The Lie That Got Found Out
The lie had been exposed. To think she was the first head of the Arbaana family. The arrival of someone far more significant than I’d anticipated sent my mind spinning at full speed. Unlike Cheonma, whom I had at least fought in the game, she was a legend preserved only in records. True to her title as the founding matriarch, the woman known as the Transcendent of Space surely possessed power equal to Cheonma’s.
—So she really is the first head… That explains why her thought form can wield Karma.
—You can do the same thing, so why are you acting so surprised?
Renia responded to Cheonma’s words in a tone dripping with disbelief, as if asking whether she was being deceived. Anyone listening in would have assumed the two were the best of friends.
—Just what are you? Renia continued. —To be honest, even if the original me fought you, the outcome wouldn’t be easy to predict.
I nodded. She was simply stating the obvious. Even if this was Renia Arbaana herself—the Transcendent of Space—it was only natural she couldn’t defeat Cheonma.
—That’s something you only know after you fight. Given space’s nature, it would be quite troublesome.
—No, I can tell without fighting. Among everyone I’ve ever met, you’re the strongest. A complete monster, honestly.
—What about the first emperor?
—That one’s hard to even call human. You pretty much have to treat him as a demigod.
They spent a moment cheerfully praising each other’s strength with light laughter. Then, as if deciding it was enough, Cheonma changed the subject.
—So. What’s the reason you’re reaching out with that sinister hand toward me and my disciple?
—Sinister? I was simply trying to gauge what kind of person he is with my magic power!
—You really are shameless. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you blatantly reaching for my disciple’s chest?
C-chest? Without thinking, I raised a hand to cover my own chest. No, even so, that remark from Cheonma had been a bit much.
Karne glanced at me curiously as I suddenly covered my chest in the middle of eating. I told her it was nothing and asked Renia directly.
“Is what Master said true?”
—W-well, you see… It was surprisingly well-toned. I happen to have a keen interest in close-combat classes, so I was merely checking whether the muscles were firm and balanced… Ahem! I was simply confirming that it had been properly developed. Don’t misunderstand.
Crackle.
—You really do talk a lot.
—I-I’m sorry! But I didn’t actually touch anything!
—Yet you still attempted it.
—But still! I died without ever properly touching a man!
—How unsightly. To think the first head of Arbaana would behave like this…
Purple lightning swelled in size, feeding on her emotions. Renia panicked and shrieked.
—Hey! If that hits me, it’s going to be a disaster! Not just for me—my descendant will be in serious trouble too!
—Do you really think I couldn’t control something of this level?
—Hey, kid! Hurry up and stop your master!
Watching her desperately beg for help with a cold gaze, I thought to myself: That… is the first head of Arbaana? For some reason, my mental image of her was crumbling in an entirely new way.
“…Master. For Karne’s sake, I hope you’ll show mercy.”
—If you ask it of me, then fine.
Cheonma withdrew her energy in an instant and issued a warning.
—There had better not be a next time.
—I’ll be careful, so could you stop glaring already? Haha. At this rate we’re all going to die…! Gummy’s going to turn into Tiny!
—What is that supposed to mean?
—It means your gaze is that intense! Our already tiny descendant might shrink even more!
Well, Karne is rather short. She barely crossed five feet. I nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing with Renia. Since Karne was the first friend I’d made here, I genuinely hoped she would eat plenty and train until she possessed a healthy, strong body.
—Hmm, but there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask for a while now.
Renia nibbled her lip hesitantly before speaking.
—Hey, kid. You wouldn’t happen to be one of my distant descendants too, would you?
—What kind of nonsense is that?
—No, no. I’m not just throwing it out there—I’m genuinely curious. I sensed an aptitude for space from this child. The level was comparable to that of our own descendants.
Unfortunately, I was not of Arbaana blood. The reason for her misunderstanding was likely the unique nature of my body. My high talent across every attribute included power over space itself.
“I am not a member of the Arbaana family.”
—I… see? Tsk. That’s really too bad.
“…What exactly are you disappointed about?”
—The power of space is a talent that appears in only the tiniest fraction of people outside our family. And if that talent’s level is beyond comparison with others, I thought you might react the same way. If that monster woman weren’t your master, I would have done everything in my power to raise you alongside my descendants.
Cheonma nodded as though it were obvious.
—My disciple certainly possesses exceptional talent. On top of that, he also has the diligence to match. It’s enough to make one drool.
Then, as if granting a great favor, Cheonma raised a single finger.
—Knowing your ability, I will specially permit you to teach my disciple one technique.
—…What?
“M-Master?”
