Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Peaceful Trip Preparations
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After the dramatic return of our runaway Evil God-chan, we began preparing for the trip.
"A trip all of a sudden?"
"Yeah. I got a reply from Bennett, and when I read it, it said there's a festival happening in a place called the Holy City of Trumpethall. Seemed like an invitation to come check it out, so we're heading there for some fun."
"...Why do you say 'seemed like'?"
"She wrote it kinda ambiguously."
It might just be natural. The academy teaches how to fight, not how to cultivate literary talent.
In a fantasy world teeming with threats to humanity, it's no surprise that a pure combat power meta dominates. Especially for someone like Bennett, a former black mage and current hero candidate.
If she spent time reading books to improve her writing, her head would get split open first. Better to swing her sword one more time instead.
But from the context, it definitely seemed like an invite to come play.
She didn't answer my question about how to handle her two-timing situation. That meant it was too sensitive to put in a letter—she wanted me to come hear it in person.
It was a golden opportunity. After our exhausting battle with the Succubus Queen, we desperately needed a break.
"...Isn't lounging around right now already a break?"
"There's a world info blobs can't comprehend."
"What the hell is an organic blob saying."
I want a more intense kind of rest. Not this half-hearted melting into the sofa, but something like shooting down a waterslide at a water park.
Perfect timing, too. The Holy City where Bennett's staying is hosting a hero selection tournament festival. The whole city's buzzing, and we might make some fun memories.
Plus, we could help out Bennett, who seemed pretty troubled.
And get some lessons from the two-timing master instructor.
As I basked in my swelling dreams, Pingbalrez voiced her concerns.
"But, Mad Wizard. You think that's just gonna end as a simple festival...? It's a hero selection tournament. It'll bring massive political and physical changes."
"Heroes, from what I looked up roughly... They show up when the world's in crisis, right? Last one was like a hundred years ago. Doesn't that mean it's a win if one appears?"
Doesn't seem like they're summoned from another world. Sounds like one person chosen by the goddess gains power to fight evil.
So, if the goddess has any brains, she'd pick someone sane.
She'd know picking some power-hungry guy who'd abuse it for personal gain or build a harem like he's hot shit would just backfire on her.
Tara's case... I have no idea how that happened.
I laid out these optimistic speculations, and Evil God-chan gave me a look like I was a kid believing in Santa, smirking.
"World crisis or whatever... Heh heh. Idiot? You believe that crap?"
"Watch your pretty mouth."
"Heroes aren't anything special. If you take in a lot of the goddess's power, you become one. Unlike me, the goddess is dumber and simpler than you think."
"You're saying that as 'that thing,' right? Watch your words. Spill something harsh, and you'll be washing your face in the River of Three Roads."
I warned her firmly. Evil God-chan waved it off leisurely like she knew full well, but she couldn't hide her trembling. She got that I meant it.
Just as I have my black box, Evil God-chan has hers. A sturdy locked box of memories that can't be easily opened. I know it holds secrets and valuable info from all sorts of worlds, but...
The reason I haven't dismantled her bit by bit to extract info and knowledge about 'that thing' is simple.
Because of 'that thing's' property: the more others know about it, the stronger it gets. Just like my illusion magic, which turns others' beliefs into power.
The irony of digging for info to fight it back only making it harder to fight. So, conversely, I had to plug my ears whenever she tried to tell me something.
That's why the warning. Spill 'that thing's' full name or whatever, and you're dead meat.
Evil God-chan narrowed her eyes, pondering. Picking her words carefully. After a brief silence, she continued.
"The goddess and 'that thing' are definitely different beings, but they originate the same way. You could say they're the same species, so they share traits, naturally."
"......"
"So, conversely, studying the goddess lets you learn about 'that thing' without side effects. You can infer it indirectly."
I checked. No anomalies in the pitch-black hemisphere of my mental world. No sense of 'that thing's' mass increasing. Surveillance modules report normal.
