Synopsis of the last chapter:
The Otaku factor is slowly eroding .
~Gerbera’s Perspective~
“Oh! There really is a monster here!”
What came into view along with those words were three people—two boys and one girl .
“Thou art……” (Gerbera)
I remembered their faces . As with milord, these three were transferees .
Their names were……what were they?
Thinking back on it, I had never heard them . As they were people we had yet to interact with, that was hardly surprising .
Why were they somewhere like this? I felt more confused than I did suspicious .
“Woahh . This is the first time I’ve seen a monster so close up . ”
The faces of the boys as they stared at me were unbelievably cheerful .
I felt no traces of evil intentions .
I sometimes felt a physiological disgust that I could not handle from the knights, but contrary to this, I could call what they were showing me some kind of “friendly att.i.tude” .
But, strangely, these gazes felt very uncomfortable for me .
“Amaziiing . It’s really a monster . ”
“H-Hey . Isn’t it dangerous?”
“It’s fiiine . They’re Majima’s monster, you see . There’s an elf girl next to them, too, so she would’ve been killed long ago if they were dangerous . ”
They approached whilst discussing something .
The two boys had red faces . A peculiar smell hit my nose .
“……Are they drunk?” (Kei)
Kei muttered next to me, and my eyebrows knitted .
I did not fully understand this『drunk』that Kei spoke of, but I still caught the gist of the situation .
This area was being cleared of people by the Alliance’s Knights, who were friendly to milord .
Neither the soldiers nor villagers could approach .
However, the knights could not be too strict towards the transferees like milord……that is, the heroes .
In fact, behind them were knights with confused looks .
It seemed the ropes of reason were loose on the boys right now . Perhaps, this was an effect of the alcohol .
Therefore, I was not unaware of the situation .
They were feeling out of it from the alcohol they’d drunk . Due to that, their bodies were performing actions they would not normally take .
Though, I had not a clue what they came to do…… .
“What dost thee in-……” (Gerbera)
“Your lower body really is a spider, huh . ”
I tried to ask them, but the boys did not hear my words .
“How’s it feel?”
On the contrary, the boys got as close as right in front of me, and one of them reached out with his hand .
Mistakingly, my reaction was delayed towards the overly rude and unexpected action .
His rude hand was about to touch the lower half of my Arachne body . A spider body covered in white hair .
“……!!” (Gerbera)
Could he touch this body?
The hand of a man that wasn’t milord?
I felt gooseb.u.mps run down my entire body from the physiological disgust . My spider hair stood on end .
My spider legs reflexively wriggled, and——
“What are you doing!”
——A reprimanding voice came to be, shattering the silence of the forest .
The boy’s hand stopped . Everyone immediately looked around .
A short girl walked up to me, her shoulders shaking .
“……Katō-dono?” (Gerbera)
The girl’s name slipped from my mouth .
If I remember correctly, Katō-dono should’ve been watching the training of her friend Rose-dono .
It appeared she had come back here .
While no one else could react, Katō-dono stopped moving and, with a stern expression, glared at the boys who were about to touch me .
“Are you trying to touch a girl’s body as you please!” (Katō)
“G-Girl? This is a monster . ”
“So what . She is unmistakably a girl . Are you aware of how nonsensical what you are trying to do is!” (Katō)
Pressed by her blown up anger, the boys took a step back as if they’d been soaked in water .
However, that too, was for only a moment .
“……Youuu!”
They must have realized they were afraid of a girl .
They would be ashamed of the events that led up to this point, if only their reason was working properly . I knew by watching them that their tiny pride had been set alight .
This——was going to go off .
Thinking so, I raised myself, making a *kichiri* sound . It was best to stop them, even if I had to use a somewhat rude method .
“S-Stop . The both of you . ”
However, the girl that had come with them to here pulled on the cuffs of the two boys’ s.h.i.+rts .
Advertis.e.m.e.nt“Tadsan?”
“L-Let’s go . Okay? We did something bad, we’re in the wrong……”
Her eyes were fixed on the thing hanging from the left side of Katō-dono’s waist .
It was a large knife .
The other day, milord spoke to Rose-dono and had her make it for Katō-dono to protect herself .
The ultrthin knife was light for its size, and terribly sharp to boot .
Katō-dono’s left hand was attached to the grip of the knife stored in its sheath .
“I-I’m sorry . ”
“……” (Katō)
When Katō-dono took an imposing stance a little ways away from the us, she motioned with her chin to leave quickly, remaining silent all the while .
The girl floated a forced smile, and with a pale face left as though running away .
