Thank you for waiting.
Episode 51 is finally finished.
It will be posted every three days, with a total of 11 episodes.
However, I couldn’t reach the scenes I initially planned.orz
I, Hal Harem Von Raymond, and the party members of the “Princess Harem,” together with the beautiful and noble ladies who form the core of our group, began preparations to finally depart from Libidoon, an inn town in the former Wahl Imperial Kingdom territory.
Our destination is the former capital Ashurai, also in the former Wahl Imperial Kingdom territory, which is also the final destination of our Second Expedition Trip.
The journey will initially follow the Main Road for a portion, but we’ve decided to bypass the city of Karamiya and pass through Mistila Village. Still, the distance is far.
Indeed, the former territory of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom is vast, and it’s understandable that it was the hegemon of the Western nations until the Espana Imperial Kingdom rose.
In the former capital Ashurai, we intend to search for the tomb of King Sariand Wahl, the founder of the Wahl Kingdom, the predecessor of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom.
Sariand Wahl, one of the ancient heroes and known as the Hero of the Sword, along with his beloved sword, the Twilight Sacred Sword, forms one of the “Chains of God” that seal the passage between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm.
Regarding Sariand Wahl’s burial site, it seems a strict gag order was in place, to the point where his direct descendant, Ly, does not know its location.
Furthermore, in the former capital Ashurai, based on a request from Mai, also known as “Mystic Dance,” we plan to visit the secret base of the annihilated Assassin’s Guild, which also served as the modification base for the Killing Dolls, to search for clues related to Mai’s past.
The location of the secret base was only vaguely remembered by Liliana, but Sharon, who was in charge of disposing of traitors within the Assassin’s Guild, knew the location, so we believe going there won’t be a problem.
Still, what kind of secrets await regarding Mai?
According to the words of Lucialurei, the Goddess of Light, Mai is the shrine maiden of that very goddess, and Seira Hyperion, the Saintess of the Asgard Holy Church, and Mariabel Ishante Hasshatitia, a Temple Knight, are heading to become Mai’s attendants.
Still… what is Lucialurei expecting from Mai?
In addition, the movements of Duke Daba-Dabata Von Darkhorse’s son, who is being rallied by the remnants of the former Wahl Imperial Kingdom, are also a concern.
Furthermore, besides the Duke’s son, there are also forces such as Former Viscount Marquis Bottox and Vicomtesse Yagutska, indicating a considerable state of confusion.
In such a chaotic situation, it seems difficult for Ly to solidify her position.
However, the most immediate problem had not been resolved.
That is, the issue of being over capacity.
Currently, excluding Holy Spirit Serena, who does not take up much space, our group consists of a large party of 21 people.
And, this number did not include Sophie and Ilisha.
On the other hand, the capacity of our two carriages is 20 people, even with two people riding in each driver’s seat, leaving a shortage of one person.
Regarding this matter, under the cunning suggestion of Elise, the副長 (sub-leader) of “Princess Harem,” an outrageous and utterly wicked proposal was made to have Swan Hilda ride on the roof of the covered carriage. As a test, we moved from the Weathercock inn where we were staying to the blacksmith’s district.
Was it within Elise’s expectations that moving with a beautiful girl on the roof would attract strange glances from those around us?
“Hey, Hal-sama. I was lying on the roof of the covered carriage to save Elise’s face, but I was attracting quite a lot of attention from the people walking around. Isn’t it reckless to continue our journey in this state?”
“Y-Yeah…”
As a test, we had Swan Hilda ride on the roof of the covered carriage, but it seemed to attract more attention from our surroundings than we had imagined.
I gathered everyone in the plaza in front of the gate, which was built into a section of the stone wall surrounding the city of Libidoon, and asked again if there were any better ideas.
“I still think my plan is the only one. Swan Hilda, I’m sorry, but please bear with it for a while. If it comes down to it, I’ll make Shera into fur!”
“Elise, nooooo… I can’t let you touch my prized fox tail or fur!”
“Then… how about selling Freya as a slave for labor!?”
“Are you saying you’ll sell me, Elise! Of course, with your flabby belly, you won’t find a buyer… giggle, giggle, giggle♪”
“W-What did you say!”
“Now, now, let’s think about this seriously. I’ll think about it too.”
In response, Elise pushed her plan with a slightly meek attitude.
With her ample bosom puffed out, her flabby belly also protruded.
She must have eaten too many cakes at the cafe we stopped at earlier.
Elise seems to need to go on a diet soon.
