Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, married.
Wife: Suella, Hendelberg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee).
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class).
Position: Warrior.
Before joining this company, my image of vampires was of beings who would unfurl a black mantle in the dead of night, bare their fangs, and attack humans.
However, I’ve long since discarded such outdated notions.
At the very least, none of the vampire acquaintances I’ve met would attack humans without a second thought.
In fact, I’d say most of them are hardly like vampires.
While being weak to the sun was a common trait, it wasn’t a fatal one.
I’ve heard they can walk past a crucifix without issue, and garlic, while simply a matter of etiquette to avoid at events, can be eaten.
I’ve even gone swimming with them.
A stake through the heart would be fatal to most beings, vampire or not.
These are the vampires I’ve encountered. For example.
“Don’t casually say something so outrageous.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I see.”
Like my wife, who is leisurely sipping her post-meal coffee next to me.
Memoria casually mentions her ability to turn into a vampire as if it were a simple greeting, but how many humans have attempted this mystical phenomenon?
She tilted her head slightly, and I asked again, ending with a somewhat airheaded Memoria’s regretful reply. In stories where vampires are the protagonists, such everyday life is rarely depicted, and graphic, blood-soaked scenes are the default. But this place is far removed from such the extraordinary.
“Honestly, ever since I joined this company, my common sense has been completely shattered. Is it really that easy to become a vampire?”
“If you can ignore the financial aspect, you can become one by enduring three days and three nights of intense pain.”
“That’s surprisingly intense, you know. At the very least, I can’t say it’s easy no matter how much I try. And from the way you just put it, you do it during the wedding, right?”
“It’s because you’re transforming your body to change species, so something like that will happen. The groom endures it while the ceremony proceeds, but don’t worry, unless your compatibility is particularly bad, you won’t fail… though I hear some people go mad.”
“Hey Memoria, you said something outrageous at the very end! You probably thought you said it quietly, but I heard you. Don’t try to brush it off with a laugh. If what you’re saying is true, one wrong step and it’s a disaster waiting to happen!”
My body, honed since joining the company, is far from hard of hearing, so I didn’t miss that unsettling word. I delivered a chop to Memoria’s head as she tried to brush it off with a business smile I rarely see. Even for me, who has experienced body reconstruction, or rather, precisely because I have that experience, one such experience is enough. I can’t forget that indescribable, grotesque sensation when you dissolve your own being and try to return to your original body, no matter how much I want to.
“Honestly, contracting with spirits seems no matter of trifling, and becoming a vampire is just as bad. Well, that’s what it means to cease being human, I suppose.”
To confront the trial and abandon humanity, or to endure intense pain and abandon humanity. The lukewarm coffee I drink, presented with such choices, tastes bitter not solely because of the coffee. If I’ve decided to do it, I’ll see it through, but this coffee must contain the flavor of the arduous reality that awaits. I mistakenly think this is the baptism for being someone who has married two wives, and begin to consider my future schedule. The meeting with my parents, let alone the meeting between the parents, concluded without issue yesterday, and the path to marriage has progressed to tangible stages like securing a venue and completing procedures. With the flow of wanting to discuss the wedding further with Mait-san and the others, I have taken today and tomorrow off from work. While it wouldn’t be bad to continue these discussions with my in-laws, I can’t help but feel it would be a waste to do *only* that. What should I do? I can’t quite come up with anything immediately. Normally, if I had free time, I’d dive into a dungeon to kill time. It’s a bit worrying that I immediately think of work when asked about hobbies, and not about finding enjoyable pastimes, to the point where I might be a workaholic.
“Speaking of which, Mait-san, you’re a researcher, aren’t you? What do you research?”
“…I research Heroes.”
“Heroes?”
Just then, I suddenly remembered Mait-san’s profession and, curious about his research, brought up the topic. But my initial thoughts were nowhere near the mark, and an unexpected subject emerged. Mait-san hesitated for a moment before speaking, and I thought his eyes narrowed slightly; it might have been my imagination. Mait-san’s usually gentle atmosphere briefly turned intense. Was my question really that problematic? I reconsidered.
“Apologies, my research is quite specialized within the Demon Lord’s Army, so I tend to suspect espionage when asked about it.”
“I see.”
Perhaps sensing my suspicion in his expression, Mait-san awkwardly explained the reason for his intense demeanor, and I understood. He had considered all that in that brief moment.
“After all, research into Heroes, the trump card of our enemies, has been conducted for ages. They are the vanguard and ultimate weapons against us in the Demon Lord’s Army. It would be strange not to investigate their abnormal power.”
However, Mait-san quickly returned to his calm demeanor and continued speaking at a leisurely pace. I noticed the shift but figured he wouldn’t pry further, so I simply agreed. Not everyone wants to be asked about their work, especially concerning interpersonal relationships. I listened to what he was willing to share, and what he omitted. Certainly, while it’s true that Earthlings are summoned to other worlds to gain an advantage in national wars, why is it necessary to summon ordinary people living on Earth? Couldn’t their own warriors be empowered by divine blessings, or why can beings unrelated to combat exhibit such abilities? This might sound like pure fantasy, but if it exists in reality, I want to know what I can.
“As I investigated, two things were generally found to be required of Heroes. The first is high magic aptitude, which indicates the limit and degree of growth as a Hero. The second is the gift, a skill, bestowed by a god upon summoning from another world. I mainly research these god-given skills.”
“I heard that skills are derived from what one has learned oneself. Is that different from a god’s skill?”
