CH 236

Volzard's Mother

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It seemed that the laws of the world were different between Japan and Volzard.

Maa, it was clear that it was different considering you could use magic.

The decisive difference seemed to be the amount of magic essence contained in the air, but it didn't seem to be the only difference.

"Hey, hey, Reinhardt. It's really late, but the magic stones used in magic tools just get smaller, right?"

[ That's right. The more a magic stone is consumed, the more impurities it emits and the smaller it becomes, so the size of the magic stone is considered valuable. ]

"The color of the magic stone varies depending on the monster, but does the amount of magic essence contained in it change?"

[ Differences in color and transparency are questioned when making jewelry, but it is said that the amount of magic essence does not change. ]

"Is that so ..."

Since I came to the world of swords and magic, I have had more opportunities to use magic myself, but I actually didn't use magic tools very often.

I didn't use the most popular light magic tools because I had a dark aptitude and could see at night.

That's why I didn't notice the changes in the magic stones used in the magic tools.

"When you use a magic tool in Japan, the magic stone turns black and collapses in the blink of an eye, but is it because of the amount of magic essence?"

[ Who knows, I don't understand it, but it must have some kind of influence. ]

"Come to think of it, a magic stone is like a mass of magic essence, right? Is it possible to increase your magical power if you grind this into powder and drink it?"

[ Kent-sama, don't eat the flesh and blood or magic stones of monsters. ]

"Ehh, is that so?"

[ Kent-sama came from another world, so you probably don't know about it, but in this world, it's a matter of course due to common sense. ]

"Is that so. What if I put it in my mouth?"

[ Let's see ... If it's a small amount, there's no problem. However, it is said that if you continue to eat it, you will turn into a monster and lose your sense of self. ]

"Eeeehhhh! Humans become monsters?"

[ That's what they say, and in fact, once every few years, there are incidents of monster-turned-humans going on a rampage. ]

"Is that so ... I think I should tell my classmates about it."

[ That's right. Many of your schoolmates will be able to return to Japan, so it should be fine, but if would be better if you told Shuuichi-dono and the others. ]

"I see, Takayama will stay in Volzard. Yup, I'll let him know when we meet."

I never thought that a human would turn into a monster.

If there were people in this world who didn't know about it, I should tell them that it's dangerous, it's very likely that they will not be told about things that others know and take for granted.

It may be better to be a little careful about the elementary dangers associated with sorcery and magic.

"Wafuu, Goshujin-sama, I got an email from Kajikawa."

"He!? Th, thank you ..."

"Goshujin-sama, pet me, pet me!"

"Ahh, yup, thank you."

When I petted Murt, who had the smartphone borrowed from Kajikawa-san, it narrowed its eyes while flapping its tail.

Somehow, I felt like it wasn't my smartphone anymore.

The contents of the email was that the return cage had been completed, and several images were attached.

"Hmm ... It's kind of strange."

[ What's wrong, Kent-sama. ]

"Yup, it's the cage used for the return work ..."

[ Hohou, it looks like a strange-shaped carriage. ]

I simply thought it would be a cage to keep their hands and feet out of the range of the repatriation technique, but as Reinhardt said, no matter how you look at it, it's a vehicle.

The shape was a rounded cube, like a small bus.

Four balloon tires for rough terrain were attached to it, along with a suspension that seemed to be sturdy, and it somehow looked like a lunar probe.

Inside the vehicle, there were 5 seats facing each other, a total of 10 seats that seemed to be for sports cars, and were equipped with 6-point seat belts.

According to Kajikawa-san's email, the frame was made of duralumin and the body was made of polycarbonate.

However, although it was good that the coloring was white and red based on the Japanese flag, it looked like an airplane from a long time ago and was lame.

Maa, I didn't have a good sense of design, so even if I didn't mind it, I wondered how much it would have cost to prepare something like this in such a short period of time.

If one wasn't careful, wasn't it going to cost them tens of millions? Didn't that sound like a waste of tax dollars.

[ Kent-sama, isn't this for transporting dignitaries from Japan and Volzard? ]

"Ah!, I see. If I use summoning and repatriation techniques, even people with attribute magic can come and go."

[ Although Kent-sama bears the cost of staying, he protects his classmates and provides them with a place to stay, so there will probably be some kind of approach to Volzard in the future. ]

"I always get so busy that I tend to forget, but there's also the matter of resource development."

I see, if you consider it for transporting dignitaries, this may be the case.

The cage itself could be transported via the shadow space, so it was nice that it had wheels.

The small number of people was also reasonable considering the unlikely event of an accident.

Perhaps the preparations were underway before the talk came out.

I wanted to check the actual product, so I should go see it when I had time.

Also, if I were to resume the return work, we would have to decide the order of the people who would return, so I should visit the garrison's quarters.

I moved through the shadow space to Yuika's room.

"Yuika, can I come in?"

"Kento? Wait a minute ... Yes, please."

Yuika hurriedly closed her diary and put it in her desk drawer.

Come to think of it, I wondered what kind of things were written in that diary.

