Chapter 267: Temporary Truce

“Just give it up already, you people.” (Naofumi)

“Right, Sadina-neesan, cease this nonsense!” (Raphtalia)

“Don’t be so stiff, Naofumi-chan.” (Sadina)

It’s been three days. Through Raphtalia and Fohl’s actions, we have been able to put a complete stop to Atlas and Sadina’s night operations.

Raphtalia’s high level worked in our favor.

Then, while we were casually eating lunch, Sadina happily approaches us.

“So, Naofumi-chan. Tonight, won’t you come to my place to drink with Raphtalia-chan?” (Sadina)

“No.” (Naofumi)

She’s probably trying to get Raphtalia drunk to get her out of the competition.

“Don’t worry. I won’t bring Atlas-chan with me this time. I just want to talk with Naofumi-chan.” (Sadina)

“And you’re expecting me to believe that?” (Naofumi)

“Then, I’ll work with Fohl-chan to make sure Atlas-chan doesn’t come, so join me. This Onee-san keeps her promises.” (Sadina)

“I remember Onee-san breaking quite an important one.” (Raphtalia)

Raphtalia smiles as she begins releasing bloodlust.

She’s quite mad.

Yep, Raphtalia is a child who shows her anger like this.

“But Raphtalia-chan, until you returned, I made sure to keep Atlas-chan out of Naofumi-chan’s bed. I never heard anything about keeping the other children out.” (Sadina)

“Uu…” (Raphtalia)

She’s getting into the technical details…

And I think I’ve heard sophism like this before.

Ah, right, it came from me.

I’ve begun to understand Sadina’s personality.

She acts lazy to prevent others from getting a hold of her, but underneath that, she easily obsesses over things.

To summarize, she’s someone you can’t let your guard down around.

She’s really capable, and her fighting power is quite something…

She denied the Granny’s training, saying it was unnecessary.

Though that very Granny said that she was one who could master fighting by instinct, so there was no real need.

I’ve also heard from Raphtalia.

Apparently, she uses lightning magic on herself to forcefully increase her own reaction speed to levels around Musou Kassei.

She can cast self-buffing magic and has plenty of ways to raise her own parameters.

What’s more, she can use echolocation to read movements, so illusion magic isn’t very effective on her.

Just how skillful is she?

But if I think about it, she’s supposed to be of a race stronger than the Hakuko when in the water.

That seems right on the mark. Her appearance definitely fits an aquatic Demi-Human.

“And Atlas-chan is a little different from the other children in that aspect.” (Sadina)

“Is that so? Well, I just let the others into my bed as an Atlas Countermeasure, you know.” (Naofumi)

When I’m alone, I’m paranoid of the moment Atlas enters.

Especially on the days when Sadina is away.

“It’s because Naofumi-chan is a dense mutherfucker.” (Sadina)

(TL: The original text says dense. I have taken a bit of liberty here…)

(ED: ….lol)

“Is this about love? I don’t have any interest, and Raphtalia is strict on public morals. I just don’t want to cause an unneeded conflict.” (Naofumi)

I’m no harem-making protagonist.

If a man didn’t realize anything from Atlas’s persistent approach, they wouldn’t just be dense. They would have transcended density.

“Ara?” (Sadina)

“And I’ve been saying this for a while, but once the wave has been dealt with, and the world is at peace, I plan on returning to my own world. I have no intentions of making a family here.” (Naofumi)

“Hah…” (Raphtalia)

Raphtalia lets out a deep sigh.

Whenever this topic comes up, she always does that.

But these guys only ever talk about things like this, so perhaps Raphtalia is just tired of it.

“Then, Naofumi-chan.” (Sadina)

“What?” (Naofumi)

“After the world is at peace, and you’re ready to return, make sure to leave after you give love to all the ones who want to hold you close.” (Sadina)

“Listen to what I’m saying!” (Naofumi)

What is this whale woman saying!?

“Ara? This Onee-san doesn’t recall saying anything strange. Even when Naofumi-chan isn’t here, I think there are definitely some who wish to carry your child. Like me.” (Sadina)

“Like hell there are!” (Naofumi)

I think the Queen said something similar.

Something about marrying Melty.

If Melty married me, the fact that they had a hero in the family may increase the country’s authority, but I won’t let it end that way.

