Chapter 267: Im pretty sure that the mere fact of them being veterans of long long long years of battles already disqualifies them as such, but everyone is too scared to say that out loud.

Day 65 Evening, the Souvenir Store, the Capital Outskirts Branch

It has been decided that we are going to move. We just settled outside the gates of the Capital, but we are changing locations already. Why does he have to do construction every day? And why is Angelica-san dressed as a bus guide? Could it be a sightseeing bus tour (no bus) through a fake Kyoto?

And Haruka-kun is narrating. Naturally, no one is listening.

Digging into the depths of the enemy camp and tearing them apart from the inside, destroying from the vulnerable inner side, and since the enemy is already inside their lines, rendering them incapable of launching a proper counterattack as they are getting devoured. Yes, thats what moving is all about! I guess this is a promotion to The Capital Branch?

Thats not a moving, alright? People who moved to a new place dont tear apart after digging in or destroy from inside to devour? Just what on earth is Haruka-kuns idea of a moving? Perhaps its better to sit down and have a proper talk about this Or maybe not?

And so, a going-out-of-business sale was opened out of the blue.

And so, with the opening of the Capital Branch Store, we are commencing a liquidation sale for the Capital Outskirts Branch Store! A special offer only for today, how special is it? You will find out tomorrow? However, its a special store closure sale, moreover, its a time sale with only one hour left before its over, it might be super great value? Or sort of like that, everything is 10% off, actually, its 10% off after a bit of price hike, but its still 10% off, so even though its a rip-off, it feels sort of like a good deal! Only feels though?

KYAAAA!

At last, maiden wars (bargain sale) have come even to this world! Finally, even still medieval ladies of this world became prey to the maiden wars (bargain sale). Lured in by the promises of good value and discounts they couldnt withstand the appeal of time-limited offer.

Men and women of all ages are jumbled together, scrambling and fighting for the goods, but for now this is a mere commotion.

It is yet to reach the scale of a true maiden warfare (bargain sale), still way below the critical point.

But the rumors will definitely spread. In fact, word of mouth shouldve already spread the news. They will come, they will definitely come!

And then, They showed up.

Finally, the True Champions have arrived. The menace and demise of maiden warfare. Veteran maidens of thousand battles. The people are calling them Aunties, with fear and respect!

The aunties boldly jump into the fray. Freely traversing the bargains battlefield that by now utterly transformed into a scene of tragedy, they trample the weak, snatching away the spoils of war without care, completely dominating their surroundings in peerless merchandise plunder spree. Dashing through the battlefield the Aunties capture all that is there for purchase.

That is the true hell, that is onslaught, after all, even the Ex-Dungeon Emperor is afraid! Scared to the point of tears, the Ex-Dungeon Emperor is trembling with teary eyes, witnessing for the first time the terrifying image of bargain sale. Yup, a mere maiden has no chance of winning against that.

We completely sold out.

Good job~. We totally sold out, so time to move? Or rather, what do we do with the Capital Outskirts Branch Store? Ah, might as well just give it away to Meripapa-san, he so conveniently arrived after all?

A lone horseman approaches. Again, riding ahead all alone.

My, we are late, huh. Reshuffling the royal guards wouldve delayed us even more, so I ditched them and went ahead on my own. So, why is there a fortress right in front of the Capitals gates~? Is the Royal Palace safe? It wasnt destroyed or demolished, right?

Once again, Omui-sama arrived without any escort. That person behind, desperately trying to catch up, must be his aide-san. It seems that taking pity on aide-sans situation, having to constantly deal with Omui-samas antics, Haruka-kun couldnt help but make exclusive equipment for him, but looks like he was unable to keep up even having Acceleration bonus. But come to think of it, Omui-samas equipment is also made by Haruka-kun, so Haruka-kun is the reason why aide-san cant catch up to Omui-sama to begin with! In most cases, when you think carefully about it, Haruka-kun is always the culprit.

