly e/ploit this vulnerability. 1here were the 9enemies9 focusing their attack> t this stage! they should be targeting the .production guild liaison committee.s administrative operations2related parts. "ity entrance! warehouse facilities! flea market inspections. ;iling false or repeated reports focused on these businesses would overwhelm the administrative powers of the liaison committee. The places where dventurers or -eople of the $and were interacting were also targets. The enemy was attempting to spoil the festive mood by disrupting these venues. To resolve these situations! they would have to 9increase the number of staff9. The focus was to establish an efficient and fle/ible organi&ation. The governing bodies headed by the )ound Table "ouncil were all formed by volunteers. Folunteers displayed problem2solving abilities above their usual level when their number and morale were high. *ut insufficient numbers would lead to fatigue! which in turn would deplete their morale. 1ithout ade0uate coordination and direction! they would lose their way. QQ1e must reorgani&e the command system and deploy more manpower. #n addition! that alone would not be enough to stop any 9follow up9 attacks. #f Shiroe was in their shoes! he would be ready to play his ne/t card in hand to press the attack. Such a scheme would seriously undermine the administrative ability of the )ound Table "ouncil.

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Shiroe calmly e/amined the situation. +The battlefield is vast. 3ach individual attack is but a prick! barely worth mentioning... but the field of attack encompasses the entirety of kiba. The sheer scope of things makes it impossible for me alone to handle. 3ven the help of $og %ori&on would be insufficient. %owever! if # were to mobili&e the )ound Table "ouncil! there are certain disadvantageous aspects. #n fact! the enemy is probably waiting for this very move! so they can take advantage of the various vendor disputes and disrupt our position., The priority at the moment was to contact the appropriate people for assistance! but this had to be kept within the upper management of the )ound Table "ouncil. This prevented panicking the public! which would then take more manpower to handle. The attack was directed towards the )ound Table "ouncil by overwhelming the .production guild liaison committee. with saturation attacks4 hastily raising the alert level would make them fall into the enemy.s trap. +The best way! really! is to let this incident resolve itself..., Shiroe started thinking of the possible outcomes. %e mentally created simulations of the deployment of combat power at hand. #f one idea failed! he would change the conditions of the simulation. Shiroe stopped breathing! moving away from the murmur surrounding him! and the silence of the world enveloped him. %e accelerated the simulation! trying to find the balance that had to e/ist somewhere. 3ven the worried katsuki watching Shiroe had disappeared from his eyes. Shiroe was so immersed in his thoughts that light and sounded faded away from his senses. %owever! there was nothing. Shiroe was not good at dealing with an 9enemy9 that used such attacks. The 9enemy9 seemed to lack a master strategy. The commander.s purpose should be broadly understood as a whole! but each attack was almost always a type of 9live9 action. The assault was not based around a single point of careful strategy! but was rather about finding opportunities to make random attacks.
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They could only know about the attack after the enemy had already finished preparations and initiated the offensive. Shiroe! who used preparation as a weapon! was bad at countering such tactics. +1ell wow! # hate this kind of opponent., 3ven though Shiroe had re0uested katuski and the others to engage the enemy! the situation was in fact much more complicated and frustrating than he had imagined. #t was impossible to predict an enemy that would randomly regroup and attack targets of opportunity. #f the enemy had instead chosen to focus their energy on a single point! their location could have been calculated! and defenders could gather to fortify the position. #t would have been possible for a small group of defenders to repel a much larger army. This time! however! the enemy had chosen to simultaneously attack everywhere at once. (oreover! the enemy 9agents9 didn.t necessarily bear any malicious intent! and were merely pawns being utili&ed by the enemy. Shiroe was thus unable to properly interpret and anticipate the various movements of the enemy groups. +This time! there is no other way but to give up., Shiroe switched to another point of view. %e gave up on dealing with all the conditions. +Some things simply cannot be done. 1ith this in mind! we should focus instead on what we can do., #t was now past noon! so there was not enough time to remedy the situation. #f no countermeasures were deployed within the ne/t hour! the situation would deteriorate so much that it would become obvious to the citi&ens. #n this situation! you had to find out what you could do to fight the 9enemy9... 9%uh! isn.t it Shiroe2senpai> So you were at "rescent (oon.s booth! that makes sense.9 Shiroe turned to look and spotted his friend! 1est 1ind *rigade.s Soujirou! at the back of the crowd. Today! Soujirou was wearing a deep blue floral hakama! with his hair tied into a short ponytail and carrying two swords around his waist.

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9#t.s been a while.9 9 fternoon:9 9Greetings! this is the first time we.ve met.9 91ho.s this>9 9#t.s $og %ori&on.s...9 9<aaay:9 chorus of greetings! bright and melodious! rang forth from Soujirou.s accompanying harem.

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9# went to the cake store senpai recommended. Their service was ama&ing: They brought out si/teen full cakes for me. # couldn.t 0uite finish! so # found a couple guild mates to assist me. s more of us arrived! they kept bringing us more and more cakes: Such warmth and kindness... h! eh>9 Shiroe felt his legs go weak! almost causing him to collapse on the spot. That wasn.t service! that.s just increasing the cake count to match the number of people per the competition rules: The retort almost made its way out of Shiroe.s mouth! but was restrained at the last moment. Soujirou remained completely oblivious. 9They ran out of stock after bringing out E@ cakes! but everyone enjoyed them. Oh! # like the orange mousse cake! it has a great taste! tastes like summer on the finish.9 + h ah! really! Soujirou! this guy..., 3ven though Shiroe felt weak! Soujirou had 9avenged9 his humiliation! and he put a hand on Soujirou.s shoulder. 9Shiroe2sempai> 1hat.s the matter>9 9#.m fine! Soujirou! come! there.s something suitable for you to handle.9 The enemy was fighting a secret war with saturation attacks! but was not following the usual rules and regulations of saturation combat. #n this case! 9unintentional9! which was better than 9lawless9! would be the most suitable line of defense. The best candidate to fight was right in front of Shiroe.

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Part 4 (inori clenched her fist after ending her telepathy call. %er fears had come true. kibaQQ(inori and her friends were under attack. 9<ou.re certain of this>9 (inori nodded in response to "harasin! who was taken aback. 9Shiroe2sama also shares this view.9 "harasin bit his nails with a serious e/pression on his face while reviewing the document! and then started thinking about it once again. (inori had been in this office for nearly eight hours! almost never taking a break since morning from the continuous process. (ost of the mountain of documents had disappeared! now compressed into wooden file bo/es in the corner of the room. They had started to get a hold of the situation. The reports were dispersed to avoid detection! but the number of 1estern merchants e/ceeded 6=V of the total number of participants. The 0uantity was not the issue. The problem was! that 6=V was causing more than 6@V of the storm. This room served as the command center for the $ibra ;estival. Gathered here were prior and subse0uent intelligence reports. Asing 9reports9 was a mistake from the start. The multitude of different 9reports9 was overwhelming the administrative process. Of course! documents were very important. 8eeping records was the iron rule in administrative work! and in this world! it
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could only be done on paper. The .production guild liaison committee.! though! had an overwhelmingly inade0uate processing power. #f they stuck to the level of detail they had originally planned! they would ultimately fail in consolidating the reports. 1hile they also lacked e/perience in doing this! the main culprit was the lack of manpower. This became a window the other side could e/ploit. Some e/amples included the simple survey of goods that were brought in! the permit to sell at the flea market! the paperwork authori&ing the sale of merchandise! the documents for renting the common warehouse of the )ound Table "ouncil! the permit to withdraw goods on site. There was a shortage of on2 site staff everywhere. 7elays caused by pressure! the pressure caused a storm. This jumble! caused by -eople of the $and! was much more than e/pected! leading to the inevitableQQthat was the unintended result. #n other words! they did not e/pect this clutter! which was also the responsibility of the liaison committee. "harasin was reflecting on this. *ut after organi&ing the reports! the actual situation was clear. 1estern merchants were deliberately complicating the administrative procedure with repeated applications. person or a group was trying to increase the burden on the system. "harasin confirmed that the guilds responsible for patrolling the city! 7.7.7 and the *lack Sword 8nights! were at their limit dealing with the rapid increase of 0uarrels and disputes! while voices critici&ing the )ound Table "ouncil of incompetence began to rise. 1ith things having escalated to such a degree! "harasin told (inori to contact Shiroe so that there would be no gaps in information! which would result in their disadvantage. (inori.s prediction was unfortunately supported by Shiroe.s report.

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9(inori2chan! you will go back to Shiroe2san>9 She had e/pected him to ask this 0uestion! and shook her head 9no9 as she planned. 9# am not going back to Shiroe2sama.9 9 h>9 9# want to stay here.9 (inori stressed this once again. "harasin.s look of dismay! too! was as e/pected. 1hen groups were under attack! they tended to gather at the leader.s side. This was the defensive instinct of both humans and animals! and even guilds too. #n these kinds of situations! members would gather ne/t to the guild master to wait for instructions! this was the general concept of coping. This was the rule of thumb for joining guilds. 1hen being subjected unilaterally by an unidentified social aggression! like right now! most guild masters! like "harasin! had just issued instructions! and members had been summoned to the guild hall. (oreover! since (inori was still young! "harasin believed that she should return to Shiroe.s protective wings. *ut instead! (inori decided to stay here. %er document2organi&ing capabilities were on the level of an administrative officer.s. Of course! the Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter had several such members that worked in the background! but seeing how (inori virtually 9eradicated9 the clutter in the office! he could not refuse her decision to stay. (inori deliberately pretended not to see "harasin.s worried look! and took a deep breath. This here was her battleground. ;rom her perspective! these documents and this office seemed to be other
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things. #nformation in her consciousness naturally switched to form a new image. +#n other words! use the same approach as before., The problem was 9dealing with an insufficient processing capability9. #t was the same idea as 9having an insufficient healing capacity9. (inori could recollect the chilling! murderous! and suffocating tension. Slowly! she rela/ed her clenched hands! her body resuming the blood circulation. That.s right! she could imagine this as a raid battle. $ooking back! her throat became dry! her body cooling down. Ase the same approach as in )agranda! "hoshi! and Sand $eaf. #mitate what Shiroe did! follow in his footsteps. 9#.ll stay here and deal with the warehouse work. "an all the warehouse documents be moved over here>9 9%uh> h! ah! oh! that is... if you.re willing to help! # am of course very grateful.9 "harasin gave instructions to the youth beside him! Taro. This so2called warehouse was the )ound Table "ouncil.s managed materials storage. Small2 and medium2si&ed guilds could rent the warehouse space for a small fee. This was established during the )ound Table "ouncil.s creation. fter the "atastrophe changed the world! material 0uality would affect the finished product.s 0uality. So for producers! identifying which materials were good or bad to purchase became very important. *efore! if the item name was .tomato.! regardless of what .tomato. was used! the 0uality of the finished dish was the sameQQbut of course! it all just tasted like moist crackers. 'ow! if an inferior .tomato. was used! a tomato salad would be of poor20uality! and it would just become disgusting food. #t was therefore increasingly necessary to check the 0uality of items personally before a purchase.
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This gave a need to improve the management system of large warehouses. $arge guilds could use their personal large2scale warehouses! but small2 and medium2si&ed guilds couldn.t. #n response to this! the )ound Table "ouncil set up several large warehouses and was responsible for their management. 7uring the $ibra ;estival! these warehouses were also open to the -eople of the $and. ;or e/ample! a -eople of the $and with over2laden carriages would need such services. mong their products! much of it wouldn.t be able to be placed in the hotel.s warehouse! or were bulky items. Some high2level items re0uired special storage! like Tianjin 1inter "lothes! which were made by elves and needed a refrigerated warehouse! or else it would be nearly impossible to maintain its freshness. *ut by opening their use to the -eople of the $and! the process itself had become complicated! and this was a fact. ll of the goods must be kept in a detailed list! or they could not be held responsible. #n addition to the usage of the warehouse! they had originally speculated that a fi/ed amount would be taken out every morning! and in the evening the leftovers would be stored4 they hadn.t planned on letting businesses withdraw goods whenever they clinched a deal. ;rankly speaking! such a burden far e/ceeded the processing capacity of the operational windowQQwhich was how kiba came under attack! the most illustrative e/ample. 9(inori! sorry to keep you waiting.9 9 h! Tohya.9 Tohya went into the office without a word! (inori nodded to acknowledge him. "ommunication between these twins was uni0ue. *ecause of their constant calls to reach each other! it could be made subconsciously to each other! and was more like true telepathy that communicated through thoughts alone. 9"harasin2sama! #.m here to help! #.m her twin brother Tohya.9 9 h! ah! long time no see. Sorry to trouble you! thanks for helping.9
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9Got it. Then (inori! #.ll be back.9 fter Tohya.s simple greeting! he simply dropped the backpack and left the office. (inori didn.t ask where he was going. Farious warehouse goods were definitely kept on this floor somewhere. s he said to "harasin! Tohya was going to get these custody orders. The documents would soon be moved into the office at twice the speed. The flea market reports and custody orders would also be brought here. fter cleaning up the current space in this office! they would have to deal with the parallel processing of large amounts of documents. This was the battlefield that (inori had chosen. 9"harasin2sama! these are also for you.9 s (inori was sorting the documents! the more important ones were passed to "harasin. 1ritten in red on the top right2hand corner of the file was 9urgent9. %e was somewhat pu&&led! but nodded his head 0uickly after inspecting it. "harasin himself was a guild master whose practical abilities were highly regarded by Shiroe. 3ven keeping track of supplies! such as potatoes being 9taken out multiple times9! which (inori could not handle! were easy for him by using short telepathy calls. This could calm the waters and compensate for damages. (inori was convinced of this. t this moment! rushing back to Shiroe was not a good approach. 1hen the battlefront was in danger of collapsing! the rear guard needed to support the front line defense. The healers had the obligation to trust the vanguards. + lthough #.m not sure if # can be of any help..., *ut at this moment! this office lacked manpower4 the only people present were
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"harasin and two Dth 7istrict Shopping "enter volunteers! plus (inori and Tohya. QQ3ven if it were the $ibra ;estival! the core staff only numbered at five people. Shiroe had only instructed that she and Tohya 9meet up9. (inori pondered over the hidden intentions behind these words. (inori.s initial feeling about Shiroe.s message was that 9 kiba is now faced with a situation that is not directly causing physical harm9. #f it progressed into a dangerous situation! and Shiroe should order to meet him against all odds! she would certainly go to him if necessary. *ut after feeling at ease! she felt as though the message was giving her the permission to act freely. #t wasn.t simply giving her permission to act freely. kiba was being attacked. #n effect! she was allowed freedom of movement! which she interpreted as Shiroe looking to her to take action. %e was giving her a small e/pectation from afar. -erhaps this was just a misunderstanding! but it was enough to make (inori get fired up. +%owever! if this really is the case... even if it.s only for a little bit! if # can.t meet Shiroe2sama.s e/pectations! #..., # would like to imitate Shiroe in this office. (inori came to this decision. )eproduce Shiroe.s full battlefield control. 1hile having two Shiroes in the same place was meaningless! if there were no Shiroe here! then imitating him might be of relevance. The -eople of the $and counter staff were the vanguard tanks. "harasin! who
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was solving the problem using the time they brought! was the healer in this case. -rioriti&ing the issues at hand was of utmost importance! predicting how things will progress. Sorting the intelligence allows things to move smoothly! this was what (inori was 9giving her all9 to achieve. +# cannot become the vanguard or the healer., 7espite the lofty ideals! she had only organi&ed the documents! copying the content to other paper collations. (inori herself felt a kind of fire burning inside her underlying the sense of helplessness and irritability! but she tried free&ing such sentiments. She was a middle school student! and incompetence was a matter of course.G6H #n these cases! blaming oneself and self2abusive behavior was useless on the battlefield! which was Shiroe.s teachings. (inori did not want to go contrary to Shiroe.s e/pectations. .QQ7on.t read the flow! but rather! .become. the flow.. (inori recollected Shiroe.s gentle! half2joking voice. +*e the flow..., ;or the current (inori! the so2called fighting with the flow of files one after another! that was moved in a series! as well as through a series of contact whispers waiting for instructions. She wanted to turn into something like this. 'o worrying. 'o thinking. Turning herself .into. the document itself! turning herself .into. a solution. (inori chased after the vague feeling of contact as she focused on the task at hand.

