“First things first... this is a different world from that which the Empire occupies.”
“Huh!?”
The Demon Lord repeated the same explanation he gave Yu, with a serious tone. As he explained things, including new information he had gained, Tahara’s expression changed with every sentence, and he finally sighed with exasperation. This seemed about the right reaction. It was scarier for the Demon Lord to have him accept it all from the get-go.
“So, what...? This is like some fantasy world from those kids’ cartoons?”
“In short, yes.”
After the immediate response, Tahara stayed silent for a long time. All the while, he would look up at the ceiling with a tired expression or scratch his cheek, but the Demon Lord understood. His very creator understood. Tahara’s brain was churning at full-speed, calculating all sorts of hypotheses and conclusions.
“Well, I know you wouldn’t prank people like this if hell froze over...”
“Yu’s here, too, by the way.”
“Ugh! That wacko!? Are you kidding me!?”
“I want you to cooperate with Yu on projects here.”
While casually lighting a cigarette, the Demon Lord nearly burst out laughing. Tahara’s reaction toward Yu seemed exactly the same as his.
(She’s pretty, but scary... Why did I have to make her like that?)
The Demon Lord would have slapped his past self if he could have. Tahara, meanwhile, seemed to have finally calmed down, and spoke with a tired expression.
“Just one thing I want to ask you, Mister Secretary.”
“What is it?”
“Are you sure this is a world where the Empire doesn’t exist?”
“Without a doubt. I guarantee it.”
Hearing this, Tahara let out a sigh in relief, before lighting a cigarette. He smoked nearly as much as his boss.
After smoking down a portion of his cigarette, and with a more collected attitude, Tahara spoke again.
“Feels weird saying it in front of you, Mister Secretary. But if there’s no Empire in this world, I couldn’t be happier. Don’t know... how you feel about it, though.”
Starting with some timidity, Tahara finished the sentence making firm eye contact with the Demon Lord. Of course, for Akira Ono (unlike Hakuto Kunai) the Empire was just a backdrop to the Game. Just the stage he set for his fight-to-the-death survival game. While he had created detailed lore to further engross the players into the game, it didn’t really affect gameplay. In fact, he was sure that not many of the players were dedicated enough to read page after page of novels he had written in the game. For any player who hadn’t delved into the lore, they must have only known the Empire as the host of the Game.
“No need to hold back for my sake. We are no longer bound by the Empire.”
“Is that so? Then I’ve got some follow-ups... What are you trying to do in this world? Do you want to go back to the old world at some point? What do you want from us here?”
Those were difficult questions. Not because the Demon Lord was trying to gauge which answers would satisfy Tahara, but because even the Demon Lord hadn’t finalized some decisions nor his final goal. To regain all of his admin features was one thing, but he didn’t even know if it was possible to return to his own world at any point, with or without any secrets regarding the Ember Angel. Even if he could go back, what would he do? It would just be the same old job and the same old days on repeat. Some day he would marry someone, build a family, and end up in a grave at some point.
(Hold on... then what happens to the advisors I’ve summoned? Even if they get transported back to their old world... the game doesn’t exist anymore.)
The Demon Lord ended up at a base-level question. Akira Ono had ended the game in modern-day Japan. A harsher way to put it would be that he killed his advisors and the rest of that world, albeit indirectly. Returning his advisors to that non-existent world would be killing them all over again. An extremely cruel and selfish act.
“There’s not much I can say now. But at least...”
Tahara’s eyes stared into the Demon Lord’s. A very quiet and strange time passed. His eyes also seemed to part through the veils of the Demon Lord’s heart, trying to read everything in his mind.
“...I plan to go in the opposite direction of the Empire.”
“...Really.”
The Demon Lord ended his sentence with the same thing he had told Yu before. Indeed, he didn’t dream of following in those bloody footsteps. That would only mean to rule the world with brute force. The last thing he wanted in this fantasy world was the cycle of killing and revenge.
