CH 12

The door opened and the chime rang to announce someone’s entry.

[———-‘elcome…… Oh, it’s Senpai.]

Reflexively, I looked up from my seat at the cash register and greeted her with a business smile, but when I noticed that the person who entered was the oddball with pink hair, an eye patch, and a black pointy hat like a witch———— Shishiba “Balmung Fezarion” Kanon, a.k.a. Satou Hanako-senpai, and I instantly change my attitude from a shopkeeper to the usual me.

[Fuuu, I see that you too are trapped in nihility. However, the world will not end…… nor will it begin either. After all, I’ve already “broken” it…….]

Hanako-san unleashes her usual inner chuuni.

While I was ignoring her, she looks into my face as I’m reading manga at the cash register and continues.

[By the way, even though this is a secondhand bookstore, why does the sound of entering the store sound like McD*nald’s fries has been finished frying!? I thought for a second I was in the wrong store!]

(T/N: McD’s Fries Store Sound )

[Even if you tell me that, I could only say it’s the manager’s hobby. Once you get used to it, it shouldn’t bother you.]

Incidentally, when you leave the store, for some reason, the sound of money being withdrawn from a Seven Bank could be heard.

(T/N: Seven Bank Withdraw Sound)

Though I say this and that, “Lombroso Antiquarian Bookstore” is a secondhand bookstore that has been around since before the war, and it’s where I’m currently working part-time.

Basically, the store is run by a rich manager who does it as a hobby, so there are hardly any customers, and I can just read books in my free time, which makes this an easy job.

By the way, the manager is already old and not very strong, so he stays in the back of the store during the day.

Even I have only met him at the first interview, but he seems to have been wounded during the war and wears a four-eyed black mask that covers his face, a metal prosthetic hand on his left hand, and because the lower half of his body is disabled, he was sitting on a chair that imitated a flying saucer (It could actually fly like a real flying saucer. That must be one of those drones that’s trendy these days).

[Is this really just a secondhand bookstore⁉ There are rumors that the owner is also a mysterious masked person, and that it’s actually the hideout of an evil organization that is plotting to take over the world…… the entire universe……⁈]

[Like hell that’s the case!!! Just from the welcome sound of a secondhand bookstore is the same as that of a fast food restaurant, how in the heck did your imagination leap that far!?]

It’s true that the manager is a bit strange looking, and for some reason, he is also strangely averse to the topic of skeletons, but unlike this Senpai in front of me dressed in a fashion that’s too spicy for the eyes, he has a good reason to be out of the public eye, so it would be rude to make crazy assumptions from that.

Whatever she may say, he pays me well for such an easy job, so there was no way he was a bad person.

[Hmph. What a naive thing to say. What a sweet thing to say. From the news I heard that a truck carrying frozen tuna was attacked, there’s even a masked hero riding a motorcycle who had apparently seen through the secret maneuvers of an evil secret society plotting to conquer the world……]

[———–Rather, if you’re not a customer, then you’re just being a hindrance, so why don’t you just leave~~]

[I am a customer! It is exactly in places like these filled with chaos that hidden wisdom is buried. ……I mean, I heard that my little sister, a high school student, found a lost fragment of the “Pnakotic Manuscripts” here before. She disappeared shortly after that though———-]

[Disappeared? Did she run away from home?]

Well, with a big sister like her, I can understand why she would want to keep her distance from a family. Especially when she’s a high school student.

[She didn’t run away from home. She had found an important clue about the Outer Gods. It was stated in the diary she left behind…… that she would travel to another world to understand the truth about the infinite and invincible God-being, RhanTegoth…….]

Ahh, so her little sister is also one of them huh……

[……In other words, you’re here looking for clues about your missing sister?”

If that’s the case, no matter what nonsense she spouts, she’s a good sister to her younger sister. Doesn’t change the fact that she’s a weirdo though.

I would get a better opinion of this Senpai though, even if it’s only a little bit more but———-

[Surely, you jest! There’s no way that my little sister can reach a point that Chosen Transcendent me has yet to reach. I mean…… Frankly speaking, there is no such thing as a little sister who is better than her older sister! In order to prove that I am superior, I strive everyday in pursuit for greater wisdom.]

I was shocked when I heard her honest opinion.

Not concerned about my reaction, she continued complaining about her situation, not as Shishiba “Balmung Fezarion” Kanon, but as Satou Hanako.

[In the first place, I never liked Rio. She was spoiled because she was the youngest of us four sisters, and with the first three sisters named “Yukiko”, “Tsukiko”, and “Hanako”, why the heck did our parents have a sudden decision change and gave her a stylish name like “Rio”?　Normally speaking, she would have been “Hoshiko” or “Hiroko”!]

Kanon-senpai said, stomping on the ground.

