Fana, Anje, and Orion had successfully cleared the second exam. If they could pass the final exam, they would be promoted to S-Rank.
“The final exam will take place in the training grounds beneath the headquarters. However, we still need to coordinate the examiners, so please wait a while. The trial is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, but depending on circumstances, it may take a little longer, so please be understanding.”
The details were unclear, but apparently, examiners other than Randia would be needed for the final trial, and they would be brought in from somewhere else.
For the time being, the trio decided to rest aboard the airship until the scheduled time tomorrow.
“Good work! That second exam was tough, wasn’t it? You must be exhausted and covered in sweat! I think you should take your time relaxing in the large bath and soak in some hot water.”
“Yeah… I think I will.”
“You’re not planning to sneak in on your own again, are you?”
“Of course not!”
“While doing maintenance on the airship, I might accidentally slip and fall into the bath, though.”
『Unless it was intentional, there’s no chance of that happening.』
“I don’t mind if my master comes along.”
“That’s just you. Well… wanting to relax and refresh both body and mind in the bath isn’t wrong. I’ll go ahead and let you come.”
“Hmmm… I think I’ll pass, though…”
“Don’t worry. If he shows up, I’ll throw him off the ship with full force, so you’ll be fine.”
Apparently, I could be tossed not only from the bath but from the ship itself.
“Then, like this—”
“—!?”
I found myself immobilized by restraints created with Anje’s earth magic.
“What are you doing to an innocent baby?!”
“Innocent? You’re far from it. Lill, keep an eye on him. He’ll probably escape soon enough anyway.”
“I obey the orders of my master.”
“…So, Fenrir isn’t exactly on the side of women, huh?”
“Then leave this to me!”
“You’re useless most of the time, but… better than nothing.”
“Didn’t I just get insulted pretty harshly!?”
Ignoring me sprawled on the ground, the three of them headed off together to the bath.
(Hehehe… still too naive, Anje. These restraints are nothing. Not only can I slip out easily, but by swapping myself with a doll that looks exactly like me, I can create the perfect alibi!)
Just in case something like this happened, I had prepared a Reus karakuri that looked exactly like me!
『You don’t mean… that thing you were secretly making in the middle of the night?』
(You’re absolutely right, Linlin.)
『I think it’s been embellished quite a bit, but… how exactly is it so similar to the real thing?』
(No, no! It’s a perfect copy from every angle!)
『The real one has a rounder face, thinner hair, and most importantly, a disgustingly perverted laugh that seeps from the very core of his being.』
(Ha! You’re just trying to make me abandon the plan, aren’t you? Sorry, but I can see right through that!)
Ignoring Lindwurm’s chatter, I used teleportation magic to free myself from the restraints and, at the same time, slipped the Reus karakuri as a stand-in.
“Now then—onward to the grand bath!”
『You’re planning to charge straight in like that?』
(Of course not. I’m not reckless enough for such barbarism. That would defeat the whole purpose of leaving the doll behind. Look and behold!)
I cast a transformation spell. My body stayed the same, but I tweaked my face just a little.
『…A different baby?』
(Exactly! The plan is simple: it’s not Reus entering the bath—it’s just some other baby. That way, the three of them won’t be on guard at all, and they’ll naturally pick me up! Hahahaha! I really amaze myself sometimes. To come up with such a flawless plan—I’m honestly terrified of my own genius!)
『I’m terrified too, having such an idiot for a master.』
I strode boldly into the changing room, stripped off my clothes, and stood in the full glory of my natural state.
Then, with all the momentum I had, I leapt straight into the bath.
“My name’s Hank! I’m Reus’ little brother! Come on, big sisters, let’s all take a bath together—wait, huh? The floor—”
Right at the entrance to the bath, a mysterious hole opened in the floor.
Anje, soaking in the tub, glared at me with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
“I had a feeling something like this might happen, so I asked Dana to secretly set a little trap.”
“W-wait, why would you do that without asking!?”
But this kind of trap? I could handle it with ease—
“Bubuh!?”
—Or so I thought.
In the next instant, a rock plummeted from above, striking me square on the head. I tumbled straight into the hole, and before I knew it, I was ejected from the Seno Grande Kai.
『As you predicted, Master.』
“I’m Reus’ little brother! How did they figure it out!?”
『I thought you should at least leave a hint about being the younger sibling.』
I immediately tried to right myself in midair and head back to the ship—only to realize:
“Wait—what? The Seno Grande Kai is moving on its own!? Hold on!?”
It had been hovering above headquarters, but apparently, someone had taken manual control.
“I can’t catch up! I upgraded the performance too much! Gah… Linlin, support me!”
『Fuaaah… I’m starting to feel a little sleepy…』
“H-Hey!? Ah, right, teleportation magic… wait, impossible! I can’t use it on something that’s moving!”
Teleportation magic cannot target anything that’s constantly changing coordinates.
“Heeeey! Leaving such an adorable baby out here all alone is just crueeeeeeeeeel!”
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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