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Part 5 The venue for the dinner party was shrouded by a lu/urious atmosphere. This was where )aynesia resided! on the entire first floor of the 91ater (aple "onsulate9. The 91ater (aple "onsulate9 was where )aynesia was posted when she came to kiba! which was purchased by the "ohen duke of (aihama and one of the many buildings that were redeveloped. Originally! it was almost in ruins! with only the basic structure of the building remaining. 'ow! it had been converted into a -eople of the $and aristocratic style mansion. This was a "onsulate in outer appearance only! as it offered accommodations for visitors! and was also often used to conduct meetings or to e/amine local products and other practical work. So even though it was )aynesia.s private residence in name! it was of considerable si&e. #t had three large halls! a total of D@ rooms! and more than E@ regular staff. The "onsulate would be holding the grandest of the eventsQQthe dinner party. The number of staff increased! as the usual E@ people would be unable to cope. (ore chefs from (aihama had arrived! there weren.t enough bards or waiters! and there was urgent recruitment of kitchen staff from kiba professionals4 it was a large2scale mobili&ation of many people. #n fact! the staff was not limited to -eople of the $and. lthough there were few! some dventurers joined to cook! serve food! entertain or work behind the scenes. dventurers had high income levels4 )aynesia was using the -eople of the $and as a benchmark for salary so she never thought dventurer applicants would come! but this was kiba! there were dventurers that .were interested. and a .join in on the fun. mentality that applied. -robably from a sense of obligation! these dventurers were even busy working behind the scenes of this gorgeous ban0uet! working side2by2side with -eople of the $and of the opposite gender and got to know each other! establishing somewhat adorable relationships and having the opportunity to talk to each other. 9Thank you very much.9
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)aynesia gave a sweet smile to the nearest dventurer that greeted her. The young dventurer looked cold and indifferent while looking away! but still 0uietly replied! this was how it should be. The boy participated in the Sand $eaf campaign! working in support and siege warfare. )aynesia could only be grateful! so she made this event! the dinner party that would be held today! in order to thank them. 9Thanks to everyone.s support! (aihama and the $eague of ;reedom Towns were saved! please accept my eternal gratitude.9 )aynesia curtsied to show her appreciation. The young man waved for her to stop! hurriedly telling her that 9This isn.t worth your thanks! we are dventurers and something like that is our natural duty... it was a simple task.9 The youth blushed! blurting out 97on.t mind me! please don.t:9 as he left in a rush. 9# think all of them are very pure.9 9"orrect... that is so.9 )aynesia replied to 3lissa behind her. dventurersQQespecially the young ones! seemed to be mostly reserved people. (ost 8nights were also romantic! but they were inevitably too invested in ."hivalry. and forced their own values upon others. #n this respect! the young dventurers often fled in panic when )aynesia thanked them. 1hen )aynesia had first encountered this! she thought that she was hated or marginali&ed! but she now understood that it wasn.t like that. 1hile in the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal.! she was called the 9sorrowful beautiful princess9 and people treated her as decoration and enjoyed her beauty. #n kiba! it appeared to be similar4 however! there was a different type of admiration.

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dventurers would get embarrassed. 3lissa would say with a smile! 9Goodness! you.re shy like a child!9 but )aynesia didn.t think that was bad. "ompared to awkward flattery! this type of attitude gave her a more favorable impression! making her smile. The consulate had room for about E@@ guests. Two2thirds were dventurers! the rest were -eople of the $and. The -eople of the $and included in this were a wide array of merchants and e/ecutives running the city bank. lso present for the celebrations were the heads of the "hambers of "ommerce and Trade. The lobby was filled with a very appeti&ing aroma. The dinner party was intended to provide a venue for everyone to mingle and chat! but it was important for the dishes to be perfect4 chefs from (aihama came to show their talents to )aynesia! making various lu/ury dishes! as if to show off to kiba.s dventurers. mong those dishes were fish soup and beef flavored raspberry sauce! e/amples of 9re2developed9 dishes. These were Sand $eaf.s traditional dishes prior to the revolution! when goods were still produced through the synthesis menu. *land2tasting food was now but a ha&y memory! the feeling of chewing on rubber dishes had left a gloomy impression! surprising since that sort of flavor could not truly be considered food. *ut after the revolution! there were many dishes that were no longer like this. The crafting menu showed the list of necessary items to make synthesis goods! and by e/tension the ingredients needed to make food4 however! knowledge of the recipe was re0uired in order to make the finished product have the same appearance as the synthesis menu dishes. The revolution e/posed the -eople of the $and.s ignorance. They knew how twisted the situation was! that synthetic menu items couldn.t be crafted by hand. *ut brave chefs from (aihama tried to use the ingredients on the list and strived to turn the unknown cooking methods into actual local food.

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lthough it was hard to tell! today.s guests seemed to be satisfied. )aynesia traveled throughout the venue! introducing -eople of the $and to dventurers and dventurers to -eople of the $and. So far! the dinner party could be called a great success and everything looked great. s )aynesia.s grandfather 7uke "orwen said! dventurers. bonds with the -eople of the $and would become the great treasure of 3astal. )aynesia thought so as well. *ut this was the value of the bonds they made! everyday to polish and refine the ability to welcome the result. )aynesia thought that their duty was to foster this budding relationship. This should be the reason her grandfather posted her in kiba. *ut she just wanted to be a sloth and la&e around all day. 9-rincess...9 91hat is it! 3lissa>9 *ehind )aynesia stood her maid! taking advantage of the brief gap between guest arrivals to grab )aynesia.s attention. She looked unwell4 she probably heard some bad news from the maid who whispered in 3lissa.s ears just now. ;earing bad news! )aynesia mentally braced herself. She was already prepared for this when she knew of (arvis. intention to visit. )aynesia had not seen (arvis at the dinner party. She had yet to receive news of his arrival! which implied the bad news would be about him. 9There is bad news.9 9... lthough # dread it! please tell me.9 9$ord (arvis will reach the lobby in about 6@ minutes.9 9# see.9
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That was as e/pected. 3ven though this information didn.t sit well with her! this was not to the e/tent of being bad news. 9Then...9 91hat.s wrong>9 )aynesia pretended to be calm and urged her to go on. 9The thing is! (arvis2dono came with a ship to kiba port filled with a lot of goods that he would like to move into the warehouse! but...9 91hat is the problem>9 9#t was too sudden! coupled with the large amount of goods he is carryingQQ the rental warehouse is a service intended for the dventurers. use.9 3lissa responded in a troubled tone. This was within her e/pectation. #f any problems occurred! )aynesia was obligated to help (arvis. %er job was to serve as a bridge between the -eople of the $and and the dventurers. t this time! the noise in the venue picked up. large number of envoys had probably arrived! most likely (arvis.! and it was too late for )aynesia to hear any reports. )aynesia brought 3lissa along! dventurers standing on the side greeted her! and the orchestra was playing while she was walking across the hall. middle2 aged aristocrat walked through the door. )aynesia had never met him before! but this man was definitely the .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. aristocratQQ(arvis. 91e are honored by your presence.9 )aynesia gently lifted her skirt! and gave a curtsy.
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)aynesia held a uni0ue position in the -eople of the $and.s aristocratic society. She was the daughter of the greatest noble clan in the 3ast. %er beauty earned her the name of .)ose -rincess. in the social world! and was truly the envy of all people. 'evertheless! she was a woman. #n aristocratic society! women could not engage in foreign affairs. )aynesia was living in kiba as a part of her duties! bridging the gap between the -eople of the $and and dventurers! providing all kinds of cooperation opportunities. *ut the official reason she was here was as a punishment for 9Seeking help from adventurers without the consent of the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal..9 She was the representative of the 3ast for -eople of the $and! stationed in kiba! but had no official position. She was merely .the daughter of the "ohen clan who is grounded as punishment.. %ence! she had to show deep respect for the grand noble (arvis from the .%oly 3mpire 1estelande.. 91ow! really beautiful. #f my memory is correct! you are the daughter of the "orwen clan! -rincess )aynesia! right>9 9<es! (arvis2dono. Thank you for visiting tonight! and for honoring us with your presence at this utumn "elebration.9 )aynesia hid her emotions perfectly! and elegantly bowed her head. To tell the truth! she had a lousy impression of him. #t was downright terrible. (arvis looked like he was made of white clay. )aynesia had accompanied her grandfather several times visiting nobles of the .%oly 3mpire 1estlande.! feeling repulsed by them every time. (arvis was no different. %aving an ancient aristocratic culture! the .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. was more conservative than the 3ast! even the men wore perfume and lipstick. Some were suitable for this! but from the .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal.s point of view! it was an outdated custom. )aynesia was not interested in finding faults with others. appearances! but with
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(arvis! the problem was not so much with his appearance! but with his personality. 9#t appears to be e/ceptionally lively! really a wonderful event.9 9<es! this is thanks to the good fortune you brought.9 %owever! being noble2born! -rincess )aynesia had the accumulated e/perience of a thousand conversations with various officials and diplomats. 3ven if it were with someone she could not stand! she would still be able to effortlessly converse with them while wearing a faint smile on her lips. Such was the foremost skill re0uired of any child born of nobility. 9%owever! how should # put this... # can.t help but feel it is a bit too disorderly.9 91hat do you mean>9 %earing the disdain in the noble.s voice! )aynesia raised an eyebrow. 9'othing... for nobles and peasants to attend the same ban0uet! this must be the guts of the east that inherited the blood of barbarians! hahaha... really! # already gave hints not to come near me! shoo shoo.9 9# am very sorry! we of the 3ast are not well2versed with such customs! that.s why the dance party was held in this form. # do not know if it will fit your tastes! but would you be willing to taste this wine from the 3ast>9 This kind of statement of contempt was not something you can get used to! nor was it easy to ignore. The .$eague of ;ree Towns 3astal. was comprised mostly of lands con0uered by the .1eistland 7ynasty. during its formation. The nobles of the .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. from 'akasu had always viewed this place as a barbaric &one since the days of the .1eistland 7ynasty.. #n comparison! 3&&o was seen as a barren and sparsely populated place! looked down on as uncivili&ed brutes. 3&&o called itself an empire after gaining independence! the hostility from the central countries also spanned from this. )aynesia tilted her head slightly! pouring wine for the overdressed (avis. (avis looked dreamily at her! slit2eyed! and suddenly touched her silver hair.