[When I pointed this out, they had the gall to say “Thinking about it again, this naming is so lame, isn’t it?”!, claiming that her postpartum high finally subsided after giving us three sh*tty names and is now clear-minded! No, the other two being called Yukiko and Tsukiko are still good. You can generally swerve your way by claiming “that even though it’s old-fashioned, they were still good names”, but the name “Hanako” just draws laughs and sneers from people!!! Telling me stuff like “Have you found your Daisuke yet~~?” or “You off to haunt a toilet again~~?”, how much teasing did you think I faced in school because of this!!!?]

[Ahh…… For the time being, calm down. You can sit on any available chair and browse through the old books.]

She was starting to get annoying, so I pointed towards a chair in the back of the store with my chin, but Senpai, apparently still haven’t had enough of her ranting, brought the chair and placed it by the cash register on her own accord, then plopped her big butt on it.

Just then, as if she’s finding that timing, my phone rings out. Notifying Senpai about the call, I picked it up.

[Mhmm…… ———–Wait, isn’t this the original copy of the grimoire, “The Satanic Rituals”, written by Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan⁉]

She looked displeased and pouted at my words, but when she casually picked up a difficult-looking English book, the color in his eyes changed and became absorbed reading it.

Taking advantage of the fact that Senpai had grown quiet, I checked who’s calling on the phone and just like usual, I picked up the call.

As for who was on the other end of the call, of course————

“Hello, it’s Mary-san. I was caught by pirates and am now with them……”

[How did that even happen!?]

Weren’t these guys in a poisonous swamp just a few days ago⁈ Their horses should have been dead too, how did they get the mobility to…… No, was there an ocean within such walking distance?

“Hello, it’s Mary-san. It was quite a distance from our former location. It’s generally as if we took the Tobu Isesaki Line or the Ryomo Line, then moved on to the Mito Line, where I rode from Mito to Oarai……”

That’s almost the same as going to Kashimanada from Gunma. I’ve heard about how those from Gunma go to the Sea of Japan beachside when they want to go swimming because it’s apparently more convenient for them.

[That’s pretty far away, isn’t it……?]

“We went by air, so it was fast. As for the turtle that hatched from the egg, it has become emotionally attached to Mary-san. Also, whether it’s the dead horses, rocks, g*ndarium alloy, or Psycho-Fr*me, it would eat them all without a second thought, so the diameter of its shell is currently about 4 meters, so we can easily put the carriage on it and fly by spewing fire on its limbs……”

Unnn, that is definitely not a normal turtle. .

“Its name is Game “Lindwurm”!”

(T/N: Ga-me, not Gei-mu. Turtle -> Kame -> Game)

As if to overshadow Mary-san’s words, Olive’s shout asserted in the background.

[“Gamelindwurm” huh, that’s a long name.]

“It’s called “Gamerin” for short……”

It turned into something like the name of a mascot.

Anyhow, after reaching the sea, Gamerin went into the sea on its own and went to catch some food. It’s possible that it simply went back to the wild and would never return back to their side again. And so, Mary-san and Olive went to a random restaurant they saw to eat some seafood.

The restaurant was run by a father who had quit his job and started a handmade soba shop as a hobby, and his daughters, one about 15 years old and the other about 13 years old, who were working as waitresses. The restaurant itself was new, but it was somewhat lackluster and you wouldn’t think it was very popular.

“Well, that aside, Mary-san ordered a “nakaminato yakisoba,” which was listed on the menu, while Olive ordered a “Sardine Croquette Mentai Cheeseburger”……”

[As I thought, are you really in not another world, and are actually in Ibaraki right now!? I mean, you went to a place near the sea, so just get yourself a seafood rice bowl!

“Even if you say that, eating raw fish in another world is just dangerous, so you have to cook it over a fire to be safe……”

[Saying stuff like that, you’re just throwing the other world factors as an excuse now, oi.]

Just as they finished eating their meal, the old man of the restaurant spoke to them.

“You’re not locals, are you, young ladies? Where are you both from?”

However, when Mary-san honestly told them, “We were from the ruined <Strong NEET Town>……”, the air in the restaurant became strange.

[……Is something the matter?]

Olive’s quip caused the old man and his daughters to show signs of anguish all over their bodies.

[———-Actually. My father was originally something like a civil servant, but after the <Earth Dragon> attack on <Strong NEET Town>, he was forced to take responsibility for the faulty communication of information and was forced to change his job to become a chef here in a fishing village. Before we knew it, everything was already paved in and he somehow ended up apparently changing job to a fishmonger, and as a result, Mom got dismayed and left.]

[……No. The story doesn’t really make much sense, or rather, the consistency of the context is wrapped in a veil of chaos……]

It was the older daughter who explained the situation on behalf of her father, who was sullenly keeping his silence, but the more she listened, the more puzzled was with the story’s lack of coherence.

