Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Calm Before the Storm on the Floating Island
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"D, Dret?"
"Yeah? Oh, sorry."
Mayal's cheeks flushed a little.
Realizing I still had my arm wrapped around her, I quickly let go.
Of course, I released my other arm too.
I hadn't even dared to look at Clarir, scared of her reaction.
"Ahem! Uh-hm! Th-thank you."
"No big deal. You probably would've dodged it even without me."
"......"
I could feel Clarir's silent gaze, but I absolutely refused to look.
"......"
Yeah. No way in hell I'm looking.
I heard Hamart grinding his teeth, but I cleanly ignored that too.
Once this festival was over, I vowed never to get tangled up with this couple again.
It felt like a promise that might never come true, but I'd try anyway.
Fortunately, Clarir seemed more interested in the man I suspected was Almiraz and the woman chasing him than in me.
"That woman... she's definitely one of Kaiz's companions."
"Kaiz's?"
"Yes. I heard she was originally a famous thief, but Kaiz subdued her and made her a companion."
Hoo. So she's no pushover, then?
Her movements earlier weren't ordinary, and if that regressor— who was practically screaming it from the rooftops—bothered taking her as a companion, she must get ridiculously strong in the future.
Honestly, thief didn't sound like a great class, and she'd probably caused some trouble, but if he still recruited her, she must have some special talent.
"But... shouldn't we chase them? Dret?"
"Pardon?"
"From what I know, the Ten Great Families and you..."
Clarir clamped her mouth shut.
It looked like she was glancing at Mayal, but I wasn't sure why.
She must've picked up somewhere that I was participating in the Demon King descent prevention operation.
...But am I actually in the operation?
I haven't heard anything yet.
"It's fine."
"But..."
"Kaiz will handle it. Let's just enjoy the festival."
The positive response came from Gold.
"Mm! Ignore anything unrelated! Great attitude!"
Great attitude...?
"Gold. You must have gotten the message too."
Clarir whispered in a low voice.
Her demeanor made it clear she didn't want Mayal to hear.
"If they request cooperation, we'll act, but since they didn't inform us before moving, they probably don't want us taking initiative. They'll contact us if needed!"
Gold spoke loudly without hesitation, and Clarir panicked even more, glancing at Mayal.
Why's she acting like that?
......Ah.
The message went to the other Ten Great Families, but not to Mayal's.
Love Yarte isn't exactly in a position to be seen as one of the Ten Great Families right now...?
I approached her, who was pretending not to notice.
"Mayal."
"Y-yeah?"
I grinned at her, who jumped at my call.
"Wh-what's with that face? It's creepy."
"......"
Cheeky.
"There are tons of stalls over there. Wanna check 'em out?"
"Huh? But what about Gold's tight schedule?"
"We can push it back a bit. If not today, tomorrow. It's fine..."
Fine, right? I was about to ask when Gold blinked at me.
His expression was the same as usual, but after spending over a month in the same mansion, I could tell he looked a little down.
"I won't lie, it stings a bit. But just being with Gold makes this a festival for me. I'm enjoying it plenty now, and tomorrow we'll stick to the schedule. Okay?"
"Mm!"
Gold nodded in satisfaction.
Damn kid. Kinda cute.
.....
For the record, I don't have those kinds of hobbies.
"Pfft."
Mayal, who was watching us, burst out laughing.
Good. She laughed.
I gave a light pat on the back of Mayal, who seemed re-energized.
I was too chicken to actually touch her.
The sensual feel from hugging her earlier came to mind, making me hesitant to lay a hand on her.
"Let's go."
"O-okay."
Mayal replied in a slightly reluctant voice.
With direction set, we headed to the street lined with stalls.
Good call coming here.
It wasn't just food stalls.
There were accessories, weapons, everyday items—every kind of stall imaginable.
Even game stalls that piqued my interest.
I glanced at Mayal.
She was secretly checking her wallet and groaning.
I pulled out my wallet from my pocket.
"Mayal."
"Y-yeah?!"
"Anything you wanna eat?"
"Huh? Eat? Why? Gonna buy it for me?"
I nodded matter-of-factly at Mayal, who grinned cheekily.
