Chapter 157: The Biggest Heart – Part 1

Chapter 157: The Biggest Heart – Part 1

Now that their [Resistance to Absurdity] is high enough, they easily accept the rest of our story, which is perfectly fine because things take a turn when we begin the Legado Dungeon Arc.

But first, there's Yunia's parents' execution, and then she joins our harem.

"Compared to you, our situation seems insignificant," Mikuri sympathetically remarks to the elven Queen, and even Klasse seems solemn.

"Then don't compare it," Yunia almost flippantly replies, mildly offended that everyone's mood has gotten so moody even though her story is that of a glorious comeback.

And we chuckle at her bluntness while Mikuri struggles to not laugh, suddenly unsure how to politely resolve this situation.

"Okay..." she stiffly answers and looks at her husband for help.

But Ciel comes to her rescue. "Everyone's journey is their own. Nothing will change how much you suffered or how much you persevered."

"I also tell people not to compare themselves with me because it isn't fair," I chime in, giving Hermann a knowing glance since he knows what I'm talking about.

And Yunia holds back her elven pomp to make a more diplomatic statement, "Yes, if we're being fair, Wolfy fell in my lap, or rather, I fell in his" -she holds herself back from making a dirty joke- "and just followed along as he was already powerful and heroic. I wasn't there to see most of his growth like the rest of the harem were."

"I see it, now. Forgive my stupid comment," Mikuri replies in kind and respectfully lowers her head.

"It... wasn't stupid," Klasse quietly states, seemingly too dispirited to elaborate further.

"It's not stupid to look at the lives of others for inspiration," Ciel once again sagely states.

But Klasse slowly shakes his head as he finally explains himself, "I didn't mean it like that. We're truly lucky that we're commoners since we get mercy instead of being executed."

Then Yunia solemnly steals Ciel's opportunity to say something wise, "With greater responsibility comes greater rewards, but also greater punishment."

And the stubborn father suddenly becomes bitter again. "But I wasn't even allowed to fully receive my punishment before being rescued," he whines and frowns at his elder daughter.

"Who cares?" she bluntly replies with a dismissive shrug.

"I do! It's my duty!" Klasse shouts, suddenly incensed, though his voice still doesn't have much power behind it.

But now it's Hana's turn to show her anger. "Who says it's your duty?!" she shouts defiantly.

"The Gods!" Klasse immediately replies, still not intimidated. "It's the way things are! I must pay for my mistakes!"

He's starting to annoy me, so I imperiously roar, "Then serve us!" And I manage to freeze his anger for a moment, so I assume a calmer tone as I explain, "We've been chosen by the Gods and need useful allies. Your expertise in business will be a great help to us."

But his first reaction isn't positive, as he shakes his head, then looks away and bitterly confesses, "I... I don't have the will to work in the mercenary escort business anymore."

That suits us perfectly.

So I reassure him, "That's fine because we need someone to manage our businesses."

And Mimi suddenly pleads desperately, "Oh, please, accept the job, Dad! I need help keeping the Ryders from spending all the gold in the treasury!"

"D-don't be dramatic, sister," Hana awkwardly requests because we're kind of too embarrassed to properly retort.

But the slender beauty isn't done and gives us a bit of a lambasting, "Your projects are all very expensive, and we haven't even made a return yet. The gem refinery also can't operate fully when you keep sending the Winch's escorts away on other missions."

Well, that last one actually has a good reason that's easy to explain, so I immediately reply, "The Carrier has important business in the Sky Lands, and we have an imperial battle airship coming home soon to help the Floater. We'll also be building a chocolate and coffee shop that should get us a nice amount of income, not to mention when we start selling the Rakis."

"And that's all in the future, while you continue to drain the treasury," she smugly points out and stares challengingly, so I take this chance to unleash my [Sexual Charm] upon her, and she shows all the subtle signs of mild arousal, which I consider a victory.

Then Poosh loudly clears her throat and stares intently at Mimi, silently telling her to not push this further, and I just love how my sheep is becoming bolder.

"You and Istante will get some rest soon, don't worry," Yunia reassures her. She'd rather not interrupt my flirting, as it amuses her, but if she said nothing, the air would become awkward for everyone else.

And the dark-skinned beauty sighs as she turns her eyes away from mine, then gives her Dad a pointed look.

Klasse considers her words for a moment, but the stubborn man still has something to ask Ciel, "Is the job of creating wealth for a rich Lord enough to serve as penance for a criminal?"

"It will," Mikuri sternly interjects before she can answer. "You pious fool. Us being together is more important than anything."

"If I don't pay, Fate will have our family torn apart again," he replies in kind, a bit of tension starting to form between the couple.

And Ciel is actually inclined to agree with him. Rupegians believe that Fate is like Karma. Good follows good, bad follows bad, and everyone has a score that will be judged, which might even happen while they're still alive.