Means Evil God-chan really gave a 'safe' hint.
I went on guard and asked.
"...Why the sudden nice guy act?"
"Daddy, aren't we family now? Thought I'd try getting along. That sensitivity amp to 3000x? Don't wanna get hit anymore."
Lies.
The girl can tank sensitivity amps to 3000x or brutal torture without flinching. Her pain tolerance is on a whole other level from humans. Total opposite of my soft mentality.
That's why I've been hitting her with shame and humiliation instead of pain. So her weak act is pure bullshit.
"Stop baring your fangs. Spill the truth."
"Two-timing."
Grrr. Yuna bared her teeth threateningly.
"Explain. Before Yuna blasts you with a death beam."
"You're an undeniable monster spawn. 93% of my memories are jammed in your head, so I can't claim to know everything... but this 7% is plenty vast. Still, no monster like you. So."
Evil God-chan, after observing me closely, said she couldn't predict if 'that thing' would win this fight or if I'd win.
Now that she's separated from her main body by Yuna and sprouted a new ego...
Evil God-chan decided on a scummy strategy: don't go all-in on one side, bet on both.
She said it with a smug grin.
"You're rule-abiding. You start wanting to give back as much as I give. I'll toss hints sometimes, so tolerate me. Raise me."
"So... if your main body wins, you merge back, and if I win, you stick around like this?"
Snap.
Evil God-chan flicked her fingers, but no sound came out.
"Bingo."
I got why she chose this timing. For the old Evil God-chan, me winning meant the start of endless hell.
She's built to only find joy in evil deeds. If I beat and watch her all day, she'd spend every moment in boredom and pain.
Like thrashing in an empty white room. So she could only pray for her main body's victory.
But Evil God-chan learned the taste of good deeds. Took her first steps in living in a bright world. So now she's convinced: switching to a good deed meta means she can have fun even under me.
Cute, in a way. A desirable change. Satisfied, I casually suggested full conversion.
"Hey, bats can't be founding contributors. If you're betting, go all-in."
"Depends on your performance. How can I go all-in on some half-baked fledgling who can't even transform yet?"
"Argh, shit...! Can't help what I can't do, you bastard! ''Itch Frenzy''!"
"Wha—hahaha, again, you fu—ungh... Pwahaha!!"
Dare touch my reverse scale.
I left the convulsing Evil God-chan and finished packing.
This time, I properly filed the strategic weapon relocation request.
Sublimation-grade superhumans have to submit where they're going, from where, and how long they'll stay to the imperial court a week in advance. Yuna had just snuck around before.
That's the power of overwhelming illusion magic.
Other tower masters like Crimson or Azure have to file because substitutes get exposed quick, but Violet Tower just handles cleanup with one 'illusion magic'.
Violet Tower truly is the undisputed (utility) strongest tower.
But this time, I wanted to go officially, without sneaking. Show our faces at parties and such, so I filed the request.
When I mentioned it, Yuna looked teary-eyed and pitiful.
"So... I wait a week alone...?!"
"No way. It's a group trip; we leave together."
Then Evil God-chan got pissy.
"Hey, then El Mest territory sits for a week too?!"
"No chance. That boy or whatever might vanish if we delay; we gotta go now."
So, betting the request would get approved, we'd head out early. Irid would handle it, right?
"......"
"Nah, after what we've done, they'll approve for sure. See?"
Look at our party's track record.
Violet Tower Master sneaks into academy: black mages wiped out, one insider converts, new faction in goddess church emerges.
Violet Tower Master sneaks into Crown Hall: wipes out red duke's drug network, one insider converts, magical girl born to guard capital security.
Even took down the ''Pleasure-Drinking Nun''.
So, my thinking is:
"Act like it's urgent and head out first. 'Oh, they must've spotted black mage activity in the Holy City. Gotta cover for 'em.' They'll handle it!"
"Damn... You're, uh, good at that. Scammer."
