Chapter 385.2

I checked Elixir Law.

Elixir Law Catfish Conception

Requires a demonic art user-based combat occupation in addition to skills such as

, a higher proficiency level of

,

,

,

, and

. Its the outcome of the users high abilities and water-based manifestation powers. The subconscious intervention of the employed spirit also plays a role, but Elixir Law belongs to the category of unique systems. Albeit being in its early stage, it is likely a completely original sage art

I guess its only natural for it to have various conditions.

An original sage art.

The part about the catfish is an outcome of Helmes subconsciousness having intervened, huh?

Hero-dono.

This voice belongs to Gramps Ton. It looks like hes entered my home from the training ground.

Still, again with the hero-dono? Ive asked everyone to simply call me Shuuya, but only Gramps Ton stubbornly doesnt listen to my request, excusing it away as being too troublesome.

While thinking all that, I erase the status screen and get up. Gramps Ton watches me with his back leaning against the railing of the stairs.

Is something the matter? How is your new home?

Nice. You have my heartfelt grat.i.tude for it. The houses facade is boorish, but luckily you followed my requests on the interior design.

Thats great to hear. It means it was worthwhile to have built it.

Donagan has been more grateful for the brand new plowing tools than his new home,saying that they made tilling fun.

Well, weve got many orc weapons left over. So I thought itd be an effective use for the weapons were not going to sell.

Youre really skillful, Hero-dono! Truly magnificent!

By the way, the dishes from the other day were quite delicious. We wont be able to eat orc meat anymore, but the well-done grilled chicken meat was superb. The outside was crispy while the meat inside was tender and overflowing with fragrant meat juices. And the salty sauce was great, too. It was an exquisite sauce combining an unusual oil with nuts, herbs, and red spices. Your Eight Delicacies cooking is truly incredible.

To be honest, he might be better suited to be a cook than a strategist.

Hu hu hu, youre quite the smooth talker, Hero-dono.

No, Im not just flattering you. Your sweets and the rare, unknown cooking that contains manathose make one feel as if theyre tasting superb gourmet food of a royal purveyor! Quiche even muttered that she wants to eat it again while smacking her lips.

Hu hu, youre exaggeratingbut, Im most delighted to hear you liked it. To borrow the words of a demonoid I adored in my younger days: Three years for the neck swinging, eight years for the sound. Its not quite like the bamboo flute played by that demonoid, but you could say its the outcome from me having continued to research nuts for a long time. 1

Gramps Ton smiles all over his face. It looked like the wrinkles on his face even deepened.

So you lived together with a demonoid?

Indeed. Her name was Sumeragi Fubuki. Thanks to her, we could spend our time safely

Hee. So you separated from her along the way?

Yep. Fubuki talked about recovering her guardianwhile touching the scar on her forehead, and left on a journey. I havent seen her ever since then

Gramps Ton explains while looking sad, but Sumeragi Fubuki and a guardian? She appeared in Gramps Kistrins story, as Solomons unusual beast Dominator, who had been entrusted to him by Tenisha Fubuki. And dungeon master Suzumiya Akemi-san mentioned a guardian.

a.s.suming all of this is no coincidence, Fubuki-san has been living while Gramps Kistrin was still alivein that case, shes already way beyond an age where you could call her granny. Thats why demonoid, huh?

I wonder whether shes Akemi-sans acquaintance. Well, they might have been able to meet thanks to a whim of the G.o.d of Fate.

I see. Lets get back on topic. Gramps Ton, did you come here today to gather ingredients for your cooking?

No, no, Hero-dono. Did you forget? The precious treasure youve entrusted me with is still in my possession.

Oh, now that he mentions it!

Gramps Ton retrieves Iglued and Demonic Marquis-kun out of his pocket. Its completely slipped my mind that I had Gramps Ton take care of them.

Gramps Ton trots over, and pa.s.ses me the two bundles in his dry, seedy hand.

I bow while feeling thankful, and accept the round stony object of Iglued and the spherical, wooden prison of Demonic Marquis-kun.

I forgot about them. Thank you.

Gramps Ton nods several times in response to my words. At that moment, the round sphere around demonic marquis-kun, whos been moving his mouth as if chewing, vibrates. Hes not Saraten, butIm sure hes going to be annoying if I release him

.Hu hu, so you did forget just as I thought, eh? Still, youre an honest man.

