Chapter 43 – “It’s Tilea’s magic lessons!” (Finale)

“Timu, the magic of Japan is too dangerous for you to use. You need to prioritise mastering the magic system of this world first, okay?”

“However, I have already mastered the magic system of this world. To master it more than this is…”

“Hmmm~ You’ve already mastered it, huh~?”

“Of course. I can use every element. In particular, there is nobody who can approach my skill in darkness magic.”

The typical ‘master of darkness magic’ setting, huh…

My head is hurting from all the chuunibyou. But at least this makes the conversation easy to lead. If she’s going to boast about mastering magic, then I can get her to explain magic theory to me.

“Timu, if you’re that confident, then let’s review your knowledge and have you explain this world’s magic system to me.”

“I understand. As you know, there are eight elements in magic; fire, water, wood, earth, wind, lightning, light and darkness. The most powerful element is the element that we of the demon race specialise in; darkness magic. Furthermore, we can further separate this into great darkness, middle darkness, and small darkness categories. Great darkness is――”

W-, What?

As expected of a chuunibyou. I don’t understand a thing she’s saying.

“Timu, stop. Not that. More, basic, stuff. First you need to explain how to produce magic.”

“Huh… Is there truly a need to explain something so simple after all this time?”

What a cocky-! Didn’t you only just learn elementary magic yourself!
Even though all she can use herself is elementary magic… Honestly, did she get so into playing a demon that she forgot that herself?

“Timu, what are you going to do if you get the basics wrong? No matter what field of study, you won’t go very far if you get the basics wrong.”

“I see… That did not occur to me. As expected of Oneesama!”

“Yep, yep. Now that you understand, try explaining.”

“Yes. As you know, the foundation of invoking magic is mana control. Generally, those that are able to use magic can do so due to their natural control of mana. Although the method of mana control varies between person to person, the standard is to use ‘image’. By envisioning an image that will allow mana in the body to smoothly circulate, a quicker and smarter invocation can be achieved than through a magic equation or circle. Members of the demon race are naturally capable of this control, but it seems that the immature humans can forcefully control mana through the training methods of different ‘schools’ or ‘styles’.”

Mm~mm, I still don’t really get it, Timu. Are you saying that your mental image is important?

――Or rather, it’s pretty hard to understand this with just theory, isn’t it.

I know! A picture is worth a thousand words. It might be easier to understand if I see Timu teaching somebody else.

“Timu, I understand the theory now. Next, try using some magic.”

“Then shall I turn some nearby mountain forest into a cinder field?”

“No, there’s no need for that. Let’s see~ I know, how about you teach Niel the basics. I’ll see how you instruct him.”

“Nielsen? His specialty is close-combat, and magic is his weak point.”

“I know. So teach him how to use elementary magic.”

“Huhu, Oneesama. No matter how bad Nielsen might be at magic, of course he has no problem using the likes of elementary magic.”

WHAT!? So cheeky! Even though you’re just a Pervert(Nielsen)!

The situation is getting worse and worse. I definitely can’t say that I can’t use magic now. My dignity as an older sister will come under scrutiny.

“I-, I see. So Niel can use magic as well…”

“Yes. Nielsen primarily uses body reinforcement magic.”

“Hm~mm, then Niel, use a little magic.”

“Yes, milady. Well then, shall I use reinforcement magic to destroy a nearby boulder?”

“No, there’s no need for that. Just show me that you can use elementary magic.”

“As you wish. Although I am ashamed at my lack of skill… MMNH!”

A flame appeared from Pervert(Nielsen)’s hand. Although it was a small flame, it was definitely there. Not some trick or sleight-of-hand, but real and honest-to-god magic.

Dammit! He really fucking did it. Not bad for a Pervert(Nielsen) I guess.

“O-, Ohh~? Not bad. By the way, how did you do that?”

“Even if you ask me that… Tilea-sama, elementary magic is akin to breathing to we demons.”

“Then Niel, how do you breathe?”

“As expected of Oneesama. It is true that explaining the simple things are surprisingly difficult.”

“I see now. I feel deep admiration at your profound question, Tilea-sama.”

“There’s no need for admiration, so just try to explain.”

“Yes, milady. First, you feel the whirlpool of mana flowing within your body. Then, you smoothly move the mana through your entire body, from head to toe, and then using that mana, from your hand you――”

“Niel, stop! You’re abridging it too much. How do you feel that whirlpool?”

“T-, That is to say, you do so naturally, or…”

“How do you do so naturally?”

“M-, My deepest apologies. I cannot explain it well.”

Pervert(Nielsen) cocked his head in thought. Looks like I can’t get anything better than this.

Mm~mm, even hearing the theory and seeing it done, I still don’t get it at all. No good. I guess thinking about it any more than this is pointless.

Alright. Then I’ll get used to it through practice. Guess I’ll give doing it a go.

I mean, even Pervert(Nielsen) can use magic. There’s no way that I can’t. Even Pervert(Nielsen) can do it. That’s where I’ll get my confidence from.

“That’s enough, you two. I understand now. Well then, next I’ll be showing you magic.”

“”Understood.””

Timu and Pervert(Nielsen) looked my way with eyes filled with expectation. I can’t fail now. I concentrated to try raising my mana, or something along that feeling.

“Nn unn.”

Giving it my all, I held my hands out.

Oh? Is it just my imagination? Feels like the ground just shook, or…

“M-, My sincere apologies. O-, Oneesama, could you not hold back your mana?”

“Why?”

“Hahh, hahh, e-, even I feel like your, mana will crush me. And Nielsen… is already close to unconscious.”

Looking carefully, Pervert(Nielsen) was making a suffering expression. He’s got a cold sweat, and his complexion looks bad too.

Could it be that me using magic seems that dangerous?

Maybe that Pervert(Nielsen) is thinking, “UWAHH! This hopeless case is definitely going to fail. Something is definitely going to explode. I need some earmuffs.” or something like that?