“...Fine by me. I do owe you a big one for helping me make all that money. Manami and I would have dropped dead on the streets without you.”
“...About your sister...”
The Demon Lord couldn’t help but trail off. Tahara’s sister meant the world to him, to the point where it was sick. There was no mistaking that since it was written right into his backstory. How would Tahara feel being in a situation where he couldn’t see his sister?
“It’s fine. I’m sure she doesn’t want a brother around who’s doing some sketchy business. She’s over at old-man Sogen’s. I’m not worried about her.”
Sogen was a grandpa character who appeared in one of Tahara’s short stories, a priest of a venerated Shinto shrine and a famous land owner who had connections all the way up the ladder of the Empire. Hearing this, the Demon Lord couldn’t help but feel so relieved that he had included such a character. If he hadn’t, there was even a chance that Tahara would have demanded to be sent back to his old world, holding a gun to the Demon Lord’s head.
“So, what do we do for the time being...?”
“First, we run this remote village. We have a Field Hospital, Hot Springs Resort, and Public Bath.”
As the Demon Lord continued with explaining the work of reorganizing the entire village, training the employees, running a successful business, dealing with complaints, rubbing elbows with nobles, and babysitting, Tahara’s expression twisted and turned, in an almost amusing way.
“Who do you think I am, some blue, cat-model robot!?”
“You are a certified genius... You can do it. I have no doubt in my mind.”
“Urgh! Agh... Gagh...”
Tahara jumped up, wearing a strange expression, all of a sudden. This was the same reaction Yu had once shown.
“S-Something just shocked me... What the...”
“Are you not feeling well? Have Yu take a look.”
“Don’t! Give her the chance, and she’ll slice me up into bits!”
(That’s a little harsh, Tahara.)
“Ugh! Crazy b... I-If it isn’t Yu... Ha ha ha...”
They turned around to see Yu, wearing a yukata after her bath. While her rosy cheeks added to her beauty, her eyes instilled terror in the two men. Even the Demon Lord subtly looked away.
“Who is that, Master Demon Lord?”
“You have a perverted face... You must work for the Demon Lord!”
“...Pretty color. He’s nice.”
Aku, Luna, and Tron chimed in from behind Yu, setting off a commotion in the common area. The Demon Lord was confident that Tahara the Genius would take care of everything, including the very situation they were in.
(I’m finally relieved of babysitting duty... I mean, I’m only delegating tasks. Now, I better prepare to welcome the Madame.)
And so, the Demon Lord’s ridiculously powerful task force was assembling. They were nothing but incredible threats to the rest of the world, so it was only natural that this party would become the one at the center of the chaos that would take the entire world by storm.
Isami Tahara
Race: Human — Age: 31
* * *
Weapon A Lot of Guns
Selected each time from his arsenal of 47. He wields all sorts of firearms, from historical collectibles to sniper rifles. The guns adore Tahara, and spray his enemies with all bullets and no
mercy. They usually reside in another dimension, but emerge during combat and float mid-air, pointed in all directions. Infinite ammo.
Armor Kevlar Jacket
With holsters all over his body, he can quickly draw further guns. This jacket also protects him well against blades, in case Tahara finds himself in close combat. Infinite Durability.
Item Night-Vision Goggles
Allows him to see, even in the dead of night. A powerful item that grants +20% to Accuracy every time it’s equipped.
Item Lucky Seven
Cigarettes made by the Empire. Heals 40 Stamina. He has no preference for the brand, and carries a few packs from different brands.
* * *
Level: 1 — HP: 5000/5000 — Stamina: 600/600 — Attack: 50 (+Random) — Defense: 40 (+12) — Dexterity: 50 — Magic: 0 — Magic Defense: 0
Equipped Skills: First: Double Tap Second: Bulletscreen Third: Spray ’N’ Pray
Combat Skills: Grenade, Lock Down, Napalm, Forerunner, Big Boom, Lock-On, Avenger, Counter Strike, Break-Neck, Strategist
Survival Skills: Propaganda, Disable Traps, Trap Knowledge, Artisan, Fireworks, Troll, Recover, Sticky Fingers, Phantom Thief, God’s Speed, Academic, Medicine, Gambler
Special Abilities: Certified Genius, etc...