"Excuse me."

"Welcome ... Nn!"

I gently hugged Yuika.

"How are you doing today?"

"Yup, I got the news that the return cage was completed, so I thought I'd resume the return work after the holidays."

"What kind of shape is the cage?"

"Hmm ... Iffy?"

"Iffy ...?"

When I showed Yuika the photo I was sent, she nodded saying that it was really iffy.

It seemed that my sense really wasn't strange.

"Speaking of which, how is Watanuki-san?"

"Yup, she hasn't been depressed lately, and it seems like she's eating out of her room, but I don't feel like she can talk to everyone yet."

"I see ... Has she decided about the child in her stomach yet?"

"Hmm ... I don't know, I didn't ask because I thought I shouldn't rush it."

"While we're talking about the cage ... Should I ask something like that? If she's going to have an abortion, the sooner the better."

"Yup, Kento might be easier for Watanuki-san to talk to."

"Then, let's talk with her for a moment."

I went out from Yuika's room into the corridor and knocked on Watanuki-san's door.

"Who is it?"

"Hello, it's Kokubu."

"Ahh, it's open. Come in, come in."

The voice that came back from the other side of the door sounded more lively than I had expected."

"Pardon me for disturbing ..."

"Yo, long time no see!"

It seemed that Watanuki-san was sitting on the bed and playing with her smartphone.

"What's wrong, did the teachers ask you to check on me again?"

"No, they didn't say that. I got a message today that the return cage was completed, so I thought I'd have a meeting about resuming the return work after the holidays, so I stopped by beforehand."

"I see ... I'm sorry, but I haven't decided yet."

"I don't mind that, but if Watanuki-san decides to go home, I'll tell the teachers to give you priority."

"No, you don't have to give me priority."

"Eh!? I mean, umm, there's a lot of deadlines ..."

"Ahh, it's fine, it's fine, I've already decided to give birth."

"Ehh, I see ... If you don't have an abortion, the deadline doesn't matter ..."

"That's how it is. Maa, after thinking about it, I don't know who the child's father is, but I'm sure that I'm the mother. If the father abandons his responsibility, and on top of that, if even I abandon them, this child would be too pitiful. So, I will give birth and I will take responsibility for raising them."

Watanuki-san, who said it clearly, looked very cool compared to when she was desperate.

"Well, it's good that I decided to give birth, but I was wondering which would be easier to raise a child, Japan, or here, so I was still looking at the website of Nerima Ward."

"A website of Nerima Ward?"

"Yup, it seems like there are various kinds of support for single mothers. That's right, Kokubu, isn't there such support here?"

"Ahh, I don't know ... I haven't heard about social welfare, so I don't know, but it seems that there is something like private help. Amanda-san, who is the owner of my boarding house, is also a single mother, and it seems she raised a girl named Meisa-chan all by herself while running a cafeteria."

"Seriously? Hey, can I talk to Amanda-san?"

"Yup, that's fine. Right now it's a vacation period and the shop is closed. Would you like to go?"

"Is it okay? It would be really helpful if I could listen to someone with experience."

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Or rather, Kokubu, don't you have to go to the teachers' place?"

"Ahh, it might take a long time if I show up, so I'll worry about it later ..."

"Kuukuukuu, Kokubu has changed, it feels good."

Yuika guided her to the boarding house, and I decided to go back first and talk to Amanda-san about the situation.

When I returned to the boarding house by shadow movement, it was filled with a sweet smell.

When I went down the stairs and looked into the shop, I saw many cakes on the table.

"Amanda-san ..."

"Hey, Kent, didn't you go out?"

"Yes, I went out, but I came back because I had some business to do. Actually ..."

When I told her about Watanuki-san's situation, Amanda-san patted herself on the chest and promised to take care of it.

"However, that child is the same age as Kent, isn't she? The Resenburg guys do such terrible things. I can't forgive them!"

"Yes, but we found out who did it and they were punished ..."

"Even if you say punished, isn't it a lukewarm punishment anyway?"

"No, umm ..."

When I used a hand sword to show a decapitation gesture, Amanda-san's eyes widened in surprise.

"I didn't think the punishment would be that severe ... As expected, unlike the men in the city, being a knight must be tough."

"Maa, I think so."

Indeed, I can't say that I wouldn't be scared.

When I said that I hadn't told Watanuki about the executions yet, she told me to tell her after seeing the situation.

"Well, she must be angry with them, but she might be shocked when she hears that they were executed. They were severely punished for her unborn child ... It might be better to just tell her about it."

"Speaking of which, I can't see Meisa-chan ..."

"Ahh, Meisa hasn't finished her homework for over the holidays, so I'm shutting her in her room. I told her I won't let her eat the cake until it's done."

Just like in Japan, the schools in Volzard also gave out homework during long vacations.

Meisa-chan was playing the whole time during the holidays, and her homework seemed to be completely untouched, so Amanda-san came up with a plan.

If she didn't complete her homework as planned, and she had to leave the cake, the gluttonous Meisa-chan would have no choice but to do it desperately.