True, letting their mana run wild or failing to control it does sound like something a beginner would do. With my level of mana I doubt anybody would really get hurt, but it’d be bad if I scalded Timu’s face or something.

O-, Okay. An image of me suppressing the magic.

Imagine, imagine…

I know! I’ll use the image of Dragon Kwest’s first fire spell, Meran. If I use the image of a small flame like that, then…

“UOHHHHHHH! MERAN!”

Ooh! Something came out! I can use magic too!

S-, So at last, in the truest sense, I too have set foot into a fantasy world…
But, this thing, rather than a fire it looks more like a black flame, or maybe a demonic flame or something doesn’t it.

Mn!? Could it be that this is darkness magic!?

Haha, although I gave it up, it looks like a bit of chuunibyou is left in my heart. Well, I guess that’s fine. Time to unveil it to Timu and Pervert(Niel).

“Timu, Niel, look at this. This is my Meran.”

“O-, Oneesama…”

“W-, What is it? Well, it’s true that it’s a small flame but… I just haven’t used my real strength yet, so…”

“So Tilea-sama’s ‘Meran’ is shockingly, a highly condensed magic bullet…”

“U-, Umu. Just this one magic bullet alone is equal to a thousand uses of my trump card, Star Freya[Super Demonic Star Magic Bullet].”

Star Freya?

Aah~ That was Timu’s elementary magic bullet barrage, right? Hm~mm, so I managed something more advanced than that spell?

Huhu, thank goodness. Maybe now I’ve managed to save face as an elder sister.

“No, no, you’re definitely exaggerating, Timu. Your magic was amazing too, you know.”

“Huhu, I can tell the difference in our ability whether I want to or not. You always surprise me, Oneesama.”

Timu’s gaze filled with trust… I just winged it, but I’m really glad I succeeded.

“Well then, Tilea-sama. Now that your ‘Meran’ is invoked, whatever will you do about it?”

“What, you ask? …I was just going to fire it randomly somewhere, but…”

“O-, Oneesama. Doing so would level the place as far as the eye can see, but are you fine with that?”

Geez, exaggerating again.

Ah-!? But doing so would be bad manners just like littering cigarettes, wouldn’t it. I can’t do something so antisocial in front of my little sister.

Should I extinguish it…?

Hm? How am I supposed to do that?

This is bad. I don’t know how to cancel a spell.

Ummmmm, would it work if I try imagining the image of it disappearing this time?

Disappear, disappear… Aahh~ This is such a bother. I can probably smother a flame this size with just my hand.

I raised my other hand over the flame and forcefully extinguished it.

“Ah-, Oneesama, please wai――”

“HOTHOTHOTHOT, HOTT!”

I-, I underestimated this thing. That was pretty damn hot. It felt like a lighter. I might have burnt myself.

“O-, Oneesama, are you all right?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Timu, you can’t copy what I just did, okay?”

“Copying you would be absolutely impossible, Oneesama. Something like invoking a magic bullet with the power of thousands of advanced magics, before extinguishing it with one hand, is…”

Haha, chuunibyou as always.

Phew, but still, Timu’s chuunibyou doesn’t seem to be receding in the least. When I called over tutors, her attitude was like that after all, and at this rate, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she’ll have a dreadful time in the real world.

What should I do? How can I rehabilitate her?

Mn, I think maybe it would be best to have her learn how to live and deal with other people.

In my past life it was normal schools, and I guess in this life, a magic academy?

In an academy, she’ll have lots of friends her age. I think it’ll teach her not just in the way of studies, but also the importance of relationships with other people. It might sound pretentious coming from a former hikikomori, but I don’t want Timu to make the same mistakes I did.

Alright. I need to make it so that Timu wants to go to school.

“Timu, it looks like you’re quite taken with the number of techniques I have, but I came up with them while I was at school, you know. I polished my skills at school.”

“Is that how it was?”

“Yep. So you know? I think that rather than have me teach you magic, I’d like it if you enrolled in the Magic Academy in the capital.”

“I-, I am to attend an academy for the likes of humans…?”

“Timu, it’s because of that attitude that I want you to go! There are tough times as well while you’re going to school, but it’ll definitely become useful for you.”

“I-, I see. Although I am tired of dealing with these fools, perhaps there may be some hint there. And moreover, no matter what else, it was you who said so. I shall abide by your words, Oneesama.”

It looks like Timu is finally willing to go. Maybe now, even Timu will learn some common sense.

“Looks like you’re willing. That’s a good sign. Oneechan will support your school life with all her power.”

“Thank you very much. I shall strive to meet your expectations, Oneesama!”

Alright, time to strike while the iron is hot. For now, I’ll have Loser(Bizef) get us permission for Timu to attend the Magic Academy. His title is only good for times like this, so no sense in not using it, right?

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“I’ll imagine a Meran like in Dragon Kwest.”
http://dragon-quest.org/wiki/Mera

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Phew~ It’s been quite a while since I first picked this up off Shintouyu, but I’ve finally finished the first arc. Onto the next, soon…

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Chapter 42 – “It’s Tilea’s magic lessons!” (Opening)

“Enough of this. I suppose you think it’s great fun to mock people like this!”

A young woman stormed out of the shop. From her brisk footsteps, you could tell that she was mad.

Fuu~ This again? …How many people has it been already.

Starting last week, we’ve been calling home tutors from the capital to help Timu with her magic. Everybody that came was a leading expert, even in the big capital. But not one of them stayed longer than a day.

A while ago, Timu declared “I shall reform the magic system from the bottom up!” and passionately began studying magic. That’s why I wanted to help her somehow, so I decided to hire a home tutor.

Incidentally, they were organised via Loser(Bizef)’s connections. He paid for them as well.

Last week I heard that he had finally recovered from shutting himself in, so I decided to head to his house to give him a piece of my mind.

I’ll leave out the details of what happened, but I was on the verge of seriously hitting him, you know? But well, I had him help me out with Timu’s matter, so I somehow managed to stop myself.

