Chapter 333: Secret Shop
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 333: Secret Shop
An unusually peaceful semester passed—the first since I had transmigrated into this world.
Mephisto had yet to be found. It was unclear where he was hiding or what he was waiting for, but his goal was obvious. When the Evil God was resurrected, Mephisto would surely reveal himself.
If the Evil God were defeated, the lifeline of the demon race would be severed forever. Mephisto had no path to victory left except to align himself with the Evil God. It was a desperate, last-ditch effort.
Although there was always the risk of unknown variables, I remained vigilant. I frequently used [Clairvoyance] to observe the Imperial territory, but so far, no significant issues had surfaced. We were also sharing information with other nations; they had promised to report any unusual signs to me immediately.
There were two reasons for this eerie calm.
First, the entirety of Acts 14 through 16—the first semester of the third year in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱—had been skipped.
Secondly, we were all conserving our strength for the resurrection of the Evil God.
They say the sky is clearest and the air is calmest right before a storm. This passing moment of peace was exactly that.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has.”
Kaya Astrea and I arrived at an island isolated from the mainland. It was the site of Märchen Academy’s first campus, the place where I had spent two years after becoming Isaac.
Thanks to Hilde, the journey was swift. The campus wasn't a complete ruin, as Imperial Knights dispatched from the court were still guarding the grounds.
I took a step forward.
“Sir Isaac, what brings you here?” a guard asked.
“Hmm… I’m here to meet a secret friend.”
“A secret friend?” Kaya tilted her head in confusion.
I exited the campus gates and entered a forest marked by a weathered sign that read Restricted Area. Following the path, I veered off at an unmarked point toward a secluded thicket. I crossed a small hill and headed behind a tree marked with a cross.
There it was. A small, shabby shop nestled under the roots of a massive tree.
“Huh? Since when was this place here…?”
“Since forever. I told you, it’s my secret friend.”
We entered the shop.
[Welcome to Monon Workshop.]
A magical beast in the form of a raccoon, wearing a wizard’s robe, greeted us from behind the counter.
“A raccoon…?” Kaya was taken aback.
This was the secret shop. It was a location that players could usually only access in the later stages of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. However, since I wasn't bound by the game’s scripted progression, I had been using it since the early days to purchase items like the Magic Cloak of Disguise - Berserker.
The shelves were lined with unique magic tools, and several Magic Cloaks of Disguise hung from the walls. However, my interest wasn’t in the merchandise today.
With a smile, I greeted the raccoon. “It’s been a while, Monon.”
[Oh? Wow! It’s you, Isaac. Long time no see. Are you here to repair your magic cloak?]
Monon pulled back his hood with his tiny hands to see my face, then removed it entirely, smiling broadly. He was a brown, fire-element raccoon.
“That’s not it. I probably won’t need to come back for repairs anymore.”
[Really? What a shame. It was practically your trademark, wasn’t it?]
“I don’t have a reason to wear it anymore.” I adjusted my glasses and smiled.
The Magic Cloak of Disguise had been my way of surviving Alice’s threats. Now, there was no longer a need for such a mask.
“Isaac, by secret friend, do you mean…?” Kaya whispered.
“Yeah, him.” I gestured toward Monon.
[Is she your girlfriend?]
“Yes.”
“W-what? Huh?!”
At my blunt reply, Kaya’s face turned bright red. Steam practically billowed from her head like a hot spring icon.
“G-girlfriend…? A girl… Ouch!” Kaya stumbled backward and bumped into the wall with a dull thud.
She looked incredibly embarrassed. It wasn’t intentional on my part; I just answered honestly since we liked each other anyway.
[You’re really out here living your best life, aren’t you?]
“Let’s move on. Your master still hasn’t returned, right?”
Monon gave a bitter smile and lowered his head.
[Yeah… Still seems busy. They’ll come back someday, I guess.]
Monon had a master he was waiting for. Long ago, when Monon was still a familiar, his master had terminated their contract here. The master claimed there were issues that needed resolving and promised to return afterward, leaving Monon in charge of the shop.
Monon had been gifted books and materials filled with workshop knowledge, allowing him to develop expertise in crafting, alchemy, and more. He was resourceful enough to gather his own materials from the island or beyond, even acquiring rare components for weapons like the Armana Wand.
Since the shop was essentially an illegal establishment built on academy land, it would have been dismantled if discovered. Monon always asked his customers to keep the shop a secret in exchange for high-quality products at affordable prices.
I’m not sure if the academy actually knows or not.
Whether the academy was aware and chose to look the other way, or if they were completely oblivious, I didn’t know. The game never mentioned it. Regardless, it had been over sixty years since Monon started waiting.
It would have been nice if his master had returned, but the reality was likely grim.
“Monon.” I approached him, my expression turning serious. It’s time to get to the point. “Let’s get out of here.”
[Huh?] Monon looked puzzled.
“You haven’t had many customers lately, have you?”
[Ah, yeah… Did something happen outside? The shopping district has been empty and quiet, too.]
“Before long, a ridiculously powerful creature will appear on this island. A monster capable of burning down this entire area with a flick of its finger.”
[I-is that true?] Monon was visibly shaken.
“We’ll stop it somehow, but the island will inevitably become a battlefield. Staying here is no different from choosing to die.”