Skills are what take shape as a result of a process. My monkey’s roar and slash attacks were born from training in Kendo and sword techniques. However, from Mait-san’s explanation, I understood the nuance was different, and I could vaguely grasp what he meant, so I rephrased my question for clarification.
“A Hero’s skill, we call it a gift for convenience. Unlike skills, a gift is like an ability bestowed upon a Hero by a god. There’s no process involved; you can think of it as something you have simply been given without realizing how.”
“I see.”
As I suspected, the Hero’s skills were indeed given, not acquired through personal effort. the next question that comes to mind is why he is researching such a thing, but I can also somewhat anticipate the answer.
“Artificial skill bestowal, or rather, gift generation?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The generation of gifts without the intervention of our Overgod; that is the subject of my research.”
“Indeed, that would enhance military strength… What’s wrong, Memoria?”
“Jiro-san, shouldn’t we stop talking about work? We’re straying from the topic.”
“Ah.”
If skills could be artificially bestowed, it would broaden tactics and strategies considerably. I thought it might make dungeon攻略 easier, but it wasn’t the kind of topic to discuss on a holiday. If Memoria hadn’t stopped me, I probably wouldn’t have stopped. Am I really starting to worry about being a workaholic?
“My apologies, I got carried away by my usual habit and spoke too much.”
“No, thank you for the valuable information.”
“It was just an overview, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. Suella, could you get me another cup of coffee?”
“Yes.”
I find the way Memoria tries to get my attention, looking a bit dejected, rather cute. And to bring the conversation to a close, Mait-san requests a coffee refill. If that’s the case, we’ll have to return to the previous topic, but with our current shortage of members, the discussion can’t proceed smoothly. Unless there’s a significant issue, I have no religious or cultural objections, but there might be things I need to do for marriage with Dark Elves and Vampires. To discuss those arrangements in detail, we’ll have to wait until Gray-san and Miruru wake up.
“G’day, son-in-law.”
“…Good morning.”
“Good morning, Gray-san, Miruru-san.”
Just in time, Gray-san and Miruru-san also woke up. Now that there are more people, we can finally move forward with the discussion.
“Son-in-law.”
“Yes? What is it, Gray-san?”
“Do you have time after this?”
He addressed me before I could even bring up the topic. I thought, perhaps for the first time, Gray-san is initiating a conversation, and I recalled my schedule in response to his question.
“I do, but…”
“Then, I’d like you to come with me for a bit.”
“Where are we going?”
“To get materials for my daughter’s wedding attire.”
“Huh?”
Since I had several days off, I expected the discussion would take time, but it seems that’s not the case. Though I replied that it was fine, an unexpected topic arose. Why are we going to get materials for wedding attire? My surprise must have shown on my face.
“Ah, right. You wouldn’t know, son-in-law. For us vampires, once the person we propose to accepts, we have a tradition of going to get the materials for their attire ourselves! It shows our relatives the depth of our love through the gift we give! Well, I don’t doubt your love for our Memoria, but there are some vampires who look down on humans and the like in the older generation. Oh, honestly! Even though you’ve been approved yesterday, it’s fine!”
Sensing my confusion, Miruru-san explained. I see, so that’s how it is. When marrying someone of a different race, having such a meaning involved is culturally understandable and acceptable.
“It also takes time to make wedding attire, so we need to prepare the materials early. Tha-t’s why we’re going to a dungeon for Memoria-chan!! We’ll prove how amazing you are there!! Oh, don’t worry, I’ll get enough for Suella-chan too!!”
“Memoria, did you know about this?”
“No, I’m hearing this for the first time.”
“Me too.”
I asked Memoria and the others if this was common in Isal, but they seemed unaware.
“Of course! This isn’t told to unmarried vampires. It’s a truth revealed only when you decide to marry!!”
“It’s a secret that exists in every tribe. In the past, tribes that publicized this saw a decrease in the number of men and women marrying due to hesitation, which is why it has become a secret known only to married individuals.”
Miruru-san, puffing out her chest with a triumphant sound, added, and upon hearing that, I thought, “So that’s how it is.” When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I had been planning to get a normal wedding dress, but if that’s the case, there’s no reason not to go along with it.
“If that’s the case, I understand. What kind of materials should we prepare?”
“Investigating that is also your job as the son-in-law, but don’t worry! We won’t be cruel and tell you to do everything yourselves! Your father-in-law, Gray, will help you gather the materials, and I, your mother-in-law, will help with making the attire!!”
Miruru-san exclaimed excitedly, “It’s a surprise!!” but I wondered if it was okay to say that in front of the concerned party, and I was also pondering how I would communicate with the taciturn Gray.
“If that’s the case, shall we help too? Don’t you think so, Smilasta?”
“Yes, dear. We want Suella and Memoria-san to become splendid brides.”
As if to say not to worry about that, Suella’s parents, Mait and Smilasta, also joined in. Naturally, they rejoiced.
“Thank you!!”
Miruru-san, who had proposed this, was delighted. We, the concerned parties, were completely left out, but we understood our roles.
“So, is it safe to assume we’re going to challenge a dungeon?”
Searching for materials for the bridal attire felt like a game. Thus, I ended up challenging a dungeon with my two fathers-in-law.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, married.
Wife: Suella, Hendelberg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee).
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class).
Position: Warrior.
Today’s Word:
This is our first collaborative effort; proceed with caution.
This concludes this installment.
If you enjoyed it, please leave your thoughts, ratings, and add it to your bookmarks.
We look forward to your continued support of this work.