Amanda-san was making prototypes based on the cake that Meisa-chan brought back as a souvenir from Tokyo.

"Normally, I don't make cakes very often, so when I started making them, it became fun and I ended up making a little too much."

"Just a little ... is it."

"Maa, Sachiko and Yuika will also come. If there are five of us, it's perfect for lunch, ahahahaha ..."

No ... There are seven whole cakes about thirty centimeters in length, but are you saying that each person should eat more than one?

If I ate that much, I would be like Amanda-san ... I won't say anything like that.

While doing various things, Yuika-tachi seemed to have arrived, and I heard voices from the front.

"Kent, open it for them. I'll prepare the tea."

"Yes, please."

When I opened the door of the store, Yuika and a slightly nervous looking Watanuki-san were standing there.

"Welcome. Goodo Timingu. I'll have the two of you help me sample the cakes."(TN:Engrish)

"Ehh, cake? Ah!, really, it smells sweet."

"Amanda-san's cooking is really delicious."

"I see, Asakawa-san has come many times."

"Now, now, it's cold, so come inside! Meisa! Bring your homework and come down!"

Amanda-san, who came out of the kitchen with a tray full of pots and cups, called out to Meisa-chan on the second floor.

Watanuki-san seemed to be a little overwhelmed by Amanda-san's loud voice and good physique.

When I first came here, I must have looked like that.

"I'm Amanda. Now, sit down. Let's talk while we eat."

Yuika and Watanuki-san sat down, and when Amanda-san started cutting the cake, Meisa-chan came down the stairs.

Judging by her pouty face and teary eyes, it seemed she didn't finish her homework.

"Seriously, this child ... After eating, I'm going to have Kent look at your math."

"Ye~s ... Rather, who is this person?"

"This person is Kent's classmate and wants to hear from me."

"Fu~un ... Do you want to start in a cafeteria?"

"That's not right. SIt down."

"Ye~s ..."

Meisa-chan's mouth loosened when she saw the sliced cake, even though she gave a careless reply.

THe cakes ranged from plain sponge cakes to cakes with dried fruits and nuts mixed in, and layered cakes like mille-feuille.

The first was a dough mixed with dry Livres and served with sour cream.

The dough is thick and filling, isn't it.

"Amanda-san, did you use Livre liquor for this?"

"Ahh, right. After it was baked, it was finished with Livre liquor mixed with honey."

"The sweet and sourness of the dried Livre is accented and delicious."

"It seems so, it seems so."

The second was a plain dough cake served with a pot of syrup.

"First of all, eat it as it is, and if you think you need it after that, try pouring some syrup over it."

When I tried to cut the plain sponge cake that had been cut into pieces with a fork, it fell apart.

When I put it in my mouth, it didn't feel fluffy at all, and it was just crumbly.

When I unintentionally turned my gaze to Yuika, she tilted her head as expected.

Beside her, Watanuki-san muttered.

"I think this is a lack of egg whipping ..."

"You, have you ever baked a cake? I tried to imitate the one Meisa brought back as a souvenir, but it wasn't fluffy at all."

"Sponge cakes are a race against time, measuring the amounts properly, whipping the egg well, and time."

"Hoo, I see ... Teach me the trick a bit next time."

"But, it was just a hobby, so ..."

"Still, it was better than this, wasn't it? Maa, it's probably different from that world, but even so, if you can teach me the tricks, I'll be able to do it well after failing a few times. Not everything goes well from the beginning, it's okay to fail, learn, and improve."

"Fail ... Improve."

Watanuki-san seemed to be thinking about something else while staring at the crumbly sponge cake.

"That's right. Right, right, you wanted to talk to me. I'll tell you anything I know."

"Yes. Actually, I have a baby in my stomach ..."

Watanuki-san opened up about the cruel treatment she received in Lastock and her desperate life since coming to Volzard, with tears in her eyes.

Just listening to the raw content made my heart hurt.

Amanda-san silently stood up and hugged Watanuki-san, whose shoulders were shaking.

"If you want to stay in Volzard and give birth to a child here and raise it, I will put you on the second floor of my house. Anyway, Kent will leave after a while. It's a cafeteria, so you won't have to worry about being able to eat. If you live in and work, I don't need rent. If you think the world over there is hard to live in, come here."

"Yes ... Thank you very much."

Watanuki-san probably had parents and family in Japan, so she probably wouldn't be able to make a decision right away, but if she were to give birth and raise a child at our age, she would be concerned about what others would think of her.

If that was the case, it might be easier to live in Volzard, where she has few acquaintances.

In the end, it was up to Watanuki-san to decide, but I thought it was good that she had a wider range of choices.

That aside, will I get kicked out?

I'm joking, but it's time to seriously think about my family.

Otherwise, I won't be able to go further with Yuika than a Kiss.

"Kento, what are you thinking?"

"Umm, i, it's time to talk to Herman-san about my house ..."

"... Kento's ecchi."

Guha!, Yuika whispered to me in a low voice.

As I thought, I seem to show too much in my expressions.