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wave of anger flared up around her. #t came from the dventurers closest to them. young warrior in armor holding a glass of wine and a samurai with his blade sheathed at his waist glared with looks that could kill. Their eyes conveyed the messageI 91ant us to slaughter this pig>9 Their concern made )aynesia smile. The dventurers were free like the birds. )aynesia was really glad to understand how they felt. *ut )aynesia declined their silent proposition with her eyes. Some proposals were too kind for her to accept graciously. #t would be bad if the noble of the west got hurt! and )aynesia was e/pecting this level of harassment from people like him. #f )aynesia didn.t handle this well! this noble would be kicked out at best! or slain on the spot at worst. ;or both the east and the west! as well as the -eople of the $and and dventurers! that would be an unfortunate outcome. #f he just wanted to mock her! she was ready to take it in stride. )aynesia held this view. #t stemmed from her la&iness. She was confident enough to ignore all the words she heard and kept herself on the verge of yawning. *ut she was also prepared for 3lissa.s lecture after all that. 93h! all right princess! please prepare the warehouse with haste. The goods # brought this time includes ingredients from the sea! it must be kept fresh.9 9# understand. # will make the arrangements! please wait for it in the meantime.9 )aynesia bowed her head and acknowledged his re0uest. *ut (avis interrupted )aynesia with a disdainful e/pression. 9%a: -rincess! what are you saying> # have already sent in the documents beforehand. copy has already been sent to (aihama.s 7uke Sergead! and #
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already received a reply.9 93h>9 9<ou have already prepared for this! correct> 1e are bringing in top notch merchandi&e! fit for the #tsuki clan of the %oly 3mpire. #t is not something you can leave lying around! understand>9

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Chapter 5: Li%ra &e"tival Part 1 9'o! you can.t force it this way.9 9-lease 0ueue up orderly:9 9# have received your documents. <es! Okay.9 The sweet voices sounded out harmoniously. 3lder Tales was a game! so the characters in it were either beautiful cute ladies or handsome stylish men. %ence! if a certain number of women gathered in one place! especially if they were dventurers! it would be a beautiful sight. *ut this was even more elegant than that. This was the countermeasure %P set up near the entrance of the e/hibition lobby for this emergency. Shiroe was sighing silently inside. This was not the first time he saw ladies working hard for Soujirou. They say that .women in love are more beautiful.! and it was true. Shiroe e/plained it as the blushing cheeks! watery eyes and the gentle e/pression made them more charming. *ut Soujirou.s followers... they called themselves his personal guards... did not stop at that. They seemed to have heart signs floating all over their bodies! and this aura was reflected in their voice which sounded sweet as honey. +#t is super effective., Shiroe surveyed the area with a dull e/pression. The young ladies with blue armbands were maintaining order all over the place! even witnessing the deals between -eople of the $and merchants and dventurers! giving them advice. Their movements were swift and smooth! it felt like they had went through
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hundreds of hours of training. *ut it was impossible for them to go through so many hours of training. This was the real skills the personal guards of Soujirou possessed! which took a lot of effort from Shiroe in convincing them to help. lthough you couldn.t tell from their looks! they were a highly organi&ed group. nd their telepathy network was ever increasing. ;rom what Shiroe knew! 1est 1ind *rigade which had Soujirou as its guild master has about E@ odd members. *ut the number of girls in this event was more than =@. 9Tactician Shiroe.9 The neat looking young lady greeted Shiroe. #t seemed like Shiroe assumed the tactician position out of nowhere. This was because Soujirou instructed .1hen you reach the place! listen to Shiroe2senpai.s orders.. 9= more people have arrived! they can form a team and move out.9 Shiroe knew she was competent and e/perienced from this concise report. Only the core members of large guilds like .Silver Swords. or . rmy *ikes. could match her. 9 h...9 Shiroe thought about how to say this. 3ven though this was his battle plan! he knew how complicated his e/pression must seem. 91here is Soujirou>9 9<es. Soujirou2sama> %e is in the lobby date... patrolling! escorted by the Bth team.9
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Shiroe calculated the time as he looked out the window. #t was about time to move to the ne/t phase. 9"ontact Soujirou and ask him to return to the countermeasures %P and link up with the =th team. Then proceed on a B= minutes patrol mission in the lobby. The Bth team will take over the duties of the =th! which is guarding the %P and manning the counters... lso! form the newcomers into teams of E and detail them to the city &one patrol.9 9)oger. #! #! #...9 9>9 The young lady.s face turned red! making Shiroe moody. 91e! the =th! will patrol with Soujirou2sama as per Tactician Shiroe.s orders:9 This announcement made several of the personal guards who were peeking here s0ueal in joy. The girls muttered .Together with Soujirou2sama:. .#t.s my first time:. .1hat should # do! my panties are not cute enough:. these words that were full of points to retort. Their eyes were no longer just watery! they were becoming heart2shaped. Their assumption was spot on. Shiroe.s plan this round used the patrol +dating, with Soujirou as bait to draw in volunteers to help. Soujirou would slowly patrol the clothing e/hibition with E or B girls. 1ith the instructions to take it slow! this was actually a date. Soujirou had been authori&ed to buy gifts for the girls with a budget of ?@ gold for each of them. The money was sponsored by the )ound Table "ouncil. 1hen Shiroe had a flash of brilliance and came up with this idea! he thoughtI 9This is an e/cellent plan:9 *ut he retorted at the same timeI 91ill this kind of tactic actually work>9 *ut from the results! it was super effective. lthough Shiroe did not know the details! but Soujirou.s personal guards were united like steel +proclaimed by the girl he was conversing with,. ccording to
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her! from Soujirou.s secretary to the newcomers! they had a pyramid like command structure. They used this structure to form teams fle/ibly! handling all the disputes in the area by themselves. 3ven when Soujirou was walking the streets slowly with a team! the other 6 parties were also patrolling the area! being prepared for any emergency. Shiroe instructed them to not hesitate to contact him if things got out of hand. They could also intimidate the merchants by telling them to take the matters to the )ound Table "ouncil. Shiroe was at high alert in the beginning! worrying about the -eople of the $and spies or merchants escalating issues despite all this. *ut the -eople of the $and could not bring themselves to do that when facing these alluring ladies! and things had calmed down. The girls had surprising motives. The look in their eyes literally changed as they carried out their patrol duties orderly and seriously. They handled situations honestly and tactfully! showing no flaws. They might be able to get closer to Soujirou if they volunteered for this! that was what they were imagining. Soujirou appeared in front of them 0uite often and took different groups on patrol! motivating them to work harder. Since Soujirou might see them at any moment! their attitudes were careful and respectful. They were like loving cats as they focused on acting their role of a cute girl! but Shiroe could feel the aura of a tiger from them. Anlike the motivated girls high on adrenaline! Shiroe.s spirit was at rock bottom. %e didn.t envy Soujirou and didn.t want to build a harem. *ut seeing such an obvious difference would make any man moody. Soujirou was an outstanding young man. (ature! gentle! polite and reliable in battle. %e also had a goofy side! tickling your desire to protect him... Shiroe understood what they were describing. *ecause Saki and 'a&una spent lots of time e/plaining why Soujirou was so charming to them. 3ven so! Shiroe still didn.t get it. +#s that all it takes to be so popular>,

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The pop idol status of Soujirou made people doubt whether this was some kind of spell. They were envious! but unable to suppress their anger... #t was so unfathomable. Shiroe mumbled to himself. 9(ister tactician! this is the first time we.ve met. 1e have been detailed to! eh! 66> That.s right! the 66th team.9 Shiroe looked at the happy young lady standing at attention in front of him! confirming his unfathomable feelings again. +1hy are such girls being mass produced> $ove is so mysterious. %ow should # put this! those popular with the opposite se/ are genius at some level! but they are dangerous too., Shiroe recollected how Soujirou was. handsome youth who looked frail but loved to battle! with nothing to complain about as a friend. Since they were playing games together! they should be friends! but it was a bit different from the female perspective. 9Anderstood. Teams L to 6D will carry out &one security duties.9 9Mone security> Sounds like a special police force:9G6H The young lady was happy about something while Shiroe nodded gently. Shiroe understood that he must not retort or resist such women who had this sort of emotion. 9%mmm! ah! my lord.9 katsuki called out. %er ga&e shifted between Shiroe and the "rescent (oon lliance stall. %er awkward e/pression probably came from the clothes she was wearing. 91hat is it>9 93rmm... want to participate> 1e promised to go on stage right>9 katsuki reminded Shiroe of the agreement.

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'ow that she mentioned it! he.d made a promise with %enrietta to go on stage to market their merchandise. Shiroe was in charge of miscellaneous jobs and was an e/tra in the line up! katsuki was the main character they were counting on. The old world fashion clothing katsuki wore with %enrietta.s help should be used for the purpose of displaying on stage. *ut kiba was under attack right now. They really had no time to do this. 9(y lord is going to keep his word right...>9 9That is correct...9 +%old it... (aybe not>, Shiroe adjusted his glasses and thought. The intention of the enemy was to overwhelm the administrative capability of the )ound Table "ouncil with their saturation attack! causing loss of confidence and even internal strife. To counter that! they should keep the schedule of $ibra festival as close to their plan as possible. Shiroe had been thinking that way! but was now considering changing this policy slightly. +Outsiders won.t know what our schedule is like. #f it looks like a success! some ad lib performance should be fine., 1hen Shiroe thought about this! his freedom of action increased drastically. %e stopped breathing! moving the chess pieces in his mind with the timetable in his heart. %is own moves and other players. counter moves. Strictly classifying data he had and information to be confirmed! gradually filling the chessboard. Shiroe was not a god! so he could not see most of the situations. *ut every move in chess would give more than the e/pected amount of information! as if the enemy were e/posing their crude plans with their arrogant actions. ;or creatures like humans! they could not accomplish anything without leaving their footsteps behind.

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dding in this supplementary data! the unseen chessboard slowly surfaced. The hard work of the citi&ens! the honest attitude on site. 1ith the festive atmosphere as the background! all kinds of groups made power plays around the city of kiba. Shiroe thought that there were countless chess players of his level in this world. ;or him! this was a way to sound out his thoughts to himself. There were tons of situations he could not handle. Shiroe contacted 8rusty and #saac! asking them to clamp down on violent incidents within kiba. Other pieces he could move had already been activated. 8eeping to the policy of keeping the incidents below the table! all the scenes were managed by volunteers. *ut the famous major guilds in kiba would join in to handle the situation! gathering powerful players all over the chessboard. )ight now! Shiroe was unable to take on the enemies. movements alone! so he asked Soujirou for aid. %is personal guards advanced to the front line facing the merchants that were causing trouble! solving problems like e/iling people. This was an ability Shiroe didn.t have. #t also helped in another area. Shiroe recollected his petite companion.s telepathy call from the .production guild liaison committee.. Shiroe could feel her tender but determined fingers. lthough it was still small and vague! Shiroe could see the image of a young bird cawing! spreading its wings for its first flight. "harasin.s processing speed increased and the incoming issues were falling drastically. This was thanks to the patrol sent by #saac to nip the trouble at the bud! earning time for Soujirou.s personal guards to remedy the outstanding problems. They regained control of the situation faster than e/pected. #t was still early! but Shiroe could already see the ending. %e was ready to activate the ne/t plan.

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Shiroe noticed the word .freedom. as he recalled katsuki.s words. %e thought about which chess pieces he could move without disrupting the $ibra ;estival timetable and make the event even more lively. The enemy was increasing the burden on the system and spreading rumors. Their objective was to lower the unity of kiba as a whole! so others would think . kiba is no big deal.. #t had nothing to do with facts! just an attack on the psychological level. The best way to counterattack was to make the $ibra ;estival even more lively! increasing the satisfaction of all participating to its peak. 9... (y lord>9 Shiroe heard katsuki.s worried voice! lifted his head and smiled at her. #t was a smile %enrietta described as .black hearted.. 9 h: katsuki> -lease ask %enrietta to prepare the costumes. lso ask the neighboring guild for help! try to come up with a set of clothes that will make people.s nose bleed.9 9 h>9 9Team L to 6D:9 9%ere:9 The members in the vicinity responded immediately and Shiroe stood up and declared fearlessly. 9(ove out and patrol the city &one: Sorry to trouble everyone! please lend me your support. # will treat everyone to a feast after the mission is over today! please show Soujirou your cute and beautiful side:9

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Part 2 (arvis. words made )aynesia turn pale. She didn.t understand. She wasn.t clear about it at all. )aynesia smelled the burning stink of danger. 9Ok princess! please prepare with haste all right>9 93h! h... about that...9 )aynesia turned around for help! 3lissa in front of her was lecturing a maid working under her as she reviewed a copy of the documents from (arvis. henchmen. 9(y lady.9 9%ow is it>9 9The documents are real... #t is hard to imagine! but the fault might lie with us! a loophole in management oversight.9 Oversight. $oophole in management. 3ven though )aynesia heard the words! her brain wasn.t processing them. The blunder soaked slowly into her consciousness! making her feel cold as if she were touching free&ing li0uid. Simply put! (arvis had already informed )aynesia in advance to prepare a warehouse for him when his ship reached kiba. The same document was delivered to (aihama! and an agreement to help was sent in reply. This meant )aynesia promised to prepare the warehouse! but forgot about it when preparing for the festival. That was the whole story. *ut there was no way to tell what really transpired. There might be an error in delivery resulting in miscommunication! or an error by the administrative clerk.
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Or )aynesia was too busy and stuffed the document somewhere and lost track of it... *ut this was not the time to review what really happened. (arvis was holding a reply from )aynesia.s side! so it was definitely an oversight on )aynesia.s part. nd )aynesia as the host had the obligation to assist the guest and make things convenient for him. lso! the daughter of the "orwen family stationed in kiba and the noble sea merchant from the west (arvis had different statuses. #f you took into account the hidden tension between the eastern and western federations! she had no choice but to eat humble pie. )aynesia was a woman. #n accordance to the nobles of the -eople of the $and! she was not educated in the ways of politics. *ut she could learn about it from the social world. 9%mph! what.s the matter> <ou are not going to tell me you are not ready for me> # already sent in the re0uest in advance.9 9 bout that...9 #t was easy to apologi&e. *ut )aynesia was not used to such dealings and was unable to judge whether she needed to apologi&e now. The la&y )aynesia wouldn.t think .# should have put in more effort to learn if # knew this kind of situation would come up.. *ut she still thought there was something she could do about this. She should have asked a few competent bureaucrats to be dispatched here from (aihama! that should be obvious. She had already gotten permission from her grandfather with some constraints to pick several followers to bring along to kiba! but that was still not enough. 9#s this the "orwen clan.s way of doing things> Or is your working relation with the dventurers... with kiba just an illusion>9 %is mocking tone made )aynesia lower her head.
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%er heart was full of retorts! but )aynesia was not sure of the correct way to say it! or which way of e/pressing it might be dangerous. nyway! she needed to apologi&e and compensate for the goods on the ship to appease him. She would worry about the details later! she could drag this problem along and solve it after the dinner party> )aynesia thought numbly. -eople called her a beautiful princess. She would get compliments from knights and bureaucrats from whichever ban0uet she went to. )aynesia knew that she was acting a role that suited her status in their fro&en2 like daily lives! but she could feel her body temperature dropping without end right now. )aynesia was unable to understand this. 1hy were her emotion so unsteady! making her so unhappy> This regret didn.t come from )aynesia since she didn.t care for such things. The unhappiness! regret and remorse must be because of this carefree city... 93vening:9 )aynesia who was looking at the lu/urious carpet stiffly reali&ed someone was standing before her because of the shadow dulling the color of the carpet. %er eyes sprang up to look at the back of someone wearing unfamiliar clothes. The shirt made from soft cloth not seen by -eople of the $and before and a hooded vest. This was the young man who pushed )aynesia down the cliff with no means of returning on the day of the crucial speech for the battle of Sand $eaf... Shiroe. 9Sir... Shiroe>9 91ho is this>9 9# apologi&e for my late introduction. # am the leader of $og %ori&on! one of the eleven guilds that forms the )ound Table "ouncil! Shiroe.9 9Shiroe... 'o family name> %mmm...9