Sorry. The villages defenses have been strengthened recently, but theres still so much to do. I explain while rolling around Iglued and demonic marquis-kun on my palm.

Things to do, huh? Which reminds me, I met the orcs earlier. Not only did you turn a huge darkness whale into a friend, but also orcs. That was unexpected.

Theyre called Quema and Solobo. Sorry for startling you.

No, youre following a plan with that, arent you Hero-dono?

Gramps Ton has completely s.h.i.+fted away from being a good-natured, old man. A sharp glint dwells in eyes just, just like during the time when he exhibited his ability to criticize.

I dont know whether you can call it a plan, but I asked the orcs about ordinary things.

Just that shows that youre deeply investigating things ever so often. Small opportunities are important.

Yes. I was able to mostly determine the location the large-scaled orc clans use to come onto the surface. Since a map doesnt exist, I cant pinpoint it, butIve informed Quiche of this. I think shes going to inform all of you in due time as well, though it should only happen after shes closely investigated herself.

I understand.

However, even if the precise route between underground and surface becomes clear, we cant deny the possibility of a ruse, so we wont strike from our side just yet.

Gramps Ton joins his hand, just to release them in the next moment, nodding deeply.

As I thought, youve apparently taken it into consideration. If were talking about counterintelligence, does that make the orcs on the training ground disposable p.a.w.ns?

So Gramps Ton knows the strategy of using counterintelligence Hes definitely not some ordinary Joe. As expected, far from being an old cooking geezer who likes nuts, it looks like hell become a great strategist on Quiches side

No, not at all. I believe in the two orcs as our friends.

If I welcome them into the Lucival family as

, they wont betray me most likely, but our acquaintance still has been way too short for that. The beauty Quema would be fine, but Solobo is too grim

Very well. Ill pa.s.s on your thoughts to the children.

Okay. But, information is ultimately just information. Quema and Solobo belonged to a small group that lived in one of the many underground cities. Therefore its possible that other orc clans use invasion routes unknown to the two.

Were in the Sea of Trees, so its truly complicated

Indeed. Although the orcs have their own, internal conflicts, we never know when theyre going to start their invasion towards Cydale again

Also, the troll crying has stopped, but it still bothers me. Theres also the Ancient G.o.d Go Rads dragonfly army, which

Red Tiger Storm

encountered, and the monkey-like monsters. Add to that the forces of the Tree King of Wonders. And as if thats not enough, a mult.i.tude of other such powers exist like the Death b.u.t.terfly people for example

Gramps Ton nods, Hero-dono, youre the actual manifestation of the proverb, at times a cat, at others a tiger. Youve been mentioning that youre going to head out on a journey, but are you going to remain with us for a while longer?

Yes, Im not leaving yet. Though I might prioritize exploring the mirrors while taking some people with me.

I see, I see. Your gentle att.i.tude of not boasting your own strength on top of this honesty is something Id love to adopt myselfif I had been a bit younger, I might have sworn my allegiance to you as well, Hero-dono.

Huh?

Well, just listen. The hero, who rescued us, is hard-working, taking the initiative in everything. And he gave us work as well as building us homes without any favoritism. Its the perfect example of The tail moves if the head does. Ebou, Maurique, Pal, and everyone else have mentioned that theyd be able to put their life on the line if its for the sake of that gentlemanfrom the bottom of their heart. I also think that hes a great man of honor

Since I believe that a person like Gramps Ton suits the attribute of being great, I feel deeply thankful for his words.

Just having you believe so makes me very happy. But, deep down Im a whimsical adventurer whos unsuited to be described as a hero as I got where the wind carries me. And being a blood-loving monster is also a part of me.

Still

The true hero is Quiche. For the sake of her familys homeland, she accepted children completely unrelated to her, and she happily took in the people I brought along. There exists no female knight for whom the description hero fits more than her. Though, maybe I should rather call her heavy knight. Thats why Id like you to put your life on the line for Quiche and the children

Gramps Ton bows his head, and answers with a serious look (his eyes are possibly bloodshot), Hu hu huyoure a kind man. Very well. I fully understand why the village chief-like beauty of an elf, Quiche-dono, and the ancient wolfman princess Higlia-dono have fallen for you, Hero-dono.

I plan to be a guy who can answer their feelings.

