Just a week before the training was to begin, we were told the date and entered a rest period to ensure we wouldn’t be fatigued for it, having trained to the very last moment.
The dungeon assault and report submission were completed yesterday, and everyone, including myself, was given three days of freedom, starting today.
Then, everyone went home for their winter break, forcing themselves to maintain a positive outlook, with some calling it their “last supper” and others wondering if this was what Japanese soldiers felt before going to war.
Kaido and I returned to the dormitory and our respective lives.
We would challenge the training with our minds and bodies in perfect condition.
And finally, the three-day rest period, during which we had steeled ourselves for the training, had arrived.
“Or so it was supposed to be.”
“What are you talking about, Jiro?”
“I was just reconfirming that the world doesn’t always work out conveniently, Mother.”
I feel bad for Suella and Memoria, who are working, but honestly, I was supposed to be spending a relaxing day with Himik in my room today. However, I was summoned by my mother last night and sent out into the cold Tokyo streets early in the morning.
When I was called out, I guessed that there must have been some progress on the New Year’s issue, and when I went to the meeting place, it was indeed about that.
“……”
“……”
As proof, a demon girl with her hat pulled down low sat next to my mother. When we made eye contact, she glared at me, indicating she didn’t have good feelings towards me. That’s understandable, considering I’m the very person who destroyed the demons’ plan, even if I was being used. I know I’m a hired soldier, and her resentment is like taking it out on the wrong person, but I can understand why she wouldn’t be able to help but resent me. So, I casually averted her gaze, pretending to drink the coffee I ordered at the coffee shop where we met. The moderate bitterness spread through my mouth, making me feel as though it had slightly eased the tense atmosphere, but it was merely a temporary comfort. After all, I was being watched.
I maintained the appearance of leisurely drinking coffee, but my breathing was prepared for an emergency. I had also taken an antidote magic drug from the company before leaving that had a certain duration of effect, just in case something was put in this coffee. This drug doesn’t just work against poisons; it significantly enhances my body’s immunity. With this, I could at least avoid immediate death if something were to happen.
This coffee shop was arranged by my mother’s instructions. However, it’s impossible to bring a demon girl, even one dressed in modern clothes, to an ordinary establishment. I suspected this place catered to people involved in such matters, and my suspicion was confirmed upon entering. The master standing at the counter, the girl like a part-timer moving around the floor, the man leisurely reading in a slightly distant seat, and the three women seemingly engaged in casual conversation—they all fit the bill. All eyes have been on us for a while now. The customers and staff are all connected. They might be looking naturally, but I’m a Dungeon Tester who spends all his time holed up in dungeons. I wouldn’t survive if I wasn’t sensitive to the gaze of my enemies. Even if it’s not obvious, I’m sensitive to scrutinizing stares. Well, the surveillance is mutual, so I don’t really feel any anger.
“So? What about the old man sulking in the back? What’s his deal?”
“Ichiro? Ah, he’s been trying his best to get closer to this child, but everything he’s tried has backfired. And then, yesterday, he finally told her not to mind him and is now sulking.”
“You’re laughing while saying that, but he’s really sulking.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. He’s been too loud about fantasies lately, so someone quiet and balanced like this is good.”
I force a wry smile, wondering if it’s really fine. I glance towards the seat behind my mother and see my father, who’s been peeking at us from time to time. As if concerned about my father, who is, in a way, out of place here, I shift my gaze in his direction, and he looks relieved. The fact that Haruna, the demon girl, is sitting at a slightly distant table because she’s worried about making me nervous, only adds to the melancholy. She’s been stirring her coffee with a spoon, but as far as I can remember, she’s been doing that ever since I arrived. Then, I turn my face towards my mother, carefully directing my gaze to points in my peripheral vision without drawing attention. I hope she hasn’t noticed anything with this gesture, but my mother’s intuition is sharp. I need to be careful not to let them notice our surveillance.
Yes, if the Japanese side is monitoring us, the Demon Lord’s Army is also monitoring us this time. They can’t enter the store, of course, so they’re watching from outside, and their surveillance capabilities are backed by a supervisor’s guarantee. There are individuals disguised by magic among the passersby, and from distant locations like rooftops. Even from a distance, the range is fully covered by magic. In fact, from the greater distance, they are using magic to conceal their presence from the top of buildings in perfect condition and monitoring us. I couldn’t possibly come here unauthorized this time. When I was contacted by my mother last night, I reported it to the supervisor, and this kind of setup was arranged.
“Is that how it is?”
“You’ll understand when you get married. As they say, the secret to a harmonious marriage is for the man to be henpecked.”