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9That.s right! because # am an dventurer.9 The young man in casual clothes in front of )aynesia maintained a leisurely attitude even though he was facing the grand noble of the west. )aynesia took half a step forward even though she was dumbstruck. dventurers were not familiar with the customs of the -eople of the $and! this might have serious repercussions. To prevent this! )aynesia decided to become the shield of kiba. *ut a hand was placed gently on )aynesia.s shoulder! stopping her with uncompromising strength. This strong and big manly hand belonged to 8rusty. )aynesia turned her head to look at 8rusty who was stopping her from behind and 8rusty said without looking at her. 97on.t worry.9 %is glasses reflected the light so she was unable to see his e/pression. *ut she could see a cruel smile on 8rusty.s face. 9$ord (arvis! welcome to kiba. 1ith the fairy powered ship! your shipping industry is blooming and your name is renowned here.9 Shiroe said with a smile! making (arvis stare with his eyes wide open. *ut his ironic smile remained as he replied 9#.m flattered.9 ccording to the customs of the -eople of the $and! this attitude was akin to ridiculing others. "onsidering the fact that Shiroe introduced himself as a member of the )ound Table "ouncil! (arvis was obviously ridiculing Shiroe and kiba.s )ound Table "ouncil. %is attitude frustrated )aynesia and made her cheeks grow hot. *ut Shiroe didn.t mind at all. #n the end! he probably didn.t understand the customs of the -eople of the $and. 9 nd so! what happened> (iss 3lissa> 1here are you>9 9%ere Sir Shiroe... These are the details.9 *ut Shiroe.s words cooled down )aynesia.s frustrated heart. )aynesia could only give a blank e/pression as she stared at her maid showing Shiroe that document. She didn.t know the two of them knew each other. 3lissa
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wore a troubled face! but was still respectful towards this young man. 9 hah! hmm... is that so> This is possible. # get the general picture... %ey: (r (ichitaka:9 Shiroe saved time by shouting for the burly man in the hall instead of using telepathy. The man! who leisurely walked over after hearing his name! was the guild master of Oceanic Systems! (ichitaka who was built like a bear. (ichitaka greeted everyone as he walked over but was interrupted by Shiroe who cut straight to the chase. 9This is an oversight. #nstead of an oversight! it is more like clumsiness and embarrassment... (r (ichitaka! due to the blunder of -rincess )aynesia! we have some troubling issues.9 9Oh # see! this is problematic indeed.9 Saying this young man Shiroe didn.t understand social eti0uette wasn.t 0uite right! it was more like he was hasty and pragmatic by nature. )aynesia was not good at handling this young man the first time they met. She was also bad with 8rusty! but that was because )aynesia couldn.t tell what 8rusty was thinking about. *ut she felt she was bad at handling this young man because .once he makes up his mind! he is willing to do anything no matter how ridiculous and will not compromise.. She feared 8rusty because he was incomprehensible! while she was afraid of this young man because he was a hunter who would not hesitate about using )aynesia as bait. 91hat are you up to> # am 0uestioning the oversight of $ady )aynesia over here all right>9 Shiroe e/plained the situation to (ichitaka briefly with a smile after (arvis finished. 9This big man over here is (r (ichitaka! boss of one of the 66 guilds that comprises the )ound Table "ouncil! Oceanic Systems... $ord (arvis re0uires a warehouse to store his shipment of cargo and has informed (iss )aynesia in advance to prepare one for him. She seems to have forgotten about it or lost the document! leading to this failure.9
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(arvis nodded smugly! agreeing with Shiroe. 9That is correct. The shipment this round consist of food and precious spices. #f you leave it in the hot and humid cargo hold on board! it will rot in a few days.9 )aynesia wanted to rebuke him when she heard his words. %e was full of e/cuses... *ut it was useless to point this out now. 9Seems like you are using this opportunity to make a big business deal.9 9# came personally this time! so # took the best ship in my company with me. <ou are Shiroe right>9 The middle aged nobleman who smelled like make2up laughed like an animal. Shiroe.s attitude probably pleased him. 9The .new fairy ship 3giru. that made her maiden voyage last month right> # heard the rumors! it is a beautiful ship that reminds people of swans.9 9Oh! that news has reached kiba> That is so... The cargo on this ship is going to be lost due to the oversight of $ady )aynesia. (y dear dventurers! don.t you think this is a terrible betrayal>9 9#t is indeed regrettable.9 +1hy is Sir Shiroe taking (arvis. side... 7oes he mean that dventurers don.t need to care about the -eople of the $and...> This issue is obviously linked to the pride of kiba right>, 9 nyway! # have some matters for -rincess )aynesia too. katsuki! (iss %enrietta.9 9 h>9 )aynesia was focused on Shiroe! so she didn.t notice the two of them appearing without a sound. #t was the competent lady wearing glasses and the petite girl with black hair that pushed her into the brink during the speech the other time. 9The princess e/pressed her willingness to make this festival a success! please
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help her change.9 9 h> h>9 The confused )aynesia looked at 3lissa to her right. 3lissa shook her head and sighed softly. )aynesia was disappointed at her unreliable friend and looked at 8rusty behind her left shoulder. %e just shrugged in reply. t this moment! the serious young girl with black hair and the smiling glasses lady captured )aynesia. lthough their attitudes were respectful! they gave off an uncompromising aura. They reached for )aynesia.s clothes without regard for the fact they were in the view of the public. 93h! what are you doing> %mm> %ow can you change here... %old up! that.s not it! # have an important discussion with lord (arvis! it is a crucial matter to protect kiba. Sir 8rusty: -lease say something! aren.t you my knight>9 9... 1asn.t that just limited to the conference of the lords>9 9%ow can you take the oath of a knight so lightly: <ou want me! )aynesia! to think of it as a joke>9 The half panicking )aynesia pleaded with 8rusty in tears. She could see the villainous smile of the knight in glasses! but he was the only one who could save her. 91e will need to e/tend the contractual period.9 9-lease... think of something: #... # am willing to change my clothes: # will change obediently later! So let me clear things up with lord (arvis:9 9*rother Shiroe... that.s what the -rincess that e/tended her contract with me said.9 The smiling %enrietta and the serious katsuki grabbed -rincess )aynesia.s hand from either side. t some point of time! this commotion became the center of attention within the hall. 1ithin the wall of people surrounding them! 8rusty
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rushed Shiroe to move to the follow up phase. 9)oger that 8rusty2san... we are done with preparation on our side.9 9$ord (arvis! # understand the situation! the documents have already been sent to kiba.s )ound Table "ouncil.9 8rusty who was hiding his e/pression behind his glasses said simply in a normal volume at this impressionable time. (arvis who heard this sentence all of a sudden gave a blank e/pression! but composed his emotions and responded in a loud voice. 91hat> The )ound Table "ouncil had been informed> %ow can that be... 1ait! we are talking about a warehouse here right> #s that something you can prepare so easily> <ou don.t understand! # didn.t come in a wagon. 7o you not follow our conversation so far>9 9.'ew fairy ship 3giru. right> # remember its ma/imum load is =@@ tons and includes free&er compartments! a state of the art vessel.9 9<ou are right dventurers. 1here can you find a warehouse that can store so much goods and has temperature control> <ou must be dreaming to say you can prepare it right now.9 (arvis said arrogantly as he made .Tch. sounds with his tongue repeatedly! showing off his proud nature. )aynesia could feel a cold wave coming over her. 'ot because of (arvis. arrogance. *ut because of (arvis. ignorance of dventurers. (arvis was a -eople of the $and noble and was used to commanding people. The nobles of 3astal had the same arrogant nature! but they had no authority over dventurers. (arvis might be cut down on the spot for his taunting attitude. 'obles had strong authority in the society of the -eople of the $and! but they were not immortal. They would be burned to ashes in a tenth of a second if they faced the wrath of dventurers.

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)aynesia had no sympathy for (arvis! but this might spark off a war! inciting the dventurers to destroy them in righteous fury... + h! ahah! why must # worry about this white pig:, 91hat> So you have informed the )ound Table "ouncil in advance> That.s great. *ut # heard your rental warehouse is full of the cargo of traveling merchants. 3ven though you received the notice! but that.s the woeful state you are in.9 9# am sorry! for this incident! #! )aynesia! will...9 (arvis changed his target to the dventurers and the )ound Table "ouncil. %is brash way of putting it almost made )aynesia scream. 9%ere are the documents (r (ichitaka.9 *ut Shiroe produced a piece of paper like a magician! making everyone free&e in the hall. )aynesia glanced at it for a moment! it seemed to be identical to the copy (arvis was waving around just now. lthough it was hard to say for sure! but the )ound Table "ouncil of kiba seemed to have received the notice )aynesia didn.t get. (ichitaka took the document! browsed through the contents and nodded. 9... 7o you need wagons to ferry the goods>9 The hidden meaning behind (ichitaka.s word was that he agreed to this casually. %e gave a manly grin and shrugged. 9"ould it be...9 9Of course we have warehouses... =@@ tons right> That.s nothing. Oceanic Systems guild warehouse is several times that of the warehouse opened for rental by the dventurers for this event. <ou think we will be overloaded just handling the merchant caravans> Or you think dventurers won.t help -eople of the $and>9 9:9
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(ichitaka.s speech made )aynesia clench her fist. The dventurers were covering for )aynesia.s oversight. (ichitaka was a tough guy who preached the glory of dventurers in front of a roomful of -eople of the $and at the . ncient -alace of 3ternal #ce.. )aynesia could not imagine him helping her so selflessly. +'o! he didn.t do it for me..., )aynesia peeked at the young man with his hand on her shoulder. She had to raise her head to see his e/pression since they were so close! but she couldn.t tell even when she saw his face. *ut )aynesia knew this monster! who she couldn.t read! with a smiling but seemingly unhappy face! asked (ichitaka for aid on her behalf. 9Sir 8rusty...9 9#t was because of the perfect policing of the streets! to stop physical altercation! that it made us reali&e this issue so late.9 )aynesia didn.t comprehend what 8rusty was whispering to her about. 9... Sir 8rusty> bout that! # am...9 9 n important shield... 1rong! a princess.9 )aynesia uttered a word of thanks reluctantly to 8rusty who was not looking at her. The favors she owed this young man just kept on accumulating. %er feeling of guilt was growing like a ball of rolling snow! making her conscious and pride scream in pain. *ut 8rusty said .you should thank brother Shiroe instead.! these strange words when he heard her words of thanks. (arvis. e/pression grew grim on the other hand. fter making a .Tch. sound with his tongue! he glared at Shiroe. *ut Shiroe didn.t care about (arvis. glare. The grand noble of 1estelande bid a few words of good bye before leaving the hall.

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)aynesia felt her legs go numb and lose strength. (arvis left. %is pride wounded! but he kept his life. nd this side had also avoided clashing with (arvis and the entire west. This une/pected ending made )aynesia so at ease she almost turned into foam. 9Okay! that.s settled. # leave the rest to you two.9 9Anderstood (r Shiroe.9 9*y your order my lord.9 The two of them used )aynesia.s mental lapse to drag her away. The knight who had e/tended his contract with her waved her farewell. *ut )aynesia only reali&ed this when she was stripped to her underwear.

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Part 3 )aynesia.s dinner party was ruined. *ut it was still a grandiose event. The main doors of the (aihama consulate in kiba was wide open! and the guests spilled out onto the central s0uare. They mingled with the crowd enjoying the festival in the evening sun and food dishes were carried outside for all to enjoy. The amount was not enough for the masses and the eateries facing the central s0uare ran their kitchens at full capacity. Shiroe spread the word that all e/penses would be covered by the )ound Table "ouncil! prompting the unending flow of food and drinks to the crowd till their stock ran out. *ut this caused the standard of the feast to drop below )aynesia.s e/pectations. #nstead of a buffet style dinner party! it feels more like a festival or a flower watching gathering. *ut such details didn.t seem to matter to the dventurers. 1hen )aynesia appeared in the central s0uare escorted by 8rusty! the crowd erupted into cheers. 3ver since the e/pedition speech! )aynesia attended many public events! but this was the first time she made an appearance so directly. The princess let the knight lead her by the fingers as she ga&ed slightly downwards. %er blushing cheek made her look like a beautiful flower! mesmeri&ing many dventurers. %er shy appearance was like a beautiful young lady you dreamed about.