Because there was also the incident with the shop debt, Loser(Bizef) readily agreed. Only, from beginning to end, he kept unhappily complaining “Even though I could just teach her…”.

Hah! Why the hell should I subject my precious sister to the teachings of a Loser(Bizef). If she learns from a person like him, it’s obvious that her skills will degrade instead.
And so, using Loser(Bizef)’s connection, we had famous teachers come from the capital to teach magic.

But the result was that Timu drove away every single person that came…

At this rate, there probably won’t be a single person left soon.

Hahh~ What do I do?

While I was at my wit’s end, Timu’s carefree face appeared in the shop.

“Oneesama. That human possessed only worthless information, and so as usual, I drove them out.”

And the girl in question was always like this.

Geez. I mean, I get it, okay? I get it. I really get how she feels. In my old life, my grades definitely weren’t great either. I was always thinking, ‘to hell with studying’.

But to be unable to stand a single day… Don’t you think she has tolerance issues?

Would it be best if I scolded her here?

Mm~mm… But well~ she’d definitely rebel, right? Well, I suppose there’s no meaning if I scold her without hearing her out. First we’ll chat. It’s important that we understand each other.

“Timu, so it really was too hard to bear?”

“Uuu, I do not wish to complain to you, Oneesama, but their theories are just so childish and out-of-date that just listening to them talk feels like I’ll lose my mind.”

The way Timu’s talking, it’s like she’s a university professor listening to a class in kindergarten. In other words, the lessons were too hard, and she’s trying to cover that up. This stubbornness is also because she doesn’t want to admit that she doesn’t understand, huh.

Timu, there’s no reason you need to be embarrassed about being unable to follow. You were self-taught. You never had any proper lessons, so of course this would be the result. Honestly, you’re just like my old self. So stubborn.

“Timu, I know that it’s tough. You taught yourself magic, so of course their theories didn’t make any sense to you, right?”

“It is exactly as you say, Oneesama. I cannot understand them. Even though I had carefully created my system of magic, for some reason they went out of their way to make it childish and inefficient. Even though they had millennia to experiment on their own, why did my system deteriorate to this extent! Not even three tenths of my magic theory was passed down!”

So shouted Timu indignantly.

I see… So in the end, she’s just going to stick with the Demon Camilla part, and refuse to acknowledge her own ignorance, huh. It’s true that if the demon Camilla was here, she’d probably be saying more or less the same thing, I guess.

These lessons are the first time Timu has ever experienced discouragement. Up until now, she’s been teaching herself magic, and playing Demon King Army with a bunch of grown-ups. I’m sure she overestimated herself, and considered herself as a full-fledged magician already. But with the real experts in front of her now, she’s trying to escape from reality.

This won’t do. At this rate, Timu’s growth will be stopped. When it comes to self-teaching, you’ll always meet a limit someday. It’s important to learn from your predecessors.

Timu has talent. Even if you take out my bias as her sister, I still think that she can become an expert mage someday. But it won’t happen unless she puts in the effort now. I need to get her pumped up somehow.

“Timu. Don’t I always tell you? If you continue to deny everything like this, you won’t grow, you know.”

“H-, However, Oneesama… Their magic system is just too horrid. Even though magic has obviously declined, they continue to boast complacently about their backwards knowledge with self-satisfied looks. So many times I thought to tear our their brains!”

“Timu, that’s enough. No matter what you say, I’m going to continue having you attend lessons.”

“I-, It can’t beee… I understand that you wish to gather intelligence on the humans. But I do not think we will get anything further from them. Up until now, many people have come from the capital, and they were all said to be famous magicians, but every one of them was incompetent and amateur.”

“Amateur…!? So I suppose that makes you an expert then! Stop being so stubborn and listen to your teachers!”

“I-, I must once again listen to the ramblings of those primitives? Oneesama, I beg of you. Any more and I will go mad. Let us simply eliminate the lot of them already!”

Ohh, she’s lost it. She’s leaning forward towards me with a crazed expression on her face.

Fumu. Although this is for her sake, it might be too cruel to act like an Asian Parent like this. But still, ‘go mad’ she says…? I guess the magic from the capital really is too hard for her. It’s all lessons from experts who are famous even in the capital after all. I see. So it was too hard. In my past life, I experienced this a number of times too. It wouldn’t do to force her too much.

“Okay. If you hate it that much, then we’ll stop with the home tutor. But what about your magic training then? Do you plan to keep teaching yourself?”

“About the sky cutting magic that you mentioned, as you would expect, the reality is that learning it on my own is too difficult. I wish for you to teach me magic, Oneesama.”

“Uhh, Timu, you know, to begin with I can’t use――”

H-, Hang on. I’ve had a vague feeling for a while now, could it be that getting into magic is easier than I thought? I mean, everyone I’ve met so far could use magic. Could it be that anybody can use elementary magic as long as they try?

Speaking of which, I had heard that you could only learn magic after you built a solid foundation, but the one who told me that was Loser(Bizef). If it’s that guy, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he exaggerated things to make himself look better. I bet a girl from the sticks like me was the perfect sucker for his stories.

Considering that, if I then told Timu that I couldn’t use magic…

『Ehhh!? Oneechan, you don’t know how to use magic? Only twelve year olds don’t know how to use magic. Kyahahaa!』

she might say, like some typical scornful middle school girl.

Uuu, I’d hate that.

Timu is a chuunibyou, but she looks up to me. I need to show her my dignity as an older sister. I can’t tell her the truth.

“W-, Well, I could teach you, but… Ah, look, I mean, I only know the magic from my old world back when I was an Evil God, so it’s different from the system in this world, you know.”

Oooh, I think that was a pretty good excuse!

“I would by all means like to hear about the magic system used in ‘Japan’. Lately, all I have been listening to are the theories of children, so I have become just about fed up with it. Please guide me with your refined knowledge, Oneesama.”

S-, She’s really into it. Yeah… Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to go faking things while pushing her into studying.

Alright, then in that case, I’ll just wing it!