On the other hand, Mary-san, who was sipping her yakisoba at her own pace……

[———–In short, he is the cause of <Strong Neet Town>’s destruction. Even with all the things they said, the one to blame was him. If the residents of the town who fell victim because of his stupidity find out about this matter, whatever the circumstances he had back then, just like a husband who has made mistresses behind his wife’s back, he can’t complain even if he’s stabbed one after another with kitchen knives……]

[Guhaaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!]

[ [ Aaahhh, Dad! ] ]

Unable to bear his conscience, the old man crouched down on the spot, and his daughters rushed to him and frantically rubbed his back to cheer him up.

[———-No. Isn’t it strange for you to denounce others and point out who’s to blame?]

Olive rebuked in response, but it was met with no response.

[Now that you mentioned it, you’re right. The problem lies directly with Olive, who was the one who recklessly charged toward that turtle kaiju. How are you going to take responsibility for this……?]

[Isn’t that because you kicked me flying!?]

Olive, who got struck by a stray bullet and got accused of being responsible for that incident, protested to Mary-san with all her might.

As I was listening to all that happening, I couldn’t help but hold my head in my hands.

[……Why the heck are you trying to make your connection with other people worse!?]

“Mary-san just doesn’t want to hear people merely complain. In the first place, he’s thinking about the situation too hard. Just because he failed a mission and got demoted, he’s acting as if it’s the end of the world…… Considering that he’d have been executed if he’s with the G*milas Empire, he should instead think himself lucky……”

[You’ve given up on thinking too much!]

Thereupon, just as the inside of the store was having such a ruckus……

[We came to visit———!!!]

A few ruffian-looking seamen with arrogant mouths and attitudes came in, acting as if they owned the place.

[This restaurant’s as glum as usual. You only got two customers huh……]

[Nah, nah, Aniki. What’s surprising is that they still got customers!]

[They seem to be outsiders. I guess being outsiders, they just entered the restaurant without knowing each other. ————So, I’m sure you’ll pay me back in full, right? You gathered all my money and are going to pay me now, right, old man?]

As the seamen sat in the empty chairs and acted so arrogantly, the store owner’s face turned even paler than before.

[With such an absurd interest rate, there’s no way I can pay back the money in such a short period of time! In the first place, I borrowed the money from the town’s credit union, not you! Stop with those false accusations!]

[Hah! But the bond went around and it belongs to us, “Red Salmon Squad”. We have to obey the law, don’t we?]

[ [ Gyahahahahahahahahahaha!!! ] ]

[What law!? You pirates colluded to divert the testimonials and changed the contents without permission!]

[You’re a disreputable one, aren’t you, old man. Moreover, we’re not pirates. We’re “corsairs” recognized by the town’s local government. So to speak, we’re local government employees. We aren’t gonna go against the government officials now, are we~~? I guess that wouldn’t be strange, seeing as you did do that before?

[————Kuh……]

[Anyway, as we had agreed in the contract, if you say you can’t pay 50 million AC by the end of the day, I’ll take the store deed and your two daughters as slaves!]

With a signal from the group’s leader, the pirates tried to take the two daughters by force.

[Kyaaaaaahhhhhh!]

[Aaaaaah, Daaaaaad!]

[Stop———- Ghaaak……!]

The old man tried to stop them, but was hit and blown away to the back of the store.

The leader guy who had sent him flying clapped his hands in an amused tone.

[Oh, that’s right. You’re being a hindrance, old man, but I’ll tell you what. If you become the target in one game of ours, we’ll pardon your debt.]

[……?]

[It’s a game where you play as some repulsive guy, like a self-important captain of a ship that attacked our crew, and we would put you in a barrel with only your head sticking outside, while you can change the posture of your body neck down as you please. Meanwhile, we would take turns sticking cutlasses into the barrel. If you manage to survive until the end, you will be cleared of your debt. How about it? Sounds fun, doesn’t it?]

[J- Joining a stupid game like that……]

[Ah, shut up, you don’t get the option to refuse! Oi, take the old man along with the girls.]

Kicking his father with his toes, he turned around and saw Mary-san, who had just finished eating her yakisoba, standing majestically in front of the pirate group’s leader.

[Wait right there……!]

[……The heck is with this midget brat?]

[Hello, I’m Mary-san. I can’t stay silent after I heard the earlier story! If you’re having such a fun game, Mary-san also wants to join in! I especially think the “fishmonger old man going “Gyoh!” from surprise” is something you should implement in the game……!!!]

“———–And so, we’re all heading to the pirate ship together right now……”

[Stop right there, you brat———!!!]

Normally, if you’re the Hero, that scene would have brought you blazing with righteous indignation!?

I was at a loss for words when I saw Mary-san’s unexpected betrayal in front of the pitiful father and daughters.