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The surprising thing was her dress. )aynesia was wearing a long tight denim skirt! a light green top that matched the autumn season and a bolero short jacket. %er long skirt was elegant but casual! her long silver hair flowed over her back with a black ribbon on top. )aynesia always wore gothic clothing that matched her -eople of the $and nobility status. 'o one in kiba e/pected her to dress like this. The atmosphere in the central s0uare went wild. *y the standard of the old world! this was a dress for a casual date for the dventurers4 for the -eople of the $and! these were fashionable clothes that gave off the modern feel of the dventurers. )aynesia walked to the south edge of the central s0uare under the lead of 8rusty with a stiff e/pression and sat on the cushion of an elegant chair that was crafted in a hurry. #t was made through the in2game menu! the temporary pavilion was also built in just 6= minutes. The sun had already set! and the s0uare was full of torches. .fairy light. near )aynesia illuminated her surrounding twice as brightly! probably conjured by a caring summoner. *lack Sword #ssac drew his trademark sword declaring that the princess would stay in this chair due to security concerns! but wanted to enjoy this festive night with everyone present. lso! anyone who wanted to may come to the pavilion to greet the princess. This announcement made the crowd go wilder. "ompared to dventurers! the -eople of the $and were even more surprised. They! especially the spies that took part in the conspiracy! were caravan merchants that hailed from towns and villages around kiba. They usually rode a horse or a wagon! making business between the villages. Someone like them wouldn.t have the chance to see the princess so close in person. nd not only did they have the chance to ga&e from afar! they could even greet her in person! a stunning e/perience. 3ven so! only a handful took up the offer without hesitation. third of them were -eople of the $and while the rest were 5apanese dventurers with a cautious nature.

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3ven the orchestra )aynesia hired were playing classic <amato pieces! everyone was holding back and being too reserved. The one to lead the way was (ichitaka. %e brought along about a do&en other guild masters to the elegant couch in the pavilion surrounded by screens and covered by parasols. %e greeted )aynesia warmly as she breathed a sigh of relief. The other guilds also took action after seeing this. 1ith many dventurers lining up to greet the princess! the maids working under 3lissa started to move hurriedly. Shiroe watched this scene from the sky bridge that overlooked the central s0uare! pouring tea into a glass. #n the joyous occasion below! -rincess )aynesia chatted happily with the dventurers. Other -eople of the $and and dventurers were also mingling together! which was the best proof the $ibra ;estival was a success. The -eople of the $and noble )aynesia dressed in the fashion of the old world made an appearance at the central s0uare. This action sent a strong message to all those present in this festival. #t was a message of peace and friendship. Their unity could ward off the attack this round. Shiroe thought that kiba was victorious in fending off the attack. The origin of the attack should be the 1estelande nobleman (arvis who took his leave at )aynesia.s party. +*ut from his brash style! it is hard to see him as the mastermind behind this., Shiroe thought he was just one of the core players in this attack. #t was still too early to judge whether the attack was over. The festival was still under high alert! the security detail under the command of 8rusty and #ssac was stationed near the entrance! deterring any physical alterations. #t was the same with the girls working with Soujirou who warded off the
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arguments between merchants with their feminine charms while patrolling. Shiroe who was nominated as the tactician received periodic telepathy reports and 0ueries on how to handle certain situations. One of the reasons he was staying at this place overlooking the central s0uare was for the convenience of going anywhere that needed him 0uickly. *ut Shiroe was not too worried about it. The attack against the trust and handling speed of the )ound Table "ouncil had the main aim of putting them into disarray. ;or this tactic to work! it needed to use the element of surprise as support. 1ith the )ound Table "ouncil prepared for it! it would have limited effectiveness. 1orse case scenarios did e/ist! but it was pointless to brood over them. <ou couldn.t use all your best moves in some battles and were forced to react to your opponent.s moves. (aintaining high alert till the end of the festival was the best option right now. +... *ut the attack will come sooner or later., Shiroe sighed as he thought about this! as the activities in the pla&a below continued to flow. The crowds around )aynesia and the eateries were the same! but there were new people and music joining the fray. Soujirou.s personal guards cleared a pathway to the guild building! standing on either side of the pavement. The one leading the way was (aryele. %er curly green hair and bright shining smile. (aryele.s alluring! bouncing breasts were covered by a stylishly tailored jacket as she moved with energetic steps. This was not at the level of supermodels yet! but she turned and waved both hands at the crowd after reaching the end of the makeshift catwalk! acting just like one. +That.s really great (aryele. # can.t stay moody even if # want to.,
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(aryele.s appearance made Shiroe feel motivated and hurt his head at the same time. 'e/t up was %enrietta and katsuki. %enrietta and katsuki always wore secretary attire and black ninja costumes respectively like uniforms. *ut they changed their styles just for today. The two of them were wearing the attire promoted by "rescent (oon lliance which looked native and casual. Their clothing differed slightly! making them look like sisters. ... *ecause of the height difference! they looked like sisters with a wide age gap! but it was best not to say this out loud. %enrietta was hyper active! hugging katsuki! rubbing her face on hers and twirling around elegantly. 1atching them! Shiroe made a decision with a smile. Anaware of the stares from the crowd +a fortunate thing for katsuki,! the two of them played around before meeting up with (aryele and walking to the central s0uare. (aryele ignored the stunned crowd! going directly to )aynesia and pulled her up by the hand. This was just like (aryele.s bold nature. katsuki whispered to )aynesia from behind. Seeing how )aynesia.s face was turning green! she was being intimidated once again. (aryele led )aynesia to the central s0uare just like this! forming a circle and turning around along with %enrietta and katsuki. #nstead of holding a fashion show indoors! they would have wider e/posure doing it this way. The .fire bird. and .lightning phoeni/. resting at the top of the guild building shone over everyone. 1aves of applause went back and fro through the crowd. The lively music playing was from a memorable pop song of the old world. The slightly aged melody was recreated using the classical (iddle ges instruments in this world. )aynesia didn.t know what to do as she looked around with a perple/ed e/pression. *ut pretty girls had it good in this type of situation. 3ven in a common dress of the old world! it matched her perfectly if she gave a shy smile. 9Shiroe...san.9 9Thanks for the hard work (inori.9
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This polite greeting made Shiroe lift his ga&e from the pla&a. (inori walked from the guild building towards the connected sky bridge. She wore a complicated e/pression of pride! joy and humility on her face. Shiroe didn.t know what his petite companion was thinking about! but he knew what she had accomplished on this chaotic day. She completed the primary administrative work alongside "harasin. The responsibility was e0uivalent to leading a hundred men raid. 9Take a seat.9 93h! but...9 (inori was hesitant! Shiroe gestured to the side of the wooden bench he was sitting on. Shiroe took a glass from his bag and wiped it clean. %e then poured the same fruit tea he was drinking into it and offered it to the panicky (inori. 93rm..9 9Thank you! and you did great.9 93h! yes:9 (inori with her voice a few octaves higher and her back straightened looked so cute! it made Shiroe smile. %e didn.t know whether (inori reali&ed the value of the work she had done. (inori held the glass with both hands! Their view was illuminated with the light of many torches and conjured shining creatures like .bug light.. They could see the lively festival below thanks to them. part of this festive atmosphere was protected through (inori.s efforts. Shiroe thought her hands were small. *ut these tiny hands of a middle school student held the determination to stay at her post. 1hen (inori reported her intention to stay and help at the .production guild
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liaison committee.! Shiroe surprisingly sensed acknowledgement. fter all the time Shiroe and (inori spent together! he could feel her hardworking nature that could not be suppressed within her heart. %er twin Tohya also had the passion to improve himself! but he was already set earlier on to focus on fighting and physical strength. #n comparison! (inori was hesitant on which route to take. *ut she would definitely find her path to follow one day. (inori achieved a victory Shiroe didn.t e/pect! in a place of her own choosing. +She is much more dependable than me..., Shiroe jeered at himself and sighed. %e recollected his miserable middle school days. (inori.s display of her strong will was nothing like Shiroe.s old days. Shiroe remembered being a typical overly self conscious delusional middle schooler. %e used to think of himself as being special and different! but failed to reali&e that his .uni0ueness. was the same as others. #t was so embarrassing just thinking back. 9Shiroe2san! may # ask...9 91hat is it>9 9 ren.t you going to greet her> mong the guilds that make up the )ound Table "ouncil! only $og %ori&on hasn.t done so right>9 Shiroe shrugged and replied vaguely. 91e met not too long ago.9 Their conversation on the sky bridge was drowned out by the cheers down below. -robably because of a new set set of clothes from some guild making its fashion debut> Shiroe listened to his telepathy messages and gave short replies every now and then. fter some time! (inori raised a new 0uestion.

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9<ou... 7id this on purpose right>9 9<eah.9 9... #.m sorry Shiroe2san.9 (inori hung her head in shame. 9'o need to apologi&e! it.s not something # want to make known to the world.9 9# butted in needlessly! wanting to take (r Shiroe to the dinner party... *ut thinking about it carefully! there is no need to do that. There is no way (r Shiroe of the 66 founding guilds will fail to secure an invitation right> So you wanted )aynesia to detest you right from the start correct>9 This was not 0uestioning! but seeking confirmation. +1hat an incredibly brilliant girl., This tactic was not hard to see through! several members of the )ound Table had already reali&ed this. This strategy can only work if his comrades understood it to some e/tend. 9*ecause 8rusty is close to the princess! and having someone she clearly hates and clearly likes will make it easier to push her along. #t will be the same for the future too.9 9The princess is in a precarious position. %er beauty! straightforward nature and honesty holds the sympathy of the masses! but it won.t last forever. lthough she likes kiba now! there is no telling if she will continue to do so. She has improved the relations between the -eople of the $and and dventurers! but it.s hard to gauge how long this will last. There will be plenty of instances in the future that re0uire us to adopt a tough stance. "rises that will make this attack look insignificant are sure to follow! so we need to divide the roles to play ahead of time.9 This tactic was dependent on .8rusty being considerate of the -rincess. feelings. as a prere0uisite. 8rusty who was aware of this strategy was grumpy about it! but it couldn.t be helped since these were the assigned roles. 8rusty was the senate leader of the )ound Table "ouncil after all! it would be troubling if he was
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unwilling to play this part. ;rom what Shiroe saw! 8rusty was just as unhappy about being manipulated by Shiroe. *ut if left alone! Shiroe was sure 8rusty would help the -rincess in the end anyway. lso... ;ollowing his flowing thoughts! Shiroe focused on the limits of the future he could forecast. #n the combination of blurry predictions! he could see a vague future. The -rincess with a bad personality needed 8rusty. nd 8rusty also needed the -rincess... %opefully. 9Shiroe2san... #s this really what you hope for>9 91hy did you ask>9 part of Shiroe.s consciousness heard (inori talking to him and stopped his train of thought. Shiroe.s companion showed a troubled and pained e/pression. 9*ecause...9 (inori talked in bits and pieces! Shiroe waited patiently for her continuation that didn.t come. 9#f it is about the troubles $og %ori&on will be facing... )egarding this! at some point in time! # planned to have 'yanta take everyone to visit -rincess )aynesia! maybe at a dinner party. (inori would need to doll up for that event too! the sky blue dress you wore that time looks cute on you.9 Shiroe.s speech made (inori even more depressed. +#s that a bad way to reply>, Shiroe scratched his head. Seemed like this did not satisfy her! or he was going about this the wrong way.

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91on.t you feel sad Shiroe2san>9 9...9 h! so that.s how someone watching from the side might see it. This was beyond Shiroe.s calculations. Since this was such a normal sensibility! Shiroe did not even think about it. 9'o such thing! this is normal.9 9...9 Seemed like (inori had a hard time accepting this e/planation. This was just one of the parts they needed to play! and Shiroe just happened to be suitable for this role. (inori with her lips tightly closed looked really prim and proper. %er big eyes looked like they were going to tear up! her cheeks were tense and red. (inori.s brows furrowed in anger showing her unwillingness to back down. 9(inori has been a big help in aiding the .production guild liaison committee.. The things you did are more worthwhile than 6@ staff helping on site. <ou did great (inori.9 Shiroe.s praise made (inori bat her eyes. 9#t.s the same rationale (inori! the things that need to be done are right in front of me! # can do it and others hold that e/pectation of me as well. This is a good thing! something that we should be proud of. Since doing so is helpful! # think it is just fine.9 (inori showed a troubled face. This couldn.t be helped. Shiroe didn.t say this because he understood this rationale. The Shiroe who had avoided guilds thinking it was a bother had no right to say this. This was a speech only e/perienced guild leader like (ichitaka or 8rusty could make. *ut after Shiroe founded his guild with his comrades! he finally understood
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something. %e was just a wandering soul! even if he got stronger alone! it would be a hollow strength that wouldn.t be channeled anywhere. #t was a power others wouldn.t be able to feel and appreciate. #t was still strength even if he achieved it alone! but Shiroe thought comrades were necessary to use this strength. nd you needed the world for your comrades to reach their full potential. lthough it was still vague and blurry now! Shiroe felt that $og %ori&on was an important place to make this theory come true. 9# will work just as hard as you (inori.9 (inori nodded with an e/pression that was a mi/ture of confusion! anger and sadness. 1hat Shiroe could do was reflect on his actions. #n the end! he could only respond to the hardworking middle schooler (inori in this unsightly manner. %e felt he was being encouraged and lectured by her. ... This couldn.t be avoided. This petite girl deserved a reward tonight. member of $og %ori&on being an valuable asset this day made Shiroe happy. To have guided (inori at one point also gave him a warm feeling in his heart. Shiroe was not sad even though he was seen as an elder or teacher by (inori. Shiroe gave an awkward smile and nodded his head. 9# will work hard so (inori will not be troubled.9

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Part 4 katsuki suppressed her rapid breathing! stopping in her tracks! after rushing up the grey stairs. #t was fine for her to walk up to him as usual! but katsuki couldn.t make herself to do it. *ecause she didn.t want Shiroe to see her out of breath. She was still wearing the frilly clothes %enrietta forced on her. 1ith laces sewed at its ends! it looked cute but was too light. katsuki! who had grown accustomed to the battle suits in this world! felt naked and defenseless walking the streets in this. lso! it was hard to hide herself and sneak up on Shiroe in this. katsuki hid under the shade of the ancient tree that pierced through the sky bridge to calm her breathing. She didn.t want Shiroe to know she rushed all the way here. katsuki felt she had grown closer to Shiroe over the past few days. She even managed to touch Shiroe.s hair at the balcony of their guild house last night. #t was colder than she imagined and different from hers! the hair of a man. Strong and smooth! flowing through katsuki.s fingers. #t was an e/perience that made katsuki happy with minimal physical contact. She intentionally pulled a long face! telling Shiroe she was happy! which subse0uently confused Shiroe making him ask her to! again! confirm her feelings. Those were happy times. *ut her decision to catch her breath gave her the opportunity to overhear this conversation. Shiroe leaned on the railings of the sky bridge! looking down at the central s0uare illuminated by bonfires. There was a young lady beside him... (inori! a companion of katsuki from $og %ori&on. Shiroe and (inori.s words were carried by the wind that blew throughout kiba towards katsuki who caught pieces of it.