“That’s scary. But looking at you and Father, I can’t deny it.”
“Hahahahahaha! Right!”
My mother’s laughter rings out slightly in the quiet space. My parents, despite everything, get along well. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to travel the world together. And if we weren’t being monitored by two organizations, Japan and the Demon Lord’s Army, this conversation would have been more enjoyable.
“Now, Jiro. About this matter.”
It seems my mother feels the same way. Breaking the casual parental conversation, she’s changing the mood, indicating that wasting any more time is out of the question. Her tone of voice deepens, as if to say the conversation between parent and child is over. The fact that she’s speaking normally, not in a hushed tone, indicates that anyone present can listen to this conversation without any issue.
“Is it settled?”
“No, we’re planning to settle it now.”
“In what form?”
“Don’t rush. I’ll tell you everything now.”
“Is there an option to not listen, because I have a bad feeling about this?”
“I’d like to give you that choice, but it’s impossible now that you’re here.”
“I see.”
When my mother says “settle it now,” it means that I, who have been invited here, will also be involved in resolving it in some way.
“First of all, the main culprit behind this whole commotion has been caught.”
“That’s good.”
My mother begins with the good news, telling me that the ringleader was safely apprehended, but there’s a hidden meaning in her words. “First of all” implies there’s more to come.
“But not everyone was caught. It seems they let a few executives get away.”
“Whoa, hey now, isn’t that bad?”
“Don’t worry. The security isn’t so lax that they can do anything easily. Your existence is probably unknown to them, but still, be cautious.”
“I see.”
She raises and lowers the flow of the conversation, and now the question is, will it go up or down?
“The main topic is this child.”
That topic is Haruna, the demon girl. Certainly, bringing her here implies an intention to involve me with her in some way. But.
“For now, I’ve convinced Kirie through physical means, making her my daughter by adoption.”
“Whoa, wait, what do you mean you convinced her by physical means?”
The person in front of me is wearing “unconventional” like it’s clothing. She doesn’t act in ways that can be considered normal.
“It’s fine, you don’t need to worry about such minor details. For now, just understand that this child has become your sister.”
“Understand, huh, you say.”
Picturing my mother and her aunt having a sibling argument in my head, wondering if she physically fought with her actual sister, I try to choose my words carefully, as the words that follow are more problematic, and I try to stop my mother.
“Mother, you understand, right? I fought with this child. How can I, of all people, be her brother from now on? Besides,”
I interject with the question of how this is a solution, and recall that scene. That day, at that time. Just before sunrise on New Year’s Day. I slaughtered Haruna’s clan, who had become a giant demon, trapped by a malevolent heart. I, of all people, did it with my own hands. I was merely defending myself against a threat that attacked me, but to her, I am an enemy who annihilated her clan. The idea of us becoming sworn siblings, even if by obligation, is fundamentally impossible.”
“Are you concerned that you killed this child’s brother?”
“…Yes.”
At that moment, my mother unhesitatingly brought up the difficult topic, which I was about to say when the flow of the situation made it unavoidable. Regardless of the circumstances, the result was what it was. I couldn’t utter any evasive or denying words.
“Even if the current situation is unusual, becoming siblings with someone you hate isn’t normal. Not only that, but I’m about to become a father soon. I’m sorry, but I can’t keep someone with such emotions close by. It’s unfortunate for that child.”
I refuse, stating that I cannot agree, even to my mother. Becoming siblings doesn’t mean we’ll get along immediately. Perhaps the situation requires her to seek my mother’s protection due to the flow of events and her position, but I cannot be dragged into that relationship. Suella, Memoria, and Himik could be put in danger. Above all, Suella is carrying my child. I cannot make a decision that would carelessly bring danger to my family. Furthermore, I cannot let the Japanese side find out about our company at this delicate timing. Conveying this will, I look into my mother’s eyes with unwavering resolve.
“If you want me to take responsibility, I’ll negotiate. But I can’t give you this life.”
Then, I turn my gaze from my mother’s eyes to the demon girl, Haruna, who has been silent beside her. She is looking at me silently. Is there hatred or anger in her eyes? Her sharp eyes, filled with determination, gaze at me. At that time, I was ordered to defeat the demon based on a dangerous field judgment. It was an action I chose, and I have no regrets. This current situation is a result of unfortunate misunderstandings. I tried to uphold non-violence as much as possible, but I couldn’t continue it. For the other party, although the result differed from the truth, the priority was to carry out their objective. These factors combined have created the present situation.