Only, even if she asks me to teach her, to begin with, how on earth do you use magic? I don’t even know the basics of the basics.

…C-, Can’t be helped.

I’ll just skilfully guide her into teaching me that.

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“Asian Parent”
The actual term used is more or less the same meaning, but without the American/Australian/Canadian racial stereotyping.

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So many birthdays today! My blog, Kirindas, Mockery Cat…
Happy birthday, guys!

Ah, and note that I update the Character Profiles as new characters and information is revealed.

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Chapter 41 – “Gargan Subjugation Team, you say?” (Finale)

Three weeks after the town mayor sent out a request to the Guild, news reached me about the suppression team camping out on the Beruga Plains.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Yes, Oneesama.”

Timu, Myuu and I headed to their camp.

“…”

“Myuu, what’s wrong?”

Myuu’s expression was gloomy. We’re about to go talk to the suppression team. Maybe even if he’s a talented swordsman, it’s still making him nervous.

“No, this one was simply feeling guilty towards Captain.”

“Why?”

“Normally, at times like this, guard duty goes to the Captain of the Household Guard.”

“Huu, I know that you’re good at looking after people. Niel is relying on you too, it seems. Are you and Niel friends?”

“It would be above this one’s station to be friends to him. However, it is true that we are brothers in arms. This one cannot deny that he feels that way about the Captain.”

“Mn, mn. I knew it. Have you known Niel for a long time?”

“Yes. We are are childhood friends.”

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS WITH THAT IDIOT!? Myuu, you must have had it really tough, huh.

“Hmm~ Is that how it is.”

“His status was different to this one’s, however.”

Status? …No matter how I look at it, aren’t you higher!? Does Myuu keep himself reserved day-to-day out of concern for that idiot?

He really is a good person. Well, if he wasn’t, there’s no way he’d put up with that Pervert(Nielsen)’s weird behaviour for any length of time.

“Myuu, even if he’s your childhood friend, there’s no need for weird reservations you know.”

“Mühen, it is as Oneesama says. There is no need for hesitation. You shall always aim higher than yourself. It was my mistake for allowing you to become like this.”

“Hahah, you overestimate this one.”

Myuu shook his head in embarrassment.

Honestly, he’s way too humble…

It’s because of that that I like him.

And so like that, the three of us chatted while we walked, and eventually the suppression team’s camp came into view. Lots of war-horses were tied up around the place. From that, you could see just how severe the place was.

“Mühen, we are already on enemy ground. Suppress your mana!”

Suddenly, Timu started spouting chuuni speak. Her chuunibyou probably flared up after seeing all the horses and adventurers.

“Hah-! …Kuh-!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Hahh, hahh, dropping one’s mana down to human levels is… quite the difficult task, isn’t it.”

“It’s like that for everyone to begin with. But once you adapt to it, it becomes but a simple task. Rather, suppressing your mana actually makes it easier to control.”

“Understood… Muu…. Huu~ This one has somehow managed.”

“Umu. Well done.”

So Myuu plays along as well. Mn, I see. Scolding her pointlessly would just make her rebel.

“Oneesama. Mühen and I have suppressed our mana to human levels. Please be at ease.”

“I-, I see… Take care in your behaviour, okay?”

“Of course, Oneesama.”

Timu said that full of confidence but… is the anxiety just my imagination?

Anyway, for now let’s have Timu stay at the back. It would probably be better for me to do the talking.

Well then…

Ahem, after pulling myself together, I headed into the camp.

“Hello.”

“Who are you?”

A bunch of stern faces all turned in my direction at once.

Oohh, truly the image of ruffians. I can feel a different aura to Loser(Bizef)’s. As expected of real adventurers.

“I’m Tilea. I work as a cook in Beruga.”

“Hmph. And what does a lowly towngirl want with us?”

The bearded ball of muscle at the front sent me a haughty reply.

Mu-! What an unpleasant guy!

But if I get angry, it’d all be for nothing.

Smile, smile. Suppressing my anger, a smile appeared on my face.

“Thank you for your hard work. The truth is, there’s a favour I would like to ask of all of the adventurers, and…”

“FAVOUR? We’re busy exterminating magic beasts. GO HOME!”

Pissing me offf. Who does this bearded meatball think he is! Would it hurt just to hear me out a little!

“I cannot forgive your extremely disrespectful attitude towards Oneesama!”

“Camilla-sama, please wait.”

“Mühen, do not stop me!”

“For the sake of Tilea-sama’s ambition, she is purposefully playing the fool. We must not put her determination to waste.”

“I know that! But, isn’t it frustrating? That the mighty Oneesama must be made light of by garbage that isn’t even worth a glance…”

“This one is also on the verge of exploding, but please restrain yourself. We must not hinder Tilea-sama’s strategy.”

“Mu, you’re right. Mühen, well said.”

“Milady. This one feels your mortification from the depths of his heart.”

For some reason I could hear Timu running wild behind me. But it looks like Myuu stopped her.

Had it been Pervert(Nielsen), all he would have done is add oil to the fire. It really was the right choice in bringing Myuu along. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like the adventurers heard what Timu said. I’d better advance the conversation while I can.

“Come on, don’t be so cold. Just liiisten a little bit~”

“Noisy. If you keep complaining I’ll kick you out of――”

“Oi, let’s just listen to her for now. And look! Ain’t she a pretty fine woman?

While I was struggling to persuade Beard Meat, one of Beard Meat’s companions joined the conversation with a suggestive grin.

“Tsk. A womaniser as always.”

“Heh! Stop with the bullshit. I know you don’t hate women either. It’d be a shame to kick out a jewel as fine as this.”

“Alright already. Oi, girl. Keep it short.”

I’m not quite satisfied with the way he said that, but I’ll endure it. Their ulterior motives are obvious, but at least they’re listening now.

“And so, about the favour, but if you see a puppy during your magic dog subjugation mission, please let it go.”

“MAGIC DOG? Oi, that’s totally different from what the Guild said. I was fired up because I heard it was some unknown large-type monster!”