Albeit dissatisfied, the boys left with nothing more than a tongue click before chasing after the girl .
As soon as the knights also left with apologetic expressions, I sighed .
The spider hair on my lower body that had been on edge finally regained its calmness .
They were a rude bunch . That whole affair left a bad aftertaste .
However, that it ended without anything happening could be called good .
Naturally, I knew that if I—a monster—caused a violent event, the event may have worsened milord’s position .
I turned to Katō-dono .
It was thanks to her cutting in that nothing happened .
“I thank thee, Katō-dono . ” (Gerbera)
“……” (Katō)
There was no reply .
Tilting my head, I peeked at her expression .
Her face, which had a slight innocent impression to it, was deathly pale .
“……Katō-dono?” (Gerbera)
There was no reply to my call .
Katō-dono suddenly collapsed .
Fortunately, Katō-dono’s condition was not severe .
Having collapsed with a pale expression, she lied on her side and fell asleep for a while, following her statement of “I’ll be fine as long as I rest for a little” .
Around the time Kei replaced the wet towel placed over her forehead for the umpteenth time, Katō-dono awoke .
“……I apologize for the inconvenience . ” (Katō)
“Don’t worry about it . ” (Kei)
Humans were just so fragile; I could only watch on despite how bad for my heart it was .
Breathing a sigh of relief, I shrugged my shoulders a little .
“However, it’s not like it was made for a.s.sisting in a fight, I won’t overdo it . ” (Katō)
When I heard about it later, it seemed that Katō-dono had only been able to take an imposing pose in front of the rude boys; she had been unable to take even a single step .
Thinking back on it now, her touching the knife was probably more because she wanted to rely on the object given to her by milord and made by Rose-dono, than it was『I’ll use this if something happens』 .
Katō-dono looked a bit sad as if she knew she overdid it .
“That’s true……but, I believe there is value in just doing that . ” (Kei)
“Thank thee . ” (Gerbera)
I appreciated it as well .
How would my spider legs have reflexively moved one second later if Katō-dono had not interrupted?
It was an unconscious behavior, so I could hardly a.s.sert it would have been fine .
I could have jumped back instantly .
If I were to do so poorly, there was a chance the rude boy’s hand would’ve been cut off . It made me s.h.i.+ver .
“If a girl has their body touched suddenly by a member of the opposite s.e.x, it isn’t impossible for them to hit back reflexively……” (Katō)
Katō-dono said in a bitter tone .
“Gerbersan’s specs are on a whole nother level, too . They might have gotten hurt a little . ” (Kei)
“……Yeah, just a『little』 . ” (Gerbera)
I averted my gaze .
That was a delicate way of looking at the situation, but I thought to keep quiet about that . It was a trivial problem .
Katō-dono, making a slightly curious expression after seeing my reaction, continued speaking .
“Well, he probably didn’t think it didn’t matter to us, but normally that would be s.e.xual hara.s.sment so you should give him a death-stare, but……” (Katō)
“As a result, it might inconvenience milord . ” (Gerbera)
Katō-dono showed her approval with a nod .
“It’s a good thing it ended without becoming a problem . ” (Katō)
“Indeed . ……However, what was that?” (Gerbera)
When I complained in a naturally quiet tone, a crease formed in Katō-dono’s eyebrows .
“They got drunk . It made them start to do things unconsciously . ” (Katō)
Her tone was icy and filled with anger towards the thoughtless boys .
“It’s not limited to you, but I think there’s a part where they unconsciously look down a bit . So, when they lose a bit of reason, they start to do rude things they wouldn’t do normally……” (Katō)
When I heard this remark, I suddenly thought back to the 2 monsters serving Riku Kudō, the other Monster Tamer .
They, given the names Anton and Berta, seemed to have been treated as mere game pieces .
Perhaps the reason I felt the boys from earlier to be uncomfortable was because their emotions were similar .
It was not “fine if they have no ill will” .
A frank curiosity . Simply put, the boys had stared at me like I was some kind of thing .
Monsters were monsters . Not humans .
Transferees lacked the hatred for monsters that the residents of this world possessed, but that didn’t necessarily mean they would treat us equally .
We were extremely lucky to have met milord .
“Though, once they sober up, I’m sure they’ll recognize the mistake they made . After all, they don’t want to pick a fight with Majimsenpai . ” (Katō)
Katō-dono continued .