“……”
Neither of us is wrong, and both of us are wrong. She and I were simply dealt a bad hand by fate. We simply danced on a stage where we shouldn’t have. My mother understands this, and this girl should too. It’s just that emotions don’t allow for it. Perhaps if her brother were alive, things might have been different, but that’s a hypothetical. It’s not about the current situation.
“……Your argument is perfectly valid. I also understand that you are not at fault. You were merely trying to stop our actions, only to prevent damage to this country. You were simply fulfilling your duty as a citizen of Hinomoto.”
I can’t take back my words. Did I speak too harshly, even if it was to clarify my position? The atmosphere grew heavy, and I thought further conversation would be impossible. However, to my surprise, Haruna spoke up. She took a deep breath, calmed herself, controlled her emotions, and spoke to me in a steady voice. She stood straight, not like a girl, but like a representative of the entire demon tribe, radiating a resolute demeanor.
“That day, no, from the day we planned it, we lost our way. Regardless of whether we were deceived, those actions are unforgivable. It is a fact that we must atone for them. The fault lies with us. Therefore, we have no intention of seeking atonement from you. It is the result of actions carried out by the judgment of the former leader, my brother, and Mō. I intend to accept those consequences.”
After uttering these long words, Haruna bowed her head and expressed her gratitude to me.
“We apologize for the great inconvenience caused this time. On behalf of our clan, we offer our apologies.”
Being bowed to by a girl younger than me makes me uncomfortable, even if I’m not at fault.
“However, this is a sin that we, who led this matter, must bear. It has nothing to do with the clan members who were not involved in this matter.”
Then, feeling a sense of guilt and sensing the worsening atmosphere, I anticipated the unpleasant words that were about to follow.
“As things stand, the entire clan will be punished. Protecting Kirika-sama alone will only save myself. Then, I won’t be able to face my departed brothers.”
“Hey, wait a minute, I don’t understand what you’re saying. What exactly are you trying to say?”
And then, I felt a sense of unease from her words, wondering if I was misunderstanding something. If she hated me, she wouldn’t be saying this. Sensing that this situation was different, I raised my head to Haruna to confirm the circumstances.
“Jiro, you’re misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?”
Seeing Haruna trembling and pleading with me, my mother intervened with a troubled expression. At that moment, my mother said “misunderstanding.” That word made me realize I was jumping to conclusions.
“You think this child hates you, but that’s not it. She doesn’t hate you.”
“Huh?”
I seem to have made a fundamental mistake. Due to the mutual misunderstanding, I had assumed that Haruna hated me for killing her brother. However, my mother says that’s not the case.
“What do you think of me? Even I wouldn’t tell my son to become siblings with someone who hates him.”
Feeling that something was different, I looked at my mother with a suspicious gaze as if to confirm. My mother looked at me with a gaze that seemed to scold me for being hasty.
“She understands too. In that situation, Jiro had no choice.”
Then, she let out a sigh, telling me to calm down, and explained her attitude while stroking Haruna’s back.
“This child is currently acting as a sort of representative for the demon tribe, so she couldn’t relax. The future of her clan depends on what she does next. That’s why she looked tense and sternly at you.”
“So, you weren’t glaring, you were just nervous?”
“That’s right.”
“……Haa, that’s hard to understand. Or rather, it’s your fault, Mother. You’re making a severe lack of explanation.”
“You should have figured it out, he’s your son.”
“You should have explained, you’re his mother.”
It turned out that the lack of verbal communication and understanding between parent and child was the biggest problem in this conversation. And if my mother’s story is to be believed, the direction of this discussion is heading in a completely different direction.
“In that case. If you don’t want revenge and don’t hate me, then you must want something from me.”
“That’s right. See, you get it quickly.”
And then, the bad premonition I’d been feeling finally seemed to solidify into a tangible sensation. My mother and I tensed up with nervousness, doing our best to face Haruna. And she, receiving our gaze and sensing this was the moment, took a breath and uttered her words with an outpouring of energy.
“Could you introduce me to the demon reflected in your back!”
It’s an ambiguous expression, and depending on how you interpret it, it sounds like a spirit of a demon is possessing my back, but I, who have some familiarity with that, could only freeze with an indescribable expression.
A word for today: I have hell waiting for me after this, don’t I? Why does such a troublesome thing have to come to me?
That’s all for today. Thank you for your usual corrections for typos and for your feedback. If you found this interesting, please leave your comments, ratings, and bookmarks.
*The first volume of the novel has been decided to be published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content has been revised and expanded from the original manuscript posted on Shousetsuka ni Narou, with the inclusion of previously unpublished intermediate chapters. Please also check out the new releases!
A manga adaptation has also been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
We ask for your continued support for this work.