“It’s true that it’d be weird for a new monster to appear in the countryside like this. For these parts, the danger level probably won’t get any worse than a pack of magic dogs.”

“The fuck. Aren’t the town guard enough for something like magic dogs? What a damned waste of time.”

The adventurers all started to complain.

Aahh, these people…

It looks like they were fooled because the mayor needlessly exaggerated things. So it really is weird for the Guild to dispatch a team to a peaceful place like Beruga.

“Hmph. Mühen, did you hear Oneesama’s words? To Oneesama, Gargan is nothing more than a puppy.”

“Yes. As expected of Tilea-sama.”

“And apparently Oneesama is using magic dogs as a cover for Gargan.”

“I see. Then in that case, let’s have Muram cooperate. If we use that guy’s summoning arts, we should be able to supply these humans with some good magic dogs.”

“Umu.”

Aahh, not only is the thing with the adventurers making no progress due to all their complaining, but on top of that I’ve been pretty worried about the conversation happening behind me. I can hear stuff like ‘dragon’ and ‘summoning’ and ‘deceiving the foolish humans’. Timu is definitely going wild again.

Goddammit… I really should have left Timu behind. I mean, Timu is just as severe a chuunibyou case as Pervert(Nielsen) is.

But you knoww~

Once she says “Well then, Oneesama, let us depart!” and follows me as though it’s natural, I just can’t bring myself to put the foot down.

Anyway, I’ll need to somehow get the adventurers to listen. If we take too long, who knows what Timu might start blurting out.

“Well then, about what I said before, but the puppy is a pet that my sister is raising. So if you see it, could you please overlook it?”

“Fucking, even though I’m already pissed about losing my prey, you’re going on ABOUT OVERLOOKING SOME PUPPY!?”

“Y-, Yes. If possible… I would really like to ask you to do so, but…”

“A puppy, huhhh~ If you want us to overlook it, then we want some kinda reward, aight?”

One of Beard Meat’s companions said that before poking my chest with his finger. A number of the others are smirking my way with lewd faces.

Tsk. You damned sleazebags! Even if you’re adventurers, aren’t you the same as a bunch of outlaws!?

As you’d expect, I really can’t bear this. Even if I’m asking you for a favour, who the hell would give you their body, dumbass!

“YOUUUU… For a lowly piece of garbage like you to touch Oneesama is asking to be ripped to pieces!”

“Camilla-sama, we are still carrying forth the strategy.”

“Do not stop me, Mühen. This time I have reached my limit. Absolutely unforgiveable!”

“Yes, it is true that they went too far.”

Seeing me in danger, Timu and Myuu approached my side.

“Oneesama, let us attack!”

Timu, even if you speak like a certain old noble, it’s still a no. These guys are unpleasant, but they’re still fully-fledged adventurers. If you go against them, you’ll go through a tough time, you know.

Ah-… but if we don’t go against them, our chastities are in danger. No way. That isn’t a joke.

What do I do?

While I was at a loss, I found that Myuu approached me with an imposing attitude, and a hand on his sword pommel.

S-, So reliable…

Thank goodness I came with Myuu. I get the feeling that Myuu could handle even these guys somehow.

“Timu, please get back. Myuu, are you okay with these numbers?”

I do think that I’m asking too much. But with Myuu’s sword techniques, I can expect that he’d be able to buy enough time for Timu and I to escape.

“It is true that personally destroying the one that touched Oneesama would be like using a greatsword to cut a radish. Mühen, you shall exterminate them instead.”

“Understood. From what this one observes, they do not appear to be much. Only, it seems as though one or two of them know what they are doing. Although this one will not lose, there is a chance that they will escape. Were this one in his normal condition then the result would be different, but…”

“I see. You were still in the middle of your mana regulation training, weren’t you. Very well. In my place, you will kill these pieces of garbage.”

“PIECES OF GARBAGE? WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!”

“Little girl, don’t say things you can’t take back!”

Timu’s words caused two of the adventurers to snap, and leave their table.

Ahh, aahh, those adventurers have finally heard Timu. Such a cute kid is saying something so extreme. Everybody must be shocked, right?

“Oneesama, I shall unleash my mana. As for information, if I spare just one from annihilation, it will be fine, yes?”

‘It will be fine, yes’? …OF COURSE IT’S NOT FINE!

The adventurers are getting really angry.

W-, What do I do?

“ANNIHILATE? HYAHAHAHHA, WHAT A RECKLESS LITTLE MISS.”

“Get on your knees and apologise! If you do, we might go a bit easy on you.”

“Ku ku ku. what an attitude for garbage to take. Oohh, I see. So my pressure is not working because of my suppressed mana. No wonder these dregs are getting so full of themselves.”

Hearing the adventurers’ threats, Timu just added more oil to the fire.

“What’s with this brat’s cheeky attitude!? What do we do? We’re free, so wanna play for a bit?”

Beard Meat and a few of his friends approached to surround us.

This is bad…

The situation has turned a little unfavourable. While I was bewildered by the development,

“How about you don’t. Isn’t she still a kid? And you still call yourselves proud adventurers!?”

A strong voice resounded from further in.

“N-, No, but, this kid was running off her cheeky mouth, so,”

“You say something? How about you play with me instead?”

“N-, No way, Maira-san. It was just a joke.”

Y-, Yeah. We were just teasing them a little, so,”

Because of the attitude of the woman who suddenly appeared, Beard Meat and the others all dejectedly pulled back.

Oh goodness, she’s so dreamy…

Who on earth is this lovely big sister-like lady…? It’s the first time my heart has thumped like this since Remilia-san, you know?

“I’m Maira Eagill. Technically, the leader of this subjugation team. Sorry about the trouble these guys caused.”

“N-, No, not at all…”

Maira-san, is it…? She’s so pretty. Her red hair, dark skin, and fox eyes are really leaving an impression on me.

After apologising for the actions of Beard Meat and the others, Maira-san came even closer to us. And then she crouched in front of Timu.

