| Author: Sasaki Ichiro | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2189 characters |
| Translator: Tanaka | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 836 words |
| Editor(s): Hydra | ||
“Shima, you’re concocting something unusual, aren’t you?”
Absorbing everything in its path, including the earth spirit, Pahlen, Shima’s colossal beast Nidhogg, moved northward at a ponderous pace. It seemed destined to soon breach the Empire’s border.
Nidhogg’s appearance hadn’t altered much from our previous encounter, except for a new, bump-like appendage on its back. This protrusion resembled an earthenware pot—perhaps a Moroccan tagine. It featured a shallow, black base, atop which sat a mosque-style castle with a wide, spreading top that tapered upwards, much like a lid.
This was «Arumamis», Shima’s fortress. With the enormous castle on its back, which once served as a major trading facility, Nidhogg now resembled a snail. The castle was embellished with an assortment of flashy neon signs, banners, and advertising balloons.
«Enforcing Fashion Trend»
«Spring Clearance Fair In Progress»
«Snug and Cozy Fair»
«Limited Offer, ‘1/1~∞’ 300^ discounted price at the register»
«A tantalising 3.5 million times point cashback»
«Bumper Summer Clearance Sale»
«Don’t Miss This Once-a-Year Opportunity»
«Check out Warm Phoenix Quilt, that will keep you warm even at the north pole»
«New Fall Collection Just Arrived»
«Cozy Style»
«All-days-week-long-festival sale»
«The Much-Anticipated Winter Collection Is Here»
«We Sell Chilled Chinese Noodles Here Now»
«For Players only, Limited Time 90~100% Discount»
«Socks and Underwear Bonanza In Progress»
«Make Haste or They’ll Be Gone»
Upon closer inspection, I observed what appeared to be vampires, masquerading as shoppers, lined up at the entrance.
“—Tengai.” I called out calmly to Tengai, upon whose back I was perched.
“Yes.”
Directing his gaze towards Shima’s castle, peeking through the clouds, I issued an instruction, “Let’s descend. I want to browse those items for a moment.”
“Right aw— what?”
“I’m aware Shima’s tastes are rather eccentric, but there might be something of value. Ah! Look, they’re selling domestically-produced kotatsu futon sets for just 3000 yen! Quick, let’s descend before they’re all sold out!”
“Ah… no, Princess, it’s implausible that those domestically-produced items are so cheap. It must be a trap. I urge you to reconsider.”
“That’s exactly why we need to investigate… Wait, why are you turning back? I just want a quick glance!”
“Princess, while I, Tengai, would follow you to hell and back, I cannot in good conscience bring you to such a dubious establishment.”
With a finality in his tone, Tengai flapped his massive wings, decisively steering us away from the area.
◆◇◆◇
“What a terrifying trap that was.”
After narrowly escaping a perilous situation, I finally relaxed and let out a deep sigh.
“Bargain sales and long queues… they’re the epitome of terrifying traps, born from an in-depth analysis of human psychology. A multi-layered deception that no housewife or Japanese person could easily escape… I was too complacent. Shima is indeed a formidable adversary…”
The members around me—Round Table, Imperial Guards, Secret Corp, and Cres’ beastkin force—all looked puzzled by my explanation. It seemed my words failed to convey the true terror of the situation.
The experience evoked memories from my past life, like rushing to buy discounted items before a supermarket closed or frantically grabbing limited offers on eggs and toilet paper. Lately, the lines between myself and Hiyuki’s persona were blurring, as if I had always been living as a girl.
“Um, Lady Hiyuki, are ‘bargain sales’ and ‘long queues’ really that frightening?”
Asmina, serving as a priestess, asked timidly, raising her hand.
“To put it in terms you’d understand… it’s akin to stumbling upon a scene where Revan is tied up in a dubious room, surrounded by men on the brink of undressing him. Imagine the resolve needed to stay aware of the potential trap while remaining in place.”
“Wha…!!”
Asmina gasped, grasping the gravity of the situation. Revan, standing beside her, grimaced, seemingly picturing the scene.
“What a horrendous trap! It would be impossible for me to stay alert with my attention… Y-you’ve done well to endure it, Lady Hiyuki! My respect for you has multiplied a hundredfold!”
Asmina, empathizing with my ordeal, took my hand and wept profusely.
“Do you understand now!?”
“I do! I completely do! I’ve realized the perilous predicament you were in! That despicable Pahlen is beyond forgiveness!”
As our bond of friendship deepened, Revan stepped forward, trying to move aside an increasingly agitated Asmina.
“Ahem. Nevertheless, what could be his reason for moving his base? And the same with Nidhogg, or whatever it’s called. I can’t fathom why they’re amassing war potential, other than to pose a significant threat.”
“Who knows? He might not have thought it through. It’s like how boys love giant robots that can combine and transform, or the thrill of catching stronger and better beetles. He probably didn’t consider much beyond that.”
“Pardon? I’m not sure I fully grasp that explanation, but essentially, it’s just his way of doing things?”
“Sort of. I’d classify it as one of those peculiar tastes. Plus, those banners on the castle were clearly luring me in. I’d wager he was doing it on purpose to draw us there.”