Perhaps because there are no alternative proposals or solutions, she is threatening Shera and Freya.
However, Shera and Freya are used to it, and in the end, Swan Hilda reprimanded them and we were back to square one.
“Hey, Elise. If it’s sunny, it’s hot, and if it rains, you’ll get wet. Even I don’t like that. Ede-nee, say something too!”
“Even though she looks like a beautiful girl, Swan Hilda is tough… Maybe there’s no problem?”
“Ede-nee, that’s a bit much. I don’t want to get rained on either!”
“I see… This is troubling.”
Sensing that Swan Hilda was about to be driven onto the roof of the carriage again by Elise’s persuasion, she sought help from her cousin Edeleya, but her opinion also followed Elise’s plan, and Swan Hilda was dismayed and dropped to her knees.
“Edelea-sama, if you wish, shall I go up onto the roof this time?”
Perhaps feeling sorry for Swan Hilda’s distressed state, Eria offered to take her place.
“No, Eria. If you go to a place like that, Tama’s skin will get rough. Only Swan Hilda can withstand that harsh environment, besides Ain and Zwei. For the three vampire sisters to humanize themselves at this timing… it’s bad luck.”
“Indeed… I hate getting my skin rough.”
In the end, Eria showed an attitude of obedience to Edelea’s advice.
“I… don’t want to go on the roof! Hal-father, you wouldn’t do anything so cruel, would you?”
“I agree with Ain-chan on this. Kirika-mother, you’ll oppose it too, won’t you?”
Ain and Zwei, who were brought up by Edelea, clung to Kirika and me with tears in their eyes.
“…What shall we do? I don’t have any brilliant ideas either. Well Zwei, if you or Ain voluntarily return to your Mimic Slime forms, it will all be settled…”
“Kirika-mother, we already rejected that idea. Besides, you owe us for summoning us onto the werewolf’s shoulder during the Demon fight. I was really surprised that time!”
“I also played an active role with offensive magic at that time.”
Kirika again suggested that Ain and Zwei return to their Mimic Slime forms, but the two brought up their contributions and debts from the fight with the demons to urge a change of heart.
“Perhaps we should drop the former three-sister vampires from the carriage? Now that they’ve humanized, they’re no longer useful in combat. They’re just excess baggage, aren’t they?”
“Wouldn’t that apply to Astarotte too!”
“Elder Sister Lara_Berze is right.”
“Oh, is that so? I have a gun made by Zwei, so I’m not useless.”
“……” “……”
A little distance away from Kirika and the others, Astarotte, the former demon, and Lara_Berze and the others were starting to argue.
Last time, Astarotte was at a slight disadvantage, but now she seems to be speaking assertively since Zwei made her a gun.
In reality, if we abandon them as mere beautiful girls, they will be left to wander the streets.
It would be a bad feeling if something happened.
“This is troubling… Then why not buy another carriage?”
“Lyushenne-sama, increasing the number of carriages is certainly a reasonable idea, but we’re already quite conspicuous…”
On the other side, Lyushenne was presenting the obvious idea that if there weren’t enough seats, we should increase the number of carriages, but Tirna, who was standing behind her, gently advised her against it.
As Tirna said, I also considered buying a third carriage, but…
It was far too conspicuous for mere adventurers, and it would also reduce our maneuverability, so I rejected it.
Meanwhile, Liliana, who would normally chime in on their discussion, was engrossed in examining the gun borrowed from Freya.
She was scrutinizing it and fiddling with the gun.
Furthermore, Dietlinde remained in the carriage, perhaps because her health was not optimal, and Mai and Sharon were also trying to blend in and remain silent so as not to be called upon.
By the way, Alicia was hidden behind me, and Holy Spirit Serena was riding on her right shoulder.
It seems that neither Alicia nor Holy Spirit Serena intended to join the discussion.
At that moment, there was a new development with Swan Hilda.
She moved to the back of the carriage with Freya and Shera, and they began to have a secret conversation.
“Oh my, it’s unusual for Swan Hilda to take Freya and Shera with him.”
“It’s alright if they come to listen to our conversation.”
Alicia and Holy Spirit Serena, who seemed to be following my gaze, also paid attention.
“Serena, you don’t have to go. We’ll know the content of the conversation soon anyway.”
“Yes, Master. I understand.”
As they exchanged such words, Swan Hilda returned.
Following her were Freya and Shera, who had somehow transformed into “Shera Sis.”
And Shera Sis and Freya were holding something in their hands.
Meanwhile, Elise had a confident and relaxed demeanor.