“Those guys are a nasty bunch, but little miss, your attitude was part of the problem. You shouldn’t make fun of adults, you know.”

“‘Little miss’? Is that supposed to be me? A brat like you calling me…”

“Okay, stop! That’s enough.”

I covered up Timu’s mouth from behind.

“Muguu. Mu, muguu, O-, Oneesa-…”

“I’m sorry. My sister is in her rebellious phase, you see.”

“Honestly, what an audacious girl. It’ll only do her harm if you spoil her too much, you know.”

“Haha, that’s true. It just kind of happened.”

“Don’t trouble your Oneesan too much, alright?”

Saying that, Maira-san gave Timu’s nose a flick, and then took a few steps back to where she was standing before.

“Y-, YOUUUUU… Your rude――mugu-, O-, Oneesama, let go-”

Let’s just keep Timu’s mouth sealed until the negotiations are done. Picking a fight even with Maira-san who helped us is as bad as Pervert(Nielsen) you know.

“And so, about the puppy…”

“Ain’t it fine? Everyone, our targets aren’t a bunch of tiny animals, right!”

“That’s true. If it’s you that says so, then we understand, Maira-san.”

Ooohh, Maira-san put the foot down, and everybody agreed. She’s as amazing as she looks. Once the magic dog extermination is done, I’d better thank her properly.

---

“Oneesama, let us attack!” (yatteshimaimashou)
Timu, even if you speak like a certain old noble, it’s still a no.

Sorry. I don’t know the reference.

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Chapter 40 – “Gargan Subjugation Team, you say?” (Middle)

When I returned to the shop, I needed to warn Timu and the others about what I had heard earlier. I wouldn’t be able to bear it if magic dogs attacked them while they were happily playing.

“Timu, I kind of need to talk to you…”

“Oneesama, I too have something I must speak to you about.”

“Oh, what a coincidence. Well then, won’t you listen to me first?”

“Understood.”

“The truth is, apparently the nearby village Zalgie has been attacked by magic beasts.”

“I too wished to speak about that. It was my blunder. Because of the Demon King Army, they have noticed Gargan’s presence. Rumours have already begun to spread to the neighbouring towns.”

U-, Ummm, Gargan? And the Demon King Army?

But I was talking about a pack of magic dogs, not some puppy.

To begin with, what the heck do you mean it’s the Demon King Army’s fault!

I looked at Timu’s face. It’s her usual serious expression. She doesn’t look like she’s messing with me.

…I see. So it’s her usual chuunibyou speak. I could just cut her off here. But chuunibyou needs patience to heal. I won’t ignore her. I should be hearing her out.

“Timu, Gargan is a puppy, isn’t he? He’s unrelated to the topic this time, right?”

“Huhu, Gargan may be a puppy to you, Oneesama, but he is a fully-fledged dark dragon, you know. To the rabble, I believe Gargan is like a calamity that overturns heaven and earth.”

Mmn, this isn’t getting anywhere. A dark dragon, you say? Then we’re keeping two of them as pets. That’s amazing. We could make them our shop’s selling point. Hell, maybe I should just start cooking dragon.

“And about this being the Demon King Army’s fault?”

Honestly, I’ve just about given up on trying to advance this conversation, but I’ll ask just in case.

“In order to conceal Gargan, I have been using untraceable mountain bandits and highwaymen as food. If we touched any villagers, naturally this nation would be alerted.”

“Well yeah. The Public Safety Force would come rushing over. And if too many strange stories are told, a scary oneesan from the Public Safety Force will come running over to hand out a spanking, okay?”

I was subtly warning Timu about her chuuni speak. But Timu didn’t seem to mind at all. Or rather, she doesn’t even realise I was talking about her?

The conversation went on without her realising. She talked on and on about the Demon King Army’s movements, or the activities of the organisation, or the invasion on the neighbouring counties.

And the conclusion…?

Gargan was being fed bandits as pet food. The peace and safety around Beruga town was all safe and good. And then, the more bandits(pet food) Gargan ate, the more often they could bump heads with scouts from the Demon King Army. Those scouts had been attacking Zalgie village with magic beasts that devoured the villagers. That’s when Gargan appeared. All the scouts evacuated in a hurry. The scouts had escaped, and somebody caught a glimpse of Gargan just as Zalgie village had been destroyed.

“Hmm~ Gargan has it rough, huh~ So it was a false accusation, huh~”

“Yes. For the sake of the Evil God Army’s world domination, I had been keeping Gargan prudently, but it has all come to nothing. Had I known this was going to happen, I should have just let him rampage to begin with.”

Timu, I get it. I get it, but just when are you going to recover from your chuunibyou? At this rate, who knows when you’ll be able to make any friends your age.

“Camilla-sama’s anger is most justified. We must exact the appropriate vengeance upon the loathsome Demon King Army.”

Not losing to Timu at all, Pervert(Nielsen)’s chuunibyou jumped right into full throttle.

Hahh. I have to look after you as well? I’m getting a headache. Honestly, just give me a break from all this chuuni please. Let’s move to the real topic. This isn’t the time for nonsense.

“Timu, let’s not speak of the Demon King Army anymore. The real problem is the warning about magic beasts. When you head out to play, stay away from Zalgie Village.”

“Oneesama, of course I already know this. I cannot allow our presence to become any more salient. I will convey your message to all the members of the Household Guard.”

“I-, I see. Well, as long as you stay away, that’s fine I guess.”

It looks like I can finally relax for a bit. Timu and the others were playing in a real danger zone, so I was worried. All we need now is for the subjugation team to take down the magic dogs, and then we’re in the clear.

Wait, hang on. That isn’t simple at all…

It’s the fault of the deadly magic dog pack. But Gargan is being kept free range, so there’s a chance he’ll mess up people’s farms. It wouldn’t be strange for the subjugation team to exterminate Gargan as well. I need to do something about this.

“Also, a subjugation team will be dispatched from the Guild, so what will you be doing about Gargan?”