How should I put it, what a great timing? This fortress just became vacant, so I was looking for someone to hand it over, wanna garrison it? I mean, I just put it up, if I had to tear it down now, it would totally ruin the nice feeling from recent profits, but since I got the business permit from the Second Divisions old man we now have to move inside the walls? Or rather, there is a super good property that comes with free commercial space and dirt-cheap live-in workers, almost literally dying to have us move in, so I must show the true power of magnate and properly educate them, so yeah, you can have it? Like, its free real estate? Kind of? I mean, I have no use for it?

Looks like Omui-sama is going to garrison it, of course, Omui-sama couldnt fully understand the situation, but he seems to be quite used to this by now, and he understood that he is being given a fortress. Is this really alright? I can clearly tell that comprehension of Haruka-kuns words comes at the price of own word concepts crumbling down, in fact, everyone has reached a pretty dangerous point already? Its like an infection. At this rate, it will soon get Omui-sama too sort of?

The Frontier troops and the Royal Guard are gradually gathering, and to match that, the building is also getting rapidly expanded. Librarian-chan is standing on the rooftop of the old Souvenir Store, thats why no one in the Capital is aware of the troops flocking in, no one can see them.

An entire army remains unnoticed despite being under the very gates of the Capital. This is the power of Ring of Absence Forced Concealment, Block Identification, Deflect Perception, the magic tool from the Church that hid the thousand troops that attacked Haruka-kun and the Royal Prince. And its further boosted by Ripple and anti-resist effects from Ripple Necklace. Its Librarian-chans exclusive equipment, that Haruka-kun even said will become the trump card of this war. The ultimate tactical (stealth) weapon.

Now, we are done here, its time to get moving. The children at the orphanage are waiting. For some strange reason, Haruka-kun is as well liked by kids as usual? This makes me worry about the possible bad influence he might have on them. Even though he is the deluxe ultimate educational example of what one shouldnt do, all-in-one, full and complete version, and yet, he for some reason is very liked by children.

We have to tell them that they shouldnt act like that when we get back! A town with lots of children like Haruka-kun is way too dangerous of a place, no matter how one looks at it, a battlefield or a dungeon would be way more peaceful!

But surely, no matter how much they like him, they wont be able to imitate that. Surely, that must be impossible to imitate for anyone, so lets believe that its going to be okay. And if not, just isolate the problem!

Led by the Bus Guide we head to the orphanage, on foot.

With everyone in mute amazement at the sights of pseudo-historical buildings, we walk towards the orphanage. As the common mood of You retort you lose gripped the party, we somewhat nervously enjoy the sightseeing tour of the mini-school trip. then

Why Byodoins Phoenix Hall!

Thank goodness, everyone retorted to that.

The members that came here in the noon grew too tired of retorting to have any strength to react left. Everyone felt actually exhausted after retorting so much. After all, they used up all their strength in attempts to stop rampage of the person, who says stuff like Kiyomizu Temple doesnt suit level ground or There isnt enough space to put Eastern Grand Temple, repeatedly retorting and retorting and retorting until they couldnt retort anymore. It was just too much. Merely stopping his Alright, Im building the star fort and burning down the noblemens district was the best we could do. Thats why it cant be helped, even if the orphanage is Byodoins Phoenix Hall, no lake however. After all, we wanted to give those children food and a place to live as soon as possible. Thats why we couldnt care less if it was the Phoenix Hall or Edo Castle or Izumo Oyashiro or Horyuji as long as it was a safe, warm, and nice place where they could feel at home.

Well, looking at it once again, it might not be okay at all, but back then, it somehow felt fine? Yeah, the sign Souvenir Store, Sort of Orphanage Branch? Kind of? hanging from the roof of the Phoenix Hall, which is said to be built in the image of Sukhavati, probably wasnt a great touch. I mean Its neon? It looks kind of indecent?

Welcome back!

A welcome from the children and the group that stayed back.

The children changed beyond recognition, clean and lovely they shine with angel-like smiles. There are still hints of exhaustion, malnourishment, and illness that can be noticed But everyone is smiling. Happily, delightfully, they are waving hands, calling us.

They no longer have those utterly exhausted expressionless faces of despaired resignation. They are beaming with smiles.