The Changing Village
——The Public Bath in the village of Rabbi, a few days later.
“Ahh... My heart’s hippity hippity...!”
“My skin’s hoppity hoppity...!”
The Bunnies were in the public bath after finishing their field work for the morning. This was an incredible change of scenery, considering that the entire village was struggling to find enough water for their fields just the other day. Now, the push of a button produced as much water, hot or cold, as they liked. In front of the long line of little stools, there was an unbelievably well-polished mirror for each person. From the strange faucet above the station (a shower), hot water came out with great pressure. The Bunnies couldn’t believe the sensation of wetting their heads with it. To boot, there was a mountain of soap, which the Bunnies thought was only reserved for the nobles and the richest. While they had started to warm up to soap, they didn’t yet fully understand it and stayed away from using shampoo or conditioner, but it surely wouldn’t be long before they gave them a try.
“Hoppity hop! Clean up in the cold bath!”
Several kids were playing in the cold bath, which was a common sight for public baths. The public bath was opened to the Bunnies for free, and open 24 hours a day. As a result, most of them used the facility in the morning or at night. While the floor and the chairs needed to be washed, the bath water was automatically circulated to keep it constantly clean.
While the public bath had relatively few things to clean, the hot springs resort was a different story. Even now, Tahara was training the Bunnies on how to clean the place in great detail.
“Listen up. Clean the bathing area with a deck brush or scrub brush, like this one. Don’t skimp on cleaners, either.”
Leading the pack with an example, Tahara started scrubbing the floor and walls. Some surfaces were tiles and others were stonework. Each surface had a different method of cleaning and a different brush to use. Since everyone walked around the hot springs barefoot, grime was quick to accumulate. As Tahara instructed them on how to clean each area, the Bunnies studiously followed his instructions. After having these incredible facilities built in their village, and now that bread and vegetables were being delivered to them daily, the naturally-honest Bunnies were giving it their all to somehow repay the favors done for them.
After a series of cleaning demonstrations, Tahara headed to the common area without so much as a break. Waiting there were Kyon and Momo, wearing their Bunny Suits.
“Bunny Suits at a hot springs resort, huh? I had my doubts at first, but it’s looking pretty good. Real rabbit people, after all.”
“Th-This outfit’s... embarrassing! ...Hoppity.”
“You are all perverted, hippity.”
Covering their breasts, they gave Tahara a begrudging look, but he was unaffected. To him, the only real woman in existence was his sister.
“You just gotta get used to it already. Shake your ass, while you’re at it. Give them a show.”
“No! Way! Hoppity!”
“Hurl! ...I mean, hippity.”
“What’s important’s how you greet customers. Let’s go over it again. Take nice, deep bows, and keep your head down for at least three whole seconds. Don’t forget to smile and enunciate.”
While Tahara slaved away, the Demon Lord was somehow topless in an examination room in the hospital being examined by Yu. Awkwardly sitting on the chair, the Demon Lord had his steel-wrought back turned to Yu, onto which she placed her stethoscope and donned an elated expression.
“I think I’m as healthy as a bull...”
“No, sir. You must be examined regularly. You can’t be too careful. If something were to happen to you, Mister Secretary...”
“You have a point...”
The Demon Lord couldn’t see Yu’s expression behind his back. It didn’t help that what she was saying sounded completely normal. Moving the stethoscope away, Yu touched his back with her alabaster fingers. Her breathing sped up and her face grew red, as opposed to the Demon Lord, who began to lose his color. A beautiful contrast.
“Th-That’s enough, don’t you think...? I’ll come to you if I’m ever not feeling well.”
“No, Mister Secretary. I haven’t finished your examination yet.”