[…]
“We’ve already evacuated most of the residents, and we’re working on the rest. So, you should—”
[I appreciate the warning, but I’m afraid I can’t do that.] Monon lowered his head, nervously tapping his small, soft paws together. [Maybe… my master will come back before the monster appears…]
My goal was to evacuate everyone. Monon was someone I had grown close to over my many visits. Knowing his circumstances, I sincerely wanted him to escape.
“What if your master doesn’t come back?”
[…What?]
I voiced the fear Monon likely harbored deep down. He raised his head to look at me. It was a sad truth, but if a master hadn’t returned after sixty years, something was wrong. They had either met with a fatal accident, passed away, or simply abandoned him.
Abandonment was the most likely scenario. Back then, the academy was at its original campus. The master probably assumed the academy wouldn't notice a small shop in the woods. Perhaps leaving Monon with the shop was their way of easing their guilt—giving him a foundation to live on.
However, I didn’t want to hurt him. I needed to persuade him gently.
“They might have been in an accident, you know? So let’s leave this place, Monon. I can help you find them. I’d be more helpful than anyone else. If you just tell me what they looked like, or anything at all…”
[I don’t remember.]
“…What?”
[I don’t remember what they looked like, or what their voice sounded like… it’s all blurry. If I saw them again, I’d recognize them instantly, but for now, all I can recall is that I was happy living with them.] Monon gave a faint, sad smile.
The smile vanished from my lips.
[So I have no choice but to wait here. I want to see them again. That’s why I’m staying.]
“…Even if that means dying without ever seeing them?”
[Then so be it. It’s my choice to make.] Monon glanced around his shop, a soft smile lingering. [And besides, I like it here. It’s the place my master left for me. Abandoning this shop would be like abandoning everything I am.]
Every corner of the shop, which looked like it might collapse at any moment, bore the marks of countless repairs. It was a testament to the life Monon had built here.
[So even if my master never comes back, I’ll stay. Thank you for the offer, Isaac.]
“…I see.” I closed my eyes softly. Monon’s resolve was so firm that there was nothing left to say.
[Besides, I’ve got my own way of handling crises! I built a personal underground shelter. Even if that monster shows up, I’ll be fine!]
The power of the Evil God Nephid wasn't like a conventional bomb; it was a force of pure annihilation. It could scorch the earth and evaporate the sea. An underground bunker would be useless. However, I didn’t intend to let the Evil God destroy the island. I would stop it, no matter the cost.
“Isaac…” Kaya called out, her voice laced with worry. She looked at me as if asking if we should force him to leave.
I shook my head. I had the ability to read emotions. Forcing Monon to evacuate would be a violation of his will. I chose to respect him.
“Alright. If something dangerous happens, hide underground immediately.”
[Will it be obvious when the monster shows up?]
“Very obvious. It’ll make a grand entrance.”
[Haha! Great! What a polite monster!] Monon laughed quietly. [Oh, I’ve got something for you! Take this.]
Monon pulled out an elegant box and opened the lid. Inside was a neatly folded outfit—an item I had never seen, even in the original game.
“What’s this?”
[My masterpiece! I don’t get why wizards always wear those cumbersome robes. This kind of outfit is much better.]
“Why would you make this for me…?”
[Even if I’m out of touch with the world, did you really think I wouldn’t hear about you? The Nameless Hero. I heard a wandering bard’s song in town and realized it was about you. I was inspired by that tale and spent over a year making this. It’s the culmination of every skill I’ve learned. Try it on.]
So that’s why it wasn't in the game.
I changed into the clothes Monon had crafted. They had a clean, polished aesthetic that paired perfectly with the Cloak of the Radiant Wolf. I slipped on the black gloves as well.
Kaya stared at me in a daze, her feelings so intense they were almost overwhelming.
[The effects include relaxation of your mana circuits and enhanced mana emission. Tempting, isn’t it?]
I hadn’t expected to get an upgrade like this now.
“How much? I’ll buy it.”
[Just take it.]
“Why?”
[It’s a token of gratitude for looking out for me.]
“Still, I feel uneasy taking it for free.”
[Then do your best to protect this island. That’s enough for me.]
I nodded. “…Thank you.”
I changed back into my regular clothes and took the box. Monon smiled and waved his small arms.
[It’s my way of saying thanks. See you again!]
“See you again,” huh…?
I smiled and returned the farewell. “Yeah. See you again.”
Kaya bowed politely, and we left the secret shop together. As we walked along the forest path, Kaya asked with a worried expression, “Isaac, are you sure about this? Do you really not want to evacuate your friend?”
“It would be the right thing to do, even if we had to use force.”
I had the ability to read minds. I had read Monon’s unwavering determination. He understood his situation better than anyone.
“But in this case, there’s no need to act so forcefully.”
“Huh…?”
What kind of mindset had Monon carried while dedicating sixty years to his craft? I couldn’t even begin to imagine it. However, I realized something now that I hadn't before.
Monon wasn’t just waiting for his master. Unable to abandon this world on his own, he was clinging to a sliver of hope, wishing for someone else to finally sever it for him.
That was why I couldn’t say anything more.
“…”
Though I pitied him, I was determined to protect this place as best as I could. This was my compromise.
The Final Act: Subjugation of the Evil God was rapidly approaching.