Since being stern isn't working, I decide to appeal to reason, "I'm not asking for a vow. See with your own eyes whether this job will be enough for you."

And that does it, as he hums thoughtfully, then nods. "Hm... very well."

Then Alissa's sadism is tickled by his stubbornness to not accept the "holiness" of working for us, so she gleefully suggests, "Seigneur Tranfkoever is asking to be worked like a slave, so Miss Mizushina should give him half her workload for now."

"I will," Mimi eagerly replies, looking quite appeased.

"Right, can we continue the story now?" Mikuri tiredly requests.

And we do.

We get through Legado's challenges, the Chimeras, the battle of fake elves versus orcs, then the individual trials, and finally, the mystery of my new race is explained.

"I'm actually jealous that you can transform into a dragon," Mikuri states.

"I'll basically transform into a dragon-like beast if I continue leveling my [Draconic Body]," Hana points out with a pout.

"But he's a Symbol of Might! He's got a legend behind his race," her mother cheerfully retorts.

"So we'll make our own!" Hana boldly declares.

And the two laugh loudly.

Next is our return to Escanso, and once we become Crown Lords, everything changes, so the Tranfkoevers have fewer comments to make due to their inexperience in this matter.

Mizushina's reunion; the Lordship ceremony; our alliance with Confiel; our handling of the unruly Subordinate Lords; the peaceful visit to Lina's home; our very eventful visit to the Misty Low Forest; our deal with Cereleia; the Grosshils' scheme (which makes Ahren very embarrassed); the drama with Roxanne's mother; our insolent behavior towards the Elder Council; our surgical dismantling of Dawn of Fire; the birth of the Ryder Royal Research Institute; our quick visit to Gnomeria, and the gruesome battle against the bugs; our trip to the capital; our delve into the Great Labyrinth to Antreos Crea (which Mikuri greatly enjoys hearing about); the gathering of nobles at the Throne of Ascension, followed by our discovery below the Alkimenoids' mansion; our unveiling of Katasko's shady dealings; their assassination attempt in response; our better executed and actually successful assassination attempt; the Emperor's decision to extend the Sin of Sadistic Torture to also protect monsters; our second delve into the Great Labyrinth for Trox Mael; our joining of forces with the Misty Foxes and the two princesses; then the Purification and Reinhold's death, followed by the Emperor's Wrath.

And now our long, long tale finally reaches the present.

I calmly sip my coffee and finish my chocolate cake, our narration having gone way past lunchtime and taken up half our afternoon.

"What an amazing adventure you've all been through," Mikuri wistfully states and raises her cup of milk coffee to us in our honor.

"And now you're part of it, so they'll write about you too," Alissa gleefully replies.

"Oh no, that means me, too!" Nono suddenly whisper-shouts, looking a bit shocked.

I'd better start learning [Math].

Intermission end.

Poosh shows the Tranfkoevers to their rooms in the castle, then takes them shopping for clothes, but Hana remains at home, suddenly twice as motivated to train as usual. But she's surprised by Caterina, who comes to visit her.

They meet at the castle's main hall, and the Punisher milf has an uncharacteristic worried look in her sharp eyes. "Are you alright? I heard that your father was almost starving himself in his cell," she concernedly questions.

Hana nods with a grin and immediately replies, "Of course, I am." But then she stops in realization and smirks teasingly. "Awn... are you worried about me?"

Caterina's concern hides under her skin again as she breathes in deeply, then lets out a long sigh and impassively nods. "Yes, I am."

Hana narrows her eyes and crosses her arms, bunching up her balloon tits alluringly, momentarily attracting Caterina's gaze. "Why was it so hard to admit that?" the dragonkin sassily asks, definitely not missing Caterina's brief slip up.

But the Templar freezes in place, and her demeanor stiffens greatly. Then it seems like it takes her a lot of effort to admit, "I... I'm just used to... hiding my true feelings. It's a bad idea to make friends with people outside the Punishers."

"Diamond dragon scales! She's actually opening up!" Hana triumphantly exclaims through [Bind]. "Well, I'll take the Title of 'Caterina's Friend' and wear it with pride, though I do want more."

"You'll take what I'll give," the Punisher sternly states, fully recomposed again.

"And I'll ask for more," Hana daringly replies and takes a step closer.

And Caterina seems to struggle as she tries to keep staring her in the eye. "Asking is all you'll get."

But then Hana advances menacingly and grabs Caterina's chin as she huskily declares, "If you don't give, then I'll take."

"How barbarous," Caterina sarcastically whispers back.

And Hana smirks handsomely. "Well, I am a dragonkin." Then she steals a kiss, and their lips linger against one another, but Hana is feeling a bit sadistic (definitely inspired by our examples) and pulls back, leaving Caterina hanging. "But right now, I need to train, so why don't you join me?"

Then Hana walks away, and the mature elf seems very tempted to storm out in frustration, but she decides to follow after swallowing her pride.

Announcement

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