“Moreover, from what I heard, Miyos.h.i.+-senpai seems to be the leader of that group . The incident happened somewhere he wasn’t, and if he knew of this, he would definitely act in a way so as to make sure his relations.h.i.+p with Majimsenpai doesn’t grow worse . So in that sense, it might be good we nipped this in the bud quickly . If Rose-san got dragged into it like that, I wouldn’t be able to bear watching . ” (Katō)
“Unlike me, Rose-dono art calm . If it would cause trouble for milord, she might just sit there and let herself be touched . Even if deep down, she hated it . ” (Gerbera)
“Please don’t say such horrid things . Only Senpai can touch Rose-san . ” (Katō)
Making a face of pure disgust, Katō-dono spoke .
The same as ever, she was a good friend .
“Hmm?” (Gerbera)
I then raised my face .
Another person was approaching .
I stood up reflexively, reason being because most likely the incident from a little while ago was unconsciously leaving a lasting effect on me . Fortunately, it was a needless anxiety .
The person approaching with rhythmatic footsteps was an eye-patched elf girl dressed in white armor, her golden hair bundled all together and swinging——it was Silane .
Though she was newest member in milord’s family, milord treated her that way because she had lived as a person prior to that .
Therefore, we family, including me, followed that . I personally had a strong impression that she was more of milord’s friend and Kei’s older sister than she was my younger sister .
Katō-dono tilted her head a little at her appearance .
“Oh? Silane-san, why are you here?” (Katō)
“I heard from my subordinates that there was trouble here . ” (Silane)
Making a slightly stern face, Silane approached us looking whilst around .
“Though it was just a dispute and not anything important, Takahiro-dono and Mikihiko-dono were still concerned . I came to see the situation and apologize . ” (Silane)
“So that’s why . It’s fine . It’s not the knights’ faults, so you don’t have to apologize . ” (Katō)
“But……” (Silane)
“It’s okay . I felt a bit sick, but Kei-chan took care of me . ” (Katō)
Katō-dono gave a smiling face towards Silane’s anxious look .
Seeing that, I wondered .
Her smile seemed a bit stiff .
“Yup . I think I’ll be good to move soon . Thank you, Kei-chan . ” (Katō)
When Katō-dono made a fist and cheered, Kei cast down her eyes .
“No way . I couldn’t do anything earlier……” (Kei)
“It’s okay . A child shouldn’t worry about such things . ” (Katō)
Katō-dono got up, stroking Kei’s head as she lamented .
She didn’t look to be forcing herself, even from my eyes .
Exactly as she said, she seemed to have recovered in this short time . Much quicker than before .
Was the rehabilitization Mikihiko-dono was helping with gradually showing its effects? Or, perhaps the good relations.h.i.+p she had with milord was exerting a good influence on her mind .
Silane stared fixedly at her .
Katō-dono herself also noticed her gaze . She stared in wonder, and then returned a beautiful smile .
“What is it, Silane-san?” (Katō)
“No . I apologize if this is my fault, however……” (Silane)
Silane had a slightly awkward expression .
“……I feel something like a wall in your att.i.tude, Mandono . Have I perhaps done something?” (Silane)
I had thought it strange, but it seems Silane had noticed it, too .
Well, I noticed it while watching her from the side . There was no way she herself would have failed to notice it .
“If I have done something that bothered you, I wish to apologize . ” (Silane)
Just like a knight, Silane had a sincere att.i.tude .
“No, that would be……” (Katō)
Katō-dono began speaking, but then noticed Kei and I were staring at her dubiously, and her eyes went round .
An unclear smiled showed on her face .
“……Did it show in my att.i.tude?” (Katō)
“Even I could tell . ” (Gerbera)
“Ah . That’s unexpectedly blunt . ” (Katō)
Her shoulders dropping, Katō-dono turned to Silane .
“I’m sorry . I wasn’t aware……” (Katō)
“No . You don’t have to apologize . ” (Silane)
“It seems I was being a bit distant unconsciously . But, that’s for personal reasons . It’s not your fault, Silane, so please don’t worry about it . ” (Katō)
“Personal, you say?” (Silane)
“……It’s pitiful . ” (Katō)
Katō-dono gave a bitter smile .
“I’m happy you are worried about me . I’m happy you trust me . But, I wanted to be the impetus to make him change if I could . ” (Katō)
She sighed .
“Jealousy won’t get me anywhere, I know that…but . For some reason it’s difficult……” (Katō)
Her words were minced, but I felt like I knew who Katō-dono was talking about .
She looked so happy-looking recently that even someone as estranged as I could tell .
“So, Silane-san . By no means do I hate you . In fact, I find your personality likeable . I’d be happy if you would be my friend . ” (Katō)
Katō-dono spoke in a smooth tone .