The children are smiling like angels.

We are back.

Everyone reunited with smiles. Except just one person.

Only one person was unable to smile.

Upon reaching the orphanage, the Princess, Shari-sama, kneeled, bowing down. Almost slamming into the floor she lowered her head, crying.

Its because we told her everything on the way here, in what state the children were in and in which conditions they lived. Everything. Haruka-kun didnt say anything. The Princess also remained silent.

Having nothing she could say back mustve been the most bitter part, as she felt like she abandoned them. She made her way here despairing over herself, the Kingdom, its Nobles and the Royal Family. The children that no one helped, the children that werent offered a helping hand by anyone. She came to atone as the leader of the Kingdom that abandoned them.

There is no point to apologies, and even if she apologized, she wont be forgiven, thats why the Princess kept rubbing her forehead on the floor, crying, without saying anything, as if carving this moment into her heart.

She learned the true nature of the Kingdom that she tried so hard to protect. Despite the Royal Familys pledge to protect its people, she didnt even know how the people were abandoned. There was a pitiful Royalty that couldnt do anything but bow down before those abandoned children.

But in this alone no one can cover her. This alone cant be forgiven. Because it would mean insulting the Princess herself, who even risked her life to protect her people. Because it would mean mocking the pledge of protecting their people, inherited by each successive generation of the Royal Family.

Thats why we told her everything as it is. That the orphans were on the verge of death, that sickness was rampant, that they were malnourished and exhausted to the brink of dying. It couldve turned really bad if not for Haruka-kuns medical mushroom potions. We told her that the most vulnerable of the people of the Kingdom, the orphans, were completely abandoned.

Because not knowing what is going on is a crime in itself for the Royal Family for they swore to protect its people.

Crying, lamenting, and repenting while groveling on the ground, she has no choice but to stand up on her own. She cant find pardon for the sins of the past, so there is no choice but to deliver from now on.If she cant stand up and face forward, then even the future will turn unforgivable, you know?

Well, fortunately, the Princess didnt see Haruka-kuns face yesterday. She didnt have to see that tender smile as he was gazing at the aristocratic district. Such a soft and gentle smile. Such an infinitely kind smile, as if he was gazing at the poor souls about to descend into the hellfire while pleading for their lives.

Byd-in is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, built in the late Heian period. Completed in 1052. Has great cultural significance. The Phoenix Hall is recognized as a national treasure and world heritage site, as well as being depicted on coins and banknotes. Not in some commemorative coin fashion, but on the actually issued ones, for decades.A pillar painting of a phoenix from Byd-in Temple is featured on 10,000 yen note from 1958-1986, was replaced by a pair of pheasants (Phasianus versicolor), which is Japans national bird, only to make a comeback in 2004 with a depiction of the statue of phoenix from the same temple. In fact, out of the 70 years that the 10,000 yen banknote existed, this temple stayed on it for 50. Just to give a sense of scale on which Haruka is operating. Eastern Grand Temple or Todai-ji () is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Japan. Founded in the 8th century it underwent a few reconstructions since then, with the last major one finishing in 1709. Absolutely loaded with articles listed as national treasures or important cultural properties. I put the because considering the theme we have in these chapters, it is likely another reference to a major historical site. This time like Gorykaku () is a star fort in the Japanese city of Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido, finished in 1866. Izumo-taisha or Izumo yashiro is one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. In fact, so ancient that there are no records on the date of its establishment. It is dedicated to the god kuninushi (, kuninushi no kami), famous as the Shinto deity of marriage and to Kotoamatsukami, distinguishing heavenly kami. The shrine is believed by many to be the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan, even pre-dating the Ise Grand Shrine. Hry-ji is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hry Gakumonji, or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as both a seminary and monastery. Founded somewhere in the early 7th century. The main hall is widely recognized as THE worlds oldest wooden building. Sukhavati is a pure land of Amitbha in Mahayana Buddhism. It is also called the Land of Bliss or Western Pure Land, and is the most well-known of Buddhist pure lands, due to the popularity of Pure Land Buddhism in East Asia.