"Of course. After all you've done for me."
"Huh? What have I done?"
Does this innocent girl not even realize what she's done?
"You helped with my physical training, right?"
"N-no! I got paid for that!"
"Honestly, it felt like too little pay for what you did. Anyway, what do you want?"
"Uh, um... It's fine. I have plenty of money. I was just hesitating 'cause this month's spending's been heavy?"
Mayal looked at me anxiously.
What was it? Like she feared my gaze changing.
A demeanor terrified of disappointment.
Her cautious movements suddenly reminded me of a kitten my dad and I cared for when I was little.
We brought it home, but it ran away for some reason soon after, would visit occasionally, then stopped coming altogether.
I was pretty bummed back then...?
Mayal's a dog breed, so she'll be fine? Ridiculous thoughts popped up.
"Of course you have money. But I want to treat you. Friends don't need to feel burdened—just eat up."
"Uh, um... Still..."
"I'm an instructor, remember? Pay's pretty good."
This was a lie.
As the principal explained last time, no achievements meant only 2 million won equivalent from my original world.
But 2 million won.
Way more than enough for a day's fun, right?
"Th-then... just a little?"
"Eat your fill."
"U-uwu..."
Mayal agonized over the various food stalls, then suddenly perked up.
"You're really okay with anything?! I'm gonna chow down?!"
"Goodness. Hope that little belly can handle it."
"I told you! Then that one!"
This time, Mayal naturally hooked her arm in mine and led me.
The feel of her arm linked was damn nice.
"...Physical training?"
I easily ignored Clarir's suspicious mutter.
"Gold. It won't compare to your usual favors, but tell me what you want. You too, Repelt."
"Mm! Big bro's treats are stuff money can't buy!"
"Er~ um... Th-then, if you insist."
Oh, right, Clarir and Hamart too.
I'd rather exclude those two, but it'd feel shitty to treat everyone else and leave them out.
Consideration from an experienced loner.
After that, it was eating time.
Food stalls were packed tight, and we hit every single one at least once.
Bananas dipped in chocolate. Ice cream with bizarre texture. Kraken skewers that were basically squid on a stick. Chicken skewers, huge candies mixed with colors each tasting different, and more.
Honestly, didn't expect much from street stalls, but they exceeded expectations.
For reference, at first Mayal eyed me and tried buying small amounts, so I scolded her.
"I'm not a kid..."
She grumbled but, after I kept scolding, now bought whatever she wanted without restraint.
Where did it all go in that tiny body? Like a black hole.
...Or maybe I knew.
I forcibly averted my gaze from drifting to her chest and hips.
Not just Mayal—the wallet drained fast treating everyone, but seeing her munch cotton candy happily made it worth it.
Lena, who I'd expected the biggest reaction from, ignored food entirely and lit up at toys—specifically, a magic tool shooting soap bubbles nonstop.
Pretty pricey for a toy.
Lena hesitated too much, so I bought just one, but she was thrilled enough to make me proud.
I got Clarir and Hamart whatever they vaguely wanted.
Gold and Repelt wanted me to pick for them, so that needed thought.
I owed them big time usually.
Especially Repelt—I owed her for her lower half too.
Just thinking of her shyly whispering "day off" later made me half-hard already.
...Wonder if she'd get mad at sexy clothes?
Crowd was thick, but moving was comfy.
People recognized Mayal, Clarir, Gold, etc.
Repelt looked cute in front of me but usually had a knightly dignified aura that intimidated.
As a Hart Clan knight, she got recognized too.
Surprisingly, even Hamart got some recognition.
"Hamart of the Stucker family."
"Ah... That tracking magic..."
Why no mention of me, damn it.
I made a name in the instructor exam recently, but my face apparently wasn't known yet.
As I pondered while snacking, Mayal licked cotton candy beside me and glared.
"What?"
"Dret, you have no self-control!"
"Uh... self-control?"
Out of nowhere, what?
"You were grinning like an idiot hugging that dancer earlier!"
"What, jealous?"
I teased, and Mayal laughed it off with a "hng."
"How'd you know?"
"Obvious."
"Ahem. Even as friends, seeing that kinda bugs you, right?"