No way black mages are in the goddess church's heartland anyway. So we party hard, then 'Oops, thought there were some but nope!' and bounce.
"On that note, we need official IDs for Eternal Dark. Ideas?"
"Illegitimate child, wasn't it?"
"Who'd wife a guy with a kid."
The moment I said that, my sleeve got tugged.
"We, we made it together, so maybe I'm the wife...?"
Fidget fidget. Yuna gazed up at me whispering. I could almost hear her pounding heart.
Or maybe it jumped to me, making my chest thump.
Then my other sleeve got grabbed. I turned to see Yuli Lanster pretending to stare out the window, saying nothing.
Normally she'd interlock fingers or hold hands. A sleeve. Still, getting closer bit by bit.
Evil God-chan watched our scene with a face like she wanted to hurl from jealousy.
"Goddamn..."
"Jealous? Want me to set you up? Got some like Namgung Cheonghwi from the modern era."
"You shove some punk kid at me?! Know what to say and not say, or I'll bite your crotch?!"
"Bite me, bitch!"
As Evil God-chan and I growled at each other, a tiny voice came from Pingbalrez.
"I want to bi...te..."
"......!!"
Sex joke incoming. The precursor!
She's about to drop a 'Can I bite too?' line. Overjoyed, I turned to Pingbalrez. Finally doing it? It's been ages?
"Bi...te..."
She struggles to get it out. Her ears look red—maybe my imagination. Nervous since it's been a while? I sent silent cheers. You got this, Pingbalrez!
Dirty jokes—we used to do 'em all the time! Proof we're friends!
She's been so quiet lately, I haven't brought up pervy stuff either. Felt awkward. But... I still dream of hitting up a short-skirt waitress joint together.
"You can do it, Pingbalrez. You've got this...!"
"Bi...te... Never mind."
"Arrrgh!"
My fragile heart hurts. Not close enough yet... That's it, huh. Tough. We got too close too fast; I forgot how to take it slow.
As I moped, Yuna suddenly blurted out.
"C-Can I bite too?!"
"Tower Master, that's not your character."
"I-I can change...!"
Yuna's face was ripe-tomato red. Super embarrassed but mustered courage. I hugged her tight and patted her lots.
"Thanks for cheering me up. No need to force it. Aww, so cute."
"Eep..."
Then set her down quick.
"...?"
Yuna blinked with a dumb look, question mark over her head. Like a kid who got one bite of formula then had it snatched.
I wanted to hold longer, but...
Lately, I've been gradually dropping emotional suppression. Including sex drive modules—using minimally. So prolonged contact could trigger issues.
Keeping a safety distance.
"...Oh, right. Got it... Hehe."
I explained, and Yuna grinned relieved. Almost needed to suppress my drive.
After 30 minutes of discussion, Evil God-chan's public ID became my relative. Cousin sister vibe.
Fits her mature personality perfectly.
I summarized the itinerary.
"Primary goal: reach El Mest territory. Clean up Evil God-chan's mess, then head to Holy City Trumpethall for festival fun."
"Sounds good. Time to change into travel suits."
"Outfit... M-maybe try a dress?"
"Hey, what about your classes? Aren't you a professor?"
That part. Hired an interim prof. While I enjoy life, she'll sub for me at the academy.
"Nice to meet you, academy students. I'm Luce, studying at Violet Magic Tower for six years now... Not as good as my senior, but I've got new techniques to show you. Say hi, my darling♥"
-Nice to meet you, students. For about a month, we'll be teaching ''Illusion Magic Countermeasures''. Don't fall for my honey's charms.
Students sighed sporadically at the interim prof salting from the podium. Others were speechless.
One of them, Selbia, muttered in shock.
"...That's an illusion."
"Wh-what do you mean, Selbia? What's an illusion...?"
"Third Prince. The 'my darling' is the illusion. It's a one-woman show!"
"......?!"
With the mad wizard gone on vacation, the academy's summer horror special began.