Ahh, but well, Mary-san acting contrary to expectations is just the usual, so after thinking about it again, I guess that happening wasn’t so much of a surprise. Besides, this brat does love her edged tools.

“I’m looking forward to it. This would be a real Blackbeard game. I’m tingling with excitement. Mary-san is going to stab first! Like, head first, cutting straight down!”

” ” ” ” No, that’s gonna bring the climax to the beginning and kill him immediately!!! ” ” ” “

Even the pirates were taken aback and threw a tsukkomi at her……

“Also, I can’t wait to meet the pirate boss! I’m sure he’ll be wearing a straw hat, a rubber man with arms and legs that can stretch out, and even though he’s a pirate, he’s a hopeless swimmer……”

” ” ” ” Like hell a pirate like that exists!!! ” ” ” “

Opposite the excited Mary-san, the sisters are weeping, while Olive……

“D*mn it……! My eyes tingle. This is bad, that “power” is…… D- D*mn it……”

She’s escaping reality with all her might.

[I mean, if it’s just about 50 million, how about you pay for them? I mean, your unused AC is just stored in your guild card, right?]

“I do have the AC, but putting aside if I’m gonna use it for Kr*llin’s sake, why do I have to go through that trouble for scum who borrows money? As to why does Mary-san have to lend it to an insect that’s lower than crickets, that’s something Mary-san can’t understand……?”

She asked me, sounding heartfeltly wondering about this.

Meanwhile, on the background of the call……

“Ghaak…… Ghahaakk…… Gheeeeoook!!!”

” ” Aaaah, Dad’s being gouged by the sharp words, looking like he’s about to vomit and twitching like a cricket……! ” “

————-was the old man’s cry of agony and the girls’ echoing shriek.

People like that do exist after all. Someone who unconsciously puts unnecessary stress on others and mounting themselves somewhere safe…… 

“Hello, it’s Mary-san. In that case, let’s put together everything and position myself somewhere relieved from stress. Also, I’m not sure if it’s because we’re nearing the harbor, but I could hear the seagulls meowing……”

[Stop that. You’re spreading out the wound and making it worse! Also, all that meowing is annoying!]

“I don’t really know what you’re mumbling about from a while ago over there, but Onee-san here thinks that we can’t overlook the misfortune of girls who had nothing to do with that incident in <Strong NEET Town>. At least, so that they won’t become slaves, why don’t you use your identity as a guarantee?”

In response to Olive’s surprisingly respectable suggestion……

“In that case, as the number of girls in the group increases, it would automatically move Olive to the unwanted list……”

“It’s just my idealistic thoughts! Thinking about it again, we’re talking about a stranger’s family. We really shouldn’t meddle in other people’s matters, especially when it involves money!”

Olive immediately retracts her previous statement. It seems like this woman is determined to continue living off of the brat.

I would like to see the faces of her parents and siblings once and check out what kind of upbringing she had.

As I sighed like that, the nearby Senpai was still immersed in her hobby, saying “Elohim Essaim, I implore you……” or stuff like that.

In the meantime, the group arrived at the harbor……

” ” ” ” Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! T- The ships!? All of the ships have been sunk!!!? ” ” ” “

Immediately at that moment, the pirates’ screams echoed through the harbor.

“Aaaaahhh! Hello, it’s Mary-san. It’s a disaster……!”

Mary-san’s urgent cries also resounded.

“Even though we’re now near the sea, I wasn’t able to buy a swimsuit! Ahh, Mary-san’s bewitching fanservice scene has all come down to nothing……!”

“Shut your trap!!! This isn’t the time for stupid stuff like that!”

In response to the angry shout of the pirate group’s leader, who abruptly lost his composure……

“—————That aside, the old man at the fish restaurant looked like he’s about to die, while it felt like his daughters would start puking stuff out.”

“This isn’t the time to care about them!!!”

” ” I’d like it if you would care about it…… ” “

In response to Olive, who was secretly keeping her distance from the old man, the girls objected in a dejected tone.

“A- Aniki! Our ship……!”

“Oh, it’s safe and sound…… What the f*ck is that thing!!!?”

“It’s a turtle! A stupidly big turtle is gnawing the boats and eating it!!!”

“Gyyaaaaahhhh! Our mast has fallen! Our nakama who were fighting back were being burned to cinders one after another!!!”

While the pirates are in a state of panic……

“Seagulls have red eyes and are aggressive huh……”

The owner of Gamerin, who was probably the source of all the commotion, was playing around with seagulls.

Even though I knew she had always been like this, feeling immensely exhausted and tired, I silently hung up my phone call and put it away again in my pocket.

Nearby, Senpai’s full attention was still on that book about demons, immersing herself in it.

There’s a nightmarish scene happening in another world, but this world is peaceful.

Hoping that things wouldn’t turn for the worse and Mary-san doesn’t return, I picked up the manga I had been reading and went back to reading.