"Does it?"
I stared at Mayal, who was deliciously eating her cotton candy as she spoke.
...Why did that little red tongue look so erotic?
"Hm?"
She noticed my gaze and looked up, so I hurriedly changed the subject.
It was something I was curious about anyway.
"Asita's definitely coming tonight, right?"
"Of course! Not just Asita—all the ones you met last time: Liyet, Inserus, Rius, Lalz, Dia..."
"Won't remember the names."
"That's your problem, Dret! Forgetting names hurts the person involved big time!"
I know. Been there.
"Mm... I'll work on it."
I didn't retort that conversations were too short to remember...
Getting cutely scolded was fine, but I didn't want to ruin Mayal's unusually good mood.
"So where's Asita now? Home?"
"Nah? On a date with her boyfriend?"
"......"
I froze for a second, then kept walking.
Right, Asita has a boyfriend.
That ugly-named guy whose name I can't recall.
Makes sense—when else would they date if not today?
I asked casually.
"Sh-she's not dating till night, is she?"
My words implied she might not make it, but Mayal shook her head immediately.
"Doubt it. Asita's... well... Depends. If her guy's really into her, maybe, but he's not..."
Nice Mayal tried to soften it, but I got the gist.
They're not on great terms, huh.
Part of me felt good about that.
Jealousy?
No, of course.
Just as a fellow single of equal age and virginity status, any golden couple breaking up feels good anytime.
Her boyfriend's looks were good, personality unknown.
...What was that guy's name again.
"Anyway, Dret. You really need to clear things up with her?"
"Obviously. Gotta clear the misunderstanding completely."
"Yeah! ......I've been curious—that red-haired girl..."
"She thinks I'm trying to use her. Gotta tell her that's not true."
"Huh? Use her?"
"Hm?"
We stared at each other for a moment.
"Uh... y'know. Asita's misunderstanding something now. Thinks I'm using her or whatever. So..."
"...Dret, you serious?"
"Dead serious."
...Hm? Huh?
Something felt like it was coming back to me mid-convo... Something I'd forgotten...
But Mayal's sigh made me forget it again.
"Dret acts like he knows everything, but there are things he really doesn't get."
"What're you talking about?"
"Just a feeling. Like... you don't understand people's goodwill."
"......"
Well said.
Couldn't think otherwise—it nailed it.
"Asita... not sure, but probably sees you as, uh..."
I waited calmly, but Mayal snapped instead.
"Fine! This won't cut it for reconciliation. I'll mediate beside you..."
"Don't talk without me."
"Kyaa!"
Gold appeared suddenly beside us, startling Mayal into almost hugging me. Shame.
"I'm lonely."
This honesty was Gold's badass charm.
If I said it, it'd be pathetic, but from him, it's cute 'cause he's handsome.
Cuteness aside, Gold put on his usual charismatic face.
"Mayal. We're starting a business now."
"Huh? Y-yeah..."
"If you want, I can arrange a spot."
Mayal smiled awkwardly at the cautious offer.
"Mm... Thanks, Gold, but... our family..."
I stopped listening and walked away.
Some talks shouldn't be overheard.
Time to find Repelt.
Hold hands secretly, and if lucky, slip a hand into those thick hips and cop a feel...!
"......"
Was about to, but Clarir caught my eye first.
She was staring intently at something—a weirdly shaped cat doll, keychain-sized.
A shooting gallery stall, that was the prize.
She like weird cats? Unique taste.
She'd been dragged around by Hamart going "That looks tasty, Clarir. That looks fun, Clarir," and looked exhausted.
Chance to score points.
Not scheming—just getting friendlier might reduce her snark.
I closed in.
"Why not give it a shot? I'll cover the cost."
"...What brought this on?"
Playing coy.
Yet couldn't tear her eyes away?
Good. I'll win it for her.
Stomach full anyway—needed to move.
Clarir tried to stop me with an "eh?" as I headed to the stall.
Ignored her and paid the owner.
"Challenger! Stand over there!"
"Pardon?"
Not a shooting gallery?
Guns lined up, targets at the end...?
Why tell me to stand at the target end?
I did as told anyway.
