A few days have passed since the deadly battle with King Logas ended. I had come to the mansion of the lord of Mana.
“I see. I heard you let the Hero and the Mage go.”
“Well, I thought it was a little naive, but it was a request from my comrade after all. So, what the news on the Royal Capital?”
“It’s in a state of confusion. Miraculously, there were no casualties, but it seems that it was a shock that the royal capital, the center of the kingdom, was briefly overrun by magical beasts.”
“I see. By the way, what about the king?”
“It is rumored that His Majesty, who was indifferent to domestic affairs, is now studying diligently. At the moment, the mood is welcoming to the current king.”
I rest my back on the sofa feeling relieved. Looks like he’s doing well. Well, as you know, I couldn’t trace King Logas’ memories so I was quite worried about how to deceive them. Surprisingly, it may not matter to the people whether the king is real or fake.
Kanzaki continues.
“The king has apologized, saying that the crime given to Homeless was a mistake. Arvish Gloris has also been stripped of the title of hero. Now, it looks like we can finally resume our activities.”
“You’re talking about the food capital project, right? (Sigh), I was totally interrupted and it took up a lot of my time.”
“Yes, I could say that we were caught off guard because of that. By the way, the king sent me a consolation money. What do I do about it?”
The large leather bag clinked as it was placed on the table. When I look through it with the eyes on my forehead, I saw that all of it are gold coins. There are about 500 of them. Converted to Japanese yen, it is about 500 million. That’s a lot of money.
“Please use all that money for the development of the city. I’ve caused caused a lot of trouble due to this incident after all.”
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
It is normal to think that the credibility Homeless has fallen to the ground in this incident. Even though I think it’s a pity, I have to contribute to the city to get it back as much as possible. Well, I think that’s why my clone sent me that money in the first place. I’m grateful for that.
Kanzaki made a thoughtful gesture and opened his mouth.
“Actually, I’ve heard some rumors that is a little bit concerning.”
“Rumors? From the Royal Capital?”
“Yes. Although it was a brief moment, Tanaka-san has taken control over the royal capital with the help of demonic beasts, right? It is whispered among the people that a Demon Lord has been born.”
“Demon Lord?”
“It is the king of demonic creatures. It is written in the ancient books that it’s a being that causes harm to people. Such name is associated with fear.”
Being a demon lord is very conventional.
Generally speaking, I’m the type of person who wants to make this world a better place. I would like to strongly protest against being called that.
“Some of the witnesses say it’s a three-eyed monster with reddish eyes that flies around in the dark night. Another version is that it’s a half-beast monster like a centaur. I just want to confirm, they’re talking about you, Tanaka-sana, right?”
“…………”
Needless to say, it’s me. I must have been spotted flying in the sky with the griffon. Moreover, to those who could not see clearly at night, such image could be considered that we looked like a single living creature. Now that I think about it, I should have infiltrated with my stealth skill. I feel like I’ve done it to myself.
“Furthermore, there seems to be a movement to investigate the mysterious skeletons. Although there are many witnesses to this one, no one was really able to ascertain their real identity. They think there’s going to be a second attack.”
“Hmm, maybe it was a good thing. It was an opportunity to raise the kingdom’s consciousness on defense. However, I refuse to do it the second time.”
It’s unbearable to be made into a criminal so many times you know. Besides, I don’t have time for that.
“….By the way, what happened to the kelp and bonito flakes?”
“The kelp is in the bangle, and if you want it, I’ll give it to you right away. As for the bonito flakes, they’re still being processed. We’re about to let the green mold grow and mature.”
“Then it doesn’t seem like a problem. Let’s turn it into the best city.”
“That’s right. It’s a continuation of our dream after all.”
I shook hands with Kanzaki and we grinned at each other.
◇◇◇
“Ah-, damn it! It’s all crumbling because of them!”
“Hey, calm down, Erna-oneechan. Father’s familiars are also here so let’s help fix it little by little.”
“This is fun in itself. Sweat of labor feels good.”
“Troublesome. I want to go to bed early.”