Yu’s hands reached around to the front of his body. While pressing her bosom against his back, she grasped his pectorals with her fingers. This was straying further and further from any form of medical examination.
“It’s so thick... and hard, and manly...”
“I-I have some matters I need to attend to... I’ll see you next time.”
“Ooh Mister Secretary...!
Yu wore an unsatisfied look, but the Demon Lord rushed out of the examination room, grabbing his shirt and coat. Even with the beads of cold sweat on his brow, should one be envious or sympathetic of this man?
——Dona Dona’s manor in the mining region to the west.
“Buttersauce, that conniving knave! How dare she insult me in such a manner!?”
While continuing to eat his lavish breakfast, Dona Dona slammed his fist on the table, hard. At the auction the other day, Madame Buttersauce had stolen the Music Box, a mysterious magical item, from under his nose. The more he remembered about that day, the angrier he got.
“That sort of piece will only be done justice in the care of a real noble like me! Then that blob of fat... The best collector in the country, my ass!”
Dona shouted, shaking his unsightly globs of flesh. Having a rare item was a necessity for someone like Dona Dona, who ruled over a large number of nobles. At times, such items could garner adoration much more effectively than money. Therefore, any noble with an influence worth a damn would search for art to show off. Naturally, rare weapons or armor could serve the same purpose.
“42 gold medallions... T-T-That little...!” Unable to contain his anger anymore, Dona slammed his hands down onto the table. Several plated dishes flew off onto the floor, but he didn’t give them so much as a glance.
In auctions during recent years, the format of exclaiming bids out loud in competition with one another had been done away with. This method resulted in the final bidder often paying much more than they had expected, so the rules were changed with the unwritten understanding to keep things reasonable in mind. The solution was for everyone to write their bids on a piece of paper after seeing the auction piece, and place them in a box. This way no one paid above their maximum. Previously, people had won auctions in the heat of the moment, only to realize afterward that their final bid was a terrifying amount, and canceled the transaction. That was a situation they could avoid by adopting the new system. That’s what everyone thought at first, anyway.
Ho
wever, this method came with its own set of brutal mind games. Everyone had only one shot, after all. If they wanted the piece badly, they had to put the money down for it. At the same time, no one knew how much everyone else was bidding for it. There were definitely times when a single bidder went overboard and paid much more than he should have.
“I believe your bid was adequate, sir...”
From behind Dona, a man standing with great posture finally spoke up. His name was Azul, a man Dona had hired from the Northern Nations. He was famous as an assassin in those parts. His appearance was almost too perfect for a man, and his skin as white as porcelain. Dona had initially hired him for his trade, but since he turned out to have a decent brain and looks, he served as a day-to-day butler.
“To think that your bid of 40 gold medallions would be outbid, sir...”
Initially, Dona was going to bid an outlandish 38 gold medallions for the Music Box. This seemed more than enough to squash the competition. However, remembering that Buttersauce was there, Dona had added the extra two to make it a sure-fire bet of 40 gold medallions. Without taking the difference in values and culture into effect, that was the equivalent of 80 million dollars. Still, Buttersauce was the one called up as the victor... The nobles crammed into the auction house were all astounded at the declaration of her bid: 42 gold medallions. Finally, they had erupted in applause at Buttersauce’s big play.
“42 gold medallions... The Madame always keeps us on our toes, doesn’t she?”
“For that lady to pay that much... That must be one lucky magical item.”
“I’ve heard that Sir Dona placed a bid of 40 gold medallions...”
“Oh! With a difference of only two gold medallions... What a dramatic victory.”
“The Madame is the noble among nobles!”
“Let us toast to the victorious Madame Buttersauce!”
The storm of applause and respect that overwhelmed the room in an instant... That was the seed of a noble’s power. From Dona Dona’s perspective, his pride had been shattered for all to see. Losing that mind game... was devastating for his life as a noble.
Demon Lord, Retry! Volume 2 Page 7