It was an utterly absurd statement. Had she really just given Renia—the first head of Arbaana—the chance to teach me? Someone people should kneel before and beg for instruction, and yet she was offering the opportunity instead. How arrogant. But this was Cheonma. This was exactly my master!
Renia’s form trembled violently at the arrogant declaration. The previous words had clearly caught her off guard.
—Does that even make sense to you?
—What are you dissatisfied with?
—Why would I engage in charity? I’m not foolish enough to scatter my family’s secret techniques. If the child were to become my direct disciple, maybe. But there’s no reason to do so for someone else’s pupil.
Yes, under normal circumstances, Renia’s reaction would have been perfectly reasonable. But Cheonma simply shook her head as if none of it mattered. She even twisted the corner of her mouth slightly, as though warning her not to misunderstand.
—It seems you’re mistaken about something.
—Mistaken… about what?
—I never told you to teach the family’s secret vision.
—…You didn’t forget what you said a moment ago, did you?
Cheonma had clearly stated she would allow the transmission of one technique. Having heard it myself, I couldn’t help but feel confused.
—I permitted you to teach the disciple one technique. I never said to teach the family vision.
—…Then what exactly am I supposed to teach?
—Do not worry. Simply teach something that helps with everyday life.
—What…?
—Since there are other suitable candidates for attack and defense techniques besides me, you need only teach one auxiliary skill useful in daily life.
—H-how dare you tell me—Renia Arbaana—to teach a mere life-auxiliary skill?
Her voice trembled with barely suppressed rage. I carefully shifted my gaze toward Cheonma’s face. Just what was she thinking to say such things to Renia?
—Huhu. I see you’re trying to rile up my emotions to get something out of it, but unfortunately for you, that won’t work. Life assistance? Fine, I’ll teach it. The Transcendent of Space will personally instruct him.
Gulp.
Why did it feel like Cheonma had caused the trouble, yet I was the one who had to clean up the mess? I wanted to shake my head vigorously and refuse, but Karne’s presence right in front of me kept me from doing so. All I could do was scream internally.
—As I said before, I’m currently busy suppressing my descendant’s power. Once she learns to control and manage it to some degree, I’ll teach him then.
—Understood. Ah, but there is one thing I wish to ask.
—What is it?
Just as the conversation seemed to be wrapping up and I was about to stand, Cheonma caught Renia and posed her question.
—Do you happen to know about the sickness that affects yokai? The body isn’t well enough to require recuperation, but if you know a solution, please tell me.
Cheonma asked with genuine concern for Hoya. She had no idea the fox had lied and fled. My innocent master, I’m truly sorry, but Hoya deceived you and ran away. I considered saying it aloud but ultimately kept my mouth shut. She might ask why I hadn’t spoken up sooner.
—A yokai catching a cold? What are you even talking about?
—I only compared it to a cold because the symptoms are similar. It’s not exact, so don’t misunderstand. It simply means her condition isn’t good enough to require proper recuperation.
—No, what have you been saying this whole time? A yokai needing recuperation? Don’t those creatures recover just fine by doing nothing? Even in serious cases, they heal automatically if they’re in a place rich in Ghostly Qi.
—W-what do you mean? They recover on their own?
—Ah… Maybe people nowadays don’t know this? Unless it’s an attack that damages their very existence—like holy power—yokai recover quickly. As long as the wound isn’t right before death, they can heal most injuries in a single day.
At Renia’s explanation, Cheonma clenched her fist and began to tremble. She had finally realized she’d been deceived.
—Y-you fox bitch…! How dare you trick me!
Haha, Hoya. You’re in for it when you return.
“Achoo!”
“M-Milady Hoya! Are you all right?”
“Y-yes. Don’t worry about me. Go back to what you were doing.”
Hoya shivered as an eerie chill swept across her entire body, then tilted her head. There was no way a yokai like herself could catch a cold, so what exactly was this reaction…?
“Did someone mention me, I wonder?”
Sniffling cutely, Hoya turned her head and inspected the current state of the Ghost Lair. She was satisfied to see that the lair had been well-managed in her absence.
“If I’m thinking about returning, I’ll need to appoint additional administrators here…”
Hoya froze, shocked by her own words. Return? To where those people were?
“N-no, that’s not it. It’s just because of that gorilla woman. It slipped out unconsciously.”
After all, if she didn’t go back on her own, they would forcibly kidnap her anyway. So she might as well go willingly. Repeating that justification to herself, Hoya flipped through her documents.
“This time I was so busy solving problems that I couldn’t even rest properly. Next time, I’ll make sure to rest thoroughly before leaving.”
Hoya diligently addressed the remaining issues, determined to rest twice as much next time. Completely unaware of the bleak future awaiting her…