Four people are noisily rebuilding the livestock farm.
The thumping sound of the hammer reminded me of when I had just come to the twenty-fourth floor. Oops, this is not the time to reminisce. There’s still a lot of work to be done. I decided to move on to the cattle farm leaving the four of them with my ten thousand familiars.
“We’re only halfway there.”
When I came to the 23rd floor, I saw the tea room that was being rebuilt. Yes, they destroyed it too. Fortunately, the tea utensils were not broken, so it seemed that I would be able to drink tea in the near future.
Suketarou, who has headband tightened on his head, is building a roof with a hammer. Now that he is platinum colored, his appearance is too surreal. On the ground, Skeleton 7 is scrapping a square piece of wood with a plane.
When they noticed me, they clattered their jaws and wave their hands.
“Please continue the work.”
“Katakatakata!”
This time, I decided to go to the Homeless Cafeteria on the fifteenth floor.
There, my familiars are cleaning and Skeleton 1 keeps the kitchen tidy.
“It looks like the tables and chairs have been fixed. When do you think we will be able to reopen?”
“Katakata”
Skeleton 1 replied, “I think we can do it tomorrow.”
In fact, when I went to Mana, a number of adventurers asked me, “The cafeteria won’t close down, right?”
For this reason, we are currently working on preparing the store with the highest priority. It’s a good news that people are looking forward to the re-opening of the cafeteria.
Suddenly, Skeleton 1 said, “I have something I want Master to taste.” and he made me sit down. He then walks into the kitchen. Shortly after, the sound of knife chopping followed by the sound of the oil simmering, noting that he’s frying something can be heard. After a while, the food was brought to the table.
“Hoh-, it’s a grated tonkatsu set meal huh. It looks delicious.”
Miso soup with a heaping plate of rice. The main dish is shredded cabbage and crispy fried tonkatsu. Grated daikon radish was placed on top of it, and the fluffy white steam was rising. I then drip soy sauce on top of the tonkatsu and shovels the meat and white rice into my mouth.
It’s delicious! It’s not bad.
“Katakata”
“Do you want to add this to the menu?”
The farm is still being rebuilt, and I feel like it’s too early to add a new menu. However, I want to eat this in the future. For the time being, I’m going to put it as a back menu this time.
When I told 1 about it, he clattered his jaw happily.
I then decided to leave the homeless cafeteria and go to the Shoyu Forest on the ground. The rich scent of soy sauce wafts from the soy sauce factory, and it smells really appetizing even though I had my meal. With work clothes as per usual, I stepped inside the factory.
“Katakata!”
Sukejiro, the factory manager, bowed his head.
“No need for such greetings. Is there a problem with the production line?”
“Katakata”
He replied, “Both soy sauce and miso are doing well.”
Near the soy sauce barrel, I can also see Lich A, who is observing the condition and recording it. Even though it was only for a short period of time, the fact that the production line had been stopped was worrisome after all. Further quality check is needed.
“What about bonito flakes?”
Hearing my question, Sukejiro calls Lich B, who is in charge of it. According to Lich B’s explanation, the maturation process is progressing in a shed built a short distance from the factory. After that, it is said that it will be the time for the full-fledged drying in the sun. In other words, this is also going well.
After the inspection, I decided to go to the miniature garden for the time being.
◇◇◇
“I was able to harvest healthy vegetables today!”
“Katakata”
Chatting in the field is my clone and Lich C. Nearby, there is a pile of vegetables loaded on a cart. I called out to the two of them.
“Hey, isn’t it the main body?”
“Is the work done?”
“Well, it’s like this.”
One of the vegetables he grabbed was a radish that resembled the shape of a typical human. However, when its eyes opened, I was startled. Moreover, it could move its limbs-like parts and makes a creepy sound.
“Wa-what the heck is that!?”
“I haven’t given it a name yet. Hey, it just looks weird but I guarantee its taste.”
—My clone presses it firmly into my hand and rushes me to eat it.