Wonderful. Your spearmans.h.i.+p training and being a great role model for the children. I believe both will become a guiding principle for the childrens future life. On top of that, you dont have any greed. So much that you forgot about the treasure you entrusted to me and didnt even ask for any money, including the leftover orc weapons. Its as if you have no weak spotsno, I guess you doyour philandering, but well, a.s.suming we ignore that small blemish Gramps Ton coughs.

Im really sorry.

Gramps Ton has apparently recalled it in the middle of talking too.

The indecent moaning that can be heard every night from this house

My night life where I furiously shake my hips instead of working my brain

With Kisara, Helme, and also Quiche

With Quiche whining that she cant move anymore while her whole body is trembling

Well, seeing her like that just made my d.i.c.k stand tall once again.

Many times, over and over again, gently and intenselyI worked on Quiche and Kisaras p.u.s.s.ies at the same time.

After shaking my head to rid myself of those indecent thoughts, I look at Gramps Ton, Gramps Ton, thank you very much for having taken care of my treasures.

Dont mind it, dont mind it. So, the other moving over there is blabbing some crab prayers all the time, butthe stone one has remained completely silent so far Seeing it, Granny Bang shouted, Its alive! Aliiiive! while mumbling some ghastly prayers, but is this one really alright?

Imagining Granny Bang with bloodshot eyes, I rather wonder whether Granny Bang is alright! But I wont retort at that part with the spear k.u.mites right spine arrest. It would kill Gramps Ton.

Apart from demonic marquis Ado-something being alright, Iglued over hereI can feel mana from her, but its also possible that she died. Well, Ill do my best to save her in my own way. After all, we share a relations.h.i.+p of having fought to the death. I explain to Gramps Ton while checking out the small cage around Iglued on my palm.

I remember the illusion of Iglued that dissipated like steam

Gramps Ton smiles, Then its fine! Its your Everything can become a treasure if it serves your purpose. Anyway, allow me to excuse myself now.

He says and turns around with an agility you wouldnt expect from an old man. I can spot no openings in his movements either. Him walking away with his hands linked behind his back gives him a peculiar aura of a refined grandpa.

His skills at criticizing and this; has he studied some ancient j.a.panese martial arts? Ive witnessed it before, but the blaming where he used an acorn was magnificent.

He calls himself a humble cook, buthe might have studied akido.

Still, his cooking tastes great, so I guess its fine either way.

Now then

Rollo.

Rollo has been watching Gramp Ton go downstairs. Shes keenly watching how hes tossing up two acorns in alternation. It looks like hes juggling those while descending the stairs.

Nn, nya?

I dont think I need to mention it, butdont play around with Iglued and Ado-something, okay?

Nyaa.

It sounded like I dont care.

Theyre no Superb.a.l.l.s, got it?

I place Iglued on top of a shelf while recalling the fluorescent toy from my childhood. First Im going to take a look at Ado-something.

I focus on

, canceling the small wood cage around Ado-something. It exposes a miniature figure with a single, round eye thats clad in a n.o.bles attire. He flaps the tiny wings on his back.

Phooey, phooey, phooey! d.a.m.n you for stuffing wood into my mouth, not even allowing me to talk! Dont f.u.c.k with me! But, youve done well to release me. Let me praise you for that alone!

One-eye-kun spat out the wood in his mouth, just to immediately start blathering and then smirking at the end of his remark. His face looks fiendish.

In the next instant, the metallic patterns on his attire start glowing crimson. They float up and expand while moving right above and finally overlapping with One-eye-kun. Is it a Demonic Eye power as might be expected of a demonic marquis?

It looks like a special, b.l.o.o.d.y contact lens.

Ill show you my inherent magic which is a favorite of Meliady-sama! Demonic Marquis Adombraly announces and releases a pretty red light from his eye.

Thereupon, the metallic pattern, which I believed to be a contact lens, floats up once more while scattering dazzling, red lightsuddenly transforms, and turns into a crimson sphere.

Look! Thats the power of an Amshabis for you!

The crimson sphere appears to be the pride of Amshabis folk. Demonic marquis-kun sure is lively. But, once I hear the sound of gla.s.s shattering, cracks form on the pretty globeand the crimson light gradually grows weaker.

S-s.h.i.+t! My power is

Its because youre forcibly trying to use your power after having had it sucked up by Iglued