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9<ou... 7id this on purpose right>9 9<eah.9 9... #.m sorry Shiroe2san.9 #n the beginning! katsuki didn.t understand what they were talking about. 9'o need to apologi&e! it.s not something # want to make known to the world.9 9# butted in needlessly! wanting to take Shiroe2san to the dinner party... *ut thinking about it carefully! there is no need to do that. There is no way Shiroe2 san of the 66 founding guilds would fail to secure an invitation right> So you wanted )aynesia to detest you right from the start correct>9 katsuki almost made a sound when she heard this. ... Shiroe... -lanned to be detested> This was a perspective katsuki never thought of. The une/pected interaction between the two made katsuki forget to call out to Shiroe! she could only listen intently to them. Their dialogue could be heard in bits and pieces through the disruption of the autumn wind. katsuki tried to think about (inori.s .planned to be detested. words. *ut a chill went down her spine as she began to understand its meaning. katsuki heard about an unknown source finding trouble with kiba from Shiroe before. lthough she didn.t comprehend the meaning! she knew that Shiroe had successfully defended kiba. *ut she didn.t think about it the way (inori did. katsuki didn.t consider how everyone else would think about Shiroe like (inori. She also didn.t think about how $og %ori&on.s position would be affected by all this. ... She didn.t help Shiroe from his trouble like (inori did.
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katsuki.s heart started to race in her modest chest. The Shiroe that felt so close last night was gradually growing further away from her> This gave her a pure sense of terror. 5ust like the fear of a child abandoned in the darkness! she moaned soundlessly in her chest. Shiroe was going so far away. 'o! he was far away from the beginning. %im being by katsuki.s side was just an illusion. 3ver since the day Shiroe saved katsuki! she had stayed by his side. ddressing Shiroe as lord! becoming his shadow! wielding her blade for him all this while. She could also feel Shiroe protecting her at the same time! which made her very comfortable. (aybe only katsuki thought they were protecting each other. + t the very least! # don.t understand my lord to that e/tent..., #t was hard to acknowledge this. She couldn.t measure up to this middle schooler from the same guild. ccepting that she couldn.t hold a candle to (inori. This bitterness and pain gave her a sensation of falling! as if the ground around her feet was being fro&en and came crumbling down. katsuki grabbed her blade subconsciously with trembling hands. katsuki could feel it vaguely. She noticed her limits and what it meant. ssassins have the strongest attack among all 6? classes. ;or the sake of her pride! katsuki had worked in the art of fighting. %er attack power or individual battle power should be in the top tier among the dventurers. *ut among the top tier! she ranked in the middle of the pile.
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katsuki didn.t have e/perience in major raids. This could not be helped. katsuki was a solo player! living a solitary lifestyle free of any guilds. ;or solo players to participate in major raids! they could only wait for big guilds looking to fill a raid vacancy or by forming a temporary raid alliance. 5oining a group like 7ebauchery Tea -arty was another way! but that was a rare instance. Gathering dventurers to form a group that had nothing to do with guilds took a lot of effort! even forming a new guild was easier to gain fame and members. #n the end! major raids needed team work and training! a hard gaming mode to pull off. #f you didn.t do it with fi/ed members! the success rate would drop. *ig guilds e0uating to major raids were an accepted fact. Shiroe! 'yanta and 'aotsugu were all solo players or members of small guilds! but they were e/perienced top notch dventurers within the whole server in their group the 7ebauchery Tea -arty. #n comparison! katsuki was the finest amongst solo players! but in terms of e0uipment! knowledge and familiarity with teamwork battles! it was not at the top notch level. + m #... just a fake..., She hugged herself and shook slightly. The skills she relied upon so far! which she claimed could protect Shiroe! were not at top notch level. "onfirming this once again shattered katsuki.s pride completely. *ut that.s not all. (ajor raids were a high difficulty playing mode and there were plenty of dventurers who didn.t have e/perience with this. *ut a low level 8annagi reached Shiroe.s side in a way katsuki never thought of. katsuki who prided herself in her battle techni0ues and lived all this time in the alternate world believing in this! was doubly hurt by this. 9... The things you did are more worthwhile than 6@ staff helping on site. <ou did great (inori.9

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Shiroe.s voice echoed in katsuki.s ears. 'ot only did this girl (inori see through Shiroe.s thinking! she also fought hard in her own battles to lessen Shiroe.s burden. She was less than half katsuki.s level! but this middle school girl used her talents to the fullest and reached a higher plane of achievement than katsuki. nd (inori was concerned with Shiroe all this time too. She tried to empathi&e with Shiroe. 3mpathi&e with the loneliness of Shiroe which she never thought e/isted before. This fact overwhelmed katsuki. The acceptance of this fact stabbed katsuki.s heart like shattered glass! taking away the words katsuki wanted to tell Shiroe.

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Part 5 The dinner party naturally evolved into a ban0uet in the city s0uare and the citi&ens had high praise for this. )aynesia! who had used all her stamina! lay e/hausted on her chair. *ut the scenery of the princess waving weakly looked cute and won rave reviews! pretty girls had it good for anything they did. On the other hand! Shiroe enjoyed this ban0uet on the sky bridge. *ut Shiroe still played the role of tactician and talked to others through telepathy most of the time! only conversing with (inori occasionally. The sky grew bright as the festival entered its Erd day. Shiroe gathered all the members of $og %ori&on to visit the flea market on this last day of the festival. The flea market was different from the autumn clothing e/po and was mainly selling weapons. variety of items like furniture! guild facilities! decorations! books! scrolls! food and monster drop items were sold here. There were many -eople of the $and and their merchant caravans that had traveled all this way just for this flea market. 'yanta and Shiroe felt a sense of nostalgia! searching for the merchandise of the village they visited on their trip back from Susukino! but they didn.t find any. *ut 'yanta did find some fine salted pork ribs. 1ith such a wide array of goods! the members released their reservations and went on a shopping spree. Tohya brought a new .red intimidation star. helmet! while 'aotsugu bought potions in bulk. Shiroe accepted (inori and 'yanta.s proposal and bought several carpets and a communal water tank with their guild funds. They needed all sorts of things for the winter! and with so many items available for sale! their eyes glittered like a kids in a candy store. fter the ban0uet ended! katsuki resumed wearing her black clothes. On this Erd day! she wore her usual e/pression that was so dignified that it looked sullen! protecting Shiroe without a word. Shiroe thought there was no need to be dressed so uptight for the festival! but katsuki was stubborn in her own ways.
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katsuki who looked a bit tired in the morning! regained her lively mood in the afternoon after being teased by 'aotsugu. katsuki calling 'aotsugu stupid and kneeing him in the face was becoming a common scene which Shiroe could only watch with a bitter smile. s Shiroe e/pected! the attacks against the )ound Table "ouncil were totally gone. These types of attacks were hard to carry out when defensive measures were set in place. Since they anticipated this! Shiroe.s group enjoyed this rare holiday happily. 1hen the sun set on this Erd day! kiba went into an after party phase. "ontinuing the ban0uet last night! it was a full fledged ban0uet this round. Since the )ound Table "ouncil were the organi&ers! many barrels of wine were put in front of the guild building! becoming a lively and popular spot for all participants. The )ound Table "ouncil wanted to use this opportunity to implement some projects to aid the small guilds! one of them was to help them recruit solo players without guilds! as well as the possibility of letting the departments within large guilds gain independence. The young dventurers continued to debate about this even after getting di&&y from all the alcohol. #n this after party! illuminated by bonfires! )aynesia probably would attend in her beautiful dress. The pillars of the )ound Table "ouncil! (ichitaka! 8rusty! #ssac! "harasin! )odrick! (aryele and others! would also drink to the reunion of old friends and the meeting of new ones. lthough many incidents happened in kiba.s $ibra ;estival! it still ended in success. The comrades of $og %ori&on also praised each others. work in the festival and recuperated their energy for tomorrow. The $ibra ;estival which marked the turning point in kiba.s history ended without many people knowing the storm behind the scene.

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'nterl$de *ut... On the last day of the $ibra ;estival! Shiroe left his guild members behind and moved alone under the dark night sky. These were ruins in the south of kiba. *etween the metal shutter buried in debris! the wet stairs e/tended endlessly. This building should be a water tank or boiler room during ancient times! as countless pipes could be seen on the e/posed cement wall. Shiroe visited here for a reason. Shiroe came here to pay his old friend Oshima a visit. Shiroe asked Oshima to search for information regarding the %oly 3mpire 1estelande! and to prepare for the worse case scenario! they cut down on the number of times they communicated by telepathy. lso! he needed to retrieve something! so Shiroe wanted to e/change intelligence with him face to face. *ut he felt uneasy about this. #n the suffocating silent darkness! Shiroe called forth a weak magic light and moved cautiously. %e opened a door labeled ."ontrol )oom. and saw a space more habitable than outside. 9...9 9 re you Shiroe2sama> # am 7ariella! a -eople of the $and traveling writer...9 *ut the person in the room waiting for Shiroe was not who he e/pected. %er wavy black hair! red lips and obsidian eyes shone from her white oval face. The robe that formed intrinsic patterns with red and blue threads covered her soft and well filled out body. She was sitting there! but it felt like she was moving slowly. She was a beauty that attracted one.s attention at a glance. The definition of beauty was broad4 katsuki was also a beauty! and the woman in front of him had a charm that rivalled katsuki! but was of a different nature.
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3ven Shiroe who didn.t normally care about the looks of women felt a little light2 headed seeing her alluring face! he could feel his cheeks heating up. 9(r Oshima who was suppose to wait for Shiroe2sama is not able to move freely right now... So # came on his behalf to pass the message in his stead.9 That.s right! Shiroe planned to meet with the dventurer Oshima here! a tiny and agile dwarf youth! not a black2haired beauty. 7ariellaC ?nd class citi&enC level 6@. Shiroe looked at her status screen! obtaining information to confirm her words. *ecause of this! Shiroe.s mind who was da&&led by her sweetness s0uee&ed out these wordsI 9... # have never heard of such magic. 'ureha2san! what is that disguise>9 dark underground control room. #n this small room! a heavy silence fell between the female on the couch and Shiroe. The beauty laughed and twisted her beauty at the tense Shiroe! drawing a small sigil in the air with her finger. "ountless small pigeons took flight from her beautiful black hair! as if they were sucking away Shiroe.s light source. The effects of black birds flying and merging with the air should be an unknown type of spell.