It seems that he had modified vegetables and created something strange. Looking at it from other’s viewpoint, thinking that I was like this guy, strangely makes me feel sad. When I chewed the vegetables raw as I was told, there was a sharp spiciness on my tongue.
“It looks like that but it tastes like a spicy radish.”
“It’s not just about taste, it’s also a nourishing tonic that brings joy to men.”
I might be able to make an energizer with this. No, wait. If we use this radish for the grated tonkatsu set meal, it may be a good idea. I’ll call it, “Energy Boosting Tonkatsu Set Meal”.
“I will allow you to increase the harvest of this vegetable. I would like you to secure twice the current amount.”
“Kukuku, as expected of me. It seems like you’ve realized how wonderful this vegetable is. Now then, let’s get to work right away.”
My clone began to cultivate the fields with Lich C. As expected, it is convenient to have another me. They do what I think of right away. In this way, I decided to keep my clones for a while and give each of them a temporary name.
Tanaka α is the one pretending to be King Logas. Tanaka β is the one cultivating the field. I shall look forward to their future activities.
Then I decided to return to the twenty-fourth floor and help out on the livestock farm.
I gave instructions to Erna and the others as they hammered the boards together, and this time, we proceeded with construction while aiming for an even stronger building. The livestock watched us work from inside the fence.
“Ahh-! I quit! Why can’t we just create the building with magic!?”
Erna screams as she lies sprawled on the roof. I silently hammers nails, and when I run out of boards, I asks Pero to throw them to me.
“Hey! Did you hear me!? Let’s just create it with magic!”
“That’s not good. Besides, you can’t say you’re living here if you rely on something like that all the time.”
“That’s true, but no matter how much we do it, it’s always tiring! With the current me, I’d be able to build it with magic in a swift!”
She rolls over and moves towards me. Even when on the roof, she’s really a handful.
“Hey, don’t you think it’s time to expand the hideout?”
“…Well, you got a point. Previously, we just made the bedroom and living room bigger. At this time, it might not be a bad idea to increase the number of rooms.”
“Right? I think it’s time for each of us to have a private room. It would be nice for the three of us to spend time together but there are some things I want to keep secret.”
If you ask me, it is indeed true. It may not be a good idea to squeeze a woman your age into the same room. Besides, Pero is already an adult too. Even though they are of different races, it may be bad for education to keep the opposite sex too close to each other.
“But have you thought about how the room is going to be arranged?”
“Hmmm, it would be ideal to be able to go to each room from the living room.”
“In that case, you could just create a door in the space between the kitchen and the mirror. Make that the men’s room. And as for your rooms, wouldn’t it be possible if you destroy the space you guys currently have and allocate it as a private room?”
“But what about the toilet and storage room?”
“The warehouse should have a separate passage leading from the living room, and the toilet should be used by the women.”
“Eh? How would Shinichi use the bathroom then?”
What’s wrong with this girl? Really, didn’t she notice it when we were living together this long? Even though I was taken aback, I told her,
“Me and Pero don’t go to the bathroom.”
“Eh? Eeeeeh?? W-what the heck! That’s creepy.”
It hurts when it was said head on.
I got a hole for excretion. I’ve checked that properly. However, neither I nor Pero ever go to the bathroom. Maybe it’s because it is being converted into something inside our body.
“Anyways, I’m also planning to remodel the hideout. Because it’s something that only Erna can do, so please do it.”
“Ok~ay.”
Then Pero and Freya came up on the roof.
“Father, it’s time to take a break.”
“As expected of Pero-sama. I am impressed by your wise judgment.”
“Freya-san, it’s time to get off my back.”
Freya was hugging Pero as if clinging to him from behind. It’s not a scene that I particularly care about because it’s the usual.
A black mass suddenly descends from the sky.
“I’m tired. Lunch.”
Oi, wait a minute. Why did this girl come from above? That’s weird. Sigh. I see. Well, she was slacking off. She’s a ninja indeed. I can’t be negligent.
I decided to take the bento box out of the bangle and spread it out on the roof. Four smiling faces stuffed with rice balls. Just looking at it made my heart warm, I’m happy I was able to protect my comrades.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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