The moment I stood at the target.
Vrooom.
Mana swirled.
Space flipped, expanding the entire stall into a huge area.
I could see the entrance and outside scenery far away.
Not pushed space—summoned a magic pocket dimension.
...Whoa. Magic like this exists?
The target I stood on was the center of a field-sized arena.
This felt ominous.
Premonition hit spot-on.
The lined guns floated up, aiming right at me one by one.
Oh dear.
Target's the player?
"Dodge or deflect—just last as long as you can! Score by time, lose a life if head or heart hit! Use any tools you have!"
Game's like this, huh.
Oh crap. Confident in shooting, but...
......Deflecting projectiles coming at me? Even more confident.
I'd mastered that old "Bullet Hell Return!" game back then.
What was my top score?
Anyway, unmatched online records.
Quit mid-way 'cause the game crashed—not hit by bullets.
......Come to think, there was this guy who kept challenging me then.
Lives and counter appeared in mid-air.
3, 2, 1
Boom boom boom!
Guns fired, marble-like spheres flew fast.
Not as fast as real bullets.
No, honestly kinda slow. Yawn-worthy.
But only at first.
Bullets sped up, more guns and spheres.
Still nothing to me.
Held my sheathed sword and whacked them clang clang.
Felt like baseball.
Dodged a head-aimed sphere slightly—it curved back.
No panic, spun sideways and kicked it away with my foot.
Bullet hell had patterns like this.
Bored of returns, twisted body to dodge—made me wanna go again.
Clang! Clang! Clang clang clang!
Initial spectators: Clarir, Mayal and Gold post-talk.
But after time passed and spheres multiplied insanely, crowd gathered to watch.
Spheres now swarmed from all sides, obscuring me completely.
Clang clang clang clang clang!
Didn't matter—none touched me.
I launched them far to prevent curving returns.
"......"
Owner's face paled more and more.
What was first prize again?
I had leisure to glance around, spinning occasionally to show off flinging spheres everywhere.
Cheers of "waaah" each time—fun.
How much time passed?
Beep.
Alarm blared, spheres vanished instantly.
No time limit, huh. Probably sphere count cap.
Overloaded and crashed.
Ended like my old game.
"Waaah."
"Amazing."
Score: top naturally.
Owner groaned pale-faced.
Still, pro—tried smiling pitifully.
"The... first prize is, uh..."
"Can I take this doll instead?"
I pointed at the ugly cat doll; his face lit up.
"Of course! Here! Take this too!"
Cat doll plus a fox one.
Didn't need fox.
But pity to toss—I'll keep it.
Out of the game, Clarir's gaze locked on me—or rather, the cat doll in my hand.
I smirked and held it out.
"Here."
"...No reason for me to take it. I haven't done anything for you, and I never said I wanted it..."
"Suit yourself."
"Ah..."
Clarir reached out regretfully.
Had she ever been this obvious?
Smirked again, forced the doll into her hand.
"......"
Seeing her silently stare at the cat doll in her palm gave a strange satisfaction.
"Whoa! She's your girlfriend? Lucky guy!"
Clarir let out an "eek" like she'd heard something unexpected.
No! Owner's gonna get chewed out!
But luckily, her fiancé stepped up first.
"Sh-she's my fiancée!"
"Oh? Ah... Sorry."
Hamart bristled; owner glanced and apologized.
Fiancé glared at me too, so I slipped out of sight quick. Ugh, annoying.
"Wait!"
"?"
Clarir called me, hesitating.
"Th-tha... n... k..."
How long does thanks take?
"Yeah yeah."
Brushed it off and went to Repelt.
What to get Gold and Repelt.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
An empty house.
Personnel hidden around it, waiting.
"Kaiz. Almiraz is on the roof. Looks like he's waiting for us?"
Kaiz silently stared at his recently recruited thief companion.
They were surrounding the house where Almiraz was hiding.
Undeniable.
Different from his usual dangerous vibe, but definitely the "real" one he'd seen a few times.
Take that man hostage, and he could control the Murderers as he pleased.
"Let's breach."
At Kaiz's declaration, the thief and knights charged in.
Moments later.
KABOOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the mansion.