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The alluring beauty had the same face! but was now wearing a black gothic dress made from the feathers of crows. She had animal ears and a tail which was white at the tip. 9;ufu! fufufu... %ow did Shiroe2sama know> #nformation about .Overlay. shouldn.t have spread here yet.9 9#t.s my gut feeling.9 Shiroe adopted a strong tone. The lady in the basement just now was definitely a level 6@ -eople of the $and! named 7ariella. Shiroe confirmed this using the status screen. ccording to the common sense of 3lder Tales! this was an established fact! there were no two ways about it. The only reason Shiroe doubted this was because of his instinct and intelligence that came from another channel other than Oshima. Shiroe was certain that 'ureha was somewhere in kiba at this moment. %e didn.t e/pect 'ureha to appear in front of him! but it was more believable for the source of the trouble to turn up instead of a beautiful .-eople of the $and writer.. 9#ntuition... *ut you knew my name right>9 The beauty facing him! 'ureha gave a charming smile. 3ven though Shiroe knew her identity! he couldn.t help himself from looking at her. 9...-lease take a seat okay>9 'ureha looked at Shiroe with watery eyes. Shiroe could see 'ureha.s white and defenseless throat from this angle! making him close his mouth tightly. #f he didn.t do this! Shiroe was afraid he would keep on staring. 97on.t put your guard up. $ook... # didn.t even bring my magic bag and am unarmed. # came alone to meet Shiroe2sama.9 'ureha said when Shiroe cautiously sat on an office chair near the door. 9#sn.t that rather careless for the leader of the west>9 9# am not the leader of anything.9
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'ureha smiled. %er pose! putting her inde/ finger on her lips! made her look cute and young. She seemed about the same age as Shiroe! but she could change the atmosphere with different actions using her beautiful looks. She might seem like a bewitching lady! but you could see her pure and naive side too. Shiroe felt her charm was terrifying. $ike a white flower blooming proudly in the darkness! a sweetness that could numb your senses. This lady was the guild master of .-lant %wyaden. after all. renowned gigantic guild that remained a mystery! .-lant %wyaden.. The beauty at the top of the guild! ."ouncillor of the 1est. 'ureha. The beginning of all this happened at the time Shiroe was plotting the formation of the )ound Table "ouncil. Shiroe back then was planning to revitali&e and bring order to the chaotic kiba with a depressed atmosphere after the "atastrophe. "oincidentally! the same thing was happening to the players in (inami! a city in the west. There was chaos! depression and security deteriorated. *ut a certain dventurer attempted to change this just like Shiroe. That person was the defenseless beauty sitting in front of Shiroe! 'ureha. *ut 'ureha.s plan for the future and means of achieving it was totally different from Shiroe.s. 'ureha approached the #tsuki clan! whom inherited the bloodline of the rulers of ancient <amato! 1estelande dynasty! ranking first among the clans in <amato nobility society. Anlike the east which was ruled by the .$eague of ;reedom Towns 3astal.! the .%oly 3mpire 1estelande. was ruled centrally by the #tsuki 7ukedom in 8yoto. This governance applied only to -eople of the $and! and had nothing to do with dventurers. The dventurers didn.t care for the -eople of the $and and their
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nobles even after the "atastrophe. *ut 'ureha was different. She approached and won the affection of the nobles and the #tsuki clan. lthough her intentions were unknown! 'ureha used her charms to win over the -eople of the $and! planting her poisonous seeds. 1hen Shiroe went towards Susukino! (inami.s city guards had become 'ureha.s personal army! and she used the wealth of the -eople of the $and to purchase the cathedral &one. powerful army and control over life and death. 1ith these ? weapons! 'ureha continued to stay behind the scene and plotted calmly and ade0uately in secret. She founded .-lant %wyaden. and slowly gathered supporters which reached a colossal scale in no time. The members consisted mainly of the elites players of the west. *ut one day! 'ureha made an official announcement. ... ll dventurers residing in (inami must join .-lant %wyaden.. 9)uling with a single guild! a city with no discrimination based on guilds.9 This was the style of governance proposed by 'ureha. 9-ardon me for being blunt! but even if you leave running of the operations to #nticus! 8uina and (isuha! you are still the "ouncillor of the 1est.9 9# didn.t leave it to them all right> 3veryone is just doing it the way they want to. # didn.t plan to bind everybody! just give them a home to live in... nd being protected by everyone. This is my only wish.9 %er fluent speech was like the song of a siren! the sweet sound tempting men to listen forever. 9...-lease tell me why you have come.9 9<ou are so hasty Shiroe2sama.9 9<ou were the one deceiving me in the first place.9

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9... ;ufufu! # get it. Since Shiroe2sama says so! # will cooperate with you. ctually #...9 'ureha continued after being pushed by Shiroe. 9# came here to invite you. Shiroe2sama! please join .-lant %wyaden.! come to my side. # wish to work besides you! # want you to protect me.9 91hy>9 9# mean it literally! # want you Shiroe2sama... #t is embarrassing! but # have known about Shiroe2sama for a long time.9 That was nothing surprising. *oth Shiroe and 'ureha were enchanters. 3nchanters were an unpopular class in 3lder Tales! their numbers were only about half the average of the other classes. 1hen 3lder Tales was just a game! the 5apanese server had about D@!@@@ players! but as far as Shiroe knew! only ?!@@@ were level L@ 3nchanters. #n ((O)-Gs! the dventurers of the same class would take note of each other. What were their equipment? How were they building their character? How were they fighting? Since it was a game! the best research subjects for building your character and using techni0ues were players in similar positions. #t might sound greedy! but you could learn more from players who were better than you. This was a common perspective when playing a game. The dventurers who joined major guilds to find e/cellent e0uipment after completing raids as well as dventurers who researched battle tactics only made up a small number. #f you limited this to enchanters! the number was about a hundred. Since it was only a hundred! it was possible to know all their names. Shiroe knew about all the high level enchanters in the server! so he was aware
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of 'ureha. 'ureha was similar to Shiroe! an enchanter who chose not to join any guilds. 3nchanters who took part in major raids despite not being in any large guilds were rarer than the #riomote catG6H that was on the brink of e/tinction. They must have met ? or E times before! an industry of 6@@ was small for a veteran player like Shiroe. 9# know what Shiroe2sama is thinking about! but that.s not it. # didn.t know about Shiroe2sama because you are an enchanter. nd # didn.t want to recruit you because of your enchanter class.9 9So what is this about>9 'ureha did not look away. She looked at Shiroe with dreamy eyes! as if she wanted to inject something into him. She continued weaving her words that were as sharp as knives. 97idn.t you develop a new concept of magic in Sand $eaf> # don.t know the details! but it was modification magic on a grand scale... Shiroe2sama is special! so # knew you would do such great deeds.9 9#t.s the same for you 'ureha2san right> # am ignorant of the specifics! but you managed to restart the inter2city transport gate! although its use is still limited.9 #n the basement where the air was so tense you could cut it with a knife! Shiroe and 'ureha stared at each other. Shiroe didn.t think news of his contractual magic would leak! but he managed to get news of techni0ues from the west as well. Shiroe replied with his sharp words! glaring at 'ureha. 9Shiroe2sama is special indeed! you know everything... 5ust knowing that everything # hid behind the scenes has been seen through by you makes my cheeks burn hot.9 9'o need for formalities... The one who instructed the classification of all information from the west was you wasn.t it>9

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.-lant %wyaden. was a strictly controlled singular guild! divided into many detailed department and was tightly organi&ed. Shiroe understood the policy 'ureha was pushing. 1iping out the discrimination big guilds had towards small ones! recovering the security in (inami! uniting them and coordinating their efforts to return home. Asing a well organi&ed singular guild was the most effective way of achieving their goal! that.s the truth behind the governance of (inami and Shiroe agreed that it had its strong points. .-lant %wyaden. which was founded with this righteous goal in mind! became a highly united and easy to control organi&ation. nd so they were very united against outsiders and was a group that would not leak intelligence easily. The )ound Table "ouncil used the liberal self governance of the guilds! so they needed to be open about the topics of their conference. 7isclosure of information was the basis of the council! so outsiders would be able to see their movements and trend in open view. On the other hand! the one guild governance of .-lant %wyaden. was operated by the central e/ecutive committee! no other person would know the real situation of the central committee. Shiroe was one of the few very information savvy people in kiba! but .-lant %wyaden. was like a face in the fog to him. 3ven more so for the dventurers in kiba! they only knew it was a strange place dominated by a single guild. Shiroe.s purpose of meeting with Oshima was to find out news about (inami and to fetch some items. 9'o! # already said it right> # adopted a free reign policy. Sealing off the spread of information was a decision made by (isuha.9 9So the saturation attack on the administrative powers of the )ound Table in kiba was the same>9 9That.s right. That.s the shallow thinking of the house of lords and (arvis going out of control!9
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Shiroe didn.t believe this! even if she didn.t come up with it! she did nothing to stop it. 1hen Shiroe was about to speak! 'ureha put a finger to his lips as if to disrupt him. Shiroe brushed off 'ureha.s hand. %e didn.t notice 'ureha getting so close. 9# came here to invite Shiroe2sama. re you willing to come to my side>9 9Tell this kind of wish to Soujirou! this is not my area of e/pertise.9 9Soujirou2san...9 'ureha showed a faint look of danger! but it was replaced with a troubled e/pression the ne/t moment. 9"ompared to Soujirou2san! # want Shiroe2sama more! compared to Soujirou2 san! # think Shiroe2sama is more special. # came all the way to this city just to invite Shiroe2sama! to ask for Shiroe2sama.s companionship.9 %er speech made Shiroe.s vision go white. Shiroe was unable to feel any sincerity from the woman in front of him. Shiroe could feel from his instinct that this lady was sculpted from lies and sins. *ut even though he understood! this temptation still made him di&&y. Shiroe felt that his immunity towards women was too low. No one has said I was more special than Soujirou before... how shameful. 9"an.t you...>9 9*ecause this is not the truth.9 9# see...9 'ureha ga&ed downwards and replied softly. The feelings of being entwined faded away from Shiroe! replaced by a fragile and brittle feeling.

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9Then! if # tell you the truth! would you be willing to come to me>9 9# need to hear it before judging.9 9The truth is nothing fantastic right>9 'ureha maintained her fragile e/pression like old earthenware! letting out a hoarse laugh. 9... ll right. *ecause you are Shiroe2sama! because you are special! because you are uni0ue! # need to display the appropriate determination. <es! # understand! because # have been waiting for this all the while...9 'ureha continued like chanting a curse. 9Shiroe2sama! #... am an ugly girl.9 9 h...>9 9# am honored to surprise you. nyway! my eyes are scarily big! #.m petite in si&e and have no figure... an ugly child who only knows how to look around greedily.9 #t was only natural for Shiroe to be surprised. The beauty in front of him had overly strong eyes! but she had a face anyone would describe as alluring. *ut the topic was going in a direction Shiroe did not e/pect. 9# was really skinny in elementary school. 'ot only my ribs! even the bones in my limbs were visible. (y hair was a mess! my clothes were full of stains! # was closer to a dirty girl than an ugly girl.9 9# grew taller in middle school! but my weight did not increase! # was still skinny to the bone. # think # was a disgusting girl who looked at her surroundings from behind her fringe.9 9# remember starting to change from my ?nd year of middle school. *ecause of some reasons! # gained some financial support and started to have proper meals. lthough my body didn.t get used to it in the beginning! my body weight still increased gradually... but # was still skinny and frail. *arely improving from a disgusting body with visible bones to a skinny body.9
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This... Is this some sort of child abuse? Shiroe thought. lso! he was doubting the truth behind her words. 3ven though 'ureha announced she would say the truth from now on! Shiroe remained skeptical. *ecause Oshima was not here. 'ureha somehow found out from Oshima about his meeting with Shiroe and came here before him! this fact remained unchanged. 3ven if this lady was speaking in such a demure tone! she was still the guild master of the only guild ruling (inami. *ut Shiroe wouldn.t believe her if she said these were all lies. #f liars could only lie! they would be on the same level as honest people. $iars might tell the truth sometimes. 9# learned how to groom myself! but # was still a pathetic woman you can see on the streets anywhere. (y flat chest! skinny limbs and plain face! only my eyes were unnecessarily big. The comment # heard most often was that # was a .girl who brings misfortune.. ;ufufu! probably not only my appearance! it can.t be helped if some parts inside me... *ut even so! there were still those who had demands from me just because # was young and a middle school girl. # won.t give an e/cuse! that it was necessary for survival. s # was happy someone praised me and became arrogant.9 blunt sense of unhappiness washed over Shiroe because of the contents of her words. Is this the truth? #f it was! he was unhappy such things happened near him. Is this a lie? #f it was so! he was still not happy a woman said such things intentionally to him. 9Shiroe2sama>9
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1hen he snapped out of his thoughts! 'ureha.s eyes were so close it made him jump. 'ureha looked into Shiroe.s eyes and smiled dimly. 9See! wasn.t that boring> #n the end! this world is not reality. This body and the skills it possesses are all an illusion. #n this world! reality has no value at all. Shiroe2sama! # will be your lover if you are willing to come to my side. 7on.t you want to> # have this body now! the body everyone praised to be warm and pure. re you unwilling to accept a girl like me>9 Shiroe tasted salt in his mouth before he reali&ed he was biting his lips. %is temperature rose and his cheeks were burning hot. %er white cleavage showed through her dark dress. %er alluring fingers that were moving gently. %er flighty e/pression. %er voice that seemed to melt away. The poisonous cake so fragrant you wanted to take a bite anyway. 9(y unappealing body won.t be able to please men! so # have practiced hard... # am good at lying. #f Shiroe2sama doesn.t mind the lies! # will be able to convince you. That.s right! until you are satisfied. *e it sunset or sunrise! # will be by your side till the end of the world.9 91hy>9 9...7o # need a reason>9 9<ou need to convince me that this is the truth! or else there is no point:9 9# already told you to just accept these lies... 3verything is made up anyway.9 %er peach pink lips injected sweet honeyed words into Shiroe. Shiroe could see the pleading and playful mysterious smile of 'ureha and her gently wagging tail. 9... #t.s all made up>9 9<up! it.s all made up! a work of fiction... #t.s the e/perience of my friend.s sister... That lady came into contact with 3lder Tales one day. This form of entertainment is far off from the world she lives in. *ut even so! she grew addicted to it. 7o you know why>9

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Shiroe didn.t know. %e was unable to answer. 9*ecause she could get the ideal body in this game. That way she would be protected! wooed! given gifts and receive the happiness she could only wish for. She obtained a beautiful face and alluring body in this world but... #t is just a game! so isn.t it laughable to act this way>9 Shiroe.s tongue was stuck in his mouth! as 'ureha continued. 9She... doesn.t have luck with men. 3ven with her heavenly looks and figure! she still hasn.t got what she wanted. *ecause this is an ((O! you will be treated kindly and warmly if you are a girl! but she still didn.t get what she hoped for. The man she is after! the man she desires ignored her for unknown reasons. 1hy> Some girls look plainer than her but are more popular. They are loved by others just because they are cheerful and naive. There are such girls out there.9 'ureha.s eyes were like dark pits! devouring Shiroe. 97on.t look at the way # am now! # put in a lot of effort okay... # learned a graceful demeanour and words in order to please men! researched which actions will attract guys spending lots of time on my hair and clothes. #t might sound ridiculous! but # even doll up for offline meetings. That was so shameful fufufu... *ut # failed anyway... 'o! don.t look so sad! my effort wasn.t in vain. Thanks to these skills! # can serve Shiroe2sama properly... Sounds good right>9 This was a sweet! fragrant! pleasing to the ears and beautiful temptation... *ut the words were rotten. Shiroe was confused by these symptoms. 3ven though 'ureha.s invitation was twisted in some ways! it still had a da&&ling charm to it! magical enough to captivate Shiroe.s soul. 9*ut she... one day! fell into the abyss of despair! then someone said this to her. You are strong... e en though you play solo! you ha e my respect ... nother enchanter told her this. %ow about it Shiroe2sama> #s this work of fiction acceptable to you>9 9#s this...9

