Tsukaishi ⑪・The One Who Challenges “The Impregnable”.
“Well then, I’m off to get something to eat,” I said, parting ways with Megadia-san.
There’s a restaurant area on the floor below. Nice. Maybe I’ll take a stroll there later myself.
“Still, I was surprised that Hayarn used to be female.”
But her overly bold sexual harassment felt off.
That kind of harassment… If a man did it, he’d be arrested in any era.
But if it’s a woman… no, even between the same sex, it seems like it would lead to arrest.
The white-coated rabbit, Hayarn, crossed her arms.
“I’m male now, you know. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just that my original body was female.”
“…Did you sexually harass people like that when you were female too?”
“Back then, I was popular enough with the same sex without needing to touch them. It’s only since getting this body that I’ve started pursuing others with such passion.”
Considering she looked exactly like Megadia-san, I could sort of understand.
So the sexual harassment only started after she became a rabbit?
“You said you didn’t like your original body, but…”
“It’s not something to think deeply about. It just wasn’t my preferred type. However, I was surprised. Truly surprised. To think that I actually possessed the emotion of missing my original body.”
She started talking like a robot.
“Ah, my body!”
“…Speaking of which, what happened to your original body?”
“Someone took it over. That’s the one who put my soul into this rabbit.”
Hayarn stated this rather incredible fact as if it were someone else’s problem.
“Do you know who did it?”
“Mostly. But they’re likely long dead by now. Perhaps Miss Megadia is a direct descendant of my original body.”
“Does that mean they gave birth using your hijacked body?”
“Indeed.”
Her reaction really was like it had nothing to do with her.
Having children created using a body hijacked by someone else—from my perspective, it only evokes disgust.
I even find it horrifying. Though, Hayarn herself is pretty horrifying.
As I was thinking that, someone approached from ahead.
The first thing that caught my eye was her jet-black hair tied up with a white cloth.
Her eyes were covered by a white blindfold for some reason. Her long, pointed ears immediately told me she was an Elf.
While Elves are generally full of handsome men and beautiful women, she possessed an exceptionally dignified and beautiful face.
Her beauty had a sharpness to it, somehow reminiscent of the glint of a blade.
She could definitely cut you down. Cleanly in two… Her beauty made you think that.
She wore white hakama and armor without a helmet, with a large black kasa hat slung across her back.
Two swords were tucked into her waist. Which meant they were katanas.
Based on my past life’s memories, she had the appearance of what was called a “Samurai”.
She wasn’t as tall as Megadia-san, but she was close to 170cm.
“Oh my. A rabbit and a child make for a curious combination indeed.”
She smiled like a blooming flower.
“H-Hello.”
“Ooh, a beauty like a blade.”
Even Hayarn, who had praised her accurately, seemed to sense the danger and didn’t pounce.
I also made sure not to enter her range. Perhaps she sensed this.
“Rabbit. Child. Worry not, I do not draw my blade recklessly.”
“S-Sorry.”
“Besides, my range is nearly twice what you assume, child.”
“Eh?”
Does that mean my current position is already within her range— A chill ran down my spine.
“Hmm. A child with a rich imagination and sensitivity is reassuring. It is alright.”
She approached and gently patted my head. Her touch was surprisingly gentle.
Oops, I forgot.
“Ah, um, my name is Woff.”
“I am Hayarn.”
“Woff? The Witch’s disciple?”
“Yes.”
When I nodded, she fell silent. Then, her crimson lips parted.
“It seems I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Kaede Akima. I am known by the moniker ‘The One-Stroke Severing Master’.”
She’s “The One-Stroke Severing Master”… Now that she mentions it, her attire does fit the image.
“The First Class…”
“Indeed. And I am also called thus. ‘The Impregnable’.”
“Ah…”
“That is correct. The one who challenges us, ‘The Impregnable’. For you, Woff-dono, I too am one of the targets to be conquered.”
She chuckled softly, touching a finger to her lips with a bewitching smile.
Now, what did she say?
“The one who challenges…?”
What?
“Indeed. I am impressed that you have already brought down four of ‘The Impregnable’.”
“…Brought down?”
What? What has this person been saying?