That strong-willed Melty probably won’t want relations with anyone besides Firo.

And wait, to obtain status from having a hero’s child, how calculating are these people?

“Ah, Naofumi-chan. I’m not sure what you’re misunderstanding, but Onee-san doesn’t want to become famous or have the child of a hero or anything.” (Sadina)

“I wonder.” (Naofumi)

“Onee-san… wants mutual love with the strong drinker, Naofumi-chan. Oh my, what am I saying?” (Sadina)

Annoying!

Raphtalia’s bloodlust becomes stronger.

Their nightly battles may come to a conclusion here.

Should I assist in silencing this whale?

“Anyways, Onee-san wants time to talk to you tonight.” (Sadina)

“Here is no good?” (Naofumi)

“Yeah, it’s a secret matter. Here is a bit…” (Sadina)

Sadina looks towards an area that seems devoid of people.

… Is there something there?

Is that where Shadow’s hiding?

I don’t see Shadow often, but she seems to be monitoring me.

She has the ability to disguise herself as the slaves in the village apparently.

I don’t really care, because she helps out too, though.

“So come to the secret base with Raphtalia-chan tonight. If you do so, I promise I won’t come to your room with Atlas-chan again.” (Sadina)

“Ah, yes, yes.” (Naofumi)

She’s quite a stubborn person. Though, she’ll probably fold at some point.

“It’s a promise.” (Sadina)

Sadina says this as she departs.

“I wonder what that was about.” (Raphtalia)

“Who knows?” (Naofumi)

That drunkard’s objective is as of yet unknown.

Starting with my village, Firo, and the people in the other village, she seems to garner great respect from all of them.

But, I can only see her as a loose person who likes to play around.

Though when the time comes, she does perform well.

Apparently, she does a lot of other things as well, but I haven’t seen anything.

I’ve seen her speaking with Melty as well. The princess wouldn’t tell me what it was about.

Even when Firo went into question mode, she continued to reply, ‘It’s a secret.’

Forcing it out of her wasn’t necessary, so I ignored it.

But where is this charisma coming from?

Anyways, that night.

Sadina had tied Atlas up and brought her to my place.

“Now, Fohl-chan. Atlas-chan. I’m going to be heading out with Naofumi-chan.” (Sadina)

She… actually did it.

“Sadina-san. Is this betrayal? Is that what it is?” (Atlas)

Atlas is bewildered as she presses Sadina for an answer.

Was she suddenly assaulted without warning?

“Tonight’s a temporary truce. Just calm down and leave it to Onee-san. Atlas-chan should just sleep with Fohl-chan today.” (Sadina)

“Ah… Naofumi-sama, please save me!” (Atlas)

“Sadina, don’t betray those who believe in you as a joke. That’s the thing I hate most in this world. If you go too far, I’m kicking you out.” (Naofumi)

It’s probably a simple joke, but whenever I see someone deceive someone else, I get a strong sense of discomfort.

But Witch’s already gone.

… I have to forget her.

“Yes, yes~. Then, I’ll be deceiving Naofumi-chan only once more after this~” (Sadina)

“Declaring it beforehand doesn’t solve the problem.” (Naofumi)

As we were talking, Fohl picks Atlas up in a princess cradle. He has on quite a happy expression.

“Now, Atlas. Today, you’re going to be sleeping peacefully. It’s too early for you to be doing things like this.” (Fohl)

His face and build are naturally good, so he looks like some sort of prince.

No, by blood, he is a prince.

Not that that matters.

Anyways, he’s carrying the young body of Atlas, which refuses to grow any older. The scene gives off an elegant feeling like one found in Shoujo Manga.

“Uu… Onii-sama, I won’t forget this disgrace. I’ll hold a grudge.” (Atlas)

Atlas complains as Fohl carries her off.

Wouldn’t it be best to keep her tied up like that forever?

Am I scum for thinking that? Yep, I am.

I evaluate myself as I turn towards Sadina.

“Will you get on Onee-san and we’ll swim there? Or will you ask Gaelion-chan to take you?” (Sadina)

“I guess Gaelion would be fine.” (Naofumi)

If anything happens, I can use Gaelion to buy time for my escape.

Like that, we ride Gaelion to Sadina’s secret Island Base.