Even though she knew it was pitiful, enviable things were enviable .
A person’s heart was beyond one’s control .
And yet, Katō-dono was trying to get rid of the ill-will within herself .
As she looked at her, Silane suddenly gave a smile—a friendly one .
“I don’t understand why you are jealous……but of course, I don’t mind being your friend . Please treat me favorably . ” (Silane)
Katō-dono also smiled in response to Silane’s words . Her smile was more natural than before .
“According to Takahiro-dono, you are trying to learn magic, correct? I may be able to a.s.sist you in some way . ” (Silane)
“Truly? I’d be grateful . I’ve finally become able to perceive magical power recently and have wanted to advance to the next step . ” (Katō)
“Then, let’s talk when you come back from subjugating the surrounding monsters at noon . After dinner should work with me . ” (Silane)
Kei happily watched the two exchange words .
She was probably happy that the older sister she loved and the foreigner she’d recently made friends with were now linked by a bond of friends.h.i.+p .
Having felt a little chilly as I watched, I breathed a sigh of relief .
“……Oh, that reminds me . ” (Silane)
With a look of sudden remembrance, Silane then reached into the cuff of her clothes .
“I forgot to ask . Do you recognize this?” (Silane)
“Ah!” (Gerbera)
I reflexively shouted .
What Silane held out was the piece of paper I’d been given by Mikihiko-dono .
“Where did thou……” (Gerbera)
“On the way here I found something that’d been blown away by the wind . I knew immediately that it was something not from this world, so I was sure it was Mandono’s, but it was yours, Gerberdono?” (Silane)
“Indeed . It appears I carelessly let go of it when I was entangled with the transferees, or when Katō-dono collapsed . ” (Gerbera)
I hadn’t noticed in the slightest .
“I see . I’ll give it back, then . ” (Silane)
“Much appreciated . ” (Gerbera)
I breathed a sigh of relief, taking the folded up paper from Silane .
That was too close . Mikihiko’s hard-worked goodwill was just about wasted . This time, I had to make sure I didn’t lose it…… .
“……Hmm . Actually, perhaps this art a good chance . ” (Gerbera)
As I tried to put up the paper sc.r.a.p, I suddenly thought of something just before I did, and looked at Katō-dono .
“I have something I want thee to see . ” (Gerbera)
“Me?” (Katō)
I nodded grandly .
“Mhm . I consulted with Mikihiko-dono about the clothing design that Rose-dono asked of me before . ” (Gerbera)
“Eh……? With Shumoku-senpai? Is that the paper?” (Katō)
Katō-dono rarely had changes in her expression, but this time unusually clear and exquisitely subtle emotions showed in her voice and face .
“Heehh . Him, huh . ……I somehow only have a bad feeling about this . ” (Katō)
“What dost thee mean? Mikihiko-dono looked to be confident, and Kei also said it was cute . It’s good they said that after seeing it . ” (Gerbera)
“That is true……all right . Then, may I see it?” (Katō)
“Mhm . ” (Gerbera)
Ushering her, I spread out the paper and showed her .
As soon as she gazed at the page, Katō-dono’s eyes opened a small bit——
“Hey! Isn’t this a maid outfit!?” (Katō)
——Katō-dono cried out, pointing at the page .
“Oh! So thee art knowledgeable about it, too?” (Gerbera)
I gave a sigh .
Apparently, it was a very popular garment that Katō-dono knew of .
And, her surprise . It was more than I expected .
Perhaps the man really did deserve to be called milord’s friend . My choice to believe and leave it to him seemed to be a correct one .
“‘In my world, every man likes this’, or so he said . Milord will surely be satisfied . ” (Gerbera)
However, while I declared so full of confidence…hmm? I tilted my head in my mind .
The only one whose eyes were lighting up…were just the childlike Kei’s .
The reactions from the other two were weak . Especially Katō-dono’s . I wanted to think that she was holding her forehead and staggered because of how moved she was, but this seemed to be different .
“Isn’t it amazing, Ane-sama . There’s so many frills and laces . It’s so cute!” (Kei)
“Y-Yeah . But isn’t it a bit over-decorated? Maid clothes…are they? They’re lacking in practicality, and are too flashy……” (Silane)
“Ah, now that you mention it, that is true . I didn’t think about it that far . ” (Kei)
……Hmm? Huh? What?
As I listen to the elven sisters converse——especially the older sister’s slightly withdrawn words, a cold sweat dripped down my cheeks .
“The skirt is too short, and the chest area is too open . It is hard to say this, but it even has a slightly indecent atmosphere to it……” (Silane)
Perhaps…I’d done it now .
