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TL: ALT
Chapter 18 – Beyond the Shrine Part 1
Before anyone could say anything, Wataru and Mariel were sucked into the gate and transported to the other side.
Even more surprising was that the gate closed immediately after opening.
“What’s going on? Why did the gate close so quickly?”
“Aire and Cloche aren’t here. They should be following us, but they haven’t arrived yet.”
Until now, the gate connecting the Jizo statue and the shrine in the other world had remained open for a long time.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to transport large quantities of sugar.
Was there a problem with the gate at this location, or was there a problem in the royal capital?
Was it a feature of the multiple-location base?
Wataru and the others had no idea.
“I didn’t think those two would leave us in this place. How long do you think it will take for the gate to open again?”
“I don’t know. We’ve never traveled back and forth in such a short amount of time before. Assuming it works the same way, the shortest time it took us to go back and forth was less than two hours, right?”
“At worst, we’ll have to wait that long? Damn it! I didn’t think saying it out loud would make us jump. It’s my fault.”
“No, it’s not your fault. We can’t do anything about things we don’t know. Please don’t blame yourself.”
“…You’re right. Thank you.”
Overcome with impatience, Wataru stared intently at the gate, hoping it would open. All he could see was the other side.
The gate was strange, but the area around the shrine was just as problematic.
Compared to other places, the area was severely eroded and looked dilapidated.
The floor was paved with hard stone, but a thick layer of soil covered it.
The pillars were covered with vines and broken in places.
There was no doubt that the shrine had been abandoned for a very long time.
“Where are we? Should we move without Aire and Cloche?”
“The woman at the stall said it was dangerous. I think we should stay here. At least we’ll be out of sight and safe.”
“I’m curious about what’s going on around us, but you’re probably right. While we’re here, let’s take some pictures of the shrine and save them.”
He didn’t want to waste any time.
Wataru took out his smartphone and began taking pictures of the shrine.
The structures were covered in vines and moss. The damage was severe, and the sacred characters were buried beneath it.
If the characters contained spells or magic circles, it wouldn’t be surprising if they couldn’t exert their full power.
“Ugh… I hope they hurry. Both of them.”
“I don’t think anything will happen to them, so at least we can rest assured about that.”
“Exactly. We’re the ones in real danger. It’s embarrassing that I’m the weakest one here.”
“You were born in a peaceful world, though, so I think that’s a good thing.”
“When Aire was around, I was proud, but now I wish I had trained harder.”
Aire and Cloche were raised as warriors, but even Mariel, a noble, has basic self-defense skills.
She knows how to use weapons and can move quickly in an emergency. If she and Wataru were to fight seriously, her strength would outweigh his physical strength alone.
Wataru would hesitate to take a life, but Mariel would act immediately.
Even if there’s a difference in common sense between worlds, his pride as a man is gone.
“I shouldn’t have left all our luggage with Aire and Cloche. We left all our water and food with them.”
“It can’t be helped. Let’s be careful not to leave them behind in the future.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a better idea.”
Relying on the shrine’s ability to block perception, Wataru and Mariel waited there for a while for Aire and Cloche.
Inside the shrine, they listened for sounds from outside.
Both Southern Ship Town and the royal capital had once been prosperous, but even considering the shrine’s location in a back alley, the area looked desolate.
There was no sign of anyone else, and it didn’t seem like a place where a gate would connect.
What was the meaning of the warning?
Though curious, Wataru and Mariel continued their conversation while waiting for the two to arrive.
“Master! Are you okay? Thank goodness!”
“Master, Mariel-san, we’re sorry to keep you waiting!”
Thirty minutes after they were separated, the gate opened, and the two rushed out.
Chapter 19 – Beyond the Shrine Part 2
As soon as the gate opened, Aire and Cloche appeared.
Aire rushed out and looked around frantically. When she found Wataru, her face lit up with joy.
She threw herself into his arms with such force that it felt like a flying tackle.
Wataru’s vision and senses were enveloped by her voluptuous breasts.
Enveloped in a sweet scent, he heard Aire’s voice.
“I was so worried! You can’t leave me, Master!”
“I’m sorry. I was lonely without you by my side.”
“I-I’m glad you understand.”
“I’m so glad we met up safely. I believed that you and Cloche would come.”
“Yes… I’ll come running no matter how far. I’ll protect you. So don’t leave me…”
She hugged him tightly, making it hard to breathe, but it felt good, and Wataru felt very safe, so he stayed put.