“That would become a problem, wouldn’t it.”

“Yeah, it would, huh.”

I’m sure that those guys will hunt down any magic beast they see. Would they be lenient if it’s just a puppy? Although Gargan is our pet, he’s being raised like a stray.
In my old life, back in lax Japan, stray dogs would be brought to a health centre. But in this world there’s no reason to spare them.

Should I try talking to the subjugation team just to try?

But they’d probably say “No way, no way. If we spare one, we’ll end up sparing them all. The orders say to eliminate all magic beasts!”.

Can’t be helped. Should we shelter Gargan in the shop then?

No, I don’t think that would work either. We have pride as a restaurant. Even for a few days, we can’t allow a hygiene problem. I feel bad for Timu, but we might have to return Gargan to the wild someplace far away.

“Timu, it’s a shame, but it’s starting to look like we’ll have to let go of Gargan.”

“EH!? G-, Gargan is like my other half that I have braved countless battles together with in the last great war. B-, But if Oneesama so desires then I… t-, then I…”

Timu told me that with a heartbroken expression. No good. Timu’s clearly getting depressed.

“AAHHHHHH! I was kidding! Just kidding! Gargan is your precious friend, right? We definitely won’t be doing anything of the sort.”

“No, it is fine. Oneesama is what is truly important to me. There is nobody more important than you are. If you so order, then I would even kill my other half.”

“I-, It’s fine, I said. You don’t have to do anything like that. I definitely won’t make you do anything that makes you sad, Timu.”

“Oneesama!”

Phew~ Looks like I somehow got it under control. It looks like Timu has gotten really attached to Gargan as a pet. And it looks like we can’t abandon him now.

“In that case, should we not brace ourselves, and play all our cards in an all-out invasion, Tilea-sama?”

Pervert(Nielsen) enthusiastically suggested a battle, in other words, “How about we complain to the subjugation squad?”.

It’s easy to talk about it, huh~

Although it’s just the matter of one puppy, it’s probably going to be crazy hard to convince the Guild.

“Oneesama, Nielsen’s suggestion holds merit. At present, the Demon King Army is presently on the decline. I believe that perhaps now is the best chance for an all-out invasion of the human world.”

Hm~mm, what should I do…

The subjugation squad should comprise magic beast hunting specialists. I’ll bet they’re a bunch with a few quirks here and there.

But well, it doesn’t mean that they’ll be a rowdy bunch just because they’re adventurers. Maybe talking it out really is the best option.

“Yeah. For now let’s try negotiating first.”

“Milady. Can I take that to mean, negotiate first, and if negotiations break down, we commence all-out war?”

If negotiations break down, we commence all-out war, he says…?

If the subjugation team won’t do as we ask, are you planning on punching it out?

This is bad. At this rate, if we don’t see eye-to-eye, Pervert(Nielsen) will end up arrested.

I know. For now I’ll leave this idiot aside. It’s obvious that if I bring this guy along, things will just spiral out of control.

“Yeah. Let’s go with that, then.”

“Understood. Please leave your defence to me.”

“No, you’ll be guarding the house, Niel. I’ll be taking Myuu as my bodyguard.”

“Mühen, you say?”

“That’s right. Problem?”

“…No. Well then, I shall relay your order to him.”

“I’ll leave it to you!”

Ever since our little sword show the other day, Myuu’s stock has been on a sudden rise. We’re going to have a talk with the Guild after all. Obviously we need somebody who can behave like an adult, right?
And also, Myuu is the strongest member of our group. Although we’re just going there to talk, who knows what might happen. I won’t be able to relax without a talented swordsman watching over me.

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Chapter 39 – “Gargan Subjugation Team, you say?” (Opening)

“Uu, I’m so sleeeepy~”

Because I spent last night creating a new menu for our restaurant, I didn’t get much sleep. The new item on our menu is a hot rice dish flavoured with lots of spices, topped with a roux of vegetables or meat; that’s right, it’s ‘curry rice’.

I spent all of yesterday challenging myself to create curry. Looks like it’s true that when you come to another world, you just start getting crazy cravings for it. I just wanted to eat it so badly that I tried to make it myself, but it’s really hard. Although I remembered what it was supposed to taste like, I don’t know exactly what spices they put in it. Even when I used similar ingredients, the taste ends up kind of off.

Man, the Indians really were amazing, huh? They came up with such an amazing balance of spices after all. Aahh, I seriously wish I had curry powder.

I didn’t do any proper cooking in my last life so I can’t come up with the recipe for curry. After all, the only garnishes I knew for curry were potato and carrot. That’s why the only thing I can use is my memory of how it tasted.
Honestly, I just want to punch the old me in the face. After all, I know more about this world’s cuisine now. So now I know just what a lazy life I used to lead.

Anyway, busy with this, and that, I only slept four hours ago.

And right now I’m participating in the town meeting. Normally this is left to Mum or Dad, but Dad suddenly demanded that I go, so I got promoted.

Daddy really asks for the impossible…

I’m sure it’s because of what happened earlier.

I guess it was pretty bad that I solved our debt crisis single-handedly. Well, rather than me, it was more like Remilia-san who solved it though. I ended up being scolded because it could have been dangerous had I made just one mistake.

“Don’t you trust our neighbours in this town!?” Dad said, and I got completely chewed out. He was mad because everybody in town was joining together to stand up to them, but I went and did a solo play.

He probably made me come to this meeting so I could get to know everyone a little better, and maybe become a bit more mature.

Since he was that concerned about me, I couldn’t refuse.

I’m rubbing my eyes due to the sleepiness but… these sorts of meetings are the same in every world, huh. They keep going on and on about stuff I don’t care about.

And the speeches that our town mayor gives are too longgg. I’ve heard that the old mayor loves talking, but it looks like it’s true. In my old life, I never listened to the principal’s speeches either. Eventually the sleepiness caught up with me.

“You look sleepy, Tilea-chan.”

As I was nodding off, George, the clerk from the guard station spoke to me in a friendly voice.