Hey, that’s weird, right? I shifted my gaze to Hayarn, seeking agreement.
Hayarn glared at me resentfully and bit down on a handkerchief.
“S-Soooo envious!!!!”
What is she talking about?
This thing’s original body looked just like Megadia-san? Somehow, I feel sorry for Megadia-san.
Kaede-san continued, ignoring my confusion.
“I have no experience with this kind of contest, so I am looking forward to it.”
“Um…”
“Na!”
Dagaa cried out. I had brought him along today. Even though he was sleeping in his Knife form.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Hey. Someone’s coming from over there.”
From the direction Hayarn indicated, someone was indeed heading this way.
More than one person, actually. We moved aside so as not to be in the way.
What a crowd.
“Ah.”
Gently flowing golden hair. Sharp black eyes. A dignified, chiseled face.
A beauty mark under his right eye. He wore a red mantle draped over one shoulder and pure white armor.
A mystical aura that seemed to make the air tremble.
His noble appearance carried the presence of an overwhelmingly strong individual, like a solitary king.
I only knew one man like that. My mouth moved on its own.
“Alveld von Rootbelt.”
“Hoh.”
I naturally stepped forward to block his path.
Looking up at him, our eyes met.
“【Vanish】.”
“【Crash】.”
Badiiiiiiing! An unpleasant, reverberating metallic sound and shockwave assaulted the surroundings.
It was the sound of two Relics colliding.
My eyes were glowing an unnatural, vivid blue. Because I was using 【Deep Silent One】.
“W-What was that?”
“What happened?”
“Did that brat do something?”
“Um, um, uh, what in the world…”
And then I noticed. Diagonally behind him were Reold and… eh? Why—my eyes met hers.
Juicy-san!? Juicy=Tasan was standing diagonally to Alveld’s left.
“Hmm. So they were of the same type after all.”
Alveld’s voice brought me back to my senses.
“Thanks to you, I’ve become stronger.”
“Is that so.”
Looking uninterested, Alveld averted his gaze and walked past me.
Reold, following behind him, gave a wry smile, while Juicy-san just looked at me without saying anything.
They must be members of the Koon Hunt guild. They glared at me with hostility.
I especially felt killing intent from the twin girls.
“Yo, kid. Doin’ somethin’ interesting there.”
“Shesh-san.”
“Later.”
Shesh=Tasan. Juicy-san’s older sister.
She lightly tapped my shoulder, looking amused, before walking away.
I watched them leave.
Hayarn spoke.
“So that’s Alveld… Quite the handsome fellow.”
“Could he be your type?”
“I like women, so he’s out of the question. Besides, handsome men must be annihilated.”
“I agree with that.”
“In my book, Woff, you’re included too. In fact, you’re the top priority for annihilation.”
“Why me?!”
“Woff-dono.”
Kaede-san called out.
“Y-Yes?”
“As far as I know, this is the first time I have seen someone directly confront that ‘Destroyer of Destruction’. Truly an admirable person.”
“I will have a rematch with him and win.”
“Hoh. Even for me, fighting him would turn into a serious battle to the death.”
Kaede-san’s atmosphere changed. It felt as if a blade was being pressed against my throat.
“I will win.”
I didn’t flinch. If I faltered here, I couldn’t win.
Ffft, the atmosphere suddenly changed again, and Kaede-san smiled.
I could tell she wasn’t laughing mockingly.
“Interesting. Woff-dono, you are truly interesting. I have taken a liking to you as well. I see. It makes sense now. I find myself becoming intrigued. How vexing.”
“Um, what is?”
“If—though I dislike ‘what ifs’ as they resemble gambling—but if Woff-dono achieves victory against Alveld, then I too shall face you fair and square, Woff-dono, not as ‘The One-Stroke Severing Master’, but as one maiden of ‘The Impregnable’.”
“Face me for what?”
No, really, for what?
Completely ignoring my question, Kaede-san walked away looking satisfied.
Hayarn spoke, sounding deeply moved.
“Woff. ‘The Impregnable’… A worthy opponent for you, indeed.”
“Worthy opponent for WHAT!?”
I yelled with all my might.