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Is this true? Shiroe couldn.t bring himself to say it. Shiroe didn.t remember saying this! and couldn.t conclude whether she was lying. lthough he only recalled after meeting her again! Shiroe and 'ureha partied together several times in the past. 1ith his fame he built up in the Tea -arty! Shiroe fought in many major raids as a reinforcement from outside the guild. #t should be the same with 'ureha. 3nchanters were not necessary in normal adventures! but in the long battles of major raids! their (- recovery abilities were very useful. Shiroe was unable to say for certain he did not utter these words in the past. ssuming he did say them! he probably didn.t do so out of ill will. #t was not Shiroe.s nature to do such things to get on the good side of women! and he was not skilled at this anyway. *ecause of this! he could have mentioned his true feelings without much thought. Shiroe was unable to 0uestion her about the legitimacy of this. %e thought forgetting was a form of cruel betrayal. 9Shiroe2sama! please come to my side. # will prepare a position for Shiroe2sama in .-lant %wyaden.. # have already prepared the title of .)oyal Secretary. in the #tsuki family to be bestowed on Shiroe2sama. The #tsuki clan listens to all my biddings anyway... Shiroe2sama already has made some headway already right> )egarding this drastic change and a way back into our old world.9 %er words made Shiroe gasp. 9 h ah! a reaction... Shiroe2sama is a special person indeed. # know too... # know a way back.9 There was no way to tell just how much 'ureha had seen through Shiroe as she licked her red lips after saying this. Shiroe averted his eyes from her tempting movements! making her laugh cheekily like a teenage girl. 9# discovered a way to return to our old world.9 9#t.s still too early to prove it as a means to return... Since there is no evidence! it is just deleting the body from this world.9
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9#f Shiroe2sama is willing to help! we can avoid such uncertain results right.9 To be honest! Shiroe almost agreed to join 'ureha at this point. 'ot because of the temptation from 'ureha. Shiroe was interested in the skills 'ureha had gained. Staying in the west dominated by 'ureha would open up more information channels than staying in kiba. *e it gathering data or developing new techni0ues! it would be much easier to get the things he wanted using the influence of 'ureha.s colossal guild. "onsidering the goal of returning to the old world! this was the most efficient path. #t could be described as the best path to take for the good of all dventurers. 'o! this theory was just an e/cuse. The terms 'ureha offered were too good. This was not referring to 'ureha.s beauty and body. *ut the one who called Shiroe special made him awaken the loneliness in his heart that he had forgotten about. Shiroe was weak in declining the re0uest of others! which caused Shiroe to visit many guilds and get hurt in the process. #t was obvious that 'ureha was wild and dangerous. *ut that was the reason why Shiroe almost gave in to her invitation. 'o matter how true her words were! could Shiroe be the only mind who could stop her> #t was a dangerous sensation! a sweet temptation eating at Shiroe.s heart. Shiroe felt obligated. 3ven though he was not the cause of this! the feeling of guilt churned like a torrent in his heart. #t was an emotion that stemmed from his sense of responsibility! a feeling of guilt despite not being guilty. The worse thing was 'ureha understood this point. 9...#n the end! Shiroe is not being rational right>9 9)ational>9 Shiroe answered the feverish 'ureha who only had Shiroe in her eyes.
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9<es! rational. Shiroe2sama... is an irrational person right> <ou do not have any reason to side with kiba! and no cause to side with the -eople of the $and correct> #t.s just a vague sense of ethics right> 'o! it doesn.t matter! this has nothing to do with my desire to be with get Shiroe2sama! but # think Shiroe2sama will feel bad about this! so...9 'ureha moved her lips so close to Shiroe.s ears that it was almost touching! a distance where you could feel each other.s body warmth. 9-lease Shiroe2sama! use me! 'ureha! as an e/cuse. -lease use me as your reason... This way! Shiroe2sama will be able to release your full potential right> <ou can get rid of limitations and boundaries! allowing you to use your intellect to the fullest correct> # only wish for Shiroe2sama! so Shiroe2sama can use 'ureha as your reason! as an e/cuse! and do anything you want with me! okay>9 The decisive words of temptation marked the point they went their separate ways. *eing able to use his intellect to its limit was a very tempting deal for Shiroe. %e woke up one day to find himself in an alternate world! caught in the deteriorating security and conflicts! making him go through horrifying and dangerous crises. fter going through this! Shiroe.s desire to wield his power was as strong as his wish to kiss the beauty in front of him. #t was not Shiroe.s fault they fell into this alternate world. 1anting to blame the world was what all dventurers invited into this world wanted to scream from their very soul. They wanted to know the reason for this and a purpose for them to fight for. #t was the same for all dventurers! their soul must be burning with anger at this unreasonable reality. 'ureha was correct. nd it was tempting because she was right. *ut Shiroe was unable to use reasons as an e/cuse. This would definitely diminish the fruits of all their actions so far. The touching fingertips! grateful smile! the ban0uet that lasted until dawn! the
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dessert that came from both ends! going on an adventure on the vast plains with everyone... all this would be diminished. #f he liked 'ureha even a little bit! or felt an emotion that was close to love! Shiroe would never use her as an e/cuse. *ecause he had $og %ori&on now! Shiroe was able to assert this with conviction. 9 h...9 'ureha looked at Shiroe who pushed her away! her fo/ ears s0uirming confusedly on top of her black hair. 9# have decided to treat all of your works of fiction as the truth... but # can.t go with you.9 'ureha was rooted to the ground! looking at Shiroe unwilling to give him up. She seemed to be pleading even after the rejection and asked with trembling lipsI 91hy>9 9#nstead of being your companion! it is better to stay your enemy! your wish would more likely be fulfilled this way.9 Shiroe looked at 'ureha with his own will for the first time! speaking each sentence clearly as if to confirm his own conviction. %is words stabbed 'ureha.s heart like a sword. Shiroe could feel her pain as he touched 'ureha.s cool face. 9# decided to continue being your enemy! so you can find a reason in the future.9 Shiroe.s words became the invisible chains that connected 'ureha and Shiroe together. This chain would guide kiba and (inami to the .Sky $abyrinth of #nburiumu. and onward to the .Sea of 'ectar..

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#fterword Greetings! it.s been ? months! # am (amare. # am grateful for your purchase of $og %ori&on = Sunday in the streets of kiba! which is the last $og %ori&on book for the year. hJ this has been a long year. lthough # want to say .this is a good place to stop:. but it is already the spring of ?@6? in the publishing world. #f my esteemed readers are in the workforce! you should be able to understand the production process and the merchandise making it to the shelf are different things. <ou might be in 7ecember while holding this book! but (amare is still stuck in October country. The weather is getting cold! the sunlight is gradually making people happy and the bed is becoming alluring. That.s right! this is the season for afternoon naps. Some people call it the autumn of appetites! the autumn for sports! but it is the autumn for sleeping for (amare. 3ven the autumn of reading which is crucial for authors cannot beat afternoon naps. The (amare who was found out to be an author by his family starts to live his '33T lifestyle with an open heart at home. lthough he has always lived like a '33T! but being a published author makes (amare a professional '33T. -rofessional '33T +'ational class 6 limit break, just ranks below office dwelling '33T +international class 6, and married '33T +international class ?,. '33T lives carefree lives everyday like the (uni family WT$I finland fairy taleX. #n fact! (amare thinks it is a happy lifestyle where he can write daily! but he receive pressure from all sides. to use this chance and clean up the house. sking a '33T to do hard labor! this goes against the international '33T charter. (amare was being politically correct when saying .all sides.! the true meaning is .threat of violence from (amare+younger sister,. "ough cough. 3lectric stove! throw. (icrowave! throw. ;ridge! throw. "leaning the house this way feels more like moving than doing spring cleaning. #nstead of moving! it is more like escaping in the night! pawning everything in the house away. #f being bald is a refreshing feeling! then the (amare house is super refreshing. (amare don.t understand how it turn out like this.

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The fridge is gone! (amare+younger sister, stock of ice cream is also finished. #t is going to be winter soon and there is no need to stock up on ice cream! but (amare+younger sister, is still furious. (amare+younger sister, before entering middle school always thought that .%agen 7aa& is only for grown ups! so # will only eat it after getting my licence.. 'ope! that.s how my mother educated her. #n the (amare family! $ady *orden ice cream is used as a substitute for people who fail the age test. $ady *orden sama! # am sorry. Speaking of comparison! the (amare family treats <oung anchovy rice bowl as the inferior substitute of Salmon roe rice bowl. (other will talk about how .eating such a small fish is a sin.! making the atmosphere during meals awkward. (amare+younger sister, somehow mistook young anchovy to be baby "apelins somehow. )ecollecting this makes me reali&e mother was pushing it too much. The reason why (amare don.t eat 'atto is because mother said ."hiba has a pond that ferments the beans! many people were forced into hard labor there.. %ai! what a terrible tale. 1hen # ask her about it 6@ years later! mother said with a smile .that was a prank! because you were very arrogant back then.. # was thinking about how to get back at her! but now # think about it! (amare also pass on many fake knowledge to (amare+younger sister,! so # am guilty too. This is the ties of the blood. few days ago! # told her .To confirm the final process of the publishing! # will be going to the factory to adjust the colors! this is an important obligation of the author. and prepare to leave the house. (amare+younger sister, told me .don.t trouble others. and bid me farewell! she didn.t think # am actually going to a **P party. *ut she found out in the end and gave me a punch. *ecause of these matters! # want to let my editor ;2ta chan play the female lead in my afterword too. #f # keep going this route! the social pressure # feel from (amare+younger sister, will increase! which manifest in the form of physical blows in reality. This ends the regular report of the (amare family! # will talk about $og %ori&on =. fter taking a breather from the grand scale battles of the previous volume! this is a slice of life in kiba episode this time. Shiroe.s love story is gradually
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beginning! the ? girls katsuki and (inori make their first moves. 5ust like $ady *orden can.t become the substitute of %agan 7aa&! similar to how young anchovy rice bowl is the inferior replacement of salmon roe rice bowl! the ? of them are totally different entities. Anable to see this obvious concept! comparing things other then themselves! these unresolved feelings are the focus in this book. *ut without this suffering and darkness! they won.t be able to welcome the daybreak. The e0uipment of each character featured at the beginning of each chapter! is also the results of fan submission during September2October of ?@66. The ideas we used are from =B=B=B?BDY#G(ZmasamuneY<oshiSondermannYhigeZmgYhpsukeYiron@@7dd ??Y kaneZyonYkuroyag66Yroki2aYsawameZjaYshinbachiYshiseiZssiYvaiso y[maneeeeeeY&rk2 thank you everyone: 3ven though a lot of the submission did not make it to publication! # am still grateful to all neti&ens who participated! $og %ori&on can only written with all your support. Those who like this work after reading $og %ori&on! please come and visit httpICCmamare.net: #t provides the latest news and contents other then $og %ori&on. Sales of (aou side story with drama "7 is ongoing now! those who wants to find out about the manga please come and visit: s we move to a close! # am grateful to chief publisher (r Shoji (asuda! the illustration master %araka&uro sensei +#.m sorry for taking too long to edit my work,! %ashimoto (ochichi sensei who drew the map for the base! Tamuraki %isae sensei for illustrating the $ibra ;estival map! ?B sensei for drawing the food guide! tsubakiya firm for the publishing designs and my female editor the petite ;2ta chan: (r Osako also took care of me this round: Thank you everyone: 'e/t will be for the readers to enjoy this book! please take your time: .7on.t Ostracise 'ameko bowl. (amare Touno gear inside katsuki falls into place. $owering her centre of gravity and holding her breath. The image she draws
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from her heart when assuming this pose becomes a trigger for a skill. This is the uni0ue skill of trackers! silent move. #t usually re0uires the use of the game menu to activate it! but katsuki has trained it enough to call forth the techni0ue with her body movements alone. %er presence dissipates from her body clad in black! as if her life force itself is gone. The .presence. of katsuki right now is very vague. katsuki doesn.t know her location! but she can see the attack from the demon blade clearly from her fi/ed field of vision. katsuki is e/posed in the dangerous front of the attack! but there is another katsuki watching from another position. %er .movement. is at the level of .shadow burrowing.! her separated life force advance in a straight line on the battlefield. katsuki dodges past the ice storm like attack of the mass murderer. The body that looks like katsuki and katsuki.s consciousness are in different places. The evidence is the shining body of katsuki and swaying in the ice storm! negating all attacks like illusions. katsuki reaches the back of the mass murderer enduring the overwhelming sense of acceleration. She can.t keep this up much longer. She can only activate this special skill by holding her breath and calming her heart. The skill used for infiltration mission or escaping from monsters are forcibly applied on the battlefield. This is the overskill katsuki learned. ...*oring. katsuki wields her blade like a sparrow. The sudden attack behind cuts into the throat of the mass murderer slightly. 3ven attacking with the illusion just now! he still manage to evade a fatal hit! the demon blade is formidable indeed. ...*oring.
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katsuki did not feel the joy of achieving her wish. She stopped her breath and activate .shadow burrow. again. The shadow copies that appears immediately confuse the mass murderer and help katsuki evade the triple strike and leap backwards. $arge icicles form with the strike! katsuki ignores the flying ice attack and continue to accelerate! dancing on the blade of the mass murderer. Dth 'ovember ?@66 # have written till this point: (amare Touno WT$I anyone can confirm the 3nglish name of katsuki.s moves>X

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