“I-, I’m sorry. I stayed up a little late cooking, and…”

“Haha, as passionate as always, huh. But you shouldn’t overdo things.”

“Yes. I know that, but… it just kind of happened, ehe.”

Being pointed out as a cooking maniac, I just scratched my head in embarrassment.

Hmm!? Speaking of which, George-san is here. Loser(Bizef) isn’t coming?

Even though he seems like the type who would proactively come to a meeting like this to act all important…

“Is Bizef-san not going to participate?”

“Aahh, Bizef is still holed up in his house.”

Srs? He’s still all up about that time? Isn’t he going to turn into a real hikikomori at this rate?

To begin with, it’s his fault that my family was in danger. Even now, he still hasn’t explained himself once to us. Even if we accept that it’s because he’s a loser, he inconvenienced us, so he should apologise.

While I was mumbling unhappily, the mayor suddenly got louder.

“Also, there is a final, urgent matter to discuss!”

Urgent matter?

As you’d expect, I need to hear this out at least. Slapping my face awake with both hands, I forcefully cleared my sleepy head, and began listening carefully to what he had to say.

“These last few days, the circumstances around Beruga have changed.”

“Mayor, what do you mean change?”

“Apparently the ecosystem around our town is being destroyed.”

“I-, Is that true?”

The mayor’s bombshell announcement sent the townspeople into a clamour. It’s true that Ork meat has been getting more expensive, and a few ingredients that were common before have disappeared from the markets.

“The veteran adventurers that come to sell magic beast meat at the markets are all saying the same thing, so there is no mistake.”

“And why is this urgent?”

“Apparently a large-type magic beast or a pack of magic dogs have been discovered.”

“Large-type magic beast!? I haven’t heard a thing about that yet.”

“There have already been victims. Apparently Zalgie Village was annihilated.”

“Zalgie Village!? But that isn’t too far from here.”

“Indeed. That’s why we must be vigilant as well.”

“B-, But to annihilate the whole village is…”

“According to the adventurers that went to Zalgie Village, not a single soul was spotted there.”

“C-, Couldn’t they have all moved somewhere together?”

“And leave the tools for their livelihood behind? Impossible. And moreover, the adventurers supposedly discovered corpses there, and those corpses appeared to have been brutally bitten apart by a beast.”

“A-, All of them?”

“They only found the parts for a few people. The rest are probably in some magic beast’s stomach.”

Panic spread through the townspeople. In such a peaceful town, nobody expected to hear such a violent story. Myself included. I mean, I thought that even at its worst, Beruga was safer than Japan in my old life.

The other day Loser(Bizef) may have called over the Usojima-kuns, but that was an irregular exception, and the town is normally peaceful. But despite that, to think something like this happened…

“Whether magic dogs or a large-type magic beast… it looks like these parts have become dangerous, doesn’t it, George-san.”

“Yeah. I’ve lived here for thirty years in this town, and this is the first time.”

“Thought so…”

A large-type magic beast, or a pack of magic dogs. It really is a crazy story. It’s hard to imagine that a large-type magic beast would suddenly appear in these parts. Realistically speaking, I think that the magic dog theory is on the money. Something probably caused them to migrate towards our town.

The mayor continued to talk.

“…And so, I have thought of two options.”

“What are they?”

“The first is that we create a town militia.”

“A militia?”

“Indeed. Each family contributes a few volunteers, and take turns keeping a lookout around town.”

“And the other option?”

“The other option is to rely on the Guild. We have the testimonies of the adventurers, and I think they will organise a suppression squad for us.”

“Wouldn’t this option be better? We’re all amateurs, so let’s rely on the pros.”

“Fumu. However, just our town taxes will not be enough for the request. In that case, we will be taking money from each household.”

Everybody began to think about the two options. If we recruit volunteers for the town militia then we won’t need to worry about money, but it will come along with significant threat of death. On the other hand, relying on the Guild would keep all our lives safe, but in that case our wallets will hurt.

Money or people…

“What do you think, George-san?”

“Let’s see. Normally just a town militia would be enough. However, from what we hear the danger is out of the ordinary, so the militia would likely be unable to handle it.”

“I see. But if it turns out that it isn’t really a big deal, then would the Guild commission would just be a waste of money?”

“True, but would just our town be enough? After all, our ace Bizef is in that kind of state.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“Tilea-chan, do you have anybody you could perhaps rely on?”

“Hm~mm, if it’s just numbers then our store’s staff and their friends sum up to quite a few, but…”

“Aahh, you mean Nielsen-san, don’t you? Honestly, where on earth did you find that dandy?”

Gegeh-, so even George-san knows about him!? So that Pervert(Nielsen)’s fame as a mature lady killer has spread this far.

“Well, it’s true that he’s popular with the all the wives, isn’t he. But his physical strength is a little…”

“One of those so-called ‘loverboys’, was he? A lady’s man who gets through life with just money and power, huh.”

Muu, if that chuunibyou is a ‘loverboy’ then it’s the end of the damned world. But thinking about it, it’s true that we don’t have enough people to form anything close to a decent militia. I think that even if we need to spend some money, it’s best to call the Guild.

“Well then, now that we have all discussed every opinion, it is time for a majority vote.”

Saying that, the mayor took the votes. Naturally I voted to commission the Guild.

The result…

The great majority voted the same way I did.

It looks like everybody is having their doubts about Loser(Bizef). Having come to a decision, we sent out a fast-horse to contact the guild. They should probably send a subjugation team in a few weeks.

“It seems things have gotten serious, huh, Tilea-chan. Try your best to be careful while going outside.”

“Yes. Please be careful too, George-san.”

It really is dangerous. In particular, we’d better stay away from Zalg-… Huh?

Isn’t that the place that Timu and the others like to play? I’d better warn Timu as quickly as possible.

Leaving the meeting behind, I hurried to the shop.

 

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“cooking maniac” is actually “cooking baka” or “an idiot who only thinks about cooking”

“loverboy” imagine a successful version of this guy:

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