However, the other party members seemed to sense something and began to distance themselves from Elise.
Then, Elise and Swan Hilda faced each other again.
After that, Freya and Shera Sis approached from behind Elise.
What is Swan Hilda planning to do!?
“Hey, Elise. Actually, the god I worship (Swan Hilda) commanded me to offer a sacrifice.”
“Elise! Cooperate quietly! It’s time to pay your dues!”
“Eh!? Ugh, aggh, uuuughh――”
The moment Freya spoke to Elise, Shera Sis leaped forward, bound Elise, and threw her onto the roof of the other carriage.
Then, ropes, or rather, raw leather cords, were tied to Elise’s wrists and ankles, securing her so she couldn’t move.
Furthermore, Freya dripped water from a canteen onto the raw leather cords.
This is a so-called execution method in desert areas.
The raw leather cords, moistened with water, shrink under the scorching sun, making escape difficult.
If left as is, the criminal would dry up and become a mummy.
Furthermore, Freya unbuttoned Elise’s clothes, exposing her flabby belly.
Then, she placed containers on both sides of her flabby belly.
Perhaps she is using the oil sweat Elise was shedding as “earwig oil”?
At the same time, blue veins appeared on Elise’s temples.
Looking around, onlookers were gathered at a distance, but they seemed to be enjoying “other people’s misfortune.”
For now, it seems to be within the bounds of party members playing around.
“Freya and Shera! You’ll pay for this! You just wait!!”
“You look good, Elise. You are the sacrifice offered to Swan Hilda. Also, to help with your diet, it would be good if you sweat profusely, an ‘Elise oil’.”
“This is Swan Hilda’s request… It’s not my fault!”
“Swan Hilda, what is this!? I won’t forgive you if you don’t explain!”
“This is. Elise, you are in the same boat. I was offered to you as a god on the roof, but a god needs offerings. Plus, there’s the bonus of your flabby belly shrinking in the scorching sun. Accept my favor!”
“Elise! please be reborn as an offering! And don’t curse me~!”
“I could even sing a requiem for Elise, you know.”
It seems that tying Elise to the roof of the carriage is Swan Hilda’s revenge.
Her exposed flabby belly, which looked shapely when clothed, was impressively swollen, and the surrounding party members were struggling to suppress their laughter.
Even I, if I let my guard down, would burst out laughing.
“Hal-sama, we’re ready to depart, so let’s go.”
Then Swan Hilda cheerfully urged us to depart.
“S-Swan Hilda! I was wrong, so please untie me!”
“I feel like I’m hearing strange sounds from the offering, but there’s no need to worry about it.”
“Hal-samaaaa, help meeee.”
“Swan Hilda, won’t you forgive her soon?”
“Since it’s Hal-sama’s request, I have no choice. Elise, you’re lucky to be alive.”
The raw leather cords tied to Elise’s wrists and ankles were immediately untied, and she was freed.
“Gasp… gasp, gasp… I went through hell.”
“How about it, Elise? This is the exchange. Let’s get along and ride on the roof of the carriage together.”
“…Hal-sama. I give up on making Swan Hilda ride on the roof. As an alternative, will Ain or Zwei be put on the chopping block!?”
Even Elise, it seems, gave up on making Swan Hilda ride on the roof, and following Edelea’s earlier remark, suggested having Ain or Zwei ride instead.
At that statement, Ain and Zwei, in a panic, had tears in their eyes.
“…! Hal-father, I’ve come up with a great idea!”
At that moment, Zwei suddenly raised her hand, indicating she had a counter-proposal.
They say ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ and it seems Zwei thought of something when she felt the heat of the situation.
However, how will the physical shortage of seats be resolved?
In the end, Zwei’s personal plan was an idea to temporarily install a canopy-like structure on the roofs of the two carriages.
It involved attaching adjustable wooden frames, covering them with waterproof fabric, and laying carpets on the roofs to provide a rudimentary living space. Rope ladders for ascending and descending would also be installed.
Once again, we went around the city of Libidoon, bought the necessary materials, and Zwei assembled them, completing the carriage modifications surprisingly quickly.
Thus, the living space on the roofs became more comfortable than the inside of the carriages.
Then, with a change of heart, Swan Hilda claimed the right to use it first, and Dietlinde, who won a heated competition, reaped the benefits on the roof of the other carriage.
And this time, we finally departed from the city of Libidoon.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 51-2: Shame is a Maiden’s Virtue ① △, is scheduled for pre-release on October 9th at 0:00.