No no . Something like that…… .
“……Gerbersan?” (Katō)
Then, the last person opened their mouth .
My spider legs jumped . Timidly, I peeked at Katō-dono, and almost screamed .
“……Were you seriously going to put these clothes on Rose-san?” (Katō)
She was mad . No doubt about it; she was mad .
Her quiet voice, contrary to appearances, was scary .
Her clenched hands trembled slightly .
……I’ve done it now . This is not good, I realized .
It seemed I’d made an error in my judgement .
“C-Calm down . Katō-dono . I was not going to make this without changing it . ” (Gerbera)
Swaying, Katō-dono approached as I piled up sentence after sentence in a panic, trying to explain myself .
“……” (Katō)
In silence, she stared fixedly at the paper I’d spread out .
I felt dread .
The memory where『I’d been outdone』by her before was stimulated, and the scenery before my eyes spun round and round a little .
Something, I have to do something……that sole thought in mind, I began speaking .
“This art just one of many ideas . In fact, I was going to ask thy opinion, if I had the chance to . If thee were to say ‘you wouldn’t have shown it without this kind of opportunity’, then I could not deny such, but……!” (Gerbera)
“……Hmm? Maid clothes…just might not be a bad thing . ” (Katō)
Having just been frantically making excuses, I tilted my head .
What…did she just say?
“Please lend me this . ” (Katō)
“Ah!” (Gerbera)
The paper was swiftly taken from me .
Holding the paper with the picture on it in one hand, Katō-dono stared at it with a pondering look .
“Are you serious, Mandono?” (Silane)
Silane stared at her with a questioning look .
“Leaving aside normal maid clothes, this is……I am not aware of how it is in your world, but it might prove slightly difficult to wear that everyday……” (Silane)
“No . Please don’t misunderstand, this is not casual wear in our world, either . I don’t know about『Shumoku-senpai’s world』, but…” (Katō)
“……Didn’t you two come from the same world at the same time?” (Silane)
“That is…a deep conversation . Anyway . I am not aware of the particulars, but this…this is the outfit of a hobby establishment……” (Katō)
I did not understand a word of what Katō-dono was talking about .
But, I was certain of one truth: I had apparently escaped my death sentence .
Knowing that was plenty .
Sighing in relief, I questioned Katō-dono, who had a serious face .
“Art it fine to make it, then?” (Gerbera)
“No . This won’t work for everyday clothing . ” (Katō)
“Oh?” (Gerbera)
She was resolute .
If I looked, Silane was also nodding . It seemed it wouldn’t do .
“Something cute like this is fitting for Rose-san, not something lewd . A more chic, mature design . Instead of that, this design just doesn’t work . It tends too much towards his tastes . Since he knows everything, it’ll be interesting……” (Katō)
Speaking with an amazed expression, Katō-dono neatly folded the paper and put it in her pocket .
“I’ll make a plan . ” (Katō)
“Sounds good to me . ” (Silane)
Silane agreed with Katō-dono’s words .
Kei also nodded .
It was the moment Mikihiko-dono’s work, filled with male pa.s.sion, was to be put away . It felt a bit sad…… .
“I want to get dyes when we reach town . ” (Katō)
“I will arrange it, Mandono . ” (Silane)
“Oh? Thank you, Silane-san . That reminds me . It might be good to take the chance to prepare long gloves and knee-high socks, too . ” (Katō)
“Ah! Then, you can hide Rose-san’s doll body?” (Kei)
“Exactly, Kei-chan . If all goes well, Rose-san can go into town with Majimsenpai……I’m kinda looking forward to this . ” (Katō)
Listening to their harmonious exchange, I dropped my shoulders .
I felt bad for Mikihiko-dono, but……Hmm, can’t be helped .
His proposal wasn’t being outright rejected . I would have to thank him for his help later .
For example… . Ah, that’s it, I thought of a good idea .
How about I give clothes with the old design to that strong amazon of a woman he was so infatuated with?
Since Mikihiko-dono knew milord would be pleased if I made that for Rose-dono, then Mikihiko-dono himself would surely feel the same .
Mikihiko-dono would definitely be pleased, I imagine .
“Well . Now that that’s settled, let’s resume, shall we, Gerbersan?” (Katō)
Having decided on my future plans, I t.i.tled my heads at Katō-dono’s words .
“What dost thee mean?” (Gerbera)
“Your choice of weapon, Gerbersan . ” (Katō)
Katō-dono spoke as though it was obvious .
“I came here to help you with that . ” (Katō)