Even though he couldn’t see her, he hugged her back and gently stroked her back.
She must have been very worried and panicked about him.
Her body was cold.
After a while, she seemed to calm down, letting go of him. Wataru thanked Cloche as well.
Cloche stood a little way off, watching Wataru and Aire.
“Cloche, you must have been worried. Thank you.”
“I was really surprised. I’ve never seen Onee-sama so angry before. I thought my life was going to end.”
“Really, Aire?”
“Hey, don’t say that.”
“Ouch! That hurts! Please don’t squeeze my beautiful tail so hard!”
“Hmph.”
It was a trivial exchange, but precisely because of that, a sense of security returned.
A smile naturally appeared on Wataru’s face, and he relaxed.
Looking over, he saw that Mariel was also smiling.
“It’s nice to have time alone with Mariel, but I guess there’s nothing better than being together with everyone.”
“I agree, but maybe you could make some time for just the two of us once in a while?”
“Sure.”
The new slave, Cloche, was already blending in and acting naturally.
Although they were only acquaintances to begin with, Wataru was glad she wasn’t someone he found awkward around.
〇〇〇
Now that they had reunited, they exchanged information first.
However, there wasn’t much to say.
They hadn’t encountered any other users at the shrine, nor had they ventured out to other places.
They were preparing for when the gate would become usable again.
“I think we should wait and see what’s going on around here until Aire and Cloche arrive. I’d be scared if we encountered hostile people or monsters.”
“Good call. I’ll go check things out first.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for the warning.”
Wataru didn’t sense any malice or hostility in the advice the mysterious figure had given him.
The gate that Aire and Cloche had slipped through was already closed.
If it took the same amount of time to open again, they wouldn’t be able to use it for at least 30 minutes.
First, there was concern about whether they could return from there, but it seemed likely that they would be fine.
It would be strange if it were a one-way gate and the woman used it without hesitation.
The natural course of action was to check the surroundings until the gate could be used again.
Just to be safe, Aire took the lead, followed by Wataru and Mariel, with Cloche bringing up the rear.
As Aire emerged from the shrine, her ears and eyes darting from side to side, something strange happened.
“What the…! Ugh!”
“Aire! What’s wrong?”
Her body slumped, and she fell to her knees.
She put her hand to her mouth, and the sound of water splashing could be heard.
It was clear that Aire was vomiting.
What on earth had happened? Had they been attacked?
Wataru tried to rush over, but Aire stopped him with a thrust of her hand.
“No, don’t come near me! Ice Tiger, lend me your strength!”
She grabbed her beloved sword and shouted through her nose. A white membrane of ice formed around her.
It reflected light, creating a mist.
Stunned by this magical sight, Wataru was more concerned about Aire.
She staggered back to the shrine.
Then, as if to confirm that it was safe, the ice disappeared in an instant.
“Ugh, my head hurts…”
“Are you okay?”
“Mm…”
Her face was pale.
Her eyes were bloodshot, and her nose was red.
Cloche hurriedly took out a water bottle and handed it to her. Aire rinsed her mouth.
“What happened, Onee-sama?”
“I think it was a terrible magical disaster. I’m fine because I used the ‘Great Ice Tiger,’ but you mustn’t go out.”
“Magical disaster?”
Wataru couldn’t hide his confusion upon hearing those words for the first time.
However, since it was called a disaster, he sensed something ominous.
“In your world, you may be familiar with it from stories, but it’s a state where the magic used by magicians overflows and has a negative effect on people and things.”
“Magic has such a bad effect?”
“It’s not bad if it’s not excessive. If the amount is right, it can have positive effects, such as making you feel better or giving you more strength.”
Wataru knew that magic existed in this world and that there were magicians.
Even potions for chronic illnesses were made with the help of magicians, not just pharmacists.
However, he knew almost nothing about magical power.
“So, Aire is okay because you have a sword imbued with magic?”
“Yes, that’s right. The Great Ice Tiger can create a barrier, so the inside is safe.”
“But what about me moving around inside?”
“It’s not impossible, but I don’t recommend it. We don’t know how resistant Master is.”
“What about me?”
“I think it’s dangerous for you to go in unprotected. It’s better if I go alone and come back quickly.”
He hadn’t expected the transfer destination to be so difficult to leave.
Wataru took Aire’s advice and decided to wait again.
Aire set up an ice barrier and cautiously exited the shrine.
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Hmmm, what will Aire find? 🤔
Thanks for the treat.
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